Archive for January, 2006
January 31st, 2006 by elie
Posted:
“To all of you with Israeli citizenship - You can call today to check that your registration to vote is valid and where you are registered. It’s automated, easy, and quick… In order to check if you are on the list of registered voters (if you are an Israeli citizen - you should be) call 1-800-200-175 in English and 1-800-200-172 in Hebrew. Tuesday is the last day to correct ommisions by going to Misrad Hapnim!”
I’m registered. Here goes…
January 30th, 2006 by elie
Tonight alone, in sitting down to study for my “political approaches to conflict management” final, only 36 hours away, I came across 4-5 external conflicts in the same room as me. And I couldn’t help attempting to resolve them in my head.
…And no, the number above does not include the conflict between me and my textbooks…
January 30th, 2006 by elie
[Haaretz]
I’m pretty sure Arafat isn’t the only one rolling over.
And I’m sure if Sharon could, he would be, too.
Although he wouldn’t be shocked.
January 30th, 2006 by elie
“Stupid people” is a cliche I don’t really like or use, but I do think “Irresponsible people” should be in more common usage.
As I am procrastinating studying for my first Conflict Management & Negotiation final, a friend messaged me with a relationship problem. How appropriate!
People are completely irresponsible for themselves. How can you pursue a resolution if you are unwilling to take responsibility for your part of the problem? There is always, definitely, a piece of the pie you can claim your own fault or responsibility. Or, if you don’t like the word fault, fine - but there is some aspect of the conflict, as well as the resolution, you can claim in your hands.
And that isn’t a bad thing, either. It’s a great thing. The more control you have in the realm of the conflict, the more you can do to change it.
That’s why responsibility is so great!
Anyways, the irony of procrastinating my study with this conversation with the friend and his relation woes is, as always, fun and educational.
Side note: this education is making me more straightforward in advice giving. Maybe because I believe in it so much.
January 29th, 2006 by elie
Looks like I’m not the only year-old olah with good things happening. A friend of mine, who was in a similar situation to me last year when getting to Jerusalem, is now engaged, along with having set up his business and settled into a ‘real’ life scenario.
If you had asked the two of us about this last year, we would have blown smoke in your face and laughed.
I’m happy when any friend finds their place and feels good, but when it’s a fellow oleh, I just can’t help feeling even happier.
January 26th, 2006 by elie
t’s amazing that we live in a world where two terrorist organizations can run for parliamentary elections in a state that is not quite a state, in a state of corruption and chaos…
One may argue, that is how many democratic nations get started, but I say to that one: Not like this.
Well, then again, you never know. The people have spoken.
(NYTimes)
Make room down there, Arafat is rolling over.
January 26th, 2006 by elie
…No, Katamon doesn’t rule, but look, it has rules! Or “etiquette”, rather.
There’s no direct link; Go here, then peek down to the third to last link on the left: “Katamon etiquette.” Click.
Read it down. Laugh it up.
[Note: Maybe I shouldn't be so mean. The fact is that a lot of these things are true 'rules' of living in this area, or cultural behaviors, rather. And people need to know them so they don't feel stupid or out of place. We learn them pretty fast though. The dating tips prove how much I wouldn't make it here alone. Anyways, it is nice that someone took the time to post 'cultural tips' online for newcomers.]
January 25th, 2006 by elie
I’m beginning to appreciate how fortunate I am. In one respect, I’m really really appreciative by now:
That I am not single in catty katty Katamon.
Katamon: my first stop in Israel, courtesy of a tour guide who meant me no harm; was only out to show me the ropes. And the ropes I’ve seen: being pulled into a cliquey society, skimmed from the places from whence they came: New York, J-burg, London, Sydney… Katamon, the place where everyone knows you and you’ve been judged even before you’ve opened your mouth.
Jerusalem’s very own little Upper West Side.
So, for what am I appreciative? That I haven’t been single long enough here to get eaten up alive. I’m not bragging, and part of me is slightly sad that I didn’t have a chance to chew it out, tell it off, and vomit it up. But that’s really OK.
I left New York because I never really fit in with those catty Jewish single crowds. I didn’t come here to get pulled into one - and the fact is, being who I am, I could never be pulled into it anyway…
…not to mention, I’m moving to Katamonim, Jerusalem’s own Brooklyn!
January 25th, 2006 by elie
Since I moved out of חלץ, it seems my life has been pulled around by לחץ.
Anyway, after getting engaged and working on the timely aspects of wedding planning, (wait - what aspect isn’t timely?), I thought things would calm down a bit. They haven’t, due to the fact that having been caught up in initial wedding date setting, I was neglecting school and work. Mainly, school. And at work I had been developing this huge new project. And then I found an apartment for us to move into. And then I remembered the 20 page seminariyon due the following week. Then I got caught up in buying my brother a $450 ticket to NY so he can come with me in February. Then I worked on that paper a bit. Then we lost the amazing apartment we found an hour before signing. Then my driving teacher calls me and tells me my test is the next day. Then I get caught up in finding a new apartment, as well as a subletter for his old one. Then - the paper! Then the driving test, which I’m sure is rigged. Then finding a new apartment, the same as the one we lost, and even kind of better. Then passing the driving test, which I’m still sure is rigged. Then, taking off work to go to school to organize taking my finals in English - especially the one for the sociology class I never attend because I choose to go to work instead [that was a packed day (yesterday)]. Then finding out the paper actually doesn’t have a due date. Then going to the office gala dinner and laughing a lot.
And to think, I’m marrying an Australian, and fully expected to be influenced by his “no worries” culture, only to have him sucked in to my crazy, speedy, energetic NYC lifestyle.
Well, we need to work on that. I’m not marrying an Aussie in Israel to live like an American in New York City.
January 25th, 2006 by elie
Something I haven’t yet explored here but has been on my mind since before I made aliyah is: my fear of Israeli women. They’re strong, they’re pushy, they could eat me alive. They know how to get what they want. Especially unnatural shades of red hair.
At least, that is how I saw them.
Well, I can safely say that I have made my first real Israeli female friend; and she defies those stereotypes by both being them and not being them (and she doesn’t have red hair). She’s funny, she likes shopping, she wants to get ahead at work, she loves to travel, we gossip, we laugh, we’re… friends. So, I’m feeling a lot better about Israeli women now.
On a wider scale, it’s interesting what I have noticed about female friendships in general. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a bit like an awkward 15-year-old boy asking a girl out to a high school dance when it comes to talking to girls I like (girls I don’t like don’t really get my attention).
But the few (invaluable) female friends I have collected over the last 4-5 years - across the globe - have all come with great efforts - on both our parts, probably. And they are really special to me. I know when they reach that level because there just comes a point where I know that I actually love my friend. There’s this female friendom that is so sacred, and if you reach it, then no regular bullshit friends can suffice any longer. And from all the traveling and moving I have done in the last few years, I have learned this over and over.
So, you know what? I’m not gynophobic, I’m just clever at discerning which women are worth my efforts.
