Where has she been?

Alright everyone, I know I have been terrible. The truth is things got a little crazy with finishing my second level of Hebrew, and then there was the whole needing some rest part. Oh, and I don't really have a good way to always be connected with the internet. This being said, I want to renew my commitment to blogging and letting you know how I am doing. I am currently on a break between the summer courses and the Fall 2010 semester, where I will take my place in this world as a real live Graduate student! Until then, starting today, I will be in Europe for 11 days, doing that "find yourself" thing.

I fly out tonight at five-ish to Prague, then a bus to Vienna, a boat to Bratislava, a but Budapest, and a flight to Israel from there. As you can imagine, I am extremely excited, but also nervous. No worries, I am not going to party, mostly to visit Church and Synagogues. I promise to be safe and to take pictures, and then to share the experience with you after I return.

Until then, much love,
Claire in Israel.

We'll call this one: A real post.

NOTE: My room mate Anna also keeps a blog! She is much better at remembering to update, and seems to enjoy putting me in her posts, so please check out what she has to say about Israel: www.jerusalem-girl.blogspot.com

Hello Everyone,

It's Claire, the one who used to keep you updated all the time. Well here I am, back again, and attempting to not be so terrible at keeping a blog going. Perhaps my absence deserves some sort of explanation. I wish I could tell you that I have been off doing amazing things, meeting new people, seeing new places, but the truth is that I've been studying. As I said before, I took my level exam from my last course, had a week off, and they started back into second level Hebrew. I've also taken Greek and Hebrew back up... but only when I have time to actually look at them. The reason, this Hebrew level is literally blowing my mind. I can't even believe that the entire class is in Hebrew... and that I actually understand what is being said most of the time... I also can't believe that I have four more levels to go after this. I dream in Hebrew sometimes, or more like have nightmares about my class! (ha) But seriously, this 25 hours of Hebrew class a week is no joke. I never thought I would be so focused on anything in my life. Well, I would now like to bring you through some of the things that I have been doing in my weeks apart from you.

1. I've been cooking a lot. This of course is my attempt to save money and have some semblance of a budget. I've made salads and all types of rice, but this is more than that, this is the story of my first whole chicken:

It all began with a sale on meat. If I spent 150 sheckles I could 6 kilos of meat for 60 sheckles. (I split the meat with Anna). So I walked out of the store with 3 and a half chickens and 2 pounds of ground beef. Just to give you an idea, usually the beef a lone would cost 60 sheckles (around 12 -14 dollars.) The only issue was that neither Anna or I had ever cooked a chicken before...so I called Mom. The following pictures where stolen from Anna.


This is the subject. Notice the chicken has a neck, something Anna and I had never seen before, so because we had never seen this and it looked so strange...I cut it off. Believe me it hurt me more than it hurt the chicken. Later I found out that I could have left the darn thing on the body. Figures. I also gave it a nice bath and rubbed with some chicken seasoning that I bought soley because it said "Chicken Seasoning" on it in English. (This tells you the kind of day I was having.)



Here we see the chicken in our "oven." Anna told me that she's seen ovens like this on house hunters, so apparently its completely normally to plug your "over sized toaster oven" looking oven into the wall and call it a day in Europe. The thing is I had no idea it was a real oven until some told me that the tempture dial was in celcius and I could cook anything I wanted in it. I think a cake should be next...





This is the finished product. Actually it can out really well, other than being small and neckless. I am happy to debut this as my first chicken, may it not be the last. Anna and I have been enjoying eatting it for the past few days. (That night I enjoyed it with some mac n' cheese... mmm classy).







Well the rest of my pictures are currenly not loading on my computer... so I will try and update you again in the next few days! Sorry about this.

Love,

Claire in Israel .

We'll call this one: Were did she go?!?

I know what you are thinking... Where did Claire go? I don't think I have posted in over a week, and I promise that this was not my intention. I know that you will understand me when I tell you that I just finished my course yesturday, and I have been spending most of my time with a Hebrew book and a white board, writing out verb conjugations. But, you will be happy to know that I am now completely finished with Ramah Alef (Level One) of Hebrew and ready to move on to Level two! I count this as a huge accomplishment, but I must say that even though the course is over, I need to study! I need to pack so much information into my brain this summer...I wish I was joking!

Currently I am waiting for my room mate Anna, to get out of her Biblical Hebrew Exam. I thought it would be a good idea to go with her to school today and get some of the administrative things out of the way. You know, like making sure I am actually signed up for the next class; Because nothing is more embarrasing then not being on the class list on the first day...nothing... or being called to the office and told that you owe 100 dollars... (like last time).

Anyway, I need to get going, I will post more later. I have this week off so I will be able to do some more blog worthy things.

Love,
Claire in Israel

We'll call this one: I make myself laugh.

On Making a lot of food at once to save money:

Yes, it is true, I make "lunch" for the week. Last week it was chili, this week, a much cheaper option... Lentils, Rice, Chicken, and Onions (I got this out of Anna's Israeli Cookbook!) I didn't take a picture of me making this, because I was tired, but after I started to pack everything up I just cracked up! I mean here we have 7 containers of rice, a small cup to try, and you arn't seeing the dinner I sent over to my friend John or the small container that I decided to divy-up between the lunches. That's a lot o' lentils! I think the whole meal cost around 12 dollars, for 7 days of food... $1.70 a meal? Now thats who we do it! Gosh I am going to be so sick of lentils, but I am trying to think of what Dad would say to my Mom, "Well that was a good amount of fiber, doesn't Kathy?"

In other news, I was doing a lot of crying yesturday. I am learning to budget (life is expensive) and also learning everything else about this country which is different in every way. It's exhausting to always be accepting new things. Pray for me.

I am so happy it is the weekend. I plan on sleeping and finishing my Class book, that way I can start on the next book next week.

