things working out

I talked to the dig director this morning. 2 items of note:

1. I have a ride up, albeit a squished ride. Still, it is a ride.

2. Remember how I was worried about the dining hall not being kosher? She told me that the kibbutz kashered their kitchen, because a number of the guests requested it. Score!

Of course, now I feel a bit silly for bringing my pasta-cooking-cylinder thingy that I had used in China, but it doesn't take up that much space. And I still have a stash o'chocolate. I gave some to the Brovender's girls last night.

But this whole things working out unexpectedly thing is cool and all, though it's getting to be a bit weird. First getting into Harvard, then getting free room and board for this dig, then finding a place to live at Harvard, then being able to finish everything, then getting A-s that probably should have been Bs (if I were generous), then finding places to stay for this whole trip, and now having kosher food. It's like all of a sudden God likes me again. Or He liked me all along and now things that have been destined to happen all along are working themselves out...

I could get into a whole existential rant, (such as "why do things then work out for me but not for other people?") but I'm not going to at the moment. I'll just say that I should probably learn from this not to worry about things. Obviously I have to put in some effort (such as responding to housing ads, e-mailing people that I need a place to stay for a few days, write my thesis, etc.) but if I don't think my efforts are going anywhere, I shouldn't go crazy over it. True, this landed me a C+ in GIS, but it's not such a big deal now that I've graduated and been accepted to grad school. And it's my only grade lower than a B in my entire college career. So other than that one time, this has always worked.

If only I could keep up this attitude and not stress out all the time!

Old City

I decided to go to the old city today. Before that, I shopped a bit, since I need more Shabbas clothes and I also needed a casual long-sleeved shirt. I bought a bunch of inexpensive things, including this turquoise sheer long-sleeve top thingy that goes on top of a more opaque shirt. It's nice and light, so I decided to wear it into the old city...

Everything was cool, except that I couldn't find Hadaya for some reason. I think it might have been closed, even though it should have been open today. Unless he was celebrating the 2nd day of chag, which seems pretty unlikely...Maybe I'm just dense.

Then I walked back to get a ride back to Brovender's, and I realized there was a bit of blue on my hands...Eventually I put 2 and 2 together, and realized my shirt is bleeding. So I'll wash it in the sink now...

In this city of peace, I have seen none
And these ancient prophecies say we all will be as one
Though the walls will hold hatred in, your streets still call my name
Oh I bid you peace, Jerusalem.
(That's from EFO, and it's probably my favorite song by them)