January 14, 2010
My desire for the aaliyah
Over at the Muquata, they have an article up about the aaliyah and his summary (JoeSettler) basically sums up how I feel about the topic. Despite the health issues I am currently experiencing the aaliyah has never left my desire!!!! I am copying and pasting this post because I feel it is a very interesting read!
____
http://muqata.blogspot.com/2009/12/aliyah-is-like-marriage.html
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Michael Hirsch’s interesting article in the Jerusalem Post highlights this failure and attempts to explain why this is so.
But what he doesn’t touch on is how to increase Aliyah. (Or why it’s important – but that requires an entirely separate post).
I look at my own reasons for making Aliyah and wonder if (a) they are relevant to anyone else, and (b) if it is something that can be transferred to others.
Like most other Jewish families, Israel was discussed somewhere in the background in the home, and mentioned casually in school, but the country simply never interested me. And Aliyah certainly wasn’t something on my radar or of the schools. Interestingly enough, I usually found the Israeli kids in my schools far more interesting than the Americans to talk with.
That disinterest in Israel changed during my first trip to Israel - and not even then. It was only towards to the end of my vacation that something about Israel just clicked with me. I can define in part what it was, when it was, and where it was, but I don’t believe it could be the same thing for anyone else.
I returned to America distracted. I realized that I wasn’t going to stay in America much longer. A few months later I was made a self-organized pilot trip, and a few months after that I was in Israel – allegedly for the year, but I was already sure it was for good.
I realized that I wanted to stay, and luckily I eventually found myself in a Yeshiva program that supported my idea. And while difficult over the years (and even at points extremely difficult) in the end I stayed and I would define my Aliyah as a success.
I think Aliyah is like marriage.
When you’re young, naïve, without baggage, less critical and judgemental, and everything else, marriage is an easier decision to make, but as the years go buy, the older you get, the more difficult it is to decide and commit. Just like one can end up single forever, one can end up in America forever – always rationalizing it away.
So what would make Aliyah an actual option on the table for more people?
Outside of the US it’s easier. There’s anti-Semitism, there’s no financial future, there’s no viable Jewish community. Israel looks better on every level.
But in the US, anti-Semitism is low (though rising), the financial condition right now is poor, but that is likely to be temporary over the long term, the Jewish community is strong (at least the religious one is), and it’s simply easy to be a Jew (though perhaps sometimes a little embarrassing).
For the average American Jew, moving to Israel means a foreign language, coarse people, unwanted bureaucracy, a poor implementation of democracy, high taxes, and low salaries (to name a few issues).
And unfortunately these perceived negatives will almost always outweigh the positives facts that often actually trump them – but you can’t find that out until you actually jump in the water.
While Hebrew can be learned, you soon find out that everyone wants to talk English to you; the people can be rough, but you can say what you want to them in return; the bureaucracy is annoying, but it certainly is not what it was 10 years ago, and in fact most services are now online – you can log in and accomplish almost anything, the understanding and poor implementation of democracy sucks, but you can literally approach your mayors, and Knesset representatives in the street and they will talk to you (I do this all the time), taxes are high and salaries can be lower, but schooling is inexpensive, and medical insurance is not high, while treatment (medical and personal) is excellent (we’ve discussed this in the past) – the system is not the socialized medicine that everyone remembers from years ago.
I am not saying there aren’t difficulties. You need to find jobs, a home, etc. – but these are challenges you might face anywhere. And now there are plenty of Aliyah organizations and support groups that provide mentors and assistance to closely help you with that transition – something that wasn’t really around a decade ago.
But everything I listed above is a “rational decision”. These are things that the older, more established person worries about.
In fact, these are the same types of questions that older single people use to rationalize why he or she shouldn’t marry the person they are dating – unlike a younger adult who only knows that he or she is in love, and marriage is clearly the next step.
Selling Aliyah to someone established in their job or community is like convincing a single person to get married. It sounds like a good idea to them, but it always gets stuck in the implementation.
