I had my Hebrew final last Thursday, and Hebrew is now over which is absolutely wonderful no longer having to wake up super early 3 days a week.
For my anti-Semitism class, our final was a paper on any topic of our choice about anti-Semitism. I originally chose to do my paper on anti-Semitism in Ireland from the late 19th century-early 20th century. Turns out there really wasn't very much, but most of the events turned out to be in one city, Limerick, so I changed my topic to anti-Semitism in Limerick Ireland. It was quite interesting to see the anti-Semitism there, and how it differed from eastern European anti-Semitism, and yet I was still able to write a full 10 pages. I was impressed I even got there.
For Evolutionary Psychology, we have our final on January 1st (yea, Rothberg actually schedules finals on New Years, they must really not want us to celebrate at all) at 12:30 pm. It doesn't seem like it will be too ad, and it is just a regular multiple choice test.
For The Emergence of Biblical Israel, that final is on the 2nd also at 12:30, and also doesn't seem like it is going to be be too bad, but definitely more room for error.
My trip for winter break has officially been all booked now. Officially, I will be going to France from January 5th-January 10th, Ireland from the 10th-14th, and London from the 14th-16th. The rest of the people I'm traveling with will be in England through the 19th, but I need to come back early because on the 18th, me and about 30 other Nativers will be going to Poland for 8 days.
P.s. Sorry if this is the last blog update for a bit, I actually am going to have to study for these finals, so there may not be another til the 2nd. If I can, I'll try and get one in within the next day or 2 to talk about Hannukah however which ends tonight.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Merry Christmas!!!!
Christmas was an absolute blast this year. During the day nothing too special occured, but around 4 pm, all the tracks went to different places for a bit of community service (while it was on Christmas, it was more for it being Hannukah). My track went to an "old person home" where we sang different songs, gave out sufganiot, and just talked with the people there for about an hour.
Next, I was hoping to have Chinese food that night, but what I actually had was the next best thing, Japanese food. I was taken out that night with some friends, and we were going to go to a restaurant called Beijing, clearly a Chinese place, but about 20 people had already made a reservation there, so we instead went to Sushi Rehavia. It was still delicious, and was the first time I was there. For all of you at home who think I don't like sushi, well that is starting to change actually. I'm still not incredibly knowledgeable about sushi, but I am finding things I like.
Then came the best part of the night. THE NBA IS BACK IN ACTION!!!!!!!!!!! Even better, on Monday it was Aryeh K.'s 18th birthday, and he is arguably the biggest basketball fan I know and also most knowledgeable. We ended up getting back to base at about 11 o'clock, so the 2nd game of the night was coming to a close, so we watched most of the end of the Heat vs. Mavericks game, and then right after midnight, Adam B., Aryeh, Moshe, and Sarah L. (she is here visiting), and I went to a bar to watch the 3rd game, and in my opinion the best one - Lakers vs. Bulls. The game was actually pretty average at best with some glimpses of good basketball until the end, where Derrick Rose hit the game winning shot with 4 seconds remaining. It was even better because all of the Israelis at the bar were Lakers fans.
All in all, it was a good day, and a good holiday season.
Next, I was hoping to have Chinese food that night, but what I actually had was the next best thing, Japanese food. I was taken out that night with some friends, and we were going to go to a restaurant called Beijing, clearly a Chinese place, but about 20 people had already made a reservation there, so we instead went to Sushi Rehavia. It was still delicious, and was the first time I was there. For all of you at home who think I don't like sushi, well that is starting to change actually. I'm still not incredibly knowledgeable about sushi, but I am finding things I like.
