To Say its been awhile would be the understatement of the....NEW YEAR!

Hello Again, Yes, I'm aware that I'm terrible for not posting more on this lovely little blog that I created to update everyone and yet I haven't used it in a VERY long time. Things I've learned since the last time I wrote to you; 1. Chinese Food in Israel is terrible. 2. My entire family thinks I'm an alcoholic. 3. I want more piercings. Don't worry, nothing not on my ears. 4. College in the real world is NOTHING like college at HU, The International School. 5. Shirin can dress shop with both me and my mother but the transitive property doesn't exist in this situation. 6. Final papers aren't so difficult to write when you find the topic disturbing and interesting. (In case you didn't know I wrote 2, 8-10 page papers on homosexuality in Judaism both in societal views and the responses of the Rabbis on said views) 7.I may or may not have given myself a stress fracture. Thanks for the feet, Mom. 8. Grandma is my role-model. 9. Mom doesn't actually care what I purchase. 10. I like house music. I'm a little ashamed.... So as per-usual this does have a theme of sorts. Its the last day of 2012, which is great. I can't believe that i'm actually living here, in Israel, for another 5 months. Its been absolutely amazing and its definitely an experience that I would never change for anything. I love the time I've spent here and I'm excited about the time thats to come. I ALSO am going to barcelona in 1 week! thats right, in one week I'll be in Spain. hopefully i'll see the senoritas with flowers in their hair. (yes, I do remember that song) I'LL POST PICTURES OF FACEBOOK ONCE I GET HOME. HAVE AN AMAZING NEW YEAR. Next years goal? be at level bet in Hebrew!

Just because you scream louder, doesn't mean you're right.

Hello All

Although I would love to think that everyone knows every single thing that is going on right now in Israel, I know that this is not the case.

Over a week ago there was a huge increase in missile attacks into Israel fired from the Gaza strip and led by Hamas. Since then it has had consistent attacks and they have hit Tel Aviv, the West Bank * when they have been aiming for Jerusalem, and not to mention the areas of Ashkelon, Ashdod, Be'er Sheva, and many other places in the south. These southern cities are bombarded daily with missiles that force them into safe rooms or bomb shelters and destroy homes.

In the last week we have only heard 2 sirens here in Jerusalem. They were scary. It was so strange to see an entire community, without hesitation, know exactly how to protect themselves during an attack.

During the first siren I was at Shul. I was in an apartment room, split down the middle with Mehitza starting the first prayers of Kabbalat Shabbat when we heard it. My two friends and I didn't know what it was until someone said, "Its a siren, go to the safe room." I expected to go downstairs and go into a bomb shelter but instead, I moved into the adjoining room, crouched down, covered my head, and listened for the boom that signaled that the missile had landed somewhere. The Rabbi continued to lead; we prayed, with more passion and feeling put into our words. Once the siren was over we got up, went into the other room, and continued with our prayers.

I didn't even hear the second siren. I was in my room, on Skype my mom, putting away clothing when I got a text that said, "take shelter as we've spoken for 10 minutes. We'll keep you posted." I had no idea what was going on. I walked out of my room into the hallway and ran into someone else who had no idea what was going on. As we walked around looking for our Madrich, he came up the stairs telling us that there had been a siren and we should open our windows incase another one came so we could actually hear it next time.

Today, a bus was bombed in Tel Aviv. This is the first time this has happened since 2008 and its the first time its happened in Tel Aviv since the Second Intifada in 2006. After this shock, walking into the lobby of Hebrew U was like walking into a sea of smart phones desperately trying to get information.


These things are not normal. If any other country was put into this kind of situation, the kind where there own civilians were living in constant fear of missiles, the country attacking them would be taken out. Gaza has been attacking Israel for a very long time. Israel continues to give them aid and medical attention. They give them food and water. They transport people into Israel to benefit from the country's hospital services when they are in need of it. These people shoot missile after missile into our country. They set off bombs in our bus stations and on our buses. They threaten us. When we hit civilians we call it a failure. They don't just hit civilians, they aim for them. I am a believer in the two state solution, but I also believe that if you constantly threaten the well being of common people then those common people have a right to defend themselves.

