Kung Fu-Day One

4 of the 5 of us are going to be taking Kung Fu, I think. We went to our first training day today--it's an hour and 15 minutes, and it was amazing. We started with a small stretch, and then started rolling and doing handstands across the floor to get us warmed up a little bit. Following that, we did some hand-to-hand combat, some basic grappling technique, and we ended with form--kata, as they call it at LEMA, but including a pole pattern. All very interesting. Probably tonight is the happiest I've been of any day we have been here!

Also, happy Tu B'Shvat. We didn't have an afternoon class; instead we went to Ein Sheimer, a nearby Kibbutz, and went to their greenhouse. It is an AMAZING place, and I feel lucky that we had the opportunity to see it in action; especially with just the five of us, it felt like a private tour. They have a small greenhouse bit, but mostly this nonprofit organization is used as a kind of neutral-ground for Arab and Jewish children to meet up and work on projects together; whether that involves constructing biotechnology, nerdy computer modules, planting things, or making music, it's a wonderful place with an outstanding philosophy. very chill. And on the inner-Kibbutz competition, they're known as the Polish Kibbutz. Our guide was actually in our Kung Fu class, too. Aiza Kef.

Ran back, Mark and Adina encouraging me all the way. I think I tried to bite their heads off a few times, too. There's a girl from Barkai who trains there, so we might be able to catch a ride that way if need be.