Tis'a b'Av is always a politically charged feastday - it commemorates the destruction of the Jewish Temple twice (once in the 6th century BC and later rebuilt only to be destroyed in 70 AD). There are some Jews (mostly religious Zionists) who believe they must rebuild the Temple in order for the Messiah to come (Zionist Christians share the same theology); and the orthodox Jews who consider it forbidden to enter the area today. Very opposing views that led to a shouting match between the two Jewish groups yesterday at the Wailing Wall. Of course the muslims were not amused as they control the Temple Mount today - having built the Dome of the Rock Mosque over the where the Temple used to stand. Pretty sensitive. That's why lots of soldiers were out and about yesterday. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1248277936884&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull and by the way, the soldiers' presence at the Wailing Wall was considered blasphemy http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1248277936941&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Meantime the heat was so unbearable, most of us could not sleep last night. Being Thursday, muslim marriages abounded and fireworks flared through to midnight - something the jews would not have been amused as they celebrated Tis'a b'Av. Then adding the heat to the noise, you can imagine the situation.
My left ankle is still swollen and hurt when I walk ... no new news. I haven't tried the traction kit yet but will need to soon because the right arm is practically numb most of the time. Today is the feast of St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. I wonder if anyone remembers that the name Ignatius came from the greek Egnatio, the general who gave his name to the famous road in greece 2000 years back.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
News from Fr Vincenzo
Some of the kids from Musky (Cairo) on an outing to the beach. I think it was organised by our franciscan parish.
After Tis'a b'Av
The day after Tis'a b'Av ... should be a rebirth from victimhood, a re-creation to something new .... while the old has crumbled and been buried. A very thought provoking article here http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1248277914484&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
The military presence in the Old City is still massive today as Jews fast and reflect on their history. The weather as usual is hot as ever, upper 30s. And the mosquitoes are out in full force.
Fr Vincenzo wrote to update on the kids you are sponsoring. Will write on it soon.
The military presence in the Old City is still massive today as Jews fast and reflect on their history. The weather as usual is hot as ever, upper 30s. And the mosquitoes are out in full force.
Fr Vincenzo wrote to update on the kids you are sponsoring. Will write on it soon.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tis'a b'Av
Tonight begins Tis'a b'Av = the 9th day of the month of Av. It commemeorates the destruction of the 1st Temple by the Babilonians in the 6th century BC and the 2nd Temple in 70 AD. It is a day of mourning and fasting.
And security was super tight in the Old City. There were literally hundreds of soldiers and police with dogs frpm Damascus Gate down to Lions' Gate and all the street up our monastery. The Jews will be ascending to the Wailing Wall to - wail of course - over the two destructions.
But here's an article that offers a different perspective to the victimhood of Israel. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1103438.html
And security was super tight in the Old City. There were literally hundreds of soldiers and police with dogs frpm Damascus Gate down to Lions' Gate and all the street up our monastery. The Jews will be ascending to the Wailing Wall to - wail of course - over the two destructions.
But here's an article that offers a different perspective to the victimhood of Israel. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1103438.html
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
back again ...
Computer blowout again .... something wrong with the machine and I've lost alot of emails and other stuff. Terrible. Someone is sabotaging me.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
back
Finally back online .... you can't imagine the trouble I'm having with the computer ... nothing seems to be working... and lots and lots of lost emails (by the way the snail mail is also getting lost ... a mystery we're trying to solve here at our place).
The weather is unbearably hot ... almost 40 degrees under the scorching sun.
I'm under a heavy workload right now with lots of demands from people to complete one thing or another. Gotta prioritize and get my paper completed first.
The weather is unbearably hot ... almost 40 degrees under the scorching sun.
I'm under a heavy workload right now with lots of demands from people to complete one thing or another. Gotta prioritize and get my paper completed first.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Lychee
When jewish society is seen by the world these few weeks as divided and intolerant, there's nothing better to divert attention away from it by pointing fingers at sensational claims - such as this "booklet" that claims the Vatican trains muslim extremists how to kill Jews. It's not only pitiably laughable, as even the Israeli soldiers don't believe it, but it becomes horrendous when there are people who actually believe in it! Now if this was a book about Jews teaching muslim extremists to kill catholics, it will either be cheered or you get arrested for being anti-semitic. But Vatican bashing seems to be ok ...... i wonder if this can be considered a hate crime to calumniate the church. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1101158.html. And meanwhile christian buildings are vandalised and staff threatened by allegedly the orthodox jewish community http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443843203&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull If this were to happen to a Jewish building, you can be sure anti-semitic laws would hound the perpetrators to the ends of the earth.
But let's backtrack to the secular-orthodox war in Jerusalem. I was out for a walk this morning with Fr Marcello along the boundary of the ultra-orthodox neighbourhood Mea Shearim. It was like a war zone. Garbage strewn across streets after streets, flies and burnt piles everywhere. Road signs vandalised, traffic lights smashed, trees stripped of branches. I want to say it was horrible, but I think the real word is "sad". Now that the woman is convicted of starving her child, you can bet there'll be more riots today.
On a brighter note, Fr Marcello and I went on our Sunday walk as usual to do the chores (buy stuff for the rest of the week). We found Israeli grown lychees sold in the supermarket. They're not as red as local ones but the texture and taste are pretty ok - but consider the price ... it's about US$8 for 20 lychees. Fr Marcello bought a small pack of 20 to try.
But even earlier in the morning - at 4am I went to the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Mass. The street was filled with muslims after prayers .... it's some feast for them yesterday and today.
But let's backtrack to the secular-orthodox war in Jerusalem. I was out for a walk this morning with Fr Marcello along the boundary of the ultra-orthodox neighbourhood Mea Shearim. It was like a war zone. Garbage strewn across streets after streets, flies and burnt piles everywhere. Road signs vandalised, traffic lights smashed, trees stripped of branches. I want to say it was horrible, but I think the real word is "sad". Now that the woman is convicted of starving her child, you can bet there'll be more riots today.
