Sef On The Go

Brooklyn Sightings

2010-03-08T19:52:00.000-08:00

Standing at the brink of spring.

Waiting for your turn.

Patience. Patience.

Brooklyn Sightings

2010-02-26T08:25:00.000-08:00

it says on the door "Surely the Lord is in this place"

Reaching out

2010-02-06T22:50:00.001-08:00

Hashem, My God, Illuminate My Darkness

You already know what to do

2010-01-19T17:24:00.000-08:00

From l.a.

Holding on and afraid
to Let go
and admit
the Selfish acts that lay between
Unspoken words
Eyes
Full of meaning
yet always Misunderstood

The Journey

2009-12-28T19:06:00.000-08:00

From australia

People are traveling together on a path. Because of the darkness, one veers off the way and becomes lost to the extent that in a short time he realizes that he is in the middle of a forest and he can see neither a path, a house, a person, or the like.

How did this happen? A person does not immediately jump from the middle of a broad path to the depths of a thick forest. Instead, first he veers an inch off the path, and then, another inch, and as time passes, he finds himself in the depths of a thick forest.

- An excerpt from I Will Write It In Their Hearts, Selections From Igros Kodesh, Volume II

Truth

2009-12-26T18:09:00.000-08:00

From australia

In life, you don't get all the answers at once. First you must absorb and live with one simple truth. Then later you must find another truth - one that may seem to conflict with and negate all you previously learned. Then, from that confusion, emerges a higher truth - the inner light behind all that you learned before.

- Taken from Bringing Heaven Down To Earth, wisdom and teachings from Rabbi M. Schneerson, compiled by Tzvi Freeman

And so it is

2009-11-01T20:19:00.000-08:00

Closet Romantic

2009-10-25T20:34:00.000-07:00

Time went too fast

2009-09-12T08:04:00.000-07:00

From australia

As it turns out in the end, I never got a chance to blog while being in the land down under. So sad, too bad. Here's a preview image, created by me while watching a glorious sunset. Chew on the thought and I'll be back soon.

Here We Go

2009-08-08T20:12:00.000-07:00

From Untitled Album

If you've noticed, I changed the title to my blog. I was thinking about how I like to travel and somewhere in my thoughts I came up with "sef on the go.." and it stuck. I'm always on the go. Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Montreal, AUSTRALIA! This blog needs a little shaping up. It's been floating obliviously for too long now.

OK, so here it begins. Journey #4. If you don't already know the story.. Journy #1 was Canada, #2 Israel, #3 Atlanta and soon to be #4, Australia. I'm goin to the land down under, for my dearest friends wedding. Hopefully while I'm there I can find the time and resources to update my blog. After the wedding, I have plans to travel the country for a month. So ok,
here we go go go!

2009-08-06T10:29:00.000-07:00

Being Paradox
=============

Don't be "this".

Don't let them define you.

If you catch yourself fitting into a definition, contradict it.

Never travel a single road.

Always walk through the splitting of the sea.

A Daily Dose of Wisdom from the Rebbe
-words and condensation by Tzvi Freeman
Menachem Av 16, 5769 * August 6, 2009

From Untitled Album

UP, UP and AWAY

2009-07-29T18:19:00.000-07:00

From Untitled Album

I've forgotten how powerful words can be. From what you choose to say, you can either build a person up or tear them down.

Question: What do you think is the most fulfilling thing you've done in your lifetime?

So soon

2009-07-28T02:09:00.001-07:00

Sunset in California

2009-07-27T03:26:00.000-07:00

From Untitled Album

I wish I was brave.

Eternity

2009-07-26T02:19:00.001-07:00

From Untitled Album

Break

2009-07-19T23:08:00.000-07:00

From l.a.

Sweet Home...California

2009-06-18T19:46:00.000-07:00

3 weeks is the perfect amount of time I need to transition back into life.
I love the sunny weather, the dry desert heat. I appreciate that I don't have to give a fake smile to people while walking down the street. I walk everywhere, and I'm no longer stranded in The Big City Filled With Nothing. (aka Atlanta, Georgia). Even though I'm not the biggest fan of L.A., I can still manage to fit in and feel normal. I love seeing Jews everywhere, I love the fact that there is no humidity, I love the palm trees and I love the Hollywood hills. Yep, I'm halfway home.

In all this free time I've been thinking a lot about my future. I have so many insecurities, dark thoughts that enter my head informing me "whatever I would like to happen won't" and it's also unrealistic in our "economic crisis". Did I make the right choice? Should I try to make a change and move? Am I going to the right place, will I be working the right jobs... Well... What is it you actually really want to do anyway? No seriously, what are you doing with your life?

Well, the answer I have is that I guess no one is ever really sure what they're doing. We can all start one way and end up in another place. I trusted in my gut feeling when I decided. It's only let me down once before, so "it" and I are still on a pretty good track.

I'm going to Australia soon. Before I leave, I'll try to pull some strings and get a good camera. My handy dandy canon powershot no longer has a flash and the buttons are beginning to wear. Next thing you know I'll be blogging from down under.

hehe.

From l.a.

