I'm Back

Hello all, well I'm back to blogging.  Sorry it’s been so long since I posted, life has had a way of getting in the way and without going into details I had a very worrying and stressful end to 2014 and start to this year.  Fortunately I seem to have gotten past then storm clouds and hopefully things are now firmly blue skies.

Work news, work is good at the moment though as a colleague said about the job 'it’s a lot like being a Doctor on Call, your either very busy or you’re not'.  I'm not bothered on either aspect as long as I get paid on time hehe.  The job fortunately is closer to home so less travelling to do and when I work late its not too far away that I can be home to relax in the evening or go out with my friends.

Socially I've been a bit quiet this first few months of the year, the bad end and start kind of put me into a social coma for a while but now as the weather improves I am more determined to build a social life which seems to have drifted of late.  I'm not saying I've been a total hermit I've gotten out but not as much as I would have liked.

Apart from that, I've attended a Beatles Tribute Band concert at the beginning of the year and got a Robbie Williams concert in a few months.  Also attended a wedding of some good friends, so fun has been had.

The last 10 days though have been relaxing/fun as I've taken my annual England trip to see Friends and Family, though for a specific reason as it was my Cousin Josh's barmitzvah this weekend.  So coming for this family event I knew it was a good time to come.  I've managed to see and spend time with friends whilst in London and gone to Hull for the evening where I and Stevie B managed to get our money's worth of food from an all you can eat Chinese Buffet.  And of course I've spent time with my parents and sister who are always happy to see me.  And since its today I'm going to say it 'Happy Mother’s Day Mum', thank you for always being there for me, for always listening to me even if I don't have anything good to say.

Anyway so trip is over and tomorrow I will be back in Israel and the following day is the Israeli Election which I will be off to do my duty and vote as an Israeli Citizen and then back to work!!! Wish my holiday could continue for a bit longer, but it’s back to reality :-).  Hope you've enjoyed reading and be in touch soon.

Time for an Update

Well it’s been about 7 weeks since I last posted and for the most part everything is the same and in some ways everything is different. 

Work wise I am now 5 weeks into a new job closer to home doing Customer Service, originally working Sunday to Thursday as is the norm here in Israel, but as of 2 weeks ago now working Monday to Friday like I used to back in England.. Still taking some getting used to, as I had gotten used to the Sunday to Thursday Routine.  Still the hours are good 10-7 Monday to Thursday and well Friday is a bit exhausting as I'm working 7am till 3pm, so I have to get up at 5.30 in the morning to be at work for 7... So it’s a long day in the end.  Still I'd rather be working than twiddling my thumbs at home.  The job itself isn't too hard and everyone is pretty friendly which helps and they don't mind if I go to them to ask a question or get something checked.  Still in some ways I feel like until I've passed the 3 month mark I won't feel settled there.

At the moment I'm actually officially live alone for the first time ever.  I still live in Ramat Aviv for the moment but until that changes I am living alone.  Someone suggested before I move I need to see how I like living alone and if it is something that really suits me before I move to my next place.  I am not sure if it is or it isn't as I've never done it before.  Okay I've had times when the roommate has been away on holiday but that's not the same as being totally on your own as someone is not going to be home before you get back from work or there when you come in late.  Still I want to give it a chance and maybe my next place will be a solo pad.  Though I will miss this place in Ramat Aviv when I move on and appreciate everything my roommate and her family did for letting me move in and letting me stay for the time being, even though I haven't always demonstrated that I was appreciative of it.

Socially, it’s been a bit quiet of a last few weeks, I've managed to get out on occasion, the problem now with Thursday being the main event night here in Tel Aviv and me working Fridays, has made it slightly problematic to go out, but I will find a way round.  Though having said that this week is a bit more socialable.  As last night I hung out with friends for Noodles and a Film, tonight catching up with a friend who I've not seen for a few months, tomorrow dinner out with friends and dinner out with another friend Tuesday... so okay I am busy again... still feel like I need to be more busy but got things going on or upcoming rather.

