the way we are

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2011-02-01T13:13:00.002-07:00

bradyandjane.blogspot.com

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2010-10-09T01:21:00.002-06:00

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Ginny

2010-03-22T20:55:00.001-06:00

For one of my classes right now, we had an assignment to interview a "senior citizen". At first, I thought, hmmm...I don't really know any... Then he said "...like a grandma or grandpa..." Oh! My Grandma! Well, I wouldn't put her under the category of senior citizen, but Gram, definitely. So today I caught Gram on the phone while she was starting her hike up Neff's Canyon. Of course, Gram was just out for a hike after she went to her "buff shop" (later found out to be Curves). Gram, you amaze me.

So I asked her some questions for the class, and others, just out of curiosity. Here's a glimpse of my notes as I talked to her. I tried to write as quickly as possible.

What did you have around your house when you were young? And what did you do for entertainment?

No TV's, we all gathered, with the family around the radio. The radio is where we got Jack Armstrong, the All American Boy, the Lone Ranger. Back in the day, there were no video games, or iphones. We played. We went out in the neighborhood, hide and go seek, kick the can, or walk to our little neighborhood movie. We went to the drugstore and got milkshakes for 25 cents and cokes for a dime and candy bars for a nickel. It was an era of make your own fun. We didn't text, we relied on the telephone. My father pulled the phone out of the wall once because he thought I was talking too long. We just relied on our families, our friends, for our entertainment.

Every night our family sat down at the table for dinner. You were expected to have a conversation and tell about your day, bring something interesting. I see now days families so on the fly. We didn't have nearly that, we had much more open time to create.

What advice do you have for me as I am getting to the stage where I will start my family?

From my perspective, they always said it would be a quote, 'bat of an eye'. Well you don't believe it when you're your age, and when you start a family, and particularly start having your own children, you will be so involved in the mechanics of it, that you won't realize, you couldn't possibly, that at my perspective and point in life, it is such a fast trip! The journey is over before you know it, and you cannot believe that and seize that as a young person. There is just no way. My advice would be just enjoy the journey. It's precious and it will go fast. before you know it, your baby daughter will be telling you she wants to go buy a wedding dress or your son will be shopping for his missionary suit. And then you get to this stage, the older you get the faster it goes. It is a precious journey. Enjoy the ride. A lot of people waste it by saying when this happens I'll be happy, you have to find a way to be happy in the now...there are down valleys in every relationship, in every job. But that's part of it, it's how you do those things and how you react and handle them.

When did you get so into outdoor activities?

You do know I'm 78, I was born in 1931 during the depression. I, because of my childhood, I've always been living in California, where the sunshine always was. I have always been outdoors. With tennis, bikes, volleyball. So much outdoor. Then after schooling, and college, and marrying Kenny. He was such an outdoorsman. He had a little boat when I married him. We were always just skiing the mountains or boating the lakes. It was later that I started the running, and when my body couldn't run, I started hiking the mountains. It is body mind and spirit. it does more for me than anything I can do for myself. You always need to program in for yourself time for just you. Whether it's the run, whether it's a hike. When I was a caregiver, I had a little window, and the mountains in the trails brought me back, more than ladies luncheons, they kept me right side up. Now I feel the mountains feed me. I just think God's handiwork is where I find my greatest peace. Also, my greatest benefit. I'm getting buff at my buffer up shop! Have you heard of Curves? All women, and 13 machines, jane, you wouldn't believe it, I'm getting buff!!

How has aging affected these activities?

After all these years, and skiing was in my soul because grampy and I had just been with our kids, in a ski mountain, and of course it wasn't so prohibited in costs, and grampy would work ski races and the whole family would get ski passes. And going this year, I can still get down the mountain with a fair amount of style and grace, but my knees, with all the years of hiking and skiing, they're saying, 'you know what, you may be done girl. If you want to be okay, you might have to cut the skiing.' If you don't have good knees in there you won't be too swift on the mountain. And then, giving in, on my hikes it probably takes about twice as long as getting to my destination. So I think trying to age gracefully, not fight it. When the time comes, and you think that it's not worth pushing it, like it's not worth it to me to go up on a ski mountain and ruin my knees so i can't do this daily hobby of mine that I so love of hiking, you've got to have trade offs.

How long did you date Grampy before marrying him? And how did you get to where you are today?

I came to Salt Lake in april. I probably met him in May, of course he was 5 years older than I was. That made a huge difference because he had done college, had graduated, had done the service, he was working, he had a business. So it was very different for me, who I dated college boys and guys pretty much my own age. But grampy was a whole different cut. There was a larger than life quality about him. and he was so charming, everyone loved Kenny. That was true all through our marriage. Everyone gravitated towards him. We met in April of 53 and were married in November of 53. And the fact that I was from California, I was then working for the airlines and I was stationed in Salt Lake. He was 27, I was 22. And he thought it was about time for him to get married and he just kind of swept me off my feet. And so I went from living in the Bay area, going to the university of Colorado, working for the airlines, to live in Ephraim, UT. And I was not a member of the church and he was an inactive member. I couldn't go to the Episcopal church, even if I wanted to, because there were only 3 or 4 wards there. I loved my church, I really did, tithe payers, worked for the church. But I was moving to Ephraim. I had never known a Mormon, didn't know anything about the church. Got baptized in the Manti temple that next year. Then grampy and I still stayed on the edges, the way out edges, until Pam, your mom, was about 3rd of 4th grade. And we moved into our salt lake ward and they started pursuing us, we ended up going to the temple then. And that's when I was really converted. And the way I learned the gospel is when my little girls were little and they came and asked me to teach primary. So I learned it line upon line by teaching those lessons, those elementary lessons. I learned the gospel. then when they approached us on taking project temple, going through the temple, we had to really sit down and say this is really going to change our lifestyle. We traveled with a great group of friends, but they were not active members of the church. So we said, if we're going to do this, we're going to do this right. If you're going to take vows, you've got to be up to living them. and so we did...And it wasn't like so many stories where they say, I know without a shadow of the doubt. I didn't. I had a very good relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ, but Joseph Smith was a lot to swallow in my years. It took a lot of lessons, and a lot of years, to learn it, digest it, and then believe it. It wasn't like oh i knew. then we came by it, and grampy had been inactive, so he had a firm core belief, he really always did, but he just like so many guys back in those years,just kind of fell away. They went in the service and got away, got a taste of how the world lives.