One step at a time

2009-06-09T20:52:00.000-07:00

It's gonna take time

2009-05-31T19:58:00.000-07:00

I woke up today with a positive feeling. It was my first real Sunday off since Hebrew School ended and I had the chance to sleep in and take it easy. Around 10:30 I sat outside on the front porch to drink my coffee and watch the world turn round. As I spied on the morning joggers, kids riding bikes and dogs being walked, I felt this feeling of good fall upon my shoulders.

So many things have been on my mind lately. My thoughts are racing, electric currents zap from one corner to the other. I seem to be planning my future according to those that I already know of. But I have to stop, I have to create my own life. If I don't like what I see happening, then I can use all the power I have to create what I want. Sometimes I forget that. Most of the time I feel powerless.

My dreams have also been very intense. It began with dreams of actually being in Israel. I was walking down the main street in Tsfat, I was there, experiencing all the same noises and smells.
I dreamt of friend I haven't seen in ages and we spoke of old times and caught up to our current lives.

Maybe we are just breakable, amidst a time of uncertainty and insanity. But if I want something I have to push for it. I need to fight for my dreams, I mustn't forget why I came here.

2009-05-27T15:17:00.000-07:00

From Yaara's wedding

Almost done now.

I am a mountain...

2009-05-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

We're learning about mountains in preschool, in honor of shavuos.
I would probably try to come up with better posts and put up new pictures, but with my internet out at home - its becoming such a shlep. You'll have to bear with me for about 3 more weeks. I'm counting down to the end and it's making me a little bit anxious. No more having to smile at strangers, no more having to make lesson plans. yes yes yes yes yes.

From masada

From Tveria

From Golan Heights

From Israel Travels

From Amuka

From Life is dandy

Bonne Appetite

2009-05-10T00:24:00.000-07:00

From Israel Travels

dinner.

Hush

2009-05-04T16:02:00.000-07:00

From Georgia

Life is running on a quiet motor, a hushed buzz. It's continuous but numbing and puts me to sleep. I need energy, people, events. I need strange, humorous, elegant, horrid. I need a change and a challenge. Some type of booster, a push and a pull.

Everything has been feeling invisible, my goals are blurred and I hate muggy rain and thunder storms.

Be gone with the wind

2009-05-03T16:50:00.000-07:00

From Georgia

Check out this old Georgian plantation.
Of course we couldn't take pictures inside the actual house, that was the best part.

YES on Change

2009-04-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

From Life is dandy

Have you ever glanced back, at who you once were? And did you recognize your old self?
You can't suspect the future. All you can do is study the past and live in the moment.

Amazing, how change creeps upon us slowly.

Who I was and what I wanted does not at all match up with myself today. That scares me, because if I have changed this much already, who will I be tomorrow? What will be in the future? what will be in the future? what will be in the future? what will be?

The thought keeps pounding my head.

Where will I end up, who will I meet, how will I make my decisions.
Is it healthy, to go to places I once swore I'd never go?

One day, I know, this will all start to make sense.

No internet = No brain (or something like that)

2009-04-22T17:29:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I'm chewing on my own words right now. I told my friend Elisheva the other day that it's good to be off the internet.. And then of course I come back to Atlanta with no more hot spot/free-neighbor connection at my little post in the corner of the kitchen. I'm learning to manage, but in the mean time I can't seem to think about what to write.

So here is a nice picture to oogle at until I can write about something... (I was thinking of maybe about people who are grouches in the morning)..

From Tveria

And here's my thought.

I wonder if the old man is still selling his stuff. Did he give up?

Spring time in Georgia

2009-04-12T23:48:00.000-07:00

But I prefer spring in L.A.

From Georgia

I'm home and loving it.

Someone, please make sure I don't sign up for southern life again.

Goodbye Peaches, Hello Avocado!

2009-04-05T20:32:00.000-07:00

I really should be sleeping right now, since I have to wake up 4 hours to catch a plane back to L.A. But I was so excited to pack tonight, that I decided to share my joy.

3 years ago I got a great suitcase deal from Target, 4 bags for $100. Nice and cheap. They were good suitcases, sturdy, easy to pack away and stood out from others with their bright red coloring.

But after I traveled half way around the world and back, the largest bag ripped. A minor tear, nothing big. But as the traveling continued, the rip got bigger and eventually the handle stopped functioning. Finally, it came to the point where I couldn't bear the thought of traveling with it.

From Life is dandy

Two weeks ago, while helping my friend was scope around Marshalls for a new suitcase, I found IT. The Bag. The Ultimate traveling suitcase - for women. I scare myself as I write that because I don't like buying girl things because I'm a girl. I'm a picky shopper and I buy stuff only because I like it and not because some rich person out there decided it was made for me. Nope, I don't do that. What convinced me to buy The Bag was it's pink interior. As soon as I saw that BRIGHT pink lining, I had made up my mind. Only later did I notice all the pockets, zippers and trinkets that make it so much more girly. aaahhhh!!! I hate the idea of a woman's bag, but I really...like...this bag.

From Life is dandy

And that is why I was so excited to pack.
Maybe tomorrow I'll write about spring time in Georgia or Georgian mucky muck rain.

Shabbos Kodesh

2009-04-03T12:55:00.000-07:00

From Life is dandy

Shabbat shalom y'all. (I can officially say that now because I'm in the south)

No Peeking

2009-04-01T19:39:00.000-07:00

From Life is dandy

Well, you know how it is.
Yesterday went by too fast, tomorrow never seems to come and I've really had enough of today's challenges. Can't I just take a little peek into the future to see what it's like?

