I haven't written in a long time.
There are a few reasons for that.
The first reason will be revealed some other time, I promise.
The second reason is my studying.
I've started studying for my masters course, at the open university of Germany, and next to reading a lot in German, I needed to hand in an assay today.
I actually needed to hand in two assays but the first reason for not writing kind of stopped me from doing that as well.
So, as understood from the title, I'm in Israel now, already almost 10 days, and I really enjoy it here. The only minus is that Rob isn't with me this time. Other than that- I would have stayed here much longer, if I could. The weather is really nice, not too warm and not too cold, my friends are really nice and I get to meet them (between one uni assignment to another), and in general, I really rest here and do absolutely nothing special, which is the perfect holiday. Thinking about going back to work in 2 days makes me really upset.
I'm in Haifa now, but going to Tel-Aviv this afternoon, going to see my brothers once more, and tomorrow mom is coming to TLV to spend the day with me and my sister. And then my nice holiday will be over.
Anyway, that's basically what's going on with me nowadays, I promise to write a bit more when I can and when I have the muse to write.
Have a nice weekend you all (especially whoever has Pentecost holidays)!
Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
working in Germany vs. working in Israel
I started writing this post at work, when I had a couple of minutes for myself (something that didn't really happen lately, since we're under staffed and it seems like we're working much harder than before...).
I will try to compare my working experience in Israel with the one in Germany, as well as comparing working with Germans vs. working with Israelis...
1. Payment:
Although living expenses are not much higher in Germany than in Israel (in average of course), the salary in Germany is much higher. In Israel, for example, I got about half as much as I'm getting now per hour, for the same job (in the same company). Oh, and what I'm getting now is lower than the average salary for this type of job in Germany.
On the other hand there is no minimum wage law in Germany, which leads to a lot of jobs that pay very little (especially students' jobs, what they call here "under 400€ jobs" - coz this amount is the amount ppl don't have to pay taxes for).
2. Holidays:
In Israel it works like in the USA: the law says that one should get a minimum of one day off per month, for a full time job. Therefore, most ppl have 12 days a year, that they can take off (not including the bank holidays of course). In certain cases, governmental offices give more days off every year of working, up to a certain maximum of course. My mother, who's been working for the same gov. office for more than 20 years now, has about 24 days a year, to take as holiday when she wants. Remember this number.
In Germany it's a bit different. The law is a bit more complicated. It basically says that the minimum of days off one should get is 1 and a half days per month of the year (that's the absolute minimum). That makes 18 days a year. It also says that for a normal 5 day week, one is entitled to at least 20 days off a year.
I got here 24 days off the first year that I worked here. Remember this number? Every year I get one day more till I'll reach 30 days.
I'm much younger than my mom, have much less work experience, and still have more days off a year than she does.
How does this effect one's life? In many, many ways.
Obviously, the more days off payed by your company, the more days you have to relax and go on vacation, meaning, doing everything else but working. Knowing that you have these days, and actually using them, makes you, as a worker, much happier, and of course much more satisfied in your job. It also allows ppl to have a life next to work. Helps develop hobbies, helps make ppl a bit more interesting and interested.
This brings me to the next point:
3. Working hours:
I only have experience working for this one company in Germany, but I do look around me, my husband works in a German company, and I have friends around. Here, although it's starting to change to the worst a bit, ppl work for money and for living, not the other way around. They go to work, most of them start around 8, they have lunch together, have a real break, and then they go home around 17:00. They have hobbies, do sports, take care of pets, or spend some time with their families.
In Israel I had a totally different experience.
Ppl are slaves to the job, answer phone calls on their cell phones at all hours, even if it's at 20:00 at home, whilst tucking your kid to bed. There are no borders about these things or limits, it's all Kosher.
I'm making a huge generalization here, I'm very well aware of the fact that there are both kinds of working ppl in Germany and Israel, but that's the big picture.
These were all just thoughts of mine lately at work, I must say that it's not all bad working in Israel. for example: ppl there are much more flexible, much much much more open to new ideas, and give you much more freedom in choosing your path, weather it's inside a company, or when hiring you. In Germany ppl are scared to death from "holes" in their CV (for example a year of traveling etc.). They are so afraid of that they never dare to go outside of the "path", of the "box". They try doing everything by the book, otherwise, they wont even be invited to the next interview. I miss being a bit more creative, having a bit more say about little things that make a difference. I miss the flexibility of the ppl, and their open mindedness.
Yeah, it seems as if in Germany ppl don't judge you for who you are or what you did (when you compare German reactions to stories with Israeli ones), but that's only coz the Germans would just not tell you their opinions right away. Inside, they would think: wow, she's too old for this job, and what a waste of time was her traveling around the world working here and there, and she doesn't have a diploma we know, how weird, we can't afford to take a chance on a person like that.
and yes, again, I know that I'm generalizing everything, but- these are just my impressions and experiences... I really hope that life would surprise me and show me how different things can be here :-)
I will try to compare my working experience in Israel with the one in Germany, as well as comparing working with Germans vs. working with Israelis...
1. Payment:
Although living expenses are not much higher in Germany than in Israel (in average of course), the salary in Germany is much higher. In Israel, for example, I got about half as much as I'm getting now per hour, for the same job (in the same company). Oh, and what I'm getting now is lower than the average salary for this type of job in Germany.
On the other hand there is no minimum wage law in Germany, which leads to a lot of jobs that pay very little (especially students' jobs, what they call here "under 400€ jobs" - coz this amount is the amount ppl don't have to pay taxes for).
