Adventures in Nikkiland

helllooo

2010-12-08T12:12:00.001+02:00

Anyone still read this?

Might start updating it randomly... :)

Sukkot!

2008-10-12T21:52:00.002+02:00

I cannot beleive how crazy things have been over the past few weeks. With the holidays and work time is flying!

I am working non-stop, which is good. I am working, so I am happy.

Sukkot starts tomorrow night and I had forgotten how amazing Jerusalem is this time of year. Almost every home has a sukkah, they are in the yard, on the balcony, on the sidewalk, infront of the pizza place, infront of the bus station - everywhere! People pile into the bus and try not to get poked with someones Lulav, it's really cool. Heading to my family out in Hashmoniam for the first day of Chag. I'm sure it will be insane, but hey, thats where all my friends are going so why not?

Anyways, wishing you a chag Samayach, shana tova.

It's good to be back.

Happy New Year!

2008-10-02T00:22:00.002+03:00

Time to party like it's 5769!

My father wanted me to write a blog, so here it is.

I spend Rosh Hashana out in Modiin at Moshe's place with friends. Really great time. Lots of great food....

TOmorrow, thursday, I have one day of work- then it's the weekend. Soon we will be off for Yom Kippur... then Sukkot... really we are off most of this month with the holidays. Crazy.

Woek is good - I am working for a birthright provider doing registration and stuff. It;s good. Been there for 2 months now. Really great people, I am enjoying myself. Lot's of ex-pats from Canada there, though they are all from Montreal...

That's about all. I am waiting to find out if I am going to be moving again or not - they might sell my apartment (which is wonderful) and if they do I might have to move...again. We shall see. One of the buyers would let me live there - so let's hope that he gets it... I can't move again!

Alright folks - it's late.

Shana tova - have a very happy year!

Nikki

I know I know...

2008-07-30T09:52:00.002+03:00

Been really bad at this lately....

Well my dad was here, so you can check out our adventures on his site, www.stangreenspan.com there you will find lots of pictures of various adventures that we had while he was here...

A funny Jerusalem moment happened on Monday. I was riding the bus to a friends place (incidentally the 13 bus, the one that has been his twice by bull-dozers) We were stopped right in front of a construction site in bumper to bumper traffic. This little old lady who was a fellow passenger on my bus said "Don't worry, there are no bull-dozers in sight!" We all laughed. Welcome to Jerusalem where we have to laugh about the past and move forward. Many of you wont see the humour in it, but it's part of the challenge of living here - being able to laugh - no matter how hard it is.

I'll try to add more soon...

The rest of the week!

2008-05-02T15:57:00.005+03:00

It’s been a busy week.

This week, as I mentioned earlier, I went to the main memorial ceremony for the victims of the Holocaust. It was at Yad Vashem, the national Holocaust Memorial. The Prime Minster was there, the President, The Governor General of Australia and all sorts of other dignitaries. When the PM was giving his address it took him nearly a minute to welcome all the guest of honor – I was just distinguished audience. This year, as Israel is celebrating her 60th, it was a special ceremony. They honored survivors who made a real impact on the created of the modern state of Israel. You can go to the Yad Vashem website to see who they are – it was pretty amazing. It was freezing though.

I’ve included a few pictures, though I was pretty far back. I took a few of my former Hillel students that are here as I thought they would really enjoy this type of ceremony. My friend Sarah also joined us - which was also nice.

The official "logo" if you will of the evening. You cant see it, but on the persons arm is their "number."

This is Sarah and I with our ticket in to the ceremony.
Shoshi and Rafi - Hillel@York Students

Little guy in the middle is Ehud Olmert, the Prime Minister of the State of Israel. You can also see the memorial torch that was lit. (It was actually Lit by Tommy Lapid. Lapid in hebrew means Torch. How funny was it that he got to do it... Tommy Torch! It's only natural....)

The next day at 10 am, my friend Sarah had me meet her in the shook as we stood at attention for a moment of silence for those that were murdered in the Shoah. A siren goes throughout the whole country and a good majority of people stop and observe it. People get out of their cars and stand at attention. The shuk stopped. A place that is always the hustle and bustle of the city froze to honor the victims. It’s a pretty moving thing. We have another one next week as we remember those soldiers and victims of terror that have died.

After that, I then spent the day with my good friend Dr. Avi Rose as we ran through the city catching up and getting some errands done. Today, Friday, I am having a friend of mine over for dinner. I met Alex a few years ago while staffing USY on Wheels, he also made aliyah and just finished his stint in the army. He is off to India next week for a much-deserved holiday. Gila, my roommate, will also be joining us. Should be a nice dinner. I just finished cooking a roast (mmmm)

As many of you know, I do most – if not all, of my shopping in the shuk. Nissim, the butcher, made sure to give me a nice cut of meat (which smells AMAZING) and one of my usual stores where I pick up odds and ends for the apt invited me in for a cup of tea. Unfortunately I had to get home to start cooking, but it was very sweet of him. It’s nice having stores where people actually remember you. They must see 100’s of people over the week yet still remember you and want to know how you are. It’s a nice feeling….

Anyways, I will head back to the shuk later to pick up anything that I have forgotten. Should be a great meal, I’m excited. Here’s the menu (just to make you hungry!)

Humus
Spicy Carrot Salad
Yerushalmi Kugel (it’s a sweet Jerusalem Kugel and amazing)
Roast potatoes (made by Gila)
Salad
Chicken Stir Fry
Mustard Roast
Chocolate Éclairs for dessert.

Should be a good time

Next week I have a few possibly work related things to check out – so that should be a good thing. Think good thoughts! I will also head out to visit a few friends on their moshav.

Alright – back to getting ready for Shabbat

Shabbat shalom!

Pictures!

2008-04-30T15:39:00.005+03:00

I decided to share with you some fun photos here.

This is from the past few days when I went to Tel Aviv with some friends of mine and then to the kotel with another friend of mine. The first ones are of the sunset over the Medeterainian. That's me in one of the shots. My friend Michelle got ahold of my camera and decided to take one of me standing the water. The water was really warm (and I kept getting attacked by the garbage that is in the water.... uggghhh... Regardless it was really nice. At this point is started to get really really cold. However... we were out of Jerusalem, and that is what matters....Enjoy the photos :)

Here are my friends Michelle, Sarah and I on the beach in Tel Aviv. It was a fun day. We got to Tel Aviv around 330. Went to Shenkin Street (which is the "trendy/cool" street) then walked over the beach. Here we are showing off their purchases (and my free gift for just being special and with them)

So, I very very rarely go to the Kotel. It's just one of those things that I don't do. I find the kotel very touristy and disney-esq. It's really hard to get close (as the women are actually violent) and you are berated by beggars and the modesty police (who normally aim to pick a fight with me.) HOWEVER. I decided to try again (as I went last week and it was waaaay to busy) as I had tzedakah money (charity) that I was specifically told to give at the Kotel. So I went with my very good friend Yannah (Yannah and I lived together at one point - she owns Shanti- the insane orange cat that used to terrorize the apartment...) ANYWAYS. Yannah and I always seem to go to the Kotel together, so we did. After finally getting there, we managed to actually get up the kotel. I delivered a slew of "kotel letters" that I had been given and the Tzedakah money that I had. We naturally decided to take the obligatory us at the kotel photos. Leaving we decided to walk out through the Arab Quarter. After dodging a tractor (true story) we finally got out and walked through the new MALL that exists. YES there is a MALL right next to the old city. However, there is a MAC make-up store there.... which could be a bad thing... Anyways, here are some pictures so enjoy. I will try to keep adding more as I take them.

Tonight I will be at the nationally televised Yom HaShoah tekes (Holocaust Remembrance ceremony.)
The President and the Prime Minister will be there, so I will bring my camera in hopes of getting a few shots. It's a pretty moving ceremony and is broadcast all over the country. I went a few years ago and I am glad to go again this year. More on that tomorrow...

On my side, the job hunt continues and I am sure something will come up soon - I'm looking, the whole world seems to know that I am looking so something will work out... always does!

Be in touch and leave a message!

2008-04-29T16:29:00.001+03:00

Canada has what is known as monopoly money. It’s colorful and bright. Recently they started putting brail on it so all could know what denomination it is.

America has green money; though lately, they’ve been adding some color to it.

Israel now has plastic money. That’s right. Yesterday I got a new 20 sheckle bill and it’s plastic. You can’t rip it. Heck, you can go swimming with it and throw it in the laundry (now you can really launder money) and it still won’t fall apart. The new 20-shekel bill is made of a polypropylene polymer. If you go to the ha’aretz article () you can read all about it. It’s plastic. It even has a little window on it. Cute.

So what am I up too?

Well Pessach was nice. I spent most of it sick with a sinus infection that would not go away. This past Sunday I decided I needed to get out of Jerusalem and went to Tel Aviv. After a long Sherut there (where I was stuffed in the back seat with someone practically on my lap) we headed to Shenkin street then to the beach. It was nice to just sit and play in the sea. I didn’t actually go swimming, but it was nice to just sit on the beach and not be in Jerusalem. Ask anyone that lives in the Holy City – sometimes you just need to get out. So I did. Went with a few friends of mine and it was just nice to leave for a bit.

Hmm… Nothing else of exciting…
On Wednesday night I am going to the official Yom Hashoah Ceremony at Yad Vashem. This is the big ceremony – the Prime Minister will be there, dignitaries, Shoah Survivors and a limited amount of people from the public. I was able to get in as I got an email about it. I am taking 2 students from Toronto that are here. Thought they would enjoy it before they head back there to finish up school (look at that, no longer employed by Hillel yet still fighting the good fight….) I’ll write more about that after it happens. I went a few years ago and it was really cool, so I am glad that I get to go again.

Also, still looking for a job… Taking it easy though, really going to go full force next week, so this week, in essence is my last week of nothingness…

Leave me a post, amuse me. I need to be amused. J

Nikki

Lettuce be free

2008-04-20T21:41:00.001+03:00

I went to the Seder on Penis Street. Yes, you did just read correctly- Penis Street. Ok, I will let you recompose yourself before typing any further.

Ready?

OK. So my friends the Hymies knew that I had no Seder plans so they brought me along to their friends place. Knowing that time with the Hymies is always fun, I accepted, purchased a few bottles of wine and dug out a hagaddah off of my shelf. The Seder itself was pretty interesting; it was the UN of Seders. 6 Countries were represented. (Ok, closed to the size of a Security Council, details) Canada, USA, Australia, Yemen, Russia and Israel all sat around the table. Now, just like the UN there was a table, a task to be done and many different customs and assumptions of how it SHOULD be done. There were also language barriers (in theory, Hebrew should have been the universal language HOWEVER not everyone was fluent in it.) We started off singing the order of the Seder – 3 times, as instructed by our Yemenite hostess. Now, I would also like to say that all of these Seder delegates were also tone deaf and nobody knew the Yemenite-whiney-off-beat-tune that us pasty white people just couldn’t get. But we tried. We sang. We accomplished it, one thing off the list for the Seder,

In past Seder experiences-, which have occurred in 4 countries- we’d all go around the table-reading paragraph after paragraph. But tonight was different than all other nights. We would read it allowed, together, in Hebrew. One thing I really despise is reading Hebrew out loud. It takes me longer to think about what I am reading as I have to try to translate it in my brain, figure out how to say it, remember how to say it properly and not be a sound off or else I could say something totally wrong. But, I did. The leader of the UN Seder – one of the Yemenite Hostesses from Penis Street was going to make sure we all did it. And Read we did. We read and we read and we read. Oh, of course we drank. Now, all in all, there were only 2 people that drank the whole 4 cups. Naturally I was one of them and Hymie was the other. Throughout the Seder everyone would argue about different things – Is this really the bitter herb? IT’S LETTUCE! Or Lemon Juice instead of Salt Water – why I never…

Now, normally here would be the point where I would introduce the anecdotal funny of the evening. However, that never happened. It was just a nice, loud, off beat and out of tune Seder. Every 30 min the hostesses (Yemenite sisters) would have typical Yemenite fight about something and we would just continue like nothing happened. The company was fun – very random people who all came together for the Pessach seder – very appropriately everyone around the room had come from somewhere else – for one reason or another – everyone had their own exodus from something and somewhere.

It was a nice night. The food was good (and we were stuffed) the company was good. I think I got home around 2. The Hymies chilled out for a bit until later at my place. I just remember trying to calculate the number of glasses of wine that were consumed. I still don’t know. When I woke up this morning, I was still feeling said effects of the Seder.

I made myself lunch pretty late in the day and just relaxed.

Not sure what is on the agenda for the week. Talks of travel around the country, but we will see.

After pessach the real job hunt begins. I think I am getting bored of unemployed life.

Hope your doing well and getting a little Seder in your own life.

ah the bread we are not going to eat...

2008-04-18T13:36:00.002+03:00

Wishing everyone out there in blog land a Chag Samayach-

Happy Passover.

Here are a few funnies that I enjoy (and my own personal one at the end)

Q: Why do we have an Haggadah at Passover?
A: So we can Seder right words.

Q: What do you call someone who derives pleasure from the bread of affliction?
A: A matzochist.

A British Jew is waiting in line to be knighted by the Queen. He is to kneel in front of her and recite a sentence in Latin when she taps him on the shoulders with her sword. However, when his turn comes, he panics in the excitement of the moment and forgets the Latin. Then, thinking fast, he recites the only other sentence he knows in a foreign language, which he remembers from the Passover seder:
"Ma nishtana ha layla ha zeh mi kol ha laylot."
Puzzled, Her Majesty turns to her advisor and whispers, "Why is this knight different from all other knights?"

How did Passover get its name?
Since the Seder table is usually made larger, people can't reach for the items on the table and invariably ask others: "Could you please Pass Over the matza, etc."!

How is a good sermon like a piece of matza?
They both should take less than 18 minutes!

My fave (and one I've been telling since I was six!) :

What do you call a stupid frog on Passover?
DAM SFARDAYAH

hahaahhaha.

I'm a dork.

Chag samayach - leave a post, give me something to read!

I can't smell the garlic!

2008-04-15T01:09:00.001+03:00

Today I ventured out of my apartment. It was a big step for me as I am still jet lagged. Normally by this point I have resumed normal life, however, I am not really sleeping that well…yet.

I decided that it was time to go to the shuk. I needed chicken to cook for the next few days and the shuk is the place I go. I noticed that with different seasons, the shuk has different smells. Right now, it’s garlic season. Piles and piles of fresh garlic line the stalls. Some braided, some tied in beautiful knots, others available for single purchase. Everyone is yelling and screaming to get you to purchase their garlic (Shoom in Hebrew) It looks like there is fear that Dracula and friends are going to start sucking blood out of every Jerusalemite unless they hang bunches of garlic in their homes. Last year (or I think it was last year?) I bought one and it came home with lots of little bugs, since then I refrain from mass amounts of garlic.

Otherwise, I seem to have developed a case of the sniffles, drips and sneezes. I am not sure if it is hay fever or just my body telling me it needs a break. Grrrr… thank goodness for the COSTCO size Nyqui….

Tomorrow I am actually planning on leaving the apartment for more than 30 min.. Meeting a friend for breakfast, have to go baby-sit someone’s plants (which also means raiding their movies…. Oh, and I have to clean their fridge….) and maybe, just maybe, go out tomorrow night. We’ll see…. Otherwise, I need to start Pessach cleaning and sell my chometz. Fun fun…. I know how to have a good time…

What’s up with everyone…. I know that I have some new blog readers (as facebook tells all) so welcome, hope you enjoy my rambles… it’s just like being in the fishbowl… just without the chaos….

My travels pt.3

2008-04-13T19:52:00.002+03:00

So, I finally have my bags. The first one showed up at 1030 this morning, the second, at 1930.

They went through one of them (mother%^!@^%@s!) but in the end I got 99.9% of my stuff.

So that's it.

I will be blogging more as I am currently unemployed (for the first time) yet, I will still be looking for a job.

I am open to any (and every) lead.

Have a great week people, I am sure I will write more in the next few days.

Nikki

my travels pt. 2

2008-04-12T23:42:00.001+03:00

(If you have not read the entry "my travels pt. 1, please scroll to the previous entry...)

I rush off the plane. Trying to find where the heck I am going as I have missed my flight. I go through security, get yelled at that I have a water bottle in my bag (which I forgot) then scolds me. I make my way to the BA lady to try and figure out what is up. So, she tells me that my bags have been rechecked. I say to her:
Do I have food on that flight? As the last one I didn’t
“Oh” says LouLou. “There wasn;t enough food?”
“No, there was, I just didn’t get my kosher meal and I was ignored.”
“Oh, well I will give you a voucher for here, maybe you will find something?”
“Um.. ok. Sure. (thinking that worst case I will have beer)
“So, you are booked on BMI you will be in Israel this afternoon. Please go to BMI show them your luggage tags and they will make sure that they get your bags.”
“Oh” I say.

I leave her and make my way to the terminal. Go through security (again) and make my way to BMI. They booked my ticket, made sure that my bags would be on the flight and I would get a kosher mean. They then told me to wait for the announcement for my gate.

I start to wander around Heathrow sending facebook messages to Adam (a friend that lives in Londo that I will not be spending the weekend there) to Moshe (that I am coming) and to my father (that I am alive.) I then remember that I am about to kill someone as I am so hungry and go in search of food. I find this little café place that actually has kosher sandwhices! So I get my bland cheese sandwhich and sit down.
Finally. It’s time to get on the plane. At this point I am calm, I know that everything will be fine and that I will be in Israel soon.

I get on the plane.

“Um…. Hello there ladies and gents! Welcome to BMI! We are sorry, but because of the weather outside (it’s raining) we can’t take off yet.”

I fall asleep.

I wake up an hour later.

We are still on the ground. Oh, I should mention that I am in the last row near the bathroom. People are nocking me every time they have to use the small bathroom.

Finally, we take off.

Crappy take off (again.)

Then the meal person. Ms. Would you like chicken or beef?
“um.. I have kosher.”
“Oh… we don’t have one for you. Vegetarian?”

Now. For those of you that know me I have a hard time eating most things. So I decline the meal. They make me more Bloody Mary’s. I keep drinking.

Turbulance.

I felt sick. I never feel sick. Ther eis a line up at the bathroom and there is a girl puking her guts out oh, and I am hungry.

More turbulance.

Finally…

“Ladies and gentleman, we will soon be in Israel. Please put your tray tables….”

Fine. I am finally almost there.

We land. I see it. Finally. No more problems. Just get my bags and get out of here.

I wait by the luggage delivery thing. Slowly more and more people are laving with their luggage. I have nothing. Still nothing. Nothing. NOTHING!

I go to the baggage people.

She starts in Hebrew.

I tell her that I have had enough and just need to do this in English.

“Take this form. Fill it out. Take it to customs. Then come back to me.”

I fill it out and come back. I wont even tell you the time.

They then give me a small toilitree bag and tell me they will call me.

So now. I write this from Israel. All my stuff is somewhere in the world. I have one outfit that I have been wearing for days. You might be saying, “but Nikki, you have all your stuff in Jerusalem. “ Yes, I do. But I am at Moshe’s in Moddin. I don’t home until Sunday.

So here I am. No bags. No word on the bags. I will call them tomorrow morning.

This journey isn’t over… yet.

Welcome back to Israel Nikki, welcome back.

My travels pt. 1

2008-04-12T21:43:00.000+03:00

I am used to travel disasters. Getting delayed, bumped, rerouted, accused of being a terrorist, a drug smuggler or even jus the “random” check. The past 12 hours have been insane. I am writing this from London where I am currently delayed (I will be posting this when I get to Israel… which I hope will be soon)

It all started in Toronto. I checked in 24 hours in advance to make sure I didn’t get the crappy middle seat. I had windows both on the way to London and to Israel. Check in was quick. However, when the perky check-in lady (in her soft Irish accent) that “everything is on time!” I knew something was going to go wrong. I boarded the plane, sitting next to a woman that was from country that they don’t speak English (I learned soon that she was from Romania) and I realized that this would mean it would be a quiet flight. No forced conversations. In front of me was a couple flying to India, and behind me one to London and one to India. The olderman sitting behind me (who was going to India) was about the same hight as my Bobba. Less than 5 feet tall, perfectly tied turban and a budda belly (we’ll get back to him later) As we are all sitting down and safely stowing our tray tables, the first announcement came:

“Hello Ladies and Gents!,” said the overly excited BA Steward. “Glad you’re hear with us today. As you can feel it’s a bit hot here in the back part of the cabin. We apologize for that. Everything will be fine once we get going. We are just going to board the last passenger then we are going to leave!” This was at 18:20, we were supposed to depart at 18:25.

Ok fine. It’s hot. But who is this last passenger and why aren’t they on yet? Got a connection to catch… Then signal that another announcement was coming….

(It is now 18:40)
“BONG”
“Hello there again Ladies and Gents. We are just having some trouble with the hydrolics of the left engine. But don’t worry, we are going to have that fixed. Our engineers are working on it and as soon as that is fixed we will be off!”

Now the lady beside me had no idea what was going on. So I had to tell her (using my acting skills) what was happening using hand motions and shadow puppets. (Ok, no shadow puppets, however how cool would that have been?)

19:00

“BONG”
“Hello there Ladies and Gents,” (he was still bubbly, but not as bubbly from when we started this game close to an hour prior.) “Sorry about all these shenanigans. The engineers are working on the engine. We are not sure if this plane is going to leave tonight. We have 2 other BA planes leaving tonight so if you look out your right window you will see the large jumbo jet that will accoomidate everone. We are just waiting to hear what we should do. Thank you for your patience.”

