Barton G FB

In honor of my upcoming departure, Pam and Brad decided to take me out for a surprise farewell dinner tonight. Although, it wasn't much of a surprise, because I guessed that we were going to BARTON G in Miami! Pam and I had discussed a while ago that we heard this place was supposed to be outrageous and wanted to try it. Let me tell you, this was no ordinary dinner! This place is known for its creative concoctions and over the top, playful presentations. Picture an eiffel tower on top of your appetizer or your lobster pop tarts being served in an actual toaster! And we happened to have the best seat in the house, right by the kitchen exit so that we could ooo and ahhh as the servers brought out all of the wacky dishes. We started out with some delicious apps- a trio of tuna (taco, tataki, and carpaccio), a delightful chopped salad, and a quartet of fries complete with 4 scrumptious dipping sauces. Followed by main courses of short ribs, lamb, and grouper, each presentation more beautiful than the next. Pam's grouper was by far the cutest dish- it came with a friendly, electronic, colorful fish named Nemo, who squirmed and bubbled, keeping us company throughout the meal. Dessert was a chocolate grand canyon- fudgey chocolate cake in a canyon of chocolate with rivers of raspberry, fudge, and butter finger rocks. Totally unnecessary, but considering this place is a one time kind of place, you have to go for the whole package. This meal is what Pam affectionately refers to as an "FB." Translation: food bomb. A food bomb is an ultra fatty, but totally satisfying meal that should really only happen once in a blue moon...Needless to say we are never eating again and Pam and Brad have leftovers for a week! But we had a great time :-) And our waiter, Tal, was from Tel Aviv! http://www.bartong.com/restaurant/













Saturday was a marathon! I had a Bat Mitzvah at 9am, a Bar Mitzvah at 11:30, the party all afternoon, and another one at 6. We had a terrible thunderstorm during the 6- the lights were flickering in the middle of the service and we almost lost power. It would have been a riot if they went out in the middle of singing L'chi lach to the kid in front of the ark...I totally crashed when I got home Saturday night- what a day...yesterday I was pretty exhausted although I managed to pull it together to do a wedding last night. Despite Dan cutting his finger while helping break the plate during the ketuba signing and my botched Erev shel shoshanim as we walked down the aisle, it was beautiful! The chupah was covered in gorgeous flowers- breathtaking, but an allergy nightmare!

I think that's about it for tonight. I started laying out all of clothes today for Israel...apartment is a mess...It's strange to think that next Monday night I'll be in Pittsburgh...

thankspandbforthebartongspree,
Leslie

BIRTH OF BLOG

I decided that a blog would be the best way to document my first year of Cantorial School in Israel, and to keep my friends and family updated on my soon-to-be very different and exciting life. Though I'm not leaving for a few weeks, I'm currently procrastinating and overwhelmed by the daunting task of packing up my apartment and leaving behind my life in Boca, so today is the official birth of Leslie's blog. Welcome!

We can think of this portion of the blog as Part I: The Preparation. I have 1 week left in Boca. 1 week to pack up my life, say goodbye to everyone, and to start the mental transition from Cantorial Assistant/youth group advisor at Beth El in Boca to Cantorial student at Hebrew Union College living in Jerusalem. What a huge change! Anyone who knows me well, knows that I have always disliked change. Not the act of change itself, but the thought of change. I get very situated and attached to my routine, the people involved in my routine, and my surroundings. Once it happens, I'm totally fine-I adapt well and very quickly. It's just that mental hurdle and the saying goodbye part that I don't like.

So here I am, about to say goodbye to the life that I've grown so attached to in the last 15 months. Looking back, it's unbelievable to think where I was last January compared to now. I've grown and learned so much from this job, the people I've met, and the experiences that I've had. I'll miss it all; the Temple, the kids, the families, the staff, my friends, my apartment, and certainly the ease of the South Florida lifestyle. I love that I can walk to the beach in perfect weather in less than 10 minutes, sit under the pavillion and stare out at the beautiful ocean, watching the waves break on the shore...When I first moved down here last year, I used to drive over and take mid-day walks on the beach because I couldn't believe how close I lived! I guess for a girl from gloomy Pittsburgh, it was exciting.

I think the hardest thing to leave behind is the community that I've grown attached to. I've really never felt this appreciated by a group of people in my life. The outpouring of love and praise that I have received is almost overwhelming. (definitely an incredible feeling) From the Shabbat service when they honored me a few weeks ago to the surprise going away party, I feel like I really made a positive impact on their lives. I guess that's part of the reason I'm going to Cantorial School for five years-to learn how to do this job the best that I can. I want to keep making a difference in people's lives, officiating at their life cycle events, and being involved in communities as warm and nurturing as Beth El.

Even though it's sad to say goodbye, this next step is exciting for me. I'm ready to go back to school and be surrounded by young people who share the same interests as me... I met one of my future classmates the other day for lunch and she was awesome-we totally bonded. Meeting her really made me feel better about this big move. We talked about packing for the year, our concerns and enthusiasm about the experience and why we both decided to take this path. I'm sure the entire incoming class is dealing with similar situations of closing one chapter, and getting ready to open the next one. It's a comfort to know that we'll all be in the same boat, embarking on this new beginning together.

I'm not really sure how to write this blog...this is very new to me. But, I think it will be a great way for me to process the experiences that this next year will bring, and to keep in touch with all of you!

I guess it's time to stop procrastinating and start being productive.

Please send your organizational skills and packing powers my way!

Love to all!

wowimanofficialblogger,
Lessslie
(how many times do you think I'll have to explain how to say my name correctly?)