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

Lack of creativity

Today! ULPAN!
I snapchatted with people sitting next to me AND people in the actual Ulpan track. Then, after school, we went and got our buses. FUN FACT: it will take me an hour to get to school every morning and yes, I have morning classes. 4 times a week, Hebrew first thing. EW.
Came home and everyone else was either still getting there bus pass (I was in the front of the line) or taking the other Jerusalem course final. LONELY.

Then people came home and got sushi with me BUT they have finals tomorrow so I was left to my own devices... And I wandered Nativ. Finally found friends. Hung out. Had heaven in the form of tim tams and coffee. Got locked out of my room and finally got in. It was eventful but now I'm exhausted.

GOODNIGHT
keep it sassy,
Miriam.

Everyday I'm blogging

HI! so according to my family members I am letting them down with my blog so I will now be writing one everyday and if something amazing happens I will put it on a status and if not then only parents and family friends are going to need to be hearing about every single day. Today was the first day back to school after a week and a half off for Chaggim. It was exhausting to say the least, even though I only got about 4 hours of sleep last night. I ended up sick in bed all day because cafeteria food is disgusting even if every other Hebrew U Nativ student thinks Frank Sinatra is the perfect type of food. I napped all day, had dinner, went grocery shopping, and made new friends that weren't in the Advanced Jerusalem Course that has a final tomorrow. I have snacked all day and I remember my love of Oreos and potato chips. I hate that my sister is home so my entire family will be together without me. I guess this is how she feels all the time but....thats not fair because its HER deal not mine, yet here I am being sad that I'm so far away from my family. At least they can bond over how much they miss me ;) . Thats all that happened today but if it will satisfy the masses who am I to argue with them? LOVE YOU GUYS! KEEP IT SASSY, Miriam

I'm quite distractable

Hello everyone!!! I forgot about you guys.... I'm so sorry its been so long. I swear the weeks here go by a lot faster than they ever did in the states. I also was in the desert for most of this past week which meant I didn't EXACTLY have the best ways communication. Before you ask, the desert was great. I realized that I'm not the most avid hiker. I know, its a crazy thought. Regardless of my grumpy self during the hikes of the day the camping out at night was amazing. The stars before the moon comes up is something that you'd have to see to believe. I just realized its been like 2 weeks since i've written. Last week it was Yom Kippur so we had a fasting day which actually wasn't as bad as I expected. Its much easier to fast when every other person in the country is also fasting. I didn't even go to shul in the morning. Instead I went to the Kotel and davened by myself which I liked more. I moved at my own pace (which didn't mean I left in 20 minutes) and I ended up staying for a few hours, finishing the service, and getting a nice sunburn on one half of my body. For the first night of Chag I also got a chance to go visit my uncles house with 2 of my three cousins. It was so great to get to hang out with them. It was also funny that my cousin referred to the line of bars that me and my friends frequent as the "American Square". GRANDMA COMES THIS WEEK! I'm sure other things have happened but I don't remember what they are. I'll try to be more up to date with my information. Now that we are on the final Chag of Simchat Torah I won't be as unable to get on the internet. I hope everyone has a great week! Keep It Sassy, Miriam

Sorry I left you waiting!

Hello all random people who have decided this is entertaining! I know it had been awhile since I wrote you all and I am sorry about that. I promise that life really is this exciting an I truly don't have time to write here and talk about everything that I want to say as it is happening. I'll try to give you the FULL experience. Rosh Hashanah was absolutely amazing. I have never felt so religiously connected at a service in the last 8 years if not in my entire life. I felt like what I was saying was actually connecting to G-d. It was amazing. I was also REALLY sick the first day so I ended up going home from services but night time services the night before were amazing. The second day I went to Yedidya which was also an amazing time and we were hosted away for lunch. There 13 year old son was checking me out. Best Afternoon Ever. Then this past week after the Chag we had school and I GOT A 93 ON MY WEEKLY HEBREW TEST and it was all spelling which means I actually know...maybe....kind of what I'm saying! SOMETHING SO OVERWHELMINGLY FANTASTIC HAPPENED! I had religious enlightenment...at the church of the holy Sepulcher. I know that sounds a little bit ridiculous because, you know, the whole jewish thing but it was so spiritual. The person that actually caused this change was my Jerusalem History teacher. As we were ending class me and my friend Laur went up to Keren and talked to him about how spiritually connected we felt while in the church. How we could tell this place completely over whelmed people and even brought them to tears and how we, as a jewish people, didn't have something so tangible that could bring us closer. He then proceeded to look around and question us. He told us that we were standing on the Tangible. That everything surrounding us, from the walls, the stones, to the people could be traced back and that was our tangibility. That we were still there. I HAVE NEVER IN MY ENTIRE LIFE FELT SO CONNECTED TO JERUSALEM AS A PLACE AND THE JEWISH PEOPLE AS I DID IN THAT EXACT INSTANT. It was so fantastic but even when I told my sister she said great and proceeded to ask me about my BOY situation. Which is non existent but i love making my daddy nervous about it. Shabbas was nice...I slept through everything and ended up staying on Base. Tomorrow is Erev Yom Kippur which means a lovely day of fasting and cranky teenage friends. I'll update when I can!!! LOVE YOU GUYS! Keep it Sassy Miriam

Well Hello Chagim!

