Demoted.

I've been demoted.

That's right. My ulpan teacher came over to me, whispered in my ear and just as she began to talk I said (in Hebrew, ofcourse)
"I know. This class isnt for me. Im going to switch to Gimmel (level 3)" She nodded, smiled and walked back to her desk (to play her stupid new age bird chirping music.) The best part of the demotion: NO MORE NEW AGE HIPPIE MUSIC.

There is also hope that the people in Kitah gimmel will be friendly as the people in Daled are not the happiest (though I did make one non-Gogie friend, here name is Lilah, she speaks no English, I speak no Arabic so together we're practicing our hebrew. Works for me.)

Oh,a nd before I run to class:

All these people come to Ulpan to learn hebrew and all they do is TALK IN ENGLISH. Sheesh. People, let's move out of our anglo bubbles and start walking the walk and talking the talk.

Oh, Interview.

So I had it. He told me off the bat that my Hebrew isnt good enough - but maybe in 6 months. . .

So, I do Have a Job. I am learning hebrew. I am making new friends and I hate hippie new age bird chirping music. I do. I hate it.
Ok. I've ranted.

Time for Mishna (yes, I am still at the yeshiva - sorta, doing a few classes when I can...)

Nikki

The Birds that say chirp chirp (or ha ziporim omrim chirp chirp)

Well today I went to ulpan. It’s taken me ages to finally get there- but I did it. Natuarlly, they tell met hat the level I “think” I am in is just wrong, so they send me on my way to a much higher level. (Truth is, the level I need doesn’t start until next week, so she wanted to keep me busy so sent me to dalet) So I walk into the room. First off, let me tell you that it is a dance studio with tables and chairs set up. Everyone is in there writing a test. Fortunately, I see my friend Gogie there. So I take the test, and sit down behind Gogie and start to write it. Before I begin to write, I notice that there is the really annoying sound. What is it? A new age cd with birds chirping. I kid you not, the thing just kept chirping and I kept planning the destruction of the CD player. If this keeps up, I might just have to break the CD. Not kidding. OK fine. So that’s annoying. However, I have homework that I need to do. Lots of it actually. It’s insane. However, what else do I really have to do?

So, Jobs.

I got a job. YAY. However, not ten minutes after I said yes did I get another phone call to set up an interview for something else that I had applied for. SO I am going to go that interview, what’s the worst that can happen? When it rains it pours my friends, and it looks like a storm is coming.

Roommate:

Yeah. Looking for another. I am going to need a psych eval for every applicant. Not kidding.

My Going away fund:

I have this container that I plan to fill with money. I want to go away. Its so friggen cheap to go to Europe. So I am now starting a fund. Fine, there is only 5 shecks + 5 USD in it now, I know its going to take months, but Id rather start it now so I know that there is a vacation in my future. Dream: to See the tragically hip in Amsterdam. Ok, so I am a dreamer, but they have a tour coming up and I think that I might just have to stalk them. Truth is, I have a friend that lives in Prague and another that lives in Amsterdam, so that means I have two places that I don’t need a hotel, so thy are first on my list as to where to visit. Surprised? I’m not. Feel free to contribute to it. No contribution to small! No contribution refused!

Other brain matter:

It’s cold. It’s raining. When will this all be over? When? When? Pancake Fridays still happen (if you’ve been at my apartment on a Friday you know what I am talking about.) I finally got a kick butt recipe (thanks dad!) and altered it a bit (sorry dad.) Oh, and the Palestinian election. Right. Ok, they elect a terrorist organization to represent them. I have problems with this. Naturally not just because their platform says that I (and everyone around me) should be wiped out. I have a serious issue with the world. The world likes to point fingers at us here in Israel. Well, I don’t see us electing a terrorist group. I see us wanting peace. I think the Palestinian people have told the world what they really want – and that is war, I’m excited. So stop your bleeding hearts and take a look at who is really the ones wanting peace – it’s not what your peace groups are telling you. We do. I really hope that the EU and the USA are firm in their policy about giving Hamas money. I hope t hat they don’t. For every cent that will be given to this government, it’s another nail and another explosive that is coming towards me. Sounds grotesque? It is. But it’s the reality that CNN and friends don’t tell you. Go ahead, disagree with me, but really, this was a vote that showed true colors. Those colors aren’t green, red and white; they are just the color of blood. Not impressed. Not at all. There is a reason why here the nightly news ends by wishing its viewers a “Quiet evening.” I really hope it stays quiet, but I’m not so optimistic.

