"Sof, Sof" or "finally" I finished my five month course in modern Hebrew. Along with hundred of other new immigrants, I studied at the Absorption Center here in Ra'anana. To me, the best part was the social interaction. I have made friendships that I think will last a lifetime. It is so helpful to meet people who have also left their countries and families and lifestyle. We share so much in common. The one thing that is different is that I think I am the only Christian.

Because it is an absorption center, about 99.9% of the people there are new Jewish immigrants. I wouldn't suspect otherwise in the Jewish nation of Israel. But my friends have made me feel quite welcome and we have very interesting cultural and religious conversations. Nicole is from Columbia, Lee is from England, Chaim is from France, Tsipi is from Venezuela, Florence is from France, Alona is from the Ukrain and Audry is from the States. And there are even more nations represented in the center which make the whole experience quite enriching on so many levels.

Israel is a phenomenal example of successful assimilation of immigrants. It is a

Just off of road 65, outside the town of Afula, is a beautiful reserve of wildflowers beside the Megido Airport. In Hebrew the flowers are called kalaniot, the English word is anemone. I am not a specialist on flowers and have never heard of anemone before yesterday but that didn't keep me from enjoying the  beauty of these flowers found in northern Israel during the winter months of the year.

In general winter is my least favorite time of the year. I enjoy the season through Christmas and the new year but find the months from January to March something to tolerate rather than enjoy. I moved to Israel from northern, VA, just outside of D.C. where the winters there are cold, gray, and more often than not, muddy rather than snowy.

Winter in Israel is vastly different. It is the most green and lush time of year. As my husband, Yuval, and I drove to the North yesterday, I was

I just went grocery shopping and I don't know whether to be proud of myself or ashamed. You see, I've learned how to be more assertive here in Israel and today I made use of that education. I've explained in earlier entries that waiting in lines follows the, "survival of the fittest" rule here in Israel. I am not one to try and push past another, but most assuredly I will not be pushed upon either.I don't know into which category today's grocery store experience fits.

It was actually a quiet evening and few shoppers filled my local Mega grocery store. I grabbed a basket, foregoing the cart to make sure I get just the few things that I need. As usual, it was a mistake. My basket became very heavy with a 2 litter bottle of orange juice and some other heavy items.   I came to the check-out line for 20 items or less. Even though the majority of people here see that sign as a suggestion rather than a rule, I was pretty sure I was in no danger of violating the law of the line. 

There was one man in font of me, but the last of his items were being sca