Any who, I finally discovered this week what gives me the most satisfaction from being a preschool teacher. It's not seeing the kid learn how to wash their hands, share toys, or name their colors. Its when I see the love a parent has for their kid and how special they are in their eyes.... I get this amazing feeling.

On another note -
after 3 years of blogging on and off, I've finally decided what "LIFE IS DANDY" means.

Ain't nothin to do

2009-03-30T16:45:00.000-07:00

From Georgia

Today I actually have something to write about since I'm on spring break and I can do...things...besides work and homework. I've neglected me for the past few months, so now's the time for pampering.

I decided to go for a walk today. (trust me, its a big deal to have time for this). I like walking. So I walked to "The Park", which is probably my favorite part of Atlanta. I think we need a park like this, in L.A. It's huge, it's busy and full of life. I walked to my bench (only designated as my bench two weeks ago on my birthday...When I sat there for 2 hours pondering life), sat down, turned on my music, took out my notebook and started to write. Just as I began to unlock my thoughts, this older man sits down on the other side of my bench. Then a minute later, he starts to talk to me.

"Ohh, you write so fast" - him
"oh, yeah I guess *insert friendly awkward smile*"
"I can't write so fast in English. But I can in Farsi" - him
"Oh, well I can't write Farsi, so we're even"

Then I turn back to my writing and try to regain my thoughts. But nope, he couldn't catch the hint. He then asked me what music I'm listening to. It's American music right?
"actually no, its Israeli" (it really was)
"Oh, you speak........Hebrew?"
"No, but I understand a little."
"Oh...forgive me, I don't speak English so well"
"Its ok......."
"You know.....Hebrew? It's what they speak in Israel, yes?"
"Yes it is and no I don't speak it"
"Oh, I know 3 languages. Farsi, Arabic and English"
"....Nice"
"You listen to Israel music, I listen to Arabic music. Here, listen"
.......he pulls out his earphones and I listen for about 2 seconds....
"...Hah...ok...nice! *insert awkward smile*"

He never took the hint that I wasn't really so interested in talking and I couldn't ignore him... So he continued asking me questions like where I'm from, do I go to school, where do I work.....and then finally....

"Maybe you can teach me English for..one hour a day? And I teach you"
"Uh, sorry, I have a lot of work......and uh...I'm busy...But I'm sure there is a school here that you can go to!"

Ok, I had enough. I slowly packed my stuff and left my bench (I gave the man another quick awkward smile). My peace had been disturbed. I walked home, all the while checking behind me to see if I was being followed.

After all this, I remembered something. As a child, I used to take acting classes all the time. One of my favorite games was where you had one character on stage sitting on a bench at the park, feeding the pigeons and minding there own business. Then you walk in and have to get the bird feeder to either talk back, laugh or weird them enough to the point that they'll leave. Once they're gone - you take over as the bird feeder and someone else walks in.

So today my friends, I experienced in reality - one of the games I used to love as a child. And I think I lost.

Give it a try !

2009-03-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

10 points for whoever can guess where this wall is located.

From Untitled Album

Cookie Cookie Cookie

2009-03-24T21:23:00.000-07:00

Everything changes when your only friends are two.

Put simply

2009-03-23T15:52:00.000-07:00

From Georgia

This used to be hideous a thing. A creepy black thing with diseased looking bumps. I really didn't like it. nope. Can't see a tree like that ever being planted near my house.

Then spring came along and flowers grew from what I thought were cancerous tumors.
These flowers bloomed... I thought the tree was dead.

Well, there you have it all summed up. Whatever seems bad, is actually good. You may only have to wait for the seasons to change.

I'm also spilt milk

2009-03-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

From Life is dandy

Don't know why, but it appeals to me.

Happy Birthday Me

2009-03-21T18:56:00.000-07:00

I'm on the left.

Strength

2009-03-19T11:34:00.000-07:00

From Herziliah, Israel

If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for everything.

Oh! Life?

2009-03-17T20:21:00.000-07:00

I've been so tired this month.

I've felt so suffocated this year. You know, I really don't like suffocation.

I've been feeling quite invisible lately. But, that can happen when you don't socialize.

I'm feeling not, myself?

As my 21 birthday rolls around, I'm being forced to stop and take account.
It's important to pause and align yourself back on track.

Are those coals being fanned?
Is the train running on schedule?
Have you kept in contact with the conductor?
Is the company growing?

One kid in preschool gets a mini-bagel for lunch every - single - day. Sometimes she just won't be into it and honestly I can't blame her for it.
So to get her motivated we tell her "Wow! you've eaten so much already! You're almost done!"
and it works like a charm.

We also have to do that in life. Yeah we make mistakes, but focus on your accomplishments or else you'll never get passed them.
Deep breath. Take another bite.

and the engine keeps on rollin.

From Blogger Pictures

I am a Hexagon

2009-02-23T18:05:00.000-08:00

Swing

2009-02-21T23:48:00.000-08:00

It Don't Mean a Thing if you Ain't Got That Swing - Duke Ellington

Hunger pains

2009-02-09T18:28:00.000-08:00

Isn't it annoying
when you get hungry and it's hard
to decide what to eat? I'll stand in front of the fridge
for a good 3 minutes.
open it.
close it. walk away.
walk back. open it. nope.
close it.
open it.
Ah fine, ok, I'll make some toast.

