בלגן (Balagan)

This word describes my week up until shabbat. There is no direct translation into English. It basically means a bunch of craziness, בלגן (balagan)



It all started on Sunday when I got a call from a coordinator of the Beit Shemesh (a town 30 minutes SW of Jerusalem) Youth Outreach Center for ENP. Now, her English was about as good as my Hebrew which made the conversation interesting. I asked her in Hebrew, איזה מיספר? (which number?) and she gave me her phone number when I wanted the Bus Number...and things like that.

So then, I was off to class and forgot my ID card so I had to run back to get it and ended up being late to class. FYI: In order to enter the campus or the dorms you have to present your ID card to a security officer before going through security. I then went to rehearsal which was seemingly normal: some singing, and some blocking (working on acting in scenes and where people are on stage) Little did I know of what was about to ensue.

The next day I went to Hebrew, which was normal. I then went off to Beit Shemesh after I called the coordinator again who told me to take the 417 to Beit Shemesh Center. So, I took this bus and got off at the last stop which seemed to look like the center of a town. I then asked someone for directions as I was on the phone with the coordinator and this person said "are you sure that you're supposed to be in Ramat Beit Shemesh Alef?" I asked on the phone and she said no, the center of Beit Shemesh. Apparently Ramat Beit Shemesh is a new community of Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) Jews and the center of Beit Shemesh itself is next door, so I was basically in the wrong town.

So I boarded a bus to the actual Beit Shemesh. While on the bus I got a call from someone who worked with the coordinator that spoke English. She told me to tell the bus driver that I wanted to got to the Eliyakim School...so I did and he then told me that he would tell me when we get there. Then, a bunch of kids walked on the bus who were heading near the school and the driver told them to take me there. So, I ended up talking with them. They were all about 17 0r 18 and volunteering before the army. They were with a 10 year old kid who asked me how old I was, and I said "22" he said "you're old" So, I then went with them to their house where I met their dog and then we went to the school while the dog followed us.

So, in the end, I got there, met with the lady who told me that someone else would call me to arrange what I would be doing since we were having trouble communicating. Although, I did talk with her a bit in Hebrew. I suppose if I really want to learn the language that's the way to do it.

So after all that I went back to Jerusalem and went to the Beit Midrash (text study) with a partner at the Hecht Synagogue on campus, who lives in Beit Shemesh, and he told me I should take the 415 not the 417. So, I'll know for next time.

Tuesday, was another crazy day...but for security purposes I'm not posting what happened on the net...If you wish to know ask me.

Wednesday, I got an e-mail from the Annie people that Hillel has asked us to move the performances up a week to benefit from the Chanukah crowds. Which means, more and longer rehearsals. So, we went to rehearsal on Wednesday knowing this. However, a good chunk of the cast didn't show up so we were having trouble learning new dances and songs with many people missing. So, We learned it now...and then I guess we'll have to relearn it when the rest of the cast decides to show up. Not only that, half the cast that was there wasn't really focused and was all over the place...maybe it was because of us struggling with missing people. So, the dance was a bit of a balagan. Oy vey.

Thursday, I woke up not feeling the best (I'm fine now don't worry), maybe I was overtired from the week. So, I didn't go to my morning class. I then went to my internship office in Jerusalem, where I had a meeting with one of the supervisors and told her about my week. I also tutored Amir some more, and told him to talk about the topics he's reading about without the book, that way I hope he will understand it more...and he agreed. So, one good thing out of the week.

So Friday, I went off to Efrat to visit family for Shabbat once again. As I was there...I ran into Yossi, my cousin, whose house I was going to. His car broke down so he was taking the bus back home. So, I guess I wasn't the only one with the crazy week.

I got there and saw the family and some of their friends from America. I was so glad Shabbat was here. The whole craziness of the week subsided and I forgot about it all and just enjoyed Shabbat with family. We davned, had dinner, and schmoozed for a while at night.

Today, I had lunch with them and then schmoozed, took a walk during the afternoon, and then went home.

Shabbat is always really relaxing, and especially this one after such a crazy balagan of a week.

Shavua Tov (have a good week)