Thursday I took the government test for the end of Ulpan. We had been having bimonthly practice tests in class, so I felt pretty prepared; but I was still nervous due to the official air surrounding it.

The test began at 1:15; but we had to arrive earlier to show ID and have the proctor fill out some forms. He was pretty strict - the whiteboard in the classroom was covered in rules: cellphones off, all purses/backpack piled in the corner of the room, cold drinks only (couldn't figure that one out...) I was relieved that he let me set up the two fans I had brought to keep everyone comfortable and use the little purple ruler I like to underline important phrases in the texts I am reading (more about these below.) Another woman in the class was not so lucky; she likes to do the same with a highlighter and he wouldn't let her have it

We were allowed 1 hour and 15 minutes for the first part of the test; three texts in progressively higher difficulty. I was lucky that I recognized the subject immediately - that makes all the difference trying to read something in a foreign language. After each text there were 6 or so questions to guage comprehension.

After a 15 minute break, we had another hour and a quarter to complete the second portion; consisting of a grammar portion, again in the 3 ascending levels of difficulty; a short note, and an essay to write based on one of five subjects. I got through most of the grammar OK except for the passive tense, which I blanked on, having learned it just last week. Strangely enough, I sailed right though the conditional tense which we learned only Thursday morning. The "note" turned out to be an ad selling something, which was not one of the things we had practiced in class; and I instantly hated all of the essay topics. I finally picked the one I disliked the least and compared Israel with the other places I have lived in the world. I was happy because I got to use a variation of my favorite saying "Israelis are the sweetest, most generous people in the world - until they're in the car behind you."

I will find out my grade in about two weeks - the points I earned on the oral test a few weeks ago count toward this, too. In the meantime I will revel in being able to sleep in on weekdays again; and figure out what to do with all my newfound spare time. I hope to stay in contact with my fellow students, learning together that intensively and sharing the experience of being "strangers in a strange land" builds a definite cameraderie. I've had several people tell me that there are two ways to make lifelong friends in Israel - the military and Ulpan. We're having an "End-of-Ulpan" party here at the house next week! Stay tuned for party pictures