Shabbat, 31 October 2015

I woke up feeling a bit off this morning and didn't quite manage to get up and go out for a walk.

I spent much of the day visiting a new friend whose husband is in the hospital. She was quite anxious about it, and I know my company helped to calm and comfort her. And I enjoyed the day, getting to know her better.

In the afternoon, I talked with David's sister, Joyce, in Ohio, and we enjoyed a nice chat.

In the evening, I began sorting things from the drawers in David's desk, something which proved to be more difficult and emotional than I had thought, but at least I did it.

Friday, 30 October 2015

I got up nice and early and got in a great walk this morning. Today, I wore a t-shirt and felt just perfect. Later, still before breakfast, I also walked down to recycle cardboard and buy challah for Shabbat.

I taught 5 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-10:30 (to a student who is from Burma and lives in Singapore) and 11:00-1:15.

Just before the light was set to fade from our freshly washed valley, I lit candles, drank a bit of sweet red wine, and ate challah to welcome Shabbat.

In the evening, I did all the work for week 5 of my Swift programming class (watched the videos and took the quiz).

I leave you with the last verse of the first Psalm:

כי-יודע יי דרך צדיקים ודרך רשעים תאבד

For the Eternal knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

[my translation]

Thursday, 29 October 2015

I got up early this morning and went out for a great walk. I met a beautiful calico cat who was a little afraid at first but eventually let me pet her and purred and begged for more. She followed me for about a block. Later in the walk, a big long-haired yellow cat let me pet him, too. I also took some nice pics of the sunrise of the Jordanian mountains.

I taught 11 units (eight and a quarter hours!) of Berlitz lesson today: 9:30-11:00, 11:15-1:30, 3:00-4:30, 5:00-6:30, and 6:30-8:00.

I had a red bell pepper and a tomato and cheese sandwich for lunch at home today.

Wednesday, 28 October 2015

I slept quite well last night, until about 2:30 a.m. After that, I don't think I slept at all, but I didn't get up until 5:00. Then I went out for a very lovely walk, and I actually wore a tank top!

At just after 8:00 a.m., I arrived at the police station as they had requested me to do last night. But they didn't get around to actually talking to me until about 9:00 a.m. The charges Me'ir is bringing against me are serious but astoundingly unbelievable: rape, punching, assault with a knife, theft. They are, of course, completely unrooted in reality. He has apparently gone mad. I refrained from saying much other than firmly denying all of them. I don't think the police believe him much either, but they have to investigate, of course. I doubt that any charges will actually formally be brought against me.

After I was finished there, I went over to Moshe's house, and he took me out to lunch at the Gulf Restaurant, which I greatly enjoyed.

After that, I went to the cell phone company (Pelephone) to cancel the phone number that I have been letting Me'ir use (at my expense). He will no longer have service at that number (he does have another one that he had before I even met him), and the phone will be considered stolen and therefore cannot be activated at ANY cell phone company.

Next, I cleared junk out of my car and took it to the car wash for a thorough washing inside and out. Now, she's looking nice and ready to be sold. Moshe put an ad on the internet and also sent me a version to print and put in the window of the car.

I was originally scheduled to teach 4 units of Berlitz lessons today, but at about 10:00 a.m. I called the office to cancel my 12:00, fearing that I wouldn't get out of the police station by then. As it turned out, I did, but it's good that I canceled it anyway. So, I only taught one 2-unit lesson: 6:30-8:00.

Tuesday, 27 October 2015

I slept well last night but got up late this morning and didn't go out walking.

I decided NOT to go to the WIZO meeting today because I just wasn't feeling up to it.

I spent the entire afternoon and evening with the police, mostly at the station. Don't ask! But also don't worry -- everything's okay.

When they released me, I walked to where my car was parked and then drove home. So, I got my walk in, after all, and it was mostly uphill, to boot. :-)

I have decided to sell my car (I need the money), so if anyone wants to buy a wonderful 2011 Fiat Panda, just let me know.

