Sweet Inspiration

good day sunshine : )

ashiratzivia — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:36:31 +0000

Ah, I apologize once again for my slacking in posts but wow, what a whirlwind few weeks this has been. And after quite a few rounds of ups and downs, I am happy to report I am quite “up” right now.
Shortly after my last post, I broke the news to my work that I would not be returning after China. Well, instead of appreciated the advanced notice, they did not handle it so well and proceeded to cut any remaining shifts I had, leaving me essentially unemployed the past two weeks. I was furious at first, and certainly let my (ex)boss know this (wow, never have I raised my voice to an employer before,) but I quickly let go of it and instead focused on the excitement of my vacation and the potential of the job I have waiting for me when I return. Although the past couple weeks have been quite boring, I have busied myself with taking Sauli to the dog park, getting done put-off errands, and going to the beach (yes, it has been in the 80′s the past week or so, tomorrow it may even get to 90!) Speaking of my precious Sauli, I have invested in a cage, deciding my own sanity was worth the 350 NIS. And he actually likes it! It was delivered this morning and, although I had to shove him in, once he was inside he seemed to actually like it and even went back in on his own later to lay down. I feel great about this, it was really getting hard to find pee on the floor every single time I left and came home. It will also make my room mate’s life much easier as she is doing me the great favor of taking care of him while I am in China. China in only a few days!!!! I am so excited beyond words. Wow. I can’t wait. How could I be anything but elated knowing I am getting to travel to a new country with my father and sisters in only a few days? Also, booked my flight to visit home this summer (July 14-28.) Can’t wait to get to see all my friends and family that I love and miss so much.
Wow, I don’t know if I can credit the cage, the weather, the vacation, or what but I feel I am in the best place I have been since I have arrived. I feel things are truly on the up, and I can not wait for everything that is ahead of me in the next couple months.
Fiasco of the day: Apparently our shower drain was a bit clogged, so when I got out of the shower there was literally an inch of water… over our ENTIRE APARTMENT. Thank God no apartments in Israel have carpeting. I had to wake Alice up from her nap to help me mop up all the damn water (after she laughed about it for about five minutes of course.) So glad I have a room mate who can laugh at things I would otherwise probably panic about. All is okay now though, and I think our floors have never been cleaner.
Love

Money makes the world go round…

ashiratzivia — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:30:31 +0000

Ah, how true this is, even in a country that has so much less than the one I came from. I guess this realization comes with the whole “being an adult” concept, i.e. paying rent, having a full time job, grocery shopping, paying bills, etc. Wow, what a great feeling to be so independent. Never have I felt so proud of myself for simply surviving. And yet, how terrifying is that?! Hah, twenty years old and I am on my own in another country. Sometimes even I find it hard to believe.
Anywho, quite exciting news I have this beautiful winter day.. I got a new job! I will be working at the internationally known restaurant/bar Mike’s Place. I do believe i mentioned it in previous posts. It is an American style bar known throughout the world, and it happens to be about three blocks away from me. Since I have been in Tel Aviv, I have gotten to know the people the work there pretty well, and sure enough they asked me to come and work with them. The first time I was offered the job was back in November when I first arrived. I turned it down because I felt at that time I was not ready to make the commitment that this job requires. The shifts typically run at least 10 hours and the employees work about 5 or so shifts a week. But, I now decided I am ready to take this job on! So I spoke to a friend there and she told me I will have a job waiting for me (waitressing) when I return from China. I start training March 5! So excited. SO nervous. I have been forewarned by the staff that this will be the hardest job I’ve had to date. But I ready to go in and throw my all into the work. Work and my precious Sauli, that’s what it’s going to be all about. I haven’t told my current job yet. I am a bit bittersweet about leaving. I have gotten even closer to the staff, and will genuinely miss them. But, the money I will be making and Mike’s Place will be absurdly better than my current job, especially if I am still there come summer. Also, the idea of a job taking up that much of my time is actually quite appealing to me right now. Whereas at this job, even when I am at work, I have a ton of free time to just sit and think. No good. Unfortunately I do believe I will have to sacrifice my Ulpan classes, at least for now, as there will be no time in my schedule, and I will not even have a regular enough schedule to find time for a consistent daily class. But, I am ok with this. It is something I am willing to do for this job. I will just have to try even harder to pick up the language, and will have to start using my good ol’ Rosetta Stone again (thanks Gramma!!)
Sauli is about fully recovered after his surgery. Stitches and huge plastic cone have both been removed. Unfortunately we have been having a bit of house training problems that have been quite stressful for me. But I am working on changing some things in our daily routine that will hopefully fix this.
China in less than a month. Oh boy! Can’t wait! A vacation, especially one with my family, will be amazing and much needed. Still need to get my visa, but need to wait till early February, as it is only valid for 30 days.
Until next time folks,
Love

