Proud of an Israeli Soldier I Never Knew

     It is the Jewish Press' 25th Anniversary here in Tampa and as I read an article in the paper I began to cry.
The article was about a Tampa Bay "Solidarity" mission to Israel during the Gulf War.  The Tampa mission was the ONLY group to go to and remain in Israel throughout the Scud missile attacks.  The part that made me tear up was when they told of a terrifying moment in their trip.  The 12 American Jews from Tampa, were seated at dinner.  The alarm of an impending missile strike went off and they were forced to abandon their meal and seek refuge at the highest point of the building (to avoid nerve gas).  They all donned their gas masks with one exception.  There was a very young girl, not much older than 18.    She was a soldier in the IDF.  She did not have a gas mask.  Many in the room offered their masks to her.  She refused, choosing instead to potentially offer up her own life to spare the lives of civillians.
     To me THIS IS Israel, Israelis, and every IDF soldier.  To me... THIS is what they stand for.  This is the mentality of the people there.  They would sacrifice anything to spare an innocent life, even if it meant offering up their own instead.  This is what I saw when I lived among them.  These people are kind, and incredibly giving.  They would give you anything they could if you were in need.  I love that about these people.
    Israel, and her people, give hope to the meaning of humanity, chivalry, courage.  They are a people to be truly proud of.  And as I do hold an Israeli citizenship... I am VERY proud to count myself as one among them.
     I may have only been a child of 6, not even an American citizen yet, when this soldier made such a brave choice; but her heart means as much to me now as it did for those 12 American souls in that room in the heart of the Gulf War Crisis.

Happy 25th Anniversary to the Jewish Press here in Tampa!  And thank you for sharing such a touching story.  It was a reminder of the good people I left behind in the land I call my home.

The Bear Over There

I'm sure you've noticed the bear over there.  It's a sad little thing, obviously it holds sentimental value for someone.  Though we're not sure who.  She sits in the corner, almost as if she's been abandoned.  Sad, lonely eyes, unable to tell anyone how she feels.  She's ripped, torn, bandaged and patched up.  She still surviving, but just barely.  Her future is uncertain.  No one is sure how long she will last the way she is going.  But someone, somewhere loves her enough not to let her go.  Though we're not sure who.

This bear is very symbolic for me.  I draw true comparisons  with her.  After all that I have seen and lived though in my life, this is how I feel inside.  This is how I see myself.  A bear that should have been tossed away a long time ago but for some reason, she is still sitting alone in the corner.

Rimes & Reasons Personal & Public Personas

     I always find writing so theraputic. Even if I am writing about nothing at all. I enjoy writing fiction and fact. But I find that when I am completely honest about my life, I hurt people. Why is everyone today so afraid of the truth? It seems to me as though our society today is nothing but lies. Think about it for just a moment. How many times have you lied either to yourself or to someone else today? No matter how tiny the lie seems. How many times this week? Be Honest.

See....

It's a lot. I became very religious a few years back and as a result my concience grew by leaps and bounds. As a result I stopped lying. Completely stopped. As nice as it was to always be honest with people, I also hurt a lot of people.

Sometimes a little white lie stops us from hurting someone. Like not telling a woman she looks fat when she asks, or telling a friend she is smart when she is clearly an airhead. But what good is it doing anyone? Maybe that woman needs to hear she's fat. Maybe it will help her get motivated. Maybe that "airhead" would go back to school or study harder and make more of an effort if SOMEONE would tell her she's not very bright.

I guess that brings me to the title of this post. I know you have noticed that I don't write very much anymore. Mostly that is because if I wrote exactly what I thought and felt, you would be thoroughly amused and entertained, but everyone would hate me.  People don't want to hear the truth.  I wish I could write anonymously.  I wish I could have an audience that reads my words, participates in dialogue, but never really knows who or where I am.

Update

I'm back in the US for the forseeable future. For those of you who don't know, I rushed home back in September after learning that my little sister was expecting a little one of her own!

I am currently living in Hell. Also known as my childhood home of New Port Richey. I work at a Synagogue in South Tampa and I enjoythe work for the most part.

I hate being back on the same continent as my family. Dad is back to his same old miserable self, and basically that part of my life sucks.

My sister is about a week away from giving birth now and I am no closer to deciding if I made the right decision about moving back or not. I am so happy to be able to be here for her and her daughter but I hate this place.

That's the update.

