tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387210624240954182024-02-19T01:04:16.743-08:00Desiree Takes PTKDesiree Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559134344355220085noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38721062424095418.post-67034272278781454902015-07-31T11:02:00.005-07:002015-07-31T11:02:43.972-07:00My Year in ReviewI've been home in LA for a little over a month now and I'm about to upload my last set of pictures from my year in Petach Tikva - really timely of me, I know - so I thought I'd write a little wrap up post. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This year I...</b></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Broke my 7-year Long Pescatarian Streak</b><br /><i>and ate a sh*tload of hot dogs</i></span><br />
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QXdgYSO1EGNxRr-MpsZpF0U3AJ14j1XPoZhBbYDInAL5sZdliKItIuM5gP_a2OgNSGOr1qRazLzerBnvaWzBwLNJJcFI4dF9eDwBEblDaOb-GE5OUquBEdumSJ2pGm0ZRJRt_Hk6_Oo/s1600/11760211_10152881636510388_2461245950211480029_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QXdgYSO1EGNxRr-MpsZpF0U3AJ14j1XPoZhBbYDInAL5sZdliKItIuM5gP_a2OgNSGOr1qRazLzerBnvaWzBwLNJJcFI4dF9eDwBEblDaOb-GE5OUquBEdumSJ2pGm0ZRJRt_Hk6_Oo/s320/11760211_10152881636510388_2461245950211480029_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm not necessarily super proud of this, but it's kind of funny if you have a good sense of humor.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. Became a Poster Child</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>so...that was cool</i></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Or-PvXoHthTNNDUrPaoGWEDXfY2Ht00eY3UWfjrjFZyGM2CPoANkvE1FyDAyzeGkuFlskA7F5auZ0uhMc5fm7kTJoz-CIxJfn8bQuss4uJJXozDXJnXAtHNWPoUjizvkmsuSIo29roA/s1600/posterchild.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Or-PvXoHthTNNDUrPaoGWEDXfY2Ht00eY3UWfjrjFZyGM2CPoANkvE1FyDAyzeGkuFlskA7F5auZ0uhMc5fm7kTJoz-CIxJfn8bQuss4uJJXozDXJnXAtHNWPoUjizvkmsuSIo29roA/s320/posterchild.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There's always going to be someone younger and hotter than you, but until that person participates in ITF Petach Tikva or Rishon, I will remain the reigning poster child. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Survived Living with 6 Other People</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">and sharing a bathroom with 2 guys and one other girl</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3ljFOahB6Ohy9RTL38CvUTUsid1kbPKFo8YbNKcAW2y6ZVqf66F5BE9exyvhGQ_NfZjmnMDXjfXJtHR1fCjKoVaZL7S_BR2L05j7LEjiSu6uDKhuTOGElbw3CXb1qbvgCf4TCRDtPWg/s1600/IMG_0725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3ljFOahB6Ohy9RTL38CvUTUsid1kbPKFo8YbNKcAW2y6ZVqf66F5BE9exyvhGQ_NfZjmnMDXjfXJtHR1fCjKoVaZL7S_BR2L05j7LEjiSu6uDKhuTOGElbw3CXb1qbvgCf4TCRDtPWg/s320/IMG_0725.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missing Gabriella and Josh the Grown Up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Not an easy feat for any of us but there was never a dull moment in our apartment, that's for sure. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Saw the Light</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>and became religious</i></span></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGIqoOpbx7oPWLmukPZ19RJFfRosM3nl0lQy5lpTnIdzuXCGHA6O2x9kVJgwaPlbb6VGP5WjA9sH3IKTtN_OLR6LaPXUc3SiYxj8bodX5T03_webY3yE5KpbIJAfe-hUaTbcNdksJdO0/s1600/11034195_10155220919935244_4552427853204647295_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGIqoOpbx7oPWLmukPZ19RJFfRosM3nl0lQy5lpTnIdzuXCGHA6O2x9kVJgwaPlbb6VGP5WjA9sH3IKTtN_OLR6LaPXUc3SiYxj8bodX5T03_webY3yE5KpbIJAfe-hUaTbcNdksJdO0/s320/11034195_10155220919935244_4552427853204647295_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sorry, I think I'm really funny.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5.Traveled Abroad</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>to England, Germany, Turkey, and Greece</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdJKlxGJncoOw6rI7xMj9bVQDWIiR7Y7IYycVmGbtcB3Sy-4-voXF7-ubLyt5Cc73z4NBUzxDx8TR_tqv-u9yF2m815Egx5-JtVZX7fXal2KecGvki4OZgLU3po_TrNxp7K1b-OZpFow/s1600/IMG_9450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdJKlxGJncoOw6rI7xMj9bVQDWIiR7Y7IYycVmGbtcB3Sy-4-voXF7-ubLyt5Cc73z4NBUzxDx8TR_tqv-u9yF2m815Egx5-JtVZX7fXal2KecGvki4OZgLU3po_TrNxp7K1b-OZpFow/s320/IMG_9450.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And I'm hoping to add a few more to the list this upcoming year.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>6. Met Some of the Most Wonderful Humans</b></span></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">ranging from my future roommates, to my host teacher and co-fellow, to my students and more...</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAQbRFM07oG0__ld3KRkGrfClRSi43wutmQRIRGEvF4ghrmzb80nuZG7Bq7KyRuE9aJmmF8U-ajPfjSJjtK7bVyHo-WtZ0zlAzfc-fQSDd5fywpS-QzlyhcjfyvvGKrhOR-YNWyvzrNc/s1600/22804_10155654739715244_7816409534208223540_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAQbRFM07oG0__ld3KRkGrfClRSi43wutmQRIRGEvF4ghrmzb80nuZG7Bq7KyRuE9aJmmF8U-ajPfjSJjtK7bVyHo-WtZ0zlAzfc-fQSDd5fywpS-QzlyhcjfyvvGKrhOR-YNWyvzrNc/s320/22804_10155654739715244_7816409534208223540_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
To say I've been #blessed would be an understatement</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>7. Had the Cutest Students Ever</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">and possibly made a difference</span></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRr8cn7onr4hBNFlAgm1-r-ea_oPCnYx6CLhHVSant4kjmnT0mAg7QRj_l6fxT963m_8fwYaIbZrvSbpOu28oZPc97gCxXCeG6s-4bu9l01sCkidTNPVXEj-mRHwVc-1wJT0R64SZmwss/s1600/IMG_9453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRr8cn7onr4hBNFlAgm1-r-ea_oPCnYx6CLhHVSant4kjmnT0mAg7QRj_l6fxT963m_8fwYaIbZrvSbpOu28oZPc97gCxXCeG6s-4bu9l01sCkidTNPVXEj-mRHwVc-1wJT0R64SZmwss/s320/IMG_9453.JPG" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Email from one of my amazing special education students</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I know I mentioned them in number 6 but when they're this precious you have to give them their own shoutout.</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">8. Learned a lot About Myself </span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>and made a pretty drastic life decision accordingly </i></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9FaftAz0QbTB1YoHdQ9tmsyfk0BSdec6C-67WNzovyulnbtDGcklw1X2XyBd8T2qan8Nydx1ObsUwABW9ilB3NXHwPqFETbRsx4jKTSdhbI2AkX5Rg4JTf989LsIEYQ3PVLxkfYYlK8/s1600/IMG_3107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9FaftAz0QbTB1YoHdQ9tmsyfk0BSdec6C-67WNzovyulnbtDGcklw1X2XyBd8T2qan8Nydx1ObsUwABW9ilB3NXHwPqFETbRsx4jKTSdhbI2AkX5Rg4JTf989LsIEYQ3PVLxkfYYlK8/s320/IMG_3107.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City Year and ITF Together as One </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I still can't really believe I've turned down grad school for the time being, but as the wise scholar Selena Gomez said, "The heart wants what it wants." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>So that's it!! I haven't decided yet if I will keep a blog this upcoming year and document my life in Tel Aviv or not, but thank you all for following my adventures this past year. It has been a crazy ride and I cannot wait to see what else is in store for me.</b></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Desiree Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559134344355220085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38721062424095418.post-63875490606059320842015-06-25T11:48:00.001-07:002015-06-25T11:59:31.204-07:00The DecisionNote: This was written while I was in Greece (about a month ago) but I waited to publish it until I was sure of my decision. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicfRmcs-1prJx9zp63JKH9WC4_Ju1JTP3yuJ4NIZYoSQtpboMOXa_980f_EoK7yC0Z8nsmFvebKp0b-UllfZV2NDySDcNf6nz9KjcFSzWTIs3IL1qh36BdyVqdvJPKQc2AMWshLfAHVI/s640/blogger-image-1221791628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicfRmcs-1prJx9zp63JKH9WC4_Ju1JTP3yuJ4NIZYoSQtpboMOXa_980f_EoK7yC0Z8nsmFvebKp0b-UllfZV2NDySDcNf6nz9KjcFSzWTIs3IL1qh36BdyVqdvJPKQc2AMWshLfAHVI/s640/blogger-image-1221791628.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">First off, I want to acknowledge that I'm not Lebron James and I don't think any decision I make is worthy of a 75-minute long TV special. I do believe, though, that I owe it to my loved ones who thought I'd soon be living in the same state as them, my loved ones who thought I'd soon be living in the same country as them, to explain my change of heart for the upcoming academic year.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the words of King James (really not meant to spark any drama, actually not a Bron Bron fan...he's just <i>so. damn. relatable.</i>) :</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"In this fall...this is very tough... in this fall I'm going to take my talents to Tel Aviv"</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">K, I might've changed the last bit of the quote but I'm trying to make a point here, people.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This fall, I will not be attending Teachers College like I intended to. Just to address some immediate thoughts and concerns - No, I did not get my acceptance rescinded or anything. No, I am not making aliyah. Yes, everything is and will be okay :). </span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Had you told me when I had just graduated college that I would eventually attend grad school for education and I'd get my degree from Columbia, I would have laughed in your face. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined applying and being admitted to an Ivy League. And never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined turning down the opportunity.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's the thing. I am still madly in love with education. My ultimate dream is still to become an LAUSD elementary school teacher. I just have also fallen madly in love with a country.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I am currently writing this post from paradise. ACTUAL PARADISE. I'm in Mykonos, Greece and I'm staying at a hotel where their breakfast buffet includes copious amounts of lox and cambert cheese. You read that correctly. ALL OF THE SMOKED SALMON AND BRIE THAT MY HEART DESIRES. I am here with my favorite person (my mom) and I know that in this moment I am the luckiest girl. </span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTxAt7ZCm2XPIf7i87-4sduydet4ighlatiZ1YR3bUN9aBmUm8A51OLOKQB374XakDYeZHLcQ5l5n73hsRuvi_g40iaPDR3egGGGoLl9MrGUtVzQVnoYPV-NMPIsUtRYlYc0swOWOVJ4/s640/blogger-image--1006872263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTxAt7ZCm2XPIf7i87-4sduydet4ighlatiZ1YR3bUN9aBmUm8A51OLOKQB374XakDYeZHLcQ5l5n73hsRuvi_g40iaPDR3egGGGoLl9MrGUtVzQVnoYPV-NMPIsUtRYlYc0swOWOVJ4/s640/blogger-image--1006872263.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is part of me, though, that is itching to get back to Israel. </span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm itching to get back to a place where women who are old enough to be my grandmother's grandma shove me to get to the freshest produce first. I'm itching to get back to a place where I gamble with my bus pass on a monthly basis hoping that maybe this time my card will already be activated. I'm itching to get back to a place where I constantly struggle with a language barrier. I'm itching to get back to a place where I'm literally making $250 <b>a month</b> and cannot afford to splurge on lox or brie cheese. And to me, that says a lot.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm not living a glamorous life in Israel. I'm not necessarily even living an easy life...certainly not as easy as life in Beverly Hills. I'm not tempted to stay because of the "Taglit/Birthright High." I've lived in Petach Tikva, the city many Israelis refer to as the "shithole of Israel" (it's not a shithole at all... They're just dramatic) because it's so boring and basically all old people and I'm STILL in love with the country. And I know I'm not ready to leave just yet.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApoZjGltHFYpxruiJfG-gY_4SV9lQ4vy-I5jEfVusf2-f0zGmQO4RK91dWdNuH9USO4LBe4uxbETLkYIL9ap5askeIzA1P7ymd8Fi6mz5X-xZiEwWBsG0HEoa9oXK7ofReeZiySUOF7w/s640/blogger-image-1286903643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApoZjGltHFYpxruiJfG-gY_4SV9lQ4vy-I5jEfVusf2-f0zGmQO4RK91dWdNuH9USO4LBe4uxbETLkYIL9ap5askeIzA1P7ymd8Fi6mz5X-xZiEwWBsG0HEoa9oXK7ofReeZiySUOF7w/s640/blogger-image-1286903643.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One large driving force in my life has been the fact that I never ever want to look back and regret not taking an opportunity. I am confident that I won't look back and say "God, I really wish I hadn't taken that time to live in Israel and not go straight to graduate school." School will always be there. It may not be Columbia, but I have faith that what is meant to happen, will. </span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For those wondering what exactly it is that I'll be doing in Israel - I plan to continue teaching English! This summer I will get my TESOL certification and use that to "make better happen" as we used to say in City Year. And I finally get the chance to live in Tel Aviv!!!</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To family and friends in New York - I'm so sorry. I'm sorry to have disappointed anyone, that's the last thing I would want to do. I truly believe this is the right move for me. And to continue on with the Lebron reference, he followed his heart and won rings! And then came back home (and didn't win a ring BUTTTTT never mind that's not important).</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I don't really know how to wrap this up, sooo here's a Shel Silverstein quote that accurately sums up how I feel. 'Cause elementary education.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNvcSz_AbUuaC4ik-h30o23btVoUAIyrsWCW2xge9Vc2RFYDgNXJkJa1rS9rzdDWyTaAvalti5xJqnw_-n71fIsCZu6UP6M8o-5OdcMUPtJRY4i6eXaemYG2TKgRK8LsBOqKXlKkrXJQ/s640/blogger-image-1674656551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNvcSz_AbUuaC4ik-h30o23btVoUAIyrsWCW2xge9Vc2RFYDgNXJkJa1rS9rzdDWyTaAvalti5xJqnw_-n71fIsCZu6UP6M8o-5OdcMUPtJRY4i6eXaemYG2TKgRK8LsBOqKXlKkrXJQ/s640/blogger-image-1674656551.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's to another amazing year in this frustrating and crazy, yet beyond wonderful country! </span></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; direction: ltr;"><br></div></div></div>Desiree Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559134344355220085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38721062424095418.post-25861586655482305642015-05-18T12:56:00.000-07:002015-05-18T12:56:24.081-07:00Oops, I Did It AgainSOOO I have totally neglected my blog once again - my apologies. With less than 2 months left in Israel, I've really just been trying to <i>carpe diem</i> and enjoy every moment I have left here.<br />
<br />
A lot has happened since my last post - I've fallen deeper in love (with this country), I've experienced loss (of my cellphone), I've turned a year older (24 is so the new 23), and I've played tour guide to my very own motley crue (my family). Holidays have passed -- Purim, Pesach, Yom Ha'Shoa, Yom Hazikaron, Yom Ha'aztmaut -- and different countries have been visited -- Germany and Turkey. That being said, I think the best way to go about this is really just have a photo based update. They say a photo is worth 1,000 words anyway - right?<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>PURIM</b></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqAEMVVE-Cxibp2Rz6TzA9cafTTrNvV0Vp2JJcdV937oZycjxxsgj8D75PVC-7lp5mnsVDhELJVh2N6PvYCGU49rX_hkTHqYoukFBpj0gpzxbIndcyDrcYnJjwvHiMjVbZJT_5uhjbAA/s1600/IMG_5689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqAEMVVE-Cxibp2Rz6TzA9cafTTrNvV0Vp2JJcdV937oZycjxxsgj8D75PVC-7lp5mnsVDhELJVh2N6PvYCGU49rX_hkTHqYoukFBpj0gpzxbIndcyDrcYnJjwvHiMjVbZJT_5uhjbAA/s320/IMG_5689.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purim in School </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvT9ytZDSqlDE8zfU_gwpnCLlBfXv7LRs6iOI6VHREAxFsog97OnIF-7cJCJqq8Uhb6ig0XIuAyePBRi_4-fXbVBMsdiRxWa64kZpIs1-Tqzcp2v7r3zJjaVqqOluTzfRUcS_CTqkvUo/s1600/IMG_5719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvT9ytZDSqlDE8zfU_gwpnCLlBfXv7LRs6iOI6VHREAxFsog97OnIF-7cJCJqq8Uhb6ig0XIuAyePBRi_4-fXbVBMsdiRxWa64kZpIs1-Tqzcp2v7r3zJjaVqqOluTzfRUcS_CTqkvUo/s320/IMG_5719.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Purim Octopus Costume</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXKpLiun0P50si7N7V0h7CnYG3ggaEb5xwLBrO6KWbVpXrdo_pPG2wb-YPL5_H_xNv_Y8b-iANn1v6Lg_kMNXhyR-6_Wvyy20B7pgXmublcF9OiNFZi7eQL2rVl6sAwe3RJUI91-S29Q/s1600/IMG_5857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXKpLiun0P50si7N7V0h7CnYG3ggaEb5xwLBrO6KWbVpXrdo_pPG2wb-YPL5_H_xNv_Y8b-iANn1v6Lg_kMNXhyR-6_Wvyy20B7pgXmublcF9OiNFZi7eQL2rVl6sAwe3RJUI91-S29Q/s320/IMG_5857.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Homemade Buzz Lightyear Wings </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOi3kCuFeEQ6FAShzAGdxZXhe6cZOLIwbbL0_cVmi27Js3MS8Sy3tUljRZZmbDW_kI6rrH-wACKbDkY8v4tIKUDHy-QQcIG2PIutbRAkY-gPJYRC0olZgs6iWUbMXabbSHKcipyssD79w/s1600/IMG_5742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOi3kCuFeEQ6FAShzAGdxZXhe6cZOLIwbbL0_cVmi27Js3MS8Sy3tUljRZZmbDW_kI6rrH-wACKbDkY8v4tIKUDHy-QQcIG2PIutbRAkY-gPJYRC0olZgs6iWUbMXabbSHKcipyssD79w/s320/IMG_5742.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Octopus Partner in Crime</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFPIgbHkFdZxm6CJcSX85_1IIAGQygilEtNRjevxYaV6aamXSitm9rgNLy9z22liMkRvHVZzGCSzagkkXyJC5y_lrFMEt4Fvr9HBMKwA4gNsNI3-gq8CfT2LneUn7-sqgbUP50IAt9DA/s320/IMG_5826.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some Sort of Cat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMgDAzyF-OkozWS-7hNY0vTV0hK_JvOpXT737A5fyoT7FDx1wesemVX2Vd98oHQZpszQygD7nxw8MNvnyb92A3Gll6JBqXyQ_sI6lE8qdb_Oh09uB4ulMdokoKZfAElrkMRDGPyeI8OA/s1600/IMG_5877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMgDAzyF-OkozWS-7hNY0vTV0hK_JvOpXT737A5fyoT7FDx1wesemVX2Vd98oHQZpszQygD7nxw8MNvnyb92A3Gll6JBqXyQ_sI6lE8qdb_Oh09uB4ulMdokoKZfAElrkMRDGPyeI8OA/s320/IMG_5877.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who Wore it Best?!!!!!! (Hint: I did.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</h3>