I think that first of all you have to get them young. Birthright is a good first step – it creates that connection, but it isn’t enough, nor perhaps even young enough. It certainly needs some follow-up programs.
But more than that, every Jewish school (Elementary and High School) should have charismatic Israeli teachers teach teaching there (on rotating limited one year Shlichuts) teaching about Israel – not Hebrew – Israel. Israel’s history, its goals, how it’s relevant to the Jewish people, and most importantly, why Israel is such a wonderful place and of course Aliyah.
Create a sense of mystery for these young students. Create a sense of interest. Create a sense of possibility and challenge. Create a connection.
I certainly did not have that in my very Jewish education growing up.
(I admit, while I am sure the Israeli government or the Sochnut would be happy to sponsor such a project, how many principals (or parents) would be happy to have such a curriculum in their school – a curriculum which would eventually drain their student base?)
If you can create that interest, that sense of mission and possibility when they are young, then when they do reach that age of decision, it is actually something they will seriously consider.
Certainly generating interest in Aliyah is a generational mission, not something that should be planned on a yearly basis – how many people can we convince this year with an extra grant or loan.
Going after the families, after the adults is important, but it requires a tremendous amount of resources to both convince and support the process.
If you go after the youth, you are going after the ones that will be able to fall in love and make that emotional decision –without the baggage that accompanies someone who has already made a life in his community.
In fact, often when the kids go, you know what happens? The parents follow.
Hasn’t anyone realized that yet?
If Israel is really interested in significantly increasing Aliyah it needs to start going after the Jewish youth. Create that interest; describe the challenge and the mission. Bring them to Israel in their mid-teens and connect them to Israelis. Get them while they’re in the schools. Get them in the after-school programs.
Spend resources on the low-hanging fruit. Yes, it will take them a few more years to make the move - but after asking any Jew in the US about their 5 (then 10, then 15) year Aliyah plan, getting a High School kid to consider studying in an Israeli University and then making Aliyah is not a long time-line at all – and is far more likely to happen.
Aliyah is like marriage, if you fall in love young, you can jump right in. But if you’re older, you’ll find every rationalization in the world not to do what you really want – and need.
Going to Israel?
Now get 2 phones for the price of 1 (and free calls too) with Talk'n'Save.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
____
http://muqata.blogspot.com/2009/12/aliyah-is-like-marriage.html
____
Aliyah is like Marriage
There have been a number of articles lately about Aliyah from America – or rather the lack of Aliyah from America. While Nefesh B’Nefesh has made the pre and post Aliyah process easier, statistically (and numerically) there simply hasn’t been a significant increase in Olim from the US.Michael Hirsch’s interesting article in the Jerusalem Post highlights this failure and attempts to explain why this is so.
But what he doesn’t touch on is how to increase Aliyah. (Or why it’s important – but that requires an entirely separate post).
I look at my own reasons for making Aliyah and wonder if (a) they are relevant to anyone else, and (b) if it is something that can be transferred to others.
Like most other Jewish families, Israel was discussed somewhere in the background in the home, and mentioned casually in school, but the country simply never interested me. And Aliyah certainly wasn’t something on my radar or of the schools. Interestingly enough, I usually found the Israeli kids in my schools far more interesting than the Americans to talk with.
That disinterest in Israel changed during my first trip to Israel - and not even then. It was only towards to the end of my vacation that something about Israel just clicked with me. I can define in part what it was, when it was, and where it was, but I don’t believe it could be the same thing for anyone else.
I returned to America distracted. I realized that I wasn’t going to stay in America much longer. A few months later I was made a self-organized pilot trip, and a few months after that I was in Israel – allegedly for the year, but I was already sure it was for good.
I realized that I wanted to stay, and luckily I eventually found myself in a Yeshiva program that supported my idea. And while difficult over the years (and even at points extremely difficult) in the end I stayed and I would define my Aliyah as a success.
I think Aliyah is like marriage.
When you’re young, naïve, without baggage, less critical and judgemental, and everything else, marriage is an easier decision to make, but as the years go buy, the older you get, the more difficult it is to decide and commit. Just like one can end up single forever, one can end up in America forever – always rationalizing it away.
