Chanukah and busy

Well it’s been a couple of weeks since I posted, which is pretty bad when I used to post every day, but lately there has not been much to report.

I've been working had as always, been a bit weird the last week of work as with it being Thanksgiving in the states it was quiet for a few days at the end of last week and the 1st few days of this past week were also quiet.  Still it’s nice to have a quiet time at work; I've been able to do some catch-up work on the data entry aspect of my job.  Also it’s been the Festival of Chanukah the last week which has meant Doughnuts hehe and a lot of them (so much for my diet).  The owner of my company has for every night of Chanukah that we were in work, arranged a Candle Lighting and some Doughnuts and biscuits for us all to enjoy.  So it’s nice diversion from work.

Apart from work going well, I've been busy seeing and spending time with friends so it’s nice that I'm getting out and about again after a couple of months where I seemed to be just spending my days going to work and home again.  Also gotten myself a new room-mate as my other room-mate has got herself a puppy.  Now as people probably know I'm not a dog person, never had pets growing up and my only real experience is having moved into places with people who already had dogs or cats.  Still I've enjoyed the first week and as you can see below, who couldn't love this one as she is so adorable.

So apart from that, all is going well, hope to hear from you soon, please leave any comments and thoughts.

I was on Television

Well it’s another week on and it’s been a fairly busy week, including work and some social activities as well as the appearance on Israel Channel 2.

As I said before I wasn't sure if I was looking forward to my appearance, with editing I could have looked bad or said something taken out of context, fortunately the segment was only 9 minutes, and my appearance as about 2 minutes so it wasn't bad, but 2 minutes for being filmed for nearly an hour and a half is very good.  Shortly after the piece aired I actually received messages from friends saying how proud they were of me, I also received messages from strangers who themselves had seen the program.

One of them in particular wanted to discuss a job opportunity with me, and though I did speak with him, I don't think the opportunity is for me.  Otherwise people messaged me and told me I looked okay and spoke well.  I hope that as most of the people spoke about Aliyah and that they were actually going back having not been able to settle, most people realised that I know this is hard.  Too start a new life is difficult, but I want to make this work here in Israel and that while I'm still settling, compared to a year ago I'm in a lot better position.  I also got recognised by a couple of people while out, one was the Bus Driver from my regular morning bus to the train station and a supermarket checkout person near where I work also mentioned it.  Apparently I heard that my cousin who lives here in Tel Aviv had it mentioned to him, if he mentioned his surname which is pretty cool.

So apart from hanging out with friends and doing a spot on television, it’s been a decent week, a few more events and things to go to in this week and hoping to catch up with a couple of friends from Ulpan so it should be good.

Anyway that is all for now, look forward to hearing your thoughts on my thoughts very soon.

Parents visit and television appearance?

Well it’s been a couple of weeks since I posted and that because I've been busy.  My parents had been here for 2 weeks, the first time I've seen them in 9 months, okay Skype and Phone Calls but it’s not the same as actually having your parents in the same City.

So Just under three weeks they arrived, I met them at the airport and took them to the apartment they were staying in the first week.  Because of work I only got to spend the evenings with them. Fortunately one of my friends was able to help out and spend time with them while I was at work and take them to Old Jaffa.

I did get to spend the weekend with them and we actually went for dinner on Friday night at the Hilton, which was okay but not brilliant.  Saturday I introduced my parents to a friend of mine who lives in Bat Yam who was originally from Hull and we went to Mash Sports Bar to watch Hull City play.  We doubled the entire supporters in the bar for that game. 

Then on Monday they went to Jerusalem for the rest of the week, while I stayed on here in Tel Aviv to continue working, though I took Thursday off to give myself a long weekend with them.  I met them in Jerusalem and as always we went to the Kotel.  There is something about going there, that I feel I need to always do when in Jerusalem.  Then we walked around for a bit, the following day my parents returned to spend the last few days here in Tel Aviv and for the first time since I've lived here in Israel they came to stay at my place.  We ate at mine on Friday night; I even cooked for them :-).  Saturday was a relaxed day and then, Sunday I again worked but took Monday the last day they were here to spend with them.

