I forgot how much fun going shopping in someone elses closet can be. A friend of mine told me she had a bunch of stuff that would be good for wearing in the studio (why stain my own stuff when I can just use someone else's non-wearable stained stuff until I destroy it completely). On half (or more) of the shirts she gave me I can not for the life of me find anything wrong with them.
Ok, so I did not get a whole lot of studio wear, but I got some nice shirts that I have been wearing for the last two weeks.
Actually, the best things about shopping in other' people's closets is you end up with all sorts of things you would never actually buy for yourself. I ended up with some colours I would never even think to pull off the shelf- and I really like them! I got this one sort of sage green shirt that I wore into Tel Aviv last week and I had a BUS DRIVER complement me on how nice the colour was on me (ok, so slightly creepy, but all the sime I rather enjoyed the moment!). Now it is a colour I will give a second look to in my own shopping.
I also go to try some new shapes/styles that I woudl not normally try. Although the sort of babydoll cut with layered sleeves is not likely to ever see the light of day again, the one with embroidered flowers is actually kid of cute!
It is a great way to take some risks without spending any money (which to me means making a comittment to actually wearing them!)
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
More Israeli Shopping
Oh my gosh! I went shopping with a friend in Jerusalem last week and she taught me something. Stores here do not need to be a "plus sized store" in order to carry plus sizes! She took me in to a bunch of funky looking trendy stores that I would never think to go in to and they had stuff that fit me! I got a gorgeous grey layers skirt at shkalim and although I used ot buy clothes there in a previous lifetime would never have even thought to go in there now.
I have also learned about 2 other stores, one called "Matim Li" (translates roughly to "good for me") and another stores whose name I can not remember (must get name!) that had gorgeous and cool clothes in every size.
I thne went into the famous "no clothing over 50 shekel (thoughly $15 US" store on Yaffo near Ben Yehuda and not only did I find a skirt that fit (although I did nto get it as I did not love the colours) but they told me they are opening a plus sized section!!!! Fun, colourful clothing for reasonable ammounts of money (although I suspect their plus section will be more expensive by a little, but I can understand that as fabric costs are slightly more.
I am also now bringing in tights from we love colours. They might be expensive but they take a freaking beating! I have worn the brown ones I got 10 times or so and they are still in one piece (but I suspect we might be getting to the end of their useful life as the inner seam is wearing out). I LOVE the colours and the fact the colour does not wash out as it stretches. THey now also have footless tights that I will probably get for next year so I can wear them with fuzzy socks (I hate wearing socks over tights as I find my foot ends up sliding around too much and I get icky blisters.
My plan is to get back into updating this thing a little more often now that I am more settled and finguring things out a little more. I will say that overall my adjustment period has been great. Althoguh I find most Israeli's do tend ot be skinny, I have found them to be overall much more accepting and accomidating to the idea that people come in lots of different shapes and sizes.
I have also learned about 2 other stores, one called "Matim Li" (translates roughly to "good for me") and another stores whose name I can not remember (must get name!) that had gorgeous and cool clothes in every size.
I thne went into the famous "no clothing over 50 shekel (thoughly $15 US" store on Yaffo near Ben Yehuda and not only did I find a skirt that fit (although I did nto get it as I did not love the colours) but they told me they are opening a plus sized section!!!! Fun, colourful clothing for reasonable ammounts of money (although I suspect their plus section will be more expensive by a little, but I can understand that as fabric costs are slightly more.
I am also now bringing in tights from we love colours. They might be expensive but they take a freaking beating! I have worn the brown ones I got 10 times or so and they are still in one piece (but I suspect we might be getting to the end of their useful life as the inner seam is wearing out). I LOVE the colours and the fact the colour does not wash out as it stretches. THey now also have footless tights that I will probably get for next year so I can wear them with fuzzy socks (I hate wearing socks over tights as I find my foot ends up sliding around too much and I get icky blisters.
My plan is to get back into updating this thing a little more often now that I am more settled and finguring things out a little more. I will say that overall my adjustment period has been great. Althoguh I find most Israeli's do tend ot be skinny, I have found them to be overall much more accepting and accomidating to the idea that people come in lots of different shapes and sizes.
