Friday, 29 July 2016

I got up early and walked around the big loop again this morning, even extending it a little. I also stopped at a couple of places along the way to do a little upper body work at a couple of outdoor gyms (both over in Shakhamon and neither of them the one nearest to my place!). Today's pic of the day, in fact, is taken from the newest outdoor gym in Shakhamon, near the intersection of Sheshet HaYamim and Ein Yahav (only 2 blocks from my old place). Notice the crows in the picture, including one actually in flight:

Of course, I stopped at the bakery near the end of my walk to buy challah before returning home.

I taught 4 units of Berlitz lessons today (and, as it just so happened, administered level tests in both of them): 9:45-11:15 and 11:30-1:00.

I had falafel sticks and a salad for lunch at home today, plus some breadsticks. They're called "Mini-Moroccan Stick Cookies", but they taste very similar to the breadsticks that I used to get from Loma Linda Market.

I didn't get much done in the afternoon. My landlady's internet box quick working (luckily AFTER I was finished teaching!), and it won't come back on. I even went and had a look at it myself. She has called Netvision, the ISP, and is waiting for them to call her back. I suspect the problem is the box itself, so they'll probably have to send someone out to fix or replace it. I'm posting this by tethering my computer to my iPhone and using its 3G connection (I can't get the 4G down here in my apartment).

I did the weekly chores, including washing the dishes, this afternoon.

I tried to find the problem with my program for my classification class, but I couldn't spot it. At least it runs totally locally, so I can work on it even without any internet connection at all. Of course, I WILL need a connection to do the quiz (based on the results of the programming), but I can use the iPhone for that, if necessary.

As the sun sank behind the Eilat Mountains, I lit candles, drank some sweet red wine, and ate challah to welcome Shabbat.

I walked a total of 6.63 kilometers today.

I'll close with the evening blessing recited just before saying the Sh'ma:

אהבת עולם בית ישראל עמך אהבת.

תורה ומצוות, חוקים ומשפטים אותנו לימדת.

על כן, יי אלוהינו, בשוכבנו והקומנו נסיח בחוקך,

ונשמח בדיברי תורתך ובמצוותך לעולם ועד,

כי הם חיינו ואורך ימינו, ובהם נהגה יוםם ולילה.

ואהבתך אל תסיר ממנו לעולמים.

ברוך אתה, יי, אוהב עמו ישראל!

With an eternal love you have loved the House of Israel, your people.

Teachings and commands, laws and judgments have you taught us.

Therefore, Adonai our God, when we lie down and when we rise up we will speak of your laws,

And we will rejoice in the words of your teachings and in your commands forever,

Because they are our lives and the length of our days, and on them will we meditate day and night.

May you never remove you love from us forever.

Blessed are you, Adonai, lover of your people Israel!