And the 2 words every parent can't wait to hear: "Great news mom, no learning for 2 weeks!" That is how the lead-in to Purim started and while I don't think it has been entirely true, things have definitely lightened up. Considering that after Purim we will be in the "pre-Chag" period leading up to Passover, I am not too sure when learning will resume. The last couple of weeks have been marathons of crazy dress days, projects, parties, fun and fairs. Ariella asked why Mordechai is called a Yehudi (Jew) but Esther is not. An interesting question and I think one that comes from understanding the text in it's original language. She also wrote a song called "Haman is the loser." Don't ask for the lyrics because the title does double duty as chorus and refrain (with the occasional "we hope he does tshuva "<repentance> thrown in). Also, she wanted to know if Esther spoke both Hebrew and English.
Nehemiah's school fair started out sunny and beautiful and within 20 seconds turned dark, windy and started raining. My question for the evening was were we being punished or rewarded? Right now we're in a drought so we are all praying for rain but balance that against one of my father's mottos: No good deed goes unpunished, and well, you'll have to answer that one for yourself. The bouncy rides were taken down but the pedal cars continued and suffice it to say that for a 10-year old boy, racing pedal cars in the rain is a major reward.
Today I was able to see hundreds of kids in costume as schools did their own Purim parties. Adar is a good month to keep snacks, treats, and small change on hand because for the weeks leading up to Purim it gets celebrated everywhere the kids go and even if it's gymnastics class they find themselves exchanging goody bags and/or raising money for charity. My kids threw their things together from the Purim costume garage sale/fair we went to but some of these kids got seriously creative. Ariella ended up wearing a flamenco dancer dress she got from Savta Joanie a few years ago and went as a flamenco rock star (some of it's attitude). I saw quite a few flamenco dancers but none that had a rainbow wig and butterfly wings. Costumes are her thing.
Tonight we're going to Shabbat dinner with friends and than it's party, party, party. I'm hoping to make a quick run to my hospital on Purim day and take the kids to visit sick kids along with other members of our congregation before we go for our festive Purim meal. Nehemiah likes to say "Haman might have been a bad guy but if it weren't for him we wouldn't be having so much fun!" If we have time I can also give them a quick our of the ED, so that they can see how I am spending my days now that I have "graduated from ulpan."
Wishing you all (for whom it is relevant) a Happy Purim!
Friday, March 14, 2014
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Put on those Vulcan ears
So the Purim candy hop that Lital went on was so fantastic, that I want to share. I had originally thought it seemed like a trick-or-treat type scenario but it was so different. Apparently, the kids go out on both nights of Rosh Chodesh (beginning of the new month) in full Purim costume singing and dancing. They collect a sandwich bag full of treats. On night two they came to our house and they really are spreading the joy of Adar. About 25 kids in costume came dancing in, sang the popular (Mishe nichnas Adar) Adar song, got a couple of mentos each and went on their way. In the same way that even though I don't get a "summer vacation" anymore but when the end of school rolls around I just feel a little lighter and as if there is something more to look forward to, I imagine that kids growing up in Israel must feel the joy of Adar well into their adult life. Last year, I got the sense that Purim is almost a month-long celebration but now I can really say that. These kids have dress up days/parties/activities etc. for weeks leading up to Purim. With each one at a different school I can barely keep track of the goings on but now that they understand Hebrew they are keeping track. Homework, surprisingly, still can fall through the cracks, but the "I need to bring chips for the party" message makes it's way home each and every time. Plus, Ariella's interpretation of the Purim story is keeping us laughing.
I started at the hospital this week. That in and of itself is a whole megillah (got to stay on theme) which I will write about at a later time but suffice it to say for now that if you are feeling sort of doldrum, ho-hum about your life...move to a new country and try doing your job there. It is an eye opening experience. I am trying not to compare because it is like comparing the proverbial apple and orange. Instead, I am just trying to observe and experience. One thing I learned this week, which means that Israel's more limited resources must be allocated quite efficiently: Life expectancy in Israel is one of the highest in the World. #14 (US is 35).
Which gives us the first half, at least, of the classic Vulcan greeting.
