Wow - yesterday was marathon sleep! I was very tired even before lunch but forced mself to go down to the refectory anyway because the community hasn't seen me for 2 days. Good to catch up with the guys again - chatting and laughing at the dining table. Jobi (2nd year student from India) came over to me and said "We were worried about you because we didn't see you for 2 days". It's very nice - to have a community that cares and watches your back when you're out. Even Fr Kaswalder (the Tyrolese Old Testament professor who's pretty gruff) called me over and offered me a chocolate - something he doesn't usually do - it's his way of saying "welcome back". Anyway after lunch i slept right through till 6pm. The exhaustion just caught up. Went down for dinner (hardly ate anything because I was still sleepy), then came back up to my room and slept till 4am this morning. And guess what? I'm still feeling sleepy!!!! Better drink some coffee otherwise I'll get no studies done today.
I was thinking back at some of the things that happened the last 2 days when Lang was here. By the way, Luca from Sydney finally wrote this morning!!!! Hmmm it's about time. Anyway Luca, I was wearing your sneakers with my habit - looked really weird! Lang wanted to take photos to show you. Time you got me another pair too - this time half a size larger ok? Ok back from the digression - I had a tough time trying to introduce Lang to people (the friars or whomever we met). When I said he's my friend - they found it strange. To the friars, I have to say he's my student. You see, around here it's not normal to have people younger than you to be friends. Friends are your peers, of your same age or work. At St Peter Gallicantu where we had to pay entrance fees, the guy asked who Lang was. I said a friend. he looked puzzled. He asked again and I said the same thing. He couldn't understand. I took out the money to pay for Lang, and the guy (arab) said "He's your brother". I looked back and the guy nodded his head, "yes, brother" he repeated. Then he let Lang enter free of charge. It got me thinking about the "brothers and sisters of Jesus" in the Gospels. It's the local culture to introduce people younger than you as brothers and sisters, not friends. They may not be your blood brothers and sisters, but that is how they are viewed here from a social and cultural point of view. Because they are younger, you must take care of them (in my case, bringing Lang to visit places), just as you would your own brothers and sisters; hence the name. It's a social relationship rather than a blood relationship. And of course those of you who have been here in Israel, you would have heard a hundred times the street vendors saying "Come to visit my brother's shop next door", and half the time we're laughing silently - "yeah sure". We all know they're not brothers, but that is how they call each other. So to those who still claim that Mary had other children "brothers and sisters of Jesus", I say come to the Holyland and experience the culture. It's the 5th Gospel - it'll teach you alot of things.
On the other hand "friends" are those of your age, same work or dignity - your equals. And its wonderful to hear from John's Gospel that Jesus calls us "friends"; note that previously he calls his apostles "little children". This concept of friendship with God actually comes from the Old Testament Book of Wisdom (my thesis book), and it raises our dignity and value in the eyes of God. God treats us with such high regard that we can be called his friends. Now think about that!
OK end of lecture. There're alot more reflections but we'll keep it for the next blogs. Just make sure you behave like God's friends today ok?
Monday, December 10, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Travelogue
Today's blog is going to be a travelogue about the visits we made (Lang and I). The weather was pretty fine but cold though, so I couldn't figure of I should wear more or less; and whether I should wear the habit or not. So finally decided on wearing jeans and sneakers (!!!!) under the habit, and brought a backpack with shirt, raincoat etc. Pretty heavy!
I was up at Casa Nova by 9am and took Lang through the Armenian Quarter. We visited the Armenian Cathedral of St James but there was a Liturgy there so we decided not to go in. It's a commemoraiton of St James "brother of the Lord", who was mentioned in Acts 15 and who was later killed (see also Acts. Don't be lazy, check it out yourselves!). From there we went out of the Old City onto "Mt. Zion" and visited the Franciscan Last Supper Room and the Crusader Last Supper Room. It was pretty quiet, only 2 groups that sped in and out. So we stayed for almost an hour in the Crusader room, and we talked about Church architecture and spirituality/theology. Lang is an architect and is here in Tel Aviv this week for an architectural competition. Well, he got the "most interesting lecture on religious architecture" than what he learnt at the U. from me! (Not bad huh?) I'm no expert, but (there's always the 'but") my teacher in Italian (way back in 1992 in Rome) would teach me Italian while visited the Churches in Rome. He holds a doctorate in Franciscan Architecture so he explained architectural styles and changes that influenced or were influenced by spiritual and theology. From there I researched on my own (the past 10 years) Hellenistic, Greek, Nabatean, Crusader and Roman architecture and how it was used by the Church to express its theology and spirituality. Lang was writing notes furiously. We then visited the Dormition Abbey (commemoration of Mary's death) and St. Peter Gallicantu (commemoration of Peter's demial of Jesus).