Now. At this point I was not amused. They were cutting into my connection time…

19:10
Then, in order to offset a riot, the BA staff started to hand out drinks and snacks. Really it was a choice of water or OJ and a baby bag of pretzels….

19:15
“BONG”
“Hello there. If you are currently on your mobile calling British Airways to make sure you get on the next flight, PLEASE HANG UP. You are slowing down our process of booking you on a new flight. This does not mean that you should get off the plane. We are still not sure, However, please hang up your phones.”

Now. I don’t speak Romanian. Infact, nobody did. Try explaing this to the woman who speak no English.

19:20

The natives get restless.

Everyone is talking to eachtoher. Plotting their own revenge on BA. Everyone takes a pact NEVER to take BA again.

Romanian lady offers me cookies. I politely decline.

19:30

“BONG”

“PLEASE SIT DOWN. We are just waiting to hear from cutoms and immigration if we can let you off the plane. Our engineers are still working on the plane. However, the airconditioning is now fixed.”

20:00

We begin to notice that all the expensive seat people are now disembarked. They didn’t tell us. We then begin to gather our stuff only to be yelled at.

“LADIES AND GENTELMAN. PLEASE SIT DOWN. WE ARE DISEMBARKING BY CABIN. WE WILL GET TO YOURS. YOU WILL GET ONTO THE NEXT FLIGHT. THE ONE OUT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PLANE. YOU WILL FLY IN THE JET BESIDE US. THERE IS ROOM FOR EVERYONE. ALL YOURS MEALS ARE BEING TRANSFERRED. DON’T WORRY, YOU WILL ALL GET FED.”

This time, the Romanian looks at me for translation, I do something with my hands. She nods. Then starts poiting to her leg. NOBODY has a clue what she is talking about. The Indian couple infront of me start trying to understand this woman (or talk to her in English with their thick Indian-accented English- I’ll call it “In”glish. Still no help. Then we try the flight attendent. The perky blonde who probably listed “To see the world!” as her reason for wanting to work for BA had no idea what she was saying. The little man behind me is now kicking my seat. I think it’s just because he can’t reach the floor, I decide to just ignore it. The rest of us play a game called “Who is going to make their connection and who is just royally screwed.” Everyone was in agreement that IF we took off ontime on our soon to be new flight AND flew fast I could make it. I was doubtful.

20:15

Ok, you all can move off. Please have your boarding pass. We then wait in line. Everyone is trying to be the “Most screwed.” Now, back to the Romanian lady. So, one of the people that we were inline with just couldn’t take it anymore. He works in London and one of his workers is origionally from Romania. He calls him (in London) the lady now smiles, knows whats going on and everything s fine. So we continue to play the game. The small buddah like man points to the girl beside us and says, “Her’s is worst. She is to be married on the 13th.” We all stare. “Wait, THIS Saturday…. I’m shure you will get to London,” I say “No, India. I have to fly to London, then to Delhi THEN it’s a 7 hour drive away.” We all realize at this moment that she will show up at her wedding straight from the airport. We try and cheer her up. We make sure she gets to the front of the line- never to see her again. I finally get to the line “Ms. I need to get to Tel Aviv because of the Sabbath I know that this delay isn’t your fault, but I can’t fly on the Sabbath.” The BA lady says “Don’t worry, I know about Shabbat, I am part of the ganze mushpucha.” I get my ticket. Nonody knows what will happen to me when we get to London, but I decide to press on.

20:35
I get on the plane. I am stuck in the middle. I friggen checked in 24 hours in advance to make sure I didn’t get screwed this way. Fine. I sit down.

9:00

We take off.

Woman beside me goes to sleep. She is a “kicker.” I want to crawl out the window.

Dinner time.

Hello Ms. You ordered a special meal, right?
“yes, Kosher.”
“Oh, will vegigtarian do?”
“no”
“Let me go check to make sure that I have this right.”

(5 min pass)

“I don’t have any kosher meals left. Will the vegetrarion do?”
“NO.”

Oh.

She then walks off.

I am hungry. I want to eat my arm. No food. The man said I’d have food. I booked my meal almost a year ago. I am pissed. I’ll have a(nother) drink.

Time to sleep
(kick, elbow, elbow.)

Ok, no sleeping.

Breakfast

Would you like breakfast Miss?

My meal never made it on the plane.

Oh.

Sir, would you like breakfast… (totally ignoring me or the fact that I am hungry….)

10:00 am (London)

Finally landed… now to figure out my flight to TLV….

More on that soon….

(No spell checks, sorry…)

Eeek!

2008-01-31T05:53:00.000+02:00

Almost two months and nothing. I know, really bad. Bad bad bad.

Things have been crazy. I have been all over the world, done some crazy things and getting closer to the date that I move back to Israel.

It's crazy and I really hope to find some time to just sit down and write - I miss it.

Maybe this weekend... who knows...

(Back to working 14+ hour days for no apparent reason and now the anti-israel people are planning to really make my life insane next week...arrggh!)

More soon...

Oh and a new counter:
Countdown To

Some flights...

2007-12-04T07:46:00.000+02:00

So, I will write a post soon..

I have this goal to travel every month this year. that being said I wanted to alert the blog world of some upcoming travel plans:

december 26-jan 6 - staffing birthright in israel
jan 6- jan 15 being in Israel doing whatever I do

Jan 23-27 New orleans (Post-Katrina clean up, etc...)

feb- not sure...yet.

March- see above

April 10th... flying to England, catch a flight to Israel
April 11th.. land back in Israel. This time, no return ticket to Toronto.

That's the story folks. You heard it first.

Nikkiland is moving continents again... this time back to Israel.

Tales from the road..... this time Nashville.

2007-11-12T04:27:00.001+02:00

It seems these days that I only write blogs while I am in transit. Currently I am at 20,000 or so feet in the air on my way to Nashville, TN. This trip takes me to UJC’s General Assembly. I am bringing 16 students from Toronto and it should be an interesting few days. This is my 4th GA, which is funny in it’s own way. Two of them I went as a hillel participant, now I am the hillel staff… weird! However, I will write more about the GA in a future post, lets try and catch up as to what I have been up too.

For those of you that check this regualarly you will note that I have been including my weekly parsha classes that I have been leading over the past few months (if you have no idea what I am talking about, then look to the write and under the section “other blogs I write.” You can fund a link that contains all of the classes thus far. It’s a pretty cool thing actually, and makes me happy that I am actually doing it. It’s more of a discussion class than anything, but really is open to everyone and anyone – regardless of their level. I have a really mixed and diverse group. I like it….

So I have also created a goal for myself to travel at least once a month – so far I have been victorious by going to the following places:

September- Miami (I already wrote about that)
October: NY/NJ (I will write about that in a moment)
November: Nashville (currently en route.)

So my trip to NY.NJ was for a work realated conference. I got to hang out for a few days while in the city (and by days, I really mean day….) with my friend Zach wich was really nice. We honestly didn’t do much, but it was great to just lounge around and eat proper deli sandwhices. It was pretty awesome and I am glad that I came in a bit earlier. The conference in NJ was about experiential learning trips. It was interesting, however, some of the things were a bit old for me. I’ve done quite a few trips (As a leader) so a lot of this stuff is pretty natural for me and I don’t really think about it. However, I learned some great new things that I hope to use ibn my next trip to Israel… oh when is that? December 26th I am leading yet ANOTHER borthight bus. I will then stick around for another few days to take care of some life things, paint the aparmtnet and do whatever else one does (ok fine, order burgers bar) Also in NY it was great to spend time with Rachel. (she is the one I always tell what I ate for dinner tooo…) Her zach and I consumed mass amounts of sugar together in NYC… oooooy….

Now, other cool things that were done last month was that Rebecca and I went to Canada’s Wonderland togheter… that was a trip. It was their haloween special stuff, so we road the coasters and tried not to be terrified of creepy semi scary people running around. We did quite a few coasters (which the loops didn’t bother me – it was the wooden coaster that was slightly traumatic.) I also kicked some a$$ at the whack-a-mole game. I won this super large and semi-rediculoous stuffed dog named “snooby.” (So on the plane I just smelled the most foul smell.. then realized that it’s the baby behind me… I am not sure whats worse, a screaming baby or a stinky poopy baby…. )

Ok, back to other things. I am totally over-worked. I swear I am working harder than last year. I don’t sleep. I don’t really eat anymore (primarly because everything makes me sick) I am a total walking zombie. I am looking forward to exam time when it’s really quiet and I can focus on things like: nothing. Ok fine, during that time I will prep for birthright, however, I will really try to do nothing during that time.

Medically I am a disaster, I have some big test-type-things coming up this week which I am taking work off for (nikki take off work! Whoah.) so feel free to send me emals to keep me amused. I am sure that I will be gorggy and totally cracked out, however, it’s always fun to have something read.

I really don’t know what else to write (However, the poopy baby is now a poopy screaming baby…..PUT A CORK IN IT… both sides J Ok, that was rude, however, STOP SCREAMING! Rock the baby or something… or here’s one, maybe she is upset that she is stinky. I am upset that she is stinkly, maybe I should cry? Nah. Not worth it….)

Anyways, check out the parsha thing as that is updated every Thursday. I am sure once exams roll around I will be able to worte more.

Oh, if you are in Toronto, come to the YACAD film fest on NOV 18…. Leave a post and I will send you more details….

That’s all.. now on my way to Nashville. Maybe go to a firing range… WOOHOOO!

Speak to ya’ll later.

Nikki

Rachel: Dinner? Not even close. It’s too friggen early in the morning and I don’t think I had dinner yesterday, Ooops.

---continuing from the GA---

I write this sitting on the floor outside the oening plenary. Too much talk. Blah blah blah. Each person telling the crowd how they feel that Israel should be run. I’m sorry Mr. Howard Dean – you cannot decide what is best for me as an Israeli citizen. Sorry, you can’t. You don’t live in Israel. You don’t know day to day – you just don’t. Go fix your own country. Don’t rant and rave about how bad the republicans are or how all of your candiadates look like Americans (um… Hillary Clinton looks like an American? Obama looks like an American? Sorry, but all your candidates represent households that always had money and will always continue to have weatlth to achieve the best that money can buy. Go focus on your own country. Let us do what’s best for Us. Not for You. Not for your party, or your country. Obviously I am a but peeved as to the statements that were made just now; however, he’s (howard Dean) is here to try and get the Americans to win big, but really?? The things that were said are just crazy. He rambled, he was angry. I realize you hate Bush – fine, hate him. However, he realized who Israel is working with –terrorists. Yes, there are problems with the current wars that are going on;however, he’s done good for us.

More and more I realize that I am not a North American – I don’t think the same way – I’ve moved past that. These organizations talk about raising money for immigrants to Israel, yet I do remember that they forgot me. They forget every Anglo that moves to Israel. They want to build big buildings for Ethiopians, Russians, and from everywhere else… however, what about us? I took their talk about how great Israel is and actually did something – I moved there. Fine, right now I am absent – but I keep my apartment, I pay my tazes, I continue to be Israeli. I want them to put their money where their mouths are and realize who is going and who is living there.
Ok back to nashvilling….

New Blog

2007-10-19T21:37:00.000+02:00

I decided that I wanted to keep this blog about me and my stupidity in Israel and in Toronto (and wherever else I travel too.) That being said, I created a new blog for the weekly parsha class that I teach.

It can be found either on the side of this page, or just go here:

ithinkparsha.blogspot.com

There will be a post soon... lots to talk about :)

Shabbat shalom!

Lech Lecha

2007-10-19T20:32:00.000+02:00

OK, so I know. My blog is turning more into me sharing with you my weekly classes. However, there will be a real update - soon. Just not sure when. Maybe sunday? Or saturday night? It will happen.. until there... enjoy this...
---------------------------------------
iThink
Parshat Lech Lecha
Thursday October 18th, 2007
Prepared by Nikki Greenspan

בראשית פרק יב
א וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל-אַבְרָם, לֶךְ-לְךָ מֵאַרְצְךָ וּמִמּוֹלַדְתְּךָ וּמִבֵּית אָבִיךָ, אֶל-הָאָרֶץ, אֲשֶׁר אַרְאֶךָּ. ב וְאֶעֶשְׂךָ, לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל, וַאֲבָרֶכְךָ, וַאֲגַדְּלָה שְׁמֶךָ; וֶהְיֵה, בְּרָכָה. ג וַאֲבָרְכָה, מְבָרְכֶיךָ, וּמְקַלֶּלְךָ, אָאֹר; וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ, כֹּל מִשְׁפְּחֹת הָאֲדָמָה. ד וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם, כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו יְהוָה, וַיֵּלֶךְ אִתּוֹ, לוֹט; וְאַבְרָם, בֶּן-חָמֵשׁ שָׁנִים וְשִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה, בְּצֵאתוֹ, מֵחָרָן
Genesis Chapter 12
1 Now the LORD said unto Abram: 'Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto the land that I will show thee. 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and be thou a blessing. 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse; and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' 4 So Abram went, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him; and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. (JPS translation)
בראשית פרק יז
א וַיְהִי אַבְרָם, בֶּן-תִּשְׁעִים שָׁנָה וְתֵשַׁע שָׁנִים; וַיֵּרָא יְהוָה אֶל-אַבְרָם, וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו אֲנִי-אֵל שַׁדַּי--הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי, וֶהְיֵה תָמִים. ב וְאֶתְּנָה בְרִיתִי, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶךָ; וְאַרְבֶּה אוֹתְךָ, בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד. ג וַיִּפֹּל אַבְרָם, עַל-פָּנָיו; וַיְדַבֵּר אִתּוֹ אֱלֹהִים, לֵאמֹר. ד אֲנִי, הִנֵּה בְרִיתִי אִתָּךְ; וְהָיִיתָ, לְאַב הֲמוֹן גּוֹיִם. ה וְלֹא-יִקָּרֵא עוֹד אֶת-שִׁמְךָ, אַבְרָם; וְהָיָה שִׁמְךָ אַבְרָהָם, כִּי אַב-הֲמוֹן גּוֹיִם נְתַתִּיךָ. ו וְהִפְרֵתִי אֹתְךָ בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד, וּנְתַתִּיךָ לְגוֹיִם; וּמְלָכִים, מִמְּךָ יֵצֵאוּ. ז וַהֲקִמֹתִי אֶת-בְּרִיתִי בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶךָ, וּבֵין זַרְעֲךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ לְדֹרֹתָם--לִבְרִית עוֹלָם: לִהְיוֹת לְךָ לֵאלֹהִים, וּלְזַרְעֲךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ. ח וְנָתַתִּי לְךָ וּלְזַרְעֲךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ אֵת אֶרֶץ מְגֻרֶיךָ, אֵת כָּל-אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן, לַאֲחֻזַּת, עוֹלָם; וְהָיִיתִי לָהֶם, לֵאלֹהִים. ט וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֶל-אַבְרָהָם, וְאַתָּה אֶת-בְּרִיתִי תִשְׁמֹר--אַתָּה וְזַרְעֲךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ, לְדֹרֹתָם. י זֹאת בְּרִיתִי אֲשֶׁר תִּשְׁמְרוּ, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם, וּבֵין זַרְעֲךָ, אַחֲרֶיךָ: הִמּוֹל לָכֶם, כָּל-זָכָר. יא וּנְמַלְתֶּם, אֵת בְּשַׂר עָרְלַתְכֶם; וְהָיָה לְאוֹת בְּרִית, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם. יב וּבֶן-שְׁמֹנַת יָמִים, יִמּוֹל לָכֶם כָּל-זָכָר--לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם: יְלִיד בָּיִת--וּמִקְנַת-כֶּסֶף מִכֹּל בֶּן-נֵכָר, אֲשֶׁר לֹא מִזַּרְעֲךָ הוּא. יג הִמּוֹל יִמּוֹל יְלִיד בֵּיתְךָ, וּמִקְנַת כַּסְפֶּךָ; וְהָיְתָה בְרִיתִי בִּבְשַׂרְכֶם, לִבְרִית עוֹלָם. יד וְעָרֵל זָכָר, אֲשֶׁר לֹא-יִמּוֹל אֶת-בְּשַׂר עָרְלָתוֹ--וְנִכְרְתָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַהִוא, מֵעַמֶּיהָ: אֶת-בְּרִיתִי, הֵפַר. {ס}
טו וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, אֶל-אַבְרָהָם, שָׂרַי אִשְׁתְּךָ, לֹא-תִקְרָא אֶת-שְׁמָהּ שָׂרָי: כִּי שָׂרָה, שְׁמָהּ. טז וּבֵרַכְתִּי אֹתָהּ, וְגַם נָתַתִּי מִמֶּנָּה לְךָ בֵּן; וּבֵרַכְתִּיהָ וְהָיְתָה לְגוֹיִם, מַלְכֵי עַמִּים מִמֶּנָּה יִהְיוּ. יז וַיִּפֹּל אַבְרָהָם עַל-פָּנָיו, וַיִּצְחָק; וַיֹּאמֶר בְּלִבּוֹ, הַלְּבֶן מֵאָה-שָׁנָה יִוָּלֵד, וְאִם-שָׂרָה, הֲבַת-תִּשְׁעִים שָׁנָה תֵּלֵד. יח וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְרָהָם, אֶל-הָאֱלֹהִים: לוּ יִשְׁמָעֵאל, יִחְיֶה לְפָנֶיךָ. יט וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, אֲבָל שָׂרָה אִשְׁתְּךָ יֹלֶדֶת לְךָ בֵּן, וְקָרָאתָ אֶת-שְׁמוֹ, יִצְחָק; וַהֲקִמֹתִי אֶת-בְּרִיתִי אִתּוֹ לִבְרִית עוֹלָם, לְזַרְעוֹ אַחֲרָיו. כ וּלְיִשְׁמָעֵאל, שְׁמַעְתִּיךָ--הִנֵּה בֵּרַכְתִּי אֹתוֹ וְהִפְרֵיתִי אֹתוֹ וְהִרְבֵּיתִי אֹתוֹ, בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד: שְׁנֵים-עָשָׂר נְשִׂיאִם יוֹלִיד, וּנְתַתִּיו לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל. כא וְאֶת-בְּרִיתִי, אָקִים אֶת-יִצְחָק, אֲשֶׁר תֵּלֵד לְךָ שָׂרָה לַמּוֹעֵד הַזֶּה, בַּשָּׁנָה הָאַחֶרֶת. כב וַיְכַל, לְדַבֵּר אִתּוֹ; וַיַּעַל אֱלֹהִים, מֵעַל אַבְרָהָם. כג וַיִּקַּח אַבְרָהָם אֶת-יִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּנוֹ, וְאֵת כָּל-יְלִידֵי בֵיתוֹ וְאֵת כָּל-מִקְנַת כַּסְפּוֹ--כָּל-זָכָר, בְּאַנְשֵׁי בֵּית אַבְרָהָם; וַיָּמָל אֶת-בְּשַׂר עָרְלָתָם, בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אִתּוֹ, אֱלֹהִים. כד וְאַבְרָהָם--בֶּן-תִּשְׁעִים וָתֵשַׁע, שָׁנָה: בְּהִמֹּלוֹ, בְּשַׂר עָרְלָתוֹ. כה וְיִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּנוֹ, בֶּן-שְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה: בְּהִמֹּלוֹ--אֵת, בְּשַׂר עָרְלָתוֹ. כו בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, נִמּוֹל אַבְרָהָם, וְיִשְׁמָעֵאל, בְּנוֹ. כז וְכָל-אַנְשֵׁי בֵיתוֹ יְלִיד בָּיִת, וּמִקְנַת-כֶּסֶף מֵאֵת בֶּן-נֵכָר--נִמֹּלוּ, אִתּוֹ.

http://kodesh.snunit.k12.il/i/t/t0117.htm

Genesis Chapter 17
1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him: 'I am God Almighty; walk before Me, and be thou wholehearted. 2 And I will make My covenant between Me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.' 3 And Abram fell on his face; and God talked with him, saying: 4 'As for Me, behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for the father of a multitude of nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land of thy sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.' 9 And God said unto Abraham: 'And as for thee, thou shalt keep My covenant, thou, and thy seed after thee throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant, which ye shall keep, between Me and you and thy seed after thee: every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 And ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of a covenant betwixt Me and you. 12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any foreigner, that is not of thy seed. 13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised; and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken My covenant.' {S} 15 And God said unto Abraham: 'As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. 16 And I will bless her, and moreover I will give thee a son of her; yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be of her.' 17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart: 'Shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?' 18 And Abraham said unto God: 'Oh that Ishmael might live before Thee!' 19 And God said: 'Nay, but Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son; and thou shalt call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him. 20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee; behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. 21 But My covenant will I establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.' 22 And He left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham. 23 And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him. 24 And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son. 27 And all the men of his house, those born in the house, and those bought with money of a foreigner, were circumcised with him. {P}
(JPS Translation)

Discussion:

In this parsha, many of the core tenants of Judaism are laid out for us. There are many things to talk about and discuss! No thoughts are wrong, just get thinking! Some thoughts we might discuss:

1) What did Avram/Avroham give up? Is this such a big deal? If so, why? If not, why not?
2) Thousands of years later we are still doing these things (Circumcision, Hebrew names, etc. ) are they still relevant? Why?

Go, get out! Leave your house! Do something different….

This, that and some babel...

