A very very scattered year in review.

It's remarkable to think that I have been in Israel for a year and a half already. A year ago at this time i had no idea I would be coming to Israel and I was gearing up for winter break from local politics. It's remarkable and who would have thunk it. It's rather weird that I've been in Jerusalem for half a year already.

So far this year has been rather fantastic, I've had a handful of great visitors, i've taken trips to europe, sinai and all over israel. Survived a war in southern lebanon and northern israel, a near civil war in Gaza (hard to believe that I'm only 30 miles from Gaza sometimes -- even though it feels a world a way) and general unrest in the country I'm living in.

What may be more impressive is that I've survived half a year in a program filled with future clergy members and have even made a friend or two. Survived truly vicious and boring classes that include learning biblical grammar (seriously biblical grammar -- they didn't teach that at Trinity) survived not having Sunday's off -- which i've come to realize is truly the greatest day of the week. I'd for any one for president if they proposed a 3 day weekend. Even a republican.

I also now speak hebrew decently. Can sometimes chant torah. Know how to properly set up a Nargilla. Can catch a touch down pass from a yeshiva boy. Have had a Trajon Langdon sighting (he plays for some team in Moscow). Been in the same country as Tony Blair and a variety of other things that I can be very very proud of.

5 more months in Israel ... it's gonna be grrrrrreaat