Microwaved Pie

This morning was stressful. During Hebrew we had a test on the infinitive tense, which wasn’t hard, but the entire time I was thinking about the Jewish history test I had to take next period. During Hebrew we also did a questionnaire about food in the market so we took a field trip to the market. While we were there my friends and I started talking about how we were really going to miss thanksgiving. Then all of a sudden we saw piecrust and pie filling! So Yael, Sydney and I decided as way to celebrate completing a Jewish history test we would make pie for dessert. The Jewish history test ended up not being too hard and I finished with about an hour to spare. So I was able to go to lunch early and have some free time. After we ate lunch, Yael and I went to buy our supplies for dessert. Which were piecrust, blueberry filling, and vanilla ice cream. Everyone we saw from EIE thought we were stupid but we had a feeling it would be ok. Then I went to my general studies classes. I was sooo tired and it was hard to concentrate but I made it through. We got tests back in physics and I got a 95%. In english we had a reading day and I got to start legends of our time by elie wiesel so I was really happy. Then I found out that my class with David was canceled and rescheduled for Sunday, which made me even happier b/c I was really tired. During 6th Yael and I started packing for this weekend, went to dinner early, and then attempted to continue packing. Then we all met in the Belmont for a program. When the program was over yael, Sydney and I made our pie/clobber dessert. It was actually really good. We each took a cup and put piecrust in it and then blueberry filling. Then we put it in the microwave for a minute or 2. When we took it out it was perfectly warm and we put vanilla ice cream on it. It was delicious! Even the few other people who tried said so! Then I helped my friends by summarizing the Jewish history essay reading and cleaned my room. And now I am going to bed.

Roommate bonding cram sessions/Happy Birthday Dani!

This morning was very frantic. I had to get up, get ready, eat, and go take the PSAT! (it wasn’t as fun as taking it with my friends in homeroom). The test went fine and was a lot easier than years past. Right after we finished the test we had about 10 min to get our stuff and get on the bus to go meet everyone at the Tiyul. When I got to my class I was really confused and had no idea what was really going on. All I knew was that they were learning about Christianity. But eventually I caught up. We visited a church and finished notes and then went to an ice cream/ chocolate place. After everyone had had a snack we got on the bus and went back to Tzuba. I went straight to lunch and then copies my friend’s notes from the part of the Tiyul I missed and studied for my physics test. Then I went to classes. Which were normal. I had 6th completely off today which was nice b/c I got to go dinner early, when it was quiet in the hadar. Then I had a half hour to do some work. At announcements they told us that our tzedkah project for Friday is canceled so we can all have time to write our Jewish history papers (which we are all very happy about). Then I went to study and do homework. Our madrachim also invited us to their room for a study break snack so I went and hung out with them for a bit. Then the best part of my day happened. I got to talk to Dani for the first time in 3 months! It was great and I loved being able to catch up with her and hear how she is doing. Then I went back to studying. At rooms in my roommates and I had a bonding/ cram sesh for our Jewish History test tomorrow. Now since it is late I am going to bed.

Lots of test prep

This morning we woke up at regular time even though we had a full day tiyul. Instead of leaving right away, we had Hebrew class first, but it ended a little early. Then we left for our tiyul. We learned about the bar kochva revolt and got to climb in a cave! Then we had a picnic lunch and got on the bus to go to our 2nd destination of the day. Our 2nd site was a Roman amphitheatre. We learned a little about rabbi akiva and why the Jews would go to watch the gladiators even if the rabbis said they shouldn’t (they went so that when the ruler made a decision on whose life to end (if a jew was fighting) and based it off the people the jews could all vote no). To end the tiyul we played a game between all the classes (which class could steal the most hats off peoples heads) and we ran around in the amphitheatre. We also had a quick service before we got on the bus. When we got back to Tzuba we had about an hour of free time and then I had to go fill out forms for the PSAT (gross). Then we went to the meeting that everyone else was at (it was about how each of us have to make an "ad" about why we picked eie, how it is going, why people should come, and have to include a picture of us since we have been here)and dinner. After dinner I had a little free time and then had Math SAT prep. It wasn’t too bad and the stuff I went over with Noa yesterday was really helpful. Then I showered and did some homework but I want to go to bed early so that I can have enough energy for the PSAT tomorrow.

i'm not really sure what to call this one

*FROM 10/11*

Hey there, last night I had so much to do that I possible may have forgotten to write this. However I woke up in a panic. But don’t worry I will write in past tense…
Today we had another regular day of school (☺). Well, kinda. We had early wake up b/c we had morning services (not ☺). Right after services we had breakfast and then started classes. In Hebrew we learned the 4th infinitive tense and finished learning colors. Then we had a coloring session (it made me happy). Jewish History was really different today. Starting today and on every Monday from now on, Ariella has school, so we have a teacher named David (he teaches general studies in the fall but in the spring and summer he teaches Jewish History). We also had student teachers who will be with us on Mondays from now on come sit in on class. And guess what! One of our student teachers is from Potomac (but they left before I had a chance to talk to her)! During my lunch period, after I ate, I edited my English essay and sent it in (yay! I am finally done with the Age of Innocence!) . Then I went to all my classes. They were fine like normal. I didn’t have an extra econ. period today so during 6th I had my first SAT2 Math level 2 tutoring session with out madrachic (counselor) noa (she goes to brown). She was really helpful. We got through about half a test and then it was time for dinner. After dinner and announcements (we got happy news that our evening program on wed. had been moved to thurs. so that we can study for jewish history!) I finished the practice test and went to study hall to go over the answers with Noa. I actually didn’t fail! WooHoo! Then I went back to my room and did some homework, studying, and such and went to bed.

