Sunday starts out as a normal day. School, ulpan, etc.. Then at night, there was a program at the girls high school. It was for mothers and daughters only so I had to go it alone without the hubby. We begin the night with a little mother daughter Torah learning in their classroom. That was nice, or at least what I understood. One girl was reading and discussing and one girl was not. You can guess who, but since their personalities change every other minute, don't even bother.
Then, the event continues outside, because again, it's not going to rain so why not? Plus their school has an amphitheater outside. FYI, if you are my height do not try to climb the amphitheater steps where you are supposed to sit. Use the tiny steps on the sides. Trust me on this one.
So we go outside and immediately my girls run away from me. All I could think was, "oh great, here I am at a school where I know maybe two people and I don't even see them. My girls are gone and I am not confident enough to walk up to someone and try speaking in Hebrew. No thank you." But then, something great happened. I stopped thinking about me and looked for my girls. And they were having the best time. They were weaving in and out of the crowd with a whole group of tweens just like them. They were laughing, being goofy and eating cake with their hands. Because, I guess that's normal??? They just seemed so happy. And isn't that what we all want for our kids? To see them happy? Of course we are happy to be here, but we always worry about our kids. Are they happy, are they sad, do they have friends, are they stressed, etc... But at least at this moment I knew that we chose the right school and we are in the right place.
And now on a lighter note. After a speech by the principal (during which I was totally following her story, looked away for a second and then couldn't understand the ending) the school had this amazing singer who really got the crowd going. It took about two minutes for a group of older girls to jump down from the amphitheater (they must be tall) and begin dancing. And shortly after that, the younger girls joined in. Until eventually, there was this. I was only able to catch a few seconds of my current #1 favorite Israeli song, but instead I caught the fun that the girls were having.
You know, just a regular old selichot party :-)
One more addition to my thoughts about being out of my comfort zone. As I was sitting there alone listening to the speeches and feeling a bit like a deer in the headlights (spot lights because I chose a bad spot) all of a sudden they had this fabulous singer begin the entertainment. And right away, I knew the song and I thought. Okay, so maybe I am not going to go and strike up a conversation in Hebrew with a stranger yet. But, I know this music, so now I can be a part of the crowd. You need to check out the singer because she was amazing, really really great. This next video does not do her justice.
My final thought on music for now. There is one Israeli song that I am basically obsessed with. Here is the link; prepare yourselves because it is awesome. Every time I hear it on the radio, I am immediately in a better mood. I also embarrass my kids by dancing in the car. In other news, here in the land of miracles, today I said to one child, let's turn on the radio and hope that this song is on. Miracle, it was just starting. So he got a full three minutes of me dancing while driving.
Okay, I am finished with the links for now. Just one final picture of the three girls at the school event.
What else is new. Well, the little child went on his first school tiyul. Even though he is in the ulpan, they join the regular class at his school for gym and music and trips and such. So he went to Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) to Ir David (the City of David) and the Kotel and I am not sure where else. He is a man of few words when you try to get information; otherwise he can talk and talk. But success, he went on the trip, with the required hat, 2 liters of water, sandals for the water in the tunnels, and of course, the Israeli tradition that I was just told about, snacks. Not just snacks. Junk food for all trips.
Oh, more music news? (you knew I couldn't stop) eldest child has joined the school band and apparently there will be a show. I am so proud of him for jumping in and just trying out and getting a spot. More on that after the show.
And the final update from Israel. We now have two licensed drivers in the house. It's like we are 16 and 20 all over again!!!! Maybe I should start showing my kids pictures of us from college again?Success!
Okay fine, one last (for real this time) thought for the day. I love music, and even though I don't have a good voice, I sing anyway. I think my ulpan teacher either loves me or hates me. Because half of the new words I learn, I then connect to a song I know. Which often ends up with me and another student singing a song. Sometimes the teacher laughs and sometimes she tells us to get back to work. But I have a song in my heart and it wants to come out!
No comments:
Post a Comment