Even more good news about immigration...

...but sadly, not for us. Go read this article in the New York Times about all the happy little parasitic breeders who flocked to New Orleans to "reconstruct." Hat tip: The Stein Report.

Very telling quotes:

Because many immigrant mothers cannot afford to pay for prenatal care or delivery services, New Orleans’s newest citizens are adding an unexpected load to the decimated health infrastructure in a city abandoned by many of its doctors. Much of the state-financed Charity Hospital system, which before Hurricane Katrina provided the bulk of care to New Orleans’s uninsured and indigent population, remains closed.(NYT, December 11, 2006)

and

The two health units providing prenatal care run by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals saw more than 1,200 pregnant women from January to mid-November. Virtually all were Latino immigrants.

“Before the storm, only 2 percent were Hispanic; now about 96 percent are Hispanic,” said Beth Perriloux, the head nurse in the department’s health unit in Metairie. (NYT, December 11, 2006)

In the words of the Borg Queen, "Watch your futures end."

Technorati topics: immigration

Don't you love when public servants serve themselves?

An immigration-related scum-bag and governmental incompetence story. You'll be glad to know that it involves someone you & I support thru tax dollars and it involves Asian immigrants, not hispanic ones. Feel the value. And crime pays big & sleazy.

Technorati topics: immigration

Because letting them in is just not enough

Read this article and literally feel your blood pressure increase. Yesterday I read the first notice of a Marine's (and his girl friend's) death (after suriving a tour in Iraq) at the hands of a drunk driver with a hispanic surname. At the time, I sarcastically stated to DH Jeff that the killer was probably an illegal. And I was right (but, heck, we love all our hard-working, law-abiding, brown peasant-serfs, and besides they're a protected class nowadays).

But there's even more fun in this story! Turns out that this menace had been charged with drunken driving earlier this year, but the Howard County cops evidently couldn't find their way out of a jar. Read on:

Morales-Soriano then refused to take a breath test, which should have led to the suspension of his license for 120 days. But the police accidentally gave Morales-Soriano all the copies of the form that was supposed to have been sent to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration to begin the suspension, McCrone said. (WaPo, 11/30/06)

Uh-huh. So, the perp who should not have been in this country AT ALL to begin with, is issued a valid driver's license, drives drunk, gets off scott-free because of the cops lack of evidence and gets behind the wheel drunk, AGAIN, to murder some law-abiding Americans (not to mention, a serviceman). Why not? I doubt it would deter this guy if he didn't have a valid driver's license. But it gets better:

Police said Morales-Soriano's blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit when he slammed into the back of the car carrying the couple. (WaPo, 11/30/06)

What's the legal alcohol limit? Since I don't have a car, the distinctions are sort of academic, but for the sake of our little consideration here, let's say the limit is .08 and then times that by four, which is .32!!! Even I know that's falling down drunk.

I wonder if this damn illegal will even serve any time before they [maybe] deport him or more likely, just release him into our public again. Expect more of this sort of thing, since there don't seem to be any negative consequences to be suffered. And, we can count on the total incompetence of the folks whose job it is to serve and protect US.

PS: I thoughtlessly forgot to give a hat tip to the place I found this article, The Stein Report, which has daily links to immigration-related articles. Dan Stein is from FAIR, Federation for American Immigration Reform, a group working actively for better (by which I mean tighter, more effective, border-controlling) immigration policies. Check out The Stein Report - very good!

Technorati topics: immigration

Our tax dollars hard at work???

Evidently, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) "lost track of" 111,000 citizenship applicant background files...but continued to make citizenship decisions (some affirmative) on applications, that is, without having reviewed the pertinent background information. Read the whole frightening, dismaying story here.

So, we're paying taxes to support this agency's work, which is supposed to be about carefully regulating the quality of those they grant citizenship, yet clearly flying blind to the tune of 100,000 applications. That the GAO has found out about. Plus these folks are so incompetent, that historically, officers haven't even noted in applications if this background file has been reviewed. Evidently, it's just been assumed.

FYI, the GAO (Government Accountability Office - I know, I know, think of the jokes) initiated this investigation/review of the USCIS after an applicant with known and noted ties to Hezbollah was granted citizenship. Wow. I really feel so safe and glad that I'm flushing my tax dollars down the toilet.

