The old city

*FROM 10/7*


Like yesterday, this morning we got up at 7, the difference was that when we left today we wouldn’t be back until Saturday night. At 8 we were all standing outside, waiting for the bus but it never came. It was broken and we ended up waiting 3 hours for our tiyul to start (but you know we were perfectly fine with that- you can only take so much Jewish history in one day) Anyway, we spent the day in the old city learning about the 2nd temple period. We visited some Sadducees (the rich people) homes and questioned whether they were more Jewish or Roman. We also learned about what a pilgrim had to do to complete a sacrifice. At the end of the tiyul we learned about the destruction of the 2nd temple and how it basically ended Jerusalem (for the time being). Then we got on the bus and headed south b/c we are hiking Masada in the morning. Around 6:45ish we got to the Ein Gedi Youth Hostel. We got our roommates, relaxed for awhile (if you are me that means studied), ate dinner, and went to bed.

This morning we also started a game of assassin. I had to kill Yael which was really easy b/c we said we would be eachother’s protectors. I came close to killing my next person but ended up not being able to b/c there were too many people around. Then right after dinner, before announcements, when I was sitting in my room my friends devised a plan and well I was killed. But on the plus side I don’t have to walk around with supervision anymore ☺

Mission Accomplished

This morning we woke up at 7 because we had a tiyul. It was to my dream destination (on this trip- other than Poland). AKA the Israel Museum, home of the Ahava sculpture. We learned about the 2nd temple period, the 4 sects of jews during the time, and the dead sea scrolls. And are continuing this lesson tomorrow and over the weekend when we go to the old city and Masada (so I wont have internet until Saturday night when we get back). While we were at the museum we obviously also had to go see the Ahava sculpture and take pictures with it (after 3 years of waiting since my bat-mitzvah when I got my necklace replica of it I finally got to see it up close! Mission Accomplished!). After our tiyul we went back to Tzuba for general studies. (I also had a 2-minute call with to mom to hear about her private jet experience- it made me jealous) After general studies, during my free period, I took a practice SAT2 U.S History test and did better than I did on my diagnostic! (WooHoo). Then I went to dinner, announcements, and SAT English prep. Then I had to go pack my bag for this weekend and attempt to get some homework done (and I skipped movie night to do so ☹) Now I am going to bed. I will post again when I get back.

Good news, tasty treats, exercise and years of lies

This morning was a regular wake up. During Hebrew we took a test and then learned the infinitive tense. One of the other classes made chocolate balls and brought them to everyone, which was nice. Especially b/c I love chocolate balls! They were always my favorite thing to make at camp. Then I went to Jewish history and we learned about the Maccabees and Hanukkah. I learned that the oil story is not the real reason we celebrate Hanukkah and that for 16 years I have been lied to! Then during my lunch period, after I ate and did my Hebrew homework, I went to go talk to our assistant principal, David Solomon, about my econ. Issue. He offered to teach me everything my teacher wont be able to and starting Sunday I meet with him twice a week during my free period (6th). Then I went about my regular classes, free period, and dinner. At announcements we learned that next weekend we are going to stay with the Israeli teens (so of course Yael and I are excited to stay with Shiri again!). We also were told our schedule for this weekend (I wont have my computer b/c we are going to Masada). After announcements I borrowed Hadas’s (one of our counselors) jump rope. I was really excited to actually do a little bit of exercise on the Kibbutz. So for about a half hour I jumped rope and did some jumping jacks. Then I went back to do doing homework and such. Now I still have to finish an English essay and do some SAT2 studying! So much to do and soooo little time!

Studying is all we do

This morning we had to get up at 6:30 b/c at 7 we had morning services (the only good part was that we got hot chocolate). Then we had breakfast, Hebrew, and Jewish studies as usual. In Hebrew we reviewed for our test and in Jewish History we learned about Hellenism and how it affected the Jews. Then I went to lunch and my regular classes (minus math b/c my teacher wasn’t here). So I had an extra hour to do homework, which was nice. I went to dinner early with one of my roommates b/c we both had the period off and then did more homework until announcements. We were supposed to have a program after announcements but we all complained b/c of early wake up and a lot of homework so they canceled it. Which is good cause I had a lot to do. Normally I would post this later but the Internet doesn’t work well at night so I am going to take advantage of it currently working. But so you are aware still tonight I have to go lock classrooms, study for the SAT2s and my Hebrew test. Sounds like fun I know.