On a brighter note, Fr Marcello and I went on our Sunday walk as usual to do the chores (buy stuff for the rest of the week). We found Israeli grown lychees sold in the supermarket. They're not as red as local ones but the texture and taste are pretty ok - but consider the price ... it's about US$8 for 20 lychees. Fr Marcello bought a small pack of 20 to try.
But even earlier in the morning - at 4am I went to the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Mass. The street was filled with muslims after prayers .... it's some feast for them yesterday and today.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Riots again
Spoke too soon - riots picked up this afternoon at the carpark nearby our place, and also in the ultra-orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim over the arrested woman. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443836348&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull and http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1101002.html
This is known as the fight for Jerusalem - secular Jews versus orthodox Jews. I was pretty surprised yesterday evening when I was walking home from our working-dinner ... well first of all, I was surprised that there was a pizza restaurent opened at all on the Sabbath ... then I saw almost every other restaurent along the road was opened and jammed packed with secular Jews on Sabbath night! I was very very surprised because the riots were just less than a km away, and the Sabbath law was openly flouted! I mentioned this to our team and Michal, a jewish convert said I'm leaning towards the ultra-orthodox camp. Just then as we were walking our separate ways home on Jaffa Street, a large group of ultra-orthodox came up our way. Michal and the rest laughed loudly and pointed and said "Your friends are here! Go join them!" I laughed back and walked through the crowd.
Anyway during the working-dinner, found out Michal was my same age. But she's married with two kids ... I thought she was maybe 30 or something and she was terribly flattered. Anyway she did her doctorate in the States in Catholic Theology (a jewess!!!!) and Art. She converted to Catholicism although remaining in the hebrew-speaking community ie these hebrew-speaking catholics (we don't call them jewish converts) celebrate the Jewish feasts as well. But she doesn't keep the Sabbath and ate a salami-pizza! Anyway she had some wise words for me ... get on with the research and finish it; don't drag on or it'll be a bigger burden as time goes on; just a small contribution to the academic world is enough, there's no need to write about everything because it'll never end. Wise words because I am stuck in a rut at the moment in the research.
This afternoon I went to the Holy Sepulchre for the daily procession and of course prayed for you all. They had new prayer books printed but I found them too big, clumsy and floppy. Imagine carrying one of these books with a candle at the same time ...... and walking up and down stairs ... not a good idea at all.
This is known as the fight for Jerusalem - secular Jews versus orthodox Jews. I was pretty surprised yesterday evening when I was walking home from our working-dinner ... well first of all, I was surprised that there was a pizza restaurent opened at all on the Sabbath ... then I saw almost every other restaurent along the road was opened and jammed packed with secular Jews on Sabbath night! I was very very surprised because the riots were just less than a km away, and the Sabbath law was openly flouted! I mentioned this to our team and Michal, a jewish convert said I'm leaning towards the ultra-orthodox camp. Just then as we were walking our separate ways home on Jaffa Street, a large group of ultra-orthodox came up our way. Michal and the rest laughed loudly and pointed and said "Your friends are here! Go join them!" I laughed back and walked through the crowd.
Anyway during the working-dinner, found out Michal was my same age. But she's married with two kids ... I thought she was maybe 30 or something and she was terribly flattered. Anyway she did her doctorate in the States in Catholic Theology (a jewess!!!!) and Art. She converted to Catholicism although remaining in the hebrew-speaking community ie these hebrew-speaking catholics (we don't call them jewish converts) celebrate the Jewish feasts as well. But she doesn't keep the Sabbath and ate a salami-pizza! Anyway she had some wise words for me ... get on with the research and finish it; don't drag on or it'll be a bigger burden as time goes on; just a small contribution to the academic world is enough, there's no need to write about everything because it'll never end. Wise words because I am stuck in a rut at the moment in the research.
This afternoon I went to the Holy Sepulchre for the daily procession and of course prayed for you all. They had new prayer books printed but I found them too big, clumsy and floppy. Imagine carrying one of these books with a candle at the same time ...... and walking up and down stairs ... not a good idea at all.
Treat!
Well, no rioting last night as expected. I was out in the New City to see some action but there was none. Well actually I was out for a meeting - over a pizza dinner which I didn't eat. So much discussion and planning. Got a headache from all of it. Well actually got a headache several hours before that when I had to go for another meeting after lunch. It was sooooo hot and the Friday muslim crowd was just leaving the mosques - the streets were jammed. I decided to push my way up the Christian Quarter where they do not enter but that meant walking 2km uphill to my destination. My ankles hurt!
Israelis are reflecting hard on the last weeks' riots - the worse we have had in years. Alot of self-criticism, but also alot of finger-pointing. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1098187.html and http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6970195.stm Not all self-criticism is welcomed though - F. Langer's (Jewish critic of Israel) being awarded by the German President gets condemned. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443840063&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Now watch the germans make a full reversal and apologise to Israel and withdraw the award. It's so typical, it's become clockwork (I predict Angela Merkel will be the first to react - watch the news in the coming 24 hrs to see if I'm wrong) .... and the germans will again become the laughing stock of the international community.
Meanwhile Fr Niccacci is back from hospital and I had to go buy medicine and yoghurt for him. He leaves for Italy tomorrow. Only 2 breeding pairs of canaries are in the breeding cages - all the rest are back in the large cage because brooding time is almost over. And just a note on hot hot summer - this year's plums, apricots, peaches and watermelons are very sweet. I just ate 3 plums kept in the fridge for 2 days - cool and sweet, very refreshing in this weather. The fruit were given to me by Jadallah our janitor. He goes to buy fruit for the monastery and usually picks a few fruit in a separate bag for me from the wholesalers ... they usually give a couple away for tasting. I can't afford buying fruit - they're not that cheap! So a few tasting samples are a real treat!