So what would make Aliyah an actual option on the table for more people?
Outside of the US it’s easier. There’s anti-Semitism, there’s no financial future, there’s no viable Jewish community. Israel looks better on every level.
But in the US, anti-Semitism is low (though rising), the financial condition right now is poor, but that is likely to be temporary over the long term, the Jewish community is strong (at least the religious one is), and it’s simply easy to be a Jew (though perhaps sometimes a little embarrassing).
For the average American Jew, moving to Israel means a foreign language, coarse people, unwanted bureaucracy, a poor implementation of democracy, high taxes, and low salaries (to name a few issues).
And unfortunately these perceived negatives will almost always outweigh the positives facts that often actually trump them – but you can’t find that out until you actually jump in the water.
While Hebrew can be learned, you soon find out that everyone wants to talk English to you; the people can be rough, but you can say what you want to them in return; the bureaucracy is annoying, but it certainly is not what it was 10 years ago, and in fact most services are now online – you can log in and accomplish almost anything, the understanding and poor implementation of democracy sucks, but you can literally approach your mayors, and Knesset representatives in the street and they will talk to you (I do this all the time), taxes are high and salaries can be lower, but schooling is inexpensive, and medical insurance is not high, while treatment (medical and personal) is excellent (we’ve discussed this in the past) – the system is not the socialized medicine that everyone remembers from years ago.
I am not saying there aren’t difficulties. You need to find jobs, a home, etc. – but these are challenges you might face anywhere. And now there are plenty of Aliyah organizations and support groups that provide mentors and assistance to closely help you with that transition – something that wasn’t really around a decade ago.
But everything I listed above is a “rational decision”. These are things that the older, more established person worries about.
In fact, these are the same types of questions that older single people use to rationalize why he or she shouldn’t marry the person they are dating – unlike a younger adult who only knows that he or she is in love, and marriage is clearly the next step.
Selling Aliyah to someone established in their job or community is like convincing a single person to get married. It sounds like a good idea to them, but it always gets stuck in the implementation.
I think that first of all you have to get them young. Birthright is a good first step – it creates that connection, but it isn’t enough, nor perhaps even young enough. It certainly needs some follow-up programs.
But more than that, every Jewish school (Elementary and High School) should have charismatic Israeli teachers teach teaching there (on rotating limited one year Shlichuts) teaching about Israel – not Hebrew – Israel. Israel’s history, its goals, how it’s relevant to the Jewish people, and most importantly, why Israel is such a wonderful place and of course Aliyah.
Create a sense of mystery for these young students. Create a sense of interest. Create a sense of possibility and challenge. Create a connection.
I certainly did not have that in my very Jewish education growing up.
(I admit, while I am sure the Israeli government or the Sochnut would be happy to sponsor such a project, how many principals (or parents) would be happy to have such a curriculum in their school – a curriculum which would eventually drain their student base?)
If you can create that interest, that sense of mission and possibility when they are young, then when they do reach that age of decision, it is actually something they will seriously consider.
Certainly generating interest in Aliyah is a generational mission, not something that should be planned on a yearly basis – how many people can we convince this year with an extra grant or loan.
Going after the families, after the adults is important, but it requires a tremendous amount of resources to both convince and support the process.
If you go after the youth, you are going after the ones that will be able to fall in love and make that emotional decision –without the baggage that accompanies someone who has already made a life in his community.
In fact, often when the kids go, you know what happens? The parents follow.
Hasn’t anyone realized that yet?
If Israel is really interested in significantly increasing Aliyah it needs to start going after the Jewish youth. Create that interest; describe the challenge and the mission. Bring them to Israel in their mid-teens and connect them to Israelis. Get them while they’re in the schools. Get them in the after-school programs.
Spend resources on the low-hanging fruit. Yes, it will take them a few more years to make the move - but after asking any Jew in the US about their 5 (then 10, then 15) year Aliyah plan, getting a High School kid to consider studying in an Israeli University and then making Aliyah is not a long time-line at all – and is far more likely to happen.
