Rose, Thorn, Bud

Let's play a camp game! This is something we'd do before lights out at Camp Farnsworth: rose, thorn, bud. Each person (if they so desired) would share a rose (something good about the day), a thorn (something bad about the day), and a bud (something that they were looking forward to). So here's a quick recap for me, with a few of each:

Roses: Today at the shuk, I was going to get a falafel sandwich for lunch. I went up to a stand and asked for "falafel ehad," one falafel, and the old man at the stand handed me two falafel balls for free! It pretty much made my day. To be fair, it wasn't the best falafel I've had in Israel, but it was warm and tasty and free :) I also found a bunch more sponges and some cheap Tupperware for the apartment, and I found someone at the shuk who sells fresh basil! It was so crowded being at the shuk right before Shabbat, but it was also really interesting. Alison and I also saw a woman playing an electric ukelele and singing "Edelweiss," it was super exciting! It was also a relaxing evening...I made dinner and then watched some TV while munching on chocolate covered almonds.

Thorns: I couldn't fall asleep last night, and I didn't sleep very well...as a result of my slow morning, I almost didn't make it to the shuk! Alison and I had a devil of a time finding plums at the shuk (although we did eventually track some down), and then I wanted to go to the market for a few things but they had already closed for Shabbat. No milk, chocolate milk, diet Coke, or paper towels until Sunday! Then I had a really bad headache, but fortunately it felt better after a nice long nap. I made bruschetta pasta for dinner, but sadly, it is not the same without garlic-basil linguine and Dubliner cheese. (Family, take note: this will likely be the first thing I make when I get home! I'm also dying for a burrito.)

Buds: Tomorrow will be a wonderful, restful Shabbat. I finished my weekend homework right after class on Thursday, so tomorrow I hope to watch TV with Alison, make some tasty food, clean my room, maybe do some laundry? Also, as of now, I have no plans after ulpan for Sunday through Wednesday, and I'm hoping to make the trip back to the Old City that I'd hoped to this weekend (stupid sleepless night and resulting headache!). I'm also visiting the village of Ein-Kerem on Thursday evening, and it should be an interesting experience. I'm also excitedly anticipating the end of ulpan, Rosh Hoshana break (five days in which I hope to travel), and the beginning of the semester!