New Year's Eve

The last sunrise for 2013

So 2013 has finally come to an end. Not that it was a big deal for me. Shuttling between work, hospital and doctors ... that's how 2013 was characterised for me. Anyway it was a normal working day for me today ... tiring. Had to rush up and down the Cit several times to get my work done. The weather is awfully old - 7 degrees at most. And my asthma is killing me.

Israelis are celebrating Silvester instead of New Year's Eve. It's named after St. Sylbester the pope whose feastday falls on the last day of the year. The israeli version of St. Sylvester is a man who persecuted jews - like a modern day Haman of the Queen Esther legend. However balloons are hung in every place ... like Valentine's Day. Not sure how the Sylvester legend and Valentine's Day got fused together in this country. In any case most things in this country defies understanding.

New Year's Eve dinner -
good food, no company

Ah Ling of Mandarin restaurant called me over for dinner. it was nice. Specially cooked food not found in the menu - chinese style spinach (bor chai), soup (lao guo tang), braised lamb shank and rice. I was alone though. Would have loved some company but everyone was out partying. Most of the profs and students have returned home for the Christmas holidays, and my arab friends have all gone to Eilat to party for 3 days. The Israeli security guys had to work as usual and we had little time to chat as I too was busy at work.

So much for New Year's Eve. I'm not counting down. I'm going to sleep.

Crib statues stolen!!!

The empty crib at the 2nd
Station of the Cross

Someone stole the statues of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus from the crib in our Chapel of the Flagellation (2nd Station of the Cross). CCTV showed a woman taking the statues ... then making the sign of the cross!!!! Holy devils!!! On Christmas!!! In a Sanctuary of the Holyland!!! At the 2nd Station of the Cross!!!! It only confirms that christians can be as greedy and thieving as anyone else ... only it's worse because they steal from their own Church community. Usually its the greed for money ... and we've had our fair share of thefts, threats and extortions. But stealing Christmas statues??

The whole week I've been suffering from severe asthma attacks. I practically sleep only 2 hours a day as the rest of the sleeping time I must sit upright or walk otherwise I suffocate. Am totally drained each day. Absolutely miserable.

Anyway thanks for all the stuff some of you sent over - downcoats, timtams, charger, soup packs, clothes etc .... Also to Rose Chiu, RISE, The Little People, Clara Siu, Fr Simon Li, Jonice Hui, Hessler, Irene, Yvonne, the Cavero family, Cecilia Wong and family, Paulette, Katie, Martin and Jenny, Angeline Tang ... everything received with gratitude.

Sombre Christmas

S'pore group bringing their gifts
to Mother Theresa's sisters

One week offline ... due to an overload of work. Christmas came in a frightfully cold night. Celebrated Mass at an altar facing the desert in Shepherds' Field. Nearly froze to death. The country was mainly flooded with asian tourists and pilgrims. A Singapore group (Faith Tours) brought alot of medicines and stuff to help the poor during Christmas. Another Hong Kong group visit the Holy Family Hospital (Nazareth) and also brought many gifts for the poor. It was a pilgrimage with a difference ... especially during Christmas.

The Shanghai group visiting Holy
Family Hospital

Yesterday was Holy Innocents' Day ... fasted and prayed for Syria's peace as promised. A relatively severe earthquake in Turkey was felt in northern Israel. Scary. Missiles have been fired into Israel both from Gaza and Lebanon. Israel responded heavily with bombings. A bomb aboard a Tel Aviv bus exploded but only several people were injured. The week was very tensed throughout the country.

So Christmas week passed ... less euphoria and frivolity than usual ... but the sombre mood helps to remind us that the Christ child was born to die on the Cross. In every Christmas, there's a little Good Friday.

Fast and prayer for Syrian christians

Jericho desert in snow

The snow storm was so powerful it actually snowed even in Jericho. I can't believe it! Friends over there took several pics of the desert covered in snow! I hear even in Egypt it snowed real bad ... the pyramids and Sphinx were covered in snow. Incredible.