As a side note, I went to the USCIS web site and found this warning (emphasis mine):

USCIS Warns of Potential For Immigration Fraud
Although Congress has been debating immigration legislation, all customers should be advised that currently no temporary worker program exists for aliens unlawfully present in the United States. Congress has not passed any legislation that would create a temporary worker program. Therefore, there are no benefits currently available because this program does not exist. Customers should not pay any fees or fines to any person or organization claiming they can help apply for or receive benefits for a temporary worker program. Be wary of persons or organizations that claim they can assist in applying for benefits that do not exist.

I was actually wondering if the warning was intended for applicants or employees.

A little rant from my mom...

...on a subject that pops up (oops!) from time to time.

TO ALL GOOD MOMS ALL OVER THE USA!

I am SICK and TIRED of listening/looking at all these damn programs about the latest complaint~~

BREAST-FEEDING

What in the world is all the fuss about???? For that matter, what is wrong with the USA??!!??

I mean, REALLY!! To be complaining about mothers breast-feeding on airplanes~~or anywhere else, for that matter. BIG DEAL!

Let me tell you a few facts from first-hand experience:

1. When a mom is ready to breast-feed, it is because of nature/baby's schedule. Mom knows it's time, because her breast are full and ready to "explode", AND are hurting terribly.

2. Baby also know his/her's schedule and is looking for food~~they aren't going to wait for the "right" place or circumstance. IT'S TIME!! DAH!!!!

3. Mom's pain relief comes when she is able to nurse, regardless of where she is. But still..., at the beginning, it is no fun and games for mom. Let me reassure you, It is painful and uncomfortable. Most moms do it because they feel that it is most beneficial to their child.

BUT..., In all these TV programs I've seen so far, they have failed to inform the public of the above~~three very important factors. This is all very natural and a wonderful thing, I might add, to both mom and baby. The bonding and the nutrition is NO comparison to "the bottle."

I've breast-fed you Renee [this author], on air-liners~~Japan to USA~~that was in 1966-67. Nobody complained, and no one even noticed! On top of all this, the air attendants were most helpful! Furthermore, I also breast-fed your brothers, thereafter, AND I'm one proud mom!! I might add, it was done in good taste and complete discretion.

BTW: Where are the protesters/complainers who think this is soooo terrible, but who most probably/likely frequent the "go-go" night clubs, where women are either dancing with all their breast hanging, and/or serving drinks plus??!!??

Last week, flying from LA to SA, I noted some mom's breast-feeding at the airports~~a "sit-in." At the time, I didn't know what was going on, OR I would have said, "what are you doing there, sitting on the floor!! Please get up and take my seat."

Down the toilet...

...our country goes. I really hate to say it, but I TOLD YOU SO. Heather Mac Donald at City Journal has a very disturbing (albeit not surprising) piece on the little Hispanic breeders and what this means for us. Do check out the whole thing while I go cry.

Hat tip to, well, Heather Mac Donald at the Immigration Blog.

Oh, for your reading despair, here are a couple of choice quotes from the article:

Hispanics now dominate the federal Women, Infants, and Children free food program; Hispanic enrollment grew over 25 percent from 1996 to 2002, while black enrollment dropped 12 percent and white enrollment dropped 6.5 percent. Illegal immigrants can get WIC and other welfare programs for their American-born children. If Congress follows President Bush’s urging and grants amnesty to most of the 11 million illegal aliens in the country today, expect the welfare rolls to skyrocket as the parents themselves become eligible.

and:

But it’s the fertility surge among unwed Hispanics that should worry policymakers. Hispanic women have the highest unmarried birthrate in the country—over three times that of whites and Asians, and nearly one and a half times that of black women, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Every 1,000 unmarried Hispanic women bore 92 children in 2003 (the latest year for which data exist), compared with 28 children for every 1,000 unmarried white women, 22 for every 1,000 unmarried Asian women, and 66 for every 1,000 unmarried black women. Forty-five percent of all Hispanic births occur outside of marriage, compared with 24 percent of white births and 15 percent of Asian births. Only the percentage of black out-of-wedlock births—68 percent—exceeds the Hispanic rate. But the black population is not going to triple over the next few decades.

and:

A case manager at a program for pregnant homeless women in the city of Orange observes the same acculturation to the social-services sector, with its grievance mongering and sense of victimhood. “I’ll have women in my office on their fifth child, when the others have already been placed in foster care,” says Anita Berry of Casa Teresa. “There’s nothing shameful about having multiple children that you can’t care for, and to be pregnant again, because then you can blame the system.”

