Tuesday, November 30, 2010
I went to Jail today...
This morning we had a tiyul to Jail. I know that sounds scary but actually it is a museum that was a jail during the big waves of Aliyah and the War of Independence. We learned about prison life and Arab Jew conflicts that took place during the time b/c of wanting to make Palestine a Jewish state. We also learned about different resistance groups. I also used my new camera for the first time! (woohoo!) After being prisoners all morning we went back to Tzuba for general studies. They were nothing special. Then we had dinner and announcements and contrary to popular belief no SAT prep. So I had all night to do homework. But I talked to Rachel on fb chat for a long while, put pictures on facebook, typed up an English essay, did math, and did some econ. So I guess I accomplished something. I also unpacked the rest of my stuff. Today I also made pink applesauce. I bought applesauce from the market and using the red hots grammy brought me and her directions made myself pink applesauce so that I can have a little touch of home for the holiday. ☺
Monday, November 29, 2010
A month off, i think my brain disappeared
Today was our first day back at school in basically a month. We went straight back into learning in almost all of my classes. In Hebrew we learned how to give directions and the only thing I could think about was my directions and town project for Chinese last year that was amazing. In Jewish History we learned about the British mandate and our student teachers did a lesson on Nili (a spy organization at the time). In econ, we basically just talked about Poland and gadna and our reactions to both. In physics we learned new material, in English we wrote, and in math we reviewed the work Steve gave us to do over break. While classes today were kinda calm, I know they will not be like that much longer. A big topic of discussion in every class today was what we have coming up. We have 2 full weeks of school and then exams! I only have 11 more days of class! Today I also had class with D Sol, but it wasn’t very long. He gave me some stuff to read and we will discuss it next week. He also gave me my new camera!!!!! I am so happy to finally be able to take my own pictures! After dinner we started our last week of sat prep. Since the SATs are on Sunday we have class almost every night and we have a marathon on Friday (both classes and a practice test). Then I went back to my room, finished typing up my blog posts, talked to mom, and wrote an English essay. Now I am going to go bed. Goodnight!
I rode a camel, we named him Tim
*FROM 11/28*
This morning we woke up and had breakfast, which had been prepared for us by the Bedouins. We had really good bread, eggs, cereal, and more. Then we were split up. One group (mine) rode camels first while the other group went to the springs. Camel riding was an interesting experience and I freaked out a little. I rode with Rachel Greenberg and we named our camel Tim ☺. Then the groups switched and we went to the springs. But it wasn’t much of a spring. It was more like a pool filled ¼ of the way with water. Rather than playing in the pool most of the girls tanned until we went back to the tent. When we got back, we quickly changed and packed up our stuff. Then we got on the bus and started the ride back to Tzuba. We stopped once of lunch and around 4:30 got back. The first thing we did (as usual) was unpack the library. Then we were given the keys to our new rooms (I am in 111 again [which is nice b/c I get internet in this room] with Mikah, Sara L, and Mishala. Once I had all my stuff in the room I quickly showered and got ready for dinner b/c Yael and her mom invited me out. (I had some extra time so I unpacked a little too). At 6 the cab came for Yael, her mom, Rachel G, Mikah, Sam, and I. We went for a really good dinner at Agua. We ate some good food and got to talk and complain freely to our new mommy like figure. When we got back to Tzuba, we went to Noa to hear announcements and then I stayed with her so she could help me with math. Then I went back to my room and typed up blog posts, did more math, and unpacked. I am also preparing myself for the last few weeks of school and my first real SAT which I am taking this weekend.
