Enthusiastic.

Hanging out with my darling 3rd grader during Recess.  Her name is Liel.  She loves to give me bunny ears.  She lives near me and sometimes we walk home together.  Whenever she sees me she erratically runs up to me with her pink rolling backpack.  She is a firecracker, just like me.  I look forward to seeing her, as she puts a smile on my face.

Good Deed Day

Today was Israel's national Good Deed Day.  The entire school received t-shirts that said "Doing Good" on the front of it. They spent their time repainting the school- from its fences to murals to buildings.  The children were running up and down the schoolyard with paint all over their clothes, hands, and faces as the sun shined down upon them. It was a happy day and I think the children enjoyed a break from their normal routine inside the classroom.

My fifth grader Osher double fisting the paint brushes.

Touching up the railing.

Being meticulous. 

Picking up trash.

Painting a mural on the ground.

Proud of her mess.

Oy Va Voy

In case you're wondering how my students feel about English, this pretty much sums it up!

Free Like A Bird

Rolling around on the lawn at the Caesarea ruins.  

Isn't it beautiful?

How lucky I am to experience such a beautiful place on Earth.

SMH -- Shake My Head

I asked my 10 year old student if he wanted to learn English today. He responded by asking me if I wanted to get slapped across the face. Lol.  Of course he didn't mean it, he was just being immature.  Boys will be boys, you know? 

Evolve or Dissolve

Peace seems like such a Utopian idea to me.  Humanity has not been able to attain it for the thousands of years in which we have been around.  But there is hope.  What we really need to understand is that in order to initiate peace in the world, it all starts with the ways in which we influence our children; the future generation.

^^ Do you see what I mean?  It's all a choice.  It's a choice to be prejudiced.  Hate is learned; love is inherent.  You know how I know that?  Take one look at any mother bringing a new born into this world.  All love.  Now.  Look at this video.  It is of the Hamas children in Gaza training to be terrorists-- a learned mentality:



This stuff is not a joke.  It is very real, and very creepy at that.  Is this supposed to help humanity fall asleep at night?  The thing is, there is hope: This doesn't have to be our future.  Every single human being can make a difference in this world by cultivating an environment of compassion & be a model example for our children.  Racism, hate, terrorism-- these things can be prevented.  It all starts with us.  Acceptance, sharing, and justice- these are the lessons our children should be learning in school.

Welcome To Ceasarea

Ceasarea is an ancient city located in the Carmel Region of Israel near Haifa.  The region of Carmel is known for their vineyards, and its name literally translates to "Vineyard of God."  What a GORGEOUS area, wow.  The ruins at Ceasarea mark what was once the capital of this ancient Roman province, governed by Pontius Pilot.  It is a very important region in historical Christianity because it is the only place in the world where there were scrolls found that proved Pontius Pilot was a real figure.  Proof of Pontius Pilot is a vital aspect of their understanding of the bible, as he was the governor who sentenced Jesus to death.  

The shore.

Now in ruins, this open space where the water is boxed in used to be palace gardens.

Overlook.

This is Ceasarea's 5,000 seat amphitheater that housed theatrical performances and was also considered a place of worship.  Next summer, Madonna will be performing here.  If you are asked to perform here, you can consider yourself as part of elite super stardom.

Entrance to the Amphitheater.