I started at the hospital this week. That in and of itself is a whole megillah (got to stay on theme) which I will write about at a later time but suffice it to say for now that if you are feeling sort of doldrum, ho-hum about your life...move to a new country and try doing your job there. It is an eye opening experience. I am trying not to compare because it is like comparing the proverbial apple and orange. Instead, I am just trying to observe and experience. One thing I learned this week, which means that Israel's more limited resources must be allocated quite efficiently: Life expectancy in Israel is one of the highest in the World. #14 (US is 35).
Which gives us the first half, at least, of the classic Vulcan greeting.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Dressing up
Good news. I don't have tuberculosis, hepatitis, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, varicella, rabies, influenza, polio, or mad cow disease (OK I threw that last one in to make sure you were still reading.) This means that I can start at the hospital Sunday. Whooohooo. Someone commented that it might be easier for me to get a job at the CIA. Last week I completed the Human Resources scavenger hunt--it was so much fun! The hospital campus is sprawling with building after building, clinics, labs, office buildings. All surrounded by palm trees and greenery. Walking pathways, people getting around on golf carts, so many languages and ethnicities. It reminded me of Disney world but without the piped in music and people in costume. I'm a bit directionally challenged at the best of times, but throw a massive campus and a foreign language in, and well you can imagine my difficulties. I went from office to office in search of signatures. In the first office I opened with "I don't know why I'm here maybe you can help me and showed them my forms." It was there that it became clear that I was seeking signatures from heads of various departments. People sometimes ask how I keep from feeling like a moron during this process. The short answer: I don't. How could I? The most basic tasks are difficult and confusing. The scavenger hunt was made even more rewarding when the directors would respond with something along the lines of "why do they do this ridiculousness?" (shtuyot). How am I supposed to answer that question--you're the one who works here!
In one office she called the benefits guy and I overheard her ask him to come meet me, because she thought that I might not ever find him and she could picture me just walking around aimlessly. The reason I was able to overhear her say that is because she said it out loud in a regular speaking voice on the phone right in front of me. The benefits guy was interesting. We didn't have too much to talk about. Apparently in Israel, retirement saving is compulsory so 5% of my paycheck goes to a pension and the government will match 12.5%. But since you don't really get paid for the observation period 17% of zero keeps ending up at zero no matter how you spin it. He did teach me that in Hebrew when you wish someone luck you use the word for success because the word for luck is just an acronym for being in the right place at the right time.
Last night I took the kids to a costume fair for Purim. It was delightful. (This time, no sarcasm). Imagine a big garage sale of gently used costume pieces. Costumes here are rather expensive, but these were pieces for 2-20 shekel. Each kid ended up putting together costumes for about 30 shekels (about $9) and they had such a great time picking out the different combos. As N commented to me recently, "Costumes for Purim are about getting into the joy and the fun not about putting on a zombie outfit and scaring people." We went with some friends but also ran into friends from their schools and I saw a friend from camp Ramah who also lives in Modiin (though a different section). We've already taken to buying hamantashen (triangular cookies for Purim with filling) at the bakery, the kids are singing their songs and Lital's school built a world's fair type thing for Purim. Her project was Paris and they built an Eiffel tower. Bon jour.
Tonight after havdalah we broke out into song about the happiness that comes with Adar. The kids started dancing and it was a really nice moment. Later some of their friends came by dressed in costume and invited them to come along going door to door for candy and singing "misheh." I'll say coming from the US that this custom sounds strangely familiar, but I think my poor kids who had to sit out on October 31st all the years we lived in Kansas have finally gotten their chance. Adar is going to be so much fun.
Starting today, when I get to dress up-- in scrubs!
In one office she called the benefits guy and I overheard her ask him to come meet me, because she thought that I might not ever find him and she could picture me just walking around aimlessly. The reason I was able to overhear her say that is because she said it out loud in a regular speaking voice on the phone right in front of me. The benefits guy was interesting. We didn't have too much to talk about. Apparently in Israel, retirement saving is compulsory so 5% of my paycheck goes to a pension and the government will match 12.5%. But since you don't really get paid for the observation period 17% of zero keeps ending up at zero no matter how you spin it. He did teach me that in Hebrew when you wish someone luck you use the word for success because the word for luck is just an acronym for being in the right place at the right time.
