Almost time to leave Holon

   For those of you who don't know, my program is divided into trimesters. I've already completed my first trimester where I worked at an after school program for children from very broken homes (you can read about that in some of my earlier blogs). In the second trimester I've been living in Holon (a town south of Tel Aviv) working with kids during the afternoon and attending Ulpan (or hebrew class) in the mornings. Well, the second trimester is coming to an end. It's so hard to believe that I'm about to enter my final trimester here in Israel and soon enough I'll be on a plane back to reality and the U.S. 

   

  This week basically consists of finishing up class, saying good-bye to the kids at the place I volunteer at, and cleaning every corner of my apartment, and packing 6 months worth of stuff into 2 little bags. 

   Sunday evening- the night before the test. I've always been told it's easier to learn something you're interested in, well I'm very interested in Hebrew and yet it's still hard- but it's considerably easier because of my want to learn. Sunday evening we had our "End of the section talent show". The show consisted of some good musical performances, some very good short videos. The israeli scouts who are also participants in my program and live along side of us- one lives in my apartment did a dance to "In the Jungle." All of the madrichim (counselors on our program) did a rendition of the song "I kissed a Girl" called "I kissed an Ars." A little bit of education- Ars, the plural Arseem, is the term for 15-21 (roughly) year old Israeli boys that I guess you could say are near the equivalent of "Guidos" in America. They're basically very creepy guys who smoke and drink and wear a lot of gel in their hair, and if you're a girl, you want to stay away from them. It was a fun evening. When it ended we walked home in the pouring rain. One of the scouts- Aviel came back to our apartment because his was another 10 minute walk in the rain. As nice as he is he helped me study for my hebrew exam for a while. The next morning I took the test. It consisted of reading a story and answering questions about it to see if we understood. It was a very interesting story about a couple who were deciding how to celebrate one's birthday so they decided to go on a vacation to the Negev (the desert here in Israel)...sarcasm, it wasn't all that interesting. Then I had some more questions and then the essay part where I had to write about whether or not I liked to travel, and where and what I like to do and go while traveling. Then the oral, I talked with my hebrew teacher for a while. After the test was over she told me that she wasn't to grade it, another teacher was to grade it, but she looked at it and said if I were to grade it I'd say you're going to get an A. I was very happy. She told me she noticed a huge improvement in my hebrew from the beginning of the Section to the end and she was very proud. I walked out of Ulpan very satisfied and happy, and of course called Aviel to thank him for helping me study.

   Sunday during the day was my last day of volunteering. That morning I was up all morning finishing my things for the kids. I made them all individual cards, on the front it had their names in Hebrew and English. On the inside it said- 

היה ממש כיף איתך. אני אתגעגע אליך ואני לא אשכח אותך לעולם. אני אוהבת אותך -סטפאני!!

Got all that? just kidding, it said- "I had a lot of fun with you. I will miss you and I will never forget you. I love you!! -Stephanie.

   To my surprise all of the kids had written me cards as well in the shape of hearts. One girl colored in a picture for me. The lady in charge, Rivka who basically acted as my boss wrote me a very warm letter, as i did to her. It was hard to leave the kids, but I did it once in Petach Tikva so this time i was prepared. I know I will be back there to visit before the year is over. 

   Yesterday I spent the day packing and cleaning the apartment. As an end of the trimester thing my Madrich (counselor) took all of his chanichim (not quite sure how to translate this one, students/program participants) to a Hookah bar. We got on the bus, and got off in a place i didn't recognize. We followed our Madrich behind some building with trees and rocks, and absolutely nothing around. "Uh, Josh, is this when you kill us all?" I said. He laughed and said that's what I said the first time i was taken here. Then we walked to the entrance of the very shady looking building. As we entered we were greeted by very very happy Israelis. We walked into what looked just like a beduoin tent. The only seats were on mattresses on the ground with little tables 4 inches high. There was music and dancing employees, it was a very hidden local spot, a lot of good fun. 

   Today we're just cleaning and getting ready to move out, Sunday I'll be leaving Holon and heading over to Jerusalem. I'll be very sad to leave Holon. The first day we got here my roommate and I decided to run to the grocery store to get some essentials. On the short 5 minute walk there we came in contact with the homeless man that lives on our tiny street. Then, some Arseem on a bike, yes SOME on one bike rode toward us while yelling and scared the Sh---- out of us dodging us at the last second. It was a warm welcome to the new city. While, nothing has changed here, I have. I've come to love this city and the youth here. I will truly miss it and my apartment, the scout I live with, Yali and all of the other scouts who are always there for us. Off to the next trimester!!