You've given me the most beautiful set of wings.

Ulpan Or at Pardes!

2012-01-22T14:44:00.002-06:00

I had ulpan today at Pardes for the educators. We have Hebrew classes for the next four weeks before we go for our student teaching. I am really motivated! I want to be fluent in Hebrew so much!!!!!!!!!!

These are the words I learned today:

להפליץ - to fart
להפציץ - to bomb
לנצל - to exploit
להשוות - to compare - to equal
לשפר את - to improve
להתנגד ל - to oppose
למחות - to protest
מחאה - protest
מחאות - protests
גידול - raise/growth
תנאי - תנאים - conditions
לפחות - at least
צורך - necessity
שיחה - conversation
מסים - taxes
מידע - information
משכנתה - mortgage
תקציב - budget
מפלגות - political parties
משרד האוצר - treasury
מחקר - research
להשפיע - to affect
השפעה - the effect/influence
תמיכה - support

Start studying!!

Arava Tiyul

2012-01-22T12:22:00.001-06:00

Over the semester break I went to the Arava, or Eilat mountains in southern Israel with a small group from Pardes. We stayed at Kibbutz Keturah and we had an amazing time! Even some of the new students from the spring semester joined us, so it was great to meet them!

Yishai hiking in his favorite land.

Group picture from the first day hike.

We love TORAH!! Even when hanging on cliffs and mountains!

Me!!

The clouds on the 3rd day of the tiyul was amazing! This picture is unreal and barely edited!

The kibbutz where we were has Israel's largest solar panel field. They want to make more in the south. Considering it only rains down there 5 times a year, I think it's a good place for them!

Me and Yishai hiking!

Third day..me taking one of the pictures you can see above!

A Shabbat Experience

2012-01-07T13:44:00.002-06:00

All week I had been excited to spend my Shabbat in the "Gush" with two of my teachers. They always have students in their homes for Shabbat, and the anticipation had been building since I heard about other students wonderful experiences.

We (Hannah, Yishai, and Amber) left Jerusalem around 1:30, which was way too early, but we didn't want to be late for Shabbat! It was wonderful that we were early because we got to help make challah.

Yishai and Hannah making challah!

We're ready for Shabbat!!!!

Fun challah shapes!

Right after candle lighting we went to shul at a beautiful synagogue right in the middle of the town. There were two, one Ashkenazi and one Sephardi. The outsides were parallel structures, but the insides were very different and reflected each culture. Kabbalah Shabbat was traditional and relaxing, followed for Maariv.

We then we went Michael's (my academic adviser at Pardes) house for Shabbat dinner. They have five children, but only four were at home. One was in a neighboring community for a Bar Mitzvah. I cannot describe how much love I felt in this home. All the children were so respectful of each other. The mother had one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard, and when she was singing the Shabbat prayers it was like the music was going directly into your soul. All the kids couldn't wait for their Shabbat blessings from their dad, and they all had the utmost respect and love for their parents. We listened to a Dvar Torah (a speech about the weekly Torah portion) and sang songs and ate DELICIOUS food! We also answered questions in one of the daughter's school books in Hebrew about the weekly Torah portion which was really fun! Also, their oldest son beat me at 3 games of backgammon, I would call that Shabbat luck.

After a brisk and chilly short walk home we sat around Tovah Leah's table and talked some more until we were all too tired to schmooze anymore. In the morning, I didn't wake up! And Tovah Leah woke up, but we were late to shul and I missed Michael singing from the Torah! I was really upset! I will have to ask him for a repeat at school this week, I heard he was fabulous and I don't doubt it one bit.

Lunch was just as warm and loving as dinner the night before. Tovah Leah's cooking is amazing! Her husband is also a wonderful role model of a loving father and husband. We talked about Torah and Judaism and our lives. And we laughed and sang.

After Mincha we took a walk around Alon Shvut and Tovah Leah pointed out Jerusalem, Hevron, and other surrounding villages. The place is so beautiful and air is so fresh and clean. It's hard to realize that these homes are so political when things are so calm and peaceful. From this perspective, it is much easier to understand "the settler movement." Yishai described Alon Shvut the best, he said, "Torah is alive here." And he's right. The entire community is living in the way of Torah, from the smallest Halakah, to the simplest commandments of respecting your parents and love your neighbor.

It was really a Shabbat, a peace, a love, and an experience I will never forget.

Standing Together

2011-12-31T07:30:00.002-06:00

Over Hanukkah break from Pardes, I had the opportunity to help deliver some much needed winter thermal shirts and gloves to soldiers in the south on the border of Sinai. I went with an organization called Standing Together (http://www.stogether.org/) which buys and delivers items to soldiers in the IDF that the government can't afford. They also take sweets, like sufganiot, candy, soda, popcorn, bourekas, and in the summer time, ice cream.

It was really an incredible experience and I hope to do it again soon! These soldiers are so grateful for everything, even a piece of gum! It was a great mitzvah and a great way to show my appreciate to all that they give to my country.

The best Hanukkah songs are in Yiddush!

2011-12-22T11:27:00.002-06:00

"Living in Israel and being Jewish is a struggle."

2011-12-22T10:51:00.000-06:00

When I made aliyah a year ago, I knew that I was doing so on the grounds that it would be challenging, not only financially or emotionally, but because Israel is difficult. There is nothing easy about Israel, and maybe that is where her true beauty comes from.

Pardes set up a trip for our community to Hebron. Having been to Hebron two years ago, the announcement of the trip already made me a little uneasy as images sprang into my memory. The early deserted streets, Palestinains walking with their heads down hoping not to make eye contact, settlers strolling with AK47s over their shoulders. Hebron is not an easy city to visit. I wouldn't say that it is dangerous, many of our IDF soldiers are keeping it's streets quiet and safe, but this city is existing as a polar opposite to what I wish for Israel in terms of peace. I want to live in Israel peacefully with my neighbors, neighbors of all religions. And as Eve (last name) one of our speakers stated, peace is only real when two sides are living together. Peace is not when one side is removed.

This visit to Hebron was different, we started with a tour of Tel Hebron (the excavations of the biblical city) followed by a tour of the Tomb of the Patriarchs, (which I loved!), we listened to a representative from Breaking the Silence, an organization designed to change the way that soldiers interact with residences in Hebron. Afterwards we listened to two different settlers living in Hebron about their reasons for living their and their hopes for the future. At the end of the day we talked to a Palestinian human rights activist who grew up and is now living in Hebron. Did you just ask yourself, "How long were these students in Hebron?" Well, you're right, it was a long intense day. But I found myself very grateful for the number of views that were presented to me.

My struggle with Israel was not lessened after my second visit to Hebron, but I did find myself thinking that I made the right decision to live in a country that I love. In a country that I know will be here for me and my children in the future, a country that is always changing and evolving and learning to live peacefully. I know that there are things in Israel that I am not proud of, but there are things in the US that I am not proud of either. And despite these things, I am a proud citizen and know that I have to be here to help make the country better and even more beautiful than when I arrived.

An AMAZING Pardes Day!!

2011-12-06T12:37:00.001-06:00

This song was written and performed by Sam Rotenberg, a fellow student and friend, at Pardes! We were having a party in Gemera (Talmud) to celebrate finishing a long, complex, and difficult section. Sam wrote this song in honor of "the end". The Gemera we're learning is about Lost Objects, so in the song you'll hear about losing and finding things. Obviously, if you have studied this before it's more entertaining, but it's still awesome that something so Rabbinic, can become so beautiful. Enjoy!

The second AMAZING thing to happen today was the start of recruitment for Pardes!! Evan and Kalie (another two incredible students, friends, and classmates) did an intro skit to get everyone (the student body and faculty) excited about recruitment. The skit was hilarious, thoughtful, wonderful!!
!
Everyday at Pardes is better and better! Studying at Pardes was by far one of the best choices I have made in my life!

http://mosista.co/alwiese

2011-11-30T12:54:00.001-06:00

http://mosista.co/alwiese

This is my serious mustache face! Today is the last day of MOVEMBER and thus, the last mustache picture!! If you have enjoyed them and want to help support men's health! Please donate now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the incredible Pardes mustache growing team! They are SO amazing, so far they have raised over $3,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can still be a part of this cause!! Donate here: http://mosista.co/alwiese

Second to last day of MOVEMBER!!

2011-11-29T12:33:00.001-06:00

Second to last day of Movember!! Don’t miss out helping and being a part of this amazing event!

http://us.movember.com/mospace/961732

A very thankful update!

2011-11-24T09:15:00.001-06:00

I know you were all hoping to see a mustache picture, but here is one clean shaven picture! Donations at school for mustaches are going well and I am proud of the money we have raised as a team. This last week we will need to make a pretty big push to finish strong!

Tonight I am refereeing another football game, and I am pretty sure it's not going to rain, so I am really excited about that! Yesterday I made chicken noodle soup for me and Roi (he is coming to see the game and then staying for the weekend) and today I made pumpkin pie (bought vanilla ice cream) and also made my first challah in Israel! I haven't eaten any of it yet, but everything looks and smells delicious!! The house smelled GREAT today! I am so grateful to be able to share these things with Roi...and I am grateful to have the means to have such nice things surrounding me. I am grateful that I am studying at an incredible institution that is not only expanding my mind, but also my heart. I finally feel like I am studying something that is making me a better person, not just a means to an end.

