For those who love lists, here are a few lists regarding my time here in Israel.
WORLD CUP WONDERINGS
1. I wonder how Spain lost.
2. I wonder how the U.S. didn't.
3. I wonder who my favorite underdog team is. (It's between South Korea and Cote d'Ivoire)
4. I wonder if they'll ever stop blowing those infernal horns.
FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT LIFE IN ISRAEL
1. The desert breeze at night.
2. The hammock on my porch before 7 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
3. Shade.
4. That's it's only a one-hour time difference from South Africa. (Real-time World Cup!)
THINGS I'VE LEARNED WHILE DOING MY PROJECT
1. How to say Hello and Thank You in Hebrew and Arabic.
2. How much body language can you help you understand what is being said, even when you don't understand what they're saying.
3. We're a still a ways off from equal rights for all.
4. The desire to get there is stronger than a language barrier.
QUESTIONS THAT BEGET QUESTIONS
1. Frequently I say, "I'm sorry. I don't speak Hebrew". More than once the reply has been the question "Why not?" (Really? How am I supposed to answer that?)
2. Seeing the English spelling of a word really, really helps me pronounce it, so sometimes I ask, "How do you spell that?" Again, more than once the reply has been to repeat the word. (Um, How do I rephrase my question? Hearing the word twice doesn't magically spell it in my brain.)
THINGS I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO
1. Traveling to some new parts of Israel (stay tuned for news from Haifa next week).
2. Learning a few more words in Arabic and Hebrew.
3. Meeting even more incredible women who have accomplished so much in such a short time.
