Chaval al Hazman

Let me first start off by saying I can't believe it's already April! In just two months, I will have been living the Tel Aviv life for almost a year! As most Israelis will tell you, time flies so quickly here, it's unimaginable. Lots has changed…where to start.

Our balcony

I live with my boyfriend, Oren (whose name means pine tree in English btw) for a couple months already. He's a sabra Israeli, meaning he was born and raised here. Thankfully his English is great, and so is he :).
My life is a lot more routined now than it was before. Every Friday night we go to his older brother's house for Shabbat dinner in Kfar Saba (about 20 minutes from Tel Aviv), and every Saturday we go to his parents for Shabbat lunch.
When I found out his mom didn't speak a word of English, I worried a bit! But as the Israelis say… hakol yheye biseder (everything will be okay), and it was. His family is very sweet, and his mom even called me the other week when I wasn't feeling well to check in. She also changed her cooking since I've been around.. to a more... American style cuisine? I'll explain. The first time I ate lunch there, there the was chicken liver. Okay, understandable. The second time there were chicken hearts on a stick. That I had never seen. And no, I did not try them. Usually when I come there is a buffet of food on the table, so I can always manage to eat something. This next time though… there was one pot on the table. Right in the middle. I was eager to see what it was… chicken? Well.. kind of. It was called "Jersualem mix".. which contains all the insides of a chicken. Since then, let's just say there haven't been any livers, hearts, or insides at lunch.

Now for some Israeli food I do like #falafel

People always ask me… so are you fluent now in Hebrew? The quick answer. No.
My understanding has drastically improved, but it takes many years to master a language fully. Hebrew has A LOT of slang, which takes time to learn. "Chaval al hazman" technically meaning "shame about the time" apparently means "awesome." I found out recently that I passed into the highest level of Ulpan, which was great to hear.

The more time I spend in Israel, the more challenges that face me. The hardest two adjustments for me are the language, and the fact that punctuality and customer service do not exist. (Of course being away from my family and friends has by far been the hardest, but that goes unsaid).
The standard of living is the next hardest part. Nobody moves to Israel hoping they'll be a millionaire.They move here because it's a different quality of life that revolves around friends, family, and living in the moment and knowing everything will be okay.
I am an American though, so it's hard for me not to think about money and the long term. I barely have a salary here (at least compared to the US), and the price of living in mind-blowing.

Me and Kim

Me and my cousin Michelle

On a more positive note, I have plenty to look forward to this summer. For starters, my BFF Kim is coming on Birthright this summer, and so is my cousin Michelle who I haven't seen in years! (maybe since I was 19.) And last but not least, my parents are coming!! I cannot wait to see them again, and for them to finally meet Oren.


In other important news, I was a cat for purim, like last year, and maybe the year before. My mom sent me an awesome care package with new clothes, jewelry, coffee, etc. thanks mom.

Peace out for now :)


J.

11 months

I've been in the holy land for 11 months now, and a lot has changed since I last wrote. I have been at my job for 2 months, and am very happy with the work I'm doing, and my co-workers. I work for a startup company in online advertising. I started my job as a content writer, but have been working on website design, and can now even create my own webpages from scratch! I can't believe how much I've learned, and how lucky I am to have a workplace that I enjoy coming to everyday. My weekly meetings are in Hebrew now. One day, the CEO looked at me and said, "we consider you one of us now. You're Israeli. This meeting will be in Hebrew." I couldn't believe it! What an honor. No I didn't understand every word, but I got the gist.

The other day was my b-day, and I really couldn't have had a better day. My roommate took me for breakfast, which turned in to lunch, which turned into a beach day. My roommate Levi works for a nice hotel in Tel aviv. The other day he messaged me telling me to leave Hebrew class right away and to come to the business lounge, Natalie Portman was going to be there. I knew had to go, when would I have this opportunity again? So I left class, and ended up sitting at the table next to her while I ate lunch.