Monday, 26 October 2015

I got home late last night after accompanying my friend to the ER. I then slept for about 2 hours and woke up. I was basically unable to sleep any more due to serious worrying, which, in this case, I didn't succeed in turning off in my mind. I still believe that all will be well eventually, but it's NOT now, and I don't know how long it will be until it is.

I was scheduled for 6 units of Berlitz lessons today (3 classes), but the middle one turned out to be a late cancellation because this student's microphone wasn't working: 11:00-12:30, 4:30-6:00, and 6:00-7:30.

I had a vegan schnitzel sandwich and Brussel sprouts for lunch at home today.

Sunday, 25 October 2015

I got up early enough this morning to get in a nice walk. Last night we set our clocks back, and I had deliberately gone to bed later to be ready for the new time.

I did the weekly grocery shopping this morning at Shufersal, spending less than 50 shekels.

I ate a simple lunch at home today.

Between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. today, a winter storm arrived here in Eilat with STRONG winds, and we got our first real rain of the season. There was even some lightning and thunder!

Around 5:00 p.m., I called my friend Me'ir, and it's a good thing I did. He had apparently gone out on his rooftop balcony when the wind came up to take a video of it, but he had slipped and fallen, and one of his glass patio tables had blown over and fallen on top of him and broken. When I called, he had been lying there for about 2 hours! Luckily, his phone was there with him (he had been using it to make the video), and so he was able to answer. It was also fortunate that his door was unlocked so that I could get in. The glass didn't break into sharp splinters, so there were also no cuts or blood.

I managed to help him up and into the apartment, but he was complaining of a lot of pain in his left leg and his head. We called the Maccabi nurses' hotline (and had to wait and wait), and they sent an ambulance out to take him to the hospital. I followed in my car.

At the ER, they did a CT scan and determined that he had suffered a concussion. They gave him pain medicine and sent him home with instructions to stay at home and rest for a week. I didn't get back to my place until about 11:30.

Shabbat, 24 October 2015

Some strange noise outside woke me up in the night last night, and I didn't get back to sleep for some time. When I woke up, I felt quite tired and then slept a bit more. In the end, I didn't go out for a walk at all.

I enjoyed watching last night's BCC (Beth Chayim Chadashim) services this morning.

I ate a simple lunch at home.

I completed week 4 of my Swift programming class today, getting a perfect score on the quiz on my first try. Then I continued tinkering around with some of the stuff I learned.

Just before dark, I walked over to the green strip and sat there for a while enjoying the evening. Then I walked up the strip and back home down our street.

Other than those things, I just relaxed at home today.

Friday, 23 October 2015

I got up and had a nice walk this morning. It's still perfect weather for walking shirtless before sunrise here.

Later, I also walked down and bought challah for Shabbat.

I taught only 2 units of Berlitz today: 11:00-12:30.

I ate a simple lunch at home.

In the evening, I lit candles, drank a bit of sweet red wine, and ate a little challah to welcome the Shabbat Bride.

In this time of brutal attacks on the Jewish people, I leave you with the first 3 verses of Psalm 27:

יי אורי וישעי ממי אירא

יי מעוז-חיי ממי אפחד:

בקרב עלי מרעים לאכל את-בשרי

צרי ואיבי לי המה כשלו ונפלו:

אם-תחנה עלי מחנה לא-יירא לבי

אם-תקום עלי מלחמה

בזאת אני בוטח:

The Eternal is my Light and my Salvation. Whom shall I fear?

The Eternal is the Fortress of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked came to eat my flesh,

My foes and my enemies, they failed and fell.

If they set up camp against me, my heart will not fear;

If war comes upon me,

Even then will I trust.

Thursday, 22 October 2015

I got to bed late again last night and so got up too late (again!) to go out for a morning walk.

I taught only 4 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-10:30 and 5:00-6:30.

I ate lunch at home, and the rest of the day, I just tried to relax.

Wednesday, 21 October 2015

I got to bed late last night and so got up very late this morning and didn't go out for a walk.

I went to an appointment with my family doctor this morning to talk about one test whose results were outside of the normal range. My PSA level is too high. So, he referred me to a urologist, with whom I have scheduled an appointment on the 3rd of November.

