back in the USSA

well, I've been back in California for a while now. Although I arrived with a cold, I'm getting better.
It seems that this blog- chapter in my life is concluded and can be closed.
Thus I've decided to create a new blog, another lifejournal/opendiary (wow, how the habits of high school never leave you)
I have also decided to take my tv/movie blog and move it into my personal blog- thus I'm only writing for one diary at a time.

Thank you all for reading about my trip to Israel, and my personal growth. I hope that as I learned more about myself, you have also learned about you. We grew together, yeah?

Well, maybe not.

Thanks everyone.

[to continue reading about the life and times of Yael Tygiel, check out: www.okaysooo.blogspot.com ]

Thanks again.

NYC part 2

[sorry it took me so long to post this]

As you may recall, we were searching for a watch for Sonia. In chinatown they had all these shook-like stores selling knock-offs and crap. She wanted something with a "leather' band, black, and a small round silver face. I walked into a store that was selling purses and asked if they had watches. The man told me to wait, and he called someone. A sketchy looking man showed up and asked what we were looking for, he made a call and said that he didn't have it. We kept walking and as we looked at a booth with watches another sketchy looking man asked what we wanted and showed up samples that he had in his pocket. It was super fun to experience, but he didn't have what they wanted.
After finding the watch she wanted, and some slight haggling (I'm still in Israel mode) we continued walking. My back hurt so i headed back to Yair's apartment and passed out.
I awoke on the 31st of December at around 7am and watched the snow fall. It was so beautiful. Around 10 I fell back asleep and at noon Yair, his roommate, the awesome Victor, and I headed out for lunch.
The boys are very indecisive so we walked a lot until Victor suggested that we go to Ethiopian food. On the way we passed Indian food and Victor mentioned that there were four restaurants next to each other and each one has a waiter standing outside yelling at you to come in. The boys let me decide which of the four we'd go to, and so I did.
Sadly, we learned that next time we should go to the other ones. LOL
As we ate our last bite, Yair got a txt about a birthday at a bar that serves a personal pizza with every beer. I had to see it with my own eyes. The place was nice and the people were cool- and there really was free pizza with a beer. There was a sign that said Beer = Pizza. (the beer's were $5 during Happy Hour)
We began the new years festivities and then Yair and I headed off in search of costumes for the evenings "Danger Party".
Yair purchased a very small plain vest as the Salvation Army Store closed for New Years Eve. We returned to the apartment to get dressed and headed to Evan's house. We took the subway and then walked a few blocks. Evan's place was full of cool people and it was super nice to sit and chat. Around 9pm we went towards the Party. Almost everyone from Evan's went to the big party. The party was still empty when we arrived, but filled up real quick. Yair asked me to sneak in a bottle of champagne (easy) and after we set up at a cool location, I broke it out and it was time to drink. Sadly, I had a 10am flight, so I did not get to drink too much.
We were at the party until just after 1am when the cops showed up and there were half-hour lines to exit. It was such a fire hazard and really scary when you think about it.
Outside I met up with the crew who was splitting. Half of us went to another giant party, while the other half went to a smaller house party. I headed to the subway to get back to Yair's apartment. At around 3am I sat down infront of the TV and watched "Galaxy Quest" (O Tim Allen and Alan Rickman!) I set an alarm and from 5-7, I slept. Just as I opened the front door to walk to the subway, Yair was turning the knob to enter. He walked me to the subway and waited for the train with me.
The flight back was AMAZING!!! I somehow got "Main Cabin Select" seating on Virgin America- the greatest airline EVER!! Instead of paying for every cup of tea, or diet coke, or sandwich- it was all FREE!! Even booze was free, but sadly I had a sore throat.
Mom and Dad were waiting to pick me up when I arrived, Chrystine and Abby were already in my apt with Flitza.
*Sigh* what a great homecoming.

in NYC!!

Greetings everyone from the cold New York City.
I'm currently in the Lower East Side at Yair's apartment.
Yesterday I woke up in the afternoon and met up with two friends from home, Aimee and Sonia. They wanted to go shopping in SoHo.
I was told to meet them at Houston and Broadway.. so I started walking from Yair's place until I found it. It's not too far, but everyone I asked for directions told me to either take a cab or the subway. Walking is free.
We met up and started shopping. [I'm on a limited budget in NY ($40) so I bought nothing. As of this morning I'm down to a whole $3 for tonight and tomorrow morning. Money goes into my account on the 1st- woo hoo!!!]

