Shabbat At the Carlebach Moshav

Several weeks ago, a group of Pardesians ventured to Modi'in to spend a Shabbat the Carlebach Moshav (more info on Carlebach: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shlomo_Carlebach_(musician)). We stayed with a very generous family which regularly has 20-30 people for Shabbat dinner and lunch.
The weather was beautiful, the view from their house absolutely stunning, and the generous atmosphere was warm with excitement about Shabbat, music, and community. From the backyard (that looked more like the Garden of Eden than anything else I had every seen...maybe the grass could have been softer), we could see, in the distance, the towers in Tel Aviv, and beyond them the Meditterranean Sea. On a clear day, we could see miles and miles in all four directions. There were beautiful shade trees where we relaxed in the pre-Shabbat warmth. In this one yard, the family had planted and cared for all seven of Israel's national speces (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Species). The land we explored was spotted with ancient ruins: a wine press, and olive press...This felt like a new and old Israel.
Before Shabbat, we set the tables (for 31 people) and relaxed in the backyard, listening to our host play the dulcimer. The sun lowered in the sky and we walked the one-minute walk to the synagogue for a very musical (sans-instruments, of course) Kabbalat Shabbat. The rest of the day was full of Torah, music, beautiful weather, hikes, more song, sleeping, community, and general shabbat beauty. Needless to say, it was hard to go back to "real life" after this Shabbat.

Things I have yet to share with you...

Shabbat at the Carlebach Moshav (X)
Hamentaschen making
Purim
Shabbat in the Mechina
My daily life
Hachnasat Sefer Torah at Kedem
Potlucks
General thoughts on volunteering

I'm sorry I'm so far behind. I'm so overwhelmed with the amount of information I should share that I can't bring myself to sit down and just write.
It'll happen soon.

So Moved

February was the longest and most transformative transition in my recent memory.

This year has been a year of growth and discovery and spontaneity. However, I've found that such things do not manifest themselves alone. Along with growth, I experience growing pains; with discovery, I lose an element of pure simplicity; with spontaneity, I find limits.
I've spent more time alone this month than I ever have before. I was not lonely, because I always had a purpose. I find that purposeless aloneness causes sadness and insecurity. But my time alone this month allowed me time to reflect and calm down. I listened to NPR while packing and cleaning, I listened to NPR as I ran errands, I listened to NPR while...
Really though, I did spend a lot of time reflecting. I'm ready now to stop reflecting about my reflections and restart having more positive experiences that induce this kind of thought.

Moving out of my apartment was such a relief. The process was painful and I'm still dealing with a crazy landlady, but changing spaces is so important. Removing myself from bad associations will allow me to have a freer mind that is more ready to relate to my community and to my surroundings.

I'm looking forward to another 3 months of growth and discovery. I don't want my actions for my last months here (and even while I'm home) to be characterized as adult actions or kid actions, but human actions. I've found that I occasionally feel uncomfortable with my own actions or thoughts because they don't fit with the construct I (might be) growing into. That was confusing...I'll keep you updated as my thoughts become more clear.

Shavua tov!