strange reality

It's been kind of surreal, living in Jerusalem these days. On one hand, Israel is at war - there are daily reports of the death and damage in the north, as well as military activity. And the thing is, Israelis are really good at living in war-time situations. Everyone knows how to watch the news, and settle in to a state of resignation to the fighting and getting ready to hear about the casualties. I'm not quite so stoic (well I'm good on the outside, but a little more stressed on the inside), but what can you do. Little-big hippie children from San Francisco aren't supposed to know about war - but then again, I'm not in San Francisco anymore.
At the same time, Jerusalem has (somehow) become one of the safer cities. So the day-to-day life is pretty much the same, for me and eveyone else who lives here. The sun is shining today, and all is quiet, since it is Shabbat. There are a lot more tour groups here, and there are many displaced Israelis who have fled the north in favor of Jerusalem. A friend of my roommate's is here from Haifa. She had enough of sitting in bomb shelters all week, so here she is.
I can't even imagine what it's like in Lebanon. My heart goes out to the people living in a constant state of terror. I don't mean for that to sound patronizing. I know I have no idea of the true horror they are experiencing right now. I think there is blame to be placed on both sides, but that won't help the people (in Israel and Lebanon) whose lives and property, everything, may very well be lost in the coming time of war.

Work (all the jobs) is going well. On Thursday, I went to a meeting for the editing job, after a full day at the full-time job. It was really fun, good to meet everyone and hang out with cool people. Then I went out, and met up with a group who is here on a program hosted by the first job, so that was also fun. With all this working, I should be able to afford to come home for a short visit in Sep.
Yep, that's right - I'm going to try to come home for like 2 weeks in the beginning of September!!! I'm really looking forward to it, it's been so long. A little nervous, since I'm not sure how I have changed, or how everyone and everything in SF might have changed. But it will be good. Now all I have to do is find an affordable ticket.....