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.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Monday, September 04, 2006
School
Two big news items: School started and I got my toe fixed. Check the Flikr link to see how both went down.The kids got off with relatively few difficulties. Namir threw his entirely predictable temper tantrum, and yet still managed to make it. Maira is surprisingly agreeable about changing schools, and actually seems happy. Shailee is thrilled.
My toe got infected to the point of being unbearable, so I went to have it fixed. Today it is MUCH better, and I am told I can swim by Wed, and wear shoes by the end of the week. Hmmm. I know what I'll be doing with my free mornings in the beautiful September weather! I can't wait to get out on my bike!!
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Summertime
You can say our summer went out with a splash! We had one last excusion of the vacation to a beach on the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) with a few extras. We took Maira's new friend, and new arrival in Israel from Long Island, Raquel. We certainly weren't the only ones with the idea; the place was packed!
I wanted to post an awesome picture here, but the loader isn't working right and driving me crazy. Check out my Flikr album on the sidebar. Just click it, Dad!
School starts tomorow. Except for Shailee whose school somehow did not obtain permission from the Office of Education to open on Sunday. Hopefully Monday?
I wanted to post an awesome picture here, but the loader isn't working right and driving me crazy. Check out my Flikr album on the sidebar. Just click it, Dad!
School starts tomorow. Except for Shailee whose school somehow did not obtain permission from the Office of Education to open on Sunday. Hopefully Monday?
Friday, September 01, 2006
Happy International Blog Day
This post is red because Maira asked me to write in red.
Today is International Blog Day. Bet you didn't know that.
I am supposed to answer these questions:
Why did you start blogging?
To keep my family and friends updated about my life in Israel.
What do you blog about mainly?
Whatever is on my mind.
Do you blog in your first language or in another language, and why?
Yes. Because if I blogged in Hebrew no one would understand me including the Hebrew speakers.
What motivates you to keep blogging even if (like most bloggers) youÂ’re not paid much for it?
My parents said they like it.
Is your audience mainly inside your own country or around the world?
I don't know if anyone besides my parents is even reading this. Oh, Linda left a comment the other day, so I guess she is. Hi Linda!
What do your family and friends think about the fact that you are a blogger?
It's a dark secret they try not to let out. All the neighbors are talking.
Seriously, if they like it, they read it. If not, the alternative is obvious.
Does your boss know you have a blog?
I have no boss. I have no job. Maybe why I have the time to blog.
What is the relationship between blogs in your country or region and the mainstream media?
No lack of opinions in Israel, and certainly no lack of 'experts.' Why read the news when you can write it yourself?
When you blog, how would you describe what you write? Is it part of a conversation? Is it ranting? Is it a daily diary? Is it journalism? Is it some or all of these things at different times? Does the definition matter?
I would characterize this blog as a journal. I don't see why the definition matters.
Have blogs started to have an impact on politics in your country? Have they started to influence what stories get covered in your countryÂ’s media?
Blogs had a very big impact on the mainstream coverage of the war with Lebanon. I think everyone has heard about how bloggers noted the photo-doctoring scandal.
Okay, Now I am supposed trecommendnd five blogs. Here goes:
http://cyboc.blogspot.com/
This guy is a swimmer and runner. In between the training info, he's pretty entertaining.
http://beirutspring.blogspot.com/
This Lebanese blogger has something to say aboueveryoneon
http://olehgirl.blogspot.com/
Seems like a nice girl.
http://www.diabolicdigest.net/
I may not agree with all of his solutions, but at least someone is trying to think outside the box.
http://www.tololy.com/
Jordanian girl's beautiful blog. How does she do all that cool design stuff?
Okay, Have fun, people!
Today is International Blog Day. Bet you didn't know that.
I am supposed to answer these questions:
Why did you start blogging?
To keep my family and friends updated about my life in Israel.
What do you blog about mainly?
Whatever is on my mind.
Do you blog in your first language or in another language, and why?
Yes. Because if I blogged in Hebrew no one would understand me including the Hebrew speakers.
What motivates you to keep blogging even if (like most bloggers) youÂ’re not paid much for it?
My parents said they like it.
Is your audience mainly inside your own country or around the world?
I don't know if anyone besides my parents is even reading this. Oh, Linda left a comment the other day, so I guess she is. Hi Linda!
What do your family and friends think about the fact that you are a blogger?
