Thankful for Tammy

Hali is a very crafty little nugget, and she has done a wonderful job enrolling me into assisting her in the magazine decorations for each birthday here. I now rock the paper chain and word cut outs. Somehow, I being one of the Chalis, have been lumped into the other Chalis creative ability. So for Thanksgiving, we were asked to rock the decorations and boy did we.

Paper chains for miles, all made out of a magazine.

Thank you kindergarten for the life lessons in turkey making

Hali and I got to thinking and realized that most of the people attending our dinner have no idea what started Thanksgiving. How can we solve that??? An educational, artistically inclined, skit of course.

Say hello to Tammy the turkey.



I would like to thank Tammy for being our bird in Israel. We had to special order a whole turkey, this task our dear Roni did for us: then sent us with a note in Hebrew that probably said, "Don't mess with these girls or I'll kill you. Love, Roni." The head of our "T-day Celebration in Israel" Megan, also a vegetarian, braved the butcher shop to get us our bird. When she got there all the butchers came out saying "Ahhh! You the dancers? We've been waiting for you all day. You from Ga'aton. Do you eat female (bird) in America?" They were thrilled to give us our whole turkey, that I am positive, they killed just for us. After handing Megan the bird, we all quickly realized this is a WHOLE turkey. Out of the top of the bag poked Tammy's legs:( and on the other end was a long neck. Let me tell you that if those are still attached, you can bet we were the ones who had to de-gut the bird.
Praise the Lord, it was not my responsibility.

Dinner was a beautiful success. We all brought a dish and they all ended up with a Mediterranean flare. It was all so good. People’s plates were piled HIGH. 




I loved watching the foreigners eat like Americans:)

Ruby got the meat sweats and wasn't doing so good by the end;)

Pretty much had to roll her home.

 Israeli Thanksgiving!

Little Nuggets

See these faces?

These are the cutest little nuggets I have ever seen.

I had plans to put some of them in my pockets and casually stroll away but then I found Hali had a simular plan. We figured it was to many missing nuggets and the trail led back to the Chalis.

We performed for the little kids of the kibbutz this last Sunday. They all came woddling in and plopped themselves down. After we danced they all got up and danced with us. Some of my personal favorites were the bear, brushing teeth, noodle dance.

Adorable!!!

These are the most well behaved children I have ever seen. Everyday we hear them screaming as they go past the studio with the daycare. They have to come through our building to get to the grassy area and as they enter the building they all go silent and come press their noses against the glass door to watch us dance. Talk about melt you heart. Sometimes they come into watch class and the TODDLERS sit stiller then I ever could. 

Dance - check.

Children - check.

Laughter - check.

Easiest service project ever.

Who Let The Dancers Leave The Kibbutz??

Today we released ourselves on society in full force to see Harry Potter. First of all, I have never seen any of the Harry Potter movies in their opening week so I find it hilarious that I did in Israel.

We headed to a mall I didn't know existed about 30 mins away. Of course it took us an extra 45 mins to get there. Welcome to Israel. I will never complain about the drivers in the US again. I fear for my life walking on the side walk and riding in the bus. The bus drivers seem to be confused--last I checked they were NOT monster truck drivers and driving over cars just because they are smaller wasn't allowed.

Now, lets talk about how we were like children running loose in a candy shop filled with sweets, lights, and strangers.
Ya, pretty much an accurate description.

The mall was not what I was expecting at all. Apart from most of the stores being ones I recognized, the mall was one big American cliche'.

We didn't know how big Harry Potter was in Israel so we pre-ordered tickets for the opening day...obviously not needed.

We were also one of the only adults

We were surprised mid scene when they called an intermission. Who needs an intermission when there already is a 8 month intermission between part 1 & 2???

I tasted a 'rum flavored candy'. I quickly discovered it was liquor covered in chocolate. GAG! Not a nice movie theater treat. I prefer our Milk Duds.

