Settling in!

Tomorrow will be my first day of UlPan, which is the Hebrew Intensive course I will take for 7 weeks, so I thought this would be a good time to write my next blog post!

The second day being here was our whole orientation day, which was probably nothing like an American college's orientation day, but then again I wouldn't know.  We took a campus tour, the actual "orientation", Hebrew placement exam, pick up items, icebreaker game, and then rules and regulations for the people living in the dorms.  

The campus is beautiful.  Palm trees, green grass and nice walkways...but the buildings lack sufficient air conditioning for this complaining gal.  I'm sure it is just because we were traveling in big groups, but don't think little tissues and fans won't come with me to class everyday!  All I had to put on my hebrew exam was that I literally don't know any usable Hebrew.  I only know certain phrases that really won't get me far.  But that meant I was an early bird for the very long lines to pick up our phones, ID's, medical cards and more.  IceBreaker was very Peer Groupy and the rules were standard.  But it was nice to do something with my day.

Friday I finally learned how to take the bus to May's house.  I was going to spend the night with her and meet all of her friends that she told me so much about.  The bus line was really simple, there is a stop right outside my dorm exit and her bus stop is central Tel Aviv, something I really needed to know.  She works at a great pizza place, so I got really cheap pizza and met her friends. 

Saturday, I learned that even if I put on sunblock, the Middle East hates my skin.  We went to the beach with some of her friends we didn't meet the day before.  I am burnt up and down my face and chest, but at least my hair looks blonder!  This all happened at the beach, which is just amazing to live by.  The water is warm and very relaxing.  But the biggest thing I had trouble with was my mental navigation.  At home I am so used to the Lake/Beach being to the East, but here the Sea is to the West.  Spent a good 10 minutes explaining and complaining about it to May.

Saturday night, Dayna and I were just up talking and I was trying to create this before just passing out from exhaustion. 

These are the walls above my bed.  I put about 190 pictures up on them just because our room is kind of bland, and two I really will miss a lot of you guys, and nothing is better than a bunch of pictures to look at.

Sunday, Dayna and I woke up super later because we went to bed super late.  But once we were up, we went and bought groceries that was more than cereal, and cleaning supplies.  We swiftered this apartment like there was no tomorrow and finally got everything in order.

But here's a quick tour of my "flat" as they call it. 

That's the kitchen with table and the door to our bathroom.  This kitchen area is smaller than I pictured, but is good for us.

And this is kind of an arial view of our room.  You can't see it but Dayna's bed is closer to the TV and my desk is hiding behind my closet door.  These rooms are actually really roomy for what a "college" kid would expect.

Here are some interesting things I've learned these past few "free" days.  Buses and trains don't run from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown, so getting places will be difficult, but I'll get used to it.
Along with that, weekends are Thursday night - Saturday.  I have school Sunday-Thursday.

There just isn't ham.  I knew that it was custom that they don't eat ham, but it is just because I literally couldn't find any.  I was hoping to buy some ham for some quick sandwiches to make, or bacon for my breakfasts, but nothing. None in the store. 

Alright, class tomorrow! Wish me luck!

Lila Tov!