Ready for Information Overload?

I've found that my posts are all about the big stuff...So, this post will be dedicated to the small stuff (with a bit of the big stuff thrown in because I don't have the time to do two posts.) Just imagine the kinds of things that I would include in a random text message, or that I would go off on a rant about. So here's to the small things that don't really pertain to my experience in the Middle East exactly, but are bits of my life anyway.

I've started running here in the mornings. While it is death getting back into it (especially on these giant hills) that feeling of total contentment right after we finish as the sun starts rising is more than worth it. Can't wait for the Jerusalem 10k (possibly upping it to a 1/2 marathon if we are feeling really ambitious) with Pudgy, Tubby, and Chubs. (I'm Chunkers.) Don't ask me where those nicknames came from. I HEART THE FAT SQUAD.

I broke my camera. Like you can shake it and hear the cracked lens inside rattle. It's dead and gone. Thank goodness my darling friend Lizzie has a back up camera. So don't you worry-pictures will still be taken like crazy.

Need a creepy place to film a scary movie? I found it. Just go get your blood work done in a Palestinian hospital in Israel. Thank goodness my limited Arabic was actually helpful in this sketchy situation. Oh the joys of filling out mission paperwork in a foreign country.

In a week or two we have talent show auditions. I'm accompanying my friend Ragan on the piano. He is going to be singing a beautiful Josh Groban song, Si Volvieras a Mi. The song has 5 sharps...it kind of makes me want to cry, but Ragan is much too talented for me to let his his voice not be shared with the world. Fingers crossed I get the song down.

I've been to the place where David and Goliath battled it out. (Confession: It was too muddy to make it to the actual valley, so we went to a hill overlooking it.) Anyone else astonished at how green it is? Hello England. And yes I know I look like I have attitude in that picture with the sling shot.

Red flowers!!! I didn't cry this time family. But I may have sniffled. First time we've seen flowers since being here. I almost forgot they existed. 

Jaclyn's blog post may have made my eyes water just a bit in the middle of studying for my Palestine midterm. http://jhutchj.blogspot.co.il/2013/02/called-to-serve.html (I credit you, Jaclyn Michele, to the 93%. Thanks for the needed inspiration.)

I completely forgot that I learned how to do a sock bun right before I came here. Let me tell you it was a delightful realization a couple days ago.

ANNOYANCE OF THE WEEK: I am so incredibly sick and tired of my clothes. I want to burn them all. Only 75 more days of these wretched items. Sorry I am so vain. I really am excited for the next 75 days here haha.

I know I'm in Israel and not Italy, but gelato is all over the place here. And oh my word-it is delicious! I am so in love with the maple waffle flavor. Yes, I know that sounds bizarre, but it is incredible.

2 MIDTERMS DOWN. 1 LEFT TO GO. (I heart studying with Hannah Karina Jackson and Lindee O'Seen.)

I LOVE JERUSALEM. 

I've started doing yoga here. Imagine being on the grassy balcony of the Jerusalem Center overlooking the city as the sun rises and being in some strangely relaxing, but painful pose. I'm falling in love with it...I just need to to got over the hilarity of it all (Don't think I've ever laughed so loud in my whole life) Yoga is a quiet thing...I'm embarrassing.

Arab Culture Night was incredible. We dressed up, witnessed a Koranic reading by Imams from the famous Al-Aqsa Mosque, ate a delicious feast that resembled the sunset meal eaten during Ramadan, and learned a traditional Arab dance. LOVE LOVE LOVE. I have never worn so much eye-liner in my life.

Introducing the Fanny Pack Fan Club. Once you start wearing one, you may never make it back. Tourists of the century baby. Don't poke fun...we are stylin' here in Israel.

We went to a Jewish Reform synagogue on Friday night. It was not at all what I expected, but I loved it. The Sabbath evening service was almost entirely done through singing. It was hard to follow along with, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The people were so kind and welcoming. What I had initially pictured to be a solemn, more extravagant setting turned out to be exceptionally happy, casual, and accepting. I love experiencing bits of other people's faiths. It truly is eye-opening.

Culture Immersion Update: I no longer notice the Call to Prayer that goes on five times a day. The creepy wandering cats no longer surprise me, though they still freak me out a little. And I no longer have to consciously think about avoiding men's eyes here (Yes, that is a real thing).

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and 17 Miracles are completely depressing movies. But sometimes movies like that are worth the depression. 

Epitome of what our weekly field trips look like. I heart Swag as always.

