I've been back in the states for one year. Yup, an entire year has gone by since I have felt the sand, smelled the spirit and connected to the force that is Eretz Yisroel. I take it with me everywhere I go. The memories are inside me and burn within my heart, igniting my inner furnace day after day after day.

a hop, skip and a jump

So...a little secret: On Thursday, May 7th (3 days after my last post) I took a bit of a trip. With my sisters wedding on the coming Tuesday, I went all the way across the Atlantic, landed in Newark and proceeded with Tziona (who picked me up) to a wonderful little town I call home. When I got home I was greeted not by either of my brothers or my sisters, but by my grandmother, uncle Michel, cousin Serach and great uncle and aunt Jerry and Rosa who had made the same trip but with a different airline a few hours before me. I arrived home late in the evening, so by the time I got home I ate a bit and then went to bed. Getting up early in the morning I started what was to be a hectic week. don't remember it all exactly so I'm going to break it down as best I can:
Friday: Early morning davening, driving people shopping all over town (Israelis love Old Navy and Macys)...getting ready for shabbos.
Shabbos: was pretty interesting. Ben from Bing was visiting for the weekend so I swore him to secrecy about my visit. My father was down in Baltimore for Yossi's (the groom who, at this point, I had not yet met) Auf Ruf (traditional religious bachelor party thing). The rest of the relatives who were at my house had an amazing weekend filled with music and long embraces. Every time my sister (Hodaya, the bride) walked into the room or simply whenever we felt like it we would break into song. Saturday I also went to small gathering to honor the birth Rabbi Robinsons, who works up in Bing but lives in Scranton, daughter a few weeks before. That afternoon there was a small religous bachelorette party (Shabbat Kallah-Bridal Sabbath).
Sunday: I took another trip. Uh-oh. Yeah, about 5 people know but I secretly drove up to Bing, took a trip to the park, Friendlies, Starbucks as well as the Cooper Admin Lot. Don't tell anyone. I didn't let people know because there wasn't enough time to see everyone so I only saw those who already kenw about the wedding etc. THat same day Serach and Myriam (my sisters friend who had flown in from England for the wedding) went to NYC and saw more of it then I ever have. Ha. I picked them up from the bus station at like 11.30pm. LOOONG day.
Monday: I'm assuming I drove people to different shopping locations as well as set up parts of the JCC for the wedding. The day before the wedding, it was in the evening when I returned from karate (yup, went there too) that the grooms family all arrived for a giant dinner and I finally got to meet Yossi, my now brother-in-law.
Tuesday: Wedding day! More driving people (hair, mall, make up, hair, JCC, setting up the wedding canopy) and finally it was time for...pictures! I had bought a new suit and tie t(o match the bridal colours of brown and blue) and had a blast taking photos with every family member you could imagine. A few hours later was the actual wedding. It started with a small reception and then moved on to the actual wedding ceremony! Housed on a lawn between two mansions, it was a gorgeus ceremony. My brothers and I sang, blessings were said, wine was drunk, ring passed, glasses smashed and the bride and groom were wed!
THen it was time for more pictures, except the B&G didn't come out of the room they were in, so we snapped like two and then headed towards the dinner and dancing. Barely tasting the food, everyone in the wedding party danced like madmen. Circles within circles of dancers, it didn't take long until nearly everyone was all sweaty. Side note: There was a cold soup with an edible flower on top. Wicked cool!
aaah...too much to write. Ill update more later.

Oh Binghamton

"STATEMENT FROM THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Student Association Executive Board at the State University of New York at Binghamton, is steadfast in its commitment to fostering a more inclusive University Campus. This commitment includes but is not limited to fair representation for all students and protection of the inalienable rights of all individuals as guaranteed by local, state and federal laws. In accordance with our constitution, it is the firm belief of the Executive Board that it is the primary obligation of each elected representative within the Student Assembly, to represent the interests of his or her constituents. The fundamentality of this obligation means that representatives must uphold it not just within assembly meetings but within any interaction that relates to the assembly.

On the night of Sunday April 26th, 2009, Ehlad Bar-Shai a Student Assembly representative from Off Campus College and Alice Liou, Student Association Vice President for Finance were in the Student Association office following a Student Association Judicial Board meeting. Bar-Shai, in response to a comment made by Liou about Bar-Shai’s physical appearance, (the comment made by Liou did not refer to Bar Shai’s race or sex), responded with a racial slur towards Liou.

On the night of Monday, April 27th, 2009, directly outside the Student Assembly meeting, Michael Lombardi, a Student Assembly representative from College in the Woods made a racial slur directed at Liou. In response, Liou exchanged a racially motivated slur directed at Lombardi.

The Student Association strongly condemns the actions of Ehlad Bar Shai, Mike Lombardi, and Alice Liou. There is absolutely no place for racism within the Student Association or on this campus. It is regretful that those who were elected to represent students have engaged in this type of activity.

The Student Association must stand up for those whose personal civil rights have been infringed upon. We cannot accept this type of behavior from a select few. Binghamton University prides itself on having a diverse school, with 33% students of color, and over 10% of international students.

While it is recognizable that certain remarks are often made with a close social circle, it is unacceptable that these remarks, especially when they are offensive, are uttered within a public medium such as the Student Assembly. The Student Association cannot demand tolerance within people's private lives but it can demand that the Student Association and the Student Assembly work with the student body to remain tolerant and inclusive of all individuals. The Student Association must do all it can to ensure that students from across campus are free from fear and racial attacks."
While it is wonderful that my SA promotes equality and condemns the use of racial slurs, the question remains of what happens next? Though it is near the end of the academic year, does that mean that nothing will happen? The founder of Buddhism said that "Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace"...what is happening to bring about the peace between these individuals?