2. Holidays:
In Israel it works like in the USA: the law says that one should get a minimum of one day off per month, for a full time job. Therefore, most ppl have 12 days a year, that they can take off (not including the bank holidays of course). In certain cases, governmental offices give more days off every year of working, up to a certain maximum of course. My mother, who's been working for the same gov. office for more than 20 years now, has about 24 days a year, to take as holiday when she wants. Remember this number.
In Germany it's a bit different. The law is a bit more complicated. It basically says that the minimum of days off one should get is 1 and a half days per month of the year (that's the absolute minimum). That makes 18 days a year. It also says that for a normal 5 day week, one is entitled to at least 20 days off a year.
I got here 24 days off the first year that I worked here. Remember this number? Every year I get one day more till I'll reach 30 days.
I'm much younger than my mom, have much less work experience, and still have more days off a year than she does.
How does this effect one's life? In many, many ways.
Obviously, the more days off payed by your company, the more days you have to relax and go on vacation, meaning, doing everything else but working. Knowing that you have these days, and actually using them, makes you, as a worker, much happier, and of course much more satisfied in your job. It also allows ppl to have a life next to work. Helps develop hobbies, helps make ppl a bit more interesting and interested.
This brings me to the next point:
3. Working hours:
I only have experience working for this one company in Germany, but I do look around me, my husband works in a German company, and I have friends around. Here, although it's starting to change to the worst a bit, ppl work for money and for living, not the other way around. They go to work, most of them start around 8, they have lunch together, have a real break, and then they go home around 17:00. They have hobbies, do sports, take care of pets, or spend some time with their families.
In Israel I had a totally different experience.
Ppl are slaves to the job, answer phone calls on their cell phones at all hours, even if it's at 20:00 at home, whilst tucking your kid to bed. There are no borders about these things or limits, it's all Kosher.
I'm making a huge generalization here, I'm very well aware of the fact that there are both kinds of working ppl in Germany and Israel, but that's the big picture.
These were all just thoughts of mine lately at work, I must say that it's not all bad working in Israel. for example: ppl there are much more flexible, much much much more open to new ideas, and give you much more freedom in choosing your path, weather it's inside a company, or when hiring you. In Germany ppl are scared to death from "holes" in their CV (for example a year of traveling etc.). They are so afraid of that they never dare to go outside of the "path", of the "box". They try doing everything by the book, otherwise, they wont even be invited to the next interview. I miss being a bit more creative, having a bit more say about little things that make a difference. I miss the flexibility of the ppl, and their open mindedness.
Yeah, it seems as if in Germany ppl don't judge you for who you are or what you did (when you compare German reactions to stories with Israeli ones), but that's only coz the Germans would just not tell you their opinions right away. Inside, they would think: wow, she's too old for this job, and what a waste of time was her traveling around the world working here and there, and she doesn't have a diploma we know, how weird, we can't afford to take a chance on a person like that.
and yes, again, I know that I'm generalizing everything, but- these are just my impressions and experiences... I really hope that life would surprise me and show me how different things can be here :-)
Sunday, November 08, 2009
The return
Hey!
Last night we got back from a 9 day visit in Israel, in which we had a big wedding celebration. The evening went really well, it was short and fun.
The week after that we spent with Rob's family traveling around Israel.
In the first few days the weather was just shit. really. It didn't stop raining, and the temperatures were really low for the season. I couldn't believe it. We were there on the only 4 days that it rained in this month. It was warm and sunny before and after we were there. That was really annoying.
At least we got about 2 nice days, and spent them on the dead sea and in Tel-Aviv.
We both feel like this visit was too short, and that we didn't get to do what we like doing when we're there. We were basically tour guides, and went from one place to another very often.
We were so busy all the time, it felt like we don't get to see or do anything. I would have loved to stay there for another few days, just in Haifa and in Tel-Aviv, enjoy the sun, the people, the food and all. But we had to go back home...
Hopefully we'll have a nice visit next time, which will really be considered as a holiday...
and to something totally different:
I have really happy news,
I passed the exam!!!
But since I already missed this semester, I guess I'll have to sign up to the next one and start one semester later than I wanted. On the one had I feel like it's a serious waste of time, and on the other hand I feel like it's going to be good for me to have a semester off of studying hard after a year like that. So I'll try to get the most out of this free semester.
Next week we're getting our new sofa bed, which we ordered more than 2 months ago. Everything takes ages in this country. really.
So have a great week you all,
it's always weird going back to work after so long that I haven't been there.
Last night we got back from a 9 day visit in Israel, in which we had a big wedding celebration. The evening went really well, it was short and fun.
The week after that we spent with Rob's family traveling around Israel.
In the first few days the weather was just shit. really. It didn't stop raining, and the temperatures were really low for the season. I couldn't believe it. We were there on the only 4 days that it rained in this month. It was warm and sunny before and after we were there. That was really annoying.
At least we got about 2 nice days, and spent them on the dead sea and in Tel-Aviv.
We both feel like this visit was too short, and that we didn't get to do what we like doing when we're there. We were basically tour guides, and went from one place to another very often.
We were so busy all the time, it felt like we don't get to see or do anything. I would have loved to stay there for another few days, just in Haifa and in Tel-Aviv, enjoy the sun, the people, the food and all. But we had to go back home...
Hopefully we'll have a nice visit next time, which will really be considered as a holiday...
and to something totally different:
I have really happy news,
I passed the exam!!!
