A LOT has happened since my last post (I need to become more disciplined with my blog, it's my goal for the next few months). After the walk to Coogee Beach I had "Spring Break," which was extremely necessary. On Monday morning I woke up at 6 am even though I was on break so that I could watch the Falcons game, then since I was already up I watched the Braves game and then headed off to the beach. It was a pretty excellent day. Tuesday I slept in later, watched the Braves game and then prepared dinner for the pre-Yom Kippur feast! Since we were still on winter time, the fast wasn't as bad as it had been in the past and services were very nice. However, the best part of the day was breaking the fast! On Thursday and Friday I cooked in the morning (while watching the Braves game, of course) to prepare for our first Shabbat meal at our apartment and then went to the beach in the afternoon. That week was beautiful. Shabbat dinner was also a great success.
Saturday night we went out to two parties, one for the Maccabbi Rugby team-the Full Moon Party- and one for Hymie's birthday party. They were both great. Then on Sunday, we went with our new friend, Gordon, to the Sydney Aquarium. It was amazing! There were so many awesome and huge sharks (see pictures on facebook) and we also got to learn a lot about sharks and now I really want to go swimming with sharks (while I'm in a cage of course and they can't eat me). Sunday night began Sukkot; the weather was really beautiful and we had some great meals with great new friends and met a lot of new people as well. Then on Wednesday I had to go back to school, which was not so fun, but it was only for a few days before the weekend again!
Nothing exciting happened last weekend, however Sunday night was Shemini Atzerot and we had some new friends (Josh and Orly) over for taco night. Then on Monday for lunch we had some more new friends (Natan, Lili, and their daughter Ayala) over and we made sushi. Both meals were delicious and a great success. Monday night was Simchat Torah and it was AMAZING! I used to hate going to shul during this holiday but I had a great time here! When we first got to Central Synagogue, I talked and danced around a bit with some friends and then they had this HUGE kiddish with basically all of the food and scotch you could ever want. Unfortunately, I don't like scotch however I learned to cope pretty quickly. After we left Central, we went to the Yeshiva down the street and somehow we picked up a non-Jewish girl who stayed with us for the rest of the night. The best part was she was completely sober while our whole group was totally sloshed. After that we went to a party in Bellevue Hill and didn't end up getting home until about 2:30 in the morning. Needless to say it was very difficult to wake up in the morning and make our way back to services so that Avi could get his aaliyah, but we made it (and Rabbi Wolff was definitely laughing at me when he saw me)!
Then with all of the holidays over with it was time to get back to real life. I had class on Wednesday and Thursday and I finally got some of my assignments back at school. I learned that in Australia you only have to get a 50 to pass and that an 85+ is a high distinction. So far I am doing pretty well at school, not up to high distinction but I'm not too upset about it either.
This weekend was really excellent. I made a delicious stew for Shabbat dinner and then we got invited out by Rabbi Moss' parents for lunch (he is the Rabbi of Nefesh). Their family is so nice and welcoming and we had a great time. Last night we didn't really do much of anything but that's because this morning we woke up at 5 am to go to an event called Breakfast on Bondi. It was part of the Sydney International Food Festival and basically we went down to the beach to watch the sunrise while the Symphony played and we ate breakfast. Coincidentally we ran into some of our friends and we sat with them and got to join in on their "brekkie" picnic. Later in the day we went to Watsons Bay (see pictures on facebook) and walked around to see the Gap and then the two lighthouses, as well as a nude beach, in the vicinity. It was so beautiful and we had a great time. Then we took a ferry into the city and met up with our Irish friends for a bit before coming home and chilling out.
It was a very long day but it was amazing and we are having such a remarkable time out here. We would love for any and all of y'all to come visit us.
Please post and let me know if you're enjoying my blog and become a follower!
Miss y'all!
Cheers!
