Christmas Day in Israel

Well its 25th December, Christmas Day and well I got to say it does feel a little weird being in Israel, what I mean apart from a few shops and some trees that I've seen in the German Colony there is no sign of it being christmas and yes it is Israel so not as country that really celebrates, but feels weird after years of being in England and seeing trees and houses decorated. Also feels strange not to be at home with my family, while we don't celebrate christmas, its still a time for us all to get together and relax, eat together and watch the Queen's speech and then Doctor Who and the soaps such Emmerdale and Corrie Street later on, but this year feels a bit weird that I'm not there. In some ways I'm envious that some people have gone home to their families or relatives in Israel, in other ways i'm not as it would have made it so much harder to come back if I'd gone back during this break. Anyway its nice and quiet and i'm getting a bit of reading done and some study as well, so basically its all same as normal here in Israel. Hope your all having a good day and got all the pressies you wanted.

weeks and Chanukah Break 8

Well i've been here 8 weeks and we're now in our 12 day Chanukah break. It will feel a bit weird as I know a few people have gone home, others have gone to visit relatives and friends in Israel, 1 has gone back to her old job for a couple of weeks so feels like the dorms have emptied, though I know there are a lot of people still around this time. I've not got much planned, taking this as my first opportunity in a long time to just enjoy peace and quiet, with nothing to do but relax. Though I do have a few trips planned, I'm off to see friends of family for a couple of days on 2 occasions, I'll be 1st visiting Modi'in for Shabbat this weekend and then heading to Ramot near Jerusalem to see an old friend of my Dad's who made aliyah many years go and whom I've visited most of the times i've been in Israel before. I'll also make a day trip to Tel Aviv to catch up with a friend and have a wander round the shops and convince myself I don't need to buy that item even though I really want to. Anyway I probably won't blog again in the next couple of weeks, so if I don't I'd like to wish my blog followers a Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas and very Happy New Year

December days

Can I just say if someone had told me last December during the cold, I would be now sat on a hill in Haifa in the sun in a t-shirt enjoying warmish weather... I would have laughed at them... but I am and well since I hear snow is on its way, all I can say to my English family and friends is wrap up warm and be safe :-)

Learning

Well its been 7 weeks since I came out, okay 7 weeks and 2 days but whats a couple of days been you and me Lol. And its nearly Chanukah here and as such its nearly break time we have 12 days off so from 20th December till 8.30am 3rd January I've got time on my hands. I've fortunatley got plans for 2 days already and will visit friends in Modi'in and then not sure, i'm looking into volunteering, be it locally or not locally, either way it would be a nice way to meet people and make new friends. Still got a few days of school left, well 1 this week and then Sunday to Tuesday so still got to study and do the homework. Still finding that weird as my last homework before Ulpan was 11 years ago at University. Also slowly managed to get used to studying Sunday to Thursday as opposed to Monday to Friday, still feels weird to be at home Friday and not be working or studying in a class. Otherwise all is Tov, if I could I get a good nights sleep it would be all is Met-Su-Yan. I've also started to walk at least once a day for an hour to try and keep fit, until I'm earning I don't want to put money into a gym as I have nothing to replace it. , so i've found myself a walking buddy and we've gone walking once so far, will be going walking again in a few minutes and hopefully continue to do so after the Chanukah break. Anyway hope your all well and keep reading

Sleeping

I've always had trouble sleeping over the last few years, usually waking up in the middle of the night because either I'm disturbed or I've got something on my mind keep me awake, but since I came to Israel, sleeping hasn't been easy at all, while I love the space and room I have, sadly the mattress leaves a lot to be desired and is probably harder than i've ever had, good for my back though lol. But generally its not a good mattress, I think even sleeping on the mats provided in the Bedouin tent were more comfortable. I know I should be getting used to them, but I don't think I ever will and I know that when I get my own place the 1st stop will be to get a decent bed/mattress for myself. And hopefully get some decent sleep lol