So! Hello! I'm doing this a little earlier than a week because not only is it shabbas this weekend, it is also Rosh Hashana! For all of those who don't know that is the holiday that celebrates the new year. That means I won't really be able to write a post on Sunday night while I'm at shul! So what happened on Monday? We went to school and then we came home and ON IMPULSE I pierced my nose. It's lovely and studly and everyone tells me how nice it is! I love it. It's fantastic and it's clean and perfect. On Tuesday we went to class but we have our second class top which pretty much means we talk then wander Jerusalem and see where everything happened so we went to Hezekiah's tunnel which is pitch black and filled with water. It was awesome! Until, we had to walk back to base which was like 25 minutes away because our bus ditched us. Then we got home, changed, not showered, and went to a soccer game. Israel lost. No one was surprised. Then last night we had accapella for the first time which was also very cool. Different, but still awesome and I convinced my friend to come too so it was worth it. Tonight is Thursday which is like Friday so I shall enjoy my night and have a good shabbas and happy new year!! Keep is Sassy Miriam

I've arrived, I've legally ordered, and i'm learning

Hello everyone! I have officially arrived safe and sound in the lovely land of Israel! I left this past Monday and traveled on a plane from Newark for 10 HOURS so I could get to this great place and I’ve finally arrived. I know everyone wanted a post sooner (if you didn’t please lie. It makes me feel awesome.) but you have no idea how intense this week has been! We got in on Monday and had a small orientation for the actual program we are on which is Nativ. On Tuesday we had the real, long orientation for the program and I ordered MY FIRST LEGAL DRINK! Probably one of the most exciting moments thus far I must say. I had myself a nice little mojito because it made me think of Family Guy which, in turn, made me laugh. On Wednesday we took a tour of the city of Jerusalem and I kid you not, my dormitory is in the middle of one of the most exciting cities in the world. I can take a walk to Ben Yehuda. I can waltz over to the Kotel if I get the inkling. I can EVEN walk across the street to an extremely packed full super market that has all of my needs. That night we went to a nice bar-b-que so that all of the group could bond and we have a nice evening out at the park! On Thursday I had my first day of classes! We took a bus to Hebrew U and had our orientation for classes and since I have to actually learn Hebrew before we start the true semester I had to stay for 4 HOURS to learn some letters and words. Don’t get me wrong it was nice and interesting but that didn’t mean I had to like sitting there for that long. I was put into the beginner instead of intermediate classes but looking at how fast paced the classes are I’m very glad I’m getting a refresher before I start classes in October. My uncle also came to visit! He was brining me a sim card but it still made me feel great seeing him. Literally everyone except me went out partying this night. Instead me and my friend stayed in and watched the second Sherlock Holmes movie (I didn’t like and it I was so distracted! Sorry, bud.) and watched people slowly stumble in. FRIDAY AND ITS SHABBAS! Since I was still in the Ulpan classes we had an extra day to make sure we made up for the crunch time. I got the pleasure of waking up at 7:30 AM on a Friday (which here is like Saturday) while everyone else was sleeping off hangovers or just sleeping off the terrible jetlag (which was are slowly but surely getting over). After class we enjoyed a calm day without any pressures and the knowledge we had a day of rest coming up. We davened at a site where we could look into the past and also see the future of Jerusalem and see where we actually were getting to spend a year and see its significance. Saturday we went to shul. Each of chose our own and small groups went to different places to try it out. Mine wasn't exactly what I liked but eh, I have nine months to decide what's really for me. I took a three hour nap so the rest of it is a blur but that night my uncle, cousins, and step aunt all came to visit me and it made my night. I also got to talk to each one of my family members which is more than I have for most of the time I've been here. Sunday we have school. Its the worst feeling in the world to wake up at 6:30 on a sunday with the intention of 4 hours of intensive hebrew, 45 minutes for lunch, and then 3 hours of a History of Jerusalem course with a total of a 45 minute break between them all. Although all are fun, I could do without waking up that early. WE got home around 4 and the day has been spent hanging with friends, doing homework, and trying to fight the need to sleep. (Jetlag still sucks) Its now sunday night and i'm sorry I haven't been so up to date on this whole experience. Believe you me, its been a hectic and over whelming week but its also been so amazing and eye opening that I am absolutely loving it here. I'll start posting pictures when I remember to start taking them! Hope America is as fun as it is here! Keep It Sassy Miriam

Haven't even left the station...

Hey everyone!

Lets give you some general information about this disheveled blog.
- My Name is Miriam.
- I named this blog because people call Israel "The land of Milk and Honey." If you don't get the joke now, I don't think you deserve it.
- I'm quite awkward and I ramble.
- I've decided to spend a school year in Israel on a program called Nativ.
- I will go to college the first semester and volunteer for the second.
- This is to update my friends and family members because I can't always be on skype for the 50 people who want to talk to me every other day.

Why now you may ask?
It's because I am almost completely packed, I've said goodbye to most of my friends who left for college weeks ago, I am 10 days away from getting on a plane to leave for nine months, and I'm getting ready to live in a foreign country with people I have never met before. In my head I keep picturing something along the lines of "Real World: Jerusalem." We've been picked to live in a dorm room and see how grown up we can be when we are legally allowed to drink. There will be more than the normal 7 people though. There are 79 people going with me to an amazing country and onto an even more amazing life experience.

I'm a nervous wreck. I'm an excited nervous wreck, but a nervous wreck none the less.

But Miriam! you should be excited!
I AM SO EXCITED THIS WILL BE AMAZNG! I also realize this is a huge step in my life. I will officially be an adult. Someone won't be there to bail me out. Well, not the normal people who bail me out. This will be the longest I've ever been away from my parents. I'll be able to call but knowing I won't actually be seeing them for nine months is the saddest part of leaving. BUT I'm sure the people going on my trip with me will be willing to give me a hug if I ever need one!

This is going to be fun! I swear!

Keep it Sassy,
Miriam