So I'm a refugee, couch surfing for at least the next week. I made the decision to leave Beer Sheva when the 4th rocket fell on my town, and the sirens were no longer functioning dependently. I packed light, sprinted to the train station, and got on a packed train to Tel Aviv, which is a northern city out of range. Unfortunately, school has been canceled for a week, which means serious business (if you thought bombs weren't already serious, consider that my university didn't cancel class until the fourth rocket fell on my friend's street, 5 minute's walk from campus). I guess you all must be wondering what I'm feeling, whats going through my head. Its a mess. I spent all of Tuesday night and Wednesday running back and forth from the shelter, bracing myself for the explosion. Who knows when it will stop? Will I ever feel like I can live normally in Beer Sheva with this pending threat? Does that mean I should leave at all? Since most of everyone I knew was going to Tel Aviv, I decided to join them. Tel Aviv was a great place to escape to because everyone here is SO welcoming, nice, fun. I've met some of the most beautiful loving people here the past few days. If anything can take the edge off, its life in Tel Aviv. But it is also sort of disturbing. I mean, it's an hour and a half train ride form Beer Sheva, and I met people here who didn't know a thing about was happening. I went to a drum circle on the beach, something I would normally be really into, but all the happy hippies dancing around like nobodies business sort of bothered me. How, with all the horrors happening in the south, can they live so lightly? I'm not saying that it makes them less compassionate people. This is Israel. You have to be tough and you have to figure out how to live your life and make your home here home. Its just difficult for me to think about my friends that stayed in Beer Sheva, laying on the floor all day listening to the eerie sirens drone and rockets blast. And about the kids in Gaza. And Muslims in Jerusalem who are not permitted to enter the old city to pray. And the Palestinians in Ramallah who are tear gassed for protesting.

Last night was wonderful, though. I spent Shabbat dinner with some of Miriam's friends,who were all musicians and peacemakers. We sang James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, Neil Young. We sang prayers beckoning the angels of peace...and it was this kind of lightness that I needed so badly. For all the evil tendencies people have in the world, there are some truly beautiful souls out there working to balance them out.

Tel Aviv and the people I've met here really make me miss my friends at home, more than any other time since I've been here, or maybe more than ever. As depressed as I would be if I had to come back to the US now, I am feeling very home sick for ya'll. Maybe it's all the worry vibes your sending my way. I feel it, thank you and I love you. Send some good energy to Gaza, too, they need it more than me! hell, I'm on an indefinite vacation, half-heartedly planning a trip to Petra. I'm fine! I'll let you know when you need to worry about me. <3