wedding!!!

ooohhhh, i also forgot to add that yesterday was my cousin's wedding in Gagny! the actual marriage ceremony took place in the city hall with the mayor. apparently many jewish weddings happen in Gagny because the mayor is a jewish sympathizer... which i also suppose is a big deal in france. regardless, the bride to be was beautiful and her husband is a very nice guy. he has a good, steady job and the looks to back it up. his family is rather small though. i don't know if it was because they were all out of town or something, but the lamkyes side (our side) was full to the rafters, and his side only had two rows occupied.

getting to the city hall in the suburbs was an ordeal. i had just finished class and had to run to catch the RER E towards Chelles. so not only was i heading in an unfamiliar direction, i was not dressed appropriately for the occasion. i was wearing jeans, a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, my leather jacket, and chucks. my man bag added a nice little touch though... anywho, i run to catch the RER and make it just as the bells were chiming, signifying its departure. i move one car over to find a seat, and low and behold, i run into my uncle mony and aunt phoebe. they were noticeably out of breath because they had clearly done the same run as i to catch the train. 

after the jewish chants and a bombarding of camera flashes to the face, everyone returned to my uncle hanania's (sp?) house for some refreshments, absolutely delicious food, and celebrations. mommy dina looked beautiful for her old age, as usual. her reaction is always the same when she sees me... i don't think her eyes could open any wider if she tried. my cousin sarah is pregnant! i had no idea. she's definitely still one of the most beautiful people i have ever seen. i even told her that, and i'm not embarrassed about it. my other cousin moshe has a beautiful little boy named jonathan. we immediately warmed up to each other. he doesn't talk much now, but is probably the most observant and curious human being i have ever met. he doesn't cry at things that would make your average child cry, no matter what position you put him in. there was a poo poo platter of vegetables, sweets, fruits, breads, pastries, and undefinable edibles, and jonathan was intent on trying EVERYTHING. if he didn't like it, he would run over to me, open my mouth with his hand, then feed me his discarded food with the other. my OTHER cousin joshua, who used to be a chef, is now living in israel. he's my age and very very cool. we probably bonded the most yesterday. we're hopefully going out tonight (saturday) together.

oh yeah, i spoke french the whole time to my family. there was very little english going on in this room, except for mommy dina who insists on practicing her english with me. i was proud of myself. i can finally connect with my mom's side of the family in a way i haven't been able to before.

cheers, jhabra