And most importantly, I am grateful for my family. These are the days that living for from home is nearly torture. Not that I necessarily mess the food (although it's yummy) but I miss being with the whole family and then when everyone leaves, my mom and sister and I sit down with all the leftover desserts (even though we swore an hour before we could never eat another bite) and retell the funny stories of the day and laugh about all the crazy things that happened. These are by far the best times and these are things that can't be replaced by someone else.

I hope you are all having a wonderful meal of abundance and surrounded by people who's love is overflowing. Happy Thanksgiving!!

IFL Mustache!

2011-11-18T07:59:00.001-06:00

For those of you that don’t know. I am a referee for the IFL (Israeli Football League) and last night was the season opener at Kraft Family Stadium! It was great and I think the teams were really intimated with my mustache!

Super cute mustache!

2011-11-16T13:16:00.001-06:00

http://mosista.co/alwiese It's already more than half way through Movember!!! Please donate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also, I think this mustache is awesome! Just sayin'

Pardes Mustaches!

2011-11-15T12:24:00.001-06:00

First week:

Second week!

More people and more mustaches!! Way to go Pardes!! We are raising money for Movember!! Donate to our incredible team here: http://mosista.co/alwiese

Mustache Shekel Wars!!

2011-11-15T11:55:00.001-06:00

Hey mustache lovers!!!!

We are starting shekel wars (originally penny wars) at Pardes! Put your agarot in the containers on the cabinet in the hallway of your learning level.

All-new Shekel Wars jars next to Pardes HappyGrams box

The containers say:

רמת א Level alef
רמת ב Level bet
רמת ג Level gimmel
רמת ד Level dalet
רמת ה Level hey
כולל Kolel

If you are a “split” learner, please go with the level of your 3-a-week class.

You should put all the shekel coins and agarot in your level – whoever has the most shekels at the end of the month will win!!! But there is one catch! If you put shekel bills (paper shekels) into a different level, it will be counted as negative!! For example, say level alef is kicking butt and they have SO many shekels, so someone in level hey says, what are we going to do about this?? We can put a 20 shekel bill in level alef and it will deduct 20 shekels off of their score.

What can a level win, you ask?? Well, first and formost, pride in your level and school for raising so much money for men’s health and for supporing Movember. Secondly, on Thursday December 1st, your class will get freshly baked chocolate chip cookies (and maybe milk)!

If you have any questions, please see someone with a mustache…or me!

Love, Andrea

http://us.movember.com/mospace/2037454/ Donate here if you don't go to Pardes!!

Soul patch!

2011-11-14T11:43:00.001-06:00

I know you're digging the soul patch! So have a soul and dig a dollar deep into your wallet and donate!! http://us.movember.com/mospace/2037454/ All the healthy men in your life will thank you!! And so will I!! =)

In case you were going through mustache withdrawal

2011-11-13T09:42:00.001-06:00

http://us.movember.com/mospace/2037454/ Please donate a $1 (or more) to help support research from prostate cancer and to help men's health!!! I know that you're all loving these mustache photos, so just $1!! Read about where your money will go...http://us.movember.com/about/

Thanks in advance!!

Shabbat mustache!

2011-11-11T09:16:00.001-06:00

Roi joined me today for men's health awareness!!! I hope you like our mustaches!!! Shabbat shalom...and after Shabbat donate here!! https://www.movember.com/us/donate/your-details/member_id/2037454

Mustache 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-11-10T05:42:00.000-06:00

I think this one is sexy!

That's why I'm winking!!

https://www.movember.com/us/donate/your-details/member_id/2037454 Donate, donate, donate!! =) Thank you!!!!!!!!

Hole in my heart...

2011-11-09T14:14:00.001-06:00

I just received this article about bagel shops in Chicago (Kaufmans, our favorite, taking the number one stop) from my mother in the mail yesterday. She is always sending me little things, articles, stickers, pictures, whatever she can to let me know she is thinking of me. But even though she sent me this because it was a cute article about a place to love to visit together. The true message of what she is saying every time she sends me something was way too obvious this time. I love living and studying in Israel...but I know it's not easy for my family and especially my mom, we are best friends, and I know it's not easy for them (my family) to always be so supportive of me when I go away because I know it is a truly painful thing for them that I don't live close to home. And I hope they know that I appreciate their support and love even when it is such a hard thing for them to do. I love you and I can't wait to see you in March!

My Movember

2011-11-09T13:58:00.000-06:00

I think I am the only girl at my school doing Movember to help raise money and awareness for men's health. But I think it's so important for society, I think men's health is something that people over look, especially cancer in men. And let's face it, there are a lot of important men in my life who's health I really care about! So here is my mustache, check back everyday to see a new mustache picture until the end of MOVEMBER! Donate here: https://www.movember.com/us/donate/your-details/member_id/2037454

Shabbat shalom! שבת שלום!!!

2011-11-04T10:23:00.001-05:00

My table is ready! Tomorrow for lunch we're having a vegan Shabbat at my house! I made vegan chili. quinoa (a grain) with pomegranate and apple, and everyone else is bringing the other things! It'll be lovely. =)

I have a great story from the week for Shabbat! I was in my Humash class and we were learning the gemertria, and my teacher told us to add the number of the letters of our name..Andrea אנדריאה is 270...if you write 270 in the simplest form it is רע which is "bad" in Hebrew! I was SO sad! My name means bad?!?! (In Hebrew they actually write 270 as ער instead so no word can mean bad.) I was really upset and my teacher was like, really? What's your Hebrew name? And I said דורית Dorit, and he said, that's not 270..that's 620 and 620 is a great number in Hebrew, and I almost yelled, "and 620 is my birthday!!!!!!!!" (June 20th) and he said WOW!! gemertria in action!! (Because gemertria is suppose to be somewhat mystic.) 620 is also significant in Judaism because there are 613 commandments given in the Torah and seven rabbinic commandments instituted later for a total of 620!! Needless to say, I felt pretty awesome!

Shabbat shalom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MOvember!

2011-11-01T14:19:00.000-05:00

Movember is a changing the face of men's health! Men all over the US and world are growing mustaches in order to raise money to help fight prostate cancer!! You can read all about it at their website here.

Pardes has a team led by Evan Remer, the guy in the picture with the big handle bar mustache. He has gotten other students and faculty to join him in raising awareness for this cause!

The link to donate to the Pardes team is here!

Check back here in two weeks and then again at the end of the month to see picture updates of these fine men's progress!!

I also joined the Pardes team despite my lack of mustache, you can donate directly under my name if you click here!! =) Thanks in advance!

Alef bet

2011-10-29T13:19:00.001-05:00

So....today I learned the alef bet! Although I should have learned it a long long time ago, and despite that I "speak" Hebrew...I had never learned the order of the letters. Today, I thought, enough, it's time. And Roi helped me learn the letters in order. It's awesome! Have you ever felt like there is something that you really should know, but you should have learned it when you were so young, that you just never learned it on your own...that's how I felt about the alef bet. Today is a big day! I am very proud of myself =)

Also, for a class, I have to learn gematria which is assigning numeric value to Hebrew letters, and it's very difficult to learn if I don't know the alef bet. I will also have to learn the Hebrew months soon, something else I have never learned!

Israeli Driving License!

2011-10-26T12:42:00.001-05:00

Although I passed the driving test in June, I just received my license in the mail yesterday!! I feel like this is a great achievement in becoming "Israeli" and I feel like I had to work harder for this than just becoming an Israeli citizen!! It was worth the wait!!

Expedition America

2011-10-24T15:16:00.001-05:00

I was recently told that an educational program that I hold very near my heart has been canceled. Expedition America (or EA) was a program at Highland High School in Indiana, that took high school students on a summer trip to hike in the mountains (somewhere in the US) for 3 and then spent the next 5 or 6 days visiting historical sites. I was a chaperon with the founder, Robert Blumenthal, for two years. I had also participated in the same program, but of a different name, Trail Bound, when I was a student at Chesterton High School.

I had originally signed up because I loved history, but I quickly came to love the challenge of backpacking as well. I also loved the camaraderie of being with my classmates or later, the students. It was/is an incredible form of learning and bounds that the trail/hiking can create between people is like no other. I would not be the person I am today without these experiences in my life.

Rob sent out a letter to EA alumni announce the cancellation and in the letter he beautifully wrote, "I want you to remember always the challenges you overcame and trials you endured along the trail. Always remember that the very best things in life are earned and are never handed to you or are easy. You earned a place on EA by being the very best among your class at HHS; you endured the trail because you fought for every footstep and succeeded there because each of you possesses the tenacity to keep pushing when so many of your peers never would have had the temerity to lace up their boots. I know that you will face hardships in the years to come, but I have also seen every one of you struggle and overcome very surmounting odds. Do not forget this early success. The best is still to come."

EA 2009 - Vermont - The Green Mountains

Me, of course, in the Green Mountains

Rob and me!! Whale watching off the coast of Boston

I definitely could not have said it better. Rob is truly a role model to me and I know he will only go on to do even bigger and better things, although it is hard to imagine something better than EA. Thanks Rob, it was a blast.

Shabbat Halakha

2011-10-23T14:42:00.001-05:00

Today in Halakha (Jewish law) class, we started learning the laws of keeping Shabbat. There are "honor" כבוד laws, about preparing oneself for Shabbat and there are "pleasure" עונג laws about preparing your surroundings. I never knew there were actual laws written that you should have a nice meal, and wash yourself, clean the house, and wear nice clothes. I just thought it was traditions, but the rabbis actually wrote that we are suppose to do that. All in preparation for Shabbat. I think last year I would have thought these things were silly, but now that I am semi-keeping Shabbat, I think these things are really important. After I clean the whole house, to shopping, prepare a beautiful meal, set the table with the "nice" dishes, get really pretty, and wear a cute dress...I really want the time to be special. I really do feel like it's a spiritual time that I'm not worrying, that I'm not thinking about homework, I'm not worried about politics. It's a time for friends and family, a time to pray, and a time to be grateful.