Anyway that is it from me; I intend to post in a few weeks, what I would call my review of 2014.  For now hope you are all enjoying your Sunday and we speak soon.

3 years and still going

So today is my Aliyahversary, 3 years since I stepped onto a plane in Luton and took a step into different world.  I came to Israel seeking I suppose a new challenge and a new life, I felt like I had come to the end of the road in London.  My job was being moved outside of London and there was no way to stay with the company or to find a job in London.  So what is a single guy to do with nothing to keep him in the UK?  Israel they said, ‘you’ve always loved being in Israel when we’ve been on holiday’.  And from that simple sentence an idea grew until 2 years after I had looked into Aliyah, I was waving goodbye to my family, my friends and the life I knew in England to try and find my way in Israel.

  

So stepping off the plane this time not as a tourist or an organised trip this time I was here to stay and heck there was definite culture shock for me, at least though I wasn’t alone in this: in a group flight where everyone is in the same position it shares the experience and also from my flight here I was surprised I wasn’t alone with several others all heading to Haifa and to the Ulpan which somehow made the transition easier.. I came alone and apart from a few friends and friends of family I had no one out here.  When I’ve spoken to Israelis they have all said the same thing to me that I must be crazy to be here, especially coming alone.  I tell them the same thing, I am here because I want to be here and because I want it, my family supports me even miles away and I am not truly alone.

Over my time here, I’ve lived in Haifa, lived in Rishon LeZion and only when I moved 18 months ago to Tel Aviv, did I feel like my life had begun here in Israel  After a bumpy first 18 month in all aspects, I managed to find a job and settle into it for a long period, and as we approach November I’m actually moving on to a new job and a new challenge and that is exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time, after all I’ve grown comfortable where I am and perhaps that’s the thing about life, you have to keep moving, settling only when you feel you have found your way and not for the sake of it.

Over the 3 years I’ve experienced highs, I’ve experienced lows, made friends and lost friends and been called crazy for being here mostly by native Israelis and even a few of my friends back home.  Despite all this I wouldn’t change the last 3 years for anything, I’m here and I can’t wait to see what the next 3 years have in store for me.

Holiday time

Well it’s been a few weeks since I've posted but I felt it’s time to post once more.  Since I last posted I have celebrated the Jewish Festivals of Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah.  Now for the time being the Jewish Festivals are over and well short weeks are gone, 5 day working weeks for me again LOL.  Still it’s been fun, I spent Rosh Hashana and the Shabbat that followed on with good friends and it was nice to get away from Tel Aviv for a few days.  I spent the rest of the Festivals here in Tel Aviv and I had fun, at group dinners and a barbecue as well.

During that I had a 10 day holiday from work as my company closes for the period of Sukkot, so I needed to find things to do as I really didn't want to spend my holiday at home with nothing to do.  Fortunately I ended up being very busy and on this Saturday afternoon with work once more beckoning tomorrow I am pleased with my holiday and what I have done with the time.  While my Sunday was filled with stuff I needed to do and so was Monday Morning, after that it’s been fun, I've seen friends and gone to a festival by the beach, stopped off in Haifa to see a friend and her little one.  And generally I've managed to relax, if not sleep as much as I wanted too.  Suppose there is always one downside of a holiday hehe.  

Apart from the Festivals and the things I've done during my holiday, it’s been pretty quiet, I've puppy sat and looked after my roommates puppy for 10 days which even though I had offered I was nervous about, but I shouldn't have worried as the little devil was pretty well behaved :-).  I think my nerves where about a lack of confidence in doing something I hadn't done before and I think that applies with other stuff in my life, people see I have the ability to do things and I just sometimes don't seem to see what they see in me and I allow it to make me doubt myself and worry about things.  Still I feel like things are changing for me at the moment and as I approach 3 years in Israel I hope that only good things are coming my way.  

