Finals, I suppose

Although most of the standard study abroad program here finished up last week, some of us still have a little bit left to do, and it's rather pleasant to have the occasional break worked into your schedule.

Speaking of which, for Israelis, tomorrow is Jerusalem Reunification Day. And for Hebrew University students, it's Yom Hastudent (Student Day), i.e. concerts, discounts and, of course, no classes (my last class is later this afternoon).

I don't anticipate any objections to an attempt to culturally diffuse that back to Waltham.

And back

It's nice to be back in Jerusalem.

Even though I wasn't able to be here for Lag Ba'omer, I'm currently having a small taste of the fiery action---something across the street is on fire, but I'm sure the proper authorities will be able to quell the flames with ease.

And apparently it's finals week at the esteemed Rothberg International School. This doesn't affect me so greatly.

Farewell, humidity

After a commencement-filled week, which included feminism galore and a very, very special cover of Adon Olam, my graduation spree in New York is at last coming to a close.

Tomorrow night: Another long flight (except this time I get chicken wings instead of angry and/or confused sisters upon my landing).

New York, not Eilat

The shock-induced expletives that may have emanated from the eldest Buechler child at 6:45 a.m. this morning made for a nice start to my surprise trip to New York. (I may have lied a bit in my previous post.)

And upon seeing me, this sister's nearly immediate concern was obviously the sudden increase in demand for tickets to the Barnard graduation.

So yes, after a less-than-exciting 12-hour flight, I'm back in the United States (for about a week) to attend some commencement ceremonies (only in New York; sorry, Brandeis).

By the way, American toilets, why so much water?

Atzmaut

Yom Ha'atzmaut night was wildly fun. So many people, so much commotion, so much Israel.

Also, there may have been a crazy dance party in the streets, and a certain song may have been played randomly in the middle, perhaps making me very, very happy.

And tomorrow night, I leave for Eilat---should be really surprising.

Zikaron

I just returned to the Kfar from the opening ceremony to Yom Hazikaron at the Western Wall, as well as a very mellow yet massive concert in Safra Square.

Most stores---yes, even those very much downtown---closed for the night quite a while ago. The deadness of Rehov Yafo (Jaffa Street), closed off for the light rail that has yet to officially start operating, was especially palpable.

Tomorrow I'll be on a rather interesting trip for Yom Hazikaron. The trip will be interesting because the trip is a Rothberg trip.

And then tomorrow night: Yom Ha'atzmaut. 

Praha, Osama, genus Dama

From sightseeing to beer-drinking and from quaint old buildings to scrumptious new love, beautiful Prague certainly made for a grand completion to the abroad-semester spring break.

It's true that the Czech city lacks that for-all-intents-and-purposes-limitless meat access that so poignantly characterizes my time in Jerusalem. But after a few days with Prague's extensive public transportation system, I admit it has become a bit of an effort to sustain my childish excitement for Jerusalem's perpetually forthcoming single-line tram.

Back in Israel-world, today's Rothberg International School's Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony was certainly moving---though a certain interpretive dance may have been just a bit too moving, unnecessarily and most uncomfortably emphasizing (in coherent order) the letters "L," "U," "S" and "T" of "Holocaust."

Finally, the genus Dama is a type of fallow deer common in many areas of Europe and Asia. The genus Dama lacks any substantial, non-rhyme-based relationship to this post.