Aliyah is like marriage, if you fall in love young, you can jump right in. But if you’re older, you’ll find every rationalization in the world not to do what you really want – and need.
Going to Israel?
Now get 2 phones for the price of 1 (and free calls too) with Talk'n'Save.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
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January 13, 2010
Srugim Season II
IS UP!!!! Man I really really hope Lital is able to find Season I for me!!!! I really want to see it. hehe
Link is here.
Link is here.
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Countdown to surgery
Yesteday I had an appointment with Dr. Salim. The goal was to get my pulmonary clearance for the surgery. It was a smashing success. The appointment took FOREVER. My initial appt was at 3:40. I did not get in until nearly 4:30 and after about 2 hours later - he signed my clearance. YAY me.
Next is the cardiac clearance!
Next is the cardiac clearance!
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January 12, 2010
So the craziness just keeps on rolling....
So, this is what the crazy train feels like? LOL
Alex is here. He got here on Friday. It has been awesome!! And an adjustment. Right now he is recovering from his journey so he is sleeping in the living room until he gets to fix his room the way he wants it.
His doggie is at current time - not getting along with the kitties. The bums, for the most part, stay upstairs - away from Nikita (the dog). Occasionally the cats (Curio and Avalon) come downstairs and are very light on their paws sensing a possible attack in which they will run light speed up the stairs to safety. It has been hilarious to see the cats just bolt like a speeding bullet up the stairs. Hopefully in time the cats will grow more comfortable with the dog LOL. I hope.
Alex is here. He got here on Friday. It has been awesome!! And an adjustment. Right now he is recovering from his journey so he is sleeping in the living room until he gets to fix his room the way he wants it.
His doggie is at current time - not getting along with the kitties. The bums, for the most part, stay upstairs - away from Nikita (the dog). Occasionally the cats (Curio and Avalon) come downstairs and are very light on their paws sensing a possible attack in which they will run light speed up the stairs to safety. It has been hilarious to see the cats just bolt like a speeding bullet up the stairs. Hopefully in time the cats will grow more comfortable with the dog LOL. I hope.
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January 08, 2010
Aliyah Update
As you all know- the aliyah is on hold. Probably for the next two years or so at the earliest. Until the surgery is completed and my hernia is fixed and recovered there is simply no way I can consider moving to Israel. In the meantime - I am trying to figure out what to do. Get a third job? Go to law school? Find a hobby? Start attending Shul? Purchase the house next door to me as an investment income? All things things run around in my head. Right now no clear answers - but I am deep in thought in some of these topics since now it is clear my life will be focused on Arizona for the foreseeable future.
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HELLO PEEPS!!!!!
How is everyone doing this new year? Hope your hangover was not that bad!
Lets see, originally we (Jen and I) was supposed to hang with my sister - but plans changed since my nephew flew out back to his job soldiering in South Carolina. My niece ended up going to Texas! I wish them both the best of luck - consequently my sister was not in a celebratory mood.
On the home front - soon I will have a new roommate - Alexander will be moving in with us! My office will become his new bedroom. What I am really concerned about is that he has a dog. Curio, my baby kitty, has never seen a dog before! Beyond that it will be outstanding to have Alex here. He is an excellent guy and a good friend. And, when Tink (Jen) gets bored of me talking about history or philosophy or Israel...Alex loves to talk about this stuff as much as I do! And, when I do end up going in for surgery - he will be able to help Jen get to work while I will be recovering. Basically it is a win win for all of us on just about every level!
The last update I had from him was that he was in Gallup, New Mexico so he should be in Laveen roughly around noon today! YAY!!!!
Lets see, originally we (Jen and I) was supposed to hang with my sister - but plans changed since my nephew flew out back to his job soldiering in South Carolina. My niece ended up going to Texas! I wish them both the best of luck - consequently my sister was not in a celebratory mood.