2007-10-12T03:32:00.000+02:00

Hi Everyone-

Its been a crazy week - I have been spending a lot of time working lately. I just have a lot of things to do. One of the things I am working on is my weekly parsha class. I've decided to share it with you, I welcome your questions, comments and event discussion. It is both in Hebrew and English - open to everyone :)

Hope all is well,

Nikki
---------------

iThink
Hillel@York
Parshat Noah
Thursday October 11th, 2007
Prepared by Nikki Greenspan

בראשית פרק יא

א וַיְהִי כָל-הָאָרֶץ, שָׂפָה אֶחָת, וּדְבָרִים, אֲחָדִים. ב וַיְהִי, בְּנָסְעָם מִקֶּדֶם; וַיִּמְצְאוּ בִקְעָה בְּאֶרֶץ שִׁנְעָר, וַיֵּשְׁבוּ שָׁם. ג וַיֹּאמְרוּ אִישׁ אֶל-רֵעֵהוּ, הָבָה נִלְבְּנָה לְבֵנִים, וְנִשְׂרְפָה, לִשְׂרֵפָה; וַתְּהִי לָהֶם הַלְּבֵנָה, לְאָבֶן, וְהַחֵמָר, הָיָה לָהֶם לַחֹמֶר. ד וַיֹּאמְרוּ הָבָה נִבְנֶה-לָּנוּ עִיר, וּמִגְדָּל וְרֹאשׁוֹ בַשָּׁמַיִם, וְנַעֲשֶׂה-לָּנוּ, שֵׁם: פֶּן-נָפוּץ, עַל-פְּנֵי כָל-הָאָרֶץ. ה וַיֵּרֶד יְהוָה, לִרְאֹת אֶת-הָעִיר וְאֶת-הַמִּגְדָּל, אֲשֶׁר בָּנוּ, בְּנֵי הָאָדָם. ו וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה, הֵן עַם אֶחָד וְשָׂפָה אַחַת לְכֻלָּם, וְזֶה, הַחִלָּם לַעֲשׂוֹת; וְעַתָּה לֹא-יִבָּצֵר מֵהֶם, כֹּל אֲשֶׁר יָזְמוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת. ז הָבָה, נֵרְדָה, וְנָבְלָה שָׁם, שְׂפָתָם--אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִשְׁמְעוּ, אִישׁ שְׂפַת רֵעֵהוּ. ח וַיָּפֶץ יְהוָה אֹתָם מִשָּׁם, עַל-פְּנֵי כָל-הָאָרֶץ; וַיַּחְדְּלוּ, לִבְנֹת הָעִיר. ט עַל-כֵּן קָרָא שְׁמָהּ, בָּבֶל, כִּי-שָׁם בָּלַל יְהוָה, שְׂפַת כָּל-הָאָרֶץ; וּמִשָּׁם הֱפִיצָם יְהוָה, עַל-פְּנֵי כָּל-הָאָרֶץ. {פ}

(http://kodesh.snunit.k12.il/i/t/t0111.htm)

Genesis Chapter 11

1 And the whole earth was of one language and of one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. 3 And they said one to another: 'Come, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly.' And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. 4 And they said: 'Come, let us build us a city, and a tower, with its top in heaven, and let us make us a name; lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.' 5 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 6 And the LORD said: 'Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is what they begin to do; and now nothing will be withholden from them, which they purpose to do. 7 Come, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.' 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth; and they left off to build the city. 9 Therefore was the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth; and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. {P}

(JPS translation, 1917)

Discussion Questions:

1) What did the people do that was so bad? Was it really that bad?
2) After the story for the flood, where the world was wiped out due to its evil nature (minus Noah, his family and the animals on the boat), why do you think God didn’t wipe them out and start again? Would they have deserved to be wiped out (again)?

Sometimes it’s better to know what you are saying than to “babel”on and on….

Parshat B'reshet

2007-10-05T06:01:00.001+02:00

Hi all in blog land.

Here is most of the Dvar Torah that I gave at my bat mitzvah many many years ago. I first gave this D'var Torah Friday night infront of family in friends, then again Shabat morning at one of the services at shul. Saturday night I did Havdallah - which is why the D'var Torah was about Light. In theory, my bat Mitzvah weekend was parshat Bhar that deals with shmita (which is something we are dealing with in Israel this year) however, naturally in true Greenspan fashion, we chose to do something a little different... remember this was written by a 13 year old... comments and discussion is welcome!....

In the beginning G-d created the heaven and earth. And the earth was without
form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of
G-d hovered over the face of the waters. And G-d said let there be light;
and there was light. And G-d saw the light that it was good; and G-d divided
between the light and the darkness. And G-d called the light Day, and the
darkness he called Night. And it was evening and it was morning the first
day. "
- Parsha Bareshet
"Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us
with His commandments, and commanded us to light the Shabbat candles".
-Blessing of the Shabbat Candles
"Blessed art Thou, Eternal our G-d, Ruler of the universe, Creator of light
and fire.
-Blessing of the Havdallah Candle"
These statements have one thing in common. Light.
On the first day of the world, Hashem created light. On the sixth day, the
day of rest, we use Hashems first creation to welcome it. The women of the
house each light at least 2 candles 18 minutes before sundown. On Shabbat, we
use two candles in order to make Shabbat different and special from the rest
of the week when one candle is sufficient. All women are commanded to light
the Shabbat candles whether at home or away. If there are no women present,
then a man must light the candles.
The ritual of kindling the Shabbat candles is quite simple. It involves 4
parts. These are: first, the lighting of the candles, second the motion of
the hands, third covering your eyes and lastly, saying the blessing.
When the candles are lit, and you move move your hands 7 times over the
candles, and towards your body, one for each day of the week. You then cover
your eyes with your hands and recite the blessing for the candles and then
open your eyes. With the blessing, Shabbat begins. When you open your eyes
the first thing you see on Shabbat is the beauty of the Shabbat Light.
We use 2 candles as metaphors. They represent the 2 words, Zachor,
to remember the Shabbat, and Shamor, to keep the Shabbat.
These are the words that begin the commandment of the Shabbat in the Torah.
One candle may represent the Shabbat and the other represents the other days
of the week. We also say that Hashem is one and his law is the other candle.
Among other symbols are heaven and earth, day and night, light and darkness,
woman and man, and wife and husband. These are the symbols of creation.
Creation of life is a feminine act. It is seen as G-d's feminine side, the
Shekhinah, that rests within us and with us on Friday night.

In the ancient world, Fire was recognized as one of the 4 basic elements of
the world. Fire, water, earth and wind. Fire is mysterious and irresistible.
In the Kabbalah, the image of the multicolored flame is used as a metaphor of
G-d's relationship to the world and man. The flame is a single entity that
is always changing, and still stays a flame. The flame needs the candle to be
alive but it remains separate and distinct. Without the flame the candle is
unfulfilled, in the same way as without G-d, man is unfulfilled.
We can use more than 2 candles. Some women light an additional candle for
each of their children, but once you increase the number from two, you can
never reduce it.
Once the candles are lit, we must not waste the light. We should eat or read
by the light of the Shabbat candles in order to fulfill the mitzvah of the
blessing.
We move our hands over the candles and towards our body to bring the light
and spirit of Shabbat into our soul. This is the final act of preparation
before we say the bracha and Shabbat begins.
Once Shabbat starts, we are prohibited to kindle any fire. Only at the
conclusion of the Shabbat, the Havdallah, are we allowed to create light,
starting the cycle again.
Havdallah means separation. We separate the rest and relaxation of the
Shabbat from the study, work and stress of the week. At Havdallah we use a
candle with at least 2 wicks, symbolizing the 2 candles that were lit to
welcome the Shabbat. We use 2 candles to conclude the Shabbat to make the
Shabbat separate and distinct.
When you say the blessing of Havdallah, you look at your palms, hands and
nails in the light of the candles.
Some of the reasons for for this custom are that:
* Your nails are a symbol of blessing, because they're continually growing.

* The "Neshamah Yetairah"- "additional soul"which every person receives on the
Shabbat is said to be leaving from your nails, and you should be aware of
this for the longest time possible.

* The shadows and light on your palms is symbolic of the Havdallah
(separation) between the weekdays and the Shabbat. If your hands are cupped
so that the light hits your nails, then the palms will have a shadow. A
shadow is the dark opposite of the flame.
* Also to be able to see the difference between the skin of your palms and
your nails. In the midrash it is said that Adam and Eve's skin was as
protective as our nails are and was changed to soft skin when they were cast
out of the Garden of Eden.
At the end of the Havdallah service we spill out a little bit of wine to
put out the flame. This is to show that the candle was lit specifically for
the mitzvah of the Havdallah and is not used for any other purpose.
Light plays a very important role in Judaism. t is used to represent many
things.. Light is the start to many beautiful creations From the Creation
of earth to the creation of the Shabbat. When you light the candles for the
upcoming Yomtivim or Shabbat, take a moment and look at all the beautiful
creations around you. Enjoy the light, Shavoa tov.

Just sit and write for 5 min. This is what you get.

2007-09-28T05:30:00.000+02:00

Since the semester began I have sat down numerous times at my computer attempting to write a blog, however, something always comes up – a deadline, a crisis, a report, my phone, CSI, whatever, something comes up and I get sidetracked. I am like a 6 year old that cannot focus. However, tonight I am going to try and get this done. Originally I thought maybe I could see who could go the longest without writing a post – Gogie or me; however, I think he’s going to win that challenge as it’s time to write.

A friend of mine from work asked me how he should write his med-school applications as he hates writing things, I told him to just sit down for 5 min straight and keep typing – from that mess that is spewed allover the computer screen something of substance will arise – I hope that there is something in here that interests you – my reader. (this all being said, I will not read what I write, as that could delay me actually putting this up.. so sorry… :) )

Being back in Toronto is always a challenge for me. I fell that I have to press pause on my life in Israel and wait to hit play again for a few months. It’s hard. The last few weeks that I had in Israel were great, and it was hard to leave, however, I know that I have work to do here….

So speaking of work. I am exhausted. I am pulling 18+ hour days again – which is funny. You would think that with hours like htat I would be:

a) Some sort of security/army/police
b) A multi-millionaire CEO of some start up company.
c) A doctor

However, none of those are correct – I am just a Jewish Educator attempting to do something and who knows – make a difference?

This year things have been pretty hectic. My job has changed pretty dramatically, I am currently sharing Jobs with people – which makes things a lot more complicated than they should be. I am also no longer based at one campus – I am now technically on all campuses citywide, however, there sometimes isn’t enough hours in the day to get it all done. Another problem with me (as some of you may know) is that after work I need at least 3 hours of down time. Catching up on movies, tv or the typical face-stalking. You totally know what that means…. Admit it! Anyways, I am really just not sleeping. Thank goodness I have friends in Israel that are waking up the same time I am acting out my insomnia. WOO HOO.

Ok, lets think of some fun things that I have done:

1) Pirate Festival : It was too funny. We had a great time swashbukeling and whatever else we did. I learned about a new drink – Grog. I highly recommend drinking it… however, don’t drink 4 of them in an hour in the hot sun…. I mean..um…er….
2) Ian was in town so we got to hang out and see a really crappy movie. In fact, it was so bad, that I cannot even remember the title as I have just blocked it out of my mind : )
3) Finding out the only way to see a movie is to go Promenade, spend $6 and have the theater pretty much to yourselves and be able to be as loud as you want (right Rebecca?)
4) Nuit Blanche. Ok, it has not happened yet,but I am planning on going.
5) MIAMI! I decided to go to Miami during RH to see Rivka. We had a freakin’ awesome time (as she would say.) We spend most of the time in the pool. Spent some time on South Beach (which I have to add is pretty gross) took a picture infront of Miami Ink (Because I am a dork) Got sun burnt (naturally) It was a great time. It was 4 days of well – doing nothing and it was awesome.
6) Forgot to write a grant proposal. Oops. However, due to problem with too many jobs, oops. Whatever, so now I am on the hunt for more programming money, Poop.
7) Built a sukkah with my dad and grandmother Its called a safari sukkah and it only fits two, but it’s awesome.
8) Decided to get my hair cut. Now, that is a story in itself. So my usual lady will be away for another month and I really needed a hair cut. So I go in and decided that heck, maybe I should get my colour done too (as it was all over the place) and next thing I know I am strawberry blonde-ish. Yeah I am totally not sure how I feel about it yet, however:
A) it is just hair
B) it will grow out
C) I can always change it… again.

The way I look at it, my hair has been all sorts of colours (Purple was a personal favourite….) However… right now, BLOND? Yeah.. about that

9) Um…. Hard at work really. Working on many different things right now, movie festivals, trips, classes and day to day crisis. It’s kinda cool, however, it’s getting colder out – which means the snow is coming nad I am totally not prepared. FINE, I know its only the end of September and I should not be worried about such things, however, it’s Toronto, you never know when it could get cold here….
10) I am looking into taking a scuba diving class. This way I can get certified. This is one thing that I have always wanted to do, it should start in a few weeks. I can do most of the classes here, then get my open water certification in Israel. WOOO HOO!
11) I have a slew of appointments to figure out what is wrong with me and my current health issues. It’s really bad. However, what can I do? Nada. So until Nov 1st, I am just waiting… and in pain.
12) I am teaching again, which makes me happy. I gave a pretty decent DT at a staff meeting last week, however, it wasn't one of my best. Next week I will post my DT from my Bat Mitzvah- it deals with light so it will be good for B'reshit. You too can have a glimpse into what was in my noggin as a bat mitzvah. Anyways, I am teaching a few classes, which is a bit intimidating for me. I also have a few students that want to sit and learn with me inbetween classes. Not being a rabbi has it's perks (which if life plan #231209-6 would have happened I think I would be entering my final year of Rab school....HA!)

So it’s been more than 5 min- I hope that something here has actually made some sence. Leave some comments and let me know how things are going on in your world.

Wishing you all a great Sukkot. This is the time I really miss Israel. So…yeah. I’m going to stop now before I get sad. I'm looking forward to pressing the play button soon - it just seems far away.

Modim L'simcha!

Nikki

Rachel- dinner was lamb chops. Mmmmm.

Post in the works...

2007-09-03T19:55:00.000+03:00

I am working on a post...

it includes: Pirates, frosh week and the weekend that is/was.

I'll get to it...

Back to Toronto

2007-08-27T00:25:00.000+03:00

Last year, my friend Minh took me to a festival that I had only read about in magazines, or snickered at while someone talked about attending one -that would be the ComiCon. Last year I finally had my chance to go and experience what it was all about. I went, I laughed, I snickered (and Minh yelled at me most of the time) and I met a whole batch of geek icons. This year, however, was going to be a bit different.

Now being a seasoned veteran at the ComiCon, I went down with my friend Mike. Now, some how Mike had managed to get us in early.... Now, getting in their early entailed a few things such as:

1) pretending that we were supposed to be there early
2) make sure that we evaded anyone that was going ask us why we were in so early.

As soon as we got in, Mike wanted to head over to his friends that have a comic book booth. When we got there, they were not even close to set up. Being the people that we are, we helped them set up. Unpacked boxes, set up, and wiped layers of dust off some of the packages. Once we were done that, we decided that we were going to run to every booth possible and get as much free stuff as we could. This is the swag I took home:
-5 T-shirts (mostly from Horror movies that will go straight to video)
-deck of playing cards that feature gore (not Al, but actually blood and guts)
-Mardi Gras beads
-Wind up toys
-Ping pong balls
-shot glass
-and many other useless gadgets that I will decorate my office with.

Now, the piece du resistance.... ADAM WEST!

Adam West was not supposed to sign on Friday, however, I heard an announcement and ran because I was going to meet him. Now, my friend Ian was there with his sister and friend, they didn't get in as early as we did.... details. However, when I got close to Adam West, Ian appeared. Ian was the official photographer.

I finally get up to the front of the line, pay my bazillion dollars, choose the photo that I wanted him to sign (Mayor West, clearly) And this is what happened:

Adam: "Well arn't you the curly haired one."
Me: "Nice to meet you."
Adam "You know, my wife has the same hair as you so. All curly like that."
Me: "Um... thanks."
Adam "So, whats your name:
Me: Nicole
Adam "What was that"
Me: Nicole, but could you write something like "How do you know my name?" or "Stop stealing my water."
Adam "Hahahaha."
Me: Or maybe just your favorite line from the show
Adam: hahahaha.
Me: I've been singing the Adam West song all day
Adam: Sing a bit for me
Me: Adam West...Adam west...adam west....
Adam: HAHAHAHAHA. You are too funny. We should tell Casey Kasum. He should play that. What if I sign it Mayor West?
Me: What about Mayor Adam West?
Adam: Deal.
(At this point Ian takes another picture of Adam and me together)

Me: Great meeting you
Adam: You too Nicole.

I then continued my day all giddy that I had met Adam West. He really is like his cartoon on the TV show. It was a bit funny.
There is such a culture to ComiCon. There its cool to search for comic books, talk about Star Wars, play video games - a real opposite on the world. There were 1000's of fellow dorks, I was looked down at because I wasn't dressed up (and probably because I couldn't stop laughing) I even reconized people there from last year (and we were able to catch up on different dorky geeky things....) So really, I have just made this wall post to admit that I am a dork and a geek, but I'm ok with that. Adam West likes my hair and that's what matters....

So, another thing that happend at comicon that I could not write on facebook So I happend to bump into a few students there. One of them, totally not surprised to see him. We kept calling eachother when we found free stuff to alert one another where to find it. The other, dressed in full anime-costume...kid you not. Now, this other one, we will call him Anime, went on a rant and rave about how we (my job) should have a speed-dating program. Inside, i was cracking up. On the outside, I told him I would look into it...

Anyways, comicon was fun. I missed being there with Minh, but I had a great time with Mike, Pete, Ian, Naomi.
I still miss Israel and my friends there, but this made things a bit better.... pictures to come....

Oh, and at the end I got a picture with a Pirate.

Update...

2007-08-26T23:28:00.001+03:00

This entry is being written at a whole different altitude than normal. I don’t know exactly how many feet I am in the air, but I know it’s big, or else this rather large KLM flight would just be a bus on the road.

So I am going to attempt to summarize that past few weeks the best I can. I realize that the point of this blog was for me to update people on my life in Israel, yet, I just didn’t. OK, so I suck. I admit it. However, I have had some great adventures.

It was really hard to wrap my brain around the fact that I was going back to Toronto – even though I am currently in the air, it still has not hit me. I am sure, in a few days I will have a but of culture shock (ok fine, the moment that I get off the plane… details….) However, as a new friend of mine so nicely put it I “have a great job and the worth that I do is worth it.” He’s right, I love my job (ok, minis the days that I am at the office until the wee hours of the morning…) Anyways, this is the next part of my journey and I know that it is going to lead me somewhere amazing – my current plan is to be in Toronto until mid-April with a birthright trip somewhere in December to break it up. Really for me the big thing is to be back for Pessach (C’mon people, KOSHER FOR PASSOVER BURGER KING… I kid you not, I do it once a year and know that eat year that passes my arteries get more and more clogged with garbage. That’s the current game plan as of now, I am sure that during that time I will get out to NYC, Florida and maybe somewhere super extra special. Not sure where that super extra… (Ok, I totally lost my track of thought here; the stewardess just came by with drinks last call if you will. So as I am on KLM I ordered a Heineken.) Ok, back to where I was Oh yes, super extra special. So yes, I am sure that I will try to go on a few adventures. I would really like to continue my MLB stadium tour, so we will see what I can do…

I should probably mention that I am currently in transit, as I have been for most of the day. I left Amsterdam a few hours ago. I was there for a 4-hour layover. I got on the train at the airport and decided to just wonder around town and buy stupid things – like wooden shoes, tulips and snow globes (oh and socks… they were cute and I “needed” then….) had breakfast this morning with some random Italians from some small town in the middle of no place. Really funny conversation as only one of them spoke English, one guy that kept ranting and raving in Italian and the other guy that didn’t talk. It was cool. I’ve now learned that when you travel alone; just make friends – why not. Cool conversation. I bid them a farewell, finished my cappuccino (which tasted pretty gross actually…(and then decided to walk back to the train station. I then got to the airport. It was a mess. So there were two flights to Toronto, only one of them was listed on the board. The flight that I was on was not listed for some strange reason.

So back to Israel.

As I wrote last time I had a few fun things coming up… my friend Rivka was taking me shootin; I realize that that sounds totally ridiculous, but I sooo wanted to do it. So I did. Now, I had a little class that explained to me how the gun works, and then it was off to the range. Riv (as she had already done the class) joined me in the range; we went last out of all the pairs. I got used to the sound fairly quickly, and was surprised that there really was a flash after each shot. Now, here I am all ready to shoot. So I do. The first shot really had a kick, once I got used to that, there was no problem. I actually did really well. Out of the first 50 rounds, 48 hit the paper and 43 hit the target circles. I got to a point where I would release the magazine in the air after clearing it. The instructor was surprised that it was my first time. In the end, I shot about 100 rounds…. It was a great time and I am looking forward to doing it again and getting my license. I met someone that also shoots (and has a lovely 9mm “Mossad”) so hopefully when I am back him and I will get to go shooting. Now, many people say “But Nikki, why on earth do you want to know how to shoot a gun?!?” now, here is my response. I live in a country where guns are everywhere, I want to know how to handle one and not be afraid – and I’m not afraid.

What else? Hmmm…

The Beach

I have a tan, for the first time ever in my pasty life I actually have a tan. Spent some time on the beach with Gila and it was good times had by all. We went to this place on shenkin for a class after, it was too funny for words and if I share what it was Gila would kill me, so I wont….

My Birthday

I do have to say it was a kickin party. 8.5 kilos of wings, 3 kilos of steak, 3 kilos of chicken. It was a good time had by all. Oh, 2 mini kegs too. Thanks to Rivka for hosting. It was a great party and it was great being with my friends.