Also, I liked that the rabbis really do acknowledge that it takes effort to prepare for Shabbat, it really is a task to get ready for something so special, but because we invest that time and make it nice and even "holy"...the time of Shabbat is that much more meaningful. So come Thursday and Friday when I'm cleaning and getting ready, I will be that much more appreciative when Shabbat actually arrives.

Welcome Home Gilad

2011-10-18T09:26:00.001-05:00

Today is an amazing day for Israel and Israelis. Gilad Shalit who was was imprisoned in Gaza by Hamas for over five years, 1,941 days, was freed this morning after long negotiations in a prisoner exchange. 1,027 prisoners were released from Israel for Gilad's return.

These posters were hung all over Jerusalem says "How good is your coming home."

Gilad hugging his father.

Ynet article about Gilad

Many people are upset about the exchange, saying how could Israel release these murders for one life. But as a sister, daughter, and hopefully one day a mother, I believe Israel did the right thing. I am really proud to be an Israeli today. A good friend and rabbi said this, "Israel is like no another country. People may say that because we value life so much and care about each other so much -it is our greatest weakness, but it is actually our greatest strength." I am happy to live in a country and be a citizen of a country that so greatly values life and sticks to its word. I really understand people's concerns with releasing so many terrorists, but we don't know what the future will bring. And so today we must rejoice that Israel saved a life and reunited a family.

Sukkot vacation!

2011-10-17T08:57:00.003-05:00

We have quite a few days off for Sukkot and many students are traveling. I went to Roi's home to celebrate our two year anniversary together. We went to Rehovot to a really great Asian restaurant. Yum yum!!

Also, the day before sukkot MATT maybe aliyah from the US! Which also means SHOKO made aliyah! So now our apartment is full and Matt and Shoko are finally home! It's been great having them. The only problem is that we don't have grass in our backyard yet and so Shoko is rolling in dead grass and dirt and then bringing it into the house. But we're going to have the grass installed next week, so I think that will help a lot with keeping the apartment clean. So I'm looking forward to that. =)

As for my vacation, at the end of the week, Roi, me and our two friends are going to the north to hike and camp for two days! We are also going to ride horses =) I am really excited!! It's going to be an awesome time!

Ready for Sukkot!

2011-10-12T12:05:00.000-05:00

Our succah is up and I have my four species!! I'm all ready for Sukkot!!

PEP Tiyul - Rabbinic Period

2011-10-12T11:52:00.001-05:00

The Pardes Educators Program had their final tiyul to the north of Israel as part of their History Seminar. We went to Gamla, Katzrin, Capernaum and Zippori. This was by far the most interesting trip (to me). Besides the education part of the trip, we also had a lot of time to bond with our colleagues and have some fun.

We are in Capernaum in the synagogue that once stood there. It was so interesting to hear about the influence of Christianity on Judaism and how Judaism responded to these outside pressures.

This is at Zippori. I am with Artzi, the Israeli National Parks mascot! I love him!! =)

This is at the theater in Zippori. Zippori was a Jewish city in a Roman dominated time period. There are mosaics in Zippori that are clearly "idolatry," so it's interesting to think about how the Mishna came from Zippori (books and lists of rules about Jewish law and keeping Jewish law) when it is clear that people weren't keeping the law how we would expect today.

Me and Hannah and Ilan! Great view!!

PEP Tiyul - Second Temple Period

2011-10-05T14:50:00.001-05:00

Today we had a tour of the Second Temple Period in Jerusalem. It was really great, but SO much info in a short amount of time! We went to the South Wall Excavations, The Israel Museum, and the underground mansions where the Kohenim (priests) probably lived. Ian Stern was our guide, and he is absolutely fabulous!

This bus has nothing to do with our trip, it's just a cool thing that people will only ever see in Israel! The bus is wishing you a good inscription into the Book of Life חתימה טובה! Thank you, bus!!

This is one of my favorite places in Israel!! I love this "LOVE" statue! This is our PEP cohort at the end of the tiyul!! We are a terrific group!!!!

Peer teaching

2011-09-26T13:09:00.000-05:00

Part of the Educators Program is to do sessions of peer teaching. This means that each person has a session/lesson that they teach to the other educators.

Today was my first experience in being in a session. (We actually had two today because the teacher was sick last week, so she also did her lesson this week.) And wow! I learned so much from the sessions. First, as a student, I really learned the material. The first lesson was about Rosh HaShana, blowing the shofar, and when and why we do it. The teacher had us go to four different stations and listen to different audio bytes that represented the four different times/meanings of blowing the shofar. His pedagogy was really outstanding and he had a great presence in the classroom.

The second lesson was about Daniel and comparing the first two chapters of the book to Joseph's story when he tells Pharaoh the meaning of his dreams. She had a good graphic organizer and really taught me about Daniel, a character that I only knew existed because a lot of people are named "Daniel."

Both teachers were so different and yet so good. They both had such a strong teacher voice. They were patient and intuitive. I loved it! I am excited to get back into the classroom!

Ready for Shabbat!!

2011-09-23T09:16:00.001-05:00

Tonight I'm hosting my first Shabbat dinner all by myself!! And the table is ready!! I must say, I think it looks so beautiful! And I have to say that I am really proud of myself! A few of my closest friends from school are coming over after Shabbat services. I have chicken with potato and sweet potato, and everyone else is bringing a salad, side dish, or dessert!

I hope everyone has a wonderful and peaceful Shabbat! Shabbat shalom!!

3rd educators field trip

2011-09-22T15:55:00.001-05:00

Yesterday we had our second PEP field trip. This one focused on the First Temple Period. The tour guide was great! I was really paying attention the whole time. We first stopped at The City of David and he gave of a lot of wonderful information. We ate lunch in the Jewish Quarter (everyone enjoyed the Reese's peanut butter cookies I had made) and then we went to see a map/movie of the period. It was a great visual because I really finally understood the difference between the walls that are standing now and the walls that were from the First Temple Period. All the other times I have been on tours things were smashed into the same tour and all the info was jumbled into my head. So I really appreciated a tour of just this time period.

We also went to the "traditional" stop were David is buried. This is the statue outside the tomb of David playing the harp. (He was definitely not buried there.)

This is our WONDERFUL educators group!!! Future Jewish educators!!!

A different view of fasting

2011-09-20T14:03:00.003-05:00

As most Jews know, the High Holidays are quickly approaching, and with that is Yom Kippur, a 24 hour fast day with no food or water (or coffee). And for me, with it comes dread. I just don't like it, I get a headache, it's uncomfortable, etc. Technically we're not suppose to wear make up or deodorant or perfume either (although I have never taken part in that part before. Also, no brushing your teeth, no sex, and no medicines (unless it'll jeopardize your health, of course.)

But after my Halakha class (Jewish law), I really have a different perspective. It is something that unites the Jewish people, and I was shocked to learn that it is a POSITIVE commandment, not a restrictive law. We should want to fast because we want to be afflicted to repent correctly to G-d.

I found all the rules for fasting to be really over the top. Like if someone is sick and trying to fast, they can drink one cheek full of liquid. Or eat one date-sized bite every 6-9 minutes so they may sustain their health, but still fast. There are many laws to fasting. But then I realized that people WANT to fast, and these laws are actually in place to help people fast. (Help people fast?? Really?? If my doctor said I couldn't fast, I would be thrilled!) But observant Jews see it as a mitzvah to afflict oneself for G-d. So although I am still not looking forward to Yom Kippur and my lack of food (although I think I will still be using deodorant) I am going to try to see it was a positive act and mitzvah instead of an act of deep dread.

Sunset sing-a-long

2011-09-19T14:22:00.002-05:00

On Thursday at the Shabbaton we took a walk to see a great view and the sunset. As we were waiting the sun some of my classmates starting singing this beautiful song...you can see and listening to it here...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoA8clpR6hY

The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo

2011-09-19T12:59:00.002-05:00

Over the past weekend, my school had a "Shabbaton" which means a rest. The actual explanation is like a weekend retreat. The whole weekend was very beautiful with a lot of bonding and relaxing. I got to play some basketball on Shabbat with some of my classmates too!

One of the highlights was during free time on Friday before Shabbat, my two friends and I went to the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo. The zoo was terrific! It wasn't that they had animals that I hadn't seen before, but all the animals were so active! The bears were swimming and eating branches, the giraffes and zebras were walking around their pond and having a drink, the deer were making many attempts at being fruitful, and the elephant was helping the worker move his heavy bucket around. We were there close to closing time, so maybe they get fed right after the zoo closes. I really don't know, but this was by far one of the best zoo experiences of my life!! As you can tell, I am highly recommending Jerusalem's Biblical Zoo as a spot on your next Israel adventure!

Kalie and Jordan enjoying the zoo!

Eating

2011-09-18T13:50:00.000-05:00

I know that eating should be a simple thing, but it's hard to eat well when someone is so busy. I don't feel like I had time to cook this week because I was on a weekend retreat with my school. Today my lunch was carrots, a lox and cheese sandwich and an orange. Actually is doesn't sound as weird now, but I had to really give creative yesterday to figure out what food I could take to school today. For dinner I ate cheerios. So I really knew I had to cook tonight!

Anyway, I ended up making a lot of PASTA and I made my own sauce! It's really delicious!!

