thursday...and action!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Hey people,

To all those who were waiting impatiently for my next blog post I am extremely sorry. As you see I am back now in Montreal. There is a lot to do and lots of work to catch up on. So once again I am really sorry and I’ll try my best to finish up my blog posts in the next coming week.

So where was I when I left off? Let me look back for a second…oh right, I have to apologize for my writing last time it wasn’t the best because I was trying to hurry becuz I had to give my cousin back the USB stick.

So Monday, let’s see… it started off as usual. I woke up, I took my shower, tried to dress presentably, ate breakfast, had coffee, davened and plugged in my computer. So far so good. Also since it was my last day, I decided to take some pictures of my grand-parents’ apartment.

Since I can’t post anymore pictures (still doesn’t work) I have a better idea, if you want to see pictures, let me know and I’ll email them to you (someday!).

The day flew by quickly; I managed to do everything on my list (the one I mentioned above- well in your case below) except for packing. My cousin, Renana, came over once school was out. You wouldn’t believe this, but I did my homework with her. I actually got my lazy self to drag out my homework which I had buried at the bottom of my suitcase. Now that deserves a prize!

My aunt and uncle came by, and guess what? Remember the past Shabbos how I was always playing Mankalla with my cousins. Well later on my aunt asked if we had that game at home, of course I said no, since we didn’t. And guess what not only did she buy us the Mankalla game but also two others: SET and JUNGLE SPEED!!! It was really nice of her.

When my aunt said good-bye I didn’t understand that this was the last time I was seeing her (till next time). I thought that later they would come by with my cousins. So Meitar, if your reading this, hopefully you understand how sorry I am we didn’t get to have a proper good-bye! Pass this on to your sister and brother too. I miss you all!

After we sat down to eat. I was a little nervous, since we were leaving the next day and didn’t really eat so much. After my other cousin came. Remember the one from the first day, the one who saw me in pajamas. Well I didn’t really see her afterwards until Monday. She came in her army uniform which was a good thing since I still wanted some more pictures with an Israeli soldier.

I’m not sure what happened next…I think Renana left with her mom…no wait, that’s after sorry. No, first we went to the Makolet (store in Hebrew). Renana, my grand-mother, my dad and I went together to the Makolet. It’s just a block away from the apartment. There my grand-mother bought us a bunch of nosh and food for our way back.

Then we came back home and my uncle, gabby, showed. As it was my last day he wanted me to see my small younger cousin that I still hadn’t seen. So we went to his house. My dad went to daven mincha and when he came back he found me playing with the smaller two children as if I had known them forever. Here is his family from oldest to youngest, (excuse me if I get the ages wrong): Hadas- age 14, Itie- age7, Talyia-age 5, Yair-age2. Before I left I promised Talyia I would send her some stickers from Montreal and nail polish.

When we arrived back at my grand-parents place, my aunt Yochi and her daughter were there. I knew that while she was there I wouldn’t be able to do any work. And I was right of course! She sat on my lap the entire time and whenever I moved she followed me. Finally it was time for her to leave (bedtime, I suppose) and also Renana had to leave becuz she had school the next day. That was a tearful good0bye. Hopefully I’ll see her this coming summer. She said she was going to come.

If you think that this is where it ends you are quite wrong. Next Ariel came with his girl-friend/future wife. And I’m like ‘Shoots!!! I have to finish my blog post before I give back the USB stick’. But I didn’t have to worry he told me to finish what I had to finish and to take my time. The reason why my writing turned out so bad was becuz I didn’t feel comfortable taking my time. After before they left we took some pictures together.

Finally everyone left and I had to pack. It didn’t take me as long as I thought it would. Maybe an hour or so, a little less perhaps. The most annoying thing that happened was that I couldn’t find my phone/alarm clock which I really needed since I had to wake up at four in the morning. I found it in the end but my battery was dead. So I had to wait until it was halfway charged in order to set the alarm for the morning. By then it was already 12. I barley had four hours of sleep before I had to get up again. It was my last morning in Israel!