We’ve got an election here too coming up. We’re not voting for war, we’re voting for peace. What a difference. Think anyone is going to pay attention to that??

Ok. I’ve rambled. You’ve read. Now, go comment.


Wishing you a quiet evening,

Nikki

The search continues.

I feel like I spend most of my time searching. Searching for employment, roommates, and ulpanim (intensive Hebrew learning.) Slowly slowly I am finding work. More so leads. I think that everyone I know (and meet) knows that I am looking for a job and is aiding in this search. My resume has been faxed around the country, e-mailed through cyber-space and pretty much plastered all over the place. It’s a bit crazy. I’ve come to the realization that working in a call-centre might just happen. If it does, great, it will be a new experience and good things will come from it. Can’t knock something until I’ve tried it! Truth is, I’m just looking for work. Get myself into something for a year or two, make some money, sort out some things and just have a good time. So, we will see. Think good thoughts!

Roommates:

I think it’s time to leave alone for a bit. Let’s just leave it at that.

Ulpan:

You need Hebrew to survive in this country. You need it, plain and simple. Without it, you are screwed and really not apart of the society. So here I am looking for an ulpan to learn it. I leave messages, I send emails, soon I am just going to show up on their doorstep and say “TAKE ME!” Wish me luck. I think it starts next week, so let’s hope.

Other brain matter:

I found a coffee table. Really, I found it. It was across the street from my apartment (no no, not near the big green garbage can) and at 12:15 a.m. in the morning as I was walking by, I claimed it as mine. It’s something that I’ve needed for my apartment and now I have one. I have no idea how I got it up the stairs all by me’ self but I did. Its nice and solid, a mahogany color (it matches so that’s nice) so finders keepers. I love this country. Best shopping is on the street! Now to figure out where to put it. Good things happen after a good cup of "na na tea." Who knows what I will find next time?

Elections:

I still don’t know who to vote for. My options seem to be: Dumb, Dumber and Stalin. So, no no and no. AHHH. HELP! I’ve only got another month and a half, it’s crazy. I’ll figure it out. Crazy that this is the first time I am voting in a country that actually matters. Who would have thought?


All right. That’s enough for now. Drop me a line; love to hear how things are going for you – regardless of which side of the pond you are on.

Nikki

Elmo, Sari's and Swabs

Whoah. Could this be correct? Another blog posting IN THE SAME WEEK? Wow.I know, crazy huh? Maybe I really did turn a new leaf or maby some exciting things are happening. Who knows. The point is, I'm writing so enjoy reading. So I said in my last post that I was on break. Here is one of the things that I did.

Last week I was babysitting/housesitting for 3 great kids (who ranged from 2-7) Let me tell you. I learned a lot. Here are a few things:

1) Elmo will solve almost every (and any) problem.
Crying? Elmo. Reward? Elmo. Missing the parents? Elmo.
2) That being said, Elmo is an evil evil red puppet that was created to drive parents, teachers, older kids and babysitters mad.
3) When you think you finally have dinner ready, someone is going to change their mind. Ive learned to be a short order cook.
4) How to check a babies temperature when the ear reader wont work.... Uugggghhh. Well now I know how to do it. :)
5) Supergoal cards. They are these trading card/sticker things that go into a book.
6) Both gigglypuff, and jigglypuff are not desserts, they are actually characters from Pokemon..
7) You dont wake up when the alarm goes off, when the sun comes up or when you just arnt tired anymore. You wakeup when someone is crying or punching you in the arm because they want more of #5.


I also got to drive in Israel for the first time. Let me tell you, I fit in perfectly. I think I honked the horn more times than I ever did when I was living in Toronto. Good times. It was nice to beon the road again (But 3 kids in the backseat, 2 of whom are killing eachother is not always a good idea.) I even pulled the car over once (in the hopes of avoiding blood in the backseat.)

It was a great expereince and I really liked the kids - heck, I'd even do it again. It's awfully quiet now and I'm still getting up at 5.... Hopefully soon that too shall pass... All in all, it was a really nice week. Sweet kids that I am sure I will see again. It's hard being a parent. So J&J kudo's to you two and hope you enjoyed Spain, I enjoyed Modi'in.

I learned many other things. These I just felt like sharing.