Nooott snoooooott!!!!!

2009-02-07T20:26:00.000-08:00

The other day while I was sitting with my back against the door that separates the kids by "younger two" and "older two", I heard a mischievous knock against the glass, a giggle and then "mora fira! looook!" I turned around to see what was going on - when to my horrible surprise I saw this face gleaming at me.

This is probably the oddest post in the world, but I have to say that wiping noses all day long has become a very tiresome act. Especially when you find snot on your clothes from kids hugging you. Enough is enough! when will this horrid season of wiping end!?

Transformation

2009-02-03T18:39:00.000-08:00

Rise above. Be greatness.

Wait.

2009-02-01T18:39:00.000-08:00

I'm waiting for the walk sign to turn on and all the red lights to change green.

this picture was taken in Los Angeles - for a change

www.futureplanner.com

2009-01-27T16:19:00.000-08:00

And the stress begins.....

How do I do it? Where do I start?

Woah...

2009-01-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

You've caught me on a stump. I have nothing to write about. Actually, my thoughts are pretty one track minded. No - make it 3 tracks. Work. School. Israel.

From Life is dandy

The sun was even brighter than this. When I saw it, all I said was "woah.." I wanted to get a picture of the guys davening to the left, but this was taken on my first bus ride in israel and I was still "camera shy".

I'm now an official student of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online.

wanna do a mitzvah?

2009-01-07T13:41:00.001-08:00

I'm applying to the Art Institute and I need some scholarships... Please, if you could just take a minute of your time and vote for my picture (and if it wins I could get some $$$).... THANKS!

Planet Beautiful
Brickfish

I Stand By Israel

2009-01-05T21:22:00.000-08:00

My eyes look up to the sky, searching

into the crowds, asking

into the valley, wondering

what will be tomorrow?

I Think I Have A Fear of Hics

2009-01-04T00:09:00.000-08:00

Chattanooga and Memphis, Tennessee

Lovers leap

Fat mans squeeze (yeah, I made it through!)

The greyhound bus station - not a fun place to be

The king

The Hotel where Martin Luther King Jr. was shot

The Mississippi river

Say wah?

2008-12-13T21:11:00.000-08:00

Ixnay on the ottenray

2008-11-27T08:55:00.000-08:00

One of the best time killers for the kids is blowing bubbles. I really get a kick watching them stare down the floating bubbles, trying to grab them, some of them even space out.... Anyway their reaction reminded me how the monster in young frankenstein acts when "frau blucha" plays the violin..

Havdallah In Beirav, Tsfat

2008-11-24T20:00:00.000-08:00

Dang. How do I get back ?

2008-11-20T19:33:00.000-08:00

building up for the future :)

Falling All Around...

2008-11-17T11:15:00.000-08:00

T. T. O. "Row Row Your Boat"
leaves leaves
falling down
falling on the ground
red, yellow, green and brown
falling on the ground

The grass is always greener on the other side

2008-10-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

From Israel Travels

The real challenge is when you were on the green side and then knowingly stepped over to the brown. Not because you desired it but - what had to be done....had to be done.

I saved some seeds from the old garden and I'm using those to replenish the one I've moved in to - and I have to be careful to not forget to water them.

Doug - the class fish

2008-09-24T16:02:00.000-07:00

From Georgia

Always discovering

Just noticing

2008-09-01T18:55:00.000-07:00

Driving on the road in Israel, you might encounter...this...

And in America, you will find this....

On a side note, I've noticed that everyone in the south insists on smiling to strangers and it tends to really throw me off guard...

Exit Right

2008-08-28T17:30:00.000-07:00

My last morning in Israel.

I had that overwhelming feeling of - that overused word- bittersweet. There was this tug to the right, new things lay ahead. Then a pull to the left, I love it here...My mind went blank (which was more of a relief because its always abnormally busy with thoughts). And I just stood there, watching the rising sun, listening to the birds, cars, wind in trees. Maybe I even prayed a little that what comes next will be just as positive and fulfilling.

Presence

2008-07-27T15:27:00.000-07:00

The coal is smoldering inside of you,
keep fanning it till it burns to a flame.

And then..

2008-07-13T12:40:00.000-07:00

We had a 10 day vacation at Machon Alte between the winter and summer program.
So I got myself a travel buddy, packed my bag with three outfits, a toothbrush and some money and took the next bus out of Tsfat.

In our travels we went to Ein Gedi, Mitzpeh Ramon, Tel Aviv, Jaffo, Kfar Adumim, Beer Sheva, Jerusalem, Ramat Gan and Chevron.
I took about 16 egged buses, ate cottage cheese for breakfast every day, slept in random places (including an absorption center), got a tan, hardly showered and spent as much as i planned to spend - but still it was a lot for a student budget.

Any way, it was great and I think everyone should get the "backpacking" experience at least once in their life.

That's Your Choice

2008-06-11T05:27:00.000-07:00

Stand Strong.

Oops....

2008-06-05T08:13:00.000-07:00

A fire at the Metzuda

Started by them?

Tsfat Fun

2008-05-15T06:38:00.000-07:00

And you thought Tsfat was boring?