Last night I took the kids to a costume fair for Purim. It was delightful. (This time, no sarcasm). Imagine a big garage sale of gently used costume pieces. Costumes here are rather expensive, but these were pieces for 2-20 shekel. Each kid ended up putting together costumes for about 30 shekels (about $9) and they had such a great time picking out the different combos. As N commented to me recently, "Costumes for Purim are about getting into the joy and the fun not about putting on a zombie outfit and scaring people." We went with some friends but also ran into friends from their schools and I saw a friend from camp Ramah who also lives in Modiin (though a different section). We've already taken to buying hamantashen (triangular cookies for Purim with filling) at the bakery, the kids are singing their songs and Lital's school built a world's fair type thing for Purim. Her project was Paris and they built an Eiffel tower. Bon jour.
Tonight after havdalah we broke out into song about the happiness that comes with Adar. The kids started dancing and it was a really nice moment. Later some of their friends came by dressed in costume and invited them to come along going door to door for candy and singing "misheh." I'll say coming from the US that this custom sounds strangely familiar, but I think my poor kids who had to sit out on October 31st all the years we lived in Kansas have finally gotten their chance. Adar is going to be so much fun.
Starting today, when I get to dress up-- in scrubs!
Monday, February 17, 2014
Roll with it
I have finally turned Lital's bottle collection in and collected her money for charity. We went to the first store together. The whole point of the mission was just to turn the bottles in so I went to our local grocery the "Super Tov." Tov=good, plus super is what many groceries are called (Supersal, Super Chesed etc), and of course, it's "super good." It is a really nice store to have in the neighborhood because they carry many American imports. You may recall the first year when I was contacting Sunshine to see how I could find Cheez-its. Well, since I am not a major international customer, I can understand their lack of interest in my plight, but how could they not know that several stores here carry Cheez-its and tons of other American food products that you or your kids have grown to love? (Cheez-its are baked, not fried!) If you don't mind paying $5 for a box of cake mix, you can get Duncan Hines to your heart's delight. Honey graham crackers, Mike&Ike, Skittles. Actually, many of the candy and junk items that we can get here were off limits to us for not being Kosher in the US. After tasting nacho cheese Doritos, one of the kids commented "and now we understand why Doritos are so successful in America." My children clearly all have quite refined taste.
But I digress. We wandered into Super Tov, and let me say in my defense that I didn't mean to be the person in line who starts to cause a big back up, but I just couldn't understand what they were saying to me. Nor could they understand what I wanted. The funny thing is, my Hebrew is getting better, and it's not always a translation issue. They were telling me that they could only accept the bottles that they carry in the store and I was trying to figure out how I would know which brands of water etc. that would be. Eventually a store manager type came over and selected two bottles from our overflowing bags. So that trip was worth 60 agurot or about 15 cents, so that was definitely worthwhile. Especially after Lital bought a pack of gum.
The next day I took the rest of her bottles to Rami Levi, a grocery chain I frequent more often which is about 8 minutes up the road. This was more a "whose on first, what's on second" encounter. It's not that I couldn't understand the Hebrew being spoken, it's just that I couldn't figure out what I was supposed to do. The guard kept telling me to put the bottles in the large recycling bins in front of the store and I kept asking how I would get the money. He would answer that I get it at the customer service desk. It took me several repeats and walk abouts to understand that this was an honor system. What? So I hesitatingly put my bottles into the bin (with the confidence that even with adjusting to Israeli economic realities I could make good for the 2.40 NIS that Lital had coming to her) and then made my way over to the customer service desk where I got my cash. Note to future Olim--you can only get money for the small bottles. So Lital ended up with 3 whole shekels to donate to charity and I learned about cash back recycling.
