Patience Is Not A Virtue

ADHD
 Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.
After watching some of my posted videos, I am sure you aren't shocked that a majority of Israeli children are medicated with Ritalin.  When I tell the teacher a student was doing well in class, she says, "That's because he took his meds today."  I am not sure if it runs in the blood, or what..But I honestly don't mind it that much.  You could say I have a lot of patience.  With them at least.  I mean, I am definitely not patient about other things.  Yet I guess that's a defining quality of a respectable teacher-- the tolerance one has with their students.

Open Mic Night In Tel Aviv

A few weeks ago I attended an open mic night at a bar on Dizengoff called Giora.  I came across this lovely talented woman by the name of Leora and approached her at the end of her set to find out where I could see her perform again.

Here is a video from the show.  I couldn't get her cover of Give Me One Reason by Tracy Chapman out of my head ALL WEEK! 6:00 minutes into the video she begins this song:

This Is Why I Call My Students My Little Monkeys

Meet Hannaleh

This is my two and a half year old little sister from my host family.  She likes when I put stickers on her forehead.  We call her Hurricane Hannah.  She is a tyke on wheels.  Maaaajor handful.  Anything she touches gets destroyed.  And yet, I love her to pieces.  The main words in her vocabulary are, "Mine," "I don't want to," "Give me," & "Why?"  She has even picked up some English from me!  Life is more colorful with her around :)

Trendsetter

The other day I wore two mismatching socks to school that were clearly visible with the shoes I had on.  It looked really bad, I must admit, but I honestly didn't care and since it was Purim I figured I could get away with it. My student Oshrat ran up to me disgusted by my fashion faux pas and was very vocal about it.

And well, well, well....what do you know?  The very same girl who criticized what I had on ran up to me at school today to show me that she had patterned socks on that showed out of her boots.  It's funny how people are quick to criticize what they admire deep down.

Purim Parade

Another reason why I love the city I live in:  Community and tradition.  I left school for my lunch break and was pleasantly surprised by the boulevard outside my apartment being blocked off.  Children were parading in their costumes with teachers and friends.

PURIM DRESS UP TIME

Masks.

Superhero costumes.  

Bright colored wigs.  

Tutus. 

Fairy wings. 

Face paint.

Swords.

Groggers.

Balloons.

& Most importantly....Friends :)