I decided to add the bottle of coke to the "Israel Collection" in my room and as I placed it on the shelf, I observed the order in which they appeared and thought - hmmm, the evolution of society?

Determination

2008-05-09T08:23:00.000-07:00

Don't Fall Behind

2008-05-05T13:52:00.000-07:00

Didn't you realize?

If you're not growing, then you're falling.
And if descent is really what you want, then make sure to put your whole self into it.
Otherwise its a waste.
A waste of life and purpose.
An insult to the child that is struggling to take it's first steps.
Because, It's nice that you've overcome what I'm just beginning

But what of it now, if it's not going anywhere?

And please tell me, why is it always the children,
the innocent, the new - that are the keys to our emotion and self-pity toward one another.

This all spilled into my mind at the park.
As one man sits, strokes his long beard with one hand and reaches for his daughter with the other.
Then take notice of other children zooming past on their bikes.
To the left, a group of college girls are giggling while drinking ice coffee.
And found on the right in the corner is an old man on a bench slumped over, next to his backpack.

Or maybe growth is really sort of inevitable.
But when you're aware of its importance
All the more better life is.

P.S.
Don't forget to not regret

Moving On

2008-05-03T17:14:00.000-07:00

They've walked on Hollywood Boulevard and across ancient holy-land in Israel.
Its funny, it's weird, cliche.
No matter, I still feel that my shoes tell a pretty cool story.

It Was Fun While it Lasted

2008-04-27T21:14:00.000-07:00

The testimonial to 14 years of my life ended in a few short breaths Saturday afternoon. However with every ending there is a new beginning, so lets get to work.

R.I.P Augustus [a.k.a. Auggie]

A Light In the Darkest of Chambers

2008-04-18T12:40:00.000-07:00

The view from my window at night...

Wishing everyone a happy and kosher Passover

20 Seconds of Joy

2008-04-08T16:19:00.000-07:00

In the span of 20 seconds you can:

take a picture

write a lyric to a song

cross a street

pick a flower

eat a piece of chocolate

straighten your bangs

smile at a friend

tell a joke

tie your shoes

sketch a drawing

turn on your t.v. and surf through some channels

take a deep breath

The people in Sderot however, only have 20 seconds to run for cover before missiles hit the ground.

My heart is with Israel.

Goin' Back Home

2008-04-06T16:27:00.000-07:00

Miracles come our way when least expected.

I'm going home for Passover so there might not be any posts for a while...

The Perspective

2008-03-31T15:12:00.000-07:00

Who I am is how I see the world...

Stand aside and absorb the moments of life.

Will you be spent away in a rush? Is there any time left to just be?

Be it walking through unlit streets at night to sitting on a swing in the rain

- stop moving and just feel.

Values

2008-03-19T01:45:00.000-07:00

Where do you spend your time and money? What do we focus our energy on?

I believe that sometimes people get side tracked in their daily activities.
We forget that there should be more to life then that perfect cup of coffee in the morning to the newest style of shoes.
Some won't even consider that there could be possibly more to life.

These ideas popped into my mind from random experiences of the past week.

Because I discovered that even though Tsfat is a mostly religious town, there are those that will spend time, money and energy over events they consider holy and everlasting...

And there are those who those who spend their time, money and energy into something else.

These examples are a little extreme, but I feel that my point still remains clear.

Yep, The Olive Tree Forest

2008-03-13T13:20:00.000-07:00

There's not much to write about the Olive Tree Forest. Pictures tell the whole story, don't they? - Well maybe thats not exactly true, but these pictures do.

"Rabbi Yehoshuah Ben Levi said: Why is Israel compared to an olive tree? Because just as the leaves of an olive tree do not fall off either in summer or winter. So, too, the Jewish people shall not be cast off, neither in this world nor in the World to Come."

- Tractate Menachot 51b

The Jewish people are like olive oil - always rising atop.

Sorry folks, us Jews are gonna be sticking around a long while!

Finally: The Almond Tree Forest

2008-03-11T14:39:00.000-07:00

I apologize for how long it's taken me to put this post up. In all truth, it was the attack in the Merkaz Harav Yeshivah that threw me off. I wanted to write inspiring words full of hope, about how everything will work out for the best. Including the idea that G-d is everywhere - in everything, even in this. But I can't seem to come up with straight thoughts and ideas that really express how I feel.

So we're just going to go back to the original plan.

Enjoy the pictures.

The Almond Tree Forest.

Tzfat [Tsfat, Zefat, Safed], Israel

Hope you enjoyed!
Here's a sneak peak to my next post - The Olive Tree Forest

Appreciate What You Have...

2008-03-03T01:05:00.000-08:00

Going down to the "almond forest" today with a few friends. I'm not even sure if the place has an official name. We discovered the blossoming almond trees other day on our ritual walk to Shefa Shuk and decided it would be fun to go down there and take pictures.

So we're going on an adventure.

In the mean time, here are more pictures from my trip to Jerusalem.

Israel Experience #314

2008-02-26T06:41:00.000-08:00

I just got back from my weekend off in Jerusalem. After spending the past month in Tsfat, I forgot how normal Israel can actually be.

Ok that was just a side note, here's what I really wanted to write about...