blue and white

Monday evening started "Yom HaZikaron", Memorial Day in Israel. A country nearly always in a state of war, it means considerably more then it does in the US. Everyone here has lost someone, either through terror attacks or through the military. To start off the day I went to a ceremony at the Western Wall. The speeches were nice, nothing too crazy and when it was all over I went to a small American ceremony. Mainly students from within Rothberg, the speech focused on talking about AMericans who had signed up for the Israeli military and had died during their service as well as Americans who had been killed simply for moving to Israel. It was a moving evening and it would more then continue the next morning at Mt Herzl.
The cemetery for all those killed in wars in Israel, Mt Herzl is a huge mountain filled with monuments, graves and, when I arrived, soldiers and what appeared to be half the State of Israel. I walked around with some friends and found the grave of an American who was killed in the 2nd Lebanon War and then tried to get close to the main ceremony. To be held at the top of the mountain, all of the heads of Israel were going to be there. President, Prime Minister, Chief Rabbis, head of the army...they were all there. The ceremony was to be broadcast over the mic system, so I wasn't too worried. All of a sudden I saw a soldier assisting a very old very tiny woman. There was no railing by the stairs and he was holding her on one side, but it looked like she needed help on the other side as well. Together, the soldier and I helped the woman to the top of the hill and entrance to the actual ceremony, which was invite only. At the top the soldier had to leave, so I asked if I could continue to help the woman. After a double ID check and a weird swipey thing of my hands (I'm asumming it checks for some sort of bomb/chemical residue) I was allowed through. Escorting the old woman, I got her a chair and a bottle of water from a police woman and stood next to her, a mere 3 meters from the countrys most important people! After the ceremony was over she very adamantly did not want my help any more so I went to meet up with some friends. We visited some mroe graves and after attempting tot find the wall in memory of victims of terrorism (which was shut off for a ceremony later in the day) I went home. After making lunch for Tova and myself I hopped on a bus and headed towards Tel Aviv, where I was to spend the coming night.

Yom HaAzmauet, Israels Independance Day, immediatly follows Memorial Day and is just as patriotic a day as the latter. Realistly thinking, the State is only 61 years old and people that fouhgt in the war are still very much alive. That evening I met up with Jamie L, Amy, Tali and Elana and, after dinner anda series of misunderstandings, we went and met up at my friend Julias (the grrrrrrrrreat Bing friend who I stayed by a few months ago) whos extra bed I would be staying in. We then met up with Davina, who is so awesome and I hadn't seen in two years and, after staying in a pub for a bit, headed out to the beach. At this point 3 of the girls were a bit drunk, while the other two of us were fine. We sat on the beach, reveling in the mid-night slendor as well as all the bonfires going on. At a certain point a few Israelis joined us and after a bout two hours of conversation we all went back, the girls to their hostel and me to Julias apartment. The next morning was a nice breakfast and meeting a random Binghamton alum because of my t-shirt. Got a pic of that; fun times. I then headed towards Ashdod where I spent a wonderufl afternoon with my uncles, aunts, and grandmother. While I was there I found out that bnoth my presentations have been accepted for the coming fall RA training. Super! After gettign back, napping and showering I went and studied/gossiped with Jamie and Penina+Zack for a bit.
Today I had class. Them I met up with Efrat, a friend of Hodaya, and her husband and 3month old daughter. Together we went and bought Hodaya the headscarves she wanted. After that I sat in the middle of Ben Yehuda listening to street music while reading for class. I spent the rest of my evening with Tobey and Chani, with whom I got waffles and then tried to go to a shiur, but it was cancelled. We ended up hanging out for the rest of the evening. Fun times.

of breads and beards

Pesach ended right on time, even if I couldn't eat bread for an extra day. The following Friday I headed up to visit with my Aunt Janni, my Uncle Michels ex wife. My cousins Serach and Eliezer were there and on Saturday afternoon my cousin Tifferet with her husband and two children stopped by as well. On Friday night I hung out a bit with Search and two of her friends and while she just got back from India, her friends are starting their big trips in the next few weeks/months. Also, it was a wonderufl opportunity to speak with her about our upcoming trip to America. Yup, Serach will be joining the evergrowing "delegation" that we are sending to my sisters wedding. It was a lot of fun talking in Hebrew almost the entire Shabbat and telling Serach all about the USA as well as what options we'd have if she wanted to tour at all on the Sunday we will be there.
Saturday night I headed back to Yerushalayaim and that was the beginning of an insane week.
On Sunday I went to the Souk as well as met up with a family friend w\from Scranton who was kind enough to send my contact lenses back to the states. After that I went and met up with Rosa, who had my invitation to the wedding and who had also ahd some bad news to share with me. My Great Uncle Yaakov had passed away earlier that morning. At that point we didn't know when the funeral would be but I went and did dsome grocery shopping and when I did find out the time of the funeral I couldn't attend because I had rehearsal for the Yom HaZikaron LSHoah (Holocaust Memorial Cem\remony) that I took part in. DUring the course of the day I started getting some bad pain in my head as well as headaches and eventually, aka near midnight, went to the emergancy health services and got a prescription. Note the fact that the doctor was french, barely spokehebrew or english and our conersation was very strange.
Due to t\my late nikght medical excapades I skipped class the next morning but then spent the entire day at school and had rehearsal again that evening. Tuesday was the actual ceremony and I also started my granola sales. Going very succesfully, I entered the profit margin on the second day. Wednesday Iw ent to visit my family who was sitting shiva for my uncle Yaakov and while it was a sad occasion it was good to see so many relatives all of whom love my mother and are so happy for my sister. Thursday was mny weekly parsha class as well as a hop around the center of town to a few small bars with some friends. I hadn't gone out around town in a long time and figured since I was near the center of town anyways I may as well meet up with some friends (jamie, Amy, Elana, Uriel etc). All in all a fun evening. The following morning I went to the gym and headefd to Maale Adumim to visit Yael and Shlomo for shabbat at a friends house. Honestly, it was one of the most fun wekeend. Very relaxed, very intelligent. Good food, good company. COuldn't have asked for a better time. And now, we startt this week. Yesterday was uneventful and tonight I plan on attending a Memorial Day ceremony (I also hope to attend one tomorrow). TOmorrow night Ill be going to Tel Aviv to celebrate Independance day as well as visit Julie (from Bing) and Wednesday my fmaily is meeting up in Ashdod at Michel and Nettas for a barbeque. Just over a week till I head home for the weekend. AAAHHHHH.

shmuels rules for Israel 2

In Israel we don't "text" someone. We SMS. Apparently there is a difference.

