Thursday, November 30, 2006
Technical Difficulties
My computer is TOAST!! Check out the flickr link meanwhile for the last photos, and hold tight until I'm back up!
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Thanksgiving Bike Ride
I decided to take you along on a bike ride today. I have to say, you slowed me down quite a bit. But I planned a leisurely cruise full of photo taking.
Then I met Anat and Amir on the way. They planned a big ascent of the Carmel and descent down the other side through the Druze village of Daliat al Carmel. Their plan seemed more fun, so I tagged along.
I'm not sure if I annoyed them, with all my stopping for picture-taking. But I think when they see all the great shots I got of their butts, they will be glad. Check out the whole ride in my 'Bike Ride' set on the Flickr link.
What a perfect glorious day. The ride was long and hard, but such a pleasure on a day like today that I hardly felt it.
Okay, I really felt it. 37 miles, at least 22 of them up hill - I felt it. The climb up the Carmel is particularly long, and I huffed and puffed through the end of it. Anat, my new friend, is working toward being a professional rider, hoping to get a spot on a European team somewhere. At the summit, she was cool as a cucumber.
If I was looking forward to the peak, the descent can only be described as hair raising. I'll leave it at that.
How did I ride all that way AND fix a Thanksgiving turkey? I didn't. I'll make my turkey tomorrow for Shabbat. I tried to organize a dinner today, but I couldn't figure out how to cram it in between all the kids' activities. And forget about having guests over. At one point during my ride, I was in mid-adrenaline-flush, and I was sure I could do it ALL. Then reality hit and I realized it would be much more relaxing tomorrow.
I was famished later on, so I went out for a Thanksgiving kabob. I was very thankful for it.
Then I met Anat and Amir on the way. They planned a big ascent of the Carmel and descent down the other side through the Druze village of Daliat al Carmel. Their plan seemed more fun, so I tagged along.
I'm not sure if I annoyed them, with all my stopping for picture-taking. But I think when they see all the great shots I got of their butts, they will be glad. Check out the whole ride in my 'Bike Ride' set on the Flickr link.
What a perfect glorious day. The ride was long and hard, but such a pleasure on a day like today that I hardly felt it.
Okay, I really felt it. 37 miles, at least 22 of them up hill - I felt it. The climb up the Carmel is particularly long, and I huffed and puffed through the end of it. Anat, my new friend, is working toward being a professional rider, hoping to get a spot on a European team somewhere. At the summit, she was cool as a cucumber.
If I was looking forward to the peak, the descent can only be described as hair raising. I'll leave it at that.
How did I ride all that way AND fix a Thanksgiving turkey? I didn't. I'll make my turkey tomorrow for Shabbat. I tried to organize a dinner today, but I couldn't figure out how to cram it in between all the kids' activities. And forget about having guests over. At one point during my ride, I was in mid-adrenaline-flush, and I was sure I could do it ALL. Then reality hit and I realized it would be much more relaxing tomorrow.
I was famished later on, so I went out for a Thanksgiving kabob. I was very thankful for it.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
A Perfect Moment
I have nothing on my mind.
Mid-freefall, as I descend, my mind is blank. Any remnants of worry are washed away as soon as I enter the smooth-as-glass, aqua seawater. Perfect.
Most Fridays, My friend Yossi and I try to meet up for a beach run. We run roughly 5-6 km along to beach to this point at the edge of a hilltop of ruins of the ancient port city of Dor. Nice days we jump in, then run back. This was last Friday.
The weather was perfect. The sea was so clear and blue that we could see perfectly to the bottom of this deep pool, carved between the rocks by the ancients. We didn't know we were being photographed. Some strangers also took advantage of the beautiful day for a photography expedition, then emailed us the photos later. Cool, eh?
My life is not always this perfect, but I guess moments like this are why I am still here in Israel. Since I last wrote around holiday time, I've had many fun adventures, and many trying moments as well.