Any other advice for me?

Each little plateau of your life changes, and you do learn from experience. You learn all the little dumb stuff you overreact to as a little person. Your mother always had a big capacity to put the things that matter most at the forefront and not let them be sacrificed by the things that don't matter. And an example is when she talked about how upset she was on mark's hair and she said 'i'm just going to leave him alone on that, because there are so many other issues I want to teach to him, and if I bug him on his hair, well, it's just not important in the scheme of things.' I think your mother is very wise beyond her years. And most couples get mired in things that in the big scheme doesn't matter a dittle. They can have horrible arguments about stuff that doesn't matter a dittle. The other thing is the fine art of communication, and you don't know until you are living on a day to day basis that you've got to talk things through. There might be times when you might be totally diverse, totally separate on an issue, and you've got to be able to listen to him fairly, and hear his perspective. And he in turn has got to do the same for you. Sometimes it's not fun, but you've got to. And couples, if they don't, just totally shut down. If they aren't successful in hashing it, they lose the art of communication... there's going to be times when you could just ring each other's neck, unless you're different from any other marriage in the world, and you can't imagine it at first, but that's all i'd say. You've got to stay sweethearts, even when all the kids come. that's got to be first. And there's times when you think, Ohh, I'm too tired to talk to you. But communication is so important!

Gram, Thank You! Thank you for spending your "you" time on the mountain talking to Naner on the phone. This will stay the highlight of my week, and it's only Monday. I love you!

Gossip in the Center

2009-12-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

With 82 students living under one roof you think there would be more drama and gossip. But. There isn't. It is kind of like everyone know everything about each other, and if we think something is happening, we say it and then find out if it is true or not. But with 4 days left, we have a new piece of information, that can't get sorted out...

Last night Brother Manscill went into the library late at night to get a book. He turned on the lights and found a couple in there. Easy enough, right? Except he won't tell us who it is. He said they were a surprise couple to see, and he had never really even seen them together. People tried to guess, and he kept saying no. Then he gave one more hint... He is like the Romeo of the center... It still doesn't help. But, there is officially gossip going around the center. I guess. Mags came and told us, prefacing it with the fact that this is gossip.

And, tonight was the first night that I hugged a professor after receiving a grade. I survived Old Testament.

5 days

2009-12-12T15:00:00.009-07:00

Where does time go? I feel like it was yesterday that I walked through the front gates at the Jerusalem Center. All the service couples lined the front walk to shake our hands and hug us in welcome. I knew maybe 5 people's names, and for everyone else, I looked at the name tag we were required to wear. And the days moved slow. Where did the time go? Tonight I was talking to my dad about being here, and how blessed I feel, and quickly he replied, 'So then you're glad you went.' We laughed.

The joy I have felt while being in Jerusalem has been so strong. I feel like I have devoted the past semester to improving myself through Christ. And now, as I go home during the Holidays, all I want to do is tell everyone about this joy. I love Jerusalem. And I want to always remember to pray for the peace here. It no longer is a conflict between Israeli's and Palestinians, but now between people I love. Whatever happens here will effect people I have met, played soccer with, talked about their beliefs, laughed with, and developed a deep love for. Oh Jerusalem, if I forget thee...

This week we've had finals and I spoke in church. Now things have calmed down in the center, and they have picked up in Provo, so we have time some time on our hands.

Here's to our last 5 days!

Bethlehem...without words

2009-12-03T17:36:00.006-07:00

George and Ramses deserve words. Thank you for the most beautiful nativity! And letting me call my mom from your cell phone!

Out My Window

2009-12-03T17:34:00.000-07:00

A weekend in Jerusalem

2009-12-03T16:58:00.003-07:00

After church on Saturday we went to the private section of the Garden of Gethsemene. This part deserves to be called a garden and not just "the three trees of Gethsemene." How lucky that my afternoon decision was to decide whether to go read at the Garden Tomb or the Garden of Gethsemene. Honestly?

Sunday we went to the YMCA to play the bells in the bell tower. To clarify... this means that I actually played the bells. To be exact, I played the Carol of the Bells for all of West Jerusalem to hear! One of the service couples at the center goes and plays the bells every Sunday (he is a masterful organist, and it must carry on to bells also?), and he lets us come. I loved it! Nathan played the Hogwarts theme music. So cool. How fun would it be to all of a sudden hear the bells playing this?

That night we went to dinner at Roza in West Jerusalem for Shelleybelly's birthday(more Shelleyisms are coming) and Adri's parents came! Her dad surprised us all and paid for us, he is an angel! It was so fun hanging out with her parents! It gave us a new light on Adri, and made me love her even more!