A Final Pesach Coffee

Lets start with a really awesome quote from the midst of Pesach, and then recap the entire wonderful week. "Better Kitniout then Chametz and better Chametz then Chazer"...there's a really long story behind that. So, lets talk about Pesach!
Along with all the Jews residing in Israel (and contrary to Jews in American for whom Passover lasts 8 days) my Passover was 7 days. I spent my Seder (singular because I'm in Israel) at my uncle Dannys house, but there were a bunch of us there. It was: My grandmother, both my uncles and my aunts (their wives) and two of my cousins. The seder went along smoothly with everyone reading different parts as we went along. The customary meal near the end of the Seder was dairy and we finished the entire Seder at 11.30. Early, but good. The next day was prayers etc and after the conclusion of the 1st day of Pesach we started the intermediate days (in which work, use of electrcity etc is permitted) and everyone went home or to the States (as Danny and Beatrice did). Friday wasn't too exciting of a day, though I did pray at the Western Wall that evening, and I spent Shabbat in the dorms with a bunch of friends (Tobey, Jamie, Talia, Dayna, Britney, Molly etc). Shabbat afternoon I lay in the grass with a bunch of them and took a walk with Molly and Aaron (my friend from Bing whos also studying abroad and flew into Israel for passover).
Sunday morning had he old city swarmed with both Christians and Jews as it was Easter and a special Priestly Blessing (for the Jews) held by the Western Wall. That afternoon, however, I took a bus to Ashdod where my two friends Molly, Marla and I al spent the night by my uncle Michel. Netta, his wife, prepared a practical feast for us and the two fo her children that were there. WOW. The next morning the MMI went to the beach for a few hours and had a wonderful time. That evening, upon my return to Yerushalyim, I went on bit of a wild goose chase trying to find someone from my hometown who is in for a week and a half. That evening was Salsa (YAY) and then I spoke with my friend and madricha (sort of like an RA) Naama and made the final arrangments to go to her house for the last day of Passover (the second part of the holiday that has pure holiday restrictions). The next morning...
When I got back form the gym the next morning I had a voicemail from my great aunt Rosa. She was inviting me to come with her and my uncle Jerry to their daughter Margalit for the last day. Oh no, what was I to do? Well, I called Naama and told her that I had had a sudden change in plans and would be spending the holiday with my family. I hope I didn't inconvienence her in any way, but I am very happy that I spent the last day with my family. I couldn't have hoped for a warmer group of people and I am so glad I went.
When I got back to Jerusalem last night, after the conclusion of Passover for everyone in Israel, I checked my e-mail (of course). Well, I got my RA placement for next year: It's in an amazing hall with one of the RD's who I think is the bomb. Yay! Now, lets start summer!

**p.s. like three weeks till my sisters wedding. AAAAAHHH! :)

tears for a city not yet lost

Last Friday night, while on my Sea to Sea trip, my friend Jamie pulled me aside. I thought it was strange, she looked so serious and for the life of me I couldn't think why. Delicately, she told me that our mutual friend Amy heard there had been a shooting in Binghamton but that she had no more information then that. Shocked, a felt a cool chill run down my spine and in my loss for words it seemed to be as if the entire room had become deathly quiet. My thoughts jumped to all my friends, students, RA's, faculty, staff... were they okay? Had one of my friends, God forbid, been hurt? Composing myself, I pulled over two of my friends who also attend Binghamton and together we decided two things: the first, because it was Shabbat and we were restricted from using electricity, to not even try and dig up more information till the following sundown. There was nothing we could do from a small town in northern Israel anyway. The second decision we made was not to inform our fourth friend from Binghamton, we knew it would hit her hard and we thought it better if she enjoy the Shabbat and then we'd deal with it when we more information. Well she found out. Unlike the rest of us, who were crying on the inside, she had the courage to wear her heart on her sleeve and shed actual tears.
We were all shocked and scared, none of us truly knowing to do. Our fourth friend, after a group hug and a promise that all of our friends were okay, went to bed. The rest of us simply to tried to keep on living. As the evening wore on, a number of our friends, non-orthodox, took the incentive call home. They found out a bit more information and passed it on. We all inhaled deeply as some level of comfort embraced the night.
Was it wrong that we felt relief knowing it wasn't on our campus? Did we commit some primordial sin, caring for life only if it effected us directly? These questions didn't plague me then, but slowly they seem more and more relevant. Only an hour ago I read the following article. The author is a friend whos time in Binghamton was spent in a position that, in my eyes, placed him at a junction between the student body and the community. While it isn't outright critical of the student body and the citys lack of involvement with one another, it does point out a topic that has concerned me since freshman year. We are disconnected from one another. The students view the locals as hicks and the locals view the students as trouble makers. While Prestons ideas are excellant, the problem arises when confronted with implamentation. As I already stated, the problem is two sided, with neither party bearing the entirety of the blame. Sitting here contemplating the problem I think I have a more active foundation for a solution then hoping that professors will encourage community interaction. Perhaps my solutions are unrealistic, but I'm not one to talk in vague terms and I feel that the actions of the University in the coming months will speak louder then any of its words.
At Binghamton we have a course entitled "FYE: First Year Experience". The purpose of this course is to assist first semester freshman in their transition to college. It focuses on various aspects of college life and the many struggles that people face during their four years of higher education. At this point in time, it is my view that this course only assists in sealing students within the bubble of collegic life. If the program were to embrace a few minor changes, it could start chipping away at the wall between student and southern tier resident. Involving these students with local families or businesses from the outset of their college carreer will make them feel they have more of a stake in local occurences. My second idea focuses on CCPa, the College of Community and Public Affairs. This is the college withing BU that educates our students interested in Human Development, Student Affairs etc. The school needs to create a three year minor or focus. Starting in Sophmore year, this minor will actually place students in the community by taking a community focused class in the fall semesters of Sophmore, Junior and Senior year and by having "in the community" internships in the spring semesters of said years.
I don't know, maybe I'm thinking too far ahead or getting too specific, but I think my main point is that the students can only do so much without a more involved administration and city government.

lessons from a star

Its 10.3oam and I've been awake for six hours. Basically, I haven't had a full nights sleep in a week, but all for a good reason. So last Friday morning about half of my schools Americans (84 of us) started our sea to sea hike. We left the student village (dorms) at a little past six. That means I got about 4 hours of sleep the night before. The entire weekend was amazing. We hiked some of the worlds most beautiful mountains; spoke with a member of the Druz nationality/religion, a small little-known group whose religion is conducted almost entirely in secret; visited a number of very holy and historical sites and over all had an amazing four days. Of course, I got almost no sleep any of the nights. I have decided that I need to redo the hike within the next few years, and this time the real way. Let me explain. sea to sea is generally done in 3 days, entirely by foot and with real camping. Because of our number of people that wasn't feasible. We spent our nights in hotels and did a considerable amount of the journey by bus. If you had to move 84 Americans (with numerous JAPS) you would, too. I'll have photos on facebook in the next few days. You know I'm slow with all that. Of course, with all this excitement none of slept. When i got back to town I needed to clean my apartment for passover and, when I had basically finished with mine, went over to my Uncle Dannys house to help them over there.
Last night I got back from them, having joined them for dinner as well, and met up with Tova and Aaron, a bing friend who is spending the semester in Belgium and is here in Israel for passover. After a late night of registering Aaron for courses back home, doing some final cleaning and just hanging out, we went our separate ways in order to get up by 4.30 so that we'd be able to make it to the Blessing on the Sun at the Western Wall by 6.30, sunrise. We left at 5.oo and in doing so bumped into numerous people we knew who were also heading in the same direction. When we finally got to the western wall it was packed. Beautiful, but packed. I'll be posting photos of that online soon as well. I have no words to describe it other then inspiring and crazy, but as I'm falling asleep I'm gonna take a nap. Photos on facebook later.
S

