It's snowing in Jerusalem...

...and I'm not there! However, I do wish I was! Of course, I would love to take a walk in the snow with J! In addition, snow in Jerusalem is a rarity, and there is no guarantee I will experience a Jerusalem snowstorm in the future when I will be living there. I can always hope!

Snow in Boston loses its special feel after the first 2-3 storms. In Jerusalem, I think snow must always feel like a special event. According to J, the city really does shut down...even with just a few inches of white stuff on the ground. Streets are empty. Shops are closed. A lot of people stay home from work or choose to walk to work (except J, of course, since he knows how to drive in snow!) An unexpected holiday for all! J took the above picture on an early morning walk in Old City this morning before going to work.

Jerusalem Snow - a link to a BBC article about the snowstorm and how Jerusalemites enjoyed it!

Jerusalem Snow Pictures - and a few pictures from BBC of Jerusalem in the snow.

1 Week, 7 Days, 168 Hours, 10,080 Minutes...

...and I'll spare you the seconds!

I have been home in Boston for a week!  Time goes by quickly...as long as one doesn't start counting time in hours, minutes or seconds :) 

What have I done with my week? 

• Got over jet lag, but am maintaining a good sleep rhythm.  I'm determined to not give into the night owl tendencies.  So it's "early to bed, early to rise" for me!  My body continues to wake up (without an alarm!!) between 6:30 and 7:00 each morning.  Here's to the successful continuation of the new "morning person Kim"!  I really want to be a morning person!  
• Together with J, have crossed off multiple items on the "to do" wedding planning list.  It's going to be a very fun event!
• Contemplated (again!) the reality that I am getting married in just a few short months and all that this means!  
• For better or worse, extended my "regrouping" time from one day to about 5 days.  Regroup is a word my aunt would use when she traveled home from the mission field...and it means to "settle back in" or "readjust". One day is understandable...5 is pushing it a little!
• During those 5 regrouping days...used about 3/4 of my  monthly allowance of daytime cell phone minutes chatting with J, friends and family. 
• On Day 6, after the end of the 5 regrouping days, finished revising a draft of a paper that will hopefully be making its way to an academic journal in the near future, and then sent it off to my prof for his helpful advice and suggestions. 
• On Day 7, continued with the good student habits started on Day 6. 
• Day 8 (tomorrow) - hopeful that the good student habits will continue!

Snow, Snow, Snow...

I awoke on my 5th morning back in Boston to SNOW! Thankfully Boston granted me 4 days to readjust to the cold before adding snow to the mix.  However, watching snow fall is very relaxing and beautiful, so it was a pleasant way to greet the day.  Enjoy the pictures I took outside my apartment while en route to church this morning.

The snow this morning reminded me about the promise of springtime.  I can't wait to see the budding trees and the first daffodils popping up out of the ground.  I can't wait for warmer weather and the seasonal retirement of my hat, scarf and gloves.  And, of course, I can't wait for spring for other reasons...mainly the arrival of a very special day in May!! 

Think Spring!  Dream Spring!  Anticipate Spring! 

Ah...America!

I have safely arrived back in the land of America.  Boston has received me with welcome arms once again...and even granted me a mild winter day to help ease my transition back to cold and snowy New England weather. 

It's funny to feel as if I need to readjust to America.  Maybe "adjust" isn't the right word.  Perhaps I just have a heightened sensitivity to the differences because I have spent enough time away from the American life and am beginning to also feel at home in Israel.  I can't help but wonder what it will feel like to visit America after I truly move abroad and grow increasingly more connected with life outside of the US.  I have read that for many missionaries, the culture shock of returning to America can be more disturbing than the culture shock when they first arrive in the mission field.  Granted, I am not moving into the Africa bush...Israel is a very western country and offers many of the same conveniences.   But I think that even for me and my circumstances, this may also become true for me in the future  You just don't expect to be surprised by your own culture, or to feel "out of place" in your own country!  I am already noticing the "bigness" of America.  I am already noticing the wide array of choice in America.  I am already noticing the emphasis on consumer convenience and individualism in America.  I'm curious to discover which of these American things I will always appreciate and enjoy...and which of these American things I will begin to view with a different (less positive) perspective.  Will I one day feel as if I am "out of place" in America? 