On the home front - soon I will have a new roommate - Alexander will be moving in with us! My office will become his new bedroom. What I am really concerned about is that he has a dog. Curio, my baby kitty, has never seen a dog before! Beyond that it will be outstanding to have Alex here. He is an excellent guy and a good friend. And, when Tink (Jen) gets bored of me talking about history or philosophy or Israel...Alex loves to talk about this stuff as much as I do! And, when I do end up going in for surgery - he will be able to help Jen get to work while I will be recovering. Basically it is a win win for all of us on just about every level!
The last update I had from him was that he was in Gallup, New Mexico so he should be in Laveen roughly around noon today! YAY!!!!
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January 01, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
THANK G-d 2009 is DONE!
I hope and pray that 2010 will be a far better year!!!! That everyone has a prosperous, fun and excellent new year! WHOOOOO!!!!
I hope and pray that 2010 will be a far better year!!!! That everyone has a prosperous, fun and excellent new year! WHOOOOO!!!!
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December 29, 2009
Message
Rinat sent you a message.
--------------------
Subject: To all my friends and fans! ynet special! featuring yours truly discussing my music!לכוולם, כ
בואו לקרוא ולשמוע את הכתבה הבאה שמדברת על המוזיקה שלי, ישנה וחדשה,על הפרוייקט החדש שאני עובדת עליו עכשיו -" גרוב מהכתוב" עם רואי לוי (שוטי הנבואה), ומ.סי. דניאל סילברסטין, על ההופעות
על הכל ועוד, בכתה בוי-נט, היום.
http://www.facebook.com/l/39a0a;www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3826567,00.html
To all my friends and fans! Check out this fresh new article... in Ynet featuring yours truly discussing my music, my family and my new projects like "Hip Hop Tefila" with Roi Levy of Shotei Hanevuah and Daniel Silverstein of UK's project Emunah. Also mentioned is my collaboration with rapper Y-Love and my new video clip called Agass (Pear)! Check it out!
--------------------
Rinat has shared a link with you. To view it or to reply to the message, follow this link:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?inbox%2Freadmessage.php&t=1165724957281&mid=1a440aaG2a0ed412G4f18a04G0
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Subject: To all my friends and fans! ynet special! featuring yours truly discussing my music!לכוולם, כ
בואו לקרוא ולשמוע את הכתבה הבאה שמדברת על המוזיקה שלי, ישנה וחדשה,על הפרוייקט החדש שאני עובדת עליו עכשיו -" גרוב מהכתוב" עם רואי לוי (שוטי הנבואה), ומ.סי. דניאל סילברסטין, על ההופעות
על הכל ועוד, בכתה בוי-נט, היום.
http://www.facebook.com/l/
To all my friends and fans! Check out this fresh new article... in Ynet featuring yours truly discussing my music, my family and my new projects like "Hip Hop Tefila" with Roi Levy of Shotei Hanevuah and Daniel Silverstein of UK's project Emunah. Also mentioned is my collaboration with rapper Y-Love and my new video clip called Agass (Pear)! Check it out!
--------------------
Rinat has shared a link with you. To view it or to reply to the message, follow this link:
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December 26, 2009
Xmas 2009
Today Jen and I spent Christmas with my sister.
I was tasked to bring drinks, Jen made Mac and Cheese. LOL Both were done successfully. LOL
We got there about 1 pm and we had a great time. My sister's family was there, including Justin! Doc was there, Tanna and her family were there. It was just perfect. There was no real stress - everything went off without a hitch. It was just a wonderful day.
I am very glad for my sister that she had a good Christmas.
I hope and pray that the coming year will be better than 2009 for all of us.
Beginning tomorrow - time to go to Barnes and Noble to spend those giftcards I got! WHOOOO!!!!
I was tasked to bring drinks, Jen made Mac and Cheese. LOL Both were done successfully. LOL
We got there about 1 pm and we had a great time. My sister's family was there, including Justin! Doc was there, Tanna and her family were there. It was just perfect. There was no real stress - everything went off without a hitch. It was just a wonderful day.
I am very glad for my sister that she had a good Christmas.
