Excessive repacking, two continents, 7,028 miles, and 36 hours later, I am in Jerusalem!! It was the longest day of my life, but I am super excited for the adventure ahead.  I live in the best apartment that boats an amazing view of the Old City.  From my balcony I am able to see the Dome of the Rock and the beautiful wall.  I don't think there is a better view in all of Jerusalem.
The first day in Israel has been a bit of a blur. My 80 classmates and I woke up to a delicious breakfast of local foods and then headed to orientation.  It was the most overwhelming hour and a half of my life! There was so much to take in from security to classes to sites we can't miss during our stay.  After orientation we took a walking tour of Jerusalem.  The only word to describe this city is incredible! We walked through the Kidron Valley to the gates of the Old City.  The streets remain the uneven cobblestone that was present during Christ's time. Walking through the city I felt like I was in Aladdin. The streets are narrow, curving and crawling to the city center.  Overhead, the sun is blocked out by awnings and pathways and the air is bursting with the scents of herbs sold by women on the streets.  While in the Old City, had the opportunity to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.  It was unlike anything I have ever experienced.  There is a reverance there that is simply astounding.
After we finished in the Old City, we walked to West Jerusalem, the more modern part of the city.  We went to a popular shopping area and just wandered for about an hour.  The food is super delicious!!! I think I could live on falafals and humus.  We also ate gelato, which is the most delectable treat in the world :) I can't wait to see more!!!

P.S. The jury is still out on whether we'll be able to upload pictures here at the Center.  If not, I promise to find an internet cafe :)
In my last post I talked about how I was finally going to be able to check off something huge on my bucket list.  It got me thinking, what does the rest of my list look like? I feel like if I don't write it down, it'll never happen.  So here it goes: My Bucket List as of April 17, 2011!

1. Sky dive
2. Scuba dive at the Great Barrier Reef
3. Go on an African Safari
4. Try every type of cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory
5. Climb a mountain
6. Run the Boston, New York, and Chicago Marathons
7. Learn to play a Rachmaninoff piece on the piano
8. Attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
9. Bungee jump
10. Drive from California to New York
11. Read all of Jane Austen's books
12. Become fluent in another language
13. Attend an NBA playoff game
14. Visit Paris, Athens, and London
15. Paint a huge canvas piece
16. Eat streusel in Prague with my mom
17. Vatican City
18. Visit the Louvre
19. Go to the Opera
20. Sing karaoke
21. Attend a John Mayer concert at Madison Square Gardens
22. Dance in the rain
23. Build a treehosue
24. Surf
25. White water raft
26. Learn to sew/quilt
27. Go to Tahiti (Bora Bora would also work)
28. Catch a fish
29. Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain
30. See Phantom of the Opera on Broadway

Best. Treehouse. Ever.

Hagia Sophia
Sad/Happy/Super exciting news!!! My study abroad group's trip to Egypt has been cancelled :( We were supposed to spend 10 days exploring this historical oasis.  The trip included a trip to the pyramids, Cairo, and Luxor.  I was definitely looking forward to visiting the land of the Pharaohs, but I am not overly heart broken about the change of plans because.......

Delicious Turkish Cuisine!
WE'RE GOING TO TURKEY!!!! I am beyond excited to visit Turkey.  It has definitely been on my bucket list for a while now and I am going to get to check it off :) We have not received our itinerary for this part of our trip, but I am banking on getting to see Istanbul and the Hagia Sophia.  I have wanted to see this church since I learned about it in my art history class.  It's amazing! And let's not forget to mention all the amazing food! Hummus, pita bread, and kebabs to my heart's content :)

Sea of Galilee
The rest of the trips seems to be unchanged.  We will still be visiting Jordan and Galilee.  I am looking forward to all of the amazing culture that Jerusalem and its surrounding areas have to offer.  I plan to make a trip to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.  The entire group is also going to the Dead Sea.  I am  anxious to float like a buoy without any effort! I am on the two week countdown and feeling restless! I am ready for it to be here :)
Clearly this has become an addiction and the best way to avoid homework :) Today I was thinking about how some words are just super fun to say.  I wish that I could incorporate all these words into my regular vocabulary! Here's some of my favorites :)

1. Serendipity
2. Trabajabamos (Espanol for 'they talked')
3. Hypotenuse
4. Alas
5. Soiree
6. Heinous
7. Expedient
8. Expedite (luckily I use this one at work a lot, haha)
9. Divulge
10. Atrocious
11. Onomatopoeia
12. Mnemonic
13. Moxie
14. Luscious
15. Delicious (also the shortened 'delish')
16. Grapple
17. Fictitiousness
18. Scrumptious
19. Precarious
20. Facetious
21. Delectable
22. Zamboni
23. Tenacious
24. Asinine (thank you for that one, Mum)
25. Ubiquitous
Last night Keyla and I decided to go see the Carl Bloch exhibit at BYU's Museum of Art.  This was the second time that I been and it was just as amazing.  Bloch spent his life painting the life of Christ.  He was able to capture Christ's ministry in such a beautiful way.  His paintings are soft, but intense at the same time and the range of emotion that Bloch is able to portray is exquisite. He uses light in way that I had never seen before.  Every detail is thought out and expertly executed.  His works are sublime! I love this exhibit; it's golden :)


The Pool of Bethesda


Christ in Gethsemane
Daughter of Jairus
Best weekend ever!!! I spent the weekend at my Aunt Kris's and had the privilege to watch General Conference. General Conference is broadcasted church meeting that happens every six months where the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints speak.  They provide messages of council, warning, and encouragement.  What a blessing it is to hear to listen to them!  I am so grateful for the direction they provide to me.
This conference was filled with so many wonderful treasures; I cannot possibly begin to write them all down.  I am grateful for President Uchtdorf's talk that encouraged us to move forward with faith.  Oftentimes it seems that when things become difficult we stop relying on Heavenly Father.  President Uchtdorf reminded us that these difficult times is when we need Him the most.  We have to trust that Heavenly Father knows us well enough to know what will be best for us.  
I also really enjoyed Elder Paul V. Johnson's talk on adversity that we undoubtedly encounter during this life. He explained that this is part of the experience and these experiences help to refine us and make us better.  Having this perspective allows us to move through trials with a hope that all things will work together for our good.  
Many of the talks focused on the blessings of the temple.  I am so grateful for the peace and joy that the temple has brought into my life.  My life has been greatly blessed by the temple.  I know that these blessings are real.  I am grateful that these inspired men helped me to refocus my life and ensure that my priorities are in order.  Best weekend ever!!!!

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