The Hebrew word for Strawberries is Tutim (pronounced too-teem)

***And just to let you know that strawberries are now in season and superrrrrrrr delicious.  10 shekels for a case at the shuk!***

Have you ever had one of those days where you just wake up on the wrong side of the bed?  Yesterday was that exact day for me.  These were probably some of the reasons:

1) It wasn't my bed (and for those of you who know my bed you know that there are very few that can compare) 

2) Louie wasn't snuggled up next to me in the freeeeeezing morning air.

3) I had like 4 text messages from people all the way on the other side of the ocean

4) I had nothing to do...

All 4 things are understandable.  

So what did I do?  Well... first I watched this past week's episode of the Bachelor.  Don't think that just because I am in Israel I can't follow my favorite tv shows. :) Life can't exist without watching Bachelor Ben narrow down his final three girls to two.  For those who watch, what is up with that Courtney chick?!  Weirdo.  

Anyway, I have taken up walking in Jerusalem- which is awesome!! Last week I walked home from the shuk which is 6.6 km (4.1 miles)  Now some of you may be unfamiliar with Jerusalem so I found a picture on google image to try to at least highlight how vast the city is.  See below.

Now I know that this photo focuses mostly on the Temple Mount, but just try to imagine how the city continues in all directions and that it sits amongst rolling hills.  This is the part that makes walking 6 km fun- its a GREAT workout!!

Monday, I went to visit my cousin at Hebrew U's Givat Ram campus by foot- 5.4 km

Yesterday I went to meet my friend Guy for dinner and walked 9.5 km
Today I walked all over Tel Aviv.

I guess I can say I'm in good shape. :)

Ok, so woke up on the wrong side of the bed and went for a loooooong walk.  I took my iPhone and listened to music the whole time.  Isn't it amazing how music can be so many things at one time.  

Its soothing.  Its entertaining.  It can make you dance.  It can take you back to a specific moment in just one second.  It can remind you of places and of people.  It can make you smile.  It can make you cry.

I'm literally 3 minutes into my walk and the second song that came up is "I Will Remember You" by Sarah McLachlan.  Wow.  A song with a lot of significance.  First of all, it came out in 1998 and I remember hearing it on re-peat my whole freshman year.  Probably drove Dina (my roomie) a little crazy. The song reappeared in my life post 9/11 at the Cantor Fitzgerald memorials in Central Park.  They used to bring in a professional singer who would sing it to all of the families during the service.  Clearly very meaningful.  Flash forward to a day where I wake up on the wrong side of the bed, am a bit sad, maybe a little lonely and walking in the hills of Jerusalem.  

"I will remember you, will you remember me? Don't let your life pass you by, weep not for the memories"

You get my drift.  Music is beautiful.  It inspires...

All the music got me thinking about two things.  The importance of Jewish education in my life and the concept of living the Zionist dream in Israel.  Last week I came across an article titled, "The top 14 facts they forget to tell you about Aliya"- its funny and worth checking out.  http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-15-top-facts-they-forget-to-tell-you-about-aliya/

Facts 1-13 are hilarious, but fact fourteen really resonated with me and when I first read it my eyes welled up with tears and it has stayed with me since.  It says:

"Despite all of the above, your children will be Jewish and will have a sense of pride. You will walk the roads where Jewish prophets and kings once walked. You will celebrate Jewish holidays and walk streets named after mega-Jews — not saints. You will become a part of Jewish history as it unfolds and, as an Israeli, you will be a Jew — not Jewish."

Wow.  There is something very powerful to be said about growing up in a place where you don't need to seek out religion or be an "odd man out" to celebrate your traditions because everyone around you is the same.  As soon as the new month of Adar came, there were kids in the street singing songs, signs all around wishing everyone a happy Adar, and the mood suddenly became focused on the upcoming holiday of Purim.  I hear conversations in the street about what people are doing and everyone is working on their Purim plans.  Well.  Its a very different atmosphere than BZAEDS :).  No penguin costume for me.  It appears that I will be going to a show to par-tay, but I'll tell you all about that next week.  

I think that being here and thriving amongst the Jewish nation has impacted me greatly on one hand and on the other it has also opened my eyes to the importance of Jewish education in the U.S.  Its funny, I wasn't always sure how I felt about teaching Hebrew and Jewish Studies.  There were times when I felt defeated. I guess when it comes down to it, I have learned that I really love my Jewish identity.  Being Jewish is a big part of who I am (even though I may have tried to run away from it at times).  I may not be sure how I feel about God and about prayer or have the best relationship with them, but I do believe in the history and traditions that have descended amongst the generations.  I take pride in the fact that my family survived both the evils of the Holocaust and the anti-Semitism of Syria/Egypt in order to bring me into the world and one day (hopefully!) continue the lineage.  

I guess you can say that this adventure thus far has given me a lot of time to think.  Good thoughts, though.  Unlike the ones I had at my 'amazing' last job.  Oh boy.  There can be lots more to write here, but I think I will move on to a better topic.

I forgot to mention earlier.  There has been GREAT excitement for a new store opening up at the Ramat Aviv mall.  There are advertisements on literally every corner.  You will just never believe what is coming ...(*note sarcasm)

Here are a few photos from my walk in Jerusalem the other day:

You can see the rolling hills in the distance.

Here you see the Hebrew University, Givat Ram campus

You can see the new bridge that was built here for the train.  Its a unique thing.
Very modern bridge in a very ancient Jerualem.

This sculpture which you can't really see in this photo is by the same guy who designed the 'bean' in Chicago

One of my faves at the Israel Museum Sculpture Garden.  It says 'Love' in Hebrew

My absolutely favorite place on earth.  This is called 'The Space that Sees' by James Turrell and its a room made of marble or stone with seating along the entire side.  It has a big square opening at the top as pictured above.

I always feel at complete peace when I am inside of this sculpture.  I recommend anyone who visits Jerusalem to check it out!  You will not be disappointed.

This picture is dedicated to Tamar Rubin.  T, I couldn't help but smile when I saw this street sign, its the coffin guy :)

Well, that is all for today.  There will be lots more to update soon as today was very busy.