Friday, October 27, 2006

"Security in Chima"

.... this is what happens when your manager replaces N with an M (and R with an L)
  • When will you be traveling to Germamy?
  • T is traveling to Alizona.
  • I’m impressed by the ramp up in Toromto.
  • See you in Islael.
:)

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Hospitality

We could not have asked for better hospitality here in Beijing. I’ve been emailing with B & D for almost ~6 months before we arrived, trying to gather as much information before the move. They were both extremely patient and helpful: from Cost Of Living Allowance questions to more soft questions such as ‘Do you like the city?’… Their answers contributed a significant weight to our relocation decision.

B&I, G&S, D – they all embraced us since before our orientation visit. Showing us the nice places around the city, helping with directions and often talking with the Taxi driver explaining him where to take us, helping us decide where to get an apartment, answering SMSs with names of dishes/beers we want to re-order by ourselves, taking us out…

We could not have asked for better landing in that regard.

So – T H A N K S!! You make us feel like home…

Sunday, October 08, 2006

jetlag

Gili: “I learned from my father”

Nitz: “yes – and he learned it from your grandmother”

last weekend in Israel

I have so much to write – I don’t know where to begin… It was quite an emotional weekend. Nitz decided to join me to the ‘30th club’. Last weekend in Israel. Birthday. Wines. Sea. Sunset. Moonrise. Tears (happy ones). Cheese. Excitement. Pressure. Joy. Packing. Unpacking. Packing. Driving. Arriving…

We spent Friday driving in the Golan, searching for cheese (yap – that’s what we do on our free time…). The search was fruitful – Kibutz Kineret houses a wonderful small cheese store. Equipped with dinner’s first course – we kept on ‘hunting’ for the main one. Yair and I headed to welcome the fishing boat as it approached the harbor around 16:00. it was a great day for the fisherman (~1.5-2 tons) and we were able to get our modest portion of fresh St. Peter's fish (mushtim). We cleaned them together, enabling other organisms in the food chain to enjoy the waste… what can I say - it cannot get more authentic than that.

Short swim. Guests. Family. Hugs. Wonderful dinner. Presents. Slide show. Lots of laughs. Hangover (not too bad). Happy Sukot!

We woke up rather early to welcome N&A&L who came to say last goodbye. Last breakfast in Israel. Beautiful day. Great view. Really last dip in the water. More hugs and we were already on our way to my parents.

D&D came to visit in the afternoon (with a bottle of wine and a wonderful home made apple pie J). They promised to visit and we are pretty confident they will. Great!

Some more packing; more hugs; some tears and here we are driving towards the airport. L managed to meet us in Tel-Aviv. A very moving gesture; Thanks!

Airport. Coffee. Takeoff.

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Beijing - We have arrived. Now we can begin. ;)