Yesterday was 36 degrees and very humid. You could hardly breathe as the air was heavy and the heat oppressive. Needless to say it did me no good. I stayed indoors most of the time.
Today is a little cooler - 30 degrees. Primary school exam results are out and students with their parents are crowding around their schools. Colleges and Uni. are still having their exams though.
Fr Vincenzo came over to see me and he updated me with the sponsorship programme. The children are well taken care off. Now in summer, Fr Vincenzo buys bread spread with some butter and give the children to eat at tea time. And he hopes to buy a television as well so they can spend the afternoons watching Sat7 Kids - the christian channel for children showing bible stories and catechism; there are also educational programmes teaching simple maths and science. This will keep the children entertained and educated since some have no means of going to school.
Mother Theresa's sisters also received your donations and they're very thankful. They would like me to buy medicines for the sick people whom they care for.
This week's 1st readings come from the prophet Amos. I was wondering this morning where his tomb is. In Iraq, terrorists bombed the tomb of the prophet Jonah. Aweful.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Change of weather
There's a lovely full moon shining through my window the last 2 nights. It floats through the Jerusalem sky, it's light bouncing off the buildings on the Mt. of Olives.
And the weather has changed - alot cooler in fact and windy. This afternoon I was invited to lunch by the John the Baptist community. They were very kind and cooked a simple meal that I could eat. We chatted. Then on my way home, I decided to take the alleys of the Old City to avoid the crowds. It was nice and quiet. A lovely breeze was blowing. And round a corner there was the smell of barbeque - so very summer and arabic here in the Holyland. Passed the Spanish sisters convent. Clean quiet alley going downhill with lots of steps. Round another corner passing the Missionaries of Charity convent (no guesses, the alley is named "churches street"). reached the busy Suq (market) of Damascus Gate - passing by the tailor's shop where I stopped to say "hi" to the old haj. Haven't seen him for over 6 months (haven't been walking that alley for a long time). The old haj was very happy (he's muslim - haj is what we call old muslim men who made a pilgrimage to Mecca - but he has no problems with christians) and greeted me with typical arabic warmth and joy. It was good to see the old man again, still cutting cloth and sewing on his ancient Singer machine. Passed by the Shwarma store and the owner waved to me - haven't chatted with him for a long time too. Haven't bought a shwarma to eat for a very long time too. Passed by the souvenir store and the muslim owner whom I knew since 18 yrs back called me in to chat - he wanted to know if I was taking any herbal medicine as he was worried about my weight loss. Passed by another souvenir store and the muslim owner said he had been to Mecca and prayed for me and brought back Zam Zam water (muslim equivalent to holy water) to cure me.
My friend Habeeb is getting married right now in Haifa. He insisted on me coming for the wedding - but the thought of a 3 hr car ride while I'm still coughing tons of phlegm, a slight fever of 37 degrees and aching bones is not encouraging. About to rest when - as usual this entire week - the phone had to ring and wake me. It was Zaki, Habeeb's best friend, calling from the wedding. And Boaz, Habeeb's and our electrician, is also there. Hope they have a great time. I understand the dinner is going to be a big thing.
And Fr Vincenzo has arrived from Musky (Cairo). gave him all your donations to sponsor the children there. He's very grateful and will send some photos and reports on the situation.