Tell you about it later, I have to go

Homework
love Chaya

Sunday + Birthday Party

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Hey guys,

So to Sunday…

I woke up at 10 am (or later), ate something (coffee included) and davened. Then I sat down to write some more of my blogs and clean up my room, since we were leaving in a few days. By the time we finished eating lunch and were ready to leave the house it was already 1:30.

We took the bus to Petach Tikvah and from there a Taxi to Ramleh. The taxies are different than in Montreal. It’s like a small bus/van with 9 seats excluding the driver’s. The taxi stops every bus stop to pick up those who don’t want to take the bus. Whenever you want to get off you just ask the driver to stop and he stops for you. You can get off whenever you want. We were the first ones on and the last ones off.

In Ramleh my grand-father picked us up from the bus stop. We then went to his house to use the bathroom and pick up the suitcase that my grand-father packed for us to take with us back to Montreal. Next we visited the jewelry shop again. My sister’s necklace was fixed and my grand-father wanted to buy her another pendant for it. I had to pick one out for her. I hope she likes it.

After we drove to pick up my cousin, she was joining us for the drive to the birthday party. The drive there took us an hour at the least (I wasn’t counting).

Did I forget to mention that it was my cousin’s birthday today? Well if I did know you know. I hope I didn’t confuse you guys.

When we got there (my aunt lives in Ashdod) my cousin, the youngest one, was there to greet us. What’s the big deal? They live on the sixteenth floor, it’s a penthouse! We finally reach the 16^th floor my aunt was there to greet me. My cousin too. She was ecstatic. She kept on telling me that she couldn’t believe that I was so big, that she remembered me when I was there as a baby.

This is how my eldest aunt’s family works: there are two older daughters both in their twenties and then two younger kids a girl and a boy, ages 9 and 7. The girl is the older one; it’s her whose birthday it was. The older cousin who was there (the other one was away cuz she had to study for a test that she had in university) is an artist. I repeat an artist!!!!!!!!! She draws amazing: cartoons, portraits, anything really! She showed me some of her stuff, it was really great.

They showed me around their house. From their balcony we could see the sea. The breeze was really nice. My favorite aunt and uncle and cousin came a few minutes after I arrived. My little cousin was so happy with al the music and stuff. He was dancing the entire night and refused to sit still. At the end of the night he was so tired that he wouldn’t move from my arms. When they tried to take pictures with me without him he would start crying; I’m such a sucker for crying children, I had to pick him up.

Everyone was there: My twin cousins, their parents, my other cousins who I still didn’t see…. everyone. By the time the night came to an end I had met everyone. I said good-bye to all my cousin, aunts and uncles. It was a sad farewell since I won’t be seeing them again till the summer.

After everyone left, the birthday girl’s father took us down to see the beach. We drove there in his truck. It fits 3 in the front (by the driver). We walked on the beach for a few minutes and took a few pictures. After he took us to a Kenyon; just to look around. There he bought us an ice cream. I finished mine last (as usual). When we got back it was time to leave, but my aunt was insistent that I see some pictures of her and my uncle in Thailand. So we did. We sat for 10-15 minutes and saw all the beautiful pictures of that place. Maybe I’ll go there one day.

After we left cuz it was really late and the drive back was long. My uncle said (when we were on the way out) that they were coming to Montreal for my wedding. I love how everyone thinks that I’m getting married tomorrow!

We got home at 11. I knew that there was a lot to do, but I didn’t want to stay up late that night b/c I needed my strength for the flight back. So I decided not to write my blog post and instead wrote a list of what I had to do today. I managed to do everything so far except for pack. And that’s my cue. I have to go now. Today’s blog and the flight back will be posted when I get back to Montreal.

See ya all

Gitty if you read this, call me, Kay?

Love ya all.

