Happy Halloween!

This country is really fond of strikes. Currently, the Coffee-to-Go place next to TAU has a lot of workers on strike, because they have to share their tips with upper management. Some of the high school teachers are on strike, too. The people in TASP in high schools have been relocated or only have to teach half the time. This has been going on for 3 weeks. Also, all the university professors that have doctorates in the country are on strike, for more money, I guess. So, Israeli students are going to only some of their classes, those taught by people without doctorates. This and the coffee strike just started last week. I am in a special program, however, so I have class. I really hope the bus drivers stay happy with their jobs...
I’m in my second week of university classes and it’s weird to think that it’s midterm time at schools in the States. On Sundays, (I know, weird, too.) I have 3 classes: 8:30-10 am= Linguistic Models (theoretical views of language knowledge, processing and acquisition), 11-1:15= TESOL Methods (how to teach English to speakers of other languages), 2-4:30= Qualitative Research Methods (understanding and using the connection between qualitative methodology and the field of education). On Wednesday, I have just one class: 9-12= TESOL Practicum- We visit lots of different kinds of schools every other week and then discuss them and the current controversies around teaching English the alternate weeks.
The classes that sound intense (ie: Qualitative…) are and the ones that sound interesting and fun (ie: Practicum) are, so far. Sunday is a really tough day and it’s hard to concentrate on methodologies and theories at the end of the day. Oh, I can’t forget that also on Sunday, I have Hebrew Ulpan from 6-8:30. I’m going to have to get into the habit of planning my lessons for each week before Sunday, so I can just come home and crash at the end of the day. That’s all I want to do then!
This week, since it’s Halloween in the States, I’m celebrating the holiday with my students. I brought them all candy and I’m reading/telling spooky stories in the dark (with flashlights!) with the 5th and 6th graders. Some of them were really scared! I brought a bunch of my clothes to school and the younger kids are having costume fashion shows, where they have to tell the class what their partner is wearing. (We still have to practice English, after all!) If I see the kids more than once in the week, we’re doing a Halloween mad lib (Yea for parts of speech!) that I wrote, based loosely on my Halloween experiences as a kid. I’ve done only one, so far and it was so funny, I had trouble reading it at some points. Here’s an excerpt: “Dad waits on the sidewalk with the other fairies.” I’m still laughing at that one! I’ll post other worthy lines if they come up with my other classes.
I was just about to post this when Allie asked if I wanted to join them on a trip to Ace Hardware (Yes, there is one here.) I needed a locker lock for the gym and lightbulbs, so I went. Now, this place is only 10 minutes away, but when we realized that we’d have to get Ali and Allie’s boxed desks and chair home, it seemed much further away. If you remember from my move-in story, we were going to have a hard time getting a taxi to take us with our stuff. So, we thought of ways to take the carts home without getting caught. As we were leaving, the security guard stopped us and asked us where our car was. Allie, exaggeratedly pointed across the parking lot to somewhere really far away. Luckily, all we had to do was give up an ID and we could take the carts. Was not so easy as we thought. Heavy cart + tilted/uneven sidewalks + curbs = difficulty + much laughter. I was pulling the cart Allie was pushing. Ali had a lighter cart and didn’t need extra help. I got ran over a few times and probably have a few new bruises. It was hilarious to watch people on the street react to us. If only I hadn’t thought it would be a little trip, I would’ve brought my camera!

I really live here!

