Anticipation. I would say that’s a pretty good word to describe how I have felt for the past two and a half weeks. I have been quarantined since Sunday, August 30^th; the date today is Thursday, September 15^th. So yeah, I have been cooped up in my little capsule for quite some time now.

I haven’t really done much though, aside from online school. As a capsule, my room mates and I have worked out almost every morning before online school; also, every night, we go out and play either soccer or spikeball, so that’s nice. Although this was all great and dandy, I don’t think I have ever been so eager for a two week period to end. I literally cannot wait to get out of quarantine for many reasons: one being that I want to meet my fellow classmates. Sure, I have formally met them, our meetings being with masks and behind plastic sheets as walls, but I want to really meet them; I want to make real connections with them and actually know who they are, masks and plastic sheets aside.

One of my goals on this experience is to make lifelong friends, and that opportunity is finally arriving. In addition to meeting new people, I am very excited to go on all our trips and see and connect with Israel. I truly love Israel, so I am exhilarated at the fact that we are going to be making trips all around the country. Sadly though, as you may have heard, Israel is going on lockdown for three weeks starting Friday, so my anticipation for the coming trips is going to have to be extended. All in all, I know this trip is going to be amazing, and although it has technically started already, I am thrilled that the true beginning is finally here. Cheers, Sammy Courtney.