On Sunday, we woke up super tired. We went to bed around 12:30 am, and woke up around 6:00 am. We’re still not used to these sleeping patterns!

The day started off with me at BANATZ ( a satellite station), where we got one call at a seniors resident. I was stationned with Aviv, Chanin, and another Bedouin girl. The man was having a hard time breathing and pain in his chest, so we took his blood pressure and gave him oxygen- as we started getting him ready for the ambulance, a NATAN came and we transferred him onto it, and that was that.

We went back to B’nei Tzion hospital ( where BANATZ is stationned), and I then got transferred to the other satellite station NOSH. NOSH is responsible for all the little areas ouside of Haifa. I was with Sabina and Saril- Sabina is the only woman driver, and it was pretty awesome watching her in action. I was expecting a few more exciting calls, but the only call we got was another senior woman at a seniors home with the same condition as the first patient. Again, we just got her ready for the NATAN, and then went back to the station. It was interesting to watch the paramedics on the NATAN treat her on the ambulance before they took her to the hospital.

At the NOSH station, I fell asleep quite a few times, and we watched some movies on the TV. The day was pretty uneventful. When I finished, my roomate Sharon and I went back to the apartment, and we waited for Danielle. Usually, we finish at around 3:00 pm, but for some reason Danielle just kept call after call, and came back around 5:30 pm. And I guess you can imagine… SHE HAD OUR ONE AND ONLY KEY! We spent the afternoon waiting for her- so, I decided to go do some groceries, and then come back to the apartment. By the time I came back, around 6:15, she was finally back. I made a delicious dinner of spring beans, green onions, and tomato salad, with spiced pargits (chicken) and red peppers. It was so delicious! Might I mention that yesterday was blistering hot outside. We were all so beat from our long day we decided to hit the sack quite early.

The next morning, I woke up feeling refreshed. I was scheduled to be NAHAG 2, but when we got to the station, Coby, our head, changed the schdule around, and I ended up being NAHAG 4- meaning I only started at 11:00 am. I spent the morning hanging around, listening to music and doing sudoku with the others. At 11:00, my driver came. His name was George. He doesn’t speak much, and he has a moustache. also, I was alone today- no banot shiruts. We got our first and only call at exactly 11:30 , as I was in the middle of checking the ambulance. We headed out to help an elderly man who wasn’t feeling well. He was really sweet. His son in law and philipino helper lady came with, and he held her han the whole way and joked around with her in the back. He was switching from English and Hebrew, and was just so sweet. We took him to Carmel Hospital, where it was packed with people. ( Might I mention that today was AGAIN blistering hot!!)

After our day, Danielle and I decided to head to the Haifa mall. Sharon and Sam joined us after. I was searching for some boots, but was unsuccesful. I did get some other things, like slippers for our grimy apartment, and some sleeper earrings which I’ve been looking for. We took the bus back, and stopped to get some groceries. When we got back to the apartment, Kerry made a huge pot of chicken soup, so we all sat together and ate while hanging out and listening to music. It was really nice to end our day that way. Now, the roomates are outside while I’m inside ( I don’t want to risk getting more bites!). I think I will have a quick shower then get ready for bed.

Lots of love

SjjT xoxo

March 15, 2010. Israel- During MDA.