<h3>
FAMILY VISIT</h3>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWrOUnD7ajuo-TA78_QefvzN6gusZ2Dryd1nl6WnOfJQUo7_xuA7Q0BQ4O3k6sgOIco2yICpnH4K7cIz36relfgs5gV_V_jrOepwGRvhUREdPc8fKNV4t6FcgypwGrDZtMfJD8OLITxs/s1600/IMG_6301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWrOUnD7ajuo-TA78_QefvzN6gusZ2Dryd1nl6WnOfJQUo7_xuA7Q0BQ4O3k6sgOIco2yICpnH4K7cIz36relfgs5gV_V_jrOepwGRvhUREdPc8fKNV4t6FcgypwGrDZtMfJD8OLITxs/s320/IMG_6301.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXTjSncW2sdck9M58S8faR9Q7ECWPtCQjyRs-uJV7Izurwb2MWR2DMeLP0vnI3X8ZCljBco6wYL3ZXNz7pkNytYSPtymeuMwotSPs6eknBEYqeNDijVPt23_drKcWhKVDY4NYL_5WHEY/s1600/IMG_6296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXTjSncW2sdck9M58S8faR9Q7ECWPtCQjyRs-uJV7Izurwb2MWR2DMeLP0vnI3X8ZCljBco6wYL3ZXNz7pkNytYSPtymeuMwotSPs6eknBEYqeNDijVPt23_drKcWhKVDY4NYL_5WHEY/s320/IMG_6296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvh3iz-2iy-UwtA1M4HbyKxkI7kRHtaEUpJNYHBQ0-KZixvlW3FakfGbu5PoE28MulHaift8LErWHI25lbnJs2-FZlXeSQ5SrVUrENxQf-hyCt6FFUYhAH1CUaPFa_f4mMM84yBnNxfNc/s1600/IMG_6436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvh3iz-2iy-UwtA1M4HbyKxkI7kRHtaEUpJNYHBQ0-KZixvlW3FakfGbu5PoE28MulHaift8LErWHI25lbnJs2-FZlXeSQ5SrVUrENxQf-hyCt6FFUYhAH1CUaPFa_f4mMM84yBnNxfNc/s320/IMG_6436.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gang's All Here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_01oNbP5qZD8jskE-QWJPiX3bcCcYCVnrZ_79zeHk4NtwEn2u9mAduxjIWG6PdyL2w5fgYeHSyrQbk6yO4vd3ja06H63Dn33uiOJm0Su8II5Xi-DpaCTjvBxNjXttWvkASZ6VoooptZU/s1600/IMG_6729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_01oNbP5qZD8jskE-QWJPiX3bcCcYCVnrZ_79zeHk4NtwEn2u9mAduxjIWG6PdyL2w5fgYeHSyrQbk6yO4vd3ja06H63Dn33uiOJm0Su8II5Xi-DpaCTjvBxNjXttWvkASZ6VoooptZU/s320/IMG_6729.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
BERLIN and ISTANBUL</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNygodAc0Wy2QETYCnP5Z9Zc8yt-7BmN5MnzCzZr5oXrEWftwYCZsoOC26YZ5RVU4YL-X2HH-uh-IEHAV8pwOt0F8vojCqewL6R2bxoveBBD49ryz7774l1bTk-Ugv8gIoofpc6cwiSv4/s1600/IMG_6821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNygodAc0Wy2QETYCnP5Z9Zc8yt-7BmN5MnzCzZr5oXrEWftwYCZsoOC26YZ5RVU4YL-X2HH-uh-IEHAV8pwOt0F8vojCqewL6R2bxoveBBD49ryz7774l1bTk-Ugv8gIoofpc6cwiSv4/s320/IMG_6821.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Whole Row to Myself?! OKAY.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwezNiRUf5iSnClC20z0VET7AaEC_xKn4APyReJZAxeKnSOHfPwrfT8A2NXx3SPDU9d3DPV4Q65Kwb9B7gXhZAJx1MeL-CGjaKpcQ4GpyxIWCrtdDp6K8YIHtFCvI-HPmdf053Fq3tM_8/s320/IMG_6962.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reunited w/ Starbucks and it Feels SO Good</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11Gmw3T08jQJaawdi-svGoHnsFrrkrZK272RMNhhYFATqfJmrmHHShVpHmwJC3PrhBB0auxjythiqjZfhh39i6Teny0-4MraKKboB19Fdrud5F733JhaWiUOEoKyjwWTL61h_3EVwn9k/s1600/IMG_6975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11Gmw3T08jQJaawdi-svGoHnsFrrkrZK272RMNhhYFATqfJmrmHHShVpHmwJC3PrhBB0auxjythiqjZfhh39i6Teny0-4MraKKboB19Fdrud5F733JhaWiUOEoKyjwWTL61h_3EVwn9k/s320/IMG_6975.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCb9yqj7XP_m9gP9DNI74IGZbelQF4tI4WSiQ_LLOs8zspQgM5NTKD9kp7XQIeHt86e0dhG5IwGzh0pb0qggjNCi2VWQUBoZF2DyNOxmknda0oKCcJxstYYHdNwkvdgMy46FxD84WuBo/s1600/IMG_6930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCb9yqj7XP_m9gP9DNI74IGZbelQF4tI4WSiQ_LLOs8zspQgM5NTKD9kp7XQIeHt86e0dhG5IwGzh0pb0qggjNCi2VWQUBoZF2DyNOxmknda0oKCcJxstYYHdNwkvdgMy46FxD84WuBo/s320/IMG_6930.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYEa0Gtkift4AWa1ffw9tMLwEhE3JBq38PjUcfE6N4KxJrLf-MJgxiCHuWwRZQYdhd_cnENOFOuNA-3wYaqhFHbRkDSWLdoRa3v0Fi8wxWXA06wkjOMhEcSKwsONr-VvjQaOj79MJuCA/s1600/IMG_7123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYEa0Gtkift4AWa1ffw9tMLwEhE3JBq38PjUcfE6N4KxJrLf-MJgxiCHuWwRZQYdhd_cnENOFOuNA-3wYaqhFHbRkDSWLdoRa3v0Fi8wxWXA06wkjOMhEcSKwsONr-VvjQaOj79MJuCA/s320/IMG_7123.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Street Name</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37F-2Dukv0Jp8VYKmeUdOZYKTVYGrKZCKKCO4118bNpJNXwHrP8LYUa13eTYbHkxHjVJtQiggVSUoDXeXYyWFgSeiBtonBZvYvcusF3-xuek93sLqbvGMvBW60C6PKPvlpmNKg8agqLU/s1600/IMG_7156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37F-2Dukv0Jp8VYKmeUdOZYKTVYGrKZCKKCO4118bNpJNXwHrP8LYUa13eTYbHkxHjVJtQiggVSUoDXeXYyWFgSeiBtonBZvYvcusF3-xuek93sLqbvGMvBW60C6PKPvlpmNKg8agqLU/s320/IMG_7156.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_fXlmUVKcA5J1PyZCUgqIGf56nChgHG8nW5TVlHsDdYe2Kt50BV1wmg29VX6myDZhUW_vohsOdyP6LIXVaRGebeSc-4KjLmKjlNizSkScQqKRNqY_QqQ3cbCqKkY9Bz6CXYJSqqK6TU/s1600/IMG_7029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_fXlmUVKcA5J1PyZCUgqIGf56nChgHG8nW5TVlHsDdYe2Kt50BV1wmg29VX6myDZhUW_vohsOdyP6LIXVaRGebeSc-4KjLmKjlNizSkScQqKRNqY_QqQ3cbCqKkY9Bz6CXYJSqqK6TU/s320/IMG_7029.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shabbat Views</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhjvKpJYh3qnd2lOxsIivW26OFlUev0fpYBlq-m8pFIp0RsfYqSiHJPN-t54C-FmPmtTGfn2d5C95ZOlLf31XhYzGr3q56dEhnk3tDj4wuIFwnVyoBDN0_uc29bakgBsusOlgb1Gde1k/s1600/IMG_7153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhjvKpJYh3qnd2lOxsIivW26OFlUev0fpYBlq-m8pFIp0RsfYqSiHJPN-t54C-FmPmtTGfn2d5C95ZOlLf31XhYzGr3q56dEhnk3tDj4wuIFwnVyoBDN0_uc29bakgBsusOlgb1Gde1k/s320/IMG_7153.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prepping for Istanbul</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uaHnMeF4v2XO-KTL7cqkaAVo9_fkVHwEvzQrkZJlbYFoVH9rhX-IvEKex5_kBBQEeXq6YcJRgTCC98g8ySQV_oH0XeHsiAibMH4nl5fr6y2f1t5ju4BKH3bse7nBFROrdPnRXfi670A/s1600/IMG_7051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uaHnMeF4v2XO-KTL7cqkaAVo9_fkVHwEvzQrkZJlbYFoVH9rhX-IvEKex5_kBBQEeXq6YcJRgTCC98g8ySQV_oH0XeHsiAibMH4nl5fr6y2f1t5ju4BKH3bse7nBFROrdPnRXfi670A/s320/IMG_7051.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BUT WHICH HOUR IS IT CLOSED?!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OHaBKuR2MzvfdZtcYl-czre1NgM8JpSWHjeWvaRQ7A4_8TPrxdLlK1dGylybtKP_3o-kCaU6rlpPE40hk4aJUuLNXLMY5v-EsS2LHxa04QHvuq3ikRj0-QJAVxAskgDS6jl1A1d_6i4/s1600/IMG_7184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OHaBKuR2MzvfdZtcYl-czre1NgM8JpSWHjeWvaRQ7A4_8TPrxdLlK1dGylybtKP_3o-kCaU6rlpPE40hk4aJUuLNXLMY5v-EsS2LHxa04QHvuq3ikRj0-QJAVxAskgDS6jl1A1d_6i4/s320/IMG_7184.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNHR5vrOcZfcruqIxxgfYB2Vvt1KFjPxc5jShuYVbt9uvyUofjsOTUMuloZpO5QPncBkOBigYwyjJco3bmIKWpSXRmuMK63GlZ3IQigX377kOACj8Bh9frVXTUdbETP_KQezjGSDuPXs/s1600/11119719_951597644870779_1285386955_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNHR5vrOcZfcruqIxxgfYB2Vvt1KFjPxc5jShuYVbt9uvyUofjsOTUMuloZpO5QPncBkOBigYwyjJco3bmIKWpSXRmuMK63GlZ3IQigX377kOACj8Bh9frVXTUdbETP_KQezjGSDuPXs/s320/11119719_951597644870779_1285386955_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
OUT & ABOUT</h3>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6I61AheCcJ5KFhO3KIRWJbkZ75q8Z6hG2-uXu9VdsuiKtYO24PnA1sPd1O3pqiDD63-c2DkpJe3UjpSObTIgu5yS3BOZ7XmH-FuIHUZxGawHKYKJICJTk_JBLh3tGgqgDW3aGSn3K5M/s320/IMG_7354+(1).JPG" width="320" /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bfR_BUeq6mgcz1OzS2ugOCtOVpOD-mfvXDeSFt-FuK_zYhiUGJJrheZkWLFE8Qq0NI8duxAnPYMbaFQnSGbQWPCik6ipDz4ZZlbxymahFEsGiRpX1GMDrqlwBLIDHd2Q7Rpw6Dcicr8/s1600/IMG_6895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bfR_BUeq6mgcz1OzS2ugOCtOVpOD-mfvXDeSFt-FuK_zYhiUGJJrheZkWLFE8Qq0NI8duxAnPYMbaFQnSGbQWPCik6ipDz4ZZlbxymahFEsGiRpX1GMDrqlwBLIDHd2Q7Rpw6Dcicr8/s320/IMG_6895.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Cinco de Mayo </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppnPI-Loo0zDG9dRbAXy6l1InuV0zB4X0JCCEdIc47ysyF-0oPL547hxlr4pmabgxNLwcx70eZH5hJJdoV5s8FdINSMABqOdIXGAEjRRpy3myzkUjvyRg_sXIMcT2Z-sphMSuhizWWLc/s320/IMG_6948.JPG" width="240" /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2nNqIfAG8FDC-06v_SbJv2T7hTg3PjWytqfdQNnTVevggrDSmFafim_6OlM4EBHP8D18N8hfR8LHNtibbNd2oP-yJXA_-yv_dncrUIu9ItZ2aH49sue-1BcAXyWvEzkCgLM6Qff3fKw/s1600/IMG_7012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2nNqIfAG8FDC-06v_SbJv2T7hTg3PjWytqfdQNnTVevggrDSmFafim_6OlM4EBHP8D18N8hfR8LHNtibbNd2oP-yJXA_-yv_dncrUIu9ItZ2aH49sue-1BcAXyWvEzkCgLM6Qff3fKw/s320/IMG_7012.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday VibesSsSs *~*~</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEZ9OpGJYHzZ5U-OoDtfl-ZzTFbe4nV9VhRXsLcm5UMZhoDfDKB8zNsBy8JVJhEI6SoqXC4qx_QivnhS1sbyFahHPa4ZvgyW1ZO_UOTtM5p4Pqe-iCY01kX4-heBGH2KEn9NvDJtHx7k/s1600/IMG_7028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEZ9OpGJYHzZ5U-OoDtfl-ZzTFbe4nV9VhRXsLcm5UMZhoDfDKB8zNsBy8JVJhEI6SoqXC4qx_QivnhS1sbyFahHPa4ZvgyW1ZO_UOTtM5p4Pqe-iCY01kX4-heBGH2KEn9NvDJtHx7k/s320/IMG_7028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankful for These Two - Birthday Vibezz pt 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVQKEZ9PPWAtXOSlqYd7td7Qf11DJE_07rIF-_HmmQX9jy4pFBYkCZvqjwDUdgxKbzz7Uj5w_-9U-a-ynwOKGbR9108T3LRKdcw52RVeeDAdYJHTygf2gOTPTwF_0h4JRkKrxaItlcIw/s1600/IMG_7333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVQKEZ9PPWAtXOSlqYd7td7Qf11DJE_07rIF-_HmmQX9jy4pFBYkCZvqjwDUdgxKbzz7Uj5w_-9U-a-ynwOKGbR9108T3LRKdcw52RVeeDAdYJHTygf2gOTPTwF_0h4JRkKrxaItlcIw/s320/IMG_7333.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As Seen During a Josh & Desiree Adventure</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KG4gPnJtwib5qpVpNKqrMKsuSWALJj4smAIbijfU1X0JKGpc0wStve59LOD_HW9CW2PJTIgVfeVcQWuEjyVvD0BNlaiqFAoDgZTtt8S4YTKqbGabhh57Vz3gbMIOYyhRt_jm80CkDC8/s1600/IMG_7545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KG4gPnJtwib5qpVpNKqrMKsuSWALJj4smAIbijfU1X0JKGpc0wStve59LOD_HW9CW2PJTIgVfeVcQWuEjyVvD0BNlaiqFAoDgZTtt8S4YTKqbGabhh57Vz3gbMIOYyhRt_jm80CkDC8/s320/IMG_7545.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SURPRISE! We're Joining the IDF</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQxyY0OQVsF6BhQw423an1wpCEQmcyYNdp7TaAiu-iovsRMI4idEOxBk3Vx_WzWW9yZCYCEahSpL06zSMQUDir9go2Pj1hp2OU3VKVFsmz9DVKIgO813C5W6BEms2GmzT0o_EQkwq35k/s1600/IMG_7144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQxyY0OQVsF6BhQw423an1wpCEQmcyYNdp7TaAiu-iovsRMI4idEOxBk3Vx_WzWW9yZCYCEahSpL06zSMQUDir9go2Pj1hp2OU3VKVFsmz9DVKIgO813C5W6BEms2GmzT0o_EQkwq35k/s320/IMG_7144.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Know You Have Missed These Bad Boys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Desiree Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559134344355220085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38721062424095418.post-39955270619599549972015-03-11T12:28:00.000-07:002015-03-11T12:28:54.284-07:00Nothin' but a Good Time<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had a lot of other things that I wanted to post about
before writing this, but I recently had quite possibly one of the most amazing
weeks I’ve had while here and I felt compelled to share it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SO let’s start off with Suday, February 15. Though schools
are in session on Sundays, we do not teach on those days. Instead, Israel
Experience/ITF provides us with seminars, or trainings, or if we’re really
lucky, A DAY OFF! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the 15<sup>th</sup> of Feb, we had an early start to the
day (9 am but come on, that’s early for not having to be in school) and we had
a session with a life-coach. This was supposed to run for 2 hours, but Josh and
I had to slip out a few minutes early because at 11 our little scholars were
set to perform at a choir recital! We really wanted to support them and attend,
and I’m so happy that we did. We also had the opportunity to watch a few other
choirs from around Petah Tikva. The students had no idea Josh and I were going
to be there, especially since we don’t work with them on Sundays, so they were
extremely surprised and happy to see us there. I remember how much it meant to
me when my parents could come to any sort of recital or performance I had when
I was younger, so I was really glad we could do that for them. It’s important
to me that they know Josh and I are here because we care about them and believe
about them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywyefQlg62cM6g94cwXIyOd9RQtO0Sz0Uu01izrmqa3SBjuy-RJrMJpZe5cvqyAwBK62KiyMwsL1StSP6KeOC53QHxVgwSKr7vzKLt16voG3FwD7s7hI4skO0tZSgnP3Ix_Zx_wyDeng/s1600/IMG_4873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywyefQlg62cM6g94cwXIyOd9RQtO0Sz0Uu01izrmqa3SBjuy-RJrMJpZe5cvqyAwBK62KiyMwsL1StSP6KeOC53QHxVgwSKr7vzKLt16voG3FwD7s7hI4skO0tZSgnP3Ix_Zx_wyDeng/s1600/IMG_4873.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LQg2QdHoo844GjlshqTOa5hn8OQgbyjYZz_f6x0JMtHK_X-cj6McFYPx_nA9hSGbDGqYjJjELL3cnHpDxr0KuXpviI89oEANPjVoVxJG276cqcYNb_3ygOHnzDG29e1cXyhROuBh_Wc/s1600/IMG_4859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LQg2QdHoo844GjlshqTOa5hn8OQgbyjYZz_f6x0JMtHK_X-cj6McFYPx_nA9hSGbDGqYjJjELL3cnHpDxr0KuXpviI89oEANPjVoVxJG276cqcYNb_3ygOHnzDG29e1cXyhROuBh_Wc/s1600/IMG_4859.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the recital, we went home to rest and get ready
because in the evening we had the opportunity to attend OUR FIRST ISRAELI WEDDING!
This is a big deal people. I was SO excited that one of the teachers at school
extended an invite to her wedding. Meital, the bride, is a 3<sup>rd</sup> grade
teacher who we rarely get to work with, so the invite was extra unexpected. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I knew Israeli weddings are a lot more casual than American
ones (in that people some people even wear jeans to them), so I didn’t want to
risk showing up as if it were prom because I’ve been told that I already scream
“American.” After sending my <i>madricha</i>
(counselor) a selfie of my outfit and getting it approved, I finished getting
ready and just like that Josh and I were out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was pouring on the night of the wedding, but one of the
teachers generously offered 4 of us a ride. The second we arrived at the
location, I knew a great night was in store.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQB47WXJ181kxDP2RLpEedcZQWmvIvEyd5yasASwI27vEU8znfWr_VFXmj4q5vrPnZ-3k1F5xfWeKWhb4OTvN7ANs3tEqs1_Qca3o8lpFbNHBtsd1pVZKhq4Ly3RqUzjQFe9jaJp_6bBE/s1600/IMG_4958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQB47WXJ181kxDP2RLpEedcZQWmvIvEyd5yasASwI27vEU8znfWr_VFXmj4q5vrPnZ-3k1F5xfWeKWhb4OTvN7ANs3tEqs1_Qca3o8lpFbNHBtsd1pVZKhq4Ly3RqUzjQFe9jaJp_6bBE/s1600/IMG_4958.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amid the strobe lights and loud music, we noticed many
little h'orderves stations. Josh and I agreed that it would be best to do a
lap before committing to any particular food. It’s nice working with someone
who is on the same page as you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-hywCZiqTXBYmE2uffBY6aa-qK168jSyDHMZopvLCf_EoSjCRghsHXFYP6P-btyqmHkRigEaDLeab7P4j9LQqT_fLX5VJooLSk7R_ryyPbsFDlO0YnBjVl7r7YSMrZj11wmcMzTOueA/s1600/IMG_4901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-hywCZiqTXBYmE2uffBY6aa-qK168jSyDHMZopvLCf_EoSjCRghsHXFYP6P-btyqmHkRigEaDLeab7P4j9LQqT_fLX5VJooLSk7R_ryyPbsFDlO0YnBjVl7r7YSMrZj11wmcMzTOueA/s1600/IMG_4901.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couscous, Moroccan Stew, and Mini Shwarma </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They say that all that glitter’s ain’t gold – and while I
whole heartedly agree with that, something that glittered AND was gold was a
beautiful little hot dog station. I know, I know, it has been way too long
since I have written about the best hot dogs in Israel. These were really tasty
and a bit spicy but I refuse to add them to the rankings because these were
catered hot dogs and you can’t really go out and get them in Israel. Wouldn’t
want to tease you all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeKWyICxjh4ihnw18WeONE6HtOiNmBL6RFiz0rmGwMuWZ2Ew4w8JNs9mFOJf-LzmZeq18U5vkWEi6Eua9byuyKmewkNE4sfh2i3Md6VLG45h8-Dk7avT6uCEjhZmGdL3il3bm4VN7Xwg/s1600/IMG_4956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeKWyICxjh4ihnw18WeONE6HtOiNmBL6RFiz0rmGwMuWZ2Ew4w8JNs9mFOJf-LzmZeq18U5vkWEi6Eua9byuyKmewkNE4sfh2i3Md6VLG45h8-Dk7avT6uCEjhZmGdL3il3bm4VN7Xwg/s1600/IMG_4956.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing w/ the Hot Dog Stand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fwhMeSyyNirE7gTSU954Nx_0JF5AZg6-XEwAQ4v43JD-imkfAPRNwz1HE2ic-ZNfUfnyL5-j5Ip_SrzSn4h9GrBbo9u8aM7oYyoqfg16Rjq_H_PdSiY57p-TsrZQOs2XNWGDBMEg5sk/s1600/IMG_4904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fwhMeSyyNirE7gTSU954Nx_0JF5AZg6-XEwAQ4v43JD-imkfAPRNwz1HE2ic-ZNfUfnyL5-j5Ip_SrzSn4h9GrBbo9u8aM7oYyoqfg16Rjq_H_PdSiY57p-TsrZQOs2XNWGDBMEg5sk/s1600/IMG_4904.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">duh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After trying a few different but equally delicious h'orderves, wedding planners cleared the aisle so the groom and stunning bride
