Some Photos!

So my lovely sister prompted me to explore the options that my new iPhone has for posting photos since not only do I not know where my camera cord is in my luggage, but we are also still without internet at the new place. Everything is faaaar from finished as we've hardly begun setting up and my container of belongings is still on the boat crossing the ocean. But, this will give you a better idea of my new surroundings. I will certainly post updated photos at a later time :)

Here are some before pictures:
Faucet won't turn off... Confusion.



Yumm don't you want this coming out of your faucet? Time for a plumber? I think yes.


Diiirt everywhere. Ew.


Aaaand here are some much improved but still in progress after photos:


Rotem cooking our first dinner here!


Our new fridge (of which we are very proud;)



Dining area (going to refinish the table and chairs)



Bedroom. Paint color ideas?



Living area which will have my art area behind the big bookcase in the back.

So that's that for now! Nothing of substance to show you in our bathroom, office, or dressing room... But soon!

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Updates!

So yes I know I have been delinquent on updates (as many of you have reminded me haha). It's a combination of too much to write and not enough time to write it! So, now for a quick recap of the past week:

• Went to the apartment and discovered that the prior tenants neglected to realize human beings would have to inhabit that space after them and left it a mild disaster.


• Cleaned a bit and in the process discovered that we had no water pressure and that the faucet had been leaking into the cabinets underneath creating a healthy harvest of mold and general filth.


• Then discovered that the filth had attracted some pets... aka cockroaches. Hooray (Not my first experience with them. Marie and I had some fun with cockroaches in our Irving apartment and are still alive to tell the tale haha).


• Next, we realized we couldn't turn the faucet off. At all. No matter what. So we had to shut off the water supply to the apartment.


• So, now we needed a plumber/exterminator/cleaning crew to manifest itself and fix all of our stuff for free... not unrealistic, right?


• Next... minor issues with the electric supply/ gas supply to the apartment. Faced with the prospect of no lights, air conditioning, cooking gas, working water, and breathing mold/ dirt we pushed the move-in back about a week.


• We spent the week slowly acquiring appliances (bought a fridge, got a stove, and a washing machine) and having them installed. Almost done with that task! Spent time getting things fixed and cleaned. Almost done fixing the water (I turned on the faucet this morning and it literally flew off the wall at me... so it needs some more adjusting haha).


• We spent the first official night in the apartment last night. It's a much cleaner more functional apartment now! Thanks to Rotem's family's hard work and generosity we have almost everything working and in place!


• We are now going to work our magic and make it into a home! We are very excited and it will be a beautiful place when we're through with it!


• In other news:


• We drove to Jerusalem and get my Israeli ID


• We drove back to the absorption office near Tel Aviv to prove that I got my ID and get yet more forms signed


• Went to the post office to sign some more things to finalize health insurance (why the post office? not sure.)


• Went to the bank to open an account


• Next we have to drive to Ashdod to open an account with Israeli Customs so that they let my shipment in.


• Got the voucher from the government for my Hebrew classes and I'm ready to enroll! It looks like there is a group for young immigrants so I hope I will meet some other people in the same boat I am (pun intended ha).


• I got an iphone (super cool!) and can now Skype with people from my phone. I can message, call, and video from Skype so if you don't have a Skype name yet... get one!


• In work news:


• Met with 2 of my new bosses (who wanted to speak to me only in Hebrew... major brain exercise!) and signed contracts.


• Trying to get my official schedule figured out, but it looks like I'm going to have lots of little 7 and 8 year old beginning violinists in schools around the area south of Tel Aviv. I am going to teach them in small groups for a few months and later combine them into a large orchestra. Very excited!


• I start teaching next week (eep!)... in Hebrew! Rotem and I have been studying musical words and doing mock lessons in Hebrew. I'm feeling more and more ready, but luckily he can come with me for the first few lessons to be my safety net in case I need help.

Aaaand that about sums up this week :) I know I still haven't posted pictures of the apartment/ neighborhood. Since I wasn't in my space until now, I didn't really start unpacking and hence have no idea where my camera cord is. Once I find it (and once the apartment looks presentable enough to take pictures of) they will be up!

Love to all! Let me know Skype names if I don't have them so we can keep in contact.

Arrival & First Days

Greetings all! It has been a whirlwind few days and I am very glad to be updating! We arrived early Wednesday morning in Israel. This was my first time riding the Israeli airline (El Al) and it was very nice. Fun fact, did you know the passengers sing upon landing? Very cool to feel that kind of excitement on the plane. Our plane held 70 new immigrants amongst the passengers and we were welcomed over the intercom in Hebrew and English :) There were several families, a few older couples, but mostly younger singles. So I met a few people around my age who were doing much the same thing I am!

After we got off the plane, we were whisked through passport control and then off to Misrad Ha'Klita (the office of absorption). Here we were offered drinks and food, phones to call home and inform relatives of arrival, and computers to use. One by one we were called into offices with immigration officers and given our Teudat Oleh (basically an ID given to identify you as an immigrant to receive special services). Then we signed a paper to be given health insurance (yes that's right folks, one paper and I'm fully insured, no questions asked). Then they gave me the first payment of my Sal Klita (money given over the first few months of living in Israel to help defray moving and settling costs). About 10 minutes later it was off to baggage claim where they had our bags waiting, on to meet family (Rotem's family was there to meet us with balloons :), into a free taxi and off! Whew!

It was really an amazing process... SO organized, efficient, and welcoming. Rotem's family and friends have been great and so helpful!

I will post some pictures of the travels and updates on our new apartment as we finish our move-in this weekend!

Love to all!


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Location:ביאליק,Ness Ziona,Israel

Off to Israel we go!

5 suitcases, 1 violin, 1 viola, 2 carry-ons packed and ready to go! Phew... cab comes in 2 hours! I'll update upon arrival :)

Israel Contact Info!

Here is a card I made to let everyone know my contact info in Israel. I don't have a phone number yet, but that will be one of my first tasks upon arriving. I will post it asap!

Saying Goodbyes and Final Preparations...

This week I began the process of saying my goodbyes. It is certainly not the easiest or happiest of processes... but, I know the goodbyes are more like "see-you-laters". Just like in Hebrew when you say goodbye you say "Lehitraot!" which means basically "see you later!" rather than "goodbye". Spending this week trying to see everyone I possibly can. Also taking care of last minute things like figuring out how to open a bank account there, get a credit card, get my Israeli passport, and get all my luggage there. The list keeps getting longer every day!

Here are some of the pictures from the beautiful party my mom threw for me with my family out in Vernon Hills this past weekend!