Sean, that's such good news! I hope S. gets much relief with the good stuff.

Aw, Hec, thank you. You make me feel better just saying such lovely things.

I hope S is able to get some relief, Sean.

I got a few of my Israel pictures online (it took like 20 minutes to upload six pictures. These will be getting online very slowly.) So, the beginning of my journey:

We landed in Israel on Friday afternoon. In the airport, I noticed a familiar face, and realized that it was my step-cousin. Neither of us had realized that the other would be on the trip. We all collected our bags (except the one guy whose bags were in Peru) and piled onto the buses, which took us to Nes Harim, a campsite outside Jerusalem.

It was rustic, but nice. Log cabins, with six people to a cabin. Everyone raced to have showers before Shabbat (six people, one shower, and not quite an hour makes for really quick showers). On the main porch, there were candles set up for anyone who wanted to light them. I did, twice, but the wind kept blowing them out. We then had Kabalat Shabbat services, which were kind of weird -- we had a range from "culturally Jewish" to Orthodox, so some people knew and participated in the service, others didn't know the service but tried to follow along and learn from it, others were kind of bored, and others (the guys sitting behind me, in particular) spent the time (including the sections for silent prayer) talking about how they bought alcohol at the duty-free wondering whether any of the hot girls on the trip would want to party later on.

Having the prayers outside was neat -- as we were saying the prayers welcoming the sabbath, we could see and feel the sun setting. Some synagogues have windows facing west to get that same effect, but since Jews generally pray facing east, it's not the same as being surrounded by the approaching nighttime.

Saturday, we had a few sessions to talk about what we'd be doing during the week, and one session on the meaning of Shabbat. That night, we went to the Kotel (wailing wall). I'd only been there once before. I didn't have the same sort of incredible feeling that I did the first time I saw and touched it, but the whole area there still feels magical. Though, also a bit squished -- the women's section was only about half its usual size because of the contruction on the pathway.

After that, we went to Ben Yehuda Street. I think it used to be the main shopping street of Jerusalem, but now, it's the bar scene and tourist shops. Also, a kosher Burger King. In Zion Square, I watched a capoeira demonstration for a while, then wandered down the street to check out the stores. I bought a really beautiful mezuzah -- turquoise with pink flowers -- for my mother, since I still hadn't gotten her a Chanukah present yet.

Back at Zion Square, the capoeira people were gone, but there were some Nachman people there instead. [link] [link] [link] The pictures really can't capture the passion and frenzy of their dancing. Jumping around, peyes and tzitzit flying, with completely ecstatic expressions on their faces.

The next day, we got up early and piled back on the buses to travel north to Modi'in. We had a brief ceremony there, and we each planted a tree. (Mine was a pistachio tree.) [link] [link] [link] Modi'in is where the Maccabees revolt was (the Chanukah story), and I could just about imagine the Maccabees fighting on the land we were standing on, and going back to hide and plan in the caves in the mountains nearby.

More story and pictures later. Next installment includes clearing brush, a mysterious rash, Eurovision, and the Miss Israel pageant.

yay for morphine!

and happy birthday Mal!

and in other news , today was learn,learn ,learn all kinds of stuff about my not-quite-so-new job and I'm tired...

I just ate a ripe strawberry the size of a small apple.

[wipes drool off chin]

And? $1.48/qt

Tonight was the last night of the Guide to Homebuying class that I look through U. Cinci. (not as a credit course; they do community education classes, which is where I took my fencing class).

I have concluded that I will never ever ever ever ever ever own a home. Or, well, maybe I will. Someday. If someone buys one for me.

But the class, which was designed to help the clueless homebuyer be more prepared for the homebuying process, and be more confident, etc., had the exact opposite effect on me.

I chose not to break my teacher's heart and tell him that the class has sent me into panic attacks and hideous mood swings. I think that was the wisest choice.

And damn if the class tonight didn't kick-start a migraine. Joy.

Happy birthday, Mal! And happy day-after, hopefully without snot.

I cannot wait to go out on the Grand Canyon Skywalk! I've been hankering for that since I first heard about it! Awesome! Must plan vacation.

I just ate a bowl of ripe blackberries with cream. Yum.

Emily, you're more than good enough. For what it's worth, I admire the hell out of you.

Ginger, glad your mom's better!

Hil, awesome trip! That's so amazing, that you got to do that!

S&S, I so feel for you, may you both be much much better soon, and yay for achieving morphine at last!

Oh, and today I got a raise. It wasn't bad, but considering I'm overworked as a matter of course and my boss had nothing but praise, I wonder if it shouldn't have been a little more. I'm not dissatisfied, really, I'm actually a little worried - I'm close to hitting the top end of my salary band, and what happens then? The next salary band up is managerial, and I don't want to be a manager. Well, I already am, but I don't want to be any MORE of a manager. Will I have to go get another job just to get an acceptable salary increase in a couple years? I can't even think of anything I WANT to do. Or anything else I'd be qualified for.

To celebrate our purchase of a new printer/scanner/copier combo, I present: Jello Wrestling!

Yes, the girl with the fluffy hair and the U2 t-shirt is me.

Zenkitty, a raise is awesome!!

And Hil, that sounds really neat...can't wait to hear more about your trip!

Steph, I'm afraid I'd have the same issue! I get all depressed and think I'll never own a home.

Steph, I'm afraid I'd have the same issue! I get all depressed and think I'll never own a home.

I tell myself that I'm single and what do I need a home for? And I remind myself that in Europe, most people still rent. Or maybe I'm just rationalizing....