Pictures of actors, movies, Oscars, and advertisements were in the excess. It was SO much. I'm sure the locals thought I had never been to California where all this orginated--little do they know that I actually live there and LOVE that THEY love Hollywood so much.

At this point I am running from picture to picture.

I'm surprised security didn't stop me

I have never been so happy to be in a mall in my life. I haven't really left the kibbutz to do mindless things. We are always going somewhere to learn or do something educational. It was such a nice night of thoughtless pleasures. Except now I have the shopping ich. I kinda forgot about looking like a human (even more then normal, who thought that was possible) and I wish could spend 72,000 skekels (inside joke) and get a new wardrobe. It also helps to remember that everything I buy, I have to find something of its weight to get rid of for my flight home. haha, fun game.

I had a blast with my girls, and everyday I find another reason to love Israel.

Sassy Tummy

I have never in my life met anyone with IBS and what do you know, I come to Israel and three of my good friends are blessed with it. Hali refers to it as her Sassy Tummy. This term has quickly been adopted through the group and I think describes it perfectly. 

Unfortunately, I got to personally experience what a sassy tummy feels like in its fullest. I thought I had eaten something bad and got some sort of food poisoning, but five days later I'm thinking it a stomach bug:(

I have been a very blessed woman and rarely get sick. I can count on one hand the times I've gotten sick enough to stop my day and stay home--Just thought I 'd throw in there that I haven't thrown-up in 8 years.
 My battle has always been the cough I get when the seasons change, and it has seemed to have gotten worse after living at the
29th ave house in San Fran;)

This week has rated in my top 3 most painful sick experiences.
I danced the whole week and let me tell you non-dancers that trying to lift your leg and balance with stomach pains is not fun.

Thankfully, oh so thankfully, my director Mika gave us a long weekend to rest because everyone was getting sick. I heart Mika!

I got to talk to my mom this morning and even half way across the world her Super Mom Healing powers work...via skype:) I feel much better today and hopefully will never experience the Sassy Tummy Syndrome again.

Security Lectures in Jerusalem

Once again, I am so grateful to be here under the MASA name. I had another amazing opportunity because of them. 10 of us went to Jerusalem and participated in a weekend of lectures on the security issues in Israel.
 I learned SO much.

First off, we stayed in an amazing hostle,
probably the nicest I will ever stay in.
 We got room, board, and lectures all for the price of 35 NIS aka 11 dollars.

We started the weekend off by seeing the security fence

 between Israel and the West Bank. There really is no point in this barrier because it's a chain link fence in most parts
but I guess it's what is stands for.

You can tell which house belong to the Arabs because they build with flat roofs. Most of the Jewish came from Europe and build with triangle roofs. So if we get a freak snow storm here...in the desert,

 the Jews will be prepared for roof cave-ins.  

Ah this is comforting. See the pretty walls that line the highway? I thought they were a sound barrier like they have on I-15. Nope.
They're sniper shields put up to protect this road that apparently use to be attacked daily. What a fun commute to work.
Traffic, spilled coffee, AM radio, out running the snipers...

We are becoming such deep thinkers. Can't you tell by Chali's eyebrows?

I had two favorite speakers this weekend. Benzi Gruber who is a Vice Commander of Armoured Division 252 and Khaled Abu Toameh who is an "Israeli-Arab-Muslim-Palestinian" journalist.
What a mouth full, but it counts.


Benzi talked from a prospective of an active leader in the army. We saw a lot of videos of car bombing while hearing the IDF on radio deciding how to handle it...in the 8 seconds they have. Fact, after 9/11 the rate of suicide bombing went up in to the thousands per year--Thousands of SUCCESSFUL suicide bombers were in Israel and other countries. Targeting school buses, kindergardens, grocery stores and so much more. It became a fad and thousands of people suffered, all starting with 9/11. *Clarification, I'm not saying the same party is linked to 9/11 and the attacks here. I'm just saying it became a trend that others picked up on. I heard about these things in the news but being here and seeing the exact spot where someone has taken the lives of others,
seeing the damage from it is undescribable.