In honor of David L. of Elazar, who told me to "roll with the punches because the punches keep coming," I now offer an update on my attempt to start a career. Since returning from my work trip in the U.S., I decided to change the hospital site for my observation period. I was pretty much set to start in Jerusalem but I checked out a different hospital in Rishon Letzion, and to make a long story short, though the first hospital did have a french fry machine in the lobby which I felt was a major plus, it just couldn't compete with the parking garage of the second hospital. In all seriousness, the logistics of getting to the Rishon Letzion hospital are much easier. I was hoping the switch wouldn't cause too much of a delay in getting started. Even though the observation period only pays a small stipend (if I have to hire a babysitter during any of my shifts we will be making about the same) you do have to have approval from the Ministry of Absorption who pays the stipend before you can begin. Surprisingly, that transfer was pretty painless. They called a few times just to be sure that I hadn't started work in Jerusalem and today I got a call that my approval had come through. My second phone call was from the hospital letting me know that I need one more blood test before beginning. So I have yet another lab draw appointment this week and David, I'm just going to keep rolling.
But I digress. We wandered into Super Tov, and let me say in my defense that I didn't mean to be the person in line who starts to cause a big back up, but I just couldn't understand what they were saying to me. Nor could they understand what I wanted. The funny thing is, my Hebrew is getting better, and it's not always a translation issue. They were telling me that they could only accept the bottles that they carry in the store and I was trying to figure out how I would know which brands of water etc. that would be. Eventually a store manager type came over and selected two bottles from our overflowing bags. So that trip was worth 60 agurot or about 15 cents, so that was definitely worthwhile. Especially after Lital bought a pack of gum.
The next day I took the rest of her bottles to Rami Levi, a grocery chain I frequent more often which is about 8 minutes up the road. This was more a "whose on first, what's on second" encounter. It's not that I couldn't understand the Hebrew being spoken, it's just that I couldn't figure out what I was supposed to do. The guard kept telling me to put the bottles in the large recycling bins in front of the store and I kept asking how I would get the money. He would answer that I get it at the customer service desk. It took me several repeats and walk abouts to understand that this was an honor system. What? So I hesitatingly put my bottles into the bin (with the confidence that even with adjusting to Israeli economic realities I could make good for the 2.40 NIS that Lital had coming to her) and then made my way over to the customer service desk where I got my cash. Note to future Olim--you can only get money for the small bottles. So Lital ended up with 3 whole shekels to donate to charity and I learned about cash back recycling.
In honor of David L. of Elazar, who told me to "roll with the punches because the punches keep coming," I now offer an update on my attempt to start a career. Since returning from my work trip in the U.S., I decided to change the hospital site for my observation period. I was pretty much set to start in Jerusalem but I checked out a different hospital in Rishon Letzion, and to make a long story short, though the first hospital did have a french fry machine in the lobby which I felt was a major plus, it just couldn't compete with the parking garage of the second hospital. In all seriousness, the logistics of getting to the Rishon Letzion hospital are much easier. I was hoping the switch wouldn't cause too much of a delay in getting started. Even though the observation period only pays a small stipend (if I have to hire a babysitter during any of my shifts we will be making about the same) you do have to have approval from the Ministry of Absorption who pays the stipend before you can begin. Surprisingly, that transfer was pretty painless. They called a few times just to be sure that I hadn't started work in Jerusalem and today I got a call that my approval had come through. My second phone call was from the hospital letting me know that I need one more blood test before beginning. So I have yet another lab draw appointment this week and David, I'm just going to keep rolling.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
T.G.I.F.
Last week we went to a family simcha (celebration) in Jerusalem celebrating our new baby cousin. I'm a little fuzzy on how exactly we're related but suffice it to say that not that many generations ago there were a brother and sister in a small village in Poland who went out into the world and today their descendants are getting together for joyous occasions in Jerusalem, Israel. If you will it, it is not a dream.
Anyway, we had recently learned about a great new app that allows you to park in any paid parking spot and just pay through the app. It's called Pango and I have it on my phone. Had I remembered that little detail we might have avoided the parking ticket we received for parking in a lot with a broken pay machine. Yes, Michael is a lawyer by training, and though he did just receive a crash course on Israeli law (more on that in a future post!) I think we'll just pay this one and move on with our lives. In other words, we are what Israelis might call "friars."
The ticket was well worth it for the experience of getting together with family. I can't express what it meant to the kids to have cousins here. We might be distantly related, but the baby was named after his late maternal grandfather, a man that I knew. He died when I was young but I remember him as a very gentle and kind man. Incidentally, he was my (step) grandmother's brother, so if you're still following we are related to this family in two ways but it's even too confusing for me so we'll move on.