Then we went to Ben Yehuda Street and got gelato. When we were leaving we saw this lady sitting at a table by herself, with a single rose on the table. We were trying to think of what her story could be, so finally I went and started talking to her. It turns out the rose was just given to her by a plant shop owner when she bought a plant. But, the rose wasn't the story. No, it's the fact that her name is Michelle and she is Prince's lover. Yes, the Prince. They are lovers, and he will come back to her when she gets with a handsome, sexy black man. That is the only thing that will make Prince come back to her. And yes, I mean back, because she made it clear that they have already been together. But she wouldn't be his groupie, so she left him. So she asked us about clubs where she could find black men. She's from Canada, and has been in Israel for 2 weeks. When she finds her black man, and Prince comes back for her 5 seconds later, Prince will have a concert in Jerusalem, and she will find us and give us tickets.

Oh Michelle, go find your black man!

Galilee

2009-12-03T15:07:00.009-07:00

Well, I can now say that I celebrated the 4th of July on Thanksgiving...in Galilee. That will come later if you can last looking at this post until the end. We were in Galilee for 11 days, and everyday was amazing. On the way to Galilee we stopped by Caesarea, Tel Meggido (Armageddon), and Nazareth (you know? where Christ was raised. Supposedly some people forget that sometimes, so I thought I'd just clarify, in case you're one of them).

Lauren Hays, Lauren Ricks, Lauren Magleby (lots of Laurens), me, & Adri at Caesarea

We were welcomed to Nazareth by this billboard. Right behind it is the church that covers the home of Mary where the Angel visited her to tell her she would give birth to the Christ (wow). We had to walk around this billboard to get to it.

And this is the cave. We weren't allowed to go down, or even on the same level as it, because a small church service was happening.

But I did get to see this guy. And the most beautiful stain glass. When President Hinckley visited this church, he said, "Roman Catholics really know how to build churches." And it was.

Then we went to the other site that the angel could have appeared to Mary, the well. And yes, there are two spots. Because most sites in Jerusalem are actually just guesses as to where things happened. It took me a couple weeks to be okay with that idea. But now, it's normal.

And talk about normal, it is seeing a tell, cistern, AND a mosque or synagogue everyday. And it was no different in Galilee. This was at Tel Dan.

And this was the cistern at Tel Dan. Cisterns are our favorite.

My favorite stop of our 2nd day was at Caesarea Philippi (Banias). This is where Christ gave the sermon about living waters and Peter being the rock. It also is pictured in the back of our scriptures, which i tried to show, but... you might have to look yourself. But it was here that I realized that I have actually been now to 24 of sites pictured in our scriptures. And at this site's photograph was taken by our very own, Brother Manscill who is a professor here, calls me Janer, lets us come talk to him and his wife on Saturday nights, and cut my Thanksgiving turkey this year (again, pictured at the end).

The next day we started with a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. It was breathtaking to be going across the water, reading the stories of Christ on the Sea, and singing "Master the Tempest is Raging."

This sums up our Galilee experience with the Sea.

We then went to the Mt. of Beatitudes, where Christ gave the Sermon on the Mt. Needless to say it was amazing.

And they have strict rules for entering, of course. At every site, it says no guns. This is common.

After we had time on the Mount of Beatitudes, we walked down to the Sea to the churches of Tabgha where Christ fed 5000. On this hill where we walked is where all the people who came to hear Christ would have sat, and He would have walked as He went down to the Sea.

Capernaum! This is where Christ stayed during his ministry in Galilee, at Peter's house, which is guessed to be the house underneath the big building. That building is again, another church. About the design in the covering building, Bro. Hamblin said, "It's like Picasso on Acid".

Me, Adri, Alli, and the fish dinner.

The view from church in Tiberias

After church we stopped by another site of the Jordan River. This is where religious people come to rebaptize themselves. They had the passage from Mark about the Jordan River in every language of people who have come to be baptized there. My favorite was the Hawaiian Pidgin.

And this is how they were rebaptized.

And this is what they all looked like after.

This is just to show that my fashion has become really important since being here. No other pictures will be shown of this day. But we went to Nain, Mt. Tabor, a natural spring that we swam in, and an ancient Roman city.

Another day we went to Akko, and visited more mosques.

And free time in Akko brought us upon this shark. Just trying to be sold. Who wouldn't want to buy their fish like this?

And Thanksgiving! The first time the BYU program came to Ein Gev to stay for their time in Galilee, the Kibbutz got Thanksgiving mixed up with Independence Day. So they have kept the decorations since that first time, and use them, everytime. The room was red, white, and blue, and our turkey came out with sparklers in it! I think this should be a new tradition for everyone.

And this is Bro. Manscill! His tests make me want to go crawl in a hole, but I still can't wait to visit them when they come back to Utah!

After our Thanksgiving dinner, we ended our time at Galilee under the stars at a bonfire. I can now say that I bore my testimony on the shores of Galilee, and I have so much to be grateful for. It was one of the moments that when I look back at my time here, I will think of being with everyone there. At least for the first two hours. By hour 3 and a half, and 59 testimonies later, I was ready to be done.

This was the most amazing week to think about the gospel and life, what I'm doing, where I'm going, things I want to do, the person I want to be. Scary things. But nothing felt scary. I ran in the mornings or evenings, by myself, and had time to remind myself how blessed I am to be here! It's a good reminder, especially today.

Because two weeks from today, I'm coming home!

