Hebrew is tough!

This past week I moved up one level to a more difficult class, because my teacher felt that I was ready for the next challenge. I'm very happy that I moved up, and I hope that I can continue to improve my Hebrew, so that I can finish my program at the highest possible level.

Although my speaking, understanding, and vocabulary are above average I still struggle with a number of other aspects of language acquisition. I'd say that my most significant problem is spelling, followed by my lack of knowledge of the grammatical organization of verbs, and I also have difficulty with identifying nouns as masculine or feminine and conjugating them accordingly. Although I find myself frustrated at times, I continue to do extra homework everyday in an effort to make up for my shortcomings, and I keep telling myself that great achievements do not happen overnight and to stay patient.

Besides studying I feel like I'm really settling to life here. Last week I received my first official piece of mail (see photo below)! I also bought my public transportation pass a couple of days ago (also see photo below), and I'm really starting to feel like I live here. I've also been spending time with friends and exercising pretty regularly. I've been
doing crossfit style workouts at the gym here, and tonight I'm taking part in a yoga class. I can't say it enough, but overall this has already been a great experience, and I'm very excited for what will come next :-).

First Two Weeks at Ulpan Etzion

It's been a busy first couple of weeks for me here at Ulpan Etzion, getting settled in with the living situation and with classes. I couldn't be happier with how things have gone until this point. Classes have been difficult at times, and I've been doing plenty of spare homework in attempt to continue to move up to the next level, ambitious right?

I've already met so many great people, both teachers and friends at the Ulpan. Before I came here I made myself a promise to be open to new people an experiences. I'm happy to say that I've key my promise I myself, as I've been going out and enjoying the city as much as possible. Last Thursday I went to a karaoke bar and as usual I sang with some new friends. Last night I also went out with friends to celebrate Australia Day with some friends including one very bubbly Aussie.

Aside from meeting new friends its been so great to spend time with my family these past couple of weeks. The warmth that I've felt from my family here has been remarkable, and the main reason why I took my leap of faith on coming to Israel. I know my family will always be there for me, and they've been so good to me ever since I've arrived.

This will be our first full week of classes, and I'm really looking forward to it, and I'm excited foe the big party that the Ulpan has arranged for us for this Thursday night. And who knows, maybe tel aviv this weekend...We'll just have to see, but for now here are some pictures from the last week and a half.

Walking the Shuk in Jerusalem

Friday afternoon when I went to the "shuk" or marketplace/bizarre in central Jerusalem with my cousins. I love going to the shuks of Israel because there is nothing like them in the states. Even though I've been here for nearly two weeks I still find it difficult to grasp the fact that I am now living in Israel. The shuks are packed so tightly with people that you have to be quite rude in order to move around. You're constantly in contact with the people around you, and others will push past you without even a minor apology. The market is filled with large quantities of everything you can think of: fruits, vegetables, nuts, spices, meats, fish, and just about anything else that you would need to get by in Israel. Most of the food items are also reasonably priced if you buy in bulk, but besides sampling food from multiple establishments with my cousins (total fatty day but I loved it) I didn't buy anything. Going to a shuk in Israel is such a great experience that I recommend to everyone.

Lots of fun week one of Ulpan Etzion

Today wrapped up my first week at my language program, Ulpan Et Zion in the Talpiot Mizrach neighborhood in Jerusalem. I've already met a number of great people, and my early experience has been excellent. I've made some great friends, most of which come from the UK, and together we've begun our journey of Aliyah to Israel.

I'm so happy that I chose my specific program because it has given me the opportunity to meet many new people, and to spend lots of time together as we live, learn, and eat together. Not only am I learning more Hebrew, but I'm also learning a lot about new people and new cultures. We had a couple of nice introductory days with great meals and trips to central Jerusalem, and last night the staff on the Ulpan put on a party for all of the students (all 200 of us). The party was a great time, with lots of music and dancing.

Today was the first day of classes, and I really enjoyed it. I don't think I've ever been so excited about going to school. I hope that my enthusiasm continues until June and that I make it to the top level at the Ulpan. Right now I'm in the beginner group because of my poor writing skills, but I hope that the extra homework I've been doing will allow me to improve on my reading and writing within the next couple of days. On that note, I think it's time for bed. Here are some pictures from the first couple of days with some new friends :-).

And I'm Still Sick...

I probably shouldn't have said anything, as yesterday I woke up with new symptoms such as a runny nose and sinus congestion.  Definitely spoke too soon, and last night I was too tired to post.  I didn't do much today because I stayed home and tried to rest up before moving into my language program tomorrow, but I'll recap Saturday for you all.  Yesterday I went with my aunt and uncle to have lunch with my other aunt and uncle.  We had a great lunch filled with many traditional Israeli dishes and salads.  I love the slow-cooked beef, cabbage salads, and rice, but everything is delicious, and there was at least one dish that would appeal to anyone. After lunch we had tea, and I saw my cousin's newly built sound proof room, made so he and his children can play music at all volumes and at all hours. 

Here are some pics of the food:

After lunch we went to my other cousin's house for tea, and it was great to catch up with her and her family.  I recently found out that my cousin Adi opened up her own business as a residential architect.  If you're in Israel and you need an architect for a private residence look her up, her Facebook page is עדי אדריכלות ועיצוב, and here's her business card:

Finally Feeling Better

My super sickness is finally showing signs of improvement! For those of you who haven't seen me in the past three to four weeks, I've been battling a nasty chest cough/sore throat and it's finally showing signs of improvement thanks to some medicine from my cousin.  It's so good to finally feel close to healthy again, and just in time for my language program.  It's been another great day for me in the holy land.  After shopping for some essentials with my family we ate some delicious Israeli food in the Talpiot region of Jerusalem.  We all shared a plate of hummus, and then I ordered shnitzel with cous cous and Israeli vegetable salad.  I should have taken a picture, but in any case it was delicious and reminded me of how much I missed Israeli cuisine.  Right now I'm looking forward to another delectable dinner, and later some fun out on the town with my cousins.  For now, here are some pictures from today.

View from the porch.  All the snow is already gone!

The fireplace has kept us warm this week.

Oh how I love my uncle's giant hookah.

Welcome to Israel!

I finally did it, and now I'm here.  One of my friends said it best: "It's pretty awesome how you know that you're about to do the most exciting thing you've ever done in your life." So true.  This is an adventure that far exceeds anything I've done before.  Sure I've visited Israel plenty of times, and I've done some crazy things in my day, but moving to another country-definitely the coolest thing I've done to date.  But mind you, I didn't move just so I could say I've done something cool in my life.  I moved for a fresh start in a place that I've always loved.  Hopefully this place and my family can help me attain what I want in life: success with in my professional and personal life along with a happy and healthy lifestyle.  I'm sure that if I stay positive and make smart choices that I'll be able to achieve my goals.  My first step begins next week with my language program, and after that I'll go back to school.  For what? I don't know, but I'm going back to school and hopefully this will be the last time I change professional directions haha. Anyway, if my journey interests you and you want to keep up, follow me, and I'll keep writing about my adventure.  For now I'll leave you with some pictures from my first couple of days.  Enjoy!

Here's a picture of the snow on the porch when it started last night:

Snow bear that my uncle made on the porch.

Me and my cousin's dog Tango in the snow.