This week I decided to spice things up a bit and went to work in a doctor's office. To be more precise, my adopted dad's secretary was out for the week so I filled in for her. Originally I was a little scared. Mostly of the phone. I developed a serious fear of answering the phone while I was in the army. I was sure that something really important would happen, like us going to war or getting bombed by Iraq, and they would call to tell us to do something really important, and I would answer the phone. But of course, they would talk really fast and then hang up and I wouldn't know what had just happened and other dramatic events would ensue and we would lose the war all because I didn't understand what they said when I answered the phone. Given, this is an eye doctor's office, and not the Israeli Air Force (not that anything that occurred in my office would affect the outcome of a war. I hope.) but I was still rather nervous. But I was bored, unemployed, and he really needed the help. Plus, he believed I could do it, so I had to believe it to. As it turns out, most of his patients speak English. But really, I had 20 or so conversations in Hebrew and I was fine and apparently did not forget everything I know in the 5 months I was in America. Go me!
This was, however, a one week gig. BUT I did get another job working as a full time babysitter starting next week. I am taking over for my friend Shoshana since she is going to America for a month. The kid is adorable (though not as cute as Alon) and about 8 months old. His parents are awesome, and though the days will be rather long I am thinking of it as another opportunity to empathize with my sister. Shosh, we will have to swap "how to entertain a baby in the summer" ideas. (Or "how to entertain myself while watching a baby" ideas.)
I do now feel like my life has returned to the hectic state I prefer. It would be nice if there was some type of middle ground, but it the activity level in my life seems to be on an "all or nothing" scale. In addition to working, I regained my social skills this week and spent some quality time with friends I hadn't seen yet. This included getting spit up on by my friend's son, sitting on a street corner for 3 hours, and discovering that my favorite bar no longer serves all the foods that made it my favorite bar (these events did not occur at the same time), but all in all they were good experiences. I also got to go on an unofficial tour of Ein Kerem which was like discovering this secret little part of Jerusalem. There was bougainvillea everywhere and all these little secret gardens and nooks (I love nooks) interspersed with beautiful churches and cute little cafes. And apparently, in 1948 when all the Arabs left this neighborhood, the government was just giving the houses away to new immigrants. If only, if only!
In other news, my summer trip to Italy plans are actually being planned! (IN YOUR FACE EZ! This is one Kfi plan that will come to fruition!) I have found a farm in Tuscany run by an artist and a balloon pilot and will be there for two weeks at the end of August. I am super psyched because they are awesome. Now I just need to figure out what I will be doing the rest of the time I am in Italy and where I will be staying. All friends who have been to Italy: feel free to advise at this point. Also, there is an open invite out to join me! Art, farming, and Italy! What's not to like??
Anyway I will get going now. I am going to Haifa for Shabbat so that I can meet new people and hopefully find someone looking for a roommate. Still assuming I get in of course. I was called for a first round interview in a few weeks, so lets hope they see how amazing I am.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Life as a lazy bum
It is a good thing that this week contained a Jewish holiday. Otherwise I would have been really bored. Really, I should know this by now, but I don't do well with long transition periods. I much prefer to go directly from one thing to another. However, I forgot this and did not even bother to look for jobs before I got to Israel, telling myself that I would take a week or two to adjust and do my job searching then. Really though, I should only give myself a day or two because after that I start getting antsy.
Given, my summer job options aren't really so hot. Since I am planning on traveling starting mid-August, I am really only looking for work for 2 months. That basically leaves you with waitressing, babysitting, and cleaning. I have already discovered that I do not enjoy working in restaurants. Plus, the only way to make any money doing that is to work for a fancy one and they are unlikely to hire me for such a short time. Babysitting is also problematic. Unlike in America, where I could charge $15-$20 an hour, here the average rate is 25-35 shek- about $6-$8. So we are back to cleaning. A job that is doable for short periods of time and makes twice as much as babysitting. However, I have run into a short hitch. I responded to a few ads on a local craigslist-esque site and have had a few calls in return. Then a man called me asking when I was available etc, normal cleaning questions. Until he asked if I would clean in the nude. (No, it was not a joke). I of course freaked out, yelled, hung up, and then stood in shock for a few minutes before ranting on about disgusting men. And then this creepy image keeps flashing back into my head, and aside from being a totally weird and disgusting request- who the hell would want to clean with no clothes on?!?- it also has made me rather wary about advertising online and having to deal with pervs. So I am going back to babysitting. It may not pay as well, but the chances of being asked to do it naked are nonexistent (I sincerely hope). Also, I have some leads on babysitting jobs so I would not have to advertise online.