"...making the best of the Holy Land"

This past week I've been in a sort of loop. Deciding how I feel about studying abroad in Israel, how I feel about Binghamton...there have been a few stresses and a few positives. My midterm on Monday went well. Studying paid off. Actually, Sunday had been a hectic day because I ended up showing a friend all around Jerusalem (it was her first time here). Also on Monday my Hebrew teachers decided to let my class know that we'd be having a test on Thursday (earlier today)...yay? I know this sin't reflective of all Israeli culture, but much of what happens at the international school is not well organized. Its a sad fact, though I understand the difficulty when dealing with an ever changing student body. I spent most of the week stressing about the upcoming Hebrew midterm, getting ready for Pesach (passover). The latter included starting to clean my apartment and, because I didn't want to buy food for half a week before my food consumption religiously changes for a week (Pesach has extra odd restrictions), finishing whatever food was in the apartment. Unfortunately, that meant that on top of the stress eating I was eating unhealthy snack foods that I had purposefully been staying away from for the past two weeks. Whatever, so I've put on a few pounds in the past month and a half. I'm the only one that notices and I'm sure it'll be gone soon enough (or is my metabolism finally biting me in the ass and slowing down?).
I love being here in Israel. Its a beautiful country that manages to exist as both one of the most modern technologically advanced societies in the world as well as one of the most religious. For all that, this country is a bit backwards. I hate the way bureaucracy works. Israelis claim their culture is far more direct then in the US, but honestly I find it to be the reverse. In Israel, things can change at a moments notice and you won't be told. In the US, you can generally rely on some sort of organized structure. Then again, I've been limited to academic experiences which are very different then anything else. So yes, LOVE Israel, not do found of the Rothberg school.
I just wanted to let you all know that I'm doing well. There were a few issues with Binghamton during the week, but now they seem to be working out. There was a grade on my transcript that was VERY incorrect (I don't get "F"'s, k?) and whether or not I TA next semester is in limbo, but whatever happens I should graduate on time. Oh, and I think I"m adding on a 3rd minor. Don't tell my parents.
OKAY, its past midnight and I'm getting up at 5 for a 4 day hike from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee. I also get to spend part of the weekend in a Druz village. And, when I get back, Pesach will be starting and thats one of my favorite holidays!!! YAY!

a quiet fortnight

The past two weeks really haven't been all that interesting. A few little things here and there, but for the most part I've just been staying put and enjoying the simplicity of things. Last week, on Sunday, I went to a Carlebach Kumzitz. Let me explain. Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach was a famous Rabbi who passed away about 15 years ago. During his lifetime he started a movement within Jewry of people who try and get in touch with themselves, their religion, spirituality etc, mainly through music and simplicity. Needless to say his movement picked up a lot of momentum during the flower power years. Anyway, a Kumzitz is essentially a gathering where Jewish thought is discussed, music is played, and a sense of unison is felt. Put the two together and you get...a very musical gathering led by a follower of the Carlebach movement. It was a very nice evening and, while I can't really deal with large groups of Carlebach followers together (too many bright colors and just a bit too hippieish for me) the rabbi who led it told me about a small torah class he offers on Thursday nights. That was Sunday. I hadn't decided whether or not I would go on Thursday or not, but it stayed in the back of my mind. Well, that week proved to be a bit stressful. Really, my stress centered on one thing and one thing only: My Human Rights Class. I don't want to discuss it, because it's simply terribly, but to give you a brief picture: the teacher uses Wikipedia as her lecture, doesn't follow the syllabus, has only taught us about 1 treaty thus far, laughs at human rights abuses...this list goes on. Anyway, I was stressed and I decided that I wanted to take a nice relaxing weekend up in the Galilee, the northern part of Israel bordering Syria that is very green and reminds me a little bit of the mountains back home.
Originally I planned to go to the ancient city of Safed, a city with a very mystical heritage and one of the deep spiritual foundation stones of Israel. Well, hostels are a bit pricey and after speaking with my Aunt Beatrice, I briefly considered visiting my cousin (who lives even closer to Syria) but decided against it. What I ended up doing was going with my friends Scott and Elana (+two of Elana's friends from school) to Tiberius, a city on the coast of the Kineret (Sea of Galilee), not far from Safed. We scheduled to leave on Friday morning, the city being no more then 2 and a 1/2 hours away by bus.
Thursday night I did end up going to the Torah class the rabbi from Sundays Kumzitz told me about and it was both relaxing and interesting. I went with Scott and it was actually funny because I liked the class, but he prefers to go to the hippie-Carlebach in-mass events that I'm not such a fan of. Anyway, Friday morning we headed out, slept on the bus, and upon arrival managed to get lost for a bit before we found our hostel. Let me tell you something, you get you pay for. And when you pay $17ish a night, you don't get very much. We walked around the city about and then started getting ready for Shabbat. For various reasons we decided to not get meals with a local family but rather to make our own Shabbat meals. We bought some food from the grocery store and some bread from the bakery and that was that. That evening four out of the five of us went to Shul at a local Mizrahi (Jews of middle eastern/north African decent) congregation that had been recommended to us by a shopkeeper. Well, the prayers were in a different order then I'm used to and sung in completely different tunes, but it was a nice experience. That evening we took our food with us to the boardwalk and ate basically on the sea. An important note: this "sea"...I've seen bigger lakes in my part of the US, but still, for Israel its special. They are in a desert after all.
The next day was also pleasant. That morning I prayed by the gravesite of Maimonides, one of the most renowned and important figures in Judaism. Oh, I should explain. Tiberius, like Safed, is also historically very Jewish and very mystical. Numerous great rabbis are buried there. We ate once again on the boardwalk and I spent my afternoon reading for class in the sunlight. All very nice. I forgot to mention something else of importance. I had been to Tiberius once before in my life and that was on Birthright a bit over two years ago. What was funny was that I ended up being in the exact same places I had visited when I was there and I purposefully tried to take some of the same photos. We came back Saturday night and it was off for another week of school. Unfortunately, school here doesn't excite me like it does in the states and in fact the academics leave a lot to be desired. Next topic.
This week also wasn't that exciting. I started making my own granola though and I think after Passover I may sell some because people really seem to like it, and I really like making a bit of money. Really, didn't do anything in the week. Yesterday though I went with Zack and Penina (two friends of my friend Tobey who I've become friends with as well) to the old city within Jerusalem and then to the center of town. We went to pick up Zack's ring from a somewhat famous jeweler in the area (the store bears the same name as my sister) and then we went to the Arab Souk for them to pick up some gifts for their friends back in the States. Very interesting experience because I had only been to the Arab souk once before, and that was kind of a mistake...and five years ago. Zack was an awesome bargainer and got the stuff he wanted for amazing prices. I should explain something: Generally when I refer to "the souk" it’s a large Jewish market of food + almost anything in the center of town. The Arab souk, on the other hand, is in the Arab quarter of the old city and deals mainly with touristy stuff and random odds and ends. After that we hung around Ben Yehuda (central pedestrian only street in town with many restaurants etc) and then I went to the torah class I had been to the night before. When that was down I quickly stopped off at Elana’s birthday party and then came back here and, after saying hello to some friends who were holding a mock prom, called it a night. Tonight I should be meeting up with a friend from Binghamton who is here for a week to visit her brother (Channa). She wants to visit "Shira Chadasha" (translation: a "new poem", both words being feminim) a small but popular feminist shul. After that I plan on heading over to Elians place for Shabbat dinner because she only lives a few blocks away. Most of Shabbat however, I hope to spend studying for my History midterm that is on Monday.