From there (I changed to civilian clothes) we walked around the city walls into Dung Gate. We saw the Waiing Wall and remains of the Temple from Christ's time; then moved on to the Crusader ruins of St. Mary of the Germans and then walked the whole of the Roman Cardo Maximus ("Straight Street" or the main road of the city built by the Romans in the 2nd century AD). We then bought Shwarma (Lamb roasted on a spit and wrapped in pita bread) and ate in my room for lunch. The Cardo almost ends at my monastery. Then it was change again into the habit, and we went down the Kidron valley (See John's Gospel) to the Garden of Gethsemani. The superior Fr Raphael was at the gate and he gave me the keys so that Lang and I could walk inside the enclosed garden and touch the ancient Olive trees, some over 1,000 years old. Fr Raphael is always good to me. He knew me since I was here as a seminarian back in 1990. the gardens are off limits to the public so it was a privilege to walk through it, and many tourists standing outside were envious. Lang took lots of pictures inside the church; and like typical tourists, when they saw Lang taking photos of certain things I was pointing out, they flocked to hear my explanation and started taking photos as well. I also pointed out to Lang the tomb of Bishop Pasini, our franciscan bishop of Sanyuan (China) who spent 40 years in Gethsemani praying for China after his expulsion and is buried inside the basilica. And Rumanian, Russian, American tourists started photos of the tomb too, even though they know nothing of him! Ahhhh tourists ..... photo, photo.
After that we went to the Grotto of the Betrayal and the Tomb of Mary (Greek Orthodox today - formerly Franciscan). The Greek Orthodox monk was pretty friendly and greeted us and welcomed us. Lang took lots of photos - and the American tourists followed us, listening to my explanations. Hmmmm nothing like a free guide. We then walked back to my monastery but on the way we met a Singaporean group. It was pretty late (5pm dark and all the churches were closed) so we continued to Casa Nova and then had dinner in a restaurent behind Casa Nova. Lovely quaint place runned by Syrian Orthodox. Good local food, nice arabic ambiance, and reasonable prices. Wanna try it out? You gotta come to Jerusalem first!!!!
Reached home by 9pm and was exhausted so slept immediately.
This morning I celebrated Mass on Mt Calvary with Lang doing the readings. 5.30am. A Singaporean or Malaysian group booked for Mass at 6.30am but never showed up. They also booked for Mass two days ago and never showed up. Terrible. They should have at least called so we know the altar is not used and we can give another group to celebrate Mass there. The group is led by Fr Charles Sim. Anyone knows him?
After Mass we walked back to the 8th Station to buy apple buns for breakfast. Oh but before that I showed Lang the Ethiopic Church and the Coptic Church. The Ethiopians were having Sunday Mass. And the singing is stupendous. No its not like a choral+organ kind of stuff that we are used to; it's ancient chanting, polyphonic (naturally like most african singing), languid is what I'd describe it, almost melancholic but still very dignified. You have to experience this. It transports you into another world. I was explaining to lang that the Etiopic church is one of the oldest since it is recorded in the Book of Acts that Philip baptised the Ethiopian eunuch near Bethlehem and tradition says he brought Christianity into Ethiopia after that. Now that is ancient! As we walked down the Cardo again, we met a Singaporean couple rushing up and down holding a map. They had parked their hired car outside the Old City and were being charged over US$10 an hour so they wanted to quickly see the Last Supper Room and get back before the price gets too high. Well obviously they were lost. I gave them directions and they ran off. Lang and I then decided not to have breakfast at Casa Nova but back at my place, so we made a huge u-turn across the Crusader markets. And guess what? Found the Singaporean couple again. Totally lost! Hmmmm so much for Singaporeans taking directions. Got them back on track again and as they were leaving the wife said "God always sends an angel when we get into trouble". My good deed for the day.