I ate lunch with Me'ir today at the Gulf Restaurant.

I wasn't scheduled to teach ANY Berlitz lessons today, but I got called in as an emergency replacement about 20 minutes into a 2-unit lesson when the teachers cord to recharge her laptop wouldn't work and the battery was about to die. So, I got 2 unexpected units: 2:00-3:30.

In the evening just before dark (but after the sun had disappeared) I walked over to the green strip and sat there for a while. Then I walked up to Harim Rd. and walked a ways on it before returning home.

Tuesday, 20 October 2015

I slept well last night but woke up with quite a headache and just generally not feeling very good. I delayed getting up until quite late, but I still went out and walked for about half an hour.

As usual, I enjoyed today's English speakers' meeting at WIZO.

Me'ir and I had pad thai for lunch at Togarashi today (at Mercaz Big).

I taught 4 units of Berlitz lessons today: 3:00-4:30 and 4:45-6:15.

Monday, 18 October 2015

I got up early this morning and went for a nice walk. It was a bit warm, even though I was shirtless, especially since it's already after the middle of October.

I taught 8 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-10:30, 11:00-12:30, 5:00-6:30, and 7:00-8:30.

I had half a can of beans, a tomato, and some red cabbage salad for lunch at home today.

Sunday, 18 October 2015

I got up early this morning after a good night's sleep and went for a lovely walk, shirtless, returning home just after 6:00 a.m.

I left all the windows in the apartment open last night and didn't even close them until nearly noon today. This weather is great!

I did the weekly grocery shopping this week and managed to spend a total of less than 40 shekels (about $10).

I ate lunch at home today and spent the entire day here, as well. I kept myself amused with iPad games, a book, and YouTube videos. I've found a number of interesting shows on YouTube, such a TestTube news, The Good Stuff, Geography Now!, and a few others. Most are largely for entertainment, but sometimes I do learn some interesting facts.

Shabbat, 17 October 2015

I got up and walked to the outdoor gym this morning and worked out a bit there before walking back home. I wore a tank top because it seemed a little cool out, but I took it off before I got back home because I was getting a little too hot.

I watched the recording of the BCC (Beth Chayim Chadashim) service from last night this morning. Two of my friends, Bracha and Davi, were leading and were celebrating being together for 36 years.

The rest of the day, I just stayed home except for a short walk to the green strip in the evening. I played games on my iPad and watched YouTube videos, including a really interesting hour-long one from the BBC about Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II, the 2 longest reigning monarchs in British history.

Friday, 16 October 2015

I didn't sleep very well last night (and don't really know why) and so got up late and didn't go out for a walk. I did walk down and buy challah for Shabbat, though, of course.

I taught 5 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-9:45, 10:00-11:30, and 11:30-1:00.

I just stayed home all day today.

In the evening, as the sun dipped below the Eilat Mountains to the west, I lit candles, drank a bit of sweet red wine, and ate a bite of challah to welcome the Shabbat Queen. The instant I start singing the blessing after lighting the candles, I can feel the difference.

This has been a tough week for Israel, especially for Jerusalem. As far as I know, we haven't had any terrorist attacks here in Eilat, but we can still feel the anxiety and pain of our people. And so I leave you with Psalm 121, the original Hebrew and my translation:

שיר למעלות

אשא עיני אל-ההרים מאין יבא עזרי:

עזרי מעם יי עשה שמים וארץ:

אל-יתן למוט רגלך אל-ינום שמרך:

הנה לא-ינום ולא יישן שומר ישראל:

יי שמרך יי צלך אל-יד ימינך:

יומם השמש לא-יככה וירח בלילה:

יי ישמרך מכל-רע ישמר את-נפשך:

יי ישמר-צאתך ובואך מעתה ועד-עולם:

A song of ascents

I will lift my eyes to the mountains; from where will my help come?

My help is from The Eternal, Maker of the sky and the earth.

God will not let your feet slip; your Guard will not slumber.

See here! The Guard of Israel will not slumber and will not sleep.

The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Eternal will guard you from all evil, will guard your soul.

God will guard your going out and your coming in from now until eternity.