Talent Show

2009-12-03T11:57:00.005-07:00

Tuesday night there was a talent show at the good ol' Jerusalem center. And people here have talent! There were so many amazing performances. Molly playing the violin, a puppet show about the teachers, Brooke dancing, the nurses showing their nursing skill, Matt serenading with his guitar, and Nathan playing Viva la Vida with all the violinists. Amazing. And then there was us...

And between them lies the wall...

2009-11-27T15:25:00.002-07:00

A wall runs through the Holy Land, separating the West Bank from Jerusalem. Yet, the wall runs through Palestinian neighborhoods, not just separating Palestinian and Israelis.

I feel like I understand the conflict here so much more since being here. This didn't take much, because the first day I got to Jerusalem, I realized I didn't know anything. But I do know for certain one thing, I love this city!

Silence is Foreign to me.

2009-11-13T15:17:00.002-07:00

Now, don't get me wrong. I love everyone here. But tonight, I felt kind of like I was standing in the middle of here...

So I did this...

Try it.

Another day, Another year

2009-11-10T14:11:00.009-07:00

Dear 21,

In the 24 hours of knowing you, I am excited for our time together. You came in with a bang, and I think you'll stay this way. Roommate snuggle time, balloons, seeing his face, a card from home, and a story from Paris.

I could have ended here, and I still would be in love with you. But, of course, you came back for more. Thirteen girls in the van, dancing with the Jews on the street, Thai food, a stop at Aldo's(the best gelato), and my own personal rap on the streets.

Left: Brooklynn, Clark, Taylor, Kate, Kali(not shown) Right: Amy E, Adri, roommate Kate, Alli, Anna

Left: Amy E, me Right: Brooklynn, Shelley, Amy B, Laur, La

21 , I'm excited to get to know you more. I'm excited for the friends, both old and new, the work I expect you will bring, and to see my family grow(Matt & Vanessa, I'm excited for unknownbaby #2!) I am exxxcited to be in love, and I am excited for the unexpected.

Everyone

2009-11-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

Trick or Treat!

2009-10-31T06:26:00.004-06:00

Last night we had a Halloween party in the center, because today is the sabbath for us. My roommates and I dressed up as Fudge Pillows. Don't know what Fudge Pillows are? That's because Fudge Pillow is the name we gave to the cereal in the center. But that's what we were. We had to be creative with lack or resources. Not everyone had arrived for the picture, but here you can see Brother Brown, a rubix cube, a prayer rug, swine flu, ninjas, and other obscurely random costumes, that most people would never think to be. After this picture also came the Dome of the Rock and the falafel, with the falafel balls, lettuce, tomato, and pita. Creativity doesn't get much better than this.

Amy and Taylor were the center cats, so they wanted to drink some of the milk in our cereal

Warning: This is long...

2009-10-31T01:01:00.015-06:00

This week we went to Jordan! I got my fanny, my water-bottle carrier (and of course did the "bottle waddle"), and my headset. All of which, if I didn't have, I would be nothing. These are my new favorite possessions in life. We started off at Mt. Nebo, went to see mosaics in Madaba, and finished our day at the Shobak Castle. At night we stayed just outside of Petra and we practiced our Arabian dancing in the streets with the local men from the village. We were walking, when all of a sudden we heard music coming from an alley, and some of our group down there dancing. This was an opportunity we couldn't miss. Last week we were taught how to do their dancing, so we had to show them what we could do. SO funny.

Tuesday morning we walked into Petra. The walk in was like walking through the Grand Canyon, then all of a sudden the canyon opened up and this is what I saw...

It was amazing to see all these structures built into the rock! And they built them from the top down, so the planning that must have gone into it is amazing! Along the roads were little kids trying to sell rocks, necklaces, postcards, etc. You'd feel bad for a minute, but then look off on the side of the road and see their parents sitting under the shade. This took away my desire to buy something from them, but it did make me want to steal the child away. He was my favorite...

me, Amy, La, Adri, Laur, Kate, Alli, Kate

After Petra we got in the bus and drove to Amman, Jordan. It was a bigger city, and felt a lot more clean than anywhere we have been, yet. Except for our hotel. Kelsey found a cockroach in our shower, and the room felt like a cabin-room in a train. But the city was nice! The next morning we went to Jerash, which has ancient Roman ruins that are better preserved than those in Rome. Who would have guessed. Better Roman ruins in Jordan than in Rome? Obviously they were different, and not as many, but still very cool. On our way there, our bus broke down, and so all 97 of us had to cram onto one bus. We were imagining the headlines..."Bus crashes in Amman, 97 killed..."

But we made it!

At Jerash, they did a show for us, but it didn't seem worth $10 to some of us. So we pretended like we were the peasants and went to the edge of the stadium and watched it from there. We saw all we needed to see, especially this chariot race! The coolest part of the show.

That night we went to the Royal Automobile Museum. I was just going a long to get out and explore, but it really was interesting and fascinating to see the different cars the royal family here has had since the early 1900's. There was even a car that drove on water! And randomly, while we were there, I saw Heather Sanders!

On our last day, we went to a mosque and then the Citadel Overlook. Not only could you see the royal palace, set within the poor neighborhood of Amman, and the world's largest flag pole, but there were ancient ruins, columns, and a museum with pottery from different ages and some of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

When we were at the overlook, an older man was sitting out on a little ledge. He was probably in his sixties, and was just looking over the edge. Another Jordanian couple were sitting out on the ledge also, celebrating the guy's birthday, with presents, candles, and food brought by his wife. We all sat on the railings, as pictured below, which turned out to be a good thing. The older man got up to come back, when he lost his balance and fell. Like a rag doll, he fell down at least 20 feet of rocks, and then landed out of sight. It was a heart-stopping moment. Without telling of the detail of what I saw, he survived, but with a broken clavicle, many broken fingers, bruised ribs, and his ear was almost completely ripped off. No one wanted to break any rules after seeing this.

