!Hey readers

The day I have been waiting for for 7 months has finally arrived! Today is the day I was going to get my Student and Work Visa! 

I was so ready - I woke up early in the morning to be one of the first arrivals so that I would not have to wait a long time in line.

If only life worked out exactly as we planned. The bus was 20 minutes late, I got there at around 830 and there were TONS of people waiting in line ahead of me. I went to the side and picked my number, 896, and they were up to 851. I knew this was going to be a long morning. Luckily, I came prepared - I took out my book and began to read. An hour and a half later, at 10AM, I looked up and the number was still at 851! I thought the machine had to be broken, how could the numbers not have moved at all in an entire hour and a  half? At that point I thought I would never make it home.

I decided to go out and take a walk around Petach Tikva instead of just sitting around staring at the non-moving numbers. I walked around for about another hour and a half and when I got back to Misrad Hapnim, guess what! It was still on number 851!

I decided to sit around and just wait. I had finished my book, but luckily, I had brought a second book. I started to read it, but the atmosphere in Misrad Hapnim seemed to me more interesting than what I was reading.

As I looked around Misrad Hapnim I was able to see so many different people waiting to be able to become a member of Israeli society, whether temporarily or permanently.  It was shocking to me that during my 5 hour wait, I barely heard any Hebrew. I heard Russian, Arabic, Filipino, English. I watched as the Israeli's helped their aids to get visas, Russians fighting for visas for their families to be able to come, Americans getting work visas, and new olim picking up their first teudat zehut. To me, watching everything - the yells, cries and laughter - were a clear insight into the melting pot of cultures that exist in Israel. It showed me the open arms the country used to greet their newest comers.  

Four and a half hours later it was FINALLY my turn. The lady who was helping me was so kind, she looked so tired. I offered her a chocolate bar, but she was not hungry. I finally got my student visa and they also gave me a working visa just in case I decided to work. I was so thankful for all of her help, and as much as I enjoyed watching all of the different people waiting, I was happy to be finished. By the end, I was so hungry and tired - I went home, enjoyed a good lunch and relaxed while watching some good TV satisfied that I finally had my visa.

Although the day didnt work out exactly how I planned, I was happy to know that I had my visas and I could finally check another thing off my To-Do List!

'When life throws you lemons, make lemonade'

Xx.