Thursday, 15 October 2015

I got up early this morning and got in my full regular walk. I still didn't need to wear a shirt or even a tank top, but it won't be long now before I will have to.

I went in this morning for routine blood tests. A few minutes ago, I got the results, and, not surprisingly, all were normal.

I taught 8 units of Berlitz lessons today: 10:30-12:00, 12:00-1:30, 3:00-4:30, and 5:00-6:30.

I ate lunch at home.

Wednesday, 14 October 2015

Last night my right foot began hurting for no known reason, and it was still hurting when I got up this morning. Perhaps walking on it wouldn't have made any difference, but I decided not to take the chance, so I didn't go out for a walk.

I taught only 5 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-9:45, 10:00-11:30, and 4:00-5:30.

I ate grapes, cheese, and crackers for lunch at home.

In the evening, I began watching the videos for the 3rd week of my course about programming in Swift (Apple's new language for iOS and Mac OSX programming). Now things are beginning to get more complicated as we learn the more advanced features of Swift. It's good, though.

Tuesday, 13 October 2015

I got up early this morning and had my usual lovely morning walk.

I enjoyed the weekly English speakers' meeting at WIZO this morning.

I went to an appointment with my doctor to get my monthly prescriptions, and then I went to the pharmacy and had them filled.

I ate a salad and veggie weenies wrapped in a whole-wheat tortilla for lunch at home today.

I was scheduled for 6 units of Berlitz lessons, but the middle lesson was a late cancellation: 3:00-4:30, 5:00-6:30 (the cancellation), and 6:30-8:00.

Monday, 12 October 2015

I got up early this morning and got in another lovely walk. The weather is so perfect early in the morning at this time of year!

I was scheduled for 8 units of Berlitz lessons today (although 1 student was a no-show, for which I still get paid): 9:00-10:30, 10:30-12:00 (the no-show), 4:00-5:30, and 6:00-7:30.

I ate a light lunch at home and ate more in the evening with Me'ir at the Gulf Restaurant.

Sunday, 11 October 2015

I woke up at about 2:30 a.m. this morning because I had to go pee, but then, when I came back to bed, I just wasn't able to get back to sleep for some reason. I stayed in bed and didn't get up until 5:30, though, after which I went out for a really nice walk.

I did the weekly grocery shopping at Shufersal this morning.

Me'ir and I ate a very late lunch at the Gulf Restaurant.

Shabbat, 10 October 2015

I got up nice and early this morning and got in a lovely, refreshing walk.

In the afternoon, Me'ir and I went to the Dolphin Reef. First we ate lunch and enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere, and then we walked over to see the dolphins.

Other than that, I just relaxed today.

Friday, 9 October 2015

I got up very early this morning and so had no trouble getting my walk in. In fact, I went to the outdoor gym and did a little upper body working out.

My morning got a little shuffled because I had an appointment with the psychiatrist at 8:00. So, I ate breakfast earlier, before going done to recycle cardboard and buy challah. I was late getting out of the psychiatrist's office, so I had to call and cancel my 9:00-9:45 lesson. Thus, I ended up teaching only 4 units instead of 5: 10:00-11:30 and 11:30-1:00.

For lunch, I had my usual at Il Pentolino.

In the evening, I lit candles, drank a bit of sweet red wine, and ate a little challah to welcome Shabbat.

In honor of the new cycle of Torah reading that begin this week, I share here the first 2 verses of the Torah (and of the Bible, too, in fact), together with my translation:

בראשית ברא אלהים את השמים ואת הארץ

והארץ היתה תהו ובהו וחשך על-פני תהום

ורוח אלהים מרחפת על-פני המים

In the beginning God created the sky and the earth

And the earth was chaos, darkness on the face of the abyss

And the wind of God hovering on the face of the water

Thursday, 8 October 2015

I slept well last night and got up early enough this morning to get in a great walk in this perfect weather.

In the morning, I took the plastic bottles to the recycling bin. I also finished the 2nd week's work for my Swift programming class (to program iPods, iPhones, iPad, and even Mac computers). The class is actually very easy, but I think I'm already learning a lot of valuable stuff, and in a way that I'll retain it better, too.