We had a great time when Hugh was here, including an excellent excursion to Sinai. Check the Flickr link for photos. But then he left and it's been a really LONG time since I've seen him.
My kids are home from school at 1:00, then it's "Ima, Ima, Ima..." with no break until we all fall asleep at around 11:00. Normal stuff, I am not complaining. Chauffeuring to afterschool activities, trying to keep track of each one's busy schedule, feeding, cleaning, etc. The mornings I try to organize, shop, teach/take classes, get some exercise...
Luckily my parents came recently to break up the time until Hugh gets back. We also had some excellent adventures together which you can peek at on the Flickr link.
Less than one month to go until Hugh gets back. Hopefully it will go quickly. Or, I can try to fill the time with more mind-emptying moments. How can I make them last???
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Why I am a Zionist
It has been a long time since I updated this site, though perhaps no one noticed. But I noticed, and am missing the therapeutic benefits of clarifying my thoughts in writing!
So what have we been up to? I guess I'll start where I left off. On Yom Kippur, as I walked with my children to shul right down the center of the street completely devoid of cars, Shailee de
clared to me, "Yom Kippur is so peaceful in Israel!" Her statement, so simple and so true, really underscored to me why I love to live here.
Celebrating Jewish holidays in the US is so labor intensive, and in the end, often not so fun. I sometimes feel like a member of a freakish cult as we walk in packs to the synagogue dressed in our finest clothes, ready for the intense rituals and lengthy services of our holiest days, while the rest of the world passes by for an ordinary Tuesday.
At least most Americans in large cities have heard of the major holidays and hold some sympathy, or at least familiarity with, our taditions. But then, try explaining to your neighbors exactly what that little hut is that you are building in your backyard for Succot. And then explain to your boss why you will be missing 7 days of work every fall but still need a vaccation.
Here, the holidays are so festive and natural. Starting with Rosh Hashannah, everyone down to the mailman wishes everyone a Happy New Year.
On Yom Kippur, our most intense and introspective day, the nation is transformed. Not a single car was on the road, so the children all come out on bicycles! It is truly the most amazing sight. Of course the surreal quality is enhanced by the effects of fasting, but in an entirely pleasant way. Peaceful, as Shailee put it.
Then, onto Sukkot. Hugh arrived in town the afternoon before Sukkot began, so the building of the Sukkah was up to me this year. Not a small task for the mechanically challenged me. I started by asking my neighbor for a drill. As is typical in Israel, rather than the drill I asked for, I got advice. But the advice was quite (atypically) useful and came with a custom drawn sketch of what I should do. So Shailee, Namir and I set to work (Maira headed out to Bnei Akiva).
I admit, that the task was not easy for me. Two steps forward, one and a half back. At each impasse Shailee would exclaim, "Ima, why don't you ask for help?!" But every time we worked our trouble out she would hoot and clap and Namir would break out into a full soccer 'ole' cheer that kept me going.
The neighbors, of course, didn't mind and fully understood the reasons behind the hammering that went on late into the night. Everyone builds sukkot, religious or not. They are beautiful and fun, why not? My next door neighbor, Phillipe, heard the hammering and called out that if for some reason our scheme didn't work out, we were welcome in his. Not so much faith in me, I guess. But we were successful! You can see the process on the Flckr link. What a surprise Hugh got to have it all ready when he arrived. Sitting in or sukkah was especially sweet this year, and we we were even luck to host guests from Maryland the Sultan/Reichlers.
I was in the locker room after swim practice the other day, chatting with the ladies about a very deep topic: the weather. The rain has started, and the air is a bit cooler. One friend, who I know to be completely and totally non-religious/secular made the simple comment that she turns over her closets for the winter/summer wardrobe change every year at Hanukah and Shavuot.