While they were here, I actually contacted someone who was looking to speak to people about making Aliyah, was it hard being here, did I consider going back to the UK. So they came to talk to me on Monday, it was actually very cool to do so, as they not only filmed me, but my parents as well, I suppose it gave them the perspective of my family who I left behind.  They also came to film us at the airport as I said goodbye to my parents and the actual footage should be on Israel TV tonight on Channel 2.  Not sure if I am looking forward to it at all or not.

So my parents are now back in the UK and my roommate is also in the UK so I have the flat to myself which is a little weird, but I suppose it’s good practice for me for when I do move on to a place of my own.  Socially wise I've had a busy week, I was out with a friend on Wednesday night and then Thursday it was an early Thanksgiving/Birthday Dinner with friends which was fun and then last night I had Shabbat dinner with friends and today lunch with other friends.  I think you can see the pattern here it was a very food orientated weekend.

So that's all for now, hope to hear from people very soon.  Bye for now.

Return to Blogging

Well it’s been a long break between posts and for that I apologise.  Just been busy with work and other stuff which has meant I've not had the time to post as much.

Things are going well at the moment, as previously mentioned I've moved from one apartment in Tel Aviv to North Tel Aviv and Ramat Aviv, its going well and I'm finally used to the area and even got my room pretty sorted out... I have space to move hehe.  My roommate is very good and keeps me from leaving to much mess around the place; she is also a good friend and fun to hang out with... (No she isn't stood over me with a weapon!!!). Journey to work from where I am now living is probably similar to the previous place but I actually think I may have a few more minutes at home in the morning.  However the downside is if the bus is early, the train is late or vice versa, but can't have everything so I will just keep on going.

Work itself is going well, I've been in the position 3 months and I've passed the trial period and all appears to be going well so it looks like this will be permanent come the end of next week :-).  I'm still learning more about the job as there are things that the other person in the office has to do that I haven't done before.  Though for 2 days last week I had to do new things at work and though I was admittedly a bit worried I think I handled all without too many troubles or problems... well the business did not implode so that is good :-).  So the next time my colleague goes on holiday I should be okay to be on my own.

One good thing happening this coming week is my parents are here and its going to be good to see them as I haven't seen them in the flesh since February, yes talked to them on the phone and over Skype but it’s not the same as seeing them in person.  In a bad way my time with them is restricted as I will be working so I will see them in the evenings and the weekends whilst they are here, but then again it’s a good thing as it means that I'm working and earning money :-).

Final bit of the blog for today, I should mention as those who have seen on my Facebook Status it was my 2 year anniversary of coming to Israel and as I said there it’s been a tough road to get where I am, but I hope now that I am starting to settle down and build a life here and I know some people probably thought I would be back in the UK, I hope that being here two years now has proved them wrong.

Okay that's all from me for now, next time I post it will be about my parents and what we have done while they are here, so keep well everyone and I hope you enjoy reading.

Changes

Hi all, sorry it’s been a while since I blogged, been a busy few weeks and I've not had time to post, so I apologise for that, but here is my latest post.

Well the Jewish Festivals have now finished for the moment, so it’s back to normal in terms of work, no short weeks :-(.  However on the downside of having a short week, its mean a lot of work when I've gone back in.  This week was particularly bad, having been off for 10 days before last Sunday.  As such I was greeted by several hundred emails to deal with.  Still I knuckled down to the task and after putting in overtime, I think work should be back to normal this coming week, which is a good thing, though I keep thinking of the money that I've added to my wages which is also a good thing.

Socially I've not had much time to do anything with the aforementioned work and this week I moved from my place in Tel Aviv near the beach to Ramat Aviv to share with a friend, liking the area as it’s much quieter than other areas I've lived in so I'm looking forward to spending time in this area.

Otherwise not much to report, work is as I said work.  Am looking forward to my parents visit at the end of the month as the last time I saw them was in February so I can't wait to see them.  For now that is all, so this Adam saying bye for now.