I don`t mean to sound pessimistic every time I speak about life in Israel, but the truth is that I find frustration to be a great motivator to draw, so you`re more likely to see a drawing or painting having to do with something initially negative, because that`s what gives me the push in the first place, and I try to make something positive out of it.

So here it is...

I am confounded by the "eat-your-heart-out" policy every institution in Israel seems to hold. If all goes well with your health insurance, it`s a dream. Not having to pay high insurance fees as they do in the States is definitely a plus to living in Israel. But if you are somehow misinformed, or don`t look into something closely enough (easily done when there`s a language barrier), there is practically no one to appeal to, no one to take responsibility and provide you with "the customer is always right" approach... no, it`s almost as if they stick out their tongues at you and say, "Sucker, how did you think we make money in the first place?" Sadly, I think it`s mostly us immigrants that get stuck being the sucker time and time again, until eventually we grow really hard hides and become bitter and whiny, pining for America as if it`s these small, stupid things like health insurance that really determine the quality of our lives. Israelis already know the ropes (I think).

On the other hand, Israel gives you a great opportunity to work on your Emuna - your faith. We were once almost charged for damage on a rental car that we most definitely had nothing to do with, but even in a situation where you know you have nothing to fear because it really isn`t your fault, you worry. Because you know that here, they can do whatever they want. We could have been mercilessly charged with no one to plead with. In cases like these, I`ve been jolted back to an awareness that there is really no one that can help me out of this.... except G-d. You realize, in a daze, that there is no one else to turn to. So I talk to Him, cry to Him, remembering that He alone runs the show (and not the people at Budget rental).

Pregnancy is another great reminder that absolutely nothing is in your control. You can eat right, sleep right, take all the right vitamins and all the right precautions... but the results are not determined by you, your doctor, or your midwife. You are made aware of that every time you experience a scare. For someone like me, who likes to feel in control, it`s a great wake-up call, and a great if not challenging way of living every day based on faith alone....