I thought to myself, that's why I love it here. Only in Israel, is it natural for Jews to live a Jewish life. It's our rhythm. We don't need to revolve our lives around Judaism in order to maintain it, it's just the natural framework in which our lives fit. That's why I am a Zionist. Inside Israel Jews thrive, though the nation and it's institutions flounder and head for failure. Outside Israel, being Jewish is an uphill struggle. Jews need a nation or this beautiful culture will whither away. I think Judaism is worth preserving. But I am afraid that the Israeli government is in the process of dooming it.
So what have we been up to? I guess I'll start where I left off. On Yom Kippur, as I walked with my children to shul right down the center of the street completely devoid of cars, Shailee de
clared to me, "Yom Kippur is so peaceful in Israel!" Her statement, so simple and so true, really underscored to me why I love to live here.Celebrating Jewish holidays in the US is so labor intensive, and in the end, often not so fun. I sometimes feel like a member of a freakish cult as we walk in packs to the synagogue dressed in our finest clothes, ready for the intense rituals and lengthy services of our holiest days, while the rest of the world passes by for an ordinary Tuesday.
At least most Americans in large cities have heard of the major holidays and hold some sympathy, or at least familiarity with, our taditions. But then, try explaining to your neighbors exactly what that little hut is that you are building in your backyard for Succot. And then explain to your boss why you will be missing 7 days of work every fall but still need a vaccation.
Here, the holidays are so festive and natural. Starting with Rosh Hashannah, everyone down to the mailman wishes everyone a Happy New Year.
On Yom Kippur, our most intense and introspective day, the nation is transformed. Not a single car was on the road, so the children all come out on bicycles! It is truly the most amazing sight. Of course the surreal quality is enhanced by the effects of fasting, but in an entirely pleasant way. Peaceful, as Shailee put it.
Then, onto Sukkot. Hugh arrived in town the afternoon before Sukkot began, so the building of the Sukkah was up to me this year. Not a small task for the mechanically challenged me. I started by asking my neighbor for a drill. As is typical in Israel, rather than the drill I asked for, I got advice. But the advice was quite (atypically) useful and came with a custom drawn sketch of what I should do. So Shailee, Namir and I set to work (Maira headed out to Bnei Akiva).
I admit, that the task was not easy for me. Two steps forward, one and a half back. At each impasse Shailee would exclaim, "Ima, why don't you ask for help?!" But every time we worked our trouble out she would hoot and clap and Namir would break out into a full soccer 'ole' cheer that kept me going.
The neighbors, of course, didn't mind and fully understood the reasons behind the hammering that went on late into the night. Everyone builds sukkot, religious or not. They are beautiful and fun, why not? My next door neighbor, Phillipe, heard the hammering and called out that if for some reason our scheme didn't work out, we were welcome in his. Not so much faith in me, I guess. But we were successful! You can see the process on the Flckr link. What a surprise Hugh got to have it all ready when he arrived. Sitting in or sukkah was especially sweet this year, and we we were even luck to host guests from Maryland the Sultan/Reichlers.
I was in the locker room after swim practice the other day, chatting with the ladies about a very deep topic: the weather. The rain has started, and the air is a bit cooler. One friend, who I know to be completely and totally non-religious/secular made the simple comment that she turns over her closets for the winter/summer wardrobe change every year at Hanukah and Shavuot.
I thought to myself, that's why I love it here. Only in Israel, is it natural for Jews to live a Jewish life. It's our rhythm. We don't need to revolve our lives around Judaism in order to maintain it, it's just the natural framework in which our lives fit. That's why I am a Zionist. Inside Israel Jews thrive, though the nation and it's institutions flounder and head for failure. Outside Israel, being Jewish is an uphill struggle. Jews need a nation or this beautiful culture will whither away. I think Judaism is worth preserving. But I am afraid that the Israeli government is in the process of dooming it.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
G'mar Chatimah Tovah!
Apparently, people are feeling sorry for us without Hugh, because we were invited out for four Rosh Hashanah meals. So, for the first time since I was married, I didn't cook! Of course, I made honey cakes to bring to everyone, and added a desert here, or a salad there to our meals, but nothing major.
