And ten points goes to... Oulpan Akiva!
The boys came home smiling and all excited, they have learned a few words and apparently had a very good time. They are in the same class and are learning how to read and write hebrew.
Meanwhile we adults tried to open an Israeli bank account without an id card - which seems to be an impossible mission even if legally it isn't. Never mind, we'll wait a few more days.
The washing-mashine installer came this afternoon, I welcomed him as the Mashia, one week without a washing mashine is a lot with 3 kids. In the end I undressed them before serving dinner! I have now washed my first machine and put the laundry to dry, will it ever dry or is it too humid? I'll tell you tomorrow morning.
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Monday, 28 July 2008
Say the word IKEA and I will puke.
5 hours yesterday, with 3 children running around touching everything, and now the livingroom filled with boxes and furniture to put together... In a sefardic couple like ours, where the man never approaches the kitchen unless it's because the woman called to say dinner is ready, I claim my right not to help with assembling the IKEA furniture, there has to be some justice even for us repressed!
This morning we registrered the children at Oulpan Akiva, they're going to follow the summer course during two weeks, it seemed to be a very nice program, they will study in the morning and play in the afternoon, and we, parents, will be able to breathe for a few hours.
It was encouraging meeting families who had survived their first year in Israel, and to see that their children where doing fine.
I am still very emotive, biting my lips when the neighbour's daughter passes buy asking if we are immigrants, wishing us welcome and good luck, or when discovering the language school with its swimmingpool and a basket ground, when an old man bends over my youngest daughter telling me she's beautiful and that she is the future of Israel...
I am proud to live here, and the feeling that we have made the right choice not only for us, but for our children is very strong. This morning when I looked through my livingroom window and watched the modern buildings of Tel Aviv I thought of the beginning, when there was only sand, only 60 years to build up all this, I'm happy that we will be a part of the comming 60!
5 hours yesterday, with 3 children running around touching everything, and now the livingroom filled with boxes and furniture to put together... In a sefardic couple like ours, where the man never approaches the kitchen unless it's because the woman called to say dinner is ready, I claim my right not to help with assembling the IKEA furniture, there has to be some justice even for us repressed!
This morning we registrered the children at Oulpan Akiva, they're going to follow the summer course during two weeks, it seemed to be a very nice program, they will study in the morning and play in the afternoon, and we, parents, will be able to breathe for a few hours.
It was encouraging meeting families who had survived their first year in Israel, and to see that their children where doing fine.
I am still very emotive, biting my lips when the neighbour's daughter passes buy asking if we are immigrants, wishing us welcome and good luck, or when discovering the language school with its swimmingpool and a basket ground, when an old man bends over my youngest daughter telling me she's beautiful and that she is the future of Israel...
I am proud to live here, and the feeling that we have made the right choice not only for us, but for our children is very strong. This morning when I looked through my livingroom window and watched the modern buildings of Tel Aviv I thought of the beginning, when there was only sand, only 60 years to build up all this, I'm happy that we will be a part of the comming 60!
Sunday, 27 July 2008
We had a great chabat, actually every day has been great since we arrived. The beach is absolutely faboulous, crowded, but not like we're used to on the French riviera. The boys stayed in the water for almost 4 hours, it's really very warm. I'm curious to know what the lifeguards are saying, the're talking non-stop in their microphone, sometimes screaming, I can hear words like children, outside, staright, woman etc. Probably the try to control the situation and even more probably- the majority doesn't listen...
Today we will try to find out how to register the boys to the summer oulpan, I think it starts tomorrow and it would be useful for them to participate. Our Oulpan starts only in September, until then we try to use the words we know- or the words we think we know. Friday morning I went to the local supermarket asking the lady at the butcher's to give me a nose ( af) instead of a chicken (of).
Today we will try to find out how to register the boys to the summer oulpan, I think it starts tomorrow and it would be useful for them to participate. Our Oulpan starts only in September, until then we try to use the words we know- or the words we think we know. Friday morning I went to the local supermarket asking the lady at the butcher's to give me a nose ( af) instead of a chicken (of).
Thursday, 24 July 2008
We had a very busy day. We've bought a fridge, a washing machine and have been delivered the furniture we ordered in May.
This afternoon I went to the post office. Going to the post office is an important part when you change country. It's the place to observe people, probably because there is a beautiful "bouquet" of normal citizens.
Our post office was over-crowded. Outside the line was quite straight and not larger than two people, but once inside it worsened, the queue kind of "floated out" and people where standing everywhere. After less than two minutes the first quarrel bursted out about who was before who and before I had reached the cash desk I witnessed another two. Half of the queue where involved in each argument, giving their opinion about the order. When they wanted to know what I thought and I answered that I didn't speak Hebrew they questionned me in English. Funny, time seemed a little bit less long with this entertainement.
It's very warm, just a little less humid than in a hammam, and yes, I envy those who have AC in their bedroom.
Chabat Shalom!
This afternoon I went to the post office. Going to the post office is an important part when you change country. It's the place to observe people, probably because there is a beautiful "bouquet" of normal citizens.