It's a dark secret they try not to let out. All the neighbors are talking.
Seriously, if they like it, they read it. If not, the alternative is obvious.
Does your boss know you have a blog?
I have no boss. I have no job. Maybe why I have the time to blog.
What is the relationship between blogs in your country or region and the mainstream media?
No lack of opinions in Israel, and certainly no lack of 'experts.' Why read the news when you can write it yourself?
When you blog, how would you describe what you write? Is it part of a conversation? Is it ranting? Is it a daily diary? Is it journalism? Is it some or all of these things at different times? Does the definition matter?
I would characterize this blog as a journal. I don't see why the definition matters.
Have blogs started to have an impact on politics in your country? Have they started to influence what stories get covered in your countryÂ’s media?
Blogs had a very big impact on the mainstream coverage of the war with Lebanon. I think everyone has heard about how bloggers noted the photo-doctoring scandal.
Okay, Now I am supposed trecommendnd five blogs. Here goes:
http://cyboc.blogspot.com/
This guy is a swimmer and runner. In between the training info, he's pretty entertaining.
http://beirutspring.blogspot.com/
This Lebanese blogger has something to say aboueveryoneon
http://olehgirl.blogspot.com/
Seems like a nice girl.
http://www.diabolicdigest.net/
I may not agree with all of his solutions, but at least someone is trying to think outside the box.
http://www.tololy.com/
Jordanian girl's beautiful blog. How does she do all that cool design stuff?
Okay, Have fun, people!
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Fact Check
Okay, Nim put the following post up himself. Everything he said is the absolute truth, except that he has no shoe factory, and that photo is a bit dated. The true part is that he is my awesome friend. . .
My Awesome Friend Nim
This is my awesome friend Nim! If something ever happens to me, I would let Nim have my kids so they could work at his shoe factory.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
International Blog Day
International Blog Day is almost here!
About GVO, Projects, Weblog, Blogger News
Don’t forget! The second annual international Blog Day is coming up this Thursday, August 31st. Please spread the blog love by participating.
A very exciting thing is the vast array of languages in which people are blogging about Blog Day. It will be a day in which we celebrate our right to express ourselves online, and help each other to be heard above the din of spin and bad news… and in some places, help people to be heard despite efforts by governments, politicians or companies to silence independent speech online. Thanks to Israeli blogger Nir Ofir who conceived and organized Blog Day. I repeat a recent quote from about why we should all participate:
On these days, of war in the middle east, I would like to remind you all that BlogDay is a celebration of people and for people. It is a celebration of the ability to visit blogs that are different from our own culture, point of view and attitude and it is a celebration of free content written by people like you and me. Wars, in the other hand, are being foughtby governments. Let us not let governments to stop the celebration of Internet, Blogging and democracy.
Here are Nir’s instructions for participating:
In one long moment In August 31st, bloggers from all over the world will post a recommendation of 5 new Blogs, Preferably, Blogs different from their own culture, point of view and attitude. On this day, blog surfers will find themselves leaping and discovering new, unknown Blogs, celebrating the discovery of new people and new bloggers.
BlogDay posting instructions:
1. Find 5 new Blogs that you find interesting2. Notify the 5 bloggers that you are recommending on them on BlogDay 20053. Write a short description of the Blogs and place a a link to the recommended Blogs4. Post the BlogDay Post (on August 31st) and5. Add the BlogDay tag using this link: http://technorati.com/tag/BlogDay2006 and a link to BlogDay web site at http://www.blogday.org/
If you are interested, Global Voices invites you to help fellow bloggers living in other parts of the world get to know you better. We’re finding that people in different countries blog for different reasons, and that blogospheres in different places have developed different kinds of relationships with the rest of their culture, politics, and mainstream media. We’d like to help people understand you and your region’s blogosphere better. So if you have the time, please help us do this by writing a post any time between now and Thursday (or several if you like), answering some or all of the following questions:
Why did you start blogging?
What do you blog about mainly?
Do you blog in your first language or in another language, and why?
What motivates you to keep blogging even if (like most bloggers) you’re not paid much for it?
Is your audience mainly inside your own country or around the world?
What do your family and friends think about the fact that you are a blogger?
Does your boss know you have a blog?
What is the relationship between blogs in your country or region and the mainstream media?