Me, myself, and I

ashiratzivia — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:03:49 +0000

Ahh, feeling quite “Me, myself, and I” lately. More often than not, I find myself fighting this feeling, desperate to not allow myself to feel alone. But, the truth is, I am alone. And I think this is okay. What better time to find myself and focus on myself than now? I take this inspiration from wise words from a wise cousin. He told me just this, to start focusing more on ME, on getting MY life together, not so much worrying about getting my life with others together. I suppose nothing really takes flight with others until you are completely content with yourself. So, new goal, discover myself, explore myself, find me hiding in the corner and drag me out!! Mmm, I expect this to be quite hard, but even more rewarding.
On a usual update note, I am at work now. Still at the old job. Hopefully meeting with Alice’s boss on Sunday, was supposed to have a meeting a couple days ago but times got confused and it did not work out. Sauli is doing great, recovering well from his surgery and looking absolutely adorable and pathetic with this big plastic cone around his head. Visit with Matthew the other day was incredible. So nice and comforting to see someone from home. Sold my car back in America, quite relieved, the money from this will for sure make my next couple months much easier.
To Do List:
Go to Misrad Haklita to get Ulpan Voucher
Register for Ulpan
Get visa for China

I want to also thank everyone who reads this. It makes me feel so good to have people that love me so much to read my jibber-jabber all the time. I am a lucky person. All the e-mails, messages, comments, etc. from everyone keep me feeling whole, even though I am so far away from you all. Thank you.
Love

society, you’re a crazy breed..

ashiratzivia — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:04:15 +0000

Ok. So. First I apologize for my lack of updates recently. Things have been quite busy, lots of excitement going on around here. So let’s back up a little…
I am moved into the new apartment and it is great. It feels more “homey” to me than my last one ever did. Alice just finished moving in the last of her things yesterday, so there is still an obstacle course of boxes throughout the apartment. But things are quickly coming together, every day I come home from work Alice has unpacked more boxes and cleared more space.
On December 25, I adopted a dog. Surprise! He is, I found out today when I brought him for his first vet appointment, about 4 1/2 months old. And he is precious!! I love him so much already. His name is Sauli and he is a Saluki mix. Today we went on our first vet visit, and he got a shot and an appointment for next Tuesday to get neutered (woo-hoo!) I have been working very hard with training him/house breaking him. As luck would have it, my downstairs neighbor is a dog trainer. So of course I have been bombarding him with questions daily. He has been a huge help though. As we speak poor little Sauli is tied up in the living room to try and teach him that this whole apartment is his “den” (you don’t pee in your den!!!) We are also currently working on “sit,” “stay,” and the concept of not eating ______ [insert: dog poo, cigarette butts, cat food, etc] off the street.
Kells came on the 26th. Oh my, I get all faclemped just thinking about it. It was wonderful beyond words to have my dearly beloved sister here with me in my new home. How lucky I am to have such a support system in my life. We spent most of our time around here in Tel Aviv, but did squeeze in one day in Jerusalem. I almost teared-up when the other day Alice turned to me and said, “you know, I really miss you sister, it felt so normal to have her here.” And she’s right, it really did. How much I miss her sleeping next to me every night, tossing and turning and randomly slapping me in the face. But, I am more than thankful for the time I had with her and can not let myself be selfish and dwell on wishing I had had more.
I went back to work this week. It is okay. The new boss that started there is making things very unpleasant. He is incredibly disrespectful to the employees and finds the most effective form of communication to be yelling. I am considering going to work with Alice at an online casino, where I will make more money. If this boss hadn’t come I think I would have stayed, even though I make less than at the casino, but now that the work environment isn’t even enjoyable there is really no reason for me to stay if I have another opportunity. I am a little sad it has come to this, as there are a few people there who I really enjoy working with, but it is just so different than when I first started in November.
I’m sure there is plenty I forgot but I will update more later. Right now I MUST get to sleep. I have my Ulpan test tomorrow to see what hebrew class level I will be placed in and it is already very late here (or very early I guess depending on how you look at it.) Tomorrow is my day off (Baruch Hashem.) Promise to try and keep a little more on top of this, want to keep all of you that I love so dearly well informed and aware of all my recent adventures!
Love