could take the stage. Something that I really appreciated is that, in true
Israeli fashion, there were no frills. Only the bride and groom walked down the
aisle and the ceremony began instantaneously. Not that I appreciate it enough
to implement it at my own wedding but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCC_zH1sbf4Wp6pGgQoIO_b69hgqYWFgXS2-Jsyx062-ChXetoeBVy94IIWbnF5_U1EFUMHJaBPD7p6FY-wmj2S06P5pmzAuKZO_qoMsVmIAHb40DKHiJtiJjnjxwOVTAWIeTNDBSSPw/s1600/IMG_4912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCC_zH1sbf4Wp6pGgQoIO_b69hgqYWFgXS2-Jsyx062-ChXetoeBVy94IIWbnF5_U1EFUMHJaBPD7p6FY-wmj2S06P5pmzAuKZO_qoMsVmIAHb40DKHiJtiJjnjxwOVTAWIeTNDBSSPw/s1600/IMG_4912.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beautiful Bride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, after a majority of the audience ignored the
ceremony and chose to drink at the bar, the main hall opened up for dinner and
dancing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wasn’t sure whether or not I had stepped back into a South
Beach club or I was actually at a wedding. To sum up the experience in a few
short words: excessive amounts of food, alcohol, and dancing. Two thumbs up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvyuSUS-1UxUam0hwDZCOxm8E9uVW8gPfaavzcJ059YC3Li-646TynsteCKo0YSdn0kXQJRteiLJUJFE1YuiljnBoCqdB7jaOXgtbxmaxogZhXDKN1HYodfrSsJCXKdaWOWG1zS8u1qo/s1600/IMG_4914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvyuSUS-1UxUam0hwDZCOxm8E9uVW8gPfaavzcJ059YC3Li-646TynsteCKo0YSdn0kXQJRteiLJUJFE1YuiljnBoCqdB7jaOXgtbxmaxogZhXDKN1HYodfrSsJCXKdaWOWG1zS8u1qo/s1600/IMG_4914.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PksYe4NYWcjoe64hUT00zD4NGKFyp-WTvJweIKUrbhC1Im6dCLI7JMGB9wvJ7uc67vd0fXXeuwYBqVOi-QQ4m5In2lfUuSU1xNGbP1Kup_cAOQQ50KOdH7K03hZ-4wIYx1hmikC6-Co/s1600/IMG_4917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PksYe4NYWcjoe64hUT00zD4NGKFyp-WTvJweIKUrbhC1Im6dCLI7JMGB9wvJ7uc67vd0fXXeuwYBqVOi-QQ4m5In2lfUuSU1xNGbP1Kup_cAOQQ50KOdH7K03hZ-4wIYx1hmikC6-Co/s1600/IMG_4917.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZeEmNPUJ6XExhZhcGGufMiUVJlsave8_Ve0j7pBJgzBucHVNTSmFy5K9hpGEGOpCgXoy64XHBJ0EAg7X8HhB87O15rvltVqJxMEK2QAFYK6s7IBpG7zALrzUW7On-vNjTA2-iDISf24/s1600/IMG_4929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZeEmNPUJ6XExhZhcGGufMiUVJlsave8_Ve0j7pBJgzBucHVNTSmFy5K9hpGEGOpCgXoy64XHBJ0EAg7X8HhB87O15rvltVqJxMEK2QAFYK6s7IBpG7zALrzUW7On-vNjTA2-iDISf24/s1600/IMG_4929.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding or Bar-Mitzvah? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYnl41IF2GH_HxZ_e2BjKrIviC0_8KdYlyldUUtpfkDv24URTLU-vtthKNCfLNNEhI89r_RNQIjxraMr3fx6Nh1uIlboK_6u-LqAp35Fsd-k2qVpn-V3nm4IBJDVHcI6SAUPKTBoS3D4/s1600/IMG_4950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYnl41IF2GH_HxZ_e2BjKrIviC0_8KdYlyldUUtpfkDv24URTLU-vtthKNCfLNNEhI89r_RNQIjxraMr3fx6Nh1uIlboK_6u-LqAp35Fsd-k2qVpn-V3nm4IBJDVHcI6SAUPKTBoS3D4/s1600/IMG_4950.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next day we had the pleasure of hosting a photographer
at our school! Israel Experience, the particular organizer of Israel Teaching
Fellows in Rishon and PTK, wanted to update photos on their website and such so
they chose to follow Josh and I around for a day. They kind of picked a hectic
day to come considering we had an earthquake drill (do they even have earthquakes
in Israel? Still not sure), but it ended up turning out great! Through this I
discovered that all of my students have releases signed so you better believe
you will start seeing their precious little faces all over this blog. Check out
some of my favorite photos from the photographer below.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLDVeSP6QpnVb_xILeFVgTsC2-U-NpFFHtjPtM6Qv1hRltW1LB_NVpuHQH7aFkVMo5elVz52rOw3Q-5x_mcv83A47HABnkRe3mnTa1IlHtAKBYC1juP3nT32liMckPmkJJKuJ58hGxGo/s1600/IMG_5017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLDVeSP6QpnVb_xILeFVgTsC2-U-NpFFHtjPtM6Qv1hRltW1LB_NVpuHQH7aFkVMo5elVz52rOw3Q-5x_mcv83A47HABnkRe3mnTa1IlHtAKBYC1juP3nT32liMckPmkJJKuJ58hGxGo/s1600/IMG_5017.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnPy77K0MwL7dAqHBbS2BvkIEAIc2OA_irGN_kAjQedUSv1LuPY4EdynSJUZ3jcBb2DBin20V3dH2_k8qx1lf_KTwd7am2kl-V5Ry490T1qLwrjLWdZU859v7YbwbpjKqQ28zIzzDlyI/s1600/IMG_5025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnPy77K0MwL7dAqHBbS2BvkIEAIc2OA_irGN_kAjQedUSv1LuPY4EdynSJUZ3jcBb2DBin20V3dH2_k8qx1lf_KTwd7am2kl-V5Ry490T1qLwrjLWdZU859v7YbwbpjKqQ28zIzzDlyI/s1600/IMG_5025.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8qCuJdjMF1DEuS6d05bHqh1GmQ6JN1jabs8VvXeUgcbEsX-9Q9qr2n6JlYSLrYrLjHWTVyDzwJsy5qQsOr536F2VOTzM3iwYSzB438AnFUnOaInG1kGJCZvP8V8zWl7LY92yMaj9SOg/s1600/IMG_5028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8qCuJdjMF1DEuS6d05bHqh1GmQ6JN1jabs8VvXeUgcbEsX-9Q9qr2n6JlYSLrYrLjHWTVyDzwJsy5qQsOr536F2VOTzM3iwYSzB438AnFUnOaInG1kGJCZvP8V8zWl7LY92yMaj9SOg/s1600/IMG_5028.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiDOJhQKiBmyrNYp1_vn46h_qYtT-YsApm_qnyFu7Avs-067_QkdSLSlASR5G9norXDxbShYpGW5efi_g_0AZrON9CF6ODURtGJbGJGBq-O1R3nyC4fedPxbQiwR_yO8FMR4BwvjsjBQ/s1600/IMG_5029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiDOJhQKiBmyrNYp1_vn46h_qYtT-YsApm_qnyFu7Avs-067_QkdSLSlASR5G9norXDxbShYpGW5efi_g_0AZrON9CF6ODURtGJbGJGBq-O1R3nyC4fedPxbQiwR_yO8FMR4BwvjsjBQ/s1600/IMG_5029.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaAJtZuScNn5JO0V3pI3IuaJHO-px38HXEkO78g83-WaOp0aFe9ZAsb_LV9aBArltOPdrZ7CclZ5njb_Q_Qjqq7d4u-Wsn74NJGizGC_KaZ-RbbYQf5o-9iUdeMmVlGgyO6Z-oYKEM5Y/s1600/IMG_4981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaAJtZuScNn5JO0V3pI3IuaJHO-px38HXEkO78g83-WaOp0aFe9ZAsb_LV9aBArltOPdrZ7CclZ5njb_Q_Qjqq7d4u-Wsn74NJGizGC_KaZ-RbbYQf5o-9iUdeMmVlGgyO6Z-oYKEM5Y/s1600/IMG_4981.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not From the Photographer but my Favorite of the Day </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had one more event that I wanted to include in this post
but I think I’ll just save it for the next one -- so you can expect it in about
a month or two. KIDDING KIDDING. <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Desiree Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559134344355220085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38721062424095418.post-33043554645418084122015-02-10T10:22:00.001-08:002015-02-11T05:01:44.080-08:00A Great Time to Dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
January has come (and passed…) and for this month’s bulletin
board, Josh and I knew that we needed to include New Year’s Day and Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day. As a way to make this one cohesive idea, we made the
board “dream” themed. We felt as though this tied the idea of New Year’s resolutions and
the “I Have a Dream” speech together nicely. We wrote “It’s a Great Time to
Dream” in both English and Hebrew, and our question of the month was “What are
your dreams?” We ask all of the tough questions.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSt_btNM5TdXqiX0tDNsERyjX_SOx2x_nBDwS1dxLMlJrkNoBPM7SdWoBejyluNKMm09dQToxn9qk0SHWinV5-qiAUMhxUHxTrIJhMyyqXXFsqe6sCRJg83ZFvbzgbbbstb2eUJVCNjUw/s1600/IMG_4076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSt_btNM5TdXqiX0tDNsERyjX_SOx2x_nBDwS1dxLMlJrkNoBPM7SdWoBejyluNKMm09dQToxn9qk0SHWinV5-qiAUMhxUHxTrIJhMyyqXXFsqe6sCRJg83ZFvbzgbbbstb2eUJVCNjUw/s1600/IMG_4076.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I felt it was incredibly important to teach the students
about MLK, Jr. Aside from the fact that he was a huge mover and shaker in
American history, he also advocated love, education, and service which all
hold special places in my heart. Josh and I presented the idea of teaching the
5<sup>th</sup> graders (Kitah Hay) about MLK, Jr. to Rosi and, of course, she was very
supportive. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The lesson turned out to be one of the best I’ve ever
facilitated. We had the opportunity to teach 2 different 5<sup>th</sup> grade
classes, and both responded really well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We began the lesson with this video of MLK, Jr.:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/kvr2Cxuh2Wk/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kvr2Cxuh2Wk?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For those who can’t/don’t want to watch, it’s a pretty cool
video where the King himself (is that an appropriate way to refer to him?
Probably not) explains that Israel is “one of the great outpost of democracy in
the world.” NO BIG DEAL. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next, we played this video for the kids:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/k6Au81aHuSg/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/k6Au81aHuSg?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since this video was a bit longer, we stopped after every
sentence or so and worked with the kids on translating the words to Hebrew. The
students’ main English teacher also helped us with this for both videos. The
video’s not perfect and COMPLETELY drops the ball when speaking about MLK’s
assassination but it did a good job explaining the history to the students. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then came the MOST EXCITING PART!!! Caps and lots of
exclamation points are necessary because I could geek out over this for hours.
We asked the kids to create a dream bubble and gave them this prompt to fill
out: <i>“I have a dream that _____.”</i> We really didn’t know what to expect. We
unsurprisingly got some silly responses -- like “I won’t be in school” -- but for
the most part their answers just reminded me how brilliant children are and how
fortunate I am to be working with these little scholars!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some may have spelling or grammatical errors, but pay attention to the messages behind the words - these were 100% the kids' ideas. I said it once and I'll say it again - kids just understand life so much better than we do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIyc76YlQWvUyjUZNQGpl-_aZkSYJphyHdWPIUgdpJKptspEWP4NRKo43uqZqCCqzd42AS6M2yUiWhmbEoq9w2gdPYI-Rd044B8YS6K3xDi1s_4CBSU_ra2-aTgHNAAjO88WDjHdhLtk/s1600/IMG_4279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIyc76YlQWvUyjUZNQGpl-_aZkSYJphyHdWPIUgdpJKptspEWP4NRKo43uqZqCCqzd42AS6M2yUiWhmbEoq9w2gdPYI-Rd044B8YS6K3xDi1s_4CBSU_ra2-aTgHNAAjO88WDjHdhLtk/s1600/IMG_4279.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPpPuufI-T4ljcqruuTe5JkOSPokdi4KPUGjhI3ySacvvhN6nWEFSgh18uJoi3Z4Ojrh5wynqVn8N7wwZQe0r18s8Yd5y1qGpjdChU_J7L-jBWdwsGFY66ltwfuzNidltDvD2o7e9ZHU/s1600/photo+2-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPpPuufI-T4ljcqruuTe5JkOSPokdi4KPUGjhI3ySacvvhN6nWEFSgh18uJoi3Z4Ojrh5wynqVn8N7wwZQe0r18s8Yd5y1qGpjdChU_J7L-jBWdwsGFY66ltwfuzNidltDvD2o7e9ZHU/s1600/photo+2-1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27nIF2j26a0dQBJkUQgZgQX4ALRbFD1fMuFII3v8dRDd11JaVzafDuKQ_ohiiHYRYf-5XDSwm1HEyOEsw9ZcOMZRHe0ip85QYl2PEmGxx2KYx3B2N82FtbwcXi9ER2IKt0AL3UoIeCFc/s1600/IMG_4282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27nIF2j26a0dQBJkUQgZgQX4ALRbFD1fMuFII3v8dRDd11JaVzafDuKQ_ohiiHYRYf-5XDSwm1HEyOEsw9ZcOMZRHe0ip85QYl2PEmGxx2KYx3B2N82FtbwcXi9ER2IKt0AL3UoIeCFc/s1600/IMG_4282.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-xO0XN82-DrymQjsGYHzovlRC0CkrJyGbe7Vhf_vp5cVKhMvvG68lIlrOhEHP73D-67XFOo8ogrnzp5QkIk2ugXOECf5UiI1XmXExg9DzqATEzk0CR3heHOvZBuxK9JqE7DXtr3qUiQ/s1600/IMG_4284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-xO0XN82-DrymQjsGYHzovlRC0CkrJyGbe7Vhf_vp5cVKhMvvG68lIlrOhEHP73D-67XFOo8ogrnzp5QkIk2ugXOECf5UiI1XmXExg9DzqATEzk0CR3heHOvZBuxK9JqE7DXtr3qUiQ/s1600/IMG_4284.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a lot of salsa! (Get it? 'Cause Pace...salsa...)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStl5wJyfdEpBjwbwWbIrHao51qxFpNmoEfq6Yyg4bLqFfxRYryoKTyeWj5UeS2sRNWctzsX9B3xcgaW4qw2L3Dxvog6HpwtF1o5xehwPlOv1VKEmNvuLZhKa1Z_J08YPxeDHhWnHwH90/s1600/photo+1-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStl5wJyfdEpBjwbwWbIrHao51qxFpNmoEfq6Yyg4bLqFfxRYryoKTyeWj5UeS2sRNWctzsX9B3xcgaW4qw2L3Dxvog6HpwtF1o5xehwPlOv1VKEmNvuLZhKa1Z_J08YPxeDHhWnHwH90/s1600/photo+1-1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SO MANY GOALS SO LITTLE TIME... We need more girls to grow up with these dreams!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZHDWEl5LvnijKZM4_5_PuobcEWL6Bp44Af28rm6ryRkuTRz-vyUTqOqvcRIP_ISMgTRCA-fA9FCrQw2EPA4ru7mgAY3_uF209SzLiDTMed5EKTQgG0qe6spF1eVGI3VyIRD4cfiKoD8/s1600/photo-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZHDWEl5LvnijKZM4_5_PuobcEWL6Bp44Af28rm6ryRkuTRz-vyUTqOqvcRIP_ISMgTRCA-fA9FCrQw2EPA4ru7mgAY3_uF209SzLiDTMed5EKTQgG0qe6spF1eVGI3VyIRD4cfiKoD8/s1600/photo-11.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How we displayed the work of our little scholars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyone who knows me knows that I am unapologetically obsessed
with motivational quotes. They dominate my phone background, my walls, and my
Pinterest boards. Some of my favorite quotes come from MLK, and I’m willing to
bet that City Year sparked my fascination with his words. City Year uses MLK,
Jr. Day as a “Day on, not off,” and has different service projects running
across the country. I wore my Timberland
boots and khakis– which were part of my CY uniform – in solidarity on MLK, Jr. Day here
in Israel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5AhathLg3MLz53dm06KZ9N8QefAwORZsAAKPXQUzhLJIhN9vUbIdWHylePXe1yCdkoTQrL4iIbWAjfUjxIrE6wYu2Vcv5lfsHxhmYjOoA7qtH_eqLQErLu3bqYTzRl7ipDEqhdvzG6U/s1600/IMG_4228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5AhathLg3MLz53dm06KZ9N8QefAwORZsAAKPXQUzhLJIhN9vUbIdWHylePXe1yCdkoTQrL4iIbWAjfUjxIrE6wYu2Vcv5lfsHxhmYjOoA7qtH_eqLQErLu3bqYTzRl7ipDEqhdvzG6U/s1600/IMG_4228.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now, I leave you with some of my favorite MLK, Jr.
quotes:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are
you doing for others?'”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>"Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve.
You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your
subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul
generated by love."</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hope you’re all inspired. Now go out and change the world or
something.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Desiree Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559134344355220085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38721062424095418.post-83329982964448330542015-02-02T14:31:00.002-08:002015-02-04T05:09:29.894-08:00Channukah in Israel and EnglandTwo simple words perfectly describe Channukah in the Holy Land: sufganiyot galore. Seriously. From the shuk to
the best bakeries, anywhere and everywhere had an assortment of Channukah
donuts. An Israeli told me that she limits herself to one sufganiyah a year
since each one clocks in at an average of 600 calories but I think that’s just
silly. Why deprive myself of something that reminds us of the miracle of
Channukah? I’m happy that some people are able to exercise self control, but as
the saying goes -“Treat yo’ self.” And that’s just what I did. Sometimes twice
a day. Oops.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDHUAYaTVj1C8TiPk6jGpkGCXptgD1zBLWAr-Epq8OJ2gu5Wbq4q7Mv-r2aIi3K-FRniSEs7jrT4VLcYq2OExeKi-vdx13nGuL6Yit5bs6Vn3JYNuSIOXzsaLBHTsZWk56dXOGiFuGLw/s1600/IMG_3106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDHUAYaTVj1C8TiPk6jGpkGCXptgD1zBLWAr-Epq8OJ2gu5Wbq4q7Mv-r2aIi3K-FRniSEs7jrT4VLcYq2OExeKi-vdx13nGuL6Yit5bs6Vn3JYNuSIOXzsaLBHTsZWk56dXOGiFuGLw/s1600/IMG_3106.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While the students had school during the majority of the
holiday, my program was kind enough to give us a week off. One of my best
friends on the program, Naomi, extended an invitation to go home to Manchester,
England with her. While I was tempted to go home for the holiday, I felt silly
doing so since I am so close to Europe and I won’t necessarily have the
opportunity to travel so freely again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I chose to join Naomi and visit England for the first time.
I definitely made the right decision. I had an incredible time. I would be
lying if I said England was at the top of my dream places to travel to – in
fact, had you told me in August that I would be going to England, I would
probably laugh in your face. But lo and behold, here I am on my return flight
back to Israel writing about the “brilliant” time I had in England.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was fortunate enough to spend 5 days in England. Like any
good tourist, I went into the trip with a bucket list, if you will, of what I wanted
to do while on the trip. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My List</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Go to Starbucks </span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Go to Taco Bell</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Get personalized Nutella</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Have high tea</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Have fish & chips</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know, I know – there’s absolutely zero reason as to why
I’m not a 500 lb human being. And while the first two tasks are not British AT
ALL, I have gone 4 months without both and have missed them every single day.