But the trip still ended on a good note as we went to the Jordan River. It even started to lightly rain as we were there, and 3 men striped down in their speedos and decided to get in this disgustingly polluted river. Yes, it has a lot of importance, obviously, but so does life. I did put my feet in, but made sure they were cleaned after!

It felt good to come back home! Especially to Sister Whipple greeting us and rain!

A Day to Always Remember

2009-10-24T14:36:00.002-06:00

This morning in sacrament meeting, President Okiishi stated that, "Today will be a day you will always remember." I thought about it, thinking that of course I want to remember today, I want to remember everyday. But his words were profound.
Today is the halfway mark for my time her in Jerusalem, and I feel an overwhelming amount of gratitude for my experiences here so far, and the people I am with. Elder Holland arrived at the BYU Jerusalem Center, the same building he helped create, in the early afternoon, as we were finishing church. He ate dinner in our ordinary Oasis, but they went all out for him tonight. We had turkey with cranberry sauce, and actual chocolate ice-cream. This is big. Usually it is chicken cooked with Palestinian herbs, or fish with the skin still on it, and every desert tastes like egg nog. But today we had turkey with cranberry sauce. I instructed Sister Holland on the tricks of the salad, and welcomed both her and Elder Holland as we moved through the line. And yes, of course Dad, I asked him about your tennis match, which he said he won!
I sat on the third row in the auditorium, directly in front of the podium, waiting to hear the voice of an apostle speak to us. I looked at the stage and was struck by the presence of those in front of me. Not only the presence of Elder & Sister Holland and Elder & Sister Porter, but also the everyday presence of Brother and Sister Brown.
The Porters bore their testimony, then Sister Holland, and Elder Holland was to speak next. As Sister Holland went to sit down, Elder Holland waited for her, looked into her eyes, grabbed her hand, and kissed it quickly, but with affection, as she sat down.
He began by forcefully reminding us students of our privilege and obligation we have for being here. He stated that if we go home the same as we came, he will be ashamed and disappointed. That this experience is of such great worth that it should change our lives forever. He then continued to talk about the Nephites begging Christ to stay a little longer in 3 Nephi 17, and that with Christ, mercy trumps justice. His talk was unbelievable, and so powerful. I sat watching him talk about the most important site of the Old Testament being the Mercy Seat in the Ark of the Covenant, which resided in Jerusalem, and gratitude doesn't begin to describe what I felt. And as he talked, Jerusalem lit up behind him.
Later a group of us met on my balcony to read each Gospel's description of the Atonement, and then read through what Elder Holland taught in 3rd Nephi 11-17. I know, not a typical activity for me to sit and do on a Saturday night. Technically, Saturday is the sabbath here, but still.
The gratitude I feel for being here is unbelievable, and I feel like I am not appreciative of it unless I express it. It's not every study abroad where an apostle of the Lord comes and speaks with you, hugs you, and stays in the apartment right above you. I feel like I am having an experience that is fully changing my life forever, and today helped me remember that. Everyone always notices how people come back from Jerusalem a little bit quirky... or kind of obsessed with the other people they were with... but I understand why. This is a life changing experience. One that will bless my life forever. So I feel like I need to yell it! Today is a day to always remember.

Diet Coke and Mentos...

2009-10-22T16:28:00.002-06:00

A Diet Coke and Mentos eruption...is a reaction of Diet Coke and mint Mentos candies...Dropping some Mentos into the bottle, usually around four, causes the Diet Coke to foam at a rapid rate and spew into the air. Mint-flavored Mentos are used, as fruit-flavored Mentos have a smooth coating which slows the reaction... - Wikipedia, "Diet Coke and Mentos Eruption"

Tonight I ate fruit Mentos and Diet Coke, while studying. Uh oh.

Since my last blog...

2009-10-22T07:03:00.005-06:00

I have been to a monastery...

I have been to the lowest city on earth...

Got gelato at the most delicious place on Ben Yahuda street. We felt like this little girl...

Explored the city with the girls...

Allison, La, Shelley, Brooklynn, Amy B, Amy E, La

Walked through underground tunnels...

Experienced Matisyahu...

IN Jerusalem...

Had a beach day, ending the greatest way possible, at La La Land for dinner...

Herded goats & sheep...

Listened to this man read the Torah...

Had unplanned perfect moments...

Laughed hysterically...

Had our bus searched...

Laughed even harder...

Crushed olives and made oil...

And had quality roommate bonding.

Just in case you were wondering.

Best I Ever Had

2009-10-08T15:45:00.009-06:00

Well it's an uneventful night at the BYU Jerusalem Center tonight. At least for now. I have some time to spare, so I thought I would do my end of summer post. Yes, I know summer ended more than a month ago, and fall is fully there for everyone in Utah. But here in Jerusalem, it is still in the 80's, and I don't think I've wanted to say goodbye to summer quite yet. It was after all, one of the best summers thus far. Whiffle ball on Sunday nights, Greenhouse Effect at 1 am, boating, tennis, early morning runs, JCC, Creamies, The Bachelorette, diet coke, "white lips", Newport Beach, 4th of July fireworks, The Fray, Jackson Lake, milk duds, Bear Lake, family, and love. Who would want to say goodbye? But just because we say goodbye, doesn't mean it's the end. Just new beginnings. So Summer 2009, "you da best I eva had."