new apartment, new life. take 2

ashiratzivia — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:08:36 +0000

Ah, so much going on. Such news I have for everyone. Am writing now from a friend’s place, as we all know by now the internet at my own is non-existant. Though, in about one hour’s time I think I will be unpacking my bags in my new apartment, hopefully for the last time in a while. So sudden, I know. So please, take a seat and allow me to fill you in. It all started with Alice. Alice is my (soon to be ex) room mate’s old room mate. But, she has come to be my best friend here in Israel. Her parents moved back to Brazil a few months ago, leaving Alice and her sister (Silvia) in their apartment. Now, the contract on the apartment is up and Silvia and Alice were both left struggling to find a place to live. While listening to Alice’s grievances one day on the struggle to find a one bedroom apartment in her price range, I found myself saying, “Why don’t we move in together?” So, this is what we decided to do, much to the dislike of Ben, the boy I had been living with. Alice and I found a beautiful apartment at the beach, right down the street, within 2 days and signed the contract in 3. Our new apartment is a bit small, BUT it has a living room, something I did not realize how much I would miss until I lived without one. And oh how lovely it is to be able to see the beautiful ocean waves from my front door. Of course now I am at war with Ben, but I did not sign any contract with him for any amount of time and so I think it would have been absolutely silly to not take a better opportunity. I will also have internet, a washing machine, and be allowed pets in the new place. Three things that I went into this place with Ben thinking I had, and soon finding out that I did not. So I will pack and unpack my bags one last time with a smile on my face. I am so thankful to have found the place with Ben, but it did not ever really feel like a home to me, and I think this new one could really be something special. I mean, a living room! Hah.
Anyway, work is same same, still going well.
Kellie is here in less than one week! Oh my! I think I must be so annoying by now, always reminding my friends how my sister is coming so soon!
7:00 now, waiting for my friend to come with his car so we can get this moving underway. Alice will come in a few days with all the furniture and such. I think this calls for a celebration? Frozen yogurt perhaps?
How lucky I am. Even though this all may be a bit stressful, I am so fortunate to keep having these wonderful opportunities.
Internet scheduled to be installed Wednesday.
Until then…
Love

movin’ on uppp

ashiratzivia — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:55:37 +0000

Writing from work again, so must be quick. Things are going good here. Although the job is certainly quite boring, they really love me here. I think because the other employees are not too bright, so they put a lot of responsibility on me. I even overheard the manager today speaking to another employee, who has been here longer than me, saying that I book more appointments and am better with the system than he is (!!!) The other day, Ron (my manager) was showing me where I messed up in putting something in the computer and as I started to apologize he said to me, “No, I show you because I want you to be above everyone else here.” Wow, cool. New manager came in Monday, Avi, he is quite different from Ron. Let’s just say he could be compared to a drill sergeant. Anyway, I think even he may be a bit impressed with me (not to sound too big headed) but I am the only one who he has started to show how to book jobs on his computer system (he is partners with Ron, but also has his own company.)
Anyway, what a lovely surprise this morning when I walked outside, and what a beautiful sunny day it was, to find a note that my package from the mama had finally come!! Not so fun schlepping it from the post office, but totally worth it. Blankets from home, yummy Kashi crackers, mezzuzah, so many treats!
Very excited for Hanukah Saturday, but a bit sad that I have no menorah to light. That is ok though, I will light it in spirit and make sure to have one next year.
2 weeks until Kellie arrives!! Oh my oh my oh my! I can hardly contain myself!
Ah, one more hour of work before the long walk home and then finally crawling into bed with my brand new blankets.
By the way.. recently discovered that all incoming calls to my cell phone do not use my monthly minutes! So, I ask and encourage you all to call me whenever possible. Always nice to hear familiar voices. (I suggest a phone card, they are quite cheap.) My cell phone number again is 054-914-5828, the calling card should give directions on exactly how to dial-in from America. Hope to hear from you all soon!
Love

work work sneeze

ashiratzivia — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:29:12 +0000

Must make this entry quick, I am writing from work and I am not sure how thrilled they would be to know I am updating my blog (hah.) Anyway, internet at home is getting progressively worse, Ben says he can not get us our own internet until he pays off his credit card, which he does not have the money to do right now. I am a little dissapointed as this (internet) was one of the things I was told would be available to me upon moving in. Oh well. I make due for now.
Meanwhile, all these nights out in Tel Aviv have finally caught up with me. I am sick sick sick. I had a sore throat for a few days, and when I woke up with about a 100.5 fever yesterday I decided to call out of work. I literally slept through the whole day and night. Unfortunately (I just found this out today) I have one more step to complete my health insurance process, which is why when I called them yesterday to see a doctor I was informed I was not in the system. Thank God for my cousin Ben. What a blessing he has been. After all the trouble he went through yesterday to get me numbers of doctors and clinics etc. Today he took it upon himself to have his doctor friend call the health insurance and find out why I am not in the system, which is how I found out what I did. Anyway, for now I feel a bit better. Still running about the same fever but trying to stay on Tylenol Cold Day/Night round the clock. Luckily work today is an early day (15:00-23:00) so I will be able to get out of here at a reasonable time and go crawl back into bed! I do have to say, I wish my mommy was here to take care of me and make me that famous chicken soup of hers. Oh, to be an adult.
Only 25 days until my beautiful wonderful sister comes to visit!!! Oh my oh my oh my!! I really can not wait. To say I am counting down the days would be an understatement!
Until next time, dear friends and family.
Love

