My grumpy day

October 31, 2011 was by far my grumpiest day in Jerusalem. It started out just fine with a great breakfast as usual. Then I had Bashir Bashir's class. The highlight of the class was that two girls dressed up exactly the way he dresses and each had a sign with "Bashir" written on it. Who names their child with the same first and last name is beyond me. After that entertainment I headed back to studying (yes, during class). For some reason I just can't listen during that class. Luckily it was the last Bashir class EVER! Lucky me.

Then I studied studied studied.

Then people went out but I needed to study so I didn't go. Begin the grumpiness.

Then I went and dressed up for Halloween.

Naturally, I was Wendy (from Peter Pan) because many people call me Wendy. Although I think I did a great job with my costume, not everyone knew who I was. I was asked if I was Belle, Sleeping Beauty, and many other princesses. Nope, I was Wendy.

The highlight of the day was when Kaitlyn Hull saw me. She and Leslie walked into dinner and Leslie said "Hey Wendy!" and Kaitlyn looked at me and said to Leslie "she looks like Wendy." Then it dawned on her, I was supposed to look like Wendy! It was adorable!

Lindsay, my lovely friend in the picture was also grumpy. Although her costume was funny (wearing black with a stamp on=blackmail) no one got it. She just felt dumb. We both got tired of telling people who we were.

I really just don't love dressing up for Halloween. Its not my favorite. It doesn't put me in a good mood.

Then we decided that we were going to be happy. So we went to the silent film "Phantom of the Opera" playing in the auditorium. It was a branch activity with President Omen playing the organ. Apparently he is one of the top organ people in the world.

So I sat down. Luckily for me right behind me was a family with small children, who had bags to crumple up the whole time, and candy to suck on noisily. It was seriously SOOO loud! This was not the day to deal with that. So I got up and "got a drink" and sat at the back corner by myself. Naturally, I had some "woe is me" thoughts and also some anger at myself for still being bugged by annoying noises "am I EVER going to get over this and learn patience?"

Then another girl who had been sitting close to me came and sat by me. She said "it is too noisy down there."

Imagine, it being too noisy at a silent film. Oh the irony.

Also, the film was an hour and a half. That is pretty long for a silent film. At least I think so!

Let me add in what we had for dinner at this point. I think it was supposed to be Tai food but all I know was that it was a lot of fish, and some of it was cooked. I had a piece of toast and some of the sesame spread (which is DELICIOUS) on toasted pita. Bread and sweets was what I was living on. Just the look of the fish...blah!

So at this point I am still not in the best of moods. It happens.

Then there was a dance party. I don't think I should get started on my feelings for dance parties.

Well then we got people together to watch a scary movie. It was time to get terrified. We watched Signs. It is a good movie and there were a few jumpy parts but overall it didn't scare me like I wanted it too.

So then I went to bed.

Conclusion, I was grumpy and homesick and I missed you all!

Wandering around Jerusalem

Today we had a plan.  We were going to go to Mea Shearim, go buy costumes, and be back in the center to eat lunch and spend the rest of the day studying.

Well we went to Mea Shearim (a super orthodox street--meaning you need to not show any skin anywhere).  Some other students had gone there and had men turn away so they wouldn't see the scandalous ankles showing.  One girl even had an onion thrown at her.  Well we went and nothing was really open and nothing exciting happened.  We saw some Orthodox men walking around but that was about it.  To tell you the truth I was a bit dissapointed in the outing.

Next, we went to the open air market and found a delicious pastry shop.  How wonderful!

Then we went to the YMCA to hear President Omen play the bells.  For future reference I would not come to Jerusalem for this.  Sure, it was cool.  It was loud and the bells were awesome.  But, the bells tower at BYU actually has more bells.  Am I spoiled?  Perhaps.  But this wouldn't make my top 20 favorite places.

We wandered through the old city and found my haloween costume.  It will be great!

Then we went to Omars and looked at olive wood.  Then we went to Alladins.  Then we went to the Arab Costco.  And THEN we came home.  We got home around 2.

After that I spent all my time in my room studying.  I learned some great stuff while studying.  I really like this quote:

How like life are wildernesses. A veil separates us from God-our support. Life and death are the issues, without the knowledge that God knows our particular wilderness and has chartered our way. Under such circumstances we venture forth. Surrounded by opposition, we discover in the process that he has chartered the way, the dangers are known, and to the extent we trust him he will guide and direct us to the water and bread of life, help us overcome the poisonous serpents that bite, and help us triumph over every hostile force. Gradually we learn that after our faith has been tried, the blessing comes-the discovery that God was there. If there had been no trial, there would have been no blessing.
            (Keith H. Meservy, "The Good News of Moses," Studies in Scripture, vol. 3, 220-21)

All in all it was a day of wandering.  It really was a great day!

