First day of real classes...

Hi everyone, 

Ill start off by saying I got two new roommates, one is from Korea and the other from Arizona (both girls). They are very nice but honestly Geries and I had this living situation down to a science so it is going to take some getting used to.  

Today I had my first day of real classes at the University.  I woke up early and had hebrew from 8:30-10 (huge wonderful change from ulpan).  Then I walked over to the elementary school down the street where I will be assistant teaching in their english class.  It was INSANE.  First of all the guard didn't speak english so Im on the phone with geries asking him what I should do and finally after asking like 5 people if they speak english I found a reform rabbi who helped me in.  She was typical Israeli and the second sentence out of her mouth was inviting me, a complete stranger, for dinner on shabbat. 

The schools in Israel are VERY different, first of all there is no organization whatsoever.... literally kids everywhere.  I couldn't help but laugh because as I was waiting to get in I was watching kids on the playground and its so strange to be used to working with kids but then having them all blabber on in hebrew and only understand half of what they say!  

The class that I will be working with are 3rd graders and there are 2 girls who speak very good english because they have one american parent.  Other students I try to speak hebrew to them if they aren't understanding the english and that has been working well.  It is so funny that they are learning english while I am trying to learn hebrew-- we are literally learning the same words and concepts so its a good review for me.  The classroom is very chaotic and there is not much quiet... its funny because now I see how israeli adults became the way they are haha -- gotta love em. 

Anyways after the craziness of the afternoon I of course came home, ate pita, and fell asleep.  Luckily I woke up 10 minutes before my class and rushed over there so I wasn't too late.. oops.  The class is Judaism and the environment, and its my only "real" class.  It is very interesting but also very abstract and I know why my friend Georgia loved it so much!  

Lastly I have to say that the Israeli's have the best attitude towards valentines day I've ever encountered.  You see there is this saying that translates to "what do you want a shekel?"... its used for many things similar to how american's would say "what do you want a cookie?" to respond sarcastically to behavior that doesn't really need special recognition. Thats the message on valentines day -- its not all hearts and roses if you tell an israeli that its valentines day they will say to you "what do you want a shekel?"...

I am going to end my post here because I realize my lack of pictures probably makes this much less interesting! More to come later in the week!