When you blog, how would you describe what you write? Is it part of a conversation? Is it ranting? Is it a daily diary? Is it journalism? Is it some or all of these things at different times? Does the definition matter?
Have blogs started to have an impact on politics in your country? Have they started to influence what stories get covered in your country’s media? We’d love to know some examples.
When you’re done, please trackback to this post, or leave a link to your post in the comments section of this post. If you don’t have a blog but would like to share your views about the state of blogs and blogging in your country, please feel free to leave a comment on this post. On Blog Day, we’ll do a post or two summarizing, quoting, and linking to what you said.
Rebecca MacKinnon
About GVO, Projects, Weblog, Blogger News
Don’t forget! The second annual international Blog Day is coming up this Thursday, August 31st. Please spread the blog love by participating.
A very exciting thing is the vast array of languages in which people are blogging about Blog Day. It will be a day in which we celebrate our right to express ourselves online, and help each other to be heard above the din of spin and bad news… and in some places, help people to be heard despite efforts by governments, politicians or companies to silence independent speech online. Thanks to Israeli blogger Nir Ofir who conceived and organized Blog Day. I repeat a recent quote from about why we should all participate:
On these days, of war in the middle east, I would like to remind you all that BlogDay is a celebration of people and for people. It is a celebration of the ability to visit blogs that are different from our own culture, point of view and attitude and it is a celebration of free content written by people like you and me. Wars, in the other hand, are being foughtby governments. Let us not let governments to stop the celebration of Internet, Blogging and democracy.
Here are Nir’s instructions for participating:
In one long moment In August 31st, bloggers from all over the world will post a recommendation of 5 new Blogs, Preferably, Blogs different from their own culture, point of view and attitude. On this day, blog surfers will find themselves leaping and discovering new, unknown Blogs, celebrating the discovery of new people and new bloggers.
BlogDay posting instructions:
1. Find 5 new Blogs that you find interesting2. Notify the 5 bloggers that you are recommending on them on BlogDay 20053. Write a short description of the Blogs and place a a link to the recommended Blogs4. Post the BlogDay Post (on August 31st) and5. Add the BlogDay tag using this link: http://technorati.com/tag/BlogDay2006 and a link to BlogDay web site at http://www.blogday.org/
If you are interested, Global Voices invites you to help fellow bloggers living in other parts of the world get to know you better. We’re finding that people in different countries blog for different reasons, and that blogospheres in different places have developed different kinds of relationships with the rest of their culture, politics, and mainstream media. We’d like to help people understand you and your region’s blogosphere better. So if you have the time, please help us do this by writing a post any time between now and Thursday (or several if you like), answering some or all of the following questions:
Why did you start blogging?
What do you blog about mainly?
Do you blog in your first language or in another language, and why?
What motivates you to keep blogging even if (like most bloggers) you’re not paid much for it?
Is your audience mainly inside your own country or around the world?
What do your family and friends think about the fact that you are a blogger?
Does your boss know you have a blog?
What is the relationship between blogs in your country or region and the mainstream media?
When you blog, how would you describe what you write? Is it part of a conversation? Is it ranting? Is it a daily diary? Is it journalism? Is it some or all of these things at different times? Does the definition matter?
Have blogs started to have an impact on politics in your country? Have they started to influence what stories get covered in your country’s media? We’d love to know some examples.
When you’re done, please trackback to this post, or leave a link to your post in the comments section of this post. If you don’t have a blog but would like to share your views about the state of blogs and blogging in your country, please feel free to leave a comment on this post. On Blog Day, we’ll do a post or two summarizing, quoting, and linking to what you said.
Rebecca MacKinnon
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Enjoying the Pool
Monday nights are late night swimming and movie night at our pool. The pool stays open until midnight!! Here are Maira and her best friend Miriam, new arrivals in Israel Aliza and David, and Hugh enjoying an evening swim.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Creepy Conversations
Shailee, my daughter, asked me to write in a different color today.
Even through all of the crazy turmoil of the past summer, there have been new immigrants arriving in Israel by the plane-load! Israelis say they are flattered that people choose to come from wealthy nations as well as poor. I think it's cool, and a nice boon to Israeli society. They could use the brain-power, money, and rule-following, bill-paying ethics of the immigrants.