But since I already missed this semester, I guess I'll have to sign up to the next one and start one semester later than I wanted. On the one had I feel like it's a serious waste of time, and on the other hand I feel like it's going to be good for me to have a semester off of studying hard after a year like that. So I'll try to get the most out of this free semester.
Next week we're getting our new sofa bed, which we ordered more than 2 months ago. Everything takes ages in this country. really.
So have a great week you all,
it's always weird going back to work after so long that I haven't been there.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Empty house
Last night I got back to Dresden after almost two weeks in Israel.
It was a really nice visit this time, got to see almost everyone I wanted to see, didn't force myself to eat anything (so didn't get to eat most of the things I don't have here) but I still got the stomach flew for 24 hours... It happened in the only day I actually ate more than I should have. I guess I'm not used to that anymore.
I saw my family a lot (which was really the best part of it) and saw all my friends at least once. Was at Tali's wedding, which was the most special wedding I've ever been to (in the middle of the mountains with great view to the valley and hills) and even though it was the hottest day ever- we managed to dance and have fun (it was an afternoon wedding).
Now she's in Nepal with her new husband, they were supposed to go on a trek but he doesn't feel so good (problems with his back) so they're kinda stuck. I'm waiting for another e-mail from her telling us what they did in the end...
I got back to Dresden last night, to an empty house- empty of people and empty of things. Rob took all of our things to Munich this weekend, and is only coming back from there today. It's so weird to be in such an empty place... Luckily- we're going to Spain tomorrow for a holiday (meeting Charles and Ana finally!!! YEY!!!), and when we'll be back we'll have exactly 5 days here and then- we're moving to Munich.
So... I guess I'll have a lot more to tell after Spain,
Have a good week everyone!
It was a really nice visit this time, got to see almost everyone I wanted to see, didn't force myself to eat anything (so didn't get to eat most of the things I don't have here) but I still got the stomach flew for 24 hours... It happened in the only day I actually ate more than I should have. I guess I'm not used to that anymore.
I saw my family a lot (which was really the best part of it) and saw all my friends at least once. Was at Tali's wedding, which was the most special wedding I've ever been to (in the middle of the mountains with great view to the valley and hills) and even though it was the hottest day ever- we managed to dance and have fun (it was an afternoon wedding).
Now she's in Nepal with her new husband, they were supposed to go on a trek but he doesn't feel so good (problems with his back) so they're kinda stuck. I'm waiting for another e-mail from her telling us what they did in the end...
I got back to Dresden last night, to an empty house- empty of people and empty of things. Rob took all of our things to Munich this weekend, and is only coming back from there today. It's so weird to be in such an empty place... Luckily- we're going to Spain tomorrow for a holiday (meeting Charles and Ana finally!!! YEY!!!), and when we'll be back we'll have exactly 5 days here and then- we're moving to Munich.
So... I guess I'll have a lot more to tell after Spain,
Have a good week everyone!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
one more visit to the stack
I came back from Israel yesterday.
Rob and I flew there together 10 days ago. He went back one day before me.
It was a busy week there, including my grandpa's 80th birthday party (with 100 of his family members), my cousins wedding (with 350 ppl: family and friends), my birthday (with presents friends and so many times in which I forgot that it's my birthday), one holiday (with my dad's family) and a lot of meeting friends (but not enough). I obviously ate too much (Rob calls it the Israel-sickness) and now I need a vacation from this vacation.
Going back to my German class today was really not that great- it's hard to go back on track, especially when you do something just for doing it with no real goal (to remind you I want to study in Munich next year, in English, but don't know if I got in yet- which drives me crazy...)
anyways... I know I'm not the best blogger - but I guess I'm just too tired, and don't have much to say. You know that when I have something to say- I do.
So.... till next time...
Rob and I flew there together 10 days ago. He went back one day before me.
It was a busy week there, including my grandpa's 80th birthday party (with 100 of his family members), my cousins wedding (with 350 ppl: family and friends), my birthday (with presents friends and so many times in which I forgot that it's my birthday), one holiday (with my dad's family) and a lot of meeting friends (but not enough). I obviously ate too much (Rob calls it the Israel-sickness) and now I need a vacation from this vacation.
Going back to my German class today was really not that great- it's hard to go back on track, especially when you do something just for doing it with no real goal (to remind you I want to study in Munich next year, in English, but don't know if I got in yet- which drives me crazy...)
anyways... I know I'm not the best blogger - but I guess I'm just too tired, and don't have much to say. You know that when I have something to say- I do.
So.... till next time...
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Back from Israel
so... Let's start with the list I made in Istanbul at the airport, let's see what I did and what not:
See my dad and his wife and my little brothers.
Did that but felt like it was the shortest visit in the world... Came back home wanting more, and didn't get to see them again. I miss them a lot!
See my grandma.
Did that- and got to eat so much of her nice food... Just forgot the cookies she gave me to take with, but at least I got to eat some of them there...
See my grandpa.
Saw him and his wife, was a nice visit, haven't been in their house for ages. I always go to my grandpas clothes store when he's working (yes yes he's more than 75 and still working) and I see his wife when they come to my dad's when I'm there. Their house didn't change much. His wife, which is a really lovely and funny lady, is really old now, and can't work at all anymore (she is a housewife but her food- was the best!!!). It's sad...
See my aunt and cousins (from both sides)
Only saw my aunt from my moms side... didn't get to see any cousins...
Spend time with my mom and sister.
Spent! was really nice with both of them!
Celebrate my moms birthday with her.
We hung out all day together, my sister came to Haifa too, but I had the stomach flu so I didn't really feel great that day... It past after 24 hours (which was really lucky coz having an aching stomach in Israel is like going to the toy store and not being aloud to play with the toys!!!)
