Ulpan is pretty crazy. It's a 5 hour day (with a 30 minute lunch break and 15 minute stretch break) that is conducted only in Hebrew. I know that this is the best way to learn a language, to be explained new words in Hebrew and be constantly berated with repetition and practice. I like it a lot, but it's exhausting. It takes all of my concentration and focus, no zoning out allowed as you might be able to pull off in a class conducted in your native tongue. The only bad news is that my level seems a little bit too easy right now. I think the first week is meant to be review which is great, but many of my classmates are finding the review difficult, and I'm afraid the class will have to proceed at the pace of the students who are struggling a bit. However, I hear that Ulpan is pretty merciless, and that they go the pace that they're gonna go. So hopefully I'll be inundated with new verb tenses and the like very soon. My teachers (we have one in the morning and one in the afternoon) are both very kind and smart, and I like the students in my class.
As a matter of fact, I like EVERYONE that I've met so far. We had some orientation events (a wine and cheese reception to mention one) and every person that I have gotten a chance to chat with has been so friendly! It's really neat to hear each person's stories, find out what brought them to Israel and what they hope to get out of their experience. Last night the Madrichim (kind of like social life organizers) threw a huuuuge Shabbat dinner at one of the nice hotels in Jerusalem. Nearly everyone came, and we ate, talked, and sang Shabbat in. Needless to say it was superbly fun. I've met a few girls and guys in particular that I feel like I'm really starting to become friends with. Oddly enough the majority of them are from Canada (Toronto and Winnipeg) and the others from various states back home. On the one hand I feel like I'm having to scramble a bit on the friend front because I don't live in the dorms, but everyone has been really great about inviting me over to stuff and making sure I stay involved. I also happen to live blocks away from all the bars they go to which 1. gives me street cred that I certainly don't deserve and 2. means that whenever anyone goes out I can meet up with them very easily. So that's great. I'm so happy to be starting to make community here and I really am so looking forward to the year ahead with most of the people that I am starting to call friends.
In possibly bigger news, I HAVE STARTED EATING CHICKEN AGAIN!!!! This announcement requires a back story: As some of you may know, I have craaaazy dreams and nightmares almost every night. About a week and a half ago I started having dreams about chicken sandwiches. In the dreams I would be in some sort of crisis (stranded by the side of the road, or lying in a ditch with a broken leg, or some other unpleasant nightmarish concoction my subconscious cooked up) and I would be saved by none other than a chicken sandwich. This was weird. But I decided that maybe my body was speaking to me, trying to tell me something about a need that wasn't being fulfilled. So I decided to listen, and I ate a chicken sandwich (that btw was beautifully prepared by the one and only Matan Hoffman). This sandwich all but changed my life. Before any of my die-hard vegetarian friends freak out, I will say that I have no plans of chomping down on steaks and hamburgers any time soon, and I surely intend on continuing to eat in an environmentally responsible way, but MAN DID I MISS CHICKEN. Since that fateful evening I have also eaten Matan Hoffman Chicken Schnitzel (with mashed potatoes) which also resulted in euphoria. We'll see what happens with this entrance back into the poultry-eating world, but for now I'm pretty pleased. What follow are pictures of the chicken meals and of me consuming them, I hope they provide a laugh or two :) :)
yummmm. that is a sandwich with chicken breast, lettuce, grilled onions, and ketchup! straight from my nightmares, care of Matan Hoffman
this is me, very scared (of getting sick which luckily didn't happen) and excited.
chicken schnitzel! mashed potatoes and salad.
no longer any fear, just pure joy!The last thing I feel compelled to share is what I have done so far today, the first weekend that I have been exhausted enough to truly appreciate since finishing up at Carleton in June. First, I slept until 11:15. After waking up, Matan cooked us (does anyone see a theme forming? Hah) egg fritata which we ate with toast and salad with tahina. Then we read in bed for about half an hour. Then we fell asleep. For two hours. Now we are sitting around while we wait for the banana bread that we're baking to finish. Then we will watch a movie. I have yet to change out of my pajamas and I think I'm the happiest girl alive.
I will conclude with things that I am looking forward to (and therefore that you can look forward to reading about)
1. The arrival of my dear friend Katie who is moving to Israel in less than 2 weeks! I can't wait!
2. Ulpan getting hard! At which point I will probably complain about it to all of you. When this happens, you should tell me to suck it up and that I asked for it.
3. Spending more time with the friends that I've made and getting past the small-talk stage. I really hate the small-talk stage, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
4. Getting a chance to travel in the country a bit more (hopefully to the Golan soon!) and back down to Kibbutz.
5. More exploits into the wonderful world of chicken!
Okay now I'm just blabbing. I love you all dearly, and hope everything is going swimmingly with each and every one of you. I want to ask everybody to keep my wonderful Ima (grandma) in their thoughts as she recovers like a champ from a knee replacement. Love you Ima!
All the best from Jerusalem,
kate
chicken! say it isn't so! no Kate, it's ok, I think you need to listen to your dreams because I am sure they would just get weirder and weirder otherwise (...synchro and swimming elephants...?). glad to hear that you are doing well :) and that you didn't get sick from the chicken! love :)
ReplyDeleteKate, this is crazy. I, too, have wild nightmares every single night & I'm surprised we didn't know this about one another. And I, too, began eating chicken again in a very similar way, after being vegetarian for many years! I think your body was definitely telling you about a need that wasn't being fulfilled.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I am so excited for you and Matan & what looks like an incredible impending journey in Israel. Are you staying there for just a year? I would actually love to come visit, as I've never been there before.
Beh Ahava,
Tobi
Just a year?!? That seems long enough to some of us....I love your vivid descriptions and I am thrilled by your happiness and euphoria. Love the pictures, too.
ReplyDeleteDboo