TTFN

A

Random Writings, Short Story

Working Title: Destinies Collided

 

He strolled over as though he owned the entire park.  The confidence of a man much older than his years.  His dark handsome features and striking good looks were not lost on her.  She found herself smiling just a little.  She wondered if it was out of cheerful delight or mild shock.  After all, men like him don’t associate with girls like her.

Not that she was of ill character of course.  She, of average height, blonde hair, green eyes, and a beautiful smile, was actually of quite a resonable character.  She was kind, compassionate, generous, but also firey, a passion for the things and people she cared for that was unmatched by those around her.

No, no, her character was not the problem.  What was clear, however was that they came from two very different worlds.  He the learned scholar, son of an Ivy League man.  Her, the product of a middle class upbringing and the respectable but average education that went with it.  Yes, that was it… it must have been a smile of shock.  But he was so very nice to look at.

As if to confirm her conclusion, he spoke to her, and with shock she smiled again.  They discussed the basics of course, where they both were from, what they had studied, how long they had lived in the area.  With each common answer they found themselves connecting.  She saw something interesting in him.  Something different than other men with his background.

They were enjoying their conversation so much, the young man didn’t even notice when his friends left him behind.  The next thing they knew they were having drinks and playing darts at the bar down the street.  She was enjoying his company immensely and the conversation never let up. 

The had been sitting at the bar, just talking for the better part of an hour.  She just couldn’t stop staring at him.  The chemistry was overwhelming.  She’d never seen such fire in a man like him before.  She was itching to know where it came from.

They continued to talk endlessly about everything, business, politics, religion, football.  She relentlessly teased him about his stuffy lifestyle and how he didn’t fit in with the others at all.  it was at one of these moments he shocked her again.

She was going on about how men of his status couldn’t be bothered with romance, or heat and how most men of his ilk couldn’t even kiss properly.  Before she knew what was happening, this tall, sexy stranger took her face in his hand, looked into her eyes and kissed her.

She thought to herself that she must be dreaming.  He was warm, strong, but not aggressive, and all she could see were flames.  Who was this man, kissing her like nothing else in the world mattered in that moment?  Who was this man?

 

***OK It’s late… To Be Continued

Homeless in Jerusalem

So, since most of you don’t know…

I have been living in Jerusalem for the last 4 months.  I was lucky to find a sublet in a beautiful neighborhood called Rechavia.  I love it here.  It’s close to town, cafes, the old city, an amazing park called Gan Sacher.  It’s pretty much within walking distance to EVERYTHING. 

I have been so happy here.  But alas, it is only a sublet and next week I have to leave.  It has been a nightmare looking for a new place.  I can’t seem to find anything.  It has had me very stressed and even brought me to tears many nights.

I have just starting the packing process.  Trying to keep out only what I will need for the next week.  It is scary and a bit weird packing without knowing where I’m going to be living next week.

I’ve spent two months looking for a place.  I’ve looked all over the internet, talked to friends, random people I’ve met.  NOTHING.  I have no idea what to do.  I hope G-d has a plan cause I’m all out of ideas.

 

XOXO

A

A Poem/Song for My Mom

I miss you in the morning, when my heart wakes up alone.

I miss you in the evening, cause this cold room just don’t feel like home, I miss you.

And it’s all that I can do, I’m just callin’ to say I miss you.

The sun is hot the sky is blue but my heart feels cold, I’m without you.

I sit and have a coffee, I think of things and times that past.

Memories that just don’t fade, last year seems so far away.

How did we get here I can’t tell.  Life jumped up, I tripped and fell.

When I stood my world was gone.  I’m left alone but life moves on.

I’m a little lost, my heart is pained.  My spirit’s here but my soul is drained cause I miss you.

And it’s all that I can do, I’m just callin’ to tell you that I miss you too…

I Feel Like Worthless Trash

This guy sent me a text message today asking me if I wanted to go to eat something with him.  I thought, maybe… why not.   I asked him what he had in mind.  His response: “a little to eat, a little sex.”

Wow, Is this really how people see me?  A trashy little piece of ass they can just call up or text for a quicky?  I fee like garbage.  These men make me feel like I am worthless with nothing to offer anyone except a roll in the sack. 

I haven’t  thought so little of myself in a very long time.  My heart is aching.  It’s bad enough I have been feeling so very lonely without my family and friends, but now, I’m beginning to see myself as these men see me.  No better than the local whore.