Get a haircut.
Got one! really nice!
Go to the dentist.
Went. Got a filling in a cavity which I think was there more than a year ago but none of the dentists I went to ever saw it. It's the same one that the dentist in China said I should kill (root canal) - stupid dentist - it was a cavity for god's sake!!! Anyway now I have to go there again to put in the new filling (since the one I have now is temporary)...
Go to the doctor.
Went! got everything I needed.
See all my friends: including: Yifat, Adi (and her new baby), Goni (and her new baby), Tali (and her new husband to be).
Saw them all and it was great! Saw Yifat (but only for one evening and one afternoon), saw Adi and her baby twice (he's the cutest and most beautiful of them all!!! I totally fell in love), saw Goni and her baby a few times (she is definitely adorable and sweet and cute and and and), saw Tali twice and once with her boyfriend, she told me when they're getting married. And- I also saw Anat which I haven't seen in ages, and Nadav- twice- which was great, and also a new friend from one of the forums I participate in- always nice to find out who's behind a nickname.
Eat Humus.
Did that with my new friend, in the best place in Israel (to my opinion).
Go to the beach whatever weather it is.
Had a walk (well it's more of a walk with my mom than a jog) on the beach, and it was great, even though the weather was the worst (foggy - it looked as if hell came over, we could look at the sun right though it without blinking, it looked more like the moon).
I also spent time with my cute dog (took his pictures- but it's on the film camera so till it's ready to put here it'll be irrelevant already).
Now I'm back in Dresden, it's 2 degrees, it was 20 in Israel... But it's fine, I know that soon enough it'll get warmer here too. Today is Purim- our costume and fun and getting drunk holiday- I'm celebrating it tomorrow with the community (where I teach Hebrew) the kids are giving a play (which I wrote according to the holiday story) and it's gonna be fun.
This weekend is Easter, and Rob's friends from all over Europe are coming over for a yearly reunion, I'm really glad coz I really like them all... 2 of them are gonna stay over here on our floor- and on Friday we're inviting them all for dinner!!! It's gonna be a cool weekend.
I really need to start studying to my German exam, I haven't studied one bit in Israel (big surprise) and now I really need to do something about it... hmmm... Hard to get back on track...
That's the update for now, happy Purim and Happy Easter to all of you!
See my dad and his wife and my little brothers.
Did that but felt like it was the shortest visit in the world... Came back home wanting more, and didn't get to see them again. I miss them a lot!
See my grandma.
Did that- and got to eat so much of her nice food... Just forgot the cookies she gave me to take with, but at least I got to eat some of them there...
See my grandpa.
Saw him and his wife, was a nice visit, haven't been in their house for ages. I always go to my grandpas clothes store when he's working (yes yes he's more than 75 and still working) and I see his wife when they come to my dad's when I'm there. Their house didn't change much. His wife, which is a really lovely and funny lady, is really old now, and can't work at all anymore (she is a housewife but her food- was the best!!!). It's sad...
See my aunt and cousins (from both sides)
Only saw my aunt from my moms side... didn't get to see any cousins...
Spend time with my mom and sister.
Spent! was really nice with both of them!
Celebrate my moms birthday with her.
We hung out all day together, my sister came to Haifa too, but I had the stomach flu so I didn't really feel great that day... It past after 24 hours (which was really lucky coz having an aching stomach in Israel is like going to the toy store and not being aloud to play with the toys!!!)
Get a haircut.
Got one! really nice!
Go to the dentist.
Went. Got a filling in a cavity which I think was there more than a year ago but none of the dentists I went to ever saw it. It's the same one that the dentist in China said I should kill (root canal) - stupid dentist - it was a cavity for god's sake!!! Anyway now I have to go there again to put in the new filling (since the one I have now is temporary)...
Go to the doctor.
Went! got everything I needed.
See all my friends: including: Yifat, Adi (and her new baby), Goni (and her new baby), Tali (and her new husband to be).
Saw them all and it was great! Saw Yifat (but only for one evening and one afternoon), saw Adi and her baby twice (he's the cutest and most beautiful of them all!!! I totally fell in love), saw Goni and her baby a few times (she is definitely adorable and sweet and cute and and and), saw Tali twice and once with her boyfriend, she told me when they're getting married. And- I also saw Anat which I haven't seen in ages, and Nadav- twice- which was great, and also a new friend from one of the forums I participate in- always nice to find out who's behind a nickname.
Eat Humus.
Did that with my new friend, in the best place in Israel (to my opinion).
Go to the beach whatever weather it is.
Had a walk (well it's more of a walk with my mom than a jog) on the beach, and it was great, even though the weather was the worst (foggy - it looked as if hell came over, we could look at the sun right though it without blinking, it looked more like the moon).
I also spent time with my cute dog (took his pictures- but it's on the film camera so till it's ready to put here it'll be irrelevant already).
Now I'm back in Dresden, it's 2 degrees, it was 20 in Israel... But it's fine, I know that soon enough it'll get warmer here too. Today is Purim- our costume and fun and getting drunk holiday- I'm celebrating it tomorrow with the community (where I teach Hebrew) the kids are giving a play (which I wrote according to the holiday story) and it's gonna be fun.
This weekend is Easter, and Rob's friends from all over Europe are coming over for a yearly reunion, I'm really glad coz I really like them all... 2 of them are gonna stay over here on our floor- and on Friday we're inviting them all for dinner!!! It's gonna be a cool weekend.
