I cannot believe that it's coming up on ONE YEAR since I last posted. My bad. It's not that I have run out of topics---quite the contrary----I just had no idea that I would not have dedicated time to blog once making Aliyah. Life has been so busy.
However. We do what is most important to us, right? Well, for 2015 I will turn over a new leaf, as they say, and set this goal: To blog once a week. More if I get back into the swing of things. This IS important to me, so I need to move it up a few notches on my To Do List.
Things are going great. Aliyah was the right decision for me, no regrets.
Stay Tuned!!
Aliana
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Saturday, March 1, 2014
I. Failed. Ulpan.
Well, there's a little more to the story. I wasn't able to take my final examination because I was out sick with the flu for the last week of class. And I finally got "over myself" to be able to share my humiliating experience with potential new Olim, so you get a little insight to the reality of Ulpan.
Our class would be ending on 30 January. First we would have an Oral Interview with the Director of the Ulpan, and then 2 weeks later, our final written test. Our teacher had coached us for a few days on the questions we would be asked by the Director, so that we could answer with confidence:
*What is your name?
*How old are you?
*What is your address/city?
*When did you make Aliyah?
*Are you employed? / What do you do?
* What do you like to do in your free time?
*Where would you like to live in Israel?
*Will you go on to take the next Ulpan level, or will you travel?
*If you will travel, to where, and who will you visit?
Straightforward and simple, right?
No. I arrive to the 3-5 minute oral interview. I say Shalom. She asks me my name. I tell her. She asks where I live. I tell her. She asks where I lived in the USA. I tell her. Then she asks me WHY I made Aliyah. (Not when). I told her that I had many reasons. She asked me to explain. I told her I don't have the words to say my feelings in Hebrew, as we have not learned the vocabulary for that.
She then asked me, "Ma Bat Yisrael?"
Did I hear that right? She asked me "What Daughter Israel?" ?????? I said, "Slicha, ani lo mevina hashe'ala shelach.....od pa'am, bevakasha?"
She leaned forward, and s-l-o-w-l-y and deliberately and somewhat sarcastically said again, "Ma Bat Yisrael?"
Ok. Lama (why) would make sense. Mi (Who) would make sense. But MA???? (what). The sentence did not make sense!! If she was asking me how OLD Israel was (from statehood) she might have asked, "Bat Kama Yisrael?" But that's not what she asked me.
I was dumbfounded. I said that her sentence did not make sense to me, and therefore, I did not have an answer for her.
All of the speaking to this point was done in Hebrew. (In Hebrew!!!) At this juncture, she started speaking to me in English. "You are not ready to take the final."
What? Because I could not answer ONE question that made no sense? I had worked so hard for the last 4.5 months, and she fails me over one answer? I later find out that the oral exam is 40% of my final grade. To pass the written final, you needed to get a 69% to pass. Because I am not a quitter, I still went to class even though I had no chance of passing the written because of failing the oral.
We spent a lot of time preparing for the test. We even had a "mock" final that included all the sections that would be on the real deal. It was 6 pages long, and we had 2 hours to complete it:
*Two stories that we had to read and then answer the questions.
*Multiple choice to select words from to complete the sentences.
*Write a story about one of three themes suggested.
*Changing verbs from present to past and to future.
*Writing out a small note (select from a thank you note or a congratulatory note)
Actually, I thought I did pretty good. I know I didn't ace it or anything, but I felt that my answers were correct and complete to the best of my knowledge. The whole class used the allotted time of two hours to complete it. It wasn't easy by any means, but we all tackled the challenge. That was on Thursday afternoon.
On Sunday, I woke up feeling fine. But 20 minutes before I needed to leave, I started feeling strange. Really dizzy and I had a fever. But Ulpan was the driving force in my life, so out the door I went. By the time I got to class, I alternated between flushed and then chilled, and my body felt like I had been run over by a truck. It went downhill from there. I had a headache, and I couldn't concentrate. I couldn't wait for class to be over so I could go home and go to bed!!