So Friday, Erev Rosh Hashanah, we went to the pool. When the pool closed early, we went to the beach!!
The meals were lovely and in the very good company of friends here in Zichron. Two out of four of the meals were conducted in only Hebrew (was it as painful for them as it was for me?). So the good parts were the company, and not needing to cook. The down side was that poor Namir had to be on his most presentable behaviour both at shul and as a guest, which in the end was a bit taxing for him.
Obviously, the biggest detraction to our holiday was missing Hugh. But this season time passes so quickly, which means he'll be coming soon!! Can't wait.
Hope your holiday was joyous as well. Wishing you all a g'mar tov, or good marks in the Book of Life for the coming year, and an easy fast.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Shannah Tovah!!
Shannah Tovah U'metukah to Everyone!!
I wish you all a healthy, happy, and peaceful year!
If I have offended anyone reading this: Forgive me, forgive me, forgive me. May this year bring us all the renewal and healing we need.
Updates
I have been trying to post photos for two days, but I can't seem to get them on Flckr or up on the blog. I will try again next week.
The children are settling back into their school year. Maira switched schools to the local public religious school this year, and seems to fit in very well. Shailee continues at the Keshet Democratic School, which this year is in a new building and a slew of new teachers, which hopefully will be a boon. And Namir continues to be miserable at the same school with Maira. Seems to be his lot in life. I will have to post another time about the intricacies of the Israeli school system. That post will be a long tirade!
My toe is totally better. Two weeks ago on Shabbat, I woke up to find it oozing AGAIN. I hate to keep going on about this, but one month of varied states of infection through two courses of antibiotics, all the while I was unable to exercise, was really getting to me. I panicked and went to see a doctor/friend I know to see whether I should go immediately to get IV antibiotics. He was much more calm than I, and suggested a battery of tests. As I was leaving, envisioning the following day of standing in lines at various outposts of socialized medicine, he mentioned: "or you could just soak it in the Dead Sea."
Just so you can understand how fed up I was with the whole issue, next morning I left for the Dead Sea. It is about a three hour drive from here. Maira stayed with a friend, and I took Shailee and Namir. We stayed overnight at Kibbutz Ein Gedi. My agenda was to soak my toe as much as possible, which meant long hours in the sun for the three of us. It was lovely, and yes it BURNED!
But, now, completely recovered! One month and two courses of antibiotics couldn't heal what a little dip in the sea could. I hope the people of Israel and Jordan realize soon what a treasure this Sea is and save it from shrinking into the past!!
Earlier this week, the children and I had the honor to be invited to my friend's sister's wedding in a nearby Arab village. We went Saturday night to the bride's Henna Party and Sunday night to the wedding. The parties were very joyous and festive, the music and dancing were great, and we were welcomed as part of the family, even seated at the head table with the family. What fun!
In the summer I met Hanna Levy, a lovely woman and musician, in the Pilates studio where I train. She lives part of the year in NY and part of the year in a nearby artist village named Ein Hod with her artist husband Victor Halvani. We exchanged numbers and I forgot about it.
But she did not. I received a call inviting me to her home. I came with Namir to their beautiful home filled with art. We were having a nice chat and drinking tea, when her husband said, "tonight we are going to the home of my friend the Egyptian ambassador, Muhhamad Ibrahim, would you like to come? "
Well, of course! I flew home, changed, made arrangements for the children, and before too long found myself seated at an intimate dinner of nine friends at the Egyptian Embassy, with the ambassador and his wife who was in town visiting from her post as ambassador in Switzerland. There was a lot of joking and teasing, not so much politics. Though he mentioned that he sees his role as connecting Egypt and Israel and not as negotiating between Palestinians and Israel, and he has no idea where Shalit is nor when he will be returned. They are both warm and lovely people. How cool is that?
Anyway, that's all the news updates for now.