I really need to start studying to my German exam, I haven't studied one bit in Israel (big surprise) and now I really need to do something about it... hmmm... Hard to get back on track...
That's the update for now, happy Purim and Happy Easter to all of you!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
A post from an airport
I'm in Istanbul. At the airport. There's free internet which is great- helps me pass the time. The flight here was ok, I read my new book the whole time (I'll put it on the list on the right soon). There was an old fat Turkish lady next to me, which totally took half of my space... But the flight really passed fine.
I'm on my way to the shortest visit I ever payed Israel. In total- not including the flight times- it's gonna be only 6 days. In these 6 days I'd like to:
See my dad and his wife and my little brothers.
See my grandma.
See my grandpa (they're divorced).
See my aunt and cousins (from both sides)
Spend time with my mom and sister.
Celebrate my moms birthday in 2 days, with her.
Get a haircut.
Go to the dentist.
Go to the doctor.
See all my friends: including: Yifat, Adi (and her new baby), Goni (and her new baby), Tali (and her new husband to be).
Eat Humus.
Go to the beach whatever weather it is.
Well if I think of something else I'll let you know...
Anyway- wish me a good flight,
Will write again from the holy land!
I'm on my way to the shortest visit I ever payed Israel. In total- not including the flight times- it's gonna be only 6 days. In these 6 days I'd like to:
See my dad and his wife and my little brothers.
See my grandma.
See my grandpa (they're divorced).
See my aunt and cousins (from both sides)
Spend time with my mom and sister.
Celebrate my moms birthday in 2 days, with her.
Get a haircut.
Go to the dentist.
Go to the doctor.
See all my friends: including: Yifat, Adi (and her new baby), Goni (and her new baby), Tali (and her new husband to be).
Eat Humus.
Go to the beach whatever weather it is.
Well if I think of something else I'll let you know...
Anyway- wish me a good flight,
Will write again from the holy land!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Pictures
Here are some pictures from our month in Israel. A little bit of everything:
The Negev desert, on the way to Eilat
Sunrise from our window, Sinai
Sunrise from our window, Sinai
A stray camel coming for a visit
A colorful store in Tarabin, Sinai
A hazy morning next to the Kineret
The El Aktza mosque in Jerusalem
A colorful store in Tarabin, Sinai
A hazy morning next to the Kineret
The El Aktza mosque in Jerusalem
My new computer
This is my first post from this computer! Mine was very sick as you already know from all my stories about it from China, and now I have a new laptop- and I'm getting used to it. I like it that's for sure.
Since we came back from Sinai, we went traveling in the north part of Israel, slept on the beach of the Kineret lake for two nights, and traveled especially in the Galilee. It was very nice, and again I promise to put pictures soon. After that we went to Jerusalem, to spend Yom Kippur there- that's the day the Jewish ppl fast for 24 hours to ask for forgiveness for their sins. We spent it with my friend Yifat, who just moved to Jerusalem to do her 5th and 6th year of med school there. This day almost nobody drives in Israel, and the streets are filled with ppl and kids riding bicycles and other wheeled things. The most religious ppl don't do that of course. Jerusalem as usual is amazing, the feeling you get when you're there is so special, it's really hard to explain. Rob & I fell in love with it again. On Sunday, right after the holiday, we went to a museum- that shows all of the city's history- it's called Migdal David (the tower of David) and it's very recommended.
Adi, my best friend from school gave birth to a pre-mature baby, on the 6th month of her pregnancy - now the baby is gonna stay in the hospital until it's strong enough to leave... I cross my fingers the baby will be strong and healthy!
Rob left to Germany 2 days ago, and I'm going back there in less than a week- it feels weird to leave again for so long... My mom is going today for a week which means I won't see her again b4 I leave... It's a very weird feeling.
I've been trying to learn German alone here, yesterday I was good- sat for more than 3 hours. Today I'll do it after mom leaves, until the evening- it's another holiday today- and I'm going to my aunts place for dinner.
I really need to start doing sports again, especially Yoga. I feel so bad about not doing anything, a real icky feeling. I hope I'll find a good Yoga teacher in Germany, coz even though I have a really good Yoga book - I have no self discipline and I need a class to actually go to. I fear the fact that I'm not going to understand the teachers again- which really makes all the difference for me. I'll try to find out where there's a teacher that teaches in the method I like, and I'll see how much it costs. But even if it's gonna be paying money that I don't have- I'm going back to doing Yoga... Until I find a good Yoga teacher- I'll try to go to the gym at least...
I'm stressed about not having a job in Germany yet, I keep using the money I don't have (my savings...) and I really don't like this feeling. I haven't worked in a year, and it feels so useless... I really need to know that I'm making money, and not just spending it.
I'll write more in the next few days, I'm going to have lunch with my mom now (who bought so much food for me for the time she's gone- it's amazing).
Since we came back from Sinai, we went traveling in the north part of Israel, slept on the beach of the Kineret lake for two nights, and traveled especially in the Galilee. It was very nice, and again I promise to put pictures soon. After that we went to Jerusalem, to spend Yom Kippur there- that's the day the Jewish ppl fast for 24 hours to ask for forgiveness for their sins. We spent it with my friend Yifat, who just moved to Jerusalem to do her 5th and 6th year of med school there. This day almost nobody drives in Israel, and the streets are filled with ppl and kids riding bicycles and other wheeled things. The most religious ppl don't do that of course. Jerusalem as usual is amazing, the feeling you get when you're there is so special, it's really hard to explain. Rob & I fell in love with it again. On Sunday, right after the holiday, we went to a museum- that shows all of the city's history- it's called Migdal David (the tower of David) and it's very recommended.