welcome back to stress

*FROM 10/3*

Ugh today was stressful! I had to wake up a few minutes early so that I could wake everyone up. Then I had to get ready and I went to breakfast. Then I had Hebrew and we were told we have a test on Tuesday but no one remembers anything and we learned 50 new words we need to know for the test in class today. I am not going to be ready! Then we had Jewish History, which was fine. We got our test backs (I got a 99%) and started learning about the 2nd temple. Then I went to lunch and prepared myself for general studies. They ended up being horrible! In econ. Mandy and I informed our teacher that our classes are different and that we each have to cover a different amount of information. At her school the class is a full year but at Whitman it is only a semester and when I told my teacher that and showed him my syllabus (which he had previously and you would think he would have read through) he said there was no way I would be able to cover everything. Then he started going over stuff we know and are tired if hearing about. Then I went to physics, which was boring as usual, English in which we started doing practice tests for the AP, and math in which we started learning about derivatives. Then I skyped with Hannah, went to dinner, and started homework. But at 7:30 I had to go to announcements which I thought would only be 10 min. long but ended up being 40 min. Finally at 8:15 I took my SAT2 math level 2 practice test, I couldn’t remember a thing! When I was done with that I went to my room to skype with mom but the Internet didn’t want to be my friend so I had to go outside. We skyped for a half hour (til 10) and then I had to go to homework. At 10:30 I had to go lock classrooms but what do you know they counselors weren’t ready so we waited for 15 min. I was not happy, I have so much homework and studying and locking classrooms and being delayed was not part of my plan. After locking classrooms I went back to my room, showered, and worked on more homework. Now I am writing this and am then going to do a little U.S. history SAT2 studying. I am also going to try and post this but the internet still isn’t working so I am sorry that it isn’t posted on time.

PJ Day

After passing out way before curfew last night I slept until about 9:45 this morning and still had an hour and a half until services. At 10:30 I had to go around to my assigned rooms and make sure everyone was up (they were) and then I read some of my English book. At 11 we had services and then we went straight to lunch. After lunch we had free time until 6:15! SO I put on my Pjs, fluffy socks, and a sweatshirt and was a loner for a good 5 hours. During which I finished my English book, designed the east clothing for the year, skyped with Sara, skyped with Naomi, talked with various other people, attempted to watch glee (but it failed), relaxed, got ready for tonight, and started studying for the SAT2s. At 6:15 we all met up for havdalah and then had dinner. At 7:20 those of us who wanted to go to the mall met and got on the bus. We had about an hour and a half at the mall. So my friend, Kendra, and I went to aroma (she got ice coffee and I got hot chocolate) and then we met up with Yael and went on a search for a white sweater for Kendra. But our search failed and ended with me getting a small ice cream, Kendra getting croc slippers, and yael getting school supplies. We also spent a little time playing around in office depo. Then we got back on the bus and went back to Tzuba. When we got back I had to go clean and check classrooms b/c it is part of my job for the week. Then I went back to my room and write this. Now I am going to shower, study a bit for the SAT2s and go to bed. Goodnight.

mitzvahs and money

This morning I woke up at 7 and got ready. At 7:30 I made sure everyone was up and went to breakfast. After breakfast we all got on the bus and went to a Mitzvah project in southwest Jerusalem. We built a path in a park and learned a little about the area. After the project we went to a small shopping area b/c a lot of us were hungry and needed to get money from the ATM. I took out money and then bought a snack. After our short break we got on the bus and went back to tzuba. When we got back we had lunch and then free time until 1 when we were meeting to get our grade reports. Then we had until 4:30 when we had to be on the bus and dressed for services. For Shabbat services we went to the Israeli Reform synagogue in Jerusalem. Services were fun and went buy pretty quickly. Plus we knew most of the tunes they used fro the prayers. After services we had free time until 8 (which is when dinner was). After dinner we had free time. So I decided to read some of my English book. But I am so tired that I cant keep my eyes open and even though curfew isn’t for another 2 hours I am going to bed.