This morning we woke up and had breakfast, which had been prepared for us by the Bedouins. We had really good bread, eggs, cereal, and more. Then we were split up. One group (mine) rode camels first while the other group went to the springs. Camel riding was an interesting experience and I freaked out a little. I rode with Rachel Greenberg and we named our camel Tim ☺. Then the groups switched and we went to the springs. But it wasn’t much of a spring. It was more like a pool filled ¼ of the way with water. Rather than playing in the pool most of the girls tanned until we went back to the tent. When we got back, we quickly changed and packed up our stuff. Then we got on the bus and started the ride back to Tzuba. We stopped once of lunch and around 4:30 got back. The first thing we did (as usual) was unpack the library. Then we were given the keys to our new rooms (I am in 111 again [which is nice b/c I get internet in this room] with Mikah, Sara L, and Mishala. Once I had all my stuff in the room I quickly showered and got ready for dinner b/c Yael and her mom invited me out. (I had some extra time so I unpacked a little too). At 6 the cab came for Yael, her mom, Rachel G, Mikah, Sam, and I. We went for a really good dinner at Agua. We ate some good food and got to talk and complain freely to our new mommy like figure. When we got back to Tzuba, we went to Noa to hear announcements and then I stayed with her so she could help me with math. Then I went back to my room and typed up blog posts, did more math, and unpacked. I am also preparing myself for the last few weeks of school and my first real SAT which I am taking this weekend.
Services with a view
*FROM 11/27*
I don’t know how this happened but as of today we only have one month left here! This morning I slept in, skipped breakfast (I ate a chewy bar I had brought), started my JHist. Essay, and got ready for services. At 10:45 we had services on the balcony facing the water (it was an extremely pretty view). After services we had a few minutes to change and get everything we would need for our hike. After lunch we left for our hike of the red canyon. We walked through most of it on our own, taking everything in (it was nice to have peace and quiet during an activity). Everything was so peaceful and calming…and red. Then we hiked up part of the canyon and back to the bus. When we got back to the hostel we had an hour and a half to pack up and shower. Then we had a long drive to the Bedouin tents. When we got there we were greeted with tea and coffee (I didn’t have either) and then a really good dinner. Then tents weren’t what any of us were expecting b/c we went to ones that had been made for tourists and to give a taste of the Bedouin life (but there wasn’t even a place to buy Israeli puffy pants ☹). Then we had time to relax by the fire or in the tent and then we all went to bed in the big EIE Fall 2010 tent.
I don’t know how this happened but as of today we only have one month left here! This morning I slept in, skipped breakfast (I ate a chewy bar I had brought), started my JHist. Essay, and got ready for services. At 10:45 we had services on the balcony facing the water (it was an extremely pretty view). After services we had a few minutes to change and get everything we would need for our hike. After lunch we left for our hike of the red canyon. We walked through most of it on our own, taking everything in (it was nice to have peace and quiet during an activity). Everything was so peaceful and calming…and red. Then we hiked up part of the canyon and back to the bus. When we got back to the hostel we had an hour and a half to pack up and shower. Then we had a long drive to the Bedouin tents. When we got there we were greeted with tea and coffee (I didn’t have either) and then a really good dinner. Then tents weren’t what any of us were expecting b/c we went to ones that had been made for tourists and to give a taste of the Bedouin life (but there wasn’t even a place to buy Israeli puffy pants ☹). Then we had time to relax by the fire or in the tent and then we all went to bed in the big EIE Fall 2010 tent.
Swimming with the fishies
*FROM 11/26*
This morning we woke up, had a really good breakfast, and then went to learn about coral reefs. We learned about different fishes, coral, and reefs in general. Then we walked across the street and went snorkeling! It was so cool! We saw all the fish we had learned about and more (it really made me want to go to Australia to go to the Coral Reefs there). When we got out of the water, we had time to relax on the beach. Then we ate lunch and went back to the hostel. When we got back we had around 4 hours of free time. So I talked to grammy and poppy, slept, and got ready for services. We went to the only non-orthodox (it was conservative) synagogue in Eilat. Services were ok and the people there were really nice (they made sure each of us had some grape juice for Kiddush and I even met a women from the Bethesda area). We then rushed back to the hostel b/c they were waiting for us to eat. After dinner we had some free time and then had oneg. Oneg was another improv night. It started off not being fun, then got really funny, and then went back to not fun. Now er have free time until midnight but I don’t think I will make until then. I hope everyone had a good black Friday ☺!
