From Sea to Shining Sea

Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Jerusalem never ceases to amaze me! Yesterday we took our first fieldtrip of the semester.  I feel like I'm back in kindergarten with fieldtrips, sack lunches, and the eager anticipation of the first day of school.  All I need is recess :) For our fieldtrip we went to seven overlooks around the city.  I am stunned by how much we were able to see! At the palace of Saul we were able to see both the Mediterranean and Dead Seas, all of Jerusalem, and into the West Bank. From the south end of the city, we could look into Bethlehem and Jordan.  It surprises me how close all of these sites are together.  I had always figured that Bethlehem was far away from Jerusalem, but in reality it's no more than five miles.  From a hill behind this old monestary, it's possible to see the Church of the Nativity which is built over the site of Christ's birth.
I cannot believe that I am living in a place where all of these wonderful events happened.  I saw so many biblical sites yesterday:
The Nativity
Saul's Palace
Burial of Rachel
Jericho
Moab (Ruth)
Gethsemane
Gibea
Where Abraham bound Isaac
Bethlehem
Land of Ephraim
Gibeon
Mary and Martha's home
Old city of David

The Jerusalem Center (JC) is the most amazing building in the world! This is the most expensive apartment I'll ever live in, haha :) From almost every room there is a view of the Old City and East Jerusalem. The staff here is amazing.  We have great security that vigilantly monitors our safety.  Whenever we come home they are there to meet us at the lower gate. I feel like I'm an ambassador :) Our kitchen staff keeps us soooooo well fed! They have the best use for pita this world has ever seen: French toast! I was baffled when I realized that my French toast was pita, haha. Oh Jerusalem, I love you!

Pictures are coming!! I took almost 100 yesterday!
comments: 4

Around the World in 36 Hours

Friday, April 29, 2011
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 :)
comments: 3

Bucket List :)

Monday, April 18, 2011
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.

comments: 3

Checking Another One Off!!!!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011
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 :)
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Happiness is just 26 Letters Away

Friday, April 8, 2011
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
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