Anywho, we wandered all over SoHo and found our way to China Town. We had dinner in this excellent place called: Excellent Dumpling House. It was excellent indeed!
Then Sonia wanted to buy a watch and so we searched.

to be continued

eagle has landed

I'm writing this entry from Yair's apartment in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. That's right, I'm finally back in the good ol' US of A!
Last night- well, I think thats when it was- Stephani and I took the bus, for the last time, to Tel Aviv. We arrived at the English Pub where Doron and Irit were already drinking and playing pool. I came in and the cute french bartender asked how I was and where I've been. Then she gave me a glass of Magners- then Scott, the owner, came by to tell me that they no longer carry Magners and that I was infact drinking some "organic english cider". I told him that if its the same price and tastes the same, there's nooo problem.
Stephani met Doron and Irit and then settled at a table to finish the gift we (meaning her) made for Poopy and Daliya. Its an album full of pics of their pets (the two dogs and three cats).
As the drinking commenced, Rotem arrived. Stephani finished the album and began to drink with the rest of us. We did shots and then I made new friends. Two boys from the English Army, Euan and Dan. (see Pics... they're sexy!) Liran showed up and brought with him a gift: He printed 3 copies of my book for me. Three real printed copies!!! I was so excited, I ran around the bar showing them off and yelling "look, I'm an author!"
After more drinking and talking and molesting (on my part, of course) I had to pee. Rotem and I headed to the ladies. When I came out to wash my hands a girl stood there, waiting for me. She told me that I'd grabbed her boyfriends butt and that I should be more careful because luckily she was nice, but any other girl would punch me in the face. I told her I was sorry, and asked who the boy was so I'd know to avoid his ass. Rotem came out and tried to assist, but the girl was not happy. She asked how I'd feel if my boyfriend was grabbing other girl's asses. I told her that I dont have a boyfriend, hence the ass grabbing. Rotem and I explained that we're cousins and I even grab her ass. (Now that I think about it though, her question was irrelevant. She should've asked how I'd feel if someone else grabbed my boyfriend's ass.- To which I would have responded "I'd be flattered. Some other girl wants my man, but look he's with me and not her."- This discussion did not come about, but thats how it would've gone had she asked the proper questions)
Well, long story short: I didn't get punched, so you can all exhale.
A bit later Liran left and I continued to talk and drink with the English boys. Doron made sure that Poopy arrived before leaving me to my own mischief, and Eran also came to say goodbye.

It was a great final event!
Poopy drove me and Stephani back to Eti's to get our suitcases. At around 3am we drove to the airport.

Stephani decided not to fly back to NY with me. She and Poopy went to change her flight while I checked in. (for the first time I was not harassed by security, Poopy thinks its because my hebrew has improved. I think they finally gave up on drafting me. LOL)
She's still in Israel
Staying at Poopy's place.

So, I landed and turned my phone on. Finally back in Verizon territory and I had over 450 messages, once it finally stopped receiving them. One email was from Yair with detailed instructions on how to subway over to his place. It also recommended that I dress warmly before exiting the airport.
Its soooo cold and nice here, I'm very happy. Yet, i see no Snow.... um, someone fix that!

I've updated the family on my arrival and location. Now you, dear readers, are updated as well.

What have I learned?

After four months in Israel I've seen things, met a lot of new people, and had different/exciting/scary experiences. These are some things I've noticed


1. You cannot make jokes about sex and stuff with the guys: they take you serious.
2. The store clerks will try to sell you anything: they dont care if its not what you want, let alone if it fits.
3. The first thing they say to you at a store might not make sense. one day's order of phrases was: are you finding everything okay? please. Hello. - all without pauses, as though it were a full sentence.
4. Making plans (job interviews, meetings) doesn't mean anything: plans will change and no one will call to tell you.
5. They're not rude- they're honest. Unless their trying to sell you something, then they're liars
6. Israeli men prefer larger women over skinner ones. Mostly this means that I'm going to have to come back to find my husbands and then import him to SF
7. The hospitality that is offered is genuine.
8. Chivalry died in Israel (if it ever existed in Israel, than I'm sure it died from a bus blowing up)
9. When they say its not a good idea to cross the dotted-line-of-Google (as I've named it), they really mean its not a good idea.
10. Israelis know they're racist, they even support the claim with facts and figures
11. They really do believe that American girls who come to Israel are easy. (Sadly, I'm starting to believe it too.)