Do we ever get time to work?

After many days of odd schedules we finally had a full day of school. For the last time I had to wake everyone up. Then as usual we had breakfast, Hebrew, and Jewish History. Breakfast was ok but the market hasn’t restocked their supply of multi. Grain cheerios so I haven’t been able to have my good breakfast. In Hebrew we continued learning the infinitive tense and started learning colors. In Jewish history we learned about what happened to Judaism after the 2nd temple and Zealots were destroyed and taken over. Then I had lunch and my general studies classes. They were all fine. Today I also had my first one on one tutoring session with David Solomon for AP Mircoecon. It went well and because we don’t have too much to cover I don’t have to have class everyday. He also makes things really easy to understand and we actually use the book which is nice. After that I had dinner and then announcements. During announcements they informed us that we have a program on wed. night, even though we have a jewish history test on Thursday, an essay to write for jewish history, many of us (including me have other tests on Thursday), and a lot of us are taking the PSAT that morning and will be tired. Plus this weekend we are going away and wont have time for homework. We never get time off and a lot of us are starting to get really annoyed by the fact that we always have to cram, stay up late, and overall don’t have enough time. After announcements, I spent all the time up until right now doing homework and once I am finished posting this I will be going back to homework and SAT2 prep. Yay! Isn’t junior year just so much fun!

2 much 2 do

Since today was Saturday we got to sleep in. My roommates and I woke up at around 9 to go to breakfast before services (but breakfast sucked). After services we had lunch and then the kids who were going on the optional tiyul left. I was one of the 6 kids who decided to stay back because I had a lot of work to do (2 essays and 2 SAT2s to study for). I was able to get a lot done during my time off and then packed and took a short nap before our stuff had to be on the bus at 5:45. After our stuff was on the bus we went to dinner, I talked to mom; we had havdalah, and then got on the bus to head back to Tzuba. We got back at around 8:30. So I typed this up. Now I am going to shower, type up my English essay and hopefully skype, and then go to bed. Oh how I love days when I can just relax and get work done.

Milk, Masada, and Mud

*FROM 10/8*

We had to wake up at 3:15 this morning. At 3:45 we had breakfast, which for me involved 4 cups of milk. By 5ish we were hiking the snake path up Masada. I was fine for about ten minutes and then I started to feel dizzy and like I was going to faint. I had some water but it didn’t help much. I soon realized that milk and early morning hikes do not work well together! The rest of the hike up was fine I just had to go slow. Not too many people made it to the top for sunrise b/c we left the hostel to late but I watched it from about 2/3 of the way up. Once everyone got to the top we had services and then about 3 and a half hours of Jewish History class. We finished learning about King Hered (whose winter house was Masada) and then learned about the Zealots who lived there and how they dealt with the Roman invasion (they all killed themselves and their families so the Romans wouldn’t have the satisfaction). While we were up there we had a snack of dried fruits and nuts (not only b/c they were easy to feed us but because there had been 29 storage rooms up there once upon a time for during fruits, and storing nuts, oils, and wines). Right before we hiked back down, Ariella (our teacher) took us to an area where when you yell at the top of your lungs you can here an echo. Se we had a nice class bonding experience and screamed the name of our class, nfty EIE, etc. Then we walked back down Masada. When we got down we had some free time and then got on the bus headed towards the Dead Sea. Once we got there we had lunch, changed (in a corner with towels b/c none of us wanted to pay for the bathroom), and then had time to go float. Before we got in the water we all put mud on (mud EIE had to buy for us b/c apparently we went to the one part of the dead sea where mud isn’t free). After the mud dried we got in the water. It was really cool to just float and it didn’t sting til about 2 minutes after being in the water (but when it started to sting it hurt!). But I powered through the pain and had fun until right as I was getting out I got water in my eye and couldn’t see where I was going. So I sat there awkwardly for a few minutes until someone brought me a towel to wipe my eye. Then I rinsed off and tanned for a few minutes to dry off. After that we got on the bus and after 2 min. were back in our rooms. Luckily I called first shower. After my shower I was going to do work but feel asleep instead. When I got up I got ready for services and did a little work. Then we had Friday night services (which Yael lead and were the best we have had since we have been here) and then went to dinner (which was yummy). Then we had an hour until oneg so I did some homework. Oneg tonight was really relaxing and fun but afterwards I was ready to sleep. SO I did.