“…she smiles in an exhausted but warm sort of way, as though she is a brilliant sun in some other galaxy.”

- Still alive!

- Ulpan, Hebz and such are all going well. Not too much to report.

- Went to Tel Aviv this weekend with a gaggle of girls and the Dutch Sasquatch. Learned that I definitely - definitely - chose correctly when I picked HU over Tel-Aviv University (didn't even bother applying) - TLV is definitely not my scene. It's all beach and clubs and alcohol and random hookups. Not saying it wasn't fun, but I'm happy to be back in J-Lem, with its evil Shabbis-breaking parking-lots and sci-fi Saturdays.

- Had a wonderful bout of anxiety, spawned by bathing suits and a beach-side club full of really, really, really gorgeous people. (No, seriously - if M. hadn't talked to the guy on the phone before we got there, there's no way they would have let us in the door, our fashion sense aside. Too many supermodels in Tel Aviv; I'll take my Haredim and their funny Shabbis hats, thanks.) Handled it well, though. Scooby Gang + Sasquatch went to the beach, and I (sans bathing suit) tooled around a shopping area, met some wonderfully nice and very helpful Israelis*, and saw The Time Traveler's Wife. GORGEOUS film. Everyone should see it, just for the cinematography. The story line was beautiful, too, but it was the camera-work that really impressed me. I might go see it again this week with some of the Scoobies.

- Why do they never hold sci-fi conventions in Israel? Seriously. I'm sure Joe Flanigan's hair would be just as awesome in the desert as anywhere else. *harumph*

- Farscape S2 finally finished! I can watch the season finale now, horray! (My life is so exciting.)

- No, really! Potential going to Egypt over the break, with a few dudes and maybe a few people from the Scooby Gang. Caiirroooooo. And possibly Petra (in Jordan)! Al-Arabiyya!! How I have missed you so.




* Israeli Sandwich Maker Guy was so incredibly sweet. I must recount the conversation, so I can remember later. It was so precious.

Him: Ma at rotseh?
Me: Uhh... ani lo yodehat... uh... err... *looks very confused*
Him: *highly amused by my fail* Anglit?
Me: *relieved sigh* Cen, yes, thank you.
Him: What you want? Lamb? Cheese?
Me: No, thank you, I'm -
Him: We have turkey. You want sandwich?
Me: Yes, thank you, but I'm vegan. I don't eat -
Him: Oh, yeah, yeah okay, no, uh, cheese or egg or meat.
Me: Or dairy, yes.
Him: Ah, okay, what can we make for you? Hmmm, eh, you like mayonnaise?
Other guy: That has egg.
Him: Oh, right okay, how about... pesto?
Other guy: That has mayonnaise.
Him: Right. How about tahini? Is very good!
Me: Yes, that'd be wonderful, thank you!
Him: Okay.... how about... you like cabbage? Is salad with eh...
Other guy: Mayonnaise.

And so on and so forth, hee. It was SO CUTE. He wound up making me a wonderful sandwich with roasted peppers, tomatoes, tahini, olive bruschetta and pickles. SO GOOD. It might be a stereotype, but it's so true that every Israeli I've met so far has been so helpful. No matter what you're trying to do or where you're tying to go, they'll go out of their way to help you. It's quite wonderful.

"I gotta blow, homes."

Pictures from the Shuk/Souk

- Group of us went to the Souk (al-Arabiyya > Evrit) last night and bought lots of fresh foods! Babo would have drooled over the fish, Mombo over the pastries. Catherine drooled over the basil. Mmmmmbasil. Going to make Italian dinner one of these nights. Possibly tonight (bi'layla)! We shall see (what thereat is, and this mystery explore! Let my heart be still a moment, and this mystery explore! 'Tis the wind and nothing more!).

- *nerd*

- First epic Evrit test today. Think it went well. We shall see (c-caw c-caw!). Set expectations low and be pleasantly surprised, y/y? N'am.

- Going to the Golan Heights this weekend with a group of talmidim/tulaab. There's hiking involved! Outdoorsy things and possibly bugs! Shocked, aren't you? Hopefully I'll remember my sunblock this time. Whoops. We're staying in a hostel and having Shabbat dinner. ....I should bring my own food, shouldn't I? No challah for me. :(

- Should see Gili again Mon or Tues before she leaves! I do not enjoy this irony NOR do I want to pay for it. Ugh. Can we move SAIC to Israel?

- S. from J-Fund emailed me yesterday! She is so sweet. She gave me her email and told me to keep in touch, even though she's leaving JF for other work. I miss them all so much. Must be awesome and get job at Pal NP here in J-Lem. M. from Hebrew class (formerly known as Arabic!Girl) said she'd help edit a letter b'il Arabiyya to one of the NPs I'm looking at. Just my luck I'd end up writing, "Good day, kind sir, and what a large penis you have!"

My brain. It fails.

- Lazy evening. Just may break out those SGA discs (still did not watch The Last Man). Oh, how I miss my sci-fi! And Torri! And the Flan! This requires impromptu Flan vid!

(10 minutes later) Ugh. Israel won't let me upload it. Ho. Anyway, it's here! Also, the classic - (15 minutes later) Ooh, and this one worked! Huzzah!

He is so totally my TV boyfriend.

- Just might take a nap. Brain = fried.

- BUT BUT BUT!! Recessional a la Babo! Shukran, Abee!!! I love it so much (even though you jazz'd it up ^^).

- Lehiterot! / Ma asalaama!

"Je suis le President de Burundi."

Ah, the ultimate question when in Israel:

Fireworks or gunfire?

Par-TAY.

(Don't worry, they weren't aiming at the Americans. (OH, ZING.))

- Hebrew lessons: are awesome.

- Housing situation: is resolved! Now living with non-sketch chick who desires to clean apartment from head to toe. WIN. Still have a few of dumpsters, but at least it's from the 8th floor, not right out my window.

- Shabbat: bodes well. Provided I can find the bus to the Central Bus Station, and from there to Kfar Saba. And not wind up in Petah Tikva. (Unless Ronit Elkabetz is there. Then I might not care.)

- Went with a few peeps to Ben Yehuda street. Witnessed crazy white African dummer, Rabbis dancing on top of a mini-van, a girl balancing on top of the street signs, and the most awesome falafel of life. (That last one I ate, not just witnessed. For the record. It comes with french fries! I think this country was made for me.)

- Still trying to figure out how to talk to Arabic!girl without making an ass of myself. Ahlan, ismee Catherine. La attakelm al-lukhet al-arabiyya jayyid. Ana "fail at life". Blargh. Must read up on Arabiyya mufradet.

- "Two languages in one head?! No one can live at that speed! Good lord, man!"

"But the Dutch speak four languages and smoke marijuana."

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hJQsvoY6VU)

- Totes exhausted. Going to look over Hebrewz one more time, watch The Last Man (SHUTUP I'm having Flan withdrawals!), and then die.