Yes, I'm alive....i just haven't written in a month!
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: Eric Clapton - Layla
Okay, so I have much to comment on...here goes.

Many of you may or may not know that I was back in the states for a week during the very beginning of October. I started out this year thinking that i wouldn't go home at all, but I have to come to realize that life cannot always work out the way you plan it. It was a bit of an unexpected trip, but after my mom had been very sick for a few weeks, I just couldn't stay in Jerusalem any longer. Luckily, I had a 10 day break and found a very cheap flight...(and had some very generous friends who lent me their car for the week)....and was able to go home and see my parents and my brother. I didn't really call anyone because it wasn't that kind of a trip. I was there for a reason, and that was what took priority. Luckily my mom is feeling much better, is doing quite well, and I was able to see her at her best. Thanks to everyone here for all of your encouragement during those first few very hard days (and for helping me to realize what to do) and to everyone else who made my trip home possible. It all meant so much to me.
After my trip, I realzied that I am a big proponent of going home during your "year abroad" if you don't have a fear that you might not get back on the plane to return, and if you have the means to do so. Not only did it help to reaffirm that I had a life back in the US, but it was great to get away for a while and be able to miss all the new people that I've come to love so dearly. It also was a fabulous experience coming back. It really made me realize that I do have a life here, even though I miss my life back home, and that my life here is really a lot of fun...school, friends, volunteer work, socializing, studying, being jewish. I think that because I hadn't been home in several months, and I didn't think that I would see my home in the US for a whole year, it made me miss everything so much that I lost sight of what I have here in Jerusalem. And, you must remember, I am by no means "homesick", it's just a natural way of feeling when you live abroad. It was great to get that insight, and to realize that although this year will be different than my next four years in rabbinical school, it will also be amazing and will help me to be thankful for what I have in my life, in so many different ways.

There was a bomb in Sinai about a week ago....everyone from the HUC community is fine (even though Adam was MIA for awhile, but he turned out to be fine too!) but it's just so sad. SO many people died, so many were injured, and it was a very hard home-coming to Jerusalem for me. Lots of people ask me if i'm scared of living here, and the honest (maybe naive) answer is: NO. I can't spend my entire year living in fear. The college and I take many precautions having to do with safety, and if it's my time than it's just my time and there is nothing I can do about it. Luckily, as of yet, every time there has been in a bomb in or around Israel, I haven't been anywhere near it. So for now, I'm safe...but I know many of you are worried. I wish I could ease that for you, but this is where I need to be this year.

On a lighter note, I love my volunteer work that I am doing at the Jerusalem Rape Crisis Center. I'm doing lots of research projects and it's a great office to work in. My "boss" is the coolest chick ever (she's from Britain and has a wicked sense of humor) and I love getting to work for her. And I think Karen Sherman might be working with me too....cause we don't see each other enough every day, all day...good thing I like her!!!!!

Anyway, other than that I'm just a busy busy little bee. Tomorrow is our Israel exploration day. We are going to Yad Vashem (Holocaust Museum) and Mt. Herzl...very touristy spots, but very important and enjoyable nonetheless.

Also, I know this is unbelievable, but I actually have a phone number that is based in Chicago but reaches my phone in Jerusalem (it's through a company called Vonage and uses our internet to connect to us here in Jerusalem). So essentially, it will be like you are calling to chicago, but you will get me here!!!! And i have unlimited minutes to call you...so expect a phone call or two!!! I'll send out an e-mail soon with the new number.
Okay off to make dinner and do some homework! Have a great week!!!!!