Chaya

Friday2 and My Last Shabbos

Same day, Different time

Hey y’all

I’m back. So where were we…oh right, Friday….well then

We got back home and right away my aunt started to prepare lunch. Since it was almost 1 my aunt told me that it would be best if I took a shower instead of waiting till I got home cuz I wouldn’t have time since we were going to spend Shabbos in Tel-Monde with my father’s sister. So I did. My little cousin is the cutest when I disappeared into the shower he started crying, he thought I left. The smile he gave me when I came out was to die for.

Lunch was pasta with a sour cream sauce. It was delicious and a first for me. When we finished I packed up my stuff and me and me and my cousins spilled into the car. We were heading back. I thought that it would be the last time I saw them till this coming summer but on the ride back I found out that my oldest aunt, Margalit’s, daughter was having a birthday party that I was going to and so were they. So I would see them again before I left.

They ride back was no more than 20 minutes. We arrived 15 minutes after 2, (tough!). I said good-bye to my aunt and cousins and went to pack up for Shabbos. I decided that I wanted to wear my new heels so I packed those too. My uncle came to pick us up at 3:20. On the way there I fell asleep. When we got there I changed and went to rest since I was very tired. They woke me to light candles and after my cousins left to go to shul I went back to sleep. Meitar woke me up for Kiddush. I thought I would fall asleep at the table but I didn’t. at the end of the night I wasn’t even tired anymore.

We had the same Shfaradi meal like last time, with all the singing and two different meals for salad and fish. After we benched my two cousins and I pulled out the TAKI game. (It’s like UNO.) Elad won. I was the last winner. Next I played backgammon against Elad; he won. (this is where I stick out my tongue). Next we played Mankalla. I lost, again. But it was fun. After we moved to the couch where we sat and talked about everything and anything. One of the subjects that came up was school, our school. When they heard about all our rules and punishments that we get for nothing they were completely shocked. They agreed with me that it was like prison.

We went to sleep at one. My aunt had to wake us up three times the next morning. By the time we got up they had already started Kiddush. Meitar did Kiddush and then I had a cup of coffee. We didn’t start the meal right away. We waited till one or something. During that time I played Mankalla against both of my cousins.

After the meal we went for a walk. When we came back we sat down to play TAKI again. I gave up halfway thru the game, since I saw that I was losing again. Then I played backgammon against Meitar this time since I knew that I would for sure lose to Elad again. I won! Both times!!!!!!! I knew I was good at it. By the time we finished playing it was already time for havdala. That’s the second Shabbos that I didn’t spend the entire Shabbos with my nose stuck in a book for the whole day.

After havdala, I packed up and said good0bye to my cousin. I didn’t fall asleep on the way back. When we got back I sat down to write my Thursday and Friday’s blogs. Then I watched a really cute movie and half an episode of ‘so do you thing you can dance’. I went to sleep really late and…well that’s for the next blog.

See ya then

Love Chaya

Friday2 and My Last Shabbos

Same day, Different time

Hey y’all

I’m back. So where were we…oh right, Friday….well then

We got back home and right away my aunt started to prepare lunch. Since it was almost 1 my aunt told me that it would be best if I took a shower instead of waiting till I got home cuz I wouldn’t have time since we were going to spend Shabbos in Tel-Monde with my father’s sister. So I did. My little cousin is the cutest when I disappeared into the shower he started crying, he thought I left. The smile he gave me when I came out was to die for.

Lunch was pasta with a sour cream sauce. It was delicious and a first for me. When we finished I packed up my stuff and me and me and my cousins spilled into the car. We were heading back. I thought that it would be the last time I saw them till this coming summer but on the ride back I found out that my oldest aunt, Margalit’s, daughter was having a birthday party that I was going to and so were they. So I would see them again before I left.

