Happy Chanukah!

Hi, Everyone! Happy Chanukah! So I've had a great week or so, though I'm not sure it has anything to do with the special events going on. I think I just finally feel comfortable here (the timing is ironic, since I'm coming home in two days...but at least I'll return in good spirits in two weeks). But I will do my best to remember what events have happened.

We visited Kever Rochel, which was a much more simple experience than I expected. It was humbling to see that there wasn't such a big to do even at the grave of one of the matriarchs. All we really did was go, speak a little about Rachel, pray, and leave. I liked it that way though - it wasn't overdone.

Classes last week went really well, and I also spent a good amount of time preparing for a little speech/mini-class I'm giving at my high school when I visit at the end of this week. I asked the principal if I could teach the girls something, because I think the best way to express my enthusiasm about what I'm learning is to show it. And I'd love to portray to the girls how different the learning is from high school learning. It's such a different world! I'm constantly surprised by the contrast...

Chanukah started this past Shabbat, and being in Israel for the holidays is another experience in of itself. The holiday also isn't overdone (as holiday season in America is), but what decorations and music there is - it's all about Chanukah. If you walk around the Old City you see glass cases outside of all of the apartments where people display their menorahs every night in order to publicise the miracle (which is part of commandment for lighting Chanukah candles).

Today we went to a Kibbutz called Yad Menachem, where residents defended their ground agains the Egyptians at the same time as the War for Independence, sacrificing themselves to prevent the Egyptians from reaching Tel Aviv. It was a beautiful place, and the museum there was educating regarding the battle itself that took place there, the Holocaust (because the Kibbutz was named after a brave rebel from one of the Ghettos in Poland), and the emerging of the state. Tomorrow and Tuesday we have more museums and tours planned, but the exact places we're going have slipped my mind.

Now I have some choir stuff to deal with, and a dinner with one of my friends and her father to attend, so I have to run. I probably won't write again until after I return from America, so Chag Sameach! Until next time,

Gabriella

Tuning In

Dear Reader(s),

Please accept my apology for not writing in so long.  Things have been pretty hectic, though at the same time, I feel as if there aren't many special events to update you on.  First thing you should know, if you don't already, is that I've decided to go back to the States for two weeks (in about two weeks).  I'll be missing some classes, but being away from home for so long was starting to take a toll on my attention capabilities, so I decided it was worthwhile.  And as excited as I am to go home for a bit, I've also thrown myself much more thoroughly into my studies.

Besides trying to build up my knowledge as much as possible, for a while I was overextending myself in other areas as well.  Admittedly, it has been absolutely draining to deal with choir, football (I'll explain later), exercise, and learning.  But I sometimes have trouble half-heartedly doing anything, even when it's effecting my day-to-day functionality.

As I have mentioned, I co-direct the competition choir here, and for a while the competitive nature of the group (that I was not made fully aware of before volunteering to lead it) really detracted from my enjoyment of teaching and singing with a bunch of otherwise pleasant, sweet girls.  More recently, the girls have begun to appreciate the music of the experience and we've also started concentrating more on the charity part of the project (competitors and audience must give a donation to a fund for brides who can't afford a wedding celebration).  Redirecting the focus of the group has helped a lot, and I actually look forward to rehearsal now.

Then, there is a girls' flag football league, and I joined HaRova's team (I figured exercise + social scene = efficient fun).  We don't know how to play.  Hence, the games are a lot of fun and often extremely amusing.  Today I had a one-on-one practice with one of the other girls and I learned how to throw and catch the football! It was extremely exciting.

Yesterday, I watched Mulan with my roommates - Rena, Karen, Tamara, and Nikki - and we sang along to all of the songs.  I've really become close to each of them - we go out to dinner together once a month and next week we're going to have a "chanukah-donut-snack-outing" instead of our "roomie dinner", because at the last restaurant we went to we got really excited to try the traditional donuts (sufgani'ot) that will be available to order in season (next week)!  In Midrasha, a simple donut outing can become a very exciting experience.

This Shabbat I'm staying in the Midrasha with about 12 other girls, just to have a quiet, simple weekend.  It should be very nice (although some of the girls are slightly hyperactive, so I'm not sure how relaxing it will end up), especially since the next two weeks are full of activity.  Next week we're visiting Kever Rochel (the burial place of Rachel the Matriarch) and taking a tour of Ir David (the City of David - close by).  The week after is Chanukah, and we're doing a variety of tours, both in Jerusalem and in Tel Aviv.  Plus, there's the Missibat Siyum (Conclusion Gala - or something along those lines) on Monday night, December 14th, to celebrate the conclusion of the Southern Hemisphere's year.  Then on Tuesday, December 15th, late at night, I will be boarding the plane to America!  I feel out of breath just thinking about the upcoming schedule.  But it's all very exciting and I'm looking forward to Chanukah in Israel - I've heard it's a magical time.

Thanks for tuning in again!

Gabriella