memories, masks and sun burns

My shoulders look like two giant pomegranates. Though I'm not kidding I am getting a bit ahead of myself. I spent the weekend after the wedding in joint at Danny and Beatrice, my Uncle+Aunt in Jerusalem as well as at my friend Eliane's. I went to her apartment for Friday Night Dinner. There was a wonderful spread, both of people and food, and I enjoyed the evening immensely. Shabbat day I took a walk with Beatrice around Katamon, a neighborhood about two over from where they live in Talpiot. What was special about this walk was the fact that we purposfully passed by apartment where my grnadparents used to live as well as the apartment where I spent a number of my summers. You could tell that I hadn't been there in a while because all of my memories were of things form the perspective of a child. I remembered the park, the two places I would go to get icecream etc. Some things I didn't remembering ever having noticed was the height of buildings or the business of the intersection. WHen we got back to the apartment we had a conversation basically comparing and contrasting Judaism as it is embodied in Israel versus in the United States.
An overall interesting Shabbos, but the coming week would prove to be insane.
Mondaynight was Purim for most of the world (Jerusalem and two other cities celebrate it a day late, but thats a bit too complicated for this post). Becuase I couldn't celebrate in Jerusalem that night, I went with my friend and salsa partner Emilie to Tel Aviv. The only way I can even begin to describe the evening would be a combination of mardi gras, st patricks day and halloween. Traditionally, everyone weres costumes on the holiday and also gets a bit tipsy, but what Is aw in Tel Aviv blew my mind. Something like 3 or 4 city blocks had been closed off and were filled, I mean there was no room to breath unless you stood on cars, with people! PAcked to the max with drunk costumed 20somethings. Luckily, Emilie and I were heading to her cousin to go around town with him and some friends. Not drinking and not wanting to deal with the crowds in the street party, we went to the club I had been at on my last visit to Tel Aviv and had a cool evening. I only left Tel Aviv (with a cheap car service) at 3 in the morning. WHen we got backt o town 3 of the people in the cab offered me a ride home becuase they lived in the neighboring district. It was approximatly 4/4.30 when I finally got to call it a night. That was Monday.
Tuesday ='d 8.30 am alarmclock. A group of students were going to deliver Mishlochai Manot to sick people in a nearby hospital at 10am. Around 30 of us went, decked out in our costumes, many exhausted having also gone ot Tel Aviv the night before, at 10am and had a wonderful song and danced filled experience. The smiles on the patients faces, from toddler to golden oldy, were beautiful. After sitting outside with Rotem (my madrich but mroe so my friend) as she had a cigarette Tobey (one of my partners in crime from Bing) headed to the central bus station to catch a bus to Yael (my friend from Bing who moved to Israel a few months ago and is living in a "settelment"...I went to her a few weeks ago for Shabbat) to have a traditional Purim meal. Once again, the company and food was amazing. Tobey and I stayed for about two hours and then caught a bus back to Jerusalem. Upon arrival we headed to the Western Wall to hear Megillah reading (see the Purim link), something we have to do twice on Purim. This would begin our official Purim because we reside in Jerusalem.
It took a while to arrange but we finally heard the megillah and then caught a cab to the center of town where I met up with Rami (a new friend who's studying at the conservative yeshivah) and Elian. We walked arounf for a bit, mistakingly trying to go into an all womens party but also meeting some very nice simple older Israelis. We had been intending on going to a party at the Purim Palace (a house at the intersection of tow streets named after the Purim stories main characters) but when that wasn't happening we decided to call it a night. On our way we bumped into some drunk Yeshivah students. They proved amusing for a bit but when they got annoying we each went our respective directions. I was home and in bed by midnight but the exhaustion form the past day found me out like a rock until ten the next morning.
Wednesday: I prepared my own Mislochai Manot and then headed out at 1.00 to hear a megillah reading at 1.30. After 1.30 came and went with no Megillah reading Marla, Scott, YosEf (an Israeli I'm not particularly fond of) and another friend whos name I'm blanking on all headed down to the Old City/ Western Wall to find a reading there. We split up when we go to the old city because some people wanted to go through the Arab and others didn't. I went through the Jaffa gate and the Armenian quarter with Scott and we all regrouped at the Western Wall. After we finally found Megillah readings it was time to go to our respective Purim meals. Skip ahead two hours and the meal I thought I was going to didn't work out so I traveled back to the Old City and regrouped with Scott and a whole bunch of other study abroad students who were at a meal specifically for students. The host was adamently trying to ply everyone with alchohol and I by the time I got there all the food was gone. Emilie had also just arrived and we ended up eating a pita each and then joining Josh, Marla, Zev and (can't believe I keep on forgetting her name). M, J, and __ were a bit tipsy and we helped them move, but they started sobering up as we walked. We got to Ben Yehudah, the center of downtown Jerusalem, and lost 2 people. After an...interesting evening which included schwarma and one person buying a bottle of vodka we headed back to the dorms (student village). I ended up hoping around between a bunch of friends apartments and had a really fun evening.
Thursday, as far I remember, wasn't anything special. That evening I made dinner for myself, Ilana and Tova (another Bing'er). Friday was...Friday was WOW!. Now we get to the sunburn.
Friday was a school organized rappleing trip that was leaving at 6.30am and was scheduled to return at 3pm. Near the Dead Sea we were actually right by Qumran. We started the hike and when we got to our first rappleing station we encountered a pleasent surprise. The borrom was filled with water!!!! Following some heavy rains over the past few weeks, pools of water had emerged in the usually all-too-dry desert. What this meant for the trip? A lot of fun and a lot of hassle. Almost all of the electronics brought on the trip were pooled into one knapsack and "omega-d", ie ziplined, over each pool. All of our clothing got soaking wet and it took a lot of extra time in each place. I'm not complaining though! :) The day was so amazing!!! I had packed my outer shirt and my digital equipment in a plastic bag within my knapsack, and ti all stated dry until the very last station when it only got a bit wet (even then it was nothing significant). Becuase of that I was the only one with an accesible camera and was tasked with taking photos the entire time (check out ym facebook albums if you don't believe me). After getting wet the first time, most of the guys took off our shirts. Wet clothing really isn't comfortab;e, especially when you're trying to move with spead and concetrating on not letting go of the rope (there were safeties but still). Woops! We'd all forgotten sunblock. At the end of the day we all were badly burned. I mean my shoulders really look like two ripe pomegranates. Splishing and splashing is fun (and I got to carry a gun across the water to make sure it didn't get wet) and all, but it takes up a lot of extra time. Basically, atleast an extra half an hour in every station. This meant we only left the area at 4.30. AAAAAAHHHHHH. Shabbat started 7 minutes after 5 and Jerusalem is a half an hour away. We pulled into town at 5.02. I ran to my room, grabbed by bags, hailed a cab and zipped over the my great Aunt and Uncle, Rosa and Jerry, pulling in right before Shabbat started. By the way, last minute cabs are pricey when they know you are in a rush. Shabbat was amazing. Their son Michael was there with his two daughters (his wife and son went to SA for a wedding) and two other grandchildren from Shiloh had come to visit for the weekend as well. I also was suprised with the visit of Chavi, a friend of both my mother and my Aunt and Uncle who lives next door. Wow!
Lots of photos either on facebook or being uploaded soon, take a look cus I've got a while list of things to do today! Hope you're all doing well!!!