I hope and pray that the coming year will be better than 2009 for all of us.
Beginning tomorrow - time to go to Barnes and Noble to spend those giftcards I got! WHOOOO!!!!
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Best Christmas song ever
And the video is just perfect. Thank you to all of the men and women...Those who serve to protect us and have to be away from their families during the holiday season. THANK YOU!
From Ace of Spades
From Ace of Spades
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December 23, 2009
Music????
Surely I jest...but nope...lets have some tunes!
Aqua - Barbie Girl
Heavy D and the Boyz
Oran Juice Jones
Klymaxx - Men all pause
Aqua - Barbie Girl
Heavy D and the Boyz
Oran Juice Jones
Klymaxx - Men all pause
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December 21, 2009
Have yourself a Merry
Little Christmas.....as the song goes.
YAY it is the holiday season! And, it is a short week at work! A WIN WIN!!!
Last year I posted lots of Christmas tunes...maybe in the coming week I might repeat some of those...hehe...but in the meantime I know I have been blogging less and less. I am sort of disappointed with that and hope in the coming year to turn it around. There is alot to talk about - things I should discuss, and such. I have just been rather lazy when it comes to trying to formulate thought and put it down for a post. That needs to change!
I haven't even emailed Jonathan @ the Jewish Agency.
I have to do that too..
YAY it is the holiday season! And, it is a short week at work! A WIN WIN!!!
Last year I posted lots of Christmas tunes...maybe in the coming week I might repeat some of those...hehe...but in the meantime I know I have been blogging less and less. I am sort of disappointed with that and hope in the coming year to turn it around. There is alot to talk about - things I should discuss, and such. I have just been rather lazy when it comes to trying to formulate thought and put it down for a post. That needs to change!
I haven't even emailed Jonathan @ the Jewish Agency.
I have to do that too..
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December 16, 2009
Riddle me this
Yesterday, I got a gift in the mail and I have no idea who it is from. The box was from the Tiny Archeologist and the location was from Florida. Now I know I am doing a Secret Santa - but I got that gift already! And, it came from a different state. So, this has me totally flummoxed. I opened it (since it is Chanakukah) LOL and it was a gorgeous replica of the Ark of the Covenant. About 4-5 inches long, gold in color, about 2-3 inches from the base to the top. I would really appreciate a way to contact the sender to thank them for a lovely gift. I am going to place it right between my dead sea salt and rock from the Masada. I have a pic and will get it posted soon.
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December 15, 2009
Update from Lital
Yep got an email from her - before I went to the ER. She is still busy with school and her friends.
I am so glad that it looks like she will be graduating - next year I think!
Such a great accomplishment. Hopefully she will be following in Dan's step in getting her films put on the film festival circuit. In the meantime she is trying to start a push to get Kevin Smith to visit Israel. If he does - I am so going to fly there! 
I responded to her email after I got home from the hospital.
I am so glad that it looks like she will be graduating - next year I think!
Such a great accomplishment. Hopefully she will be following in Dan's step in getting her films put on the film festival circuit. In the meantime she is trying to start a push to get Kevin Smith to visit Israel. If he does - I am so going to fly there!
I responded to her email after I got home from the hospital.
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Xmas shopping
Tis the season for Christmas shopping. There was a time when I really really liked this the best part of the holidays. This year, not so much. But, I do try to get the best out of things.
I do have a good idea of what I am getting my sister. The laptop is only part of it.
I do need to talk to her about what to get Grandma. I think we can easily go together on it and get her and my uncle a nice gift.
I need to get something for Grumpy and my boss.
And today I have to get something for my secret Santa.
Tink already has her new laptop. LOL
What was funny is Tink asked me if I was getting Adi or Lital anything for Xmas. I laughed and said no...I never bought them anything for Xmas - just their B-days. That was funny.
For myself I would like to get a new LCD TV for my bedroom - I dont know if I will be able to swing it - but if I can - kewl!!!
I do have a good idea of what I am getting my sister. The laptop is only part of it.
