Hey!

Hey Everyone,

It's been a while since my last post and this past week or so has gone by pretty fast. 

EIE has a parents pilgramage trip in March so the families of the students can come and visit in Israel. My parents got here on Thursday the 12th and spent a couple days in the North called Zichron Yaakov. Its in the hills and the North at this time of year is gorgeous. Then they on Sunday they picked my brother up from the airport and came to Tzuba they're gonna stay here for another week! It's pretty exciting, pretty crazy, and pretty wierd having all the parents here. I don't konw exactly how to explain it. I'm definitely happy to see my family but its wierd (not bad or good) to have them at Tzuba. They don't know exactly what to do, where to go. They aren't used to our lingo or how we wear blankets outside when its cold out because we lost our jackets. But its definitley a lot of fun. Tonight my parents took me, my brother, my two friends-Aaron and David- our family friend who's here for the year-Micah- and my brother's friend-Zach- all out to dinner in Jerusalem and then we all walked around and met up with other families who were out. It was really cool. We're going to be doing a lot of other stuff together later this week that I'll be sure to write about.

My brother, Jake, got here Sunday. He went on EIE three years and the first time and only other time I came to Israel was to visit him on EIE during parents pilgramage with my parents, and this is his first time back to Israel. It's really funny to watch him be here because he thinks he can speak Hebrew, and tries to act like an Israeli even though he isn't. But he has a lot of friends here on gap year programs and from random Jewish stuff that we all do.  Its crazy that were all here together though.

All the parents brought thier kids food from back home that we can't get here. Number one food brought: girl scout cookies. Number two: easy mac. I got both of those plus the one food that I actually miss from home and will never get here: refried beans. All my friends laughed at me when they saw that my mom brought 4 cans that you can make in microwave. But it's true and I'm not milking the Texas thing at all with the beans. They are probably my favorite food that I can''t find here. The pizza and burgers aren't as good. The candy and sweet stuff is better. The Italian food is decent when someone takes you out for it. But the Mexican food isn't here.  And all my friends back home know that I love Mexican food. Heres a small story. When my brother was here three years ago, his friends said the only things he talked about was the gas station with the greasy tacos and his little brother. Its funny because I was talking about my brother for about a week before he came and everyone knows about my obsession with Mexican food. My roommate, Max, whose mom came brought him beef jerky and some candy. 

Last paragraph because its almost 1 AM. I still listen to country music all the time, usually just using the speaker on my iPhone. I have a crush on my Hebrew teacher, Sima. She has grand children. I see my cousins in a couple days because they are coming for my other cousin's wedding. I'm really excited about that and there will be much more on that after the wedding. All the Lerers are in Thailand together and I freaked when I found that out. It's spring break in Dallas so call me anytime. I miss all of you. My laundry wasn't too expensive this last time. Gilad Shalit talks have halted for now. It looks like Netanyahu will be the next prime minister with a narrow right wing government. We started the middle ages and Islam in Jewish history. 

I love all of you and stay good.

Joey B.