Family

Tuesday evening was the 47th Yarzheit of my Uncle Zvi. Born in 1951, his life was cut short at age 11. My mother was just 13 years old. My two uncles here, my grandmother and 2 great uncles and a great aunt all gathered together to remember him. In my 20 years, this was the first time I had ever heard his memory discussed. It was also the first time I saw pictures from my mothers childhood. Her curly blond locks, the vision problems she suffered from...all of this history was so new. My great uncle Meir, who was also commemorating the death of his brother-in-law, says that a Yarzheit, unlike the Shiva, is not a sad time. The Yarzheit is a time for memorializing, not grieving. Though not a happy occasion, I was deeply moved and grateful that I had been able to attend.
Last night, Wednesday, was yet another family get-together, this time considerably larger. It was the wedding of Uncle Meirs granddaughter, Adi! Lets start with the fact that I haven't seen the majority of my relatives in a very long time and just as they couldn't recognize me, I didn't recognize most of them. I'm going to detail a bit about the wedding and then list all the people I re-met. The smorgasbord/brides reception room was magnificent. Taking place at a small Kibbutz on the outskirts on Yerushalayim, the hall was beautiful to start with. With the addition of an angelic bride and white flowers all over the room everything was simply majestic. The groom came dancing in to great his bride and then we all headed over to the theater section of the hall where the happy couple had decided to have their Chuppah. Throughout the ceremony there was a five person band, but the part that struck me the most was the bride and grooms thousand watt smiles and their embrace at the completion of the ceremony. The meal fit in perfectly with the entire evening and the dancing was...simcha dancing! There was also the amazing Purim themed stick. Gragars, noisemaker, whistles and all sorts of fun. During the meal I sat with Oma, Danny & Beatrice, Michel and Netta, Zeev and Margalit ( as well as Leah and her husband, but I'll add detail that list in a bit. As I was getting ready to leave with the Lafairs, they started to show a movie of the bride and groom that the familys had organized together, so we sat down, enjoyed the show and then left. We have arrived a bit before 7and now it was nearly 12. All in all a wonderful evening.
Who I re-met:
Michael & Tammy--Lafairs
Leah &____--daughter of Guta
Margalit and Ze-ev--""
Tali, and Bilah--daughters of Meir & Yehudit
Reb Michael Brom
Talis son Shmuel, who is a half of a year older then me.
Adi and her sisters!
Marganit (mother of the bride) and Yossi-Daughter of Meir and Yehudit

That may have been it. I had started off the evening hanging out with Tammy, who is hysterical and tons of fun! THroughout the evening I mainly ended up being with Oma, Michel, Danny etc, aka the people I knew, but I was so thrilled to have attended. Its a wonderful feeling to be part of such a large family, something I have always felt slightly lacking in the States, my family being so far away.
The Broms are a crazy bunch, but a happy one too.

Shmuels Rules for Israel Survival: Rule #1

Sometimes you don't actually know or understand any Hebrew at all. "Shahlohm!"

Being an American studying in an Israeli university one automatically takes some courses in Hebrew language (Ulpan). Many Israelis, for the most part being ignorant of this fact or assuming you are too incompetent to learn the language, will speak about you directly in front of your face. Rather then being insulted, I recommend seizing this opportunity as a chance to learn what people think about you and your actions. Also, the apparent confusion on your face will often make getting through everyday security considerably easier, so long as you have your student ID.

