Battling Cancer Showed Me The Role Of Surroundings In The Healing Process

I moved to

Miami 2.5 years ago

Before that I lived in

New Jersey 7 years, New York 27 years, Israel 8 years. I have been an expat from the age of 3.

At the age of 10, after relocating back to my birth country Israel, I had experienced a culture full of life, fun, and bonding. It had given me a true connection to my routes and my birthplace. I had connected with family members and friends that entail had created a lifetime of relationships.

When relocating back to NY to study art, creating had become my meditation, self-awareness and sense of growth.

In 2005 I had relocated to NJ looking to expose my children to new environments and the experience of change. During that time, I followed my passion for creativity developing a Design / Build company that allowed me to express art through building and designing homes for people of many different cultures. That also allowed me to understand how environment and surrounding played a key role to ones health and happiness.

I love change!

Dean , Alex and Maya (Dog) My children enjoying time surrounded by nature and animals @ a private residence & stable in Miami

The reason for moving here was

After battling breast cancer, I felt it would be the perfect place for my family and me to heal and rehabilitate.

After my cancer diagnosis and battling this horrible disease, and being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, I had realized that my family and myself were due for change and Miami was the place to make it happen. Living with RA pain on a daily basis would not be easy so changing of lifestyle and focusing on quality of life was priority, realizing that weather, water, nature and animals were key factors to allowing myself to live a nurturing life. Since I moved I have created a new best friend, my dog Maya, which has been an amazing emotional support system during my rehabilitation.

Maya and I bonding @ Haulover Dog beach in Bal Harbor

Maya chilling in the sun

If I were to describe my current city in one word, that would be

“Paradise”. Between the beautiful Greenery, weather and the view of the water, I am able to nourish my soul.

Views from the city of Aventura overlooking the intercostal and sunny Isle

The first thing a new expat needs to know when moving here is

Change gear, take your time, slow down. You should also learn how to speak Spanish.

Haulover Beach Park , Favorite bench overlooking the Bal Harbour intercostal

The language issue

English of course is the main language for the states, which is my mother tongue, but living in Miami, Spanish literally becomes the first. Still learning….

Since I moved here I stopped

Suffering from the cold weather.

Since I moved here the new thing I started doing is

Going to the dog park and dog beach. Miami is surrounded by dog lovers. Maya is our baby (dog) and she made sure to introduce us to new friends from all walks of life.

Maya and I playing @ Haulover Dog beach in Bal Harbor

My biggest lesson learnt was

How important and fulfilling diversity is in the world. Being exposed to such a multi cultural city really gives you an understanding and an appreciation of different perspectives in life.

While embracing change is a key factor to allowing yourself to move out of her comfort zone and to experience the important things in life. It creates strength as well as growth.

Sunrise views overlooking the intercostal and sunny Isle from Aventura

Some weird habits of the locals

Honking their horns, even though life is in slow motion, for some reasons drivers are always with a small fuse.

My biggest cultural shock was

Most people start their day at 10 AM, vacation mode is a way of life here. In addition, Spanish-speaking individuals always surround you.

What I miss the most from home is

I consider NY and Israel my home, the most I miss is all my wonderful friends and amazing family.

I go home as often as

An opportunity arises, visiting NY at least 3 times a year and Israel at least once a year.

I keep in contact with my friends and family

I utilize any possible way of communication, from phone to face time to Facebook to whatsapp.

My favorite dish/local food is

Cuban food is the “local” food, I don’t have a favorite dish, but Carpaccio’s in Bal Harbor is my favorite restaurant (its not Cuban but Italian).

My favorite places in town are

Midtown Miami and Wynnewood. Both areas are filled with ART, ART and ART

I get around the city by

Foot and car.

Street fashion?

After living in NY for so many years, nothing really compares to the street fashion, there. So I would have to say no. But, there are a few places where you can watch and see beautiful fashion: http://balharbourshops.com/?gclid=CJLu8eihzb0CFZJj7Aod1i0AkA

My view on people:

Friendly, warm and inviting. Enjoying life to the fullest.

Being an expat

Is a privilege, it’s an amazing opportunity to expand your horizons and become worldlier. Since I love change, I adjust myself pretty quickly and being different is a great thing.

In 5 years, I see myself living in

Miami, since it has been such a positive effect on my family and myself. But since I split my time between Miami, NY and Tel Aviv I would love to consider myself living in all 3.

Off the coast of Key Biscayne