Chocolate cookie presentation!

Mixing

Shaping

Ready

Israeli ingredients. 

For my presentation in ulpan I taught the class how to make cookies, and I used a power point. So, here are some of the pictures from my presentation. 

Loren and Maccabi Haifa!

I went to Loren's army base, north of Karmiel to see his graduation ceremony! He graduated from his army ulpan and the first stage of his service. He will be placed into his "real" company later this week! I am really proud of him and I was happy I could attend his graduation and support him!

There is an article on Ynet if you can read Hebrew about this graduation and the army base: 

http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3988463,00.html

Then I zoomed back to Haifa to go the Maccabi Haifa vs Hapoel Haifa (a derby game). It was my second soccer game in my life, the first was when I lived in Istanbul and went to the BESIKTAS game!!!!!!!!! This was really exciting too. Although I only stayed for the first half, and I was happy I did because the end score was a tie of 0-0!!!!!!!!

From my most recent game:

IFL on CNN!!!

http://edition.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/sports/2010/11/11/flower.israel.american.football.cnn.html

This is incredible that the Israeli Football League made it on CNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am really proud to be a part of this league!

Roi comes to Haifa

Roi came to Haifa last weekend. Originally he was going to come to help me move to the new apartment, but I wanted to move so much that I did it myself with the help of a few friends, (and Rachel's car.) But he came to see me and my new apartment anyway! We had a wonderful weekend. We walked to the Baha'i Gardens and met with Dima, one of Roi's best friends from the army (who was home, near Haifa because he broke his leg) and Roi helped me organize some of the mass amounts of paperwork that I have been receiving from life in Israel. Roi really liked the gardens and Haifa. When Roi was in Haifa during his army period, it was always down by the port where is it hot and dirty, not in the center at the top of the mountain where it is cool and beautiful. =)

I liked that the kid took his bow and arrows with him. But obviously they became too heavy and his mother had to take over carrying them for him.

Some of the lovely trees of Haifa, which definitely don't exist in the south. (and the incline too.)

Portage instructor named Indiana art teacher of year

PORTAGE | Portage High School art teacher Paula Wiese has been named the Secondary Art Educator of the Year by the Art Education Association of Indiana.

Wiese, a Chesterton resident, received the recognition during the association's convention last week.

Wiese is the PHS art department chairperson. She has received several grants, including the A+ for Energy Grant, which provided her students the opportunity to create Solar Powered Ceramic Fountains.

Wiese also coordinated the Empty Bowl Project, which involves students making and selling ceramic bowls. Portage students raised about $3,200 for the local food pantry over the last three years.

Wiese was nominated by fellow art teacher Cynthia Stojic.

"The one thing that makes Paula stand out is her willingness to help other students get on track their junior and senior year. She helps students with college applications, scholarships and financial aid, meets with parents and gets the job done," Stojic said.

PHS Principal Caren Swickard said Wiese showcases her students' artwork in the community and participates in many exhibits. She also has served in many leadership roles in the school.

"Mrs. Wiese is a master teacher, a school leader and a great individual," Swickard said.

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/chesterton/article_4872c299-dfa4-5fa4-81fa-658398eb4966.html

My mom is really a wonderful mother and an incredible person! She is really so deserving! Way to go mom, you're one of a kind! 

To the End of the Land

Most of my life I didn't read much, then I just read chick books, or school books. Obviously, last year during my masters, I only had time to read for the degree.

So I just finished this book To the End of the Land by David Grossman.  Summary here. It revolves around Ora, an Israeli mother of two. The story recaps her whole life which spans three wars.  The main conflict is that the younger son went on a dangerous mission in the IDF and we don't know what is going to happen to him.

The character development is quite remarkable. Like I said, I'm not an avid reader, but I was really sucked in.   But I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. I feel like I almost made up my own ending to appease myself.  I would still recommend the book though.

Let me know if you read it. I would like to know your thoughts. =)

Some very nice updates.

So, I did well on my Hebrew test, 92%. I thought I had done better, but I am still happy. My goal is so have every grade in the 90s.  I think it's doable.

I am pretty much moved into the new apartment. There are still a lot of boxes for me to move, but my friend Rachel who has a car is going to help me. I am with three other wonderful people, a married couple from Brazil and a lady from Brussels, Belgium. We are an international quad! Everyone is young and excited about life and our new experiences as we're all new Israelis.

I am much happier here! =)

Oh, and I received two cards in the mail today, one from Katie and one from Jack. It really made my day!!!!!!

Hebrew!

Big Hebrew test tomorrow! She said it was small, and then said it was over everything we have covered so far...hmm...we'll see! =)

The one picture of me in the Diaspora Museum!

Yay Hebrew! "א"  is for אנדריאה!

Article translation

Andrea Weiss, a new immigrant from the United States, was on the line pre-season game in IFL: "I grew up on football, fun to try here"

Tags: Andrea Weiss , Israel Football

Why give up good things offered by America if Israel has them too?Andrea Weiss in action (Photo: Itai Hasid)

Israeli Football League is preparing to open the 2010/11 season, and already underway with the preparation games.Judean rebels on Saturday won the champion Tel Aviv - Jaffa Sieveers 26:46, but the big story was recorded precisely on the lines, Achslotamoddot assigned judge, Andrea Weiss.