Then came the best part of the night. THE NBA IS BACK IN ACTION!!!!!!!!!!! Even better, on Monday it was Aryeh K.'s 18th birthday, and he is arguably the biggest basketball fan I know and also most knowledgeable. We ended up getting back to base at about 11 o'clock, so the 2nd game of the night was coming to a close, so we watched most of the end of the Heat vs. Mavericks game, and then right after midnight, Adam B., Aryeh, Moshe, and Sarah L. (she is here visiting), and I went to a bar to watch the 3rd game, and in my opinion the best one - Lakers vs. Bulls. The game was actually pretty average at best with some glimpses of good basketball until the end, where Derrick Rose hit the game winning shot with 4 seconds remaining. It was even better because all of the Israelis at the bar were Lakers fans.
All in all, it was a good day, and a good holiday season.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Daniel Shapiro
Today at Hebrew U, I went to a town hall meeting with Daniel Shapiro. Now, for those of you who may not know who Daniel Shapiro is, or at least one who would make sense to have a town hall meeting at Hebrew U, he is the U.S. Ambassador to Israel.
He spoke for about 30 minutes about different American policies regarding Israel, Israeli needs, Iran, Palestine, and other topics of the sort. There was then about 30 minutes of Q & A. While I did not ask a question, Barry S. who is on Nativ with me did ask a question about a hypothetical situation regarding elections in a legitimate Palestinian state.
It was a really interesting thing to hear him speak, and I am very glad that I was able to get the opportunity to hear him.
He spoke for about 30 minutes about different American policies regarding Israel, Israeli needs, Iran, Palestine, and other topics of the sort. There was then about 30 minutes of Q & A. While I did not ask a question, Barry S. who is on Nativ with me did ask a question about a hypothetical situation regarding elections in a legitimate Palestinian state.
It was a really interesting thing to hear him speak, and I am very glad that I was able to get the opportunity to hear him.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
My Birthday!!!
Even though my birthday was not Friday, I'll start Friday night.
I finally went back to my Rosh Hashanah host's house, and just like last time, it was a great time. The whole family is just so much fun to be around, and the food was also good (even the chicken). Also, one of the people I went with e-mailed them before that it was my birthday on Saturday, and they had a delicious chocolate cake to surprise me with. A great time.
Saturday was a good day. I slept in and woke up with chocolate milk having been brought to my room. I then had lunch at base (average at best) followed by a pretty good run. I then hung around and played catch with some people. Next was god's present to me, a full lunar eclipse. Later, after Shabbos, I skyped some friends at home.
Now the good times. Aryeh K. and I spent literally 2 hours deciding on what to do for dinner. We looked online at every single kosher meat restaurant in Jerusalem. We ended up going to El Gaucho which is an Argentinian steak house. I had an entrecote steak from Bamba, apparently being from Bamba makes it special because it tasted wonderful. The dinner as a whole was also really delicious and fun because of the company I was with.
Now the good times. Aryeh K. and I spent literally 2 hours deciding on what to do for dinner. We looked online at every single kosher meat restaurant in Jerusalem. We ended up going to El Gaucho which is an Argentinian steak house. I had an entrecote steak from Bamba, apparently being from Bamba makes it special because it tasted wonderful. The dinner as a whole was also really delicious and fun because of the company I was with.
Afterwards, me and 3 others went out for a bit and watched the FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid soccer match (it was being played at every single bar), and then afterwards just spent the night hanging out for a bit at this one bar we like (and no dad, I did not do 19 shots for my 19th birthday).
Unfortunately, not everything went according to plan. Due to having class at 8:30 in the morning, I wasn't planning on doing anything too crazy or staying out too late. Only have worked out, I didn't do anything crazy, but somehow I ended up staying out until 4:30.
What a birthday!!
Loved my birthday in Israel!!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
100 days
Yesterday (for me, still today for most of you reading) was the 100th day of Nativ, or should I say, 100th day of the best year of my life. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be here, to grow, to explore, and to learn. This has truly been a once in a lifetime experience, and I wouldn't trade it in for anything. I am thankful for those who have made this year possible, and those who have been sharing it with me.
I now look forward to the next 100 days. Hopefully they can top the first 100. It will be quite a challenge though.
