Goldsteins in Alabama!!

We have arrived to Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. This will be our home for the next six weeks. We still have our house at Vance, awaiting our return, but we are here while Yoni goes through ASBC (Aerospace Basic Course).

The drive here went rather smoothly. We went to Dallas on Friday and stayed with the Deganis up north for a lovely Shabbat. One of the boys in the Rich family had his Bar Mitzvah, so we walked to their shul and joined in the simcha!

Saturday night we hit the road! We crossed the rest of Texas on I-20 and called it a night in Bossier City, a few dozen miles into Louisiana. We're definitely seeing a lot of this country...

On Sunday it was only about 7 1/2 hours more across Mississippi and into Montgomery, Alabama.

The base is big and really nice! They have just about everything here... there's a riding club, golf course, paintball, etc. And we've only just begun to explore...

I've also discovered their beautiful library, as it's a good place to sit and work on Math homework.. This Air Force Base is actually the location of Air University (the university for the Air Force), so there is an aire of education.

Yoni is doing all sorts of fun stuff. He reports usually by 0730 and is home by 1630, and during that time he does a lot of classroom learning, leadership training, and physical training. Next week he'll do Combined Ops, which combines him with students from the Senior NCO Academy (Senior and Chief Master Sergeants) and a bunch of captains here on TDY. This week he's performed his first PT test of our stay here, and passed easily.

His academics are somewhat challenging, and there is a great amount of extra projects that Yoni's flight has taken on and his day is always filled with stuff to do.

We really like it here. We were placed in a unique flight of mostly married couples with children in tow, so "Thanks!" to the Air Force for being considerate and making it easy for us to mix it up with the young families. Our neighbors are very sweet people and we look forward to becoming close with them. There is a spouse club here, too, and we have events planned every day. As wives of the LTs, we can also join our husbands and participate in certain activities and lectures.

This weekend Yoni has received special permission to leave an hour and a half early, so that we have time to drive to Birmingham for Shabbat. We have families to stay with and eat with up there. Via phone, it seems like an open, welcoming community. By the end of our career, we hope to spend Shabbat with every Jewish community in the United States!!

Some fun pictures:

Our room is a little short on dresser space, so Yoni converted one of the kitchen cabinets into his dresser :)











Last night, Yoni's whole flight and the families had a bbq in the courtyard in front of our dorm building. Yoni played some guitar and we all hung out for a few hours.

Getting to know the real "Enidians"...or as some call them, "Enoids"

Today was quite a day!!!

During the morning, I (Michelle) had two appointments, both of which made me a little nervous, so Yoni was a wonderful husband and came with me for moral support.

For the first appointment, I had to get the new sheitl cut. My friend Michelle told me I should go to this hairdresser she found in town. She loved him, her hair looks great, and the price was about a tenth the price of a sheitl macher in Baltimore, so I figured I'd give it a shot. To ease any worries, I'll tell you right now - he did a great job! I think I may actually be more happy with this one than the other one.

The real story though lies in the experience.

Day in and day out, Yoni and I encounter genuine curiosity as people have never heard of or experienced Orthodox Judaism. When I called the hairdresser two days ago, I tried my best to explain the situation. I must not have explained very clearly though, because we showed up today, and he said to us:
"Ok, so I have been racking my brain for two days. I remember you telling me you always cover your hair for religious reasons, and I can't see your hair, but I couldn't figure out for the life of me how you expect me to cut it if I can't see it!!!"
Haha, this poor guy, I thought I explained it was a wig, but for two days he was worried how he was going to fulfill my wishes and do a good haircut at the same time.

The second appointment was a little less exciting. To avoid unpleasant details, I'll just say I had outpatient surgery at the podiatrist's. All in all, it was not so bad. Funny story from this though - the podiatrist had quite the sense of humor (kind of reminded me of being in Dr. Sandler's dental chair actually)...
They numbed the toe and started working... yet it wasn't completely numb. Ow. In goes another shot to numb. I hear lots of stuff going on, feel very uncomfortable and the Dr. says, "Ah! Done!!"
I got very excited and said, "Really???"
"Nope," he said, started laughing at me and kept going...

