and we finally started...

Sorry I haven't updated in so long! The internet in our rooms has been down and has left the 13 of us with one computer to use in the common room.

Actually, a lot has happened in the past few days. We have received 5 new additions to our group from another program. They will be staying with us on the kibbutz for a month. Also, I have met and spent a wonderful evening with my host family. They are absolutely amazing! It is a young couple, Eyal and Pnina, and they have 2 daughters, Shachah and Shir (meaning Eagle and Song) who are 7 and 4. They invited me over to dinner on Thursday night and I had the best time. They cooked dinner (a traditional Israeli meal, of course) and we also spent time talking and getting to know one another. The parents speak english very well but the two girls speak none whatsoever. I still had a great time with them while playing teacher and telling me the Hebrew word for just about everything in their apartment. I was surprised too when the 4 of them showed up at the common room the next night with a delicious meal for me. I hope I get to see lots of them on my stay here!

Thursday marked the last day of our long non-stop days of ulpan (hebrew lessons) for now. We will continue to have them, but only twice a week for a couple of hours from now on.

The tiny ulpan room (and Emily!)

Where's Waldo in Hebrew (Aifo Affie?)

Yesterday morning we woke up and were driven to the neighboring kibbutz to see a very intersting and eye catching dance performance. The kibbutz next door is actually a "dance" kibbtuz and there are a group of Americans who are staying there too but to dance, not to volunteer like we are.

Today was actually quite an exciting day as well. I have not had a dull moment yet....which is saying a lot actually. We had to be up and ready by 10 to 8 this morning to drive to the local high school. Here we were given a tour and then assigned to a certain classroom to give this new experience a try. Myself and another girl, Veronica, were assigned to a classroom of about 5 students that basically spoke no english. This was quite an interesting experience and I can be honest and say that I cannot wait to return tomorrow morning. And the coolest part by far...we get to take the school bus to and from. haha

Me in a maze...I think? hahah.

Veronica in front of a lovely peacock statue on the high school campus.

So I'm thinking that's about all for right now. We are currently doing an extensive cleaning of the common room because some people have quite the problem of cleaning up after themselves....great.

Until next time...