laundry and disco-tech

ashiratzivia — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:14:45 +0000

Current location: laundromat. Love how the man that runs this place clearly has big dreams of owning a club, hence the Israeli disco music blasting from the boom-box inside. About 11pm here (or should I say 23:00.) Just got done work, at my new job. So now I work for an American carpet cleaning company. I basically sit and answer phones all day, booking appointments, and working as general customer service. The past week I have been working both jobs (the previously mentioned and as Barbunia) but luckily Saturday will be my last day at Barbunia. Oy! I just can not take working two jobs! This new job is good because I will have full time hours, and the hours are based around American time which means I get to work at night. So, for anyone who knows me and knows how much of a night owl I am, this is a very good thing.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I am a little sad I will not get to be celebrating it. BUT there is an American bar and restaurant down the street (called Mike’s Place, very internationally known and famous) that is holding a traditional, 3 course, Thanksgiving meal for only 100 shekels. I hope I can get out of work at Barbunia so I can go. Went to said bar a couple nights ago, what a great crowd. I was actually offered a waitressing position there, but decided it was too much of a commitment for me right now. I spoke to the manager (who is convinced I belong there) and promised him that when the time is right I will be back and I will be ready. In the meantime, it has proven a great place to waste away the night hours.
Walking down the street, almost every day, I have to stop myself and say “My God, I actually live here!” It still feels quite unreal to me. The other day me, my room mate, and a few of his friends all walked down to the beach. We sat on the sand, while they played guitar, and watched the sun set. UNREAL. I thought to take a picture, but quickly realized that things such as this are simply unable to be captured on film. Some things are just meant to be enjoyed in the moment and stored only in the memory.
Love

quick update

ashiratzivia — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:36:32 +0000

Hi all. Nothing too exciting happening here. I can’t believe I’ve been living in Tel Aviv for a week now, it feels like so much longer. Although I still have much to get sorted out, I am very lucky in that I have a job (even if it’s not an ideal one) and I have applied to 4 others in the meantime, either as a second job or an alternative full-time job. My job right now is working out fine, the pay is even pretty good by Israeli standards. The problem is that the shifts for my position are only 3 or 4 hours long. Tomorrow though I will ask Yaron (the man who hired me) if maybe I can start working double shifts, so I will have 6 or 7 hours a day instead. Anyway, in the meantime, I continue to say my thanks every day and trust in things working out as they should. I know once I start learning more Hebrew finding a job will be much easier, so until then I will make due and be thankful for what I have. I invested in a hot plate, so now I can cook in my apartment! I even made myself shakshuka (my favorite Israeli breakfast) the other day. The good thing is groceries here are pretty cheap, so now that I can cook I will be saving much more money. I also got Health Insurance today! One more task accomplished. Watching a movie with my room mate right now.
Things I am hoping will get done this week: Ben’s friend fixes the washing machine, we get our own internet, and I figure out how to get my bank card mailed here (it is at a bank in another town right now and customer service is of course in Hebrew.)
Love

it’s getting better all the time..

ashiratzivia — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:51:21 +0000

I just got home, ah that feels good to say, from my first day of work. So to recap-within 2 days I have found an apartment in Tel Aviv, moved in, found a job down the street from my apartment, and had my first day of work. Wow wow wow. I found this job thanks to the beautiful Chen. It is in a seafood restaurant. I am not serving right now (because I can not speak Hebrew yet,) so for now I work the salad bar/dessert/coffee. I went in this morning to meet with Yaron, the manager, and he said “Ok, want to start today at 1?” Of course!! The girls there seem so nice, so welcoming, and completely understanding about my lack of Hebrew speaking. They say they hire a lot of new Olim there, so they are used to it. I am already put on the schedule for the next 3 days.

Thank you Thank you Thank you.

Love

Oh one more thing.. this song came on my iPod today.. the words struck me as quite fitting so I thought I would share a little bit:

“Gonna find some inspiration
Gonna take it real slow
No pressure on myself
I’m gonna go with the flow
Cause it seems like the only person I can’t escape from is me
So I’m gonna open these old eyes, I’m gonna open them up and see

Cause I’m riding through this valley all the way, yeah, on my own
Gonna learn to sail it by myself, I’m gonna learn to be alone
Cause it seems like the only person I don’t know is me
So I’m gonna open these old eyes, I’m gonna open them up and see”