Over the past few weeks before I left I made some great new friends – I’m a bit sad that I only met them towards the end of the trip, however, I am looking forward to spending more time with them in December.

Upcoming:

I start work right away. I land on Tuesday and I am in the office on Wednesday. I hope that this time around things will be easier. I know that there is a lot of culture shock that awaits, however, I know that I will be back in Israel soon. I cannot wait until I move back to Israel full-time and get to resume my life. It’s hard starting something then having to press pause until I return. The end of my time there was amazing and I hope that the same kind of fun awaits me when I get back.

Anyways, that’s an update. Be in touch, I get home sick and I need to hear from you.

Nikki

I'm writing.... you reading?

2007-08-06T22:51:00.000+03:00

So,

I am actually going to write something. I am leaving Israel 2 weeks today to head back to Toronto for another round of work. I will be back though in December for a bit, and then back “full-time” pre-Pessach, so that is something to look forward. This year I have decided, for my own sanity, NOT to sublet my room. This way, when I come back, I can actually go into MY room and not sleep on my futon. The futon is great, but I’d rather be in my bed. J Speaking of my room. I have curtains. It’s very exciting. Got them last week and they are up. Fine, I have lived in this apartment for a while without having them however; it was time to get them. They are orange. So what have I been up too? Well. Here is a point form excitement of my life:

1) Sick with the unusual allergic reaction that nobody seems to know what it is
2) Had a MRI at 3:15 am. It was horrible. I’m claustrophobic so it really didn’t do well. My teeth hurt after, strange…
3) Spent the day at the Dead Sea with Yannah
4) Spent Shabbat in Tel Aviv at Dave’s place. Shabbat was spent on the beach, it was wonderful.
5) As I am a fan of going to places that we (as Jews) are either celebrating or commemorating, went to the Kotel for Tisha Ba’av. Nothing like reading Aicha while sitting in the ruins. Went with Gogie, Rebecca and Binyamin.
6) Built an Ikea cabinet with Binyamin and Avi. I have to say, it took us FOREVER, but we had fun, so it’s all good.
7) Work work work. Went out to Rehovot a few times to work with the group that is there.
8) Working on my weekly parsha classes for next year. (ooh classes!)
9) Hung out with a batch of sports writers from Canada as they were here to see Israel (and got to be their speaker at dinner… which was at my fave restaurant….)
10) Read Harry Potter. (Thanks Anna!)
11) Saw Harry Potter the movie. (And had a huge popcorn fight post-movie with Shoni and Eynat….)
12) Spent a nice Shabbat with Chaya and Hymie Hymes (seriously, that is their names)
13) Spent time with Gogie doing stuff. I don’t know what we did, but we did lots and we had fun doing it.)
14) Hooked up the TV. I now have 3 channels. I watch lots of useless programming. However, it’s fun. Funny thing, as I am typing this, I am watching the opening of the Hutzot Hayir on TV. It’s happening near the old city. So it’s all live right, so they started showing the fireworks, which I can hear from my apartment. I think it’s funny anyways…
15) I have a tan! It’s true; I am not (as) pasty! I also learned that if you put sour cream on your sunburn, it makes you feel better. True story.
16) Ummm… I don’t know. I am sure that I am forgetting something, or six things, however, this is a post.

On that, have a great day. I will write more soon as I am doing some cool things this week…. Like learning how to shoot a gun, going to the chocolate restaurant, probably the beach again, some more work…

Ok, Law and Order is on TV… Gogie and I are going to watch. It’s even one I have not seen!

Nikki

Dinner: Chicken Breasts stuffed with brown rice and carrots (I even cooked! Ooohhh…)

Tagged

2007-08-06T03:55:00.000+03:00

So, I have been really bad at blogging, but I will try and update in the next few days. Really, I will... until then, since Michelle AND Adiv tagged me. Enjoy these bits and pieces of useless information!

Four jobs that I've had:

1. Chicken Mascot. I was a chicken mascot for a store in Toronto called "CDPlus." For some reason they thought that if they had a chicken in front of the store it would bring in more customers - who knows if it did. I was there for 2 years until I "flew the coop." I was 15 at the time, it was a great job.
2. USY On Wheels Staff. I traveled with 52 Jewish teenagers around the US looking at cool sites and learning about how to be Jewish anywhere. And I mean anywhere. I once did Havdallah (the ceremony that concludes the Jewish Sabbath) in Butte, Montana where there is a 10 Story Virgin Mary over looking the city. Danced in a parade (twice) at disney, saw the grand canyon (4 times) corn palace (4 times) fed a tiger (once, in WA) and did many other cool things. It was a great trip (hence why I did it 4 times...)
3. Hillel Staff. I work for Hillel in Toronto doing lots of cool things. This past year alone I worked on a concert that featured the Idan Raichel Project (whom I love) and also included driving them around. I work on one of the biggest campuses in Canada which is not only challenging, it's really cool.
4. Branksome Hall Tennis Camp. I worked as Off-court staff for a great summer camp that catered to Toronto's rich and famous. Met a lot of kids with famous parents (Eugene Levy was one of them) Really we did everything BUT tennis. Dodge ball, arts and crafts and more. It was cool.

(I chose some random things I'm done to give some readers a different side of my crazy-ness...)

Four films or shows that I can watch repeatedly:

1. Star Wars (4-6...) Nuff said.
2. Bridget Jones Diary (If you know me, you know why)
3. High Fidelity
4. PCU

Four places in which I have lived:

1. Toronto- lived there for 22 years(ish) of my life.
2. Jerusalem, Israel
3. Anytown, USA. After traveling with Wheels, I think that over 4 months of living in random US towns work. Also, all the conventions and things that I went too/staffed in the USA put me into the honary resident. However, I did have status once.. I think. But that's another story.
4. My Mothers Belly. I lived there for 9 months, I think that counts (then again, I still do believe that I was left her by aliens... another story.... ;) )

Four places that I've been on vacation:

1. Mt. Trem Blanc. I went there last year with Dave and Wendy. What a vacation it was! I went dog-sledding. Almost got killed doing it but it was fun.
2. Dead Sea, Israel.
3. NYC. I went there a lot during university to visit friends.
4. California. I spent one summer with my Safta in San Fran working at Camp when I was 13 or so. Really cool place.

(also Moldova, Amsterdam, London, Budapest, Rome, Mexico and more... but that's over 4. Oops.)

Four sites that I visit daily (other than blogs):

1. Facebook. At least it's a shared addiction -- I get a kick out of seeing how many of my friends have also been online in the past five minutes.
2. jpost.com Gotta see whats going on in the world. Even if I hate the writing.
3. my pop3 account to check my work email
4. yahoo to check my other email account

Four of my favorite dishes:

1. Steak. Mmmmm.
2. Shwarma. MMMMM
3. Birthday Cake. The white kind with white icing and flowers.
4. Schnitzel. I just love it. I swear Israel is wearing off on me. There is a shnitzel place here that delivers.... Brilliant!

Four people that I am tagging:

1. Golan
2. Gafna
3. Rebecca
4. um... er...YOU!

Ok, its 4:11 in the morning, I must attempt to sleep now. Lilah tov.

Oh, dinner was a steak wrap. And remember, Meat is Murder... tasty tasty murder :)

"back" to reality

2007-07-20T13:14:00.000+03:00

Hello hello,

Well I am actually trying to update this at least once a week, so we will see what I can come up with.

It’s been an interesting week.

So as some of you know I have a horrible back. Really evil and bad. So since being back I have been put on these super duper heavy back drugs. Now, since being on them I started to get really really itchy – bad itch. So after 2 doctors they decided that I may be allergic to them, so they took me off of them and I am currently on a “drug holiday.” So that being said, the itching has stopped, but the pain is back with a avengence. So until this stuff is out of my system I am back drug free, which we all know sucks a lot. Super sucks actually. So that being said, I was in bed all week with back pain AND itchyness. Hopefully next week I will be back to get onto something that will work and make me less in pain. Fun stuff!

So really I didn’t do that much this week.

However, last Sunday, Rebecca and I went on a mini-holiday. We went to the dead sea for the day, which was great. We floated in the sea, swam in the pool, jumped in the mud, soaked in the sulfer pools and just had a good time. It was nice – the highlight of the week.

This weekend I am going to Tel Aviv (hopefully) with Gogie to spend with my friend Dave that is intown. Should be nice. Hopefully while there I will get to see my cousin and his girlfriend, so that’s nice. Also should be nice to sit on the beach as well. Yay sitting on the beach. Get this pale girl some color.

Oh, one funny thing. So I actually walked over to a friends house (half hunched over, naturally) and while I was there another friend of ours was there with her friend and kid. The little boy is 3, but will be turning 4 over the weekend. So I asked him if he would be turning 4 on Shabbat. He said to me: “No,” but then I said (knowing when his birthday is) ‘but your birthday is on Shabbat” he responds “No it’s not. My birthday is on Shabbes.” I told him that I don’t speak Ashkenaz. He didn’t get it, but I laughed (on the inside….)

Have a Shabbat shalom people.

Nikki

Rachel: not sure what dinner is, I think we are just gonna buy pre-mades.

Yup; it's a post.

2007-07-13T15:54:00.000+03:00

I have been really bad at keeping this thing updated. I thought that when I moved back to Jerusalem I would have lots of time to just sit and write, however, I was totally wrong.

My days are currently consumed with ulpan (intensive Hebrew learning) and writing some educational materials. Now, these educational materials are apart of my new plan for next year at work. The way I see it, if I can succefully create fun and non-intimidating classes about the torah readings every week, I might be able to engage new students at the university that have been distant from any Jewish text learning. So we will see what happens, I hope to have at least 6 weeks completed prior to the semester beginning. 2 down, so really 4 more to go, I am sure I can get further than that, but we will see what happens….

On to other things…

I am in the midst of setting up my room (still) and unpacking (still.) I put a lot of stuff in boxes, bins and bags prior to heading to Toronto for work. It’s amazing what I am finding, it’s funny, because I forgot about a lot of the stuff. I am also getting rid of stuff – trashing it, donating it, giving it away – I need to just stop being such a pack-rat. I’m getting better… slowly…. I have a few things that I need to get for my room still, but I will get there.

It’s really nice being back in the apartment. Gogie and I have dinner together most nights and watch random movies. We have had a few good ones, the ones that suck, I end up just going to sleep. : )

We had a heat wave a few weeks ago. It was killer. It was soooo hot in Jerusalem and it is NEVER hot in Jerusalem like this. Even at night it was really really hot. But thank goodness that has passed….

I am still working with a group that is here. I have a few more sessions to work with them on, it takes FOREVER to get out to Rechovot, but hey you gotta do what you gotta do. I feel like it takes me longer to get there and back then it does for me to teach, it’s funny. I see one of my students every day still as her and I are at the same place for the summer (the conservative yeshiva)

Hmmm… last night we went to see Transformers. Since it was published that there was going to a movie a group of us planned to go and see it together and finally we did. It was a good movie, I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. After we went to the beach for a bar-b-q. We were in Herziliyah (where the city planner should be shot for making such small roads for a big city) so it was nice to go to the beach. The movie theatre was pretty decent for Israel – it reminded me a lot of Yorkdale (a big mall in Toronto.) We had a good time. There must have been 15 min of commercials first. No, not the movie commercials, but actual product commercials. At first it was great, then painful – ah Israel.

Well, this weekend I am staying in Mod’din for Shabbat. It’s been a long time since I have spent a Shabbat here, so it should be nice to spend time with everyone (even though there are a few random coming….) Alas, it will be good. Some how I got out of cooking (maybe because I only decided to come yesterday?) so that’s a bit strange.

This week I am planning to go to the Dead Sea on Sunday with Rebecca, so that should be a good time. Also, I think I will brave Misrad H’Panim (the interior ministry) and go and get my Israeli Passport (finally) it’s a scary place and one needs a lot of patience, willingness to fight and an ipod to service, fortunately, I think I got all of those under control- hopefully. However, being Israeli and having patience is not one of those things that goes hand in hand. Once I get that one, I am really going to need to get my Irish one. Then things will be a lot easier when I go anywhere in the EU- No waiting!

I am here for another 5 weeks. Which sadly I am sure will go by quick, then again, I am certain that being back in Toronto will also go by quick.

I would also like to take a moment to remember Pixel- the family cat that sadly joined the other kitties at the big scratching post in the sky. He was a good cat and will always be remembered as the animal that would attack your toes while you slept, try and hit your head when you went downstairs, bit you if you stopped petting him and would smack you as you walked by him without giving him enough attention. Here’s to you, attack cat.

Hmm… I can’t really think of anything else right now. But that’s all folks.

I will try to write another one next week… really… I promise.

Sabbath Peace be –unto you.

Nikki

Rachel: no clue what dinner will be, not cooking it.

so close....

2007-06-20T12:49:00.000+03:00

OK, my internet use here has been quite limited. That being said, I have not really had a chance to update on this crazy week. CRAZY weeks actually.
The trip ends in 5 days.

At that point, I move back to Jerusalem. There will be a bbq. There will be internet availible to me and I will write more.

Candles and Steak.

2007-06-10T15:44:00.001+03:00

Hello land o’ blog.

Well it’s a work day here in Israel and everyone is working. Even the hippies have jobs now – crazy : )

This past weekend was our “free” weekend. That being said, I naturally left the wonderful land of Rechovot and came in to Jerusalem. It was packed all weekend with parties, dinners, brunch, movies and more. It was great to see a lot of my friends and attempt to get some sleep. I didn’t sleep as much as I wanted too, however, what I got was nice.

Things are going well. There is a little over 2 weeks left of my program – I cannot believe how things flew. However, there is still much to do during our time left. My students are really helping the community and its working out quite well. Where we are living is still in the middle of no-place, but it’s all good.

Hmm… I actually went to the kotel last night (which we all know I never do… too Disney for me) As 1) my boss asked me too, 2) my dad gave me all sorts of charity money that he specifically wanted me to dontate there (this way getting me to go…. As I never do… I’m such a Jerusalem-ite….) I also went out for diner with some friends so that was a lot of fun.

Oooh, and Friday I got to go to the shook! I love the shook, but I really love it on a Friday. I went twice, naturally. I explained to my butcher why he has not seen me all year (as I didn’t want him to think I had found another) and then bought some lovely meat to cook on the bbq. I also set a new record for Shabbat candles. Now, on Fridays (and Thursday nights as well) people hand out Shabbat candles around the city to women so that they can light them on Shabbat. I normally wear pants on these days to get the candles (as the candles sometimes come with fun cards, etc.) Normally, I get one. This week, I got 5! Heheheh. Let all of them think that they saved my soul. (And yes, I did light them… not all 5 packages, but still…) hehehehe. The things that I find fun… I need a life.

Nothing else really exciting. Just good to be here. I am looking forward to moving back into my apartment (and bed) and having a life again, but what will be, will be….

Otherwise I’m exausted and ready for a nap. Right, like I have time for that.

Wishing everyone well out in the world of blog.

Shavoa tov

Nikki

Ps. Rachel- dinner will be steak, I am marinating it now.

lobster girl reporting...

2007-06-05T12:47:00.000+03:00

Hello there world.

So first off, I have to admit that I am not going to use spell check during this whole post - so really...deal with it :) I am on the computer at the community centre near where I am living (aka the middle of no-wheres-ville)

Things have been going well. I am totally exausted though. I am pretty much doing many different things since being here that really leaves me no time to volunteer- which is ironic, as this is a volunteer trip. I am currently working on, logistics, educational, leadership, madrica and any other duties that come my way. This afternoon, I am planning to sit down and coordinate the remainder of the trip (3 weeks - one day) so that will hopefully give me more time to actually volunteer.

Last week was insane. TOTALLY insane. Another group came so there was lots of work to do before they got here. I also took my group to the beach. We were really supposed to start volunteering, but a dead cat and an outbreak of bugs closed the building down so we had to plan other things. We went to the beach, where I burned liike a lobster. Ooops. We went to Palmachaim - a beautiful beach. That thursday night, I trecked into Jerusalem to see my friends Chana and Jackie off- they are moving back to the states. It was nice to see friends, however, there are no busses in to Rechovot early in the morning. That being said, I had to take a cab way to early in the morning for way to much money in roder to meet my group. This past weekend we went away - first to Sfat and then stayed on the kinneret for the weekend. IN Sfat I bumped into a few people and actually bought myself a present. Oooh, presents. We then checked into a WONDERFUL hotel that was right on the shores of the kinneret. It was great. We had a nice dinner together, and just spent time hanging out. I was actually in charge of the education for the weekend, so it really wasnt a vacation. I taught twice on Saturday and it seemed to go over well. I also spent a lot of time in the water which means I added to my current lobsterness. I would liek to say however, that now I am more of a brownish colour instead of flaming red WHOOHOOO!

This week my group finally started volunteering and they all seem to be really enjoying it, so that's good. They are getting a lot out of it and I am happy to see that. The community is really happy as well.

This weekend we have a free weekend, I am not sure exactly what I am going to do, but I am sure that in the end it will be with the boys and wherever they end up (which means, I will be either in Modiin or Jerusalem) or who knows, maybe I will stay in the exciting city of rechovot! Um.. yeah, NO.

Last night we went to go get dinner, me and the other staff from the other trip. it took us:

1 hour to get to town (the bus rarely comes)
1 hour to find a restaraunt that was kosher

We ended up at burgerranch (which is like mcdonalds) I still feel sick. I hate rechovot.

Otherwise things are good, I am really tired and need to take a nap.

Thats about the excitment that is my life right now. Please leave me a post :) It makes me smile.

Nikki

Rachel: I dont know what is for dinner yet, I think I am going to the mall with my students and we will eat ther (as that is where the only restaurants are... stupid city....)

Interent is for wimps.

2007-05-29T06:52:00.000+03:00

Hello Blog land.

I actually don’t have Internet; this is why this is taking me forever to actually write something. The past week and a half has been crazy.

So here is an update:

Amsterdam was great. I actually took a tour and saw most of the sights. I didn’t have time to visit any of the museums, however, I was able to see everything else. I met some people on my tour and ended up spending the afternoon with one of the people from my group (funny enough, a guy named Ahmed from Cairo.) I will try and upload some pictures at some point. I want to go back and see the rest of the city; it’s defiantly a sight. One has to be careful of bicycles, as they are the dominant vehicles on the road there. One of the funniest things I saw was a man riding his bike while rolling something in his hand… Interesting country…. I have some other funny stories, but not for the blog : )

Landed in Israel at 2:30 in the morning. Took a cab to moshes where after a bit of catching up, passed out until 11 am the next morning. A friend of mine came over to visit as well which was really nice. Spent Shabbat with “the gang” at my cousins. My friends Jessica and Yonah added a baby boy to the family, so there was a nice celebration for that.

After a day of running around my group arrived on the Monday. So funny story. Did you know that you cannot take a bus directly from the central bus station in Jerusalem to the airport? Yup, it’s true you can’t. I learned the hard way. I totally missed my stop and had to bus back to where I had to go to take another one. Ooops. It was kind of funny, however, at the time I was concerned that I was going to be late in getting my group. In the end, their flight was delayed, so everything was ok.

We started off in Jerusalem where we stayed in a hotel. It was really bizarre staying in a hotel around the corner form my apartment, however, Gogie came over to keep me company and we watched English TV and used as much air conditioning as possible. While in Jerusalem, my group celebrated Shavuot (I did not stay up all night… I’m too old…) I went to my “old digs” for services where I bumped into something that helped me get to Israel the first time. This man started a fund at our old synagogue to help youth go to Israel. He was so happy to see me in Israel and was so glad to hear that I had made aliyah. It was also nice to see him as I had not seen him in years.

My group ended up observing 2 days of the holiday, so I took advantage of that to come out to the apartment to set up the house. However, there was a total fiasco of me renting a car. First, we got stopped at the entrance of the airport (something about having an Arab-Israeli cab driver) after searching our car, looking at our ID’s (oh, I was with gogie) and attempting to explain to security that we were room mates, not married they sent us on our way. We tried to get the car, but for some reason my Israeli credit card was acting up and wouldn’t let us have it. Not to make our evening a total waste, we went to McDonalds where we dined on burgers (and subsequently were totally sick after)

So no car, I decided to take the bus to rechovot, got lost on the way to my new “villa” which is in the middle of no place. Someone from here rented a car for me and can I tell you how wonderful it was to be driving! I drive like everyone else so it didn’t scare everyone. That made me happy. Anyways, the holiday ended and we moved to rechovot. I drove half of my group and the other half took a cab. My group, I decided we were going to go take the way to modiin as I wanted to show them some of the things that they hear about on campus all the times, the security fence, check points etc. They were amazed at what things really look like (yes, it is totally safe…) so continuing a family tradition, we brought muffins for the soldiers at the checkpoint. My participants really enjoyed doing that, so that was nice.

So, now I am in the middle of no place.

Shabbat was nice. We spent it with the Bnai Akiva kids eating in a bomb shelter with no air circulation. I was the oldest person there. Lol. I am old. Oh well. We stayed with the Hashomer HaTzair volunteers so they were really really nice. Then had lunch again with the Bnai Akiva. We got to meet many people from the community and they are really excited that we are here.

