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.