Ulpan trip to the north!!

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!

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

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!!

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!

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!!

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? =)