So Here We Go

yup. im still alive and im still in israel.

i cant believe it but ive actually lived in israel as an israeli for 3 and a half weeks now. i wanted to do one of these blog things ages ago but ppl who know me know how bad i am at doing things now. as mum used to say, never put off till tommorrow what u can do today - i was never up for that. my phrase was if u can do it tommorrow then lets watch tv now and go to bed! i actually started a diary on the plane on my laptop but it only lasted one day!

although relatively alot has happened in the last 3 and a half weeks i will try and keep this brief (anyone who knows me knows that once i start talking, i really talk!).

i am living in a flat with an american guy called michael (he calls himself yitzchak sometimes) who i luckily found on a website called flathunting.com a week before i came. i wanted to live in the ulpan i am studying hebrew at but due to, errr, complications, i organised my aliya relatively late so had to find a flat. its all turned out wonderfully - place is nice, mikes cool (even likes football and supports crystal palace like my brother!)and the landlords ok. i wasnt sure about it when i arrived but i dont think ive seen anyone who lives in a nicer flat! the location is amazing - its like living in hampstead but u can walk everywhere - towns 20 minutes, ulpans 15, emek refaim 10. ill put some pics up on the site once i know how to! also i have a lovely room and bought the most enormous double bed second hand ofor about 35 quid the other day!

ulpans going okish. i was actually moved up a class after a week but the teacher in the knew class is so annoying that i am hopefuly moving back on sunday. the place is nice but im happy i dont live there - the rooms are tiny and the food sounds a bit crap really! ive even started cooking already here - made my dads best spaghetti blognese last week!

and those who dont know - i am working, really, i am getting paid (apparently, theres been no contract yet) to work as an editor for a new jewish news agency launching in a few weeks. it will be called the european jewish press (www.ejpress.org). cant really write much about it now, but once were up and running i will let u all know so u can read my excellent work!

otherwise things are cool. i like the place although i was in tel aviv last week and i prefer it there. im so much more chilled now ive sort of stopped being so frum. last week i went to family for dinner in ranana friday night (ros!) and then went out to a bar in tel aviv with a friend (morani!) and went out for lunch on saturday with my cousin eitan to a restaurant. and then tonight i went to ppl for dinner in jerusalem and then to some religious friends after and im going to shul and someone for shabbat lunch tommorrow. i like the religion so even if im not sure of its authenticity and therefore dont feel like i have an obligation to do it all i still like the whole culture (and food!) thing.

anyway. better go to bed, its 1am and i have shul in the mornng.
shabbat shalom people.
j