Wednesday, 31 May 2017

I slept well last night and got up early. I was still somewhat tired from yesterday, though, so I went for a rather short walk. I did do a fairly extensive work-out at the local outdoor gym, however. I also took a few pictures, including today's pic of the day, the sunrise as seen from the outdoor gym:

Overall, I had a relaxing day, watching sitcoms, playing games, and enjoying SciShow and other videos. I also enjoyed a nice long chat with David in Tel Aviv around the middle of the day.

I had a cucumber, a carrot, half of an orange bell pepper, a tomato, and 2 deviled eggs for lunch. This is the first time I've ever made deviled eggs. Even though I only mixed mayonnaise with the yolks, they came out quite delicious!

In the evening, I did my listening project for my online Music Production class. They gave us a list of several songs and told us to choose one to listen to carefully. Then, our assignment was to write about our emotional and kinesthetic reactions to the one we chose. I listened to several from the list and ended up choosing Adele's song, "Hello", which I had never heard before, to write about.

I walked a total of 2.6 kilometers today.

Tuesday, 30 May 2017

Last evening (after I wrote my post for yesterday), I decided to sign up for a specialization (a sequence of, in this case, 3 courses on Coursera) in Music Production, offered by the Berklee School of Music. I took one similar course from them several years ago, but I've forgotten a lot of what I learned in it. Also, this is a whole sequences of courses with broader goals. I started working on it last night and finished the first week except for the assignment/project (which I plan to do tomorrow).

I got to bed early, slept well, got up quite early, and went for a walk around the big loop this morning. I took several pictures, including today's pic of the day, playing with the sun a few minutes after it rose:

After breakfast, I walked down to the Maccabi pharmacy and was able to pick up the 2 prescriptions I needed. Later, I joined a friend and walked over to Fay's house for the WIZO party. She had invited us all because WIZO House is closed today due to the Shavuot holiday tomorrow. People were asked to bring food, and there was plenty to eat, including Fay's delicious potato salad and various cakes, especially cheese cakes. I really ate more than I should have.

After that, I caught a bus home and spent the rest of the day relaxing and watching quite a few funny sitcoms on TV.

I walked a total of 11.3 kilometers today.

Monday, 29 May 2017

Since I didn't take any photos today, I'll use one of yesterday's as today's pic of the day. This one shows a bug coming out of a flower after a thorough visit deep within it:

I had a little trouble getting to sleep last night but then slept very well. Of course, I got up rather late.

I was scheduled to teach 7 units of Berlitz lessons today, but one 2-unit lesson was a late cancellation (which I at least was notified about in advance), and another 2-unit lesson turned out to be a no-show (particularly unusual, since with was a group, not just one individual): 9:30-11:45, 3:00-4:30 (the late cancellation), and 6:00-7:30 (the no-show group).

I had requested prescriptions from my doctor, and I thought, from his reply, that he had entered them into the system, so I went to the pharmacy to pick them out only to discover that they were NOT in the computer. After I returned home, I wrote again to my doctor, but he has not yet answered. I also picked up a mouse for Goldfinger while I was in town. Since my trip was in the middle of the day, and it's very hot out, especially in the sun, I took the bus in both directions.

I had a salad and cheese veggie burgers for lunch.

After lunch, I relaxed a bit, including watching several SciShow videos on YouTube, playing a few games on my iPad, and even napping a little.

In the late afternoon, I did some grocery shopping at Elimelech Supermarket.

I walked a total of 1.1 kilometers today.

Sunday, 28 May 2017

I go up slightly later than normal this morning. I decided to walk down early, before breakfast, for my weekly blood test, though, because I figured it would be better than walking later, when the weather would be quite hot.

After I was finished at Maccabi, I decided, on a whim, to take a bus trip to Be'er Sheva and back. I found that there was a bus leaving Eilat at 8:00, that the round-trip fare was only 82 shekels, and that there was a bus leaving Be'er Sheva at 2:00 p.m. to return to Eilat. So, I did it. I had just enough time to buy an omelet sandwich at the bus station for breakfast on the trip before hopping on the bus.

On the way up (going the Arava route), we stopped for a 15-minute break at Khatzeva. I had time to pee, to buy a bottle of Sprite Zero, and to buy a pair of sturdy-looking, practical flip-flops for 20 shekels.