No shame. I also thought it’d be cool to see Big Ben and maybe even the London
Eye (more so on a look but don’t touch basis – there are few things I hate more
than heights), but they weren’t exactly at the top of my list.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am happy to say that all missions on my bucket list were <b>ACCOMPLISHED</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friday, December 19<sup>th</sup> was my first full day in
Manchester. Nay and I spent the day in town, where I was able to get Starbucks
and personalized Nutella. We also took some very couple-y holiday photos. Tis
the season after all. For Shabbat, her family had about 15 guests over for a
traditional Shabbat dinner. Nay and I had a relatively early evening because
Saturday morning we had a train to catch to London.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEe9WnRhvrpSh6mLp9O05Vp9XT9CgsH_5YgsY6mtt1nYe19m5EyjNTn5p-SJjGnCEyYGbooZteS1re4BwxltnUBeLjCmJ0es2nq8YxKPACdu2BHwHFMjLcMH-VRkRFQdjw5B7kiZpZ5w/s1600/IMG_3602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEe9WnRhvrpSh6mLp9O05Vp9XT9CgsH_5YgsY6mtt1nYe19m5EyjNTn5p-SJjGnCEyYGbooZteS1re4BwxltnUBeLjCmJ0es2nq8YxKPACdu2BHwHFMjLcMH-VRkRFQdjw5B7kiZpZ5w/s1600/IMG_3602.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnarcyUdTDp6juLdjXQWZl6BilRu6cTTyMVTv9zyrLxbI5bZvV6G_QE3tvvOaE1epzNJncQseBzhCe5cj8UM9YHW10UEwiCKkvEeD1EbWd-krZO_0C8zJ_0ZvbJ-vbkCDHwA35X7ridw8/s1600/IMG_3581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnarcyUdTDp6juLdjXQWZl6BilRu6cTTyMVTv9zyrLxbI5bZvV6G_QE3tvvOaE1epzNJncQseBzhCe5cj8UM9YHW10UEwiCKkvEeD1EbWd-krZO_0C8zJ_0ZvbJ-vbkCDHwA35X7ridw8/s1600/IMG_3581.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVx9fL5OxSmrfMxeDTX-xnvPnXADeFM2REpBwl7qsb3DrEsPFIwXsWPG2JpuHbElXj9GMCjME-0vtuJuPrWVkhrLrHu6uwoWe8izPMAeSS1-mJmIiLsyLDxtUU9WHVoF-8XBco0jy2J5Q/s1600/IMG_3599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVx9fL5OxSmrfMxeDTX-xnvPnXADeFM2REpBwl7qsb3DrEsPFIwXsWPG2JpuHbElXj9GMCjME-0vtuJuPrWVkhrLrHu6uwoWe8izPMAeSS1-mJmIiLsyLDxtUU9WHVoF-8XBco0jy2J5Q/s1600/IMG_3599.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We caught the train at 8 am because we wanted to be able to
enjoy a full day in London. We arrived at around 10:30 am. We then took the
tube from the train station to Nay’s twin brother’s apartment. Her brother,
Toby, was our gracious host for the weekend. We spent 7 hours walking around
London. We got to see Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, and other
touristy things but most importantly we had fish and chips at an English pub
and high tea for an early dinner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKfEkfg89tTS_PEbQ_bAXWNxitKcR2VKPXyW58xdHVNxi_zpJc-YAGtgsOrRmrYF7W6rQJ8_5phHx6LyDh3n3xv4ZFS8jI1YGUZikwfz20BhjLoSpO9BBwwcTxQvr9uAsOuO5qfbDV-s/s1600/IMG_3639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKfEkfg89tTS_PEbQ_bAXWNxitKcR2VKPXyW58xdHVNxi_zpJc-YAGtgsOrRmrYF7W6rQJ8_5phHx6LyDh3n3xv4ZFS8jI1YGUZikwfz20BhjLoSpO9BBwwcTxQvr9uAsOuO5qfbDV-s/s1600/IMG_3639.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtC-13lp5yP761Mzbn7uqpgO_ESlqnqJwMNwihL5LtHm71rl4nsdxmQWco9LvT6aoH1g-PcG4LzVcLv7LhsQTlfIHlvHlfEJ5XuCej3vJfU0P6x0lJ9tuIFqo9nDQb94FdMvu5jkagws/s1600/IMG_3640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtC-13lp5yP761Mzbn7uqpgO_ESlqnqJwMNwihL5LtHm71rl4nsdxmQWco9LvT6aoH1g-PcG4LzVcLv7LhsQTlfIHlvHlfEJ5XuCej3vJfU0P6x0lJ9tuIFqo9nDQb94FdMvu5jkagws/s1600/IMG_3640.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5Gj-oAQzxxicyP8igow2sVrFhMQ7PnhTm3D1fmYbeEK7fpeG-h3xChg195cwbRtH2_9FJiL8naYucF2dGF8jt7DU-sR2Rd397L8piSM_zu9gW0DGYDc8o9fi4ObXAsJVubUlnE6cyh4/s1600/IMG_3637.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5Gj-oAQzxxicyP8igow2sVrFhMQ7PnhTm3D1fmYbeEK7fpeG-h3xChg195cwbRtH2_9FJiL8naYucF2dGF8jt7DU-sR2Rd397L8piSM_zu9gW0DGYDc8o9fi4ObXAsJVubUlnE6cyh4/s1600/IMG_3637.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBXh5KknZLIQgA33TQGJnngOUFP50KsHeHW8wuRhen9NUFWRflBweFR8DVwDHRAUVHMXxb5ip9PpTxZmx37NGRXIn-3n_mFi4sIKkoxRFzAaJH3LdtfGl6JhwwP251yvmORwQe96x_3c/s1600/IMG_3788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBXh5KknZLIQgA33TQGJnngOUFP50KsHeHW8wuRhen9NUFWRflBweFR8DVwDHRAUVHMXxb5ip9PpTxZmx37NGRXIn-3n_mFi4sIKkoxRFzAaJH3LdtfGl6JhwwP251yvmORwQe96x_3c/s1600/IMG_3788.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Fun fact – Brits do NOT get their leftovers to go. We had
quite a few scones leftover from tea and Nay’s brother was mortified when I
considered asking for a “doggy bag.” I decided to spare him the embarrassment
and not ask because I am a nice human being. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really enjoyed walking around London – it was exhausting
but definitely worth it. It’s a beautiful city that reminds me so much of New
York.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYjw541xxbEPZhztPbxNkcRgxeUpu2VuTEeyb_HAtEtl4932TujMEHVCHdJo3PQzmTYiZGlmBLcQdqAffDb6n2nXHqfvMqWefxbJt2HOAPhpZ4BJSGUxCDsxQkvs1NrAR9qjw0_93TWw/s1600/IMG_3651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYjw541xxbEPZhztPbxNkcRgxeUpu2VuTEeyb_HAtEtl4932TujMEHVCHdJo3PQzmTYiZGlmBLcQdqAffDb6n2nXHqfvMqWefxbJt2HOAPhpZ4BJSGUxCDsxQkvs1NrAR9qjw0_93TWw/s1600/IMG_3651.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After our long day out, the 3 of us returned to Toby’s
apartment to get ready for a night out. I got the opportunity to meet lots of
Nay’s friends and we all got to enjoy the London nightlife experience. I was exhausted and probably
delirious but I’m pretty sure we all had a lot of fun (even though Toby was
horrified that I devoured an unkosher burger at like 2 am).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3U9OWUESsub7yaaKjtBHGsyPgakzGwzzm1r3Vtxzh6BAlaOfOTS7V7pL7VELJQM5fZgUsXF_z4Mrj2MC7EKA-apclkKl20gFswMD-uG3bYZ4cyKyMeBhdAgmkLNjoVyAiAvoV1eaIFZc/s1600/IMG_3661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3U9OWUESsub7yaaKjtBHGsyPgakzGwzzm1r3Vtxzh6BAlaOfOTS7V7pL7VELJQM5fZgUsXF_z4Mrj2MC7EKA-apclkKl20gFswMD-uG3bYZ4cyKyMeBhdAgmkLNjoVyAiAvoV1eaIFZc/s1600/IMG_3661.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Sunday morning we enjoyed a traditional Jewish bagels,
shmear, and lox brunch while rehashing the details of Saturday night’s
shenanigans. Nay and I decided to take it easy until our 2 pm train back to
Manchester.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Upon returning to Manchester on Sunday evening, we got to
enjoy a delicious Italian dinner with some of Nay’s close and extended family
members. Nay has two little cousins who are so in love with her – it’s so
precious. It seriously warmed my heart to see them interacting. One asked me if
we speak English in “Los Angel-leeze” which was also precious.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKL-bmd0lPbD0Tqx46O9XyQD6qrijapyonyAQBDHU-YqE-VrKGh8ViD8GsagMPiJPF2COLSu0GYUDRCZmORBLVHZhXUppH2yMjs8T8dZlCI-4Q41il0h3TqU56VkPVy_HVPsaxCDPxoKE/s1600/1509279_10154931766620244_6335700547095046835_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKL-bmd0lPbD0Tqx46O9XyQD6qrijapyonyAQBDHU-YqE-VrKGh8ViD8GsagMPiJPF2COLSu0GYUDRCZmORBLVHZhXUppH2yMjs8T8dZlCI-4Q41il0h3TqU56VkPVy_HVPsaxCDPxoKE/s1600/1509279_10154931766620244_6335700547095046835_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Monday, Nay and her aunt had planned what most people
would consider a fun day at the ice skating rink. As we know, though, I have
issues conforming and I’m not like most people. I have gone ice-skating at
least 10 times and for the life of me CANNOT balance and skate. Skating gives
me serious anxiety because there are always those rail holders that either go
too fast or too slow, as if they don’t know that MY pace is the correct one,
and for the love of God do NOT get me started on the panic that instills when
there is no railing to hold on to because apparently people need an
entrance/exit or whatever.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Needless to say, I was not impressed with the ice skating
plans. Nay tried to comfort me by saying that she wasn’t a greater skater
herself, but obviously the second we hit the ice she turns into freaking Kristi
Yamaguchi. Some girls just have it all. So, I had her use her powers for good
and got to enjoy being pushed around the rink.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagaSkkCFe3h0S6VSaDeKBpiGAQYiCLYl6I1zzQvqW6Vdq5GItHHtuSzhAuLydR-TWXi1iYU6m2OWOENEIe2v08bkpZtbEYXKwp3xVIZVwmQUyu07FU6cfvvbOTBl8zNfnNludAiKBOGE/s1600/IMG_3683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagaSkkCFe3h0S6VSaDeKBpiGAQYiCLYl6I1zzQvqW6Vdq5GItHHtuSzhAuLydR-TWXi1iYU6m2OWOENEIe2v08bkpZtbEYXKwp3xVIZVwmQUyu07FU6cfvvbOTBl8zNfnNludAiKBOGE/s1600/IMG_3683.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGpkdyE1bRvaXwJQrp7aIIWIilZnciIcGoOmd7GtzH_vZVZ5ByPprBbFzmRuO1Q91kbf6RaoT8uLgxseMNOkeEAczjr2ERkf_4plCF40ug3iA33ZLlH14-qqgi2zx87wEIpEsDFGxokU/s1600/IMG_3685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGpkdyE1bRvaXwJQrp7aIIWIilZnciIcGoOmd7GtzH_vZVZ5ByPprBbFzmRuO1Q91kbf6RaoT8uLgxseMNOkeEAczjr2ERkf_4plCF40ug3iA33ZLlH14-qqgi2zx87wEIpEsDFGxokU/s1600/IMG_3685.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Tuesday, I was set to fly back to Israel at 5:30 pm,
which left me enough time to check off the last thing on my bucket list – a
visit to Taco Bell. While Brits aren’t really familiar with the gourmet fast
food chain, there are a few locations in England and I needed to get my fix. It
was sort of embarrassing telling people that this was actually something I
wanted to do – one of Nay’s younger cousins even asked me why I wanted to go so
badly when their food is “rubbish.” My answer? It reminds me of home. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvFismli4WdmAPmgH84i8KPnAAHQ03n-KAiJDdBvHOdEktbNxNwa2X0Xbb-BociTznf0z8jZK4DyGGNsay9nM_rIr5wjQLq5NKNoaY5rFcb4vpFcvDHkr2Tr4EKDbeBo6fQR43gdpLak/s1600/IMG_3709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvFismli4WdmAPmgH84i8KPnAAHQ03n-KAiJDdBvHOdEktbNxNwa2X0Xbb-BociTznf0z8jZK4DyGGNsay9nM_rIr5wjQLq5NKNoaY5rFcb4vpFcvDHkr2Tr4EKDbeBo6fQR43gdpLak/s1600/IMG_3709.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">REUNITED AND IT FEELS SOOOO GOOD</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While some menu items were different, I was able to get my
fix and introduce my Brit to high quality Mexican food before heading back to
the Holy Land.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVZOnVt7hgD1ndYEjnSs5tWms4-X_lR8B_0cfnuNgI9kcs83IbH18UOkKnvEy_J5NCgOQ8Udp5-3ceTiMSbn8hr7MmHcjv2rFXsbwm44gIVxTdLom4p67zX9rR5R97ZCh5a69SgVbLKk/s1600/IMG_3708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVZOnVt7hgD1ndYEjnSs5tWms4-X_lR8B_0cfnuNgI9kcs83IbH18UOkKnvEy_J5NCgOQ8Udp5-3ceTiMSbn8hr7MmHcjv2rFXsbwm44gIVxTdLom4p67zX9rR5R97ZCh5a69SgVbLKk/s1600/IMG_3708.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfj1jkUOMoRu3gJh96_cjrjhARcx5UIHqKfBX45IwAXNLA2YwHgqG46wBqKtwGkNtb2KTxwLSjSKg0teLjuZT1oDZy21-fLQCppwxBO_g1WIgeGQrkCjWB5MzbjQan2f7dbagu16861UY/s1600/IMG_3706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfj1jkUOMoRu3gJh96_cjrjhARcx5UIHqKfBX45IwAXNLA2YwHgqG46wBqKtwGkNtb2KTxwLSjSKg0teLjuZT1oDZy21-fLQCppwxBO_g1WIgeGQrkCjWB5MzbjQan2f7dbagu16861UY/s1600/IMG_3706.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All in all, it was an AMAZING trip that inspired me to do
even more traveling while living abroad. I am incredibly grateful for the
opportunity to live abroad, and going to England was a great blessing and gift.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until next time x<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Desiree Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559134344355220085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38721062424095418.post-66014416314492500732015-01-25T13:07:00.001-08:002015-01-25T13:09:35.313-08:00The Most Wonderful Time of Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So it’s officially 2015 and I have yet to write a single
post about December, 2014. I’m going to do my best to sum up an amazing month
into a semi-condensed post.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the States, we tend to think December as “Christmas time”
or “Christmas season.” As I’m sure you can imagine, things are a <i>bit</i> different in the holy land. Though
you can find a Christmas tree here and there if you go out looking for it, most
storefronts are decorated with channukiahs and dreidels. For our
December bulletin board, my co-teaching fellow and I were a little conflicted
as to whether or not we wanted to include a Christmas tree. On one hand, we
both agreed that the tree plays a large role in American culture. On the other
hand, it can be viewed as a strictly religious symbol. So we did the PC thing
to do and covered the board with paper snowflakes instead. We also explained
how outside of Israel, dreidels have letters that represent the phrase “a big
miracle happened <i>there</i>” as opposed to
Israeli ones, which read “a big miracle happened <i>here.” </i>Additionally, I spent way too long drawing Olaf from <i>Frozen</i> but we needed a snowman and I was
not going to settle for a printed one. You better believe I laminated that bad
boy.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGv9G0pQOztGeQ7R-wjLk7VTQkx9kaBVwJvLeubhj5emTlpAvddHoUo2BrIxAT95amo8IWvwzgUVYDdmmd_-GPW2PhA0Rb4b5ESYw_RKYdgabhadx0wJrMevyIMfxi111dO6oRGfaR20c/s1600/IMG_3053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGv9G0pQOztGeQ7R-wjLk7VTQkx9kaBVwJvLeubhj5emTlpAvddHoUo2BrIxAT95amo8IWvwzgUVYDdmmd_-GPW2PhA0Rb4b5ESYw_RKYdgabhadx0wJrMevyIMfxi111dO6oRGfaR20c/s1600/IMG_3053.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olaf in the making</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAEMO1iwwWtSsvyURM9aAOfFp2UjCdp5jQ1Ylm1wwsxN59Dp2yDIoL52WVKDQPSATH_wgcBi7BdBX0U6aFzpKU1ChodYyhAeyitD8JdJk4JjXF59Nqq5y9xrmLEnaFDIP0b8YHdsVXdM/s1600/IMG_3055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAEMO1iwwWtSsvyURM9aAOfFp2UjCdp5jQ1Ylm1wwsxN59Dp2yDIoL52WVKDQPSATH_wgcBi7BdBX0U6aFzpKU1ChodYyhAeyitD8JdJk4JjXF59Nqq5y9xrmLEnaFDIP0b8YHdsVXdM/s1600/IMG_3055.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Student admiring our work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFSqht2VVPXlQz2oStWwTWeV-Z1GL2L1zTdIH5PZunz4Lz04Hn__MW4ImHMgESrEKBsvYtZiOnIKLkrhpzr9Y2x5raux07bwUS_RXWL_m5Wcie3xWtA-rmNIlubhnuE_empASp0Xwe-8/s1600/IMG_3067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFSqht2VVPXlQz2oStWwTWeV-Z1GL2L1zTdIH5PZunz4Lz04Hn__MW4ImHMgESrEKBsvYtZiOnIKLkrhpzr9Y2x5raux07bwUS_RXWL_m5Wcie3xWtA-rmNIlubhnuE_empASp0Xwe-8/s1600/IMG_3067.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished product</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since it was Hannukah season, our ulpan teacher decided to
move one of our Hebrew lessons outside of the classroom and into the kitchen. We
spent a class making latkes and attempting to communicate in Hebrew. She also
read us an adorable Hebrew children’s Hannukah book. It was still difficult to
understand some of the story, but Hila made sure to stop along the way and
translate for us. It was a really exciting way for us to kick off the holiday
season.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEija8Wf8j1qdMIzWRqXK-5GGNuXxpaDSke5dXYgEzTz0D_d1uDCwAH9hQ1U8Rq7Mt9-1MAtNDHl-QbFyr-7l0Wu8kVJD7T_BshzJCLnxvR8n87ZbfgFoZEOSIdk-5joLlbDfVJZ9wUMIIM/s1600/IMG_3073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEija8Wf8j1qdMIzWRqXK-5GGNuXxpaDSke5dXYgEzTz0D_d1uDCwAH9hQ1U8Rq7Mt9-1MAtNDHl-QbFyr-7l0Wu8kVJD7T_BshzJCLnxvR8n87ZbfgFoZEOSIdk-5joLlbDfVJZ9wUMIIM/s1600/IMG_3073.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzfxrAjSXh929ZHCuIZYTTodyLf_GPpgF0nI49Ityq0VdMAI9wt4TsKktCmsxG-yDZDo8oy_OlovvODeEvjUezvlSm8oF9vbMUvPiENrm7P-R0d8zrgxw2a3NcgsLeCvVl7Lm6-HlWao/s1600/IMG_3150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzfxrAjSXh929ZHCuIZYTTodyLf_GPpgF0nI49Ityq0VdMAI9wt4TsKktCmsxG-yDZDo8oy_OlovvODeEvjUezvlSm8oF9vbMUvPiENrm7P-R0d8zrgxw2a3NcgsLeCvVl7Lm6-HlWao/s1600/IMG_3150.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tasted even better than they looked</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not too long after our latke ulpan class, Masa hosted a
leadership summit. The summit was held in Jerusalem from Decemeber 7-11. As
explained on the Masa website:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Masa Israel Leadership Summit is an intensive, five day
learning and skill-building seminar for exceptional participants of Masa Israel
programs from around the world. The Seminar is designed to provide Masa
participants the skills that will help them become strong and active Jewish
leaders through learning, leadership training, community service and getting
involved in their local communities. By offering them dynamic and interactive
programming and a support network of peers from around the world; the
Leadership Summit helps prepare Masa participants for active involvement in
Jewish life on their return home.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzO9NNUCCHoMrLXYIgTPfd6GgvMkP-heLg8_rohKFauRDdQ4SaArE2qkJqEN9SoQFfq3pxZoAbo2KUNCtiJCBxQ9HodIieMh35kL5LfH6btBD5vQ8l9gjuT1mk4rP9jag3vbaewYg-Yc/s1600/IMG_3246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzO9NNUCCHoMrLXYIgTPfd6GgvMkP-heLg8_rohKFauRDdQ4SaArE2qkJqEN9SoQFfq3pxZoAbo2KUNCtiJCBxQ9HodIieMh35kL5LfH6btBD5vQ8l9gjuT1mk4rP9jag3vbaewYg-Yc/s1600/IMG_3246.jpg" height="287" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was an AMAZING week – I got to meet so many new and interesting
people (like a half-Persian half-Austrian Israeli…what?!) and hear a lot of
great lectures. Here are some of the highlights:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Masa-Israel
Leadership Summit Gala Event<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To kick off the week, Masa hosted a gala on the first night
of the summit. This was basically a
bar-mitzvah and to be honest, I didn’t hate it. We all got dolled up and
enjoyed a nice sit down dinner followed with some dancing to a live band. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsEmipRASJoaoHST-S8xMUv5wDjKQQIuWQoOqt8Ka2XDcVtTz1QUJk1Air2PsuTKYsPGRgRvpUsxQkgGDhxVLcktOwcWZehOl__AVXyzwOaA0zc06U9JAtyn1K6zoYJxJOtPMolFr_to/s1600/IMG_3186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsEmipRASJoaoHST-S8xMUv5wDjKQQIuWQoOqt8Ka2XDcVtTz1QUJk1Air2PsuTKYsPGRgRvpUsxQkgGDhxVLcktOwcWZehOl__AVXyzwOaA0zc06U9JAtyn1K6zoYJxJOtPMolFr_to/s1600/IMG_3186.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZPed0N-nArIasHKIVGOUIsrCKWDuiJWunv6nHRi9jS4cF4nj2_G4v3WT5znZg3i1zSR6U6FHC7vDpHWIpyymj1w45mu09kck7al1PPvmRARlXmlHzGtzPBtMfmCmr4mpbqDHtmGpk9M/s1600/IMG_3179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZPed0N-nArIasHKIVGOUIsrCKWDuiJWunv6nHRi9jS4cF4nj2_G4v3WT5znZg3i1zSR6U6FHC7vDpHWIpyymj1w45mu09kck7al1PPvmRARlXmlHzGtzPBtMfmCmr4mpbqDHtmGpk9M/s1600/IMG_3179.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Outdoor Training at Jerusalem Biblical Zoo</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next day, we got to go to the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo and
do some team building activities with a group called <i>Ekipo</i>. Ekipo’s tagline is “Playing Seriously.” The group
specializes in Outdoor Training, which includes a bunch of really fun physical
activities. We got the chance to do a relay race around the zoo (which I have
actually never been to) and other silly things. It was loads of fun and really
got me excited for the rest of the week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15DbeXQi6N_Mx2CFAtrWpaBhzCIL5uO7CxPAZ932vOw8I2SyHz337QEHW2WItNcOGVlHqE1dv4CdzYEVdZeZjdy9BRO0KPUSI8hrcw0hQtP8OjyLdo2HppeBgOkonC4hyphenhyphenxdiIJHLRm9I/s1600/IMG_3208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15DbeXQi6N_Mx2CFAtrWpaBhzCIL5uO7CxPAZ932vOw8I2SyHz337QEHW2WItNcOGVlHqE1dv4CdzYEVdZeZjdy9BRO0KPUSI8hrcw0hQtP8OjyLdo2HppeBgOkonC4hyphenhyphenxdiIJHLRm9I/s1600/IMG_3208.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOm8EaBdXTmKKSKUUSsmZoflsmFUXlTMUn6D-an4Io_3aSurM04yZOW6M9dccDpF_XXfYeQ0KbXANzcRe6Hp1vcn1XX02SYUGTephFeqBTWa5At8DHwrYeKOPTnfnS8ZPerxgE-Xoh1P4/s1600/IMG_3212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOm8EaBdXTmKKSKUUSsmZoflsmFUXlTMUn6D-an4Io_3aSurM04yZOW6M9dccDpF_XXfYeQ0KbXANzcRe6Hp1vcn1XX02SYUGTephFeqBTWa5At8DHwrYeKOPTnfnS8ZPerxgE-Xoh1P4/s1600/IMG_3212.JPG" height="99" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn-4mNT8ca5Xk_-N63maB9kNY8yw5YS3-IVzGUmNVEe2Re16JN4_DfNsT4pi4cNdehl26kgoN_S9Tt2K342R5FHXFdYDptx3SkSeMXHhvff4aYmUyt3p7bqP8diwiBvNuF754Vqjwzgg/s1600/IMG_3215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn-4mNT8ca5Xk_-N63maB9kNY8yw5YS3-IVzGUmNVEe2Re16JN4_DfNsT4pi4cNdehl26kgoN_S9Tt2K342R5FHXFdYDptx3SkSeMXHhvff4aYmUyt3p7bqP8diwiBvNuF754Vqjwzgg/s1600/IMG_3215.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MAEt-VaCJustTp_gPQM6ztclW-uiAuDpzIth6pAYKdAPSriOeLH_FQXiU92tugmK7X0ciBTHJFTI61JoPJ4QhqEds26DEMfUYiuV_AaZXz-dT_Vab8G8CujtIy739JDIDp3VNV2VB2A/s1600/IMG_3227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MAEt-VaCJustTp_gPQM6ztclW-uiAuDpzIth6pAYKdAPSriOeLH_FQXiU92tugmK7X0ciBTHJFTI61JoPJ4QhqEds26DEMfUYiuV_AaZXz-dT_Vab8G8CujtIy739JDIDp3VNV2VB2A/s1600/IMG_3227.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfKiGlFP463lz4S71Q-vBUKZT3YAiedqc4RqOTJBW42f7l9n-HEDfE6oDFrSnq7C29EHgKV-UKmA2ptMNg37iv6j_p1fdHCwo9_y1PyetPA1VxBW3WUpevtJ3m8nX94pJgwkXrN05wxw/s1600/IMG_3221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfKiGlFP463lz4S71Q-vBUKZT3YAiedqc4RqOTJBW42f7l9n-HEDfE6oDFrSnq7C29EHgKV-UKmA2ptMNg37iv6j_p1fdHCwo9_y1PyetPA1VxBW3WUpevtJ3m8nX94pJgwkXrN05wxw/s1600/IMG_3221.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My group for the duration of the summit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Israel Day – Leading
Social Change in Israel<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Israel Day, we had the choice of 6 different “tracks” to
choose from. I chose the social change
track (obviously). This was one of my favorite parts of the week. We had the
opportunity to follow Yuval Bdolach of Re:Lod, a “mover and shaker” in the
Israeli social change scene. We visited the city of Lod, which is a
mixed Israeli-Arab city. When we first arrived to the barren/desolate city, Yuval greeted us and said, “Welcome to the best city in Israel!” I
realized right then and there that Yuval is just as delusional and optimistic
and I am, which got me really excited for the day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWhegfQBCbYz3Fe-S-qodlm-kpjmnWOV1f40crgkHIQKwbxLkwDqobjxUV9tiWuYDxBEaV2sCNIqWYC6_wyzDYz5Hp-2O9D-EAiXcULiulYWeJdxrP_8raoETFnN3poFnmAYd7MZiFyw/s1600/IMG_3253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWhegfQBCbYz3Fe-S-qodlm-kpjmnWOV1f40crgkHIQKwbxLkwDqobjxUV9tiWuYDxBEaV2sCNIqWYC6_wyzDYz5Hp-2O9D-EAiXcULiulYWeJdxrP_8raoETFnN3poFnmAYd7MZiFyw/s1600/IMG_3253.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The group and Yuval</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
See, people are really quick to call Petach Tikva the
“shithole” of Israel. I don’t agree with this sentiment at all, as we have
everything we could ever want and more here. Visiting Lod, I even questioned
how people could call PTK a shithole when places like this exist. Yuval’s
idealist energy really reminded me that there is a lot of beauty in even the
most seemingly “unbeautiful” places. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The point of Re:Lod is to embrace the co-existence,
regentrify the city, and make it the bustling city it once was. Re:Lod employs
Israeli students to live in the Lod community and develop activities and
programing . I loved the idea of it all, but I had to ask – Once the city is
regentrified, what is stopping it from becoming the next Tel Aviv. Yuval smiled
when I asked this, and explained that the ultimate goal was not to make Lod
into the next Tel Aviv. The ultimate goal is to play on the strengths and
assets of the city and make it the best Lod it has the potential to be. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GNkoiIOB-hi2Cc-VMvnD9oum2dGpzNT9ef1At6IqVi39m8uVdI0xxsSvcIsruhvvxvviTE6j1Yhwfe7mTgOBuL7NQDYlBWpBn55W0bYIfu8TOQzKrZoHH4j9H6DXz5alGw9QiY-yfK4/s1600/IMG_3268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GNkoiIOB-hi2Cc-VMvnD9oum2dGpzNT9ef1At6IqVi39m8uVdI0xxsSvcIsruhvvxvviTE6j1Yhwfe7mTgOBuL7NQDYlBWpBn55W0bYIfu8TOQzKrZoHH4j9H6DXz5alGw9QiY-yfK4/s1600/IMG_3268.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"All of Us Together"</i> in Arabic and Hebrew - as seen in Lod</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In our host groups, we were
asked to reflect on the day. Here are my notes from it:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>LOVED the day, felt so at peace and in my
element. Incredible idealist energy. Loved the team element, working together
for a common cause. Being one with the community members of Lod. I’ve always
believed everyone has something to offer, I loved that they’re using energy to
rebuild and refocus Lod’s strengths as opposed to making it something its not. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I abuse the word “love,” I know. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How to Dunk with Your
Feet on the Ground with Tamir Goodman</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh. My. God. Where do I even start with this? Tamir Goodman,
also known as the “Jewish Jordan” is an American-born basketball player who
eventually made aliyah. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzGAlxg5H8O-dKc5_DlhV8FoMvib8hwKoetkxLDfrnWDFmY1Jt0N8Xdby6v9smur5QG4V4iSyd3GH7BKMUapaMh0Fw6G88TMxkAIOdHSPdg_GzcklV43PKWFSLAr2KKXj5Vngg56Kj0M/s1600/IMG_3304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzGAlxg5H8O-dKc5_DlhV8FoMvib8hwKoetkxLDfrnWDFmY1Jt0N8Xdby6v9smur5QG4V4iSyd3GH7BKMUapaMh0Fw6G88TMxkAIOdHSPdg_GzcklV43PKWFSLAr2KKXj5Vngg56Kj0M/s1600/IMG_3304.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Jewish Jordan on a Sports Illustrated Cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As explained on Wikipedia:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“After averaging 35.4 points per game for the Talmudical
Academy of Baltimore, in 11th grade he was ranked the 25th-best high school
player in the country. Goodman received a scholarship to the University of
Maryland. The team's schedule of practices and games meant having to play on
Friday nights and Saturdays, against the rules of Orthodox Judaism, so he
declined Maryland's offer and accepted a scholarship from nearby Towson
University. Goodman then moved to Israel and signing a 3-year contract with
Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2002.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tamir Goodman is probably one of the best people I’ve ever
had the honor of meeting. He is genuinely one of the most positive people and
is extremely inspiring. During the summit, Goodman used his experience on the
court to give us tips on great practical life lessons. In short:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Lay-Up</b> – Give everything your 100%. With a
lay-up, if you don’t go through with the shot 100%, the other team can easily
block your lay-up. Effort </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">always</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> pays
off.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Free Throw</b> – Free throws represent a sense of
comfort for basketball players. During a free throw, it’s just you and the
basket. Goodman explained that it’s important to have a strong identity and
sense of self. When life gets hard, don’t run away and try to be someone you’re
not, but rather return to your baseline and your roots.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b> </b></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Listening </b>– Listen to the opportunities you are
given as opposed to the ones you don’t have. Work with what you’ve got.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Paying attention</b> – During the last couple of
minutes of a game, things stop being about you and you begin to pay attention
to your surroundings – the clock, the score, the people. Remember that not
everything’s about yourself, it’s important to be concerned about everyone
else.</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0ukA-tt82OUbFGpZm1ghqCl-cP4dUGM3qo-8iQhx2FqKo7898J3RzHbXavXaDY6wJIWxKC7DYft6QJllGGID4Jv026_iKY_LzbDnIkLt9FMEAoBXzg3wkg5FHhsTeJP17qd9wW-Tb0Q/s1600/IMG_3313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0ukA-tt82OUbFGpZm1ghqCl-cP4dUGM3qo-8iQhx2FqKo7898J3RzHbXavXaDY6wJIWxKC7DYft6QJllGGID4Jv026_iKY_LzbDnIkLt9FMEAoBXzg3wkg5FHhsTeJP17qd9wW-Tb0Q/s1600/IMG_3313.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Israel Experience girls w/ Tamir Goodman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">This is so so cheesy but Goodman could genuinely not have a
more appropriate last name. He just exudes SO much positivity. He believes in the good in others and doing good as well, which is refreshing. “Everyone is
so special,” Goodman began. “Use your specific blessings – your life is
incredible.” Everyone in the room was so inspired and moved by Tamir. His
speech was without a doubt my favorite part of the summit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All in all, the summit was a really great experience.