Technorati topics: immigration

CSI - compelling, but not really all that balanced

Last night I was watching some episodes of the sixth season of CSI (the original, Las Vegas show - the others are crap), provided to me by DH Jeff. This one episode involved an organization that matched unused frozen embryos (from fertility clinics and such) to women willing to have the embryos implanted and carry them to term - i.e., adopt them. Kathryn Willows, upon meeting the head of this organization, proceeds to brow beat her with what the [Catholic] church has in the far past considered "life," i.e., way past fertilization. I thought, geeze, they're usually a bit more balanced in these shows than that...then I remembered that Law and Order (Fox) usually provides a more balanced view of various issues - not CSI (CBS). Aha.

First, if she were a real investigator, Willows would have been way out of line - her job is to get information regarding her investigation - not antagonize those with whom she disagrees (especially if she expects them to cooperate with her). Second, she then justifies her actions (huffily) to Grissom, stating how pro-choice she is (i.e., as a progressive, liberated woman, she had no choice but to brow beat the head of this backward-thinking and dangerous organization). Um, huh?

Here's what it comes down to: anyone who considers an embryo (or for that matter, any fetus who hasn't fully gestated) worthy of protection, or any consideration at all besides medical experimentation, is dangerous because this may abridge women's "right" to abort at any time for any reason. Now, this reminds me of the NOW (I think) chapter who objected to the legislation that considered a fetus murdered as a result of fatal violence done to his/her mother (re: Connor Peterson), i.e., a double homicide.

One must wonder what these folks are smoking to object to either situation. But you & I both know the rationale. Sad.

Technorati topics: entertainment, abortion

Movie Review: Harsh Times

This weekend I saw the movie Harsh Times, starring Christian Bale, who looks hot and buff (and not emaciated like in The Machinist). But, ok, how did I feel about this movie…? Bale gave his usual intensity to the part of an Army Ranger returning from Afghanistan a changed man – and not for the better. Good supporting performance by Freddy Rodriguez as his old buddy from the ‘hood. But…I didn’t like the movie. Why? Hmmm. Maybe because I’ve seen Bale in other “man-on-the-edge” roles in other movies that were a lot better. Like American Psycho. In that, Bale actually brought humor to a really extreme role (that I understand didn’t originally call for humor). Maybe because his performance in this movie, although good, seemed a little forced, as noted by a reviewer on this site. Maybe because for a film on the cusp of two hours, it seemed to go on and on without a real point. This is definitely a one-time view.

If you like Christian Bale, I’d recommend some other of his films besides those mentioned above:

Reign of Fire (about the takeover of dragons)
Equilibrium (dystopic future)
Batman Begins (you know what this is about)

Tell me this: how come British and Aussie actors have no problem with the American accent, but we have few who can pull off a British/Aussi accent? What’s up with that?

Technorati topics: entertainment

Oooh, this is good one!

Ahem, do any of you remember when Jeff & I got married & I said, "it's so easy & cheap to get married in Arlington?" Well...top story on the front page of the Post this morning is about a huge wedding scam perp'd by illegal Ghanians marrying U.S. citizens. And where was the hot spot for this scam? Why Arlington Country Courthouse, the same place where we got our marriage license & eventually our marriage certificate. Some alert clerks noticed funny behavior in license applicants - such as not even sitting with their intended or appearing distant to same. Then started noticing those same couples returning shortly for divorces - including paperwork with the same mistakes as others. Hmmm. Provocative. Evidently, not only State but Federal gov't got involved in catching these guys & prosecuting (which is ongoing at this moment). This surprises me to no end as I know (and have stated on this site) that Arlington is soft on immigration law enforcement.