The specific things I noticed today that reminded me that I am back in America:   

• Starbucks - I know it's hard to believe...but I have gone an entire month without seeing a Starbucks!  For some reason, this mega chain has not yet planted itself on every street corner in Israel.  Luckily, I am not an addict, so I should survive!  (PS for all coffee lovers interested in visiting Israel - there are other coffee chains in the country...so don't fear...your addiction can be safely managed!)
• Quiet streets - Even Boston streets feel quiet when compared to Jerusalem!  While out and about this morning, I didn't hear honking car horns...not even one!
• Politeness - one of the things about Israel that can be particularly frustrating is constantly feeling you are being shoved aside...or that you need to shove a person aside...to get where you need to go when you are in a crowded place.  There is certainly a great amount of "shoving" that goes on in Boston too...it is definitely not known as a polite city in America.  But today...I encountered only polite folks! Three cheers for people who intuitively step out of your way when they see you out of the corner of their eye.     
• Choice, choice and more choice...and being able to read the label of every single one of those choices!  I must admit, it was a real delight to be in an American grocery store once again! 

So I am back in America, and I am slowly getting back into the groove of my life here in Boston.   Let's just hope the mild weather lasts for a few more days!  I'm not sure if I am yet ready to cope with snow, ice and frigid temperatures! 

108 Days + 1

Tomorrow J & I will say goodbye.  We have done this many times before, but this time it will be significantly different. 

This time we say goodbye, knowing that our wedding is just a few months away!! 

108 days (+1 thanks to Leap Year), to be exact! 

Let the countdown begin!

Airport Goodbyes...and Hellos!

 

I leave Israel Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM (2:00 AM EST).  I will arrive in Boston at 8:30 PM EST.  That's 18+ hours of time to sleep, read books, watch a movie, eat mediocre food out of cute little containers, drink British tea at Heathrow airport while on layover, and maybe even try to get some school work done.  But most importantly, it is 18+ hours to reflect on the many blessings in my life, rather than only the sadness of having to say goodbye to J yet again.  I am grateful that at each goodbye, I have found myself immediately thinking forward to the next time J & I will be together again...and feeling amazed and so grateful that there will be another "next time"! 

In search of an image to use for this post, I came across this article,  Airport Drama Melts and Mends Hearts.  I take some comfort in the fact that J & I aren't alone in our familiarity with airports.

Our stats: 
11 airport greetings and goodbyes 
6 different airports 
17 months of being together again! 

Airports emotions are bittersweet...sadness in needing to say goodbye for an extended period of time once again...but also happiness in knowing that you will see each other again!  As I have done at previous goodbyes, on Tuesday I will make the choice to reflect on the happier side of the emotions of the day. 

Blessing Food

 

I continue to be surprised at the many different ways I can be reminded that I am living outside of my own culture.  Last evening it was a reminder that we are not living in a society accustomed to Christian practices. 

We enjoyed a lovely dinner out with friends from our church, a young couple who are here in Jerusalem to study at Hebrew University.  Since we had selected a non-kosher restaurant, we were excited to enjoy our juicy steaks and mashed potatoes made WITH milk!  FYI - Jewish tradition requires that meat products and milk products cannot be served together.  I have been disappointed more than once when I have ordered mashed potatoes at a meat kosher restaurant...only remembering after I taste the mashed potatoes that milk is really a very key ingredient.  In addition, special preparations must be done with meat to make it kosher, which requires that every drop of blood is drained out of a cut of meat before cooking it.  Because of that, it is hard to find good steak in this country! (if you like it a bit rare, that is!)

Our food was delivered.  It smelled and looked wonderful!  However, before eating, we paused to say a blessing to God.  At this exact moment, our very friendly Israeli waiter descended upon us!  Expressing his concern that we were not pleased with our food, he questioned why we were all just staring at our food!   He assured us that the food would be excellent, if we would just be willing to at least try it!  To try to settle our fears about our food (at least his perception that we had fears), he then explained that the "strange" looking vegetable was a Jerusalem artichoke and that it tasted a bit like a potato.  He left our table, after we repeatedly told him that we were very happy with our food...that it looked delicious...and that our pausing before eating had nothing to do with our opinion of the food on our plates.  He walked away...I think still very confused about our strange behavior and still not knowing that he had interrupted our prayer.  We smiled, finished our prayer...and then thoroughly enjoyed our food (including that strange Jewish artichoke!)!!  

Having fun at Mitzpe Ramon

Mitzpe Ramon is a large crater in the middle of the Negev Desert.  The light at the end of the day made for some nice pictures.  Sadly, we arrived too late to go on a hike.  I guess we'll have to go back for another visit!