Something I struggled with, though, was that I felt as if most of the
participants in the summit believed that being a leader means you have the most
important thing to say and always need to be vocal. I think there’s a lot of
beauty and strength in teamwork and silent leadership. The ability to listen to
others is such a big part of being a good “leader” and I felt as though I was
pretty much alone on that belief. Other than that, I had a good time during the
summit and I was really happy to be in Jerusalem for the week.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Yom HaMoreh</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yom HaMoreh – or Teacher Day- is a national holiday that
happened to be the day before we broke for the Hannukah vacation. If you’ve
read ANY of my posts, you know I’m pretty obsessed with my host teacher Rosi.
My co-fellow Josh and I knew we had to do something special for Rosi on this
day, so we gathered some of Rosi’s students in secret and had them write notes
of appreciation to her. Josh and I also made her a little “relaxation” pack
since the woman never sleeps. The pack included fuzzy socks, incense, and a
mug. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MZ5jI7khTMHhGXArwWgHSpYQu9VK7h142pvJkvgafO9AKqU4hvIvU3O8u_hYwXaN__0R8J6EN-Viy7CJ6Aw9IG45hyphenhyphenuitKrBtDTTTHp0SVxTFoOsknLjMe_fHuiLup4DACV8vCdQlkc/s1600/IMG_3465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MZ5jI7khTMHhGXArwWgHSpYQu9VK7h142pvJkvgafO9AKqU4hvIvU3O8u_hYwXaN__0R8J6EN-Viy7CJ6Aw9IG45hyphenhyphenuitKrBtDTTTHp0SVxTFoOsknLjMe_fHuiLup4DACV8vCdQlkc/s1600/IMG_3465.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8YKMy9Pc-85djLvoZOLi8ziSnMS41k-NAKbdYvIBuibExyb-Pt-AuQ52dSxTJDESSQifr88x7G46OYcNCPBceQJXx_n-lNBeTrvAuoplMZazBTjTBf2c6GPwyZ9nrmRAhtWD2aKnQLA/s1600/IMG_3475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8YKMy9Pc-85djLvoZOLi8ziSnMS41k-NAKbdYvIBuibExyb-Pt-AuQ52dSxTJDESSQifr88x7G46OYcNCPBceQJXx_n-lNBeTrvAuoplMZazBTjTBf2c6GPwyZ9nrmRAhtWD2aKnQLA/s1600/IMG_3475.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our final gift to Rosi was a pinterest inspired poster, where we had
multiple students hold up different letters and spell out “We <3 you Rosi!”
It ended up turning out really well and Rosi was very surprised by the gifts.
Pretty sure she even teared up a little.
We were so happy to do something for someone we admire so much and were
glad it was received so well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8Q3udjDKwiq5cep0n70S4p1tqQQwdqeuMYm6oCZpdD35GFAKazBA398Cgt1KG1aEQa9OCg1UEDLcO91VFqo-Gs1h0ttcD0z8kA5vyDALsNRRmo19pmGAFsoH19fluLpdo9kIQeMEyXg/s1600/IMG_4307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8Q3udjDKwiq5cep0n70S4p1tqQQwdqeuMYm6oCZpdD35GFAKazBA398Cgt1KG1aEQa9OCg1UEDLcO91VFqo-Gs1h0ttcD0z8kA5vyDALsNRRmo19pmGAFsoH19fluLpdo9kIQeMEyXg/s1600/IMG_4307.JPG" height="320" width="218" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxBUA-ml9bUMmuAnxEwfAqvX86KsR3oQK1DXDhcpTKSBbAus3OtxaMCK1ddaVcIW1yWHa6CeZv3dGJzm2hoiIPrYcW70kHCR6Je0vUD39wO3VNUdcnYO6TpTG-JDe5b9yqKY45bDKdP4/s1600/IMG_3478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxBUA-ml9bUMmuAnxEwfAqvX86KsR3oQK1DXDhcpTKSBbAus3OtxaMCK1ddaVcIW1yWHa6CeZv3dGJzm2hoiIPrYcW70kHCR6Je0vUD39wO3VNUdcnYO6TpTG-JDe5b9yqKY45bDKdP4/s1600/IMG_3478.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rose given to us by the students</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sorry this wasn’t as condensed as I wanted it to be but that’s
all for now. Next post will be about Hannukah break and I promise I won’t make
you wait as long for it! <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Desiree Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559134344355220085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38721062424095418.post-19594946039325343322014-12-25T12:40:00.002-08:002014-12-25T12:43:04.511-08:00Giving Thanks<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t
get homesick <i>too</i> often. That being
said, I was a little nervous about how I’d feel about missing out on
Thanksgiving with my family.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My Thanksgiving was far from
traditional (think peanut noodles and hummus), but it was a great evening. We
did a potluck dinner at one of the ITF apartments in PTK, where everyone
brought a dish to feed approximately 20 people. Before coming to Israel, I had
been a pescatarian for 7 years, and I decided to begin eating meat and poultry
again because I didn’t want to miss out on any new delicacies while abroad (as
you can tell food plays a large role in my life). This would have been the first Thanksgiving
where I’d be able to indulge in Turkey, but PLOT TWIST we ended up having a
strictly dairy/parve meal because some of the Fellows keep Kosher. This made
for a very carb heavy yet delicious meal. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In true Thanksgiving fashion, I
thought I’d share just a few of the many things I am thankful for in particular
this year. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I’m thankful for Facetime</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KtnDOrv5ifG7p2zH7bUIrSbYD6Imqx188RD25pZb-9vK9OexuAjaLJcJaC7wR0k3OrvTi_k8MrNzVRgEVnb3gtK1fsct1bq1ERWS0onzD-5Lr8wfQiGLLPn4RmBRTPb_odZ9nzVGuTw/s1600/IMG_2934.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KtnDOrv5ifG7p2zH7bUIrSbYD6Imqx188RD25pZb-9vK9OexuAjaLJcJaC7wR0k3OrvTi_k8MrNzVRgEVnb3gtK1fsct1bq1ERWS0onzD-5Lr8wfQiGLLPn4RmBRTPb_odZ9nzVGuTw/s1600/IMG_2934.PNG" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>How else would I be able to spend
the holiday with a few of my favorites that are 7,000+ miles away?</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I’m thankful for my Petah Tikva
family</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zSaJkFRLvHCVb2T4LW5U3JjrPnR1j-7RyCW7q4djDNgxWo84UChyPuoy07vCheH65BOOFlljzyPBg1QgBazt1goBEiFKDLJJSSRT661WrkQN0nBDfH43L77hH7sxFngpECqFXSCPRcs/s1600/10614359_10203179975246938_4658778113648551578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zSaJkFRLvHCVb2T4LW5U3JjrPnR1j-7RyCW7q4djDNgxWo84UChyPuoy07vCheH65BOOFlljzyPBg1QgBazt1goBEiFKDLJJSSRT661WrkQN0nBDfH43L77hH7sxFngpECqFXSCPRcs/s1600/10614359_10203179975246938_4658778113648551578_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>These crazy kids filled any sort of
void I could’ve had from spending the holiday without my family.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I’m thankful for my Israeli school
family</span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpsbDTeziiKRC1lSCqgnZt7jqiPBn0mpAwbtk5-fpeLF7ORP-yuyElUGdanSMQBGHYovqQrXcFK_u_Rz2jmatxgOWQfHrQDzAIJSf-CVFx-1r0LJG0w4mbmTHxxDOOv5ed06DUUGSRvk/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpsbDTeziiKRC1lSCqgnZt7jqiPBn0mpAwbtk5-fpeLF7ORP-yuyElUGdanSMQBGHYovqQrXcFK_u_Rz2jmatxgOWQfHrQDzAIJSf-CVFx-1r0LJG0w4mbmTHxxDOOv5ed06DUUGSRvk/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>My co-fellow, my students, and my
incredible host teacher Rosi have helped make my experience in Israel
exponentially greater than I could ever imagine. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking of my school family, lots
of fun things have been happening with teaching. For starters, my co-fellow
Josh and I created our first bulletin board, which we hope to use to bring
awareness of American culture to our students. Our November board was
adorned with Thanksgiving décor – think hand turkeys, cornucopias, and
statements of what my co-fellow and I are thankful for. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhP-9T8nfwRE3qp75NjZWd7dPEP1rf3wKixmxfr6adrKrihjXl6HqNY-1uZctHF5Fbt2AxSxo-p1v8Ygf8sHUAY8z94LBPcAx-DMTJP76wGR4W5N7AkHsLJjOaodMbYm0Tv5QP6F8I7M/s1600/IMG_2897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhP-9T8nfwRE3qp75NjZWd7dPEP1rf3wKixmxfr6adrKrihjXl6HqNY-1uZctHF5Fbt2AxSxo-p1v8Ygf8sHUAY8z94LBPcAx-DMTJP76wGR4W5N7AkHsLJjOaodMbYm0Tv5QP6F8I7M/s1600/IMG_2897.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Additionally, our 4<sup>th</sup>
grade students finally got to debut their “Sam and Ann” performance. I wish I
had permission to share pictures or videos of the students because they were amazingly
precious and did an INCREDIBLE job! I could not stop gleaming throughout their
entire performance and in that moment I realized I am 100% going to be a stage
mom when I grow up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTM5SdVJ-DdOVS5ibrfRcY_OfeQ3Rq0N7fVn4uVqpOwQWk8tFbUXcqMMyPd70mEA_9Rii7d-VfqN6DrfwbfBvTFaMXlWCA25AWdIja40xMl-Vu-lG962Cy9yUo-lXrs5m2Pa_NbpPGoA/s1600/IMG_2953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTM5SdVJ-DdOVS5ibrfRcY_OfeQ3Rq0N7fVn4uVqpOwQWk8tFbUXcqMMyPd70mEA_9Rii7d-VfqN6DrfwbfBvTFaMXlWCA25AWdIja40xMl-Vu-lG962Cy9yUo-lXrs5m2Pa_NbpPGoA/s1600/IMG_2953.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Props for the skit - I spent way too much time on these bad boys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Rosi news, the woman’s still a
mensch (I’ve been told I should stop using “saint” because it’s not a very
Jewish concept. Whatever). I spent 3 out
of 5 days of the week at Rosi’s house. Is there such thing as feeling too at
home? Probably. But she doesn’t seem to mind. My first day at Rosi’s house is
actually kind of a funny story. To preface the story, I am having things sent
to Rosi’s address while I live here because I don’t really have access to my
apartment’s mailbox. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SO, I got a call from the Israeli
postal service saying that they had a package from my mother that they wanted
to deliver to me. They asked me to wait at home (read: Rosi’s home) from 12-3
PM so I could be there to receive the package. That’s kind of a wide range of
time so I was a little annoyed that I’d have to sit and wait, but worse things
could happen. The real kicker, though, was the man on the telephone’s parting
words. “You will have to pay 505 shekels for tax in cash or credit card.
Thanks.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
505 SHEKELS?! I still don’t have a
firm grasp of the dollar to shekel exchange rate (in my defense it fluctuates)
but I knew it was a ridiculous amount. At the current exchange rate, it comes
out to a little over $126 dollars. I could not fathom how a package that
contained about $30 dollars worth of product could be so heavily taxed, so I
decided to call my mom to discuss how silly that was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtyJo1mMzUVL7i4qxqt_Zz8F0aBLhovaofUB7QVJq-1z33HEAndIxjEIw1pkC_ZNyzSnarAGrGNLFxusv_-xO_1u9O_gZp3QasG2TUN7pORHgZuqBY8F6BW1q0rIv9bnOqW7t4TKokoQ/s1600/IMG_2329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtyJo1mMzUVL7i4qxqt_Zz8F0aBLhovaofUB7QVJq-1z33HEAndIxjEIw1pkC_ZNyzSnarAGrGNLFxusv_-xO_1u9O_gZp3QasG2TUN7pORHgZuqBY8F6BW1q0rIv9bnOqW7t4TKokoQ/s1600/IMG_2329.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably what I looked like when I found out I needed to pay 505 NIS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Long story short- I discovered that
my mom declared that the contents of the package were worth a bit more than
they actually were because she was concerned that otherwise they would not take
special care of the package and make sure that it arrived to Petah Tikva. Safe
to say we have since learned our lesson for the next package. The deliverer
ended up coming a little past 2 PM, but it was torrentially downpouring outside
so Rosi told me to wait for her to return from a meeting so she could give me a
ride home. I ended up staying at her house till 10 PM that night, only leaving
after having dinner and watching TV with her family. Rosi even suggested I just
sleep over since she lives so close to school, but I had to decline considering
I didn’t have a change of clothing or any of my work materials. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friday after work, Josh and I made
our way over to Rosi’s house for lunch. Rosi, her husband, and her youngest son
Eyal sat with Josh and me and enjoyed probably the spiciest shakshuka all of us
have ever devoured. Over lunch, Rosi invited Josh and I back to her house for
Shabbat breakfast the next day and we of course had to oblige. Volunteering 101: A humble stipend means you
never turn down free food. So on Saturday, for the third time in 5 days, I
returned to Rosi’s house to enjoy a quintessential Israeli Shabbat brunch,
filled with challah and jachnun. Then I was in a bit of a food coma so I took a
nap on her sofa. Typing this out is making realize that I probably am getting a
bitttttt too comfortable. As the kids say, “Sorry I’m not sorry.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnA4hgkkZms3NtzifYqWxbR9zeweegwK96fFZCZZvhJPG1nHcY3FQG6lHyST4oqreDNaw4TvnGMPzzvpeO7Lgptr0gy6n16MCqli6FwACPRP48KRZX1CzQUSouMsHcVaqv5D6wm6YJUmQ/s1600/IMG_2907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnA4hgkkZms3NtzifYqWxbR9zeweegwK96fFZCZZvhJPG1nHcY3FQG6lHyST4oqreDNaw4TvnGMPzzvpeO7Lgptr0gy6n16MCqli6FwACPRP48KRZX1CzQUSouMsHcVaqv5D6wm6YJUmQ/s1600/IMG_2907.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxndY-ZWugX15HTMUabBgy99a6fSlf4lXgHz_CwhM3uO6lmViP9S2wOCIcvJqKxMam_RyUB-4PTBRJyVdqntqPcDxv63qXU1bO2WqH2_eInTPh9-dC18jesVsZOSNCNz8jt4p40kyPEA/s1600/IMG_2927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxndY-ZWugX15HTMUabBgy99a6fSlf4lXgHz_CwhM3uO6lmViP9S2wOCIcvJqKxMam_RyUB-4PTBRJyVdqntqPcDxv63qXU1bO2WqH2_eInTPh9-dC18jesVsZOSNCNz8jt4p40kyPEA/s1600/IMG_2927.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIpS4cS98SiTz3NB7Z2-9UrrT-dkFJdZGoEmVu9Vuvbol6nIvtOMQhkLzVgppSZNBL2RL6wagcVhNxcAmfxmKq2aoX9qOicifLBGzJyyq81Hf_q36IAaxOKjnmje_Z3YRp1hDtituRdo/s1600/IMG_2937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIpS4cS98SiTz3NB7Z2-9UrrT-dkFJdZGoEmVu9Vuvbol6nIvtOMQhkLzVgppSZNBL2RL6wagcVhNxcAmfxmKq2aoX9qOicifLBGzJyyq81Hf_q36IAaxOKjnmje_Z3YRp1hDtituRdo/s1600/IMG_2937.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because when you find a Pharaoh hat, it'd be a sin to not try it on</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Desiree Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559134344355220085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38721062424095418.post-74508943716864889792014-11-25T05:38:00.000-08:002014-11-25T05:38:40.194-08:00Playing Catch-Up pt 4It has been a while since I’ve been able to sit down and write, and as you can imagine a lot has happened in the interim. Let’s play catch up. Apologies if this isn’t a coherent blog post – there’s a lot to cover so feel to pick and choose to read what interests you! I've broken it up into 4 different posts.<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">In the Classroom (Present)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Overall, being in the classroom has been incredible. I have
been learning a LOT of Hebrew from my students and have faced a lot of
challenges. I’ve certainly hit my fair share of speed bumps – there was a day
when one sixth-grade class COMPLETELY ate me alive to the point where I felt
helpless, but after some hyperventilating to my mother on the phone post-class,
I was able to remove myself from the situation and use it as a learning
experience. Education is never easy, but it is <b>always</b> rewarding. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been able to create bonds with a lot of students- including one 5<sup>th </sup>grader who sits in the back of the classroom during English class. He rarely participated in class and constantly drew funky little creatures all over his English books. The creatures are actually fantastic- I will have to get a picture to share next time. Anyway, I decided to invest a little extra time in this student, and the return on investment has been immeasurable. This student is now consistently the first to raise his hand and answer a question and the first to volunteer for little competitions. With 7 months left in the program, I cannot wait to see just how much more he will grow by the end of June. </div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another fellow
and I have been working on a skit with one of our 4<sup>th</sup> grade classes.