For my birthday I reserved a table at one of my favorite pubs downtown. I got a table for 15, but by the end of the night, almost 30 people came.. including almost all of my co-workers. Fourt months ago I was new to Tel Aviv. I can't believe how many amazing people I've already met in such a short amount of time.

One of my BFFs is Alina, who I met on the Kibbutz. She's one of the coolest girls I know. Just finished her service in the army, and is going to start "kevah" soon, which mean she's going to be a soldier, but as a career. 

In two weeks I'll be going back to the States for Thanksgiving. It's been almost a year since I've seen my siblings!! I'll be home for almost two weeks. I'll be working from home for one of them. I can't imagine what it'll be like being back. I haven't been to the states since my decision to make Aliyah. I left an American/Canadian, and will be visiting as an Israeli. I have a lot to look forward to in FL (family, shopping, food), but also a lot to look forward to when I come back. Tomorrow night I was asked to do a segment on channel 2 news, one of the biggest news channels in Israel, about my experience as an Olah Hadasha. Can't wait.

Tel Aviv 

Shavua Kef

I woke this morning at almost 2 in the afternoon. The last time I needed this much sleep was probably during finals week in college. Between work and Hebrew studies, my weeks are jam packed! Oh.. and did I mention I get Hebrew homework every night? 

This past Thursday I skipped Hebrew (rebellious I know) to go on a "yom kef" (fun day) with work! It was awesome. Instead of a normal workday, the company took us all (15 of us) to Jerusalem for the entire day! We met at work at 8:30 and took a minibus from there (Jerusalem is about an hour away from Tel Aviv).

On the bus we were offered some drinks. I had never tried choco before (Israeli chocolate milk which people drink here like water) so i decided to have some. After I start drinking it, the girl next to me explained how back when she was in the army, if you got choco, it was a privilege. But, once you had your glass of choco and your cigarette, you were off to the bathroom. I was like great ... I'm the idiot drinking a laxative on the way to Jerusalem! 

We started off the day at the well-known shook Ben Yehuda where we had massive amounts of food for breakfast. (Burekas, eggs, etc). We had a tour guide. And of course she spoke to us in Hebrew. I was happy that I could understand about half about what she was saying, and was able to get the overall gist. 

I had been to this outdoor market many times before when I studied abroad in Jerusalem. This time was a completely different experience though because we got an inside tour of many of the shops. We got to sample Halva, Tehina, candy, fruit shakes...

Havla and Tehina 

After the tour we had some time to do some shopping. We then went to the old shook near the Western Wall where we went into some fabric shop. We saw textiles that were over $400 a yard. From all the episodes of Project Runway I watched, sounded like a lot. 

We then went on a tour of the old city via segways! It was my first time on Segway so I didn't know what to expect. We had two "instructors" who explained to us how to use the machinery... but the directions were given to us in Hebrew. Now was not the time where I only wanted to understand the gist of what was being said! I was handed a release form where I needed to sign. I only signed after I heard the instructions again in English. It was a blast! Only one time I felt like I was holding on for dear life. If you can imagine there's no emergency stop button! 

We ended the evening at a beautiful restaurant at the old train station. It was really great and I felt like I really bonded with everyone. It was nice to spend time with them outside the workplace. Since day one though, everyone there has been so welcoming towards me, which has been amazing. 

I can honestly say for the first time since I've been here, I'm really starting to feel like I'm becoming part of the Israeli culture.

One of my favorite courses in University was called "language and thought" where we learned how the language your'e born with affects the way we see the world. Language is Culture. Now that my Hebrew is improving, I feel like I am able to follow conversations, and even contribute like I wasn't able to before. I've found the most useful way to improve my Hebrew is to speak with people who need to improve their English. Israelis want to practice their English, so it benefits both of us. I had such a confidence boost the other night when I was with two Israelis who told me my Hebrew was good and my accent wasn't that bad! 

Not knowing the language surprisingly has its benefits sometimes. I was out with my roommate Moshe the other night. When we showed our IDs, supposedly I got rejected because it was 26+. I didn't understand what was going on and just walked in liked I owned the place. No one even said anything or tried to make me leave haha. 

