Sarah Nathan
The School for Overseas Students
Tel Aviv University, Carter building
Ramat Aviv 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Letter home
I don't want to write it all over again, so here is some recent scoop, from a email I wrote to my Grandparents.
Dear Nana and Papa,
Turkey was absolutely Amazing!!! It did snow/blizzard one day, so it was harder to tour and there were one or two sites we had to skip. All in all we saw gorgeous mosques and the Hagia Sophia and shopped/haggled at the Grand Bazaar and spice bazaar, which was a lot of fun. Nana would have loved it. Lots of great jewelry and scarves and bags. I bought a necklace, a bag, a bracelet, and a headband. Ill post pictures of my treasures. I just got back an hour ago and went to the market to stock up on food, so now I am posting pictures online. Look in a few hours at my blog www.mayanimmotek.blogspot.com and I will post links to all of my photos so you can get the real Sarah Nathan Tel Aviv travel experience.
Anyway, Just wanted to let you know I am having a fabulous time and am unbelievably happy I am here. When I came back from the airport today it didn't feel like I was still traveling, it felt like I was coming home. (Don't worry though, I am not moving here, or even thinking about moving here)
Right now I am planning my Spring Break. Hopefully it will consist of Italy, Spain, and then hopefully either morocco and portugal or prauge and budapest. Unfortunately it means missing Pesach in Jerusalem, but there are plenty more holidays to celebrate here and my friends and I will find a Sedar abroad. Oh, and to answer your question. Yes, I have made lots of friends. You will be able to see all of their friendly faces in the pictures I post. Everyone on this program is so great.
I am starting classes tomorrow. I am taking Songs of Slavery and Zionism: African and Jewish culture and literature in the Diaspora, Jewish Education: The vision and the reality, Middle East from Print to Press ( a communications/media class), Israel and the environment, and Israeli Companies: from local to global. I am excited for all of them.
I love you so guys so much.
Sar
Dear Nana and Papa,
Turkey was absolutely Amazing!!! It did snow/blizzard one day, so it was harder to tour and there were one or two sites we had to skip. All in all we saw gorgeous mosques and the Hagia Sophia and shopped/haggled at the Grand Bazaar and spice bazaar, which was a lot of fun. Nana would have loved it. Lots of great jewelry and scarves and bags. I bought a necklace, a bag, a bracelet, and a headband. Ill post pictures of my treasures. I just got back an hour ago and went to the market to stock up on food, so now I am posting pictures online. Look in a few hours at my blog www.mayanimmotek.blogspot.com and I will post links to all of my photos so you can get the real Sarah Nathan Tel Aviv travel experience.
Anyway, Just wanted to let you know I am having a fabulous time and am unbelievably happy I am here. When I came back from the airport today it didn't feel like I was still traveling, it felt like I was coming home. (Don't worry though, I am not moving here, or even thinking about moving here)
Right now I am planning my Spring Break. Hopefully it will consist of Italy, Spain, and then hopefully either morocco and portugal or prauge and budapest. Unfortunately it means missing Pesach in Jerusalem, but there are plenty more holidays to celebrate here and my friends and I will find a Sedar abroad. Oh, and to answer your question. Yes, I have made lots of friends. You will be able to see all of their friendly faces in the pictures I post. Everyone on this program is so great.
I am starting classes tomorrow. I am taking Songs of Slavery and Zionism: African and Jewish culture and literature in the Diaspora, Jewish Education: The vision and the reality, Middle East from Print to Press ( a communications/media class), Israel and the environment, and Israeli Companies: from local to global. I am excited for all of them.
I love you so guys so much.
Sar
Habua
Tel Aviv University took us to see a movie called The Bubble on Wednesday. The movie was good until the ending. I dont want to ruin it for you, so I won't tell the ending. It is a gay love story between an Israeli and a Palestinian. It has a really good message until the end of the movie when it retreats back to stereotypes. Why does every israeli movie have to be about the Army and Suicide Bombers.
Anyway, I loved this shirt:
I wish they sold it in real life.
I also love the soundtrack. I am thinking about buying it, or an Ivri Lider album.
If anyone else has suggestions for any other Israeli music, leave a comment.
Eating makes my mouth happy and my wallet sad.
Went to the Nemal (the old Port) today. Went to an expensive fish restaurant with no menu. Tried lots of new things inc. sea bass and eggplant roasted and eggplant french fries. All was delicious, and healthy. It was one of those places where you dont know what or how much you ordered but they keep just bringing out the food. Delicious.
Also went to Max Brenner yesterday and got the Marshmallow crepe. As far as a list of what makes me happiest, smores is right on top. The crepe with marshmallow, chocolate, ice cream and gummie bears may have been a close second.
Other things that are like smores in Israel. Crembo. They have chocolate, marshmallow, and a cookie on the bottom.
If I could live on one food item for the rest of my life it would be jelly bellies. If I had to choose only three flavors, they would be licorice, pomegranate, and s
mores even though none of those exactly go together in any form. I am all about the variety though. Why does Israel not have Jelly Bellies. Please send Jelly Bellies if you love me. (will post address later)
Other food items Israel is without. Limes, Rum (well they have one brand from Jerusalem for 22 NIS ($6) but its pretty nasty. Either way, making mojitos yesterday was interesting. Maybe i'll stick with the pomegranate martinis. Yet, sadly, I think pomegranates are going out of season as I did not see as many in the shuk as usual.
Things they do have in Israel. Frozen Yogurt, except it is completely different here. You tell them what you want in your yogurt (I get strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, cherries--an assortment of berries, you get the gist--sprinkles, little mekupelet, and sometimes pecans.) They mix it all together with the yogurt in the machine and it is seriously like a party in my mouth. Indeed, best thing of my entire life. Only problem is it runs about 16 NIS. That is like $4.50. Chai tea also seems to be a lot. Why do they charge extra for soy milk. It is not my fault I am a lactard.