Incase you didn't know, Israeli's push. When standing in line at the grocery story, that split second you space out and forget where you are, someone will cut in front of you.
Getting onto buses is a whole other story..I'm teaching myself how to push back, I mean.. It's basic survival instincts here. If you don't push, you don't get anywhere.

Sunday morning I was in the Western Wall Tunnel. I wandered through the tunnels alone and at one point encountered a group of American tourists. The group was big and the tunnel is narrow so I had to move slowly with them... When suddenly a man notices me trying to pass and he shouts to the rest of the group "MAKE WAY FOR THE YOUNG LADY TO PASS! MOVE TO THE SIDE! LET HER PASS"...I honestly did not expect that.. Its definitely not an Israeli thing to do, I would of had to either push or wait... But with Americans?

Completely different society.

Sleepy Time in Tsfat

2008-02-25T00:07:00.001-08:00

Shake N' Bake

2008-02-16T13:40:00.000-08:00

This past week we experienced two earthquakes in Tsfat ranging on the richter scale from 4.5 - 5.0.

I grew up in California where it happens all the time, so its not something new to me. Yet every time I do experience one, it freaks me out. It's the unexpectedness that gets to me the most.. Not knowing when it will happen again.... That really drives me nuts.

So, we had this earthquake on friday, 12:30 in the afternoon. I was standing in my room talking to a few other girls there when the ground moves beneath, I trip and manage to fall onto my bed immediately grabbing our floppy bookshelf so it wouldn't fall over. I understand that not everybody grew up with the idea of "earthquake safety" like I have and the whole "drop under a table and take cover" idea isn't their second nature.... But everyone should have a sense of logic, something you would NOT do...

For example, you should definitely not start jumping up and down excitedly and then run to the window to see the cars swaying all while the earth is shaking.

3 Simple Rules

Israeli Bash

2008-02-15T01:57:00.000-08:00

I visited two weddings this week.

The first one, in Haifa, we [Machon Altie girls] were invited to...

The second, in Tsfat, I casually walked in to. [We were only there for maybe 30 minutes though..no biggy]

The Old Man

2008-02-11T06:33:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking on what my next post should be for a while now and this is what finally hit me.

On the midrachov [the main street] in Tsfat stands this one old man, every day, selling cheap jewelery. Every time a person passes him he throws out his offer, holding up one of his items "chamesh shekel, chamesh shekel..." [5 shekel, 5 shekel]. That also includes me. I've been here for almost 4 months now, and every time I pass him he asks me to buy something...

At first I was thinking "honestly, doesn't he ever get tired of asking people? Doesn't he see me ignore him, every day? Why does he bother trying?"
Ok, maybe because he's so old his memory is going a little..understandable..

But the conclusion I took out of it for myself, is that this guy doesn't give up. Every day he stands out there selling junk, asking mostly the same people...every time they turn him down..And yet he just keeps at it... Thats really something we should all do, to learn not to give up when you want something...to keep trying..stay strong..

Huh?

2008-02-06T06:35:00.000-08:00

There's nothing else in the world like Israeli fashion..... and I think it should stay that way.

Continuation of Israeli Snow Fest

2008-02-03T09:19:00.000-08:00

Snow? In...Israel?

2008-01-31T08:41:00.000-08:00

Just when I thought I escaped the cold bitter canadian winters....

In 2007 I completed what some people call a "real" winter...Snow, sleet, ice, below freezing weather..I got sick of the snow..ugh..once spring came around I was like "ok, i'm over it..go away"

its been 8 months of separation since then [ yes 8 months because the last time was in may...MAY!!!]..and now it snowed in tsfat and i'm psyched!! Its all melted away since then, but here are some nice pictures to enjoy.

p.s. when it snows in Israel, everything shuts down...Kinda funny since its only like 3 inches too...

The adoption agency

2008-01-27T11:20:00.000-08:00

Kinda like how L.A. is the place for "homeless" people to migrate to, Israel is the place for all the stray cats and dogs in the middle east. [ I don't really blame them for their choice either.. ]

My friends and I recently discovered one dog (out of the many) and have grown attached to him.. He found us one day while we were roaming the old city and he followed us around until we made it back to our apartments.

Since then, whenever we see him we give him a treat... He's a real special dog.... (but not to replace the one at home who's probably sleeping on the coach at this very moment..)

Oh yeah, we named him Benny...

The Real vs. The Surreal

2008-01-20T08:45:00.000-08:00

My mind is in jumbles and its hard for me to come up with words to describe the impact that my stay in Chevron left on me.

One thought of mine is how different reality of the Jew's in Chevron is compared to America. In Amerca a person will turn on the 10 o' clock news, hear about wars in the middle east - think about how horrible it is - then go to sleep with an easy conscious. I cant blame them, I've done the same thing myself and when I go home I might even continue to do so.

In Chevron, Jews are living under the threat of the Palestinians every day. They walk down the street and are neighbors to people who hate the very essence of their being.

This sounds extreme, maybe I'm being extreme...But thats just what it is.

I saw things that I've always heard about, but never put together as a reality...

For instance I saw soldiers posted at every corner for our protection.

Palestinians stop what they are doing and stare at you, most of the time with hatred

Fences, Walls and Barbed wire to prevent chaos..

Bullet holes in household objects...

Children living their life as they would anywhere else without fear...