The coat
Got the coat. It is nice and mostly what I was looking for. As I do not think we are going to get any more wet weather this year (although please God we will as we really need more rain!) I will put it away for next year.
Honestly, it is nice but nothing overly special. Junonia service was terrible. shipping was more than the cost of the coat. They did not follow directions or even tell me they were not going to until I asked.
I would not order from them again and would certainly not recommend them to anyone else.
Honestly, it is nice but nothing overly special. Junonia service was terrible. shipping was more than the cost of the coat. They did not follow directions or even tell me they were not going to until I asked.
I would not order from them again and would certainly not recommend them to anyone else.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Junonia strikes out again
So after the saga of the snowpants last year, I was prepared to give Junonia another try. They were nice enough to send me a gift certificate becuase of the hulabaloo. I really thought that it was just one of those things that happen and azoy.
Well. I used the gift certificate (which was about to expire) to buy myself a new coat off of their website. I noticed they had shipping to Israel- Great! I thought this was going ot be the find of the century for fatshionistas in Israel.
Yeah, not so fast. If I wanted to have their item shipped to Israel, I had to pay through a 3rd party (not the biggest deal wince they were also a reputable company) and the shipping costs, on this coat for which I was paying roughly $50 (it was on sale) were roughly $250! (Please note, I am currently waiting for a couriered package, 2 day courier, from the US, and it was only $150!)
Um, yeah. Not goign ot happen.
So I figure I will have the coat shipped to my mother who is comming to visit in a few weeks. she can bring it with her. Shipping to canada was still outragiously expensive, but as I had the gift certificate and had found a coat on sale it was within what I was willing to pay. So I went through the checkout process, gave my mother's addres and signed up for 2 day shipping, and figured as she was not leaving for almost 3 weeks I was good to go.
I got a confirmation email saig the items were in stock and would ship immidiatly.
That was november 13th. My mom was leaving on the 28.
The coat does not show up by the 15th. I figured maybe I ordered across the date line or something, give it an extra couple days.
January 20th I called them to find out where the coat was. I was told that "they do nto offer 2 day shipping to Canada" and that it had been automatically changed to regular shipping which could take from 10-17 days. Oh, and they only ship to Canada twice a week, so those times did not begin until the 16th when the package was shipped (the 16th beign the day it should have arrived!) Based on the new calculations, the coat would not be expected to arrive until February 2nd- well after my mother is set to leave.
I was furious! Now, if and when the coat shows up (there is no tracking or insurance on it, I asked! They told me it could not be done for packages leaving the US) I need to find another way to get it here. Thankfully I found someoen coming the end of February willing to bring it, but 1) It is already goign to be warming up by then, and 2) that was just luck! Otherwise it would have cost me $60 or moreto have it reshipped from Canada (Canada post rates stink).
Now, after arguing with them on the phone for an hour or so (and eating my voip minutes like crazy!) I got them to agree to refund the entire cost of the coat, plus shipping in both directions- if I send them back the coat. Logically that makes sense. If I do nto keep it I get my momney back- but there is no compensation for the trouble if I do keep the coat.
Suffice it to say that I will not likely be going back to Junonia any time soon. I am very, very frusterated that a place with such potential has dropped the ball so badly.
Well. I used the gift certificate (which was about to expire) to buy myself a new coat off of their website. I noticed they had shipping to Israel- Great! I thought this was going ot be the find of the century for fatshionistas in Israel.
Yeah, not so fast. If I wanted to have their item shipped to Israel, I had to pay through a 3rd party (not the biggest deal wince they were also a reputable company) and the shipping costs, on this coat for which I was paying roughly $50 (it was on sale) were roughly $250! (Please note, I am currently waiting for a couriered package, 2 day courier, from the US, and it was only $150!)
Um, yeah. Not goign ot happen.
So I figure I will have the coat shipped to my mother who is comming to visit in a few weeks. she can bring it with her. Shipping to canada was still outragiously expensive, but as I had the gift certificate and had found a coat on sale it was within what I was willing to pay. So I went through the checkout process, gave my mother's addres and signed up for 2 day shipping, and figured as she was not leaving for almost 3 weeks I was good to go.