Well we had breakfast in my room and then we had to rush off to the New City because Lang needed to catch the mini-bus for Tel Aviv. He's leaving Israel this afternoon. Anyway it was good having him around - it was a good break. Reminded me of Luca, Andrew, James, Lawrence and Lily last year when they came. I guess I still miss the Sydney youth group that they belong. They're great guys and lots of fun.... and very polite.
All in all I must have walked 7 km these two days. Good sign - my ankle isn't hurting anymore. Lang said something that got me appreciating again what it means to live in the Holyland. He said, while eating his blueberry bun in my room, how unique and wonderful to walk everyday on the 2000 yr old stones, where people from the bible, not just names, actually lived and died. Yes its so true, but for us who live here, we tend to take it for granted. Like 8th Station of the Cross = bakery. Aiya, gotta change this mindset.
So journey, journey ..... Lang is flying back. I'm still trudging the ancient stones, and you guys? Why not come and trudge with me? If these ancient stones could speak, what will it tell you?
I was up at Casa Nova by 9am and took Lang through the Armenian Quarter. We visited the Armenian Cathedral of St James but there was a Liturgy there so we decided not to go in. It's a commemoraiton of St James "brother of the Lord", who was mentioned in Acts 15 and who was later killed (see also Acts. Don't be lazy, check it out yourselves!). From there we went out of the Old City onto "Mt. Zion" and visited the Franciscan Last Supper Room and the Crusader Last Supper Room. It was pretty quiet, only 2 groups that sped in and out. So we stayed for almost an hour in the Crusader room, and we talked about Church architecture and spirituality/theology. Lang is an architect and is here in Tel Aviv this week for an architectural competition. Well, he got the "most interesting lecture on religious architecture" than what he learnt at the U. from me! (Not bad huh?) I'm no expert, but (there's always the 'but") my teacher in Italian (way back in 1992 in Rome) would teach me Italian while visited the Churches in Rome. He holds a doctorate in Franciscan Architecture so he explained architectural styles and changes that influenced or were influenced by spiritual and theology. From there I researched on my own (the past 10 years) Hellenistic, Greek, Nabatean, Crusader and Roman architecture and how it was used by the Church to express its theology and spirituality. Lang was writing notes furiously. We then visited the Dormition Abbey (commemoration of Mary's death) and St. Peter Gallicantu (commemoration of Peter's demial of Jesus).
From there (I changed to civilian clothes) we walked around the city walls into Dung Gate. We saw the Waiing Wall and remains of the Temple from Christ's time; then moved on to the Crusader ruins of St. Mary of the Germans and then walked the whole of the Roman Cardo Maximus ("Straight Street" or the main road of the city built by the Romans in the 2nd century AD). We then bought Shwarma (Lamb roasted on a spit and wrapped in pita bread) and ate in my room for lunch. The Cardo almost ends at my monastery. Then it was change again into the habit, and we went down the Kidron valley (See John's Gospel) to the Garden of Gethsemani. The superior Fr Raphael was at the gate and he gave me the keys so that Lang and I could walk inside the enclosed garden and touch the ancient Olive trees, some over 1,000 years old. Fr Raphael is always good to me. He knew me since I was here as a seminarian back in 1990. the gardens are off limits to the public so it was a privilege to walk through it, and many tourists standing outside were envious. Lang took lots of pictures inside the church; and like typical tourists, when they saw Lang taking photos of certain things I was pointing out, they flocked to hear my explanation and started taking photos as well. I also pointed out to Lang the tomb of Bishop Pasini, our franciscan bishop of Sanyuan (China) who spent 40 years in Gethsemani praying for China after his expulsion and is buried inside the basilica. And Rumanian, Russian, American tourists started photos of the tomb too, even though they know nothing of him! Ahhhh tourists ..... photo, photo.
