Chag Sameach!

Boker Tov, friends!
Technically it's no longer morning, but I woke up at noon so it is still morning to me. I am currently spending Shabbat in Modi'in again with my friend Briana, but I will get back to that later.

Wow... this week has probably been the craziest yet, but I seem to say that every week! Last Sunday seems light years away. The week started out relatively slow and normal with classes on Sunday and Monday. Everyone was stressing out for the first major ICC test over the first two units( Prebiblical-biblical, and 2nd Temple Period). The test consisted of an intense objective section(no multiple choice or word banks!!!) with a map we had to fill in etc., and then an essay section. We were given six different essay topics to prepare for and then randomly picked two at the test to write. I had to write about the repetition of mistakes and cycle during the Judges Period(1200-1000 BCE) and about the first three kings in the United Monarchy and their good and bad attributes (Kings Saul, David, and Solomon). When I think back to my lack of knowledge of Jewish history in January to now, I feel so much more connected to Judaism and our past. After this three hour test on Tuesday, we went to the Kotel Tunnels and then the mall to shop for Purim costumes.

Back in the US I don't really celebrate Purim. We used to make hamentaschen and went to Megillah reading when I was younger but never thought much of the holiday. Well, here in Israel, Purim is a MAJOR deal. While Purim isn't technically until Sunday everywhere except Jerusalem on Monday, festivities started Wednesday. On the Chava, each school had a different theme for costumes. We were black and white. I am not one to get excited about wearing costumes, so I am just being a cat. Wednesday afternoon the whole chava had a parade then a dance in the gym, followed by more dancing in the dining hall and then a special dinner. Ready for a shocker? I actually had a good time! Most likely because I met a boy(sorry Dad). He is from the Ukraine and we somehow ended up standing by each other and he helped me learn the dances. Later in the night we lame Americans had mandatory study hall, while all the other kids had Purim break and continued to have fun. But our counselors decided to let us go to the disco for an hour. Me being the nerd I am, I was only going to go see what was going on and then work on my AP Poetry Analysis, but once I went in and everyone was dancing and having a good time, I decided to stay. The party went late into the night, but we all had to leave when everyone else was just starting to come. Nonetheless, it was the most fun I have had in a really long time, and it was so nice to forget about all the stress and just dance.

Sadly, the fun night had to come to an end eventually, and on Thursday we were up very early for a full day Tiyul. We just started the Christianity unit starting with the life and history of Jesus. We went to Ein Karem where John the Baptist was born and where Mary came while pregnant with Jesus to visit Elizabath, who was pregnant with John. Despite the rainy day, we then went to the Mount of Olives for a quick lesson about the history of the Mount. The view from the Mount was extraordinary even in the rain. Next stop was the new outdoor Mamila Mall outside the Old City. It was a nice mall, but it was very fancy and most of the stores were American. Our last stop was walking around the walls of the Old City and then seeing the location of the Last Supper.

The rest of the evening and Friday morning were spent back on the chava. Friday I had a stressful morning of classes. The pouring rain and hail didn't help the situation. I know Israel needs the rain, but it definitely wasn't fun getting soaked. My boots are still wet. After class, I left with Bri to go to Modi'in. We are having a relaxing couple days here, mostly sleeping and eating. Friday night I had a delicious meal once again followed by a scary amount of hamentaschen dough, cookies, and ice cream and then a repeat. While I feel disgusting now, it was fun at the time. Back on the chava, I run on about five hours of sleep each night and the food is not the best, so weekends like these are nice occasionally. It is now around two in the aftertoon Saturday and I need to learn my Megillah reading for Purim, even though I have absolutely no idea how! On Monday we leave for Ketura for the whole week for our "spring break". All I know about Ketura is that it is a kibbutz down south near Eilat. Find out more next week!

Chag Sameach!

Love,
Hannah