This had Yoni and the nurse in stitches, but I really didn't find it so funny (at the time).
Oh Oklahomans...

This afternoon was also quite great!! Dani came over and we made challah together, and it was the first time she ever made it. I taught her how to make the dough and she had a great knack for the braiding. It's so much fun to not only be able to teach someone something so special as making challah, but to be able to share an aspect of Judaism with people out here :)

This weekend we're off to Oklahoma City for Shabbat, staying with Mike and Wendy (another young couple who often goes to Chabad), then flying Sunday morning to Atlanta for Ben Kogutt's wedding (one of Yoni's good high school friends).


T minus 60 days until we get our puppy :-D

The planes are flying again and we picked a puppy!

After a nice long vacation, with plenty of visitors and skies vacant of planes, the normal routine has begun again! We awoke to revelie, three to four planes are seen in the sky at any given moment and the new year has begun!

In slightly more exciting news, Michelle got her bike yesterday! (Just like Yoni's, except the girl's version..)

Annnnd we drove down to Oklahoma City and picked out our puppy today!!

She's 5 weeks now, so she'll be just about three months when we pick her up when we get back from Alabama.

She doesn't have a name yet (we're working on that one), so as of right now she's Female 4...

Her Mom is a beautiful lab, her Dad is a standard poodle, so she's a...
LABRADOODLE!

She'll grow to about the size of a normal lab, but have some waves in her hair and she won't shed.

Here are some cute pictures of us with her:



























The "doggy pile" of the whole litter sleeping together -- sooooo cute!











In other news, the rest of last week was wonderful. On New Year's Eve, Dad and Mom came. We had a few nice relaxing days exploring the Air Force Base and the town of Enid, and then we had our first Enid Shabbat!!

It was very nice. Not only did we have them as guests for both meals, but on Saturday we also had Michael, Dani, Daniel and Melissa over for lunch (most of the crowd from the Chanukah party). They're all so sweet and it was wonderful getting to know them better and enjoying the afternoon together. After lunch we played games till just about seudah shlishit!

Chanukah and Guests!!

On the first night of Chanukah, we went to the Lebovitz house for a wonderful Chanukah party. We all lit the menorahs, sang songs (accompanied by Yoni on guitar) and ate some good latkes and Chanukah food. It was such a fun evening, and we hope to continue establishing the Vance Jewish community.










































The following day, Mom arrived for her visit. So nights two, three, and four she was our guest :)
We had a great time exploring the city of Enid by day (Wal-Mart and townsquare), and having wonderful dinners in the evenings. One night after dinner we decided to embark on a competitive journey through the game of Monopoly. That was quite fun, and Yoni came out victorious. As a result, he did dishes that night...

After dropping Mom off at the airport on Thursday, we headed down to Dallas. Shuki, Cyrel and the kids were in town, so we got to see the whole family! It was wonderful seeing everyone and spending Shabbat down there.

Sunday morning they accompanied us up to Enid to see our new home and visit for a bit.
Having little kids around was great. First of all, we discovered the amazing playgrounds on base for the first time, and we got to swing on swings... which is something people should really make time for at all ages.

Unfortunately, last night, we lit the Menorah for the last night of Chanukah this year, but G-d willing this house will see many more guests and meaningful occasions before next year's Chanukah lighting.

Our daily manna...

Yesterday was quite a day!

First of all, it was Tuesday and we woke up to snow again!!

Then I (Michelle) drove Yoni to work and went to yoga. I've been to this class many times (twice a week since we moved here). Yet after class yesterday, someone approached me and asked, "Are you Jewish?" After I responded in the affirmative, I was informed of a Chanukah party this weekend that a number of Jewish couples are attending. Not only did I meet another Jewish couple, but in less than a week Yoni and I will be at a party with multiple Jewish couples all living in Enid.

I told Yoni the good news, and the day progressed...

In the afternoon, Yoni had an appointment at the clinic for some of his intake exams. First, he went to the dentist. The dentist, upon seeing his kippah asked, "You're Jewish?? Do you know about the Chanukkah party this Sunday?? My fiance and I are going!"

After four weeks of thinking we're the only young Jewish couple in all of Enid, we met two more - in one day!

