Max Brenner, Aroma, and Schnitzel

Sorry I'm posting so late, up being nervous for tomorrow eek! Anyways today started with breakfast again chocolate rugalach and coffee nummy nummy! Then we all hung out around the house and in the afternoon went to lunch. Lunch is the biggest meal in Israel and it is a bit later than in the states, around 3-4 oclock. We went into Tel Aviv, which was just beautiful and super cute, a lot of little restaurants. We ended up going to Max Brenner, a familiar place to me, Max Brenner is a chocolate factory that I had been to before on Muss for our girls night out. There I had schnitzel with french fries, and I ordered a diet coke because I needed the caffiene, yeah no ice in the drinks in Israel...strange I know! Also we had dessert, chocolate fondue with fruits and marshmallows it was delicious! After lunch we walked down the street where we had eaten and it was raining, but it was nice because it's been pretty hot.
We took a little detour on the way home and went the "scenic route" where we drove right along the Mediterranian Sea and I saw the Tel Aviv beach, very pretty. We also drove through where famous people/artists/musicians etc. live and it was just beautiful. After this we drove home and took a little detour through the dirt roads, only in Israel can you go offroading and when you see a sidewalk drive over the sidewalk and merge onto the road! But let me tell you it was fun, we were all having a very fun time! When we got home we dropped off the boys and me, Pelleg and Caryn were on a mission for some things I needed. We first went to electronic store where they sold washing machines, televisions, phones, radios, and yes hair straighteners and hair dryers in an electronics store! Here I had to get a straightner because my brand new one died out because of the different voltage in Israel. The cheapest hair straightner is about 65-75 dollars which is a lot compared to the ones we can find at Target in the states, also the cheapest hair dryer was 30 dollars, quite a lot of such a tiny hair dryer but oh well! After this we ventured to the Canyon(mall in Hebrew, yes I'm learning and remembering) to pick up some more things I needed. One of my boots mysteriously went missing in my bag(a.k.a it fell out when they went through it somewhere) but no worries I got a lovely new pair! Malls open at around 7 pm and stay open till around 11 on Saturdays, they are not open during the days on Saturday because it is Shabbos. Also I forgot all of my socks at home so I managed to get a few pairs as in 2 that costs me 20 dollars for 2 pair, I will have my mom send me the rest, it's getting real expensive to be here haha! We also went shopping for Pelleg, she got the cutest clothes and it was so fun to help pick them out! After this we left the mall and headed home. I hung out with the kids, and Pelleg and I looked through old photos, it was great! I took a shower a while ago, and Caryn and I have been hanging out since! It's so great having such amazing family in Israel! Anyways it's really late and I have a big day tomorrow meeting all of my future Livnot family! I will try to write tomorrow when in Tzfat but I can't guarantee I will have the time or the Internet on my computer on campus, but I'm sure I can find a coffee shop close by! I miss you all but I'm ready to start this new adventure and all it has to offer! I love you all!
xoxo
-Amie

Shabbat Shalom

Good Shabbos! So today I once again slept late, jet lag is still here with me, so I woke up at 1p.m. Then I had a lovely breakfast which consisted of chocolate rugalach and coffee, very very delicious! After this well all just hung out for the day I watched some E news and read some magazines and hung out with the kiddies!
After my shower Caryn and Pelleg and me headed into town in Risho-Le-Zion to pick up a few things at a kisok. I LOVE!! the kiosks in Israel! Then we came home cut up vegetables for the salad and set the table before the guests arrived!
At around 7:45 Guy's family(Caryn's husband) came for dinner. His brother, sisternlaw their 3 kids and his parents. Let me tell you I have never heard so much Hebrew in my life, I need to learn asap!! We had challah and wine to start followed by a lovely meal. Chicken, salad, meat, rice, barekas(like a pastry filled with meat), hummus, etc. it was delicious. Dessert followed which consisted of a variety of cakes and dried fruit, because it was TuBishvat tonight! After dinner we all hung around and I eventually ventured downstairs and fell asleep for a few! Then I woke up and Caryn and I hung out for a bit and now I am about to watch a movie and head to bed! More to come! Shabbat Shalom! I love you all!!
xoxo
-Amie

Ani Lo Midaberet Evrit! ( I don't speak hebrew)