I gotta give a shoutout to my roommates. They're awesome. I really lucked out considering I didn't meet them before I moved in (crazy I know). 

Levi (in the picture) works in some business lounges in some nice hotels in Tel Aviv. The other day he got to spend the whole day with Natalie Portman!!!! He said she ate veggies with Tehina and made her assistant go out and get her hummus! (In case you were wondering what Natalie Portman eats when she's in Israel). Supposedly Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis were here a couple weeks ago. Guess I live in the LA of the Middle East! 

This was a great week. Shabbat Shalom :) 

J 

These past couple weeks has felt like a series of people coming and going, which has been hard. Israel is a unique place. Some people may come for vacation, but many stay for several months doing post-grad or study abroad programs. My roommate Tamara was here for a couple months, and left last week. It's not the same coming home every day and not having her here. I have other good friends on vacation right now, or back in the army for a couple weeks. It's been the high holidays (Rosh HaShana, Yom Kippur) so things have felt a little slow around here. In the states we say the "High holidays." Here one of my Israeli friends got extremely offended when I referred to Yom Kippur as a "holiday." She said holiday sounds like a celebration. This is not. All stores shut under law, and no cars are seen on the road. I guess in the states we refer to days like Veteran's day as a "holiday." But i see her point.

Tamara's last night in IZ.. for a while :( 

Me and my friend Alisa roaming around Tel Aviv

I've dated a couple people since I've been to Tel Aviv. If you even need a confidence boost, come to Tel Aviv. The men are ANIMALS. seriously. They lurk high and low, and come from every direction. K that might have been a bit of an exaggeration. But if things don't work out, it's not that it just didn't work out, you've also lost a companion, which sucks. Especially when you're still settling in and making new friends.

I have been fortunate to meet some really great people since I've been here. For example, my friends Dror and Moshe (here's your shoutout boys). We met one night at a pub, and since then we're like the three musketeers. Ha okay jk. we've hung out like twice. But I always have fun with them. Moshe's friends call him "Moses" cuz they think it sounds more hip and modern than "Moshe" ... hilarious.

Just got back from the shook (crazy outdoor market). Came across this dude who looked like Bill Cosby but from the Matrix. I asked him where he was from because he was speaking in English. He looked at me. Kinda creepy and said "I'm from the LIGHT." Then he tried paying the cashier in all small change (like the equivalent of dimes). The cashier dude looked at him and straight up was like, "NO." That's when I left.

Ok this video isn't too exciting but I finally got a vine. For some reason it's playing like a vine on crack?

Confession of the week: I eat fried food from the shook at least once a week. It's my guilty pleasure. I walk in with no shame and fill up this giant plastic box with fried kosher goodness. Some may think that's gross.. but hey. A girls gotta keep her curves ;).

.... Woa.

Woa is right. The only word I can think of to describe the week I just had! I can't remember the last time I was this busy. Perhaps finals weeks back in uni? (Yea I just said Uni.. all these foreigners are messing with my English!). In all seriousness, I don't know how to speak English anymore. All Olim (new immigrants) used to tell me their English would get worse by the day, and I really didn't believe them until now. Let's start but that awfully embarrassing facebook status I put out the other day. umm... I'm righting a blog? Dear lord. Sorry guys. Let's try that again.. I am WRITING a blog for an awesome startup company in Tel Aviv. Don't worry.. I spend many hours editing ;).
I'm having a blast at work. Day 1 and they were already calling me Shosh (from "Girls")

If you know me (which I'm assuming you do cuz you're reading my blog) you probably noticed I tend to struggle with pretty basic life tasks such as: opening a tuna can (thought I was going to lose my thumb a couple weeks back), cooking anything that doesn't involve microwave (if that's considered cooking), and apparently.. making a coffee. Everyone at work found it incredibly entertaining watching me attempt to use the coffee machine. Oh well. Ain ma la-asot (Nothing you can do).
Imagine... going from 5 hours of intensive language class, to 5 hours of writing. Hebrew -----> fashion. Lolz. Love my life.