Israelis are reflecting hard on the last weeks' riots - the worse we have had in years. Alot of self-criticism, but also alot of finger-pointing. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1098187.html and http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6970195.stm Not all self-criticism is welcomed though - F. Langer's (Jewish critic of Israel) being awarded by the German President gets condemned. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443840063&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Now watch the germans make a full reversal and apologise to Israel and withdraw the award. It's so typical, it's become clockwork (I predict Angela Merkel will be the first to react - watch the news in the coming 24 hrs to see if I'm wrong) .... and the germans will again become the laughing stock of the international community.
Meanwhile Fr Niccacci is back from hospital and I had to go buy medicine and yoghurt for him. He leaves for Italy tomorrow. Only 2 breeding pairs of canaries are in the breeding cages - all the rest are back in the large cage because brooding time is almost over. And just a note on hot hot summer - this year's plums, apricots, peaches and watermelons are very sweet. I just ate 3 plums kept in the fridge for 2 days - cool and sweet, very refreshing in this weather. The fruit were given to me by Jadallah our janitor. He goes to buy fruit for the monastery and usually picks a few fruit in a separate bag for me from the wholesalers ... they usually give a couple away for tasting. I can't afford buying fruit - they're not that cheap! So a few tasting samples are a real treat!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Bleeding nose
Another weekend coming up - another riot expected ... this time maybe bigger than the rest. The war of the ultra-orthodox against the Zionists is becoming more serious. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443834123&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull and http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443832021&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
And some of these ultra-orthodox rabbis (they don't recognise the State of Israel because they believe only the messiah can establish the state) have now gone to Gaza to meet Hamas leaders. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443836666&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull and and http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1100774.html
Anyway back to backyard business, the canaries are ending their breeding season so I'll be putting them back to the big cage soon.
And my nose has been bleeding for the past 4 days. Awefully bothersome. Comes at anytime of the day or night. And for the Sydney-siders and CLC, my right arm is still numb if not worse. The pain from the pinched nerve is keeping me awake. I thikn I'll have to take painkillers afterall.
And some of these ultra-orthodox rabbis (they don't recognise the State of Israel because they believe only the messiah can establish the state) have now gone to Gaza to meet Hamas leaders. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443836666&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull and and http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1100774.html
Anyway back to backyard business, the canaries are ending their breeding season so I'll be putting them back to the big cage soon.
And my nose has been bleeding for the past 4 days. Awefully bothersome. Comes at anytime of the day or night. And for the Sydney-siders and CLC, my right arm is still numb if not worse. The pain from the pinched nerve is keeping me awake. I thikn I'll have to take painkillers afterall.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Cancer and cell phones
More talk of war - this time Israel claims the West is allowing Israel to strike Iran within a year in return for peace with palestinians. But as things have been reversed and denied each time to almost a pattern, let's see if the EU and the US will deny this later today. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443824234&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Meanwhile Israeli doctors are studying the link between mouth cancer and mobile phones. You know that Israeli medical research is one of the best in the world. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1100570.html
As the world is getting more vociferous over the behaviour of the Israeli army during the Gaza war, even two Israeli newspapers are turning the heat on their own military - http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1100593.html explicitly damns the military chief of staff and the "brainwashed [Israeli] public, which shows no interest in learning what our soldiers did in Gaza". Very damning words from an Israeli newspaper. In the other article, the Israeli columnist sarcastically parodies the govt.'s accusations that Israeli soldiers who testified to Gaza atrocities are "liars", something that was leveled at soldiers several wars before. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443820082&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Whatever it is, it is not going to be good for the army's morale; and the army's morale is absolutely important given the situation in this land.... it's law and order at stake.
Away from this weighty matters, today is the Feast of Our Lady of Carmel. The Carmelite Order is celebrating this feast in their own monasteries but especially on Mt. Carmel. It's a very significant feast for me as I always have a devotion to Our Lady of Mt Carmel. Will say a special votive mass today and will remember you all.
Meanwhile Israeli doctors are studying the link between mouth cancer and mobile phones. You know that Israeli medical research is one of the best in the world. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1100570.html
As the world is getting more vociferous over the behaviour of the Israeli army during the Gaza war, even two Israeli newspapers are turning the heat on their own military - http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1100593.html explicitly damns the military chief of staff and the "brainwashed [Israeli] public, which shows no interest in learning what our soldiers did in Gaza". Very damning words from an Israeli newspaper. In the other article, the Israeli columnist sarcastically parodies the govt.'s accusations that Israeli soldiers who testified to Gaza atrocities are "liars", something that was leveled at soldiers several wars before. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443820082&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Whatever it is, it is not going to be good for the army's morale; and the army's morale is absolutely important given the situation in this land.... it's law and order at stake.
Away from this weighty matters, today is the Feast of Our Lady of Carmel. The Carmelite Order is celebrating this feast in their own monasteries but especially on Mt. Carmel. It's a very significant feast for me as I always have a devotion to Our Lady of Mt Carmel. Will say a special votive mass today and will remember you all.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Riots again
More rioting among the ultra-orthodox community in Jerusalem. This time because an ultra-orthodox lady was arrested for starving her 3 yr old son for 2 years. He weighs only 7 kg. The lady is believed to suffer from a mental disorder that makes her crave for attention and sympathy from others. She does this by harming her son so that people will take notice of her. The ultra-orthodox community on the other hand do not think that she should be arrested and have come out in force to protest. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1100391.html and http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443817985&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Meanwhile there is suspicion that an Israeli drug might have been the cause of Michael Jackson's death. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1100333.html and http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443814036&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Meanwhile there is suspicion that an Israeli drug might have been the cause of Michael Jackson's death. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1100333.html and http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443814036&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Work work work
Yesterday was a pretty hectic day after recovering from the trip to the hospital in Nazareth. Had to go meet the Custos for some work he wanted done, then rushed off to Terra Santa College to finish off some other work .... finished at 5.30pm and I was so tired. Had to walk home (2km) in the heat, and as usual my left ankle began playing up. Had to finish the Custos' work in the night.