The skit, appropriately titled “Sam and Ann,” tells the Hansel-and-Gretel-like
story of Sam and Ann. The students are so excited to perform the skit for their
classmates and potentially the entire school! I really look forward to the days
when I get to work with my 4<sup>th</sup> graders – I’ve told my co-fellow that
their class gives me life (whereas the sixth graders take days off of my
life…). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also have come up for a few school-wide initiatives so that all
students (not just the ones we work with) can reap the benefits of having
fellows at their school. For example, we will begin doing a weekly morning
greeting on the PA system in English. As a reward, one student a week will be
able to read the greeting. We think this will be a great way to get the kids
hearing English in a consistent manner. I can’t wait to share more student work
on my blog as the year progresses! <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9HX7WuT5mlAfDLP07RK7vsfAC4XAL_INuyTTS2fFgm4eJ-YKrJl_VxW1KNuZF2mEbtfO0x76hJwhO7BonEMme2aZ8l2LtcLB7QO2tJSh4eyHn50YuXTBv_OcKdzcz72p6F_ZdA9jUjw/s1600/IMG_1529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9HX7WuT5mlAfDLP07RK7vsfAC4XAL_INuyTTS2fFgm4eJ-YKrJl_VxW1KNuZF2mEbtfO0x76hJwhO7BonEMme2aZ8l2LtcLB7QO2tJSh4eyHn50YuXTBv_OcKdzcz72p6F_ZdA9jUjw/s1600/IMG_1529.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Student Gardening in an Agricultural Ecology Class </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hIfrUhng_4TxwbBQacEcwLF0pptcDKDp1Bc_9VMF5o4deRRjJcQd6S4B2NnFr0QviZ-B9ffAzJpjAjS47NNru17_X3TvRYlvNyIDzAQPmRImSnc5cMhinM7Q8EQynYZPkozPC_CV2uQ/s1600/IMG_2172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hIfrUhng_4TxwbBQacEcwLF0pptcDKDp1Bc_9VMF5o4deRRjJcQd6S4B2NnFr0QviZ-B9ffAzJpjAjS47NNru17_X3TvRYlvNyIDzAQPmRImSnc5cMhinM7Q8EQynYZPkozPC_CV2uQ/s1600/IMG_2172.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Student's English Test - Ain't Nobody Got Time for Spaces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJVK3-hzsQwUH210btPtGoJypW2lJ6g-IsKJvte2Vv4RQdf-i1m34SsQBLA0sIbuThhHEcxPOAougI5iLRFZm_CxsMRO28jLs78FUjYS8J0Vgs9p0Q1SudBpieD3K_Sa0FLefQr1XXmY/s1600/IMG_2556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJVK3-hzsQwUH210btPtGoJypW2lJ6g-IsKJvte2Vv4RQdf-i1m34SsQBLA0sIbuThhHEcxPOAougI5iLRFZm_CxsMRO28jLs78FUjYS8J0Vgs9p0Q1SudBpieD3K_Sa0FLefQr1XXmY/s1600/IMG_2556.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students Voting in a Very Democratic Class Rep Election</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Desiree Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559134344355220085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38721062424095418.post-87325586243411745602014-11-25T05:20:00.000-08:002014-12-02T03:29:54.056-08:00Playing Catch-Up pt 3It has been a while since I’ve been able to sit down and write, and as you can imagine a lot has happened in the interim. Let’s play catch up. Apologies if this isn’t a coherent blog post – there’s a lot to cover so feel to pick and choose to read what interests you! I've broken it up into 4 different posts.<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Out and About (Oct 20- Present)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After Sukkot break, we returned to working at our schools. I
was really happy to see my students again after spending a long time away from
them. As always, the students greeted
the other fellow at my school and me with an abundance of hugs whenever they
saw us. Additionally, it’s hard to go anywhere without hearing a prepubescent
voice screaming our names. One student asked me if I had this many fans in the
States. If you’re wondering, I definitely don’t. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a hard week readjusting to being in school, I took a
trip to Rishon Lezion to spend the weekend with a family that I’ve had the
pleasure of knowing since 2008. The family, the Yehudas, were kind enough to
host me for an incredible Shabbat dinner – legitimately the best food I’ve
eaten while in Israel. Having known them for quite some time, I felt very
comfortable being there. It felt like a Shabbat dinner with family. Maayan, the
youngest of the family, and I spent the night post-Shabbat dinner at a bar in
Rishon. Rishon definitely has a lot more to offer on Shabbat than Petach Tikva,
so it was a nice change of pace for me. Saturday was spent having a late
Shabbat brunch with my absolute favorite Yemenite delicacy- <i>jachnun</i>- which is traditionally served
on Shabbat because it slow cooks overnight and there is no need to break the no
electricity on Shabbat rule. I for sure put on a couple pounds after my weekend
with the Yehudas but again, no regrets.
Maor, the middle child, Maayan, and I then went to see a movie (PTK also
lacks a movie theater but I’m not bitter or anything). It was my second time
seeing the movie, <i>Let’s be Cops</i>,
so I tried to use the opportunity to practice some and read Hebrew subtitles
but JESUS those things change so quickly. At least I tried?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vxvpg22Cih9FvEfl9p4C_iE0LI1iLyHULXeN6nAEBmLia5pSiAg3I4YkxhAPQ5LmuBJI9GDnVidskT7YSD9lU-VHYJqJ7AFhHGlhNdXFN3LgOO1iqFQqZbBchtsyHYrrzKOA7Hi1nPA/s1600/IMG_2153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vxvpg22Cih9FvEfl9p4C_iE0LI1iLyHULXeN6nAEBmLia5pSiAg3I4YkxhAPQ5LmuBJI9GDnVidskT7YSD9lU-VHYJqJ7AFhHGlhNdXFN3LgOO1iqFQqZbBchtsyHYrrzKOA7Hi1nPA/s1600/IMG_2153.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the movie, Maor, Maayan, and I indulged in a beer and
a football (read: soccer) game (watching not playing…what do I look like?)
before returning to their home. In true Persian fashion, they packed some
Tupperware filled with food for me to take home. It was something that they saw
as a small gesture, but it seriously meant so much to me. That sounds silly, I
know, but it reminded me of something my own family would do. I was extremely
appreciative to spend the weekend with them. Like I’ve mentioned before, it’s
not always easy being so far away from my parents and sister (I’m getting teary
eyed as I’m writing this, gross) so it really means the world to me when people
do so much to make me feel at home. The Yehudas are an incredibly beautiful
family and I am forever grateful for every moment spent and every pound put on
during my weekend with them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After my weekend in Rishon, I felt reenergized and was
excited for the week ahead because that upcoming Friday we would be celebrating
my absolute favorite holiday- HALLOWEEN! Even though Halloween isn’t
traditionally celebrated in Israel, a few friends on the program decided to
throw a little Halloween party in their apartment. Between working and running
errands, I didn’t really have much time to throw together a proper costume but
thankfully Maayan lent me some Catwoman paraphernalia in order to create a
makeshift costume. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEvQbgHbc1ecEk3OOc2UU9Rh5Iaz1VzL6w1TY1pndJ0Ody8r9aa4tw2vovjWiDGR3BeqZ5CFppdlmIbP36YlKbs4bgHhYSXuIFaaZ4PFLT3uqUlYd0k_QgrSqt3OCxT33c0tXBo6KUw0/s1600/IMG_2292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEvQbgHbc1ecEk3OOc2UU9Rh5Iaz1VzL6w1TY1pndJ0Ody8r9aa4tw2vovjWiDGR3BeqZ5CFppdlmIbP36YlKbs4bgHhYSXuIFaaZ4PFLT3uqUlYd0k_QgrSqt3OCxT33c0tXBo6KUw0/s1600/IMG_2292.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPjCtJQQh_Qs6fp87Ere0eGcI5QT-uJZhDsIL4UeoILnXvHSSVnG7JnNEPM9mhRsErQ5_SVNjBxCPD98whaStb-PLYKDqZsqTFrTiXqUWCYMmkhHmsPWQ0wur7BbtlVRkYPGXcTojIAg/s1600/IMG_2285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPjCtJQQh_Qs6fp87Ere0eGcI5QT-uJZhDsIL4UeoILnXvHSSVnG7JnNEPM9mhRsErQ5_SVNjBxCPD98whaStb-PLYKDqZsqTFrTiXqUWCYMmkhHmsPWQ0wur7BbtlVRkYPGXcTojIAg/s1600/IMG_2285.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The party was a lot of fun and surprisingly had more
Israelis in attendance than Americans. I decided to spend the night at my friends’
apartment since it was torrentially down pouring outside and I refused to brave
the walk home. The next morning I took the worst walk of shame home. Why, you
ask? Because I had to walk home in my costume, which would not have been a big
deal had I not run into the VICE PRINCIPAL of the school I work at. Safe to say
I had THE shortest conversation with her before I ran home. My life, your
entertainment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJ_bSDhkpCVybwSxMNTnomHBkrMHaNcTrooD7e8M_99XxP2l7KE6LkeY0HsFK9ItRF5_HI4NYTPQixkFTQmR91tMk7Re5MvjoC4bQZRVKNohipp-pbaVe5rs2Uz794o-pG4wlFseWYB0/s1600/IMG_2309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJ_bSDhkpCVybwSxMNTnomHBkrMHaNcTrooD7e8M_99XxP2l7KE6LkeY0HsFK9ItRF5_HI4NYTPQixkFTQmR91tMk7Re5MvjoC4bQZRVKNohipp-pbaVe5rs2Uz794o-pG4wlFseWYB0/s1600/IMG_2309.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the Most Professional Outfit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Sunday after Halloween, our program joined a billion other
Masa programs (rough estimate) for a Masa opening event in Jerusalem. It was a
great night filled with an inspiring speech by Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, a great performance by the Idan Raichel Project, and another
delicious stop on our hotdog tour of Israel (ranking #2 to be exact). It was
very exciting to socialize with other English speakers and learn more about
other Masa programs. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3j43d2h4nLB4BbdTDi2LtscJlUkR4TOjJyCCjfvF2YxA6Ai3xmQqmvikyxET3C2LmKzyLk_29zvflQAcwCFvcprBqpefYORFJzA3WFU6iE2E51MIkA-yfF41MUbcZ8NOPf2kL17c7fQ/s1600/IMG_2335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3j43d2h4nLB4BbdTDi2LtscJlUkR4TOjJyCCjfvF2YxA6Ai3xmQqmvikyxET3C2LmKzyLk_29zvflQAcwCFvcprBqpefYORFJzA3WFU6iE2E51MIkA-yfF41MUbcZ8NOPf2kL17c7fQ/s1600/IMG_2335.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming in Strong at #2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most recent exciting event to occur was a late night
excursion my friend Jillian and I took to Tel Aviv. Jillian is a Florida State
University alum while I am a University of Miami alum, so we were determined to
watch our rivalry football game this past Saturday. Only catch was that the game was airing at 3
am Israeli time. Still, we remained committed to our dream of watching the
game. SO, at about 12 AM Jillian and I headed out of little ol’ PTK and made
our way over to the city where anything is possible – Tel Aviv. We watched the
game at Mike’s Place, which is an American-style sports bar where all of the
staff speaks English and dreams come true. We waited anxiously for the game to
begin while enjoying a couple of drinks and nachos. The bar had agreed to stay
open for us to watch the game but once it hit halftime we felt bad making the
staff wait for us considering we were the only ones in the bar.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lpW8WAGG7FxK0CHJdZ-QMgUXJaHVe7sKN5HhMhOH5nZaW5Ucnb6gFVESxBBXu2whq1GBSmI0WF0Ac7oiubA2tb6pRSXeBzdNCe1MS3aU9cAx_8HxuRKFsKxaEVGguVJs5XXU0NZi8KE/s1600/IMG_2627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lpW8WAGG7FxK0CHJdZ-QMgUXJaHVe7sKN5HhMhOH5nZaW5Ucnb6gFVESxBBXu2whq1GBSmI0WF0Ac7oiubA2tb6pRSXeBzdNCe1MS3aU9cAx_8HxuRKFsKxaEVGguVJs5XXU0NZi8KE/s1600/IMG_2627.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendship Divided</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jill and I
decided we would sit outside the bar and stream the game using the bar’s Wi-Fi,
but Mother Nature had other plans in mind and quite literally rained on our
parade/plans. It was now 6 am so Jill and I figured it was probably time to
head back to our homes. My team ended up losing in the last 4 minutes of the
game, but I left Mike’s Place with a burrito so it wasn’t a total loss in my
book. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOHeIHYpLUz3HYzPxDp_eSStslvbMxI9XtEV7Zu8IxmFXTx5cYl_Wy-mNZKeMwX0E8deXQbehIfYnJhYqKeY4ISi4TsHLokM29Eg06rpW1Si53fss9o1bunrm0xwKLR8IP3-VBzF5vcE/s1600/IMG_2599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOHeIHYpLUz3HYzPxDp_eSStslvbMxI9XtEV7Zu8IxmFXTx5cYl_Wy-mNZKeMwX0E8deXQbehIfYnJhYqKeY4ISi4TsHLokM29Eg06rpW1Si53fss9o1bunrm0xwKLR8IP3-VBzF5vcE/s1600/IMG_2599.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caught in the Rain While my Team Loses - Nothing a 6 AM Burrito Can't Fix</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another exciting event that I was able to attend was a wine
festival in Sarona, Tel Aviv. Anyone who knows me is well aware that there are
about a million other things I’d choose to do before drinking a glass of standard
red/white wine (I will take a beer over wine any day), BUT the event promised
cheese plates and Prosecco as well so I was very keen on going. Sarona is a beautiful, relatively new area
that is referred to as the “little Italy” of Israel. I have been mentioning to
my friends how much I wanted to check out Sarona, so the wine festival was a
great opportunity. It ended up being an incredibly fun evening – I indulged in
delicious cheese plates (2 to be exact) AND even found a red wine I enjoy!
How’s that for new beginnings? I look forward to heading back to Sarona once
the weather. There is a restaurant there that allows restaurant goers to
takeaway their meal with a borrowed blanket and picnic basket in order to have
a picnic on the grassy areas of Sarona. It’s definitely somewhere I am hoping
to bring my family when they come visit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WWXe6GL8EYcDBqcyKZyNSLXJpmf4dGbhicky9lPMDNE0GZTuEoKp0KoXXsDyqyP3iUFb_jYIwDZqACq_pMhjo2kqPvPNkyO11oztYFpQOtzlECot2RY5v94PBArd01SIKxUxNn5o1_Q/s1600/IMG_2797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WWXe6GL8EYcDBqcyKZyNSLXJpmf4dGbhicky9lPMDNE0GZTuEoKp0KoXXsDyqyP3iUFb_jYIwDZqACq_pMhjo2kqPvPNkyO11oztYFpQOtzlECot2RY5v94PBArd01SIKxUxNn5o1_Q/s1600/IMG_2797.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9BnyM8YlB9Fimfqzi8umUBkqjyAwxc5V5KcZz_iDoNJ9AUmCgdQNMDfh7qFZaMsyYGLRwwxADBXgxkJyzpq8q8vFf5iUbZr6s45SWhjiSQdpUcy21LJUZPNl0A9u5KH4bSB0GA2pK88/s1600/IMG_2807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9BnyM8YlB9Fimfqzi8umUBkqjyAwxc5V5KcZz_iDoNJ9AUmCgdQNMDfh7qFZaMsyYGLRwwxADBXgxkJyzpq8q8vFf5iUbZr6s45SWhjiSQdpUcy21LJUZPNl0A9u5KH4bSB0GA2pK88/s1600/IMG_2807.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3oHghnRTc0vWI5KLdxoMabINIDmZtgdIrA14pILPoopCfr6n7hhZsBKKGT8KpfvjgVVFnCRwtD70Rrhw94goAi49LsUM6rxoUUbzwrQ-D2Q6kFd9BlOsE1bfmlBzJUrzSlHJmQsuwZc/s1600/IMG_2820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3oHghnRTc0vWI5KLdxoMabINIDmZtgdIrA14pILPoopCfr6n7hhZsBKKGT8KpfvjgVVFnCRwtD70Rrhw94goAi49LsUM6rxoUUbzwrQ-D2Q6kFd9BlOsE1bfmlBzJUrzSlHJmQsuwZc/s1600/IMG_2820.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Desiree Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559134344355220085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38721062424095418.post-4858918310052567192014-11-25T05:01:00.003-08:002014-11-25T05:04:01.609-08:00Playing Catch-Up pt 2It has been a while since I’ve been able to sit down and write, and as you can imagine a lot has happened in the interim. Let’s play catch up. Apologies if this isn’t a coherent blog post – there’s a lot to cover so feel to pick and choose to read what interests you! I've broken it up into 4 different posts.<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Sukkot Break (October 7-19)</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know what you’re thinking – another break?! Does this chick
ever work?! Answer: Not really. At least in October I didn’t. But those days
are long gone. I digress. Anyway, we had about two weeks off for Sukkot break
which was nice and a great opportunity to travel abroad which I did not take
advantage of. Woops. But I did do a lot of fun stuff!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Inbal, the Jewish culture and history teacher at my school,
invited any of my roommates who did not have other accommodations for the
holiday and myself to her house for Sukkot dinner. One of my roommates and one
of my friends ended up accompanying me to dinner. It was a wonderful evening
with delicious food. Inbal’s family was extremely welcoming and made us feel at
home. We read a few blessings and toasted in her beautiful sukkah before
heading inside her home for dinner. Something really fun and unique that
Inbal’s family does for every Jewish holiday is a trivia game full of questions
about the holiday’s history. The questions were asked in Hebrew so we didn’t
participate much but it was really fun watching Inbal’s family team up and get
competitive with the game. Inbal’s family was incredibly hospitable and made us
feel as though we were all just old friends meeting for a nice dinner. By the
end of the night, Inbal’s 11-year-old son even mustered up the courage to ask
my 25-year-old roommate for her phone number. Boys will be boys, am I right? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2Q_jxh7nrjGRh3qWzmkGGAFhboL4AlKdXcAL1cUmgl_YBYGgWnHxgZKn8S8OcluGG8EbOKwPvbTxdTA0Afiy-xJkYYiGImyDP0Y5pyqHc_Q7qdZGEf6qpZ3l53dzAdLt4IjbnAJZ120/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiIpWksPDISk39Oc0eZsYgKCDEQplG7k-RXuNECtrZW5BmKmrd8m3zMdrCZ81FvdG1yDN1uhKoNAcw_yE_U4w-4lngoUuoZmjMnhNqzlDpxw8UjwkAJlSQUrbAUch28sRRQaHQEZzxlc/s1600/IMG_1776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiIpWksPDISk39Oc0eZsYgKCDEQplG7k-RXuNECtrZW5BmKmrd8m3zMdrCZ81FvdG1yDN1uhKoNAcw_yE_U4w-4lngoUuoZmjMnhNqzlDpxw8UjwkAJlSQUrbAUch28sRRQaHQEZzxlc/s1600/IMG_1776.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LCGLpnJM1hxE-SBzOQMlCbToLllzXFUj0FbCe_lBCU3zAcsqoy_f3SdVDK4wzD8_-Xvw7u6W3XoJ4zwD5qtMlz2Np7UAj6JSHOYRs9MtC4mCETmL0ZpOcLuSzWpU9OoHh2xlGT-Zg9s/s1600/IMG_1773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LCGLpnJM1hxE-SBzOQMlCbToLllzXFUj0FbCe_lBCU3zAcsqoy_f3SdVDK4wzD8_-Xvw7u6W3XoJ4zwD5qtMlz2Np7UAj6JSHOYRs9MtC4mCETmL0ZpOcLuSzWpU9OoHh2xlGT-Zg9s/s1600/IMG_1773.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2Q_jxh7nrjGRh3qWzmkGGAFhboL4AlKdXcAL1cUmgl_YBYGgWnHxgZKn8S8OcluGG8EbOKwPvbTxdTA0Afiy-xJkYYiGImyDP0Y5pyqHc_Q7qdZGEf6qpZ3l53dzAdLt4IjbnAJZ120/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2Q_jxh7nrjGRh3qWzmkGGAFhboL4AlKdXcAL1cUmgl_YBYGgWnHxgZKn8S8OcluGG8EbOKwPvbTxdTA0Afiy-xJkYYiGImyDP0Y5pyqHc_Q7qdZGEf6qpZ3l53dzAdLt4IjbnAJZ120/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8UqUVFVUagmEpkevlweSZrDtdVhW6WLkMlraVwuSfzHCYQFxpcCHd1t1ppyNa1ZYD25YFSMV5yWqsJIe6unUpU2ZEkwu1WnZdrkSSev99DvQ-mefhmn8sbOhL2zctGDbSgBzuJZAHrk/s1600/IMG_1780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8UqUVFVUagmEpkevlweSZrDtdVhW6WLkMlraVwuSfzHCYQFxpcCHd1t1ppyNa1ZYD25YFSMV5yWqsJIe6unUpU2ZEkwu1WnZdrkSSev99DvQ-mefhmn8sbOhL2zctGDbSgBzuJZAHrk/s1600/IMG_1780.JPG" height="236" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(L-R): Abi, Naomi, Me, Inbal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the first night of Sukkot, the next exciting adventure
of the break began on Sunday, the 12<sup>th</sup>. Our program planned an
overnight trip to the north (Naftali mountains, Misgav Am, Mt. Meron, and
Tzfat). Some highlights of the trip include a PTK vs Rishon Letzion ITF Master
Chef competition, and two hikes that proved just how out of shape I am. We also
had the opportunity to listen to an extremely brash Kibbutznik who dubbed himself
our “Uncle Aryeh” speak about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Uncle A let us
know that he did not care to hear our opinions and quite frankly admitted that
he believed we had nothing intellectual to offer him. While he upset many
people on our program, I was not offended. I obviously did not agree with his
demeanor and the way he went about presenting but I did see some value in the
message he was conveying. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After our trip to the north, 4 friends and I had planned a
mini vacation for ourselves to two festivals in Israel. The first was the Tamar
Music Festival, which was held at the bottom of Masada (in the Negev desert and
right by the Dead Sea). We rented a car and drove out to the festival, which
was a lot of fun. We had the pleasure of watching a couple Israeli bands
perform and meeting lots of interesting characters. The next adventure of the
trip was our sleeping accommodations! Spoiler alert- we slept in a tent without
sleeping bags and mats. On top of ALL of the rocks. It is something I can laugh
about now but at the time I didn’t actually find it very funny at all.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YKxC1wJk_eoat3-PZCoMoPfFd3Zh6Uas7E35sGUMuEQsPQoeE91eF_PKIthcvs36IQUmrys7lD4OnsA3G8WHwlBhLbm-EmVEP8WY0Fa_lXM-g1rPz28ngPxv2rdWapIpLcnqLCRkB-0/s1600/IMG_2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YKxC1wJk_eoat3-PZCoMoPfFd3Zh6Uas7E35sGUMuEQsPQoeE91eF_PKIthcvs36IQUmrys7lD4OnsA3G8WHwlBhLbm-EmVEP8WY0Fa_lXM-g1rPz28ngPxv2rdWapIpLcnqLCRkB-0/s1600/IMG_2015.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKUFH9skfynxrUqsD-SFkmHQXFMd3ghC_dowKHRThTC9cHsyRpR5a536G6Q4V7srVpSh4-LrK5JmQcl9ZAffv1rZ0xPbzgdpS3_SwR5reKihbYS2Aa5EbwZl7wURsubCHN8mrXLcoS3o/s1600/IMG_1889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKUFH9skfynxrUqsD-SFkmHQXFMd3ghC_dowKHRThTC9cHsyRpR5a536G6Q4V7srVpSh4-LrK5JmQcl9ZAffv1rZ0xPbzgdpS3_SwR5reKihbYS2Aa5EbwZl7wURsubCHN8mrXLcoS3o/s1600/IMG_1889.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Tu09Kg5vdpJzAfPafKXr6uXBcu1-aaHufppE8UqeP1XobbJsNS4Qozhx-Zy2dbuEHO4oSkRqvzyDYtXAlqA73WARk0ARPMnGWBjC3QAvPIjhBPbVLr4g9wE7uvxXvql2kZQKPUXpHdU/s1600/IMG_2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Tu09Kg5vdpJzAfPafKXr6uXBcu1-aaHufppE8UqeP1XobbJsNS4Qozhx-Zy2dbuEHO4oSkRqvzyDYtXAlqA73WARk0ARPMnGWBjC3QAvPIjhBPbVLr4g9wE7uvxXvql2kZQKPUXpHdU/s1600/IMG_2014.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next morning, after waking up in pools of sweat, we
pulled ourselves together and headed out to have breakfast by the Dead Sea. We
spent the morning making friends and enjoying the calm before the storm that
was our next adventure. We all packed into our humble little dinger and headed
to Eshkol, a city that is a short 7-mile jaunt away from Gaza (again, sorry
Dad), for the Hot Air Balloon Festival! We arrived at the festival a bit before
Sunset and were greeted by hundreds of families with small children. This was
very pleasant, of course, given I love children, but I’d be lying if I said I
wasn’t a little surprised by the festival’s target audience. I showed up as if
it were Coachella just to find out it was more like Disneyland. After our
initial shock, we set up camp, snacked, and may or may not have enjoyed a few
adult beverages in our tent. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1Fa0fIXvojlsWO6AtBSIQE6tVU2aHRM6h-w-r7ytMbKBJhstel9n8W_FWYh-_r8YVIud6ixgZB_Sd7qRxpwUM3FYt1zF2kokwX7daxisdcmzvfyOegzxJrMwLev7hO_fGhQ-TkRKFBk/s1600/IMG_1932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1Fa0fIXvojlsWO6AtBSIQE6tVU2aHRM6h-w-r7ytMbKBJhstel9n8W_FWYh-_r8YVIud6ixgZB_Sd7qRxpwUM3FYt1zF2kokwX7daxisdcmzvfyOegzxJrMwLev7hO_fGhQ-TkRKFBk/s1600/IMG_1932.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksc4-vUvfFIZ6YBfIVz5_UyEpAcoQ2zmY4PCjgPy2E4Ryvf5safTSLXZFAmzHUVaoO4IUZlZF0d9sMVXxqUrXzp6R5cjDBz5VB_B4CqHHb8DgCWfxt0uWx8hM3Ek-C3Odi6kfiSKQSoU/s1600/IMG_2002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksc4-vUvfFIZ6YBfIVz5_UyEpAcoQ2zmY4PCjgPy2E4Ryvf5safTSLXZFAmzHUVaoO4IUZlZF0d9sMVXxqUrXzp6R5cjDBz5VB_B4CqHHb8DgCWfxt0uWx8hM3Ek-C3Odi6kfiSKQSoU/s1600/IMG_2002.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coachella or Hot Air Balloon Festival? Beats Me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We then headed over to see the Hot Air Balloons.