Depending on your news station of choice you can receive different points of view on the situation, but I am not here to scare you OR to tell you that your news station is wrong or right. Israel is not a war zone. I am completely safe. I am not afraid. I am here until May unless I am forced to go home.

I stand with Israel.
-Miriam

Remember when I was going to do this every day?

Hello! I'm not good at doing this but since I talk to everyone like 3 times a week I don't think its a big deal. What have I done? thats a very good question, since on monday I literally couldn't remember what I'd done the weekend before. I've been doing alot of good stuff though! Went to grandmas and brought friends that I think she likes and they love her too so its all good. Went to the cousins and ate amazing food cooked by my cousin and caught up on sleep. As my friends said when I got back "It looks like you got to sleep the entire weekend" IT WAS FABULOUS! I'M OFFICIALLY GOING TO SPAIN OVER WINTER BREAK WITH ONE OF MY GOOD FRIENDS LEORA! Its going to be so much fun and I'm so glad my cousin was able to put us up which kinda made the entire trip much more possible for both of us! Uh classes are fine. I go between loving and hating them. Except one, I always love me some talmud. I am sick of my Ulpan class. It goes so slowly that i'm not doing well on tests because I just want to leave the classroom and my teacher who talks to us like we are 5 years old. Seriously she speaks at the speed of light but when we try to talk she makes us talk like we've never said a word before in our lives...No thank you. I miss my cats. The Dr. Pepper here tastes funny and I don't like it nearly as much. I'm staying on base this weekend but on thursday i'm going to a concert in Tel Aviv with a huge group of friends. Its going to be so much fun! My hair is really long and it kinda chokes me sometimes....I love it. I'm down 23 lbs since March ish which is really cool. I have to go shopping because my clothing doesn't fit the Jerusalem scene. Neither the party one or the religious one. I need more neon. I have my first college midterm on sunday and I think i've got it down! i'm not nervous to an insane extent! Okay, thats life for now. Keep It Sassy, Miriam

I don't sleep in class. Ever.

Hello! How's life for you?!? Mines swell.
This past weekend I was at grandmas and she's perfect, per usual.

We spent a lovely weekend hanging out with her friends who are republicans, catching up on sleep, and eating low cal ice cream.. And normal cal ice cream.

I have also officially lost a full 20 Los since I started losing weight in march. I still have a ways to go but this was definitely an awesome accomplishment for me!

I went to the shuk yesterday since I only have one class at 4 on Sunday (and Tuesday) and had the most amazing smoothie. No. Really. It was the most delicious thing I think I've ever tasted. Re:bar is my new hi to beverage provider. THEY HAVE SO MANY OPTIONS WITHOUT BANANAS. MY LIFE WAS SO GREAT IN THAT MOMENT!

Today I had class all day. I took a nap in the library during my break. It was good. I love my classes. I have no idea what's going on but I love them and I feel like I'm learning.

I just had to buy more books (hint) but I don't think I'll have to again for awhile. At least until my Hasidim teacher actually makes one but we aren't holding our breathes.

That's all I suppose. I'm going for sushi.

Keep it sassy!
Miriam 😽

I'm on a bus and ... Uh...

Hello!

Look at me. Writing a blogpost. On my phone. ON A BUS!

That's right, as I write this very post I am being transported to Nentanya where I will spend a lovely weekend with my grandma! She's finally here and since we didn't get to see each other while she was in Jerusalem and my only class today ended at 10:00 I'm going to her today!

In other news I was viciously beat up by a mosquito. Why do I say beat up instead of bitten? Well, it's because I was bitten on my eyelid which is now red and swollen and also on my cheek which is red and swollen. Yes, I have been asked who I got in a fight with. They itch. I hate that mosquito and i hope it got smothered by my blankets.

