First Shabbat

Yesterday morning we helped out at a soup kitchen. It was an amazing experience! At first I was helping to prepare food, and while I enjoyed that and the fact I was still helping others, it wasnt as satisfying as my next job. I worked in the are where we gave food packages away. I used my little hebrew to keep up. ("shtei ouf achshav!" means I need two chicken now! or "Hetzi orez" means half a container of rice.) and while it was not a fluffy kittens and rainbows experience, it made me appreciate exactly what I have. These poor people, many of them elderly, were lining up for the only meal they may get that day. They depended on help. Some of them had to make decisions like do I buy medicine or dinner today? And here I was, on a trip to this gorgeous country on this incredible trip, which I couldnt imagine in my wildest dreams. I cant describe just how lucky I am.

After the soup kitchen we had lunch (which I appreciated so much more) and then had some time to get ready for shabbat. 

For those of you who dont know what shabbat is, I will give a quick explanation. When G-D made the earth, he completed it in 6 days and then rested on the seventh. He made that day a holy day of rest and while some like to follow strict guidelines regarding what rest means, the reform movement likes to simply designate it as a day to change your pace. We all take a step back from our regular lives, take a deep breath and relax.

For this shabbat we went down to the western wall which is the last standing wall of the 2nd temple and is the most holy place on the planet for jews. 

We did our prayers beside the wall, which was an incredible experience. Looking back, I'm totaly overwhelmed by just how significant it was. I got to PRAY next to where the temple was! This building in which G-D resided, and I was praying to him right there next to the wall. When Jews say prayers all over the world, they will stand and face this place, this place Jews died to see, and have the right to freely visit it.

When we got back to the Kibbutz, we ate dinner and had a "song session" which means everyone brings their guitars and other musical instruments and dances around to jewish (and some non-jewish songs). While all of the songs were camp songs that I didnt know, I tried my best to keep up, and at least did the corny dance moves! I loved it.

We then where allowed a late night, and there was so much drama! The counselors had so much fun busting into rooms and caught at least 3 couples in the act! Me being a nerd had no action in these situations, but followed others around hoping for a front seat in the action.

After that my roommate had a breakdown/panic attack. There is this fight going on between the two of them. Natalie (the one who went off her happy pills recently) was upset and wanted to talk to Morgan. Morgan didnt know what it was about and just said "dude, were in the same room, we can talk later" and natalie got upset. So then Morgan was talking to someone about how ridiculous Natalie was being and Natalie overheard. Natalie went ballistic! Were talking forgetting-to-breathe-panic-attack, it was nuts.

It took me and the counsellors half an hour to calm her down. It was nuts.

Now Natalie refuses to be in the same room as Morgan and vice versa.

I just wasted a full minute of your life with that detailed story! :D

Keeping the peace,

Talia

Dead tired.

Last night was a zero sleep night. Well, almost for me! I got 2 hours of sleep due to the fact that Emma and I stayed up talking for a ridiculous amount of time. We are so alike its almost scary! We both have a ton in common, and she had stories that were crazy! So I finally got my little amount of sleep, and then before I knew it, everyone was getting up and after an exhausted breakfast we were put on the tour bus to the archaeological dig in the Judean Hills. It was absolutely gorgeous, and we got to see ruins from thousands of years ago. We also crawled through caves that were carved out by Jews thousands of years ago when trying to escape the Romans. After that we got to sift through rocks and sand to find shards of pottery and other things hidden in the dig. The best thing I found was a piece of pottery with a blue glaze on it.

On the way back, I slept on the bus like I was dead! I have really mastered the sitting up and sleeping deal.

We had lunch and then a chorus of showers, and with a little spare time, I wrote in my blog. 

Later today we have orientation for our Hebrew and General Studies, which means they are going to try and cram information into our heads and I am going to return it with a blank stare... go me.

Tired and Bitchy,

Talia

Israel!

I drove to the airport with Dad in a taxi, and awkwardly met the people I had been chatting with on facebook for months. We all checked our bags nervously into security where I met a girl named Suri, who I talked to at 100 miles an hour with, jabbering about nonsense because I was nervous. We made it onto the plane where I sat next to a guy named David who played games on his scientific calculator, and a girl named Natalie who is completely nuts and now my roommate.

The flight was 14 hours, so I watched the movie Iron Man, slept, and ate the crappy airplane food. When we arrived in Israel, we were all tired, and grateful to get on the tour bus to the kibbutz where we were going to stay. The truth was, I had very low expectations for the kibbutz. I expected a place where we would just sleep, and not spend any more time there, but I really liked the room!

