been so busy! 11/18-11/25

Wednesday:

Sick. Didn't go into volunteering, slept in. Went to Yael's sem, Nishmat, with Shevet girls. Saw Yaeli :)

Went to the old city that night with Katie to visit Kalman. Had soup and tea and talked. They gave me some tissues which was nice. Got home pretty late, studied for Ulpan, went to sleep.

Thursday:

Got up and got ready for volunteering. Decided to go a bit early to make up for being gone so long. Got all the way to the bus stop when I realized I forgot my pass. Went back home to get my pass. I got there finally and Daniella said you're sick go home. So I stayed a bit and drank tea and studied then went home. Called Jenene asking if I could come over after class, she said she could pick me up on her way back from work when I would be in the middle of Ulpan. I could miss class since I was sick so that was good. I had some chicken soup Katie made and went to Lunch and Learn. Went to Ulpan, had a review quiz for the final with two teams whichever won would get bonus points. The other team was nasty and immature. We won but everyone got points. Jenene picked me up and we went to Nokdim. She thought I was staying for shabbat but I had to remind her I was going to Efrat.

Friday:

Went home early in the morning and slept for a little while, then packed up for Efrat. Went to Efrat, Katie and I were staying with a family together. They were really nice and had a buncha kids- s Katie felt at home (She's one of 10 kids, it's the subject of many jokes here). Went to shul together, I saw my bus captain from the march of the living, then came home and ate dinner. I ate so much. Found out the family, the Bejells, somehow know Mordechai and Deena in this complicated way. Went to a tish after dinner.

Saturday:

Had lunch with the bejells then met with all the Shevet kids for a while. After shabbat we went back to jerusalem and I went to meet Michelle (hi!). Walked there with Katie, almost got lost but found our way. Got stuff my mom sent me, yay. And hung out a bit. Went home and studied Ulpan then passed out.

Sunday:

Still sick. Didn't go into volunteering. Studied some hebrew. Watched "God on Trial" in film class. Studied for the oral part of my Ulpan final, Moran helped me. I had to read a story she gave me, know all the hard words in it, be able to explain it and it's message, and give it a new title.

Monday:

still sick. studied a lot in the morning, was pretty overwhelmed by all the words I had to know. Asked my teacher, Orit, about the exam. She said she would ask the vocab questions in context and I didn't have to worry. Later had my exam, it went very very well. I was told that I was supposed to be interviewed for the Year Course DVD so I got all excited and made myself look nice. (i.e., brushed my hair and put on mascara) But then they said they didn't need me :/

It was annoying but I got over it. There was something going on at the Menachem Begin museum with the UK ambassador so Katie, Jessica, Rachel and I went. It was interesting at some points, it was a sort of lecture/debate/discussion about Israel and her relationship with the UK. There was a buncha snacks set up that no one ate so we took them all home....A shopping bag full of crackers and cut veggies. Don't worry, we had permission.

Tuesday:

Woke up at 7 to go with Julia to the doctor. Took a long time to get there. Decided since I was there already I'd get an appointment too to check up on my cough. Saw a different doctor than the last two times. She gave me a nasal spray and decongestant and said if I don't get better in two weeks to see an ENT doctor. Went back home and passed out until 12. Got up and made sunny side up eggs with pita. Went to Haddassah hospital, it was everyone's siyyur that day. Afterwards went home, pulled a skirt on, and went with Katie, Rachel, and Kai to go to this rabbi's house. He's been calling us all since the beginning of Year Course to do different things we had tentatively signed up for but never had the time to do. We went to his house and had dinner, on the way I went on my first segregated bus. It was nice and weird. Nice people with some views I didn't agree with. After we went to Emek Refaim 'cause I was supposed to meet Ale and people for her b-day dinner but didn't wanna walk alone. I met up with Yaeli and Joshi at Caffit where we waited for Ale and a few other people. I didn't eat since I had just had dinner. hehe..everyone marvels at the lack of money I spend here. :) I'm a free food magnet. Dinner dragged on a long time but it was nice, I was just super tired. We finally headed back home and I studied and went to bed.

Wednesday:

ACTUALLY WENT TO VOLUNTEERING. Was feeling a lot better. Cleaned the guinea pig cages, fed and watered them, fed the rats and mice, watered some plants, fed and watered the iguana. Then I went inside and cut some pieces of fabric for a rug they are making.