But now that the storm is over, we're still enjoying fantastic sights in the sky each morning and evening. The other evening I managed to catch the setting sun just behind the Holy Sepulchre. The rays splashed through the crystals of the cross that stands over the smaller dome of the basilica, making it glisten and glimmer. Utterly beautiful. Right moment, right angle ... stupendous.

Crystals on the cross of the Holy
Sepulchre sparkle in the sunset

Mr. Bird has been boarding in my room these few days as temperatures dropped below zero. He's alot better now ... no longer biting me. And I didn't trim his feathers so he can fly. He enjoys watching the computer ... the images fascinate him. Then he walks all over my bed or sits on my study light while I type on my computer. But when sleep time comes, he gets grouchy. He wants the lights off. And if I leave it on, he starts his grouchy litany: beginning with clucking like a hen, then cooing like a pigeon, then whistling exactly the same way as I whistle at him. A great mimic. By the way he's an albino Indian ringneck parakeet ... so he's colour blind. He knows how to push open his cage door and usually he comes out and sits on top of his cage to sleep. While he's fun ... I still prefer having a dog. But I don't have the space for one.

Mr. Bird watching the
news online

Christmas is certainly closing in as shops begin to sell their tacky decorations, blasting carols out into the streets. It's the once in a year chance for arab christians to stand out as a minority ... and they feel very proud. Sadly in Syria, christians will have an awful Christmas. Rebels who have overran christian villages are now prohibiting crosses to be displayed, church bells from ringing ... and this is nothing compared to the burning of churches, bombing of schools and killing of christians. Bishops and nuns are kidnapped, priests are beaten and tortured. It;s a crime. But no one is condemning them. Instead the US and Europe continue to support the rebels in their brutal christian persecution. On the feast of the Holy Innocents (Dec 28), I'll be fasting and praying for these christians. I hope you'll join me.

Normality slowly returns

The temperature is creeping up towards 9 degrees today. But it doesn't feel like it ... rather it's like zero degrees. everyone is still in thick winter clothes, hats and hoodies. The streets are dreadfully slippery with black ice and sludge. Definitely no fun.

Spectacular rise of the moon

But one thing good about this rare snow storm is it cleansed the sky. Now we have spectacular sunrise and sunsets, moonrise and moonsets as well! The sky is a splash of pastel colours every morning and evening. Stunning. The air is alot cleaner - very unlike Shanghai. An early morning  visit to the outdoors and drawing a deep breath will hit you with a sharp intense blast of cool clean air into your lungs. What an experience! No dust, no sand ....

My 1st sahlab this winter

And another good thing is sahlab is back. It's the thick gooey starchy beverage made from an orchid root, mixed with rose syrup with nuts and whatever tossed on the top. Nice and warm ... the perfect comfort food for a very cold winter. I believe it was originally a turkish beverage popular in the Ottoman Empire. Had my first sahlab 2 days back .... just needed it to keep myself warm.

We're hearing rumours that another snow storm is on its way but all official weather forecasts say it's not true ... the weather will warm up over the next 2 weeks. Christmas will be bright and clear. Chilly but what is Christmas without the cold?

Snow over

Moon tonight

The snow storm finally blew over. Lots of destruction everywhere. Fallen trees and electric poles, abandoned cars, roads caked in feet of solidified snow. The PM came on air to call for all depts to help relief the City. Bulldozers on the streets clearing debris and snow. But still thousands have no electricity. Municipality workers cutting trees, pushing cars etc....

The sun was up and this evening a lovely full moon rose over a rosy sky over the Mt of Olives. It was cold and crispy. I was out in the streets talking to my security friends. Been a long time since I spoke with them. We saw this beautiful moon over an incredible pastel sky. Everyone began taking photos.

Being Sunday I was out with the prof. to do our 6km weekly walk. It was slippery in the streets. Lots of black ice. As I only wore sneakers (bad choice ... but 3 other pairs of shoes are all wet due to snow shoveling), my feet got wet real quick. Came home 2 hours later and Sr Vincenta kept telling me to go change my shoes or I'll get sick. She was right ... I am sick now. And worse, my heater broke down. So it's going to be a very cold night tonight. Luckily I still have a few heat packs left.