We arrived in Be'er Sheva around 11:30. I found that the central bus station there also houses quite a mall of stores of all kinds, so I first browsed around there and bought another nice pair of flip-flops, also for 20 shekels. Then I walked over to the big mall in Be'er Sheva, which is just a very short walk away (really, across the street). After also browsing the big mall, which I had been to a few times before but which has changed quite a bit since my last visit there, I decided to eat at the Greg Café on the main floor. I had a Druze salad, which was something new (and VERY delicious!) for me.

Then I returned to the bus station, bought some baklava and other sweets for (too much) dessert, bought a bottle of Coke Zero, and made a last stop at the restroom before boarding my return bus.

On the way back, we stopped at a different place, further south than the one we stopped at on the way up. I can't remember if it was Sapir or Tzukim.

I took some pictures through the somewhat dirty bus windows along the way. One of them, showing the main terminal building of the new airport under construction near Be'er Ora (about 20 minutes north of Eilat), is today's pic of the day:

When we returned to Eilat, I didn't quite have time to walk up to my place, so I walked, rather leisurely, over to Fay's house from the bus station for our weekly play-reading group.

I walked a total of 7.4 kilometers today.

Shabbat, 27 May 2017

I slept well last night but still felt tired this morning and didn't get out of bed until quite late (for me). Then I went over and fed Isobel's cats.

I talked with David in Tel Aviv this morning, and we had an enjoyable conversation, as always.

I had my traditional eggs and rice for lunch, plus my regular salad, of course.

I talked with Joyce and her husband in Ohio today, as I usually do on Saturdays.

The rest of the day, I just relaxed, watching sitcoms on TV and play games and watching YouTube videos on my iPad. I've been watching quite a view videos from the SciShow channel recently. They're interesting and educational.

Today's pic of the day is the view just minutes ago of my desk as seen from the comfortable IKEA chair where I sit when I watch TV or use my iPad:

I walked a total of 1.8 kilometers today.

Friday, 26 May 2017

I got up a little late this morning. After feeding Isobel's cats, I bought challah at the bakery.

I taught 3 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-9:45 and 10:00-11:30.

I got the weekly chores done.

I had a salad and quesadillas for lunch.

The rest of the day, I mostly just relaxed and watched sitcoms on TV.

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

I didn't take any pictures today, but I received a lovely one from my friend, Fonda, which is today's pic of the day:

I walked a total of 1.9 kilometers today.

Thursday, 25 May 2017

I went to bed late and so also go up late this morning. I still went out for a shorter walk, though. I took a couple of pictures, including today's pic of the day, a view of upper Nakhal Shakhamon with Harim Road in the foreground:

I was scheduled to teach 7 units of Berlitz lessons, but both of my afternoon/evening 2-units lessons turned out to be no-shows (which may at least partly have been due to the Pentecost holiday today in Europe): 9:30-11:45, 4:00-5:30, and 5:30-7:00.

I had a salad and shnitzel for lunch today.

In the afternoon, I did some grocery shopping.

I also watched a few sitcoms on TV in the afternoon.

I walked a total of 4.2 kilometers today.

Wednesday, 24 May 2017

I woke up and got up early this morning and went for a walk around the big loop, somewhat extended, and even spent some time working out at 2 different outdoor gyms along the way. I took several pictures, including today's pic of the day, a view of the sun just appearing over the Jordanian mountains, as seen between the trees of the Shakhamon park:

I taught only 2 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:30-11:00.

I had a salad and weenies wrapped in tortillas for lunch (plus some breadsticks).

After lunch, David Furman picked me up and took me to his house to do a little more work (we wrote one e-mail), and then he brought me back home.

In the evening, I watched some sitcoms on TV.

I walked a total of 6.9 kilometers today.

Tuesday, 23 May 2017

I slept well last night, woke up and got up early, and went for a nice walk around the big loop. I took lots of flower pictures, including today's pic of the day, an insect just before it left a lovely yellow flower after a deep-dive visit:

I called David in Tel Aviv and talked with him for quite some time, including during my whole walk to WIZO.

At WIZO, one of our newest members, Scott Fless, told us about some of his experiences as a professional dancer, including on Broadway. It was a very interactive presentation, maybe even a bit too much so, but everyone enjoyed it and had a good time.

Afterwards, I stopped at the Shufersal near there and bought several items before walking back home. I also stopped at another market (near the "traffic-light kikar") to buy cashews.

I had a salad, 2 shnitzels, and some breadsticks for lunch today.

