Status Undefined

November 20 （visa expires in 55 days）

“Oh my god! Oh my god!”

She rolled her eyes. “Nah. I reckon it’s the package she’s expecting from ‘Lazada.’”

Meet Keren, my adopted little sister.

“What did he do this time? Take off his shirt?” I asked, smiling at Naama.

“Shut it, dork. It’s even better! He’s coming to Phuket!”

“So? You think he’s going to stop you on the street and tell you that you’re the one he’s willing to give up fame and fortune for?”

I couldn’t hide my scorn. Keren had been following this guy for about a year. He travels to amazing places and then posts his experiences on Instagram, or whatever it’s called. And he makes money from crazed girls like Keren watching his posts. Hard to believe.

“You’re such a downer. Maybe he’ll take me with him on his travels.”

She was serious.

“Well, missy. First you’ll have to finish your homework.” Naama usually stayed out of what I guess she saw as typical 16-year-old girl idol worship. (We’ve all been there; in my case it was Daniel Radcliff.) But Keren’s guy coming to Phuket seemed to elicit some intervention from her mom.

“I don’t have any homework. My teacher doesn’t believe in it.”

“You’ve got to be kidding. What does she believe in then?” I was amazed yet again by how things work in Thailand

“Hands-on learning.”

“Right. Well I hope you do some hands-on learning about the absurdity of social media.”

“You’re just too stubborn to experience it for yourself. But it’s ok, I can show you the story where he says Phuket is his next destination.”

She stuck her phone under my nose, and I waved her away.

“Sorry. I’ve got better things to do than stare at shallow guys and their virtual lives.”

“He’s going to be your brother-in-law. Get used to it,” Naama chimed in, making me laugh.

It’s always good to have another sensible person in the room so I don’t feel like I’m the crazy one.

Liam and I used to laugh about this. Liam’s my adopted younger brother.

He’s back in Israel now doing his army service but he’s supposed to come back here for Rosh Hashana .

Naama says the family will spend more time in Israel this year as well.

My adopted family. What unbelievable good luck it had been when I came to Thailand three years ago, 21 and alone, to find the Arielis living across the hall.

“What’s his name again?”

“Daniel. Daniel Cohen.”

“Cohen?”

“Yep, he’s Jewish and I bet he’s looking for a Jewish girlfriend.”

Daniel Radcliff was also Jewish, I thought to myself, but he certainly wasn’t looking for a Jewish boyfriend.

I shut up. She already knew what I thought, and I didn’t feel like provoking her. I didn’t think I’d ever have to introduce Daniel as my adopted brother-in-law, but I’m the first one to admit that surprises do sometimes happen.