This morning we woke up, had a really good breakfast, and then went to learn about coral reefs. We learned about different fishes, coral, and reefs in general. Then we walked across the street and went snorkeling! It was so cool! We saw all the fish we had learned about and more (it really made me want to go to Australia to go to the Coral Reefs there). When we got out of the water, we had time to relax on the beach. Then we ate lunch and went back to the hostel. When we got back we had around 4 hours of free time. So I talked to grammy and poppy, slept, and got ready for services. We went to the only non-orthodox (it was conservative) synagogue in Eilat. Services were ok and the people there were really nice (they made sure each of us had some grape juice for Kiddush and I even met a women from the Bethesda area). We then rushed back to the hostel b/c they were waiting for us to eat. After dinner we had some free time and then had oneg. Oneg was another improv night. It started off not being fun, then got really funny, and then went back to not fun. Now er have free time until midnight but I don’t think I will make until then. I hope everyone had a good black Friday ☺!
This thanksgiving i am thankful that we are leaving the army
*FROM 11/25*
Happy Thanksgiving (for everyone in America cause we don’t celebrate it here ☹). When we woke up this morning we immediately started cleaning. We piled up every blanket, sleeping bag, and mattress. Then we walked over to Ben Gurion’s grave for our closing ceremony. During the ceremony the sergeant and a commander were promoted and we were all given certificates of completion. When we got back to the base we cleaned more (shock) and then we finally got to take off our uniforms! It was so nice to have normal clothing and flip-flops on again. Then we waited while all the uniforms were folded and accounted for. Then finally the moment we had all be waiting for…the breaking of the distance (a.k.a. we got to actually meet our commanders). For the first time all week we got to have a real conversation with Maya (our commander). She was the best commander we could have asked for (and she said we can all friend her on facebook and e-mail her whenever). We also found out that we were her first group ever and were her “final test” to become a real commander. Then we got to take pictures with her, the head commander, and the sergeant (which we were all ecstatic about). Maya also gave us our hats back (they had been collected with our uniforms) and we noticed she had written a note to us on each one. Sadly though we had to say goodbye to her. But we were happy to be leaving Gadna and going to Eilat. We had a half hour drive to a restaurant area for lunch. Izzy, Sydney, Larissa and I were very excited when we went into the gas station across the street to use a real bathroom (and for a gas station they were actually really nice bathrooms). Then we got back on the bus and had a 2 hour drive to the hostel. I called mommy and then slept for the rest of the ride. When we arrived at the hostel we got our rooms and I jumped into the nice, warm, not crowded shower. My rooms for the weekend is Sivan, Larissa, Yael and I but Yael is with her family so there are only 3 of us. Before she left, after I showered, she told Sivan and I to close our eyes. Next thing we knew she was trust walking us to the balcony that overlooks the water and boardwalk. After dinner we went to the boardwalk and had time to walk around. Then we went back to the hostel and slept in real beds.