They ride back was no more than 20 minutes. We arrived 15 minutes after 2, (tough!). I said good-bye to my aunt and cousins and went to pack up for Shabbos. I decided that I wanted to wear my new heels so I packed those too. My uncle came to pick us up at 3:20. On the way there I fell asleep. When we got there I changed and went to rest since I was very tired. They woke me to light candles and after my cousins left to go to shul I went back to sleep. Meitar woke me up for Kiddush. I thought I would fall asleep at the table but I didn’t. at the end of the night I wasn’t even tired anymore.

We had the same Shfaradi meal like last time, with all the singing and two different meals for salad and fish. After we benched my two cousins and I pulled out the TAKI game. (It’s like UNO.) Elad won. I was the last winner. Next I played backgammon against Elad; he won. (this is where I stick out my tongue). Next we played Mankalla. I lost, again. But it was fun. After we moved to the couch where we sat and talked about everything and anything. One of the subjects that came up was school, our school. When they heard about all our rules and punishments that we get for nothing they were completely shocked. They agreed with me that it was like prison.

We went to sleep at one. My aunt had to wake us up three times the next morning. By the time we got up they had already started Kiddush. Meitar did Kiddush and then I had a cup of coffee. We didn’t start the meal right away. We waited till one or something. During that time I played Mankalla against both of my cousins.

After the meal we went for a walk. When we came back we sat down to play TAKI again. I gave up halfway thru the game, since I saw that I was losing again. Then I played backgammon against Meitar this time since I knew that I would for sure lose to Elad again. I won! Both times!!!!!!! I knew I was good at it. By the time we finished playing it was already time for havdala. That’s the second Shabbos that I didn’t spend the entire Shabbos with my nose stuck in a book for the whole day.

After havdala, I packed up and said good0bye to my cousin. I didn’t fall asleep on the way back. When we got back I sat down to write my Thursday and Friday’s blogs. Then I watched a really cute movie and half an episode of ‘so do you thing you can dance’. I went to sleep really late and…well that’s for the next blog.

See ya then

Love Chaya

Friday, march 4, 2011.

Hey everyone,

It’s me once again. Well duh! Who else would it be?! So back to Friday….

The day started off really well actually, no one woke me up. I woke up on my own. I had a very good night’s sleep. Everyone was already up, but no one entered the living room, I guess they didn’t want to wake me, which was nice of them. At 7:45 everyone left; my aunt to take the older boys to school and my uncle to take the baby to גן and the dog out for a walk.

I didn’t really want to get out of bed but I knew that we had a busy day since it was Friday and I had to be back at my grand-parents’ at 2 the latest. So I dragged myself out of bed and went to wash up in the bathroom. When I got out I knew right away that my uncle was back becuz the dog was standing right by the bathroom door. No, I’m not scared of dogs! I petted him, said good-morning to Itzick, took my clothes and got back into the bathroom to change. When I got back out Carmela was home. She asked me what I wanted for breakfast and when I shrugged my shoulders and said anything she offered to make pancakes, which was really sweet of her.

After we finished eating, Carmela handed me a coat. I was a little confused since you don’t have to wear a coat in Israel. But then I saw her take out the huge helmet and I understood. She and Itzick both have motorcycles which they use to go to work with. Its quicker becuz there is a lot of traffic in the morning and motorcycles allows them to skip the whole line and get to work on time.

To tell you the truth, at first I was a little scared. It was my first time on a motorcycle and it was something I wasn’t used to. But after a few minutes I got used to it. It was actually pretty exciting. I sat behind Carmela on hers and Itzick took his and together we speed to the shuk Hacarmel. There we bought my mom a table cloth that she asked us to buy for the house and a few headbands and earrings at a shop of 1שקל. Next we visited an area that is like old Montreal but cooler. There they had lots of jewelry and stuff that was all handmade. We were just browsing we didn’t bother to buy anything. This stuff is usually supper expensive, but we did however take lots of pictures.

