What a week we have had....

This week was an action packed week and it looks like our weeks will be busier and busier as we approach the holidays.  This week we got to go to our cousins Upsherin. Yosef had his hair cut, and now looks like a big boy.

We also hosted our first shabbat, not only is Isral but as a couple this was my first time making shabbat. We were a party of eight. And for those thatare interested I will provide the menu:

Gefilte Fish
Little Salads (hummus, egplant, isreali etc.)
Chicken Soup with Matza Balls
Green Salad
Kugel(Potato and Yrushalmi)
Grilled Vegetables
Sweet and Sour Meatballs with Rice
Green Salad
Rugelach
Popcorn
Ice Cream Cake

A person might wonder why do a huge shabbos rigt before the chagim. Well we are also hosting a meal of eight on Rosh Hashana but I decided I needed a practice run and am full of confidence as we approach Rosh Hashana. We look forward to hosting many more shabbosim.

We are planning on spending our Rosh Hashana davening at Brandon't Yeshiva, we will also be eating one meal at the Yeshiva. For our other eating needs, one of the other couples is hosting the first night, we are having three other couples for the first day and on the second day we are eating at our cousins the Manns. In the meantime we will not be eating in order ot make room for all the food headed our way.  We still have not made it to the kotel, but hopefuly with in the week.

Stay tuned for apartment pictures...

Bed Bugs!

The most surprising thing thus far about Israel? Quite possibly the bugs that fly by night - aka the bed bugs.

I wake up each morning now anticipating where I'll have a new bite - sure, we basically invite any and all interested parties of said creepy-crawlies into our apartment on a nightly basis by leaving practically all doors and windows open to help with ventilation.

But what's the alternative? Not let any air in and wake up in a pool of sweat? Well, that's if I'm even able to fall asleep.

On the other hand, some cohorts have come to me and clamored about possible remidies - which include eating garlic prior to clocking out for the day. Apparently bugs don't like the smell of garlic either!

Conversely - Miriam brought my attention to some anti-bug-lotion we had somewhere around the apartment, but the stuff isn't preventative. It just claims to help after the fact. Still, it may get rid of the itching - although the bug-lotion is currently MIA.

Ah well - for the time being I'll fly with things as is. I'm okay so long as none of the bugs get anywhere near my mouth!

Fear not we are alive and well...

Fear not, we are very much alive and well just been too busy to blog, but now I will catch you up. We are settling into our lives here in ISrael. Both of us have long school days, and learning how to get all homethings done as well as time for ourselves and each other is all part of the learning process.

Today I built our new dining room table, and I am so thrilled that we actually have a decent sized table. I am  also very much looking forward to having a decent size table.  I am also looking forward to hosting a meal here on Rosh Hashana, we have thus far invited two other couples and will probably also invite some boys.. I mean men from the yeshiva or women from the midrasha. 

We live around the corner from one of the largest  bakeris and Jerusalem and right now our whole apartment is filled withthe smell of fresh bread. mmmm.. although it is making me hungry.

Tonight is Brandon's birthday and we are going out with our cousins Lauren and Avi as well as our good friend Michael Feldman. Can't wait, stay tuned for how that goes.

Internet! Finally!

Good news - Miriam and I now have internet in our apartment!

It's tough to believe neither Miriam nor I have updated this blog in TWO WEEKS -- since prior to leaving to Seattle.

Since then, we drove out of Washington, through Oregon, and down California. A few days later, we flew out to Israel - and here we are now. We'll (probably) fill in the details later but things are good now.

Expect more updates soon!