Our post office was over-crowded. Outside the line was quite straight and not larger than two people, but once inside it worsened, the queue kind of "floated out" and people where standing everywhere. After less than two minutes the first quarrel bursted out about who was before who and before I had reached the cash desk I witnessed another two. Half of the queue where involved in each argument, giving their opinion about the order. When they wanted to know what I thought and I answered that I didn't speak Hebrew they questionned me in English. Funny, time seemed a little bit less long with this entertainement.
It's very warm, just a little less humid than in a hammam, and yes, I envy those who have AC in their bedroom.
Chabat Shalom!
Shalom!
Yesterday was so full of happiness that it will be kept in my memory together with the days I gave birth to my children, got converted and married.
The trip was fantastic. The plane was full of Parisian olim, singing, clapping hands, laughing, crying, hugging eachother. When we approached the Ben gOurion Airport everybody put on their "Olim Hadashim" tshirts and caps and the whole plane had a common countdown, at zero, when the wheels touched the ground the children where screaming of joy and lots of adults where crying of emotion and proud. I hope we will all sort it out here and that all of us, in a year or two will think back of this step as one of the most important steps of our lives.
The welcome ceremony was very moving and saying thank you and good-bye to the staff of the Jewish agency difficult. They have been with us for a year and half, and have accomplished their task, now they will start all over again with new families.
A Shirout took us home to our appartement in Natanya in the afternoon and we brought our 400 kilos of luggage inside.
Today we will start furnishing the appartment.
The trip was fantastic. The plane was full of Parisian olim, singing, clapping hands, laughing, crying, hugging eachother. When we approached the Ben gOurion Airport everybody put on their "Olim Hadashim" tshirts and caps and the whole plane had a common countdown, at zero, when the wheels touched the ground the children where screaming of joy and lots of adults where crying of emotion and proud. I hope we will all sort it out here and that all of us, in a year or two will think back of this step as one of the most important steps of our lives.
The welcome ceremony was very moving and saying thank you and good-bye to the staff of the Jewish agency difficult. They have been with us for a year and half, and have accomplished their task, now they will start all over again with new families.
A Shirout took us home to our appartement in Natanya in the afternoon and we brought our 400 kilos of luggage inside.
Today we will start furnishing the appartment.
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Tonight is the night...
and tomorrow we will start a new life, far away from everything we're used to.
People have been passing by to say goodbye since this morning. A journalist from Maariv came and interviewed us about Israel, our life in France and our Aliyah, I cried several times, I can't control myself anymore.
We didn't have much sleep, I guess this night will be worse since we're leaving the house a 3 o'clock tomorrow morning.
We haven't said goodbye to the Rabbi yet, we save the worst for last.
Bye for now, next hello will be a shalom from Israel!
People have been passing by to say goodbye since this morning. A journalist from Maariv came and interviewed us about Israel, our life in France and our Aliyah, I cried several times, I can't control myself anymore.
We didn't have much sleep, I guess this night will be worse since we're leaving the house a 3 o'clock tomorrow morning.
We haven't said goodbye to the Rabbi yet, we save the worst for last.
Bye for now, next hello will be a shalom from Israel!
Sunday, 20 July 2008
nominated and challenged!
Kala nominated and challenged me to share my 7 favorite blogs, I'm not allowed to put Kala's Tel aviv betraktelser http://www.kalasblogg.blogspot.com/ , because she put mine on her list. Here are my seven:
http://ilanadavita.wordpress.com/ Interesting, nice recepies, and a little Swedish...
http://www.whatwarzone.com/ A good laugh, this guy is really funny
http://illcallbaila.blogspot.com/ I like the way she writes, it's tender
http://al-hamatzav.org/ The only swedish blog since I know swedish-speaking readers are a minority, this blog is a must though...
http://drybonesblog.blogspot.com I'm addicted!
http://miaspearls.blogspot.com Love her pictures and Mia herself.
http://min-farmor-lillie.blogspot.com/ Lillie is a friend, reading her blog keeps me updated between our calls, sorry-it's in Swedish...
Only six but six goodies...
My boys are back from the French Riviera, excited and a little scared of what is going to happen. Only two and a half more "sleeps" before leaving.
I can't sleep, when I turned the light off tonight and thought about our arrival I cried of happiness. My parents-in-law are with us, there is lot's of emotion in the air.
http://ilanadavita.wordpress.com/ Interesting, nice recepies, and a little Swedish...
http://www.whatwarzone.com/ A good laugh, this guy is really funny
http://illcallbaila.blogspot.com/ I like the way she writes, it's tender
http://al-hamatzav.org/ The only swedish blog since I know swedish-speaking readers are a minority, this blog is a must though...
http://drybonesblog.blogspot.com I'm addicted!
http://miaspearls.blogspot.com Love her pictures and Mia herself.
http://min-farmor-lillie.blogspot.com/ Lillie is a friend, reading her blog keeps me updated between our calls, sorry-it's in Swedish...
Only six but six goodies...
My boys are back from the French Riviera, excited and a little scared of what is going to happen. Only two and a half more "sleeps" before leaving.
I can't sleep, when I turned the light off tonight and thought about our arrival I cried of happiness. My parents-in-law are with us, there is lot's of emotion in the air.
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