And the weather has changed - alot cooler in fact and windy. This afternoon I was invited to lunch by the John the Baptist community. They were very kind and cooked a simple meal that I could eat. We chatted. Then on my way home, I decided to take the alleys of the Old City to avoid the crowds. It was nice and quiet. A lovely breeze was blowing. And round a corner there was the smell of barbeque - so very summer and arabic here in the Holyland. Passed the Spanish sisters convent. Clean quiet alley going downhill with lots of steps. Round another corner passing the Missionaries of Charity convent (no guesses, the alley is named "churches street"). reached the busy Suq (market) of Damascus Gate - passing by the tailor's shop where I stopped to say "hi" to the old haj. Haven't seen him for over 6 months (haven't been walking that alley for a long time). The old haj was very happy (he's muslim - haj is what we call old muslim men who made a pilgrimage to Mecca - but he has no problems with christians) and greeted me with typical arabic warmth and joy. It was good to see the old man again, still cutting cloth and sewing on his ancient Singer machine. Passed by the Shwarma store and the owner waved to me - haven't chatted with him for a long time too. Haven't bought a shwarma to eat for a very long time too. Passed by the souvenir store and the muslim owner whom I knew since 18 yrs back called me in to chat - he wanted to know if I was taking any herbal medicine as he was worried about my weight loss. Passed by another souvenir store and the muslim owner said he had been to Mecca and prayed for me and brought back Zam Zam water (muslim equivalent to holy water) to cure me.
My friend Habeeb is getting married right now in Haifa. He insisted on me coming for the wedding - but the thought of a 3 hr car ride while I'm still coughing tons of phlegm, a slight fever of 37 degrees and aching bones is not encouraging. About to rest when - as usual this entire week - the phone had to ring and wake me. It was Zaki, Habeeb's best friend, calling from the wedding. And Boaz, Habeeb's and our electrician, is also there. Hope they have a great time. I understand the dinner is going to be a big thing.
And Fr Vincenzo has arrived from Musky (Cairo). gave him all your donations to sponsor the children there. He's very grateful and will send some photos and reports on the situation.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Inspiration time
Here's one for inspiration and motivation: Connor has suffered from epilepsy since age 4 and his life has been very difficult since. But see the magic he does with kites - it's his spirit flying outside his broken body.
What about you? Looked beyond your limitations and found your gift?
What about you? Looked beyond your limitations and found your gift?
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Feast of John the Baptist
Today in Ein Kerem there was a solemn Mass - that's the place where John the Baptist was born. Lots of people went. Not me. I'm still sick - 38 degree fever and dreadful headache. Still had to go back to work as some Italian guests wanted to use our place. Had to be doorman.
Oh it's also Fr Giovanni Loche's birthday and feastday. Forgot. But he's ok with it. We chatted after dinner.
Managed to crawl home in the heat by noon. There's a lovely series of photos in the Haaretz website - animals in the zoo cooling off in the heatwave (40 degrees). I was terribly drowsy with the medicine but as things would have it, phone calls one after another. A minimum of 14 in all. Why doesn't anyone call me when I'm well? One wants the key to the car. Another wants a lists of hotels in Rome. Another wants a video cassette. It's a conspiracy, I tell you.
Just as well there was an earthquake in Canada today. I could have started one here. Then again I could follow John the Baptist's example and have my head chopped off - it'll solve the headache and fever.
Oh it's also Fr Giovanni Loche's birthday and feastday. Forgot. But he's ok with it. We chatted after dinner.
Managed to crawl home in the heat by noon. There's a lovely series of photos in the Haaretz website - animals in the zoo cooling off in the heatwave (40 degrees). I was terribly drowsy with the medicine but as things would have it, phone calls one after another. A minimum of 14 in all. Why doesn't anyone call me when I'm well? One wants the key to the car. Another wants a lists of hotels in Rome. Another wants a video cassette. It's a conspiracy, I tell you.
Just as well there was an earthquake in Canada today. I could have started one here. Then again I could follow John the Baptist's example and have my head chopped off - it'll solve the headache and fever.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Worse
My fever has gone up to 38 degrees. The heat from the lungs and throat are almost unbearable. Just longing to swallow some cold yoghurt to reduce the pain and heat. Was at Dr John's this morning - blood pressure is ok, blood sugar acceptable, heart rate ok. But the viral infection of my lungs and bronchus is bad. The doc told me to take augmentin and lots of liquid and rest. The last one sounds like mission impossible. Trying to rest - between two lessons, 20 telephone calls and one emergency visit to the office because one arab employee won't do what he was supposed to do. Endless hell.