At the same time, watching the hoards arrive feels a little creepy-apocalyptic to me. Witness: the ingathering of the Jews. . . It can't be a good portent for the world that Jews are feeling uncomfortable enough in nations like England, France, and the US to forgo the economic and political stability of the First World.
Many of these new arrivals found their way to my town and we meet through friends and at the pool. Conversations have turned to pragmatic topics such as whether one should rent or buy in Israel and the prospects of property values in the future. One jarring factor: Properties are doing pretty well in this area for Israel, except of course if Iran blows us all away with his new nukes.
Real conversation I had with a friend pool-side: If you know that Ahmadinijad will send a nuke in a specified amount of time, would you try to leave Israel? Well, of course, I say. Her husband's position, though, is that a world without a Jewish state would not be worth living in for a Jew. Interesting point, but why are we thinking about this???
I guess people had those sorts of conversations back in the climax of the Cold War, But I remember them feeling a lot more theoretical then. Was that just my age-appropriate feeling of invincibility? These current quandaries feel much closer to real.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Restless, bored, anxious
Restless:My kids are home all day. See them here playing with the neighbors. It's been really hot, so we don't go out much until the evening. It's humid and swampy, just like the Eastern Seaboard (US), but no chance of a cooling thunderstorm to break up the heat.
Bored: It's been a long summer wasted on that stupid war. See my toe? It is product of a very undignified, sitcom-esque spill last week. Can't put it into a shoe, so running and cycling are out. The drag from the water is painful, so I can't really swim. So I wrapped it and swam pull laps (arms only) a bunch of times, which is maybe the reason for it's slightly infected state. So swimming,I guess, is out too. Argh!
Anxious: Approach-avoidance conflict. That is how I would describe my family now. We want to stay in Israel, but we don't want Hugh to go back to the US. Counting down from 5 days. . .
Monday, August 21, 2006
Jon Benet
What a relief to be thinking about Jon Benet Ramsey again. What a pleasant distraction from obsessing about who won the war (as if anyone can really tell the day after it's over), the spread of global terrorism, and the coming of the next World War. If only we could bring back the OJ Simpson trial. Isn't there some new evidence to be scraped off the glove? Better yet, there must be a soiled dress out there that needs attention. Ah, for simpler times. . .
Okay, so I obsess a little. From checking news sources, to blogger updates, one could really spend their whole day in the act of deepening confusion. Lucky for me, as I am soon to find myself with children in school, little gainful employment, and a very long-distance marriage; got to fill my time somehow. Anyway, the more I read, the more muddled affairs seem. I like the bloggers. It's nice to know that there are smart people, and less than smart people, out there thinking things through sometimes even creatively. Check my side bar for some that I like best. I will put more up as I find them.
Okay, so I obsess a little. From checking news sources, to blogger updates, one could really spend their whole day in the act of deepening confusion. Lucky for me, as I am soon to find myself with children in school, little gainful employment, and a very long-distance marriage; got to fill my time somehow. Anyway, the more I read, the more muddled affairs seem. I like the bloggers. It's nice to know that there are smart people, and less than smart people, out there thinking things through sometimes even creatively. Check my side bar for some that I like best. I will put more up as I find them.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
At the Pool
Shailee spends an afternoon at the pool with her best friend Nori.
If you are looking for something interesting to read about the perpetually muddled situation over here, I came across this article:
http://www.tnr.com/user/nregi.mhtml?i=w060814&s=taub081606
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Cycling
A rare sighting of Maira, age 11, outside during daylight hours.
I saw in the comments that Jean and Dana are wondering if I get out on my bike much.
It took me 3/4 of the year here to work up the nerve to start riding regularly. The roads are not so well suited for riders here, not like the quiet sprawling farm-land that Dana and I used to ride through in Howard County.
Here, if there is enough of a shoulder, the road is probably a major artery and not so fun to ride on. On the other hand, a minor road is likely to be too narrow. Not to mention that Israeli drivers have little inclination to share the road with other drivers, let alone cyclists.
This spring I finally got fed up with the sad sight of my bike gathering dust. I found an acceptable route that was actually pleasant. It goes north toward Haifa on a road with a wide shoulder, then up into the Carmel mountain with a hefty 10K or more climb, for a total of roughly 35 miles. There are many cyclists along this route, so I often ended up riding with someone which was nice.