I hated saying goodbye to these girls, and all others. You guys made summer the best, and I love you all!

It was so fun having Mark and Ash back this summer! Brady and I loved hanging out with you guys, even when our boating adventures were way too cold to handle!

I miss this boy.

Lily Jules Richards!!! The first little girl in the Richards family was born on August 19. I'm so happy for my sis and her family!

Brady took me up to Bear Lake with his family the week before I left, and it was the perfect ending to a perfect summer. Especially notice the unwashed hair, going on 6 days. He's mastered it.

We came home Sunday morning, and I had a goodbye dinner Sunday night. The whole family was there, and I loved it. There is nothing like my whole family being all together. It was Brady's first experience with everyone, and I'm sure it was quite the experience. I love all of you. I feel so lucky to have been surrounded by you all right before I left

! I think of you all as my best friends and I miss you all like crazy!

Lily Jules!

A typical day for me at home is talking to my sisters and my mom. This has been a hard change for me! You guys are my best friends, and I love you so much!

Happiness

So now I embrace fall. Yes, the only leaves I see are the crisp dark green leaves that have fallen on my porch. But that porch looks out over Jerusalem, so this fall, I think I will survive without the oranges, reds, browns, yellows, and many other mixtures of colors. But just this once. I miss fall in Utah, and I miss all of you! But I'M IN JERUSALEM!!! I'm grateful everyday, and I feel like I'm dreaming.

My first weeks here, I felt so awkward walking through the city. I didn't know where I was going, I was looking around constantly, it was hot, and I felt lost. Yesterday we got out of the cab and started walking. We continued our conversation, casually and with no pauses for directions. Naturally, we got to where we were going. It's amazing that I am starting to feel at home in Jerusalem. I'm in love with this city.

Bruce... tell me a joke

2009-10-07T04:43:00.006-06:00

Written by Kate Hoffmire.

Kate: Jane I have a knock knock joke for you... Knock, knock.

Jane: Who's there?

Kate: Matisya.

Jane: Matisyahu!!!

I AM GOING TO SEE MATISYAHU IN JERUSALEM IN LESS THAN 8 HOURS!!!!!! THERE IS NO FONT BIG ENOUGH TO EXPRESS MY EXCITEMENT.

Rain!

2009-10-06T14:15:00.006-06:00

I think this was the first time in months Jerusalem's streets were cleaned, and it wasn't by the city. It rained!!! So cool.

To the Owner of the Brown Leather Jacket,

2009-10-03T07:14:00.005-06:00

Today is Saturday, yet really Sunday. Make sense? It didn't to me either for a while, but now Friday night I get excited for Church in the morning. I want to write you back on my blog, because let's be honest, I like to copy you. After church today I sat out on the steps that in 3 1/2 months you will sit on. I had to sit in the shade because the sun was so hot and I didn't want to melt. I miss fall in Utah. But that's not why I'm writing you back.
I'm so happy for you that you're all over the world. You've seen so many places I want to go, but I think after next April you need to come back to Provo for a little while. And you need to stay. I'm all better now, though. It's not like the sick where I would stay congested for weeks and have to sleep out in our living room, but you'd always sleep out there with me. Usually on the couch. In that room is also where Sara and I hid from you behind the curtains to try and scare you. It's where we sat alone at 1:30 am watching Marley and Me, crying. The same room with the window you leaned out of and sang "Blackbird" to people on the sidewalk below. Or when I left to the Grand Canyon with my dad, and as I got to the car I realized I forgot something. I yelled your name, and you opened that same window to throw the Vitamin Water down three flights, knocking me to the ground. Or the unmentionable drawings that occured there. I'm still trying to forget about those.
But I feel better. I am healthy and not dying. At least not from diabetes. Yesterday I woke up and ran 5 miles. I would have ran more but no one wants to. I figure if I keep running, maybe I can stay ahead of the things that are wrong with my body. So far, it's working. I haven't gone low while I'm here, at least in the mornings. I don't think anyone here would be there to throw a snickers at me, or take the mop outside if I told them to. And they see me carry my insulin around everywhere. In Provo I could hide it. People could know me for months and not know I had diabetes. But here it's like I pretty much stood up in the cafeteria yelling, "I HAVE DIABETES!" That is at least how it felt when really all I do is pull out my pen and shoot up. Like a druggie, yes. But quickly people notice, and ask, and I don't mind. I like it more than the people who look and turn away. I carry my insulin around everywhere with me. Sometimes in my pocket, othertimes clipped onto my skirt, and my friends here tell me it's always in my mouth. "Take your insulin out of your mouth!" Lauren told me the other day. I don't keep it as much of a secret here.
When we get older you're going to be in Oregon. or Paris. but probably London. I don't know where I'll be, but it'll probably be somewhere in the U.S., that is one thing I know. I won't be drifting down the river, like your leaf, going away from you. If that happens, just accio me back. Cause I think you're like my horcrux, and I want to see the pillowcases in your future home. And the pictures of us. xoxo.

ps. even though my blog is public now, you still know I invited you to read it before. FLIP

Shelleyisms

2009-09-27T13:15:00.018-06:00

"but I can't count sheckels!!!

"Guys this train ride is the worst!!!... It's florescent lighting. I HATE florescent lighting."

"Like all the ladies in my ward get boob jobs..."

With a pondering look... "I wanted a boob job."

"It'll be a triple date!"
"Can a married woman come?"
"Why, are you planning on getting married?"
"No."
"Okay then... anyways..."