Anyway, then Shavuot came around and I could stop worrying about boredom/source of income for a bit. Shavuot is the holiday where we celebrate receiving the Torah. There are two big ways of celebrating: cheesecake and staying up all night learning. I am not really such a fan of either ("She doesn't like cheesecake?!?"), so I was not really sure how I would be celebrating. Luckily my friends Avi and Chama were hosting a small "let's sit around and eat cheesecake and learn for a bit". I much prefer this to the larger shiurim/lectures going on all around Jerusalem which I have tried and failed to get anything out of for the past two years. Also, in addition to cheesecake, they had homemade ice cream which was WAAAAYYYYY more exciting for me. Though they had called it for an hour, we ended up hanging out and talking about the story of Ruth (which is what we read on this holiday) until about 2am, leaving me tired, happy, and satisfied that I had appropriately celebrated receiving the Torah.
And now it is time for Shabbat once again. Hopefully next week will be more productive.
Given, my summer job options aren't really so hot. Since I am planning on traveling starting mid-August, I am really only looking for work for 2 months. That basically leaves you with waitressing, babysitting, and cleaning. I have already discovered that I do not enjoy working in restaurants. Plus, the only way to make any money doing that is to work for a fancy one and they are unlikely to hire me for such a short time. Babysitting is also problematic. Unlike in America, where I could charge $15-$20 an hour, here the average rate is 25-35 shek- about $6-$8. So we are back to cleaning. A job that is doable for short periods of time and makes twice as much as babysitting. However, I have run into a short hitch. I responded to a few ads on a local craigslist-esque site and have had a few calls in return. Then a man called me asking when I was available etc, normal cleaning questions. Until he asked if I would clean in the nude. (No, it was not a joke). I of course freaked out, yelled, hung up, and then stood in shock for a few minutes before ranting on about disgusting men. And then this creepy image keeps flashing back into my head, and aside from being a totally weird and disgusting request- who the hell would want to clean with no clothes on?!?- it also has made me rather wary about advertising online and having to deal with pervs. So I am going back to babysitting. It may not pay as well, but the chances of being asked to do it naked are nonexistent (I sincerely hope). Also, I have some leads on babysitting jobs so I would not have to advertise online.
Anyway, then Shavuot came around and I could stop worrying about boredom/source of income for a bit. Shavuot is the holiday where we celebrate receiving the Torah. There are two big ways of celebrating: cheesecake and staying up all night learning. I am not really such a fan of either ("She doesn't like cheesecake?!?"), so I was not really sure how I would be celebrating. Luckily my friends Avi and Chama were hosting a small "let's sit around and eat cheesecake and learn for a bit". I much prefer this to the larger shiurim/lectures going on all around Jerusalem which I have tried and failed to get anything out of for the past two years. Also, in addition to cheesecake, they had homemade ice cream which was WAAAAYYYYY more exciting for me. Though they had called it for an hour, we ended up hanging out and talking about the story of Ruth (which is what we read on this holiday) until about 2am, leaving me tired, happy, and satisfied that I had appropriately celebrated receiving the Torah.
And now it is time for Shabbat once again. Hopefully next week will be more productive.
Honey, I'm Home!!
And so we meet again.
I have begun to appreciate some of the mysterious ways that God works. For instance: a few years back, on one of my many trips to Israel, I was officially the cheapest person ever and flew Polish Air. I sat next to a dog. They had no kosher food, so all I could eat was pudding and beer. Which might be okay on your typical 14 hour flight to Israel, but I, of course, has booked a flight with a ten hour layover in Warsaw. Oh, and it was on Christmas Eve. So I landed in Warsaw and discovered that the Polish do not believe in water fountains. I also learned that I do not know how to say "water" in Polish because I bought 3 different types of seltzer before running out of cash and giving up. And by giving up, I mean I spent 30 minutes opening, closing, shaking, opening, closing, shaking, my bottle of seltzer in an attempt to make it flat and more like water. For the record- this does not work. I then decided to take a nap and woke up in the Twilight Zone. Having forgotten that it was Christmas Eve, I was somewhat disturbed to wake up and find myself entirely alone. All the shops were closed. All the people were gone. All was quiet. I literally thought I had been trapped in an airport that I no longer believed had airplanes. I spent three hours wandering the airport looking for other life forms.I did eventually find people, and then a plane, but from that moment on I swore I would never be that cheap again.
Anyway, the point of this story, is that, had I not experienced such a terrible traveling experience, I would no doubt be much angrier about my recent flight home. Which also had no kosher food. And no beer. And my personal TV was broken. And my restless leg syndrome decided to expand to my arms (I do not even know how that is possible). And they lost my bags.
Either my Warsaw experience hardened me, or living in Israel has just left me more laid back, but once I got off the plane, I was just happy to be home. My friends picked me up at the airport bearing flowers and signs. My mostly broken telephone has been ringing with calls from friends excited to welcome me back. And my first full day back was Yom Yerushalayim- Jerusalem Day.