I relaxed and watched several sitcoms during the afternoon.

I taught 4 units of Berlitz lessons today: 5:00-6:30 and 7:00-8:30.

I walked a total of 8.9 kilometers today.

Monday, 22 May 2017

I got to bed late last night, slept well, but also got up late this morning.

Since I didn't take any pictures today, I'll use one of yesterday's beautiful flower pics as today's pic of the day:

I was scheduled to teach 9 units of Berlitz lessons today, but one 2-unit lesson turned out to be a no-show: 9:30-11:45, 3:00-4:30 (the no-show), 4:30-6:00, and 6:00-7:30.

I made a quick shopping trip to the supermarket before lunch today.

Since the water was off, I improvised a lunch where I wouldn't need water for anything. I had quesadillas and grapes.

In the early afternoon, I relaxed and watched a few sitcoms on TV.

Sunday, 21 May 2017

My sleep was really deep last night, and I woke up very early. I got up and also ate breakfast early. Then I headed out for a long, fun day.

First, I walked to Maccabi for my weekly blood test. After that was done, I walked over to the industrial area. I took a quite a few pictures during the course of the day. It was in this portion, though, where I shot today's pic of the day, a view of one of the many, many pedestrian walkways in town:

My first stop in the industrial area was Breishit ("In the Beginning"), a health-food store, where I bought two containers of carob-peanut spread (my favorite!) and a half a kilo or so of sunflower seeds.

After that, I visited the household items store and the big Shufersal, but I bought nothing in either of them.

Then I walked over to Mercaz Big. I visited a number of stores there, but I think the only thing I bought was a Coke Zero at the Aroma to keep myself hydrated. Before leaving that area, I also went to the other health-food store but again bought nothing.

From there, I took a bus over to the Ice Mall. I walked all around both levels but only entered a few stores. I bought a thin, cool shirt at one store and a pair of cut-glass earrings at another. I also bought another Coke Zero to drink before I left.

Then I walked along the lagoon, through another small mall, over the bridge at the entrance to the lagoon, through the area of the vendors' booths, and over to the Gulf Restaurant, where I had my favorite, their Greek salad, for lunch.

Next, I walked over to Poza and other stores near there. I bought a pair of flip-flops and some pretty plaid short pants (at 150 shekels, my most expensive item of the day).

Then, it was on to Mul HaYam Mall, where I bought 2 more pairs of short pants.

From there, I took a bus up to the corner of HaTmarim and Eilot and walked from there up to Uga Chaga to buy a pie. It was my turn to provide the refreshments for our play-reading group.

Finally, I walked down to the pet store, bought a mouse for Goldfinger, and took a bus home.

In the evening, I took a bus down to Fay's house for our weekly play-reading group. It was wise of me to buy a day pass for the buses today! We finished "Mr. Roberts" and then read a really fun French play (in translation, of course), called "Apollo of Bellac".

I walked a total of 12.4 kilometers today.

Shabbat, 20 May 2017

I woke up fairly early, got up, and took a nice walk around the big loop. I took several pictures, including today's pic of the day, this panoramic view up Nakhal Shakhamon from the Sheshet HaYamim bridge just after sunrise:

The rest of the day, I basically relaxed, playing games and watching YouTube videos on my iPad and sitcoms on TV.

For lunch I had a nice salad (shredded lettuce, half a red bell pepper cut into small pieces, half-slices of a carrot and a cucumber, 2 tomatoes cut in small pieces, and 1000 Island dressing), eggs and rice (with garlic powder, salt, and sunflower seeds), and bread sticks.

I walked a total of 5.6 kilometers today.

Friday, 19 May 2017

I slept well last night, woke up fairly early, got up somewhat late, and still went for a walk plus a short work-out at the outdoor gym. We had a huge dust storm yesterday (which I missed entirely because I was inside and didn't even know it was happening), and there was still quite a bit of dust in the air this morning. This led me to several interesting pictures playing with the just-risen sun, including today's pic of the day, taken near the highway 12 kikar:

I stopped on the way back from my walk and bought challah at the bakery. After breakfast, I also took out the trash and recycling before my first class.

I taught 3 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-9:45 and 10:00-11:30.

After I was done teaching, I took a bus down to David Furman's house to help him a little more with 2 or 3 short e-mails. He drove me back home when we were finished, and we also chatted a bit.