Then our teacher handed us our mock finals. I got a whopping 53%!!! Oh My Gosh!! This was devastating to me! I always got straight A's in school....never had to study....retained almost everything I heard or read....and now I get 53% on this test that I've studied for almost 5 months for!! It was insult to injury. I went home and gave in to the illness and stayed in bed for 3 days straight. Went to the Dr. with a fever of 103.9 (almost 40 degrees C!) He put me on antibiotics as I had a sinus infection and an ear infection. Needless to say, I wasn't able to take my exit exam.
I am going to try and take the class again this Fall. But this time, I will go to an evening class, because I am NOT a morning person. I think this was 1/2 of my problem or battle. I need 10 hours of sleep, and with Ulpan so early in the morning combined with my night owl tendencies, I was only getting 5 or 6 hours at night, and then a 2 hour nap in the afternoons. Which still didn't give me all the sleep I require, and I was always tired.
Buyer beware!! This class is "no picnic", as our teacher used to often say. It's hard. It's intensive. It's all consuming. It's fast paced and demanding. Apparently there are people who actually DO pass the first time around.
I am just not one of them!
Our class would be ending on 30 January. First we would have an Oral Interview with the Director of the Ulpan, and then 2 weeks later, our final written test. Our teacher had coached us for a few days on the questions we would be asked by the Director, so that we could answer with confidence:
*What is your name?
*How old are you?
*What is your address/city?
*When did you make Aliyah?
*Are you employed? / What do you do?
* What do you like to do in your free time?
*Where would you like to live in Israel?
*Will you go on to take the next Ulpan level, or will you travel?
*If you will travel, to where, and who will you visit?
Straightforward and simple, right?
No. I arrive to the 3-5 minute oral interview. I say Shalom. She asks me my name. I tell her. She asks where I live. I tell her. She asks where I lived in the USA. I tell her. Then she asks me WHY I made Aliyah. (Not when). I told her that I had many reasons. She asked me to explain. I told her I don't have the words to say my feelings in Hebrew, as we have not learned the vocabulary for that.
She then asked me, "Ma Bat Yisrael?"
Did I hear that right? She asked me "What Daughter Israel?" ?????? I said, "Slicha, ani lo mevina hashe'ala shelach.....od pa'am, bevakasha?"
She leaned forward, and s-l-o-w-l-y and deliberately and somewhat sarcastically said again, "Ma Bat Yisrael?"
Ok. Lama (why) would make sense. Mi (Who) would make sense. But MA???? (what). The sentence did not make sense!! If she was asking me how OLD Israel was (from statehood) she might have asked, "Bat Kama Yisrael?" But that's not what she asked me.
I was dumbfounded. I said that her sentence did not make sense to me, and therefore, I did not have an answer for her.
All of the speaking to this point was done in Hebrew. (In Hebrew!!!) At this juncture, she started speaking to me in English. "You are not ready to take the final."
What? Because I could not answer ONE question that made no sense? I had worked so hard for the last 4.5 months, and she fails me over one answer? I later find out that the oral exam is 40% of my final grade. To pass the written final, you needed to get a 69% to pass. Because I am not a quitter, I still went to class even though I had no chance of passing the written because of failing the oral.
We spent a lot of time preparing for the test. We even had a "mock" final that included all the sections that would be on the real deal. It was 6 pages long, and we had 2 hours to complete it:
*Two stories that we had to read and then answer the questions.
*Multiple choice to select words from to complete the sentences.
*Write a story about one of three themes suggested.
*Changing verbs from present to past and to future.
*Writing out a small note (select from a thank you note or a congratulatory note)
Actually, I thought I did pretty good. I know I didn't ace it or anything, but I felt that my answers were correct and complete to the best of my knowledge. The whole class used the allotted time of two hours to complete it. It wasn't easy by any means, but we all tackled the challenge. That was on Thursday afternoon.