 

On a less perverse note… but only slightly less perverse.

The Gay Pride Parade is today.  And it’s being held in Jerusalem!  Seriously.  I was shocked, and also wondering how big the protest by the Haradim would be.  I wonder if the parade is anything like it is in the US?  Those guys get wild, and oh so colorful. 

At least there is something for me to smile and/or laugh about today.

Sorry For The Tone

     Sorry I can’t be more upbeat since this is the first time I’ve written in weeks.  But I’m feeling quite down today.  I was up all night last night (despite being exhausted) with an earache and a book I just couldn’t stop reading.  Today I am feeling the after effects.  I woke up at 4:30pm because my friend called me.  She had the day off and wanted to get together. 

     She changed her mind when she heard I was just waking up.  Too bad too, because I really needed the companionship today.  Now I know I’m about a week from the ‘ladies time’ of the month and so crying is inevitable around this time but still.  I’ve been in tears all day.  Everything seems to get me going today.

     My internet (the one I pay out the ass for, the one that supposedly works everywhere) has been super slow for over a month now and has been giving me non-stop problems.  I can’t download this movie I really want to see, I have no idea where the movie theater is or how to get there, and there isn’t anyone to see it with me even if I COULD find the place.  I’ve been slacking with my work writing and I can’t seem to keep focused.

     I’ve been so home-sick lately.  Missing my family and my baby girl is killing me.  It has been the main source of my tears today.  I love Israel.  I love being here, living here, making it my home.  But I am so VERY lonely.  I haven’t seen my family in a year, I don’t have any consistent friends here, my EX only calls me to harass me about the divorce papers (which I can neither afford to get notarized nor can I find someone to do it) and I haven’t been able to get a hang of how dating works here.

     Some of my readers know about the dark things in my past.  Some do not.  For those who understand, it has been very hard for me here.  I am by nature an emotional “relationship” kind of girl.  I don’t do casual.  Every “encounter” I have, means something to me.  Here, if there ARE actual men who prefer relationships, they don’t prefer me.  I am, without a doubt, a scumbag magnet!

     Even the guys who seem so sweet and caring are really douchebags.  Like the “religious” guys, who would NEVER bring shame to their  families by marrying a girl like me but have no problem shtooping me in private.  Or the “nice” guy who treats me with respect, doesn’t try anything with me because he likes me. He doesn’t want to “rush” into a relationship because he wants to get to know me first…. Until his male instincts take over and then the only thing we do when we spend time together is… well you get the point.  Of course I’m forgetting the Jerk who acts like an amazing, kind, caring guy.  He treats me like I’m important and he’s proud to be out with me… Until I find out he has a girlfriend who is “studying abroad” at the moment.

     It’s a fundamental problem for me because I know who the good, kind, caring men are.  The ones who really want to settle down with a wife and kids.  They are religious guys.  The ones who go on Shidduch dates, the ones who NEVER speak to me, even when I look all religious.  But there is the fundamental problem.  I cannot go on a Shidduch date (even though I’m curious to try it) because I haven’t finished the conversion yet.  Even when its finished… the fact that I come from a secular family and I was married to an Israeli once before won’t help my cause. 

     I often find myself lying to people here, or rather not telling them the whole truth.  It’s the only way to survive without being a complete outcast.  If people knew my mom wasn’t Jewish… I would not be allowed to go to Shabbat dinners, or live with religious people.  I would be chastised for keeping shabbat, religious people and even some regular (non-religious) Israelis wouldn’t speak to me.  Most guys wouldn’t date me.  It would just be a very hard and lonely life for me.

     I really want either a VERY attentive boyfriend, or to just be left alone and stop being used and abused and bothered by all these disrespectful men who don’t really care about me.  If they don’t care, why can’t they just leave me alone.

Misrad Hapanim

It was my first trip to Misrad Hapanim. And to be honest... It went flawlessly. I was happily surprised. I guess when you hold low expectations of people they impress you much more often. I was in and out in about 30 minutes. I guess that's a win for the Israeli government. And a win for me too. One step closer to finishing my Aliyah.

Xoxo

A

I Got Delayed

     Sorry I have been M.I.A.  My new job doesn’t leave me much room for personal writing.  Plus so much has happened… Like I got my Israeli Citizenship!  WOO HOO!