Happy Thanksgiving (for everyone in America cause we don’t celebrate it here ☹). When we woke up this morning we immediately started cleaning. We piled up every blanket, sleeping bag, and mattress. Then we walked over to Ben Gurion’s grave for our closing ceremony. During the ceremony the sergeant and a commander were promoted and we were all given certificates of completion. When we got back to the base we cleaned more (shock) and then we finally got to take off our uniforms! It was so nice to have normal clothing and flip-flops on again. Then we waited while all the uniforms were folded and accounted for. Then finally the moment we had all be waiting for…the breaking of the distance (a.k.a. we got to actually meet our commanders). For the first time all week we got to have a real conversation with Maya (our commander). She was the best commander we could have asked for (and she said we can all friend her on facebook and e-mail her whenever). We also found out that we were her first group ever and were her “final test” to become a real commander. Then we got to take pictures with her, the head commander, and the sergeant (which we were all ecstatic about). Maya also gave us our hats back (they had been collected with our uniforms) and we noticed she had written a note to us on each one. Sadly though we had to say goodbye to her. But we were happy to be leaving Gadna and going to Eilat. We had a half hour drive to a restaurant area for lunch. Izzy, Sydney, Larissa and I were very excited when we went into the gas station across the street to use a real bathroom (and for a gas station they were actually really nice bathrooms). Then we got back on the bus and had a 2 hour drive to the hostel. I called mommy and then slept for the rest of the ride. When we arrived at the hostel we got our rooms and I jumped into the nice, warm, not crowded shower. My rooms for the weekend is Sivan, Larissa, Yael and I but Yael is with her family so there are only 3 of us. Before she left, after I showered, she told Sivan and I to close our eyes. Next thing we knew she was trust walking us to the balcony that overlooks the water and boardwalk. After dinner we went to the boardwalk and had time to walk around. Then we went back to the hostel and slept in real beds.
Janitors who shoot M16s
*FROM 11/24*
This morning we woke up at 5:40 and no one had enough time to get ready (especially when only 2 of 4 toilets in the bathroom worked and there were over 100 girls who needed to use them). After cleaning we went to breakfast, which was not good at all. After breakfast we got on a bus and went to the shooting range. We went to shoot in groups of 15 (I was in group 2). Shooting wasn’t actually as scary as I thought it would be. However, I forgot to aim for my first few shots and eventually just went by the theory of wherever the bullet landed was where I had aimed (unsurprisingly I didn’t really get any on my target). When we got back to the base we ate lunch and then had 4 hours of kitchen duty (we felt like janitors). It was tons of fun being yelled at and not having Israelis listen to you when you say you can only have one hamburger or you can only have one breka (not). After we served the food we had to clean the entire dinning hall, which took forever! When we finished cleaning we had a short break and then a lesson on the purity of arms. Then we had dinner, which wasn’t good, but at least we didn’t have to clean up after that meal too. After dinner half of our unit cleaned guns with the head commander while the rest of us talked with our commander about EIE and our army experience. Then we had our mandatory hour break. When we met with our commander we thought we would be going straight to bed but we were wrong. Instead we had a lesson (which was more like story time) with the head commander. It was about a soldier named Michael Levine. When story time was over we went to bed and even though story time was spur of the moment and they said they wanted us to get 7 hours of sleep, wake up time didn’t change.
This morning we woke up at 5:40 and no one had enough time to get ready (especially when only 2 of 4 toilets in the bathroom worked and there were over 100 girls who needed to use them). After cleaning we went to breakfast, which was not good at all. After breakfast we got on a bus and went to the shooting range. We went to shoot in groups of 15 (I was in group 2). Shooting wasn’t actually as scary as I thought it would be. However, I forgot to aim for my first few shots and eventually just went by the theory of wherever the bullet landed was where I had aimed (unsurprisingly I didn’t really get any on my target). When we got back to the base we ate lunch and then had 4 hours of kitchen duty (we felt like janitors). It was tons of fun being yelled at and not having Israelis listen to you when you say you can only have one hamburger or you can only have one breka (not). After we served the food we had to clean the entire dinning hall, which took forever! When we finished cleaning we had a short break and then a lesson on the purity of arms. Then we had dinner, which wasn’t good, but at least we didn’t have to clean up after that meal too. After dinner half of our unit cleaned guns with the head commander while the rest of us talked with our commander about EIE and our army experience. Then we had our mandatory hour break. When we met with our commander we thought we would be going straight to bed but we were wrong. Instead we had a lesson (which was more like story time) with the head commander. It was about a soldier named Michael Levine. When story time was over we went to bed and even though story time was spur of the moment and they said they wanted us to get 7 hours of sleep, wake up time didn’t change.
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