Winter

    After two weeks of busily living in Rishon LeTzion, my family came to visit me in Israel for nearly two weeks. As soon as I picked up my brother at Ben Gurion airport, I realized that I had twelve days to relax before returning to my hectic days filled with MADA, cleaning up my apartment, and taking care of myself. As expected, my family and I fell into a comfortable routine wherein I remained a helpless child and they were those entrusted to protect me. When my father and brothers visited my apartment in Rishon, they kept asking me whether I was eating properly, taking care of myself, and being responsible. It is interesting to notice how one's family responds exactly the same--regardless of the circumstances.
    As of a few days ago, I have been in Israel for four months. It seems impossible, really, that I am approaching the midpoint in my trip. Even the vocabulary I use to describe this experience is inadequate. "Trip" sounds temporary and unremarkable, "vacation" is simply a fallacy, and "sabbatical" denies the hard work I've put into this place. It seems as though I am among a select few who truly understand the reality of participating in Year Course. No matter how I try to explain it, in any language that I speak, I can never convey the emotions of my situation.
    With the year's progress, I become increasingly engrossed in the development of my personality and that of my friends. Walking back from the bus station with one of my roommates tonight, I realized that the old sayings are correct and appearances are not always valid. The case is especially true in two instances: with family and new friends. On the one hand, my family struggles to maintain their hold on me, while friendships remain flimsy and in their initial stages. As the weeks progress, so will my realizations.