This quote says it all:

"Along the East Coast and all the way to West Africa,...the word had spread: If you are in the United States illegally, go to Arlington. It's easy to get married in Virginia, because marriage laws are relatively lax." (WaPo, 11/13/06, pA1)

Yeh. Well, I guess Ghanians are "bad" illegals and the hordes of hispanics are "good" illegals? No?

Technorati topics: immigration

Shopping with Marilyn Manson...[warning: profanity & despair!]

...is a good way to tolerate the vast number of boneheads and humanoid cockroaches at Whole Foods this Sunday morning...although frankly, if I had waited until say 4pm, the vast number would have increased by a factor of ten. Would you NOT leave your cart smack in the middle of the aisle when you KNOW that you're not the only shopper at this time? Ditto the stroller with your "beloved" offspring? Please pick a direction! And no paying by checks, mkay? Kindly drag your sorry, confused ass into the 21st century - it's called "plastic." It chafes less, you see. Ok, I wasn't REALLY shopping with Marilyn Manson, but he was singing profanities in my ears (yes, I hear voices in stereo! Ok, that's a little nod to the movie Copy Cat, in case you didn't catch it).

I'm SO TIRED of everything:

- school - I'm sick of studying, so very sick & tired and as usual, wondering if any of the time, effort & mostly money is worth it. And it's going at such a glacial pace!

- work - glad to have my job, just not very motivated - and did I mention that it exhausts me? And not in a good way.

- my need for continuous work - i'm pretty much at the point where I'm just going to get a full-time, regular job & continue on at said glacial pace with my education (that is, part-time), or change majors to accounting - at a cheaper school (still at said glacial pace). Gaack. I'm such a rebel. I bet you were thinking - thank God! She's finally turning to a life of crime! Maybe now she'll be interesting!

- My 40-year-old body (Yes! 40! I'm now officially middle-aged!) - so far it's biologically hanging together pretty well despite the alcohol and saturated fats (and hydrogenated foods! can't forget the hydrogenation!) I've imposed upon it. That said, if i'm not going to have any children, my body had better start looking spectacular. No, don't placate me with oh, you look fine. "Fine" just doesn't cut it.

- Meaningless honor societies - I mean, at the last ceremony we were told that much is expected of us - to which I respond [in my head] you mean more than superior grades, a truck-load of money surrendered to this institution and no guarantee of meaningful employment afterward? Did I mention the horrendous two semesters spent in a class wherein the professor (yes! a full PhD!) was completely incompetent? And employment in the field only if I expend a lavish amount of time & energy (lavish because I don't have it) applying and interviewing and showing enthusiam for a job that will involve a significant pay cut just to get my feet wet? Just cut the crap & give me money so I can finish this fucking degree, already. I forked over $35 for the particular honor of listening to that & receiving a crummy certificate in the mail that they couldn't manage to actually package properly - so it was crumpled.

- illegals & their little helpers. in our government(s). - Although I've always had a particular hostility for the open-borders crew on the left, I reserve my truly quality fury for those who call themselves "conservatives" and "Republicans" -and who not only DO NOTHING to resolve the issue, but actively encourage it. Who sign bills that are worse than nothing. Who hamstring any efforts to stop illegal immigration, and demonize those who do do make legitimate efforts in that direction. But, you know, I live a Arlington County, Virginia, which has a motto of "Never an illegal we didn't love and abett," and thus, when I went into Macy's (former Hecht Co.) to do some power shopping (I succeeded at that) - all I heard was Spanish. Except for the token English-speaker, who was mercifully a native-speaker & also strangely well-versed in customer service. I think he was a replicant. So unseemly.

- fat people who think I need to see their stomach rolls. hanging out between their clothes parts. or brazenly displayed with a bare midriff (not joking). or ass cellulite vividly outlined through those off-white stretch pants. who are STANDING right in the middle of the metro escalator, blocking any movement past.

- Chortling Democrats & their chortling (DC) newspaper of record (Washington Post, duh) - just normally - but especially after the Dem win of House & Senate. Keep in mind, folks, that lots of real conservatives were pissed off at those weren't real & decided to teach them a lesson. at all of our expense. thanks. but, more to the point - this cannot be taken as a sign that America has turned liberal, morons, so don't get too excited.

