...I combined watermelon with Bulgarit...

Watermelon is a yummy summer treat in America, Israel, and probably a number of other places.  Something Israelis do a bit differently is they add a bit of Bulgarit cheese (a form of feta).  The sweet and salty is a perfect blend.  When I was visiting the States a couple of months ago, I brought the idea with me, and my mom was also a fan.

This shabbat is the first one that I will be hosting a meal in my new apartment.  I still haven't bought a plata, a hot plate to keep food hot during shabbat (during which cooking or using electricity to turn on a stove or oven is prohibited), so I am serving only cold foods, which is really perfect for a hot summer day.  I made a sushi salad (channeling Japan), a Caprese salad (channeling Italy), and a green bean salad (channeling my friend Alex).  But something was missing from the meal.  It was so Israeli when I combined watermelon with Bulgarit in soup form.  Last summer, I tasted an amazing watermelon gazpacho, and while I did not try to recreate it, I was definitely inspired by it.  Mine came out a bit zesty and totally delicious.  My roommate even said he would pay money for it in a restaurant.

...I spoke Hebrew NON-STOP!

So I am all moved in and settled into my new apartment, and I love everything about it: the physical space, the view, the location, the roommates, and the fact that we speak Hebrew.  Here are a few photos.

...I moved up a level in ulpan...

The past week has been busier than I could have imagined.  Moving apartments was stressful, and work is busy, but the amount of time I dedicate to Hebrew every day is much more than I would have ever thought.  Not only do I have class from 9a-2:15p, but I have a forty-five minute bus ride each way and hours (yes, plural) of homework.  My life as I know it (working, swimming, seeing friends, cooking, etc.) has been put on hold, probably for the next month and a half until I finish ulpan.

The first day of class, I started in level ד, the fourth level, but because I need to finish through ו, the sixth level, I wanted to begin the summer in ה, the fifth level.  This way, I would only have one course instead of two to complete during the year.  The courses are long, at a different university campus, and conflict with my core courses for my master's, so any way to decrease the number of Hebrew courses I need during the semester is a good thing.

As I was sitting in level ד, I was understanding the majority of what we were discussing.  I had also completed a portion of one of the text-books they were using for the course.  I decided to speak with the director of the ulpan about moving up a level.

He wasn't so keen on the idea.  Apparently on my placement test, I had scored in the beginning range of ד.  It was so Israeli when I decided to be a little pushy.  I reiterated that I felt that ה was right for me based on previous ulpanim, my speaking abilities, and also my work ethic.  He decided to let me take the level exam.  If I passed the exam with at least a 70%, I could move up to ה.  If I didn't, then I was stuck.  I hadn't prepared for the test, and I haven't studied formally in a Hebrew class for over a year.  Somehow, though, I struggled through the test (it was a struggle!) and passed--with a 71%.

Moving up was definitely the right choice.  I passed the test, so being in ד would have been repetitive--a waste of time and money--and in terms of my graduate course plan, taking ה this summer is essential.  But the course is very hard.  And even though I seem to be in the top half to third of the class, I am really struggling.  My vocabulary is lacking, so even though I understand all of the grammar rules and more often, exceptions to the rules, we are learning, applying them in context is hard because I struggle to understand the words in the given contexts.

Hopefully as the course goes on, it will become easier, but regardless, my Hebrew will continue to improve, and my study-habits will be re-formed after a year-and-a-half study break.

...he gave me his number, and I used it...

This week has been a busy one.  Things have gotten crazy at work; I am still making up from my trip to the States and also preparing for a cut in hours due to the start of ulpan (tomorrow!!).  I have been working late, I finally made it to the gym, and I am moving.

Last week, most of my closet was delivered (I am missing two doors which came damaged and are being replaced).  I spent part of Thursday and most of Friday moving things from one apartment to the next (thanks to everyone who lent cars and man-power) and unpacking and organizing.  I left Friday feeling good; my room was mostly in order--I just needed my bed.

Today, my bed was delivered.  It was supposed to be custom-made.  The original height felt too low when I laid down for a nap in the store, and the manager said that he would be able to request a taller bed-frame.  Let's start at the beginning though.  A couple of weeks ago, I had an interesting shopping experience looking for furniture.  As you recall, the closet was supposed to be "rushed", and "rushed" it was.  I got in about a week and a half.  A week and a half before it was promised to me.

The bed was another story.  I did a lot of shopping around before I ordered my futon.  I sat on it.  I laid down.  I left. I returned.  I opened it myself.  I took a nap.  Then I closed it.  And then I tried to order it and the charge wouldn't go through on my credit card.  As I was leaving (either the first or the second time--I don't remember), the manager gave me a business card for the store and wrote down his private cell.  I thanked him and promised to return the next day with a different card.  And return I did, much to his surprise--or at least his boss's.  I guess they were taking bets on whether or not I would come back.  We placed the order without a hitch (I did sit a bit more and lie a bit more), negotiated on a delivery within three weeks, got me a discount, and requested the bed frame to be custom built higher off the ground.

Today when I came home (to my new home), I saw a lovely futon.  The cover was the perfect color and texture (a dark brown/purple-y burlap), the size and placement were right too, as was the timing.  The height, though, was not.  I called the store (they should have been open still), but to no avail.  It was so Israeli when Tzachi, the manager gave me his number in case I needed anything, and when I did, I actually used it (instead of waiting until the next day during business hours).  Only in Israel would a manager of a small-chain furniture store give you his personal number and be cheery and helpful when you used it in the evening for a complaint.  We chatted a bit, and tomorrow once the furniture factory opens, Tzachi will try and get everything straightened out.  The time frame is still up in the air, but I should be getting a new new bed!

...and so Anglo when...

Every summer at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, wineries from near and far gather with their wines, liqueurs, ciders, olive oils, jams, and chocolates for one of the most highly anticipated festivals of the year.  For about twenty dollars, you get admission to the Israel Museum and a wine glass.  The rest of the night is all-you-can taste wine.  After arriving a bit early and checking out the new temporary exhibits at the museum, I headed over to the sculpture garden where the Wine Festival is held every year and began my tasting. There were definitely quite a few good wines and quite a few less tasty wines. I also tasted some really good spreads.  My friends and I brought bread and cheese along, and the bread came in handy at some of the tasting stands!!

Throughout the night, my tipsiness increased, as did my desire to speak Hebrew.  I was continuously surprised, though, by the lack of Hebrew I heard.  I guess it was so Anglo when I though I was being cultured and Israeli, but really, I was just stuck inside of the big Anglo bubble that is Jerusalem.  Regardless, I had a fun night, and I have added a few good wines to my repertoire for next time my mom comes to visit and I need to have a few bottles on hand.