Just Getting Started...

A lot has happened in the past few days. I'm not sure if I can do it all justice but here it goes...

On Friday, the entire state of Israel shuts down at 3pm. You know how the world keeps revolving everywhere else in the world? Stores don't close, buses still run and people act all normal and go about their happy little lives using electricity, driving to the supermarket and doing their jobs? Nope, not it Israel. Ok, I admit that I am exaggerating slightly, but I won't admit to lying. This "sabbath" business lasts all through Saturday and can really kill a guy's weekend. Especially when the country doesn't even wait until Monday to start revolving again. That's right, you heard me, people go back to work and kids start school again on Sunday. Crazy, I know. Insane, I know. Alright already, get over it.

On Sunday morning Gillian and I took a short walk to the high school that sits just outside of the college campus on which we live. Here we spent an hour or two looking for the people in charge of putting us to work for the next six months. After a few painful "conversations" (see previous posts for definition) and a trip to another high school, we finally met with a few English teachers from each of the high schools in Karmi'el. A tentative schedule was thrown together, apparently subject to many expected revisions, and we were sent on our merry way.

On Monday we picked up our toaster oven.

On Tuesday we started work in one of the high schools to high praise and much appreciation. I hope. When I said before that we worked out a schedule, what I really meant was that they told us what days we were going to what schools. Which classes we are working with is being left up to the last minute. So essentially we were thrown to the wolves, working with students right away. It was daunting but a surefire way to know whether or not we're good at it. Sink or swim if you know what I mean. I think Gillian & I proved that we are perfectly capable of treading water with the best of them. We worked with two levels of students and I think both groups gained something from the encounters. If nothing else I'm sure they appreciated the fact we practically did their homework for them.

Today, Wednesday, was interesting. Or I'm sure it would have been if I understood a word of Hebrew. We were invited to tag along on a field trip to a city south of Karmi'el called Yoqna'em. The students participating are preparing for a month-long trip to the U.S. where they will stay with families in both Cleveland and Atlanta. The students come from a few different ORT schools in Israel and the purpose of the trip is to allow students who otherwise wouldn't get the chance to travel overseas the opportunity to do so. Each of the students goes for completely free and hopefully will make life-long friends and learn passable spoken English. An excellent idea and I was happy to be included in their preparation. Over the next few weeks Gillian and I will help them practice English and answer questions about the US and other stuff. But today we just sat around and listened to presentations in Hebrew that we didn't understand. Needless to say we were bored beyond belief. Just one more concrete reason to learn the damn language as soon as possible. On that particular front I have no known progress...

So that's what we've been up to. But don't close your browser window just yet. I have a few more things to say.

If at all possible, if and when you leave a comment, please be sure to include your first and last name. As more and more people tune in to these ridiculous ramblings, I have found it difficult at times to distiguish which Jake is leaving comments and who the heck Anonymous is. Thanks!

Also, as stated in previous entries, I hate shutterfly.com. I have done a minute amount of research and have decided not to use any of the other frustrating photo-sharing sites either. I think I'll just be selective and post pics directly to the blog. It seems to be the easiest solution on both ends of the transaction. I don't have to deal with two sites and neither do you. Woohoo.

Oddly enough a strange rivalry has broken out amongst some of my readers. (Can I call you My Readers or is that way too pretentious?) Recently, I changed the name of my blog from The Deklein of Society to the one word shorter The Cultural Deklein. An outpouring of emotion ensued. Divided sharply into two camps, some of you liked the witty, "edgy" quality of Society, while others screamed "NO!" at the very thought of erasing the equally witty Culture from the title. I'm not sold either way on this issue and believe further arguing should commence. Please share your opinion and let me know which you prefer...

I think I have officially given up on trying to get any of you to utilize god's gift to internet users, Skype. Hardly any of you answered my call for conversion and I'm tired of sermonizing. I still think it's an awesome application and easy as heck to use and I whole-heartedly believe you should download it immediately and ring me up, but alas, this is my last attempt to enlighten the masses. Check it out if you want. Please. I can't use AIM and it's the cheapest and easiest way for us to stay in touch, damn it! Ok, I'm done, I promise.

Miss and love you all. Or at least most of you. Email me or comment. Either way I'd like to hear from you. Homesickness might set in soon and the best way to stave it off for another week or so is if I get bombarded with correspondence. Later.