I saw one of the Holiest sites in the world for Jews, Christians and Moslem's... and when I peaked through bars to see the place where Abraham's tombstone is, on the other side I saw Moslims bowing down and praying, even some gazing though the window at us...What did I think of them and what did they think of me at that moment?

I saw a building stopped in the middle of production. 12 single rooms, open windows with a plastic covering, one bathroom, one washer and one drier... and I heard that 12 families live in one room each [one per family] and they share the one bathroom and one washer and drier...

I heard a story of a building that was once an Arab market, but after a shooting in 1994 they vacated the building. It was left empty for 6 years, then fixed by Jews who moved in and lived there for maybe 6. I heard that this past August they were expelled by the government for living there illegally. But it wasn't so easy to take out the people who so very much wanted to stay. The doors were fired down and blocked with settlers locked inside..

Three of them even locked themselves inside a concrete box, for standoff, that took the soldiers hours to open up.

And I saw a small city, that is unable to build up because it upsets the people who hate them.

I saw and heard all this and I now know it as a reality. In America we live a luxury life and so many people take that for granted.

I dont know where I'm going with this.. my mind is in jumbles...

Traveling

2008-01-17T09:49:00.000-08:00

A picture of my brother and I in the same exact place - similar style pictures - 2 months apart in time.

Drawings

2008-01-17T09:27:00.000-08:00

Going away to Chevron this weekend, but in the mean time here's a picture I drew for the magazine Shoshanim.

One view point from another

2008-01-13T05:53:00.000-08:00

View of Tsfat from the Citadel at the top of the hill

Outside the opera house in Budapest.

Cloudy Days

2008-01-08T06:04:00.001-08:00

The Case of the Calcium thief

2007-12-27T03:04:00.001-08:00

Every morning at 8:00 am breakfast is served down at the machon.
[note: we’re supposed to have classes at the machon but they are currently adding on to the school so for now we learn in an empty apartment. The Machon contains the Israeli program classes, seminary chaya mushka classes, the office and food]
In the past, girls from the american program would have to shlep down every morning (actually maybe not shlep but rush because food went fast) down the stairs to get food, then rush back up the stairs to class. Basically it was a hassle.

Girls ended up complaining about this annoying process, so a new routine took place. Now, every few days or so we take a bag or two of milk, cereal, coffee and other goodies back up to our apartment to eat. Milk is actually our main necessity. Most of us make a good cup of coffee in the morning, then after our first class, maybe at lunch time and then the last cup around 4 or so. Ok – maybe we don’t consume that much caffeine – that would be kinda dangerous I think…But you get the point right? We love our milk – and we only have so much of it….

Except… this past Monday…At the end of class my dorm counselor asked me to bring up some milk because we were low on supplies. I told the rest of the girls near me that we should bring some up and they gave me a look of… “oh…um…ok…” you know that look of “I am not doing anything for anyone” so ok whatever you know, I went to the kitchen [avoiding the tempermental Israeli cook who always shouts at me in Hebrew] grabbed 5 bags of milk [ milk comes in a bag here… get used to it ] and ran upstairs.

I was so happy with my achievement – 5 whole bags! Yeah! This will last forever!! But when I got inside and told the news, I found out that one of the other girls had listened to what I said…and brought up 6 bags before me.
In total, our apartment had 11 bags of milk. Wow…that should REALLY last forever, huh?

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Next, I have a slightly off topic story about the case of the missing pudding.

Jane* [names have been changed for privacy] bought a pudding one day, just for the heck of it. She put her name on it – like all girls do here - so it won’t be mistaken for free food. Later that night when she went to eat it she couldn’t find it. The pudding was no where to be found……

Linda* hearing the story immediately remembered what had happened to her on Chanukah vacation. She had bought herself 4 puddings before vacation, put her name on all of them then wrapped them in a bag with her name written all over it and placed it in the fridge. By night time there was 3 puddings left. The next morning there was 2. She herself hadn’t touched any of it…
Linda and her friends looked through all the garbages to find her pudding containers…they didn’t show up. A random thought passed through her friends mind “what if this pudding thief is eating the pudding and throwing it off the balcony?” Yeah ok, no joke. They looked from the back balcony and found her empty pudding containers thrown across the lawn……

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One day a girl saw Nichole* eating pudding that had Linda’s name on. “where did you get the pudding?” she asked politely. “oh, I found it in the fridge.” ….uhuh.. the girl then says “oh, well it has Linda’s name on it – that means its hers”… nichole, maybe a little shocked says “oh…” and the end to that story..

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Just last night Wendy went into Linda’s room holding up a chocolate bar wrapper with a sad puppy face on. “oh did you come to share with us?” a girl inquires. “no” Wendy said “actually…I bought this chocolate bar a few days ago and I havnt touched it at all. Just now I found this left on my bed.” Someone had gone into her room, taken the bar of chocolate out of her bag and eaten it up…

Earlier that day someone had noticed the pudding thief [nichole] wandering the hall of their apartment (she doesn’t live in that apartment ) looking around and touching things….

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Ok – if I havn’t lost you yet…Can you get where I’m going with this?

It is obvious to me and everyone else that there is a girl taking other girls food.

