Adjust, then readjust

`My transition back to Israel after being in Kansas during break has been challenging. The cause is multifactorial. I must be spending enough time studying genetics because it’s reminding me of diseases caused by a combination of several genetic factors with environmental conditions. It has all the components to create the perfect storm and it’s not easily solved because making one or two changes won’t solve the problem. Everything is blurry and you can’t clearly see how to stop the spiraling cycle. This is what my return to Israel felt like.

Sammy and I arrived in Tel Aviv together after coordinating our New York flights. There was a lot of uncertainty as we deplaned. Some sources claimed we wouldn’t be able to enter while others assured us having a student visa was enough to be exempt from the tight COVID restrictions. Our situation wasn’t made any clearer when our passports were taken away upon arrival and we were directed to a row of seats. We waited and were soon joined by other English-speaking travelers who didn’t have much more information than we did. Thankfully, our waiting was not futile and eventually we were escorted by members of the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) to get our required PCR Covid test before being directed to a bus with the Tel Aviv Quarantine Hotel as our destination.

The view from our quarantine hotel

We arrived without incident and were given room assignments. Food would be delivered to our doors, and we were instructed not to leave our room until we had received a negative PCR test result and had been approved by the Hotel staff. Sometime between my departure from the U.S and arrival at the hotel, my phone charger had stopped working. I inquired about buying a new one at or through the hotel, and to my dismay, they said I would have to order one online. What an impractical suggestion. First of all, there is no way it would arrive before my phone died. Secondly, if my prior experiences ordering things online in Israel were any indication of its reliability, it was unlikely anything would arrive before I completed my time at the hotel. Thankfully, Sammy’s room was right next to mine, and she was kind enough to temporarily lend me her charger.

The day following our arrival, classes began in hybrid mode. After a day of poor focus and long zooms I was thankful we got our negative Covid tests and were able to leave that evening. To be released to continue quarantine at our apartment, we had to share our address, and sign a form authorizing the government to track of our phones and call us if they deemed it necessary to confirm our compliance. Additionally, we weren’t allowed to take the train or bus, we had to pay for a private taxi. Thankfully I was traveling with Sammy, who is an expert negotiator, and she secured a great price (: It felt good to be back in our apartment and eat food I actually liked instead of whatever the hotel was trying to feed me. However, I was incredibly jet lagged, and my days were a random assortment of tasks without any resemblance to a routine. With classes on zoom and quarantine confinement, I slept too much and studied too little.

my attempt at healthy studying haha

To our delight, a nationwide PCR test shortage cut our quarantine short. Previously we were supposed to quarantine and be released only after we had a second negative test at the end of the specified number of days. Without tests available, this was no longer applicable. By this point our classes had completely been moved to zoom due to high Covid numbers. There was a basketball tournament I would have been allowed to play in that was also cancelled because people were concerned about Covid. I had been really looking forward to this opportunity and it was a huge bummer. And with this, the spiral continued. I was missing home, missing people, and not learning well via zoom. At the same time, normal interactions with my classmates were very limited without the opportunity to see them during class time.

From a random adventure to the Old City (:

I think Sammy was also having a rough time, and because of this, I agreed she could temporarily foster a puppy. Risper was staying in Kenya with her family and sons for the foreseeable future while classes continued to be on zoom. Enter stage right, ChiChi, a small, cute, but very needy puppy. Sharing my living space with a dog was a new experience for me. I love dogs, but I'm used to them primarily living outdoors. There were sweet moments where ChiChi was cuddly and fun moments when she was playful. But there were also distressing moments when she refused to be deterred from attempting to eat human flesh or chewing up the furniture, and frustrating moments as Sammy patiently worked to potty train her. ChiChi was originally only supposed to stay with us for one week, but when the adoption drive was cancelled due to rain, one week turned into two, and two weeks turned into two and half. More than being stressful for me, it was extremely stressful for Sammy. The organization wouldn’t take ChiChi back and even with school on zoom, there wasn't enough time to train and entertain a puppy. Sammy finally found a foster, but it was bittersweet and the apartment definitely seemed more empty without ChiChi.Overall it was a positive experience, but I wasn't sad to see it come to an end.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/48f20f_cf697aae6ac44e1faa466a53a836a68f/480p/mp4/file.mp4