Adi, my best friend from school gave birth to a pre-mature baby, on the 6th month of her pregnancy - now the baby is gonna stay in the hospital until it's strong enough to leave... I cross my fingers the baby will be strong and healthy!
Rob left to Germany 2 days ago, and I'm going back there in less than a week- it feels weird to leave again for so long... My mom is going today for a week which means I won't see her again b4 I leave... It's a very weird feeling.
I've been trying to learn German alone here, yesterday I was good- sat for more than 3 hours. Today I'll do it after mom leaves, until the evening- it's another holiday today- and I'm going to my aunts place for dinner.
I really need to start doing sports again, especially Yoga. I feel so bad about not doing anything, a real icky feeling. I hope I'll find a good Yoga teacher in Germany, coz even though I have a really good Yoga book - I have no self discipline and I need a class to actually go to. I fear the fact that I'm not going to understand the teachers again- which really makes all the difference for me. I'll try to find out where there's a teacher that teaches in the method I like, and I'll see how much it costs. But even if it's gonna be paying money that I don't have- I'm going back to doing Yoga... Until I find a good Yoga teacher- I'll try to go to the gym at least...
I'm stressed about not having a job in Germany yet, I keep using the money I don't have (my savings...) and I really don't like this feeling. I haven't worked in a year, and it feels so useless... I really need to know that I'm making money, and not just spending it.
I'll write more in the next few days, I'm going to have lunch with my mom now (who bought so much food for me for the time she's gone- it's amazing).
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Vacation?
I've been asked if it's the heat that stopped me from writing here lately (thanks M :-)), so I decided to write one just before we're going to Sinai on Thursday. Rob's here and I guess that's the main reason for me not writing here, and even though we haven't been doing much- we still went to some nice places. One place that is definitely worth mentioning is Ein Hod- an artists village a bit southern than Haifa. We just went there to see the nice galleries (and we did) but we found something much nicer: BEER!!! There's a small pub there - called Art Bar- where the owner makes his own beer - and it was the best beer that I ever tasted in Israel! He brews 7 different kinds of beer, and he gave us a few to taste. It was even quite cheap... We had a really nice afternoon there in his small yard, that had some chairs (you couldn't find the same chair twice) and some tables (not the same as well), some rugs, a fan, a big speaker for the music, a cat and a dog. I would like to go back there one more time before we go back to Germany.
Tomorrow we're going to Ceasaria (Keysaria in Hebrew) to look at the ruins of the Roman Empire, and on Thursday we're going to Sinai with my mom. Will put pictures when I'm back!
Tomorrow we're going to Ceasaria (Keysaria in Hebrew) to look at the ruins of the Roman Empire, and on Thursday we're going to Sinai with my mom. Will put pictures when I'm back!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Back to the heat
GOD it's hot in here. And so humid... Back in Israel if you didn't really understand where is "in here". Got here 2 days ago, my sister picked me up from the airport after a really terrible flight. The one to Istanbul was almost ok but the one from there to Israel was a nightmare: screaming kids and babies, ppl who smoke in the gate (the gate to Israel is always a closed gate for security reasons- just imagine being in a glass room with ppl who smoke, usually it doesn't bother me but that was just rude), ppl touching you, pushing you, ppl who don't know how to form a line, ppl who sit in other ppl's seats on the airplane (yes, in my seat too), ppl who get up from their seat as soon as the seat belt sign is off- and walk around on the plane- bothering the poor stewards, yelling at the stewards and so on... It was the longest 1 hour and 45 minutes of my life (especially coz the flight took off later than scheduled - and we waited on the plane the whole half hour delay). Anyway, my sis picked me up, and we went to her new apartment in Tel-Aviv- very cute apartment! It was the first time after a long time that we slept in the same room, and the same bed, which ended up in us talking half of the night, laughing and telling stories. That was a lot of fun! The next morning my dad came to take us to breakfast, and then my sis and I went shopping for me (have a wedding in 2 weeks and no dress)- I found a dress (very special one), we changed my sisters bedroom a bit (needed some final touches and rearranging) and then we went to Haifa. Dad surprised me again with a rented car- so I can be independent here and go and do whatever I want, so I went to pick it up, and only then I went to my moms.
Luckily someone called me last night about a translation job (saw the adds I put at the uni 2 months ago) so I worked today to get some cash...
Other than that- it's really hot here (a heat wave started yesterday especially for me) and that's about it.
***
[5 days earlier]
On Saturday we went to Berlin. We got there in the afternoon and went to Rob's friend's place- as I said before I really like this guy- and it was a nice feeling to have somewhere nice to crash. We met Rob's cousin for drinks, and then for food, I managed to lose my cell phone (again) and find it (again), we went out to a Poker party (apparently it's big in Germany now- and apparently it's big in Tel-Aviv too), got back really late at night, slept till noon, went to the park, went out for food, and then went up to a really nice bar on top of a roof on the east side of Berlin- right next to Alexander Platz. The weekend was really really nice, and I can't wait to get to Berlin again.
Alex - as seen from the bar on the rooftop
Luckily someone called me last night about a translation job (saw the adds I put at the uni 2 months ago) so I worked today to get some cash...
Other than that- it's really hot here (a heat wave started yesterday especially for me) and that's about it.
