Something new, Something old

For any disbelievers there is such a huge difference between Ulpan and school and even bigger school in Israel and school in America. I started my spring semester this week and it has been totally different. I am taking 6 classes 3 of which are undergraduate works at Rothberg and 2 which are graduate classes in the Hebrew University with Israeli students equaling 20 units in total: Hebrew Gimel, Belief and Ritual in Islam, Jewish &Non-Jewish relationships during the Holocaust, Bible Literature and their interpreters, American Folklore, and Evaluation Theory of Programs. They all seem super interesting and I am looking forward to all the classes. My advanced Spring in Jerusalem group seems really interesting. I am part of a seminar called Face 2 Face which is put on by the Hillel house here and is a weekly discussion group of Israeli and Abroad students that come together to discuss hot issues in Israel. I am really taking advantage of all learning opportunities that are being provided here for me. I am a very lucky guy to be here on an amazing journey. I am ready to obtain my books, workload, and be a student again. It is crazy that I am only beginning my semester on Feb.21st whereas my friends back in America are already doing midterms. Here we go, I look forward to everything this semester has to bring me. I am throwing my preconceived notions out the window and letting life take me for a ride.

In the midst of my first week of school which was hectic enough getting lost at Hebrew U and dealing with introduction classes that then jump into the material 45 seconds later, I got an incredible surprise. My best friend here Jason Teitelbaum had a couple of days off the army and decided that he would come to me in Jerusalem and stay for the time instead of going back to his kibbutz. Needless to say I was beyond excited to actually spend some quality time with the busy solider. He arrived on Tuesday in uniform and all to the smiling faces of all the girls at school. I felt like I got a shiny new bike that I could show off to all my new friends. He was just happy to be free for a couple days and sleep in a bed without having to wake up at the crack of dawn to patrol. We had the best time together, I took him out for some real food, he met tons of the Rothberg friends I have made, we stayed up eating popcorn and laughing about all the stupid things we used to do together. It was so refreshing to be able to hang out with him since he gets only a couple days off a month. I know I am very lucky to be able to call him my good friend. The 3 days he was here my friends pointed out that I disappeared since I spent all my time with him. I am thankful to be here and be able to hang out with my friend JP.

Thursday night was very special this week since Adam decided that a group of us should go to Moadon Hayekev (winery club) in Halon. If anybody has a free night in Israel I highly suggest that you do this since it is an experience of a lifetime. I actually went with a group of Nativers 2 years ago and it has been stuck in my mind forever. This time I went with a new group to the same unbelievable event. The restaurant provides great food, tasty wine, and hours of music and dancing. People who don’t know each other tear down the wall to enjoy a pure fun time. The night carries on and everyone just gets happier and happier. We were able to sleep at one of Alex’s friend in tel aviv since it was too late to get back to Jerusalem. However, I did want to go back to Jerusalem for Shabbat since I had plans with Joshy. We put on a potluck with Ilana Knobel and her roommates. I must say that my cooking skills are truly advancing here. I am learning to make new dishes that apparently taste good. It will be a relaxing Shabbat at the cfar with some friends. I am excited though for right around the corner this weekend is the Holiday of Purim. Shushan starts Sunday night and the city is going to light up, I cannot wait for it!!!