Last night in Jerusalem

When dance parties turn into JC wide pillow fights you know that its been a good day. :D

...18!!!

The Last Sabbath

I couldn't have asked for a better ending Sabbath while here in Jerusalem. We have been taught and touched by the love of good people here. I am a better person because I've known them. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the people and experiences that have come to mean so much to me here. I hope to always cherish these days as long as I live.

...21 days
      Three weeks to the day and I'll be a married woman. :D

Work Hard and Play Hard

In order for us all to keep our sanity during finals week we a each have certain preferred study break excuses. My personal favorite is Foosball. The picture below is Ryan Chapman begging me to play just one more game (cause he thinks one more try will actually give him a chance at beating me ;D ). And the picture below that is half the JC gathered around the TV to watch the Olympics. We all figure that if we just simply hold our notes while watching that we might somehow remember all the material, so far it hasn't been working. I just think its slightly hilarious that nearly every person in the room has notes out and almost every one of us are glued to the excitement of the Olympics instead. Gotta love the attention span of college students. 

Anyhow, just thought I'd share the in between moments of studying that make life all the more enjoyable.

...23

One Down, Two to go

Only two more tests. My hardest ones, but I've got a good plan of attack and I'm going to be ready! This is the stuff I love learning so I'm going to do what I can to earn the grades to prove how awesome I think it is.

...24

Its Crunch Time

Finals week has come around once again. We don't have quite as many tests and papers as last time but I'm still feeling a lot of pressure to try to do somewhat decent in these classes. Sigh* we'll see though, its tough. I just pray that I don't lose my scholarship while I'm here. I knew studying abroad was going to be a lot of work but I was not mentally prepared for everything that would be required, well on the bright side I know that I've learned A TON, so I'm happy about that. I am so grateful that the faculty has scheduled time in Jerusalem after all of our tests are done so that we can enjoy our last days here free from tests and worries. The program here is really excellent, they certainly know how to make the absolute most of the time and money that we have invested in it. Our time here has been so comprehensive and thorough I'm impressed with everything that they arranged for us to see and learn. And yet, despite the massive amounts of things we've experienced here I'm still afraid that I'm missing things. I guess I'll just have to come back with my family someday ;D

...25

Masada+Cave Eleven+Dead Sea= FANTASTIC DAY!

Finally! I have now seen and walked the grounds of Masada. I've been looking forward to that part of the trip for quite some time and it did not disappoint! What a remarkable place with a history that is as dramatically heart wrenching as it is complex and uncertain. I would be interested in learning more about the people involved in the siege of Masada during the First Jewish Revolt, so if any one knows any good books...:D

We got permission to hike to one of the caves that the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in. Cave eleven was the last of the caves that they found scrolls in and I got to walk around in it:) Turns out our professors had done some exploring earlier in the year to try to find out which caves we're which because they are not marked nor are they highly trafficked tourist locations, which made it all the better. Our professors are awesome, just sayin :D

...26

Hezekiah's Tunnel by Candle Light

Today was super fun. We got a small group together to go down Hezekiah's tunnel a second time, but this time we did it by the light of small oil lamps. Way fun:) I didn't expect it to work as well as it did and it was really enjoyable to be in a small group so we could stop and play as we desired. Startling each other in the dark is a truly fantastic means of  entertainment and we discovered that the excellent acoustics make it easy to conjure up creepy voices for all to hear :D After we had our fun in the tunnels we hiked back up the valley and visited the Tomb of the Prophets. We were really fortunate because it turned out that it was supposed to be closed on Sundays but there was a man there that was willing to let us in if we gave him a donation. We were happy to do so and enjoyed exploring the tombs with the candles that he let us use. Today's involved a lot of fire, dark caves and exploring, so definitely a good day in my book!

...27