They were lovely and all, but I had my eyes on the prize. The prize being the
hotdog stand right outside the balloon grounds. My friend Naomi and I have been taking a “hotdog tour” of
Israel, and I was excited to taste test the delicacies that Eshkol had to
offer. I am happy to say that this hotdog landed third on our list. I blog
about all the important things.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5Ma7hlLSw2UYQ-SH2FopTCLOyWIVvG4vQCcM6hkLr2C5ofsCRVK6PyWlshyphenhyphenSUbdle_zGUFkGU_TC8eiGNz6G-ZgGTdytOl38FXeJlh_Bxuo7dBBu8-gMyozwyJ3TxSOWZl8-EjG1S6A/s1600/IMG_1976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5Ma7hlLSw2UYQ-SH2FopTCLOyWIVvG4vQCcM6hkLr2C5ofsCRVK6PyWlshyphenhyphenSUbdle_zGUFkGU_TC8eiGNz6G-ZgGTdytOl38FXeJlh_Bxuo7dBBu8-gMyozwyJ3TxSOWZl8-EjG1S6A/s1600/IMG_1976.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnE-fVu3-nxZjU_53bf3fdWNCB03t0PgiC7hA_duY02PsTbvaN-tVvElg6n1IVb4XlBLOC50Wohd3SAuo478OOwaV77hypV-nsKFRXgJtKPSlmQA8xA0spmaKICuUdRIXOiXipK5nf40/s1600/IMG_2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnE-fVu3-nxZjU_53bf3fdWNCB03t0PgiC7hA_duY02PsTbvaN-tVvElg6n1IVb4XlBLOC50Wohd3SAuo478OOwaV77hypV-nsKFRXgJtKPSlmQA8xA0spmaKICuUdRIXOiXipK5nf40/s1600/IMG_2010.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After this, we returned to our tents for another frigid
night without proper bedding. The hot air balloons were set to take off at
sunrise, but my friends Jilllian, Naomi, and I were too cold, quite frankly, to
leave our humble abode. A little ridiculous, sure, but no regrets. Once morning
struck, we packed up and headed back to return our rental vehicle and said
goodbye to two days filled with laughter, discomfort, and good times.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-dN3faiZvNIU%2FVHR3vpnRMII%2FAAAAAAAAAQE%2FuzrIeqTZkq0%2Fs1600%2FIMG_1773.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LCGLpnJM1hxE-SBzOQMlCbToLllzXFUj0FbCe_lBCU3zAcsqoy_f3SdVDK4wzD8_-Xvw7u6W3XoJ4zwD5qtMlz2Np7UAj6JSHOYRs9MtC4mCETmL0ZpOcLuSzWpU9OoHh2xlGT-Zg9s/s1600/IMG_1773.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-oWxuzvmZ_GI%2FVHR3yn1itBI%2FAAAAAAAAAQM%2F6HK5zcu0Lm4%2Fs1600%2FIMG_1749.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2Q_jxh7nrjGRh3qWzmkGGAFhboL4AlKdXcAL1cUmgl_YBYGgWnHxgZKn8S8OcluGG8EbOKwPvbTxdTA0Afiy-xJkYYiGImyDP0Y5pyqHc_Q7qdZGEf6qpZ3l53dzAdLt4IjbnAJZ120/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG" -->Desiree Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559134344355220085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38721062424095418.post-26415040249335437902014-11-25T04:20:00.000-08:002014-11-25T05:57:16.785-08:00Playing Catch-Up pt. 1<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has been a while since I’ve been able to sit down and
write, and as you can imagine a lot has happened in the interim. Let’s play
catch up. Apologies if this isn’t a coherent blog post – there’s a lot to cover
so feel to pick and choose to read what interests you! I've broken it up into 4 different posts. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yom Kippur (Friday, October 3- Saturday, October 4)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not often that I say I’m excited to celebrate Yom
Kippur. Previously, Yom Kippur was a day I spent watching TV and being bitter because
I am hungry and fasting. I looked forward to the holiday this year, though,
because I had heard a lot about what it’s like to spend Yom Kippur in Israel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two of my roommates and I headed over to Rosi’s house for
“the last supper,” if you will. I
usually try to stay hydrated before fasting and eat a reasonably sized
meal. That being said, I had no
restraints when it came to indulging in Rosi’s feast. I also had shwarma
earlier that day which happened to have a fly nestled in it so I’m pretty sure
I was just trying to forget that whole experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A bit before sundown/ when the fast was to start, a siren
could be heard throughout the city as a warning that there was 20 minutes left
until Yom Kippur was to start. Since High Holiday tickets in Los Angeles tend
to be extremely expensive and I just spend my time sitting in synagogue
thinking about how hungry I am as opposed to atoning, I don’t usually go to
synagogue on Yom Kippur. This year, though, I wanted to experience what
synagogue in Israel was like. Rosi was more than happy to have my roommates and
myself tag along with her family for what was my first time in synagogue during
this trip to Israel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I’m going to be completely honest, I was not a huge fan
of the experience. We attended services at a Yemenite synagogue. First, the synagogue
was separated by gender. Men were obviously right in the center of all the
action on the first floor while the women sat on the second floor. Just in case
that wasn’t enough to keep the men focused on prayers and not the ladies,
not-so-see-through curtains obstructed the view from the second floor. This was
the first thing that put me off. MOVING ON- the second offense was the sale of
mitzvahs and prayers for the service. This was something like I’d never seen
before. An HOUR of the evening was spent
auctioning off opportunities for the men to participate in the evening’s
service. For example, Rosi’s husband shelled out some big bucks (or should I
say shekels?) so one of my roommates could carry the Torah. This was obviously
an extremely selfless act; it just sort of upset me that an actual auction was
occurring on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. In all fairness, American
synagogues charge people for tickets to High Holiday services, but this happens
BEFORE the actual holiday. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for the actual service - which only happened after a
short break was taken post auction – I could not follow along with anything
that was going on. The siddurim (or prayer books) had no English in them, which
I probably should have expected, but I am just so accustomed to my synagogue’s
books, which have both English and Hebrew in them. So to summarize – not only
was I clueless as to what was happening downstairs, but I also could not follow
along with the only tangible part of the ceremony for myself. I am glad that I attended the services so I
wouldn’t be left wondering what if but as you can imagine I did not choose to
return to synagogue the next day (sorry Dad). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After services, Rosi and her husband walked my roommates and
me home. Given it is a Jewish state, no one drives on Yom Kippur. NO. ONE. Well
except for ambulances. But other than that the streets are completely free of
automobiles and FILLED with people. It was an incredible experience – I’d go so
far to say that it was <i>more</i> of a
spiritual experience than synagogue was. Once I got home I tried staying up as
late as possible so I could hibernate through most of Saturday. I was able to
sleep/stay in bed till about 2 pm, after which two of my roommates and I
decided we would play cards and board games to occupy ourselves until the fast
was over. And why play in your apartment when you can play in the middle of an
otherwise busy highway?!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01wMen9uRlHbX_anS_wsLT-KN9flP8odNtOqjXFSWTP0igHzwbs_N64aPUYqQyhynm2YrSWl_8IsAiHxpm5C-eLgWXkCBSjYsovDrkswqIwuOsWXrJQ_o1np-rGT6oORFFLq0AwrKvrw/s1600/IMG_1637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01wMen9uRlHbX_anS_wsLT-KN9flP8odNtOqjXFSWTP0igHzwbs_N64aPUYqQyhynm2YrSWl_8IsAiHxpm5C-eLgWXkCBSjYsovDrkswqIwuOsWXrJQ_o1np-rGT6oORFFLq0AwrKvrw/s1600/IMG_1637.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_3hqzPvz1OH_VPVSEczgIL-SOgvfIdTaQ-7jycwvoemzAFu5f5OkgICPJs2aj-afEsWJZtIjQKJE9brG4gR5c66C9Vgyhp3hTPbxRPJ50IFQCapbwG1xnv6f0_tOvZlYtUw4sS5sZ9A/s1600/IMG_1644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_3hqzPvz1OH_VPVSEczgIL-SOgvfIdTaQ-7jycwvoemzAFu5f5OkgICPJs2aj-afEsWJZtIjQKJE9brG4gR5c66C9Vgyhp3hTPbxRPJ50IFQCapbwG1xnv6f0_tOvZlYtUw4sS5sZ9A/s1600/IMG_1644.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHP30n8kaU8BpD5GJ-vXrQfsMt_gERhHo7iyh7GKcUTZ1ufHPrL5Elf3q_w2dhOrwiT0H0wMKBT-aH1DkheVwGk7f-aYp9ffsAEjlRw0NCXeKTIgzXxOmftfYdFuwZmKpluKqtllk2f8/s1600/IMG_1679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHP30n8kaU8BpD5GJ-vXrQfsMt_gERhHo7iyh7GKcUTZ1ufHPrL5Elf3q_w2dhOrwiT0H0wMKBT-aH1DkheVwGk7f-aYp9ffsAEjlRw0NCXeKTIgzXxOmftfYdFuwZmKpluKqtllk2f8/s1600/IMG_1679.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijI7LX8v63EuZ9TYDlgb0_TRWBvWjH6wZy5Z5B0qFC7nqKYdQ9De4EzqIcdNYCgnqPXFWhiRJXb_sL022gcdgVCGpBRyVmhWapzSR1oUqVLIeyppsgw0YP1pizsGF4YPx2Zts3SYugcqg/s1600/IMG_1685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijI7LX8v63EuZ9TYDlgb0_TRWBvWjH6wZy5Z5B0qFC7nqKYdQ9De4EzqIcdNYCgnqPXFWhiRJXb_sL022gcdgVCGpBRyVmhWapzSR1oUqVLIeyppsgw0YP1pizsGF4YPx2Zts3SYugcqg/s1600/IMG_1685.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">What?! I said I didn't eat, not that I refrained from electricity use!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our time spent on the highway seemed to pass quickly and
before we knew it, it was time to break our fast. While my roommates had
planned to break their fasts with hummus and pita, I had bigger plans in mind.
After some serious convincing on my behalf I was able to get my roommates to
join me on an hour-long journey to Tel Aviv for some wings, fries, and ice
cream cookie sandwiches. #exfatkidproblems. They were happy they obliged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKb1oO1vIsG_96troZm0lp1EST2BpysgGo90iBJuXXH0B_dg4wscFVUEkYs78uAc6pB2m2mkQjmxpiwz3j7hy7XYJcEtMBOpcNlgb5r6-xeUPpGv72_YSvS7brUyldTHDhyM5xjDZlwsU/s1600/IMG_1691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKb1oO1vIsG_96troZm0lp1EST2BpysgGo90iBJuXXH0B_dg4wscFVUEkYs78uAc6pB2m2mkQjmxpiwz3j7hy7XYJcEtMBOpcNlgb5r6-xeUPpGv72_YSvS7brUyldTHDhyM5xjDZlwsU/s1600/IMG_1691.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzm1tyhK2olvqCa5BrDmsPjer2kPk7HSa4rcZpknyYa7kWSvBIwh_604uj6sD34V4G8XXap-LyrEW2uoxyrRWB1Y-Ev9ne2nPjG-d0OHDXqNPUiVNH2avuetoX1l3pLLknI2XrETQRj3Y/s1600/IMG_1703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzm1tyhK2olvqCa5BrDmsPjer2kPk7HSa4rcZpknyYa7kWSvBIwh_604uj6sD34V4G8XXap-LyrEW2uoxyrRWB1Y-Ev9ne2nPjG-d0OHDXqNPUiVNH2avuetoX1l3pLLknI2XrETQRj3Y/s1600/IMG_1703.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Almost worth the 25 hour wait</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Desiree Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559134344355220085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38721062424095418.post-66800786710850063892014-10-21T15:14:00.000-07:002014-12-02T03:30:47.428-08:00Lost in Translation<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are about 2 months into the program, and at this point my
conversations with any Israeli I meet, whether random or not, seem to follow
the same dialogue.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What is your name?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Desiree”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Eich?! (How?!)”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Desiree!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ma?! (What?!)”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Begrudgingly, with a forced smile, “Daisy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ah Daisy! What are you doing in Israel?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am here teaching English.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you don’t speak Hebrew?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamneSUBa6NEtfDz4aoKJJPX7xAsE5oxVUQEsDBNtR1zqPQ8p_YeG5MZFJHOXLO3gbyvEWSkhmhfifEzyA2U4oraxCzQjv5UlYoilcusjQlE4QfdcaZAmFPlm1TLCGggU8Sf3GIl7x-Q4/s1600/IMG_0258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamneSUBa6NEtfDz4aoKJJPX7xAsE5oxVUQEsDBNtR1zqPQ8p_YeG5MZFJHOXLO3gbyvEWSkhmhfifEzyA2U4oraxCzQjv5UlYoilcusjQlE4QfdcaZAmFPlm1TLCGggU8Sf3GIl7x-Q4/s1600/IMG_0258.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Desiree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyb-ESr83xPJmkxF59w59nHeLBHBdbcLOYHIVqpkYet2NDzBABBTgw8lH8yt4XK2M5snSm2qbEyqh1Zg30keAMr-Ea1GSTSBKV4X1GrOvL0Z95pdNHjuj3HmFUPO5-Uec_NuSeR6oOo80/s1600/daisy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyb-ESr83xPJmkxF59w59nHeLBHBdbcLOYHIVqpkYet2NDzBABBTgw8lH8yt4XK2M5snSm2qbEyqh1Zg30keAMr-Ea1GSTSBKV4X1GrOvL0Z95pdNHjuj3HmFUPO5-Uec_NuSeR6oOo80/s1600/daisy.jpg" height="200" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Israeli Alter Ego Daisy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I then explain how I understand a little Hebrew but it’s
definitely not easy –the language barrier DOES make for some incredibly hilarious
stories though. For example, one day a student in Kitah Aleph (1<sup>st</sup>
grade) approached me and explained that she knew how to say 2 things in
English. Elated, I asked her to tell me what she knew. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Good morning poopies!” she exclaimed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How cute,” I thought, “She is trying to say good morning
puppies!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I smiled and said “Good morning puppies?! Very good! What
else do you know how to say?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She responded, “Sheket!” which of course means quiet… in
Hebrew. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a valiant effort on her behalf for sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After this encounter, I had the opportunity to observe an
English class. As the teacher entered the classroom, she announced, “Good
morning pupils!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was in that <b>exact</b> moment that I realized the
student earlier was not trying to show off her knowledge of canine salutations
but rather say “Good morning pupils.” Safe to say I was a little embarrassed after
realizing I incorrectly rephrased what she was trying to say.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MWWb5VmRw2cfMNw5JTfNqMPRZy06HFMh3KtSmul2hcP4-hYNp6lc1P93PCu8QFsj78zNNMrkPuF57YykMRsCEcp-fg1hu7lMcZN6soBJIKaNJtpOIkeZJM0VfUROajkVJS1O4CpxA7o/s1600/puppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MWWb5VmRw2cfMNw5JTfNqMPRZy06HFMh3KtSmul2hcP4-hYNp6lc1P93PCu8QFsj78zNNMrkPuF57YykMRsCEcp-fg1hu7lMcZN6soBJIKaNJtpOIkeZJM0VfUROajkVJS1O4CpxA7o/s1600/puppies.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Puppies!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3nl45cuhKZRbUtIspKkH4IP0hc2oGoeseG5zzqNRBZUNbx4CiZqT8SyiWLrGbTXS54wig2U88xjmRMhzbJE1NfIfNLXb6bODNRZXaZbU_Og_e3xgF7bb3SmGNBy0pJCUoxz2fdkOxro/s1600/pupils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3nl45cuhKZRbUtIspKkH4IP0hc2oGoeseG5zzqNRBZUNbx4CiZqT8SyiWLrGbTXS54wig2U88xjmRMhzbJE1NfIfNLXb6bODNRZXaZbU_Og_e3xgF7bb3SmGNBy0pJCUoxz2fdkOxro/s1600/pupils.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pupils!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Additionally, when us fellows first arrived at our school,
one teacher used an English lesson to introduce us to the students. She had us
share a little about ourselves, and then gave the children an opportunity to
ask us questions. One student’s hand shot up and he blurted out, “Do you know
Obama?” Before I could even answer, another student replied, “No but I know
Bamba!” For those who don’t know, Bamba is a delicious peanut flavored Israeli
snack. Well played child, well played. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi560siOuD7hPnCu3sSbDi51KorX1Vrv02b2MUCIkNt6nyrkWT17qjI_jeOpmHbS1-aaADUx-kZtrBEmztwVSWnisch3w_vpQl3cwfEXxCln3zPiuSv2ReMdzfiY65gUCUv63OjjCx2yw/s1600/esq-obama-0812-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi560siOuD7hPnCu3sSbDi51KorX1Vrv02b2MUCIkNt6nyrkWT17qjI_jeOpmHbS1-aaADUx-kZtrBEmztwVSWnisch3w_vpQl3cwfEXxCln3zPiuSv2ReMdzfiY65gUCUv63OjjCx2yw/s1600/esq-obama-0812-lg.jpg" height="200" width="145" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> President Obama</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbPyGC47iLxrFy6qG1vJ8hlR8D1PmVCb94jkGSdlljriDe2KcJe5Elc_uCvMSysv-tOWJ0vYVpWs71bH5MitEsWlugpp0EDVOF41FV5Hb6gn6xOqLQrJ9VSqAq0sp5Cn4pqUSDQTPIF8/s1600/Bamba+Snack+25+g.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbPyGC47iLxrFy6qG1vJ8hlR8D1PmVCb94jkGSdlljriDe2KcJe5Elc_uCvMSysv-tOWJ0vYVpWs71bH5MitEsWlugpp0EDVOF41FV5Hb6gn6xOqLQrJ9VSqAq0sp5Cn4pqUSDQTPIF8/s1600/Bamba+Snack+25+g.png" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious Bamba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All in all, communication struggles and language barriers do
make the job infinitely more difficult. While I do not possess a <i>Teaching English to Speakers of Other
Languages</i> (TESOL) certification, I do have the opportunity to really be in
the trenches and learn through experience. Most importantly, though, I have the
opportunity to be in the trenches and come back with hilarious stories.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Desiree Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559134344355220085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38721062424095418.post-81102813441573890502014-10-06T16:11:00.002-07:002014-10-21T15:18:37.913-07:00A Good and Sweet New Year<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I rarely get homesick. Whether living in Miami or living in
Israel for 5 months (which I did in high school), I’ve always been able to stay
in pretty high spirits. It’s not that I don’t miss my family and friends – I
definitely do. But knowing that there is so much in store for me here keeps me
excited and knowing that my friends are always a Facetime or iMessage away is
comforting (I promise this post wasn’t sponsored by Apple).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">That being said, there’s always something about the holidays
that sparks a little homesickness within me.