***
[5 days earlier]
On Saturday we went to Berlin. We got there in the afternoon and went to Rob's friend's place- as I said before I really like this guy- and it was a nice feeling to have somewhere nice to crash. We met Rob's cousin for drinks, and then for food, I managed to lose my cell phone (again) and find it (again), we went out to a Poker party (apparently it's big in Germany now- and apparently it's big in Tel-Aviv too), got back really late at night, slept till noon, went to the park, went out for food, and then went up to a really nice bar on top of a roof on the east side of Berlin- right next to Alexander Platz. The weekend was really really nice, and I can't wait to get to Berlin again.
Alex - as seen from the bar on the rooftopWednesday, June 13, 2007
Friday, June 08, 2007
A fox, a camel and a dead hog
Charles called on Friday night. He said they were in Jerusalem for 2 days, and asked if I wanted to come meet them on Saturday in Tel-Aviv. I agreed happily, and the next day I drove off. I met them at Charles's cousin's house- a really nice renovated apartment in a very popular area in TLV. It's very rare to find a good apartment there, so I asked for details and was told that her parents bought it for her. Lucky girl! Immanuel, Charles's cousin is a really nice and interesting person. She came to Israel alone, from France, at the early age of 17.5, studied here in uni later on, and now works for the french edition of The Jerusalem Post. Impressing.
It was so great to see Ana and Charles in Israel! Well, just seeing them was great... We all went to the beach, and cramped up on the TLV beach like the rest of the Tel-Avivian species. I really don't like Tel-Aviv, the only nice thing it has is shopping... We made plans for the next few days, and so it happened that on Sunday they took the train to Haifa, we toured around the city for a couple of hours, and in the evening we took the car to the Kineret (The Galilee sea). We put up 2 tents (one for me and one for the happy couple) and played cards (lost a "7"- the good finder will be rewarded - coz these are really nice cards), drank some beers and generally had lots of fun together. I really missed Rob on that situation, but they were such nice company that it made these feelings became a bit more subtle. On Monday morning we woke up and went straight to the lake- to swim. That day we travelled all over the Gollan heights with the car, and in the evening we went to the Kineret again to camp for the night. The next day we stopped in a winery in Kibbutz Amiad to Charles and Ana's request, and were really surprised to find out that they only make liqueurs from all kinds of fruit and other ingredients. They let us taste some and I ended up buying a really good dark chocolate liqueur... Yami!!!
After that we went to eat Humus in Akko, and wonder the old city and market, and then we went to Rosh Hanikra, to see the grotts, made by the sea. The view there is always really amazing... After that we went to my moms, for a shower and dinner before the bus to Eilat at 23:30. It took us 5.5 hours on that bus (was really fast!) and we arrived to the little oasis that sits on the red sea. We took a taxi to the Taba terminal border cross with Sinai. We arrived a bit too early for our ride on the other side- so we watched the sun rise over the red mountains of Jordan. We crossed the border and Charles and Ana saw the difference between Israel and Egypt: new and advanced vs. old and conservative, Efficiency vs. laziness and taxi drivers brotherhood. Our ride got there and we drove to the beach. It was (and still is) hard for me to accept the tranquility and silence while knowing that this society is such a men's society. There's hardly any women around (they're all home with the kids) and they are all business men with lots of kindness and serious faces (I know, it sounds ironic- but it's true). Sinai is so empty these days that Charles and Ana who fell in love with it, got really upset. The Bedouins there just told them that that's the way it is, and when tourism is so slow they just look for other business opportunities, and that as long as they have their health they feel rich. My European friends had a hard time accepting that, but in the end I think they almost did.
I left Sinai this morning, after 2 days, knowing that I really should go back soon- it's just so beautiful there... And so relaxed and quiet. Ana said something that really made me think: on a normal day anywhere else (and especially in China- where we all came from lately) you see hundreds or even more ppl a day. In Sinai you tend to see about 5 ppl a day... It's amazing what it does to you. After the first day- when you get used to it- and all your thoughts have settled and stopped bothering your brain- you hear the silence. And it's great. And so peaceful...
Pictures soon...
Oh! and the title is what it is coz it's all animals we saw when traveling (well we saw much more)
It was so great to see Ana and Charles in Israel! Well, just seeing them was great... We all went to the beach, and cramped up on the TLV beach like the rest of the Tel-Avivian species. I really don't like Tel-Aviv, the only nice thing it has is shopping... We made plans for the next few days, and so it happened that on Sunday they took the train to Haifa, we toured around the city for a couple of hours, and in the evening we took the car to the Kineret (The Galilee sea). We put up 2 tents (one for me and one for the happy couple) and played cards (lost a "7"- the good finder will be rewarded - coz these are really nice cards), drank some beers and generally had lots of fun together. I really missed Rob on that situation, but they were such nice company that it made these feelings became a bit more subtle. On Monday morning we woke up and went straight to the lake- to swim. That day we travelled all over the Gollan heights with the car, and in the evening we went to the Kineret again to camp for the night. The next day we stopped in a winery in Kibbutz Amiad to Charles and Ana's request, and were really surprised to find out that they only make liqueurs from all kinds of fruit and other ingredients. They let us taste some and I ended up buying a really good dark chocolate liqueur... Yami!!!