I got a confirmation email saig the items were in stock and would ship immidiatly.
That was november 13th. My mom was leaving on the 28.
The coat does not show up by the 15th. I figured maybe I ordered across the date line or something, give it an extra couple days.
January 20th I called them to find out where the coat was. I was told that "they do nto offer 2 day shipping to Canada" and that it had been automatically changed to regular shipping which could take from 10-17 days. Oh, and they only ship to Canada twice a week, so those times did not begin until the 16th when the package was shipped (the 16th beign the day it should have arrived!) Based on the new calculations, the coat would not be expected to arrive until February 2nd- well after my mother is set to leave.
I was furious! Now, if and when the coat shows up (there is no tracking or insurance on it, I asked! They told me it could not be done for packages leaving the US) I need to find another way to get it here. Thankfully I found someoen coming the end of February willing to bring it, but 1) It is already goign to be warming up by then, and 2) that was just luck! Otherwise it would have cost me $60 or moreto have it reshipped from Canada (Canada post rates stink).
Now, after arguing with them on the phone for an hour or so (and eating my voip minutes like crazy!) I got them to agree to refund the entire cost of the coat, plus shipping in both directions- if I send them back the coat. Logically that makes sense. If I do nto keep it I get my momney back- but there is no compensation for the trouble if I do keep the coat.
Suffice it to say that I will not likely be going back to Junonia any time soon. I am very, very frusterated that a place with such potential has dropped the ball so badly.
I got my tights!
So far as I know there is NOWHERE in this country to get fat tights. I know there has to be as there are lots of fat people wearing tights, but apparently I am not worthy of joining the "in the know" crowd about where to get them.
So I needed a different solution.
I asked a fried to help me. I picked someone I know from back home who is incredibly stylish, likes to have fun with her clothing, demands comfort, and also a plus size to help me carry out my plan. I sent her into either Additionelle or Penningtons (I can not remember which) with the awesome instruction "Money is no object! Buy and ship!"
Now, with instructions like that, who would not have fun?
I got burgandy and purple and brown and blue and black with funky patterns and grey. (I have also since ordered light blue, gold and tie dye from We love colours which were shipped to my mom and are coming when she comes to visit T O M O R R O W ! ! ! (YAY for a mommy-visit!).
She popped them into the mail and I figured I would get them in a week or two.
Did I mention that all of this took palce the first week of November?
Last week my husband and I were away for a few days, and I came home to find 3 package notices in my mail box. Oh was I hoping (as I had pretty much given up hope of ever getting the stuff beign that it has been pretty much 3 months!).
I went to the post office, and there was not 1, not two, but *3* different packages, each having been shipped the first week of November!!!!!!!!!!
Note to self- mail is insanely slow.
But- I GOT MY TIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wore purple tights to a bris this week. Wow did I feel funky. I have never owned purple tights before because I never wanted to spend the money on them. With someone else doing the buying I had to reply on her judgement.
Not only that, but they did not fall apart the first time I wore them so I get ot wear them again!
Thanks AL for totally making my winter for me!
So I needed a different solution.
I asked a fried to help me. I picked someone I know from back home who is incredibly stylish, likes to have fun with her clothing, demands comfort, and also a plus size to help me carry out my plan. I sent her into either Additionelle or Penningtons (I can not remember which) with the awesome instruction "Money is no object! Buy and ship!"
Now, with instructions like that, who would not have fun?
I got burgandy and purple and brown and blue and black with funky patterns and grey. (I have also since ordered light blue, gold and tie dye from We love colours which were shipped to my mom and are coming when she comes to visit T O M O R R O W ! ! ! (YAY for a mommy-visit!).
She popped them into the mail and I figured I would get them in a week or two.
Did I mention that all of this took palce the first week of November?
Last week my husband and I were away for a few days, and I came home to find 3 package notices in my mail box. Oh was I hoping (as I had pretty much given up hope of ever getting the stuff beign that it has been pretty much 3 months!).
I went to the post office, and there was not 1, not two, but *3* different packages, each having been shipped the first week of November!!!!!!!!!!