This morning was another hectic one - had a meeting with the custos but couldn't make it on time as the engineers came to do my phone line. When they finished, it was already 11am and I literally had to run uphill to St. Saviour's for the meeting with the Custos. Rushed back for lunch and cancelled another work session at TS College (unfinished work from yesterday) because I had lessons at 2.30pm. Wow ... like I'm so tired now... But I'll have to feed the canaries and cat and tortoises and water the plants - Fr Giovanni is not home to do it so I'll have to take over.
Haven't studied a bit these two days. Tomorrow I'll have to go see our doctor with the results from the Nazareth hospital. I've been noticing how so many other locals are walking in the aweful heat, some I know going to do their second job as salaries here are really poor. It's so tough to keep a house and home here.
The readings for Mass has moved to the Book of Exodus ... today was the burning bush. EDver thought where your burning bush is - the place where God appears to you? Remember Moses was shepherding his sheep when he saw the burning bush ... in the midst of his work. Experience God in daily life, in daily work.
This morning was another hectic one - had a meeting with the custos but couldn't make it on time as the engineers came to do my phone line. When they finished, it was already 11am and I literally had to run uphill to St. Saviour's for the meeting with the Custos. Rushed back for lunch and cancelled another work session at TS College (unfinished work from yesterday) because I had lessons at 2.30pm. Wow ... like I'm so tired now... But I'll have to feed the canaries and cat and tortoises and water the plants - Fr Giovanni is not home to do it so I'll have to take over.
Haven't studied a bit these two days. Tomorrow I'll have to go see our doctor with the results from the Nazareth hospital. I've been noticing how so many other locals are walking in the aweful heat, some I know going to do their second job as salaries here are really poor. It's so tough to keep a house and home here.
The readings for Mass has moved to the Book of Exodus ... today was the burning bush. EDver thought where your burning bush is - the place where God appears to you? Remember Moses was shepherding his sheep when he saw the burning bush ... in the midst of his work. Experience God in daily life, in daily work.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Sick
An exhausting day. Had to go to Nazareth for my checkup and Fr. Arlon drove me there - well up to Givat Shaul (boundary of Jerusalem) at least because the car's fan belt gave out and the engine was over heating. had to drive back to our center to change cars. By the time we got to Nazareth it was well past 3 hours of driving in over 32 degree heat. It was exhausting and it made me quite sick - I was fasting for the past 12 hours and was quite faint by then. Worse thing was we didn't bring water with us, and we couldn't buy water on the highway.
Anyway the hospital was very kind and when they saw me quite out of action, they quickly got me to the emergency room to cool me down (too hot and dehydrated) and then started all the tests. They were pretty quick and efficient. That's why I like this hospital - they don't lose my blood samples like the Jerusalem hospital. While waiting for my results, Arlon and I went downtown to have some lunch. A normal 3 minute ride became a 30 minute stuck in the traffic ... and the heat. Utterly unbelievable. But anyway it paid off as my friend Alaa arranged a lovely lunch of local food - arab salads and kebabs. I was so hungry and ate everything. And drank 2 cokes and 1 glass of water - my suger level is within normal range so I can and will drink coke!!!! But I guess coke is pretty corrosive because our archaeologists use coke to dissolve patina and clean ancient coins.
Anyway drove back to the hospital for my results; then started our long ride back to Jerusalem in the aweful heat. Took us almost another 3 hours to get back despite using Highway 6. Aweful traffic in certain areas .... probably because the Maccabiah Games were starting within the vicinity of Tel Aviv so causing traffic jams around that area. Arlon dropped me off at New Gate so I walked the rest of the way home - just less than 1km - but it was so hot and I was again so dehydrated and quickly stopped at our nearby christian grocery to buy water. Anyway got home feeling pretty sick - probably because of the heat. Feel like vomiting. Will skip dinner and sleep instead.
Anyway the hospital was very kind and when they saw me quite out of action, they quickly got me to the emergency room to cool me down (too hot and dehydrated) and then started all the tests. They were pretty quick and efficient. That's why I like this hospital - they don't lose my blood samples like the Jerusalem hospital. While waiting for my results, Arlon and I went downtown to have some lunch. A normal 3 minute ride became a 30 minute stuck in the traffic ... and the heat. Utterly unbelievable. But anyway it paid off as my friend Alaa arranged a lovely lunch of local food - arab salads and kebabs. I was so hungry and ate everything. And drank 2 cokes and 1 glass of water - my suger level is within normal range so I can and will drink coke!!!! But I guess coke is pretty corrosive because our archaeologists use coke to dissolve patina and clean ancient coins.
Anyway drove back to the hospital for my results; then started our long ride back to Jerusalem in the aweful heat. Took us almost another 3 hours to get back despite using Highway 6. Aweful traffic in certain areas .... probably because the Maccabiah Games were starting within the vicinity of Tel Aviv so causing traffic jams around that area. Arlon dropped me off at New Gate so I walked the rest of the way home - just less than 1km - but it was so hot and I was again so dehydrated and quickly stopped at our nearby christian grocery to buy water. Anyway got home feeling pretty sick - probably because of the heat. Feel like vomiting. Will skip dinner and sleep instead.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Iraq update
Three other Catholic churches now bombed in Iraq, besides the earlier St Joseph Church attack. 8 catholics wounded.
Attacked
Catholics attacked in Iraq. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/07/12/iraq.violence/index.html The increased violence against Catholics is little known and the rest of the world is doing nothing about it. Why don't you make the difference? Start praying for the Iraqi Catholics today.
RIP
Just received sad news of the sudden passing of a good and young friend. She was a good mother to her two little children and a loving wife; a sincere Catholic who sought to know more of her faith and God. Karen, rest in peace. May the angels surround you and accompany you forever.