I do need to talk to her about what to get Grandma. I think we can easily go together on it and get her and my uncle a nice gift.
I need to get something for Grumpy and my boss.
And today I have to get something for my secret Santa.Tink already has her new laptop. LOL
What was funny is Tink asked me if I was getting Adi or Lital anything for Xmas. I laughed and said no...I never bought them anything for Xmas - just their B-days. That was funny.
For myself I would like to get a new LCD TV for my bedroom - I dont know if I will be able to swing it - but if I can - kewl!!!
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December 14, 2009
My adventure
Wow I had a fun weekend. Wednesday I was supposed to get an endoscopy, but I was sick and couldnt do it so it got postponed until Dec 17th. All fine and good right? LOL NO!!!
Wednesday evening I start getting cramping in my abdomen and I take some pain pills and go to sleep hoping by the morning the pain will go away. I wake up at 2 am just in alot of pain go to the restroom and try to go back to sleep until 4 am when I wake up to take Jen to work. About 3:45 am I wake up in even worse pain. I wake Jen up so she can start getting ready for work and I tell her that I need to call 911 as well. I slowly go downstairs, get on my couch and call 911. By 4:15 am the paramedics are at my house. I explain to them my situation, they take my blood pressure and it is elevated. I tell them I need to go to the ER. They ask me if I can drive, I can't. So, they hook me up in an IV, give me some meds for Nausea and we wait for the ambulance to transport me to St. Lukes in Phoenix.
The ambulance arrived and at about 4:30 am I was on my way to the hospital. I get there and am immediately admitted and after triage they start giving me some meds. 2 units of morphine. It starts helping but damn the pain was just something fierce. If I could I would have had them take me into surgery right away to fix my intestines. But, it would be better to wait it out until I can have the one surgery to fix everything. The last thing I need is to piecemeal each procedure. Instead I get pain management, blood test, nausea meds, and a CT SCAN - YAY! LOL
After being in the ER for about 3-4 hours the surgeon comes by. My surgeon. I hope he will be the one doing the main procedure in the next month or two. He tells me that he does not think I should go home, that I should stay the day for observation in case there is any negative response that would require immediate treatment. I completely agree and thusly I am admitted.
Once in the room my pain management is greatly improved. I contact my sister she brings my PC later that evening. My relatives are called and LOL I text Grumpy....until my texts start looking more like drunk texting and then I pass out.
I remember my sister showing up that evening with the PC. I sort of remember pieces of our conversation...I doze off again. The IV starts aching my wrist (yes I do not recommend IVs on anyone's wrist).
Friday I am actually feeling better. Less pain meds needed - and less frequency as well! The doctors can actually feel around the intestines without tears showing up in my eye. The swelling and tenderness diminished. The surgeons all agree that if this keeps up I should be able to go home Friday and that is precisely what happens. I get discharged around 5 pm on Friday. They give me my last dose of morphine and send me home (my sister came to pick me up.). I was SO glad to have that damned IV off my wrist. And nervous that the intense pain would come back. So far, I have been lucky. At least now I have an ample supply of pain meds to hopefully handle the jabs of pain.
I took a laid back weekend to try to recover from the adventure in St. Lukes and to try to get over this damned cold - oh yeah forgot to mention that - while all of this has been going on, I have been fighting this damned head-cold and coughing bout.
What a weekend!
Wednesday evening I start getting cramping in my abdomen and I take some pain pills and go to sleep hoping by the morning the pain will go away. I wake up at 2 am just in alot of pain go to the restroom and try to go back to sleep until 4 am when I wake up to take Jen to work. About 3:45 am I wake up in even worse pain. I wake Jen up so she can start getting ready for work and I tell her that I need to call 911 as well. I slowly go downstairs, get on my couch and call 911. By 4:15 am the paramedics are at my house. I explain to them my situation, they take my blood pressure and it is elevated. I tell them I need to go to the ER. They ask me if I can drive, I can't. So, they hook me up in an IV, give me some meds for Nausea and we wait for the ambulance to transport me to St. Lukes in Phoenix.
