Week 1 in Israel

Greetings.


I arrived in Tel Aviv, Israel on Thursday, 26th April 2012. Not knowing what to expect I was excited and more that ready. After a very long stop in Germany I was tired and very irritated. 


My cousin met me at the airport when my flight came in at 3 am. I was lucky that I could go back to her house and sleep for a while.


It was independence day here on the 26th April so much celebration was taking place. We went to a barbecue (braai) the day I arrived where it was very interesting to see how there were so many people coming and going, each person that arrived had a dish in hand and settle into the festivities.


After spending the day here it suddenly hit me that I was a million miles from home and so far out of my comfort zone I was blown away. For weeks and months before I left, i was hardly phased about my departure and I was waiting in anticipation for the moment it would sink it. I think that moment struck while I was getting out of the cat at O.R Tambo International Airport where I thought I was going to have a heart attack but I survived it and started my journey. It was not until I was in Israel that I had realized and it had sunk in.


It was a tough day but I was fortunate that I had family around me. I think the hardest thing to comprehend was the language barrier, I was fully aware and prepared that I was going to a country where English was not in fact the first language, however I don't think I was fully prepared to the extent of my limitations. Not being able to open the fridge and read one word, not being able to watch a lot of TV, small things such as getting into the car on the wrong side. looking the wrong way when crossing the street. It is all part of the experience though and I am learning day buy day. I am already adjusting quite well I think, well... I can at least get into the car on the correct side for now.


I spent the weekend (Friday and Saturday) at the beach where everyone plays 'tennis' - bats and balls, plays their guitars and plays backgammon - apparently a very big thing in Israel. I have learnt how to play backgammon while being here, its not as easy as it looks but not as hard to learn either. Still very confused but im sure i will get better. 


I have 1 week before I go to the Kibbutz so will be trying to do a bit of traveling while i pass time. Would like to see a bit of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in the next few days.


'till next time

A post from Germany

So, yesterday I left South Africa - what an emotional rollercoaster. I honestly didnt expect it to be this hard to say goodbye to my family.

I was so calm building up to the event until I got to the airport. But with the new life in mind and the full support of my family behind me made it easier to get through.

I landed in Frankfurt, Germany this morning to very chilly weather, thought the sun would come through but not today. I fly out again tonight and should arrive in Tel Aviv, Israel in the very early hours tomorrow morning. It is Independence Day in Israel tomorrow so will be spending the day with the family, whatever we will be doing.

Will be posting another update when I get settled in Israel, hopefully by then I will know what Kibbutz I will be going to and what I will be doing there.

Until then...

Im out.

My last day at work

Today marks the last day of work.

As I look around and start my goodbyes, I am reminded of the last few years that I have been here. Truth is, it hasn’t always been easy. There have been some extreme lows but I have also had some really good days. More importantly I have learnt a wealth of knowledge that I cannot only use in my career but also in life.

I am excited to take the next step in my life and learn so much more.

My graduatation day

As most people do, I went straight to university when I finished matric. As a naïve 17 year old, I had no idea what I was in store for. I had no idea what I wanted to be, what I was going to study and what was expected of me.

Luckily having an older sister who was already in the university system I thought I knew or had an idea of what I was doing. Little did I know.

I remember orientation week, where you go and mix with other first year students, a week where you are supposed to make friends and find your way around. It was not what I had expected and really thought and still do think that it is unnecessary.

Over the years of studying, I made some incredible friends and created bonds with some amazing people that will carry on for a life time.

University teaches you life experiences that you cannot learn anywhere else. You are given a timetable and left to be, you learn so much about yourself in terms of what you can handle, how you handle situations and what you can do to overcome it.

Varsity life. There is just no way to describe it until you have lived it. Partying all night, 7:30 lectures in the middle of winter, a staple diet of burgers and toasted sandwiches, winging exams, lift clubs, the library – the single most distractingly quiet place on earth.

I could not have gotten through the years if it was not for my family and friends. They were behind me every step of the way.

Thank you to all who were apart of my experience!

Happy Easter and Chag Sameach

 

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

Hope that this weekend is filled with lots of family, laughter, love and lots and lots of chocolate.

To everyone who gave something up for lent, I hope it has been a success and I hope what ever you gave up is just as amazing as you remember it!

CHAG SAMEACH

To everyone celebrating the passover,hope you dont eat too much Matzah.

Wedding bells, babies and Visas

After such a crazy week, I have finally taken a few minutes to reflect.

Last weekend my sister moved house, it really is a stressful task making sure everything is done properly and waiting for deliveries. There often seems to be more waiting than action but before you know it, it All comes together. I wish her and her fiancé all the best in their new home and that lots of love and happiness flows through their doors.

Another exciting even was that we had a new addition added to our family. We had a little baby boy born and he is just the most precious little guy on the planet. I finally realise what people mean when they say they fell in love with the child the moment they saw him – I did just that!

And the last bit and probably the most exciting was that my sister got engaged to the most amazing person, I dont think there is anyone better suited for each other like they are. Yet another pot finds its lid. All of this in just one week you ask? YEP! All in one week.

It has been the most fabulous week and so full of love, happiness and laughter. A feeling I wish would last forever.

It makes me realise that as I am about to embark on my travels there is so much that can happen. I am glad that I am here to experience all of these wonderful things but I am really going to miss it and know that I will be creating my own memories.

I was informed upon submitting my visa that it would take 30 days to process – that alone has been stressing me out as I will have landed in Israel before I know if my visa had been granted or not (you only collect it once you are there). So many thoughts go through my head, what if they don’t let me stay, what will I do, where will I go, how will I get there, why would they deny/decline it? This morning, bright and early I received an email informing me that my visa had been approved and that it was all systems go ahead (only took 5 days – how awesome)

So with the big count down well in its way, 23 more sleeps, it is time to get my tooshie into gear and start planning the greatest adventure of all!