Firstly, Rishon

    As I type this entry, I am laying on my new bunk bed, listening to my roommates chat as they begin to cook Shabbat dinner. It seems unreasonable to be cooking dinner at 1:50pm, but Shabbat comes into Rishon at 4:15. Coming from an unobservant family, my version of Shabbat has consisted of a dinner of shrimp and steak at Mexico City's fine restaurants. Nevertheless, the clatter of pots and pans soothes me in ways that a trendy restaurant cannot. Living in a home where Shabbat is respected as a separate entity, a day during which one does things differently, inevitably connects me to Judaism and my people.
    I moved into my new apartment in Rishon LeTzion a couple of days ago. At first, the concept of living with five other people in a house that needs to be cleaned and taken care of frightened me beyond belief. Then, as the days have gone by, I have begun to appreciate my newfound freedom. As I have gotten to know my roommates and explored all that Rishon has to offer, I have grown to embrace the excitement that will ensue in the next few months.
    The idea of walking into a home that is my own, with food in the refrigerator, couches and a dining room table, is the most absurd--yet incredible--aspect of Year Course. For the first time, I have the opportunity to live  independently, while at the same time contributing to the community in which I reside. I'm sure that, by next week, I'll have more exciting stories to recount regarding my newfound freedom.