Just another Shabbat

We took a taxi to a synagogue and went to a service. Lots of singing and clapping. It was one of my favorite things ever. Plus, I went with awesome people...who are all normally very photogenic.

Bethlehem

Super cool experience and our last venture into the West Bank. The city is surrounded by an enormous cement barrier that gives it the feeling of a prison, but the inside of the city is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen. We spend some time just walking around the city, but also:

1. Went to the Church of the Nativity. The oldest continuously functioning Christian church on earth and also the least functioning continuous snooze fest of my life. Admittedly, the church was undergoing some significant reconstruction, but we were in line for two hours for the grotto which I didn’t actually get to see because an old lady with blue eye shadow pushed me out the door. Fortunately, I was listening to Christmas music the whole time, so I still felt the intended spirit.

2. Got to spend some time mingling with the students at Bethlehem University.

Me: “So, what’s it like going to school here?”

Bethlehem University Student: "Good."

James: “Do you know Shakira?”

Bethlehem University Student: “Yes!”

James: “Waka Waka??!!!”

Bethlehem University Student: “Waka Waka!”

3. Enjoyed a spectacular lunch with spectacular people in a tent.

Me: "Isn't it great to escape to the bomb shelter sometimes?"

Andrew: "The real bomb shelter? Or your own personal bomb shelter?"

Dallin, Lindsey, and Blair: “These puns aren’t very tomato. Dangit.” I miss you guys.

Mid-term Finals

This week we finish up three of our classes and start one new one tomorrow. But since I’ve spent the last week buried in homework, I haven’t had a lot of time to get out into the city. So, these are three of my favorite studying moments.

1. Stephanie: “Before taking this class, I didn’t know the Queen of Sheba was a real person. I thought she was kind of just this made-up personification of uppity-ness. Like, ‘who does she think she is? The Queen of Sheba?!’”

2. James (fighting for a point on a quiz): “But don’t you think level three could have seeped a little bit into level four?”

3. Melia: “That reminds me of this really good Dove chocolate quote...”

Tov, Tov Week

1. Passover. Our Judaism teacher helped us celebrate an early Passover. At this particular Passover, it was emphasized that the telling of the exodus is mostly for the children and so we made it a little more interesting, i.e. ending with a rap with pneumonic numerical symbolism. I didn’t get to look for the Afikomen this year, but I have a feeling I’ll get another chance.

2. Red Sea (Eilat snorkeling). This day was awesome for a lot of reasons:

· I got to wear Lisa’s mu-mu. (It’s getting passed around to every girl at the center. It magically fits us all).

· Taking underwater engagement pics of Andrew and Stephanie. I can’t lie, I’m 10,000% jealous.

· Spending some quality mall time with Johnathon and James. Good good people.

· Touching a gargantuan purple fish.

· Cow Kibbutz. (K-I-B, B-U-T-Z, we’re in a kibbutz and happy are we). And chocolate milk in a bag is the best invention of all time.

· Bus dance party. DJ Melia rocks.

3. Talent Schmalent Show. Easily the best part of my week. I’m not super into talent shows, but somehow, that night will forever be engrained in my mind as one of the funniest nights of my whole life. Thanks to a lot of incredible untalent and our brilliant MCs, Brandt and Andrew.

• Brandt: “Doesn’t that just make you want to start a family?”

Andrew: “Yes, separately.”

• Brandt: “Who’s your favorite rightly guided Caliph?”

Andrew: “I’m a Abu Bakr man, myself.”

Brandt: “But where would we be without 'Uthman b. 'Affan?”

Andrew: “True.”

• Andrew: “C-Bass and Sister Ann “Kickin Bod” Killian.”

Snorkeling in the Red Sea

Justin: "It's like the Passover all over again".

I'll explain the mu-mu later.

3 Highlights of the Week

1. 10/10/10 party at 10:10 with 10 people in the bomb shelter. The bomb shelter was built for dance parties. There’s neon tape lining the walls, black lights, and it’s always cold. At 10:09, we started a countdown to the fateful moment, and then for one full minute, we danced. It was a pretty great minute and now I’m just trying to remind myself to live every moment as if it’s 10/10/10 10:10.

2. Trying to read the Old Testament. This is my first struggle with the ancient text, but fortunately, I’m surrounded by 80 other people going through the same struggle.

Me: “I took an accidental two hour nap today. I was reading in 2 Kings…”

James: “Yep, that’s like Tylenol PM.”

3. Hezekiah’s tunnel and the pool of Siloam. We walked through Hezekiah’s tunnel this week which not only made me feel like Indiana Jones, but also became an epically immortalized experience as we did the Waka Waka in linear formation. Something I learned from the experience was about the man who was born blind who Christ healed. He used dirt and spittle to cover his face and then told him to wash his face at the pool of Siloam. If he had uses fine ointments and herbs, people would have said that he regained sight because of the pure elements on his face. Also, Siloam means “follow” or “disciple”, so he uses this radical illustration to give light and knowledge to the man who was blind so that he could become a disciple for Christ. I love it here!!!!!

Just a quick pic

Me, Melia, Matt, Jocelyn, and Mickell. This is a church in the Christian quarter called the Church of Flagellation. The church was amazing, but the company was even better. Seriously, I love all these people. "Digestive?...anyone? Just me. Cool."