So I will be writing another blog to update everyone on what’s been happening but I wanted to let you know that I got a taste of Israeli bureaucracy today when I was informed for the first time that one office that I already met with was supposed to give me a document in order to be seen by another office in order for the first office to process my benefits.  Did you get all that?  Yeah… I almost didn’t either.  But I’m nothing if not thorough so I’m off to the Misrad HaPanim (the government and citizenship office, like the DMV) to get my Passport entries and exits so I can be seen next Sunday by the Misrad HaKlitah (new immigrant office) to get some information on my benefits, be processed for those benefits and get another paper that I have to take to my bank, the post office (to sign up for healthcare oddly enough), and several other places.

Whew…. Being a new citizen is a full time job all on its own.  I hope my other jobs don’t fire me.  Soooo much on my head at the moment.  Not to mention that I have family in town AND my friend from Tel Aviv came to stay with me at the worst possible time for a week long vacation in which I was the personal tour guide.

This Aliyah thing is harder than they make it sound in the brochure. 

Learning Curve Moment

     WARNING:  In Israel… Frozen Yogurt is NOT ice cream.  It is quite literally FROZEN VANILLA YOGURT!!!

     It’s sour and bitter and not all that tasty for someone who doesn’t like yogurt.

YUCK!!!!

xoxo

A

The Sound of Emotions

     There is a specific song from my High School Summertime days that I absolutely loved… still do.  It reminded me of cruising the causeway with my best girlfriend and beach bunny Lady R.  We would have the most amazing time soaking up the sun, picking up boys, and taking tastefully trashy bikini photos.  Sounds like a great song right?  A wonderful reminder of my younger and more carefree days?  I thought so too.

     Unfortunately this song was playing when something tragic and devastating happened to me.  It left me scared for years.  I couldn’t even think of the song without getting chills.  I would have thought, almost ten years later, that it would pass.  I would have thought it would feel like just a bad dream.  But one day a few weeks ago, this song popped up on my internet radio rotation and it hit me. 

     I thought I was going to be sick, literally and physically sick all over my laptop.  It really rocked me to my core.  I didn’t think the memory of that day would continue to haunt me even now.  I tried a few more times to listen to the song, hoping it was just the shock of hearing it after so long.  NOPE! 

     I guess I’m just permanently scared.  It’s too bad.  I really did love that song.  It deeply bothers me that any one person has the power to leave such an indelible mark on who I am and what I’ve become.  Such a shame. 

     Eleanor Roosevelt said “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”  It is true… to an extent.  But sometimes circumstances arise that are beyond one person’s control and people can leave a rip in your soul that is almost impossible to repair.  I can say this for First Lady Roosevelt, she got one thing right…

 “A woman is like a tea bag- you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.”

     For everything I’ve been through and all the crazy stuff I’ve seen… I am so much stronger having lived through it and come out on the other side. 

Never let anyone tear you down!

xoxo

A

Major Don’t

     Fashion faux pas at the Coffee Shop Cafe in Rehavia…  Tiffany’s Blue nail polish with matching Cardigan sweater?  Eww…

Major DON”T ladies.  Never match your nails with your clothes! 

Just a tip… the new “in” shade is a dark burgundy.  It slims the hands and creates a classic contrast that fits with almost any outfit.

Just a reminder… mathcy matchy does not make fashion.

xoxo

A

No More Babysitting!

     I decided that I’d had enough of the daycare.  It was very draining of my energy but aside from that… I couldn’t handle getting sick with all of their kiddie germs and getting bitten was the last straw.  I’m looking for a new job, which, admittedly will take a lot of effort considering my lack of Hebrew.  But I’m determined to make it work. 

     I know my family will be pissed that I quit before finding a new job but I just couldn’t do it.  I will try to pinch my pennies and avoid expensive luxuries.  Like today for instance.  I didn’t have proper internet at my apartment so I decided to go camping.  Virtual camping that is… I walked to Aroma in Mamilla and have been sitting for several hours looking for work.  I’ve submitted about a dozen resumes, spent hours reading the employment websites, and updated my resume to reflect any changes.  All for under 50 Shekels.

     It might still seem a bit expensive but considering my much desired Netstick is 350 Shekels plus an additional 130 Shekels a month for the next 3 months… I think it was a more reasonable alternative.  Plus I’m getting the opportunity to download the entire third season of Gossip Girl for my off hours amusement.  What am I going to do when I’m finished?  How will I ever wait for next season?

