Calm day

Things have calmed down inside the Old City. No more running battles or firebombs but there were isolated clashes in the areas outside Jerusalem, such as the fire-bomber in the village of Issawiya who was shot by police last night. But all in all, calm has returned ... for the moment. Arabs have called for a Day of Rage on Friday to protest the raid of the Al Aqsa Mosque by Israeli soldiers. Israel is setting up it's anti-missile system called Iron Dome, in the south in anticipation of Gaza firing rockets into Israel this Friday. Friday will be tense ... but we get a respite today.

The ongoing strike by catholic schools have gained support from the Israeli Left. Left and centre newspapers carry editorials calling on the govt to be fair and just and give the necessary subsidies to the schools. However few editorials are hopeful, admitting that the rightwing and extremist Jewish parties have control over the govt. and is determine to kill off christian schools. The following editorial is worth a read:  http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/1.676277?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook

Dinner with my former students

Last night I had a good time with my former students. They asked to eat dinner out with me so we went for a simple meal. At the end they surprised me with a lovely gift ... a handwoven stole from Poland with the image of St. John Paul II. They wanted to congratulate me on my 25th anniversary as they have no chance to celebrate it with me because they would soon be leaving for their own countries to be ordained. It was very kind and thoughtful of them.

Miss Bird playing with
her new toy

My asthma is down significantly ... possibly because the sandstorm has blown away and last night's rain cleaned the skies and streets. But I'm generally fatigued as I have not had a holiday the past 13 years. Each summer as everyone goes away for a 3 month holiday, I'm back home working even more than normal because without students around, we can clean the library, take an inventory of the books, make repairs etc... 13 years is a long time. I'm utterly exhausted. The asthma is a blessing in disguise as it forces me to stop working and rest in my room. That's my holiday. My only fun is watching Miss Bird playing with her toys, clucking like a hen and being my best friend.