 

I posted this picture for you, my dear sister...you know why!

 

 

And this picture...well, it's just a very funny photo that I think needs to be shared!  :)

Some random desert views...and a surprising acoustic discovery

So what is everyone looking at?!? 

...an abandoned (and unsuccessful) oil well. The attraction of this old well is the very interesting (and surprising) acoustics that you hear when you throw a rock down the pipe.  If you are curious, you can play the video below.  The question of "how" and "why" these sounds were produced kept J and A, two very curious scientists, in a very serious discussion for quite some time. 

 

Overlooking the Egyptian border and the Sinai Desert.

Ein Avdat - a Beautiful Oasis

Friends from Holland visited us in Jerusalem.  We had a great time, and were honored that Israel was the inaugural overseas destination for their 3-month baby girl!  We spent a weekend exploring the Western Negev Desert, not too far from the Egyptian border.  We hiked at Ein Avdat...and enjoyed the beautiful oasis and the bird's eye view from the top of the canyon.

The view while en route to the top of the canyon. 

The Ruins at Shivta

The ruins of Shivta in the Negev Desert date back to the Nabateans (1st century).  However, most of the ruins you see standing today are from the Byzantine period (4-5th century), evidenced by the remains of three churches in this town.  What is most impressive about these ruins in the middle of the desert is the extensive  (and successful!) water management system employed by these ancient civilizations.  Water channels (now dry) can be found snaking through the remains of Shivta.  The water systems required constant maintenance to remain effective.  According to one of our guide books, stone receipts were found in these ruins indicating that citizens received "credits" for performing public work on the water system.  It seems it was a community effort! 

 

 

A stone baptistery in front of one of the churches at Shivta.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few images of the beautiful carvings found throughout the ruins.

    

Desert Sunsets

Sunsets can be breathtakingly beautiful, no matter where you are in the world.   However, the scenery can definitely add to the experience of a beautiful sunset.  We were privileged to see some amazing sunsets during our stay in the Negev Desert.  Thanks to J's photographic talents...I am able to share the beauty with you.  

 

Pay Back Time

   OK...so this is the last time I brag about warm weather in Jerusalem compared to the cold and snow in Boston!  I awoke this morning to a very frigid Jerusalem.  A cold snap has moved into this city, and it is COLD!!!  So cold, in fact, that the water pipes of the building froze during the night and burst.  At present, there is a flurry of activity outside the apartment as efforts are underway to repair the damage.  Water pipes are on the roofs of buildings...no wonder the pipes froze last night! 

In reality, it still isn't as cold in Jerusalem as it is in Boston.  However, buildings in this city are not designed for cold weather, making it feel very cold indeed.  Central heating is an "option" in most houses, so on cold days like today, one must bundle up and stay near a space heater.  So perhaps I am having to pay back for my post yesterday when I was enjoying the fact that I was missing the snowstorm in Boston.  Or perhaps I am just being reminded that although Israel is a warm country...one should not take its warmth for granted.  I have been known to laugh at the Israeli women walking around on the streets bundled up in their knee-length down winter coats.  "Hah", I would say, "they think it is cold here!  They should try living in Boston during winter."  Maybe I am already losing my Bostonian perception of cold, as I sit here shivering in the cold of this morning.  Will I also walk the streets of Jerusalem in January wearing a down winter coat?!?  

The good news about cold weather in Jerusalem is that it never lasts for long.  The cold snap is predicted to end by Wednesday...and the balmy temperatures will return.  The sun will again warm the land.  So no need to feel sorry for me!  :)  Although by writing this last bit...I obviously have not learned my lesson that bragging about the warm weather is an unwise activity.  We will see if the cold will now last a few days longer to teach me the lesson yet again....  In the meantime, let me add "down winter coat" to my list of things to not forget to pack for my move to Israel in May :) 

Sometimes a little help is nice!

Nature can be very helpful in overcoming the height difference :)

It's Snowing in Boston...

...and I am not there!!! Today in Jerusalem the sun is shining and it is a balmy 60 degrees F.   For all of you who find this blog post of mine to be particularly annoying (since you ARE in Boston and enduring the snow and ice and cold), I give you permission to remind me of this post when I feel sad next winter about there being no snow in Jerusalem.  I suppose I have a love/hate relationship with the snow.  It's beautiful to watch and fun to walk in when it is falling.  However, trudging through the snow and ice to the subway, is far less pleasant!  But that seems to be the case with most things in life...there always is a positive and a negative about most circumstances.  So I will enjoy the positive side of being in warm and sunny Jerusalem...and for those of you in Boston, I encourage you to enjoy the beautiful snow!  I'll be back soon...and I have no doubt that there will be many more snowy days in the coming months for me to enjoy too!   

