So it's been awhile...

(Rambles rambles and more rambles...)

So i have not written in a bit... I dont even know if anyone is reading this, or if this is just my own rambles being shared with just myself....

Things are going well. It's still hot out and its crazy. But, soon the rain will come and things will be alright...

Big talk and protests here in Israel over the whole "Azza/Gaza thing." It's a tough decision to leave or not to leave (for some it's an easy choice) for me, I'm concerned with how Azza will be if/when Israeli presence is no longer there. Will it be like Lebanon where the friendly terrorists will take over or will a viable country be established? Who knows. . .

Now, some people ask me about the "wall" Well, it's not really wall. 97% of it is actually mesh fence (like the fence you would have in your yard) I'll be one of the first to agree that at times it's path is insane, but truly, things have been safer here. Ive seen the fence, and since it's gone up, it keeps terror out. Sadly, it does keep workers and Palestinians away from their livelyhood, but I think that the country just doesnt know how to keep safe. It's a hard reality....

In a recent interview, one of the head Clerics there stated that "every Israeli over the age of 18 is a fair target." Now, how do you think that really resonates? (belive it or not, I actually read about that on the Toronto Star webpage...) Tonight we have been on high alert. They are expecting something to happen here (Jerusalem) or in Tel Aviv. But, as Israeli mentality, we will move on and we will survive this threat, again, and move on with our lives. Peace will come, but it will only be once ALL nations see that everyone has the right to exist and live. It's a problem... we all just can't play nicely in the sand box....

Alright alright, enough politics... on to my world... (well my world outside of the constant politics outside my door....)

By the end of the week new room mates will be moving in and soon we will decorate (finally) and have a house warming party, so that should be nice. Everyone seems to be staying up late to watch the World Series (GO Boston...) I have actually enrolled in an Art Class and I start tomorrow night after my night class (My daytomorrow will go from me waking up at 6:30 a.m. until my class is over at 10:00 p.m. ok, insane, but whatever....) Yeshiva is going well. Good learning, good people, good fun.

So when you coming to visit? CNN really does make this place into a war zone (ok, fine. It is in the middle of a civil war,but not the issue.... the average person does not feel it on a daily basis....) I ride the bus multi times daily, and go to crowded areas. I live like I would in toronto or New york or wherever... It's safe and I have a couch....

Ok ok, enough already. I'm going to bed (riiiggghhht). I am sooo tired. I saw a big spider the other night. I was told not to playwith it (DUH) as its not a "nice spider and could kill me..." Oh, living in the middle east.... Honestly, im more concerned about the evil cats... If you've ever met the cat that is at my parents place, you know what an evil cat can do...

B'shalom,
Me Myself and the rambler.

Welcome To My World

Welcome to my World,

I have been back in Jerusalem for over a month, and I have neglected to send any e-mails or updates, so this should make life a little easier (and maybe even comical.) I hope to post something on here every few days to give a little insight into "my world."

Things are great on this side. The Chaggim, holidays, were great. It's a crazy thing seeing an entire city shut down to observe - you would never see that in Toronto, or N.Y. or anywhere.

I have a great apartment with a great roomate, but we are looking for 2 more to add.. so that's been a little chaotic...

As you may or may not know, I am a second year student at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem. It's really nice to be back in the swing of learning. I have great people to learn with, so it's nice...

Here in Israel, we get sukkot off, so I traveled a bit. I ended up near Tiberias at a music festival (more on the festival in a second...) We camped right on the shore of the Kinneret. So regardless of the time, if we wanted to swim, we did! I went with some friends from the C.Y., Pardes and my roomates. Now, this festival. IT was a left wing festival. For those of you that know me and have gotten me started on politics you know that I am not that person... But, the music was good... Lots of big Israeli bands. The crowed was well, let's just say that I didn't get paid for the ammount of babysitting I feel I did (most people were in their teens...) but it was a good time...

Anyways, things are good. The country is on high alert after last nights pigua, terrorist attack in Taba, Egypt. It's a sad thing when people feel that the only way to get their cause furthured is through the many deaths of innocent people... Everyone should be entitled to their own homeland, but is this the way to do it?

Alright, enough of the rambles for now.. you'll get more later... don't you worry...

Shabbat shalom,

Nikki