.... 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

"We don't have the right to dream it"

Wow. Today was a long day! As usual.. I did not sleep well last night. I'm turning into an insomniac (Thanks mom, I blame that one on you). I woke up with chocolate smeared on my face; apparently I lethargically crave sweets. Okay let's be real, I always crave sweets. But walla himmkum (don't worry pl. - arabic), I have been swimming lots since the pool opened!

We started the day by having class by the pool (rough life, I know). A classmate told us the story why her host mom, a teacher at a local Arab High School, does not wear a hijab (head covering). She explained how she wanted to, and even tried it for a couple weeks against her husband's will. Contrary to the stereotype, it was her husband who explained to her how much he hates the idea of a hijab- how in his mind, it's sexist, ugly, and unnecessary. Because this head covering was now causing her martial problems, she decided to stop wearing it. When she told the principal of the school that she was going to stop wearing it, the principal told her she couldn't. This action would send a controversial, confusing messaged to the students. It would be okay if she chose not to wear it all, or wear it all the time, but nothing in between. The next school semester, the principal let her go without the hijab. But deep down, she still wants to wear it. Below is something to think about. (Of course this can apply to other religions too, like Jewish orthodoxy).

When I went to Baqa today, I was very much effected by what my host family was telling me. 

My host sister's cousin asked me why I am moving to Israel, and if I like it better than the States. I told her (without thinking about it), I love Israel because I don't feel like a minority here. It's the only place in the world I am part of a majority, and feel truly at home. After I said that, I felt almost guilty. Here I am, an American-Canadian, who can become a citizen of this country because I am at least 1/8 Jewish (the same fraction of Jewish descent that Hitler used to kill Jews in Nazi Germany) and be treated as an equal here. Yes of course I will be treated slightly differently, at least at the beginning, but most likely not in a negative way. I was sitting across a table from 3 Palestinians who have lived here for generations and are treated as second-class citizens. When I asked one my host sisters if she ever dreamed of a state with full equality she responded,"We don't have the right to dream, because it's never gonna happen." My heart sank. She continued on telling me how she went recruiting agency to help her find a job. The recruiter was Arab, but told her that if she wanted to find a job in Israel, in a mall as she desired, she would need to stop wearing her "jilbab" (long conservative jacket). She said the hijab was okay, but no one would hire her with a full Muslim outfit. She got so discouraged, she gave up the job search right away. 

Another girl at the table (one of their cousins) further continued on how the Palestinians are a minority everywhere. They are a minority in Israel, but also in the W. Bank, and in other Arab countries. In the W. Bank, where the Palestinians there do not have Israeli citizenship, they look at the Israeli-Arabs differently. I was shocked when the cousin told me Arabs there will even speak to them in Hebrew, even while wearing their head coverings. 

I completely empathize with them, I first-hand know what it feels like to be a minority in a larger society. At the same time, I do consider myself a Zionist. I believe in a Jewish homeland. So what needs to be done to address this idea of second-class treatment? Is it okay? 

After this full politically charged conversation, they still invited me to their cousin's wedding on Saturday :).. and I can't wait!!  

P.O.F.N. (peace out for now) 

J 

Under Pressure

Only two weeks left on my program, which I know will fly by. 

It's been a year since I graduated from UW-Madison, and began my internship with the Madison Police Department. (Still can't believe I spent three months of my life raiding bars, going on drug busts, and riding in a cop car down State Street). If you asked me a year ago where I think I'd be today, I'd say looking for jobs in Washington DC. If someone were to tell me I'd be making Aliyah and establishing myself in Israel, I'd think he/she was crazy. These past several weeks have been incredibly stressful for me. It was/is hard to concentrate fully on my classes knowing that at the end of the program I will be homeless, and unemployed. Thankfully I found an awesome apartment in the center of Tel Aviv for the summer, and cannot wait to move in!

The job search has been ... no words. It's unbelievable how different the job market functions here. I've applied to a couple jobs already, and all have told me I'm applying way too early. They tell me to resend my CV 2 weeks max before I'll be able to begin working. It's hard for me not to have a secure plan for the next couple months, but life is much more in the moment here. 

Another stressor has been the fact that I've been studying (spoken) Arabic for the past 5 months (past 5 years if you include written Arabic), instead of Hebrew. I live in Israel, and speak at a basic level. Thankfully, I find Hebrew much easier to learn than Arabic. I have already picked up a lot considering I only had 2 weeks of formal instruction, which took place over two years ago.