- Islamists & all their widdle supporters. There's always some Moslem who's getting sparked up about something and killing someone (nuns, film-makers, Israelis, etc, etc), blowing up discos, supermarkets, public transportation, flying into buildings, burning cars, performing essential honor killings of their females (not to mention everything else that is imposed on said females), cowing Westerners by their violence, etc, etc. First, I don't care about your religion or your widdle feelings about it. Second, the West should get some gonads asap and put you down like the rabid dogs you are before we're in real trouble. Mkay? So, actually, Islamists, this isn't about you - it's about us & how we will overcome you and anyone who threatens our existence.

Basically, all this is just saying I'm fed up with my life & my total lack of clarity about where I'm going except it can't be more of the same. Also, my DH Jeff is away and I miss him - so there.

I could go on, but I gotta go study some more. Gaack.

Technorati topics: mental breakdown, islam, politics, manners, immigration

Thoughts for the Day

Just because the newly outed pervo (and now “Victim” ) Mark Foley is a Republican doesn’t mean we conservatives are going to magically become Democrats come November. Just a thought.

FYI, there was a Washington Post article yesterday regarding the difference in outcomes between Rs and Ds who have been caught in scandalous activities, i.e., Republicans are ousted, Democrats refuse to be ousted and are often re-elected for additional terms. Well, we know there’s a double standard, but beyond that, I guess Democrats hold their elected officials to a much lower standard of behavior. Good for them (insert sarcasm here)!

Frankly, I find the brazen, low behavior of all these guys (and gals – they can be scum, too!) sickening and unacceptable. No taxpaying citizen should just give them - or any complicit parties - a pass. Demand accountability!

Technorati topics: manners

Quote of The Day

“No wonder the price of gas in the US is so high. It's all being used for Molotov cocktails in Oaxaca.” found here.

From Mark In Mexico, a newly discovered (well new to me) blog, whose author works as a teacher in Mexico and reports on what’s going on there as well as on various other things. His observations about goings-on in Oaxaca (which coincidentally enough, is where my maternal grandfather came from) make even our meanest streets look tame and orderly by comparison. Check him out.

Doldrums

Could the time go any slower? Could I be any less engaged in my work? Could I be any less thrilled to be going to the gym after work? Could it not rain while I'm hiking to the gym or home? Could I be any less inclined to do more school reading after dinner? Could I whine any more while I'm at it?

Ok, one bright thing is that 2 little file cabinets are arriving tonight & thus starts the organization saga of the "study." I can finally throw out the crummy file cabinets we have. Yeah. Another bright thing is that DH Jeff is cooking steak for me tonight. Mmmmm, meat.

There have been some stories about immigration issues in the paper of note and ire:

Yesterday: Charlotte, NC, and other localities get serious about immigration law enforcement; our own illegal-boosting Arlington County does not. The sheriff in Charlotte makes some choice comments about how enforcing the law is right. Hmmm.

Today: Herndon, VA starts getting serious about immigration law enforcement which is good (even if my own county could care less), and visa applications for skilled foreign workers are held up. Naturally. Let all the unskilled, poorly educated, anchor-baby breeders into the country, but put your foot down to folks wading in red tape to work here above day-laborer level. Good policy idiots.

UPDATE: It was raining torrents. I bagged the gym. The filing cabinets were advertised as "easy assembly." I opened one box and pulled out about a million parts - but put them together easily. Well-wrought & bored pieces plus extra hardware (screws, dowels, etc) & well-packed. And you can't beat the turn around time (next day). I also got free shipping because the order was over $50. So OfficeDepot.com gets my two thumbs up.

Book Review: God, Guns & Rock 'N' Roll

God, Guns & Rock 'N' Roll, by Ted Nugent is about guns, gun ownership, gun hunting. True. But it's also about discipline, safety, personal responsibility, respect, active and hands-on parenting, the value of family, and getting involved in your community. So, although one might not be as enthused about guns and hunting as Ted Nugent, there's plenty of take-away here. And, it's definitely an entertaining read - Nugent is an over-the-top, colorful storyteller. Check it out.

