Well, there's a lot to write home about since my last post! I'm sorry that this update is so late. The cliff notes version of the past week and a half is that I went to an international church and am eager to go back again, I spent 2 days in the Golan Heights, I've started the next (and last) session of ulpan, I got followed home from church, and I got to spend a wonderful afternoon and evening with some dear family friends. A lot of people who will be here for ...

My next video update is ready! Check it out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-In2hqzVvBE One thing that I forgot to mention in the video: I took my final exam for session 2 of Ulpan a few days ago, and it was way easier than I expected! I got an A in the class!

Well, I have my final exam for this ulpan session tomorrow, and I had a big oral presentation today, so I'm pretty wiped out and busy. Ergo the written update; I don't have time to edit a video right now! But I'll post another video soon. But after tomorrow, I have a week off and start the last session of ulpan in September! By the way, I finally put up a lot more pictures, including a lot of our weekend adventure in Tel Aviv, pictures of the Old City, plus th...

My August 9 video update: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDUiTFu6oac I also wrote this down later that night (technically August 10, but at 4:30 a.m.), and thought it was worth sharing: "Well, that was eerie. I was sitting up trying to choose classes for the semester and to upload videos for my blog, and suddenly I heard this amplified and echoing voice singing in classic Middle Eastern style, seemingly wordless, subtley accompanied with twanging strings. ...

Friday, August 5, 2011 I finally saw the West Bank from my window tonight! I knew it was right over the ridge outside my window, but it's always too hazy to see at all during the day. But there's no haze at night, and I could see all the lights. I was actually quite surprised how many there were! The Madrichim (literally "guides," they're vaguely akin to RAs but not really) organized a "practical Jerusalem tour" that we went on, just showi...