Note to self- mail is insanely slow.
But- I GOT MY TIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wore purple tights to a bris this week. Wow did I feel funky. I have never owned purple tights before because I never wanted to spend the money on them. With someone else doing the buying I had to reply on her judgement.
Not only that, but they did not fall apart the first time I wore them so I get ot wear them again!
Thanks AL for totally making my winter for me!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Paydirt!
Oh my gosh I think I died and hit religious fat woman heaven!
I went to the store I had heard about. It is called black and white and it is located in someone's storage space here in Beit shemesh. Yes, yo uheard me right. A storage locker.
Needless to say I was not expecting much.
Lord was I in for a surprise!
The place was tiny, but it was, quite literally stuffed with loads of stuff, and for the first time ever I could wear all of it! Not only did it fit (lets face it, there were stores in the past that dealt in large sized clothing so a store of stuff that fit was, while nice, not totally novel), but it was all totally religiously acceptable to my level of modesty. Obviously there were some pieces in which I would not be caught dead (a stripped chifon sparkely thing comes to mind) but theoretically I could buy and wear every single piece in the store!
Ok, so what was there.
Basically, it was a line of clothing, designed and produced in Israel, for people like me. There is a chain of stores that carry the clothing, but this was an independant supplier. The name of the brand is "Discreet".
The clothign was classy and elegant but not so boring as to scream "Hi there I am a religious fanatic who wants to be sure that men are not tempted by my gorgeous curves". They obviously had chosen not to only carry items for the strictest of the stric,t but also for the rest of us who actually like people to notice that we exist once in a while. (Ok, so I am not beign 100% fair. can you tell I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder).
I tried on 7 skirts. I wanted them all. I tried on 2 shirts. I wanted them both.
Aha, now here is the rub. I could not take them all becuase prices were, well, pricey. I took 2 skirts. One a long lycra mermaid ish sort of cut skirts. It was 140 nis (roughly $35). The other was a very israeli skirt, 2 layers, one a wool and the under one more of a cotton with tulle edging. Shades of brown. It was 240 nis (roughly $60). The shirt I got was just a soft, stretchy, light pink, long sleeved t shirt and it was 80 nis ($20). The prices may not sound so bad, but when you compare the fact that salaries here are lower, and non-plus sized stuff can be had for 50 nis and up, well the prices are a little steep.
Not too steep that I would not go back.
they do not carry sleepware, underwear, tights/stockings or any other sort of lengerie (they are not that progressive) so I still have no idea where to get that sort of stuff other than to bring it in.
Oh, and she wants ot have dispaly of my work and some cards in the shop. As she is the only plus sized show in town, and I do plus sized work, it seems like a good "shidduch" (match).
I went to the store I had heard about. It is called black and white and it is located in someone's storage space here in Beit shemesh. Yes, yo uheard me right. A storage locker.
Needless to say I was not expecting much.
Lord was I in for a surprise!
The place was tiny, but it was, quite literally stuffed with loads of stuff, and for the first time ever I could wear all of it! Not only did it fit (lets face it, there were stores in the past that dealt in large sized clothing so a store of stuff that fit was, while nice, not totally novel), but it was all totally religiously acceptable to my level of modesty. Obviously there were some pieces in which I would not be caught dead (a stripped chifon sparkely thing comes to mind) but theoretically I could buy and wear every single piece in the store!
Ok, so what was there.
Basically, it was a line of clothing, designed and produced in Israel, for people like me. There is a chain of stores that carry the clothing, but this was an independant supplier. The name of the brand is "Discreet".
The clothign was classy and elegant but not so boring as to scream "Hi there I am a religious fanatic who wants to be sure that men are not tempted by my gorgeous curves". They obviously had chosen not to only carry items for the strictest of the stric,t but also for the rest of us who actually like people to notice that we exist once in a while. (Ok, so I am not beign 100% fair. can you tell I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder).
I tried on 7 skirts. I wanted them all. I tried on 2 shirts. I wanted them both.