In the process....

Now I will have lunch for the month! I just hope I don't get sick of it before I finish it all! =)

Erev Seder

2011-09-14T14:07:00.001-05:00

Erev seders are not what some one might think a seder would be, and erev means night. So at first I thought it meant that we would be having seders once a week at night to learn how to set up and lead our own seders. Well, I was sadly surprised to learn that this is not the case. It is an extra two hours a week, on Monday nights from 7-9 that we're suppose to come to school and study even more. Yes, I'm sure you would be thrilled about this too, but in all seriousness, considering how many nerds and people who love what they're studying, it's not a bad idea. Except, for the time. I despise being out of my house at night on a school night. I want to be at home, showers, relaxed, and in bed at 10. I know I sound crazy that I want to go to bed at 10, but I get up every morning at 6 so I can go to the gym before my full day of classes starts at 8:30. It's the one time of the day that is really just for me, and I really like to prioritize it.

Anyway, being the good student and law-abiding citizen I am, I went. I had two great partners to study with, our teacher gave a great speech about how there should be no excuses in the way of studying Torah, (it was a great speech) I was ready to study!!! But really, I wasn't. I was exhausted, my partners and I weren't very efficient, we couldn't think of references that we wanted to talk about. We were distracted. We all had tea or coffee to try to stay focused, and my friend had an open cup which was making me so nervous and I kept telling him to move it away from my brand new books...(I told him about 15 times, I'm not exaggerating. Then.......a teacher came over and asked us how we were doing...and DISASTER!!! He knocked over his tea all over my brand new Tanakh! I was really upset. Not really because of the tea, although it was sad. But because I really didn't listen to myself. I knew I shouldn't have gone, even if it was "required" I was so tired, I had a lot of other homework I needed to get done, I didn't have any food at home to eat (I needed to go to the store), my apartment really needs to be cleaned, I have to do laundry, etc. The amount of anxiety that those two hours caused me was not worth what I was going to learn in those two hours, (which proved to be not too much) except that I have to take care of myself. No one was going to tell me not to go, so now, my tea stain on my Tanakh is going to remind me that I have to be my own advocate. As much as I love studying what I am studying and love doing what I'm doing, I have to put myself first and I have to be physically and mentally healthy. So if that means no more night seder, then no more night seder...

PEP Tiyul

2011-09-14T12:26:00.002-05:00

Today we had our first Educators Program tiyul. The good thing was that I had never been to any of the places where we went before. The bad news was, I was tired, and the guide was very informative and nice, but not so funny and I had a hard time paying attention.

We first went to Mizpe Jericho, which is a look out point to see Jericho. We talked about the first few chapters of Joshua and his conquest into the land of Israel. That part was interesting because I had just read the chapters we were talking about.

This is a Jordanian soldier just across the tiny stream that is the Jordan River. Many Christians come here because they thing this is where Jesus was baptized, but we were there to see the Jordan River and how Joshua and his troops may have crossed!

This is a sad story. The Jordanians were using these monasteries next to the Jordan River as a fort to enter into Israel and commit acts of war, so the Israelis blew up the churches so they couldn't hide in them. I'm sure at one time these were beautiful places, now this is all that is left. =(

This a mosaic from the floor of a synagogue in Gaza.

So is this. It's King David, and it's really awesome because now a days Jews wouldn't have a picture or image of anyone, so it's really interesting to note that it was a later interpretation because 2000 years ago, it seemed okay. =)

Personalizing Prayer

2011-09-11T14:52:00.001-05:00

Today I had my first Personalizing Prayer class. Although the name might make it seem obvious to some, the class is suppose to help the students become more familiar with the Siddur, Hebrew prayer book, the language, and to really understand the words and meaning of the prayer. Some people would prefer a different class because it is too "touchy feely" but I think that is exactly what prayer is about. It is personal.

We start every class with a breathing/focusing exercise to clear our heads from the previous class. I really liked this part, because our classes run back to back and so often my head is still thinking about the discussion that I was having 5 minutes earlier.

Our discussion today was about the obstacles we face when praying. Some of the obstacles were focusing, language, embarrassment (in Judaism it is kind of a choreography at times in the service and it's not nice to do it wrong), a lack of connection to the meaning, a lack of place and time. All of these were issues that we had with prayer. I also said that I didn't feel like I always have justification in asking things from God. Like, I am not asking for something vital, like I am not asking for God to cure cancer, I am asking for helping on a test or something, and sometimes I feel like it is too insignificant.

Then we switched directions and talked about getting up in the morning and our routines and the Modeh Ani מודה אני. I really like the morning prayer. It is technically suppose to be the first things from our lips in the morning, sometimes even before we open our eyes.

מודה אני לפניך מלך חי וקים שהחזרת בי נשמתי בחמלה, רבה אמונתך.

It translates:
Grateful am I before You,
King Who is living and eternal,
for you have returned my soul to me with compassion -
Abundant is Your faith.

I really like that the first thing we are suppose to say in the morning is that we are grateful. Also, I think the last line is interesting because it says Abundant is Your faith (in me). Really, God has faith in me?!?! That's great, it's like a early morning pep talk. I want to do good things all day. =)

The Israel Museum, Jerusalem.

2011-09-08T15:26:00.001-05:00

Today my program had a trip to the Israel Museum. It is part of a history seminar in which we will be participating. It was much more interesting than I had expected. Mostly because we were looking at rocks, but because my teacher/professor was so knowledgeable, he really made these rocks come to life. I would have run through this museum and the ancient history, but he did an incredible job of explaining the significance and relation to the Tanakh (Bible).

When I was at the museum, my friend spotted a famous Israeli (Russian born) politician. Of course, we all my chutzpah, I went and requested a picture together. He really stirs up a lot of controversy in Israel, so it was funny to meet him.

Lieberman

There is a really cool "rainbow" in the entrance hall of the museum. So there was a great backdrop for pictures. This is my new friend Avi who is in my program.

Shemot

2011-09-06T14:26:00.001-05:00

Shemot, which means names in Hebrew, is Exodus in English. I am reading Shemot in two classes, so I hope I will be an expert soon! The greatest thing is that I can actually understand a lot of the text in Hebrew. It's a really incredible feeling. I like to read it in English first, and then read it in the Hebrew. It may sound like cheating, but it's not. Since I haven't actually taken a biblical grammar class yet, I think it's a good way for me to start.

Today I had a doctor's appointment to get a physical for the gym. It was at 6:45, but I didn't see the doctor until after 7:30. Which meant I didn't get home until 9 after the bus ride. So I'm really exhausted, and I want to go to the gym in the morning. So I will have to be in bed soon if I want to make it there! Also, my blood pressure was 100/70. I think? They said that's good. But I have never really known what that meant.

Hopefully tomorrow will calm down a little. It's been run run run!!

Blog identity

2011-09-06T13:27:00.000-05:00

So, if you have been reading the blog lately, I was going through a small identity crises with the colors, but I think I like this now, although, I want borders around the pictures, so if someone knows how to do that, let me know!

Also, my new school linked their blog to mine, so their site is http://theseandthose.pardes.org/. It is really interesting to read what the different students are writing about, so if you like Judaism, or are just interested, it's a great blog!

Day two!

2011-09-05T11:17:00.002-05:00

I made it through another day!! And today I had three classes, although, I don't know why I wrote my schedule on here, because it seems to change every day.

I thought I was suppose to be in Mishna Bet. (Mishna is one of the two books that makes up the Talmud.) And I went to the class, and I was LOVING it!!! Then, 45 minutes into class, an adviser knocked on the door and pulled me out! I was really upset, only because I was so into the class. We learned about the history of the Mishna that it was codified around 220 CE for Yehuda Hanasi. The Mishna is the first codification of the oral laws. It was important because this is shortly after the destruction of the 2nd temple and the Jews were worried about preserving their way of life in exile. And, of course, they is the growing of Christianity, which is also viewed as a threat to their way of life. The Gemara, the second book that makes up the Talmud was written between 220-600 CE. There are also two kinds of Gemara, Babylonia and Palestinian, named for the places they were written.

I could go on...like, Mishna means repetition, because before this, the rabbis would learn, and repeat to the masses. Nothing was written down and this is how it was passed from generation to generation. At the time, a rabbi was called Tanya, also meaning, one who repeats.

I also learned that a lot of Hebrew words end in Hey, ה. and a lot of Aramaic words end in alef, א. So it's a fast way to know where the word came from, or what time it was written.

There are six sections of the Mishna, agriculture, holidays, women, damages (or civil issues), holiness, and impurities. We were going to study the upcoming holidays until I had to leave class!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I won't get to study anymore Talmud until next year!!!!!!!!!!

Israel's million man march

2011-09-04T11:29:00.000-05:00

This is a short clip from the protest, and this was very early in the night just after 9pm in Jerusalem on King George Street. The loud speaker from the car is actually saying, "The people want a just society."

"העם דורש צדק חברת" The people demand social justice, or the people demand a just society. Which ever way you translate the sentence, these Israelis really meant it. Last night, after Shabbat at 9pm, the people of Israel flooded the streets, especially in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. In Tel Aviv alone there were 300,000 people. If the same ratio of Americans would have marched in the US, it would have been 16 million people. But Israel is smaller. But you get the idea, it was huge!

Most of the people want better housing prices, social reforms, and of course, Gilad Shalit. The protesters were smart in combining a lot of different groups into one huge rally. One sign said, "They can only read numbers." So maybe 1 million is enough. The government has promised social reform, but we'll see if that happens.

First day of class!