On Sunday, I woke up feeling fine. But 20 minutes before I needed to leave, I started feeling strange. Really dizzy and I had a fever. But Ulpan was the driving force in my life, so out the door I went. By the time I got to class, I alternated between flushed and then chilled, and my body felt like I had been run over by a truck. It went downhill from there. I had a headache, and I couldn't concentrate. I couldn't wait for class to be over so I could go home and go to bed!!
Then our teacher handed us our mock finals. I got a whopping 53%!!! Oh My Gosh!! This was devastating to me! I always got straight A's in school....never had to study....retained almost everything I heard or read....and now I get 53% on this test that I've studied for almost 5 months for!! It was insult to injury. I went home and gave in to the illness and stayed in bed for 3 days straight. Went to the Dr. with a fever of 103.9 (almost 40 degrees C!) He put me on antibiotics as I had a sinus infection and an ear infection. Needless to say, I wasn't able to take my exit exam.
I am going to try and take the class again this Fall. But this time, I will go to an evening class, because I am NOT a morning person. I think this was 1/2 of my problem or battle. I need 10 hours of sleep, and with Ulpan so early in the morning combined with my night owl tendencies, I was only getting 5 or 6 hours at night, and then a 2 hour nap in the afternoons. Which still didn't give me all the sleep I require, and I was always tired.
Buyer beware!! This class is "no picnic", as our teacher used to often say. It's hard. It's intensive. It's all consuming. It's fast paced and demanding. Apparently there are people who actually DO pass the first time around.
I am just not one of them!
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
"Ali, Ali, Where Ya Be?!?" "Homework, Homework, My Destiny!"
Ah.....Ulpan-Aleph. My nemesis. My love-hate relationship.
I had no clue how intense this language course would be. If I had a shekel for every tear I've cried in frustration.......
I'm not writing this to discourage you. Just be aware that it will be the most intensive 5 months of your life! I came to the class on the first day thinking that we were going to learn Hebrew on an elementary school level. However, we are doing High School level work. My Israeli friends saw the curriculum and were shocked. Most had to bow out of helping me, because they weren't strong in the grammatical aspects of their own language.
Class is 5 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 5 months. Then I get home and have a minimum of 3 hours of homework. It can be writing assignments, hand-outs, our online class site, or our textbook. Usually, all 4.
We are introduced to so many new words each day. If I am busy writing them in my notebook, I may not hear the teacher translate the word into English. (And half the time, there is no translation!) So I get home, and I have exercises to do with words I don't even know yet. I spend more time on Google Translate than any other website! This is part of the reason why it takes me 3+ hours to do my homework.
Today is 1.1.2014. 75% of the class took the day off after partying into the wee hours of the morning. But the rest of us troopers dragged (drug?) ourselves in. Class started with just 4 students and then blossomed to a whopping crowd of 9 by the 2nd hour. It was actually one of the best class sessions of all time...I really learned a lot. Perhaps because of the smaller size? More personal interaction? I don't know, but if only every day could be like today.......
The final test for our class is on 30 January. We're all a little nervous as to whether or not we will be able to pass it. And get this: On Sunday, our teacher told us in Hebrew that "from here on out, the class will become really difficult". We all looked at each other like, "Say WHAT?!?!?!" If it 's more difficult than it is now, will any of us be left standing at the end of the month???
Our teacher showed her gratitude for our attendance by letting us leave an hour early, and, WITHOUT HOMEWORK!! This is the first time since 28 August!! Whatever will I do with myself having a free afternoon and evening?!?!?
I knew right away that I wanted to post on the blog explaining my absence. I am still keeping notes in my iPod about topics to write about. I just have to wait until I can come up for air (after Ulpan) to be able to express myself clearly....as I'm not doing right now!
So! :) Happy Other New Year's Day to you all. All in all, 2014 started off great. Great class. No Homework. Nescafe was on sale. Bought dark chocolate. Ate Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.....and now, the pieces de resistance: Homemade sourdough bread (my own culture) just went into the oven! Mmmmmmmmm. Wish I could share the aroma with you!!
Hopefully another update will be posted before 30 January!
Ali
I had no clue how intense this language course would be. If I had a shekel for every tear I've cried in frustration.......
