The shofar blows and you know you ARE Jewish (even without the prescribed conversion).

American Express credits your account $200+ dollars on the second day of Rosh Hashanah because you spent so much, they’re giving you a rebate. Still owe $310 this month but that’s down significantly.

Your best friend (stationed in Israel) sends you the sweetest sappiest email. Gracias, Ig!

You plan to make it your business to get to Israel in the next two years or bust.

The teacher’s contract—the first day of RH—gives you enough of a payhike that you can pay rent with ONE ENTIRE CHECK.

You bond with two new friends–Maya and Amanda–ba’al teshuva and future convert and you feel less lost.

You realize you’re not that unique and there’s something to be said for solidarity.

You UNDERSTAND at least 10% of the Hebrew words being read so you know when to turn the page.

You can READ all the Hebrew letters.

Your first Tashlikh almost makes you cry.

You realize that you have a lot to learn but you’re happy about it.

You disastrously manage to hand in your graduate school assignments late because you have yet to balance observance and the “real” world (but you know you WILL find that balance).

You have cravings for challah AND you can dip it in honey.

You perform your first live prayer for hand washing and survive.

You spend two days focusing on Judaism and how it effects (and will effect your life) and you’re pissed when RH is over because you have to go back to the “real” world.

The concise version: “I love my life.”