During Sukkot we went to a food fair and saw a hip hop group perform on the street. They were SO talented and it really made me want to dance, so i am going to look into classes.
Last week was pretty hard for me because I was homesick. Everything somehow reminded me of my family, friends, and home. It was even hard talking to my parents on the phone because I just felt like crying when I heard their voices. However, I had an amazing weekend that changed everything. I went with a friend named Ilana to Netanya. We stayed with two girls (Anna and Lauren) whom we met at our orientations. The weekend consisted of Anna working on college applications and Lauren explaining life lessons to me (to push past the homesickness). I really didn’t want to move on from high school life – especially all of my amazing friends. Lauren, who has already completed one year of college, made me realize how necessary it is to let go of high school in order to make the most of this year. I realize now that although high school was fabulous for me, I can move on and still keep Berkeley High; I will just keep it in my past – incredible memories! And no matter who I meet here I know I will always have my high school friends.
The hostel always empties at night because people feel the need to go to clubs in order to have fun. It was a relief to spend this past weekend on the couch – there aren’t any clubs in Netanya. We watched Harry Potter and drew Sharpie tattoos on each other. Also, I got to see Gili – an Israeli who worked at Camp Kee Tov with me this past summer. She invited me to stay on her kibbutz. I cant wait to stay with her because my mom talks so highly of kibbutzim and I want to experience one for myself!
I came back to the hostel and immediately started studying for my midterms that are coming up this week. I am sure that it is not as stressful as real college, but I haven’t had anytime for school lately – we have had so many breaks because of Jewish holidays that I feel like I haven’t even started learning anything, yet I have midterms this week!
I now feel completely safe and confident with the buses. I told my brother how exhilarating it is to know how to use public transportation. Now that I can get around on my own I feel like Israel can’t stop me from doing anything I want to do.
Hopefully all will stay peaceful with me. They don’t celebrate Halloween here in Israel and my counselor wont even let me organize trick-or-treating at the hostel because Halloween isn’t a Jewish holiday! My roommate and I are decorating our room with printed pictures of pumpkins and I made some ghosts out of tissues and friendship string. Hey, I’m still American! Halloween here I come!