I spent most of the afternoon watching sitcoms on TV, but I also got the rest of the weekly chores done.

In the evening, I lit a 24-hour yahrzeit candle to mark the 2nd anniversary of David's death (according to the Jewish calendar), and then I lit 2 more candles, drank a little sweet red wine, and ate some challah to welcome Shabbat.

I walked a total of 4 kilometers today.

Thursday, 18 May 2017

I slept well last night and woke up quite late. I still got up and went for a shorter walk and also worked out a bit at the outdoor gym. I took a couple of pictures of upper Nakhal Shakhamon, including today's pic of the day:

I taught 9 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:30-11:45, 4:00-5:30, 5:30-7:00, and 7:00-8:30.

Before lunch, I did a little grocery shopping at Elimelech Supermarket.

I had a salad, shnitzel, and apricots for lunch today.

In the early afternoon, I enjoyed watching several American sitcoms on TV.

I walked a total of 3.4 kilometers today.

Wednesday, 17 May 2017

I slept well and long last night and got up late.

I was accepted to write for the site, Constant Content, and this morning I uploaded my picture and a short summary of my interests. Next, I need to write some interesting articles.

I taught 6 units of Berlitz lessons today: 11:30-1:00, 5:00-6:30, and 7:00-8:30.

I had a salad and quesadillas for lunch today.

I enjoyed several sitcom episodes this morning and afternoon that I hadn't previously seen.

Tuesday, 16 May 2017

I slept well last night, got up very early, and went for a nice leisurely walk around the big loop. I took several pictures, including today's pic of the day, some ants enjoying a beautiful flower:

As always, I enjoyed today's WIZO meeting. After our usual socializing, we shared stories of our mothers with the group (I had picked the topic).

I stopped and did a little grocery shopping at the Shufersal near WIZO before returning home by bus.

I had a salad, two shnitzels, and some breadsticks for lunch.

I spent much of the afternoon relaxing and watching sitcoms on TV.

I taught 4 units of Berlitz lessons today: 5:00-6:30 and 6:30-8:00.

I walked a total of 7.7 kilometers today.

Monday, 15 May 2017

I slept well last night but, having gotten to bed a little late, I also got up late.

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

Before lunch, I did some grocery shopping at Elimelech Supermarket. Then I had a salad, weenies wrapped in tortillas, apricots, and nectarines for lunch.

In the afternoon, I just relaxed, including enjoying some nice sitcom episodes I hadn't seen before. "Two and a Half Men" is just getting more and more crazy and fun.

I walked only 320 meters today.

Sunday, 14 May 2017

I got up a little late this morning but ate breakfast early so that I could walk into town for my weekly blood test. Then I went over to the Maccabi pharmacy and picked up a couple of things, and, finally, I headed down to buy food for my cat and a mouse (also food) for my snake. It was warming up by then but still not too hot or sunny to walk home.

I took a few pictures during my walk, including today's lovely pic of the day:

The rest of the day, I just stayed at home, relaxing and enjoying an interesting afternoon, the details of which I shall keep to myself.

In the evening, I enjoyed our group at Fay's house as we continued reading the play "Mister Roberts".

I walked a total of 4.6 kilometers today.

Shabbat, 13 May 2017

I had some trouble getting to sleep last night and so got up a little late this morning.

As I was getting ready to eat breakfast, my neighbor, Tony, said "Good morning!" and told me it was his birthday. He said he and some friends and family were going to celebrate down at the beach and invited me, as well. So, after breakfast and my morning routine, I walked on down there and joined them. I mostly just sat on a chaise in the shade and enjoyed chatting and people-watching. The temperature was very pleasant, and there was a good breeze.

Today's pic of the day shows the view of the city from where I was sitting:

I wore my Speedo under my shorts so that I could go into the sea if I wanted. At one point, I did go in, but turned around and came back out before the water even got up to my crotch. That was enough cooling for me this morning.

When some of Tony's friends said they were about to leave and asked if anyone wanted a ride, I decided to go. I really didn't want to walk all the way uphill in the sun in the middle of the day, and, of course, there's no bus service on Shabbat.

I had corn on the cob, carrots, and slices of cheese for lunch today since I didn't feel like doing any cooking. I spent the afternoon mostly watching sitcoms.

I walked a total of 3.4 kilometers today.