Otherwise things are going well. I am itching to get out of Rechovot, but buses are limited. So it’s strange being home without being home, however, mah’ la’ sot? I get to move back in less than a month AND GET MY ROOM BACK! (Sorry Gogie… hehehe )

Oh, naturally there is a bug infestation in the house. Now where would said infestation be? IN my bathroom in MY ROOM. One of my students was put in charge of getting rid of them. I am not a fan of this type of roach. (It all started because my toilet exploded, but that’s another story) So hopefully they will go away. The room has been sprayed and when we go away this weekend we are going to spray the WHOLE house. Kill ALL THOSE MO’FO’S! TAKE NO PRISONERS! Hehehe.

Alright, I have to meet another one of our Hillel groups tomorrow at the airport…. I am leaving the house at 545.. who’s excited? Um… yeah, about that. However, I will have Internet. Our house doesn’t. So I actually pre-wrote this blog in my Internet free villa and will be posting it while half asleep, drinking my “hafooch” and checking email.

Oh, so next weekend I will be up near the Kinneret (where Jesus walked ;) ) with the group, that should be nice. Also going to Tzfat before hand. That should be nice. However, I will be missing the brit of my friends Nahum and Elishe Binder’s baby boy. Mazal tov!

Please write me. Face book me, email me, leave posts here, I don’t care. Amuse me. I need contact with the outside world. Being in the middle of no place (albeit fun) is hard.

Ok, I am half asleep to begin with, so I need to go to sleep… well soon anyways, my cab will be here at 545.

Lilah tov

Nikki

Oh, and if you are reading this Rachel, dinner was: a turkey breast pita sandwhich, and a carob spread cracker cake thing for dessert. It was good. I like.

ps. I am now at the airport (I wrote the above last night at the internet-less apt...) When I got here, (there plane was delayed... naturally...) there was a guy that had two banners made saying "Yehudit, will you marry me?" (well, it was in Hebrew...) he had baloons, music, the whole deal. So in true fashion, everyone (all the airport workers.... the stores were empty....) waited and cheered him on... she said yes. Oh, and the cab over here, they played the "Shmea" on the radio, my secular driver sang along... only in Israel...

I only have a second....

2007-05-21T10:58:00.000+03:00

Here is a little update for those out there in blog land. I have finally made it to Israel. After 24 hours of travel, I finally got here. On my first flight, I had the horrible luck of sitting in the middle-middle seat. Yes, the seat that no matter what you do you are just going to be uncomfortable. So it sucked. I watched a terrible movie (Babel) got a few hours of sleep. Landed in AMS (Amsterdam) and went on my tour. Now, I was signed up to do a van tour and a canal tour. So I saw all sorts of neat things, windmills, bicycles, people from the Netherlands, wooden shoes and a heck of a lot of sheep. It was a really cute little place. Sadly, I didn’t have time to hit any of the museums, but there is always next time.

I landed in Israel at 230 in the morning (ugh) after retrieving all of my bags, I went to my friends place in Modiin where I got a few hours of sleep. During the day, we went out for bagels, another friend of mine came by and then we went to my cousins for Shabbat.

Now, I am waiting for my group to come from Toronto. I will be with them for 5 weeks. Should be an experience, I will have limited access to email, so I will try to get on here as much as I can. After that I will be moving back into my apartment (YAY!) and will take ulpan. (wheee!)

That’s all folks.

NIkki

Ticketed!

2007-05-10T05:56:00.000+03:00

No no, it wasnt a parking ticket (thank goodness!)

It's an airline ticket.

Next wednesday, I am flyin'! I arrive in Israel really early in the morning on Friday. I even get to add a new country to the list (see below) I'm going to the land of wooden shoes and windmills.

I'm excited. I will be in Israel for about 96 days. YAY. even get to be there for the birthday. SO if you are in Israel on Aug 20, you are invited to a giant party.

That's my excitment right now.

I have my ticket (well, actually it's an e-ticket, so I don't really have it...details.)

I am planning on doing a tour while there so at least I will get to see a lot in a short ammount of time - I'm excited about that. You too can visit a country in 9.5 hours!

Nikki

oooh fun stuff!

2007-05-04T04:30:00.000+03:00

here are some cool things that I saw on a friends blog - I decided to play too!

Here are the countries that i have visted! 15... so far!

create your own visited country map

Places in Europe... (and soon to be more!)

create your personalized map of europe

And US States....

create your own personalized map of the USA
or check out ourCalifornia travel guide

And Canadian Provinces (so sad)... well, I've only been to two. So forget it.

Aint these cool?

So speaking of adding... I am leaving in about 2 weeks for Israel. I will have my flight confirmed tomorrow (hopefully) I am trying to get a new country in too! YAY 8 hour layovers... We'll see what happens :)

Anyways, hope all is well out there in blog land... leave a post.. make me happy :)

Nikki

it's been awhile!

2007-04-30T02:06:00.000+03:00

Wow it's been awhile!

I am not really sure why it has taken me so long to write this, however, finally I am.

So Israel was great! I did all sorts of great things and really got to spend time with people - which was nice. However, because it was a rushed trip, I didn't get to see everyone or do everything that I wanted to do.

Here are some of the highlights:

-Went to Hevron
-Went to Mamunha (that is what the Maroccans do after Passover....)
-Hung out on my friends moshav, went to his neices birthday where I had to use hebrew all day. My brain hurt to say the least. but it was a great time.
-Spent the day at the Spa with Yannah. We're talking, sulfer pools, massages, vats of mud (which I naturally decided it would be more fun to jump into AND THEN fell in) and went into the dea sea (we got yelled at for going out too far....ooops)
-Impromptu jam session in my apartment
-breakfast at the King David Hotel with friends from abroad
-Aliza's first birthday
-taste tests at airports (were not talking soda, they were giving out booze and I sampled as many as possible)
-Even did work! Went out to Kiryat Moshe to check out the site that I will be working at next month

that's about it. It was a great time. I had a lot of fun... I am going back in a few weeks, so that makes everything better. My allergies were insane while I was there but at least when Iget back allergy season will be over...yay.

I am sure I will think of something else later, however, this is just a point form of my vacation.

Right now I am just working on the trip that I am bringing to Israel in a few weeks. Exams have finally finished here so the office has been quiet, however, ther eare still students coming to visit. YAY.

that's about all, pretty boring right now. I will have my flight booked to go back to Israel in a few weeks, so thats a good thing. It's the little things that make me happy :)

Have a good one,

Shavoa tov,

Nikki

It's coming...

2007-04-19T20:50:00.000+03:00

Ok, I have been back for a few days and I promise to put up a blog real soon with an update of my trip.

Stay tuned...

update

2007-04-05T13:00:00.000+03:00

So I have landed in Israel.

My plans for the day have changed.

I learned to always call family as soon as one lands. there is always the odd chance that someone is near the airpot. So I called my cousin who said they were going to Hevron and I should come. So that took no thinking. So here I sit (using the complementary internat that Ben Gurion provides) updating my blog.

Oh, when I got off the plane (I tried to take the chair with me, didn;t work.) I was FIRST at passport control. While getting my bags I bumped into my first-year university hebrew prof, who remembered me after 7 years, so we talked and will be in touch. hehehe. The plane was filled with Israelis that had the same idea I had. The airport is EMPTY.

Oh, while in Toronto yesterday at the airport there, this bus pulls up (actually two) and these well dressed men get off - it was the NHL team the Flyers.

Ok, back to sipping my chafouch! I'll write more tomorrow or later tonight when I get to the apartment.

Modim Lsimcha,
Nikki

I-Pod?

2007-04-05T12:22:00.000+03:00

i-Pod?

I write this blog update on top of the world. Actually, I am about 1 hour outside of Tel Aviv, somewhere in the sky. My flight was spent drinking copious amounts of fresh orange juice, my oh so yummy Kosher for Passover meals, my own personal TV that I could watch whatever I want, oh and my own bed.

Yes, I have a bed. It’s more of a pod. I can recline my chair, turn it into a bed, elevate my feet (oh, I should do that now… please hold.) And the flight attendants really do care about me. Now you say “But Nikki, they don’t have seats like that in economy where you are sitting.” So I say to that, “ Correct, there are not seats like this in economy; only in executive first.” After numerous flights, I got an upgrade. Yes, I am sitting in the fancy section. Ooooh, fancy. I must take this moment to thank my friend that got this whole thing in motion. I will not publish said friends name due to the fact that everyone will ask/beg/plead/sell his or her child for an upgrade. (All I am saying is that my friends girlfriend works for the airline, and they know someone that knows someone and decided to make my day… and for that, I am forever indebted to them and their entire family and the entire chain of command that got me here.) Well, this made my day. I slept on the plane, I sit in my little pod, and anything I ask from any of the flight attendants they will be more than happy to help. Instead of the usual “Can I have some water please?” The answer is not “It’s over there,” “I’ll be with you in a second,” (then they don’t come back for about an hour, and during that time, you have died from dehydration. Or “We are not serving drinks now.” Here it’s “OH, yes Ms. Greenspan.” And in less than 2 minutes I have a cup of perfect temperature water. So I had my own pod- it was My “I-pod.” And let me tell you, it was wonderful. Now, if the seats had a massage option… So when I got on the plane, she looked at my ticket “OH! Ms. Greenspan! Welcome, I am I am incharge of the flight crew. Thank you for flying with us today, if there is anything that I can do, please let me know. I look forward to having you on our flight.”
I never got that in economy. It was “ To the right.” Or “To the left” (that was if they chose to talk to me at all.)

So other observations from the 4th row. There are two bathrooms and they are always clean and don’t smell like yucky airplane bathroom. Every once in awhile one of the pilots comes out, and takes a nap (well, when it’s their turn to nap) and sits with us up here. It’s very surreal. Oh, they keep bringing hot towels. And it’s wonderful. I cannot say enough wonderful things. OH, they also gave me fresh fruit. They are too accommodating. In fact, I swear this is not the normal airline that I have flown in the past. They are just too helpful and want to make my flight as enjoyable as possible. (this is also the Toronto crew.. not the montreal crew….)

(Looking out the window, we are flying over some islands….)

(I look so appropreate in my I-pod, with my MacBook… I look like I belong.)

Oh, and for those of you that know that I have a airline blanket collection, I must say that I have no inclination to steal the one from here . It’s actually a duvet. It’s way to warm. HA HA HA. (Also, I don’t have a backpack… and really, we don’t steal from executive first.) They also gave me a little toiletre bag. It contains:

Eye mask
Ear plugs
Socks
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Various creams and sprays for every part of my body.
The best lip gloss EVER.

I AM taking this with me. It doesn’t count as stealing, it’s a gift, so I am taking it.

They also have a never-ending supply of kosher wine for me.

What else?

I don’t know. I get off the plane first, so that’s exciting. My luggage has a priority sticker, and having Israeli citizenship I get to go through the fast lane. What a day.

So my tentative itinerary is:

Land
Get into sherut (a shared taxi) that will take me about 2 hours to get home
Get into apartment
Play with Mister Moe.
Hang out with Gogie (if he is back from Haifa)
Go to the shook. Visit the cheese guy (the pesto parmesan spread is AMAZING.) get some matzo, go back to the apartment and pass out. Or wander around the neighborhood. We’ll see. I’ve got time. My friend Jo thinks we are going out tonight when she finishes work at 1 am. HA!

This is a great way to start off my 12-day mini-adventure; I look forward to the rest of it.

I’m almost there!!!!! We are over the Mediterranean; the next bit of land I will see will be the shores of Tel Aviv. What a day!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I must say this has been quite a flight. I seem to always have these adventures (my first flight ever when I was 13, I was flying alone, some how I ended up landing in the cockpit… now that was also a really really cool experience… the whole airplane thought I was deaf, but that is a totally different story.)

I am rambing. I am going to ask the nice lady to take a picture for me so I have proof that this all happened and it wasn’t a case of me dreaming.

Talk to you in Israel,

Ms. Greenspan, the kosher meal in seat 04A.
(ha ha ha!)

Sick,

2007-03-30T03:55:00.000+03:00

I'm sick.

I have a bit of a fever.

Ugh.

I look forward to sleeping.

Just when will that be?

Sicky Nikki

YAY

2007-03-29T02:45:00.000+02:00

So, I love protexia.

That's right I do. I was able to get my non-Israeli-passport but it is an israeli passport renewed in less time that ever thought possible. It was called in yesterday (which you sooooo can't do) I arrived today and thanks to knowing a lot of people in the consulate, i didn't have to wait in line when they let everyone in at 9:30. I was out of the consulate by 9:33. Yup, renewed in 3 min. Take that Misrad Ha'Panim.

Today we had an event called "pudding for peace: pudding Darfur first." It was a pudding eating contest to raise awareness (and raise money for Doctors without Borders) about Darfur. It was a great event, and we raised over $200 for the cause. I also got chocolate pudding up my nose.

"So what did you do at work?"
"I participated in a chocolate pudding contest."

What a day :)

YAY

2007-03-28T06:35:00.000+02:00

YAY!

Ian is in town. YAY. He just got here tonight. This is actually the first time that Ian and I have been in Toronto at the same time (more so, same time and good friends) so I am sure that we will go to Canadian tire (eh?) and get some double-doubles and timmy's.

:)

Tomorrow I am going to the Israeli Consulate, have to get some papers extended. Woohoo.

It's the little things that are exciting. I hope that it wont take me 6 hours there.... well, a girl can hope anyways...

Lilah tov

Nikki

Blah

2007-03-27T01:58:00.000+02:00

It was a very very long day.

Blah blah blah.

Thank goodness it's almost over.

((10 days until Israel....) Not like I am counting....

Helllooo

2007-03-23T05:47:00.000+02:00

Hi there all in the world of blog.

So my friends were in town, which was great. We did some really fun stuff. It was like we didn't skip a beat between Israel and now. It was a really fun weekend. I also rode a Segway. Those are fun, I need one. It would make travelling Jerusalem sooo much more fun!

Hmm.. what else?

Work is insane. School is winding down. Elections happening. UGH. I don't remember JSF elections being this insane during my megalomaniac phase.

I will be in Israel 2 weeks from today. I cannot express how important that trip is going to be for my sanity. Its been a crazy past 2 weeks. I need a break.

THat's about it. I'm exausted, I'm worn out.

Dinner was a steak wrap; and it was good.
Mmmm.

Lilah tov.

Just like Santa, I am coming to town.

2007-03-18T07:24:00.001+02:00

Hi all in blog land. So, I am coming to Israel for a visit. I land on April 4th, and leave on the 16th. However, I will be back in May staffing a trip for a month.

Things are going alright.

I would like to say that I have noticed something about Toronto. More so, Hockey. So I went to another Leafs game this week. I was watching how the Leafs play, but more so, the fans.

As many of you know, Hockey in canada is a religious thing. It doesnt matter how poorly your team is playing - people here will kill eachother for tickets. So, I've decided that the Leafs have some interesting similarities with a little place on the other side of the ocean.

First off, the leafs colours are Blue and White.
Look at the logo, blue bands, with the leafs logo in the centre.
The won the cup in '48, and '67.
People support it and will do anyting the can to go and see a "game."

Hmm... think about it.

I also went curling this week. I do have to say that it was super fun. I may have a new favourite sport to play - not kidding. I went wth work, so it was great. Love the fact that part of my job is to do fun things.

Friends from Israel

My friends Shoni and Eynat got stuck in Toronto for a few days (YAY!) So they spent shabbat here with me, which was great. Naomi came for dinner. We had a really nice shabbat. Really low key - which is always a great thing. Shoni even shared with me something that Shimon made in Israel.... :) Its been great having them here. They are hopefully getting to vegas until Monday, so until then, I got them here. YAY. Ian is coming in a few weeks, so soon I'll have the whole crew. it's funny when I go to Israel, they wont be there, so It's good that I am getting to see everyone now. (well minus moshe)

Hmm... that's else. Nothing else that I feel is blog-worthy.

Leave a post, make me feel special.

Just like Santa, I am coming to town.

2007-03-18T07:24:00.000+02:00

I wrote this Friday....

2007-03-04T16:59:00.001+02:00

What a week.

So in my last entry I was on my way to Florida. Now I had a connection flight in Cincinnati and from there was flying to Ft. Lauderdale. So, we finally leave Toronto (delayed…naturally…) Now I must mention that my seat was 13A. Indecently, this plane only had 13 rows. I was in the last row, back corner. It was such a small area to be stuck in that even a munchkin would have been uncomfortable. So we finally make it to Cincy where I find out that my flight has been delayed. But don’t worry I am told, I will be put up in a hotel and given a meal voucher courtesy of delta (ooohhh) I end up getting a suite (well, it was a suite hotel) free internet and a king size bed. Now, I actually was in Kentucky, Hebron Kentucky to be exact. That part I thought was funny. I would like to say that $7 meal voucher got me far…. right. The next morning (at 9) I got on a plane and finally got to Florida. All in all, it took me 22 hours to get from door to door. I could have driven there faster. Oh well.

Florida was nice (once I got there) even did some good shopping. I must say though, the airport in cincy is quite nice.

Um…err…what else?

It snowed here yesterday (thusday). I mean SNOOOWWWEEED. Getting back from my office to the house tool 1.45 hours. Which is insane, as it should only take 12 on a slow day. Now all the snow is melting.

That’s about it right now. I can’t think of anything else to write. I’m also just not feeling like writing right now. So hey, it’s better than nothing!

Stay warm,

Nikki

YYZ to FLL

2007-02-23T05:03:00.000+02:00

I am sitting in the airport writing this. I am on my way to Florida to visit boba; however, naturally it’s going to be some sort of adventure.

So I go through US customs and normally, I get stopped heckled and they drive me insane. Today, the guy asked me what I do. So I told him where I worked and explained that I work with university students, he called me an over-achiever. He wanted to know if during the time I was in Florida if I was going to eat sweet molasses cookies with my grandmother – the guy tried to have a sense of humor. Ok, fine. It actually didn’t take me an hour to go through customs, just 5 min. Impressive. So after that, I go through the joke of security. Let’s be honest. If you’ve flown through Ben Guirion Airport (or TLV for the airport code literate) you know that anywhere else is a joke; a laughing joke. So here we have people who are clearly trained in security (HA!) doing security. I get to the thing, put everything on and walk through. I beep. They tell me to take off my shoes. Excuse me?!?! The floor is gross (it has been snowing), it’s hard to take off boots and you want me to take them off. Fine, I take them off put them on their belt and go through, So that makes them happy. Now, I want to put my boots on. You think that there is room? Nope. The lady in front of me, wearing her fancy shmancy boots was also having trouble. We suggested to them that they should have benches available if they expect people to take their shoes off. They reply, “Oh, there is a chair.” Now, this chair (circa 1948) is being blocked by the “beeping machine.” So we laugh at that, walk through the dirty floor and find an area to put our shoes back on (there is also a back-log of people as we have to put out lap-tops back into the bags, collect our belongs and shoes) It’s funny. As I re-read what I am writing I notice I have turned into one of THOSE people. Ha ha ha. Oh well. I guess I am an overachieving, terror suspect that has a laptop. Oh the joys of travel to the USA!

So after I get through, I decide to go to the store and stock up on reading material. I look at the book selection. Oddly enough I had read most of them. This means one of a few things:

1) I am an overachiever like the nice man said at customs
2) I am a dork that reads too much
3) They don’t have a huge selection because who actually buys a book?
4) People read?

So I bought a few magazines.

So now I sit in the bar, having my (spice) bloody (two shots) Mary. Why the hello not. There is even a nice man that walks around and serves them. The ladies next to me told me that I was American because I didn’t drink a Caesar, I didn’t want to have to explain kosher and shell-fish laws.

So now I drink. He actually made it spicy (YAY!) and thank goodness for the 2 shots in there, Shimon isn’t around and well yeah. : ) The ladies beside me have shitzus (The same ones that laughed at my drink) there are two of them. She’s feeding them cookies. Glad I’m not on that flight… I hope.

I’m sure that there will be a story on my flight from here to Cincinnati (home of Gogie, Moshe, Buckeyes and WKRP) and then again on the flight from there to Florida. This is me we are talking about. There is always something to laugh at.

I’m laughing. But then again, it could be the Mary.

Nikki

(So the truth is, I am actyally stuck in Kentucky right now.... but I will write more about that later...)

a post! yay! Musshhh!

2007-02-13T20:38:00.000+02:00

Could it be? A post? Well yes, it is.

Ok fine. So I took a bit of a hiatus from writing; mainly because I had been sick or just too tired to write. So here it goes, summing up the past month.

Birthright

So I staffed birthright. Let me tell you; they were great. AMAZING. I was a bit apprehensive at first, there are normally the handful of participants that drive you up the wall and make you go batty, right? Wrong. Not on this group. Sure, some people had their schtick, but really they were great. After being to the same place many times it looses feeling –but seeing places through fresh eyes was pretty amazing. We had ag reat time, got rained out, flooded, snowball fights and general good times were had by all. There isn’t really too much to elabourate on other than it was a great time. I really hope that people will come back to Israel and visit and left Israel embracing their country and religion more.

IN Israel it was really nice spending time with people. I had a great time, just hanging out and paying the government crazy amounts of money.

OK, so the month is over between when I got back from Israel and now. So here is a brief synopsis.

1) My friends got married: Mazal tov to Chayah and Hymie – great wedding.
2) My cousin Shimon created the ultimate tree.
3) I had a great time in Jerusalem and Moddin seeing friends, doing work and just being back in Israel.
4) I took a long flight back to Canada where I was sick. And my ears killed the whole time, I coukd not see the movie screen and I generally just don’t like air Canada anymore. (did I ever really like it anyways?)
5) Snow is cold. Very very very cold.
6) Work is good.

Vacation

So I am writing this from Mt. Tremblant in Quebec. Yes, I know I don’t ski, but it has given me some great downtime. I am here with some good friends of mine. Yesterday I just hung out, today we went dogsledding (it was amazing, I will post pictures later in a week) tomorrow, who knows. We’re just having a great time.

