I Lost The Sun.
I am going to share a story. It's about direction and my sense of it. Or lack thereof.
Right so I woke up at 4 AM today. I'm laying the blame solely on jetlag. But anyways, I decided to see the sunrise. I mean, what better to do at that hour than wait up for the sun to illuminate some Israeli sky? So I bring a blanket outside onto our balcony and sit out there with my computer. I waited, and then I waited some more. Of course the sun would rise over Jerusalem, I mean, where else would it perform its daily routine. You face Jerusalem in the East when you pray. And the sun rises in the East. BUT IT NEVER DID! I mean, the sun always rises and it will always set. Supposedly at least. It’s been a constant in my life for the duration of my 16 years. And it let me down. The moral of this phenomenal story would be that the sun never rose, over Jerusalem that is. Our Kibbutz is on the Eastern side of the city. Figures. I left that balcony at 7 having lost my eternal sunshine. Stupid light. But there’s always tomorrow. Gosh.
Well I thought that that was a good story. :)
Before I write about the most ridiculous 24 hours, I have something to say. My parents read this journal! So censor your comments.
And onto the sordid details that everyone wants to hear:
Backtracking a bit-I left Illinois on Monday via this miniature American Eagle plane which took Annie and me to New York’s JFK airport. So we get off the plane, and get our beastly 65 pound duffels. Great story-so I get my duffel and the side pocket ripped open with almost everything in it gone. The good news would be that I only had socks in it. So I’ll live.
I’m going to go to sleep since I’m tired and I have to be up in 6 hours; however, I’ll add more tomorrow. Maybe. No promises.
2/1/06
So I told you guys the basic gist of what was going on here over the phone. I can tell already that I am going to love this program. The history, the location, the everything. The next four months of my life will be filled with crazy learning of both Hebrew and Middle Eastern history, which is so beyond cool especially since it’s in the Middle East that I’m learning all of this.
When I first got to the EIE meeting spot at the JFK airport, I wasn’t really enjoying myself. It was actually really interesting to watch the 100 kids meet for the first time (well some of them for the first time…others went to camp together). Within minutes, the band kids were in one corner, the Dungeons & Dragons crowd found their corner and etc. down the line. My theory on this is that people feel more comfortable around those who share their interests-it’s a bonding point. The band kids pretty much all shared the same values, the OSRUI kids all went into their own corner as well. I personally just wanted to sleep. But that’s me. Haha.
Right so we got our bags checked in with El Al and eventually ended up on the plane. To Israel that is. At the airport and on the subsequent ridiculously lengthy plane ride, I met some really nice kids and we bonded and all that stuff.
The entirety of EIE Spring ’06 has been divided into 3 groups: Group A (Dagan), group B, & group C. You have Hebrew classes, Middle Eastern history classes, and field trips with your group. You also room with only those in your group. I’m really not all that happy with that whole deal. It makes no sense to me to have to concentrate your “bonding” or “getting to know each other” with the same 30 kids. Would it not make more sense to split up the rooming with all 100 kids so that you might have the opportunity to meet kids who are not in your select group?
And it's time for me to go.
Love, Elaina
P.S. I talked to Kara last night! And my parents. My phone has hebrew on it. If I'm up really really ridiculously early then maybe I'll call you too.
Right so I woke up at 4 AM today. I'm laying the blame solely on jetlag. But anyways, I decided to see the sunrise. I mean, what better to do at that hour than wait up for the sun to illuminate some Israeli sky? So I bring a blanket outside onto our balcony and sit out there with my computer. I waited, and then I waited some more. Of course the sun would rise over Jerusalem, I mean, where else would it perform its daily routine. You face Jerusalem in the East when you pray. And the sun rises in the East. BUT IT NEVER DID! I mean, the sun always rises and it will always set. Supposedly at least. It’s been a constant in my life for the duration of my 16 years. And it let me down. The moral of this phenomenal story would be that the sun never rose, over Jerusalem that is. Our Kibbutz is on the Eastern side of the city. Figures. I left that balcony at 7 having lost my eternal sunshine. Stupid light. But there’s always tomorrow. Gosh.
Well I thought that that was a good story. :)
Before I write about the most ridiculous 24 hours, I have something to say. My parents read this journal! So censor your comments.
And onto the sordid details that everyone wants to hear:
Backtracking a bit-I left Illinois on Monday via this miniature American Eagle plane which took Annie and me to New York’s JFK airport. So we get off the plane, and get our beastly 65 pound duffels. Great story-so I get my duffel and the side pocket ripped open with almost everything in it gone. The good news would be that I only had socks in it. So I’ll live.
I’m going to go to sleep since I’m tired and I have to be up in 6 hours; however, I’ll add more tomorrow. Maybe. No promises.
2/1/06
So I told you guys the basic gist of what was going on here over the phone. I can tell already that I am going to love this program. The history, the location, the everything. The next four months of my life will be filled with crazy learning of both Hebrew and Middle Eastern history, which is so beyond cool especially since it’s in the Middle East that I’m learning all of this.
When I first got to the EIE meeting spot at the JFK airport, I wasn’t really enjoying myself. It was actually really interesting to watch the 100 kids meet for the first time (well some of them for the first time…others went to camp together). Within minutes, the band kids were in one corner, the Dungeons & Dragons crowd found their corner and etc. down the line. My theory on this is that people feel more comfortable around those who share their interests-it’s a bonding point. The band kids pretty much all shared the same values, the OSRUI kids all went into their own corner as well. I personally just wanted to sleep. But that’s me. Haha.
Right so we got our bags checked in with El Al and eventually ended up on the plane. To Israel that is. At the airport and on the subsequent ridiculously lengthy plane ride, I met some really nice kids and we bonded and all that stuff.
The entirety of EIE Spring ’06 has been divided into 3 groups: Group A (Dagan), group B, & group C. You have Hebrew classes, Middle Eastern history classes, and field trips with your group. You also room with only those in your group. I’m really not all that happy with that whole deal. It makes no sense to me to have to concentrate your “bonding” or “getting to know each other” with the same 30 kids. Would it not make more sense to split up the rooming with all 100 kids so that you might have the opportunity to meet kids who are not in your select group?
And it's time for me to go.
Love, Elaina
P.S. I talked to Kara last night! And my parents. My phone has hebrew on it. If I'm up really really ridiculously early then maybe I'll call you too.