After that we went to eat Humus in Akko, and wonder the old city and market, and then we went to Rosh Hanikra, to see the grotts, made by the sea. The view there is always really amazing... After that we went to my moms, for a shower and dinner before the bus to Eilat at 23:30. It took us 5.5 hours on that bus (was really fast!) and we arrived to the little oasis that sits on the red sea. We took a taxi to the Taba terminal border cross with Sinai. We arrived a bit too early for our ride on the other side- so we watched the sun rise over the red mountains of Jordan. We crossed the border and Charles and Ana saw the difference between Israel and Egypt: new and advanced vs. old and conservative, Efficiency vs. laziness and taxi drivers brotherhood. Our ride got there and we drove to the beach. It was (and still is) hard for me to accept the tranquility and silence while knowing that this society is such a men's society. There's hardly any women around (they're all home with the kids) and they are all business men with lots of kindness and serious faces (I know, it sounds ironic- but it's true). Sinai is so empty these days that Charles and Ana who fell in love with it, got really upset. The Bedouins there just told them that that's the way it is, and when tourism is so slow they just look for other business opportunities, and that as long as they have their health they feel rich. My European friends had a hard time accepting that, but in the end I think they almost did.
I left Sinai this morning, after 2 days, knowing that I really should go back soon- it's just so beautiful there... And so relaxed and quiet. Ana said something that really made me think: on a normal day anywhere else (and especially in China- where we all came from lately) you see hundreds or even more ppl a day. In Sinai you tend to see about 5 ppl a day... It's amazing what it does to you. After the first day- when you get used to it- and all your thoughts have settled and stopped bothering your brain- you hear the silence. And it's great. And so peaceful...
Pictures soon...
Oh! and the title is what it is coz it's all animals we saw when traveling (well we saw much more)
Monday, May 28, 2007
Oh boyfriend, where are thou?
I actually know where he is right now. He wrote me an e-mail (thank you universe for inventing the world wide connection). They're in Pisa (I'm so jealous- never been to Italy) and heading to Sardinia tomorrow... (Have I mentioned how jealous I am?)
***
Went shopping with my sis today. Bought a new pair of shoes (will be great for European weather) and 2 nice shirts, and my sis bought me a pre-birthday present- a really special shirt... Was a fun day for us in Tel-Aviv, and also- my sister went to an interview in an arts school called Minshar, and she got accepted for cinematography!!! I'm so excited for her. She got excepted to another school too (Camera Obscura) but she chose the other one. My little sister is gonna be a student!!!
***
I guess I write more coz I don't get to talk to Rob, and I need to tell someone whats going on with me.
***
Charles called me today!!! From Paris!!! They're landing here on Monday night, and they're gonna call again on Tuesday and we'll make plans!!! I'm so happy about it!!! Now I have to focus up- and stop feeling like the tourist in this country, coz I'm gonna have to take the role of the guide... I still feel a bit like a stranger here- everyone's so loud and blunt, in China they used to stare coz I was different, now men stare coz they're obnoxious. People tend to talk on their cell phones everywhere, and ask very personal questions even if they're just the person fixing your cell phone. Hmmm... how was I ever used to this??? Well now I have to like it, or at least have excuses for it- if I ever wanna show the nice things of this country to other ppl. And there are plenty of nice things here. Plenty.
***
Good night. I'm really tired now... (Uggi my dog is so cute- every night waits for me to go to bed- to come along and sleep in my room...)
***
Went shopping with my sis today. Bought a new pair of shoes (will be great for European weather) and 2 nice shirts, and my sis bought me a pre-birthday present- a really special shirt... Was a fun day for us in Tel-Aviv, and also- my sister went to an interview in an arts school called Minshar, and she got accepted for cinematography!!! I'm so excited for her. She got excepted to another school too (Camera Obscura) but she chose the other one. My little sister is gonna be a student!!!
***
I guess I write more coz I don't get to talk to Rob, and I need to tell someone whats going on with me.
***
Charles called me today!!! From Paris!!! They're landing here on Monday night, and they're gonna call again on Tuesday and we'll make plans!!! I'm so happy about it!!! Now I have to focus up- and stop feeling like the tourist in this country, coz I'm gonna have to take the role of the guide... I still feel a bit like a stranger here- everyone's so loud and blunt, in China they used to stare coz I was different, now men stare coz they're obnoxious. People tend to talk on their cell phones everywhere, and ask very personal questions even if they're just the person fixing your cell phone. Hmmm... how was I ever used to this??? Well now I have to like it, or at least have excuses for it- if I ever wanna show the nice things of this country to other ppl. And there are plenty of nice things here. Plenty.
***
Good night. I'm really tired now... (Uggi my dog is so cute- every night waits for me to go to bed- to come along and sleep in my room...)
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Back in Israel
Wow... I have so much to tell... And I had no time until now... So... I'll start with the last weekend- at Rob's parents' house. We got there on Friday afternoon, after picking up his cousin Vivica who came from
The next day was my last day in Germany, we all had a big breakfast together (I helped Rob's mom bake Pita bread and make Tehina and Humus) and then slowly slowly all the cousins scattered away. I spent a few more hours with Rob (I miss you...) and then his big brother took me to the airport on his way home. We got there a bit too early (3 and a half hours before my flight) so I had a lot of time to kill, but it passed and I realized that I'm gonna see my sister soon... After a year and 8 months I haven't seen her at all... Slept about half of the flight, and then landed... Didn't recognize my sis (lost a lot of weight and got a new haircut) she had to wave so I know it's her... She looks great! I missed her so much... I used to dream about meeting her- every week since I went away...
Got home saw my mom, saw my dog (cute and old!), and met my best friends (except for Yifat- she's still not here- studying hard for her exams- I'll see her in 10 days), and tomorrow I guess I'll go see my grandparents and my dad and brothers.
That's it. Oh yeah- I already ate Humus!!! today... It was great!
Not much more to say,
Oh- Today is my sister's birthday!!!
Happy Birth Day Nitzan!!! Love ya!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)