Election sadness

The roads are empty. The sidewalks are bare. The polling satiations are practically deserted. It feels like the whole city has disappeared. Today I went to cast my ballot for the next Knesset. While voting, it struck me how sad this day is. Very few people were there to vote (They people behind the desk were almost excited to see me, as that meant that there was someone to finally vote!) and while voting all I could think was “Please don’t screw up the country any more!” I really think that most of us lacked confidence in today’s elections – there is no real strong individual that is going to be our next statesman, our representative- it’s sad. Very sad.

However, I would like to say that I did laugh while I was there as I kept thinking of that scene fro the movie… heheh, when I got to my appointed place, I found a few camera crews already outside waiting. Waiting for what? THERE WASN’T ANYONE THERE!

What a day. The polls close at 10 pm tonight; we should have the results by tomorrow morning around 5 am.

(FYI- this is how we vote. We show the election people our id, they then give us a little blue envelope. WE then go into this little booth and in front of us are lots of little papers, each party has one. You then take the slip of the party you want, put it into the envelope, seal the envelope THEN put it in the box)
Also, in my cab to work I was talking with my driver and we both noticed that this free day that we were given(Its a paid non work day) ist cold and gray. What luck!

Wish us luck.

Cows, Prime Ministers and more

This has been a blog that I have been waiting to write. The truth is, after work (when I have been looking at a computer screen for 10+ hours…) I really don’t want to look at a computer or deal with inputting anything. So now I am going to try and write what has been going on since my last entry… (Also note, that I am typing this while watching the political commercials that are on…. more on that later…)


Work:

I am really enjoying work. Everyday I am getting more and more comfortable in my role. Currently I am the database manager. Meaning that I do a lot of data clean up and entry. It sounds mundane, but the truth is, its pretty far from that. I am working in a great office with great people, so that is definitely a bonus. Not to many people can say that. Its funny, herein Israel very few people actually work in their profession- and im not one of them. However, I am enjoying what I am doing and really gaining valuable experience.


Elections:

Today the whole country is going to vote. I’ve already chosen my party and I plan to vote for a strong party that I really believe in. I was even interviewed for the newspaper however, I was cut. Oh well. So today I go and cast my vote for chaos. It should be an interesting day (and all I keep thinking about is the voting scene from “Salah Shabati”) We’ll see how it turns out. The whole country is off today and after I vote, I have even decided to go to work (dork) Last night we had a pre –election bbq – we officially opening the season of the grilled meat. Mmmmm. I made killer burgers if I do say so myself ϑ Ok, elections. So it should be interesting. As of this moment, im voting likud. Its funny some of my friends that’s too much to the LEFT (I kid you not) and some too much to the RIGHT (or just insane as Alex thinks…check out his blog link. we have two very different opinions yet manage to co-exist, impressive : ) )


Mooo Cows:

I spent the weekend at the conservative kibbutz up in the galil. Its pretty sad that the kibbutz is failing, however it was nice to get out of the city., On our way we stopped at a great market where I bought some great pants and skirts – good times. The kibbutz had a refet – cow shed. I got to see the cows being milked (too cool) pet a 2-day-old calf and a big cow licked my hand – which was kind of scary. I’ve decided that cows are scary. They are big, big and their moo’s aren’t as cute and cuddly as we think. It was sooo cool. It was like watching Mr. Dress-up or Mr. Roger’s.


Other:

Things are good. I’m happy. So when are you coming to visit?


Ok, I gotta go cast my ballot. I’m no longer vote for a prime minister, im voting for a coalition More on that later. Have a fantastic day AND LEAVE A COMMENT.

Rach, I don’t know what I am having for dinner tonight, sorry.

Sorry I kinda missed out on a lot, I know its late in the day, but I’m tired :)

Nikki
Dwarf of the Day: Happy

Free Lettuce! Free Hamentashen!

I really feel that I have been sucked into a time warp and that the week just passes by too fast. I cannot remember when I actually sat down and tried to write. More so, I cannot remember when I have actually come home from work and wanted to look at a computer (unless I was watching a movie/BSG) well, that time has come and here I am. I sit, I think, I write and you read.

You can get things for free!