Blessings,
Claire in Israel.

We'll call this one: Multicultural.

In celebration of cultural diversity, our ulpan class hosted a dinner which included all foods which represented the various countries that we....well that we represent.
Anna did a wonderful job setting up her apartment for around ten guests. Really, it looked amazing, and she was so excited for the company, as you can see.

Here is Francesca from Italy making Pasta with a sauce that was literally to die for. I could havent eatten it forever. Also served was Beet Salad from Anna (Russian-American), Israeli Salad with Feta from Sarah (Jewish-American), Veggie Sushi from Un-ay (Korea), Potato Berakas from Kinaret (Israeli-American). For dessert, Laur from Paris made Milk Rice with Stewed plums, which was rice pudding with hot plums melting inside of it... by the time I got to this dish I could no longer fit anyfood, but I managed to add this to my stomach because it really was the best rice pudding I have ever tasted (sorry mom! but you need to make it with plums!) Then of course we finished of with Turkish coffee and wonderful converstation about what we love about our home culture (topic chosen by our host, Anna). It was a wonderful time of fellowship and so enjoyable. I am so happy that I got to go.

Love you,

Claire in Israel.

We'll call this one: Photogenic

A Trip Back to the City

Anna, Lauren, and I took another visit to the Sep. this last Thursday, the only thing was I was already tired from the Tanach Show and we took a bus and didn't know where to get off...and I was just the littlest bit cranky...anyway it went alright after I got a soda in my stomach.
Here is a shot of one of the streets near the Church. Notice the man holding the tray, they use these in the City to carry around Coffee and Tea.

Here is a nice picture of the ladder thats been sitting on the Church for over 100 years. No one can agree on who put it there so here it sits, waiting to petrify. A cross leaning against the front of the Chruch. I am assuming this is the one that the Monks use when walking the Via Del Arosa each day.

The following are so (I am shocked really) amazing shots I got of the prayer candles surronding the tomb in the Church. I can't believe that came out! Mind you I felt kind of terrible for taking pictures around people praying, so I hurried and then waited in line to inside the tomb with Lauren and Anna, who remembered to bring her rosery this time around.

We'll call this one: Anna's Step. Mostly because Anna is interested in the story behind it. Just like the ladder that no one can agree on. The Monks and Priests argue over who owns the right to clean that little stone slab at the bottom of the staircase. They argue each day over weather it is actually a step or just a part of the staircase. Who knows? Anyway we ended the trip with some falafel from Damascus gate, well I did. She I purchased one, and when the girls went to ask for theirs, they said they were out of food for the day (which is why I kept rushing the ladies to get to the stand), so then we had to walk to another and less tasty place to get the rest of our supper. One thing you should know about the Old City if you ever get a chance to visit, is that most of the shops close around 6 or 7 because men like to go home for dinner. Really you should get to the Falafel stand around 5 or earlier. Also, don't take the bus in the late afternoon, because it's rush hour and getting around takes forever! I miss the subway....

I just wanted to include this picture of a crow from my bedroom window (if you click on it, it may enlarge). Crows here are not completely black, but have a grey body. They remind me of old men because they have grey hair and never stop complaining (lol). Also, every evening before bed, we have to listen to the sound of distant fireworks. My room mate Sana tells me they are to celebrate weddings. They will even shot guns off to celebrate a marriage. Really not my favorite thing, because it sounds like explosions, but I guess I will just have to get used to it. But how am I supposed to know if it's the real thing? Thats what I want to know!

Oh Mommy, for you. When we were in the Old City we met an ugly kitten who was stuck and screaming. So I helped him down. But I wanted to show him to you because I know you love ugly kittens. Also, for everyone else: We found a street fair and they were selling "Cat Whistles" there. I thought this must be like a Dog Whistle and didnt think anything of it. But then we kept hearing the sound of screaming kittens everywhere we turned and we couldn't figure out where in the heck these cats where... It was the whistles! Have you ever heard of this?

Also for sale at the fair were these wonderful colorful puppets. They had every character and animal you could think of, so I had to show you, because they were so pretty to look at. I ended up buying a handmade hair clip made from a real rose. I guess this lady makes these clips from different mediums and resin, and they are really neat. It was a great find and for not so much money. I will get you the web site so you can see her other products.



On going back to the Shook...
I made Chili! and it came out! Mmmmmm. Other than the fact that I had to pay $10 for a pound of beef, (maybe because it's Kosher) it was a great investment. I know have lunch for the entire week...literally, seven meals, plus enough to feed three others after I made it! Yum!

While I was making Chili, Anna was cleaning our porch. Thanks Anna, this was great of you! Now we can enjoy it. They only thing is that porch was so dirty that now its still half dirty...we have decided to clean in waves. I also tried to clean the shower, to no avail. I may try again tomorrow to finish it.

Here is the first stage of Chili; cooking the veggies... thats ginger in there!
This is bascially the finished product... kind of. It got thicker and looked more like Chili when it was done. Yum.

Anyway yall, see you soon.

Love you,

Claire in Israel

We'll call this one: I didn't forget you.

Alright everyone, I just wanted to apologize for not updating a few days. It's just that It have been really busy and I need to charge my camera. But I cannot wait to show you pictures of my adventure to see "The Tanach Show." Also, maybe a picture of my lovely 100% I just got on my latest quiz! (I am not trying to brag at all, but I was just SO EXCITED about how hard work pays off :). This evening I am going into the Old City with Lauren, finally. I will finally get to show her the Holy Sep. Also, I may attempt to make chili this weekend...mmmm. My goal is to make a big pot of something once a week.

YUM! Until you've had the same thing five days in a row. Luckily my beans are about to run out. So I can use the pot again.

Blessings, Claire in Israel