After that we went to the Grotto of the Betrayal and the Tomb of Mary (Greek Orthodox today - formerly Franciscan). The Greek Orthodox monk was pretty friendly and greeted us and welcomed us. Lang took lots of photos - and the American tourists followed us, listening to my explanations. Hmmmm nothing like a free guide. We then walked back to my monastery but on the way we met a Singaporean group. It was pretty late (5pm dark and all the churches were closed) so we continued to Casa Nova and then had dinner in a restaurent behind Casa Nova. Lovely quaint place runned by Syrian Orthodox. Good local food, nice arabic ambiance, and reasonable prices. Wanna try it out? You gotta come to Jerusalem first!!!!
Reached home by 9pm and was exhausted so slept immediately.
This morning I celebrated Mass on Mt Calvary with Lang doing the readings. 5.30am. A Singaporean or Malaysian group booked for Mass at 6.30am but never showed up. They also booked for Mass two days ago and never showed up. Terrible. They should have at least called so we know the altar is not used and we can give another group to celebrate Mass there. The group is led by Fr Charles Sim. Anyone knows him?
After Mass we walked back to the 8th Station to buy apple buns for breakfast. Oh but before that I showed Lang the Ethiopic Church and the Coptic Church. The Ethiopians were having Sunday Mass. And the singing is stupendous. No its not like a choral+organ kind of stuff that we are used to; it's ancient chanting, polyphonic (naturally like most african singing), languid is what I'd describe it, almost melancholic but still very dignified. You have to experience this. It transports you into another world. I was explaining to lang that the Etiopic church is one of the oldest since it is recorded in the Book of Acts that Philip baptised the Ethiopian eunuch near Bethlehem and tradition says he brought Christianity into Ethiopia after that. Now that is ancient! As we walked down the Cardo again, we met a Singaporean couple rushing up and down holding a map. They had parked their hired car outside the Old City and were being charged over US$10 an hour so they wanted to quickly see the Last Supper Room and get back before the price gets too high. Well obviously they were lost. I gave them directions and they ran off. Lang and I then decided not to have breakfast at Casa Nova but back at my place, so we made a huge u-turn across the Crusader markets. And guess what? Found the Singaporean couple again. Totally lost! Hmmmm so much for Singaporeans taking directions. Got them back on track again and as they were leaving the wife said "God always sends an angel when we get into trouble". My good deed for the day.
Well we had breakfast in my room and then we had to rush off to the New City because Lang needed to catch the mini-bus for Tel Aviv. He's leaving Israel this afternoon. Anyway it was good having him around - it was a good break. Reminded me of Luca, Andrew, James, Lawrence and Lily last year when they came. I guess I still miss the Sydney youth group that they belong. They're great guys and lots of fun.... and very polite.
All in all I must have walked 7 km these two days. Good sign - my ankle isn't hurting anymore. Lang said something that got me appreciating again what it means to live in the Holyland. He said, while eating his blueberry bun in my room, how unique and wonderful to walk everyday on the 2000 yr old stones, where people from the bible, not just names, actually lived and died. Yes its so true, but for us who live here, we tend to take it for granted. Like 8th Station of the Cross = bakery. Aiya, gotta change this mindset.
So journey, journey ..... Lang is flying back. I'm still trudging the ancient stones, and you guys? Why not come and trudge with me? If these ancient stones could speak, what will it tell you?
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Feast of Immaculate Conception
Today's feastday reminds us that God originally created humanity to be without sin. But through human free choice and folly, sin entered our lives. There's a very nice passage from the Book of Wisdom (you guys who never read the Bible, start reading today!!!) that says "Death was not God's doing; he takes no pleasure in the extinction of the living..." (1:13 meaning chapter 1 verse 13 for those who are still struggling to understand the bible) and "God did not make man perishable; He made him in the image of His own nature; it was the devil's envy that brught death into the world..." (2:23). Mary's immaculate conception reminds us what it would be like for us if sin didn't creep into our lives. But don't despair! Christ came to save us, as He did for Mary, so we will return to that pristine state again if we do all that he tells us.
And of course today's feastday reminds us also of Duns Scotus who fought for the dogma of the Immaculate Conception 700 years ago but was condemned and persecuted. He was vindicated only in the 19th century when the Pope declared Mary's Immculate Conception as dogma and that Scotus was correct after all.