Sabbath protest
Watch BBC cover the ultra-orthodox protest against the Sabbath carpark. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8146313.stm Israeli soldiers and police, they're of course secular Jews who don't observe the Sabbath, clear them off the streets.
Yesterday the newspapers reported the French Foreign Minister saying the US is giving Israel 6 months to stop all settlement building. Today Israel denies such a thing. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443778534&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Two times previosuly a similar thing occurred (US giving Israel green light to attack iran; Bush admin. agreed to settlement building) - US says one thing, israel denies knowing it, US restates it. Looks like Israel is losing the media war. Usually when Israel denies, the US tries to avoid an embaressment so backs down and follows Israel's way. But the Obama admin. is standing firm - and now it's Israel that's being embarassed in the media. Old tricks are not working.
Yesterday the newspapers reported the French Foreign Minister saying the US is giving Israel 6 months to stop all settlement building. Today Israel denies such a thing. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443778534&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Two times previosuly a similar thing occurred (US giving Israel green light to attack iran; Bush admin. agreed to settlement building) - US says one thing, israel denies knowing it, US restates it. Looks like Israel is losing the media war. Usually when Israel denies, the US tries to avoid an embaressment so backs down and follows Israel's way. But the Obama admin. is standing firm - and now it's Israel that's being embarassed in the media. Old tricks are not working.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Procession
As expected, more haredim protests against the carpark opening on the Sabbath. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443777079&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull I coundn't make it out of the Old City to see the clash because something turned up and I had to see to it after lunch (problem with the neighbours .... they're throwing their rubbish into our courtyard for 3 straight days now). You can't possibly believe the tension we live in here.
Later in the afternoon I decided to go to the Holy Sepulchre instead to make the daily procession and pray for all of you. On the way pass the 3rd Station, some trouble happened - ambulance, police and soldiers everywhere. Half the community at the Sepulchre are on summer leave so the coomunity needs help for the singing and other services. Believe me, my voice and Carlo's (a brasilian priest serving at the Sepulchre) are enough to sound out throughout the entire basilica. It was a pretty crowded affair today - hundreds of Maltese, italians and spaniards came to join in the procession. It always ends with eucharistic benediction at our Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. It struck me so profoudly how this blessing of Christ is coming from the very spot where he died and rose again - where else can the blessing be more significant? As we were singing the hymn "Resurrexit sicut dixit" (He is risen as he said), the celebrant raised the Blessed Sacrament and blessed everyone and I prayed for all of you, that you too may receive this blessing.
Along in the procession I met some people whom I had previously either met or confessed - a couple of Costa Rican doctors, Fr Marcello Ghirlando from Malta, several sisters... it was good to meet them.
After the procession, an emergency - the usual 6pm Mass had no celebrant. The sacristans asked me to celebrate it. There were some 25 people waiting there - Costa Ricans, Palestinians, Polish, Americans and I think Slavs ... so mixed that everyone decided I use english as it was the common language. After the Mass I walked home very slowly. At the Sepulchre courtyard, Mahmoud the cameraman came to greet me; haven't seen him for over 2 months. Exhausted by all the activities. Came home and am now resting (which usually means reading up on my research). Tomorrow is Sunday, I'll go to the Sepulchre again at 4am to celebrate Mass and pray for all of you.
Later in the afternoon I decided to go to the Holy Sepulchre instead to make the daily procession and pray for all of you. On the way pass the 3rd Station, some trouble happened - ambulance, police and soldiers everywhere. Half the community at the Sepulchre are on summer leave so the coomunity needs help for the singing and other services. Believe me, my voice and Carlo's (a brasilian priest serving at the Sepulchre) are enough to sound out throughout the entire basilica. It was a pretty crowded affair today - hundreds of Maltese, italians and spaniards came to join in the procession. It always ends with eucharistic benediction at our Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. It struck me so profoudly how this blessing of Christ is coming from the very spot where he died and rose again - where else can the blessing be more significant? As we were singing the hymn "Resurrexit sicut dixit" (He is risen as he said), the celebrant raised the Blessed Sacrament and blessed everyone and I prayed for all of you, that you too may receive this blessing.
Along in the procession I met some people whom I had previously either met or confessed - a couple of Costa Rican doctors, Fr Marcello Ghirlando from Malta, several sisters... it was good to meet them.
After the procession, an emergency - the usual 6pm Mass had no celebrant. The sacristans asked me to celebrate it. There were some 25 people waiting there - Costa Ricans, Palestinians, Polish, Americans and I think Slavs ... so mixed that everyone decided I use english as it was the common language. After the Mass I walked home very slowly. At the Sepulchre courtyard, Mahmoud the cameraman came to greet me; haven't seen him for over 2 months. Exhausted by all the activities. Came home and am now resting (which usually means reading up on my research). Tomorrow is Sunday, I'll go to the Sepulchre again at 4am to celebrate Mass and pray for all of you.
Sabbath
Another day of violence in northern Israel. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443775779&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull and a horrific accident in Bet Shemesh http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1099293.html
Weekends are always a tense affair - getting to sleep that is. Thursday nights begin the muslim weekend. That means lots of weddings take place. So at 9pm onwards fireworks are set off in the houses and streets. Some are so big it's like blowing a canon off. I had a terrible shock when on Thursday night a nearby house set off a massive firework. Our monastery shook from the blast. I got an aweful shock as I was about to fall asleep. Sometimes this blasting goes on till midnight. Last night I was awaken with a shock and ended up with an asthma attack. And this happens practically every Thursday and Friday night. Then the Jewish Sabbath begins - Friday night. Soldiers fill the Old City streets to protect Jews going to the Wailing Wall. Tension builds. Arab youths stand in street corners taunting the soldiers. Zionist yeshiva students chant and sing in the streets, often to provoke an arab response. I wonder if today the ultra-Orthodox Jews will riot at the carpark again. I'll go out and see in the afternoon.
The weather is still hot. People are eating more veggies and going for evening walks .... when they are not causing trouble. And I'm trying to catch 40 winks to make up for a restless night's sleep.