The children are settling back into their school year. Maira switched schools to the local public religious school this year, and seems to fit in very well. Shailee continues at the Keshet Democratic School, which this year is in a new building and a slew of new teachers, which hopefully will be a boon. And Namir continues to be miserable at the same school with Maira. Seems to be his lot in life. I will have to post another time about the intricacies of the Israeli school system. That post will be a long tirade!
My toe is totally better. Two weeks ago on Shabbat, I woke up to find it oozing AGAIN. I hate to keep going on about this, but one month of varied states of infection through two courses of antibiotics, all the while I was unable to exercise, was really getting to me. I panicked and went to see a doctor/friend I know to see whether I should go immediately to get IV antibiotics. He was much more calm than I, and suggested a battery of tests. As I was leaving, envisioning the following day of standing in lines at various outposts of socialized medicine, he mentioned: "or you could just soak it in the Dead Sea."
Just so you can understand how fed up I was with the whole issue, next morning I left for the Dead Sea. It is about a three hour drive from here. Maira stayed with a friend, and I took Shailee and Namir. We stayed overnight at Kibbutz Ein Gedi. My agenda was to soak my toe as much as possible, which meant long hours in the sun for the three of us. It was lovely, and yes it BURNED!
But, now, completely recovered! One month and two courses of antibiotics couldn't heal what a little dip in the sea could. I hope the people of Israel and Jordan realize soon what a treasure this Sea is and save it from shrinking into the past!!
Earlier this week, the children and I had the honor to be invited to my friend's sister's wedding in a nearby Arab village. We went Saturday night to the bride's Henna Party and Sunday night to the wedding. The parties were very joyous and festive, the music and dancing were great, and we were welcomed as part of the family, even seated at the head table with the family. What fun!
In the summer I met Hanna Levy, a lovely woman and musician, in the Pilates studio where I train. She lives part of the year in NY and part of the year in a nearby artist village named Ein Hod with her artist husband Victor Halvani. We exchanged numbers and I forgot about it.
But she did not. I received a call inviting me to her home. I came with Namir to their beautiful home filled with art. We were having a nice chat and drinking tea, when her husband said, "tonight we are going to the home of my friend the Egyptian ambassador, Muhhamad Ibrahim, would you like to come? "
Well, of course! I flew home, changed, made arrangements for the children, and before too long found myself seated at an intimate dinner of nine friends at the Egyptian Embassy, with the ambassador and his wife who was in town visiting from her post as ambassador in Switzerland. There was a lot of joking and teasing, not so much politics. Though he mentioned that he sees his role as connecting Egypt and Israel and not as negotiating between Palestinians and Israel, and he has no idea where Shalit is nor when he will be returned. They are both warm and lovely people. How cool is that?
Anyway, that's all the news updates for now.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Great Link
Whew! What a week I had. It's very late and I am too exhausted to tell all the juicy details of the fun things I have been doing, but I promise to post my stories and new photos soon (maybe tomorrow).
Meanwhile, Please have a look at this excellent article written by my new e-friend and very fine person, Khaled Diab. Be sure to read through to the end to catch my qoute!
http://www.palestinechronicle.com/story-09190694416.htm
And if you want to see what keeps me busy during lonely moments at home while Hugh is gone, check out this new online forum:
METalks.com
METalks was started by Anat, aka IsraeliMom, also a very fine person who happens to live very near to me, in order to break down barriers and bring people of the ME and beyond together to discuss the challenging issues of living peacefully. Please join in and be part of this cutting edge trend of the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Please have a look at this excellent article written by my new e-friend and very fine person, Khaled Diab. Be sure to read through to the end to catch my qoute!
http://www.palestinechronicle.com/story-09190694416.htm
And if you want to see what keeps me busy during lonely moments at home while Hugh is gone, check out this new online forum:
METalks.com
METalks was started by Anat, aka IsraeliMom, also a very fine person who happens to live very near to me, in order to break down barriers and bring people of the ME and beyond together to discuss the challenging issues of living peacefully. Please join in and be part of this cutting edge trend of the Middle East.
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