Lie of the century: While on a field trip at the ruins of Lachish, our professor asked what city in Lord of the Rings the gates looked like. I yelled out Helms Deep (that is the only city I really know). Turns out I was right. Now the boys here think I'm some kind of cool Lord of the Rings fan. It's all a lie, but I only feel a little bad.

Best of all...I am almost done with my mission papers. I considered turning in the photo on the right, but don't worry Mama...I turned in the one on the left.

Life is oh so good. I'm working on being better at emailing people back. LOVE YOU ALL. Longest blog yet? Score. Have a wonderful day dear world.

Free Adventure Days

Fact #1: Free adventure days are my absolute favorite days. No classes, no field trips, no meetings, no organized anything. Just one whole day of freedom (that should include a homework break, but I keep forgetting to fit that in). And perhaps I should be studying for my midterms right now, but for now I am much too content blogging. Anyway, here are some pictures and a few more facts about that lovely day. 

Fact #2: The Wailing Wall is still my absolute favorite spot in all of Jerusalem. Coming during the day is not at all as intense of an experience as coming on the Jewish Sabbath Friday night, but it still is great. 

Fact #3: This is the second prayer I have slipped into the cracks of this treasured wall. Do you think that is allowed? I hope so because I'm planning on going back some more. 

Fact #4: This wall is never cleaned out. I keep feeling tempted to pull a few out and read what others are praying for. 

Fact #5: There is a YMCA in Jerusalem. Go figure.

Fact #6 (the coolest fact): I PLAYED THOSE BELLS. But seriously-we played them for all of Jerusalem. And when noon struck...we were the people literally doing the striking. So crazy fun. I had no idea playing bells could be so lovely.

Fact #7: We may have had a little too much fun playing those bells. Eight girls giggling in a tiny room booming with the sound of bells playing a few stories above is a strangely wonderful bonding experience. 

Fact #8: That burger was all sorts of delicious. 

Fact #9: There is no such thing as a cute way to eat a burger. I've decided.

Fact #10: Juliann Nicole Munson...I found a post-it written by your friend in the money-exchanger's office! There is a wall covered in advice from previous BYUJC students. It took a while, but I had a feeling Marianne would be one of those students giving advice. Four years later and she is still smack dab and center on that wall.

JORDAN PART TWO

Jordan was so amazing it needed two posts...or maybe I got too tired to write about it all in one post yesterday. Either way, here is the last two days of our four day Jordan adventure. Oh baby.

We started at the Amman Citadel, which is also home to the Hercules Temple. And let me tell you, Herc was on a role. But I won't say I'm in love. Just kidding-I am in love. I just got too excited with all the song lyrics. I am craving that movie much too much now.

Remember those Nestle Tollhouse Cookies? Oh yes, they are back for a second special appearance. We ate them during the lectures from our less-than-entertaining Jordanian tour guide.

See the resemblance? 

So many classy poses.

We are the muses....and Mikkel?

The Jabbok River where Jacob wrestled with the angel and then became known as Israel.

Jerash was so incredibly cool. We might as well have been in Greece.

LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Our little adventure group. 

Awkward engagement photos? I gave in to peer pressure.

We sang Be Still My Soul in this coliseum and it was absolutely gorgeous. I've actually been writing in my little pocket book hymn book all the places each hymn is sung and when. I have a feeling that hymn book is going to be one of my favorite things from this trip in the years to come. (Thank you Lisa Hansen for your oh so perfect graduation gift two years back.)

 SO SO SO PRETTY.

You can't quite see us all, but a little boy joined us too. Gotta love it.

(We may have gone to a car museum...I'm choosing not to put any pictures. I may have been less than impressed. Don't tell.)

Amman Coliseum 

For your to-do lists: Take pictures pencil jumping. You'll laugh for ages.

The Jordan River where John the Baptist baptized Christ. 

I fell in love with this river. The water and the scenery may not have been exactly beautiful, but there was a peace about this place that was quiet and inspiring all at once. We sang hymns like Lord, I Would Follow Thee and The Spirit of God. I am so grateful to be in the places my Savior has been. As time passes in the exquisite Holy Land, my desire to become more like my Savior grows and I am eternally grateful for that. I love and miss you all. 

The Jeru Crew is back in Jerusalem baby.

P.S. I realized I keep switching the placement of my picture captions with each new post. Don't hate me.

