Saturday, July 15, 2006
Many of you, I know, have been seeing a lot about Israel in the news. It's strange actually because I had emails asking me about what was happening here before I actually heard anything from Israelis. Part of the reason is because I can't speak Hebrew and don't understand the news. But also, the mood in Jerusalem is very calm (well, nothing in Jerusalem is calm, but regarding the fighting it's calm). We are very separated here from a lot of the problems in other parts of the country. Jamie and I had been looking forward to traveling around the country soon, but we'll just stay put for now.
I have been quite impressed with the strength of the Israeli people. In a briefing at Jamie's school, we learned a lot about the current situation and its background. Lebanon is shooting small rockets at Israel, but Israel is using full strength to pressure the government. Israel is both sending a message of strength to outside countries, but also one of loyalty to its citizens. This is a country where every young man and woman is required to serve in the military. In return, Israel is demonstrating to its people that they will do anything it takes to bring every soldier home. It's quite a different perspective than listening to reports in the states about young soldiers in Iraq.
Well, the message anyway is that we're safe and the school has assured us that they will let us know at anytime if there are any safety concerns. So, I'd rather leave you with a funny story. Here's a new and exciting thing that Jamie and I are figuring out in our apartment: the Shbath. It's not a shower--there's no shower curtain or hook for the shower head. It's not a bath--there's no plug for the drain and the faucet is a showerhead/hose. We had an in-depth discussion today about the shbath. It's a new word for us and as we're learning new languages, the natural thing to be concerned with is conjugation. So, the conclusion we've come to is that we have a shbath, but we actually shbathe. Shbath, shbathe. It's all very complicated.
Also, our floors are mostly clean! That means we can show pictures soon! Stay tuned.
I have been quite impressed with the strength of the Israeli people. In a briefing at Jamie's school, we learned a lot about the current situation and its background. Lebanon is shooting small rockets at Israel, but Israel is using full strength to pressure the government. Israel is both sending a message of strength to outside countries, but also one of loyalty to its citizens. This is a country where every young man and woman is required to serve in the military. In return, Israel is demonstrating to its people that they will do anything it takes to bring every soldier home. It's quite a different perspective than listening to reports in the states about young soldiers in Iraq.
Well, the message anyway is that we're safe and the school has assured us that they will let us know at anytime if there are any safety concerns. So, I'd rather leave you with a funny story. Here's a new and exciting thing that Jamie and I are figuring out in our apartment: the Shbath. It's not a shower--there's no shower curtain or hook for the shower head. It's not a bath--there's no plug for the drain and the faucet is a showerhead/hose. We had an in-depth discussion today about the shbath. It's a new word for us and as we're learning new languages, the natural thing to be concerned with is conjugation. So, the conclusion we've come to is that we have a shbath, but we actually shbathe. Shbath, shbathe. It's all very complicated.
Also, our floors are mostly clean! That means we can show pictures soon! Stay tuned.
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Hi Anna, I got your lastest email just as I was emailing an other friend in Israel to say "what is is like THERE?" I'm glad you're doing fine. It brought tears to my eyes to read that Israel cares so much about every soldier. My nephew is in Iraq and I feel like he could die and no one would know or care.
But on a happier note, I like the shbath. I'm looking forward to the photos.
Love you! Dawn
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But on a happier note, I like the shbath. I'm looking forward to the photos.
Love you! Dawn
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