Izik my security friend
all wrapped up in the cold

I decided one thing - snow is NOT nice. I dislike shoveling snow ... it's backbreaking and cold. But forecast is another storm is brewing for next week. Yikes ... feel like buying a ticket a getting out of this country.

Mr Bird is staying in my room these few days. It keeps him warm. But he's been very inquisitive ... he loves the computer - the noise and colours fascinate him. He can fly now and wanders all round my room checking things out. He's pretty spoiled now ... gets great food, warm room, plants to munch (my poor potted plants) and computer to entertain him.

I hate shoveling snow 

And this sudden cold snap is great for the bulbs especially the tulips. They're all springing up. And the seedlings are stronger in this cold frame. Lucky them ... they don't have to shovel snow.

Damascus Gate in melting snow

Ben Yehuda Mall in tatters -
fallen trees and awnings

Independence Park in snow

Snowmageddon

A bluish air this morning

Last night's snowstorm was certainly frightful. It's nicknamed "Snowmaggedon". The whole City was literally frozen. Half the City (New and Old) was without electricity and left in the dark and cold. Most palces were under a foot of snow. All public transport stopped. Trees and branches snapped under the weight of the snow. Many roofs were leaking. Schools, shops and offices were closed. Govt warned everyone to stay at home.

Joe our maltese student
helped to open a drainage
for the melting snow

This morning the whole landscape was an eerie blue. Very silent after the storm. The sun was barely on the horizon before it was smothered by the bluish fog. Surreal.

I was very cold. Two heaters were not enough as temperatures plunged to minus 4 degrees. I spent most of the morning (from 6.30am!!!) shoveling snow from the 2 terraces above the library. Water was seeping into my office. It's backbreaking work. Then there was a meeting ... walked out to Notre Dame for the working lunch, then back to my other office, then back home. Then it was more shoveling of snow till it got too cold. Some of our solar panels have been smashed because of the heavy snow.

I've decided snow is no fun at all .... it's awful and awesome. And I don't want to shovel snow anymore.

Warm inside the library but a raging
storm outside

Mushy streets that make
walking very dangerous

Solar panels break under
the snow

A feeble sunrise

Massive snow storm

Library roof in snow

Snow the past 36 hours have stopped the country in its tracks. It went down to -1 degree last night. We never had so much snow in the past 10 years and definitely not before Christmas. Now news tell us that right now the storm is picking up and it will be 3 times bigger than yesterday. Temperature dropping to -4 degrees.

I spend 2 hours yesterday and 3 hours today shovelling snow from our roof. Back-breaking work. I was wet through. 3 pairs of shoes wet. 2 hoodies and 2 pairs of jeans. Had to do it because water was dripping into my office. The weight of the snow is too much for our roof. Tonight's storm is expected to last through tomorrow. Snow shovelling will be worse. Am not looking forward to it.

Geraniums snowed under

The sisters courtyard 

A penguin in the snow!

Sisters' convent in snow

Lovely flaky snow

My lemon trees

My rose bush

Another view

Library skylight

The City in white

Antonia Fortress
(Omariyya school)

City in white

Hailstorm

The Bible corner

Sudden bursts of hailstones in the late afternoon. The rains kept coming and the cold is cutting. Never saw people dressed in layers of clothes and hats and scarves in decades here in December. Absolutely incredible. Definitely feels like snow tonight. Will stay awake to catch a glimpse of it. Meanwhile the rest of the country is on crisis standby. School have been closed and roads being diverted. Even the airport is ready to close if winds get too strong and snow impede runway movement.

I got Mr Bird in my room to keep him warm. Not that I like it. I get asthma from birds ... but Mr ird will probably freeze to death if I left him out. The canaries are under 2 towels and a heat pack ... the cage is under a table in school. Hope they'll stay warm when it hits 2 degrees.

Christmas wreath

Had been rushing around this morning to finish off work ... but decided to stay in my room as the cold got worse. Thinking of hot chocolate, buns and cake, sahlab ... but enough of daydreaming. Reality is plain water. The cook made some rice with Fava beans for me. Did my Christmas decorations ... something to warm the room. It's nice to have the candle burning in the night ... it gives a warm golden glow in the cold darkness.

