Don't worry folks. I won't be posting a "weekly anniversary" update for the next ten years but thought you might like to hear how my first week in Israel has been.
Actually, it kind of feels like I have been back longer - and I think that is a good thing. A lot here feels very familiar and it's nice to know that I sort of know my way round and that my Hebrew is not totally awful!

It's been a very busy week too. Our Academy groups are currently in the north of Israel, and hopefully I will be able to spend a bit more time with them soon. At the moment, I really need to be in or close to Jerusalem so I can go into the office to look after admin type stuff, especially as we still have three more groups arriving at the end of December and another long-term program that starts at the beginning of January.

I have managed to catch up with a few friends though and tomorrow I will be heading to Tel Aviv for a couple of days. It's my birthday tomorrow (Yeah! Happy Birthday to me!) and I am going to catch up with some friends there. I've also lined up a few meetings with some arts people, so hopefully that will be good for my networking too.

More on the work front, well, I have had one job interview so far and it went well (I think!) Turns out it's really more for freelance/contract type work, which could be good for the future, but right now it is really important to try and find a full time job. I have another interview lined up for something else and just waiting to hear when my interview will be exactly.

Some highlights from this last week:

• Taking the groups to The Kotel (The Western Wall) on their first shabbat in Israel. I took a peek at all the boys in the men's section and it was absolutely amazing to see them all singing and dancing together.
• Cats are everywhere in Israel - and I mean everywhere! I saw this little kitty taking a drink from the handwashing fountain at The Kotel and thought to myself... only in Israel!

• There is a lovely lady, Ariella, who cleans my little serviced apartment every day and I came back from being in Tel Aviv overnight yesterday to discover that she had taken my laundry bag and done all my laundry for me.

And one (small) low-light:

• Ariella gave me a small toaster oven for my room and on the first day, I managed to set my smoke alarm off and scare the crap out of everybody. Note to self: clean out old remnants of toast before using...

Sorry this is not the most exciting, inspiring or literary of postings, but give me time! I am sure the creative juices will be flowing soon in this the land of chalav v'dvash (milk and honey!)