Weekends are always a tense affair - getting to sleep that is. Thursday nights begin the muslim weekend. That means lots of weddings take place. So at 9pm onwards fireworks are set off in the houses and streets. Some are so big it's like blowing a canon off. I had a terrible shock when on Thursday night a nearby house set off a massive firework. Our monastery shook from the blast. I got an aweful shock as I was about to fall asleep. Sometimes this blasting goes on till midnight. Last night I was awaken with a shock and ended up with an asthma attack. And this happens practically every Thursday and Friday night. Then the Jewish Sabbath begins - Friday night. Soldiers fill the Old City streets to protect Jews going to the Wailing Wall. Tension builds. Arab youths stand in street corners taunting the soldiers. Zionist yeshiva students chant and sing in the streets, often to provoke an arab response. I wonder if today the ultra-Orthodox Jews will riot at the carpark again. I'll go out and see in the afternoon.
The weather is still hot. People are eating more veggies and going for evening walks .... when they are not causing trouble. And I'm trying to catch 40 winks to make up for a restless night's sleep.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Hot day
The weather is getting very hot - and bright. The superior has decided to get a big tent to cover the sisters' courtyard; which so happens to be where the canary cages are. Now it's a nice cool shade out there, as well as for the classrooms of the school and our refectory - both flanking the courtyard. But I don't think the sisters like it - it's blocking their view from their windows .... well not much of a view anyway, it's just the courtyard.
One troublesome cat gone. This one is from the front courtyard (where the museum and mummy are). It comes up to the altar during Mass, enters the sacristy, even gets inside the school when someone leaves a window open, poos all over the school, slept in Fr Lino's bed and Fr Niccacci's pillow.... in a word an absolute nuisance. Well the superior finally decided to remove it. Again I don't think the sisters (the superior at least) are going to like it - they like the cat (because it doesn't bother them: they live far away behind the monastery) but they don't feed it. And by the way, the cats' ticks are everywhere. Got bitten 5 times already on the legs, so was Sr. Vicenta.
One troublesome cat gone. This one is from the front courtyard (where the museum and mummy are). It comes up to the altar during Mass, enters the sacristy, even gets inside the school when someone leaves a window open, poos all over the school, slept in Fr Lino's bed and Fr Niccacci's pillow.... in a word an absolute nuisance. Well the superior finally decided to remove it. Again I don't think the sisters (the superior at least) are going to like it - they like the cat (because it doesn't bother them: they live far away behind the monastery) but they don't feed it. And by the way, the cats' ticks are everywhere. Got bitten 5 times already on the legs, so was Sr. Vicenta.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
About turn
The US was quick in "absolutely" denying it gave Israel the green light to attack Iran - thus pulling the carpet off Israel's feet. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443739359&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull and http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1098425.html So what's next?
Meanwhile the Palestinian top muslim cleric is banning marriages unless swine flu free certificates are issued to the people involved. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1098434.html and http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443744354&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
If you yet haven't realised, the Mass readings these few weeks are back on the Book of Genesis. There're pretty long stories for the 1st readings, and many we all know from childhood. But it's always great to read through them slowly and with new eyes, and you'll be wonderfully surprised how many new things there are in the story that you haven't realised!
My ankle still hurts and my feet are still a little swollen. Am trying to rest but not too successful. Did some 2 hours of gardening in the front courtyard next to the Condemnation chapel. Sounds strange doesn't it? It's the place where we recall Christ was made to carry the cross and begin the Way of the Cross. Thousands of pilgrims come here - some cry, some kneel, some kiss the ground, some go barefeet, many imitate Christ by carrying a cross and walking uphill to Calvary. You won't think that I'd be doing some gardening right there on the spot - planting cosmos, petunias, portulacas and some other summer resistant annuals. But I think creating a small lovely garden on that spot will give a tranquil, contemplative space to the otherwise unfortunate turistic atmosphere that some groups carry with them. And of course my greatest worry is not the groups but our porter who has an uncanny disability to recognise a flower and pull it out - "rubbish" he calls it; apparently there's no arabic word for "weed". He destroyed $100 worth of spring plants we planted a couple of months back.
Meanwhile the Palestinian top muslim cleric is banning marriages unless swine flu free certificates are issued to the people involved. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1098434.html and http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443744354&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
If you yet haven't realised, the Mass readings these few weeks are back on the Book of Genesis. There're pretty long stories for the 1st readings, and many we all know from childhood. But it's always great to read through them slowly and with new eyes, and you'll be wonderfully surprised how many new things there are in the story that you haven't realised!
My ankle still hurts and my feet are still a little swollen. Am trying to rest but not too successful. Did some 2 hours of gardening in the front courtyard next to the Condemnation chapel. Sounds strange doesn't it? It's the place where we recall Christ was made to carry the cross and begin the Way of the Cross. Thousands of pilgrims come here - some cry, some kneel, some kiss the ground, some go barefeet, many imitate Christ by carrying a cross and walking uphill to Calvary. You won't think that I'd be doing some gardening right there on the spot - planting cosmos, petunias, portulacas and some other summer resistant annuals. But I think creating a small lovely garden on that spot will give a tranquil, contemplative space to the otherwise unfortunate turistic atmosphere that some groups carry with them. And of course my greatest worry is not the groups but our porter who has an uncanny disability to recognise a flower and pull it out - "rubbish" he calls it; apparently there's no arabic word for "weed". He destroyed $100 worth of spring plants we planted a couple of months back.
Monday, July 6, 2009
summer
More talk of war. Is this muscle flexing or is it leading to something real? http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443724418&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull and http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1098043.html and the US gives Israel free hand to deal with Tehran if a war does go ahead. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1097911.html
Meanwhile I've got back to researching. Pretty detailed stuff, going down to word for word analysis and lots of background reading.