Went home, realized I have been getting off at a farther bus stop the past three months. Attempted to study for Hebrew but wasn't so into it. Eventually went to Zman Shevet where my Zionism through the Arts teacher, Avi Rose, and his husband, spoke to us about being gay and jewish, especially orthodox. They were the first married same-sex couple in Jerusalem.

Also made mashed potatoes that night for turkey day.

Studied a lot for Ulpan then went to sleep.

Thursday:

Worked really hard at volunteering, shoveling duck leavings and putting them in the compost. After that studied and worked on the rug. Went home, studied, went to Lunch and Learn (where I got a buncha chummus for the apartment), had my hebrew exam. I was one of the last people to finish but I felt really good about it. Worked a bit on cooking for Thanksgiving then went to Zionism through the Arts. Had a really cool class where we saw some old Israeli T.V. show.

Spoke to my mom for a while, miss her. miss home.

Dinner was great. It was people in my apartment and people from another apartment. We had all kinds of yummy food, it all went very well.

Now it's pretty late but I wanted to update this and work on my Zionism final.

Dear Herzl....

11/15-11/17/09

Sunday:
Went around the old city with Katie. Apparently Bill Clinton was at the Kotel but we didn't see him. Katie bought some scarves and I think I found what I am gonna get Heather and Moushka. We missed optional class. I got an iced coffee from Tal Bagels, I had gone in to see if Laura was there but she wasn't, it was delicious. Went to film, there was a sub. First movie was interesting the second was directed at kids so it was boring and immature. We had an apartment meeting. It was awful and I've grown a new distate for a few people. It's not nice to say what I think of them, but if you want to know you can ask me. It's a long list. Basically this apartment is disgusting and I'm not wasting my time cleaning it anymore. Also we have to pay for all the broken glasses and dishes, even if we didn't do it. Group punishment sucks.

Monday:
Went to sleep feeling like crap so I woke up feeling like crap. Called in in the morning and said I'm still sick and my volunteering people said stay home get better. Slept in until 11:30 which was super nice. Started feeling really sick but went to Ulpan anyway and felt better. Our final is going to be really tough but I'm sure I'll manage. Went to Zionism through the Arts. David took Ale and I out to Sushi with our friend Phil. We went to Japanica, it was really good. We also got ice cream. Came back and felt like poo. Spoke to Ben for a while. Katie slept in my bed, we giggled like morons and annoyed our other roomates but it was fun and made me feel better.

Tuesday/Today :)
Went to our siyyur to the Kinneret. It was supposed to be a "Spa Day" haha. We went to the first Kibbutz and visited Rambam's grave. Then we went to this spa and went into the mineral pool which was gross and fun. My friend Orly bought me bissli and my friend Josh got me ice cream :). People like to take care of me here, I love it. When we got back to Jerusalem I went with Ale, Tamar, and Michal to one of our madrichs, Or's, grandparents house for dinner. What happened was Ale and Michal were talking to Or and said they didn't know where to find any good Kennedalach (spelling ?) and he said his savta makes them. So he invited them to come try some. Then he said they could bring two other people but they had to be good hebrew speakers. So Tamar and I were invited. He said his grandparents only spoke Hebrew but they did speak English as well. Not only did we get soup, but we also got salad, falafel, chicken, rice, potatoes and cake. They were so sweet. His savta works for Hadassash I think and she showed us this video, I think it was called 'Zipki and the Lone Soldiers' about this family that takes in soldiers who come here with no family. Afterwards his sabba used graphology (?) to tell us who we are by our handwriting. Defintely interesting. AND they had a dog, betty, she was so sweet. I got locked in the bathroom, of course. But it was only for two minutes don't worry. Going to bed now, still sick, not sure what I'll do about volunteering. I want to go since I haven't been in ages but at the same time if I show up acting all sick they will tell me to go home, I do think they really care which is nice. Hopefully I'll wake up tomorow and be all better.

Sick of being sick.

I went to Nokdim for Shabbat. It was great, as always. Haven't been feeling well so I slept a lot and drank lots of tea and ate lots of good food. Came home last night. Was kept up by my coughing and some people who were way too loud after 3a.m. Oh well, I skyped Ben. Went to the Doctor this morning. Got there at 9:08, you can only walk in without an appointment before 9. They said I'd have to come back but then they decided there was space. That was good, 'cause it's not so easy to get there and I took off volunteering today. Got new medicine, hopefully it will work. I've been through all kinds of meds for cough and congestion, and some antibiotics. But they didn't work so now I have 10 days worth of something else. Just made sunny side up eggs and toast so I could take the medicine with food. It was delicious. The apartment is disgusting right now from shabbat, but hopefully people will clean up their messes. Going to go out with Katie soon and try to find some gifts for people. Don't know if we'll come back for optional classes or not, but we will go to film. K that's all for now. Anyone who is reading...miss you! love you! <3