The ambulance arrived and at about 4:30 am I was on my way to the hospital. I get there and am immediately admitted and after triage they start giving me some meds. 2 units of morphine. It starts helping but damn the pain was just something fierce. If I could I would have had them take me into surgery right away to fix my intestines. But, it would be better to wait it out until I can have the one surgery to fix everything. The last thing I need is to piecemeal each procedure. Instead I get pain management, blood test, nausea meds, and a CT SCAN - YAY! LOL
After being in the ER for about 3-4 hours the surgeon comes by. My surgeon. I hope he will be the one doing the main procedure in the next month or two. He tells me that he does not think I should go home, that I should stay the day for observation in case there is any negative response that would require immediate treatment. I completely agree and thusly I am admitted.
Once in the room my pain management is greatly improved. I contact my sister she brings my PC later that evening. My relatives are called and LOL I text Grumpy....until my texts start looking more like drunk texting and then I pass out.
I remember my sister showing up that evening with the PC. I sort of remember pieces of our conversation...I doze off again. The IV starts aching my wrist (yes I do not recommend IVs on anyone's wrist).
Friday I am actually feeling better. Less pain meds needed - and less frequency as well! The doctors can actually feel around the intestines without tears showing up in my eye. The swelling and tenderness diminished. The surgeons all agree that if this keeps up I should be able to go home Friday and that is precisely what happens. I get discharged around 5 pm on Friday. They give me my last dose of morphine and send me home (my sister came to pick me up.). I was SO glad to have that damned IV off my wrist. And nervous that the intense pain would come back. So far, I have been lucky. At least now I have an ample supply of pain meds to hopefully handle the jabs of pain.
I took a laid back weekend to try to recover from the adventure in St. Lukes and to try to get over this damned cold - oh yeah forgot to mention that - while all of this has been going on, I have been fighting this damned head-cold and coughing bout.
What a weekend!
Posted by: Robert Woolwine at
12:32 PM
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December 07, 2009
Haveil Havalim #245
Last week's carnival was up.
Here is the late post:
Click here.
Here is the late post:
Click here.
Posted by: Robert Woolwine at
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Haveil Havalim #246
Is UP!!!
Click here.
Sorry for not posting these with regularity.
Click here.
Sorry for not posting these with regularity.
Posted by: Robert Woolwine at
07:47 AM
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Dec 7th
Today is the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The 9/11 of the greatest generation. They are truly the greatest of generations! True hero's!!! Please take a moment of silence to think of them and the sacrifices they endured to help keep all of us free of Nazism and Fascism.
Posted by: Robert Woolwine at
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Life
Well, the aaliyah is on hold.
I have to have surgery - Wednesday I go to have an Endoscopy. The surgeon is going to take photos of my stomach and such to see what can be done and then I am working on the cardiac and pulmonary clearance - once I get that taken care of then I can move forward. I do think that I will end up having to postpone the aaliyah for a few years at least.
So, what to do? I have to say this sucks! Though I have been told that taking trips is fully allowed I just need to be able to check in with the Dr and make sure any possible complications can be resolved. I, of course, will agree and comply with it.
My brain keeps saying Damn it...and trying to find a way to just carry on and move to Israel. But, I know logically it would be insane for me to do that. I need to be healthy to be able to do such a move. So, for the time being this is it.
I have to have surgery - Wednesday I go to have an Endoscopy. The surgeon is going to take photos of my stomach and such to see what can be done and then I am working on the cardiac and pulmonary clearance - once I get that taken care of then I can move forward. I do think that I will end up having to postpone the aaliyah for a few years at least.
So, what to do? I have to say this sucks! Though I have been told that taking trips is fully allowed I just need to be able to check in with the Dr and make sure any possible complications can be resolved. I, of course, will agree and comply with it.
My brain keeps saying Damn it...and trying to find a way to just carry on and move to Israel. But, I know logically it would be insane for me to do that. I need to be healthy to be able to do such a move. So, for the time being this is it.
Posted by: Robert Woolwine at
07:44 AM
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