Sitting down at the computer...
"Who am I gonna stalk now!?"

"In the ancient days they were called shakes..."
"mmm... shakes!"

We're all sitting and studying...
"I never knew that Muslims were Christians, too!"
All heads turn to her...Silence...

"Shelley, tell me how you say the name of the state I'm from"
"I don't know where you're from Mauri."
"You know... Las Vegas..."
"Oh! Arizona!"

"Rabbinic Judaism was during the 2nd till 18th century"
Turning to Lizzie..."Wait... what century are we in now?"

"Do you know what I was just thinking about, I feel like I have an internet boyfriend."

Leaning over to me, holding a gummy...

'This one's gross!! Try it..."

"No, I don't want it."

She puts it in her mouth.

"Why did you eat it!?"

"Where else would I put it?"

Mt. Sinai

2009-09-25T17:25:00.008-06:00

We ended our trip to Egypt with a bang. Thursday morning we woke up at 2 am to hike Mt. Sinai and make it for the sunrise. We started hiking in complete darkness, under the stars. First thing I looked for was my common checkpoint of finding the Big Dipper, and then the Little Dipper. I'm getting pro. About halfway they let us break off, so I started to run. Obviously, I didn't run for that long, but I was able to break away so I could hike in semi-silence. I got to the top, with Bryan close behind, and we found the perfect spot for others to gather around us as they came. On top of Mt. Sinai, I watched as the sky turned from darkness to light. And now you can see a small glimpse of what I experienced...

Once the sun was up, people in our group started singing hymns. It was surreal sitting on the ledge, looking over the valley, and listening to hymns, thinking about Christ. I thought about Moses, and I thought about the very mountain I was on going up in smoke and fire. It made me think about life and how I personally want to leave the mount. It was such an awesome experience!

The Red Sea!

Luxor & Back

2009-09-25T16:57:00.008-06:00

Saturday night we took a flight from Giza to Luxor. Sunday morning we started off by going to the Valley of the Kings. No pictures were allowed here. We took a ride into the valley and saw the tombs of Ramses VI, Ramses I, and King Tut. There are a total of 63 tombs in the Valley of the Kings, all of which have been robbed except King Tut's. His tomb was burried under another tomb, and was discovered by an excavater who spilled water. The water dripped and uncovered stairs leading to King Tut's tomb. In King Tut's tomb, his body was also there. It was so short and small, and amazing to see. The tomb was surrounded by more hieroglyphics that relate to our modern temples. It was an embrace, that is the same as that in the temple, supposedly. The Egyptians have similar things as our temple supposedly, because Noah had Hem, who had Shem, who married an Egyptian.
After the Valley of the Kings we went to the tomb of Hatchepsut on the other side. Her tomb is still considered in the Valley of the Kings, however.

Later that afternoon we went on a boat ride across the Nile River to where they had camels waiting for us!

My Camel's name was Micah and my leaders name was Iman. It was a great ride. Iman and I sang Bob Marley, he let me hold the reigns of the camel, and he kept asking me if I have a boyfriend. I told him he needs to find a girl and take her on a camel ride. He loved the idea. He also told me how to say I love you in Arabic, then he kept saying it to me. Very bonding moment. Ha, NOT! But it was funny, and it was crazy to ride a camel!On the way back we waited on our boat for the other group to finish their camel rides, so we got to watch the sunset on the Nile.

The next day we went to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. They were both huge and so much to see. Karnak temple had so many columns in one section, and huge obelisks. And Luxor Temple was also amazing. A creepy part was that as we walked through, Egyptian men would sit against the walls and take pictures of us as we walked by. It got to the point where boys in our group would walk by us and cover our faces.

We took a night train back from Luxor and returned to Giza. The next day we went to Cairo and saw Muhammad's Mosque and citadel. Islam explained the rituals at the mosques for us and the domes help amplify the sound of the one leading the prayer. In Cairo, we even ate at the Hard Rock Cafe. They sang and danced for us, and it was nice to eat an American meal.

The Pyramids

2009-09-25T16:33:00.006-06:00

Last Thursday we headed off for Egypt. Along the way we stopped at Beersheba, Sde Boker (the Wilderness of Zin Overlook), Tel Avdat, Maktesh Ramon, and we ended at Kibbutz Yotvata. It was amazing driving through such desert, and thinking of the stories from the bible. Like outside Beersheba is where Hagar was sent and wandered. To picture her having to survive out in that desert is unbelievable. The Kibbutz Yotvata was another different story altogether. I never knew communities like this existed. They took us on a driving tour of the Kibbutz, and the tour was... interesting. Our tour guide was a lady wearing a t-shirt with cactus cowboys on it, riding rabbits and pigs, and she loves her dates. She talked to us for a half hour on the process of growing and picking dates, and also how members are voted into the community, and occassionally, voted out. To become a member, one must apply, then a vote is taken. Sounds intense, eh? The Kibbutz pays everyone an allowance, but they also provide for all their needs: home, food, insurance, school, and they can even check out a car to use. Yes, that is right, they have cars to check out. During the tour our guide had the bus stop in the middle of nowhere to look at a battery. She then went on to explain how this battery is controld by a machine, to help read the fields. I don't think that stop was necessary. Lauren Magleby made designs out of leaves, and Hailey said, "I really just wish bird would poo on her!" We all loved it.