Fast forward to last night. A friend of mine, Rachel, volunteers for this organization called "Gift of Life" ( www.giftoflife.org )and she needed some people to help out at the birthright megaevent, so naturally, I said sure - why not. So after getting into the mega event (which is always a challenge if you dont have a badge on you with the proper bracelet/band thing) which we had some problems. So me being the Israeli that I am (also done this a few times at various conferences) pretended like we owned the joint and walked in. My friend Dave Neer (who I went on a teen tour w/ USY to Poland and Israel in '98), also a fellow yeshiva student, and I got in and got to work. First, we had to learn how to do the whole thing, so natuarlly, we tested on ourselves, in less than 5 min, we were done and on the registry. When we got there, most of the students were in the main room singing and dancing (and watching a video of the PM from a few years ago welcoming them... slight eerie and strange) Dave and I decided to go check it out. We walked into the room and iot was a pretty amazing thing. birthright participants from all over the world, all different backgrounds "cool" standings all together singing and dancing. It was pretty cool seeing this - people that would have never been together on a college campus (or even admitted that they were Jewish) were there and were proud. It was a nice moment. Living here you kinda forget the importance of being here. I really got to see the excitment insomeone elses eyes - it was nice. Made me remember how special this place is... So We go back to doing swabbing. Let me tell you. For one second we'd have nobody, then we'd have 15. It was pretty crazy. Dave and I were cracking up most of the time, we had a great time. INfront of us one of the birthright groups was there dancing up a storm (there was also a disco...which our booth was right next too...) this was the group happend to be from India. They will the prize for best dressed. so many different beautiful colours and styles. Also, their group leader had the ENTIRE group come and get registered, it was pretty special. The birthright groups last night were from all over, Canada, USA, Brazil, Mexico, the FSU, India and more. Pretty great program.

Ok. I've rambled for no other reason then I really had nothing to do right now. So I'm done.

Drop me a line.

Nikki

Dog Food, Chanukah lights and a new chapter.

Well, I am trying to keep this a bit more updated.

That being said, less than a month between posts is pretty impressive.

The past few weeks I have been off from Yeshiva on a Chanukah break. During that time I've been interviewing for jobs, looking for a job, babysitting, looking for a room mate and help celebrate a friends wedding. It's been a busy 2 weeks.

Now, dog food. More so, pet food. For those of you that have been here (Israel) recently, you would have noticed more security and different types of security. The lates recruit for bus security is our K-9 friends. Now Yenta, the family dog in Toronto, would not make it as one of these dogs. These dogs are super trained to snif out what we DON'T want around - bombs. I recently was at a stop light and beside me was one of these 4 legged friends and their handler. I noticed that, like their human counterparts, wear vests. On the doggies vest it says two things. 1) Bitachon (security) and 2) PURINA (with the logo) I was kinda impressed to see the pet food company name and logo adorning the vests of our helpful friends. I think I might pay more attention to the cat food I buy...

Chanukah. It was great here. Nice lights, good friends and a wedding. I really don't have much to say other than my neighbourhood is a tourist hot bed during this time. Everyone feels the need to come to our little area, take pictures and make a hell of a lot of noise. Proudly, I think even my chanukah was photographed. Ah, I'm special (and now a tourist attraction)

A new chapter.

It's time to leave the yeshiva. Its been a great relationship. I've really enjoyed learning full-time and getting to sit at the feet of scholars, but it's time to move on. Don't get me wrong, learning Torah daily was great - but it's not a life path for me (more so, that many hours a day.) Also, spending all my time within that environment just isnt ideal. I need to not be surrounded by "visitor's to Israel." I need to be with people that LIVE here and share the same things that I do. I am not saying that those that come here for a year (or two) and I have nothing in common - we do. It's that this is my home and I need to be able to grow where I live with people that will be around me in the years to come. It's a hard thing. I think that this year at the yeshiva I really pulled away from the community, but it was something I had to do for me. I'm sure I missed out on a ton of great friendships, but I really had to focus on the friends that I have here in my community....

So what's next? Ulpan. Work and more. I might have to get a job in a call centre working nights - but I know that this is not my future, just my present. One thing at a time. I need to make sure I have money in the bank . I want to be able to pay my rent, my bills and just enjoy living here. Sometimes, thing that I just cannot manage. It'sbeen hard, but it's time to move on. I have an interview coming up this week, but who knows. I'm not have any luck. I know that what is right will open up - but Im beginning to become impatient...

A few Mazal tov's

Eynat and Shoni Cooper for (finally) getting married
and
Michelle Gur Areyeh and Adam Shain for (finally ;) ) getting engaged.
and
Yanki and Sarah Greenspan on the birth of their son (right now, known as Baby Boy Greenspan)
and
Gogie - you made Aliyah. Welcome to the club :) Glad to have you around.


that's about it right now. Leave a comment, let me know you are actually reading this.

Shavoa tov,
Nikki