Getting my learn on. Photo cred: Creepy Noa

Anyways. Met some guy in my Ulpan today, let's call him Joe, who's never tried a soda in his life! I was even more shocked when he told me he didn't try ice-cream till the age of 35! I ran into him on the street before class today. I was confused why he was going about 10 minutes out of his way and taking the long route. He explained to me how there's a coffee vendor near our class who yells at him when he's drinking a coffee from somewhere else. So he literally sneaks to class so he doesn't have to deal with it. LOL. JFLS. (just felt like sharing).

Trying to contain my enthusiasm. YEAA Hebrew!!
Next to me is Bex. Another American. 

I think it's worth mentioning how things work around here. Customer service. Another word now missing from my vocabulary. Let me give you an example.
Q: Hi. I'd like to change the method of payment for my phone plan.
A: You're no where in our records. You're sure your name is Jacqueline? Come back another time."
One more..
Q: Hi. Can someone please come check out our apartment. Every time we turn on the water heater, the AC goes out."
A: I take cold showers all the time. There's nothing wrong with that."
Somehow I'm getting used to this "Shchoona"...BS way of dealing with things.

View of my walk to work. No complaints.

On a separate note. I'm in dire need of a day off to just chilllllax.. The first chance I get... Saturday, which happens to be Yom Kippur. Super relaxing right? No food, water, or .. yea you get the point.
Looking forward to Yom Kippur though. I hear it's a completely different experience here in Israel than anywhere else. Silence . everywhere. not a single car. Well I'm off to bed. Laila Tov.








(Keeping in my thoughts and prayers the innocent victims and their families, who were affected by such tragedy on September 11, 2001.)




J

Life.

After a two month hiatus of blog writing.. I'm back. 

These past two months have been insane.. full of life changes, adjustments, and some moped rides. 

I moved apartments a couple weeks ago not too far from Shook HaCarmel (anyone who's been on Taglit-Birthright .. it's that crazy market in Tel Aviv where you can buy anything from shoes to an phone charger for super cheap). I live with three roommates at the moment (from Switzerland, France and Israel), but one is moving out in a week. Shame.. Tamara we will miss you. 

I started "Ulpan" aka intensive Hebrew less than a week ago. Class is from 8:15-12:50 Sunday-Thursday. In Israel, the week starts on Sunday. Friday.. vacayy babyy. 

I get to take this Hebrew course for free because I am a new citizen of Israel. (Olah Hadasha). 

There are about 20 people in my class, all different ages coming from all over the globe. 

Each has their own reason for learning Hebrew. Some are fluent but want to learn grammar, some married an Israeli and want to communicate with his/her families. 

I am enjoying class so far. The other day the Mayor of Tel Aviv came to welcome us and raise a toast to the new year. 

I have had these past couple days off because of the Jewish new year (Rosh HaShana), where I travelled back to the Kibbutz (where I studied Arabic for 5 months).

It was GREAT being back. I actually haven't left Tel Aviv since I got here at the end of June. 

Anyone who doesn't live in Tel Aviv claims Tel Avivians have this mindset where they think nothing exists outside of Tel Aviv... umm...guilty. 

It's kinda true. Anything you possibly need can be found here. Even the ..... sea. Apparently the giant body of salt water is NOT an ocean. Shocking .. I know.

I had a great time up "North." (The Kibbutz is only an hour from Tel Aviv.. but Israelis treat an hour like it's across the entire country. Perhaps it's because the entire country is the size of New Jersey). 

I had Rosh HaShana dinner with my host family from my past Arabic program.  I am still in touch with them. This morning I visited one of my Arabic teachers on her Kibbutz across the street. Then I headed to Zichron Yakov (about 15 min away) to visit a different teacher for the holidays. I am pretty sure I consumed my own body weight in food these past 24 hours. 

This coming Sunday I start work! Yes.. I got a job !!! Hallelujah. A great way to start the new year. 