For now that's all I have to write up, I will be back with a blog for next week about my 3 years in Israel.

I'm Back

Hey everyone I know it’s been a long time since I last posted... July 21st to be exact since my last blog.  I'm not entirely sure why I've not posted, possibly there hasn't been much to tell, it’s also I feel like I'm writing for myself and if that is the case why do I need to write a blog.  Anyway I'm posting again, bring you up-to-date with everything that has gone since I last posted.

When I last posted there were rockets coming from Gaza and Israel had gone into destroy the tunnels that Hamas used and remove their ability to cause harm to the residents of the South of Israel.  It’s been a strange time, many people prior to me coming here said it wasn't safe, something bad could happen and that is true and yet here I am, living through all this time of strife.  Though the rockets have ceased to come over and the sirens have stopped, I am still not sure what has changed, the fact remains is Hamas is still in power and still demanding what they want and not willing to give Israel anything that they would like to enable a peaceful region.  The media in the Western world has vilified Israel and anti-Semitism is on the rise in Europe.  So what have the actions of both sides achieved really?  Is there a permanent peace, have both sides realised talking is the solution...no even though they are talking there can never be permanent peace, not as long as Hamas continue to exist, I have no doubt as soon as they are able they will begin firing again and Israel will respond and the world media will undoubtedly respond that Israel attacked Gaza, not mentioning the rockets that started it all.

Okay got to get off that subject, I know more trouble is inevitable, but I just don't want to think about it any longer.  So cheery subjects, work continues to be busy, which is good as I've had days when I'm sat more or less twiddling my thumbs and I prefer to be busy.  I am looking for a job closer to Tel Aviv as while I don't mind the travel I would prefer to be closer to home, for social life reasons of course :-).

Socially I've spent time with friends, even managed a beach party for my birthday last month so that was very good to happen.  Visited for a party the Golan Heights Winery a couple of weeks ago, not a bad night out, wine, women and song :-).  Otherwise more of the usual spending time with friends. I've also started to walk to the beach once a week in my on-going quest to get fit/lose weight.  Watch this space I am determined to lose some weight :-).

Apart from that all, it’s pretty quiet, nothing much to tell.  Getting ready for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as always and a week off in October from work during Sukkot.  For now that is all from me, I hope you'll read and comment, but bye for now

The Situation continued

So in the week since I last posted, there have been more rockets fired into Israel by Hamas and finally on Thursday after this constant barrage the Israel Defence Force (IDF) went into Gaza with the intention of taking out Hamas ability to fire rockets and there have been casualties on the side of the IDF as well as a growing number of Palestinian Casualties.  And the press seem to care more about one side of this conflict than the other.

As mentioned sadly the IDF has suffered casualties and I’m sure there are people who are saying who cares they’re monsters anyway and that saddens me, because regardless of belief, religion, colour, everyone involved in this conflict is a human being, someone’s Father, Mother, Son or Daughter and from reading comments about it, it feels like people have forgotten that and put labels upon each side and that is wrong, I don’t hate the Palestinians for what is going on, I feel if it were not for Hamas there would be peace.  Some people are just blinded by hatred for Israel for no real reason and only see that Israel is the aggressor, the bad guy.  I’ve seen people suggesting boycotting Israeli goods and it’s actually makes me laugh when there is so much Israel has contributed in terms of modern technology.  I want to ask people if they will give up their electronic devices because it was created in Israel and they are boycotting Israeli goods, I think the answer would be no to that. 

For me I can’t understand the hatred towards Israel for what it is doing, as a small nation it has a right to defend itself, if Scotland started lobbing rockets over into England, wouldn’t the people want the army to defend themselves or would they sit there and take it meekly?  I am not a fan of war or violence but as I said to someone, perhaps peace can only be achieved by war and that is something I don’t want to truly believe.  I wish everyone could come to the table and talk, but we’ve seen 3 ceasefires all violated by Hamas and that should tell you it all, they don’t want to talk and what is left when talking isn’t possible.