Yesterday was wet! The rains came in the late evening at about 5pm. That was when Lang and I were out in the streets - was going to check him in at our Franciscan hostel "Casa Nova". We could only see the Holy Sepulchre as all the other churches were closed by then. And we had a simple dinner at Notre Dame of Jerusalem. Today I'll bring him around the churches of the Old City since the Jewish Quarter is closed for the Sabbath.
There's no school today because of the feast so I think I'll not study today - as a treat. So nothing much else to report. Will update you tomorrow.
And of course today's feastday reminds us also of Duns Scotus who fought for the dogma of the Immaculate Conception 700 years ago but was condemned and persecuted. He was vindicated only in the 19th century when the Pope declared Mary's Immculate Conception as dogma and that Scotus was correct after all.
Yesterday was wet! The rains came in the late evening at about 5pm. That was when Lang and I were out in the streets - was going to check him in at our Franciscan hostel "Casa Nova". We could only see the Holy Sepulchre as all the other churches were closed by then. And we had a simple dinner at Notre Dame of Jerusalem. Today I'll bring him around the churches of the Old City since the Jewish Quarter is closed for the Sabbath.
There's no school today because of the feast so I think I'll not study today - as a treat. So nothing much else to report. Will update you tomorrow.
Friday, December 7, 2007
No rain again
The rains didn't come. The sky was very dark yesterday but the wind was too strong. it blew all the clouds into Jordan. But the winds were very cold. Even this morning, the cold wind kept up its momentum - pretty strong. I've got to wear 2 layers of wool now to keep warm.
And I'm getting to like sleeping on the floor. I think maybe that's what I'll do. It really makes the room look more spacious and less claustrophobic. And I can always push the mattress against the wall to make for more space or cleaning the floor. I'm feeling alot more relaxed, and right now I'm listening to the harp CD sent by Paula. Nice.
And I saw several people with bug bites - I'm on the lookout! Fr Marcello came to class and he had the red bites on his neck; and Pavel a Polish student had them on his ears. Me? I fumigate my room 3 times a day, vacuum twice and sun all my pillows and clothes for the whole day when the sun shines. Not taking anymore risks!
Thanks to Kyla for spreading the word to CLC about donations to Musky's kids.
Today's reading from Isaiah 19 was incredible. I was researching on it 2 years ago but it is still fantastic - too good to be true. He prophesied that there will be an altar to Yahweh built in the middle of Egypt, and the egyptians will worship yahweh the true God, and that a road will be built linking Egypt to Assyria (Modern Syria and Iraq) and Israel will be a part of this union. All living in peace. Well from archaeology we know that there was a temple built to Yahweh in the 4th century BC in the Egyptian island of Elephantine but got destroyed later, and another temple built in the 2nd century BC in Leontopolis near Cairo which was destroyed by the 1st century AD. SO at least that part of the prophecy came true, but not all the Egyptians believed in Yahweh though. Hmmm now if only it did come true, then we'll have peace in the Middle East at last. Maybe that's what Advent is saying - wait for that peace, it'll come.
And I'm getting to like sleeping on the floor. I think maybe that's what I'll do. It really makes the room look more spacious and less claustrophobic. And I can always push the mattress against the wall to make for more space or cleaning the floor. I'm feeling alot more relaxed, and right now I'm listening to the harp CD sent by Paula. Nice.
And I saw several people with bug bites - I'm on the lookout! Fr Marcello came to class and he had the red bites on his neck; and Pavel a Polish student had them on his ears. Me? I fumigate my room 3 times a day, vacuum twice and sun all my pillows and clothes for the whole day when the sun shines. Not taking anymore risks!
Thanks to Kyla for spreading the word to CLC about donations to Musky's kids.
Today's reading from Isaiah 19 was incredible. I was researching on it 2 years ago but it is still fantastic - too good to be true. He prophesied that there will be an altar to Yahweh built in the middle of Egypt, and the egyptians will worship yahweh the true God, and that a road will be built linking Egypt to Assyria (Modern Syria and Iraq) and Israel will be a part of this union. All living in peace. Well from archaeology we know that there was a temple built to Yahweh in the 4th century BC in the Egyptian island of Elephantine but got destroyed later, and another temple built in the 2nd century BC in Leontopolis near Cairo which was destroyed by the 1st century AD. SO at least that part of the prophecy came true, but not all the Egyptians believed in Yahweh though. Hmmm now if only it did come true, then we'll have peace in the Middle East at last. Maybe that's what Advent is saying - wait for that peace, it'll come.
