...and we're done!

Finals are officially OVER!  After a stressful week of worrying, studying, stressing about not studying enough, wishing I was out in the city instead of worrying about studying... the tests are finished and the papers are handed in.  I definitely passed my Arabic class (phew!), but we're still awaiting the verdict on the rest of them.  However, I'm not going to worry about it for the next little while because we're heading to Turkey!  I think we've all earned a fun trip after a crazy week :)  I think this will be the closest thing to a spring break we'll ever have as BYU students and I'm looking forward to it!  Can't wait to spend a week in this beautiful place :)

Familiar Stops

Now that I've been in Jerusalem for two months (crazy!) there are some places I've been to many times that are worth mentioning.

First: Aladdin's (pronounced all-a-dean) money changer. He takes good care of us J.C. kids!

Second: the 7-to-11 mini grocery store. They have the best prices on everything from pomegranate juice (which is sadly out of season) to mars bars. We found Betty Crocker frosting for our roommate's birthday, Cheetos, microwave popcorn, magnum bars, and pop rocks chocolate. They get good business from the J.C.!

Half Marathon

I remember when my roommate Sarah Jane went to Jerusalem last winter semester and she ran a half marathon- I remember thinking that she was crazy! I was in the middle of training for my first half and was thoroughly impressed! I thought it would be neat to do, but hadnt committed to it. Three weeks before the race when we were signing up, I ran for the first time since being here. We only ran two miles and it felt so good that I thought "why not do 11 more?" So having only run five times in the last two months I decided to make my sixth run count and run a half marathon. I'm so glad I did! The first 3/4 felt super good and the last few miles were rough (who plans the hardest hills for the very end??) but I loved every step! Running trough that beautiful city was great!

The lovely ladies who ran the half with me (I missed the memo about the cool shirts!)

People dressed up to cheer us on (Happy Late Purim?)

This lady ran the half-- I want to be that cool when I am old!

Yes, we look that good after running 13.1 miles :)
(It's hard to capture soreness in a picture....)

Anybody want to do the full with me in Jerusalem year? ;)

Tel Aviv

On today's free day we took a day trip to Israel's capital city--Tel Aviv. Situated right on the coast, it's a fun mix between old Arabic roots and modern Israel. We saw an old church, darling neighborhoods, flea markets (emphasis on the flea), docks, ships, sky scrapers, and the Mediterranean! We got on our feet wet in the waves, felt the sand between our toes, and the ocean breeze in our faces. Riding bikes down the board walk was pure bliss. Add great friends and delicious donuts to palm trees and beach and you get a day to remember!

Jenessa believes in the power of making wishes in fountains so we stopped to throw in some spare agorats 
(Can't tell you what I wished for or it might not come true)

Mid Week Break

On Thursday we got out of class at 9 so a group of 30 of us ran over to the other side of the Mount of Olives to the two Russian Orthodox churches that have crazy weird hours. The first church, the Church of the Ascension. The grounds were filled with beautiful flowers and the grounds were very peaceful.

By the time we left we split into smaller groups and we went to the Mary Magdalene (or as I like to call it, the Golden Onion Church). I loved the Russian styles domes- they were great!

After we took lots if pictures we went to Aladdin's, Omar's, and Jimmy's.  Today I bought the first magnum bar of the trip! Swirled ice cream dipped in milk and white chocolate- best magnum bar ever!

It was fun to get out in the city and out of the center!

Sunday Freeday!

I LOVE Sundays but I always come home exhausted! Lexie, David, Jen, Taylor, and I set off after breakfast for our day of adventures. We started off at the western wall to see some Torah readings and bar mitzvahs and honestly, it wasn't too much different than other times (other than Sabbath Eve). One girl described it as going back in time because most people there are in traditional garb and they are speaking the old language if the Torah.

On our way out we found an underground tour of the western wall.  Then we wandered around the old city, stopped in a few churches, went shopping, and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine! We accidentally wandered into the Jewish quarter (my fave!) and I bought some pastries for lunch. Then we went to Dormition Abbey (the big church on a hill that's behind the Dome of the Rock. It was really pretty! We sang here and it was beautiful!

We followed a tour group into what is traditionally where Christ had the last supper. The group we were with sang a song that was more on the gospelly side. It was neat to see their devotion in a way that's different than ours. As they were on their way out we sang a sacrament hymn and it was nice.

Our last stop St. Peter's church. On our way there we ran into some friends and frolicked in some flowers (no wonder people think Mormons are weird). The church was beautiful but by the time we got home we were beat! But beat from a long day I'd grand adventures :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

I had a wonderful day today! I felt so much love from so many people.

*My old roommates sent me cards and personalized conversation hearts

*My current roommates Nikki and Kari cleaned our room for cleaning check while Jen and I were out on a run

*All the shop owners loved our bright red and pink shirts while we were shopping in the old city

*My family sent me a package filled with my favorite things (gold fish, sweet mint orbitz gum, Cath Kidston stationary, friendship bracelet string, conversation hearts, buttons, and a giant chocolate kiss)

*The valentines from all the students here at the center

Top it off with a jazz concert, a dance, and some strawberry cake: it was a great day!