My roommates are Morgan (who I had epic talks with on Facebook, more than anyone really), Natalie (totaly nutzo), and Emma (who has awesome taste in music and is from Hollywood!

It turns out I am the only Canadian. (I am so the NORTH in NORTH AMERICA!) So I have already been asked if I have seen glaciers. In fact Natalie assumed I had seen one! I have also been asked if I learn American History at school... really? Anyway, all the people who hear me say “eh?” immediately start laughing and I can never figure out why! 

Back on topic!

We got to the Kibbutz and were shown our rooms, ate dinner (which was great!), drank chocolate milk, and went to sleep.

I woke up at 3 in the morning and had so much trouble getting back to sleep! I got around 6 hours of sleep, but all of today, I still felt exhausted!

The best thing about the morning was prayers. I am so used to a mumbling congregation and a labored service that being with people who were passionate, in jerusalem, the city that every jew wants to be near and with guitar playing and clapping and just generally joyous singing was such an experience!

One thing that gave me reason to pray, was that I had left my bag on the bus with my computer, cell phone, camera, ipod, headphones, and wallet, and everything else in the world that I needed! That morning I had managed to get the bag back safe and sound! I thought I was going to have a heart attack!

Today we had “orientation” which included talks about getting enough sleep (are you kidding?!) taking care of ourselves, managing course loads, and all about our different courses. We also talked about our tzedaka (charity) projects we would be doing during the trip.

A great thing we got to do today was go shopping at the little supermarket that is in the Kibbutz. Its tiny, sells a couple different types of fruit, and most important, chocolate and chocolate milk! Its awesome.

So I’m sorry for the delay, my internet is terrible here!

Loving Hummus,

Talia

Off to Israel today!

ahhh!

I leave in 2 hours!

So prehaps I should tell everyone about yesterday first?

We went to the Museum of Modern Art (or MoMA) and saw a few of their exhibits. We saw one about ready made housing that was very interesting! Included in this exhibit was the history of ready made houses, some existing models, and what the future may hold. The most interesting was a house that was half the size of my bedroom (photos on facebook) and was self sufficient! The place had 2 beds, a TV and computer, a kitchen, (complete with stove, microwave freezer and espresso machine) but the best part was the washroom, it was maybe 1 square foot, but the door pulled out to make a little booth for the shower! It was amazing!

We also went to "Nike World" which was HUGE! I didnt even know Nike sold 5 floors worth of product, including custom shoes (you could choose the colours and get your name stitched on it!) and the coolest warehouse I have ever seen. It was a series of tubes, if you wanted a pair of shoes to try on, the employee would scan the label on the shoe, choose the size, and send the message directly to the warehouse through their handhelds. The warehouse people then put the shoe box into a tube, and the shoes were sent to the employee, who would give you the shoes. It was so cool!

After our day of shopping and art, we went to dinner with my Dad's friend Susan, and then went to see a Broadway play. We saw half of Rent, which both my Dad and I didn't like, so we walked out. 

After that we met up with another of my Dad's friends, Elliot, who is a total nutter! I found it really funny, but my Dad was about to blow a gasket. Elliot took us to lower Manhattan where we went to see "Hippies" as he called them, or college students. He drove 100000 miles an hour and frequently stopped to yell a hello to random people on the street.

We found our way to little italy for a second dessert, and then made our way home.

This morning however, the weirdest thing happened!

I woke up and went for a run, which is routine, but afterwards I was in the shower and feeling light headed. I turned down the heat, figuring it was just too humid, but I still felt very ill. So I leaned against the shower wall.

The next thing I knew, I felt like I was dreaming, I was dreaming of this show I had been watching on the History channel, and then slowly I became vaguely aware that there was water on my face, and I was working to keep it out of my mouth. I suddenly realized that I was lying down, and sat up, looking around and feeling confused. I slowly got out of the bath and told my Dad what had happened. I don't think I was out for long, but the experience scared me. Apparently I was dehydrated with low blood sugar, and this had caused me to faint. I had never fainted before! I feel very bizarre right now, even after food and water.

Anyway, apparently I will be fine to fly and so I am currently very excited to meet everyone going on the trip to Israel! I cant believe Im finally going! Its unreal.

Avoiding fainting spells,

Talia

2 days in one!

YESTERDAY:

We arrived in the big apple to find that our hotel room wouldnt be ready for 4 hours. Gah!