Friday, 12 May 2017

I again slept well, got up early, and went for a walk around the big loop. I also took quite a few pictures, including today's pic of the day, the moment the sun appeared over the Jordanian mountains:

On my way back home, I stopped first at the bakery to buy challah for Shabbat. I also decided to buy large cheese burekas for lunch.

I taught 5 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-9:45, 10:00-11:30, and 12:00-1:30.

I had a salad and burekas for lunch. After lunch, I did the weekly chores before settling down to a relaxing afternoon of sitcoms and iPad games.

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

I walked a total of 6 kilometers today.

Thursday, 11 May 2017

I slept well last night, got up early this morning, and went for a lovely walk around the big loop. For the first time this year, I went shirtless. I took quite a few pictures, as usual, including today's pic of the day, the full moon over upper Shakhamon:

I taught 4 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:30-11:45 and 6:15-7:00.

Most of the rest of the day, I relaxed, played games, and watched YouTube videos on my iPad and sitcoms on TV.

I had beans and rice, a salad, and cheese for lunch.

I walked a total of 5.3 kilometers today.

Wednesday, 10 May 2017

I slept well last night, but got up late and tired this morning. However, I didn't stay tired for long.

Since I took no pictures today, the pic of the day is some beautiful flowers that I shot yesterday:

I taught 4 units of Berlitz lessons today: 10:00-11:30 and 7:00-8:30.

Most of the rest of the day, I just relaxed, played games, and watched videos on YouTube and sitcoms on TV.

I had 2 carrots, 2 cheese-and-tomato sandwiches, and a whole lot of grapes for lunch.

Tuesday, 9 May 2017

I slept well last night, got up early, and took a nice walk around the big loop. I took several pictures, including today's pic of the day, a silhouette against the rising sun:

I talked with my friend, David, in Tel Aviv this morning.

I walked to the WIZO meeting and enjoyed it very much, as always. Today, Sharona did a sing-along of famous songs from movies, and everyone had a good time.

Afterwards, I joined 3 of our regular members (Sharona, Linda, and Iris) for a nice lunch at Café Optimi downtown. I had vegan shwarma.

Then I went over to Bug computer store in the mall again and spent the rest of the money on my Berlitz gift card on a 128 GB thumb drive. I don't really need it, but it might be handy for backing up or transferring files.

I road the number 6 bus back home.

I did some grocery shopping and then relaxed the rest of the afternoon, watching sitcoms.

I was scheduled to teach 3 units of Berlitz lessons, but the 2-unit lessons was a late cancellation: 6:00-6:45 and 7:00-8:30 (the cancellation).

I walked a total of 8.4 kilometers today.

Monday, 7 May 2017

I slept well last night and got up fairly late this morning.

I was scheduled to teach 7 units of Berlitz lessons today, but one 2-unit lesson turned out to be a late cancellation: 9:30-11:45, 3:00-4:30 (the cancellation), and 6:00-7:30.

I worked quite a bit today on updating and revising my résumé. Berlitz is going to be doing a project for WHO (the World Health Organization) to coach people on their writing, and those of us who are interested in participating have to apply and submit updated résumés. It's time I did something like this anyway.

I had a salad and weenies wrapped in tortillas for lunch.

During the rest of my free time, I just relaxed, playing games and watching YouTube videos and TV sitcoms.

I didn't even go outside my apartment at all today.

Sunday, 7 May 2017

I slept well last night and got up a little late, but I still finished a light breakfast and the rest of my morning routine in time to get down to Maccabi for my weekly blood test.

After that, I visited the household odds-and-ends shops down the street and picked out some inexpensive hangers for my closet. This way, I'll be able to hang some of my tank tops instead of folding them so they should look a little better.

From there, I continued toward the Soleil Boutique Hotel, but I was early, so I stopped and rested along the way. I also took today's video of the day, my best one yet, I think, of a plane coming in for a landing:

Then I went to the hotel for this month's lovely WIZO brunch there. As usual, I ate WAY too much, but it was really good, and some of it was even healthy.

From there, I walked over to the Mul HaYam mall. I had received a gift card from Berlitz as a gift for the Spring holidays and had noticed that one of the chains that accepts it was Bug computer stores. I've been using flexible, roll-up computer keyboards for both my computers for some time now. They work pretty well and are quiet, but they have 2 annoying problems: it's too easy to miss the space bar, and it can be difficult to hit the shift keys correctly. So, I had decided that I'd use some of the gift card money to buy new, regular keyboards, and that's exactly what I did. I bought 2 identical, basic keyboards, using a little less than half the money on the card. I have them both set up now, and they are easier to type accurately on than the old ones, so I'm very satisfied.