Aha, now here is the rub. I could not take them all becuase prices were, well, pricey. I took 2 skirts. One a long lycra mermaid ish sort of cut skirts. It was 140 nis (roughly $35). The other was a very israeli skirt, 2 layers, one a wool and the under one more of a cotton with tulle edging. Shades of brown. It was 240 nis (roughly $60). The shirt I got was just a soft, stretchy, light pink, long sleeved t shirt and it was 80 nis ($20). The prices may not sound so bad, but when you compare the fact that salaries here are lower, and non-plus sized stuff can be had for 50 nis and up, well the prices are a little steep.
Not too steep that I would not go back.
they do not carry sleepware, underwear, tights/stockings or any other sort of lengerie (they are not that progressive) so I still have no idea where to get that sort of stuff other than to bring it in.
Oh, and she wants ot have dispaly of my work and some cards in the shop. As she is the only plus sized show in town, and I do plus sized work, it seems like a good "shidduch" (match).
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Ok, so I have heard of a store, now how to find it
I have been told of a store here in RBS that carries plus sizes and supposedly has really nice stuff. I have been told that although the prices are not exactly reasonable, they are also not as terrible as they could be (greeeeeeeeat...). I even saw an add for them in an English publication that we get (seemingly randomly as I have no idea how often we get it and never know when to expect it) last week that my husband tossed before I told him I actually needed it (thankfully, I got to read the section of short story they printed becuase I am enjoying the serial and do not want to miss a segment).
There is a local private phone book here in Beit Shemesh called, funny enough, the shemesh-phone. It is not there. At least not in the 2 year old version we got for free when we moved here from a friend of ours who has the more up to date version. We can nto get an up to date version as there seem to be none left. In any case, we asked and they do nto seem tobe in there.
So I have no idea where the store is (chances are it is in someone's basement. Most shops here are not in actual store fronts unles they are willing ot pay the big bucks as there is not a lot of commercial space in RBSA). I have no idea what sizes they carry- someone told me they think to European size 62. Anyone know what that is in the old contry?). I haven o idea how to reach them.
This is fun.
On the other hand, my mommy and a friend of mine sent me real, honest to goodness, Canadian tights. I am a much happier camper now when I need to go out at night.
Going into Tel Aviv tomorrow. There has to be a plus sized store in Tel Aviv right? Any idea how the heck I would find it?
There is a local private phone book here in Beit Shemesh called, funny enough, the shemesh-phone. It is not there. At least not in the 2 year old version we got for free when we moved here from a friend of ours who has the more up to date version. We can nto get an up to date version as there seem to be none left. In any case, we asked and they do nto seem tobe in there.
So I have no idea where the store is (chances are it is in someone's basement. Most shops here are not in actual store fronts unles they are willing ot pay the big bucks as there is not a lot of commercial space in RBSA). I have no idea what sizes they carry- someone told me they think to European size 62. Anyone know what that is in the old contry?). I haven o idea how to reach them.
This is fun.
On the other hand, my mommy and a friend of mine sent me real, honest to goodness, Canadian tights. I am a much happier camper now when I need to go out at night.
Going into Tel Aviv tomorrow. There has to be a plus sized store in Tel Aviv right? Any idea how the heck I would find it?
Monday, November 10, 2008
Tights
Well I am no importing tights from Canada and the US becuase I have given up and my legs are freakin' freezing! Thank goodness I have some wonderful people back in the substantially colder (and clearly more plus sized friendly) north to help me out or I might be the first person in the Mediterranean to lose a leg or two to fristbite.
I am starting to think about opening a plus sized shop over here. It seems to be a nice that needs filling. The only problem is that I do not tihnk it would fly hwere I am. Too small town. I think if I am going to do it I need to do it in either Jerusalem ore Tel Aviv. Truthfully, I figure there has to be something, but there is probably a local colloquialism for "plus size" that I jsut do not know to look for.
Be that as it may my mom is sending a bunch of pairs, and my friend Andrea is sending over a whole bunch that are mroe colourful. I am also thinking of ordering a few pairs from "we love colors" but frankly they ar really expensive. The colors are awesome, but once you convert the price into shkalim it just kills me to think about actually doing it.