11/8-11/12

Sunday:
I wasn't feeling well so I stayed home from volunteering and slept in. Went to optional Shevet class about freedom and how when you are given freedom you are actually somewhat enslaved because you don't aspire to anything. I was the only American in the class, as opposed to other times when I've been the only American and the only girl. Went to Film class, found out about how our midterm was graded, kinda. My group got an A- on the project we did (an analysis of the short film "Toyland") and I got an A for the Midterm grade. We watched a movie called "The Gray Zone". It was pretty graphic and unsettling, more so than any of the movies we have watched so far. Earlier in the day my room (Katie, Julia, Anna, and I) cleaned the apartment. We sweeped and washed and squeegeed the place. It still didn't look very clean but it was an improvement. We have had some cleaning issues here. We make schedules but people don't clean on their days. It's gross and frustrating but hopefully it won't be a problem in Bat Yam where we pick who we live with. [Currently in the apartment there are 15 girls, originally we had 16 but one was asked to leave...That's a fun story on it's own. ANYWAY so originally we were split into two groups for our stipends but it got hectic since we only had one fridge and we had to buy communal items. So we put the stipends together. This didn't work either because it's impossible to shop for 16 girls. So we were given another, smaller fridge and spilt into 2 groups again. My group is me, Katie, Julia, Anna, Rachel, Jessica, Britty, and Emilie-Rose. Things work out pretty well now, we cook and eat together usually.] So we had an apartment meeting that night, like we do every week, with our madricha Moran. She's great. People actually acknowledged that the apartment was a lot nicer and cleaner, but since then no one had actually cleaned on their days.

Monday:
I went to volunteering, the other two girls assigned to my volunteering were both sick on the same day. Yea, right. I should explain how my volunteering has worked out. It was originally me and this other girl. She never showed up so they moved her to a different placement. Then a friend of mine was placed there, but he had allergic reactions to the farm plus he didn't really get along well with the people in charge. Now two girls have been assigned to the farm but they don't want to be there and the farm doesn't really want them there either. Since there are only a few weeks left they have to stay. What this all means for me is that the people who work at the farm
(Chaggai, the manager, and Daniella) love me and think I have this wonderful work ethic and am very responsible. So I'm sort of spoiled there now, especially since I've been sick for a while now. It's unsaid, but it seems I'm given the preferable work. I don't love the work I do at the farm, but I do feel appreciated and enjoy going there.
ANYWAY. So on Monday I went in and made the iguana salad and cleaned her water. I cleaned the rabbit/guinea pig/parrot/mice/rats cages and fed them.
In Ulpan we were doing oral presentations for our midterms. Mine was on Chassan Nassrallah. I thought I was prepared but when I got up there it seemed I forgot the language. It probably wasn't as bad as I thought but it definitely was not too good. I'm not so worried because my other grades in the class are good but it was embarrassing. The person who had Tzipi Livni showed up the youtube video "livni boy" (not sure about spelling..) it was hilarious, check it out. Went to Zionism through the Arts and talked about music. I think my cellphone broke. No wait, it broke Sunday, I called to get a new one because I couldn't hear when people called me. I relieved it that night. Jessica's mom and bubbe were in town and they took our group out to dinner to Caffit on Emek Refaim. They were so nice, her bubbe does not look like a bubbe. I got mushroom ravioli- it was amazing. We all had a great time.

Tuesday:
Went to the Israel Museum. Saw some cool sculptures, one looked like a banana with glasses. Went to a "secret room" with a huge open ceiling. Saw a mini copy of the old city during the time of the second temple. Dead Sea Scrolls. Went to Wolfson Med Center with Katie and Julia because Julia needed to pick up meds. On the way home we stopped at Tal Bagels and saw Laura working. It was so nice to see her, I'm gonna miss her so much. We went home and ate leftovers from last night. Then we went to the Galid Shalit tent where they always have volunteers counting the days he's been in captivity. 1,234 as of this day. After this Katie, Britty and I went to Yael's sem, Nishmat, for an Ethiopian festivial thingie. It was really cool and we got some yummy food- took home SO MUCH pita I don't even understand how we got it all back with us. Been very homesick lately.