Although I may sound like a complete stressball, I'm surprisingly calm :). Thankfully the pool opened on the Kibbutz, and it is phenoms (Definitely the hidden gem of Barkai). I have made the most amazing friends since I've been here, and am ecstatic that 4/7 people on my program are staying for at least the next couple months. 

I also have a lot to look forward to in the next couple weeks; I have several good friends coming to visit, and my parents just booked their trip to come see me. It's weird knowing that I won't be going back to FL before I "start my life" here. I'm at the point where I don't know what to call home anymore. I was born in Canada, but lived in California until HS, but now my family lives in FL. 

It's crazy to think that in less than three weeks I will be living in TEL AVIV. I guess I won't be taking daily walks by cows, tractors, and haystacks.

I am so thankful for the experiences I've had, and incredible people I've met these past several months. What's ahead... I guess ..נראה

J

Agree to Disagree

Skyping a friend from home, and then taking a second to realize where I am. While she was speaking to me from her bedroom in NY, I was speaking to her from my classroom on the Kibbutz, which happens to be a bomb shelter. Twice today sirens went off, once in the morning, and once again in the evening. We were warned in advance that this week there will be national emergency drills for the next couple of days.  The other day I went swimming on a Kibbutz 10 minutes from mine, and noticed something a bit odd about the childrens' swing structure. It was made out of an old missile. Playing "Call of Duty" (video game) shooting virtual weapons, and then seeing the same weapon from the game in front of me, knowing that this one had the actual ability to kill. Being told that Israeli's won't read a resume if it's longer than one page, "we just don't have time for that. there is always a war going on." A reality that the citizens of this country live in, and that I will soon be a part of.

As my program, Intensive Arabic Semester, is down to the final couple weeks, I am thankful for the invaluable cultural experiences this program has allowed me to partake in. To think I came here to Wadi Ara (a region an hour north of Tel Aviv) 4 months ago, and can now speak hours on end in Arabic, is beyond gratifying. I have been surrounded by the same group of people for the past several months, participating in a program run by an open-minded organization, Givat Haviva  (winner of the UNESCO prize for peace education). I went to Tel Aviv a couple days ago for a meeting for "Olim Chadashim" (new immigrants to Israel). I was in utter shock from the reaction I got when I told the group I was studying Arabic. One girl asked me "if the Arabs are really short." and then continued on to ask me "so they must be talking about Syria right? I'm sure that's all they're talking about right now; their loyalty to Syria." When I told the advisor of the program that I am studying Arabic, she looked at me in disgust, and asked me why. She then told me I should omit from my resume where I live. 

After returning from Tel Aviv, a city with virtually no Arabs, I have realized how just an hour south from my home, people's mindsets are completely different. How could I even go about explaining what I have learned the past several months? I can't. It's something you have to experience for yourself. 

In the meantime, I'm taking advantage of every day I have left here on Kibbutz Barkai. Soon I will be living in the crazy city of Tel Aviv, looking for a job, and studying Hebrew! I still plan to continue my Arabic studies as well. 

Today I am also thankful for the American soldiers who have lost their lives fighting for America. #MemorialDay

As you may know, since my last blog post, I am in the process of becoming an Israeli citizen. This decision came after much thought, and weeks of weighing the pros and cons. Of course moving to a new country, alone, is not easy. I know I will have many challenges ahead of me, but I am ready to take them head-on. I go through phases of being excited, and others of feeling nervous. I have been extremely thankful for the support of my parents, family, and friends since I made the final decision. When I tell anyone from the states I am making Aliyah, they all seem happy for me, and say Congrats. I seem to get a mixed response from Israelis. Many ask me why I would want to live here instead of America, and others think I'm crazy. It is hard to explain to an Israeli the large cultural differences between the States and here. No country is perfect, but if I left now, I know would regret it.

I understand that my life now is a "bubble" in a way. I live on a Kibbutz, in the middle of Wadi Ara, with an amazing group of people that I have grown very close to. I study Arabic, and have it pretty easy. I know when I choose to establish myself here, it won't always be like this.