So what's this mean? Why did we meet them now? Why did this not happen at the first yoga class I attended, or Yoni's first visit to the clinic?

Well the answer came last night, as I was learning Sichos Mussar over the phone with my friend Chanie.

Mussar is the teaching of character refinement. How to attain a pure, optimistic and healthy morale and approach to life.

One of the topics we learned this week had to do with appreciating what you're given today, without a fear of what tomorrow will bring. The teaching states that a man is a fool who acquires a loaf of bread today and cries that maybe tomorrow he will not be as fortunate. A man of faith trusts that G-d will provide for his needs today, tomorrow, and all days of his life. This man does not waste a moment in fear of deprivation.

G-d purposefully provides enough for just today, so that we constantly feel the need to reach out and trust in Him. The best Biblical example of this is the Jews in the desert, after the Exodus. Each day, manna fell from the sky. Every day, just enough bread fell to feed the Jewish people for one day (except for Friday, on which they got two day's worth, to prevent collecting the manna on Shabbat). Why didn't G-d give them enough manna for a year, so that they would not have to worry that it would fall each day? Because G-d wanted them to have faith in Him.

So what's this all have to do with us meeting two couples yesterday on base?

We arrived on base a month ago facing "tomorrow"s as completely uknown entities. We moved from Pikesville, MD - in an apartment building consisting of ONLY young Jewish couples to an Air Force base in a small town saturated with Christianity. We questioned how we could attain a comfort level with our own spirituality and practice of Judaism in this environment, and have prayed every day for strength to face this new challenge as a Kiddush Hashem.

If on that first day, we had been shown a straight, direct path to comfort in this new home, there would not have been as much of a need for us to look inward and Upward for guidance. It's the experience of the journey, and discovering bit by bit, day by day which facilitates strong faith, and a close connection with G-d.

We hope to look at the absence of constant Jewish influence not as a barrier to spiritual growth, but instead as a means to appreciate each little thing to a greater extent.

I was so excited about this experience and the connection to my learning, that I had to share.

On another note, we are getting quite excited for all of the visitors over the next few weeks!!
Before the new year, we get to see all of our parents, Shuki, Cyrel, and the kids!! Yay :)

We're moved in and had our first snow!

Tuesday, December 2nd, we loaded our car with carpet and vinyl remnants from Carpet Plus and drove the ten minutes across town with little red flags on the ends to begin the self-installation. It was very important to finish it all in one night, because 9,000 lbs of furniture and boxes were being delivered the following morning.











Our first project was the bedroom. With a beautiful blue, plush floor. We even put in a 1/2 inch thick pad underneath to be extra cushy!










Then we went to work diligently in the living room/dining room area, entrance, and hallway with the vinyl and a nice patch of carpet for the living room. We also added in a dinner of carbo-load pasta and potatoes coupled with a late-night Ben & Jerry's run.










After a whirlwind Wednesday/Thursday of unpacking, getting appliances delivered, and more unpacking, we drove down to Oklahoma City to spend Shabbat with the community there. It's actually a very nice, warm little community. The Chabad recently built a brand new center, and they have a good number of couples who come every week for davening and the meals.

There were also two other couples who have been married about a year, so it was nice to get to know them.

When we can't make it down to Dallas, it's nice to have this community so close.

Yoni's been as busy as a casual guy can be, working one hour a day some days, and some days he actually gets a job. Yesterday, he handed out RIP sheets (Roster-Inbound Personnel) for TDY (Temporary Duty) assignments to a bunch of the LTs over at the OSS (Operational Support Squadron). Tomorrow he hopes to get a real job, otherwise he'll work with a few LTs making a video with the PA office on the "Life of the Casual Lemming."

Michelle's working two days a week at Enid Learning Academy and keeping plenty busy during all of the other days.

Here's our house so far:

Living room/dining room area:











Right side of that room:









The guest room:











All other rooms aren't quite clean enough for the blog yet... we'll work on that..

Today (Tuesday Dec 9th) we also had our first Oklahoma snow! It was flurries most of the day, but the intense winds made it seem like a blizzard. When all was said and done, the ground had about an inch and a half covering. Here's Gus in our carport from both directions, with the snow. You'll also notice Yoni's pretty new bike hanging upside down over Gus. That will be his regular transportation to work (weather permitting).