Lonliness

I know seems a strange topic to blog about, but even though i am loving life in Israel, I do sometimes feel alone at times, maybe its a holdover from back in England where I sometimes felt left out by my friends where they would do something and I'd hear about it the following day or read about it on Facebook, I also feel sometimes out of place, mostly because the majority of those in the Ulpan are a lot younger than me and as such different outlooks on life, though we all share a common passion Israel. Like everything it will pass. On the plus side if someone had told me a few months ago I would be wandering around outside in Early December wearing a t-shirt. (okay my Hull City shirt. UP THE TIGERS!!) and jeans I would have thought you're crazy as being English December is cold in England and usually I don't go out unless I have a long sleeved t-shirt/shirt on, a jumper, decent trousers and a long winter coat. Guess what I'm saying is even though its only been 6 weeks and 1 day and I miss family and I miss friends in England, I don't miss the weather. Though I do missing going to see Hull City and wish I had been there Saturday just gone, i'm sure it was a special atmosphere for good old Nigel Pearson!!!

Two day trip to the Negev and Masada

Well i've finally been able to log on, so I thought i'd post here now before I sleep. The Ulpan has been on a two day trip today and yesterday, we left the Dorms at 7.15 and after boarding our bus we headed off. I should point out there were 3 buses, 1 for the English speakers, 1 for the Russian Speakers and one for the French... Anyway on the way to our 1st destination we picked up our guide for the 2 days Tali and we headed off down Israel to Bet Guvrin which hosts a system of caves which we proceeded to explore and learn about. We also experienced Bedouin hospitality in the evening and stayed in tents, which might sound pretty fun, but at this time of year its not that warm at night, however i'm pleased to say we all came through the night alive and well lol. We also partied a little last night as they provided some music for us and we also had our own as provided by Mor Greenberg and his guitar among others. This morning having been woken up early and having had breakfast we departed for Masada where we climbed up the ramp of Masada, (for those who aren't familiar with Masada, I urge you to look it up online). After a tour of part of Masada and lots of pictures we ventured down the other side down the Snake Path which as it suggests snakes around Masada bringing you from the top back to the bottom. Following on from that we headed to Ein Gedi which has many waterfalls and after a short hike we were able to take off our socks and shoes and get our feet wet for a bit. Following on from that it was back on the bus and back for Haifa via the Ahava shop so people could have a browse and buy some products if they chose. Then really it was back to Haifa, all in all a fun couple of days if very tiring. Have included a pic that I liked from the trip.. Northern Boys Represent.

Alarmed

Morning all, this entry is been written at 9.20am on Friday 2nd December, where having been asleep and hoping to enjoy a lie-in on my 1st full day of the weekend I was awoken by the buildings alarms going off, not a pleasant experience. Now this is definitley the downside of a shared dorm with many people attempting to cook and well I don't want to say failing spectacularly, but... okay yep thats what I want to say. Now I'm not saying I can cook at all, but I don't set off the fire alarm and this unfortunatley in the time i've been here has been the 6th time and I think 3rd time this week. Feel free to correct me someone if I've got numbers wrong. Now I'm also not saying don't cook, i'm just saying use a modicum of common sense and open a window or keep an eye on it, because being woken up at 9am is one thing, being woken up at 1.30 is another entirely. Okay moan about the alarm over.

Well another week down, seems like 5 minutes since I got here but its actually nearly 6 weeks hard to believe thats it gone by so fast. Last couple of nights i've enjoyed the company of friends from the dorm and gone out and about in Haifa, some of us ventured to a concert on Wednesday to celebrate 20 year of Aliya from Ethiopia. And it was okay, too much talking so we actually left about an hour in. And then last night some of us from the dorms and the Ulpan went out to celebrate one of our fellow student's birthday. Roxy I hope you had a great evening, here's to many more birthdays :-).

Now this weekend, i'm off to the mall to get a sleeping bag as we're off for 2 days to the Negev and then Masada over Sunday and Monday which should be a lot of fun... okay will be no class for 2 days lol

Anyway this is me signing off for now, be good.