Weiss, 25, immigrated to Israel a year ago and studied at Ben Gurion University, where he held a introduction to the black swarm of Be'er Sheva, a group which joined the league last year. "I met a number of players from the team," she says, "I played with them and I thought even the participation in the game, but I got it because I did not want to get hurt. Then I met Ofri Becker (league leaders - Ed.ar.) fundraising campaign in Michigan and then rolled jurisdiction."

Weiss grew up in Indiana, not far from Chicago. "I come from a very competitive when love all sports. My parents are fans the Bears and Green Bay, so that we have a lot of rivalry at home. When I got here I was surprised when I heard that there football and told myself 'how much fun I do not have to give it up in Israel," .

It was Weiss's first game zebra uniforms. "I was excited and I was very nervous before the game began, but after I felt it was fun. I got very positive feedback."

- You will have a problem judging the Be'er Sheva?

"Why? Maximum catch more shouting."

My first IFL game!!

http://sports.walla.co.il/?w=/7/1747305

I am already famous in Israel. Yesterday was my first time to referee an IFL game. They had another referee there with me in my position to help me. It is still pre-season, but the regular season starts next week! It's a lot to look for at one time, but it was also so exciting! I loved being on the field, although I think I would still rather be playing. =)

Small achievements

Yesterday, I went to get my "Teudat Zehut" or ID card. I thought it was one of the last things I had to be in the long list of filing papers. Well, I was missing a paper, and I was in the wrong office, which was a blessing, because they helped me file some back papers, which I never would have known about. Then, after getting a bit lost, I went to Maccabi Insurance http://www.maccabi-health.co.il/ and filed those papers, that was easy and the lady was really nice. I pay an extra 51 shekels (11-12 dollars) a month for extras. Things like getting my teeth clean, and I'm sure lots of other things, but they are all in Hebrew, so I don't really know what they are yet! So this morning, I got up extra early to go back to get the ID card. The woman had set my things aside and just told me to come in and not wait in line (nice!) Well, when I got there, she wasn't there. So one of the other desk guys was searching for my stack of papers, which he eventually found. He took my papers without looking at it and sent me to another window. Then.................I finally got it!! It really makes me feel Israeli. I'm pretty proud of myself, I have been doing a lot of running around and things are finally coming together, just a bit. =)  

If I ever wanted to feel Russian...

I should have moved to Haifa a long time ago. When I go into a building and ask where something is in Hebrew (broken Hebrew, of course) they answer in Russian! When I went to Misrad Hapnim, they handed me a sheet of paper in Russian with instructions, until I handed it back and started speaking English. It's really amazing. And entertaining, and I'm sure eventually, it will be annoying. 

This is the view from the ulpan classroom window. Not too shabby! They put my in kitah bet/gimmel. It's a good level for me!

My first walk to the Baha'i Gardens!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terraces_(Bah%C3%A1'%C3%AD)

The actual shrine is covered, usually there is a beautiful golden dome, but you can't see it now. They are replacing all the gold tiles. This place is truly amazing and there aren't many gardens in the world to rival it. I plan to go back many times during my stay. It is about a 15 minute walk from my apartment! 

Awesome email from MAPMES

Dear Andrea , 

 

Congratulations, you are about to become a MAPMES alumni/alumna! Having received all your grades we can now officially process your degree.

For procedural purposes, please send me ASAP an email message requesting to process your degree. Please include your first and last names to appear on your diploma. Your name will appear in the diploma in Hebrew as well, so if you wish that your Hebrew name be written in any specific way, don't forget to specify.

In the same message, please specify your passport number, permanent address, email address and phone numbers.

We will send you an official transcript in about a month. Your Master's diploma will be issued next academic year (June).

Please note: once you degree is processed, grades may not be subject to any changes.

The degree will be processed only after all dues to the university are settled.

My best wishes

Downpour in Haifa!

My whole body is aching, particularly my legs. I have no idea how many stairs I ascended and descended yesterday, but it was quite a few. Roi and I picked up the car in the morning, we were suppose to have it at 9, but we didn't actually get the car until 10. We took everything out of Wingate and packed the Fiat that we rented. I couldn't believe all of the things I had accumulated in just one year. Roi drove to Haifa, he stalled the car 3 times. I didn't stall it at all ;-) But Americans do drive much more than Israelis and though I was quite the backseat driver, I think he liked driving since he doesn't get to do it very often. 

We found the apartment fairly easily. It's on the main road and is really a great location and it will be easy for me to get to the ulpan on the Carmelit, which is an underground funicular that goes up and down the Carmel mountain that is Haifa.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmelit We started moving everything inside and started sitting up everything and putting things away. I am in a very little room which is really an enclosed porch.  It's above a gelato shop, which could potentially be dangerous during late night studying.  