Wednesday:
Started antibiotics this morning. Have been on cough and congestion meds for ten days, they didn't work. Slept badly because of my cough so I wasn't feeling too great in the morning. Went to volunteering anyway. When I got there the people who work there asked me how I was doing and I said I was fine and good to work but I obviously wasn't. They told me it was okay if I went home and even called my volunteering madricha, Emma, who also insisted I go home. They gave me some herbs to make tea and I left. I got home and showered and relaxed until Katie came home from her volunteering at the Biblical Zoo. We ate pitas, peppers, avocado, chummus and Deena's homemade matbucha. The apartment was going grocery shopping but I stayed home since I wasn't feeling well. I was gonna wake up when they came back to help put everything away but no one wanted to wake me up, apparently I looked too cute...ha. I started this blog when I finally woke up, most of my friends were at Machenae Yehuda shopping. At
7 Shevet girls went to a seminary and learned about vegetarianism from different torah and rabbinc sources. Came home and finished writing my last entry. Called Ema to say hello. Went to bed.

Thursday:
I was chosen with about 10 other people to go to a JNF 9/11 Ceremony. We left this morning at 9:30 and were there 'till around 2 or 3. There was a ton of important people there but I couldn't appreciate being there that much since I'm not really familiar with who's who in Israel...Hopefully I'll get an email or someone will write about the day so I can tell my mom who I saw, as I'm sure she would be able to appreciate it. We got back and had an auction to raise money for tzedakah. Soon we are gonna eat dinner and then go to our Art teacher's new exhibit at Merkaz Hamakshimim, a Haddassah place. Going to Jenene's tomorow for shabbat, hopefully will meet with Yael earlier in the day to hang out and maybe have breakfast together.

Summing up my first two months here...

I've just started keeping a journal in Israel, I know I should have started in the beginning but it never happened. So let me sum up the first two months up until now...

(9/1-9/5)
We came to Israel September 1st. Year Course split up into our three sections and my section (1) went to Jerusalem. We live in Beit Ar-El in Ba'ka on Rachov Gad and Yehuda. The first night was crazy, I found out I was assigned to an apartment of 16 girls and I wouldn't be living with Ale. It was not the best night, sleep deprived and travel weary it seemed like the end of the world. I ended up staying with Ale in her apartment but went to mine to sleep.
In the morning (Tuesday) we learned about possible volunteer placements and went on a hike. The newsletter called it a "Tiyul Gibush (Bonding Hike)". We were told it was a short, easy, hike but I think we may have been out there 6 hours. It wasn't too bad, I suppose I did 'bond' with a few people. We went back home and were told about living on our own and how we would be shopping and cooking for ourselves.
Wednesday we were told about security, kashrut, rules, safety, weekends, and classes. We had our first apartment meeting, I don't remember it.
Thursday we had our hebrew level exam. I placed into the highest level, 7. Thanks Mar Yativ.
Friday we had siyurim around the area. Don't remember this. We had an "expectation activity". Oh, apparently that was canceled. Thanks Julia. We got ready for shabbat, apparently cooked for Shalashuddos (no idea how to spell that, third meal of shabbat). We walked to the Old City and davened at the kotel. Shevet went to have dinner at this nice Youth Hostel. We came back to have a "tisch" and hung out for a little while. Probably went to sleep after this.
We went to a shul nearby in the morning- don't remember what it was called. We went to host families for lunch. I went with Ale, this boy David who was at orientation with us, and this girl Bianca. We had a "Religious Tolerance and Pluralism Activity" with a Rabbi from Tribe, which is I think a British Jewish organization...Shevet learned about the parsha and did mincha then we had Seuda Slichit, each apartment made something for the meal. There was a soccer game, or a "football match" as the brits call it, but I didn't go. Probably skyped Ben.

(9/6-9/12)

Can't find the newsletter for this week so I won't be able to remember as well.
Sunday we started volunteering. I was placed in Eyal's farm. It's named in honor of the manager of the farm's brother, a soldier who was killed. It's run by his family members. It's a really nice place, bigger than a petting zoo but not quite a farm. It's in Kibbutz Ramat Rachel. I have pictures I'll try to put up eventually. There are dogs, cats, a sheep and a goat, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, parrots, ducks, mice, rats, fish, and an iguana. We only went for an hour to check it out. It was my first choice for volunteering so I was pretty excited about it. I learned what bus to take and where to get off, but I still managed to get lost on the way home the first two days. I was very proud of myself when I found my way home though. Often when I ask people for directions in Hebrew, they answer me in English. It's frustrating, but also nice.

