Things that make me go "AARRRRR!"

Well a few days have passed (or maybe only one, I have a hard time keeping up with the days) and here I am again. I moved my stuff into the TAU dorms yesterday, and that was less than exciting. I have a roommate that I have yet to meet yet. The dorms do NOT have air-conditioning, the shower stall is incredibly small, the drain is slow, and the bathroom floods (because of the previous two complaints) frequently. There is a kitchenette, balcony, refrigerator, etc. but it really is just wretched. Last night would have been my first night sleeping there, but I freaked out a little bit and ended up spending the night at Mary's house (which is where Daive is staying). It's kind of sad to admit that I have separation anxiety from my dog, but I guess I do. Realistically speaking though, she's become sort of like a security blanket. She has been with me twenty-four/seven since last Tuesday when I left, and since I've yet to leave the "still crying every day" stage of culture shock, I find her to be a great comfort.



Today was our second day of orientation, and I have to say that I'm feeling better and better about the program every day. I had serious SERIOUS second thoughts before Monday, but they go away more and more each day. There are fifteen interns total in "Cohort 8" (which is our group this year) and I was VERY surprised to find out today from Marion (academic director of the program) that about fifty people applied. I figured that I only got in because they needed to fill a spot, and I'm the only one who has zero international experience, and I'm realizing more and more each day what a big chance they took letting me in.



So let's see...big things that are hard to get used to:

• TRAFFIC - these people drive like they're crazy! I have never in all my life...I mean really. Lanes (and staying in one particular one for any period of time) isn't nearly as important here as it is in the states. And there are a ton of people who have scooters/mopeds/motorcycles, and they just weave between cars and in and out of traffic like they're suicidal. It's VERY scary, but I'm slowly getting used to it. I've even toyed with the idea of getting a scooter at some point, because transportation is so expensive otherwise, but I would only get the kind that looks like a big tricycle (two wheels on the back end).
• Lack of personal space - the dorm I'm staying at has these two insanely small elevators, that say they can hold four passengers each. I beg to differ, because Tiffany (one of the interns) and I rode in these elevators many times yesterday and I wasn't entirely comfortable with the two of us in such a small space. For those of you who saw the size luggage I brought, only me and one of my large bags would fit in an elevator. Okay?! Small, huh?!
• Kiss southern courtesy goodbye - this is probably the thing I am having the most difficult time with culturally. I have to refer to the directors of the program as "Marion" and "Zvi" instead of Dr. Dank (both of them have doctorates). We were told today that we will be referring to the teachers and principals of the schools we go into by their first name. And that's completely only the beginning...during our break yesterday (first day of orientation) I ended up getting stuck at the back of the line for McDonalds (yes they have it, and I think this one was kosher too actually - I was just getting a diet coke), because people would just walk right up in front of you. It's completely true, if you wait, you miss out. And nobody will step out of your way on the sidewalk, regardless of whether they're taking up the entire sidewalk or not. It's just so different. Yesterday I completely freaked out and was like, "I can't stand this anymore! I want to go back to Florida!"
• Yelling - lots of people here yell, mostly in Hebrew. Where I'm from (everywhere I've ever lived, actually) even if you were saying something mean, you said it nicely. Here a lot of people seem to say most everything in a mean or harsh tone of voice, even if they're being nice. SERIOUS culture shock.

So we're going to be at schools in Tel Aviv and Jaffo (an old Arab city that has been somewhat assimilated into Tel Aviv because of growth and such). Tel Aviv is pretty much divided up into north and south. The north area is generally speaking the rich area. Logically, the south is the poorer area. Then there is Jaffo. I'm pretty much set on wanting to go to either a school in the south or to Jaffo, but Jaffo is supposed to be a really tough place. Marion said today that even the teachers of the schools in Jaffo send their children to schools elsewhere. Going to Jaffo though, would present a slight difficulty in that they speak Arabic. I'll be starting Ulpan (Hebrew classes) in the first part of September, and so I'm not sure how well it would work out to be teaching English, learning Hebrew in a class-type setting, and also trying to learn enough Arabic to get by while at the school. We shall see.

On Thursday we're taking a tour of Jerusalem, and as most of you know, that has always been one of the MAJOR things I wanted to accomplish at some point in my life. It's always exciting to be able to check something off on the "Life Goals" list. Again, I'm very excited. But really though, I'm so overwhelmingly homesick, even though I know I don't want to go back home. I still cry daily, though I've only teared up today so far. (I think that's fixing to change right now as I'm writing this though.) I just feel so completely not prepared. I've never traveled anywhere, I don't know how to teach anything, I obviously don't speak Hebrew, and I cannot even tell you how many times I have asked myself, "What in the world are you doing here?!" It's also been a little disappointing because the Christian girl that is an intern, we had discussed the possibility of living together, but the more we get to know each other, the more I am thinking that we might not be the best match. It's definitely getting better...and I know it will be MUCH better once I have a place of my own. Speaking of...my loan money should come in sometime over the next two weeks, and so I'm just praying that God will sustain me until then, and lead me to the perfect place to live. There is a surprising shortage of grass here, and so it is very important to find a place with at least some dirt for Daive.

This is insanely long...and I apologize for the length. But given that I haven't had the opportunity to post much lately I figured I'd take advantage of the time I had. Love you all, and please comment and/or email me...I am in desperate need of encouragement!