Energy and Chaos

There's something about Jerusalem that just has a constant air of chaos. Whether it's the perpetually-in-a-hurry charedim clutching their hats as they run towards the Old City, or the absolutely harrowing bus rides through downtown, or the Muslim prayer calls in Gilo that wake us up at 5:00 every morning, everything here is in a constant state of frenetic change. I love it. My daily schedule was far more chaotic in Tel Aviv, but there's something about Jerusalem that just has this insane magnetic energy, and it's almost exhausting, but I absolutely love it. Updates:

-I don't currently have a computer. My screen is broken, so I can turn my computer on, but can't actually see anything, so basically I am without a computer. I've been mooching off of my roommates and friends who leave town on the weekends, which is the only reason I am able to post this right now. It's making Skype dates and returning emails very difficult. If you can't get in touch with me, don't be offended, I'm just a little hard to reach right now. Hopefully I can get it fixed soon!

-I lived through my first Jerusalem security threat! One night last week we received a mass text from an Israeli security agency alerting us that we were forbidden to take public transportation or be in crowded areas of the city. I was downtown when I got the text, which was a little scary, but I got safely to my destination in a quiet neighborhood, and got safely home by taxi, and everything worked out fine. Apparently a terror suspect had somehow managed to get into Jerusalem, and there was suspicion that he might be carrying something, but they caught the guy within 12 hours, and everyone went on with their lives as normal. It was a little stressful, but actually not at all as frightening as I would have thought. Living here just comes with certain attitude adjustments, and after a while you forget that it's not normal to get off the bus if a sketchy looking guy gets on. It's just life here, and honestly, it's worth every extra security precaution.

-The destination I was on my way to at the time of the security threat was the Avi Schaefer Symposium, which was very interesting. Avi Schaefer was an American student who made aliyah at the age of 18 with his twin brother Yoav, and joined the IDF. After serving in an elite combat unit (and working with my madricha), he returned to the States and studied at Brown University. At Brown, he was at the forefront of the Israel discussion on campus, and he was known for promoting understanding between everyone involved: American Jews, Israelis, Israel critics, and Palestinians and their supporters. A year ago, Avi was killed by a drunk driver. In his honor, his family established the Avi Schaefer Fund, which aims to continue Avi's work on campuses around North America. The symposium was the first of many annual events to come featuring a series of speeches and panels about the de-legitimization of Israel on college campuses worldwide, and how, in Avi's honor, we as students can continue to promote understanding and a fair voice for all involved. There were some truly amazing speakers, including MK Einat Wilf (formerly of the Labor Party) and representatives from Reut, StandWithUs, and the Jewish Agency, and I left the event feeling really inspired by Avi's story and my role in the future of this country. For more information about Avi or the Fund.... http://www.avischaeferfund.org/

-I turned 19! I had a really great birthday, including a sushi date with my roommates and a night out with the whole Aardvark gang. Even the staff, although they didn't actually know it was my birthday, brought me presents (a new toaster for the apartment, which came with a free sandwich press)! I was noting today that 19 feels really old, especially considering that when I entered high school, I figured I'd have it all figured out by the time I graduated, and now I'm living across the world, and still have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. Maybe by the time I'm 20...?

-It's actually spring in Jerusalem. It was at LEAST 65 degrees today (Fahrenheit), and the sun was out and the trees are green and birds were chirping and the air has that yummy springy smell. Poppies are sprouting all over the place, and little salamanders are emerging from cracks in the stone. It's beautiful.

-So I've started dealing with stress by baking, which might be a little bit of a problem, but seriously, I've mastered cookies. Today I made giant double chocolate cookies with hidden peppermint patties inside. They were straight up the best cookies I've ever tasted. I can't even believe that I managed to pull them off. They literally turned out PERFECTLY. Here's the link to the recipe (with pictures!): http://vanillakitchen.blogspot.com/2011/02/quarter-pound-double-chocolate-mint.html
Also, for anyone who's at all food-inclined, vanillasugar is a fantastic food blog with great recipes, including many more delicious looking cookies. :)

-Before I head off to the MASA conference, I want to wish an early happy birthday to both of my parents! You are both so wonderful and so amazing, and being away from home for so long has really made me appreciate the incredible parents that you have been my entire life. I hope you both have fantastic birthdays, and I love and miss you!

Shabbat Shalom!