The last two months have been a fantastic learning experience. While I've lived in graduate housing, this is the second time I've been in a "real" apartment, and the second time that has been in Israel. Thank Gd, this experience is a heck of a lot better than the last time. In the last two months I have not left Jerusalem much, but I have gotten into a routine of school, sleep, west wing, and occasional eating and exercising (if you don't count the twice daily walk up Schechter's mountain). I probably should work on the latter two more!
This week has many exciting possibilities:
1) My fiancee is almost on a plane to the Holy Land. While I have done ok in this country, it will be wonderful to have my love at my side, exploring together.
2) I'm hopefully having more voice lessons this week.
3) My fiancee is coming tomorrow!
4) I may get confirmation to begin my volunteer project.
5) My fiancee and I will explore this wonderful country--trying to get under Israel's skin and see all of its glory (and less beautiful parts, too).
6) She's coming here in less than 12 hours.
Note: for those outside Israel, there is much more to this country than concrete. It is full of greenery, life, color, children, adults, etc. In very few areas have I seen barbed wire--I see more in New York City! It is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. [While at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the BFL leadership conference, we heard a lecture about how those outside of Israel view the country. In focus groups around America and Europe, most non-Jews thought that Israel was concrete/barbed wire. In virtually all cases, the participants in the focus groups did not mention any colors when describing Israel (as opposed to many colors when describing other countries). To help demonstrate my point, I'm attaching some of Israel's greenery. It is fascinating to see forests on one side of a mountain and deserts on another--and yet to see green even in the desert!
With that pithy post, I conclude. I need to clean a little more and then sleep!
1 comment:
It's interesting how people developed that perspective on Israel.
It's not the DMZ separating the Koreas. Or East versus West Germany.
Thomas Friedman does a great job explaining how that came to be in "From Beirut to Jerusalem." Which I think I've mentioned before. But it's a great book.
Love you! Send my love to Beccale.
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