However we're reminded of the poor refugees in Syria and the christians in Gaza. The cold will be dreadful as they have no electricity or food. Am trying my best to gather clothes and heatpacks for the neediest of the poor. Why not do something beautiful for Christmas and help keep our poor warm and fed?

More rain and cold

Gloomy sunrise at 6am, 6 degrees C

More rain and cold. The airport is prepared for delays and closure for the next few days as winds and rains grow stronger. Forecast is heavy rains by Friday and snow in the north. Possible snow in Jerusalem. Well I can only remember snow in Jerusalem in December 20 years ago .... it will be great if it does again. It's been hovering between 6 degrees to 10 degrees max. today. Nights are forecast to go down to 2 degrees.

The bulbs and flowers are loving this weather though. Lush thick leaves and buds ready to burst when it warms up. But the canaries are dying. From 38 canaries, we're down to 10. Almost all dead from cats and cold. People say it's also a dreadful virus killing them as canaries are dying all over Israel. A shop keeper has given me medicinal drops for the birds. Will try them out tomorrow.

Bethlehem Christmas Tree

The giant Christmas Tree in Manger Square, Bethlehem is up and drawing crowds of locals and tourists. But there's a competition brewing throughout the country ... each town and village is trying to outdo Bethlehem. A dreadful waste of money ... but that's the local attitude - outdo your neighbours otherwise you're shamed.

The medicine I'm taking is causing me not just major drowsiness and fatigue but severe diarrhea as well. And with my twisted ankle ... things don't look good. The cook is determined to feed me. Barbecued lambchops, lasagna, sfiha, pastries of all kinds. He's determined to get my blood pressure up. I think my diabetes is sky high.

Chinese medicine

Red dates and longan soup

And the temperature continues to plummet. Forecast is snow on Friday. The rains come and go between dizzle. And the wind is bitterly cold. It's been a long time since December has been so cold ... I can only think of 20 yrs back. Everyone in thick jackets and shawls or scarves and hoods and hats. Today we had just an hour of sunshine before the drizzle and clouds took over the skies.

Black sesame tang yuan

After the fainting spell the other day that ended with my cut lip, I was off to see the doctor yesterday. Blood pressure very low ... partly due to my constitution, but made worse by the medication I'm taking for the food allergy and also fatigue from work. Coming home 70 km from the doc's, it was raining heavily and the stone pavements were slippery. Fell and twisted my left ankle ... as usual. Am limping around now. But thanks to Ah Ling of Mandarin restaurant, I was fed up and had a boost in my blood pressure - she boiled longans and red chinese dates, followed by black sesame tang yuan. All supposed to raise blood pressure. It was a nice warm meal in the cold chill outside. Several doctors that I have consulted all insisted that I have to eat more red meat. I'm forbidden to be a vegetarian! Well I never had the intention, so no worries there. Problem is I hardly eat anymore ... partly because I'm scared of getting another allergy attack. It's such a frightful experience, I'm getting paranoid with food and avoiding as much as possible.

But work goes on ... lots of it. And stress and fatigue. Hopefully I can get some respite soon ... otherwise the whole body is breaking down beyond repair ... with or without food.

Riots

The past few days have been so packed with work, I return home around 10pm and eat my first meal ... whatever there is. So tired that yesterday evening when I got home and sat by table, I blacked out (again) and bashed my face on the table, cutting my lip. Bled. I think low blood pressure is part of the problem. Need to eat more red meat, as the doc suggested. Problem is now I have swollen lips ... makes eating meat difficult.

Yesterday's noon prayer a the Al Aqsa mosque ended in violence. Muslims crowds chanted and threw stones ... Israeli military fired stun grenades and charged. The violence spilled out of the mosque area and into the streets in front of our house. Chanting crowds surge back and forth as police charged and withdrew. Stun grenades continued to be fired. A full hour passed before some calm was restored. But still several isolated stun grenades were fired several hours later. On the video just left of the Golden Dome of the Rock mosque, you can just make out people running back and forth, while plumes of tear gas rise.