Since this all began, I’ve been asked why don’t I go back to England as I have the passport, I could get the hell out of Dodge if I wanted too and the truth is I don’t want too.  Yes it’s a serious situation, scary in some ways as I said in my previous post, this time feels different than 2012 and one friend has said I should come home and I appreciate the concern.  However as I said to him, I’m writing this here now, I am home; if I wanted to be in England I would never have made aliyah in 2011.  I knew that coming here the situation was always tense, a powder keg that could blow at anytime, I just didn’t want to live on regrets that I changed my mind because I was afraid that something like this might happen.  Because it was always going to happen eventually and there are Israelis and people who have been here long enough that are living their lives and trying to keep the day to day routine going and how can I do any less.  We learn from doing and from example and I’m proud to be here in this country, yes a little worried and troubled by the situation, but I’m not going to let it run my life, I will not live in fear and I will continue to build and enjoy my life as much as possible

Situation

I have been thinking long and hard about posting something on my blog, especially in view of the current situation.  Normally I'm not lost for words but I suppose in this case, for everyone living abroad you have seen the news.  The tensions between Israel and Hamas has erupted and it all started with the disappearance of 3 Israeli teens in the West Bank and the search for them, which sadly led to the discovery of their bodies nearly 3 weeks later only served to raise tensions.

What has followed has been the sad killing of three Israeli teens led to the death of Palestinian teenager, which 3 Israelis were arrested and confessed that it was for revenge and from there things have escalated on a level I've not seen since I've lived here in Israel.  I was here in November 2012 when there were rockets flying over, but this time it seems a lot more serious than then.  So from the odd rocket in the south in Ashkelon and Ashdod, Hamas have started an almost steady stream of rockets into the South, including Beersheva, Sderot.  And rockets aimed at Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Rehovot as well.  Its seems there is very few places that Hamas cannot reach with their rockets.

Fortunately there is the Iron Dome protecting the civilians of Israel from the rockets.  The Iron Dome is an all weather defence system, which intercepts the rockets before they can land.  So I'm very grateful for its invention for it being here because with the amount of sirens going off and it wasn't here things could be so much worse.

Since last week there have been sirens in Tel Aviv where I live pretty much every day and the normal procedure for the siren is to go to the Safe Room in your apartment if you have one or to the Shelter if you have one or into the stairwell.  Where I live now we have a shelter on the floor below so when the sirens have gone it is a case of grabs keys and move quickly to the shelter until after the siren has ended and the boom is heard.  At least by going into the shelter, its one good way to get to know your neighbours LOL.  Still it’s quite a frightening situation to be in, but so far I think I've managed to remain calm for the most part, though having been on a bus and in the middle of the street for two sirens I've managed to keep my wits about me to find a place of safety along with other.  Even though it’s been a crisis I've found some humour in hearing stories of friends or other people having to head for the shelter in just a towel or sleepwear, if it weren't a so serious situation and these were just normal day’s hearing that would be hysterically funny.

I want to say I'm not scared and people who have seen my posts on Facebook and Twitter, probably assume I am not, but I am scared because as I said above this feels different than last time and I don't see it ending quickly, especially since a ceasefire which was accepted by Israel, led to more rockets from Hamas who refused it.  All I know is I want to live my life as normal as possible, sadly I'm sure Hamas don't want that.

I've also been following media coverage from abroad and I'm very disappointed if not surprised that it all seems to point the finger at Israel, reading comments from people after news articles, they are decidedly anti-Israel and I've found myself leaving the page and not replying so I don't say/write something I regret.  I wish I could say something to make people change their view or open their eyes to the full situation, but sadly I can't.  I want to say there can be peace in the Middle East, today though it seems even further away than before.  To my friends here in Israel stay safe and stay in touch and to my friends abroad, keeping reading.