As time goes by

Here we are at the end of my first full (ish) week of sem. We went on a really fun tiyul (field trip) on Sunday, which consisted of a hike that was (literally) straight up and down. The tour guide told me that I could forgo the large majority of the hike, because of my ankle, and simply hike an easy 10 minutes down to the waterfall to meet the group. If any of you have ever hiked the Gilabon Waterfall, you will be laughing right now, because the hike is anything but easy. Thank G-d I made it down the mountain with both ankles and dry feet (there is water you have to jump over at parts). I couldn’t have done it without the help of a newfound friend who held my hand and helped me across. Once we got down to the waterfall, it was beautiful! Instead of going in the frigid water, I laid on a rock and let the mist of the waterfall cool me down.

            After the hike up the mountain, which may have been harder than going down, I felt pretty accomplished. About ¾ of the way back up, I stared to wheeze pretty heavily due to my asthma. I actually thought I was going to collapse right there on the mountain. The only thing I could think of to do was to ask G-d for help, because I knew that He was the only way I was going to make it back up. BH, I got to the top a few minutes later, and I was in one piece, even though I felt like I was in 100.

            The rest of the day consisted of rafting down the Jordan river, which I had previously done on Birthright, before I was frum. It was pretty nostalgic to go again, because I remember the day so clearly 2 years ago. I was with great friends, and we had an AMAZING time, so I was happy to relive the memory again. I can’t really compare the two experiences, because they were totally different. I will say that it is very strange to do something before you were frum, and then do it again when you are. Things are just different, and I had a greater appreciation for the land that surrounded us as we went down the river.

After rafting, we went to daven at Amuka, which is the grave of the holy sage, Yonatan ben Uziel. If you are looking to get married, you are supposed to go daven at Amuka, because Yonatan ben Uziel was never married. You’d think, “why would I go daven for marriage at the grave of someone who was never married?” Well, he was on such a high level of spirituality that he told G-d that he was married to the Torah. He also promised that he would help all of Klal Yisrael to get married in his merit. So for many years, men and women in need of a shidduch have been going to daven at Amuka to ask H-shem to give them a shidduch in the merit of Yonatan ben Uziel. Needless to say, it was a FUN day! I made a lot of new friends, obviously fed a cat, and was VERY tired by the end of it all.

            On Monday I finally moved in to my room in the school’s apartment. I got the only single room in the entire school (obvi). I’ve put up all my pictures, which has helped make the transition a little bit smoother. The rest of the week we had classes from 8:30-5:30 every day, except Tuesdays we only have class until 1 pm. This is a huge change for me because I haven’t had to sit in a classroom for this long ever. Even in high school, we only went until 3, and even then, my attention span was pretty small. I’m hoping that with time it will become easier. It does help that the classes are super interesting, and I feel like I’ve already learned so much.

            I’m also getting the hang of taking the public transportation from Har Nof to the rest of Jerusalem, which is kind of a schlep. It is worth it because I get to visit friends in town that are also in Israel for the summer. It's also fun to be with sorority sisters in Israel! If any of you know me, you know that I get massages on the reg to help with some neck pain. I found a great woman who does massages, waxing, reflexology, etc in Givat Shaul. She was great! It was like getting a massage in America, and not too many things are “like America” here. If anybody would like her information (gals only) be in contact with me!

            I had a wonderful Shabbos in my old neighborhood with some of my favorite Rebbetzins. I was also reunited with some old friends. It was really a Shabbos of clarity, guidance, and kedushah. I also made some new friends, who happen to be under the age of 3 and happen to not speak English. It's amazing how much Hebrew you can actually learn just from spending Shabbos with some little kids! If anybody knows that transitions can be tough, you’ll know that once things start to come together, you really realize that there must have been a Higher Power helping you through it. As I see my life thankfully coming together here in Har Nof, I can’t help but know that G-d is testing me, but I also know that He wouldn’t give me a test I couldn’t pass. Remember that you can overcome whatever you are faced with, and sometimes you just need to trust that it’s all going to work out. I hope you all have a great week! Signing off from Har Nof, you know you love me, xoxo (HAHA).