I have also officially finished my first week of classes and I only have 2 days that make me want to sleep in class... Which hasn't happened yet? The other 3 days I only have one class which is great! Or should I say awesome?

That's all folks! My life seems to be pretty boring but on the bright side my friends dad is coming in this weekend and taking us out for pizza Saturday night! Woo for not having to use stipends!!

Keep it sassy!
Miriam

I drink my apple sauce like a pro.

Hey everyone! Its tuesday here in the lovely city of Jerusalem which is equivalent to wednesday in america which means its hump day which MEANS that we are half way though the week! YAY! What did you do today Miriam? Today I felt SO accomplished! I made a shopping list and I actually WENT OUT AND BOUGHT THINGS ON IT! It wasn't like the last several times where I made a list and went to the store and ended up getting like 6 things I didn't need and half the things on my list were left neglected and un-purchased. I made a list, checked it twice, and now have food! Like real food! I have pita and peanut butter and jelly for lunches! I have nuts and dried fruit for snacks! I have fruit to pack with my lunches and I have energy bars for when I just NEED some fuel. This was especially fantastic because they were only 12nis instead of the like, 30nis I was paying at my OLD place. I ALSO GOT THE MOST GLORIOUS OF ALL FOODS! I. Got. The. Sauce. You know what I mean. APPLESAUCE. i didn't have a spoon but I wanted it so i drank it and i love every single second of it. best purchase of the day by far. I have also now officially taken and chosen the three classes that I will be attending this semester! Talmud, Islamic Perspective, and Hassidim. I also will be taking Ulpan but...thats nothing new. Forever and always trying to be able to speak Hebrew. I really like all my classes and my schedule is great. I have to go to school everyday but for 3 of those days its only once and on thursdays its only in the morning and someone elses buses me there so no complaints! I don't think I have anything else to say? GRANDMA IS HERE AND I'M GOING TO HER FOR THE WEEKEND BUT I'M SO EXCITED AND I'M GOING ON THURSDAY AFTER ULPAN! I have to do my homework now. Keep it Sassy, Miriam

Ra'annanananananna and real life school

Hello! I know I said everyday, but again, I lied.

What has been happening?!
This past weekend I went with my friend Loren to her friends house in Ra'annana. It was awesome! It was also weird though to see houses and buildings not made or Jerusalem stone and to see girls wearing shorts and not being stared down by the religious people. The people we stayed with were absolutely amazing. So welcoming and open. Me and Loren actually sat and just talked with Jon's mom for an hour because she was so nice.

It was also awesome because we talked to her about the army and it was a new and different perspective which was awesome.

We went to a pool going away party for his friend too and it was awesome to just hang out with Israeli kids and get out of our Nativ bubble.

Sunday started real classes. I also took my Ulpan final and since I didn't fail I don't know what my score was but I DIDN'T FAIL! That means more credits for school!!!!

I started a class called battle of the bible which wasn't for me. Too much history not enough theology. But then I took a class on Islamic cultures and perspective and it is amazing. Our teacher is a Palestinian American and old and very knowledgable in the going ons of the world around him. He's great and every new piece of information he's had experience with and can give us real life examples and ideas. It's amazing.

Today we started new Ulpan classes and I tried a class in Talmud. I absolutely loved it. It was interesting and thought provoking and interactive and the teacher talked to us not at us. It is going to be amazing and I'm so excited to be in that class instead of in the battle class.

By the way, this week is shopping week. At Hebrew U, during the first week of classes students have the option to sit in on other classes that they aren't signed up for to see if thy would like to switch to another class that's why I've taken 5 classes in 2 days and may be going to a few more in the next days. I will be dropping down to having 3 classes and one class of Ulpan for the full semester.

Just some extra info.

Okay, now I have hassidim so you'll hear about that class next time! Which could be tomorrow... Or Thursday..... K LOVE YOU GUYS BYE.

Keep It Sassy,
Miriam