the weather outside is frightful

Well its about time Israeli winter hit us! Starting Friday morning the entire country has been in a downpour. It's funny, in Binghamton I would complain about the rain "its so annoying"+"its so wet"+"when will we see the sun again?" but here I'm thrilled with the rain. Being wet doesn't bother me nearly as much and I see it as much more of a blessing. Funny how a simple change in location does that to you.
On Wednesday morning I had my meeting with the other would-be Truman interns as well as the head of the Institute and the Internship Coordinator. They were so excited to have us there and sounded genuinely sweet. After the meeting the girl who was supposed to intern alongside me and I went to the internship coordinator to inform her of our predicament. I think we kinda shocked her with the information we gave her (the professor we were supposed to intern with didn't give us at all what we had applied for nor did the work he expect of us fulfill the internship requirments). She gave us an ultimatum: we could either pick someone else from Truman and automatically get the intership, but not have a chance to meet them prior to the decision, or we could withdraw from the internship course. Rather then leap into a pool of uncertainty, we both chose to err on the side of caution and withdraw from the course.
Thursday wasn't too exciting. During the day I had class, the gym and laundry and at night I went out till about 4am (waaaaay past my normal bedtime) and was the designated sober one for a group of about ten friends. We went all over the Yerushalayim club scene. Honestly, it's not my scene and I dont really mind. I had expected to go out with one or two people and sit in a cafe or soemthing, but when the group got so large the plans changed.
Friday I took the trip to Ashdod to visit Michel, Netta and Fam. Originally I was supposed to go rapelling on Friday and so was considering possibilites in the French Hill area, but with the expected rain the trip was postponed. After the postponment I had contemplated going to a Yishuv (small town. village thing) with some friends, but when that wasnt working out I was thrilled to have the chance to return to Ashdod. Once again, Nettas cooking was amazing and the overall weekend was a blast. I also got to meet the final one of Nettas children, Maaya. And, a super duper plus was the fact that Netta sent me home with food. Score!
Helloooooo New Week. Tuesday and Wednesday are family get togethers, so I've got to go do some home work now!

darn/cool

I met with my possible internship this morning. I was expecting eccentric, all professors are, and I was ready to deal with it. What greeted me was...a bit of chaos. I don't know how clear the professor is on what he wants to do but I keep on getting the feeling that hes telling me two completely different things. His other possible intern is also very confused and we are meeting with the internship advisor first thing tomorrow morning.
Ulpan, on the otherhand, is going so/so. The only problem is that they expect me to know a few forms of verb conjugation that I haven't learned, not even in the Winter Ulpan.
This afternoon, thank goodness, was really fun. After an amazing workout at the gym I went to Eliane's apartment to bake hamentashen. Yay! It ended up that the recipe was like a Jewish geography game peice and is the recipe of a very dear friend of mines mother. WOW. Random!
Ok, bed time. Important decision in the morning.

sunday=monday

Its still really hitting me that Sunday is the first day of the week. I went to the souk today and stocked up on what will hopefully two weeks. Its still tough for me to spend money without having a job. Honestly, its another one of the things that makes me feel realy handicapped being here. Anyway, I did that and then went and paid my dues at the gym. A bit over priced but its something that I need. It keeps me calm as well as fit. After that I went ot visit Eliane at Hillel and I'm going to help her bake on Tuesday night. I'm' really excited for that! Then there was my first cclass. It wasn't much of a class because it was the internship class and as I don't yet have an internship it was a bit frustrating, but none the less fun.
Dinner (an AMAZING salad with fried chicken and pasta that should supply my lunch for tomorrow) and dessert (peanut butter on bananas as well as chocolate) and then I got ready to go to a friends birthday party. It was a really fun evening at the party, the only frustrating part being my having to pa for the cab back, but nothings free. lol Anyway, a good evening and day are coming to an end and I'm going to bed. LaiLa Tov L'Kulam.

a fortnight later

So I haven't posted in two weeks and there's a lot to write but I'm going to type it somewhat fragmented because Its a bit too much to type it all out.
Sunday: Ulpan, Souk...the regular. Nothing too exciting going on. Went to a TuBShvat Seder... I hope I'm thinking of the right week.
Monday: Was Salsa at night and...that might be it.
Tuesday was intense. Day off from school because of elections, but I spent the entire day doing homework. In the evening, when Jerusalems skies finally decided to grace us with an intense shower of rain, I went to visit my grandmother on the other side of town. Got all wet but dried off in the hallway by a nice warm heater while she finished up a weekly Torah lecture. It was a nice visit with her and she decided that I needed mugs in my apartment and gave me three. Yay! The more utensils the better.
Wednesday...I was supposed to go tree planting in the Jerusalem Forest, but because of the rain that got canceled. Instead I went to a small community garden and volunteered there for a few hours. It was fun. Nothing too intense.
Thursday! Cave Day as well as Tovas Birthday, + prep for a joint dinner the next day. This day ended up being sooo insane. I had Ulpan until I was finished with my test, which I luckily finished a bit early. At 1.30 I ran to the student village and changed into outdoor clothing. A bunch of friends and I were going to go "explore" some caves on a university organized trip. Well, it wasn't nearly as exciting as I was hoping. It took over an hour to get to the caves and we were only in each one for about 15 minutes. The most exciting part was walking up a "big" mountain and overlooking the valley where David and Goliath are said to have fought. We saw a spectacular sunset and it was nice to feel that connection to a part of history I had just been discussing in my hebrew language class. When we finally got back to the student village it was 7.30 I had an hour until I was due at a resteraunt downtown for my friend tovas 21st birthday dinner. In that time I had to run to the grocer store and bakery store to pick up some food for the communal dinner I was supplying dessert for the next night. More on that later. Anyway, I managed to run to the store, wash my face and get myself presentable as well as get to the resteraunt a mere five minutes late (apparently I am going to be in depth at certain sections). The dinner was amazing and I got to see Tovas family, half of whom I had already met, as well as meet some of her other friends at Hebrew U. 1 from Canada (dont remember her name now) 1 from Johannesburg (Caylee) and 1 from.., the states? I guess. Anyway, I was invited to a party a bit later but because I had a test the next morning and still had a lot to study as well as a lot to prepare for dessert the next night I took a raincheck and headed back, once again, to the student village. When I got there, at this point nearly 11pm, I started reviewing for my test the next morning.
Friday...starting really early Friday
1am I took a break from studying and made cohocolate covered strawberries. Actually not a lot of work. Studied a bit more and then went to bed...that was at around 2.30.
6.30 am I got up. Having slept four hours I wasnt in the best of moods when class started at 8.30 but was hoping that we would have the test right away and I would do well on it. No. such. luck. The test was pushed off till the end of class and I had to once again run to the bakery and pick up Challah (special bread for Shabbat) as well as make dessert for the cummunal dinner and video chat with someone at Binghamton. Some background information:
-Earlier in the week I got an email from someone at Binghamton Judicial asking to meet with me regarding an incident from last semester. Because I'm..unavailable? lol we agreed to video chat on friday afternoon
-Dinner: Id been iming with a friend and kinda of weirdly got invited to a 6/7 person communal sabbath dinner. The information wasn't solid but I was actually a bit insulted because it was a bunch of my other close friends organizing it and they hadnt thought to mention it. Ouch. Anyway, I decided to go tothe dinner, bring dessert, and then walk to some relatives who live on the other side of town on Saturday morning for services and lunch. Back to Friday.
As I ran my baked apples over to my friends apartment it became fully aparent that we were heading to the other side of town for Friday evening services. I knew it had been an option but hadn't know we had made it official. The synagauge we went to is a few blocks from my uncles house...and about an hour walk back. No biggi. Services were beautiful and when we got back we all had a very enjoyable dinner (6 people in the end becuase one person cancelled).
As I was leaving the dinner I bumped into Carlee (from Tovas dinner) and we made up to walk together to the other side of town the next morning becasue we both wanted to go to the same synaguage.
Shabbas (Saturday)
Walked to my uncle Danny and family at 9 and got there slightly after 10. It was a beautiful day and I got an amazing tan during the walk, but Carlee was a no show (or so I thought) and so I walked it by myself. I ended up finding Carlee at the Shul and we don't know how it happened but we managed to miss eachother. Okay, not the end of the world. I spent the afternoon with some of my cousins and all in all it was a nice day.
Sunday...I want to say I went to the gym and to class but Im honestly not sure. Is it bad that I dont remember what happened a week ago? Can't have been that eventful. Monday was Salsa as well as...something Im sure. This past week was the final week of Winter Ulpan so I spent a lot of time studying. I may have done something onTuesday but I realy dont remember. Wednesday, however, was a crazy day. I had class, final day of winter stuff before the final exam, and then had a study session. When I finished there I ran to my great aunt who just had surgery. I thought I would be visiting for an hour, maybe two. Nope. Visited, it wasn;t that simple but whatever, for SIX hours. I got back to the student village at ten and still had a lot of studying to do. AHHHH. Okay, got the studying done and I think I did well on the test the next day.
Now were already almost at the present.
Thursday night I went to Tel Aviv and visited with Julia, a friend from Binghamton. I had a really great time. It was good to get away from Yerushalayim. No matter how much I love this city, I needed a break, especially after the big final exam. Anyway, we went to a small but popular club called lima lima and it was great.
Friday morning I took a bus to Ariel to visit Yael and Shlomo, other friends from BInghamton. I didn't realize it but they are in the city next door to Shiloh, where some of my relatives live. Atleast I now know how to get there.
Shabbos was really wonderful. Good food, great company. There was another BInghamton alum (not that I am, but Yael and Shlomo are) named Rafi who I had met once or twice before. And now...now im back in Yerushalayim and excited for my first day of real classes tomorrow. Ill try and keep this updated in a more timely fashion. Really, I will!
S