So after waking up in the middle of the night here, I finally fell back asleep until 1p.m., when I got woken up by the cutest little girl ever, my cousin Pelleg! Good thing she woke me or I could have slept all day! The day started with lunch, which was delicious much better than the states: schnitzel and Israeli salad(dad, schnitzel is chicken just cut thinner). It was amazing! After that I got ready and me, Caryn and Pelleg headed to the grocery store. Not like the states, that is for sure. They check your purse before you go in, which is great! As we walked in the bakery obviously caught my eye, and it was filled with chocolate rugalach, chocolate croissants, and a bunch of other delicious pastries..of course both of these things were purchased! I then was on a mission for my favorite Israeli cereal known as, Kariot which is small cereal squares that are chocolate flavored with chocolate icing inside! Clearly I would love this, probably why I remembered it! Also I picked out my favorite juice which the brand is Prigot, they sell this in the states and I would recommend picking up a bottle! Also, I was sure to pick up a bar of chocolate that has pop-rocks in it, also one of my favorites! Anyways...after roaming around the store, literally filled with so many treats we ventured home! We unloaded the groceries and Pelleg and I walked to Mayaan's school to pick him up! He wanted to play at the park after so we did this for a while. Now behind the reason of my title for this post..Mayaan only speaks Hebrew so I try to speak to him in english but he only responds to me in Hebrew. So I tell him, "Mayaan ani lo midaberet evrit'"(I do not speak Hebrew) and he says to me "Lama"(why) and I say "Ani American(I'm, American)." He kept speaking to me in Hebrew even after I told him this so let me tell you my Hebrew is getting really great! Yofi!(great) After the park we went home where I played a game of basketball with Tal and he kicked my butt he's very good! That was for sure my work out for the day.
By this time it was the early evening and I layed down for a little nap and of course Pelleg wanted me to wake up so we could play, so after a little while I woke up and had dinner. A really great salad with chicken! Caryn also made some great cookies so that was my little treat for the evening! Now I just got downstairs after having spending some great time talking with Caryn and now I am going to talk on Facebook and hop in the shower! I love you all!!
xoxo
-Amie

Ma Ha'shaah? (What time is it?)

Shalom, Halo, B'ruchim Ha'baim! Hi, Hello and Welcome to my newest blog, living the tov life! or for those of you who don't know what that means, living the good life!
My adventure started yesterday as I boarded the plane for JFK airport. I said bye to family and friends as my new journey was about to begin. As I got on the plane to JFK, it felt like every other trip I go on; a short flight, no meal and before I knew it I was on the ground! When I got to JFK I had about 6 hours until my flight to Israel would take off. I roamed around, got a pedicure, and spoke to friends and family...it still hadn't hit me that my life was about to change.
The time hit around 7:35 when I approached a women and asked her where I would proceed to get my boarding pass. She wore an EL AL scarf around her neck, and informed me they would begin the check in process at 7:45 p.m., it then began to feel more real to me that I was really leaving. I stood in line with a bunch of different people, but as I turned around to speak to the girl behind me I noticed her wallet, "HSI" Alexander Muss High School in Israel a program that lead me back to Israel today. It was great to discuss all of the adventures of Muss with this young girl and it made me feel old but excited that this group would continue on the same journey as I did in 2004.
As I went through the EL AL security where I was asked a number of questions, everything seemed like de ja vu. It seemed like only yesterday I was in high school doing this same thing. As I got my boarding pass I proceeded to go through security. At this point I was starving, so I induldged on some home-like food at Buffalo Wild Wings in a little corner by myself. Never have I eaten at a restaurant by myself but I did, and this is when it hit me I really was about to leave for Israel all by myself, well and then 100's of other people who awaited at the gate with me. After I ate, I picked up some magazines, made some phone calls and before I knew it, it was 10:55 p.m. and the boarding process for EL AL flight 008 with non-stop service to Bengurion Airport was beginning. I got up from my seat handed the lady my ticket and proceeded through the jet way. I don't think I have ever had such a big smile on my face, the excitement was running through my body. As I approached my step on the plane I was greeted by 2 lovely EL AL flight attendants who directed me to my seat, I almost felt as though I was on a religious cruise ship. I felt safer than ever and also more exhausted than ever. As the boarding door closed the captain spoke in hebrew as well as the flight attendants, it was then that I smiled again a huge smile and knew Israel is where I want to be.
After 11 long hours of flying I arrived at Ben-Gurion airport. The plane touched down and everyone clapped all I could really hear was excitment and happiness. I got off the plane headed down to get my baggage and as I stepped through the customs door my beautiful cousin Caryn was there to greet me! It was so incredibly great to see her!
We picked up some coffee at the airport and hit the road! The drive was great, it was so nice to catch up! As we arrived at her house, it was just gorgeous! It's in a beautiful area and the whole place is simply beautiful. After a little while the kiddies came home and they are so so so adorable! We played Rockband and played some board games. Pizza was for dinner, and I had just eaten breakfast but I'm in Israel so anything goes and the pizza was delicious! Now here I am after a nice hot shower earlier in the night I came to my bed and crashed, now it's 4:15 in the morning and I am wide awake! Oh jetlag! Anyways I'm off to talk to all of you who are on Facebook! I feel so blessed and fortunate to be in such an amazing place! Be in touch!
xoxo
-Amie