     On a personal note… I went out on a date for coffee yesterday.  It was a bust.  The guy was nice and all but he was either really shy, or really boring, or both.  Either way there were too many awkward silences to count.  Toward the end of things (about an hour or two, though it felt more like six) I, rudely I admit, went on my computer and played Farmville just to keep myself entertained. 

     I really just wanted him to say ‘ok I’m going back home’ and leave.  But it didn’t happen.  Even though I told him I needed to stay and finish working on my Job search and writing.  He asked me to continue the date with a movie, or going back to his house, or joining me for tea at mine… to each I said no thank you.  No hint was received.  Today he told me what a great time he had yesterday.  Was I on the same date?  We didn’t have a thing to talk about.  I kept trying to provoke a conversation with little tidbits of things he told me or questions about his life, but nothing…

     I guess I should have known.  He looked like the “shy” type.  I don’t do well with those guys.  I need someone who can keep up with my charisma without outshining me.  I know I can be a lot to take in and it can be difficult to keep up with me but i don’t think I’m asking for a lot.  Just a confident (but not too cockey) guy with good hygiene and a little bit of a tough guy façade.  Sure there are other preferences but that is a good starting point.

     I’m beginning to think that G-d is intending for me to be a beautiful, powerful, permanent bachelorette with (hopefully) an amazing career.  That is something I could get behind.  AB, international blogger.  AB, Assistant to the Prime Minister.  AB, Likud Party Leader.  Has a bit of a ring to it doesn’t it! 

     Ok my lovelies… this little birdie needs to go have some chick time.  Until the next story breaks!

xoxo

A

One Is The Loneliest Number

     I have never felt more completely alone than I have over the last two days.  As those who follow me on Twitter and Facebook may or may not be aware… I have been horribly sick for the last week or so.  I was dangerously close to hospitalization over the last two days.

     I have had a sore throat and headaches for about a week now.  On Monday, while at work, spots started appearing on my skin.  I was convinced I had caught Chickenpox.  Now, I’m not so sure.  I stayed home Tuesday from work to get Medical advice about the spots (which appear to be going away, BTW).  I wasn’t feeling all that great Wednesday morning so I stayed home from work again.  Good thing I did.  At about 11am I started to feel nauseous and was unable to move very far.  Throughout the day my fever raged on higher and higher.  I became slightly delirious and my head was racing with thoughts that prevented me from sleeping any of it off. 

     Sometime during the last two days, on one of my many trips to the bathroom my roommate offered me some water.  Aside from that, my human contact was limited.  My Mom really has no way to contact me except through Facebook (of which she did not say one word of worry) and my Ex could care less about my well being anymore.  So despite my pleading for help from friends via my social output, I did not receive a single phone call or visitor. 

    All I wanted was for someone to check on me and/or take me to the hospital.  But since I had 0 minutes on my phone, and no one within an hour drive of me thought I was important enough to worry about, I laid in my bed, sweating out a VERY painful fever.  At about 10pm Wednesday night the fever finally began to break and I was able to fall asleep.  I slept through the entire day today.  I seriously woke up at about 6pm after a few false alarms.  I woke up CRAVING pizza.  And since I hadn’t eaten in 2 days I thought I would treat myself.  One large Pineapple pizza with extra sauce on the side please!

     Life here has been really difficult.  Especially with the looming divorce.  But I never realized how alone I really was until this incident.  I realized I have no truly dear friends (friends like Ms. Ames back home) who would stick with me and help me mend myself.  I have no family here, of that I have been made VERY clear, and I am completely loveless, without even a concerned boyfriend to make my heart feel less empty.  I have nothing and no one.  Which has made this experience, hands down, one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do on my own.

     It is with great sadness in my heart that I go about my day tomorrow.  It is with depression and girlyness that I spend tonight eating pizza and watching Gossip Girl alone in my room.

All for now my dears,

A

With Every Rise Must Come A Fall

     I have had a really bad few days.  Aside from the sore throat I had been fighting, I had a rough day at work yesterday.  The kids were cranky as ever, and one of the kids (that I’m ashamed to say… I REALLY dislike) bit me!  I have a bruise on my arm now.  That kid is so lucky that I have at least some control of my anger.  All I wanted to do was smack the shit out of him and tell his mother what awful children she had raised (he’s a twin).  This kid and his brother are whiney, selfish, spoiled, undisciplined little brats and I really don’t like working with them.  WOW.  SOOO glad I didn’t tell his mom that.  hehe. 