Being away for the Jewish holidays is no exception. Knowing that Rosh
Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot were all rapidly approaching, I started to
miss my crazy and loud dinners with family and was nervous about what
celebrating the holidays in Israel had in store for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMlJ9wHrVE434vMsdPlKDbvus2FdFO68yhSyCMbnz4yJZY6USpMYexW9yhaJUF0vY8agFnmiKDvO_Y14IHS6RwSeSZ_UgNQHeuxEWmlCMhpxvF34kxL1BAReSFeVxibRWiQIdXiAqNDk/s1600/IMG_1593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMlJ9wHrVE434vMsdPlKDbvus2FdFO68yhSyCMbnz4yJZY6USpMYexW9yhaJUF0vY8agFnmiKDvO_Y14IHS6RwSeSZ_UgNQHeuxEWmlCMhpxvF34kxL1BAReSFeVxibRWiQIdXiAqNDk/s1600/IMG_1593.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fanta reading "Happy Holidays"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don’t really know why I concern myself with worries about
the future here because time and time again Israel has pleasantly surprised me.
When we sat with our host teacher and host principal for our very first
meeting, they let us know that we would be joining the school staff at the end
of September for <i>slichot</i> in
Jerusalem. <i>Slichot</i>, or penitential prayers, are said leading up to Rosh
Hashanah in order to start the New Year fresh.
This year, I’d get the opportunity to do this at the Kotel/Western Wall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We met on Sunday, September 21 at our school, where a
charter bus took a group of 30 or so teachers and myself to Jerusalem. The
drive took a little over an hour. Like I’ve mentioned before- all the teachers
are so welcoming and have really made us feel as though we are family. Our tour guide for the evening joined us on
the bus and gave the group a little background on the idea of <i>slichot</i> and what the evening had in
store for us. All of this was done in Hebrew though, so I just sort of sat
there and smiled. But it seemed as though he was being very thorough and
informative. Two thumbs up for him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTOBdW94zRQtp_Myyan1tSrs6_lGhXDD9oJ56NIWxZFrM4bdJ12w4tOwz5tEPzPCa40-49d22q4XwyaXbdgM4Js-S_ldqMouHBn2C9r_lLVYi6Qacg-jaYMlTVJJG0icAdLVwfVnXlN8/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTOBdW94zRQtp_Myyan1tSrs6_lGhXDD9oJ56NIWxZFrM4bdJ12w4tOwz5tEPzPCa40-49d22q4XwyaXbdgM4Js-S_ldqMouHBn2C9r_lLVYi6Qacg-jaYMlTVJJG0icAdLVwfVnXlN8/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jerusalem at Night </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When we arrived in Jerusalem, an instant sense of serenity
besieged my body. That sounds corny, I know. I mean it though. The city of
Jerusalem is so beautiful and the juxtaposition of old architecture with new
culture is nothing short of breathtaking. We were given a bit of a tour around
the old city and a little crash course on the history of Ashkenazi versus
Sephardi ways of preparing for Rosh Hashanah. We even got to sit in a Sephardic
synagogue in the Old City and hear a few prayers. Again, the tour was all done
in Hebrew so there was lots of smiling and nodding on my behalf. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Though I loved touring the Old City, I anxiously anticipated
our visit to the Kotel. At about 11:30 PM (or 23:30 if we’re feeling Israeli)
we made our way to the Western Wall. Now, I’ve visited the Kotel countless
times, but on this night one thing became very clear to me. There is nothing
quite like the Kotel at midnight on a day leading up to the high holidays. It
was filled with people from all different ages and walks of life. I heard an
array of different languages. There was no concept of personal space
considering the billions of people there (rough estimate). And I loved every
minute of it. It was a beautiful end to our evening in Jerusalem and something
I will never forget. We headed back to little ol’ PTK at around 1:30 AM and got
to take a short power nap before our next day of work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4uJepF7mW0MkuL8koj0wpsVsNveFNDWKIwZGzTnPSSd1QxeeofcsjJ_MhMvhNW2zWxLNwfELPqjknCb9VjvdEaGnZHbUmsVFfOH9Q9NrR7biuTeE_ytdRweBzaH3mGKjkiNoku7SrJ8/s1600/IMG_1381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4uJepF7mW0MkuL8koj0wpsVsNveFNDWKIwZGzTnPSSd1QxeeofcsjJ_MhMvhNW2zWxLNwfELPqjknCb9VjvdEaGnZHbUmsVFfOH9Q9NrR7biuTeE_ytdRweBzaH3mGKjkiNoku7SrJ8/s1600/IMG_1381.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Incredibly Beautiful Moment Outside the Kotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Erev Rosh Hashanah followed the Wednesday after our
Jerusalem trip. As afore mentioned, my host teacher, Rosi, invited both my
flatmate (another fellow at my school) and me to her home for dinner. Though I
didn’t really know what to expect, I felt comfortable going to Rosi’s home
because she has been so hospitable and kind thus far. She has even jokingly
referred to my flatmate and me as her “children.” Rosi sent two of her sons to
pick us up so we wouldn’t have to walk. The moment we arrived at her home I
knew it was going to be an incredible evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A beautiful, appropriately decorated table for 20 or so
people was set in her backyard. Rosi gave us a grand tour of her home and also
let us know that if we ever wanted to stop by after school we were more than
welcome to. It’s safe to say that Rosi is a saint. After meeting some family
members and friends, we all sat for Rosh Hashanah Seder. It became very evident
that this large Sephardic family was just as fun and loud as my very own - I
felt right at home! Jokes and good
laughs were exchanged during the Seder, as well as multiple glasses of Tuborg -
because what’s a Jewish holiday without copious amounts of alcohol?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhFHVRs8MMoORWYSb8jwha9EwwOn0Q35UDvxtr0OsxQ5LwipGeSEMU4QID_UHzFeK29i82_2LtCpB835YoE38IaiLKh8yPnIJeKYZjgFu0Ne3NAGfxAI3r2Fjc6f3Gi20VyHibxTyVZM/s1600/IMG_1398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhFHVRs8MMoORWYSb8jwha9EwwOn0Q35UDvxtr0OsxQ5LwipGeSEMU4QID_UHzFeK29i82_2LtCpB835YoE38IaiLKh8yPnIJeKYZjgFu0Ne3NAGfxAI3r2Fjc6f3Gi20VyHibxTyVZM/s1600/IMG_1398.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> As we were about to
sit for dinner, Rosi asked us if all of our flatmates had somewhere to be. “Actually,” my flatmate Josh responded, “one
of our roommates preferred to stay home this evening and not go anywhere.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This answer displeased Rosi. A lot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“What do you mean?! You have to go get him now! Call him and
tell him one of my sons will come and pick him up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you’re Persian, you’re extremely familiar with the idea
of <i>tarof</i>. Kind of just saying
something/offering something to get credit and not really expecting whoever is
on the receiving end to take you up on your offer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There was no <i>tarof</i>
in Rosi’s offer. She was genuinely upset that my roommate had chosen to spend
the holiday alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So Josh, Rosi’s son, and I got in a car and picked up our
missing flatmate. Mid-dinner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was such a beautifully touching gesture. Tears welled up
in my eyes because I was so overwhelmed with happiness and extremely moved by
Rosi’s actions. When we returned to dinner, with our new addition, Rosi made
sure to bring our flatmate different foods from the Seder that he missed as she
went through and explained each of their significance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbc3cSPzHLdRXe-75hfTTEagboKgJXLPfG_wZSoffO5Bckh5TBuN70J9AkGKvWV3PqSUbbx5uOHwJjiJBmzN97yWpvf_yIX_zfJI5hRwIkvlmUA-UJ3D5C3m15N3PTWc6n0tOtQ-ozlyY/s1600/IMG_1401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbc3cSPzHLdRXe-75hfTTEagboKgJXLPfG_wZSoffO5Bckh5TBuN70J9AkGKvWV3PqSUbbx5uOHwJjiJBmzN97yWpvf_yIX_zfJI5hRwIkvlmUA-UJ3D5C3m15N3PTWc6n0tOtQ-ozlyY/s1600/IMG_1401.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Dates, Challah, and Pomegranate Seeds Hold Significance in Seder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was an incredibly beautiful evening. We drank, we ate, we
laughed, and we learned from one another. Though I didn’t get to spend it with
my family at home, I truly got to experience the next best thing. L’Shana Tova
to those who celebrate, and may this year have only the best in store for you
all.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MHzBdJ5wNO1E-68mpWVKM0c-MYsmTLU0LSQP3rsTIfwQOY7UEcAi2f40HSWBhh9o0lFOD8vEX2tI-FbhDDAPzpAXwYJeOjsRlWEXkxd2yYuglZ-erzE1zEG1OMUUSQUmWFsgBnAgTrM/s1600/IMG_1415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MHzBdJ5wNO1E-68mpWVKM0c-MYsmTLU0LSQP3rsTIfwQOY7UEcAi2f40HSWBhh9o0lFOD8vEX2tI-FbhDDAPzpAXwYJeOjsRlWEXkxd2yYuglZ-erzE1zEG1OMUUSQUmWFsgBnAgTrM/s1600/IMG_1415.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosi's Moroccan Fish </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-suVI0ZceoRsgzkf-hu19E8xspd9QG8EiHHcWaXE2xjFd0p_AWVgr63iG85mPdhKjVu43Oq8VR92LpAt3YaXirdqhvxLJs7jY5Fv4ni9cOcLO3XJmtcFx7tzOnXNx307k4UHLTqkeCdI/s1600/IMG_1416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-suVI0ZceoRsgzkf-hu19E8xspd9QG8EiHHcWaXE2xjFd0p_AWVgr63iG85mPdhKjVu43Oq8VR92LpAt3YaXirdqhvxLJs7jY5Fv4ni9cOcLO3XJmtcFx7tzOnXNx307k4UHLTqkeCdI/s1600/IMG_1416.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Safe to Say I Gained a Few Pounds Over Dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP28Hy3pQgwo54zgj5vgYVSr7geN8B7IZfR3oqjU3tTLXvCKNdgdv3BJ0KTiV06Yt9wHVLGrrhDO0M32tWAIj7CTV9EnarJQ8m_10RMa_E8IJPPlGbi3zna_DzfmLPsB_VjdsuPObQXYw/s1600/IMG_1414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP28Hy3pQgwo54zgj5vgYVSr7geN8B7IZfR3oqjU3tTLXvCKNdgdv3BJ0KTiV06Yt9wHVLGrrhDO0M32tWAIj7CTV9EnarJQ8m_10RMa_E8IJPPlGbi3zna_DzfmLPsB_VjdsuPObQXYw/s1600/IMG_1414.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the one and only Rosi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Desiree Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559134344355220085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38721062424095418.post-16434965485730099612014-09-22T14:05:00.001-07:002014-10-21T15:20:06.712-07:00Petach Tikvah Sheli - פֶּתַח תִּקְוָה שלי<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Walking up the stairs daily at Belmont High School (the
school I worked at this past year), I always took a minute to admire a certain
mural. The mural read, "Don't worry when you are not recognized, but
strive to be worthy of recognition." These words, spoken by Abraham
Lincoln, always forced me to stop and reflect. Working at Belmont was extremely
challenging and emotionally taxing. Simple "thank you's" and
appreciations from administration came few and far between. This quote reminded
me that all that didn't matter. I wasn't working with at-risk youth for the
recognition, but rather because it is what I am passionate about. So I
continued on and spent the year cultivating my passion while simultaneously
undergoing the most transformative year of my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLPi5ruMqqODCctZP4mcnbjVQlvfKbnQUN4LHxvLUvi4AOQ3EI1SzpfqjnwA_6YTkKj7rohov8Sy3RCLt2caXqBy2LwyLUytm2fNTtP4yxrOm3wElu9YG2TH3X9_hLbxmdxO4thxz5mg/s1600/IMG_5102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLPi5ruMqqODCctZP4mcnbjVQlvfKbnQUN4LHxvLUvi4AOQ3EI1SzpfqjnwA_6YTkKj7rohov8Sy3RCLt2caXqBy2LwyLUytm2fNTtP4yxrOm3wElu9YG2TH3X9_hLbxmdxO4thxz5mg/s1600/IMG_5102.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daily affirmation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Coming to Israel as a volunteer, I kept Honest Abe's words
of wisdom in mind. I would neither expect nor seek recognition for my service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There are no words to describe how pleasantly surprised I
have been. Since we arrived in Israel, everyone has been so appreciative of the
work us Fellows are doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A day after we arrived in PTK, the city municipality
arranged a private tour for us around the city. Our tour began at HaMoshava
Stadium, the primary football (or "soccer" depending on who you ask)
stadium in Petach Tikva. It's a relatively small stadium with seats for up to
11,500 people. The stadium has 10 VIP suites, one of which was designed as a
tribute to the memory of the soccer league in the Theresienstadt Ghetto. The
exhibit was created "against the background of rising violence in Israeli
soccer and to commemorate and to educate about Jewish sport during the
Holocaust; close to the lawn of Israeli soccer." After touring the VIP
Suites, we learned that the municipality extended an invitation to us to watch
a football game from the comfort of a suite.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqvBZ7Yz2ZmRUVVJx9Ncq_mqsyBB3E4o0OYXPGXSiZsmJYJvDuCTnXe8k8SEWUDf5f5uXJVH_eJ8t4fDp-KBZVkLVal87d9KpHfkWPxxOd8fDQ6V-5Ti5TcBDgkjVu-S_teAhT2ldvQU/s1600/IMG_0808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqvBZ7Yz2ZmRUVVJx9Ncq_mqsyBB3E4o0OYXPGXSiZsmJYJvDuCTnXe8k8SEWUDf5f5uXJVH_eJ8t4fDp-KBZVkLVal87d9KpHfkWPxxOd8fDQ6V-5Ti5TcBDgkjVu-S_teAhT2ldvQU/s1600/IMG_0808.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seen inside the VIP suite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEbvH2eFmQIP7G_lyDYazYi_rCXjvb7w5BshY9PIyOt0czRKr2TOWDndItArbZA14gf2aw2pnAySJsREfN8cIfBRJP4UOa2tMj3kqSv-3pHFqVO0-ZZmTLlxhuF-rRMUKm2P2DiCHlvg/s1600/IMG_0830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEbvH2eFmQIP7G_lyDYazYi_rCXjvb7w5BshY9PIyOt0czRKr2TOWDndItArbZA14gf2aw2pnAySJsREfN8cIfBRJP4UOa2tMj3kqSv-3pHFqVO0-ZZmTLlxhuF-rRMUKm2P2DiCHlvg/s1600/IMG_0830.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful stadium </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The municipality thanked us relentlessly for the work we are
doing and gave us gift bags as parting gifts. The bags read "Petach Tikvah
Sheli," meaning "My Petach Tikvah." The most meaningful gift
that came out of the bag is a keychain embellished with a few different charms.
One of the charms is engraved, with words loosely translating into "In
recognition [of your work] in Petach Tikvah." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sqLp6dyCg2MOwExMkx3EfOpOGKnhwJvCp4VXZAY7C1EeIc8Jf5LOFfKpCjMt9BFD3hTJNL3T3JHwVMcUNabcgEbweMp2jg46ksdPi3-YblRs3UqOw4KvAxxaQcf6xzf1lgO3mrNMx_I/s1600/IMG_0827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sqLp6dyCg2MOwExMkx3EfOpOGKnhwJvCp4VXZAY7C1EeIc8Jf5LOFfKpCjMt9BFD3hTJNL3T3JHwVMcUNabcgEbweMp2jg46ksdPi3-YblRs3UqOw4KvAxxaQcf6xzf1lgO3mrNMx_I/s1600/IMG_0827.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite the 180 from last year</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Everyone has truly welcomed us with open arms. From teachers
offering us rides home to strangers opening their homes to us for Shabbat
dinners, the culture of Israeli hospitality has made moving so far away from my
family and friends so much easier. More than anything, I consider myself to be
the fortunate one in this situation. I am incredibly lucky to have the
opportunity to give back and spend 10 months serving in such an extraordinary
country.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNt1jRjdHKmSTEfmi1aGmbHuZXqeEdThiJnIKxIbPrOjqtqZwC2rXBYVPJFcxg0kSWceGX20lSCBj32lyXSS74rmmIQ8TcOSafyCLeLXdChFFvnANJ5QQM7vgAkfVNkZZUoEYWdg2WMTk/s1600/IMG_1127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNt1jRjdHKmSTEfmi1aGmbHuZXqeEdThiJnIKxIbPrOjqtqZwC2rXBYVPJFcxg0kSWceGX20lSCBj32lyXSS74rmmIQ8TcOSafyCLeLXdChFFvnANJ5QQM7vgAkfVNkZZUoEYWdg2WMTk/s1600/IMG_1127.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An appreciation card from students. I will only answer to "Degerey" from this day forward</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Desiree Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559134344355220085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38721062424095418.post-41077582926336686402014-09-15T13:56:00.000-07:002014-09-16T13:28:52.911-07:00Ask Me if I'm on Taglit One More Time...<div>
It all happened sort of quickly. After months of waiting anxiously, I had discovered that I had been admitted into my <i>dream </i>graduate school program. I would be moving to New York less than a month after my year of service with City Year was to end - to say I was elated would be a gross understatement. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But then, just as quickly, reality began to set in for me. I started looking at the cost of tuition more seriously and then realized that once I completed my masters program -- in a mere 13 months -- I would have to begin my career and become a <i>real</i> person. I am only 23 and still have so much I want to do before I settle down and "grow up." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So I did what any responsible 20-something year old would do and decided to defer graduate school for a year in order to move to a foreign country for 10 months. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtGQtn_lar5ejVM4uAxIxhpRyeCKQ_f27VLGtPUzwlgUrzBo2LRP5IAuZt_uGhPoOdF-05YfYaFN-6DRpmB3u9MmFNG3e2zUZcP5SEYjDjBfOd-kTvq-z9W5h7qTmD8G0IUxR2oCNn7E/s1600/IMG_0670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtGQtn_lar5ejVM4uAxIxhpRyeCKQ_f27VLGtPUzwlgUrzBo2LRP5IAuZt_uGhPoOdF-05YfYaFN-6DRpmB3u9MmFNG3e2zUZcP5SEYjDjBfOd-kTvq-z9W5h7qTmD8G0IUxR2oCNn7E/s1600/IMG_0670.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seen at the Abraham Hostel in Jerusalem. Too perfect.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
And that's how I ended up in little ol' Petach Tikvah/Petah Tikva/Petah Tiqwa, Israel. As <i>Wikitravel </i>is quick to point out, Petach Tikvah (or PTK for short) is a "sleepy Israeli town that lies a few miles east of Tel Aviv." I will be living in PTK until July 2015. During this time I will be participating in a Masa Israel program called "Israel Teaching Fellows," through which I am fortunate enough to spend another 10 months striving to be a change agent in the world of education. As an Israel Teaching Fellow, I have the privilege of teaching English to elementary aged students at a public school here in PTK. As Muhammad Ali once said, "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
I don't really have anything extremely profound or groundbreaking to say - I think Muhammah Ali covered that for me- but I hope to use this blog as a way to give a bit of insight as to what goes on in my day-to-day life here. Though I have been in Israel for about 3 weeks now, I just finished completely unpacking last night so I'm now ready to <i>Take PTK </i>and blog about it along the way.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyprCoNVWVmKAY2TUDFcMsO9-RUVP2dwIENmj-w35_-_1OxP3Tgg9CVeDg13hUsA4syBqoiqTON2uXX3WQyHdlmilPkRBJQD72bLxFjpnjDGQVVXPfukGaJbkfEKCs69x8g9SqpPPgXJc/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyprCoNVWVmKAY2TUDFcMsO9-RUVP2dwIENmj-w35_-_1OxP3Tgg9CVeDg13hUsA4syBqoiqTON2uXX3WQyHdlmilPkRBJQD72bLxFjpnjDGQVVXPfukGaJbkfEKCs69x8g9SqpPPgXJc/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view of the Dead Sea from our first weekend in Israel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkElG7DbwucZ8myrDJ4cWWj5jS8yP7pU7LOH7rQ3gZHx5rKYmyG9Jv4u82oFcAMKdGfB5IPZs_isaArtnYEr-T4TFbfk2ebbNJXifR5dUmHOPp2alxrdwje7Ub79KSzAShTJ-bS6RJZA/s1600/IMG_0725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkElG7DbwucZ8myrDJ4cWWj5jS8yP7pU7LOH7rQ3gZHx5rKYmyG9Jv4u82oFcAMKdGfB5IPZs_isaArtnYEr-T4TFbfk2ebbNJXifR5dUmHOPp2alxrdwje7Ub79KSzAShTJ-bS6RJZA/s1600/IMG_0725.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers to new roommates and new beginnings </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
Desiree Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559134344355220085noreply@blogger.com0