2011-09-04T10:56:00.000-05:00

I was a little disappointed after I saw Alex's first day of kindergarten picture with the sign that his Aunt Katie had made him. I couldn't understand why she didn't make me a sign that said, "First day of your second Masters degree." But oh well, I survived. And I took my own first day of school picture!!! (and I'm just teasing. My sister is by far the most thoughtful person I know!)

Today was my first class, just one in the afternoon. I was going to take Creating Holiness, but I changed in into to Halakha. The teacher's name is Zvi and he is SO funny!! I really like it. We went over a lot of texts today about the month of Elul and getting ready for the High Holidays and repentance, before and during, the holidays. It was so fascinating, especially the differences between the Sephardi and Ashkenazi traditions. I can't wait for more classes tomorrow!!

Pardes Orientation

2011-09-01T12:25:00.002-05:00

I landed on the 29th, and started orientation on the 30th. Jet lagged and all...I made it there. We have had three mornings of orientation, and three afternoons of intensive ulpan (Hebrew class). My classmates seem really wonderful and I am excited to really get started next week.

My classes are:
Humash/the Five Books of Moses
Intro. to Mishna and Talmud
Personalizing Prayer
Creating Holiness
Bekiut Nach (which I don't actually know what they means.)
and probably Torah Trope

So, it's a lot, but I'm ready, I think! ;-)

And the star of the show!!

2011-08-31T12:31:00.000-05:00

Jack Hurckes was definitely the best part of the USA! I hope no one is offended, I had a wonderful time with my parents, sister, brother-in-law, ROI, and other family. But this little boy is just too much cute in one little bundle. He is so so perfect and he makes leaving the US almost unbearable! I can't wait to see you next time Jack, I love you!!

One month in the USA

2011-08-31T11:22:00.000-05:00

My month in the US was amazing!! So amazing that I didn't have time to blog. We went to Yellowstone, which was unreal! It is beyond beautiful. We saw deer, elk, buffalo, birds, geysers, etc..but no bear =(

We drove through Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and there was a great Andy Warhol exhibit. Who knew he did a print of Golda Meir?? Not me!!

And we saw Mount Rushmore!

Steam at Yellowstone! It was very impressive at first, then you see it everywhere. Which, then, becomes less impressive.

The first elk we saw.

The falls. Gorgeous.

Grand Prism in Yellowstone, this thing doesn't seen real.

On the way home we sent to St. Louis and the Budweiser brewery. And also to Springfield, IL to the awesome Lincoln museum there. =)

It was such a great summer...and now I'm back in Israel...in JERUSALEM!!!!

Fun with the Hurckes'!

2011-08-02T21:20:00.000-05:00

Katie, Rick, and Jack got home from their Colorado vacation and I have been with them ever since!! I got to babysit Jack yesterday. He is beyond perfect. He is talking and running, he's so amazing! Today Katie and I did tons of shopping and then had dinner with Aunt Gail, Grandpa Al, and Grandma Rina. It was really a wonderful day!

I also had a Hebrew lesson this morning with Ulpan Or on Skype, it's really interesting, but I am looking forward to more lessons. It's really listening based lessons, and that's hard for me, so I think it'll be really beneficial!

Tomorrow ROI is arriving in CHICAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Summer fun

2011-07-16T10:22:00.000-05:00

I know I have been so busy, like all NFTY summers. But I want to take a second to write that I am having one of the most amazing summers with incredible kids and a knock-out staff. I feel like I (and my staff) are really helping these kids to be more of the amazing selves that they are and I am really proud of the job we're doing here.

Here is to a strong last 9 days of NFTY Summer 2011!!!!!!!

Shakshuka updates

2011-07-05T03:52:00.001-05:00

Group Shakshuka is doing well. One of our kids is sick though, so I stayed behind today to be with her. I have some extra time, so I thought some updates would be appropriate.

I had a day off yesterday and I went to Beer Sheva. Roi and I took a four hour nap, I did laundry, and we went to a really nice dinner together. It was a perfect day really. I had to leave Beer Sheva really early for Jerusalem in the morning, but everything was fine and there was even a seat on the bus from where I got on. It was a good sign for a good day. We went through the City of David tunnels and then went to the Kotel. The kids really had a great day. It's really emotional for a lot of them to be there for the first time, and I am really happy to be a part of this experience for them.

Never too many group shots

Our girls

Some of our boys together at the wall.

Since it was the 4th of July we got sparkles for our kids. It was a huge success! They really loved them. Pictures to come! =) I hope everyone had a great holiday!

Europe, birthday, and Israel!

2011-07-01T15:08:00.000-05:00

I have been very busy since June 14th, the last post. I had NFTY in Israel orientation, met my campers, went to Europe (Prague, Krakow, and Warsaw) flew back to Israel, and camped for three night in the Arava, the southern desert in Israel.

It's been an amazing two weeks and has felt like a year. Working for NFTY is the most exhausting and most rewarding job someone could have.

I have a snippet for the parents:

My group is incredible. They are a mixed group from all over the US. They have more spirit, sass, and enthusiasm than I can explain. They can all count to 100 and say short sentences in Hebrew. I feel like we jumped into Israel feet first. After the kids started singing after the plane landed, they haven't stopped! Yesterday we went to Jaffo to see the historical entrance to our homeland and all the participants picked Hebrew names to be called on the whole trip. They are really embracing their heritage, religion, and Hebrew.

Our group name is Shakshuka, a famous Israeli/Arabic food. The group was challenged to make a song for our group. They split into small groups for the competition, you can watch the two final championship songs. The kids were absolutely amazing. We were blown away by the performances. Not only their excitement, but their use of Hebrew, and their references to Israeli cultural.

Group Shakshuka is definitely one of a kind and I am looking forward to our next few days in the Arava desert to really see them bound and continue to blossom.

Baby Eytan!

2011-06-14T03:37:00.000-05:00

Our wonderful Hungarian friends, Dina and Zoli, from ulpan, had a baby last month! They named him Eytan, and yesterday, I finally got to meet him! During the crazy June downpour Samantha and I went to their home for a visit!

Samantha, me and baby EYTAN!!

Mommy and Eytan

Masters of Middle East Studies from Ben Gurion University of the Negev

2011-06-14T02:24:00.000-05:00

On Sunday I traveled to Beer Sheva to go to my graduation ceremony. It was a beautiful night, not hot, and not too chilly. There was a main ceremony where they had a few speeches, and then gave out the diplomas to the highest GPAs. Then we went to a smaller departmental ceremony where I received my MASTERS degree!!!

Me in front of the sign for the humanities department.

Just got my diploma!

Me and Yishai!!Yay!! No more BGU!!

This is Avi, he lived in Northwest Indiana for a year as an Israeli liaison! We graduated from the same university in Israel at the same time! The world is so small =) Avi is going to The Paris School of Economics to get his Masters Degree! Good luck Avi, you'll do great!

Relli, me and Avi, my great professors!

Beeba!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beeba wrote a thesis, so she'll have to wait until next year for her ceremony!

Me and Roi, of course!! Just a few more years until we're sitting here again for his degree!

Up close! Check it out!!! =)

Farewell/birthday lunch

2011-06-11T13:50:00.000-05:00

David and Samantha and Shahar took me to lunch for my birthday and a small "farewell" since I will be leaving soon. We had a great time despite the food being less than wonderful. The view and company made up for it!

My housemates!!

Funny.

Happy dogs...crazy kid.

Samantha, looking spectacular as always!! If anyone needs a fashion consultant, let me know! She is the best and comes highly recommended!

Birthday happenings

2011-06-11T13:36:00.001-05:00

Since I will be in Prague on my real birthday, I decided to have a small get together with my close friends on Thursday in the park by our apartment. It was so lovely. All my friends made everything so special for me. Graziella made an incredible birthday cake that was 3 kilos of chocolate! Flavia made a mousse cake and cookies. Nicola made a lemon cake. Samantha made cupcakes and a pasta salad. My ulpan girl friend's got me a cute shirt from Zara. My downstairs neighbor gave me a scarf. And my ulpan teacher got me a cupcake sheet because she knows I love baking! Really, it was a perfect party.

Roi and me!!

All the food and cakes!!

I tried to carve 26 into the watermelon for my age. My mother has been doing this in the summer for parties. But she makes it look so beautiful and so easy! Well, let me tell you, it's NOT easy! and I wish my mother was here to help me! But I tried...

Ram, Flavia and me!

Samantha, my neighbors, and me!

Nicola, my favorite Russian girls, and me!!!

Roi, me, and Dima!! Dima is Roi's friend from the army, but now after knowing him for a year, he's my friend too! =)

Blowing out my candles!! and special thanks to Yishai for taking so many great pictures!

Me and Graziella and the AMAZING cake!!

My friends!!!!!!!!!!! =)

Thank you to everyone for coming and special thanks to Samantha for making the party possible. You are the best!!

BBQ!

2011-06-03T11:31:00.000-05:00

Our great friend Josh, from my Ulpan, finally had a BBQ last night! He had made a comment on the last day of class that he would like to have one at his home, and well, no one let him forget it! So finally, we all went to Kiryat Motzkin to try out his grilling skills! I think he passed the test with flying colors! The chicken was great and everyone devoured the kebabs!

Me, Diana, and Natasha!! I also look Russian, no??

Our class, minus a few!! Josh looked great in his apron!! Very professional!

I, of course, brought cookies!!

Roi and me!