My next stop was the pet store, to buy a mouse for Goldfinger. After that, it was quite hot and I was tired, so I took the bus back home.

After feeding Goldfinger, I still felt tired, so I took a nap for a good hour and a half (and was in bed for 2 hours). It was very refreshing!

In the evening, our play-reading group got started again. We began reading the play "Mr. Roberts" and had an enjoyable evening.

I walked a total of 5.9 kilometers today.

Shabbat, 6 May 2017

I got up a little late this morning because I had gone to bed late last night. I had slept well, though.

In the morning, I completed the writing sample that is required to apply to be an online writer at Constant Content. They said it would be about 5 days before I hear if I'm accepted to write for them or not. This does NOT guarantee anything; it merely means that I could submit articles which buyers might be interested in.

I had salad and my usual eggs and rice for lunch today.

At about 3:40, I set out walking to Dolphin Reef because I had read that they were having a special event there with free admission beginning at 4:30. I took just about the shortest route I could map out, but this involved assuming that I could get down to the highway from Shakhamon past the lot where the new cars waiting for their ride north are parked. It used to be easy, even with a vehicle, but now it was almost not possible, even on foot. I made it, but barely. I had to scramble down an embankment with rather loose dirt at one point, and then later I had to climb over a chest-high wall! I think I won't try that route again.

I arrived at Dolphin Reef at about 4:55, and, of course, there were lots of people there and plenty of kids. It was a nice atmosphere, though. I sat in a chair until Joyce, who is still hospitalized in Ohio, called on Skype, and then we chatted for some time. I also turned on the video so she could see the area, and I gave her a pretty good tour, even going out onto the pontoon piers. At the call was over, I stayed there longer, sitting in various places, walking around, eating an ice cream bar (because I was really hungry), and taking plenty of pictures, including today's pic of the day, the beach area shortly after the sun was completely off of it (about 6:45, I think):

I was already tired when I left there, but I was too cheap to take a taxi home (and the buses, at least up the hill, don't run on Saturday, even in the evening). Of course, I did NOT try to return the way I had come; I followed the coast highway and then walked all the way up Argaman to my place. I stopped plenty of times to rest, and I finally arrived home just after 9:00.

I walked a total of 10.6 kilometers today.

Friday, 5 May 2017

I woke up early this morning, got up, and went for a nice walk around the big loop, stopping at the bakery on the way back to buy challah for Shabbat. I took several photos along the way, including today's pic of the day, the just-risen sun shining on the hills on the other side of Nakhal Garuf, as seen from one of the pergolas along the Nakhal Garuf Promenade:

I taught 3 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-9:45 and 10:00-11:30.

I took the trash and recycling out before lunch, ate shnitzel and salad, and did the rest of the weekly chores in the afternoon.

I spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing, playing games, and watching YouTube videos on my iPad and American sitcoms on TV.

As the light was about to fade from our lovely valley, I lit candles, drank a little sweet red wine, and ate challah to welcome Shabbat.

In the evening, I went for a walk downtown and back again.

I walked a total of 10.2 kilometers today.

Thursday, 4 May 2017

I slept well last night (despite having to wear the heart monitor) and got up early this morning.

I also ate breakfast early so that I could take a longer walk down to Maccabi to return the halter. Then I also walked home by a slightly longer route including at least one or two walkways where I had never been before, I think. I took several pictures, of course. The first one is today's pic of the day, showing a view toward the mountains up HaSigalit Street, quite close to where I live:

I was scheduled to teach 7 units of Berlitz lessons today, but one 2-unit lesson turned out to be a late cancellation (because the student was sick): 9:30-11:45, 4:00-5:30 (the cancellation), and 7:00-8:30.

After my morning lesson, I grabbed some cashews and some slices of cheese to eat before I headed down to David Furman's house to do some final work to wrap up the project. I was pretty hot in the middle of the day, so I took the bus most of the way. When we had finished, he graciously drove me back home so I didn't have to take the bus back (or walk).

In the early evening, I did some grocery shopping at the local market (Elimelech Supermarket).

I walked a total of 6.1 kilometers today.

