Update to the last post LOL

So after my last post a few days ago, I thought I would update as there have been changes.... more stress :-(.  And at least I know someone has read it since they commented on my post....

Anyway, spoke with the landlord for this potential apartment yesterday (Sunday).  Apparently he wanted to change the goal posts as it were, increase the rent after 2 months, which he hadn't done with the previous tenant (I asked her).  He also wanted a ridiculous amount of security from myself and from a guarantor and maybe its good to be cautious about your tenants, but there is being cautious and there is overkill.  And when you mention it to various friends living here and they are like 'abort, abort'. You know you have made the right decision to back away from this. So with 3 weeks until the end of the month I'm back to apartment hunting.

However, I should point out that friends have offered me an opportunity regarding the apartment hunting which could help me out for a few months and I will be grateful that they are willing to help.

This situation is one of the ones that sometimes makes me feel like I'm not suited to life in Israel, that I should just pack up and go back to England, where everyone speaks the same language, but I suppose my parents didn't raise me to quit... even though I feel like currently curling into a ball and just laying there doing nothing.

Also, although not that common knowledge my Dad was in hospital for 2 and a half weeks at the end of October and part of November.  He is back home and getting better, but its tough to be here in Israel while your Dad is in Hospital.  People said why didn't you go back to the UK and yes I considered it. But honestly I would have just spent my time going between the hospital and my parents flat and worrying.  My Mum kept me updated.  But this situation is one of those where I realise how really hard it is to be away from the UK and from family.

Stressed and changes

So it’s been over a month since I wrote, a lot has happened during the last month or so... 

So the main thing that has me stressed out is apartment hunting.  I think I have said this before and probably will say it again, but it’s tough to search for an apartment.  In Israel there is a lot of competition for apartments.  You can go and see a place and within a few hours, someone else will have seen and signed the contract and if you wanted to think about the place, you've lost the opportunity.

Also, prices of the apartments for what you are seeing and what you will get, often there is a huge discrepancy in prices.  Apparently though people seem to think that others will pay a huge amount for a very tiny place.  And then there is the attitude that even if you're interested in a place and speak to the landlord, that they will advertise it still because maybe someone else will come along. 

This one I am talking for experience, I've seen a place that I liked and saw it a 2nd time with friends just to get all questions answered and get their opinion if they thought it was a good fit for me and having then spoken to the landlord I've been told to call back on Monday.  This worries me as I've seen people still responding to the post for the apartment on Facebook and the answer being that it is still relevant.  This is troubling, but shows how the market for apartments is in Israel. So if you have read this today (Saturday or on Sunday, or even Monday) please keep your fingers crossed that on Monday night I'm posting a happy Facebook post about a new place to live.

Also, I should thank the stress of apartment hunting, as it’s made me proactive to throw away a lot of stuff that I have accumulated over the past few years and don't really need to take to a new place.

Work is fine, tiring on some days as I occasionally have to go in earlier than normal to have phone calls with Australia... Yep I am have phone meetings with Australia.  I didn't think 7 years ago when I came to Israel, I would be holding regular meetings with people from across the other side of the world.  Yes, there are days when I'm still unsure of myself in the job, but it’s nice that my bosses are happy for me to take care of the meeting with Australia.  

From a social point of view, I do feel a little out of place at work, I think because of my age and that a lot of the singles in the office are a lot younger, it’s kind of tough for me to relate to them in the office.  Still working in an office that is predominantly female has its advantages.  As people have seen on my Facebook I have gotten new clothes in the last few months.  I wouldn't have done that by myself, it is in fact thanks to two of the ladies in the office that I have new clothes.  

If you have seen me in the new stuff, do I look better?  Interested to hear from people what they actually think, rather than a like on a picture on Facebook.

Otherwise not much else to really tell you, most of my focus is on hoping the apartment is signed on Monday and then getting myself moved... wish me luck.