So the first bouts of homesickness have arrived. I've been feeling pretty adrift lately, and it's been getting me down. Yeah, I've had stuff to keep me busy -- a few errands here, a little Hebrew homework there, some job stuff too. But sitting at home all day by myself, feeling kinda lost and pessimistic about job prospects, hasn't been so good for my psyche. It's partly that tough job-search syndrome of putting yourself out there just to be shot down a lot. It's also that after working really hard for almost ten years (first in college, then with a full-time job plus freelancing), I feel guilty because I lack a long list of projects running at the moment. And it's the language barrier too: it would be one thing if I knew I could get a waitressing job anytime I wanted. But I can't even do that yet -- I can't take an order, read a menu, interpret a bill -- it's so frustrating to be unable to communicate even with grocery store clerks.

To try to nip this gloom in the bud, I've decided to upgrade to the daily intensive language course. It will force me into a regular schedule with concrete deadlines (which I need badly!) and in a month or so I should be confident enough to at least get a temp job if it comes to that. It'll also give me a crop of people to get to know. (Not that seeing Ben's isn't great (it's a real luxury to have evenings with him! I sure didn't back in the States), but it makes me a bit stir-crazy when he's the only person I talk with all day.)

And thank goodness for you, too. The support and love I've recieved from all of you has meant so much! Knowing that you're reading gives me such a thrill.

Well, siesta is over, so it's time for me to run my errands. I'll leave you with a photo of my new best friend: the yenta bag! xoxo.