first entry

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Hey family and friends!

Sorry that this is the first entry it has been just over two weeks and it has been a whirlwind.

I love it here. The University is great, though it will change dramatically come september, it is emptying out now because all of the israelis are finishing their exams and moving out so within a week it will be mainly only the overseas students ), Shay (Shy), and Sequi (seg-ee). Unlike the majority of the school and the country all three are getting their degrees before their mandatory service in the Army. They get to do this because they do not want to be fighters, they want to be engineers. A cool part of the army here is you are given a choice, so even though it is hard and a huge sacrifice, you dont need to be a fighter.

I have just finished my second week of ulpan and so far it is awesome. I am beginning to learn basic words and can read and write. My teacher is awesome and very helpful. I don't start actual classes until september but we do have weekly lectures given by staff members. So far we have had 2. One on the origins of terrorism and guerilla warfare and one on the declining of the dead sea. We also are shown a weekly israeli movie, with english subtitles.

We just got back from a day trip to Mount Masada and the dead sea. I love Masada, it is probably one of my top 5 favorite places on earth. I will post pictures on here if i can and definatley on my facebook page. The dead sea was great. The water is hot and its amazing floating like that. It actually takes a lot of force to stand up.

There have only been a couple things to get used to. One major thing is that there is nearly nothing to do on weekends, which here is friday and saturday. Most everyhing closes by 3 pm on friday and dosent reopen until 9 pm on saturday. Most israelis love it but ive gone a litle stir crazy the last couple weeks. Also, going to school on sundays has also been an adjustment but its fine. They also clean much differently here. There is a saying that wet=clean. And that means that once or twice a week we take everything, off the floor, and throw buckets of soap and water on the floor and use a huge squeegee to clean and then mop the dirty water in the shower. It does the job but a little odd the first time you see it. Also, doing laundry is soooo much fun i dont know why i didnt do more of it at home. Its actually fine, once a week i bring it downstairs and it takes a little over an hour for everything to finish.

I get along with nearly everyone in my group and we hang out alot. There is an awesome pool and lawns on campus to hang out on. Also, there are a lot of open areas in the apartament complex which is about a 5 minute walk from campus. There are also many bars and clubs catering to students right next to the dorms which we spend alot of tme at. It is so beautiful here. The heat was the worst it had been all summer for the first week we were here around a constant 100 degrees but it has cooled down to a comfortable 80-85. The campus is beautiful and very modern (pictures to follow).

The food is good but i dont eat out much to try to save money but my apartment has a full kitchen so thats fine. Also, not part of the program but for the past 2 friday nights 2 students have had potluck shabat dinners in their apartaments which has also been nice.

Nothing else i can think of to report, in around a month we have 10 days off before actual classes start and im not sure if its this break or the next one, but one of them i will be spending in israel and one i along with friends will be going somewhere in europe so if anyone has any suggestions (france, england, greece) please let me know. Also, if any of you are planning or thinking about coming to israel please let me know so we can meet up.

Please check back regularly as i plan on updating this at least once a week if not more.

See you all around new years.

lee

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Comments

[Dick Syatt]

Lots of Love
Hi Lee, Whta a thrill to see your smiling face in Israel. Soak in every moment, meet as many people as you can, think of every moment of magic you are and wnat to create the rest of your life. You are laying the groundwork for many years of happiness, friends, ideas, inspiration and events. I am proud to be your dad and even more proud to know you as a human being. You have always (from birth) giving pleasure to all who know you and that quality is the essance of who you are. Lots of Love, Dad