I will be writing a commerce blog part time after I finish my Hebrew in the morning. 

Going from vacation to studying 20 hours a week, working 20 hours a week, and having a life... ain lee meeleem (no words). 

Slowly but surely I am adjusting to the Israeli life. Right now I am focusing on learning Hebrew. Yes I am an Israeli citizen and feel at home in Israel, but a large part of integrating into a new culture is by learning the language, which takes time. I am picking up Hebrew pretty fast, but of course have a lot to learn. One thing I don't think I can ever get used to is the fact that I am living in a country surrounded by nations who want to see Israel wiped off the planet. I have been asked several times in the past week, extremely casually, if I've gotten my gas mask yet. um... come again? What? People here are so non-chalant about it. The gas mask process is quite hectic actually. If you have Israeli citizenship, you get a gas mask from the government no cost. If you are a tourist, or student. well SOL i guess. 

There are 4 post offices that distribute the masks in Tel Aviv. But.. these locations change constantly. By 7 AM there are already 800 people in line. You can supposedly get one ordered to you address, but they're apparently "backed up" at the moment. Ohh life in the Middle East. gotta love it. 

I gotta say. Despite all the craziness here. I'm very happy.

XO 

Qui

Never Settle For Less

A couple weeks back, I was told by an agency designed to help new Olim Hadashim (new immigrants to Israel) to lower all my expectations while pursuing my job search here in the eretz (Israel). This message was discouraging, and put a damper on my positive energy about making the big change. I came here to the holy land with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, and a solid base in written Arabic.  I spent the past 5 months pouring my heart and soul into mastering the Arabic language, specifically the Palestinian dialect. To be told to lower my expectations, regardless of my qualifications, didn't seem just.  For a while, I actually did lower my expectations and standards. But after talking to some friends and family, I regained inspiration and rethought my attitude. Moving to a new country, on my own, starting fresh, has giving me the motivation not to give up, and to reach my highest potential. As my Bubby (Yiddish for grandmother) always told me: You live once, do what you love, and don't depend on anybody. I know she'd be proud of me for working towards my aspirations.

Yesterday while grabbing dinner to-go, I came across a guy, about my age, who made Aliyah three years ago. He warned me how hard it is to live here, both financially, and mentally. I constantly receive the same message: Israel is such a great place to live, but is extremely difficult and challenging. I did not come here for an easy life. Anyone who knows me knows I don't just take the easy way out. I challenge myself constantly.

I moved to the big city (Tel Aviv) on Friday. My last week of IAS (Intensive Arabic Semester) was a series of random events, as usual. We went on a field trip to Tziporri, and Tzvat (one of the four holy cities in Israel). On Thursday, we visited two art Museums, one in the Arab city of Um-Alfhm. Naturally we started the day at a Hummus place for breakfast. We said bye to our host families in Baqa, where of course I ate massive amounts of food.

Onion and toasted almond bread

Coconut cake and fruit

This bye wasn't a real one, since we are still planning on meeting up at least once a month! They invited me to come celebrate/observe Ramadan later in the summer. Not just my host sister, but her cousins, and grandparents. (During Ramadan, those observing do not eat/drink during the day, but wake up at about 3 AM for a large meal. Most people actually gain wait during Ramadan. This is also a time for those to apologize to their friends, and let go of any grudges).

I just saw this ad for IAS on Givat Haviva's webpage :).  (Highly suggest the program).

Since the move to Tel Aviv, I have managed to keep super busy! In less than 24 hours I spent time with friends from Palo Alto, DC (SO to Milad),  Montreal, and Israel. Pretty incredible, eh? (Or as South Africans apparently say, Heh?)

So you might be wondering my future plans. Now what? Great.. question.
My parents are coming to visit Friday. It's been 6 months since I've seen them.
After that, I am hoping to have completed the Aliyah, where I will be able to legally work. Hallelujah.
For now, trying to stay cool. Local weather... 90s. all day, everyday.


P.O.F.N.


J