What I like about Israeli cyclist is that they like company. If I ride in the states and come across a faster cyclist, or any cyclist, they just wave and move on. Here, when we meet, we adjust our rates to ride together. (Or, I should say, they don't seem to mind slowing down for me.) I see people waving each other down if they are going in opposite directions, then change directions so that they have someone to ride home with. Very nice.
That was all fine until summer hit.
The climb, like everything, is totally exposed and very unpleasant in the full sun. By summer, I would have to leave by 6 AM to avoid the heat. Anyone who knows me well, knows that 6 AM doesn't happen. Then the rockets started coming, so North became off limits (though I have friends that continued riding that route).
So after some more sad weeks while my bike sat neglected a corner, I finally found another route that heads south to Givat Ada. It is shorter, and less challenging. And to avoid the heat I go in the evening just in time for rush hour, which is not so bad going toward a small town like GA, but a little crazy around the train station in Binyamina. Remember what I said about adaptation?
Anyway, the rockets are once again tucked away in the bunkers of Southern Lebanon, and the days are shortening. So maybe I will resume my Northern route soon.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Off to the beach
Shailee, age 8.
My kids keep going to play in the miklat (shelter). We live in a row of ten cottages which share a communal shelter.
It turned out that during the stressful moments of the sirens, it was comforting to meet friendly neighbors in the shelter. The children of the complex brought games down.
When we first heard the sirens, the look of anxiety on the children's faces was heartbreaking. But when they found that they would meet their friends in the shelter and play Uno, they relaxed. Now the shelter still holds the allure of a quiet, private place for Uno playing. I guess if the cease-fire holds, the door to the shelter will go back to being locked and the children will be a bit disappointed.
Now we are off to the beach.
Adaptation
This is Namir. He is six.
Yesterday Shailee, Namir and I went to Jerusalem for the evening to the Khutzot Hayotzer, or the Arts and Crafts festival with our friends Tzofit, Gur, and Ronel.
I have been looking around carefully to see if everyone will act differently now that the war is 'over.'
When the war began, the difference was obvious. I walked into the supermarket to do my Shabbat shopping to find the normally festive atmosphere replaced by a palpable tension.
When the rockets reached Haifa the following Sunday, most people stayed home from work. I walked through town, the streets were deserted, and I could hear the news coming from every home. Later in the day, friends called each other to decide whether it was safe to go to the pool. Most of us went.
Monday morning, back to normal. I felt safe. Adaptation is amazing. And Israelis seem almost religious about not allowing the enemy the victory of disrupting their lives. So we went about our business, just now carrying a large block of anxiety on our shoulders.
So now? I haven't noticed anyone unloading their blocks yet. Now we worry about the blame, cost, outcome, durability, etc.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Cease-fire
Cease-fire is excellent. Seams that all sides are proclaining victory, and defeat. But a day without rockets is a good day. Lets see if it holds.
Lots of people have been writing to me to see how we're holding up here on the southern border of the 'red zone.' Thank you for your concern. I decided to start this blog so you can check in with me at your leisure, and I hopefully will not be too lazy to keep it updated.
If you don't already know, I came to Israel with my husband, Hugh, and three children in August 2005 on my husband's one year sabbatical. Hugh is a professor of mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland. He came to Israel sponsored both by UMD and Fulbright, and he has been working very hard at establishing research ties with colleagues all over Israel, and especially at his host school of Tel Aviv University.
We spent the year living in Zichron Yaakov, which is a beautiful small town just south of Haifa. Turns out that we all love living here. Well, we love it a little less from inside the bomb shelter, but that's another story.
By late spring Hugh began to make plans to return to the US. I felt, however, that somehow, the family was not ready to go back. The kids spent the year on the very taxing task of adjustment, and were just beginning to feel comfortable. They just began to speak Hebrew, find meaningful friendships, and adjust to the new social requirements. What a shame to yank them out of here just when they got settled.
Not to mention, that I also didn't want to leave. Just a little longer, I thought. One year is just not enough. Hugh can go back to teach his class, and the kids and I will continue on here. Luckily with his flexible schedule, Hugh can come back here several times and especially for the long break between semesters. Seemed like a good idea late spring.
Then summer came and brought the war with it. I can't really explain why I am still staying. My parents call all the time asking what it will take to make me come home. I can't say I am without apprehension, but I am not ready to leave. Anyway, cease-fire today. Yipee. Can we go back to normal life now???
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