Jerusalem, Jerusalem...

Well today was an amazing day. It's been busy, long, fun-filled, and basically insane. Hope you've got a few minutes, cause I have a feeling that this is going to be a long post. (Incidentally, I am currently listening to "Sweet Home Alabama" the song, not the movie. Aahhhhh...home.)



There are 15 of us interns, and I was the only one who had never been to Jerusalem before. There was a lot of, "Teresa, do you see this?" or, "What do you think?" I was sort of dreading it actually, out of fear that it was going to be patronizing or condescending, which it has been somewhat in the past, but it wasn't at all like that today. Anyway, the city is amazing. Tel Aviv is such a metropolitan, flat, and dirty city...Jerusalem was spread out, in a completely hilly area, and not incredibly clean, but it did seem cleaner than Tel Aviv. So we were going on a walking tour of the old city, and we did do quite a bit of walking. First of all though, pretty much the entire city is made out of limestone. Mary (my wonderful friend who is letting Daive stay with her, if you forgot) told me that even new buildings in the city have to be built out of limestone, to maintain the consistency and continuity of the appearance of the city. So we started out walking the walls of the old city, and I'm thinking that the walls were more Roman-age old rather than Old Testament old. Sadly though, I cannot really remember what the guide said. Nonetheless, we walked the tops of the walls, which were also limestone, but worn down, uneven, and slippery. It's amazing I made it back without hurting myself. We came out by the Zion gate (I'm pretty sure that's what it's called) and the walls around the gate were completely pot-marked by bullet holes from the various skirmishes and wars Israel has been through over time (and there's lots of them). Today was really interesting for a whole variety of reasons, but especially because I'm much more familiar with biblical history, but remarkably less familiar with everything that happened between AD 70 and now, pretty much. And that's a pretty big chunk of time. I did get quite an education today though.



I also got to see the wide wall built under Hezekiah's reign (in 2 Chronicles 32:5, I believe) and it was fascinating to see how the need for people to be able to live in the city was balanced with the desire to carry out archaeological digs which were so enlightening and useful. Only part of this huge wall had been excavated, but then there were red bricks laid in the streets of the actual city (the part where people live now) to show the width and length of the wall underneath the city. The wailing wall (Western wall) was much smaller than I thought it would be. Also, I don't know if I ever realized that the western/wailing wall isn't a wall from one of the temples. It's actually part of a retaining wall built to support the second temple (built by Herod). But it's the closest to the temple that exists. We got to go down into this archeological garden type area down beside and much lower down from the wailing wall, and it was amazing. There were walls and stones so huge I cannot even begin to explain. The area we were walking on were stones put in place ages ago, and there were some huge broken pieces, and the fractures occurred when the stones from the top of the wall that was still standing (still the outside retaining wall) were toppled over. You could see the arches and the areas where the stairs would have come out to lead the pilgrims into the temple area. It was just amazing...to be able to connect a physical place, a sight I beheld with my own eyes with what I've studied over the past few years...it was quite simply beyond words.



I have so much more I'd like to say about the experience, but some of it is negative (not about the city, about some of the actions of some of the other interns) and I think I should probably hold my tongue for now (for once...which is miraculous in and of itself).



Ah yes though...I came back to spend the night at Mary's house tonight because I didn't get to see Daive at all yesterday and she doesn't eat when I'm not around. We walked in and....oh my gracious. Total disaster area. Before I go on, let me introduce you to Mary's dogs. First there is Pablo, the Wonder Dog. He's a mixed breed, but is absolutely adorable and is the best natured dog you'll probably ever meet. He's medium-sized, probably about 45 or 50 pounds, but it is ALL muscle. (He's about the size of Lottie, Haley.) He and Daive play very well together. He's just over a year so he's got enough puppy in him to wear Daive out quick. Then there's WeBe, an eight-ish week old puppy they've had for about two or three weeks now. She is horribly sick, she has distemper, a severe upper respiratory infection, and just got over tapeworms. Very sick...but in very good spirits. So anyway, when we walked in, there was trash EVERYWHERE. That is bad for many reasons...first of all WeBe is on prescription food right now since she's so sick and it's very not good for her to eat anything aside from her prescription food. Second, they also got into the bag of medicine I had brought for Daive. Talk about FREAKING OUT....I cannot even tell you. There was quite a bit of medicine in there too. This is all the stuff that was open and spread about on the floor: Antibiotics, Prednisone (steroid), Children's Aspirin, and something else. Well...it turned out that they (thankfully) only liked the flavor of the Rimadyl, which is a canine pain and anti-inflammatory medicine, but that bottle was completely empty. So I had to make a super fast rush trip to the Super Pharm (a 24 hour pharmacy sort of close to Mary's apartment) and of course got the ONE taxi driver in all of Israel who doesn't drive quickly and like a complete maniac. He was even whistling a relaxed little tune. I thought I was going to pull my hair out...or maybe his. So when I got to the drug store, I'm rushing about trying to find some hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting) and cannot find it anywhere. I stopped and asked one of the ladies working if she spoke English..for reasons I've yet to figure out she laughed at me. I finally got one of the pharmacist assistants to help me, and she gave me a bottle which was, OF COURSE, labeled in hebrew and had no English explanation on it, and it did NOT smell like Hydrogen Peroxide. I've had enough experience to know what it smelled like, and this was NOT it. Well...add in a few frantic trips back and forth across the store until I figured out that it WAS, in fact, peroxide, paid, and attempted a quick trip home (but I had the taxi driver wait so I wouldn't have to wait to find another one, and he took his sweet relaxed time getting me back). I gave some to all of them, they all puked, and so far, everything is okay. I will confess though, that every few minutes I yell and wake them all up to make sure they're all still alive.