On the "plus" side, my studio is now back up and running again. I love my new studio here. I am so much light and space. I never imagined the difference that having a seperate, dedicated work space would make. It make me feel so much more professional, and I think it comes across when I am dealing with people as well. I can now actualy have clients into the studio and do not need to meet them at a local coffee shop (which is a good thing becuase there isn't one).
My Etsy shop is slowly getting back up on its feet after months of neglect. I have some local work in both custom work and repairs starting to come in. Other than the fact that having to go on a supply run is a 6 hour trek into Tel Aviv, from a business point of view things have never been better.
Well, except for the fact that I sliced my finger last week becuase I was doing something particularly stupid. Ruined the piece as well becuase my hand jumped and my saw took a huge gash out of the silver I was working on.
Dumb.
Oh well, such is life I guess.
I am starting to think about opening a plus sized shop over here. It seems to be a nice that needs filling. The only problem is that I do not tihnk it would fly hwere I am. Too small town. I think if I am going to do it I need to do it in either Jerusalem ore Tel Aviv. Truthfully, I figure there has to be something, but there is probably a local colloquialism for "plus size" that I jsut do not know to look for.
Be that as it may my mom is sending a bunch of pairs, and my friend Andrea is sending over a whole bunch that are mroe colourful. I am also thinking of ordering a few pairs from "we love colors" but frankly they ar really expensive. The colors are awesome, but once you convert the price into shkalim it just kills me to think about actually doing it.
On the "plus" side, my studio is now back up and running again. I love my new studio here. I am so much light and space. I never imagined the difference that having a seperate, dedicated work space would make. It make me feel so much more professional, and I think it comes across when I am dealing with people as well. I can now actualy have clients into the studio and do not need to meet them at a local coffee shop (which is a good thing becuase there isn't one).
My Etsy shop is slowly getting back up on its feet after months of neglect. I have some local work in both custom work and repairs starting to come in. Other than the fact that having to go on a supply run is a 6 hour trek into Tel Aviv, from a business point of view things have never been better.
Well, except for the fact that I sliced my finger last week becuase I was doing something particularly stupid. Ruined the piece as well becuase my hand jumped and my saw took a huge gash out of the silver I was working on.
Dumb.
Oh well, such is life I guess.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wow
Wow.
Went to an open air market in Tel Aviv this past week. Looked at a number of "one size fits all" skirts- some wrap-arounds, some broomstick like with elastic waists. On the other hand, only one stall guy was even remotely obnoxious about it.
Not one would have fit a leg, never mind both.
And I might add this is after introducing 40 minutes of quick walking a day into my life (we do not have a car here and I need to be a 20 minute walk away by 8:30 every morning and get home in the afternoon) that has none of my clothing staying up anymore and me starting to get desperate for a good seamstress!
In all seriousness, this not being able to get clothing in this country might be a problem much sooner than I expected.
Went to an open air market in Tel Aviv this past week. Looked at a number of "one size fits all" skirts- some wrap-arounds, some broomstick like with elastic waists. On the other hand, only one stall guy was even remotely obnoxious about it.
Not one would have fit a leg, never mind both.
And I might add this is after introducing 40 minutes of quick walking a day into my life (we do not have a car here and I need to be a 20 minute walk away by 8:30 every morning and get home in the afternoon) that has none of my clothing staying up anymore and me starting to get desperate for a good seamstress!
In all seriousness, this not being able to get clothing in this country might be a problem much sooner than I expected.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Shalom Y'all
Well, my family and I have been in Bet shemesh for 5 weeks now. A little nutty to think about how fast this all happened.
I have received a number of emails asking me where I was and asking that I keep writing, so I am going to. To those groaning and asking why I am back, well- why are you here exactly?
So being fat and friendly in Bet Shemesh is a whole different ballgame from being fat and friendly in Toronto. For starters, there are a lot more people here who do not fit the standard mold. For starters, it seems that almost everyone and their sister's are pregnant. That certainly gives one a more "well rounded" view of beauty.
There does seems to be an easier understanding here that people come in different shapes and sizes. I have NEVER had any trouble here with turnstyles, seats and even plastic furniture. I have never been harrased or teased for my size, and the one time a child did say something the mother responded "so, and you have brown hair" (as in, that is juts part of who she is just like you are who you are).