I loved when Khaled spoke. He has a view on life that few do. He wants Israel to flourish, is active in the Muslim religion, and can go in and out of Palestine territories. This is very unique. He is able to go into places like the Gaza Strip and meet with the leaders of Hamas, something very, very few people can do. He spoke a lot about the power of the international media. As always the media gives stories spins of their own, and can be biased to one side. It happens everywhere. I loved this man. He spoke of the strengths and weakness of both the Israelis and the Palestinians.
SO FACINATING!

After a long weekend of great and eye opening lectures, I remember to take this all with a grain of salt. I believe it is most important to be compassionate to all and keep in mind I wouldn't want to be accused of someone elses actions. There are many sides to a story and I am grateful I continue to see more and more of them. I am very excited to share what I've been learning with everyone when I get home. Living here has opened my eyes in a way no where else can. I wouldn't trade the sensativity I am learning from this side of the world for anything. I remember when I decided to come to Israel,  people asked if I was scared or anxious. I felt so calm, it felt like I have known my whole life that I was coming here. I know with every fiber of my being this is where I am suppose to be right now. I love when I feel that way! Mazal Tov!!

Hike Through Northern Israel

My director must think we are getting fat 
and decided to do something about it...

by taking us on an all day hike in northern Israel in the heat.
 Sweat it out girls!!

Or, this was a planned MASA activity where we hiked to places epic wars in Israel were fought.

..............

While sweating the excess hummus out of my system.

We arose with sun and headed north (which I didn't know was possible,
but we went north east towards the borders of Syria and and Lebanon)




We started the hike near Mt. Hermon and circled
an army base on the mountain.
Our guide showed us plants we could eat and named flowers
and plants that grow in Israel.
We stopped often to look over the valley of Galilee and see the beauty.
It is always beautiful, but when I hear
"...and the battle of so-and so was fought here",
it makes the landscape some how seem special for being
so beautiful inspite of all the destruction that occured. 
We stopped in true, Israeli fashion, to eat our packed breakfasts
along with tea and cookies.
I can't get over that we can be ANYWHERE and
I can count on tea and cookies.

Vineyards

This is a nice hole in the ground where they use to make wine--

'I Love Lucy' style.

Centuries ago, they made wine here and shipped it to Rome, where they paid top dollar, because the wine was from the Holy Land.

This is how Israel marks their trails

(thanks to the British when they occupied Israel)

Walking on the right of the rocks means you are going towards snow.

Hence the white stripe. 

Walking on the left means you are going towards the desert. Orange.  

Border of Lebanon and Israel. Once again, a battle with many casualties was fought here. We were on a kibuttz that was pretty much on top of the border. We saw exactly where snipers would sit and how easy it was/still is for Lebanon to invade Israel.

Israel now has one of their main Army bases at the top of Mt Hermon,

which looks over Lebanon. This base is called The Eyes of Israel.

 Israel doesn't have the space to make an attack,

but they sure are prepared to defend.

 Israel is the size of Rhode Island, and almost a third of it is not under

The Jewish States control. ie. Gaza Strip and West Bank. Crazy!

Going up..

and down all day.

We walked along the Jordan River on a nature preserve and it was BEAUTIFUL.

 I didn't really notice the lack of water in Israel until I was

standing next to its own Oasis.

Everyone ended up jumping and I took the liberties of soaking my twisted ankle from earlier on in the hike. Nothing can beat the healing powers of the icy Jordan River!!

This was our last stop for the day.

We stood on an inactive volcano and looked down at the border of

Syria and Israel.

This is Israel and you can tell because of the agricuture.

This is great place to grow food because of the volcanic soil.

You can tell where the border is quite well.

Green=Israel  Not Green=Syria

Oh yes. Another war was fought here.

Inside the bunker

View from the bunker--looking out on Syria.