During ChiChi’s semi-reign of terror, I worked on initiating human interaction beyond my apartment and strangers at the market. The first step was going to a Pilates class taught by my basketball pal Chen. However, the night I planned to attend, all the other attendees decided to cancel. In a moment of weakness, I allowed myself to be talked into going to an ultimate frisbee practice instead. To be frank, I do not consider myself a coordinated person. My lack of dexterity is painfully exposed when it comes to frisbee. This wasn't just a casual, toss a frisbee around in a park situation. This ultimate frisbee team was the real deal. They ran drills, warm up laps, and practiced different throwing techniques before setting up to scrimmage. I was separated from my two basketball friends, Chen and Yaira, and very quickly had to clarify that not only was I almost useless at ultimate frisbee, I was even more hopeless when it came to Hebrew. One of my teammates, Roi, was much kinder than I deserved in comparison to my minimal team contributions, and always translated or explained when I was lost. The first time they threw the frisbee to me, I most certainly was unsuccessful at catching it, but Roi simply yelled, “great offensive movement Betsy”. Even though I disagreed with his assessment, it was encouraging. This team even ran an actual offensive play. I don’t know why, but every time my teammates shouted, Stack-a-lie Stack-a-lie Stack-a-lie to signal the offense, it made me laugh to myself. Just try saying it out loud. It’s a little funny right?

Post-Frisbee, around 11pm, we made the appropriate decision to get burgers and fries. We laughed and talked, and Yaira occasionally filled in the gaps between my Hebrew and Chen's English. I didn’t get home until around 1 am that Wednesday night, but it was worth it. It was delicious and an all-around great evening. It blew my expectations of ultimate frisbee out of the water. (or maybe out of the air?? haha)

This was followed by a Thursday morning breakfast hangout with Pniel. Just in case you forgot, Pniel is a native Israeli, who loves Jesus, and married my classmate Hayden in October. I hadn’t hung out with her one-on-one or for extended periods of time prior to this meeting, and I could tell it was the beginning of a friendship :) Conversation flowed easily, and it was wonderful to have Christ-centered fellowship. I also learned that she loves horseback riding. Maybe I'll be able to convince her to stop by Kansas sometime (: After breakfast, we stopped by her apartment to say hello to Hayden. She made sure I didn’t leave empty handed, filling up a Tupperware container with a delicious meal that I fully enjoyed later that weekend.

My Friday went by quickly, with shopping and attempted studying. I had the privilege of being invited to a Shabbat Dinner at Hannah’s (one of my classmates) apartment. It was a full experience. A handful of my classmates were also present, most of whom I hadn’t seen since before Christmas break. There were also many new faces in attendance. Hannah and her roommate Sima were immaculate hosts. The only hiccup was the unfortunate collapse of one of the tables. Luckily it was before any food had been served, only water and some Shabbat wine was lost. Everyone pitched in and the table made a quick recovery. And of course, no one was injured in the mishap haha. Although surely with so many future physicians in attendance, it wouldn’t have been a problem. I was sitting next to Sima and Brock who were wonderful conversation companions. I enjoyed getting to know Sima, a second year at MSIH. I learned about where she grew up in New York and Brock shared some of his adventures from his trip to Egypt over break. The whole dinner party was buzzing with conversation the entire evening, only pausing to partake in the delicious food. The evening included the traditional hand washing, blessings, and singing. As wonderful as the evening was, I felt relieved it wasn’t another night lasting past midnight. I walked home with two of my classmates, Josh and Simon. Josh and I got to relish over the fact that we were both wearing our cowboy boots. I had just brought mine to Israel after break, primarily because every time I saw Josh wearing his, I missed mine.

The week ended with Church on Saturday morning followed by lunch with Hayden and Pniel. It was the most perfect Saturday afternoon of fellowship and rest. When I arrived, they were enjoying coffee on the couch. Pniel supplied me with a hot cup of cocoa and we gathered around their puzzle, casually chatting while adding a piece here and there. Eventually we moved onto to a delicious meal, which was followed by another hot drink. I braved the tea this time. I’m trying to learn to enjoy tea because I find it slightly more agreeable than coffee. It’s a part of growing up I guess haha. Hayden kindly requested that Pniel play some hymns on the piano. We sang some in English and some in Hebrew. Singing hymns around the piano (or guitar) is something very near and dear to my heart that I love doing with my family. It was the sweetest of times.

By the time I said goodbye, several hours had passed. Pniel made sure I didn’t leave empty handed, sending me home with food and a book. As I walked back to my apartment, I realized my cup wasn’t just full, it was overflowing. God’s grace was and is and will continue to be sufficient for me. It is abundantly more than I could ever imagine and more satisfying than anything I could dream of. While this is always true, my afternoon with Hayden and Pniel reminded me of its truth and God’s deep goodness. It doesn’t mean I missed my friends and family back home any less or from that point on I didn’t feel overwhelmed, sad, or in despair again. But despite the daily, even hourly, struggles, I have a hope and a joy which can never be taken away. Regardless of whether you are on the mountain or in the valley right now, God is already providing. He makes all things good in His perfect timing.

Lamentations 3:22-23

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.