domesticity - my new favourite word
A lot has happened in the last couple of weeks. The most significant event was that I finally moved into my apartment last weekend. Once again, I need to re-iterate that here in Israel, things work a little differently to the rest of the world (well, the parts I know anyway).
The previous tenant, Charlie (yes, I know, NOT a very Israeli-sounding name!) had not managed to find a new apartment by the time I moved in. He ended up storing most of his things in the apartment (which was fine by me given I have like... nothing at the moment!) He was also kind enough to leave me his TV - complete with cable connection - and his washing machine while he was still hunting for a new place. All in all, it was a beautifully symbiotic relationship. Charlie didn't need to stress out about finding a place to store all his stuff and I got to use a whole bunch of things I didn't have.
Alas, all good things come to an end and this weekend Charlie is moving into his new apartment. However, it is not all bad. As sheer good timing would have it, in the last week, I managed to purchase a good quality second-hand washing machine and dryer and get the internet connected at home. Cable TV will come later - when my TV arrives! Try explaining to the cable company that I have a TV, but it's on a ship coming from Australia. I am usually met with a confused grunt-like "uh?"
Anyway, with internet, I am connected to the world, and I can watch the news, even movies online, so really, I am not exactly suffering. Plus, I really should use this "TV-less" period to finish reading the four books I started.
I spent most of last weekend cleaning the apartment. The bathroom, kitchen, lounge room, floors - everything was pretty filthy. By Saturday night I was absolutely wiped out, but filled with joyous self-satisfaction for a job well done. The kitchen cupboards had food in them. I was finally able to unwrap all the kitchenware I had bought from Ikea a few weeks earlier and put everything away. I looked at my new sofa and thought to myself, "I hope to hell you are comfortable, because I am screwed for the next month or two if you aren't." (Luckily for me, New Sofa passed the test with flying colours - but ask me again in a few weeks ok?)
I did manage some time-out though last weekend when I went to the Old City for Shabbat dinner with a friend. Sometimes I feel like I am walking around a film set when I am in the Old City, especially on Shabbat. It's utterly surreal, but very beautiful at the same time. It's times like this when I feel like I have to pinch myself - do I really live in Jerusalem?
The other big thing that has happened in the last week is that I am now the proud owner of a little seven month old cat whom I have called "Syd" in honour of her mother's (that's me, not her actual mother!) Australian roots. If I get a second cat, I promise to call her "Melba" so as to even the score a little.
I got Syd from an American guy who adored her, but just wasn't home very often and felt really guilty about leaving her alone for long periods. So, SGD comes to the rescue. I rang first to make a time to go and visit her, you know - to see if we 'clicked'. My friend Becky said, "oh you know that if you go see her, you will definitely end up taking her!" Ummm. You were right Becky.
I brought her home on Thursday night and after an initial half an hour or cowering under the sofa, she poked her head out and started to explore. By night's end, Syd had cased the joint thoroughly, worked out where her litter box was, had consumed a tasty meal of kitty crunchies and warm milk (yes, I am a total sucker) and finished the night off by stretching out on the sofa for a good night's sleep.
Folks - meet Syd.
Today I achieved something I am particularly proud of; I built an Ikea bookcase ALL BY MYSELF! It's been sitting in a flat packed cardboard box for some time now, and for a number of reasons:
My spatial skills were severely tested today, but at the end of it all, it was worth it and here are the results! Ta da!
My dozen or so books look a little pitiful and lonely I know, but eventually it will be overflowing given I have several hundred books coming. Speaking of things coming, I received an email from the shipping company in Sydney to tell me that my container is finally leaving Aussie shores this week! I am so excited! In another four to six weeks, my stuff should arrive. Honestly, I fantasize about sleeping in my own bed again!
Ok, time to stick the kettle on again for a cuppa. I have a CD tower from Ikea that needs building and I think I will give it a go while I still have the will and motivation!
The previous tenant, Charlie (yes, I know, NOT a very Israeli-sounding name!) had not managed to find a new apartment by the time I moved in. He ended up storing most of his things in the apartment (which was fine by me given I have like... nothing at the moment!) He was also kind enough to leave me his TV - complete with cable connection - and his washing machine while he was still hunting for a new place. All in all, it was a beautifully symbiotic relationship. Charlie didn't need to stress out about finding a place to store all his stuff and I got to use a whole bunch of things I didn't have.
Alas, all good things come to an end and this weekend Charlie is moving into his new apartment. However, it is not all bad. As sheer good timing would have it, in the last week, I managed to purchase a good quality second-hand washing machine and dryer and get the internet connected at home. Cable TV will come later - when my TV arrives! Try explaining to the cable company that I have a TV, but it's on a ship coming from Australia. I am usually met with a confused grunt-like "uh?"
Anyway, with internet, I am connected to the world, and I can watch the news, even movies online, so really, I am not exactly suffering. Plus, I really should use this "TV-less" period to finish reading the four books I started.
I spent most of last weekend cleaning the apartment. The bathroom, kitchen, lounge room, floors - everything was pretty filthy. By Saturday night I was absolutely wiped out, but filled with joyous self-satisfaction for a job well done. The kitchen cupboards had food in them. I was finally able to unwrap all the kitchenware I had bought from Ikea a few weeks earlier and put everything away. I looked at my new sofa and thought to myself, "I hope to hell you are comfortable, because I am screwed for the next month or two if you aren't." (Luckily for me, New Sofa passed the test with flying colours - but ask me again in a few weeks ok?)
I did manage some time-out though last weekend when I went to the Old City for Shabbat dinner with a friend. Sometimes I feel like I am walking around a film set when I am in the Old City, especially on Shabbat. It's utterly surreal, but very beautiful at the same time. It's times like this when I feel like I have to pinch myself - do I really live in Jerusalem?
The other big thing that has happened in the last week is that I am now the proud owner of a little seven month old cat whom I have called "Syd" in honour of her mother's (that's me, not her actual mother!) Australian roots. If I get a second cat, I promise to call her "Melba" so as to even the score a little.
I got Syd from an American guy who adored her, but just wasn't home very often and felt really guilty about leaving her alone for long periods. So, SGD comes to the rescue. I rang first to make a time to go and visit her, you know - to see if we 'clicked'. My friend Becky said, "oh you know that if you go see her, you will definitely end up taking her!" Ummm. You were right Becky.
I brought her home on Thursday night and after an initial half an hour or cowering under the sofa, she poked her head out and started to explore. By night's end, Syd had cased the joint thoroughly, worked out where her litter box was, had consumed a tasty meal of kitty crunchies and warm milk (yes, I am a total sucker) and finished the night off by stretching out on the sofa for a good night's sleep.
Folks - meet Syd.
Today I achieved something I am particularly proud of; I built an Ikea bookcase ALL BY MYSELF! It's been sitting in a flat packed cardboard box for some time now, and for a number of reasons:
- It conveniently blocked the sunlight from streaming through the window in the morning
- I haven't got my books yet, so I don't really need it
- Building Ikea furniture fills me with dread and fear
My spatial skills were severely tested today, but at the end of it all, it was worth it and here are the results! Ta da!
My dozen or so books look a little pitiful and lonely I know, but eventually it will be overflowing given I have several hundred books coming. Speaking of things coming, I received an email from the shipping company in Sydney to tell me that my container is finally leaving Aussie shores this week! I am so excited! In another four to six weeks, my stuff should arrive. Honestly, I fantasize about sleeping in my own bed again!Ok, time to stick the kettle on again for a cuppa. I have a CD tower from Ikea that needs building and I think I will give it a go while I still have the will and motivation!