And it's not just my phone that's gone, the prevailing missing mail mystery continues. And I think others have found other things missing as well. Well on the bright side, it's just things that are missing and no violence done to us yet. At least for the moment.
Meanwhile I've got back to researching. Pretty detailed stuff, going down to word for word analysis and lots of background reading.
And it's not just my phone that's gone, the prevailing missing mail mystery continues. And I think others have found other things missing as well. Well on the bright side, it's just things that are missing and no violence done to us yet. At least for the moment.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Rest
More chaos in Jerusalem - this time it's feuding Palestinian families shooting at each other. One dead, others injured. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443717729&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
And if you still don't know - Jews believe in reincarnation of souls. The great rabbi taught yesterday that those Jews killed during the holocausts were reincarnated souls who sinned in the past. "It goes without saying that we believe in reincarnation," continued Yosef. "It is a reincarnation of those souls. Our teacher The Ari said that there are no new souls in our generation…all the souls were once in the world and have returned." http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443718416&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Now you understand why the gospels speak of Elijah born as John the Baptist; or others who thought that Jesus was John the Baptist reincarnated. It's not a new idea.
And I just love this piece of self-criticism - it is exactly as it says. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1097404.html But it hasn't said anything about Israelis who fly economy but insist on putting their handluggage in business class cabins, or using business class toilets, and even sitting in business class seats when an empty seat is available.
Meanwhile I'm resting my feet - bigtime swollen.
And if you still don't know - Jews believe in reincarnation of souls. The great rabbi taught yesterday that those Jews killed during the holocausts were reincarnated souls who sinned in the past. "It goes without saying that we believe in reincarnation," continued Yosef. "It is a reincarnation of those souls. Our teacher The Ari said that there are no new souls in our generation…all the souls were once in the world and have returned." http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443718416&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Now you understand why the gospels speak of Elijah born as John the Baptist; or others who thought that Jesus was John the Baptist reincarnated. It's not a new idea.
And I just love this piece of self-criticism - it is exactly as it says. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1097404.html But it hasn't said anything about Israelis who fly economy but insist on putting their handluggage in business class cabins, or using business class toilets, and even sitting in business class seats when an empty seat is available.
Meanwhile I'm resting my feet - bigtime swollen.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Another riot
Another week of massive rioting in Jerusalem - this time thousands of ultra-orthodox Jews again violently protesting against the opening of a carpark on the Sabbath. And they vow to continue protesting next week. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443715331&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull and http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1097687.html No wonder there were helicopters flying over the City this morning.
Fr Niccacci my research director is quite ill and I accompanied him to our infirmary at St. Saviour's monastery this morning. He forgot to bring along something so I said I'll bring it for him later in the evening. When I got halfway there (at the 8th Station of the Cross), I received a call telling me to go home. Went home and was told Fr Niccacci called asking for me. I tried calling back but no one answered the infirmary phone. So I decided to go back up to St. Saviour's again, which is almost 1km uphill. Reached there, gave him the thing and he said he also wanted his medicine he left behind. So I rushed back home to get his medicine, rushed back up to St. Saviour's to find all the gates closed. Circled the massive monastery's 3 courtyards till I finally found someone to open the kitchen door for me. Went up the 3rd floor to the infirmary and gave him the medicine; and he said he wanted something else from his room. Well I was just too tired to go back and get it, so I said it'll have to wait till tomorrow. The friars at St. Saviour's were very kind and asked me to stay for dinner (it was already 7.30pm) - most of the students have left and only the minimum staff has remained. The Custos was there and we chatted. I had pizza (2 pieces) and drank a whole bottle of grapefruit juice (hahahahaha NOT coke .... I know what you guys are thinking!!!). I sat next to Fr Samir, our egyptian vice-treasurer. He is always very respectful to me. After dinner, I walked home. I covered a total of 6 kms up and down hill in one and a half hours. Now my ankle and knee is swollen. Time to rest!
Oh and coming home at 8pm was a little scary - the crossroads at the 3rd Station of the Cross was blocked off for the Jews to go to the Wailing Wall. Arabs youths were defiant and lingered opposite the 12 soldiers; one even pushed down a metal roadblock and soldiers began shouting. I ran home (despite my painful ankle) because I wasn't waiting for a shootout to take place. Now...time to rest.
Fr Niccacci my research director is quite ill and I accompanied him to our infirmary at St. Saviour's monastery this morning. He forgot to bring along something so I said I'll bring it for him later in the evening. When I got halfway there (at the 8th Station of the Cross), I received a call telling me to go home. Went home and was told Fr Niccacci called asking for me. I tried calling back but no one answered the infirmary phone. So I decided to go back up to St. Saviour's again, which is almost 1km uphill. Reached there, gave him the thing and he said he also wanted his medicine he left behind. So I rushed back home to get his medicine, rushed back up to St. Saviour's to find all the gates closed. Circled the massive monastery's 3 courtyards till I finally found someone to open the kitchen door for me. Went up the 3rd floor to the infirmary and gave him the medicine; and he said he wanted something else from his room. Well I was just too tired to go back and get it, so I said it'll have to wait till tomorrow. The friars at St. Saviour's were very kind and asked me to stay for dinner (it was already 7.30pm) - most of the students have left and only the minimum staff has remained. The Custos was there and we chatted. I had pizza (2 pieces) and drank a whole bottle of grapefruit juice (hahahahaha NOT coke .... I know what you guys are thinking!!!). I sat next to Fr Samir, our egyptian vice-treasurer. He is always very respectful to me. After dinner, I walked home. I covered a total of 6 kms up and down hill in one and a half hours. Now my ankle and knee is swollen. Time to rest!