     Also, as if my day weren’t bad enough… I think I caught the chickenpox.  I was working away that morning when one of the girls said… “Amy, what are all those spots on you?”  I looked and sure enough the two or three spots I found a few days ago had turned into dozens.  They were all over my arms, back and tummy.  They didn’t itch but I knew enough to know I was in for a bad week.  Adult chickenpox are very dangerous and miserable.  Needless to say I had a bad day.  Except that they hired a new girl who is really nice and she speaks English.  It was the highlight of my day. 

     The night got worse.  I decided to take the day off of work today to re-coupe and check the spots so last night when some guys I met last week called and invited me out for drinks with them and their friends I thought why not.  I had hoped it would help take my mind off of the spots and impending itchiness.  When they called I was in a cafe on Azza Street having some dinner and getting some writing done.  I was content to stay there but since they called, I raced back home to get cleaned up.  After a quick shower, I did my hair, makeup and got dressed then walked 20 minutes or so to the city center.  When I got there I tried to call the guys to see where we were to meet.  They answered “Who is this?” when I called.  That pissed me off.  I just walked all the way downtown, while sick and covered in spots just for you to blow me off?  In the end I had to spend 20 Shekels for a cab ride home.  What a waste.

      Today had its highs and lows.  Admittedly, mostly lows, but at least I got to sleep in until noon.  After I woke up I watched some tv that I downloaded at the cafe yesterday and decided to go get myself a mobile Net stick.  I pre-planned my bus route as I usually do, only the bus stop wasn’t were it was supposed to be.  So I walked… and walked… and walked.  Then I stopped for directions and found out I had walked in the wrong direction and it was another 20 minute walk.  At that point I just caught a cab.  $5 later I got to orange only to find out that the pre-paid net stick would cost me over $130 up front.  That was cash I didn’t have at the moment.  So I went home (Oh and P.S.  there was another orange store 10 minutes away from my house that I didn’t know about, nice huh?).  Or so I though.  I asked a soldier at the bus stop which bus to get on to go to the central station.  She told me 67 so I got on the 67.  Well apparently I missed the stop and ended up all the way on the other side of town in a VERY religious neighborhood, wearing tight pants and a brightly colored top. (BAD IDEA!) 

     After riding the bus for what seemed like 40 minutes I asked someone for directions.  They told me to take another bus.  so I got off and waited another 20 minutes for the next bus.  I wasn’t really paying attention to what I was doing, so I paid the driver and proceeded to walk toward the back of the bus.  Oops… little did I know until it was too late that it was a split bus.  This means that the men sit up front and the women go to the back.  This is done for modesty reasons.  So I have now offended every Hasidic man on the bus by walking past them in my tight ass jean pants.  I did notice after a second and said I’m sorry the whole way to the woman’s section (because there were other people behind me.) 

     After my major woops and all around bad day I needed a smile, so I put on a song that I thought would cheer me up.  Hanson’s Mmm Bop.  It did the trick.  I giggled like a little girl through the whole song.  It was made more humorous by the religious men and women all around me.  I was so out of place that I laughed at myself.  I ended up riding the bus until the very last stop.  After everyone got off the bus I started to panic.  I went to the driver and asked him where I was.  We had a largely one sided conversation in Hebrew and he offered to drive me to the street I needed to go to.  It was very sweet of him.  He was cute too… I should have asked for his number.  Hmm… Oh well.  It was the second nice thing to happen to me today.  In the midst of all the crap… the nice things should be counted. 

    I decided to spend what little money I had on groceries.  So I stopped at SuperSal on the way home.  I bought stuff to make a lemon salad (nowhere near as good as Jakin’s but I tried) I used zucchini, carrots, and this yummy veggie called Colorabi.  I’ve never seen it in the US but its sorta like a flavor cross between a an apple and a cucumber or something.  In any case, its mucho tasty.  I also bought some instant noodles and hotdog fixin’s.  Ooo, almost forgot good thing number three.  I found a shekel on the ground on the way home.  I’m going to use it for Tzedakah (charity).  It’s my personal mantra.  I use found money for either charity or to do something nice for someone.  Karma. 

     I had the hotdogs for dinner and discussed our current apartment problem with my roomie “E”.  My suspicions from my late night critter scare last week were correct.  We have mice or rats, we’re not 100% sure.  Either way, the traps are set and we’re ready to go a huntin’!  While our un-invited guest is facing his short lived destiny, I will be spending a relaxed evening watching tv online.

