Good news! My luggage came! A full three days late, but I think it had a fun-filled romp around the globe without me. Thanks for all your prayers in this department, they worked!
Also I have reliable internet in my room now. You know what that means: we can skype!
You'll be happy to know that I haven't been taking advantage of my relative anonymity to wreak havoc. Actually none of the things I've been doing are very interesting, but I'll make you a list of some of the more noteworthy occurances:
- New roommate moved in! Her name is Sara Owen and she's in my Hebrew class at OU. We got the same scholarship to be here. I wasn't sure if we'd be put in the same apartment, so it is definitely a huge blessing to have a friend here.
- Speaking of friends, I have some more now. The two I've spent the most time with are Stephanie (an American) and Anika (a German). I don't have Israeli friends yet but I'm working on it.
- Falafel! My roommate Nadia told us where a good place was, so Sara and
I walked there the other night. If you are unaware of the glory that is falafel, let me tell you: it is fried balls of ground chickpeas and spices that are served in a pita with tahini and various toppings (I got cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, and french fries in mine). It's GREAT! Next time I will go by myself though so I don't feel awkward about making dinosaur noises as I devour it. - Various orientation meetings and tours. After we got ourselves orientated, Sara and Stephanie and I went exploring in a park on campus. We found some caves with tombs in them. HMM I wish I knew the story there...
- I have a sweet view out my window. To the right, I can see one of the main roads of the French Hill (where I'm living). And to the left I can see the Temple mount! Don't panic, there will be pictures.
- I'm getting better at getting around. I went grocery shopping yesterday and went to a big scary mall today. Also I can get to and around campus with minimal disorientation.
Classes start today! I'm in the Aleph level, which I guess is where they put the dumb kids. I'm ok with that. I hope the teacher is more like a grape than a sabra.
And here are some more pictures just for giggles...
A vending machine on campus that sells kosher frozen dinners! This is Stephanie, demonstrating how cool we think this is. Once I heard of a vending machine that you can put your dog in, and it washes it. This is almost that cool!
The beautiful campus of HUJI! I haven't found any ugly places yet. It's sooo hilly though! It is the Mt. Scopus campus, so I should have been expecting that.
I walk to class in front of ya, spill kefir on your keffiyah...
Pictures take forrreevveerr! I'll put up more when I have the time and the patience. Right now it is unpack and eat lunch time. YES! Leave comments! I want to know what all is going on America.
I am so happy that you got your luggage. Also happy that you seem to be enjoying you life there. Can't imagine you yelling at anybody. My love and prayers are with you. Grandma
ReplyDeleteWow, campus really is beautiful. Tell us how classes are!
ReplyDeleteIn America, Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett died today, so that was all over the news. More locally, I'm going to an Ultimate tournament this weekend, Keri's friending random Japanese people on Skype (so far she's done 4) with the message, "Hi, I'm from America! Let's be friends", and my brother is moving houses, and I'm helping him.
Hi, Caroline - I'm enjoying your blog very much (and, yes, looking forward to more pictures!) We're going out to eat with your mom and dad tomorrow night and then to Music Theatre to see "Camelot." That will actually be the 3rd time I see this production (went with a neighbor tonight, went to the dress rehearsal Tues. night) but I think that's fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks for blogging!
~Kim Vines
Caroline,
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that vending machine is superb, but it would be even better if it could wash your dog while also providing you with Kosher frozen dinners. You need to keep your eye open for one of those. The campus looks absolutely breathtaking. Ah! I wish I were there with you. Although I'm sure I would be having panic attacks at least five times a day, 'cause that's just me :) I really am going to figure out what those tombs are about. I'm pretty sure one of my fifth cousin's, nine times removed, has a great great great grandmother whose brother is buried there, but i'm going to have to do a little research to confirm all of that. I love you, super caroline, and i'm praying. Keep up the good work.
Cali
That is so AWESOME!!! I bet you are having fun...but not quite as much fun as we are here. Frances and I watched Muppet Treasure Island last night....Jealous?
ReplyDeletelove the vampire weekend!
ReplyDeleteahhhh! you have to get a good workable falafel recipe that won't fall to pieces!
ReplyDeleteLisa