I'm not writing this to discourage you. Just be aware that it will be the most intensive 5 months of your life! I came to the class on the first day thinking that we were going to learn Hebrew on an elementary school level. However, we are doing High School level work. My Israeli friends saw the curriculum and were shocked. Most had to bow out of helping me, because they weren't strong in the grammatical aspects of their own language.
Class is 5 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 5 months. Then I get home and have a minimum of 3 hours of homework. It can be writing assignments, hand-outs, our online class site, or our textbook. Usually, all 4.
We are introduced to so many new words each day. If I am busy writing them in my notebook, I may not hear the teacher translate the word into English. (And half the time, there is no translation!) So I get home, and I have exercises to do with words I don't even know yet. I spend more time on Google Translate than any other website! This is part of the reason why it takes me 3+ hours to do my homework.
Today is 1.1.2014. 75% of the class took the day off after partying into the wee hours of the morning. But the rest of us troopers dragged (drug?) ourselves in. Class started with just 4 students and then blossomed to a whopping crowd of 9 by the 2nd hour. It was actually one of the best class sessions of all time...I really learned a lot. Perhaps because of the smaller size? More personal interaction? I don't know, but if only every day could be like today.......
The final test for our class is on 30 January. We're all a little nervous as to whether or not we will be able to pass it. And get this: On Sunday, our teacher told us in Hebrew that "from here on out, the class will become really difficult". We all looked at each other like, "Say WHAT?!?!?!" If it 's more difficult than it is now, will any of us be left standing at the end of the month???
Our teacher showed her gratitude for our attendance by letting us leave an hour early, and, WITHOUT HOMEWORK!! This is the first time since 28 August!! Whatever will I do with myself having a free afternoon and evening?!?!?
I knew right away that I wanted to post on the blog explaining my absence. I am still keeping notes in my iPod about topics to write about. I just have to wait until I can come up for air (after Ulpan) to be able to express myself clearly....as I'm not doing right now!
So! :) Happy Other New Year's Day to you all. All in all, 2014 started off great. Great class. No Homework. Nescafe was on sale. Bought dark chocolate. Ate Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.....and now, the pieces de resistance: Homemade sourdough bread (my own culture) just went into the oven! Mmmmmmmmm. Wish I could share the aroma with you!!
Hopefully another update will be posted before 30 January!
Ali
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
More Thoughts On Driving In Israel
I have already shared with you that I think driving in Israel is a cross between Nascar and the game of Chicken. But I need to add another dimension: Obstacle Course.
I find that Israelis drive WAAAAAY too fast for the road conditions. And they tailgate. And honking is their second, if not first, language.
Take for instance the street on which I live. It is a one way street, 100% residential. I believe the speeds, if not posted, are as follows---40 kph in residential areas, 50 kph in commercial areas, 60+ kph on the wider highways and 100+kph on the Freeways.
My one way street has parking on ONLY the right hand side. But never mind. The neighbors ALSO park half up on the sidewalk on the left hand side of the street, which is already very narrow to begin with. Now it's made even narrower with the cars ILLEGALLY parked half on the sidewalk. OK. Common sense would tell you (at least it does me) that one should not drive fast in these conditions. 40 kph is TOO fast for my street. Yet drivers are constantly going 50-60 kph on it!! In a NEIGHBORHOOD!! Filled with children and mothers with strollers and car doors opening suddenly from the right AND the left!! With cars backing out of driveways where the drivers cannot see the traffic because of all the cars that are parked like sardines!!
When I drive in the city, some motorcycles are actually riding in the opposite direction, BUT IN MY LANE!! Or they will pass me on my left and drive in the oncoming traffic lane! It's like they have a death wish! I thought the motorcyclists in the USA were risk takers! It's nothing compared to these guys!! And when they are actually riding with the traffic, I watch as they
B-A-R-E-L-Y sneak between two cars with nary a half inch on either side. All it takes is one driver to realize, "Ooops!! I am supposed to be in the left turn lane!" and without a blinker or a hand signal, turn his steering wheel to the left and BAM! Down goes the motorcyclist.