Anyways I will try and be better about posting…. I’ll work on it.

Leave some posts, miss ya!

A month

2007-01-30T05:43:00.000+02:00

So its been a long time since my last blog post. I'm kinda on strike. Only because I don't know if anyone (other than you Dad) is reading this. So, leave a post, let me know you exist. Until then, I would like to share with you a jpost article from today.

My good friends recently were made official in Jerusalem. YAY Avi and Binyamin.

Here is the article:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1167467842994&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

So, if you are really reading, let me know.

Until then... later gaters. :)

BTW GO BEARS. :) Da Bears.

sitting in mods...

2006-12-31T13:08:00.000+02:00

Well, I am in Israel. BirthRight was great, and I am exhausted. More on that later, too tired to function.

See you on the flipside,

Nikki

Toronto's Kosher

2006-12-11T04:26:00.000+02:00

No, I am not writing a rant on the fact that there is no broccoli in any of the kosher establishments in this crazy city- that I will save for another day...

So, last night I went out for dinner with my friends Jon and Rina Parker. We went to Marky's because; well it's Toronto and what else is there to do?

So we went there also because I didn’t want to go to Tov Li- as the last time I was there I found a hair in my falafel ball (ugh.) At Marky's Rina and I ordered our usual - her a salami and eggs breakfast special and me a steak and eggs special. Once we get our food, we were eating and enjoying conversation when I found a hair in my eggs. Yes, a hair. I tried going to another restaurant to get away from hair in my food and yet I still did. Anyways, Marky's happily made me a new steak and eggs and all was well (yes, it was hair free.)

Hmm.. What else?

So I leave for Israel next week, so that’s kind of crazy. Oh the wedding. SO my friends WERE going to get married in Miami - but they changed the wedding to Jerusalem, that's how I get to go (people asked, so I answer...)

That's about all. I’m still busy, and still have not seen some of my friends yet here in Toronto (it's been four months!) it's a bit crazy but I hope to see everyone before I flee the city yet again.

That's all for now. But I posted. Yes Rina and Jon, I did write about Marky's....

Shavoa tov - have a good week

Leave a post, they do make me happy.

Nikki
Rachel: Dinner was a pastrami sandwich. Mmmmm...

what a month!

2006-12-05T05:30:00.000+02:00

November has been a crazy month.

And by crazy, I mean insane. By far the most insane and busy month I have had here working. Let’s re-cap a bit.

YACHAD: We care together
With the Idan Raichel Project

So as many of you know, I was working quite hard on a project for a few weeks. With the rise of Anti-Israel events on campus, it was time for the community to step up and provide an event for its students that would re-enforce the commitment to the state of Israel and the community that supports it. So, in the matter of a few weeks we threw together an evening of solidarity. Student Acapella groups, the Consular General, Student leaders and the Idan Raichel Project all lent their support.

This whole evening caused a lot of sleepless nights, working until 3 am, phone cards, drives downtown and more. However, it was worth it. It was a great night. At one point, I realized that I had driven most of the idan raichel project in my car. They were a great group of people – I had Israeli superstars in the car! I drove them around (not one of them questioned my “Israeli-style” driving!) and they were great. Made some great friends out of it and hope to see them when I get to Israel in a few weeks. Anyways, it was a great night, our students seemed to really enjoy it and have a great time. I didn’t get to enjoy the concert so much, but I was able to learn how to do something this large scale. I worked with a great team and without them this wouldn’t have happened.

The many hours of planning, hundreds of emails, numerous meetings and late night panics were all worth it. It was an amazing evening. I’m glad it happened and I am glad that I was apart of it.

Mini-Israel Fest

With the concert starting us off, the rest of the week turned into a mini Israel fest. With shesh-besh tournaments, falafel lunches and more the week was packed with Israel programming. We ended with a Shabbat dinner that was for all campuses. Over 175 students came and enjoyed a great dinner. David Kilmnick, the guy form the Aliyah monologues and off the wall comedy in Israel, was our guest. Honestly, I cracked up It was funny. As he is a professional comedian you expect to laugh, and I did. Another new friend that I added to the Israel roster. David also performed at Yuk Yuk’s the following night. It was a lot of fun; our mutual friend Geremy came in for it, so that was great. It was a great weekend and some new friends were made.

Snow

It’s snowing right now. I actually drove in it. I have not driven in snow in a long time. We’re talking 3 years? I drove like an Israeli in snow. With only a little on the ground I was driving way under the speed limit, and overly cautious. I used to laugh in Jerusalem at the way people reacted, and I was the same way. I hate the snow. I’m not even going to drive to work tomorrow. Ok, that arrangement was made before it started snowing, but not the point… : )

Israel

So I will be there in 16 days. I cannot wait. I will be there for 3 weeks or so. It will be great to see everyone – hopefully everything will fit back into place and it will be a great few weeks.

Before I get to have a “vacation” in Israel, I will be staffing a birthright group. I have been sorting through files, reading as much as I can and getting to know each participant (even before I’ve met them!) It’s like wheels all over again. Should be a great time. If you are going to be in Israel during that time, let me know. I’m looking forward to it. Also while I am there I get to go to a good friends wedding, so I am really excited about that.

Things I can now check off the list:

Remember I said that I had that list of things I needed to do in Toronto? Well I was able to cross some things off.

1) Second City
2) Yuk Yuks
3) Raptors Game
4) Put on a large scale event
5) Eat chicken in the car in a parking lot

That’s all I can think of now. I need to sleep. Tomorrow night some friends from work and I will be going to see the James Bond movie. Should be a good time, I am looking forward to it.

That’s about it folks.

Leave a comment, bring me some excitement.

Nikki

Ps. Rachel, I had a steak and some roasted veggies. Mmmmm.

Catch Nikki "On-Tour"

2006-12-01T02:13:00.000+02:00

HI everyone

I finally have my dates confirmed for Israel.

Dec 10-31 staffing birthright israel (will be all over the country...)
Dec 31-Jan 16 will be a wondering Jew. Will try to get all over the country to vist people and groups (as well as attend my friends Chaya and Hymies wedding!)

See you in Israel!

a new post coming...

2006-11-29T21:23:00.000+02:00

A new post will be coming soon...

wait for it...waiiiiit for it....

(Coming to Israel soon!!!!!!)

More photos!

2006-11-21T21:35:00.000+02:00

Ori (Band Manager) Me, Idan, Roni, Rebecca, Dafna, Cabra (The Hillel Israel team at it again!)

Beeeeeer!

The two people I spend a lot of time with- Mike and MInh, friends since high school and still going strong.

More of the hillel crew: Dafna, David, Orly, Me and Rebecca

The Yachad: We Care together co-chairs (Missing Michal though :( ) Hagai, Arielle, Me, Idan and Aaron.

So those were a few photos of thigns that have gone on. I have a lot of stories, I am just so tired right now that if I was anymore tired, well, I dont know what I would do. But that is not the point. I am sleepy. I will write more soon. Until then, enjoy the pics.

random photos

2006-11-21T20:43:00.000+02:00

This was taken back in August. L-R: Dafna Regev, Me, Ambassador Alan Baker, Rebecca Woodsbaum -- The Hillel Israel team!

Back in September.. Me, Ivri Leder, his friend Oren.

We saw Ivri three nights in a row at film festival parties - he thought we were stalking him...

Me and some friends at a Comic Con. :)

hehehe

At the Hillel Arts and Culture Retreat. Good times. Good times.

an evening with idan raichel...

2006-11-19T18:27:00.000+02:00

So the concert is over.

We sold all but 90 tickets.

i have some funny stories, but I will post them this week.

The project is still here - we have another hting tonight.

Ill write more in a few days when I can process everything.

Im going to shower...

:)

Yachad Event, THIS SATURDAY NIGHT

2006-11-16T01:50:00.000+02:00

If you are in Toronto. Come to this event.

This is my big project.

COME! It's going to be amazing...

another post!

2006-11-14T01:58:00.000+02:00

Helllllooo Blog world.

I’m exhausted; I am tired; I need to sleep.

The concert is only in a matter of days and I hope that everything gets pulled off. Ticket sales are slow - but if I was a student, why buy tickets early? Buy a few days before... Or so I am hoping...

In the end, I am sure that it will be great, however, I need it to be GREAT!

Things on campus keep getting more and more heated. There is constant anti-Israel graffiti, today our organization made it on the wall to- we have been labeled as a racist organization. Right. So far from the truth. There is a very large rally on Thursday - I am not going to lie, I am concerned about the safety of my students. I really hope that its just words and not fists, but with the way that things are going, who knows... sigh...

On a brighter note, I am going to the ballet tomorrow, so that should be nice. Seeing the Sleeping beauty. So I am excited for that. :) I have not been to the ballet in many years, so I am really looking forward to that, it will be a nice evening. Finding parking though, is going to suck.

Other than that... I leave for Israel in 6 weeks... I'm excited. Now have to figure out how long I can extend for AND pull off going to Hymie and Chaya's wedding in Fl. I can do this. :)

All right people leave a message, amuse me. I NEED IT.

Thanks Ya'll for listening (or reading)

nikki
Dinner: not sure, still at work.

:(

2006-11-08T01:08:00.000+02:00

No comments?

That makes me sad.

Sooo stressed. So much work todo before this concert. Who knew that coordinating a 1100 people + event could be so crazy? ;) In the end it will be all worth it.

Leave me a message.

BTW: So I was at an event for Holocaust and Genocide awarness week, and the talk was on Genocide. One student that was there (that is a member of an organization that really doesnt like Israel or think that it should exist...) was complaining about a woman named Miriam Goldstein. She kept going on and on about this Miriam Goldstein on how she murdered Palestinians etc. Finally the speaker said, Who is Miriam Goldstein, I have never heard of her! The girl said: The Prime Minister of Israel. Silence. To which the crowed said "You mean Golda Meir." It was kinda funny, made me chuckle. They always complain that we get things wrong...

I needed to share that. For no other reason then it made me semi-amused.

leave me a message, I need it!

Leaves of many differnt colours.

2006-11-02T06:53:00.000+02:00

Hello World.

Over the past few years, I have looked forward to walking along Rehov Katamon in Jerusalem during the fall. There are two trees that lose their leaves. When the leaves are on the ground, one can walk on them and make that crunch. Those that have experienced fall know what I am talking about. During that time, those few leaves made me laugh and miss the fall colours, now I am surrounded by those leaves and colours and all I want is to be inside a heated building.

The trees are changing, the leaves are falling, and it’s way too cold. Many things have gone on over the time since I last wrote. As you can see, I have been so busy that I cannot even sit down and write. Infact, I should be still doing work (its 11:30 pm) but I needed to take a break for a second and actually write something.

YACHAD: WE CARE TOGETHER EVENING

This is my big project right now. Along with some students we are putting together an amazing event. The evening will start off with a drummers circle, the student acapella groups, an address by the Consular General of Israel for Toronto, some Israel videos and then a full concert by the Idan Raichel Project. Yup, that’s right, the Idan Raichel project. This is going to be an amazing evening. With the rise of anti-Israel propaganda on campus and within the community we felt it was time to do something for the community to stand with Israel This is going to be an amazing event. If you are going to be around, the event is going to be November 18th, doors at 9. Tickets available at Hillel or at www.ticketmaster.ca Im excited. Its going to be a lot more work, but bring it on.

MY LIST

So there are a few things that I have to do while in Toronto. Some of these are stereotypical Canadian things and other are silly nikki things. A few examples

1) Sporting events. See as much sports as possible. Already been to a baseketball game (Toronto Raptors vs Macabbi Tel Aviv) and a Baseball game (Toronto vs. Yanks… I hate the Yankees….)
2) The tragically Hip. Those of you who know me, know that the Hip are one of my all time favourite bands. So I had to see them in Concert. I saw them last week. WOO HOO. I am going again in Feb.
3) Curling. Never been, I think it will be cool
4) CN Tower. I have not been up the tower in at least 8 years, I am ready to do it again.
5) Drive the length of Yonge street in Toronto. From the waterfront until it ends
6) Build a snowman

Those are just a few of the silly things. Ill get to them…slowly…

This winter with birthright

So I was not eligible to go on birthright as a participant, but CIE & Hillel feel that I am eligible to be a staff member. So next month I will be returning to Israel for birthright. My bus leaves Toronto on Dec 20th and the trip ends on the 31st. I am going to try to stay an extra week to see people, deal with the government and take a bit of a vacation (oh and sit and watch BSG with the crew… and maybe a BBQ… and maybe, well who knows, the point is, I will be going to Israel and I am really excited. I hope that you will come visit my bus (if you are in Israel) and say hello : )

MY AOL BUDDY LIST

My buddy list was deleted. All the names. Gone. Please IM me with your screen name. I need to rebuild the list (of 187 names…)

This weekend I am going on a Hillel retreat, that should be fun, however, I need the sleep! SLEEP! Oh well.

That’s it for now. I have to finish some work before I crawl into bed.

Night!

Be in touch!

Nikki

Ps. Rachel Dinner was steak. Mmmm.

Could it be? A post?

2006-10-15T23:53:00.000+02:00

I cannot believe that 2 months have passed since I got here. It’s pretty insane. I am not sure where the time has gone or exactly everything I have done or accomplished, but I know that I have slept little, planned lots and been surprised as to what I have seen.

Campus:

The university campus has changed a bit since I graduated it. There is still the anti-Israel and anti- Jewish sentiment, however, it is worse. Students have become numb to the negativity and those who haven’t have gained a sense of…well, I am not sure. Being a professional on campus is challenging. There is finding the ability to balance what the needs of the organization and students are and finding away to make everyone happy. I am not going to lie, it’s a challenge. However, slowly slowly, things are making progress. My job is not simply to plan Israel programs, my job has begun to include: Life counseling (Should someone go to Israel after university? Where should someone go to grad school? Should they make Aliyah) going to the main area of campus to work with students when an “Israel Apartheid wall” is built. (And by working, I also mean talking with the students that well… yes… hate Israel. It’s been fun. Let me tell you.) Id be happy to talk about this more, but via email. there is only so much that I want to publish online...

I’ve been learning a lot since being here, and I know that there are many more things to learn. I am working with a great group of people; our student board is quite committed and it’s been great getting to know them. I have a lot of programs coming up. I recently started a book club (Michelle, I know you are laughing here… ironic isn’t it?) so that should be good. Once I figure out what books are on tap, I will post them.

Birthright:

I have been accepted to be a madricha (staff member) for birthright (the free-trip to Israel program) so I will be coming to Israel sometime from December- February. I should know in a few weeks as to when the trip date is; I will let everyone know. So that’s a good thing.

Snow:

I have not seen snow in over a year. In fact, I can count (and date) each time I have seen snow in the past 3 years. This week I saw it twice. Gross. Gross. Gross. I hate snow. I hate it. Canada is evil that it has snow this early. Snow should be banned. I am starting a petition. I just don’t know who to send the completed petition too. Oh well.

Time:

I have none. Zip. Zilch. I am soooo busy that it’s insane.

Future stuff:

I am planning a whole batch of programs. Some on a huge insane scale and others smaller. I will see what else ends up on my list of things to do for the year. Once I have things finalized, I will add more – and this one thing I am working on is BIG…BIG BIG BIG. : )

My brain hurts.

That’s about all I can think of.

At least I wrote something. It’s taken me awhile. Its crazy. But finally, I am writing something.

Anyway, I hope all is well. Send me an update

Shavoa tov,

Nikki

Stay tuned...

2006-10-10T07:01:00.000+02:00

It;s coming this week...a real post...

so siicck

2006-09-26T05:26:00.000+03:00

SO I was planning on writing a post; then I went to the doctor, then i found out i was really sick.. Infact, I spend all of Rosh Hashana (the Jewish New year) in bed... yeah, it sucks ok, so enough of me trying to make excuses for not writing a post.

here is a little bit of useless information for you.

>> What is the average number of toilet tissue sheets a person uses in one day? <<

So what do you think?? I'd turn this into a poll, but nah why keep you in suspence?

On average, consumers use 8.6 sheets per trip - a total of 57 sheets per day. That's an annual total of 20,805 sheets. (Charmin)

Once i get my brain back, ill try to write something.

Shana tova

Nikki

No time; No Life

2006-09-22T05:21:00.000+03:00

I really do have a lot to write - I swear. Its been an insane month and I cannot really begin to tell you all the bizaare things that have gone on during the past month. Naturally, I am way too tired (and in truth, on my way out the door) to actually write something.

I do plan on trying to write something tomorrow; so let's hope.

I can say this, many strange things have happend. It's cold, I'm tired, I work way to much and I really need a nap. Oh, I am also sick. *sigh*

However, I will write more...soon.

Shana tova,

Nikki

Rachel: Dinner was steak. Mmmmm.

help

2006-09-06T02:33:00.000+03:00

So I am in the middle of planning programs with my hillel board members.

Any suggestions for programs on campus? I am looking for Israel programming.

Any thoughts?

:)

Other than that. I am sooo cold. I am freezing. It is soo cold.I am going to freeze this winter. I hate snow.:( oh well.

Thanks

Nikki

today's website: www.canadiantire.ca <--- this is one of the sites that Ian and I always joke about. It's a great store and they have everything. You can even get "canadian tire money" which people have tried to pass of as real canadian dollars in random countries around the world...anyways. That's the Toronto site of the day.

I am such a dork

2006-09-04T06:04:00.000+03:00

Today I became an official geek. Yes, thats right. I am a geek. I went to a comic book convention. It's true, I did. I went with my friend Minh. In truth, my main reason was to go meet James Callis of Battlestar Galactica (more on that later.) So we got to the convention (which was going on all weekend) and I couldnt stop laughing. There were people dressed up, people not dressed up, people that I was convinced were serial killers and other people that were there to ooh and ahh at the attractions.

So, we get there, Here are the people that I saw today:

-Carrie Fischer. Yes, I saw Princess Leah. She does not look like the Leah we all know and love. After seeing her, I felt like the kid that finds out there is no Santa. Sigh.
-Mini Me (Verne Troyer) he is soo tiny. Didnt get an autograph, costs money, no thanks.
-Gates McFadden (she was the doc on ST:TNG) She also wore big sunglasses the whole time."No flash photography."Sheesh
-Robert Picardo (Doc on ST: Voyager)
-Jeffery Combs (Enterprise, Babylon etc.)
-Juliet Landau (She was on Buffy ... oh, and strange)
-Moreba Baccarin (Serenity, Firefly)
-Paul McGillon (sargate)

-WILLAM SHATNER (He was wearing a hot pink shirt...I kid you not)
-Leonard Nemoy (He well, looks the same, minus the ears and black hair...)

And ofcourse.

James Callis.

Now who is this James? Well.He is in BSG (He was also in both bridget jones movies). So I went and signed up to get my photo taken with him (let's not discuss the cost, Im embarresed) So I went to go get my photo. So I line up (with some odd people I might add....I really didnt fit in...at all...) and I am waiting in a special line in a special room. Then Shatner and Nemoy walk by (you could only see them if you paid hundreds of dollars...I kid you not) So I see them (take that comicom! I saw them and I didnt pay!) SO back to james. James plays President Gaius Baltar on BSG. I've spent a lot of time watching BSG thanks to the "crew" back in Israel. Infact, we've all become sort of the BSG jerusalem fan club (and Modiin and Keysalon too) So anyways, I line up. It's my turn. I shake his hand, and I say to him "My friends in Israelare going to be so jealous:" He then says "shalom" I laugh. He then says "Ma Ya'nim" (How are you) I say " Lama Ata Yodah Ivrit" (How come you know hebrew) He says " Why do you think?" Yes. Thats right. JAMES CALLIS IS PART OF THE TRIBE! We talk a bit more, take our picture, talk a little mmore in hebrew, have a few good laughs and I am sent on my way.

Now, after allthis, I just HAD To go to the Q&A with him. (If you watch BSG there will be a spoiler here...I AM WARNING YOU!)

---BSG SPOILERS BEGIN----

So here is what we find out:

1) The season will be 10 episodes, breakm, 10 more episodes
2) Gaius grows his hair long and gets a beard
3) He really has no friends
4) During season 3, there are flash backs to the year that we "missed" (remember how in the last episode they just get to New Caprica, we miss that whole year. Well they flash back.
5) gaius gets abducted. And it's not by who we'd think it would be. (He let that slip...)
6) BSG really is a social commentary on politics and everyday life. It is there to make us question our feelings and thoughts on relgion (blah blah blah) However, James did say "I am not saying that I am President Bush. Please. I am so much better looking." (hehehehe)
7) He would't say how many more cylons we see
8) Baltar and the cylon that is lucy lawless have a "thing"
9) He's married with 2 kids.
10) Lee Adama gets fat and that makes him (James Callis) happy.
11) there were some really funny shots with him and "6" but I am just too tired to write them.

That;s all I can think of.

---BSG SPOILERS END----

But I would just like to say, it was a fun day. I took pictures with storm troopers, darth, boba fet, James Callis (all of which I will put online at some point) I am proud to say that there are much more dorkyer people in this world than I am (and that offers me some solice) but I am a dork. I'm ok with that. I had fun.

Oh yeah, Minh and I decided that we did dress up today: We went as Cylons, we just wernt activated yet. hehehe.

Alright, it was a fun day,

Im such a cooldork. HAHAHAHA

ALSO...