Thanks from Fr Vincenzo
Fr Vincenzo stopped by briefly to say bye to me as he's leaving for Musky on Monday. I told him of your donaitons and he wants to thank you all very much. Here's the list so far that I have of those who have donated to the kids in Musky.
1. Letty Chabot
2. Auntie Yvonne
3. Susan Kwan
4. Paulette
5. Irene Teoh
6. Emma Ho
7. Angela Leung
8. Paula Leung
Fr Vincenzo wants you to know that it is absolutely for the poor children in Musky and he wants to write personally to each one of you but I said it's ok if he writes in my blog in italian and I translate.
Thanks for your kindness. I'll pray for you at the manger on Christmas Day when I celebrate Mass there.
1. Letty Chabot
2. Auntie Yvonne
3. Susan Kwan
4. Paulette
5. Irene Teoh
6. Emma Ho
7. Angela Leung
8. Paula Leung
Fr Vincenzo wants you to know that it is absolutely for the poor children in Musky and he wants to write personally to each one of you but I said it's ok if he writes in my blog in italian and I translate.
Thanks for your kindness. I'll pray for you at the manger on Christmas Day when I celebrate Mass there.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
No rain yet!
The aweful headache is subsiding .... so I can do a little more reading today. And I found out I wasn't the only one who has a bed bug problem. But their's is not as serious as mine.
The Advent readings these few days got me thinking. It's all from the prophet Isaiah and the promise that God will intervene in human history because humans are just incapable of helping themselves. Isn't it awesome that God actually cares enough for us to actually intervene? Think about that - you matter enough for God to intervene.
The meeting with the Custos went well yesterday. He approved my request to translate the Custody's webnews into chinese and create our own website. He also approved my request that our groups that come to the Holyland without priests, can celebrate instead the Liturgy in the Absence of a priest; meaning there'll be the readings of the sanctuary, intercessions, then Our Father and Communion. But this is NOT a Mass; only a rite that is approved because most of our groups have no priests follwoing them, so they do not have Mass during their pilgrimage. And its a privilege ONLY for our Duns Scotus groups. So that's good news for our pilgrims. However there're several strict regulations to follow so that abuses do not occur. Will keep you updated, or you'll see it in the news in our Duns Scotus Pilgrimage website (still under construction but will soon be online).
Couldn't sleep early yesterday because of the headache so studied abit of arabic - can't imagine how much I've forgotten. That sent me straight to sleep! Today I plan to go to the New City and buy some bird seed because the poor canaries have no more food. And by the way, I was in Talpiot (surburb) to look for beds and tables. Found a real good one just the right size for my room (pretty small) but the guy wants 4,500 shekels (HK$9,000) plus 300 shekels for transport and another 300 shekels for assembling the stuff. Like the whole deal will cost more than HK$10,000! This morning all the guys here asked if I got it: it's now a traditoin in our house for everyone to guess when my bed and table will arrive. Aiya, but I'm resigned to sleeping on the floor. It's actually quite nice, except for the cold.
And the rains didn't come - at least not this morning. The sun is shining so I brought my pillows out to sun. But afraid that it'll get stolen ( or as we say "borrowed permanently"); not just the pillows but the metal stand that I bought. Anyway the weather forecast is that it'll rain tonight. Let's see if it will. We really need the rains.
Lang and his friends went off to the Dead Sea yesterday on their own. But they'll come to Jerusalem early on Friday. I'll go pick them up at Novotel as it's a safe place.
Meantime before I start my studies, I'll vacuum my room. It's terribly dusty, as anyone in Jerusalem will tell you because of the dry weather. So that's it.
The Advent readings these few days got me thinking. It's all from the prophet Isaiah and the promise that God will intervene in human history because humans are just incapable of helping themselves. Isn't it awesome that God actually cares enough for us to actually intervene? Think about that - you matter enough for God to intervene.