The signal lights in Israel are interesting. There is NO TURN ON RED. PERIOD. Just remember that "Green is King" (Thank you Uri!!). If you have a green light, you have a protected left turn. (Make sure that you are at an intersection where left turns are permissible!).
So straight or left on green. The green light flashes 3-4 times when it is going to change to yellow. Depending on your speed and proximity to the intersection, you have a couple of seconds to decide to stop or proceed. If it's yellow before the crosswalk, STOP!!
Then again, when the red light is going to change to green, it will hold a red and yellow for a second or two. Note to yourselves: Start rolling forward on the red/yellow unless you want to hear a barrage of horns honking at you!! The Israelis are soooooo impatient!! Even at times when the traffic comes to a halt for some unknown reason, they all start honking. Why? I can't see why the cars ahead of me aren't moving, but there has to be a logical reason. The driver behind me can't see why I may be stopped (crosswalk, animal, road obstruction, etc). But even if there is no reason, there is the law of physics at work: I cannot drive forward until the car in front of me moves! Why do I feel like I am the only one here who gets that?!??!?!
I don't drive a car like I'm at Daytona. No jackrabbit starts or slamming on the breaks. Steady and gentle, that's how I like to drive. Conserving gas and my nerves. Why "race" to the next red light? Seems so silly. But if an Israeli can gain even half a car length from one signal to the next, oh my, he is elated.
Oh, and I have never seen a 4 way stop here....they are all "kikkars". Which I believe means square, but it's actually a circle. The traffic circle. Roundabout. Cars IN the circle have the right of way, and you are to enter when it's safe to do so. Well, that's the idea. However, here in Israel, as long as you don't make eye contact with the driver of the car in the kikkar who has the right of way, then apparently that gives you the "right" to enter. (Is my sarcasm coming through loud and clear?) :)
It's usually an E ticket, White Knuckler ride every time I get behind the wheel. If I had one shekel for every near miss I have personally witnessed, I'd already be a wealthy woman.
Ali
I find that Israelis drive WAAAAAY too fast for the road conditions. And they tailgate. And honking is their second, if not first, language.
Take for instance the street on which I live. It is a one way street, 100% residential. I believe the speeds, if not posted, are as follows---40 kph in residential areas, 50 kph in commercial areas, 60+ kph on the wider highways and 100+kph on the Freeways.
My one way street has parking on ONLY the right hand side. But never mind. The neighbors ALSO park half up on the sidewalk on the left hand side of the street, which is already very narrow to begin with. Now it's made even narrower with the cars ILLEGALLY parked half on the sidewalk. OK. Common sense would tell you (at least it does me) that one should not drive fast in these conditions. 40 kph is TOO fast for my street. Yet drivers are constantly going 50-60 kph on it!! In a NEIGHBORHOOD!! Filled with children and mothers with strollers and car doors opening suddenly from the right AND the left!! With cars backing out of driveways where the drivers cannot see the traffic because of all the cars that are parked like sardines!!
When I drive in the city, some motorcycles are actually riding in the opposite direction, BUT IN MY LANE!! Or they will pass me on my left and drive in the oncoming traffic lane! It's like they have a death wish! I thought the motorcyclists in the USA were risk takers! It's nothing compared to these guys!! And when they are actually riding with the traffic, I watch as they
B-A-R-E-L-Y sneak between two cars with nary a half inch on either side. All it takes is one driver to realize, "Ooops!! I am supposed to be in the left turn lane!" and without a blinker or a hand signal, turn his steering wheel to the left and BAM! Down goes the motorcyclist.
The signal lights in Israel are interesting. There is NO TURN ON RED. PERIOD. Just remember that "Green is King" (Thank you Uri!!). If you have a green light, you have a protected left turn. (Make sure that you are at an intersection where left turns are permissible!).
So straight or left on green. The green light flashes 3-4 times when it is going to change to yellow. Depending on your speed and proximity to the intersection, you have a couple of seconds to decide to stop or proceed. If it's yellow before the crosswalk, STOP!!