On Wednesday, I got the opportunity to travel with a 10th grade class from Baqa-Al Gharbiyye (an Arab city 10 min from the Kibbutz) to a High school in Tel Aviv (with Jewish students). Both classes have been reading the same novel, "A time to Kill" for the past several months, in their respective English classes. When I found out this novel was about rape, and murder, I was surprised. For some reason, I did not think an Arab school would teach such controversial topics. This program, called "Book Club" was taking place for the first time. It is a program funded through Harvard, which payed for the books and coordinator. It was interesting to watch the Arab students interact with the Israelis. They sat divided on separate sides before the discussion began.  Perhaps this same thing would have happened if any two High school classes were to meet. I am not sure. Some interesting cultural difference emerged. The hosting school had provided snacks for all of the students. The staff of the Jewish school did not understand why the Arab students would not eat any. Someone from my program explained how the Arab students must be offered the food, they won't just dig in. The staff began dividing the food on plates and serving it. The classes were divided into mixed groups, where they had to answer questions about the novel. It was nice watching the Arab students, and Jewish students exchange ideas and opinions. They all seemed to enjoy it. On the bus ride back, some of the Arab girls were showing me and my roommate pictures on their phones. (They love to show us their iphone pictures. Yes, all of them have iphones.) We were quite concerned with one of the pictures we saw. 

"You know you're in love when that person keeps hurting you but you keep forgiving them and hoping they will change." 

Both of us reacted by saying "mish hiloo, mish sahih!" (not nice, not right). They young girls (14-15) all yelled back "noo, hiloo!" They didn't see a problem with this message. When we told the other students on our program, from America, Australia, and England, they agreed this message was disturbing and could promote domestic/emotional abuse. We further asked one of our instructors who teaches Arabic, and she actually had the same reaction "hiloo"(nice). We determined this is part of the Arab culture in this area. The girls saw this message as a positive one. Who were we to tell them otherwise. When I met with my host family in Baqa (the same city) on Thursday, I was relieved to hear  the response of my host sister (also in 10th grade) on this same picture. She reacted quite differently. She told me this message was backwards, and not right. We ended up having many deep, controversial conversations. We talked about what her expectations were of hosting an American student. Her and her family had no idea I was Jewish, all they knew is that I would be a foreigner. She told me she thought I would show up the first day in short shorts and an inappropriate outfit, like she sees on American TV. She was pleasantly surprised when I showed up dressed more conservatively. I asked her why she wanted to host an American student. Her response blew me away. She said she didn't care so much about learning English from me, but she wanted to show me, and American, that not all Muslims are the same. She wanted me to see that her family is just like many other families. They are 4 kids, and two loving parents. I have grown to see many more similarities than differences since I have started spending time with them. She said she's also learned a lot from me. She was surprised when I said I keep kosher, yet am still interested in learning about her culture. Her dad ended up joining in on the conversation. He was very pleased that we were talking about such political topics. (I was previously worried to bring these up with her, and especially her parents). What her dad had to tell me, was very saddening, but honest. We spoke in Arabic, and it was amazing to be able to have this conversation in his native language. He told me how his family is from this land (Israel) from many generations back. He gets angered that he has to be severely questioned in security checks at the airport like he's a terrorist. His daughters as well. He has been a bus driver for 10 years, yet makes the same salary as a Jewish bus driver who has only been working for one. (Unequal pay). He also explained to me how he thinks it's unjust that Israeli-Arabs must learn Hebrew in school, yet the Jews do not learn Arabic. The daughter too explained how in public school, she is only taught about the history of Israel and the Jewish people. If anything is mentioned about Arabs, it seems to be negative. (Her whole HS is Arab, yet she goes to a public school in Israel). Mai (my host sister) explained to me how she is ISRAELI. She is a citizen of Israel, and likes her life here. She sees what is going on in Syria, and surrounding Arab States, and is thankful to be here. It is true that Arab-Israelis here have much better lives than they might in the surrounding countries, but they still do not have equal rights in many parts of society here. We talked for about an hour. The father was right when he said many Americans think all Arabs are terrorists. I have heard this many times before, even from educated individuals; it is not right, and needs to stop. After this conversation we had a pretty American meal! (Coke, corn on the cob, chips, and strawberry/banana milkshakes) 

Little Deebe. Such a cutie

Oh.. and I made Dolma (grape leaves with rice) from scratch the other day. Was awesome. 

Peace out,

J