Technorati topics: book reviews

That 9/11 thing

You might wonder why I haven’t touched upon the anniversary of 9/11. Well, my response to that anniversary is to say: yeh, we’ve caught a few of these barbarians, but they’re just a drop in the bucket: many more desire our downfall, plotting as we speak, and we’re still taking a kid glove attitude like they can be reasoned with and placated. I see this administration doing nothing about the borders, about seriously securing our transport (not only planes, and not only cosmetic inconveniences), about truly reforming those entities that are supposed to protect us (DHS, CIA, FBI, etc.). Until these things are seriously and diligently addressed – for the long term – we’re still extremely vulnerable. What more can I say?

In Appreciation: Oriana Fallaci

Oriana Fallaci, Italian journalist and author, died of cancer this last Friday, September 15th. Her fiery passion and brazen, uncowed style will be missed. You’ll remember, I just reviewed her book The Force of Reason recently here and had read (but not reviewed) her previous book The Rage and the Pride at DH Jeff's insistence when it came out. The Washington Post did a nice write-up on Saturday. She expressed her rage against Islam in The Rage and the Pride, in response to the atrocities of 9/11, and continued her diatribe in The Force against what she saw as the invading hordes of a religion into the West having anything but benign intentions. Ms. Fallaci had a rich career of interviewing (and provoking) political leaders around the world, such as Henry Kissinger, Ayatollah Khomeini, Yassir Arafat and Ariel Sharon. Early in her career, she covered conflicts such as the Viet Nam war and the 1968 massacre of student protesters in Mexico City.

Where in the world...?

Sadly, I have not been posting much & one might wonder what's the problem. Well, here's what's been up in my world:

- Biology class demands. Tomorrow's the first exam and Monday at lab was first lab quiz (one every week). That said, I like the prof (really a together, organized sort) & we got to look at stuff under the microscope in lab, including this tiny water insect that was wonder what happened to his aquatic world.

- Honors! Speaking of school, I've been nominated for an honor society at Marymount. Not my first in general, but my first there. Figures, though, that the only recognition I get is the kind I have to pay for.

- Work. Did I mention I've been working so hard, that I get home completely exhausted every day? Not to mention the dreary, chilly weather we've been having lately.

- Book Club? We've put it on hiatus because of lack of interest. Evidently to most, book club is something you drop by on when you have nothing better to do. Otherwise, no communication. Very frustrating to those of us who make an effort and actually host the thing! A few stalwarts, though, & we plan on recruiting others & hopefully opening up shop again in a few months.

- Exercise. This week isn't a good example, but I've been trying to work out regularly to get rid of this sludge around my middle and thighs. You probably wouldn't notice it, but that's irrelevant. I get to have my obsessions if I want.

- Socializing! Hah! Yes, actually going out with friends and family! And yes, I'd rather be doing that than carving out the time to blog. Sad, my lack of commitment. Ah, but mental healthy-speaking, a vast improvement over (specifically my) anti-social attitudes of the past.

Ok, enough for now. More soon, I promise! Rants galore! Harsh language and sentiments!

Random thoughts

I just started my Biology class. Can't ignore the irony that the first few chapters we cover concern - anyone? anyone? - Chemistry! Aggghhhh! But that disturbing occurrence aside, the prof is organized and proactive - he emails us the syllabus and first lecture slides BEFORE we set foot in the classroom. Now that's impressive. Also, he seems really engaged in the study and how to bring it across to students - i.e., interested in actually making sure we grasp the concepts. This bodes well.

On a completely different topic, I've noticed that the more I focus on a task or more specifically a bunch of tasks, working on them concurrently, the more I get done. At work, I've had an (expected) avalanche of work that provokes that kind of focus. Although I've been exhausted over the last week, I've also been energized by the sheer volume of work & now study that I've been able to accomplish.

I'm planning to transfer some of that residual energy to home. There's this series of paintings by a Mexican artist that my dad gave me which badly need re-matting & framing. I'm finally going to take one of them (to start) to get this done & finally display it. Brother Chris & wife Steph should appreciate this as they've had a couple of the series framed (and displayed) so nicely. Today, in another effort to improve our home environment, I'm going to work on getting rid of some clutter in the apt. Less clutter, more tranquility and function.