This week Lital asked for a "mental health day." Apparently, that is a day in which you skip school and go out for cocoa and sweets with your mom. I asked her where she got the idee and she replied "from you." For the love, don't you just hate when your kids actually listen to you?? So, I am taking my prerogative to rename the day "mom day" and give her a morning off.
My children have pretty much adjusted to the 6-day school week. A lot of that might be because of the many hours in the day spent on not quite academic endeavors. If I have to schedule something on a school day (any day except Shabbat), they ask me not to do it on Friday because Friday is a "fun day." Ironically, many parents do not work on Friday and with kids in school we call it the same thing!
Last Friday, we went with N on a class trip. His class finished learning the book of Joshua and we walked from the school to the hills overlooking the valley of Ayalon where a famous battle was fought. How amazing! Walking along paths that you read about in the Bible and looking back on thousands of years of history. Naturally the 10 year old boys were a bit more interested in which snacks each one had brought and digging holes in the ground but somewhere, somehow they history and connection to the land which is basically their current backyard must seep in.
Anyway, we had recently learned about a great new app that allows you to park in any paid parking spot and just pay through the app. It's called Pango and I have it on my phone. Had I remembered that little detail we might have avoided the parking ticket we received for parking in a lot with a broken pay machine. Yes, Michael is a lawyer by training, and though he did just receive a crash course on Israeli law (more on that in a future post!) I think we'll just pay this one and move on with our lives. In other words, we are what Israelis might call "friars."
The ticket was well worth it for the experience of getting together with family. I can't express what it meant to the kids to have cousins here. We might be distantly related, but the baby was named after his late maternal grandfather, a man that I knew. He died when I was young but I remember him as a very gentle and kind man. Incidentally, he was my (step) grandmother's brother, so if you're still following we are related to this family in two ways but it's even too confusing for me so we'll move on.
This week Lital asked for a "mental health day." Apparently, that is a day in which you skip school and go out for cocoa and sweets with your mom. I asked her where she got the idee and she replied "from you." For the love, don't you just hate when your kids actually listen to you?? So, I am taking my prerogative to rename the day "mom day" and give her a morning off.
My children have pretty much adjusted to the 6-day school week. A lot of that might be because of the many hours in the day spent on not quite academic endeavors. If I have to schedule something on a school day (any day except Shabbat), they ask me not to do it on Friday because Friday is a "fun day." Ironically, many parents do not work on Friday and with kids in school we call it the same thing!
Last Friday, we went with N on a class trip. His class finished learning the book of Joshua and we walked from the school to the hills overlooking the valley of Ayalon where a famous battle was fought. How amazing! Walking along paths that you read about in the Bible and looking back on thousands of years of history. Naturally the 10 year old boys were a bit more interested in which snacks each one had brought and digging holes in the ground but somewhere, somehow they history and connection to the land which is basically their current backyard must seep in.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Don't Call Me Shirley
I'm back in Israel after a few weeks working in the US. Of course it's hard saying goodbye to my family here and crossing an ocean but there is something nice about life being so compartmentalized. When I'm in KC working, that's all I really have to focus on. My mom even packs my lunch! Speaking of crossing oceans, the flight to the US was incredible. Before we had even completely boarded the plane a flight attendant was injured so I stepped forward to help. I would classify her injury as "minor" and so really all I did was reassure. Well, was my reassurance rewarded. Thank you US air. I didn't really think much of what I had done (because again it was so minor) but after dinner had been served, they moved me to first class. Oh yeah baby. I got to lie down on an airplane. The captain even came out and gave me a hand written thank you and personally thanked me. They treated me as if I had performed a life saving procedure. It was pretty cool. On the flight back I saw the flight attendant who had been injured and fortunately she was fine. I got thanked again but no upgrade. No problem, I was so tired I actually slept in the upright coach position on that flight. Anyway, it was great being back in the ER for a few weeks. I am always reminded what a great team I work with and how wonderful my colleagues and co-workers are. Life at chez Mom and Pop was grand as always. My parents definitely know how to make life sweet. I stayed an extra few days to spend time with my dad. If love could keep someone alive I know he would live forever. Just seeing how their community and really amazing friends love and support my parents is a tremendous source of comfort.
