So, June seems to be the time of change in my life. And, I decided that with all the changes that I'm facing I need to do everything I can to make change. That involved 2 things: moving my bed to a different wall, and starting a blog.
On erev Shavuot I was driving home from work early in the afternoon. Yes, we were closing early that day, but I left extra early cause I was sick. Now, I NEVER get sick (it had been 5 years) so you know I was feeling pretty bad to leave work early (after all, Im the girl that they have to force to take vacation days).
Anyway, back to my drive. I was not so happy with the traffic on the freeway at 1pm on a Thursday, so I got off and was taking Wilshire Blvd. east to get home. Now, I drive west on Wilshire many a morning to get to work, but there is something different. In the mornings the stores aren't open, and the roads move relatively easily. I don't think much of driving through the heart of Beverly Hills, passing Rodeo Drive, and the fancy stores that I would never feel comfortable going near. As I drove more slowly, and in my desperate to get to my bed stupor, I saw things in a different light. I saw people dressed in the most "perfect" outfits, with the hair and make-up done just right going in and out of stores. I saw at least one woman who I sure spends all of her time shopping in over-priced establishments. And, I saw a woman with the most artifical breasts I have ever seen. Boobs just do not sit as hers did.
This got me to thinking - why am I here? I mean, I hear all the time how fake LA is. But, that is from what I call the "media" version of LA - the version where everyone is talking about that area of Beverly Hills I drove through. Or the hip and trendy clubs on Sunset. Or the areas where the Hollywood rich and famous hang out. That is all great. And, oh so close to where I live. But thats not me. Thats not my LA. My LA is full of incredibly diverse people. And I love the people I know. My neighborhood is full of immigrants - I hear Farsi and Hebrew out the windows of my apartment building. The grocery store I shop in most often makes me feel almost like I am in Israel. I spend my Sunday nights with the best friends a girl could have - we represent many different cultures. In that group I have nieces and nephews on all colors. And, I wouldn't want it any other way. I live in a neighborhood where I can walk to at least 2 dozen shuls... although I only frequent a handfull...
LA is full of diversity. And culture. And, if I want to find it, I can. I love LA. Thats not to say that I don't miss Israel. I often say that the only place I would live outside of LA is Israel. I miss it terribly, and I'm counting the time until I make my next visit...
I often ask myself if I'm doing what I am supposed to be doing right now. Am I where I am supposed to be? And the answer keeps coming back as YES. I am where I should be right now - and I have been doing what I should be doing. It feels right. And, yes. Beyond the plastic and the silicone, and the perfectly manicured lawns and nails of Beverly Hills - LA really is my home.
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