Tonight we're having the end of year barbeque. It's becoming a tradition. Tried to sleep though. Got a call from the dean to come down and show my face. Clomp clomp clomp. With a 38 degree fever. Most students and professors were present. Must say the lamb ribs were fantastic. Khalil the cook came over to do overtime. Notably missing was Praveen. He called me several times today but I missed his calls, and I called him back but he missed all my calls. And then the other indian students began asking where he was and everyone began calling him ... and they got him ... except me. Praveen was texting me instead. So finally I made one last try and got through to him. He's off to Tel Aviv ... the nerve! On end of school year barbeque!! And come to think of it, another 1st year was missing - Eric from Peru.
OK the sisters in the kitchen have unlocked the fridge so I can take several plums to cool down my temp. And also some yoghurt. It's going to be a long night of coughing, fever and pain. Hope to get it over with.
Tonight we're having the end of year barbeque. It's becoming a tradition. Tried to sleep though. Got a call from the dean to come down and show my face. Clomp clomp clomp. With a 38 degree fever. Most students and professors were present. Must say the lamb ribs were fantastic. Khalil the cook came over to do overtime. Notably missing was Praveen. He called me several times today but I missed his calls, and I called him back but he missed all my calls. And then the other indian students began asking where he was and everyone began calling him ... and they got him ... except me. Praveen was texting me instead. So finally I made one last try and got through to him. He's off to Tel Aviv ... the nerve! On end of school year barbeque!! And come to think of it, another 1st year was missing - Eric from Peru.
OK the sisters in the kitchen have unlocked the fridge so I can take several plums to cool down my temp. And also some yoghurt. It's going to be a long night of coughing, fever and pain. Hope to get it over with.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Real sick
Wow ... now this is a damning report - http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/the-silent-expulsion-1.297577
Anyway I'm terribly ill today. Very bad cough and chest pains - excruciating to be exact. it burns the lungs and throat. Felt nauseous the whole day. Temp. was 37 degrees so not a fever. But it might be something viral. Dr. John (I called him on the phone as I couldn't bear the pain anymore) told me to take some paracetomol, or augmentin if there were any in the house. And drink lots of water, and a toddy - which the sisters in the kitchen made for me : hot milk with some honey and brandy. Hope I'll get better tomorrow otherwise I'll have to go to the clinic.
Anyway I'm terribly ill today. Very bad cough and chest pains - excruciating to be exact. it burns the lungs and throat. Felt nauseous the whole day. Temp. was 37 degrees so not a fever. But it might be something viral. Dr. John (I called him on the phone as I couldn't bear the pain anymore) told me to take some paracetomol, or augmentin if there were any in the house. And drink lots of water, and a toddy - which the sisters in the kitchen made for me : hot milk with some honey and brandy. Hope I'll get better tomorrow otherwise I'll have to go to the clinic.
Even hotter
The heatwave has started bushfires around the country. http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=179165 And to add to that, there's a hamsiin blowing as well. It's so stifling hot and dusty I've been coughing the whole day, even inside the house.
Yesterday Eilat was 46 degrees! In Jerusalem it was 38 degrees. The proverbial egg would have fried anywhere yesterday. I'm feeling terribly sick not just because of the heat but this mysterious diarrhea that has been laying me wasted for the past weeks. And the nausea as well. Not even coke seems to work - and it's zero coke with minimal suger. Nothing works anymore.
News is coming in that in Rome, archaeologists may have found the earliest paintings of Ss. Peter and Paul. Let's see how this developments in the next few weeks.
Yesterday Eilat was 46 degrees! In Jerusalem it was 38 degrees. The proverbial egg would have fried anywhere yesterday. I'm feeling terribly sick not just because of the heat but this mysterious diarrhea that has been laying me wasted for the past weeks. And the nausea as well. Not even coke seems to work - and it's zero coke with minimal suger. Nothing works anymore.
News is coming in that in Rome, archaeologists may have found the earliest paintings of Ss. Peter and Paul. Let's see how this developments in the next few weeks.
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