On the other hand, I should admit that it is hard to stay overweight in a country built into a mountainous desert. For some reason, no matter where you are going, it is always 30 minutes directly uphill. This is not to say that everyone is skinny minies, but I will say clothing I bought just before I left Toronto is desperatly seeking a good tailor.
The flip side though, is that there is absolutly NO plus sized shopping- and there are "processing fees (that seem rather randomly assesed) on ANYTHING brought into the country ON TOP OF CUSTOMS AND TAXES. Yeah, you read that right. It totally and comepletely sucks.
The other things is that the medical sustems seems to try to hide the fact they are incredibly fatist behind a screen of "we know what this is becuase we see it all the time. Yeah, we blame the fact you are fat for everything from a hangnail to a broken nose, but it is not becuase we assume it is, we have seen enough to know that black eye you got from walking into a door was really your fat@$$ flipping up and hitting you in the eye... Ok, so I guess they got me there... ;)
Our stuff finally got here this week so I have set up my studio and today started filling orders and what not. My new studio is twice the space my old one was, with loads of natural light and I love it! It is awesome to be working again.
This country is gorgeous. I can not get over the views. The view from my balcony is to die for. (You can go to http://weloveyoubutwearegoinganyway.blogspot.com/2008/09/channah-on-her-first-day-of-school.html to see the view from our mirpeset (balcony). Public transit is reasonably priced and fairly efficient. Our apartment is lovely.
So far, other than the clothing issue, I have no complaints.
Oh, I should also add that one would think chub rub would be a huge problem with the heat here, but for whatever reason it is mostly non existant. Seriously. Non-issue. I think it is so hot people are essentially (serious tmi here folks) self lubricating.
I have received a number of emails asking me where I was and asking that I keep writing, so I am going to. To those groaning and asking why I am back, well- why are you here exactly?
So being fat and friendly in Bet Shemesh is a whole different ballgame from being fat and friendly in Toronto. For starters, there are a lot more people here who do not fit the standard mold. For starters, it seems that almost everyone and their sister's are pregnant. That certainly gives one a more "well rounded" view of beauty.
There does seems to be an easier understanding here that people come in different shapes and sizes. I have NEVER had any trouble here with turnstyles, seats and even plastic furniture. I have never been harrased or teased for my size, and the one time a child did say something the mother responded "so, and you have brown hair" (as in, that is juts part of who she is just like you are who you are).
On the other hand, I should admit that it is hard to stay overweight in a country built into a mountainous desert. For some reason, no matter where you are going, it is always 30 minutes directly uphill. This is not to say that everyone is skinny minies, but I will say clothing I bought just before I left Toronto is desperatly seeking a good tailor.
The flip side though, is that there is absolutly NO plus sized shopping- and there are "processing fees (that seem rather randomly assesed) on ANYTHING brought into the country ON TOP OF CUSTOMS AND TAXES. Yeah, you read that right. It totally and comepletely sucks.
The other things is that the medical sustems seems to try to hide the fact they are incredibly fatist behind a screen of "we know what this is becuase we see it all the time. Yeah, we blame the fact you are fat for everything from a hangnail to a broken nose, but it is not becuase we assume it is, we have seen enough to know that black eye you got from walking into a door was really your fat@$$ flipping up and hitting you in the eye... Ok, so I guess they got me there... ;)
Our stuff finally got here this week so I have set up my studio and today started filling orders and what not. My new studio is twice the space my old one was, with loads of natural light and I love it! It is awesome to be working again.
This country is gorgeous. I can not get over the views. The view from my balcony is to die for. (You can go to http://weloveyoubutwearegoinganyway.blogspot.com/2008/09/channah-on-her-first-day-of-school.html to see the view from our mirpeset (balcony). Public transit is reasonably priced and fairly efficient. Our apartment is lovely.
So far, other than the clothing issue, I have no complaints.
Oh, I should also add that one would think chub rub would be a huge problem with the heat here, but for whatever reason it is mostly non existant. Seriously. Non-issue. I think it is so hot people are essentially (serious tmi here folks) self lubricating.
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