Wednesday, 3 May 2017

I slept well last night. I got up and ate breakfast early so that I could get to my 8:30 appointment to pick up a 24-hour heart-monitoring halter from the Maccabi nurses. In fact, I left early enough that I actually walked a more circuitous route to get there. I took quite a few pictures of flowers along the way, including today's pic of the day, in which I also happened to get a fly sitting on a nearby pod:

After I got the halter, I started out on a different circuitous route home, taking more pictures. However, I had to abort that plan a little early because I was developing a small sore spot on my left foot from the flip-flop strap. So I just sat at a bus stop until the bus came and rode the rest of the way home. When I got home, I put alcohol on the sore, and it seems to already be much better. I'll probably also cover it with a bandaid before I go out walking again, just to keep it from getting irritated.

When I got home, I called and scheduled an appointment with the cardiologist for about a month from now (the earliest available) to review the results of the halter test.

I had a salad and beans and weenies for lunch today, which I had not had in months.

I was scheduled to teach 5 units of Berlitz lessons today, but one 1-unit lesson was a late cancellation (which I was informed about an hour before it was to have begun): 4:30-6:00, 6:00-6:45 (the cancellation), and 7:00-8:30.

I walked a total of 4.5 kilometers today.

Tuesday, 2 May 2017 Yom HaAtzma'ut

Having gotten to bed rather late last night, I got up quite late this morning, too.

In the morning, I did a load of laundry (which is still hanging out it the corridor although I'm sure it's dry by now).

I tried an experiment for lunch. I put olive oil in my frying pan and a slice of whole wheat bread. Then I broke one egg over it and broke the yoke. Next, I sprinkled a little garlic powder over it, added a couple of slices of 9% cheese, and fried it all. I added a little salt, and it tasted okay but not particularly special. At least it was something new. I also had my usual salad, of course.

Mostly, it was a lazy day of relaxing, playing games, and watching YouTube videos and sitcoms on TV, but in the early evening I went for a walk around the big loop. I stopped several times to rest because I just didn't feel very energetic. I took several pictures, including today's pic of the day, a silhouette of the hills just after the sun disappeared behind them:

I walked a total of 5.6 kilometers today.

Monday, 1 May 2017 Yom HaZikaron

I slept well last night, got up early this morning, and went for a nice walk around the big loop, taking pictures as usual.

I was scheduled to teach one unit of Berlitz today, but the student was actually a no-show: 9:00-9:45.

At 11:00 today, a siren sounded for two minutes as the entire country came to a halt to remember those killed in Israel's wars and the victims of terror.

I was generally quite lazy today, but I didn't watch TV until evening because there wasn't much on. I enjoyed a relaxing and thoughtful day, though.

I had a salad and weenies wrapped in tortillas for lunch.

I actually took a nice nap in bed this afternoon!

In the early evening, I took another walk and took more pictures, including today's pic of the day, Harim Road crossing Nakhal Shakhamon:

In the evening, I watched the annual traditional ceremony on Har Herzl in Jerusalem, which marks the transition from the very somber Yom HaZikaron ("Day of Remembrance") to the most joyful day of the year, Yom HaAtzma'ut ("Independence Day"). It's always a very impressive ceremony, and this year was no exception. The theme was Jerusalem this year, since we'll soon be marking the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Old City, including the Temple Mount and the Western Wall, and the unification of the city.

I enjoy the speech by the Speaker of the Knesset, Yuli Edelstein, each year. He's originally from the Soviet Union, but he speaks in clear, measured, elegant Hebrew and always has good things to say.

One notable part of the ceremony this year was a singer named Rita, who wore a white dress that extended away from her in all directions for many meters. As she sang a beautiful version of Y'rushalayim shel Zahav, the lights made all kinds of interesting patterns and colors on the huge white dress on the ground.

Each year, they have notable people light 12 torches to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. They try to pick a wide variety of people who have made contributions to our country and our culture. Among others, this years torch lighter included an Arab professor of medicine in Jerusalem, a female soldier who made aliyah from Ethiopia at age 4, and a blind woman who read her speech in Braille. Each person gives a short speech about himself or herself and the people whom they are especially honoring, and each one ends with the phrase ולתפרת מדינת ישראל ultiferet mdinat yisrael ("And for the glory of the State of Israel").

After that, there is much parading around with flags, forming various symbols and numbers on the parade grounds, and singing and dancing. It's always fascinating, exhilarating, and inspiring to watch!

I walked a total of 9.3 kilometers today.