Last week, I got a bunch of cards with my picture and name in Hebrew. Sunday, I got my student visa in my passport and my gym membership card (I'm going for the first time tomorrow!). Wednesday, I got my Tel Aviv University student ID (My name's in English, but what are you gonna do?), and my student bus pass. I paid up front for the year and now I can ride an unlimited amount of buses an unlimited amount of times! Now, I don't have to figure out how to get somewhere using only one bus. Those 3 cards and my bank card (that I already had)looking at me in my wallet really make me feel like I live here. I feel like I'm getting used to the nuances of the culture, too.
My friend, Noam, drove me around on Monday to show me good restaurants and bars. He concentrated on one street and once I go to all those, he'll take me to a new section of town. So, when everyone comes to visit, I'll be ready to show you around!
Wednesday, some people from Cohorts 10 and 11 got together for a dinner at a restaurant at the namal (port). A new one for me...yummy, too! Thursday, after school, I went to get my haircut. Evan came with me for moral support and to take pictures (mother's orders!). I went to a salon recommended by one of the English teachers at school. I've got to admit that my first haircut with someone other than Mom, especially with someone who didn't speak much English (her daughter translated) was a little intimidating. I had to remember to breathe. It was very fast and turned out a little shorter than I wanted, though apparently no one can tell but me. I got through it, though. Next time, I'll try out a place that Lenore (in my program) has recommended.

Evan thinks I look terrified in this picture, exactly what I was feeling inside:

Loui, (my camp director) was in Israel and was kind enough to fund a dinner for some camp folk, mostly repeat staffers, in Jerusalem that night. Noam picked me up and then we sat in traffic- think Friday afternoon- on our way to pick up Doron and Lior and then sat in more to get to Jerusalem. Once we got there, we weren't really sure where to go, none of us being from there. Luckily, Meir was walking there and we picked him up and he directed Noam. We were very late...
Dinner was Italian, delicious and full of good conversation. For some reason, maybe it was all the Hebrew in the car, I was in the mood to speak Hebrew. Loui was impressed, but disappointed I was drinking wine. He said I have been out of Texas too long if I was choosing that over beer. Doron and Noam were quick to let him know that wasn't the case. They succeeded more in embarrassing me rather than convincing him.
After we had dessert at a waffle cafe/kiosk type place, we drove back, with Josh F and Lauren. Doron and Lior went with Aia and Erez, who were going more in their direction. Josh F's program was going on a trip the next day from TA, so he was crashing on the couch (Mike moved out!) and leaving in the morning. Lauren was taking a break from J-town and spending the weekend with me. The slept on the way back and Noam had a great conversation in Hebrew. There was a little Spanish (He's spent time in S. America.) and English worked in, but mostly Hebrew. Noam was very patient and gave me time to formulate my sentences before correcting me if he needed to. We had a long drive, so he had nothing else to do. It was my first real conversation outside of my head and was very good for my speaking confidence level!
Lauren went to the artists' market and food/wares shuk (outdoor, cheap market). I got some pots and pans for the apt because we have gas & a working stove now! I also got a challah for Shabbat...my first attempt at celebrating it since I've been here. It was a lot of fun, but very exhausting navigating through all the people.
When we got home, we had a Grey's Anatomy season 4 marathon to catch Lauren up before watching the new episode. For dinner the two of us and Allie went to a restaurant on Noam's list. It was fancy Asian & affordable. They also had an amazing dessert named 'Chocolate!!!' Later, after a little rest time, we tried one of the bars on his list. He was too tired to meet us, but Lauren and I had a good time. Allie was getting a cold and so she stayed home. The bar is called Hashachen (the neighbor) and resembles a living room. Not only is it cute, but it's very close!
Today, I started university classes. I had 3 today and then Ulpan (Hebrew class). There were decent breaks between classes so I wasn't nearly as exhausted at the end of the day as I thought I would be. The building we're in also has a nice grassy hill outside of it, with some trees for shade, like the Education building at UT. It was a very nice place to eat lunch and spend time between classes.
Now, to bed. Teaching tomorrow!