After we finished browsing we hopped back onto the motorcycles and head to…guess where?...THE BEACH!!!!!!!!!!!!! The place I wanted to see since the moment I got here! I took off my shoes and socks and waded into the water. The water was cold, but what do you expect, it’s still winter. I did manage to get more then my feet wet, I also got my leggings wet. But whatever, they are going into the wash tmrw.

After we went walked on the stones…I’m not sure what you call it, the place where ppl usually fish from. Well whatever that…I was still not wearing my shoes. Some parts of the rock was wet but I didn’t really think about it. I was about to walk towards a certain stone where Itzick was going to photograph me with the ocean behind me when I slipped and fell hard on my back. I could not get up at first but I was alright, nothing broken. Thank God! The funny thing is that my aunt couldn’t stop laughing when I fell. She seriously caught the giggles! And when I was finally able to stand I joined in. it was pretty funny when you think of it. After we finished giggling we took somemore pictures and I put my shoes and socks back on. It was time to leave becuz it was almost 12 and the children where ending school. We hopped back onto the motorcycles and speed home.

That’s all for now; it’s late. I have to go to sleep

See ya all tmrw

Love ya,

Chaya

The Longest Day So Far!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, March 3, 2011.

Hey you,

Sorry. I’ve been very busy, as you can tell since I didn’t put up my post on Thursday or Friday. I’m sorry for keeping you guys waiting. And so without further ado here it is…My Thursday.

The day started off with my aunt (from my mom’s side) waking me up. I had the most uncomfortable sleep that I was more than glad to get out of bed. I got dresses into a long skirt and comfortable shoes, since we were going to Jerusalem again. Did I tell you this already?

After I had breakfast (which consisted of two cups of water, nothing else) my father, my aunt, my grand-father, and I piled into the car and went to visit my grand-mother’s kaver. Her kaver is very pretty (sorry if this is the wrong word to describe a kaver) it was made out of white marble. I said a perek of tehilim and light a נר נשמה. After taking a couple of pictures we left to go meet with my other, two aunts who were going to join us on our excursion to Jerusalem.

While my grand-father went to bring a cooler to put all our food in, I decided that it would be a bad idea to travel on an empty stomach had a coffee with three hamentashen. While I ate I spoke with my aunt (the one who had woke me up the other two were on their way). She looks more like my mom then my other aunts. When I told her this she smiled and told me that I was probably seeing the resemblance becuz I was missing my mother. This was probably true.

After I was done eating we started taking out food from the fridge to take with us. My two other aunts arrived with a surprise. My mom’s second to oldest sister has 6 kids, remember I mentioned that before. Also remember that I said that the two older ones where at boarding school. Guess who took off time from school just to see me and join me on this trip. The older of those two! Her name is Shirel, she’s 19. The last time I saw her I was the worst cousin. I remember how I treated her; it wasn’t nice although I was just 6 or 7 at that time. She was so happy to see me! And I was too!!!!

Piling into the car was a little bit of a problem since there were only 7 seats and we were 8. But we managed to fit somehow and at 9:30 we were on our way. This time we took a different road to Jerusalem, thru Maron. Unlike last time when there were no stops on the way, this time there was. It wasn’t a thorough check. Just a quick stop where the guard says hi and you answer back. All they do is check that you’re Israeli and not Arab or something. And this they can tell from you’re simple שלום!

We got to Jerusalem but before we continued on to the Kosel we stopped at the kever of Shmuel Hanavi. We went inside, davened, said some tehilim and took some pictures (which I have to ask my aunt to email me). We washed our hands and hopped back into the car. Next stop the Kosel (or somewhere close to there).

