Sitting in JFK waiting for the flight home. It was such a productive and good trip on a professional level, and a super fun trip with family on that level.
Flight was normal on Satuday night, landing at 5 am. I watched Mufasa and Hemefakedet on the flight, which were great. I was window seat and I slept on and off for about 5 hours towards the beginning of the flight. I landed and got an uber to Moshe's house. I got there, put my stuff down, and then we went to Semichas Chaver, learned about Birkot Hanehenin (what Bracha do you make on soup/juice?), davened, and then went back to the house. Moshe and I then got a bagel and donut. Aliza and fam picked me up a little bit later to go to the Israel Day Parade, my first time ever. It was actually beautiful. There was so much love for our beautiful country. tens of thousands of kids, costumes, swag ( I got like 3 hats and 5 shirts), JJ marching, camels, Yonina, and even returned hostages on a float. Somehow Baruch and Noa walked past me, but thats ok. There were some real whackadoos protesting, which I guess is their right and I told them that, but I suggested this wasn't the place to protest. Then more protesteds came with pictures of Ariel Bibas and Palestinian kids, making the horribly terrible comparison between a 4 year old who is takne out of his house specifically vs. kids of terrorists who are collateral damage. At some point, we stood with Israeli flags and blocked the protesters until they gave up and left. Also, I ended up standing next to some hostage families, and had a nice conversation with Bar's dad, mother, and brother. I told them I head them speak at hostage square a few months ago, and the dad is so inspiring (he couldn't talk for years due to an accident and now he kind of can - but Bar doesn't know!). They gave me a sign of his picture.
From the parade, we went to Delanceys for dinner with the Starrs, and around 9 pm I was way out.
The next day I went into the city on a bus, and then he dropped me at the stop. I walked up to 56th to get a bagel and back, through Times Square. I love the city It was a really productive work day, with some great meetings. It was also Raymond's first day, so we went to a bar to welcome him. I came home (though due to the strike I went back on the bus which had crazy lines in Penn Station), and we went to Teddys. At teddys, I found out the guy behind the counter lost $10 to Moshe on the fact that I was born a boy 29 years ago which was funny to hear. Then Tan and I played catch with a baseball and then Tifarah took me to Target. Then Tan and I played some Madden and ordered his baseball cards I owed him for his Afikoman present.
Tuesday I woke up very early and walked to the bus to take me into the city. From Port Authority, I walked to Central Park, rented a citi bike to bike all around the beautiful park, and walked back to the office. Another great workday. Me and Daniel N walked to Mr Broadway and had lunch together. At the end of the workday, 6 of us hopped on the subway to head to the Bronx for Yankees Rangers. I love baseball games. The game was pretty standard, Yankees won 5-2. We sat in the bleachers, I had a kosher hot dog and a hot pretzel (challah shaped). Those guys do not like Juan Soto. From there I took a subway back by myself, and got all the way to Secaucus before missing my train because I didn't realize that unlike Israel, the sign shows trains that are also not on that track. 20 minutes later than planned, Aliza picked me up from Rutherford Station and brought me back to Moshe. My VRBO money x2 was waiting near my bed.
Wednesday morning, I chatted with Eli for a few minutes as has become our custom. I davened and then hopped over to Aisle One for a donut. Moshe then took me to the train which the strike had finished for. work was great, for lunch, me Nick and JC went to Mr. Broadway (my third straight day). Around 4 I left, and took the LI double R to Cedarhurst. Yosh took me to Target, and I bought some things. From there, we had a crazy fun dinner at Traditions, with Fluffy, Devorah, aunt Cheryl, and Tziporah. At dinner, we saw that I missed a siren, which hadn't happened since an hour after my takeoff. Dinner was ridiculous - I had poppers, wings, blooming onion, kishka, homemade onion rings, black cherry pop, a pickle, and a pastrami sandwich. Was super fun. Then Aunt Cheryl took me to the airport which is where I am now.
Food wise - Mr Broadway was great for lunch every day. Pastrami Sandwich was the clear winner.
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