I'm going to go make an attempt at some old-fashioned relaxation, which is actually kind of sad to me, because I have TONS more I'd like to say. Here's a teaser, so you'll keep coming back to read. Next time I'll tell you about:

• My roommate in the dorm thought I was a missionary sent to try and convert her, and she was going to move out
• The miraculous and luxurious accomodations that exist for me at 36 Rodetsky in the dorms
• Update on Daive, Pablo, and WeBe (I pray they're all still okay then!)

Love you all so much! Thanks for the comments and emails, I have been greatly encouraged!

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!

Tears and digestion problems

Okay, I know it's been a long time, and if it were due to laziness on my part I would apologize. But it's not due to laziness. It's due to insanity. My time in Israel has been nothing short of complete insanity. As soon as I got out of the airport...well really, as soon as I got out of the taxi and the hotel for a good twenty-four hour period, things went quite horribly. The hotel I was supposed to stay at lost my reservation so I ended up staying at this creepy hotel in Bat Yam (just outside of Tel Aviv). It was just one thing after another. I had money in traveler's checks, but those are pretty much relics of the past, accepted nearly nowhere. The commission to cash the $400 in traveler's checks was $70. I had to take way too many taxis (though it was the first time I've ever hailed a cab...big event in my life). The hotel I spent the first night at kicked me out as soon as I got out of bed because the night worker failed to tell the day worker about Daive. It is no exaggeration to say that I spent the first 15 hours in the country either crying or sleeping. It was horrible.



BUT...things are beginning to look up. The food has been amazing. I made friends with one of the other interns named Mary who is absolutely incredible. She reminds me of my friend Brianna (who is also amazing). Anyway, her boyfriend is Jewish, and she's been living here because of him since December, so she's been a huge help as far as the inside Israel track goes. Last night I had schnitzel (sp?) and today I had schwarma. The food really is quite amazing, but between the stress, the traveling, and the foreign food, I'm struggling somewhat with my stomach. I went looking at apartments today also with Mary and her boyfriend, and found a few promising leads. I really have just been on this sort of freak out binge though, crying at least two or three times a day, always around poor Mary, and she's been wonderful throughout it all. After the latest freak out session though, I had to call the director of the program to make sure I had a dorm room secured for the next week or two, and he was likewise incredibly helpful. He told me that he had gotten word that my student loan had been approved, so now it was just a matter of when it would come in. And even though I brought with me what I thought would be more than an adequate amount of money, I'm finding that I just basically had no idea what to expect, and therefore was not even remotely adquately prepared.



The point of all this is to say that things are looking up. I think I've cried only three or four times today, and those weren't for extended times.

I'm guessing that I never explained here that Daive was going with me as my service dog. Let me explain...that was the only way she could go in the cabin with me, and the cargo hold isn't pressurized. Okay AND...they have service dogs for people who get panic attacks, and I figure if you put me on a plane for 10 hours going to a country I've never been to that speaks a language I don't know to do something I've never done before...that's a sure-fire recipe for a panic attack!



Today has been a full-filled and exciting day. I spent the day with my Dad, which was wonderful. I also spent most of the day eating, which was also quite thrilling. I had a steak, which is surprising for me, but I've been craving steak for awhile now. Then we went to the Marble Slab Creamery, which was AMAZING. Aside from consuming a rather remarkable amount of food, we did get a lot accomplished today. I closed an old checking account, got my new glasses (no more tumors!), got a new duffel bag (more on that in a minute), two books to read on the plane (both James Patterson...who I love), withdrew money from my actual checking account and got traveler's checks (though I'm still not entirely sure how they work), and got some fabric pens to decorate Daive's new service dog shirt. We'll see how that works out.