We made our way around NYC and found the Museum of Television and Radio, which was the coolest thing I've ever seen!

They had a gallery with "family guy related artwork" called "ITS A FREAKING ART SHOW!" and was hilarious. But the best part was when we went upstairs, they had an archive of videos and radio shows you could choose from. Dad and I got to choose 2 videos to watch in a viewing booth. We chose the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show (pictures will be put on Facebook soon!). We also watched some corny science fiction television! It was hilarious. ("They are bombing us with ultra heat beams! Run for the Titanium nuclear shelter! The human race depends on our survival!")

After this we went to the hotel, where we checked in, and got our room, which was the size of a postage stamp complete with desk and everything.

That night we met up with one of my Dad's friends and went to a swanky asian food restaurant called "Ruby Foos" where I ordered pad thai (which I hated) off a gluten free menu. The upside was the desert! There was a gluten free pecan tart with strawberries! It was ORGASMIC! I loved it.

We went to see a broadway play of 39 Steps, which was very funny and well done.

TODAY

I went for a run again in the gym, the treadmills have TELEVISIONS in them!!! its cool. I watched a program about flying saucers.

This day there was nothing planned so we caught the subway up Manhattan to 81st street where we walked across central park to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This museum was amazing! There was an entire Egyptian temple inside the museum! I also saw mummies and enough Egyptian artwork to last a lifetime!

We went through the modern art section too (pictures on facebook asap!) and went onto the roof where someone had made a shiny metal version of... wait for it... a balloon animal! It was so funny!

Oh just as I'm writing  this, a hot boy came and sat in the hotel lobby! (only place with internet access)... just thought I would let you know...

Anyway! after the Met, (did I mention the Picassos? they were so cool.) we took a taxi back to the hotel, where I had the best starbucks tea! Its TAZO Iced tea, and its the best! Dad and I shared cheesecake and chicken and rice. I am currently feeling stuffed and a little sick! Sugar overload!!!!

Anyway, all the TV had to say was that Obama had chosen his VP, so I came down to the lobby for the internet. Go internet...

Anyway, I'll post tomorow.

:)

First Day of Traveling!

Ok! So my dad and I have made it to buffalo! After a large amount of panicking, I am officially packed with EIGHTY pounds of baggage total! My zipper-about-to-split hockey bag is officially 20 pounds over weight (im going to have to pay for that! gah!) and my guitar is all packaged up in its hard case.

My mom was forcing miscellaneous items on me right before I left.

"It says on this packing list you need a flashlight! Do you have one? Take this one! Oh dont put it in that pocket! It will get damaged! ... You cant put it there! Not enough cushioning! HERE!" She rips the thing from my hand "put it here! Perfect! Make sure no harm comes to this flashlight! Its a really good one you know!... Do you need binoculars?"

The goodbye was sad, I hugged my mom at least twice, but the heartwarming effect was ruined a few minutes later when I called about something I had forgotten, it totaly ruined the last conversation we had while I was on Canadian Soil.

My Dad and I drove to Buffalo, stopping to use the washrooms and go to Tims, singing 80s songs the entire way (Love Shack never gets old).

We have NOW arrived at the hotel in Buffalo, all of 2 steps from the airport (but with my 70 pound suitcase, we will be taking the shuttle!) and I was overjoyed to find all that I need in a hotel, a treadmill, and wireless internet!

Anyway, we are off to dinner (most likely at Dennys, its pretty much tradition) where I will drool at american portions of pasta while eating my "gluten free alternative".

Tomorrow we depart for New York, New York!

Surprise going away party!

So Justine and I were going to go out for lunch, I took my time and made my way down to her house.

Apparently we were going to some "secret restaurant" at which point I should have been suspicious, but I wasn't really thinking about it.

I got to Justine's house, we greeted, hugged and Justine asked if I wanted something to drink.

All of a sudden, all of my friends jumped out of nowhere! I almost had a heart attack!

I was so excited! They gave me the greatest card that they had all signed, and while I was still almost in shock, we went out to catch the bus.

We went down to our favorite sushi restaurant, where we pigged out like you wouldn't believe! After more than enough sushi, and 2 scoops of ice cream, we made our way over to Jackson Square. We took photos in a photo booth, and SOMEHOW got SIX of us into it! I don't think I've ever even HEARD of 6 people fitting into a box like that!

We made our way back, just catching the bus (I ran ahead like a lunatic) and I gave everyone at least two hugs each!

I don't think I could have had a better send off.