Family Visit (among other things)

So, the family was here last week for ten days! It was great for me to share parts of my life with them. We also had some crazy times: a mad pre-shabbat rush to the dead sea in which our GPS took us halfway around Israel, an amazing trip to Ein Gedi involving hiking and swimming and beautiful weather (as it was all week), a tour of the first neighborhood of Jerusalem, visits to some of my classes, an inspiring and musical tefillah at Shira Chadashah ("New Song"), and a fantastic week in a beautiful Jerusalem apartment.

Other news...
Yesterday was a busy day - I went with David Project of Israel Advocacy on a trip to sift through excavations from the Old City, learn about the Jerusalem border conflict, and visit with children from Save A Child's Heart Foundation (an Israel founded and based foundation that treats international children from developing countries that suffer from heart diseases). Then I rushed to the seminary Art Competition to support my friends who submitted their work. The pieces were absolutely beautiful, and one of HaRova's girls placed in third. (Woo!) Then I took a ridiculously slow bus to Emek Refaim to meet up with a new friend of mine who's going to Brandeis next year to bond over music and other various things. All together a great, but exhausting day.

I can't really say much else other than that, except that now that I've shared my home with my family, it feels more like home, too. I'm really looking forward to all of the excitement and activity coming up in the next month - including Purim, Poland, Ukraine, Italy, and Pesach (!!!). The months are going to fly! Thanks for checking in!

Gabriella

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This entry has no title. I could not think of one. So feel free to make one up for yourself.

This week was a pretty eventful one. And it continues to be as we have an activity in about 5 minutes continuing the welcoming process of the new Southern Hemisphere girls. But I will write as much as I can until then.

Sunday was a regular Sunday, although because of classes I'm swtiching, I ended up not going to certain classes that were starting to drive me kind of crazy, and therefore had almost an entire afternoon off! Just by choice! Sometimes I do feel like an adult here. Or a kid in an adult situation.

Monday, we went for a day at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial here. We spent the morning touring the museum and hearing a testimony, and the afternoon going to the monuments, watching videos on "the big questions after the Holocaust", and then having a lecture on Holocaust denial. It was a very full day of heavy material. I find now, though, that learning about the Holocaust isn't as depressing as it used to be, but more enlightening and educational. Each time I learn about it extensively I have a new outlook on it, if only because I'm older. This time, too, I had in mind that I will be visiting these concentration camps and other memorials in Poland in a little over a month's time. That, I know, will be much more emotional of a trip.

Monday also brought exciting news, as I booked my tickets to Italy during our Pesach vacation! I'll actually be there the week before Pesach, though, so I'll still be able to have pasta while I'm there. I'm really looking forward to that, and I'm meeting with my travel companions on Friday to discuss details. I never thought I'd have to opportunity to be in Israel, Poland, the Ukraine, and Italy all in one month. It's amazing.

Yesterday, Tuesday, I had my first trial of "music morning", where I spent an hour playing piano first thing in the morning, and then went for my first piano lesson later on. It was a great morning. I put two new songs to music (I've written 7 here!! I've never felt so prolific...), and then had a very technical piano lesson in which I realized that I may yet learn how to site read! Can't wait!

The night activity is starting now...but I'll just end by telling you that today we went to Massada and then to the Dead Sea (just to be cold in the wind and have a barbeque, not to actually swim), which was nice, but I don't actually find Massada that interesting. Especially not a second time. But it was still beautiful out for most of the time. Then I came back and did yoga with my roommate as it rained outside, and then I showered and got bundled up in slippers and a sweatshirt. Such a great feeling after a long day.

In other news, we're still working on our Bible Character Monologues...mine is Saul, who's story is very twisted and bewildering. I've been having a lot of fun getting into character in drama class. This shabbat is an "in-Shabbat", and then I have Saturday night Brandeis get together! Then next week is new classes, and my family will be arriving Thursday morning! I can't wait to share my life here with them (or you, depending on who's reading this). Until next time!

Gabriella