Tuesdays are our trip days and I went to the Christian Quarter. That was pretty interesting. We saw a bunch of Koreans reenacting Jesus' final days and the 13 (I think 13?) final places that he went to, from his trial to where he is supposedly buried. They were very into it, crying hysterically. We saw a few churches and some artwork, I don't remember names of anything...

Went to volunteering the rest of the week, I'm sure Shevet did something on Wednesday but I'm not sure what. On the farm I swept a lot and gardened and made salad for the iguana. I don't work with the animals most of the day but it's still a nice place to volunteer. Little kids come everyday to learn about plants and animals, they're adorable.

For Shabbat I went with Ale to her aunt's in Afula.

(9/13-9/19)

Sunday I went to volunteering. Shevet did shofar making, which was gross and fun. At 4:30 we had Holocaust Film class, it's an optional sunday class where we watch films and learn how to critique them.

Monday, volunteering and classes. Ulpan from 1:30-4 then Biblical Rebels from 4:15-6. I like Ulpan, my teacher's name is Orit. It's a really long class but it's not too bad. I didn't like Biblical Rebels.

Tuesday I went to the Begin Museum. That was interesting, I never really knew much about him.

Wednesday went to volunteering and had Shevet classes.

Thursday, went to volunteering and then had Ulpan. Switched into Zionism through the Arts instead of Biblical Rebels. I like it much better. The teacher is fantastic and it's really interesting stuff. Shevet went to Slichot at 3 a.m. It was crazy. We went around to different shuls and ended up at the Kotel around 7 a.m.

For Shabbat I went to Jenene's in Nokdim. It was great. I didn't realize she lived so close by.

(9/20-9/26)

Volunteering and class as usual.

Tuesday I went to the Madrasse, a water hike. Afterwards, Shevet went to do Tashlich in Tevaria.

Thursday night after class Shevet went to do Kaparot. Eew.

Nokdim for Shabbat.

(9/27-10/3)

Yom Kippur was on Monday, I was in Nokdim.

Tuesday went on the Sataf Tiyul, an ancient winery. No wine but it was interesting. Sukkot started. Went to Nokdim for Shabbat.

(10/4-10/10)

Monday went to Birkat Cohanim at the Kotel. It was so crowded and so hot. Later we had Hachnasat Sefer Torah at Beit Ar-El. Really fun, dancing and craziness.

Tuesday Shevet went to Neut Kedumim, a biblical nature reserve. We saw some ancient wells and learned how to be shepherds. It rained a little. Afterwards we went to Hof Dor and learned about techlet and went snorkeling.

Shevet spent Simchat Torah in Tzvat. It was an interesting experience, lots of dancing and eating and l'chaims. Went into small groups for friday night dinner to host families. Stayed in a hostel.

(10/11-10/17)

Pretty sure I went to Yad Vashem for second timers on Tuesday. Also I think I went out to eat with Yaeli, to Aroma and Aldos. Nokdim for shabbat.

(10/18-10/24)

Tuesday went to the Biblical Zoo, saw lots of adorable fat chipmunks and penguins.

There was an official dedication of Beit Ar-El. Free food and speeches. Then Katie and I were chosen to go out to dinner with some Haddassah ladies, that was great. The food was eh but it was fun. We took back everyone's leftovers for the apartment. I mean...what? Food is always on the mind here, especially if we can get it for free. Not that we're starving or anything, we eat well. But we (or maybe I..) are very conscious about how much money we spend. Shabbat, guess where? :)

(10/25-10/31)

Tuesday Shevet went to Chevron and learned about the city and it's history. We visited Ma'arot Hamachpaylah and Kever Rachel.

Wednesday we learned about Tzniut.

Thursday Shevet started "Lunch and Learn", where they feed us and we learn before our regular classes. It's great. We always bring the leftovers back to our apartment.

Nokdim for shabbat.

(11/1-11/11/7)

It's been raining in Israel. It's cold but I just have to keep reminding myself, it's filling up the Kineret it's okay it's okay.

Tuesday we went to Har Zaytim, I was hoping I could visit Savta's grave but was not sure where it was. We only ended up staying a few minutes because it was raining pretty hard. We went back to Beit Ar-El and heard about what Bat Yam will be like. I requested to volunteer at an animal shelter. Afterwards the Shevet girls went to a neighborhood next to Efrat and learned about the mikvah and the roles of women.

Went to Mordichai's for shabbat, it was really nice.

So now I'm basically caught up to the present. Just need to catch up on this week....Hopefully newer entries will actually be detailed and maybe a little more interesting. Haven't yet written about my friends here, needa do that.

goodnight.