Also, went
to the Shuk where I bought a spiffy Tel Aviv University sweatshirt. It was on sale now because it is finally getting warm.
Well this is a summary of my purchases/eating habits. Hope you enjoyed.
Also went to Max Brenner yesterday and got the Marshmallow crepe. As far as a list of what makes me happiest, smores is right on top. The crepe with marshmallow, chocolate, ice cream and gummie bears may have been a close second.
Other things that are like smores in Israel. Crembo. They have chocolate, marshmallow, and a cookie on the bottom.
If I could live on one food item for the rest of my life it would be jelly bellies. If I had to choose only three flavors, they would be licorice, pomegranate, and s
mores even though none of those exactly go together in any form. I am all about the variety though. Why does Israel not have Jelly Bellies. Please send Jelly Bellies if you love me. (will post address later)Other food items Israel is without. Limes, Rum (well they have one brand from Jerusalem for 22 NIS ($6) but its pretty nasty. Either way, making mojitos yesterday was interesting. Maybe i'll stick with the pomegranate martinis. Yet, sadly, I think pomegranates are going out of season as I did not see as many in the shuk as usual.
Things they do have in Israel. Frozen Yogurt, except it is completely different here. You tell them what you want in your yogurt (I get strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, cherries--an assortment of berries, you get the gist--sprinkles, little mekupelet, and sometimes pecans.) They mix it all together with the yogurt in the machine and it is seriously like a party in my mouth. Indeed, best thing of my entire life. Only problem is it runs about 16 NIS. That is like $4.50. Chai tea also seems to be a lot. Why do they charge extra for soy milk. It is not my fault I am a lactard.
Also, went
to the Shuk where I bought a spiffy Tel Aviv University sweatshirt. It was on sale now because it is finally getting warm.Well this is a summary of my purchases/eating habits. Hope you enjoyed.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Pictures, first. Stories, later.
http://goucher.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017844&l=5679d&id=41401226 <--First week of Ulpan.
http://goucher.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017845&l=6f93d&id=41401226 <--places I saw
http://goucher.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017847&l=4210f&id=41401226 <--people I love
http://goucher.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017921&l=f19c1&id=41401226 <--1/2 of turkey
More albums to come along with narration. Hope this will hold you over until the internet becomes stable.
http://goucher.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017845&l=6f93d&id=41401226 <--places I saw
http://goucher.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017847&l=4210f&id=41401226 <--people I love
http://goucher.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017921&l=f19c1&id=41401226 <--1/2 of turkey
More albums to come along with narration. Hope this will hold you over until the internet becomes stable.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Chinese Biology
If some of you do not know yet, my roomate is Chinese. She has come to Tel Aviv from Beijing as a Hebrew major.
As you may expect, there are a plethora of cultural differences ranging from how we do our laundry (she handwashes everything and I am pretty sure she wears the same outfit every day) to the way we cook (I do, she doesn't know how to). But, not to offend anyone, I think her taking care of her friends plant was the funniest thing I have ever seen.
Her friend went to America for a week, and asked my roomate to take care of her potted plant. Jasmine, my roomate, explained to me she didn't know how to take care of it, she had only had a plant in the sand before. "A cactus" I said. Sure.
So I told her to put it in the sun and water it everyday. Pretty self explanatory. A week later, she asks me to look at the plant. She thinks the flowers have died and her friend is returning that day. I said to move it away from the shade and asked if she watered it. A minute later she comes back with a bucket and starts to splash water on the leaves and on the ground around the pot. Anywhere but in the soil. I finally got up and told her to dump all of the water in. 15 minutes later, she comes back with a bowl and starts delicately splashing water again.
I asked her if she had ever taken Biology. "No, I don't like that subject." haha. So, indeed I explained how a plant gets water from its roots, etc., etc.
Well, maybe you had to be there, but it was pretty damn hilarious.
I'm glad I'm not a Hebrew major in China.
As you may expect, there are a plethora of cultural differences ranging from how we do our laundry (she handwashes everything and I am pretty sure she wears the same outfit every day) to the way we cook (I do, she doesn't know how to). But, not to offend anyone, I think her taking care of her friends plant was the funniest thing I have ever seen.
Her friend went to America for a week, and asked my roomate to take care of her potted plant. Jasmine, my roomate, explained to me she didn't know how to take care of it, she had only had a plant in the sand before. "A cactus" I said. Sure.
So I told her to put it in the sun and water it everyday. Pretty self explanatory. A week later, she asks me to look at the plant. She thinks the flowers have died and her friend is returning that day. I said to move it away from the shade and asked if she watered it. A minute later she comes back with a bucket and starts to splash water on the leaves and on the ground around the pot. Anywhere but in the soil. I finally got up and told her to dump all of the water in. 15 minutes later, she comes back with a bowl and starts delicately splashing water again.
I asked her if she had ever taken Biology. "No, I don't like that subject." haha. So, indeed I explained how a plant gets water from its roots, etc., etc.
Well, maybe you had to be there, but it was pretty damn hilarious.
I'm glad I'm not a Hebrew major in China.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Tel Aviv vs. Team in Red and black jerseys
I stumbled into a pro handball game by accident. Surprisingly, it is not the game where you throw a ball against a wall ands yell absurd rules like "pops" "roller" and "tree-tops".
It is actually a mix between basketball and soccer and is really big in Israel.
I left after 25 minutes, so I dont know who won.
It is actually a mix between basketball and soccer and is really big in Israel.
I left after 25 minutes, so I dont know who won.
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