too busy to blog

I'm very sorry that I have been failing my faithful readers. I'm going to need to start blogging on a daily basis because my weeks are so action packed that by the time I sit down to write, I've forgotten much of what I wanted to say. 

Since the holidays ended and classes resumed, I have been perpetually overwhelmed by the extraordinary amount of activities which have kept me busy. While the short list which I am about to produce might seem inadequate, I can promise that to write the unabridged version would take me longer than the amount of time I have left in this section. 

I spent a weekend in Jerusalem, walking the streets, visiting the Biblical zoo, and sleeping in a friend's apartment. I spent a weekend in Tel Aviv, experiencing the Shuk, running into the man running for Mayor, watching the sunset from Jaffa, and eating on the beach. I visited the home of a Yemenite immigrant songstress who serenaded us with her internationally acclaimed vocal prowess, then taught us about Yeminite Jewish culture. I stayed up all night to watch the Presidential election, then slept for much of the following day. I spent a day in the West Bank learning more about the settlements and the controversy surrounding land for peace. I've heard speakers on many issues ranging from the Peace Process, to the life and times of Jesus Christ. I've been bowling at an establishment which pretends to be American. I've been to the concert of an extremely popular Israeli guitarist and singer. I've visited the largest establishment for Jewish learning in the world (a yeshiva with approximately 5,000 students). I've been to the youth hostels of 2 other American programs in Israel, and reunited with several old friends. On top of all this I've been writing papers, taking tests, attending classes, speaking Hebrew (or trying), and getting just enough sleep to soak up all of the amazing experiences which I've been having.

If you have any questions about any of the events which I have briefly mentioned, please send me an e-mail or write a comment on this blog and I will be happy to answer it. 

This weekend I have an orientation for my trip to Eastern Europe, and it actually starts in approximately 45 minutes. I will try my best to keep this updated as time goes on!

Always,

Zach