The meeting with the Custos went well yesterday. He approved my request to translate the Custody's webnews into chinese and create our own website. He also approved my request that our groups that come to the Holyland without priests, can celebrate instead the Liturgy in the Absence of a priest; meaning there'll be the readings of the sanctuary, intercessions, then Our Father and Communion. But this is NOT a Mass; only a rite that is approved because most of our groups have no priests follwoing them, so they do not have Mass during their pilgrimage. And its a privilege ONLY for our Duns Scotus groups. So that's good news for our pilgrims. However there're several strict regulations to follow so that abuses do not occur. Will keep you updated, or you'll see it in the news in our Duns Scotus Pilgrimage website (still under construction but will soon be online).
Couldn't sleep early yesterday because of the headache so studied abit of arabic - can't imagine how much I've forgotten. That sent me straight to sleep! Today I plan to go to the New City and buy some bird seed because the poor canaries have no more food. And by the way, I was in Talpiot (surburb) to look for beds and tables. Found a real good one just the right size for my room (pretty small) but the guy wants 4,500 shekels (HK$9,000) plus 300 shekels for transport and another 300 shekels for assembling the stuff. Like the whole deal will cost more than HK$10,000! This morning all the guys here asked if I got it: it's now a traditoin in our house for everyone to guess when my bed and table will arrive. Aiya, but I'm resigned to sleeping on the floor. It's actually quite nice, except for the cold.
And the rains didn't come - at least not this morning. The sun is shining so I brought my pillows out to sun. But afraid that it'll get stolen ( or as we say "borrowed permanently"); not just the pillows but the metal stand that I bought. Anyway the weather forecast is that it'll rain tonight. Let's see if it will. We really need the rains.
Lang and his friends went off to the Dead Sea yesterday on their own. But they'll come to Jerusalem early on Friday. I'll go pick them up at Novotel as it's a safe place.
Meantime before I start my studies, I'll vacuum my room. It's terribly dusty, as anyone in Jerusalem will tell you because of the dry weather. So that's it.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
No bug bites!
The room so much more spacious without a bed. And ..... I had no new bug bites last night. Down side - too cold on the floor: I've got a terrible headache now because of the cold. Well, you can't win them all.
Matthew was also re-arranging his room. It's a lot bigger but the downside is he doesn't get the sun and the kids next door keep him awake the whole night. Can't win them all.
Both of us are working on our scheme of research, and both of us have to do alot of bargaining with our directors of our theses. He just faced a block, and is feeling very upset; so he stopped studying for 2 days. Re-arranging his room is a good diversion for him. And I think he went for a jog to get it off his system. Me? well I haven't submitted my scheme yet so I wouldn't know. I was already rejected 3 times in the last 3 months and had to change topics. Now my strategy is to formulate a good research scheme, get a nice title, and wait for the director to be in a good mood - believe me it will take some time..... but I can wait.
Meantime my headache is killing me. Will take a panadol and do some light reading - which is in Catalan. It isn't such a difficult language: like a mixture of spanish, portuguese and french. But there are some words that really stump me (and these are the ones that occur the most). Anyway the article is very important for my research so I'll have to get back to reading it and writing notes.
Guess I'll go see Matthew also and find out how he is today.
Matthew was also re-arranging his room. It's a lot bigger but the downside is he doesn't get the sun and the kids next door keep him awake the whole night. Can't win them all.
Both of us are working on our scheme of research, and both of us have to do alot of bargaining with our directors of our theses. He just faced a block, and is feeling very upset; so he stopped studying for 2 days. Re-arranging his room is a good diversion for him. And I think he went for a jog to get it off his system. Me? well I haven't submitted my scheme yet so I wouldn't know. I was already rejected 3 times in the last 3 months and had to change topics. Now my strategy is to formulate a good research scheme, get a nice title, and wait for the director to be in a good mood - believe me it will take some time..... but I can wait.
Meantime my headache is killing me. Will take a panadol and do some light reading - which is in Catalan. It isn't such a difficult language: like a mixture of spanish, portuguese and french. But there are some words that really stump me (and these are the ones that occur the most). Anyway the article is very important for my research so I'll have to get back to reading it and writing notes.
Guess I'll go see Matthew also and find out how he is today.
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