I think thats most of what I've learned, I know that I'll think of other life-lessons and thus I'll update.

I feel stupid and contagous.

Once upon a time, two girls got drunk with their older brother in the holy city on the day of Birth of the Messiah.
Last time we were in Jerusalem, Stephani, Poopy, and I met a man named Yaniv who happens to own a block of bars. We talked to him and he told us to come visit... so we did. Around 11:30 last night we were dressed and ready to go. In fact we were all wearing grey shirt, black pants, leather jackets, and boot-like footwear. We matched. Thats how the cool kids do it.
(My boots were red, and Daliya said that I looked like Puss in Boots. Which made me wish I wore my cat ears.)
We arrived at the bars and found a table, the owner came by and made sure we got our drinks. Then the party started. Poopy was DD so it sucked to be him, but Stephani and I made up for it. Some youngen came by and told the owner to take good care of us, he looked both Stephani and I up and down, then told him to take especially good care of me. It was super funny. I'm pretty sure the boy had just turned 18. By 2:30am we were done with the bar and headed to find another place.
We drove around, found nothing, and returned to the same area. We went into a Kiosk and bought a flask of Vodka and a 20oz bottle of Diet Coke. Stephani and I stood on a street corner drinking in front of cops- I love not having Open Container Laws!!
I drunk dialed dad because he's in Israel, but he didn't answer. At around 4am he called me to make sure I was fine and told me not to call him again.
Then we headed up to Poopy's favorite pizza place. Stephani and I began with our British accents. Anyone who knows Stephani knows that her British accent is actually an Indian accent... but over the past four months, while I've been away, she has improved. We convinced some boys that we were English and that Poopy was our "driver" (ie body guard).
As the sun began to rise, we drove back home. Upon arrival we opened more booze and Poopy joined the party. Drink in hand, we took the dogs for a walk.
All I remember after that was sleeping on the couch.

security check leaving Eilat

We've seen the security can be a pain in the ass. They were annoying when I arrived, when I tried to leave for the Cruise, and when Stephani and I flew to Eilat.
Well, the security on the way back from Eilat is the best so far:
We stood in line together, and went up to security together. They asked us questions, we answered. We told them that we've been best friends for about 12 years and that I'm here to visit family and she's here to visit me.
Then they separated us for questioning. I was told to wait for someone else, Stephani was taken aside. I stood aside, listening to her interrogation. They asked her why she's here, what she's seen, who paid for her trip, what she does for a living, where we've been sleeping, a day-to-day list of where we went, how we traveled, etc.
I was asked about my family, who I've met here, if I let her out of my sight (again, I explained that she doesn't know Hebrew and I dont trust the Israeli men around her).
They asked both of us about about pictures, which is a new thing (Poopy is concerned)
Then the security gathered to compare notes, at which time Stephani and I began shouting our conversation across the room. Another security girl told me that we weren't allowed to talk to each other.
The questioning continued until the final woman came to me. Until this point we were speaking in Hebrew, but the final woman told me that she wanted to speak english to make sure I understood her every word. For a minute I thought I'd get detained, or they'd shoot up my computer.

Then they swabbed our bags for explosives and it was negative (shock, right? LOL) so we ran to the plane.