Beach Hike & More

This is way overdue. Our cohort took another trip on Wednesday, the10th. It was a beach hike from Habonim to Hof Dor in the north, near Haifa. It took about an hour and a half, with some stops for history lessons along the way. It’s not a completely sandy beach, mostly rocky because of the way the water currents flow. Tom, our tour guide, explained it better and I would probably would have been able to remember it better last week. Anyway, it was GORGEOUS!!! Afterwards, we went to Tishbi winery. I think it was better than Tzora. They gave us bread and huge platters of veggies and cheese. They also kept refilling them. At that point in the day, I was paying much more attention to the food than the wine! Their riesling was really good. Here are just a few pictures from the trip:



That Friday, Ali and Geneve (her cousin that is starting an internship here and also living with us now until she finds her own place) were up north with Geneve’s family for the weekend, and Mike went to a family friend’s daughter’s wedding in Herzliya, 20 minutes outside of TA. So, Allie and I checked out some new restaurants online and went on a date. We found a fish restaurant near our apartment that I can’t pronounce. It’s Shtsupak. You try! There are no menus and when you sit they bring you bread and a bunch of different salads. They give you time to munch and then come to ask if you want fish or seafood. Both of us got fish, so they told us our choices and asked if we wanted it opened and grilled or fried. We got one of each. They literally bring you a whole fish...head and tail and everything. I ate it all: On our way home, we got ice cream. It’s all more gelato style here and it has all been pretty awesome. Later in the night, we met up with Mike and his friend Jay (formally Josh T, but he’s working on changing his name) at Raquefette’s and then went with them to a new bar to meet up with Mark and Nili. We didn’t really get the fully bar experience because we sat outside, but I’ve heard it is a great place. I’m sure I’ll go back at some point.
Saturday evening, Meir called and said he was staying at his brother’s place in TA while he was out of town. He invited me and whoever was at the apartment with me over for dinner. So, Allie and I went and joined him and his friend Dafna. He made pasta, burekas and salad. Afterward, we were going to go to meet some of their friends at Max Brenner, but apparently the kitchen was backed up and so we could sit but not order anything. We went to a little cafe behind it. I was so full from dinner, but the conversation was good. Also, while we were standing outside Max Brenner and Meir saw Rinat, one of Dafna’s best friends, who happened to work at camp with in ’06. I love these crazy coincidences that keep happening here!