2011-06-01T14:12:00.000-05:00

I love this guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Presentation

2011-06-01T09:19:00.002-05:00

Today I had to do a presentation in Ulpan. I prepared it on my trip to Sinai. Overall, it was interesting, but I didn't feel prepared to do it. Reading from the paper I was fine, but I wasn't ready to simply talk and tell the story.

In the end, of course, everything was fine. It's just Ulpan, not an interview, but I wish I had had just one more day to prepare, it would have made a big difference. Plus, tomorrow, we have our first quiz/test. Although, it truly doesn't matter because my last day is the 6th. But, like always, I want to do well for myself. =)

Mt. Sinai

2011-05-27T14:22:00.000-05:00

I rock.

All the other tourist on the mountain, but they rode up on camel! Cheaters!!!

Enjoying the view on Mt. Sinai!!

BEEBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was Beeba's first mountain hike, she was incredible!

Our first tea break!!

First glimpse of sun.

Our awesome hiking group!!

There are flowers in the Sinai

Just the beginning of the dawn.

Elijah's cave/area...

St. Catherine's Monastery

2011-05-27T13:40:00.000-05:00

In the gardens.

The view from our room, not too shabby.

Beeba with "her people" ;-)

The wasteland that is Sinai

One more view from the monastery.

Our DELICIOUS dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Into Sinai...

2011-05-27T13:26:00.000-05:00

Our driver had a little too much confidence on the roads to St. Catherine's. I would have preferred to take it a little slower, instead of hanging on in order to not flying out of my seat. The scenery is quite breathtaking, The first hour is only the Gulf of Aqaba and Saudi Arabia beyond that. But then you turn north to actually get to St. Catherine's, it becomes desolate and mountainous. On our way, I commented that it was so wonder the Israelites built a golden calf. If I was stuck in this waste land, I would also have a hard time holding on to my faith. It was quite a daunting view and I would wish on no one to be stuck there for forty years.

When we arrived at the monastery, I think we were all shocked by the beauty we were greeted with. The flower, garden filled monastery is surrounded by towering mountains, including Mt. Sinai, that we would climb the next morning. We were showed our rooms, relaxed outside had a tea/coffee and chatted with our new friends. Rupert and Sally are from Wakefield, England. He is a pastor and she seems to be a jack of all trades. There three children are in university or recently finished, they love to travel and hike. The bottom line is, they are beautiful people and Beeba and I couldn't have been more lucky to have bumped into them.

Beeba and I toured the part of the monastery that was open, the grounds and gardens. It was lovely and around sunset. We took a lot of pictures and ran into a group of Indians from Beeba's state. So she talked to them in their native language, which was awesome because I had never heard Beeba speak it before.

We raced back to have dinner, we were starving by then, only to find out there is a hour time change between Israel and Egypt, who knew? So we sat for an hour because we were served our huge dinners. Salad, fresh baked bread, babaganush, pasta and chicken! It was a great meal before our hike.

At 12:30 am, we woke, prepared, and met to start our hike at 1am. Another girl from NYC, Stephanie, had also joined us. We had a Bedouin guide to lead us blindly into the moon lit sky. And lit it was, we didn't even have to use our flashlights. The moon was so bright we could see all the rocks, boulders, and stairs in our way. We slowly progressed up the mountain, stopping for tea and snacks on the way. Around 3:30 am we made it to the last outpost before the final incline to the top (only about 3 minutes more). We waited there for the dawn to begin and for our sweat to dry so we wouldn't freeze at the summit.

As it began to lighten, we hiked up the last bit to the top. There is a church and a mosque, both securely locked. We saw other hikers who had come the night before the sleep at the top and a few other tourists/pilgrims who had come during the night like us.

Like all sunrises, it was beautiful and magically, but it wasn't so colorful. But a steady increase in light and then we saw the ball floating in the sky to the east. It really was majestic. The expanse of the desert mountains also came into view with the new light. Whether someone is religious or not, it felt like a holy place indeed. We explored the summit until our group were the only ones on the mountain. We took one last picture and Rupert said a beautiful pray about hoping that our faith will endure like this mountain, and then we slowly started our descent from the 2300 meter mountain.

Our the way down we took the way of Elijah's cave. There were 3000 stairs to descend, but we did so slowly and taking many pictures on our way. Breakfast we waiting for us when we arrived. I showered. And not much time after our devoted taxi driver was there to take us back to the border. We said our goodbyes to our new friends and sank into the seats that we had sat in less than 24 hours before. When we arrived at the border, the same border men were there to welcome us back, and the old man with one yell tooth reassured me that he still loved me...

And then, we were home, back in Israel. Where they made Beeba (and I) sit and wait for two hours. Thanks Israel, it was a nice welcome home. I hope every woman who works at the Taba Border Crossing is fired. Todah. =)

A Pigeon and a Boy

2011-05-27T11:20:00.000-05:00

Although I have an extraordinary amount of Hebrew homework to do, I read the last 100 pages of this book today. I don't ever remember crying after I finished a book, but after I flipped the back cover closed, more tears came. I don't know if I was sad at the ending, sad that the story had come to the end, or sad that there wasn't more for me to read. This is the fourth Israeli author I have read since I have moved to Israel. I really love him. His descriptions are poetic and I dove into everything is wanted to share with me. He made me laugh, smile, happy, sad, and cry. He made me look at my life and ponder and think if I am living it as fully as I should. Maybe I am exaggerating, and tomorrow I might forget his words or the way he made me feel when I was reading, but I hope that won't be the case.

Pictures from Petra

2011-05-24T21:13:00.001-05:00

Me, and the expanse that is Jordan.

Me with a nice little tree in Petra.

The famous treasury.

There are donkeys and camels everywhere. They want you to pay to ride them.

The awesome Beeba!!!!

The monastery.

Beeba and I exhausted after the stairs up to the monastery!

Bedouin family. There are 100s of Bedouins selling trinkets and donkey/camel rides all over Petra.

Goodbye camel.

Beeba and Andrea go to Jordan and Egypt!

2011-05-24T20:56:00.000-05:00

Finally, Beeba and I made it on our trip! We left Israel on Thursday and crossed the border into Jordan. We took a taxi to Petra (later we found out there was a bus from Aqaba, but live and learn.) We had a few stops along the way from our very hospitable driver for tea, an over look, etc. We finally made it to the Shahara Mountain hostel, which was clean, but lacked in water pressure. We ate dinner ate a restaurant down the road at a great place. I ate a half chicken. It was fabulous! We walked around Wadi Musa and went to bed early in order to rise early for our full day in Petra.

We walked down the huge slope that led into Petra. We were there before 9 in the morning and paid the outrageous entrance fee, almost 50 dollars. I'm not sure if you can put a price on something that is priceless, but it's hard to say if it was worth 50 dollars. Although, we did walk around the park for 10 hours, we had to make sure we got our money's worth.

Petra is quite beautiful. It was built out of single slabs of sand stone. And it's huge. Usually we just see one picture, but park is very expansive. There is a 2km walk to see the treasury, and it's about another hour and 30 minute walk (plus 750) stairs to see the monastery.

We left the park around 5pm, ate a wonderful lentil soup dinner at the same restaurant and went to buy some jewelery. Beeba bought a few presents for people, and we were on our way back to the hotel.

We must had been really worn out from our day in Petra, because I didn't hear the alarm go off. We slept until two minutes before our taxi was suppose to arrive. We were both quite flustered, but we managed and we reached the border a little after 9 in the morning. We took a taxi to the central station in Eilat and then a bus to the Taba boarder crossing. We crossed easily. But then we had to take a taxi to the monastery and they wanted to charge us a crazy amount, so we just waited. I refused to pay more than what the man at the monastery told us it would cost. We sat and waited for more than an hour until finally two wonderful people, Sally and Rupert, who we would become very close with in the next day, arrived. On the spot, they decided that they would also go to the monastery. So we were on our way...

To be cont... =)

The Monument to the Negev Brigade

2011-04-30T10:30:00.000-05:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monument_to_the_Negev_Brigade

Last weekend when I was in Beer Sheva, Roi, some friends, and I hiked up to the Negev Brigade Monument. I didn't think we would make it in time for the sunset, but we did and it was so beautiful!

Some nice shadows! =)

Roi holding the sun!

Me and Beeba!!!

Yes, we're cute =)

Easter

2011-04-30T08:55:00.000-05:00

For Easter I traveled to Jerusalem, the holiest Christian city. There were pilgrims from all over the world. And people from so many different sects of Christianity, it was really an impressive site.

This is the precession leading into the Church of the Holy Sepulchral.

Inside the church there were hundreds of people gathered around the place where Jesus was said to have risen.

Cardinal? I'm not sure.

There was lots of singing and beautiful music.

Catholic traditions/rituals.

So beautiful and moving. =)

My Easter outfit!

Eyes and other updates!

2011-04-30T06:08:00.000-05:00

My eyes are really a lot better. Not perfect yet, but I can really see. I don't feel like there is a "problem." Sometimes if I am tired things are a little blurry. But the doctor said it was normal, the vision would go up and down for a while until it would finally stabilize.

Also, I received my tickets for working this summer with NFTY! And the dates that I will be in the US. I am starting orientation June 14th, flying to Prague June 19th, (my birthday is June 20th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Fly back to Europe on June 26th from Warsaw. We'll be traveling Israel for 4 weeks and we'll return together (the kids and me) on July 25th! I will land in Chicago at 8:45pm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited!!!!!!!!!

I also have my graduation ceremony at Ben Gurion on June 12th! Since I was out of the country for my undergrad graduation, it will be nice to attend this one.