Which brings me back to the story of the milk.
We had 11 bags of milk. Over all, I’d say that should last us a little bit over 9-10 days yeah? It’s been Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – and we can now count a total of 3 bags left. 8 bags of milk consumed in less than 4 days.

Our one conclusion is that we have all seen one specific girl pour a huge bowl of milk for herself and not finish it. Use half a bag for hot chocolate that she said was for “everyone” [ no one wanted ] and even make a huge pot of oatmeal with it and not finish it. Everyone has seen this one girl Overdosing on milk.. Who is the same girl seen to be eating Linda’s pudding, the same one seen to be wandering in another’s apartment before a chocolate bar was gobbled up and most likely the same girl who stole Jane’s one pudding.

Pudding, Chocolate, Milk…

I’d say we have a calcium addict on our hands..

The size of Tsfat

2007-12-24T09:27:00.000-08:00

Escape to J-town

2007-12-19T04:20:00.000-08:00

My general rule to life is that where one finds a group of girls living together, there is more than likely to be drama amongst them.

It’s an unfortunate thing I think that girls create such negative atmospheres for themselves. Personally, I always try to stay as far away as possible from the insanity of dorm life.

However, ever since I came back from Hungary… I couldn’t escape the scene. I was involved so much in it that at one point I thought I would bite the next person’s head off.

Later I decided that you know what, sometimes violence isn’t the answer. Instead, my friend Chaya came up with the idea that we should escape to Jerusalem for a day, maybe go shopping, go to the western wall…chillax…

We left early in the morning before people woke up (which added to the “escaping” effect because some girls didn’t know where we were) and arrived to J-town around 11:30 AM. We walked around, explored the shuk and ate lunch at the green village. The food was healthy yet served “cafeteria” style. You grab a plate, fill it up with goodies ( I happened to get rice with tomato sauce, sweet potato, garlic bread and eggplant salad) then make your way to the register where they weigh your plate. The heavier it is – the more money…right?

After lunch we walked through the old city to the Kotel (the Western Wall). I had a chance to clear my head…

We ended the day walking through the only mall in Jerusalem. You know, I can probably count the number of malls in all of Israel…Its hard to imagine sometimes how Angelinos would survive Israel…The whole idea of shopping, for fun? Definitely something that has never crossed their minds.

Ok, it wasn’t a jam packed day full of exciting tours and events… It was just an escape moment…

All in all, It was a great day.

Moving

2007-12-16T10:42:00.000-08:00

Last month the staff here at Machon Alte decided that it was time to move into bigger apartments. The move was pretty neccessary...because at the time we had 4 girls sleeping in what was supposed to be the living room and all the other rooms in the apartment were crammed to the fullest.
Not to mention we had a few minor problems in the apartment that needed to be fixed.. for instance we had a leaky shower and toilet (yes...toilet...). Another issue- our hot water heater (called the "dude"..i dont know why) could not be used at the same time as the dryer or else our power shuts off. Lastly, our front balcony door was broken..just a little (its not attached to the bottom hinges).
Dont get me wrong though, this is not at all complaints. Everything here has been wonderful and I really love Israel. But you know, these issues had to be addressed..So instead of renting these icky small apartments - the school decided to rent big ones!
Everyone was excited about the move. New apartments, bigger space, new roommates!

Anyway, we finally moved in last night. Packed all our stuff - shlepped it down stairs and back up more - unpacked..and I have to say...my new room is really great. Its small, I have one - great - roommate and I have privacy. Its a big difference to last years 5 rommates deal...

I want to mention that nobody has to worry about me because i am now sleeping in a bomb shelter.......

Blogging block

2007-12-15T13:19:00.000-08:00

Its pretty torturous to live in an interesting place, do interesting things and meet interesting people but not be able to write one word on it. I've done so much in the past 2 months... I even started 3 posts but just left them unfinished..

ok..enough is enough..something is coming..i know it.

A new step

2007-10-18T09:22:00.000-07:00

Give me time to settle please!
i'll make a new post soon

Artsy Fartsy

2007-10-07T14:18:00.000-07:00

cereal

2007-07-16T17:33:00.000-07:00

I couldnt come up with a better title because im not really feeling so well.

This weekend we had a sleep over at the chabad house for all the little kinderlach (kids) and the best part i can say about it is that its over. having to watch over 20 boys and girls around the ages 8-9 is very stressful! you have to make sure theyre having a blast, which means giving them your full attention when at the same time all you want to do is sleep, or relax - especially on a saturday.

i cant think of much else to say
here's a picture of all our cereal boxes in the apartment - we live off of the stuff.

the fourth

2007-07-01T18:30:00.000-07:00

The choices are....

A. go to a beach in Manhattan

B. stay in boring connecticut

aanndd
......i hope the winner will be manhattan!

I decorated my room!

2006-11-10T07:35:00.000-08:00

it took forever, but i finally got it done, and i love it...

before....

and after

Oh, Canada?

2006-08-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

Its been 2 1/2 days-ish since I arrived, and my the bagels are DELICIOUS. There is nothing like a montreal bagel with smoked lox and cream cheese. mmmmmmmm.

Everything is pretty much the same.

Yesterday was spent practicing my hebrew and shopping at walmart for some of the little things i'll need to take with me up to St. Agathe.

I couldnt find an open wireless network around the house, so I'll be usin grandpa's computer for now.

thats about it..i guess..