Sukkot break

Most of the Sukkot holiday has been spent at the beach during the days and hanging out at our apartment or Raquefette’s with friends. Monday, October 1st was my self-mandated day to start working out again. I went running with Mike’s friend Josh (now to be known at Josh T) in the park. We found a bicycle festival of sorts. There were competitions and vendors and food. We kept running, but came back later with Allie and Mike. The boys were playing basketball but Allie and I walked around to check things out and ate dinner. The weirdest thing happened when we were watching the bike jump competition. I thought I saw Sean! I did a double take and then still stared at his profile until he turned and I saw his full face. I think my parents are withholding information about our family history, because this guy was Sean’s long lost twin!
Tuesday, Ali, Allie and I went to meet Meir and Josh F (from camp) in a town between J-town and TA, called Shoham. There was a festival there with a free concert by Idan Raichel. We had quite an adventure getting there. We had no idea where we were going, but the Superbus was taking us there! While we waited for the boys, we grabbed some food, which turned out to be more difficult than you would think because Israelis don’t understand the concept of a line. Meir brought his friend Rivkah and we found a spot on a field to watch the show. There were a ton of people there! Lots of sleepy kids, too. :)
Meir drove us back to Tel Aviv and after dropping Ali and Allie off at home, he took Josh F and I out to a bar in south TA. Gal met us there and we had a ton of fun. It was a very good night.
Wednesday morning, Josh F and I left at about 11:30 for the Kinneret. It was about a 3 hour bus ride to Tiberias in the north and then we waited for another bus to take us near the hostel we were staying in. We had scrapped the camping idea when we found out that our knowledgeable Israelis couldn’t come. While we were waiting, a cabbie offered to “help us” and charge us 70 shekels to take us right to the hostel. He was pretty pushy and annoying. We stuck with our plan to take the bus. It would drop us on the highway, but the walk to the hostel would be short. The bus driver was a little unsure of where we needed to go, but dropped us where he thought was pretty close. We walked in the direction we thought we needed to go, found it was wrong, but talked to a security guard who told us the “right” way to go. After about 20 minutes of walking, we decided to call the hostel. They didn’t answer at first, but when they did, we discovered that we had been walking in the opposite direction. Oy vey! So, we turned around and started the right way. At this point it’s about 5:30 pm and the sun is setting, so as we are walking, we stick our arms out to try to hitch a ride. There were lots of cars that pass us, but then, gloriously, we see a car slow as they pass us. They go around a curve and don’t stop right away. We are disappointed until we go around the curve and see 2 young women waiting at the first place they were able to pull over. They are super nice and speak English really well, AND they dropped us off right in front of the hostel!
The hostel is the nicest place I’ve seen since I’ve been here. It’s hard to believe it’s part of the same chain as the hostel I stayed in in TA. After dinner (huge, delicious buffet!), we went to check out the water. We couldn’t really see anything because it was so dark, but we pulled some chairs over and sat with out feet in the water, listening to the sounds of the people camping on either side of the hostel property. When the fish started biting, we went inside and to sleep pretty early. We got to the breakfast buffet, again huge and delicious, at about 9 am and then out to the water. We found a place to lay out and joined the masses of kids and families in the water when we got too hot. I love the beach, but swimming in fresh water is so much better. I wish I had deflated my raft and brought it. The Kinneret is the perfect place for that! It’s ok, I will be back, hopefully to camp. After eating lunch in their little concession/cafeteria thing (and getting a bottle of wine for later), I took a nice, midday nap. The sun was setting when I headed back outside, but Josh F and I hung out in our chairs in the water until it got too chilly. After dinner, we found a TA soccer game on TV. Our original plan was to drink the wine while sitting with our feet in the water, but we felt we needed to watch this game, so the wine got opened early. Halfway through the game, Josh F got a call from Ofir, one of our camp friends. It was the first time he had heard from him since getting to Israel. He was excited he was in the north and said he’d come to take us out after picking up some friends. We showered and got ready quickly and found out when he got there that he lives outside of Haifa...45 minutes away! He took us to a Kibbutz bar and we had a great time. His friends are hilarious! I couldn’t believe how well this trip was turning out to be. In the morning, after breakfast and checking out, we got some more sun and water time in. It started getting cloudy at about 11:30, exactly when we needed to get ready to go. We changed in the hostel’s bathrooms and walked to the closer bus stop that Josh F saw on our way back from the bar. It was literally at the end of the road that led to the hostel! As we were waiting for the bus, we decided to try to hitch back to Tiberias, at the least. We’d take whatever came first. As it turns out, the bus came first..and it was a bus that would take us all the way to TA. There were many stops along the way, and we didn’t get back to my apartment until about 5 pm, but at least we didn’t have to switch busses and deal with cabbies trying to “help”.
I talked to Noam (another friend from camp) when we got back Friday afternoon. He had just come back from traveling in South America the week before and was finally over jet lag, functional and ready to be social. Doron came into TA to hang out with him for the weekend. So they came over to see my apartment and Josh F and I went out with them. Noam grew up in TA and promised to take me out during the week to show me some good restaurants and bars, so I can get away from cafes! On our way to a bar, Noam suddenly remembered his favorite ice cream place that he hadn’t been to since he got back. It was delicious! The bar was fun, too. They had really good music, both American and Israeli. N & D rank pretty high up there on my list of favorite Israelis, so I would have had a blast no matter what we had done!
Saturday, Ali, Allie, Josh F and I headed to the beach. N & D and Lior (another camp friend) were hanging out and stopped by to say hi. They were wearing clothes, though, because they claimed that it’s winter now and too cold to go to the beach. I guess that I was unaware, along with the other hundreds of people there, that 80 degree weather is too cold for the beach. And here I was thinking it was perfect. How silly of me! :)
That night, Raquefette had party for her birthday which is today. Most of the people from the program showed up and lots of her cousins and other friends were there, too. It was the perfect ending to our long break. Now, I need to plan lessons for school tomorrow. I will post pictures when Josh and I exchange ours. Dad, I’m sorry this is long.