"In the world there are dreamers, and there are doers. But above all, there are the dreamers who do."  Through this quote I find myself waking up at 6:30 in the morning to the quiet, serene  atmosphere of the Golan's Avnei Eitan.  As the sun breaks through the morning skies, I push myself through the early morning workout, ignoring the soreness of yesterday's conditioning.  Though I question my decision of attending LYA, I am repeatedly reminded of my intention, my dream.  In order to step into my dream, I must take the first step and begin preparing.  Thus, I bring myself to push through every obstacle in my life in order to achieve true satisfaction.  Mechinat Avnei Eitan is the epitome of such preparation, as I can already say (only within the first month of this program) that I have learned to push myself beyond my personal boundaries and reach for new goals in a physical, mental, and spiritual sense.

Leaving college acceptances, friends, and family back in the states, I entered LYA without knowing anyone else in the program.  Within the first 24 hours, I could already communicate freely between all twenty of the students, as the amazing Rabbi's assisted the immediate connection and bond of our soon to be big family.  Each and every student here contributes in a very special way to the awesome association achieved here at the Mechina.

The suddenness of the Gibbush caused a stir, and I instantly read the seriousness of the situation.  Through such an instant and dramatic change, one can understand the differences of such little details of life.  Such was the case for me, as I came to realize how long one second in life really is, and how much I myself, along with a team, can accomplish in such short periods of time.  Aside from these teamwork and leadership roles, the Gibbush proved to me my potential to accomplish what I once thought unreachable.  If one sets his/her mind to achieve something, and if he/she strongly believes in their capability of coming to reach the task at hand, anything in the world can be completed.

Learning time is very beneficial to all students of the Mechina.  Since the topics are flexible and open for discussion, students can incorporate personal dilemmas and questions.  I personally have not yet needed to address such an inquiry, but the constant questions my friends have asked has opened my eyes to the many complications of personal lives.  Therefore, I not only receive the knowledge of regular academic and tanach teachings, I also gain insight of the current day real world and its troubles.

Through the amazing structure of LYA, I seek to strengthen my mind, body, and soul.  Already realizing the extremes of my potentials, I plan to continue my journey as a dreamer who does.  Whether or not I reach that goal is less important than the fact that I am pushing myself beyond my abilities and simply trying to accomplish something only achieved by very few to begin with.  This, is success.  In life, the realization of success seems to be one of the most important acknowledgments to assist a happy and pleasurable living.  Mechinat Avnei Eitan is just the opportunity laid in front of me, as it is up to me to grab that opportunity and spend every second of it in a way that can lead me to the success I long for.