I now look forward to the next 100 days. Hopefully they can top the first 100. It will be quite a challenge though.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Idan Raichel Project/MASA Opening event
Apparently I forgot to write about this. Sorry
I don't actually remember the day, but at the MASA (basically a group that works with the Israeli government and programs to get people to Israel) Opening Event, there were general speeches by different people in MASA, and one person who is in the Prime Minister's office.
However, the main attraction was the Idan Raichel Project. Idan Raichel is a musician that came onto the scene in the mid-early 2000's and has been a huge hit in Israel ever since then. He performed a concert for the event, and the concert was so much fun, and I now have some of his music after going because it is quite good music.
I don't actually remember the day, but at the MASA (basically a group that works with the Israeli government and programs to get people to Israel) Opening Event, there were general speeches by different people in MASA, and one person who is in the Prime Minister's office.
However, the main attraction was the Idan Raichel Project. Idan Raichel is a musician that came onto the scene in the mid-early 2000's and has been a huge hit in Israel ever since then. He performed a concert for the event, and the concert was so much fun, and I now have some of his music after going because it is quite good music.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving on Nativ was quite a fun experience. First, we started off with all of Nativ and any Nativ alumn doing Ma'ariv. The Nativ a cappella group sang 2 songs, there was a video made by 3 people recapping Nativ so far, and then some general announcements and thank you's from Yossi.
We then got split up into 2 dining halls. The one downstairs had the Kfar track and the Karmiel track, as well as everyone from Nativ 1-23 (i think 23), and then Yerucham was upstairs with everyone from Nativ 24-30. The food was actually quite good, possibly one of the best meals at base yet. I sat with Nathan D., his family, Courtney K., Sivan R., and her parents. It was a fun table to sit at. I will admit though that I was a tad disappointed with the dessert. There was apple pie, but it wasn't really apple pie. It was more of pie with apples, but definitely not apple pie. I did however have turkey. For all of those at home who know that I don't like turkey, don't think that the reason is that I now like turkey, it was more of I didn't want to offend Yossi when he was carving.
Afterwards, the Nativers went into the auditorium and watched some other videos made my Nativers, which happened to be really funny.
Later we went to a different room and decorated cupcakes just for the fun of it, and I might add, it was fun.
Later, for whoever wanted there were different episodes of The Simpsons and How I Met Your Mother that had to do with Thanksgiving, or just random episodes being played.
Later I went out to this market with some buds and spent the rest of the night there before going back to base. All in all, a very fun Thanksgiving.
We then got split up into 2 dining halls. The one downstairs had the Kfar track and the Karmiel track, as well as everyone from Nativ 1-23 (i think 23), and then Yerucham was upstairs with everyone from Nativ 24-30. The food was actually quite good, possibly one of the best meals at base yet. I sat with Nathan D., his family, Courtney K., Sivan R., and her parents. It was a fun table to sit at. I will admit though that I was a tad disappointed with the dessert. There was apple pie, but it wasn't really apple pie. It was more of pie with apples, but definitely not apple pie. I did however have turkey. For all of those at home who know that I don't like turkey, don't think that the reason is that I now like turkey, it was more of I didn't want to offend Yossi when he was carving.
Afterwards, the Nativers went into the auditorium and watched some other videos made my Nativers, which happened to be really funny.
Later we went to a different room and decorated cupcakes just for the fun of it, and I might add, it was fun.
Later, for whoever wanted there were different episodes of The Simpsons and How I Met Your Mother that had to do with Thanksgiving, or just random episodes being played.
Later I went out to this market with some buds and spent the rest of the night there before going back to base. All in all, a very fun Thanksgiving.