Later in the evening, stun grenades were still being fired near the Damascus Gate area. Heavy military presence in the area. Well my hope for a peaceful Christmas might not come true after all.

Mandela's death is taking over the media. A great man. But racism still exists in some countries, work places, life situations and institutions. If the world wants to remember and honour Mandela ... then it should fight racism

Rain and snow!!!

Poinsettias in my garden

Temperatures continue to plunge. It was barely 11 degrees this afternoon. And it continued to rain and drizzle. It is cold .... so very nice for Christmas! Weather forecast say it'll drop to 2 degrees by Wednesday next. And it's snowing up in the Golan Heights .... let's hope this keeps up till Christmas and the snow comes down south.

This weather is good for the flowers. The wild poinsettia in our garden is flowering well ... it's over 3 meters tall. All the bulbs are also growing and ready to flower. Even the echium is ready to bloom.

Despite the weather and health issues, have been working very hard. Started early yesterday and ended around 10pm. Exhausted. This morning was very giddy. Have been suffering from diarrhea. Found out it was a side-effect from the medicine I'm taking. Same with the numb leg and tiredness. Quite an ordeal to work each day like this.

As Hannukah ends, we hope the tensions and violence will also end. Perhaps Christmas this year would be truly peaceful.

Last day of Hanukkah

Today is the last day of Hanukkah - the Jewish feast of lights. Fittingly since yesterday night, a constant drizzle has been wetting the City. The sky has been dark and gloomy with no sign of the sun. This makes the idea of light even more poignant. The stone pavements in the City have become a hazard as it becomes very slippery in the rain. Temperatures continue to fall ... down to 14 degrees. Forecast says on Monday it'll drop to 5 degrees or lower. And rain throughout the next 5 days. Well in our case, it's actually a drizzle. Better than nothing.

2 days back there were clashes between muslims and Israeli police. The City was tense as military presence was raised. This morning another clash occurred. Mounted police guarded the outside of the City while lots of soldiers and border police flooded the Old City. But ironically its not just an arab-jewish conflict. Yesterday the 2 Chief Rabbis reconfirmed their ban on Jews entering the Temple Mount, but were rigorously rebutted and ignored by loud calls from other rabbis to enter the Temple Mount. Internally fighting is never a good sign.  To top all this, Syria fired into Israel in the Golan Heights. Israel responded likewise. What a dreadful beginning to winter.

LaSalle Christmas tree

The pope has been in the news these recent days, not least because the PM went to pay him a visit. Jewish columnists have been lauding the pope for his call to humility and poverty and service ... and criticising their rabbis for not being brave enough to do the same. Well I don't know if this is making us more friends or more enemies.

Anyway Christmas is in the air as shops begin selling christmas decorations and institutions put up giant Christmas trees. A bit too earlier I'd say ... but a little joy perhaps is called for in this otherwise tense and gloomy City.

Hamsin

Yesterday saw thousands of people in Israel protesting against the govt's proposal to relocate the bedouins from the desert. In effect, they will be kept in 3 or 4 reserves not unlike the Red Indians in America. Other demonstrations also took place through the world. I think its very sad when in the 21st century, minority races are still herded in enclosed areas for whatever reason ... and how much more poignant here in Israel.

Jerusalem at 11.45am
Hamsin gloom

I guess the weather today reflected the gloom and doom of the situation. A rare winter hamsin blew in - the southerly desert sandstorm. Although it should be hot ... the weather is strangely cold. The sun is blocked out and a yellow-grey blanket covers the entire sky.

In the streets, military and police presence have been stepped up. Everyone tries to get on with life ... but there is a silent tension in the air. Jews are in the midst of celebrating the Hanukkah holidays ... perhaps the lights from the hanukiot will dispel the darkness away ... and prejudice and fear and suspicion and injustice.

Healthwise the antihistamine medication is strong and continues to make me drowsy and listless. I still have 11 more days of medication to go. Am still scared of eating any food ... I'm strictly keeping to foods I know where and how it was cooked. Another allergy attack could be my last.