It's Sunday

I found Ben Jehudah street today. Big accomplishment. To safe guard myself from getting lost, I write down the streets where I turn. Everything looks the same here to me. It's all white stone. Anyway, I'm having a good time. Figuring out where to go for what and everything like that.

I started my Ulpan (the hebrew immersion class) and I'm going to find a different one, if i can. The one I went to today is just me and a lady. A CRAZY lady at that. I mean, she's nice and all but she speaks almost no english (which, yes I get that the point of an Ulpan is that you don't speak english)... but it's EXTREMELY frustrating to not be able to understand anything. We'll see. It's only been a few days, but i miss hearing english. Actually, I just miss being able to talk to people.

Speaking of which, I made a friend. His name is Ben. He works at Steve's Jerusalem Packs which is like a backpack store. He is orginally from New Jersey but moved here 13 years ago with his family. We're the same age, which is cool. Anyway, if this Ulpan thing doesn't work out, he's going to be totally sick of me by the time the congregation gets here on the 28th.

Last night, I couldn't sleep at all. Every noise "woke me up". I use woke me up loosly as I never really fell asleep. Finally the sun came up at about 6 and I pretty much passed out. And woke up at noon... to the sound of the woman upstairs yelling at her son. I know they were fighting and not just talking (as it seems to me that everyone yells here pretty much full time) because the son kept yelling back "LO LO LO, IMA!" which means NO NO NO, MOM!. I'm going to start using that one at home. Good news for the people I live with.

Yesterday, I found the Western Wall and hung out there for awhile. Please remember the next time you are there that you have to walk away from it backwards. If you do'nt know that like, say, ME, then people will yell at you in Hebrew. People will also yell at you in Hebrew if you walk into their OPEN STORE and then are on break. How do you know they are on break? Because they say "LADY, this is break, no?".

About the western wall, I have been many times now to the wall and each time I expect it to be something it isn't for me. Maybe I should say something it isn't yet. I put my prayer in the wall just like everyone else and I touched my hands to the white stone, just like everyone else. But I don't feel anything. Maybe this isn't the place that is supposed to feel holy for me. I hope there is a place like that.

Anyway, that's all I know. Well, that's not true. But it's all I can think of right now.

I miss you a lot. And that's a fact.
Love, Alexis

I'm HERE!

Helloooooo. I survived getting from the airport in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem!

I am writing from the YMCA in Jerusalem. Why? Because it's the only place I could find that has a computer, not just WI-FI. Anyway, I found the place where I am staying... it's a vacation apartment in a neighborhood called Yemin Moshe. It's very close to the King David Hotel and about 5 minutes walking from Hebrew Union College (which is where the cantorial school is).

The flights were long but not so bad. I watched the movie Music and Lyrics 3 times. And Bridge to Terabithia once. I guess I forgot that the little girl DIES. I've even read the book. No one likes crying on airplanes. (Abby, it was A Perfect Storm all over again).

Anyway, I'm going to go back to the apartment and lie down for awhile. I feel really good about the neighboorhood where I am staying and will venture out a little further tomorrow. For now, I'm going to take a time out this afternoon and try to adjust to the time difference.

This is going to be really great. Really, really great.
I miss you.
LEX

MY CELL PHONE NUMBER IN ISRAEL

From the USA you dial:

011-52-601-4161

Call me. Please. Especially in the next two weeks.

Ok. Bye.

Album Cover

Thanks to Jim.

Just a few more days

This is me the last time I was in Israel. At this time next week, I'll be there. And it will be Shabbat. And won't that be great?

I have some memories to replace. I couldn't be more excited about doing that on my own.

Love, Lex

Oh wow...

I leave in 8 days. WOOT.

I heard a really funny joke the other day from my brother, Hunter.

Q: Why can't you gamble in Africa?
A: Because of all the cheetas.

I don't know about you, but I laughed for about an hour. And I'm still laughing right now. What makes it better is that I think he made it up. Brilliant.

Some of you have asked if you can send me things while I'm in Israel. You can't. I won't be in one place long enough. But I do appreicate the thought. You can call me, if you want. I don't know that number right now. So, little good that does you.

Today, I'm starting a project about Jewish Journies with the youth group. I'm going to see where they get on it by the time I get back from Israel. It could be really cool.

Ok, I have to make 3 billion phone calls now.

See ya,
Lexie Anna Banana

OMG... 10 days

Things that I can check off of my last list:

1. Go to NYC. I went. It was really fun.


I know there are other things on there that I can cross off but I can't remember what they are. Oh yeah:

2. Visit a friend.

Did both of those things. I have ten days to do the rest of them, though those two were big ones.

I am at work right now. Because I have other things on that list that need crossing off. If you don't have an account on blogger, you can't make comments on my blog. Therefore, you should make an account on blogger. Do the right thing.

In other news, yesterday the Rabbi's wife and daughter and Sharon and I walked 10 miles. That is by far the farthest I've ever run/walked without stopping in my life. In fact, if you had asked me yesterday morning if I was going to quickly walk 10 miles, I would've said only if someone was chasing me. And even then, I probably would give up before it got to the ten mile point. I'm going to try to do it again today. If I can walk 10 miles... ok, 8 miles, everyday before I leave for Israel, I'll probably be in better shape for all the walking I plan to do there.

Things that I am thinking about:

1. Food. This should come as a shock to no one.
2. Clothes still need to buy. Oh yeah, I can cross buy stuff off my last list.
3. My car. The tags need to be renewed while I am gone. Problem.
4. How precious my youth groupers are. But that is a sidenote.

OK. I have some major work to do. Major work which can not be completed if I continue typing.

Bye.
LEX