JORDAN PART ONE

Ladies and gents, I have officially been to my ninth country. Life is so wonderfully surreal. I had no idea a country like Jordan could be so incredibly beautiful. Sounds random I know-Amman, Jordan? But I’ve been there and I loved every bit of it (aside from the not so inviting public restrooms, smoke smelling sheets, and unsanitary water).

We began our adventure crossing the border and let me tell you-border crossing in the Middle East is much different than Europe. Passports are analyzed, questions are asked, bags are scanned. But don’t worry, we all successfully made it without implying that we were students. Hello, yes I am part of the American tour group.

Mt. Nebo is known as the place Moses is traditionally believed to have died, but according to Joseph Smith Translation, we believe he was translated. And I stood there. Craziness. Don’t ask me why John and I felt the need to reenact Titanic. And don’t you just love that shoe shot!? I am loving sounding out Arabic words on signs, engravings, pamphlets, t-shirts. It is oh so fun. And I may whip out a happy dance every time I can actually understand one of the words I see.

Now, the most exciting part of the Jordan experience…drum roll please. The famous PETRA. (Thank you Indiana Jones.) Who knew that even thousands of years ago civilizations could be all sorts of incredible?

When you feel the need to do a gorge pose…what else comes to mind? And yes Preston dressed as Indiana Jones, along with 5 other boys. It made for a very entertaining day.

I slipped right after this photo was taken...that rock was a tiny bit rougher than it looks.

I RODE A CAMEL. I RODE A CAMEL. I RODE A CAMEL.

Please appreciate the look of sheer panic as the camel sits back down.

But seriously...I RODE A CAMEL.

Don’t those eyes just draw you in?

786 stone stairs later (all done while chatting with a Bedouin 13-year-old girl)….We found the GIANT monastery. And for all who aren’t aware, the darling Swag is one of my absolute favorite people. 

Favorite part of the day. Sing it please: I’m on the top of the world….

(And yes I may have ridden a horse...but that photo is so incredibly hideous I can't quite get my vain self to share it. Secret's out.)

Funny story of the day: I had been craving cookies for, well embarrassingly enough, two weeks. We found a Nestle Toll House cookie store and I spazzed out. Little did we know the it was their opening night and the owners fell in love with the rather large group of young adults that piled in. Free cookies? Oh it was divine. 

P.S. Dearest Sisterhood of the Cam: The jacket has officially traveled to Jordan and been worn while walking through the streets of Amman in the rain in pursuit of a delicious dessert while I sang Singin' in the Rain and took this sadly rather crappy photo. Love you both.

THE END. 

(Part Two will come tomorrow. Hopefully.)

THE BIG BOOM!!!

After an insanely productive day in the library with the darling Hannah Karina Jackson, a nice big group of us hit the town. And oh my word, there are parts of West Jerusalem that will boggle your mind. (We call it West J. Love that.) After being in the Old City and walking out of Jaffa Gate, you seem to jump centuries. The modern half of the world is much more familiar and walking around at night is plain exciting. If you were with me tonight you would have walked down a few stairs and right into this outside mall that could be in some gorgeous Spain neighborhood with musicians and hilarious statues lining the streets. Keep going and you see City Hall with bullet marks from 1948. Turn left and you are back onto a street that is a mix of European and Middle East influence with an old man playing a harp. I just love the diversity of it all. Some of it is mystifying, but the majority of it is exquisite.

Tonight we ate an this darling small cafe that perfectly sat our entire group and not one person more. It was oh so quaint. Part of me wants to go back every night...but there are too many places to try.

 Please notice the 'Coffee, beer, & people' little cafe blurb. I love it.

Seriously, the days I have soda just are too great to handle.
 hahahahaha.

Possibly the best dressing I have ever had in my life. 

Every chair was taken...by only BYU students. The people there LOVED us. And we adored them.

My dinner date. I'm not exaggerating, this pasta was divine. LOVED it so freaking much.

Scared faces everyone? 

(Sorry-forgot a flash.)

Okay, story time. (Charlotte-stop reading now) As we were sitting inside in this perfect place, lights started flashing outside. As I was just making some joke about what if some crazy scene was going on outside and we were innocently talking and loving life...a huge BOOM just shattered our serene environment. We all just gasped and stared at each other. Turns out there was some kind of suspicious item in the building across the street. The Israeli equivalent of our United States SWAT team had covered it somehow and blew it up. After laughing in nervous hysterics....the cafe owners attempted to calm us all by explaining that things like this weren't that strange. Only in Israel, right?

Now I'm off to go ride a camel in Jordan. Be back in 5 days dearest internet world. Love you all.