Then again, when the red light is going to change to green, it will hold a red and yellow for a second or two. Note to yourselves: Start rolling forward on the red/yellow unless you want to hear a barrage of horns honking at you!! The Israelis are soooooo impatient!! Even at times when the traffic comes to a halt for some unknown reason, they all start honking. Why? I can't see why the cars ahead of me aren't moving, but there has to be a logical reason. The driver behind me can't see why I may be stopped (crosswalk, animal, road obstruction, etc). But even if there is no reason, there is the law of physics at work: I cannot drive forward until the car in front of me moves! Why do I feel like I am the only one here who gets that?!??!?!
I don't drive a car like I'm at Daytona. No jackrabbit starts or slamming on the breaks. Steady and gentle, that's how I like to drive. Conserving gas and my nerves. Why "race" to the next red light? Seems so silly. But if an Israeli can gain even half a car length from one signal to the next, oh my, he is elated.
Oh, and I have never seen a 4 way stop here....they are all "kikkars". Which I believe means square, but it's actually a circle. The traffic circle. Roundabout. Cars IN the circle have the right of way, and you are to enter when it's safe to do so. Well, that's the idea. However, here in Israel, as long as you don't make eye contact with the driver of the car in the kikkar who has the right of way, then apparently that gives you the "right" to enter. (Is my sarcasm coming through loud and clear?) :)
It's usually an E ticket, White Knuckler ride every time I get behind the wheel. If I had one shekel for every near miss I have personally witnessed, I'd already be a wealthy woman.
Ali
A Day In The Life...Of An Olah Chadasha: The Autobus.
Almost anywhere you need to go in Israel, the bus system can get you there. It may not always be quick or easy, it may take more than one bus, but it is fairly priced and runs like clockwork.
From the Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv, the bus to Jerusalem takes about 45-55 minutes, if I remember correctly. (Traffic cooperating). Seems there is one departing every 20 minutes or so.
Some schedules are more in demand than others....you may have a route that operates from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem from 05:30 to midnight, while the bus to Eilat might only be twice a day. You need to check and see which bus compan-y (-ies) serve your destination. I am familiar with three companies, Kavim, Egged, and Dan.
Currently, the bus fare is running me 6.60 shekels (currently $1.80 ish) each way on Kavim. Their lines are the most direct for my transportation needs at the moment.
You enter the bus with either cash or a bus card. I do not have a card (yet), but I have watched the process. Your card is loaded with a certain value. Every time you enter the bus, you put your card on a reader near the bus driver. It takes about 1.5 seconds until you hear the "beep" that it is accepted. Then you go on to your seat. If your account is getting close to zero, a receipt will print out showing you your balance and that you need to reload the card. I've been told to do it at the Central Bus Station, but I am not sure if that is the only place it can be done.
If you are using cash, the Bus Drivers are great. They never complain about large bills. They ALWAYS have had change (unlike some supermarkets in Israel!!). You will get a receipt and you are supposed to keep it with you during your travel. Occasionally, and I believe it has only happened to me twice, officials will board the bus to make sure that everyone on board is a PAYING customer.
The bus ride. Most bus drivers are very good drivers. But in Israel, ALL driving is a challenge. I applaud these drivers for their safety and courtesy for the most part. It must be a stressful job. Sometimes there are no available seats, and the passengers need to stand and hold onto the straps or poles. Sometimes the driver starts to drive before all of the passengers have paid. This used to scare me, but somehow, it's never caused on accident. Then it's a little tricky walking to find a seat while the bus is moving. But again, this is normal for Israel. You just get used to it.
When you read, see, or hear your stop coming, you just push the button that alerts the driver. Exit thru the doors in the middle of the bus. Best to have gathered your things a minute or two prior so that you can get right off....they waste no time, and if you're not quick, you will miss your stop. I like to gather my things at the stop before mine, and then move closer to the exit doors so I can get out quickly. I know this sounds like common sense, but people visiting Israel for the first time might think they have more time. You don't. :)
So all in all, I have no complaints about the bus system here.
