i'm here!

So internet in the dorms is finally working! or working enough for me to steal from the router upstairs.
I love Israel but the disorganization of this country and this program is just hilarious.
Recap:
- lost passport and visa 2 days before departure!
- lost deposit, and acceptance - which means they lost everything i submitted - and now i need more passport photos for an ID card and a new doctors apt b/c they lost my health form!
- internet takes over a week to install?

It has been an exciting week here so far though; mostly our dorm tower (2 suites per floor, 4 floors; 4 towers in Einstein Dorm) has been going out and exploring Tel Aviv.
we've been down to the beach; to the namal (port); to dizengoff center where the shook (market) is; to allenby and rothchild (in the center of the city) - and we got a bus pass which gives you 10 rides and has come in handy to getting around to offcampus stores!

the campus is beautiful though and we're close to a couple supermarkets, a mall and a post office which does currency exchanges for no extra charge!
still i'm freezing in my room at night - its like 20 degrees colder than outside! our windows are permanently open which will probably be nice when its 80 degrees with no airconditioning.

Our kitchen is probably the most old school thing I've ever seen..there are 2 tiny gas burners that need to be lit, a sink and a fridge. Me and my roomates went out to buy a pot, a pan, plastic forks, knives , spoons and plates to be rewashed, a spatula and some cooking spoons. Needless to say all people really eat in the dorms here are pita and hummus! I swear I think I've lost 5 pounds.

My roomates are Jen from NJ - who goes to Ithaca College and Rachel from Long Island - who goes to American U. Our 4th roomate apparently dropped out after one look at our room. It's pretty dirty and old but by this first week, I've gotten used to it.

Ulpan started yesterday. We take class Sun - Thurs 830 am - 1 pm!! Our classroom is like 10 minutes away as well..luckily its kind of like summer school in that we have a couple short breaks to stand up and socialize.
I'm in class AB which is the 3rd to most beginner class but even though I never learned the language and haven't studied the letters since 7th grade, most things are coming to me quite quickly! HW everyday and tests every thursday! It's ridiculous but I cant wait to start traveling.

Ps. I'm terrifed of converters and have already fried my straightner and I swear my computer charger started smoking once..?

Any suggestions about what to eat/ places to go/ friendly hello would be amazing!
Missing everyone back in America..