It's the Little Things in Life...

It's the little things that I will probably miss the most when I move abroad.  I wonder if I will reach the point when I will stop being "surprised" by how much I miss those little things?!?

Today, I signed a card to send to my cousin, congratulating her on the birth of her first child.  (I am very excited about the arrival of this little girl!!).  The fact that the card opens in the opposite direction is to be expected, since you read Hebrew right to left on the page.  So even if the card has English text, it seems most cards are still backwards.  However, the fact that there is no glue on the envelope was a surprise!  This is the second card I have purchased in this country without a means to seal the envelope.  Am I spoiled in thinking that envelopes need to come with the glue to seal them?!?  So instead of grumbling about the need to go find the tape in order to seal the envelope, I should see this as an opportunity to stop and wonder about how people in other parts of the world seal the envelopes when they send cards.  As a curious person, I should find this to be an enjoyable activity!  Yes, I may miss the little things about American life when I move here...but I will also have many great opportunities to learn about other cultures and alternative ways to live life.  I will probably learn that many of those little necessities of life that I have taken for granted when living in America really aren't necessities at all.  However, I take the liberty to still miss those little things...and maybe even grumble about it upon occasion! 

W's in Town

W's in Town...and it has created quite a stir in Jerusalem.  Streets are closed, American flags are flying, and security personnel are at every street corner.  I read a newspaper article about how the King David Hotel (where Bush and his entourage have stayed) had prepared for the visit.  All new food was delivered the day of his arrival to be sure of it was safe.  People who had booked a room during the time of W's visit were kindly asked to reorganize their trip.  W's secret service men arrived days in advance to check out the hotel and be sure it was secured and safe.  It's amazing to me how one person can create such a flurry of activity weeks in advance of their arrival!  I suppose all leaders of countries have such fanfare when they travel.  If I was the president, I think all the fuss would make me feel very tired.  I wonder, does the president of the US ever get to take a real vacation?  It is nice to just be a regular citizen and be able to go places unnoticed :)

Since W didn't ask to have a personal meeting with me :(, I am unable to show you any pictures of him in Jerusalem.  I didn't even try to get near him because of how tight the security has been.  The only impact I have felt from the whole visit is how quiet the streets have been for the past few days.  It seems most Israelis chose to stay at home rather than try to navigate the city with key arteries shut down.  I think the general public will be happy to see W leave and have life return to normal. 

Bush's schedule has been tightly planned, and there has been no opportunity for the public to interact with him outside of an organized event.  He didn't go into the Old City because of security concerns.  Bush visited Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, this morning for an hour...it was closed to the general public for the entire day.  I wonder if the president ever feels like he lives in a bubble, always surrounded by secret service agents and only having contact with the public in tightly controlled settings?  

 

The street near the hotel is closed...and has been for the past 2+ days. 

 

A tour bus is one way to create a roadblock!  The King David Hotel is the building on the right of this picture.

My New Favorite Place in Jerusalem

I recently discovered the Souk, a large marketplace in the New City Center.  It is truly a delight for all the senses...not to mention so much cheaper than buying these foods in the local grocery store! (The Mennonite in me always loves a good deal!  However, I will need to learn better negotiation strategies!)  I will let the pictures speak for themselves!  Hopefully the images will conjure up the appropriate smells in your imagination.  Enjoy :) 

PS - J's brother gets all the credit for these photos! 

 

The funny looking fruit below is a pomegranate.  It makes great juice, and I am looking forward to learning how to use it in more creative ways (along with all the other fun and exotic fruits and vegetables available in this country).  If you have any suggestions...please let me know!   

 

One last comment about this wonderful souk  I have been loving the fact that you can buy really great tasting strawberries in January!  I have been eating them since the day I arrived...and I remain very excited about this fact!  I love strawberries.  And trust me, eating them in January makes them taste even better than usual :) 

Mops = Adjustment!

I recently read the book "Moveable Marriage", about how to positively respond to the unique challenges experienced within marriage relationships when living abroad.  Parts of the book were interesting and helpful.  Other parts I found to be less applicable.   