sleeping by the hotel pool in Eilat

After many debates about whether or not we’d go to Eilat, on the morning on Tuesday, the 22nd, Poopy found us the perfect deal. We woke up and packed. We had less than 30 minutes to pack for three days and walk to the Bus Stop. Stephani and I caught the bus-taxi, number 164, from Rehovot to the mall in Petah Tikva, where dad was waiting with Grandpa’s car. We jumped in and sped to Ben-Gurion Airport… and then, at 1:20, we realized that our flight was really leaving from a small (former) military airport in the North of Tel Aviv. Dad and Stephani began to stress as I called Poopy for directions. We were told that the flight leaves at 2:30 and to arrive at 1:30. We made it to the airport at 2:10 and ran in.
Something I forgot about Israel is that you go through security before you check-in. We went through the metal detector and they scanned our bags, we then walked to a counter, handed over our passports and began the questioning. First they interviewed us together, and then they separated us. I assumed that I would get all the extra questions, but after the usual “did you pack all this yourself?” and “did anyone ask you to carry anything?” (to which I responded “to Eilat?!? What would anyone want to send to Eilat?!?”) I was free to check-in. Stephani on the other hand was asked the not-so-usual questions. They even asked to see pictures that she took while on her trip so far (which freaked me out, see: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1135243.html) They asked her which cities she’s seen and my family member’s names. After a while I was getting impatient.
For fear of missing our flight I asked the check-in girl if I could get Stephani’s ticket, but she said no. Then I asked what happens if we miss the flight. The girl said that she thinks I should fly and Stephani would catch the next flight. I told her that it wasn’t a possibility.
Security saw the annoyed look on my face, so they came over to ask me questions about her. I told them that she’s here to visit me, they asked where we’ve been and who else she knows in Israel. I informed them that she hasn’t left my side and I refuse to let her out of my sight. They wanted to know if we planned on crossing into Egypt while in Eilat and I told them that everyone told us not to, so we wont be.
The girl at the counter began shouting at me that I was going to miss the flight, and that Stephani would be on it, but I needed to go. I told her that I wasn’t leaving her there, and that security just asked if I’d let her have a moment alone, how bad would it look if I just got on a flight to Eilat, leaving a girl who doesn’t speak Hebrew and hasn’t ever left the continent of North America?
They let us both go and we caught the bus to the plane. We were the first ones on and we had the first seats on the plane. The flight was so small that our there is no 1st class and the emergency exit seat (which we sat in) face the opposite direction; we got to watch the passengers.
Upon arrival Stephani and I asked for directions to our Hotel: The Royal Tulip. We walked the few blocks and were sooo excited. We checked-in, asked a ton of questions and then settled into our room.

I took a walk to change currency and grab a quick bite, I talked to some people and got recommendations for the nightly hot spots. I arrived back at the room and informed Stephani of the recommendations.
We made plans and then got dressed. It didn’t take too long to do so, but the wind was so strong that we took a taxi to the more interesting area. Eilat is such a touristy area that we had trouble finding a place for dinner, its all so cheap (and not in price), but after a long walk, and looking around, we found a nice place. So we sat.
We ate, went back to the room and split up for a bit. Stephani took her comp and went looking for WiFi and i got distracted by the television. I watched ConAir- I fuckin' love that movie.

Day 2- we woke up and got breakfast. We wandered some more around the beach and the boardwalk, we looked at stuff in stores and went back to the hotel room to get our laptops. We found that a restaurant named Olla, a Tapas Bar, had WiFi so we went there. It wasn't open when we arrived, but they told us that we could sit and drink until they were.
Around 5pm we ordered some food and it was super yummy, but not filling. We went back to the room to put down our stuff and then get ready for a night out. We went to the Beatles Bar (Stephani's a HUGE Beatles fan) which was suuuuper disappointing and un-Beatles like. There's a bar that everyone kept telling us to go to, the Three Monkeys, so we went. It was nice, with a live band and some goodish food.
Around 1am we walked back to the hotel, check out was at 11am this morning.

Day 3- we checked out at 10:30am and went to breakfast until noon. The buffet was huuuge. Its got: a yogurt/cheese bar, salad bar, large cubbies full of loafs of bread, coffee bar, cake table, hot food bar (with pancakes- Stephani enphasizes this), cereal bar, egg station (where they make you eggs however you want !!)
We ate soooo good!
We'd already checked out and had a few hours before the flight back to the north of Israel so we went to the pool and slept. In the sunshine. IT WAS SOOO GREAT! Plus there was a cute boy strutting his stuff, which also helped the view.