MAZAL TOV TO:

MICHELLE AND ADAM

they got married today! YAY! (You can find their blogs listed ----> )

Happy Long Weekend

Nikki

Ps. Toronto Thing of the day

The tragically hip. If you dont know them; are we still friends? www.thehip.com I've lost count how many times I have seen them in concert!!!

pps. How cool is the counter?

toronto

2006-09-03T08:24:00.000+03:00

Fine, I know I suck and that I need to write a real post. I am trying. I swear. I'm going to try before the weekend is over to do it.

ps.

My new addition will be the "nice thing about toronto" "ps line". this is where I will try to educate my friends that are reading this about toronto. (because most of them are american and stupid about such things... I mean, um...er...) todays ps is:

ps. a nice thing about toronto is tim hortons. www.timhortons.ca

im soo tired

2006-08-26T00:35:00.000+03:00

I am so tiredthat I cannot even function.

I don't have time to write a fullpost - but Iwill.

Someone who selected their identity as "anon" posted: " You won't come back" they were talking about comingback to Israel.

1st off: If you are so inclined to make such a statement,write your name dont be a coward. (And I am pretty sure I know who it is.Moron.)
2nd I will be coming back.
3 it pisses me off when people say that - I know who I am and where I belong.

sometimes we have to do something we dontreally want to do in orderto reach our goal- that's life.

that's the only time I am going to justify myself.

If you want to write a post, WRITE YOUR NAME.

Sheesh. Stand behind your words. I do.

Boarding now

2006-08-15T12:15:00.000+03:00

Well I am boarding now...

I have liquids and cheese on me. They let me through...hehehe.

Anyways, I hope its going to be an empty flight... that would make my life easier. One passenger told me I should throw my cheese out as they were goin gto confiscate it, let me tell you this lady, I HAVE MY CHEESE.

heheh.

Well thats it. Im going through with it.

THE NEW ADVENTURE BEGINS NOW!

Talk to you after theflight,
Nikki

Rachel: Breakfast was a bigmac, I kid you not.

Packing

2006-08-14T22:54:00.000+03:00

I'm packing. I hate it. I didn't realize that i had so much stuff - I am even throwing things out - this is a big step for me.

Had different friends come over and help pack, so its been nice spending time with them (and having them convince me not to save some of the crap that I have....)

I leave at 12:45 tomorrow.

I'm sure i will post from the airport- rumour has it that they have wireless...

So strange.

Nikki

Dinner- Burger's bar. Duh. :)

the news

2006-08-10T23:21:00.000+03:00

hi there

so I have gotta a few IM's saying: "So, nu? what;s the news?"

Well here it is.

I got a job. A real job. A job that I can actually be proud of. however, there is a catch, I have to go to Toronto for this job. It's only for a year, and I am doing shlicut- service on behalf of the country.

Starting next Thursday I will be the Director of Israel progams for Hillel of Greater Toronto.

Cool huh?

I'm not going to lie - it's going to be hard leaving Israel. However, many of my friends are on the front lines in Lebanon - I will beon the front lines on campus bringing students here to israel and sharing with them my expereinces.

I am really excited - it's very bitter sweet. However, I will be back.Not in the "yeah I willbe back (right, because I amnever coming back)" kinda way, but in the "I have my home and life in Israel" kinda way.

So you heard it here.

shhh...not telling grandparents.(which, safta, if you are reading this... I never said anything...so act surprised :) )

I leave for Toronto on Tuesday.

The shock has not set in yet..

Leave a post,share your thoughts.

Nikki

Rachel: dinner was Shawarma.Mmmm...

Shlicut

2006-08-05T20:40:00.000+03:00

Got some news... will post in a few days.

thats all i have time to say right now... Will post tomorrow...

Shavoa tov :)

Nikki

a post! yay!

2006-07-30T22:07:00.001+03:00

Shavoa tov

Hello hello everyone out there in the land of blog. It’s been an interesting week; missiles landing in the north, seeing friends from the north and the continuing saga of my job. Ah, such excitement in such little time!

The North

Well, unless you live in a cave without any interaction from the outside world (which if you did, you wouldn’t be reading this entry) you would know about the current “situation” in the north. Our good friends Hezbollah in the north have been firing rockets at us. Over 1500 rockets have fallen in the past two weeks. People have been murdered and displaced. Some people have been spending more time in bomb shelters than in their jobs and homes. Israel has gone into Lebanon to take care of our northerly neighbors. Friends have been called up to fight; others are waiting for their phone calls (and surprisingly; many WANT to be called up.) I’ve been posting comments from my friend Shira that lives in Haifa. She’s stayed very positive and been making jokes about all of this- you have too. What I’ve learned from living here over the past 3 years is that we have to laugh about those that hate us. If we didn’t, every day we would be depressed and most likely would not have survived as a country since 1948. We make jokes – albeit off beat tasteless jokes about our situation. When talking with Shira we discussed a new game in the north – “Ketusha Dodge ball.” Just like the game we played in phys ed class, if you get hit, you are out (however permanently) my father didn’t laugh when I told him about this game – but we have to joke. I always joke that the buses that I take are pretty safe as the amount of people on the bus wouldn’t be worth the “price of nails.” Ok, so it’s sick, but we laugh, we joke. It’s the world of living here. We continue about our days with all the threats around us and just try to enjoy a “normal life.” One of the blogs that I read is written by a Palestinian woman – very different from my own views, however, interesting to read what is going on in Azza and the Palestinian world as a whole. It was interesting to read that the Lebanese are upset that they have only 2 hours to pack up their homes and leave when they know that their apt complex is next to be destroyed. It’s funny; Shira gets a siren that gives her a minute to run to safety. Don’t hear here complaining. It’s also interesting to watch CNN and other news agencies that have been covering the latest turmoil here in the mid-east. They constantly show images of the “poor displaced Lebanese people” I was wondering what happened to their footage of the poor Israeli people that have been displaced and murdered. Wait, I forgot, we’re the oppressors – I keep forgetting. Oh well. Enough about that.

I’ve been getting a lot of emails from people- I am fine. Things are better than CNN is making it. We’ll get through this – we always do.

My job.

ARGGHHHHHHHHHH. That’s all I have to say.

Shabbat

Shabbat was nice. Was with friends, so that was nice. Relaxing Shabbat. Got some good sleeping done too- now I am awake, so it’s a bit of a problem. Oh well. I’m sure I will fall asleep soon.

TV

I’ve started watching LAX. It’s pretty good actually (and it’s in English!)

All right, that’s it.

I’m going to see if my Internet actually works (it’s been slightly temperamental as of now…)

Shavoa tov

Nikki

Rachel: dinner was a quesidea. YAY 9 days!

More from a friend in Haifa.

2006-07-19T13:24:00.000+03:00

Hi there-

I wanted to share yet another e-mail from my friend Shira that lives in Haifa. When I read this the first time; I found myself nodding in agreement with many of the things that she said.

Shira sends everyone an email almost everyday talking about sirens and bomb shelters,
I wont be posting her emails every day, I just really wanted to share this one with you.

-----
Hi Everybody!

Things have thank G-d been quiet this morning, so I will
try to write a longer email responding to some of your questions from
your personal emails to me, but first some exciting news. Most of you
know that g-D willing we are moving to Yokneam Illit at the end of Sept,
so Maayan had applied to try and get a job in his field there at a
center for kids at risk. He got called for an interview next Thursday.
Let's hope it is quiet, so he can go and get this job because it would be
so great for him.

On that note, as you can see we are building a life here
for ourselves. Despite what you see now we have a future here for
ourselves and we can't just abandon everything we have worked so hard for. I
know you are all concerned and you have no clue how much I appreciate
it, but we are not coming back to Canada. This is our home and it is not
just about our beliefs.. It is also about us and our lives. This is
where we belong, this is where we feel comfortable and ironically enough
we feel safe. We follow all the governments instructions and we will get
through this and return to our regular normal lives just as Israelis
have been doing since 1948 and Jews have been& doing since time
immemorial after wars, expulsions, pogroms and the Holocaust.

I watch the news and it makes me sad and angry. I can't
help thinking about the civilians on both sides who are paying the
price and knowing that this situation will only get worse before it gets
better. As much as I wish there could be peace tomorrow there won't be.
The G8's decision to place an international force will not work
especailly since both sides reject it. We and they are not ready yet, as always
in the& Middle East we need to have more suffering until people are
willing to give in and not have peace, but a cessation of hostilities
until the next time. (Sorry there was just& a siren and we
went& down to the shelter.) This conflict has a lot of fronts and is
incredibly complicated with a deep seeded root on each of the different
fronts. But all historical conflicts take decades if not hundreds of years to
work themselves out and this one is no
different. Are the British and Americans still at war, are the French
and English at war, i could give hundreds of examples, but ultimately
when both sides are tired and ready the situation will be resolved and
all sides will live in peace. However to be pessimistic, but
realistic& for a moment most likely not in my lifetime. There are too many open
wounds for people on both sides. &

How do these sirens work you ask? As soon as a missile
is luanched over the border it is detected and a siren sounds. In Haifa
we are lucky because we have more time than most the others, so as we
run down to the bomb shelter if they are actually falling in Haifa we
can hear them. If we don't hear them that means they fell in Akko,
Nahariya or somehwere more north than Haifa. Once the& siren turns off we
are told to wait 15 mins and then we can come out.& The more
northern cities are sleeping in their shelters because the siren does not
give them enough time, but now problems are starting in the shelters. Alot
of them are old with hundreds of people crammed in them (We are also
lucky that ours is in a building and not public because that makes a huge
difference) The public ones are suffering from overcrowding, lack of
food, jammed toilets and clashes of nervous
personalities. The dangerous thing is when becasue of that situation
people choose not to go down. Some people& have chosen an alternative
method which is to stay in an internal room which is protected and that
is what saved the people in the building in Haifa yesterday. The
missile hit their outside wall and they were slightly injured but safe in the
inner room. Believe me, we take the sirens very seriously, we jump at
every boom,& hawl of wind, and car alarm and we are making every
effort to keep oursleves safe. We left our apartment for that very reason.
It is a top floor& with no inner rooms or bomb shelter, so beleive
me we are taking this very seriously. & &

What do we do here? Well my work has been cancelled
until Sunday and then they will re-evaluate the situation. In the meantime
we sit here togther glued to the news, the computer and keep ourselves
updated and alert. We read and mostly we try to laugh. laughter is
therapeutic and if you don't joke around you go crazy with the seriousness
and chaos around you. You have all been thanking me for these emails,
but the truth is I should be thanking you. These emails are therapeutic
for me. They enable me to express how I'm feeling in& a
constructive and meaningful way. The truth is I haven't really cried yet. Right
now I feel that if I cry I will fall apart. There will be time for that
after. Right now I need to be strong, we all need to be strong, but it
is important to get these emotions and thoughts out, so thank you all
for being my therapists. I appreciate it. Maayan
has also been really great. We keep each other strong and optimistic
and it is good to be staying with Iris's family because at this time we
all need each other.

That is one of the other reasons I cannot come back to
Canada. I'm sorry if my being here causes you to suffer. Please know
that I am not trying to be selfish or then again maybe it is because I
know that if I went back to Canada now Maayan and I would suffer. We would
suffer exactly what you guys are suffering. Not knowing about his
family and our friends and our home and our country. From here we can at
least help and support each other and the ones we love and I try to be in
touch with all of you so that you will not suffer. As much as I
appreciate your requests to come back to Canada because I know that deep down
they are coming from care please stop asking because we won't and it
hurts me to know that I'm causing my family and friends to suffer and
believe me not a day goes by when I don't think about it and feel
horrible, which is why I try to be in touch as much as
I can to ease your pain. Please know its not intentional, but we have
both our families to think of now and it would be just as selfish for us
to abandon Maayan's family and our friends here. Maayan's dad works for
the army and continues to go to work. His mom is helping the city of
Kiryat Yam open their shelters and provide entertainment to keep the
kids' spirits up. His brother and sister went south and his other sister is
in the army guarding her base. His grandparents in Kiryat Haim are
staying put. His grnadparents from Nahariya moved in with his aunt and his
other two uncles and their families in the northern villages of Hosen
and kfar Veradim are hanging in there. His other aunt and her family
moved in with their mother in the Golan Heights, which is now no longer
safe as& well. &

ACTUALLY ISRAELIS THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO GO IN
THE SOUTH. IT IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE THEY ARE SIX PEOPLE 2 ADULTS AND 4
KIDS AGES 3-14. THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE SEPARATED, SO IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE
WHO HAS ROOM PLEASE CONTACT ME. 052-4847787 or Irit directly at
052-470-6311. THANK YOU!

So you see my decision is selfish whatever I do, please
do not make it worse. For those of you who have guilt tripped my
parents please stop their pain is difficult enough. If you don't have
supportive words for them then don't say anything at all. Asking them why they
are bad parents and not making me come home is not supportive. They are
being FANTASTIC parents because they are supporting us and our
decisions and that is what good parents need to do in this difficult time. They
are also actively educating people about the situation both verbally
and in the newspapers and I'm so proud of them. Thank you also to those
of you who have written op-eds and gone to the demonstrations in NY and
MTL. It warms my heart to hear that we are not alone. Eric thanks for
your Sms. We love you all!
Just a quick update before I sign off in our last run
down to the bomb shelter two missiles did hit Haifa one near the
industrial area and one in an abandoned field right near where we married last
year. Thank G-d we did it last year and not this year.

Again words cannot express how grateful I am to all of
you for your prayers and support and if you have more questions I will
try to answer them as I can. Be well and pray for peace for all of us
here in the Middle East. Shira& &

The Current Situation?? What Situation?

2006-07-18T15:19:00.000+03:00

Twin Monkeys?!

Hello hello to everyone out there in Blog land. It’s interesting; CNN told me that I am living in a country that is at war and honestly, I don’t notice it. Ok, fine; there are a few things here and there that have changed. Though thinking about the extra security that is around (more police – not soldiers) could be attributed to the increase in tourists that are here right now.

Listen. Hezbollah is bad. Very very bad. They are not militants; they are terrorists and truthfully they are getting what they deserve. They were used to us just sitting back while they funneled money, kidnapped soliders and other various things. Though, I think that we (Israel) showed them that they were wrong; we’ve had enough and we’re going to show them that we will not be pushed around by them anymore.

Ive been talking to different friends about the current situation and I’d like to share parts of the conversations.

This was from a mass email from my friend who lives in Haifa (who I also could not get into contact with until much later that day as the phones were down): (This email was from Monday)

“Hi Everybody!
This morning at 6:00am the siren sounded and we all ran
down to the shelter, we didn't hear any booms and then my friends
father who works for the city in security received a call that it was a
false alarm, so we came back up. We had a very quiet morning after that and
thought maybe the worst is over, so Maayan and I decided to run back
quickly to our house and get some stuff that we had forgotten in our
haste yesterday.
We got together our stuff quickly called my parents fast
(again sorry I woke you guys at 6am) and were about to run back to our
host's house when the siren sounded again. We ran downstairs as fast as
we could, but our building is old and does not have a high qulaity bomb
shelter. Its essentially a storage room under ground. There are no
lights and it is filthy, so we hoped it would be over fast. After two booms
it was quiet, so we waited 15 mins (Just so you all know this email was
just interuprted by sirens and a 20 minute stinit in the bomb shelter)
and came back to Iris's parents house.
As we ate lunch and tried to regain some sense of
normalcy the siren sounded again. After several booms there was quiet, so we
came back in and then after about20 minutes the siren that interupted
this email.
The truth is the sirens are important and saving lots of
lives. Part of the reason we lost 8 people yesterday was because in the
first attack the alarm didn't work, so I'm glad we have it although now
if we hear a ploice siren, wind anything we jump, but better safe than
sorry. We can also hear the planes heading to and from Lebanon
overhead. We are tired, but ultimately doing okay. We will see how the week
plays out and maybe if it is quiet enough we will head to Jerusalem or
Beersheva. Its a difficult decision to leave your home under duress, but
as long as we have the bomb shelter here things will be okay and we will
be okay.
Thank you all for the wonderful thoughts and support you
have shown to me and Maayan. It helps to keep us mentally sane. Be well
and Pray for peace! Shira
.”

I spoke to another friend of mine that also lives in Haifa. She said that her and her husband left Haifa on Thursday night after the first rocket – she sounded stunned and in shock.

Another friend of mine has a brother that lives in the north. He said that the camps have been shut down and people are bringing their WHOLE families to work. Offices have begun to provide “in-office” camp for all the kids that are there.

You can also go to my friend Michelle’s Blog to read about her Shabbat experience (the link is on the Right)

Yet here in Jerusalem things are relatively calm. We’re going about our day to day stuff. We have not received any news from home front command about preparing ourselves; nor has the Canadian consulate (which I am registered with for some stupid reason) contacted me and told me to pack my bags. Infact; the only thing that is on peoples minds is “Who is going to be called up?” SMS’s are flying back and forth about it

(this part I continued today; Tuesday)

The only thing that IS happening is my friends have started to get called up. I just SMSed (text messaged) with my friend Nahum Binder who just got his milium (reserve duty) for tomorrow. Supposedly the men that are getting called up now are going to be in the Shomron and not Azza or Lebanon. It’s interesting; most people that I have spoken with WANT to called called up; they want to fight, they want to protect and they want to serve the country. It’s a very interesting mentality that those of us that have not served do not understand (the army didn’t want me.. something about a bad back…)

Other than that… things are going well. The country is very unified and it’s interesting to see that people are getting a long – different groups of people that may have never spoken to one another are talking – all over the country people are talking. It’s a big family here.

I would just like to assure people that I am not concerned or worried for my safety. I feel very safe here; this is why we have some of the best security in the world. Just hope for the soliders that are on the front lines; those that are going to get called up and those that have been kidnapped. (I also add that the media interest in the 3 Israeli soldiers that were kidnapped by terrorists has been shadowed by the current “situation”… they are still being held hostage.)

BTW – Stay away from CNN. They seriously have things wrong and are in the business of selling ads- not news.

That’s about it.

Keep smiling and send me a message to let me know what’s going on!

On a funny note; I got an email from my friend Rina Parker- she told me that she had a dream that I gave birth to twin monkeys – for the record, I would like to publicly state that I have not given birth to twin monkeys and I never will.

Have a great day!

Nikki

Headline News

2006-07-13T11:37:00.000+03:00

There have been quite a few thigns going on that I really should take a second to write.

The current situation.

Two weeks ago, Gilad Shalit was kidnapped by terrorists (No freedom fighters, but TERRORISTS.) Since his kidnapping, Israel has gone back in to Azza in attempt to find Gilad and stop Quassam's from being fired into Israel (For a excellent documentary on the Quassam's that have been falling into Israel, more specifically Sderot, go to www.chutzpaproductions.com . My friend Igal is the man behind it) Since Gilad's kidnapping, things have changed her day to day (also the kidnapping and murder of Eliyahu Ashiri z"l ) People are more hesitant to hitch a ride around the country, concerned about soldiers and add a special set of prayers for the safe release of all kidnapped soldiers (which sadly, two more were kidnapped yesterday) What is most interesting, is that people don’t refer to Gilad a the kidnapped soldier – He is Gilad. It's almost as if we all know him, all grown up with him. It's an interesting cultural thing to see that the whole country is concerned about his release (The names of the 2 other soldiers have not been released yet.) Last night, all that was on tv was the latest from Lebanon. We've got from the north, we've got from the side, and it's lovely to see that people who claim that they want peace are attacking us with missiles and kidnappings. . . These Terror groups want THOUSANDS of terrorists to be released for the release of our soldiers…right. Release people that are behind terror attacks and hate. No thanks.

The government s talking about beginning to call up the reserves- hopefully my friends that get their phone calls will only be put on "be ready" and not get called up.

Am I concerned about my safety? In truth, no. I still go about my day to day life. I just hope that it will all be over soon.

Do we sit by our tvs, radios and computers and hope for good news? Yes.

Oh wait, I forgot we're the oppressor. Right right.

America goes after people that attack them, that's ok; we do, we're in big trouble (This is why I should stop watching CNN clips at home.

Ok. I just needed to rant for a bit. I did

O' Jelly Fish

2006-07-07T19:25:00.000+03:00

Hello hello.

O' Canada!

Ian and I being the Canadians that we are had a Canada b-b-q at his place. Lots of people showed up – even a few Canadians. The Americans toasted us with a (painful) signing of O Canada. I even brought out the last of the Pearl's Salami that I had in my freezer (Yes, I import salami…) It was a really nice night. And yes, there were fire works. We're not sure from who or where they came from, but just like Victoria day

4th of July.

HA. My cousin had a traditional BBQ with lots and lots of meat. Soooo good. Tossed around the football. Made fun of Americans, it was a good time. Also, I counted, there were 11 Greenspan's. Crazy. We're taking over (G-d help you all…)

The beach
]
I went to the beach- doo dah doo dah. Yes, that’s right. I don’t hate my friends anymore. I went. Last night Moshe, Gogie and I went to the beach. There were jelly fish everywhere. All over the beach. They were these big blobs of, well, Jelly. As you stood in the water you could see them. That's when we stopped walking the water. I have to admit, when they are in the water and swimming they look magnificent, however, they sting – so no thanks. We hung out at the beach for a few hours, watced the stars come out – it was a really nice night. We stayed in Modiin that night where I naturally fell asleep on the couch while watching BSG. Anyways, I went to beach. I was happy. I hope to go again soon (and when there are not so many jelly fish..ick…)

The apt.

Things are going well. Gogie moved in and it's going well. Yay!

MY Job.

HAHAHAHAHAHA. That's all I have to say about it.

Thursday night club

I’ll just say it’s a good time to catch up with friends from all over and enjoy the end of the week. Ive learned that going to bed when the birds start chirping is an experience… It’s been good times.