Nesia Tova!
= (Bon Voyage; Good Journey)
Ali
From the Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv, the bus to Jerusalem takes about 45-55 minutes, if I remember correctly. (Traffic cooperating). Seems there is one departing every 20 minutes or so.
Some schedules are more in demand than others....you may have a route that operates from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem from 05:30 to midnight, while the bus to Eilat might only be twice a day. You need to check and see which bus compan-y (-ies) serve your destination. I am familiar with three companies, Kavim, Egged, and Dan.
Currently, the bus fare is running me 6.60 shekels (currently $1.80 ish) each way on Kavim. Their lines are the most direct for my transportation needs at the moment.
You enter the bus with either cash or a bus card. I do not have a card (yet), but I have watched the process. Your card is loaded with a certain value. Every time you enter the bus, you put your card on a reader near the bus driver. It takes about 1.5 seconds until you hear the "beep" that it is accepted. Then you go on to your seat. If your account is getting close to zero, a receipt will print out showing you your balance and that you need to reload the card. I've been told to do it at the Central Bus Station, but I am not sure if that is the only place it can be done.
If you are using cash, the Bus Drivers are great. They never complain about large bills. They ALWAYS have had change (unlike some supermarkets in Israel!!). You will get a receipt and you are supposed to keep it with you during your travel. Occasionally, and I believe it has only happened to me twice, officials will board the bus to make sure that everyone on board is a PAYING customer.
The bus ride. Most bus drivers are very good drivers. But in Israel, ALL driving is a challenge. I applaud these drivers for their safety and courtesy for the most part. It must be a stressful job. Sometimes there are no available seats, and the passengers need to stand and hold onto the straps or poles. Sometimes the driver starts to drive before all of the passengers have paid. This used to scare me, but somehow, it's never caused on accident. Then it's a little tricky walking to find a seat while the bus is moving. But again, this is normal for Israel. You just get used to it.
When you read, see, or hear your stop coming, you just push the button that alerts the driver. Exit thru the doors in the middle of the bus. Best to have gathered your things a minute or two prior so that you can get right off....they waste no time, and if you're not quick, you will miss your stop. I like to gather my things at the stop before mine, and then move closer to the exit doors so I can get out quickly. I know this sounds like common sense, but people visiting Israel for the first time might think they have more time. You don't. :)
So all in all, I have no complaints about the bus system here.
Nesia Tova!
= (Bon Voyage; Good Journey)
Ali
Monday, September 30, 2013
A Day In The Life.....Of An Olah Chadasha: ULPAN
It's been about 10 weeks since my arrival to Israel. I have SO MANY things I want to write about---and I faithfully keep adding to my iPod list almost on a daily basis.
How about I start with today?!
Up at 05:45 to get ready for Ulpan. Ulpan is available to every new immigrant at no cost. The sessions start at various times throughout the calendar year, depending on where the Ulpan is located and the number of people that have signed up to take it. It is the 5-5-5 plan: lasts for 5 months, 5 days a week, 5 hours a day. My class doesn't start until 08:20, but I must take the bus, so I get up early. It's about a 30-45 minute ride depending on traffic. (Note: The post about the bus system is still to come!).
I am in Kita Aleph, which is the Beginner's Hebrew class. But let me tell you!! Don't let that Aleph fool you! This is the most intensive workout my brain has been through in quite a while. From Day 1, our teacher (morah) only speaks to us in Hebrew (Ivrit). Of course, almost no one in the class of 25 students knew what she was saying. Didn't matter. She continued on, our heads spinning, and our hearts beating fast, fearing that we will never learn this difficult language. It was all Greek....well, Hebrew to us!!
Slowly, through her patience and repetition, small glimmers of hope broke through the dark language barrier. And it was only Day 2! By the end of week 1, she had us READING and WRITING simple words. By Day 10, we were writing sentences and practicing dialogues.