We parked the car and started the long walk down to the Kosel. We went thru the Arab shuk this time (last time we went thru the Jewish shuk). I bought 6 bracelets, two for each of my sisters. I actually got a good bargain for them. At first the guy said that he would sell them to me for 5 shekel each (1.25$ each). I said no. forget it the other day I saw the same bracelets 3 for 10 shekels (83 cents each). I started to walk away when the guy called me back. He said he’d give them to me for 4 shekel each. Sorry no, I started to walk away again. Defeated the guy says fine and sells them to me 10 shekels for 3 bracelets. I only bought three at his store. Further down we saw another store that sold the same bracelets but different colors and so I bought another 3. We didn’t have to bargain this time. We told him that the other guy sold it to us for ten and he said okay.

We finally got to the Kosel. This time the security was better than last time. When we came into sight of the Kosel we stopped abruptly. The entire woman section was packed. And I mean PACKED!!!!!!! In our hast and hurry to get to the Kosel we had completely forgotten that it was Erev Rosh Chodesh which in Israel is called Yom Kippur Katan. Busted!!!!!!we didn’t even try to get to the Kosel instead we wrote our bakasot on small pieces of paper and gave them to one of the men to put it in the Kosel since the men’s side wasn’t packed.

(here I was supposed to upload a picture of the packed kosel, but the dumb thing doesn't work! sorry)

We did however get to go underground or at least s/t like that. We got to see how deep the wall goes underground. It was pretty deep; it’s good I’m not scared of heights! After wards we took a small break and sat down to eat something.

From here on I have to be quick, cuz it’s getting late and I still have another two posts to write.

After we finished eating we went to see that gold menorah again. We took a whole bunch of pictures and continues on to David’s kever. I know I had already been there but my cousin hadn’t. There too we took pictures.

Next we visited the ice cream shop. I ordered 1 scoop of vanilla and 1 scoop of mint. It was really yummy. I ate it slowly and in the end when I had only a spoon left I couldn’t make myself eat it I was so full. Since my dad didn’t want it I fed it to a hungry stray cat. She let me pet her while she ate.

By this time it was already 3 something so we decided to turn around and head back. This time we went thru the Jewish shuk. Before we left Jerusalem we stopped somewhere to eat lunch/snack/supper. Here we were also able to see the whole view of Jerusalem. We took pictures and piled back into the car. We had just started driving when my mom’s second to oldest sister started arguing with my other aunts. She wanted to go to kever Rachel and the other two didn’t. In the end she won cuz she said brought me into the picture.

So we visited kever Rachel. It was scary cuz right next to the parking spot next to kever Rachel there was another parking zone that said “Jews not allowed”. It was the first time I saw something like that. I was a little relived when I saw our soldiers who were doing their job like they were supposed to. I davened mincha and said some tehilim at the kever, and on the way out gave Tzedaka to someone who gave me a bracha for a shidduch (which I don’t need yet!)

This time we really went home. I must have fallen asleep on the way back cuz it was much shorter than the way there. We finally got back to my grand-father’s house. I helped take bags from the car and said good-bye to my cousin and my aunts. I took my suitcase and my laptop and headed with my aunt, Carmela, ONLY (not my dad) to her house where I was going to sleep the night.

It didn’t take long to get there; she lives in Tel-Aviv. I was able to see my three favorite cousins again. I think I enjoyed the time I spent at her house the most. (Wait I already said that! Oh. Well…) after I had put my stuff down, Carmela, Itzik, Yoav, Roei, and I went to the nearby store to buy something my mom asked us to look for and to buy some food for supper. Yoavie was so excited; he was running all over the store and I twice I had to stop him from running out.

When we came back we sat sown to eat. I had ate a sandwich with avocado and I think a small yogurt (I’m not sure if I ate it at night or in the morning…no I’m pretty sure it was at night). I took a shower and then when all the kids were asleep my aunt and I sat down to watch a movie. (It wasn’t a good one!) And afterwards I said good-night to my aunt and went to sleep. She had put out a mattress on the floor in the living room.

And there it is my Thursday.

Next is Friday,

See ya in a minute,

Chaya

Did you know?

Did you know that not only do Israelis not know how to drive normally they also don’t know how to park!?