At this point, I was going to launch into a catty tirade, but that'll have to wait.

Oh, one last thought: I'm currently in a state of non-indebtedness: I've paid off my school loans, my credit card balance in full (which included my Biology class tuition), our rent and bills are covered. I'm going to savor this moment - because it will not last long. But a keen moment it is!

End communication.

Ten Days in Israel - Some final Q & As

Dear Readers,
Before I ended this series, I wanted to get some personal reactions from Mom on the high points of her trip. Below are her impressions. Enjoy!
-------------------
Q: What was your favorite part of the trip?

A: A "loaded" question! Where to begin?!? Finally being there~for sure! I should have gone a long time ago. Actually, there were quite a few favorites, and I guess some of the favorites were also the most "moving." Giving you the "bigger picture," I guess I'll have to say experiencing the Israelis and their way of life.

I've always been very curious and have always wanted to learn more about their religion, their traditions, and so on. This may sound strange, but somehow I feel a kind of kinship toward them that is difficult to comprehend and even harder to explain.

Q: What was the most impactful or impressive part?

A: Considering myself a christian, it was walking in "Christ's footsteps," if you will. So the place would have to be Old Jerusalem.

In most of these biblical places, I could almost feel His presence at times... which would either make the hair from the back of my neck "bristle," have me in "goose bumps," or feel an overwhelming sadness that would bring me close to tears...or ALL of the above.

Q: What was the food like?

A: The food was great! Whenever we could, we would eat authentic~~I don't think I could ever tire of having Mediterranean cuisine. However, most of the meals were at the hotels where we lodged. The buffets were always wonderfully hugh, with so much variety that I could never really experience everything! However, I sure did try, and must have gained 10 pounds or more!

Q: If you could spend more time at one place/site/area, what would it be?

A: As you may already surmise, I prefer to be near water, so I would probably choose some city/town around the Mediterranean Sea (Haifa or Netanya, for example). Another place would be Tiberias, next to the Sea of Galilee (actually a lake). Water is always soothing to me....

Q: Anything else you'd like to add?

A: I would certainly be very happy going to Israel every so often (maybe twice a year), staying for an extended period of time (say a month or so), getting to know the country, etc. After all - who knows - I might just decide to move there!

Technorati Topics: travel, israel

Ten Days in Israel - Part IV

Following is Mom's final travelogue of her trip to Israel. Enjoy!
-----------

SHALOM--Welcome back to Israel...in happier times.

Monday, June 26 ~ Jerusalem Old City ~ continued ~
We started our day with a visit to the Wohl Museum of Archeology in Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter and the Herodian Quarter site, known as the Second Temple period. We viewed the Model of the Second Temple--Herod's Temple, built in 514 B.C.E. [Renee’s note: Before Common Era, AKA B.C. or Before Christ – you understand why Israelis don’t use this]. It stood 15 stories high and was completed in 18 mouths! The temple was destroyed by Titus circa 70 C.E. [Renee’s note: Common Era, AKA A.D. or Anno Domini, “in the year of our Lord” – same note as above].

At the Burnt House location, we experienced a moving presentation of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple. We toured the Temple Institute where the Book of Leviticus came to life, with replicas of vessels, priests' garb, spices, etc. The Book of Leviticus is the third book of the Hebrew Bible, referred to by Christians as The Old Testament.

Along the way, we attended an exhibition of biblical-time fragrances, and took in a most magnificent rooftop view of the four quarters (Moslem, Christian, Jewish, Armenian).

We explored the Southern Wall Excavation and took a virtual, computerized walk through the Jerusalem Temple at the Davidson Center. We viewed some of the most significant sites in Israel by means of exhibitions. The Center is an extension of the Archaeological Park.

Tuesday, June 27 ~ Dead Sea ~
Excavations anyone?

Early, we departed for the Masada National Park, located near the shores of the Dead Sea, between Ein Gedi and Sodom. We ascended by cable car for a tour/discussion of the dilemma faced by its Jewish Zealots. A most glorious sight!

