meeting the replacement...

today i met my replacement.
we even look similiar.

something about her nose, her face, her voice...
it was a little bit freaky...like de ja vu to me a year ago.
she asked,
"what made you apply to serve here?"
good question.

part of me just did it, no real thought behind it. I remember, one and a half years ago (oh my!) sitting at the computer in the library of Toi Whakaari NZ drama school, thinking 'Haifa....that sounds interesting, i would have finished my degree, i havent got any massive acting jobs on the horizon, never really done a year of service before, and i kinda want to throw myself in the deep end, find out what its like to live, eat, and breathe all things Baha'i.'
so i filled out the form in may 2006 and forgot about it...

i remember we were rehersing for our graduation play 'Peer Gynt' when I was being interviewed, i was so excited, i spent most of the rehearsals day dreaming back stage admist the wooden debry of a set about what it would be like to live in Haifa, what would I be doing, how would i live, what would life in Israel be like....i had those stereo-typical war-torn images in my mind, the thrill of the unknown...

and then the acceptance phone call. i was tutoring book one i remember in my flat. I told them to call back! ha. Then i couldnt sleep for days. This was november, they wanted me there beginning of Jan. I had no money for the airfare, but where there is a will there is a way!

Suddenly my promo job handing out free samples of chicken flavoured chips at New World supermarkets around the lower North Island took on a whole new meaning. I may be dressed in a chicken outfit, but I was saving money for Haifa, I was selling out of stock in two hours...hehe
then i had to depart with the Moa. My beautiful toyota corsa hatchback, titled 'Moa' on the side....but it was either her or no ticket.....

and then 1st Jan 2007, arrival in Israel. New Year's Eve fireworks welcoming me as we drive through Ben Gurion Avenue, seeing the Shrine of the Bab for the first time.
"Welcome to your spiritual home" I remember my driver whispering to me as I peered out the window in utter disbelief, wanting to shout, cry, and laugh all at the same time. My new home for 18months.

And 25th Feb 2008 here I am....the home straight in sight...mixed feelings of 'are you kidding' 'i am so attached to this place' ' have i made the most of it?' 'where am i going from here?' 'how have I changed? what have i learnt?' 'how can i give back the flood of bounties that have been showered on me since comng here?' 'where can i serve the faith with this fire burning in my heart?' 'how can i keep this feeling with me forever?'

getting ready to leave the nest....
learning to trust.