The Week in Review...

People back home in the States like to ask me what I do in a typical week, so for this blog entry I'll attempt to recall what I did.

It began last Saturday night as we remembered the 12th anniversary of Yitzhak Rabin's assassination. Every year Israelis gather in the center of Tel Aviv at Rabin Square where the prime minister was murdered. There were over 150,000 people there. It reminded me of the last time I was at a rally this big, which would be when I heard Fidel speak in front of about 600,000. I could only understand a little of the speeches (which were in Hebrew), but I enjoyed the atmosphere of people gathering to remember Rabin. Being there reminded me of how much I hate Yigal Amir (the assassin) and what he did. The peace process in 1995 was moving along very well and there was much hope for a lasting peace. However, with a few shots, Amir effectively destroyed that hope in addition to killing a true Israeli hero. I couldn't help but wonder what Israel might be like had this not happened. We might be in the same situation we find ourselves in today, but I like to think things would be different...

Ok, so back to my week. As previously mentioned, I have moved out of my old apartment and into a great new studio (right on Dizengoff street:). However, I still had a big closet that I had left behind in my old apartment. The person who took over my room did not want to buy it from me and I was left with only a few days to get rid of it. I headed over to my trusted Israeli consultants (Leora and Ariel) and they helped me post an ad on the Israeli equivalent of Craigslist. In less than 24 hours I had sold my closet and the guy who bought it came the same day to take it apart and move it. I thought it would take a lot of effort to dismantle the closet (it is huge, 2.4 meters x 1.6 x .5) but he did it all with a small screwdriver and drove it off on top of his little car. I was very impressed! This was all possible because of the internet and the vast amount of people who use it to find everything. (also, if you have the time, check out this story my Mom sent me and you'll see just how connected we are through the net: http://www.yahoo.com/s/732115)

On Wednesday morning I went to Misrad Hapnim (Ministry of the Interior) to get my Teudat Ma'avar (temporary passport that lasts two years). This was a very important document to get because without it I am not allowed to leave the country. I've heard lots of stories of long lines and frustration in going to Misrad Hapnim, but my experience was nothing of the sort. The line was short and I was out of there in under half an hour. (Side story: The last time I tried to go there was the first week after I made aliyah and I went to fix the spelling of my name. Well, after walking 30 minutes, I find out that the place is actually closed due to a strike, a very common occurrence here in Israel. My name is still not spelled to my liking (in Hebrew) and I will change this at a later date.)

For the last month or so I've tried to observe Shabbat dinner and enjoy a nice meal with my friends here in Tel Aviv. Last night was no exception. I went over to my friend Yonina's apartment (which she also just moved into and has a great view of Tel Aviv) and she prepared a feast for six. I had the fortune to be the only guy there with five very attractive ladies (rough life, but if somebody has to live it, it might as well be me:). We spent Friday night sharing good stories, delicious food and a few bottles of wine. One of the best parts is that I got to take the leftovers home and now I have two very good meals to look forward to!

Today I am cleaning my new apartment, preparing for my oral exam in ulpan and going to the beach. The weather has gotten a little cooler, but the sun is still shining and the beach is calling my name.

So that's about how a week looks in my life in addition to the regular routine of work and ulpan. There also was a party and a few trips to the bars somewhere in there, but there's not enough room here to tell all the stories:)

Shavua tov to all!
p.s. Apparently people like to vote for my parents to go to the bars and get drunk... I think that this past survey had the most participation ever. I'll try and think of a good survey for the next one.