In Israel

I am exhausted!  I arrived in Tel Aviv yesterday afternoon.  We landed at about 3PM.  It was an incredible experience.  The plane comes in over the Mediterranean Sea and you can see the coastline of Israel.  At that point, I couldn't help it, I started to cry with joy.  I have waited and worked so long to be here and I finally am.  Usually when I get off an airplane, I can't wait to get out of the airport.  I took my time at Ben Gurion.  I wanted so see and hear everything.  So many languages, so many people from so many countries, all coming together in this one special place, Yisrael.

Israel is an incredibly beautiful country.  As the taxi drove from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, I thought that I just want to know everything about this country: geography, geology, archeology, culture, history, language . . . everything.  And how wonderful it is that that is exactly what I am here for.  I am so lucky to be here.

I have met a few of my classmates and everyone is wonderful.  I'm sure we are going to have a great time learning together.  Our summer interns Daniel and Leslie gave us tours today of the college and Jerusalem. A great deal of walking.  I'm sure to have lost a few pounds today . . . all good.

Sooner or later I will actually take some pictures and post them.

A few more for the list...

Won't miss mowing the lawn...
Will miss Dewey's Pizza...

Fishing and other things

I am spending the last couple of days in Southwestern Ohio enjoying time with my boys and Keren.  So far this week . . .

• I saw Aaron swim in his first swim meet - he did an awesome job finishing first in his heat in the 25 meter Freestyle.  Very good swimming in his leg of the medley relay and freestyle relay.
• Canoeing down the Little Miami River with Michael and Aaron . . . Michael says the evidence is thin but we all know he, at the least, helped the canoe turn over.  It was funny after the initial shock and making sure everyones head was above water.  Thanks for making it memorable, Michael!

• Fishing . . . luckily we don't have to survive on what we caught which was only one scrawny little fish - only slightly better than nothing.
• Quiet dinner, ice cream, and a stroll at The Green.
• Watching Jack catch birds in the back yard.  I feel so bad for the poor robins who took up residence in my pear tree only to find they nested in a bad neighborhood.  They are now protecting their nest by dive bombing Jack every time he goes outside.  He just thinks they want to play.

Time is going so quickly . . .

Shabbat Shalom