Not much else is happening. I will start another month of ulpan tomorrow. This is wonderful, I hope I will be more productive again. I have been lazy, and watching a lot of movies lately. Including the Royal Wedding yesterday! I didn't care about the wedding at all until yesterday, but when I was at the gym it was on the BBC. I walked at the gym for over 2 hours so I could watch it! I was soooo addicted! It was such a fairytale and truly beautiful. Way to go, Kate!

Happy Passover!

2011-04-18T03:16:00.000-05:00

I know I have been on a long hiatus from blogging, but I have a very good reason, I had LASIK (actually PRK) eye surgery to correct my vision. So I literally couldn't see. But the doctor said the surgery went really well and everything is progressing correctly. It's difficult because my eyes were so bad, so even if they improve right after the surgery, they are probably still worse than what most people have ever experienced. But I am really hoping that my eyes become perfect. The cells are regrowing correctly right now. It's weird and difficult in this in between stage, but I'm trying to be patient. Roi has been helping me every step of the way, I don't think I could have done it without him.

I am really hoping to have a full recovery by the beginning of May, one because I will take another month of ulpan and I want to be able to read and see the board, and two, a friend and I are going to Petra, in Jordan, and to climb Mt. Sinai in Egypt. We just want to make sure there aren't any more commandments there that got left behind. =)

I hope you have a wonderful Pesach/Passover holiday with your friends and family. I like Pesach because it always reminds me that I have only ever known freedom and I am so grateful for that. חג פסח שמח!! Happy Passover!

Ulpan trip to the north!!

2011-03-28T15:45:00.000-05:00

Our ulpan had one final trip last week to the north. We went to Tel Dal for a short hike, Tel Chai for some history, and then had a small "graduation" ceremony which was more a thanks to our teachers, and then a beautiful lunch in the Hula Valley.

This is at the Dubrovin Farm. Now it is a banquet hall. The food was delicious and the place was warm and cozy.

This is "Artzi" the Israeli nature preserve mascot. As you probably already know, I love him!!

The breathtaking north of Israel...

This is at Tel Chai to commemorate the soldiers that were killed here.

Purim!

2011-03-27T14:29:00.000-05:00

Purim in Israel is wonderful! It's just a huge party for a week! Lots of costumes and alcohol!! Here are some pictures of me from the week.

My ulpan class did a play for Purim, and as you can see, I was Haman. =)

Robert Kraft at Kraft Stadium

2011-03-21T16:20:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday, I refereed two football games. The first was a high school game (my first time to ref a HS game) and then the 3rd place game in the IFL. Robert Kraft came before the high school game with his wife, entourage and, the governor of Massachusetts.

It was all very exciting, except for the weather which was rain/snow/wind. I was miserable. But all for the love of the game...or something like that.

Lynne was in Israel!!

2011-03-21T16:01:00.000-05:00

Lynne came, and she went...but we had a great time together when she was here.

Here is just one picture, I know she doesn't like being all over the internet, but I can't skip documenting my great weekend with my wonderful aunt!

We spent most of our time together touring Jerusalem and shopping in the Old City. But they (Lynne and her wonderful friends) also came to Haifa to have lunch with me Haifa! And Lynne got to meet Roi and Roi got to meet Lynne which was a nice added bonus since I don't think they will get to meet this August when we will be in the states!

I love my Aunt Lynne! I was so happy to get to see her and can't wait until next time!

Lynne!

2011-03-07T10:41:00.001-06:00

My aunt will be in Israel on Wednesday! I haven't seen her in over three years. To be honest, I can't remember the last time I saw her. She lives in CA, so even when I go home, or she visits Chicago, we don't usually overlap!

I am so excited to see her!

Weather!!

2011-03-05T01:56:00.000-06:00

Now that the weather is finally warming up a bit, it's easier to remember why I like Israel. It is 75 here in the day and there are beaches everywhere. It is still snowing and freezing cold in Indiana. Some of the ladies from my class and I went to Hof HaCarmel (a beach) in Haifa and had a little picnic and relaxed. It was a wonderful afternoon. An hour or so later another woman from our class came with her two little kids, and it was even better because who doesn't love to play with cute adorable children!

Ali, me, Natasha, Diana, and Nicola! (I know it looks like we're just at a park because of the grass, but the beach is to the left, I promise, there was just some grassy area)

I am ready for the summer, pretty obvious, no? =)

I don't think you can get much closer to perfect!!

2011-02-21T08:32:00.002-06:00

My two favorite boys and my two favorite Packers fans!!! (Almost twins!!)

Ode to Paula

2011-02-20T08:34:00.000-06:00

This is my beautiful mom working on some ceramic project. (I like how she is looking over the top of her glasses.)

My mom is ridiculously awesome. As noted previously in this blog she was awarded Indiana's Art Teacher of the Year! Now...after many years of applying for the Lilly Endowment, my mom WON!!!!!!!! She applied to go to the Galapagos Islands, off of Ecuador to take pictures of the endangered species and to showcase them in the school. She is going to show how one can use photography to draw awareness and save (animal) life. My mom has been obsessed with the Galapagos since before I can remember. She would tell me about the crazy (cool) birds that live there and about Darwin's studies. My mom is not a science person, so it was pretty interesting to hear her go on and on about something so "academic" since she is such an "artsy" person.

Not only am I proud of her for achieving her goal and dream, but I am proud of her for never giving up. The Lilly Endowment told her no for many years, but she kept applying. My mom always told me if I wanted something badly enough, people will help you. You can always find help to achieve your goals, there is no reason you have to achieve them alone.

She is my hero and role model. Way to go, Mom! You are one of a kind.

Chili

2011-02-19T12:44:00.000-06:00

Roi came yesterday to Haifa because he finished all the exams and he had a weekend break. (And he did great on the exams! Thank goodness!! =) It was a beautiful weekend, really sunny and warm! We throw the football around and we read to pages of Bridget Jone's Diary in Hebrew. It is still funny, but Roi would read ahead and laugh! And I didn't think that was very fair!!! ;-) But it's great practice and I like to read something entertaining.

Then, I made CHILI!!! with chicken! I was scared because I didn't actually know what I was doing, but it worked out great and tasted delicious!! Roi loved it too, which was really important because he doesn't love really hot spices like I do!

Today we went to the gym. I walked/ran for 60 minutes and then did weights for almost another hour. Then we went to the pool and jacuzzi and sauna, but it was so hot I stayed for 3 minutes at the most before I had to leave.

I have lost 4 kilos since I started going to the gym. I was to lose 6 more kilos. It's a good and realistic goal for me! Good thing I only go to Max Brenner on very special occasions!

Roi Update!

2011-02-19T12:15:00.000-06:00

Last time I wrote was before Roi's trip to the embassy! Everything went very well and they said they would send the visa in a week to 10 days, which is AWESOME! and which means Roi will be in America in August!!

After the embassy, I surprised Roi by taking him to Max Brenner. You can check out the chocolaty website if you don't know what it is. But really, going there is a really fun experience, you can smell the chocolate before you even get inside! Needless to say, we had a wonderfully delightful chocolaty time...here are a few pictures to prove it!

Waffles with ice cream and toffee bananas on the side! The little vat on the side is also extra chocolate in case you don't already have enough!

Roi would rather be eating than posing for this picture!

After all the chocolate, Roi was very grateful for my surprise!

Been busy...I guess

2011-02-14T12:36:00.000-06:00

The Super Bowl was great, obviously, because the Packers won. =) Also, because Roi came to Haifa to watch the game with me! We had dinner and fruit salad and watched the game in my room. It was fun.

Then I was in Beer Sheva to referee a game.

There was a big fight in the game, it was pretty exciting. I didn't try to break it up, I just watched. Sometimes I think the players forget that they are playing football.......in.....Israel.......

Anyway, then it was back to Haifa for Ulpan. Really, the Ulpan is going to end too soon and I feel like I'm not close to where I should, need, or want to be in the language...we'll see if I ever get there.

Today is Valentine's Day! I hope everyone had a love filled day! I will see my Valentine on Wednesday for an interview at the embassy so he can come to America in August!! Keep your fingers crossed everything goes well!

Go Packers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-02-06T07:43:00.001-06:00

I am excited!!!!!!!!!!

Snow in the Midwest!

2011-02-01T10:09:00.000-06:00

My dad sent me a really funny email that he wrote about the snow and I want to share it! I hope he won't be mad because my dad is a great writer, but he doesn't always share his talent as much as he should! I love my dad!!

Enjoy:

"I am sure you know that I hate being sick. Just like you, there is too much to do to waste being sick. My nose is running a marathon. My chest is rumbling like a freight train through down town Chesterton.   My cough is dry and raspy. I am slathered and lathered up tonight with Vick's Vapor Rub!!!! (a romantic smell if there ever was one) My back is like two pieces of sandpaper grinding against each other. My blood pressure is higher than the John Hancock Building (I refuse to say Willis Tower) . My right thumb hurts every time I hit the space key. Luckily, my pal-inter facetious is ok. When Paula got home tonight I managed to make a piece of salmon for dinner. Then I slept from 6:00 to 10:00 tonight until Paula was going to bed and I woke up and wanted to write to you.

We are supposed to get a record snowfall over the next 3 days. It may be bigger than the 1967 storm when I was a young. Then, we missed an entire week of school. (NO!!!!!! I DON'T WANT ANY MORE SNOW DAYS THIS YEAR) It has started already to snow tonight and is not expected to reach it's peak until tomorrow night (Tuesday) with 60 mile an hour winds and 30 inches of snow. Drifts are expected to be over 8 feet in some places. We may get 3 inches of snow per hour tomorrow night (Tuesday). Isn't that just the most wonderful news you have had in a long time? The guy at the gas station, when I bought gas for the snow blower, said that he has never seen it so busy (so isn't this good for the economy?) He was griping about selling so much. DUH!!!!! Gas is going up because of the unrest in Egypt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Don't get me started on that.