the weekend...well this was bound to be fun

Love this past weekend. Love it. Thursday night Molly, Marla, Chana, Alyssa, Aran and I decided to break away from the monotony of the Student Village and do the typical Americans studying abroad thing. We headed downtown. The Ben Yehudah district of Jerusalem is busy at nearly every hour. During daylight its full of shops and tourist attractions, but the street only really comes alive after dark. Its somewhat out of place in this city, what so many consider the center of the world and full of so much holiness, but Ben Yehuda is one of two extremely popular districts. Full of nightclubs, restaurants and pubs, whatever you like you can find it. Well, we wanted to dance and the discotheques in Israel are a phenomenon unto themselves. We started off at one club but after waiting in line (we DON'T like lines) we headed over to Zazua, a highly recommended and very popular bar/club. For this place we were willing to wait in line.
Marla got in by tagging onto a guy, ha, but Molly and I waited outside (the rest of our entourage having decided to stay at the first club). When it finally came our turn to enter the bar, we were turned away. Apparently some bars in Israel have a 24+ rule. Not expecting this we decided to call it a night. It was already 1.30am and we come to the conclusion that Jerusalem will have to be out quiet night out place, and if we want something more we will head to Tel-Aviv.
The next morning I headed to Tachana HaMarkazit (the central bus station) for my weekend in the Sunday. I was on my way to visit my Uncle Michel in Ashdod! As I entered the bus terminal I saw Eliezer, my cousin and Michels son, but he was heading somewhere else. I wanted to buy flowers to bring to my uncle and Netta, his wife and my new (relatively speaking...that was a pun as well...corny) aunt, but didn't find any being sold on the bus terminal. Somewhat sad about that I treated myself to an icecream cone. Not the best trade on their half but it did momentarily cheer me up...until the guilt kicked in. But still, ice cream is delicious and I hadn't had any since I arrived.
Following the hour+ bus ride to the port city of Ashdod, my uncle and I went into the marina to have a stroll and look at some of the boats. Beautiful city, view etc, and I hadn't even seen their apartment yet! Next we headed over to the apartment where I met my one of my new cousins, Geva (not sure if that would be the English spelling). The apartment, thought, is a thing of beauty all in its own. With large spacious rooms, a large balcony and a beautiful view, it was so relaxing. It felt so Mediterranean. Anyway, Shabbos was only a bit away so we got dressed and headed over to prayers. The shul was also very nice and there was a former American sitting behind us. When we got home I discovered just how amazing of a cook Netta is. I had a slice of cake she had made a few weeks ago, as well as a peice of chicken that afternoon when I arrived but my goodness...she can cook! Soups, salads, chicken, it was all amazing! And, an extra bonus that continued throughout the entire Shabbos was the fact that Netta teaches Hebrew so it was like having my own personal touter there to correct my linguistic mistakes. felt bad because she wasn't felling as well as she would have liked, but I'll go back another time when she's feeling well. Shabbos day was also very relaxed. Tea, cake and cereal to start the morning off and then prayers. When we arrived back at the apartment two of my other cousins had arrived home. Hadar is studying information science at Bear Sheva and I'm embarrased to admit that I forget the older brothers name, but he's working selling tractors, but hes traveled the world and is very nice! Actually, the all are. After a relaxing afternoon on the balcony and then sleeping I had a light snack with Netta as we discussed little things about life and then just chillaxed in the living room. Following Sabbaths conclusion I changed and watched a bit of a video with my uncle and then headed to the bus station.
The bus ride home was fun too. I met a bochur from Highland Park whos at...hmm, I don't remember the Yeshiva name and we failed at Jewish Geography, but a nice guy none the less. Getting backt o the kfar I just hung out. Ulpan today was good. I got my test back and got in the 80's. Usually that would be terribly for me but as I've been struggeling with the course I was happy. We also went on a trip around our campus's bontanical gardens. Beautiful! This afternoon I did some grocery shopping and then went to a TuBshvat Seder to celebrate the New Year of Trees. All fun. Its amazing how much I love this country, how relaxed I feel and how even when I'm struggeling with the language or aspects of the culture I still feel at home.

6.30am. Sunrise. Enough said.