I had of course, fled to Efrat when I realized I had no clothing, and my adopted mother, in a misguided attempt to keep me from getting jetlag, took me to the neighborhood celebration hosted that night. Unfortunately, putting me in a dark room where I get to listen to someone speak in Hebrew is like giving me a sleeping pill and a glass of warm milk. She finally took me home when I started to drool on her shoulder. The following day-time celebrations were much more exciting. I slept late, my bags were delivered, and then I went into Jerusalem to join the thousands of people marching around the old city of Jerusalem waving Israeli flags. Jerusalem Day is the only day of the year when Jews can walk through any gate and any neighborhood in the old city. So of course, we all grab our flags and march through the Arab quarter singing and dancing. I am a little uncomfortable with this, as I understand how offensive the Arab residents find this, but at the same time, I believe in an undivided Jerusalem under Israeli rule. So though I do not sing or wave flags in their faces, I do take advantage of this opportunity to walk through a part of the city that is usually unsafe and closed off to me.
Thursday I woke up at about noon (I failed miserably in the battle against jetlag- though I partially blame the Israeli blinds that shut out all light, air, and noise) and went to the mall to get a new phone and plan. My phone itself is still suffering from a fatal attempt at swimming. And my plan is, well I don't really know what it is but it is not good. I sort of succeeded at both. I have a new phone, but no charger, and a new plan, but it does not come into effect until June 26th. Luckily, I, like my dear mother, am not much of a caller so this shouldn't have too much of an effect on my life.
Anyway I am happy to be back, settling in, and realizing all the things I need to get done in the near future. Let the adventures begin.
I have begun to appreciate some of the mysterious ways that God works. For instance: a few years back, on one of my many trips to Israel, I was officially the cheapest person ever and flew Polish Air. I sat next to a dog. They had no kosher food, so all I could eat was pudding and beer. Which might be okay on your typical 14 hour flight to Israel, but I, of course, has booked a flight with a ten hour layover in Warsaw. Oh, and it was on Christmas Eve. So I landed in Warsaw and discovered that the Polish do not believe in water fountains. I also learned that I do not know how to say "water" in Polish because I bought 3 different types of seltzer before running out of cash and giving up. And by giving up, I mean I spent 30 minutes opening, closing, shaking, opening, closing, shaking, my bottle of seltzer in an attempt to make it flat and more like water. For the record- this does not work. I then decided to take a nap and woke up in the Twilight Zone. Having forgotten that it was Christmas Eve, I was somewhat disturbed to wake up and find myself entirely alone. All the shops were closed. All the people were gone. All was quiet. I literally thought I had been trapped in an airport that I no longer believed had airplanes. I spent three hours wandering the airport looking for other life forms.I did eventually find people, and then a plane, but from that moment on I swore I would never be that cheap again.
Anyway, the point of this story, is that, had I not experienced such a terrible traveling experience, I would no doubt be much angrier about my recent flight home. Which also had no kosher food. And no beer. And my personal TV was broken. And my restless leg syndrome decided to expand to my arms (I do not even know how that is possible). And they lost my bags.
Either my Warsaw experience hardened me, or living in Israel has just left me more laid back, but once I got off the plane, I was just happy to be home. My friends picked me up at the airport bearing flowers and signs. My mostly broken telephone has been ringing with calls from friends excited to welcome me back. And my first full day back was Yom Yerushalayim- Jerusalem Day.
I had of course, fled to Efrat when I realized I had no clothing, and my adopted mother, in a misguided attempt to keep me from getting jetlag, took me to the neighborhood celebration hosted that night. Unfortunately, putting me in a dark room where I get to listen to someone speak in Hebrew is like giving me a sleeping pill and a glass of warm milk. She finally took me home when I started to drool on her shoulder. The following day-time celebrations were much more exciting. I slept late, my bags were delivered, and then I went into Jerusalem to join the thousands of people marching around the old city of Jerusalem waving Israeli flags. Jerusalem Day is the only day of the year when Jews can walk through any gate and any neighborhood in the old city. So of course, we all grab our flags and march through the Arab quarter singing and dancing. I am a little uncomfortable with this, as I understand how offensive the Arab residents find this, but at the same time, I believe in an undivided Jerusalem under Israeli rule. So though I do not sing or wave flags in their faces, I do take advantage of this opportunity to walk through a part of the city that is usually unsafe and closed off to me.
Thursday I woke up at about noon (I failed miserably in the battle against jetlag- though I partially blame the Israeli blinds that shut out all light, air, and noise) and went to the mall to get a new phone and plan. My phone itself is still suffering from a fatal attempt at swimming. And my plan is, well I don't really know what it is but it is not good. I sort of succeeded at both. I have a new phone, but no charger, and a new plan, but it does not come into effect until June 26th. Luckily, I, like my dear mother, am not much of a caller so this shouldn't have too much of an effect on my life.
Anyway I am happy to be back, settling in, and realizing all the things I need to get done in the near future. Let the adventures begin.
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