So the duffel bag I bought last week was so wonderful because it was cheap and huge (emphasis on cheap). Yesterday when my Dad was carrying it into my Grandma's house, one of the handles slipped out of his hand, and the weight of the items in the duffel bag caused the fabric by the other handle to rip. My Dad seemed to feel pretty bad about it, but I'm incredibly grateful. I'd much rather it rip in my Grandma's house than on the tarmac between planes tomorrow. Speaking of providential things, I had to get new glasses (the ones I picked up today) because I'm an idiot and stepped on my glasses when I was getting out of the shower one day. (I just tossed them onto the bath mat when I was finished reading and didn't see them when I was stepping out.) Nonetheless, my Dad found out that if I had waited until this month to order them (which was the plan before I broke them) the prescription would have expired and I would have had to have a complete exam (which would've been much more expensive). Isn't the providence of God so amazing? I think so! That's all for now. I'll try to hop back and let you know how Daive's NEW service dog shirts work out.

Wal-Mart Experience

Daive just had her first adventure as a service dog. We went to Walmart together, and she was thoroughly freaked out the whole time. We put her in the cart because all the feet really seemed to freak her out. It was hilarious to me though because when she was walking beside me, everyone stared excessively. But when she was in the cart, no one paid all that much attention. I guess with everything Wal-Mart sells, it's only a matter of time before they expand into pets. I'll say it again, she did quite well. The bottom of the cart seemed to hurt her butt though, so if I take her in a cart in any other store I'll need to remember to put something on the bottom as a cushion.



That's really all for now - just wanted yall to know about our progress! :)

Greetings all...I apologize for the severe delay in posting. Things have been rather hectic as of late. I am in Pensacola now, enjoying two days with my family before flying out on Tuesday. So much has happened, it's all so remarkable. Let's go with the first amazing thing: in the span of about 9 days, God provided, through remarkably generous and gracious servants of him, the exact amount of money I needed. In fact, He provided the exact amount I thought I needed, which is more than what I let everyone know about. It's so amazing...I have shed more tears of gratitude and awe than sadness over these past few days. I would hate to embarrass anyone, so for that reason alone I will refrain from naming names, but you know who you are, and I am more grateful for your support than you could ever know!



Thursday and Friday were my panic days. They were the days when I was extremely sensitive (yes, more so than usual), teary, and really all around frantic. It's hilarious to me though, because when I woke up yesterday, I was completely calm, and was able (by the grace of God) to spend the time going through and (re)packing my stuff, and deciding what I would take and would not take. I had to pretty much take out all my winter clothes, due to lack of weight availability. But I figure winter's long enough away, I should be okay. Conveniently, the big duffle bag I purchased and have all of my clothes in ripped as Dad was carrying into Grandma's house today, so again I will be in search of a suitable (in size and carry-ability) suitcase. We shall see. I'm very pumped about it all, but honestly have nothing interesting to share whatsoever. Ah yes, Daive's service dog shirt is completed, but I think I'm going to have to tweak it slightly before Tuesday. I washed it in hot water and it shrunk so she looks like the quintessential "fat guy in a little coat."



I'm spending my time right now trying to find some place to stay when I arrive in Tel Aviv. So I must go. Love you all! I promise to comment more frequently, and will do so as much as possible when I actually arrive in Israel.

I am so prepared

Perhaps prepared isn't entirely the perfect word, but it has to be close. I have a plane ticket, I have a passport, and Daive's paperwork so we're both legal NOT ONLY to leave this country but also to gain entry into Israel. It's been a crazy couple of days, I will tell you that much.



Let's hit the high points:



- Yesterday Dr. Fazio so selflessly arranged everything for me to go to Montgomery in order to get Daive's paperwork, so she'll be legal to leave. She also arranged it so I could take her car - isn't she so amazing? That was wonderful and generally leisurely.



- Today Jonny and I drove to New Orleans in Joy's car (another amazingly wonderful person) to get my passport, which also went off without a hitch (surprisingly).



- I am supposed to be going down to see Bethany but have yet to figure out a way to get down there. Obviously, I have no car. The train only runs on Saturday, I get sick in buses, and airline tickets are too expensive. What to do...what to do? I'm confident God will provide...I'll just have to wait and see.



There is so very much more I want to say, but it will have to wait for tomorrow. I love you all! And I have so many amazing stories to tell...just wait!