Before we knew it it was 10pm and I was getting cranky, (go figure) because we hadn't eaten a real meal all day, just some snacking here and there. We went out and found a really nice restaurant called Magnolia and we shared a Mediterranean salad and a marinara sauce pasta.  I had chia after. It was really a wonderful meal after a hard day's work.  We stopped on the way home so I could pay the rent. 

When we got home I signed the contract which said "no overnight guests". Since it was already after midnight, I wasn't going to kick Roi out, where was he going to go anyway. And even though they said he could sleep on the couch just this one time, it was with reluctance. So we grabbed my camping/hiking bag and headed to the beach! 

We saw a nice spot of grass behind the sand and thought it was better to sleep there than on the sand. So we set up the tent and my sleeping pad and sleeping bag and climbed inside. We had tied up the sides of the tent so we would have a nice breeze coming through and then we fall asleep to the sound of the ocean. 

At 3:30am I woke up as it started to downpour on the beach! As a came to from being hit with water I remembered that I was in Israel and it couldn't possibly be raining in Haifa in October, (at least it's rare). I finally realized that I was being sprayed by sprinklers from three directions. Roi and I struggled through the laughter and water to undo the ties on the tent to release the flaps. We managed and when we were safe inside the tent we couldn't stop laughing. I did enjoy listening to the sound of rain (or the closest I will get while in Israel) on my tent. 

When we woke up in the morning all I could see was old people wading into the Mediterranean. It was a beautiful first site. (The sea, not the back side of the elderly.) Although, we were both exhausted from our sprinkler surprise, we had a great day. We put the supplies in the car and walked up and down the boardwalk. The water was calm and crystal clear. We had fresh squeezed orange juice and then headed out to get some more water and fill up the car before taking it down to Avis.  

Avis was in the port area of Haifa, not quite in the city, so we had to take a couple of modes are transportation to get back. We took a bus, and Roi got on the train to go south and I took the Carmelit back to the center of Haifa.  I went to the store to get some food before Shabbat (but lots of things in Haifa are open on Shabbat, it sounds like an American city on a Friday night, people at cafes, and car horns honking. Not like Jerusalem where you would rarely see a car moving.) 

The internet wasn't working at home, so I headed out to a cafe after a shower and a nap to rejuvenate myself.  I checked and sent some emails and then I heard a big group of Americans walk in. After 10 minutes I went over to the table and sat with them for about an hour. They were all volunteers for the Baha'i Temple in Haifa. I had never met someone who was Baha`i before, especially not a group of 10 who were close to my age. It was really fun and I was glad to meet some Americans.  The more people I meet the better. But I need more people who speak Hebrew! Since that is the goal for the next few months! 

Shabbat Shalom!! 

After a long day of moving.......

Before our break around 10pm when Roi and I finally went to eat dinner! Really exhausted and hungry.

more from the way to Haifa.

You can see where the desert ends and the trees start.

Funny little guy.

A lot of our trip we got to drive along the sea.


My apartment is above the last little shop, which happens to be gelato.

To Haifa

This is the Fiat all packed up from the back.

And from the side...


Roi is ready to go!!!!!!!!!!!


Goodbyeeeeeeee desert!!

Jackkkkkkkkkk

Jack and his mommy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me and Jack!!

I had a really wonderful weekend with my family and grandma and seeing Sevgi! It was wonderful and I'm going to miss so many people. Especially Jack because he changes so much everytime I see him and this will be a very long time before I see him again. I have a feeling it's going to be very difficult not seeing my little man.

The past few weeks.

In Indy I saw my AWESOME friend Adam from Ball State. It was soo great to catch up!

Wanda and my mom!! Two incredible art teachers. Portage High School is so lucky!

My dad and I after his birthday round of golf!! (I played great, better than my dad. ;-)

I saw Billy Elliot!! I really liked it! It was a nice treat.

After the zoo

Jack is really tall. It's incredible. He's going for his 6 month appointment this week! I can't wait to hear what they say. Katie and Rick started him on milky rice cereal this week! He seems to be doing very well!!


Jack had a nice afternoon chat with Roi!! We miss him!

Washington Park Zoo

In the Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City, IN there is a Rotary Children's Castle that houses the reptiles!!

Zeyde and Jack!!!


Jack's eyes are still so blue and even more beautiful today outside!! There were not any "Sophie's" at the zoo though!

A few Chesterton updates...

I finally finished my finals, which means I have a masters degree.

I have been working at Chesterton Middle School as a para. It's really great. I love working with the kids and it's a nice day. 8:30-3:00.

I am helping an organization called Israel Help. http://www.israelhelp.com/index.php Things with grant writing and raising money. Like every great organization and non-for-profit, they need money. They are on the Global Giving Website too. http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/kindergarten-and-daycare-for-570-children-in-lsrael/

I am going back to Israel October 10th and trying to see as many people as possible before I go, but I'm really excited to go back. I can't wait!

Chesterton Friday Night Football!

My favorite number!! In my lettermans jacket! ;-) It was cold. It was a must to wear it!


Gorgeous night!!!

Go Chesterton!!! They kicked Michigan City's butt. It was something close to 50-0.