hm

Regarding London: I talked to my mom the other day, and she said I can extend my trip, though she said it with a "you've gotta do what you've gotta do" kind of vibe. "After spending the summer in Israel, I'm sure you'll be able to keep yourself safe," she said.

As for keeping myself safe, I will say this: despite the fact that I occasionally walk around late at night alone (and when I'm in NYC, sometimes less than sober), I have only ever gotten trouble twice: Once, during freshman year, Camille and I were walking on campus, near Butler, when some guys who (I think) didn't go to Columbia came up and started giving us trouble. It was weird, because there were so many people around. Anyway, we turned and headed for the safety of John Jay, where I hung out with her and her floormates (oh, freshman dorm culture at Columbia...). The other time I got trouble, I was coming home from a band party at 2:30am, drunk, wearing a fancy dress and very high heels. I've since learned my lesson: don't dress like a hoface: long coat to hide the fanciness and a pair of flats for a speedier getaway. A sensible person might be saying now, "Sarah, you dumbass, call the Columbia Shuttle service or get someone to walk you home!" My response, after acknowledging that one of my least favorite things to do is walk around alone at night when there are clear alternatives is this: 1) By the time the shuttle arrives, I'll already be home and 2) who is going to want to walk me home? I'm in the opposite direction of everybody. So that's that. (Sidenote: I do thank my mom for signing me up for karate lessons when I was little and I thank myself for sticking around for 6 years. Don't piss me off, I can make your entire arm go numb with a single forceful poke. I've done it before.)

That being said, while I understand that there is safety in numbers, I do alright for myself. I think it's because I...blend well? I'm not considered interesting/a threat to random passersby? I think this same thing is what gets me through airport security so quickly, so I'm very content.

Plans for the week:

~Do laundry. Seriously. I really need to do laundry.

~Clean my room. It's not very messy. I mean, I don't have that much stuff. But someone is coming over this week to check out the apartment...a new roommate for Kate for when I leave, and therefore the room should be presentable.

~Read the Jerusalem Post more. Because I should.

~Keep up with the jogging. For the same reason as above.

~Go to yoga on Monday. My mom has always been saying that yoga might destress me/make me happier. I'm open to anything that isn't medication. (Hell, I think I might even try going to JTS counseling services this year...)

~Catch an early bus to Tel Aviv Monday morning and spend several hours bumming around on the beach. Maybe I'll get an (almost) all-over burn? My legs, upper arms, and the part of my chest that is acceptable to show in decent company (with the exception of a small sunburn) is way to pale/unfreckly. Srsly.

~Watch more Dr. Who! I have the new 4 seasons on TV, and they are super fab. I've watched all of season 1, as well as season 2 episode 0.

~Make concrete plans to go to Haifa, Tiberias, and Petra (maybe?), possibly some extended chillaxing time in Eilat.

Cairo update: there are 2 weekends that work for Hilary, this upcoming weekend(!!) and the end of July. She's checking with her parents, to see if they have a preference. If not, I'm going to go this weekend! I'll leave Wednesday afternoon for Eilat and then cross the border on Thursday morning and catch a 10:30am bus to Cairo. I'll probably buy my return ticket asap (I need to buy it at least one day in advance) and then head to Hilary's house. I am seriously excited for this, I have been planning this adventure since January! (Well, the idea spawned in January and I've periodically been reviewing my travel plans and sights to see.)

Okay, it's 3am here and I should be going to bed. So yeah.