So, last Saturday night I decided that I desperately needed groceries. So after sitting and watching an hour of election commercials (more on that later) I decided to pack my bag and go to the grocery store 3 min from my apartment. So I get there and at 9 pm it’s CLOSED! Things aren’t closed in this country at 9 pm after Shabbat. Sheesh. So I go to the other grocery store – a 20 min walk away. Now as I am there going up and down the rows of over priced items (Remember, I shop in the open market, I missed shopping on Friday cause I fell asleep… silly nikki) as I am checking out the nice check-out lady told me I got something free (Something free???!!!) I got a lettuce. That’s right, a free lettuce. Aren’t I lucky?

Then the next night walking home from the bus after work, I decided that I need tomatoes. So I walk through the shook anyways, I decided to just pick some up. So I do, and I go to pay, the guy tells me to take them and enjoy.

Wow a free lettuce and free tomatoes! I got a salad!

Elections:

Here, they have set times that they show the election ads. It’s actually a good thing. You can just sit there and watch. Some crazy crazy stuff. The “middle party” Kadima and the “left” Labour have no differences anymore. Kadima is the new left (Sharon’s party) its insane. Though, I can’t say that I am voting for either of them (I love the people that are happy that there is a “middle” party to vote for so they can appease their religious ideals that the left doesn’t support; yet they don’t realize that their little centrist party is the same way, same ideals, same views… whatever.) I’ve decided whom I am going to vote for. I’m even joining a party.


Work.

Love it. I work full time in the recruitment department. Go me! Great people to work with, I even have a window view (which from it I saw a deer this week…) It’s good.

Purim

Hehe Purim. So I dressed up for the work competition. I wore my NASA space suit that I bought on Wheels a few years back. I won. Best costume for the day shift baby! I got a huge glass bowl filled with candy and wine. Good deal. Went to a really nice party at some new friends place – Gil and Randy. They are gogie’s friends. Really great people. Had a good time, AND I was home before midnight. I was getting up at 6 so I could be at work for Megillah at 7. Wild. Had sudah at my cousin Shimon’s place. He made lots of hamentashin. Was a good time.


Shabbat

Moshe is back, so were all in modiin, surprised? I’m not,



Ill finish my ranting now.
Shabbat Shalom.
Nikki

Dwarf of the day: Sleepy

Chicken or steak?

Hello Blog land.


Shabbat:

Had SUCH a nice Shabbat. Dinner was at Ian’s and some how I got away without having to cook anything – I cannot tell you the excitement of taking a Shabbat off and not having to cook! Dinner was great. Good people, good wine, good food and good fun. Shabbat lunch was really nice. We ate at the park near my house. There must have been 20 odd people there. Even got to play a little catch with a baseball – it’s been awhile and it was great to get back into the “swing” of things.

Motz’sh

My friend Erik is in town so he offered to take me out for dinner. As an Olah, I was not going to refuse. We went to El Gaucho for steaks. We were joined by Erik’s federation friends (Erik works for Federation in NJ) really great people. Then, one of the people there, Mark, decided to pay for everyone. It was really really nice of him. Was like hanging out with lost friends. We spent the rest of the evening shopping on Ben Yehudah. Really great night and really nice to spend some time with both old and new friends. Thanks Mark! Oh and it was an awesome steak. Mmmmmm....

Ulpan

I finally went to ulpan on Sunday after missing a few classes due to the Bank, misrad hapanim and alarms not going off. Missed being there actually. Class is getting too big. It’s a problem.

Work.

Still working on the database, however, I feel like things might be changing soon. Getting to know more of the people there, really great group of people that I am working with. Glad that I am there and hope to be getting more involved with the company.

Vistors:

My dad’s coming and my Bobba too. Wild. Looking forward to it. My dad and I are going to go to the argentinian all you can eat steak house. Mmmmm….

Future Plans:

I’m currently planning a trip. I’ve decided to go to Amsterdam this summer. Now why Amsterdam? Now, before you state the obvious also know that my favorite band from Canada is playing – The tragically Hip. How friggen cool would that be? I’m looking into flights, tickets, etc. I just need to find a partner in crime to go with, I'm sure that wont be too hard…. Anyone want to meet me there?

All right, that’s about it. I made chicken breast stuffed with red peppers and rice for dinner. Ian and I are going to eat dinner and watch a new episode of battlestar. I’m excited.

Leave a post!

Have a great night!
Nikki

Dwarf of the Day: Happy – (Battlestar and dinner…mmmmmm)