The book is geared towards the partner who is "following" their spouse to a new country.  The working spouse immediately jumps into the new job and his/her day is filled with responsibilities, structure and routine.  For their partner, the adjustment can be a little more difficult.  I found myself personally relating to the following excerpt...

"The disorienting and isolating feelings are usually brought to light by something like not being able to find a mop in a new city, or even knowing what store would sell one, or how to get there or how to ask for it." 

I have had moments of feeling frustrated about the little details of life when I have been in Israel.  Some days, a trip to the grocery store can feel like an exhausting event since so much energy is required to find even the simplest item.  It also takes some adjusting to the fact that the array of familiar stores are no longer available to you.  If you can't go to Target for your toiletry items, where else can you go?  If you need a household item, where do you go if you can't go to the local Bed, Bath & Beyond or Linens n' Things?!? 

When I arrived in Jerusalem at Christmas, such a task awaited me!  The head of our mop had recently broken.  I am happy to report, I was successful in finding a mop head in this city!  So if I understand this book correctly, if one can find where to buy a mop, one can successfully live in a foreign country!   That's good news for me! :)

PS - Thankfully there is an Ikea in this country!  So not all familiarity is lost!! 

My One Year Blogger Anniversary

OK, so I'm technically a few weeks past my anniversary!  And I must give credit to J for his reminding me that it has been one year since I posted my first entry on Christmas Day, 2006, shortly before departing to visit him in Israel for the very first time.

One year later I am back in Jerusalem, a city which now feels familiar and increasingly more like home.  I am excited to be able to once again eat the world's best hummus, falafel sandwiches, sweet potatoes served in all varieties, mint tea, salt bagels...just to name a few of my now favorite food items.  I now remember about 99% of the time to not ask for milk in my tea at a meat kosher restaurant.  I am enjoying the fact that I no longer feel the tourist rush to see ALL the historical sites in Jerusalem in 5 days.  Shalom (hello), Toda (Thank you) and Bevakasha (you're welcome) now roll off my tongue with ease.  I recognize a few of the Hebrew characters.  I have almost memorized the map of Jerusalem and am even beginning to have a natural feel for the labyrinth of streets in the Old City.  I am learning to ask questions rather than get frustrated when I am unsure how to navigate the Israeli lifestyle.

But the comfort level goes deeper than these basic life skills and needs.  Over the past year I have been emotionally and intellectually preparing for my  move to this country after J and I marry.  It will be a big change in my life, but I am ready for it! I feel as if the many decisions I have made in the past 12 years of my life have helped prepare me for this next chapter of my life.  I am excited to move here and to make this place my home.  I am looking forward to learning about the Israeli culture and way of life in the personal and real way that only happens when you live somewhere.  It will have its difficult moments.  I'm sure I will shed a few tears out of loneliness and frustration.  But those more difficult days happen no matter where you live!  What I have learned during my time in Israel is that living life in Israel is fundamentally no different than living life in Lancaster, Boston or anywhere else in the world.  And when I have those moments of frustration, it is my prayer that I will remember to count my blessings and give my troubles to the Lord.  I will then go, with a joyful heart, and wander the busy streets of Old City with a tasty falafel sandwich in hand!  Could there be any better medicine?!?   

 

Ein Gedi

J's brother and sister-in-law visited us this past weekend.  I enjoyed our time together and an opportunity to better get to know J's family.  After church, we went hiking at Ein Gedi, a beautiful oasis near the Dead Sea that is mentioned a number of times in the Old Testament.  Clicking on the underlined word above will take you to an internet site with more information...the short version is that Ein Gedi is where David hid from King Saul. 

When the sun shines at this time of year in Israel, the weather is perfect for hiking and enjoying the outdoors.  We had a lovely afternoon enjoying the beautiful scenery, the warm weather and the fun company!

  

One of the many ibexes we saw scurrying around the rocks at Ein Gedi.  This little mountain goat was almost extinct, but the Israeli Nature Reserve's efforts to protect the ibex has led to a growth in numbers.  They are now easily spotted in the desert and very fun to watch. 

J humored me and agreed to take a nice "American" posed picture :)

D & J at David's Waterfall, the most popular destination at Ein Gedi.  Unfortunately, our time was limited and we were unable to go exploring in the less touristy areas of the oasis. 

 

J's brother introduced me to a new program to do my blog entries.  Not only is it now much easier to insert pictures, this new program allows me to insert maps!  I LOVE MAPS!!  So I think these little maps will become a regular feature for the enjoyment of all the other map lovers who read my blog!!