My friend Chris and I had to fix a leak in the pipes in the garage last Friday. Fortunately it was just a bad gasket in the shut off valve. We also replace two hoses while we were working in the sink. But, now the line to my hot water line to my bathroom is frozen because of this storm. I had to put the heater in the garage tonight in hope to hope to thaw it. Oh, whoa is me!!!   What else can go wrong?

But,

still,

The Green Bay Packers are in the Super Bowl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Nothing

2011-01-31T09:54:00.000-06:00

Nothing was wrong in the blood test, maybe it's just a really bad head cold...as for my stomach..I have no idea. But I did sleep until 4pm today =)

Still...

2011-01-30T06:15:00.000-06:00

So even though I was feeling better...I'm still sick. No more diarrhea though. But I have a sore throat, my whole head hurts. And I am having really bad sweats at night.

I went to a different doctor this time, she is MUCH better. I am going to get a blood test tomorrow and some other things coming up to get to the bottom of whatever this is. I'm very happy I switched doctors, this other guy was really worthless.

Hopefully I will be back to normal soon! =)

Israeli Doctors

2011-01-25T10:30:00.000-06:00

I went to the doctor today in Haifa because I have had diarrhea for four days (thanks for sharing, I know) and he told me not to eat...I was like, you're brilliant.

Bahai - more

2011-01-18T12:34:00.001-06:00

The Bahá'í Faith is the youngest of the world's independent religions. Its founder, Bahá'u'lláh (1817-1892), is regarded by Bahá'ís as the most recent in the line of Messengers of God that stretches back beyond recorded time and that includes Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Krishna, Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad.

Beautiful sculpture in the garden.

The central theme of Bahá'u'lláh's message is that humanity is one single race and that the day has come for its unification in one global society. God, Bahá'u'lláh said, has set in motion historical forces that are breaking down traditional barriers of race, class, creed, and nation and that will, in time, give birth to a universal civilization. The principal challenge facing the peoples of the earth is to accept the fact of their oneness and to assist the processes of unification.

One of the purposes of the Bahá'í Faith is to help make this possible. A worldwide community of some five million Bahá'ís, representative of most of the nations, races and cultures on earth, is working to give Bahá'u'lláh's teachings practical effect. Their experience will be a source of encouragement to all who share their vision of humanity as one global family and the earth as one homeland.

Entrance.

http://www.bahai.org/ - all information is from this website

After 6 years...

2011-01-18T12:29:00.003-06:00

After six years of anticipation, I finally went into the Shrine of the Bab. When I was 19 and on my Birthright trip, I went to the Bahai gardens, but no one had told us to wear pants or a skirt, so I couldn't go in. But TODAY I went!! The inner gardens are just as beautiful as the upper and lower.

This is the view from right in front of the shrine...not too shabby!

Basic Teachings of Bahá'u'lláh

Bahá'u'lláh taught that there is one God whose successive revelations of His will to humanity have been the chief civilizing force in history. The agents of this process have been the Divine Messengers whom people have seen chiefly as the founders of separate religious systems but whose common purpose has been to bring the human race to spiritual and moral maturity.

Humanity is now coming of age. It is this that makes possible the unification of the human family and the building of a peaceful, global society. Among the principles which the Bahá'í Faith promotes as vital to the achievement of this goal are

the abandonment of all forms of prejudice
assurance to women of full equality of opportunity with men
recognition of the unity and relativity of religious truth
the elimination of extremes of poverty and wealth
the realization of universal education
the responsibility of each person to independently search for truth
the establishment of a global commonwealth of nations
recognition that true religion is in harmony with reason and the pursuit of scientific knowledge

The door outside the shrine.

The inside of the shrine is very plain. There are two rooms, an outer room to pray, and the inner room where he is actually buried. There are beautiful chandeliers and other adornments, but none of them are religious symbols. There is also a prayer of visitation that Bahai recite when they visit the second holiest place in their religion. There were also huge vases with hundreds of roses, red and white, but not mixed. Simply, elegant, and beautiful.

Not the best picture I have taken of myself, but I wanted to prove I was there!

http://info.bahai.org/bahaullah-basic-teachings.html - all information is from this website

A long vacation

2011-01-17T13:33:00.000-06:00

I actually didn't take a vacation, I just haven't written anything in quite sometime. There is no particular reason for this, I wasn't any more or less busy than usual, I just haven't reported much. So here are a few updates:

Over the weekend I went to Beer Sheva to see Roi! On Saturday he turned 25!!!!!!!!!!!! Feel free to wish him a belated happy birthday! I got him an awesome camping/hiking backpack because I am slowly turning him into a traveler! He is going to go all over the world with me. I told him he needs a big backpack because he will be carrying most of the heavy things! ;-) We didn't do so much on his birthday because he had a big test the next day, but it was still nice to be together and relax!

My parents got Roi a cubs jersey for Christmas!!!!!!! He looked awesome!!!!!! He's becoming so American already!!

That night I refereed a football game in Sderot, it is less than 6 miles from Gaza and we were instructed that if a siren rang we had 15 seconds to run to the safe houses, if nothing happened, the game would resume at the previous down. I was glad that they told us that last bit, because if there was a kasam, I certainly wouldn't care about which down we stopped at!

Also, speaking of football, can you believe the Bears are playing the Packers?!??!!!!!!!!! My parents are throwing a party! I wish I was there for the festivities. Of course, I want the Packers to win!!!!!!!!!!

Ulpan is going well. Our teacher gave us "report cards" this week. Mine was very good, a little high in my opinion. She said I understand everything perfectly, and I would tend to disagree. She also said that my writing is much better than my speaking, which I have to agree with. Speaking is not my strong suit. She asked if it was the same with English, if my writing was stronger than my speaking, I told her no, I was wonderful at speaking English!

On January 10th, I went to Jerusalem for my interview at Pardes for the Pardes Educator's Program (PEP). I was unofficially accepted! I will start in September and study there, in Jerusalem, for three years! It'll be the longest I have lived in the same city since Muncie!!!!!!! I hope there are more things to do in Jerusalem! ;-) The program will teach me all sorts of Jewish studies and train me to teach in a Jewish Day School in the US.

The absolute WORST part about living in Israel is being so far from Jack! I really have a hard time being away from him. He is growing so fast and I will never be able to see him at this stage in his life. A lot of my free time I spend watching him on YouTube, so thank you Katie and Rick for keeping me updated! He is crawling now and starting to talk. It is really killing me to not be there with him. (I also miss my family, I feel like I can't call my sister and parents enough.) August can't come soon enough!

Who knew Israel had so much water?

2011-01-03T12:22:00.000-06:00

Julia, Jonah, Simon, and Rebecca in the preserve.

Kind of looks like home in the dunes.

Water? Israel?

I had a wonderful two and a half days with the Johnson's. What an incredible family! Can't wait to see them in August in Chicago. And of course, Happy New Year! 2011 and a lot more adventures!

In the Ahula Valley to see the birds!

2011-01-03T12:18:00.001-06:00

http://www.goisrael.com/Tourism_Eng/Tourist+Information/Discover+Israel/Geographic+Regions/The+Hula+Valley.htm

I love Israel's nature preserves' mascot!

Breathe taking

This too....

Tens of thousands of birds migrate from Europe to Africa and back. They stop here at the Ahula Valley.

Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth

2011-01-03T12:12:00.000-06:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Annunciation

Outside of the church

The grotto

Upstairs

Me and Mary!

New Year's Eve Sunset

2011-01-03T12:10:00.000-06:00

Rosh HaNikra

2011-01-03T12:06:00.000-06:00

This place was beautiful: http://www.rosh-hanikra.com/default.asp?lan=eng

On the funicular

Daniel and Julia!!!

There is an old railroad tunnel here that was built by the British/Australians/New Zealanders. It was suppose to go from Tripoli to Beruit.

Some wildlife.

2011-01-03T12:01:00.001-06:00

lots of armor on this little guy

This is where we hiked.

Small hike in the north

2011-01-03T11:58:00.001-06:00

Shalom cow!

Recebba, Jonah, and me!

Our group on the mountain! I used my camera timer, that's why it's not perfect!

My cousin Daniel and some goats!

With the Johnson's!!

2011-01-03T11:54:00.000-06:00

We ate falafel!!!!!!! Simon loves it!! This is the first time I met Rebecca, Jonah's girlfriend, she is delightful and has a wonderful vocabulary! She's really fun.

Akko at night. Gorgeous.

We had a wonderful fish dinner and a bottle of wine! ;-)

Inside the citadel.

The Johnson's came to Israel and I was lucky enough to spend a weekend with them in the north! I love them. They are so warm, giving, accepting, smart and funny! It was a great time!

Soup/ratatouille

2010-12-29T09:04:00.000-06:00

This is the soup/ratatouille I made last week. It's nice. Samantha and I shared this big pot and it lasted us over a week!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-27T14:18:00.002-06:00

Roi and me on Christmas night before we went shopping for presents at BIG! He is wearing the sweater I bought him last March (finally) and he looked sooo handsome!

My family at the Indiana Dunes beach on Christmas! You can see Chicago in the background! They all look wonderful, especially Jack! His first Christmas at the beach!!!!! I miss my family so much, but even more on holidays!