When our bus caught the first glimpse of the pyramids, everyone went crazy. People were standing up, yelling, cheering, and taking pictures. It really was surreal to by driving through the city of Giza, and have the pyramids pop up on the skyline. I always thought they were more in the middle of nowhere, but they are right outside of Giza!That night we went to a light show at the pyramids, and we really were this excited. We got our tour guide who would stay with us the rest of the week, Islam Said, and he started off with a bang. He named us Tut, but reminded us quickly that it is pronounced "Toot!" So everywhere we went he would say, "Come on Toot! Hurry up Toot!" We loved it. He introduced us to the pyramids by giving us some facts. The tallest of the 3 pyramids is 500 ft/149.4 m tall and each brick weighs 2 tons. There are 117 pyramids total and the last was found just about 6 months ago. The Giza pyramids are 4500 years old, and they are tombs, not temples. Lauren Ricks, Lauren Magelby, and I excited about the pyramids!

The lights on the pyramids were so cool. I was sitting there under the stars in Egypt, looking at the pyramids. Best line of the night was, "The world fears time, and time fears...THE PYRAMIDS". The program was great, L. Mags and I were cracking up.

The next morning we headed to the pyramids and got tickets to go up into the pyramid and see the tomb in the biggest pyramid. We climbed up a small shaft and it opened into the tomb, right in the middle of the pyramid. We continued to see the rest of the pyramids, and the Sphinx. At the Sphinx, Adri was lining up a picture of me looking like I was kissing it (of course, a must, right?). But the best part was the little boy who came up and started to try and help. He kept squeezing my lips to purse them together, and I couldn't stop laughing. Thus the picture is not posted, because I am just kissing the chin.

The Pyramids!!!

Today

2009-09-24T15:23:00.002-06:00

This morning I hiked Mt. Sinai. No Big Deal.

Camel? Camel?

First Week

2009-09-11T15:16:00.009-06:00

Jerusalem is amazing. And that is maybe the only simple thing about it. Classes loaded us with lots of reading this week and I feel like I have information overload right now. We are beginning to learn about Judaism, Palestinians and Muslims, the Old Testament, and the land surrounding us. Everything is so complicated because each story is built upon another that happened thousands of years ago. So as I'm learning more, it is fun to then walk around the city and notice things that we learn from our reading.
Tonight we went to the Western Wall to watch the Jews celebrate the beginning of the Sabbath. People were dancing, singing, praying, swaying, and sincerely pressed up against the wall praying. They will stay out all night doing this, we only stayed 2 hours. During that time a shooting happened right outside the gate in the City of David. 2 men were shot, 16 and 40. None of the students knew about this until we gathered to go home. Instead of the 20 minute walk back to the Center, they escorted us to a bus in the opposite direction with all security personnel lining the streets, following us in vans, and running up and down the line of students. When we got on they realized we were missing one student. So the guards became more frantic, grabbed a student who could recognize him, jumped in a van, and drove off. Brian had gone to the bathroom, and when he came out, we were all gone so he took a taxi home and beat us. So he was fine. It was a crazy though.
Everyday is like a new adventure, and even though things are planned, we never know what exactly will happen. Today Lauren stepped in human feces, I bet she didn't plan on that when she woke up. We also sat in King David's Hotel for a minimum of 30 minutes, thinking how nice and modern it was. We looked at the pool, looked at shops, and then asked for directions to the Dormition of Abby. "Oh just go to King David's Hotel and it's around the corner..." Oh, so that means just around the corner then? Taylor asked. "No, you have to pass a gas station, a store, then you'll pass King David's Hotel, and it's behind that." Hmm... No wonder the hotel looked so modern, it was the wrong one.
I had a Solero today and instantly thought of my whole family in Europe! I can remember everyone saying Solero over and over, and I always felt so left out, until I learned what it meant! Ha, so rediculous, but I'm glad I had you guys watching out for me, haha. It was delicious though.
Here's some pictures thus far...

After getting crushed in Damascus Gate

Haredi Jews (ultra-orthodox)

Western Wall

Jerusalem at sunset from BYU Jeru

Orson Hyde Garden

The street up to the Center

St. Augusta Tower (church)

Looking over Bethlehem

Underneath the BYU Jerusalem Center

Written on the walls

The REAL King David Hotel

The Dormition of Abby

Mary's Tomb

Damascus Gate on Friday afternoon...and Amy

The streets of the Old City

Orientation

2009-09-03T03:40:00.002-06:00

This morning I woke up to the sound of the prayer call blasting through the speakers on the hill next to the Center. It is in Arabic and goes on for at least 5 minutes. As it woke me up I thought about all of the people getting up to pray, and was amazed by their devotion.
After breakfast and a meeting, we headed off on an orientation walk throughout the city. We saw so many things that as of now I don't know how to spell, but I'll try anyways: Olive trees, Kanab valley, Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane (from a distance), Old Jerusalem... hmmm, really I don't remember all of the places. We weren't allowed to bring a camera or money, they just wanted us to get oriented with everywhere. So I just walked, looked, and tried to take it all in. Obviously in the months to come it will all become very familiar to me.
It is different than I expected. Every building and part of the streets are made with limestone. In many parts of the city you can see how over centuries the city just gets higher and higher because instead of tearing things down, they just build over old buildings.
I can't believe I am here. It still feels like just a vacation. I feel like I need to be buying everything now, seeing everything now, but then I realize I will be here for 3 1/2 more months. Crazy! And exciting. I'm loving it. It's fun getting to know all the people right now. It's like every hour I get to know someone better, which is so much fun.
Jerusalem, so far, so good! I'm loving it!

Jerusalem

2009-09-02T13:23:00.000-06:00

After 25 hours of travel time, I am here!