Oh and coming home at 8pm was a little scary - the crossroads at the 3rd Station of the Cross was blocked off for the Jews to go to the Wailing Wall. Arabs youths were defiant and lingered opposite the 12 soldiers; one even pushed down a metal roadblock and soldiers began shouting. I ran home (despite my painful ankle) because I wasn't waiting for a shootout to take place. Now...time to rest.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Crossing the line
Horrors! The unthinkable .... that was a line no one crosses ... throwing a pig into a mosque or synagogue. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/03/india.pig.religious.riot/index.html You know aweful things equal to that have been done to Christians - burning of crosses and bibles, sacrileges to the Blessed Sacrament, or like Jesus is called a bastard because he couldn't prove his father (cf the Gospel of John all over again) - http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443701838&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull But somehow you don't get the same reaction from christians as done to others.
And the threat of war here in Israel glooms overhead as Israel sends a submarine through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea. This is scary. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443708481&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
And another horror - an abused palestinian wife tries to commit suicide by getting Israeli soldiers to kill her. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443709870&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
And the threat of war here in Israel glooms overhead as Israel sends a submarine through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea. This is scary. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443708481&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
And another horror - an abused palestinian wife tries to commit suicide by getting Israeli soldiers to kill her. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443709870&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Apartheid?
Wow so is this for real - Angela Merkel actually telling Israel to stop settlement construction in occupied territories? Now that's really breaking ranks with all post-war german chancellors who support Israel 110%. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443703546&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
And the israeli housing minister is advocatng apartheid bigtime - right in the face of Merkel http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1097411.html
Meanwhile fires are breaking throughout Israel - including near Jerusalem. Hope it doesn't come too close or we'll be choking in smoke. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443694664&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
And more rioting as Druze and Circassian Israelis protest their 2nd class citizenship - they're not arabs and serve in the Israeli army. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443696080&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
And the israeli housing minister is advocatng apartheid bigtime - right in the face of Merkel http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1097411.html
Meanwhile fires are breaking throughout Israel - including near Jerusalem. Hope it doesn't come too close or we'll be choking in smoke. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443694664&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
And more rioting as Druze and Circassian Israelis protest their 2nd class citizenship - they're not arabs and serve in the Israeli army. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443696080&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Quiet at last
So what's going wrong? Everyone here seems to think today is July 1st ..... I got so confused I began to believe if it really is July 1st. Had to check it out just to make sure!
Anyway the professor who's the director of my research fainted a day before I got home. Received an email telling me to come home quick. He came out of our infirmary yesterday afternoon but I was dead tired and asleep so I didn't see him - just heard him closing his room door. This morning I caught up with him. He was pale and walked pretty slow. He showed me a list of things he's not allowed to eat - like it is so long, it would have been better if the docs wrote down what he COULD eat... it'd have been shorter. Anyway i noticed peas were not on the list so I thought of going out to buy some peas to cook for him. Apparently he didn't tell the kitchen to cook special food for him, so I'd better get the stuff he can eat. Lucky it's summer holidays so I have a little more time to do the cooking.
Meanwhile Canary Soap opera - all the babies of the 2nd batch died except for one. Well .... what can I say? Let nature take its course? Anyway I'm feeding them real good now - lots of veggies that they like in this hot hot weather. And lots of water. Hope all the rest will survive. The heat is almost unbearable now.
And the rest of the students are back from their excursion to Turkey. Most have left for their homelands for summer this morning. The house is pretty quiet - so said our superior this morning. It'll be a nice change - he added!
Anyway the professor who's the director of my research fainted a day before I got home. Received an email telling me to come home quick. He came out of our infirmary yesterday afternoon but I was dead tired and asleep so I didn't see him - just heard him closing his room door. This morning I caught up with him. He was pale and walked pretty slow. He showed me a list of things he's not allowed to eat - like it is so long, it would have been better if the docs wrote down what he COULD eat... it'd have been shorter. Anyway i noticed peas were not on the list so I thought of going out to buy some peas to cook for him. Apparently he didn't tell the kitchen to cook special food for him, so I'd better get the stuff he can eat. Lucky it's summer holidays so I have a little more time to do the cooking.
Meanwhile Canary Soap opera - all the babies of the 2nd batch died except for one. Well .... what can I say? Let nature take its course? Anyway I'm feeding them real good now - lots of veggies that they like in this hot hot weather. And lots of water. Hope all the rest will survive. The heat is almost unbearable now.
And the rest of the students are back from their excursion to Turkey. Most have left for their homelands for summer this morning. The house is pretty quiet - so said our superior this morning. It'll be a nice change - he added!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Life costs less
As expected, the soldiers who shot a bound andd helpless arab protester were let off on very light charges - dismissal from the army. Now the Court wants a retrial with heavier charges - pretty rare move. But believe me, it'll still end with the soldiers being let off lightly. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246296545541&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull and http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1097002.html
And the same type of easy letting off judgement is applied to another soldier who killed 4 arabs in a bus. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1096997.html Looks like non-Jewish lives are worth less. No small wonder when a rabbi calls for the death of all arabs - http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1091469.html
Wonder how much I'm worth? Wait till I get shot first.
And the same type of easy letting off judgement is applied to another soldier who killed 4 arabs in a bus. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1096997.html Looks like non-Jewish lives are worth less. No small wonder when a rabbi calls for the death of all arabs - http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1091469.html
Wonder how much I'm worth? Wait till I get shot first.
expensive!!!
As if life isn't expensive enough here in Israel, now prices will be hiked and so will VAT. A loaf of bread now costs HK$10 http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246296543823&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Well talk about tired - last night I got an email telling me to come home quick because tomorrow I'll have to give a speech at an International Conference on Armenia. Got home at 6am, bathed and rushed off to the conference. (hahahahahaha I know you CLC guys are thinking I had a good rest!!!! No way man!!!! Started work 2 hours after my feet entered Jerusalem).
Well talk about tired - last night I got an email telling me to come home quick because tomorrow I'll have to give a speech at an International Conference on Armenia. Got home at 6am, bathed and rushed off to the conference. (hahahahahaha I know you CLC guys are thinking I had a good rest!!!! No way man!!!! Started work 2 hours after my feet entered Jerusalem).
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