We enjoyed a walk through the beautiful Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and studied the biblical stories of Kings David and Saul that took place. It was here that David composed several Psalms.

We proceeded to the Qumran – the site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the ancient Essene (Garden of Peace) community.

We then stopped for a brief dip in the Dead Sea, a "must" but quite messy experience, to say the least! The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth AND one of the saltiest! It is the deepest hyper-saline lake in the world!!

During "the dip," you must be very aware NOT to let the water get in your eyes--sooooooo submerging is most definitely a no-no! Floating is NOT a problem, feeling as though your whole body just wants to keep "popping up"! A "sensational" experience! After "the dip," we showered twice to get the slimy mud off! This mud is supposedly healing and good for the skin however. Of course, ANOTHER "must" is to buy their skin "sea beauty" products (what better way to help Israel but to buy your next gifts AND indulge yourself, check out www.ifcj.org (International Fellowship of Christians and Jews) catalog!

We drove through the Jordan Valley and visited Yardenit--the Jordan River and viewed the site of the Baptism of Jesus Christ by John (The Baptist), Jesus's cousin. The Yardenit Baptismal site has become a focal point for hundreds of thousands of modern pilgrims. They come, clad in flowing white robes, paying tribute by submerging themselves in the waters...

Wednesday, June 28 ~ Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee ~ The Christian Tour ~
We started the day with a tour of The Yigal Alon Center, home to The Ancient Galilee Boat. In 1986, two brothers from Ginosar – a lakeside location –discovered the boat, during a drought resulting in the lowering of the waters. The boat dates back to first centuries B.C. Analyses suggest this was the type of boat used during Jesus' Time, and so is known as "the Jesus Boat."

We drove to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, visited St. Peter's Primacy (Matthew 16), and traveled to the 2000-year-old remains of Capernaum (Luke 4)--a settlement on the shores of the Lake. We stood in what is left of the synagogue in which Jesus ministered. It was here that Jesus did most of his Galilean ministry, and where he performed many miracles. We viewed Kursi, where Jesus cast the demons into pigs that ran into the sea (Matthew 8).

At Ein Gev, we took a beautiful sunset boat ride across the Sea. We ended our day by enjoying a wonderful traditional fish dinner at a nearby sea-side restaurant.

Thursday, June 29 ~ Upper Galilee ~
And yet more excavations!

We drove to Corazim National Park, toured the Hula Valley, and the ruins of the ancient city Banias/ Caesarea Philippi, then continued to the tranquil Dan Nature Reserve. On to Tel Hai (Hill of Life), a national monument, and ascended Mount Meron to pay tribute to Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai, a famous scholar during the Roman Period. We toured synagogues, courtyards, shops, graves and mikveh ("ritual bath" used for purification) of the Ari z"l in the mystical city of Tzefat.

Our day ended with a great dinner and an overnight at the Kibbutz Kfar Giladi.

Friday, June 30 ~ Lower Galilee and Coast Line ~
Early departure for the city of Nazareth. We toured the ancient, excavated city of Tzippoi, and viewed beautiful mosaics and other finds from the time of the Mishna (200 C.E., the time when the entire body of Jewish religious law was passed down and developed).

We viewed the excavation of the ancient city of Megiddo, associated with Armageddon, the final battleground between good and evil. We ascended the summit of Mount Carmel for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Haifa Bay and Western Galilee. We visited the impressive site of the ancient city of Caesarea, and continued to Jerusalem...ending "The Excavation Period"!

Once in Jerusalem, we prepared for the Shabbat, and a wonderful farewell Shabbat Dinner for all!

Saturday, July 1 ~ Jerusalem ~
Whew!! Finally, a free day devoted to shopping and just roaming around the old quarters. For lunch, we discovered a very nice roof-top restaurant, and enjoyed pizza and cold beer!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I won't say "the end" BUT rather a beginning to many more adventures to this beautiful and very interesting country!

I hope you've enjoyed touring Israel through Renee's mom's eyes. I know it was a terrific thrill for me! THANKS to Renee for giving me the opportunity.

SHALOM, SHALOM to all!! (Hebrew word for peace)

Adela

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