Moving to Israel means not seeing family in US as often and I was not looking forward to saying goodbye to my dad, not knowing if we would see each other again. One thing is when you have a father as great as mine I guess there isn't a final goodbye because the love he gave will last my whole life. And since he is beating the odds we are all hoping for more time spent together.
The final night packing for my return flight was like watching one of those episodes where clowns keep getting into a small car and you can't figure out where they are going. I got upgraded to first class for the domestic part of my flight which is great not because you get a bag of pretzels and can reminisce about what it used to be like to fly, but because you can bring two bags and don't have to worry about the 50 pound weight limit!! My mom packed those bags so full, I don't know how she did it. Really, you can buy pretty much everything in Israel (except for Life cereal which somehow early on in my parenting days got classified as a non-sugar cereal even though I suspect it is a sugar cereal so naturally my kids beg for it) but things are more expensive here so I guess a perk of the long commute I have for work is getting to bring inexpensive goods from the US. We didn't come close to the 70lb limit per bag but with things like Life cereal and chex mix you can imagine.
Returning to Israel was great. I find myself more and more familiar with the flow and I do not take for granted getting to stand in the line for "Israeli Passport" holders when I return. Michael held the fort down but I definitely have my work cut out for me in terms of organization. L and one of her friends have been collecting bottles to recycle and give the money to a local organization that helps the poor. So we have lots of bottles that have yet to be redeemed. She also apparently brought into science class an onion which had sprouted a long green stalk. It was somehow relevant to what they are learning. In the meantime, A has taken to picking out her own clothing (as I was away) and apparently her fashion sense leans towards refugee style. De gustibus non est disputandum.
I'm meeting tomorrow with the folks at the ER in Jerusalem where I will be doing my 3 month "observation" period in order to be completely able to work as an ER doc in Israel. I have been told that it will be a radically different experience from what I am currently used to in the ER. Don't worry, I will keep you posted and let you know. Absentem laedit cum ebrio qui litigat.
Moving to Israel means not seeing family in US as often and I was not looking forward to saying goodbye to my dad, not knowing if we would see each other again. One thing is when you have a father as great as mine I guess there isn't a final goodbye because the love he gave will last my whole life. And since he is beating the odds we are all hoping for more time spent together.
The final night packing for my return flight was like watching one of those episodes where clowns keep getting into a small car and you can't figure out where they are going. I got upgraded to first class for the domestic part of my flight which is great not because you get a bag of pretzels and can reminisce about what it used to be like to fly, but because you can bring two bags and don't have to worry about the 50 pound weight limit!! My mom packed those bags so full, I don't know how she did it. Really, you can buy pretty much everything in Israel (except for Life cereal which somehow early on in my parenting days got classified as a non-sugar cereal even though I suspect it is a sugar cereal so naturally my kids beg for it) but things are more expensive here so I guess a perk of the long commute I have for work is getting to bring inexpensive goods from the US. We didn't come close to the 70lb limit per bag but with things like Life cereal and chex mix you can imagine.
Returning to Israel was great. I find myself more and more familiar with the flow and I do not take for granted getting to stand in the line for "Israeli Passport" holders when I return. Michael held the fort down but I definitely have my work cut out for me in terms of organization. L and one of her friends have been collecting bottles to recycle and give the money to a local organization that helps the poor. So we have lots of bottles that have yet to be redeemed. She also apparently brought into science class an onion which had sprouted a long green stalk. It was somehow relevant to what they are learning. In the meantime, A has taken to picking out her own clothing (as I was away) and apparently her fashion sense leans towards refugee style. De gustibus non est disputandum.
I'm meeting tomorrow with the folks at the ER in Jerusalem where I will be doing my 3 month "observation" period in order to be completely able to work as an ER doc in Israel. I have been told that it will be a radically different experience from what I am currently used to in the ER. Don't worry, I will keep you posted and let you know. Absentem laedit cum ebrio qui litigat.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)