I taught 6 units of Berlitz lessons today: 12:00-1:30, 3:00-4:30, and 5:00-6:30.

For lunch, I grabbed some pad-thai at Manga in the old mall ("Mul HaYam").

Wednesday, 7 October 2015

I woke last night at about 1:30 and then didn't manage to get back to sleep until after 4:00. Needless to say, I got up way too late to go for a walk.

My friend, Me'ir, had a big surprise last night. He has 2 dogs. One is a small, female dog who's less than a year old and so is still basically a pup. The other is a large, gentle black dog that he's had for about 10 years. Anyone who ever watch the large one peeing would certainly know it was a male, but last night "he" gave birth to 5 adorable black puppies! Obviously, NO one had any idea that "he" was pregnant! I guess he/she must be some kind of an intersex dog.

I taught 8 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-10:30, 11:30-1:00, 4:00-5:30, and 7:30-9:00 (the latter despite the fact that my availability is supposed to end at 8:30 p.m.).

I ate lunch at home after visiting Me'ir and seeing one of the puppies (the others were elsewhere in the apartment).

Tuesday, 6 October 2015

I got up early this morning and got in my usual good walk. It's beginning to be really nice out now!

As always, I enjoyed the weekly English speakers' meeting at WIZO today.

For lunch, Me'ir and I went to a sort of small cafeteria in the industrial area and had a nice home-style meal. It was delicious and very inexpensive, as well.

I taught 4 units of Berlitz lessons today: 3:00-4:30 and 5:00-6:30.

Monday, 5 October 2015

I got to bed VERY late last and so didn't go for a walk this morning.

Me'ir and I had pad-thai for lunch at Manga (at the old mall) today.

Other than that, I just relaxed today.

Sunday, 4 October 2015

I got to bed late last night and so got up too late to go for a walk this morning. I did walk, though, for about half an hour in the evening.

I did the weekly grocery shopping this morning (and actually bought very little).

In the evening, Me'ir and I ate at the Gulf Restaurant.

The rest of the day, I just relaxed, played games on my iPad, and watched interesting or entertaining YouTube videos (also on the iPad).

This is the eve of the Shmini Atzeret / Simchat Torah holiday here in Israel. In honor of this:

על שלושה דברים העולם עומד: על התורה, ועל העבודה, ועל גמילות חסדים

On three things the world stands: on the Torah, on work, and on philanthropy.

Shabbat, 3 October 2015

I woke up early this morning and so got out for a good morning walk. It's still so warm out in the morning (before 6:00 a.m.) that I go without any shirt at all.

This morning was occupied taking care of a guy who drank a whole bottle (1 liter) of Arak (liquor that's 40% alcohol) at my friend's house (he stoke the bottle without permission) and then, of course, passed out on the floor. We had to call an ambulance, and they took him to the ER. Then we had to go get his elderly mother and another friend from their apartments on the other side of town. All was well in the end, though, of course.

I had a bit of lunch at Cafe Neto, at the old mall.

I was sleepy in the afternoon, so I napped just a little, for about an hour (or maybe even a little less).

In the late afternoon, I had another nice conversation with Joyce, David's sister in Ohio. She has her hands full during the week taking care of granddaughters.

Friday, 2 October 2015

I got to bed very late last night and so got up too late to go out for a walk. I did walk down, though, and buy challah for Shabbat.

I taught 5 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-9:45, 10:00-11:30, and 11:30-1:00.

In the evening, I lit candles, drank a bit of sweet red wine, and ate some challah to welcome the Shabbat Queen.

Thursday, 1 October 2015

I got up early and got in a good walk this morning.

I had been scheduled to teach 6 units today (10:00-11:30, 12:00-1:30, and 3:00-4:30), but I had to cancel the 4 morning units to take of some urgent business at the bank. At least I was finally successful.

I ate lunch at home.

In the evening, I met with my friend, Isobel, and our mutual friends, Morey and Alissa, together with Alissa's nephew and niece, whom they are raising, at Il Pentolino. I really enjoyed this little social outing!