Science and Italy
Last Thursday (12/2/11) me and Adam B. were taken out to dinner with my roommate and his family. We went to a restaurant called Little Italy. The menu was a basic Italian menu from a basic standpoint, but the items themselves sometimes had a crazy arrangement of ingredients. I ended up getting what was called Shai's Pasta. It was pasta sauteed in butter, with fresh hot pepper, sun dried tomatoes, and other assortments of peppers. I then followed it up with a Hot Chocolate Cake (another name for Chocolate Lava Cake) which they make there. It wasn't much of a cake though, it was more like chocolate soup with a think cakey layer above it; served with vanilla ice cream, it was quite a delicious dessert.
Later that night, me and about 10 other people went to the Israel Science Museum. It was a ton of fun because it was almost entirely interactive which for people like us, very helpful and very fun.
Later that night, me and about 10 other people went to the Israel Science Museum. It was a ton of fun because it was almost entirely interactive which for people like us, very helpful and very fun.
Feet eating fish
A couple weeks ago, me and Julia S. went to go have a very crazy experience. We went to a Israeli shop with hygiene stuff and cremes and what not. What makes this place special is that in the window, there is a tank full of little tiny fish that eat the impurities off of your feet. We went and did that, and it felt so cool and my feet felt so cool afterwards.
It also wasn't too expensive, and definitely something that should be tried, although I wouldn't necessarilly go if your feet are nice and dandy, it is a much better experience when your feet are kind of gross (i.e. after 3 days in the desert).
It also wasn't too expensive, and definitely something that should be tried, although I wouldn't necessarilly go if your feet are nice and dandy, it is a much better experience when your feet are kind of gross (i.e. after 3 days in the desert).
more old news: 11/11/11
I left for Ramat Gan with Adam B. where he had some family. I tried real fro yo for the first time and it was absolutely delicious. Coincidently enough, the place we got from was called Delicious. We then took a 45 minute bus ride, and as we walked through the door, we get fed. Adam and I then hung out for a while until dinner where we had a very good dinner. The disadvantage to not knowing enough Hebrew to really follow a conversation is that I'm lost, however an advantage is that usually there is someone who feels the need to translate for me.
Later that night, we watched the US Men's National Soccer team play against France. Afterwards we then watched opening night of college basketball, which just so happened to be MSU vs UNC, but they played on an aircraft carrier for Veteran's Day, and that was really cool.
The next day, we just hung out and had a really good and relaxing day.
I am also now a fan of sushi after then being dragged by Adam to a sushi place.
Later that night, we watched the US Men's National Soccer team play against France. Afterwards we then watched opening night of college basketball, which just so happened to be MSU vs UNC, but they played on an aircraft carrier for Veteran's Day, and that was really cool.
The next day, we just hung out and had a really good and relaxing day.
I am also now a fan of sushi after then being dragged by Adam to a sushi place.
Some old news. 11/7/11
I got taken out to dinner with 10 others at a restaurant called Joy. The food was absolutely wonderful. I had sautéed entrecôte which had a nice chili sauce on top of a bed of coos coos with sautéed onions. For desert I then had a chocolate volcano cake. Needless to say it was one of the best meals I've had yet.
Later that night I then watched the Bears vs Eagles game. Due to the time difference, it started at 3:30 local time. At 3, me and 2 others went to a friends house where we watches the game. GO BEARS!!!! We didn't get back until 7:30, and since I had to go to teffilah Tuesday which started at 8, because I was making up for missing one time the week before, instead of taking a little nap, Moshe, Adam and I got breakfast. It was a good time.
According to one of the staff members, the 3 of us are the beginning of the new generation of Super Fans.
Later that night I then watched the Bears vs Eagles game. Due to the time difference, it started at 3:30 local time. At 3, me and 2 others went to a friends house where we watches the game. GO BEARS!!!! We didn't get back until 7:30, and since I had to go to teffilah Tuesday which started at 8, because I was making up for missing one time the week before, instead of taking a little nap, Moshe, Adam and I got breakfast. It was a good time.
According to one of the staff members, the 3 of us are the beginning of the new generation of Super Fans.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)