August 4, 2004

Hey everyone.. Just a brief update to let you all know that I'm fine.  I got a lot of concerned calls and emails this week so I wanted to assure you that I was not in Beersheva on the day of the bombings -- I was safe and sound in good ol' Jerusalem! :)  The bombings were a big shock to everyone here, especially in light of the over six months of relative quiet and the fact that Beersheva has only been hit 3 or 4 times ever (in contrast to over 50 for Jerusalem).  So this was a bit of a new development, and we're all hoping it is not the start of a new trend.  I was especially shaken by it, and I have to admit I wonder now if my latest article may have jinxed us here.

Anyway, everything else is relatively normal here.  I'm starting to pack and get myself ready for yet another big move.. I'm still in Hebrew classes 5 hours a day, 6 days a week, and I'm getting majorly sick of it.  It's been over 10 months that I've been in nonstop classes nearly every day, and although my progress has been amazing and pretty staggering given what I started with, I'm just tired of it!  I think my brain is full.  I'm looking forward to having a couple of weeks of vacation in between when I move and when I have to start classes.. I'm thinking about heading over to Sinai for a week with a friend of mine for that time.

So that's about it.  Keep in touch.. I know my emailing is still quite atrocious, but I do promise to get caught up after I move.  But for now, keep checking the site for updates.. and don't worry so much!!! :)