Shabbat

Thank goodness. So looking forward to a quiet Shabbat. Made something for dinner that I have no idea how its going to turn out – infact, I don’t even know what to call it. I found the recipe online – uh oh.

Shabbat is about to start – Gotta finish getting ready.

Enjoy the sun

Shabbat shalom

Nikki

My friends Suck. (Ok, not really, but still)

2006-06-29T16:42:00.000+03:00

Right now I am sitting at my desk at work filled with jealousy. My friends are at the beach.

It must be great too:

a) work from home so you can leave when you want
b) just walk out of work when you feel like it because "hey, it's thursday I need to go to be with my friends."

Oh well. It's Jelly fish season now though, at least I can find some solice in that.

Back to looking mindlessly at a flickering computer screen. The joys of being "all grown up."

Sigh...

Nikki
-dreaming of the beach...

ps. (Incase the beach bums read this) I love my friends. I was just kidding about the jellyfish... or was I?? ;)

Hello, Hello!

2006-06-26T15:53:00.000+03:00

Hello, Hello!

It's been awhile since I've actually sat down to write a semi-decent post. This might not be a semi-decent post, but I will try.

It's Summer!

It's so hot right now I cannot even begin to tell you how hot it is. I have never been in Israel for all of June and I have forgotten what heat feels like. This is going to be the first summer in a few years that I am actually going to be here. Unlike Toronto (or any of the other random cities I may have been in during the summer heat) there is no rain to cool the air – it's just hot. Granted it's not humid, it's just hot. I actually found a nice little spot at work where there is great shade and always seems to be cool. It's a good place to have lunch. My office has A/C yet there is the constant battle of "air control" - hopefully we will eventually settle on something without melting/freezing the rest of the office.

The Roommate story

Yep, I have a roommate. Moving in on Wednesday and I am looking forward to it. Finally! It's going to be a bit hard at first to adjust to living with someone again, however, it's time and I am looking forward to it.

Music

I am so out of touch with the "music scene" I have no clue what is popular or who half of the bands listed on Yahoo! Music are. Oh well. Any suggestions of music to listen too? I pretty much just listen to the iPod and go.

Life without a Car.

Well, I'm back to the bus. It's not too bad; I get to listen to my music and walk through the shuk everyday, so that's a nice perk. I've missed my daily shuk wanderings. However, having to rely on the bus schedule is a pain. But, what can ya do? It was fun while it lasted, that I can tell you.

Things to do this summer

I'm accepting suggestions of thigns to do this summer while in Israel. Any thoughts?

I think that's it for now. Back to work!

Leave a post, amuse me. Make me think that someone is actually reading this (Then again, by the counter it says that people ARE reading this…)

Rachel: not sure what's for dinner yet, but I will let you know 

Have a good one,

Nikki

The things I do for money

2006-06-18T17:41:00.000+03:00

I just have this to say:

I am no longer dating someone that I have been linked to for the past year. That being said, I am accepting all resonable applications from single men that live in Jerusalem. (or single men that you can suggest)

Dad, I put up the post, where is my $20??

hehehe.

Happy Fathers day!

ARRGHH!

2006-06-04T13:42:00.000+03:00

ARRGGGGHHH

Yes. that's what i have to say.

Here is why:

the car
shavoat
this past shabbat
the matress that I slept on
mosquitos
the mouse
the car
the wheelchair
the inmaturity of people
13 year olds that act like the are 4
humidity
medical bills
bank fees
electricty bills
water bills
parking tickets
humidity
ants
flying ants
the ants on the ceiling
the ants on the wall
the ants on the window
gas prices
not sleeping
how much i get paid an hour
how much the government takes from the small salary that I do get
the fact that i get more junk mail than real mail
heat
my back
allergies
the fact that my office has blocked MSN (however, i have found away)
excel
PCs
my bank statement
my phone bill
the fact I cant find my ipod headset
the screaming cat
burns
the cat that wakes me up at 5 am - EVERYDAY
ants

OK. I think I am done. I've ranted. I've raved.

Hope you are having a better one than I am.

Canadian, Eh?

2006-05-23T20:35:00.000+03:00

It's funny. When I was living in Toronto I really didn't care about Canadian holidays, however, for the first time last night I actually celebrated a holiday. Yesterday was Victoria Day (AKA the May 2-4) I called Ian around 5 p.m. and reminded him of what day it was; we then decided, BBQ! So we rounded up the gang, got lots of meat and some beer (nothing canadian, we couldnt find :( ) and had a great "Q" in the park. 20 some-odd of our wanna-be Canadian friends showed up. Ian and I were then complaining that in addition to the Canadian Beer, we were missing the fireworks,then if almost planned, the sky lit up with a 5 min firework show! (Granted, they were probably just getting ready for the Jerusalem Day celebrations...details...)

It was a great night. Football was played (or attempted) good food, good friends..

We were just missing the double-doubles from Timmy's, eh?

Have a good one,

Nikki\

yaawwwwnnn

2006-05-15T08:45:00.000+03:00

I am so tired that If I was anymore tired, I would just fall asleep while writing this.

Last night my friends Jason and Raquel Goldberg came to town - it was great finding them at the airport, and trying to figure out where they were staying. It's been nice seeing them so far and I wish them luck on their sea to sea hike. Some people come to look at the sites, J&R are going to hike 'em, good luck guys!

Work is going well, I am still enjoying it, but I am sooo tired. We hae a gym at work - and I am finally using it. Ive been going for over a week now - Im sooo buff.Right.... We'll it's a start :)

Tonight is Lag B'omer and I am heading out to my friends Shoni and Eynats place for a huge bon fire - Im looking forward to it.

My grandmother is still here and I think that here and I are going to go away at the end of the weekend - we are going to the dead sea, so that should be a nice thing - she's never been to Masada, so we are going to check that out - should be a good time - oh and there is a spa :)

Driving - my grandmother has rented a car since shes been here- let me say that driving in Israel is like a video game; lines on the road and speed signs are merely suggestions :)

Ok, got to finish getting to work - Have a great day!

Wow, what a month!

2006-05-12T15:12:00.000+03:00

Wow, it has been a month since my last post.

Gogie yelled at me online today, so with that push, I write.

Family

My family was here (and some stillare) so that was really nice. My father was here for a few weeks, and we did some great things. First off, we went to Ikea. Now, those of you that live in Israel know the importance of Ikea. What a great place! I know have a great wall unit to show for it - thanks dad! Also while my dad was here we went to Eilat and to Jordan. Yes, Jordan. We went to Petra. It was wild.

Truth is, I dont have much time but Ill post more next week.Got to get to the family out of the city-

Shabbat shalom

4 in the morning...

2006-04-14T04:00:00.000+03:00

It's 4 in the morning and I am still awake. Why? Because I am a very good cousin/neice and I am helping out. My cousins have a marketing company and some how I have ended up writing for them... eh- it could be worse. It's a good time and we're all have a load of laughs while doing this, however, is it time for bed yet? :)

Seder

So I was fortunate enough to have the seder with my family again this year. Because I live in Israel, I only have one seder now. This seder was, as always, an expereince. My aunt's family is here and they invited me to have seder (and a few other meals too) with them here at the hotel. Naturally, when my family gets together, its always a good time. All of my cousins are here. My cousin Yankee, who lives in New York, is here. Yankee, and his wife Sarah and their wonderful 3-month old son Gaivriel are here and it's really nice to spend time with them. I am sure that I will write more about my time with my family during the rest of the week, now back to the seder. My family is chabad and so they have some of their own customs that always make things fun and interesting. Anyways, to make a long story short (and so I can go home to bed) our seder went until 2 am (or so) and we were the last ones in the hotel still having a seder at that time. It was a great time and we had a lot of fun- they grouped all the goof ball together which made the seder one laugh after another.

Things are good. Im tired. Oh, and dinner was a salad from Room service. :)

Moed Tov!

Nikki
Dwarf of the day: Sneezy (its the down pillows)

Nothing exciting. But its a post ;)

2006-04-11T00:22:00.000+03:00

Hello Blog world.

So I suck. I come home from work and the last thing I want to do is look at a computer. However, tonight I sit and wait for the dryer cycle to end and that is giving me some time to write (and it will keep me awake)

Work:

I love work. Im a dork. I work long hours staring at a computer, but I am enjoying it. I have even gotten the hang of using a PC. It’s funny, I try to use alt commands on my mac and for some reason it doesn’t work… Im working in a great environment, so I got lucky. I’m happy J

Apt

Im now looking for a roommate. Ads are posted on: flathunting, nbnsingles and janglo. So spread the word. NO CRAZIES. Hehehe

Pessach

Pessach is coming! I actually enjoy pessach here. Its not as good as Pessach in Maldova back in the day, but its still good. I will be working during hol hamoed. My dad and Bobba get here towards the end, it will be really nice to see them.

Other:

Things are going well.

I know this post sucks, Im taking requests as what to write next. SO SUGGEST PEOPLE. Check out my friends blogs. Some great posts on them (Michelle always has something and Adiv’s are always interesting, Alex has great articles that he writes – even if I don’t always agree with him, they are still good to read and to ponder… surprised I said that Alex? : ) )

This weekend I am going to the Afruf (a special honour for the groom, or in this case grooms, prior to their marriage.) of a really good friend this weekend. I am looking forward to it.

My friends Jason and Raquel are coming to Israel next month! As well as my friend Zev.

Im looking forward to it.

Anyways, Im taking requests. Leave me a post, make me happy. Posts really do make me happy.

Chag Samayach

Nikki

dwarf of the day: sleepy or chametzy
Dinner: burger (mmm)

I made the paper

2006-04-02T11:31:00.000+03:00

My friend Ruben works for the Jerusalem Post. He wrote an article about peoples feelings post elections. I made the cut.

Check out the article:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1143498765819&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Yeah, Im special.

Go RUBES!

More to come, just not now.

Election sadness

2006-03-28T17:34:00.000+02:00

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

2006-03-28T10:27:00.000+02:00

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!

2006-03-17T10:56:00.000+02:00

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?

2006-03-06T21:33:00.000+02:00

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)

blah,blah, blah dwarf

2006-02-28T21:20:00.000+02:00

I’m so tired. In fact, I am so tired that I cannot even see straight. I really don’t know why I am up right now. In fact, I should be at home putting away my dishes, putting on my PJ’s and watching some sort of movie that I can fall asleep during the middle of. However, I decided that I should write something. My family has got to have something to read ϑ

Ulpan;

Ugh. That’s all I have to say. The class keeps getting bigger, and there is less individual time. This sucks. That is really all I have to say.

Work

I love work. I really do. However, my project is coming to an end, so I’m on the hunt yet again…. Surprised? Sadly I’m not.

Friends;

I have great friends here. That’s about it. I just do. So if you are reading this (and even the ones that claim that they refuse to read blogs even though I KNOW you do. So thanks for dragging me out of the apt, letting me use your Internet, having shwarma parties, and just being apart of my Jerusalem family. (Ok, sappy, I know.)

My Apartment:

I’m living alone right now. It’s really quiet.

Oh, and I promised a Hello to Jon and Rina Parker – Hi guys!

OK, so this wasn’t an exciting blog. Sorry. Ill work harder on the next one.

Nikki
Dwarf of the day: Sleepy (I’m taking Dwarf of the day suggestions…)

Weekly Wrap

2006-02-25T23:36:00.000+02:00

I feel like I have a lot to write, however, I want to keep it pretty simple and to the point (for a change.) This past week has been an interesting week. All sorts of new things and many “Nikki Stupid Moments.”

Work

I started working and it was about time. I am really enjoying my job. I’ve never really elaborated on what I do, so here is me attempting to explain it. I am working on converting and transferring data from an old database into a new detailed database. I know that’s a mouthful. We have a lot to do, and I am really enjoying the challenge. I have a contract to work 6 hours a day; however, already I have stayed past that time. There is a lot of me to do and catch up on (the project has been in motion for awhile – I am the “big picture girl.” Meaning, I'm making sure that we get things done and on a set course. I’m enjoying it. I really hope that this one month contract work turns into something more.

Stupid:

I lost my ID card and my bus pass. I’m an idiot, the end. I replaced the ID card, however, I will have to wait until next month to get anew bus pass. Grrrr…

Visitors:

Confirmed:
My father and my Boba are coming to visit me (well, and the rest of my family that is here…details…) mid-Pessach, so that will be really nice. This is the first time that one of my parents have come to see me since I’ve been here and the second time my boba has been out – she came here last year as well. I’m looking forward to it. Might be a bit of a “family shock,” however, it’s something to look forward to.

That’s about it for right now. Oh, and by the way. Shabbat was really nice. Good food, good times. I even won at a game of chess! Go me. That never happens. We also played monopoly (or monopol is its called in Hebrew) did well. Had a corporate takeover of sorts happen, and I was even on the winning side. MWAHAHAHA. Good weekend for board games.

Looking forward to a week of work and ulpan – giddy-up!

Shavoa tov,

Nikki
Dwarf of the day: Not really sure. Doc. (only cause I won at chess…)
Dinner: leftover chicken from last night.
Posts: Leave me a comment. Make me happy.. and you know that you enjoy doing that...

Smells like Shabbat!

2006-02-24T17:01:00.000+02:00

I just want to say that I have cooked an amazing shabbat dinner.

Let me let you know what it is:

Gifilta fish
Ass. Salads (humous, and other shook salads)
Roast Potatoes
Cous Cous
Green Salad (I am not doing that, someone else is)
Biscuits
Chicken ("Boba" Style)
Chicken Shnitzel

Apple cake

Mmmm.

Lunch:
Leftovers
Choulent (with 3 types of meat)

+ Lots ofdrinks andwine

And all this after a week of ulpan, missing national documents and work. (and in truth, I only learned to cook when I first came to Israel.)

Yeah, so who's coming?

Ill blog more tomorrow. I just needed to pat myself on the back.
shabbat shalom.

Im an idiot.

2006-02-22T18:23:00.000+02:00

Yes. I am.

It's been a crap day.

Wake up this morning to my cat knocking something over, which caused CDs to fly at my sleeping head. Now, soudns like it wouldnt hurt riught? Wrong. It was like the launched them at me. Oh well. THEN I find that I have LOST My tudat zehut. THEN i find out my bank is eatin gall my money. Tomorow morning I am going to be sittin gat misrad ha panim. Im excited. My bus pass was also lost. Not good. Not good at all. Yep, Im having that kinda day...
Urgh.

thats all.

Nikki
Dwarf of the Day: Grumpy

the wheels on the bus go round and round.

2006-02-21T21:16:00.000+02:00

I am really really tired. However, I wanted to write something here. I knew that if I didn’t, I wouldn’t again for a long time. So here we go. This blog entry is just one long brain fart of sorts. I’m just writing. So enjoy.

My New routine:

4ish am wake up randomly, turn on hot water boiler so I can have a hot shower. Go back to bed.
6:15 alarm goes off. Cats jump on my head. Time to get out of bed.
7:25 leave the apt, go to catch the bus.
8:00 ulpan starts
12:30 ulpan ends (during the time in Ulpan, I learn some Hebrew, fight with gogie, all is goog)
14:00 start work. Now, in the time that ulpan ends and work starts, I am on a bus somewhere in the city (or waiting for a bus)
20:00 work ends. Go home.
20:30 show up at Ian’s. Use Internet. Sit on couch, not move and pretend were in Canaba.
21:00 Home, Do ulpan work, cook dinner, and unwind time. :)
11:00 ish, too tired to keep my eyes open, fall asleep.

That’s my new schedule Sunday- Thursday.

Work.

I’m enjoying it. Granted I’ve been there only 2 days, I am enjoying. I’m working with great people and learning lots. However, it’s interesting that in order to change the time and date on my computer I had to call the tech guy. Insane. Are people really that challenged that the tech guy is the only one that can do it?? Anyways, I got lost in the building. I’m still not sure where everything is. I’ll figure it out.

Ulpan

It’s still kicking my butt, but I actually love it. I think it’s the people. Truth is, I am actually learning, so that’s a good thing.

Life Post Yeshiva

I’m too tired to even think about it.

Buses

So I’ve been meaning to write this for a while. I now spend a good part of my day on the bus. Now, being on a bus here is an experience. When I first came to Israel a few years ago within hours of landing I was on a bus, so I am used to being on them. I don’t freak out being on a bus, I actually enjoy being on the bus. You never know whom you are going to meet. Countless times I’ve been on the bus and had conversations with total strangers. If they are living in the country they want to know where I am from, why I am here, what I am doing, if I am happy, why would I lave Canada for a country that has economic issues and terror. Sometimes you even get a Shabbat dinner invite out of it. If they are a tourist, same questions, but you end up giving them directions to their next tourist stop (and tell them about a few others!) However on the bus there is always the bus driver that just wants his shift to end. He drives like a mad man, you get knocked over, you fall on people (or onto the floor.) He might open the door for you at your stop AND he may even slow down. However, there are always good experiences (no, sitting beside someone for 30 min that has gas is not a good experience…trust me….) I’m starting to have my regular drivers. One driver is really cool. He actually lets people (more so, those that need extra time to sit down) sit down before he drives a way and is patient. On my bus to ulpan there are my “repeat-faces”- people I ride the bus with every day that I don’t know, but know only because we ride the bus together every day. At one of stop, a few passengers get on that have both physical and mental disabilities. This driver is so patient. He actually told someone to get out of the front seat so these women wouldn’t have to move to the middle. But why am I writing this? So the other day (Sunday) they get on and he calls them over, he brought them cookies. Then he was just offering cookies to everyone. Pretty cool. Just a friendly driver. These little random acts of kindness (which I know doing the SA/TO thing in USY we/I was always preaching’) really do make a difference. It was nice. Anyways. In the chaos of this country where things tend to get a little insane, there are always people doing little nice things for one another. Maybe they will have the butterfly affect somewhere someday, it’s a hope…

Anyways, I’m breaking my schedual. I need to go home. Being a working girl is hard. No time to see friends, no time to do anything. I’ve had to cancel something’s over the past few days due to work, so it’s hard balancing (sorry Aron/Yoni/Whatever your name is)

Have a great night, enjoy the bus ride. I do.

Nikki
Today’s dwarf: Sleepy. Who knows which dwarf will be tomorrow?

I'm a workin' Geek I tell ya!

2006-02-19T20:01:00.000+02:00

Shalom Shalom to those in blog land.

Geek

I admit, I’m a bit of a geek. I sit here typing this while battlestar galactica is playing in the background. I’m mildly obsessed, but I guess I owe my addiction to my friends. I gave in to peer pressure. Bad friends, Bad! (But thank you!!!!!!!!)

Work:

I GOT A JOB. Yes, that’s right. I have a job. I will be working in both the HR and Recruitment department of a large company here in Jerusalem. I will be working on computer programs and databases. Kinda wild. It’s a one-month contract, then after that, we see what’s up for me. So YAY. I have a job. I’m a worker. I’m starting to build a career. (Only took me a few years to get here…)

Shabbat

Shabbat was great. We had good meat and good times. Let me tell you, the bbqed salami that I told you about was amazing. So good. Also did my laundry – well a good chunk of it. Yay happy smelling clothes.

Hmm… what else?

Ulpan

Still kicking my butt. But what can I do. Guess I will buy a football uniform. This way it might not hurt as much.

All right. I think that’s it. I have a meeting with the government tomorrow to convince them that they have to give me more money. Wish me luck on that.

Have a great night!

Nikki
Rachel: didn’t have dinner yet – sorry!

Ulpan, trees and talking monkeys

2006-02-17T15:19:00.000+02:00

Welcome to yet another entry of my blog.

What a week. I can gladly say that thank goodness it is the weekend.

It’s been a long week. Very long week. In fact, its times like this that I am glad that there is a Shabbat to look forward too.

Ulpan

Ulpan is kicking my butt. I’m not kidding. It’s hard. It’s funny; yesterday we were talking in class about intelligence and how some people have intelligence in languages. Let me tell you, that’s not me. My Uncle Steven got enough of that for the whole family (want to share a few with me? Heck, I’ll just take one!) Truth is, ulpan is stressing me out. It does and it will continue to do so. I just bought a book of 501 Hebrew verbs I’m hoping that it will help me a bit. All the “pi-els and poo-els” uurggggh. I really don’t like my not nice teacher. I call her the snake. Don’t trust her, don’t trust her one bit. Still having a good time in the class though… the English speakers are banding together. The frenchies have their own little pack. Could end up being a little west side story… (Gogie, you get a solo…heh…)

Work.

I’m not really sure what I am doing. I should know by Monday. Grrr.

Shabbat:

It all started last night when we came out to Modiin. I had been saving a Pearl’s Salami (yes, from Toronto) for this kind of occasion. We bbqed it. Let me tell you, it was amazing. Mmmmmm. I cut it into thin slices and when it was grilling, it popped up nice. Mmm… Good times. It might just be Ian, Moshe and I for Shabbat. We made a roast. We seasoned it last night. My first roast. It smells and looks great. I cannot wait. Looking forward to a restful Shabbat and some good reading.

Other brain matter:

Was a good week. A monkey in my mailbox, a tree planted and I actually made a living room in my apartment. It’s nice not having to watch TV or movies in my room. When are you coming over to check it out? I also bought a mini-tree. It presently “lives” in my kitchen. Not sure why, but I named him Marshal. Ok, I’m strange. But if this doesn’t surprise you, clearly you have known me for a while.

All right back to watching battlestar galactica. The new series mind you. It’s “frackin’ amazing. (If you watch the show. You just got the lil’ joke.)

Shabbat shalom,
Nikster