Night Ya’ll!

Residential Shabbat

I spent my first Shabbat in Jerusalem as a resident this week. I thought it would be terrible because most of my friends left the city for Shabbat. Some parts were better than others but for the most part. It turned out great.

I worked with Taglit on Friday morning. I finished about 2pm so after I got home and took a shower and a nap (the nap was a necessity), there wasn’t a lot of time to go shopping for Shabbat. That being said, I had no food for Shabbat. That part sucked. I decided to go to the Kotel for the beginning of Shabbat and hoped that someone would invite me for Kiddush. I got dressed in a modest outfit, a white skirt, black quarter-length sweater and flats. I walked 20 minutes to the Kotel and enjoyed a bit of prayer by the wall.

I prayed for two of my family members who were diagnosed with skin cancer in the last week and said Amidah. Afterward I just walked around, smiled and enjoyed the view. I hoped someone would strike up a conversation with me but no. Literally… NO ONE talked to me. So at about 10pm I walked home without an invite and no dinner. It was sad.

I woke up the next morning at 8am (I slept in) and decided to clean the apartment a bit and then go to the park (Gan Saker). I made it to the park at about noon. I worked out for about an hour, then changed into more modest clothes, as I was planning on walking down to the Kotel again. Instead, I got invited to a picnic with a bunch of Americans that was happening right next to my workout spot.

It was a lovely picnic and I met some really nice people. I also got the 411 on all of the local happenings. In the evening I got home, took a shower, and went to bed early. It was a really nice Shabbat. Even if it didn’t go quite as planned. It reminded me of why I started keeping Shabbat in the first place. It was peaceful, just the way it should be.

Next week… I think another picnic Saturday morning would make a great idea.

It’s All Coming Together

     As my Ex would say… “Change your place, change your luck.”  I guess it’s an old Hebrew saying.  Well, it has proven right again.  I am settled into my new apartment in Jerusalem.  I have had a great few nights here with two exceptions… No washing machine, and no internet.  I am planning on buying a mobile Net Stick to rectify this situation.  As for the washing machine… I guess I’ll just have to suffer for now.

     Oh I forgot to mention… I got a job.  I spent the whole day today taking care of kids from newborns to 3 year olds.  It was so much fun and now I am going to get paid for it.  Everyone there is so nice and the kids are great.  They are teaching me Hebrew and I am teaching them English.  Its a good exchange and we speak at about the same level.  LOL

     Tomorrow I am working with the Taglit kids again.  It’s just for the day but I love doing it so I figured why not.  As for the moment… I am just getting dressed then I’m going into town to get a beer and relax in celebration of my new life coming together so beautifully.

     So on an additional note, I should be getting served with divorce papers soon.  The Ex filed them in court through a paralegal last week. 

I just want to say thank you to my loyal readers and friends who have stuck by me and had all the confidence in me that I didn’t have in myself. 

I love you guys.

Tel Aviv, The Hostel, & The Aftermath

     My trip to Tel Aviv was great for the most part.  I had an amazing time at my Hostel.  I met a bunch of really great people.  There was a group from Australia who were so sweet.  An older guy who was travelling the country making a documentary on Israeli history asked me for my input.  A soldier in the I.D.F. forewarned me about the impending Lebanese war.  And a very nice young man from New England getting his Phd. in sociology kept me company on the beach.

     The beach was amazing.  The feel of the sun on my skin was exactly what I had needed.  The ocean lapping up the shoreline was the perfect soundtrack to a much needed vacation.  Watching the paddle ball players and their “friendly” games keeping me entertained.  At night I enjoyed a beachfront workout and de-stressing.  What a great way to spend the holiday.

     The only part that sucked was the sunburn, and the fact that the guy I REALLY like blew me off.  That part truly sucked. I was supposed to go see a movie with him after the Hoilday (Shavuot) in Tel Aviv.  I called him several times and sent texts and he never responded.  I ended up wandering the boardwalk alone that night in my date dress and sexy beach hair.  It was such a waste of a cute outfit. 

[A week later, said guy told me he was sorry that we missed the movie.  He claimed he “forgot”.  Really ‘O’?!  Did you forget the 3 phone calls and 2 texts I sent over the holiday too?  Men… so full of shit!]

Until Next Time

A