Overall, Eilat rocks when its not summer and wayyyyy too hot and full of tourists. I mean, its always full of tourists, but this time was not that bad.

the Holy City

Poopy called me before 10am to wake me up. He told us that we had 15 minutes to get ready. We drove with him to Jerusalem. And went up to see the view from his office,
We headed towards the Midrachov- which literally takes the word for sidewalk and street and puts them together.
Stephani and I sat at Cafe Hillel for a bit and talked, then we went to the Old City. It was so beautiful (even for the 5th time this trip). Since its so special, I took her to see the Kotel. Walking through the security check a security boy mentioned my keychain (which many of you know as my "beating stick", its for self-defense), I was worried that he meant I couldn't take it to the Kotel, but really he was trying to warn me that it was falling out of my bag. LOL
I was searching for the cat that I befriended there, but he wasn't there. A large group of soldier boys were, though :) While speaking English, two 18 year old boys were checking out Stephani and when the third joined them and opened his mouth to show off how brave he was, I interrupted his "Hello" and said, in Hebrew, "You can try, but its not going to happen." We both laughed soooo hard as we walked out.
Showing off my navigation skills, I took us to the Wine Bar under the Old City where we tasted some great white wine. Poopy called and we went started on our way home. We took a different way home so we could see the Speration Wall, which I'm referring to as the Dotted Line of Google (check it out- google Jerusalem). As we drove past we saw Guard towers. At one point the wall was a fence with barbed wire and we could see a few small cars with four or five Palestine flags posted all over. They were driving together really fast in the opposite direction. A while later we crossed through a military check point by the Dotted Line of Google. - I think Stephani can finally understand the situation of this country.
We got back to the Zoo for dinner with Daliya.

Her First Few Days

It seems that the cold I thought I'd caught, has been captured. I've been popping day-quill and drinking tea for three days- I'm sick.
The first night she arrived we stayed up until 5am. Well, around 5am I crashed and she stayed up the next two hours alone. We left the house be 9am- We had to develop new photos for her portfolio and then head to a meeting with a modeling agency in Tel Aviv. The agents were super nice and told Stephani about two castings that afternoon. So instead of enjoying Dizengoff Center we taxi'd across Tel Aviv from audition to audition. (She's still all nervous and waiting to hear back from anyone on Sunday, which is a workday in Israel)
After her meetings and stuff we took the bus back to Petah Tikva. Stephani cooked soup for herself while I ordered in from a restaurant. Then my aunt came home and saw that someone was cooking in her kitchen. She almost had a heart attack when for a split-second she thought it was me. We finished dinner and sat in the living room to talk. By this time I had only had two hours of sleep and Stephani hadn't really slept in three days and only consumed a cup of soup within the last two: To say the least, we were sooooo cranky and bitchy. Instead of talking I fell asleep on the couch. When I woke up an hour later Stephani was gone. I found her in the unit downstairs in a deep sleep. This made me happy. I smiled because I was so relieved to see her finally catch some Zzzs. We both know how bad we get when we dont sleep, so I didn't want to deal with that.
Around ten AM the next morning I woke up to a jumping Stephani. She was bouncing on my bed telling me it was time to do something. I called Poopy and made plans. The rain was so bad that most of our ideas went out the window, but when he and Daliya finally picked us up we headed to Tel Aviv. We parked and walked to the restaurant King George, that Poopy loves, and had lunch. Then we walked up to Shenkin and window shopped. I finally introduced Poopy to my girls at EROS. :)
After a bit more walking Poopy and Daliya took me and Stephani on a small tour of Yafo. Stephani fell in love and decided that we had to return to Yafo and see the flea-market in action!
We headed back to the Zoo to introduce Stephani to Sherman and the rest of the animals. We unpacked our beds and hung out for a while. Daliya went to Bed and we all decided to go out in Rehovot. Poopy didn't want to drive so we walked the mile or so towards an Irish Bar- i was looking for cider. We each had one drink, which was weak and then headed back to the house. The bar was super loud and not interesting in the least.
Before we fell asleep there was concern that due to the rain, the Dead Sea may have FlashFlood warnings. This morning we woke up and got ready for the Dead Sea- flashfloods weren't going to stop these California girls! After an interesting breakfast we drove through the beautiful desert to the Dead Sea!
I was promised a Camel ride so we stopped at the first sign we saw. Sadly, the Camel was not in the mood (i think he saw me and was not happy) LOL. When we got to the dead sea, Daliya and I sat down on a blanket while Poopy and Stephani got in the pee-like water. Well, since its winter, it was not pee-like. According to Stephani it was freezing.
The sun went down and we packed it up to head home. We stopped at a really cool restaurant in Arad and then continued on our way. I slept through the drive home.
This morning we're up and ready to head to the Holy City: Jerusalem!!