Sankalpa???

Remember at the beginning of 2013 when we learned about sankalpa?  I'm thinking about doing that challenge again.  I think it involves 24 posts.  It involves letting go of stuff.  It involves making a goal of sorts and saying it every day.  I honestly can't remember the details, but join me in this month of discovery if you feel like it. And if you're busy, no worries.  But make sure to read about my sankalpa as often as you can.  I'm thinking of working with COURAGE as my sankalpa this year.  Experimenting with courage, nerve, grit, resolve.  Let's see how it goes.

Happy New Year, Pallies! 2014 is going to be a lucky year. I know this because the digits in 2014 add up to 7 and I minored in Numerology at UC Berkeley.

A Good Year???

Shana Tova???

I'm in the future, so I'm heading into 2014 ahead of you.  Cover me.  I'll keep my eyes peeled. Once I find out what it's like, I'll come back and fill you in.

Wheater

Just a moment

Tr:  Rak regah.

It's the penultimate day of the year.  Get ready for some big time reflecting and resoluting over the next two days.  For today, just carry on as usual.

Yom Rishon

Tr:  Sunday

It's time for the Monday Writing Report.  (I'm writing it on Sunday because I thought today was Monday, but it's not). The long and the short of TMWR is this.  I haven't written much because of our fanciful trip.  Yesterday I poked the writing around a little bit and today I'm committed to getting back in the game.  The article is still too long, but it's getting closer.  I sent it off to Judith to have a read through while she's on her vacation.  Husbandman will also be forced to read it this week.  Deadline is January 15.  Getting there.

I'm wearing clothes.

Tr:  Ani loveshet begadim.

#1 son is on an airplane heading stateside.  Boo!  I don't like that!  I've decided to be immature about it. So much of being alive seems to be about acting maturely.  Well, frankly I'm sick of it.  I'll do whatever I feel like doing.

Hayom

Tr:  Today.  Have been slacking on my Heblish as you can see from my titles.  I'll have more time soon.

Secret Life of Walter Mitty.  #1 Son enjoyed it and termed it "fun."  His favorite part was the skateboarding scene, which he termed "kind of funny."  He would recommend it "to some, but not others."
Husbandman thought it was "fine." He liked the cinematography in certain parts, but thought the movie was a "huge effort, for a thin, trifling story."  He ended his searing review with,"I guess it wasn't my image of Walter Mitty."
To which #1 Son replied, "What do you think Walter Mitty's image of YOU is, Dad?"

Our fists of 5:  2.5, 3, 4.5   I liked it quite a bit.  If you want to see it, you should. Make up your own minds and get back to us on this.  It's a very pleasant movie and I'd like it to be a big hit for my second cousin, Ben Stiller.

My Darling

Tr:  Yekiri

Yellow Cube Fish

We went to an aquarium today in Eilat.  The weather wasn't supportive of beach time, which made me a little ticked off at Eilat, but our trip has surpassed all expectations, so I'm going to give Eilat a pass this time.

We saw some sea turtles at the aquarium.  They have a program of raising baby sea turtles and they've released over 200 sea turtles into the sea.  They wait til the babies are fairly big and their shells are in good shape, which takes a few years, but sea turtles live to be 100 to 120 years old, so it's okay for them to hang out at the aquarium for awhile. They sacrifice their infancy for a long cheerful life.

We will be releasing #1 Son back into his life tomorrow night.  We certainly are going to miss him, but like the sea turtles, he belongs out in the yonder.  I hope I don't cry too much.

Beautiful Rock

Tr:  Selah yafeh

Happy Christmas Friendies.  What a trip we're having with #1 Son.  Yesterday we went to the Masada.  The Masada story is a sad, emotional story, and the ruins are incredible.   I am proud that I walked up the Snake Path to the top of the Masada. I wish I could be an archaeological photographer.  Turns out I have a passionate penchant for ruins.  Then we headed to the Dead Sea where we bobbed about and floated floppily in the clear chilly water.  Today was Timna Day.  We hiked around this beautiful national park that is the site of a copper mine from about 1700 BC. Phenomenal site.  #1 Son pushed my anxiety levels by climbing up on rocks hither, thither and yon, but we all lived to tell the tale.  Now we're in Eilat. We're on the Red Sea, wedged in between Egypt and Jordan.  Tomorrow, who knows what will happen??? 

I hope Santa was good to all of you.  In my book, you deserve the very best on this day and every day. 

I'm here only today

Tr:  Ani po rak hayom.

Akko Port

Western Wall

Yesterday in Jerusalem was fabulous.  We walked all over the old city and then we had dinner with wonderful niece at our fave restaurant. We're staying at a vacation rental home.  Today a guy knocked on the door and was speaking Hebrew to us and we could not understand him.  Then he pulled out a dagger that looked like it belonged to a medieval Crusader.  I was a little nervous, but then he pointed to a tree in the yard.  We tried to make it clear that this wasn't our home, but mostly we couldn't communicate well at all.  Finally we just closed the door.  Today we're moving south to the Masada and the Dead Sea.  

Via Dolorosa.  This is station 6, where Veronica wiped the face of Jesus as he carried his cross.  

Road Trip

Ear

Tr:  Ohzen

Koby has helped us yet again, making a doctor's appt. for me.  I have had some ear problems and they're not going away.  Sometimes I just don't know if a situation merits a doctor's visit.  I wish our bodies had meters that indicated when to go to the doctor and when to just tough it out.  The ear doesn't hurt that badly, but it's been causing me some worries for a month now.  Israelis are hardy people so I'm nervous the doctor will look in my ear and say something like, "What?  For this, you come to the doctor? This is nothing!"  Seriously, that could happen.  But I'm going to the doctor anyway and I'm v. grateful to Koby for helping us.  I hope I don't (mis)represent my home country as the Land of the Wimpazoids. After I see the doctor, I can put this ear thing behind me and move on with my life, one way or the other.  The appointment will not take up too much of #1 Son's vacation time.  He's napping right now, so all is well.