I now know that the key to learning a foreign language successfully is by total immersion. If you are allowed to revert to what is comfortable, i.e. your native language in the classroom, the learning is delayed. I have taken 3 language classes in the past---and although I did understand things eventually, it was at a much slower rate than what I am experiencing now. It's so exciting to see a billboard (really?!?) and be able to decipher what I am reading. :) Ok, granted, that may grow old...but I feel like a kid again!
Tomorrow is Day 13. I can't wait to start the day with all of my "fellow 6 year olds"...however old we may be!! At least in the classroom, we are all on the same level, with the same goal: To learn Hebrew and become an integrated member of Israeli society.
Nice to be Home!
Have a great week, (Shavua Tov)
Aliana
How about I start with today?!
Up at 05:45 to get ready for Ulpan. Ulpan is available to every new immigrant at no cost. The sessions start at various times throughout the calendar year, depending on where the Ulpan is located and the number of people that have signed up to take it. It is the 5-5-5 plan: lasts for 5 months, 5 days a week, 5 hours a day. My class doesn't start until 08:20, but I must take the bus, so I get up early. It's about a 30-45 minute ride depending on traffic. (Note: The post about the bus system is still to come!).
I am in Kita Aleph, which is the Beginner's Hebrew class. But let me tell you!! Don't let that Aleph fool you! This is the most intensive workout my brain has been through in quite a while. From Day 1, our teacher (morah) only speaks to us in Hebrew (Ivrit). Of course, almost no one in the class of 25 students knew what she was saying. Didn't matter. She continued on, our heads spinning, and our hearts beating fast, fearing that we will never learn this difficult language. It was all Greek....well, Hebrew to us!!
Slowly, through her patience and repetition, small glimmers of hope broke through the dark language barrier. And it was only Day 2! By the end of week 1, she had us READING and WRITING simple words. By Day 10, we were writing sentences and practicing dialogues.
I now know that the key to learning a foreign language successfully is by total immersion. If you are allowed to revert to what is comfortable, i.e. your native language in the classroom, the learning is delayed. I have taken 3 language classes in the past---and although I did understand things eventually, it was at a much slower rate than what I am experiencing now. It's so exciting to see a billboard (really?!?) and be able to decipher what I am reading. :) Ok, granted, that may grow old...but I feel like a kid again!
Tomorrow is Day 13. I can't wait to start the day with all of my "fellow 6 year olds"...however old we may be!! At least in the classroom, we are all on the same level, with the same goal: To learn Hebrew and become an integrated member of Israeli society.
Nice to be Home!
Have a great week, (Shavua Tov)
Aliana
Friday, August 16, 2013
Living Life Backwards, Seinfeld Style!
Hi Everyone!
As you might have guessed by my sudden absence, I have already made Aliyah to Israel! Now I have the joyful obligation to share with you my whirlwind of experiences in the last 3+ weeks. I might have to do it like the Seinfeld episode with the friend's wedding in India: Starting from the end and working backwards. We will see.
However, I am helping my friend with her children while they are out of the Gan for about a week and a half. So my time will be limited as well as my energy! hahaha
All in all, it's been a great experience and I can't wait to write more in depth about it. I keep daily notes in my iPod so as not to forget what I want to mention.
I don't have Internet on a regular schedule yet either. But that should all change the first week of September when I move into my apartment!! YAY!
Till then....
Aliana
PS: COME to Israel!! You won't regret it!
As you might have guessed by my sudden absence, I have already made Aliyah to Israel! Now I have the joyful obligation to share with you my whirlwind of experiences in the last 3+ weeks. I might have to do it like the Seinfeld episode with the friend's wedding in India: Starting from the end and working backwards. We will see.
However, I am helping my friend with her children while they are out of the Gan for about a week and a half. So my time will be limited as well as my energy! hahaha
All in all, it's been a great experience and I can't wait to write more in depth about it. I keep daily notes in my iPod so as not to forget what I want to mention.
I don't have Internet on a regular schedule yet either. But that should all change the first week of September when I move into my apartment!! YAY!
Till then....
Aliana
PS: COME to Israel!! You won't regret it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)