Also, we have a landline!!

580-540-4528. Voicemail should hopefully be set up shortly.

The road trip and arrival at Vance

It was slightly difficult for us to leave Baltimore. We said most of our goodbyes Thursday through Saturday, then Sunday morning as we loaded the truck, Pinny (4 year-old next door neighbor) bid us farewell with an emphatic "Bye Yoni! Bye Michelle!!!" through the window. Then just before we left Michoel downstairs knocked and waved goodbye. It felt nice to have a few cute farewells :)

On the way out we dropped off the keys to the new occupants then set out on the open road.


First state: Pennsylvania!









About four hours into the drive we met up with Madi at a nice grill restaurant in the great city of Pittsburgh!










Then about 11 miles of West Virginia and into Ohio!!


















We stayed the night in Ohio and met up with Tori and Robe at the famous Graeter's for icecream!! (Never thought we'd say this, but they give Ben and Jerry's a run for their money)









Then we stayed at the Country Inn and Suites just outside Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton for the night and we highly recommend it; it's a very nice, clean, and inexpensive hotel with a unique charm as far as interstate-side hotels go.


On Monday morning, we woke up early for a good run before we hit the road, and we discovered that Gus, our pickup truck, was covered in a thin sheet of snow. So what did we do? Load him up and drive on anyway! Since we were in Dayton, however, we had to make one important stop before we left. We took an hour out of our day and visited the Air Force Museum at Wright-Pat. We saw the most impressive display of American Air Power that we have ever experienced, and it is spread among three large hangars, each one detailed on the outside by roundels (the white star in the blue field, bars on the side, etc.) that adorned US military aircraft throughout the past century of military aviation. We journeyed from the early years with the Wright Brothers to WWII, the Cold War and the modern GWOT era, with static displays of the B-2 Spirit, F-22A Raptor, and a few UAVs. The most poignant aircraft was the B-29 "Bockscar," the bomber that dropped the second atomic bomb (on Nagasaki), thus spurring the Japanese to surrender. We had already seen the "Enola Gay" in
Udvar-Hazy, so this completed our viewing of this important and controversial chapter in military history.



















































We left the museum and headed back on the road. Ohio really impressed us though. Mostly because it's the only state that thanked us for visiting:










We went through quite a few states that day...






















Just after entering Missouri, we stopped at a cute little Ma and Pa shop to get some hotdogs and soup, then called it an early night. We got to our hotel, just past the St Louis Beltway on I-44 by 6:30, wound down a bit, then got a good long night's sleep.

The following day we drove the diagonal length of rural Missouri. The next city we would pass through wasn't until Tulsa, in Oklahoma. We saw a lot of very flat, albeit gorgeous, farmland.

In Tulsa, we stopped at the Chabad for some lunch and to meet the family there, then drove the final two hours to our new home: Enid, Oklahoma.

Like we didn't see enough real cows, Enid decided to put up a cute little display of fake cows as you enter the city....
Along with the sign introducing you to the city centered around their Air Force Base.

It has now been six days since our arrival in Enid.
The first day was very difficult. We'd moved into TLF (Temporary living facility) and had to fend for ourselves. With no guidance on check-in procedures or protocol, we went from office to office, hpoing to begin the process of adjustment. The first day presented a lot of dead ends. Yet at each of those dead ends were instructions on which way to go. So by the second day, our productivity really began and we started taking care of everything.

By this Wednesday, before Thanksgiving, we should be completely in-processed.

In the meantime, we're also making preliminary preparations for the move into our house. On December 3rd, we will move into a house on the Air Force Base: 1253 Hurst Dr., Enid, OK 73703.

Today we had the fun job of price comparisons around the town on washers, dryers, and a freezer. Tomorrow we get to see the house and take pictures, and then after that, we will mostly go back to Lowe's, purchase the appliances, and look at flooring options.

We also were able to go down to Dallas for Shabbat, which was very nice, as we don't have a home here yet. Thankfully we'll also be able to go down there for Thanksgiving - fried turkey here we come!