Jordan Day 4: Amman Theater and Bethabara

We started out by heading to the Amman Theater.  It can seat 7,000 people and is the largest Roman Theater east of Ephesus.  We had a mini talent show and it was pretty fun.

Getting third place!  (Psychological fact: people who place third are significantly happier in life.  Thus, I wanted to be third!)

With Jeff, Lindsay, and Ben!

Melissa!!!

Then we had KFC for lunch. Our tour guide told us it was "Kentucky Fried Camel." Funny joke Muhammad!

Next up was Bethabara which is the site associated with Jesus' baptism. There was an amazing spirit there as we sang.

In the Jordan River!

Jordan was such an amazing trip! But, it is also great to be home!

Jordan Day 3--Jerash. DANGER: MAY CONTAIN DISTURBING IMAGE(S)

First we went to King Abdullah Mosque. We had to wear a full body covering. It made me feel soo mad and suppressed. My peripheral vision was done and I was just plain mad about having to wear it...especially when the boys could wear short sleeves.

Making that cloak look good :)

With Elyse, Leslie, Lauren, and Lindsay inside the Mosque.  When women actually come to the mosque to pray they are taken to a separate mosque to pray though...

I would rather wear this!

Then we went to the Amman Citadel which made a great place for yet another incredible photo shoot.

With the beautiful Kaitlyn Hull!

Gorgeous Lindsay Hall!

Then we went to the Jabbock River and Brother Harper gave a great lecture. This was the place where Jacob wrestled with an angel in Gen 32. After writing a paper on that topic I appreciated the site more. (Jabbock also is mentioned in Num 21:24, Joshua 12:2, and Deut 3:16.)

Lunch was pretty good. The pita bread was delicious so basically that was all I ate. Then a cat with a lazy eye made eye contact with me and came super close to me. I jumped up--terrified and went away. I am a wimp with a capital W.

Then we headed to Jerash and saw a gladiator show. I hate watching the action in action movies--I always close my eyes and plug my ears because it terrifies me. Well the fake fighting was still too scary for me.

Getting ready for the show!

The actual show!

Roman soldiers.

Fighting one another.

YUCK!  He died!
(Yes, this is the disturbing image.)

Chariot racing!

Rumor has it that part of A Knight's Tale was filmed here!  Super exciting!

Then we wandered around Jerash which is one of the best preserved Roman cities in the world. It was beautiful!

Oh Lindsay Rae!  My bus buddy through most of the trip!

Statue picture!

Temple of Zeus.

Next, we went to the car museum of King Hussein. It was soo entertaining to see the boys get so excited about the cars.

Just driving Matty and Liz around town.  (Yep the wheel is on the British side!!!)

There are three cars that are worthy to mention.
1. A Bugatti. Apparently the best car in the entire world. Yep, I saw it. (Honest truth...it isn't the best looking car. Oh well!)
2. A car that turns into a boat. Pretty awesome!
3. The car that took Queen Elizabeth to Petra! How adorable! (Being in Jerusalem has not stopped my love for England and all to do with London. My heart still skips a beat to think about London!)

We had a bus bring back those who went to the museum but there weren't enough spaces for everyone. Thus, I sprawled across Lindsay and Ben to fit everyone in. How entertaining.

When we got back we headed out to get a cheese burger. It didn't taste like a cheese burger :(. Too bad, so sad! Because of my position in the restaurant every man that walked by checked me out. The men here have no shame checking women out. (Especially at Petra...I have never been hit on so much as I was there. Apparently I have sexy eyes and hair.) I did not appreciate it and stopped looking out the window to avoid their stares.

When I went back to the hotel there was a towel folded into a heart onto our king size bed. How romantic!

Jordan Day 2: PETRA

Absolutely amazing! One of my favorite things I have done so far. To get into Petra it costs 50 dinar. This is pretty comparable to going to Disney Land. Obviously this is way cooler though.

Petra started out when the Nabataeans moved into the area. Not much is known about them. They did cut tombs and other amazing things out of the rocks. I LOVE PETRA!!!

Beautiful colors in the rocks.

Elephant looking rock made naturally!  AWESOME!

In front of the treasury.

Look Mom! I am on a camel.

I am the strongest person in the world!

Lindsay, Ben, and I.  Classic! (This is still the Treasury)

We hiked up to the monastery.  With Lindsay, Katie, and Thomas.

Add in Bro. Ludlow!  Thank for the awesome picture Bro Harper!

At the top of the world!  The monastery is behind me.

Such a great day! Then we drove to our hotel in Amman and saw Leslie's reunion with Jesse Foster Thomas. It was adorable.

Jesse--so excited to get to Leslie.

Then I hit the town with Koryl, Lindsay, and Ben. Honestly there wasn't much to see. But we got some great ice cream!

Little wall on rainbow street!

Then I got to share a king size bed with Rachel! How exciting!

Jordan Day 1--Mount Nebo and Madaba

Today I woke up (getting about 3.5 hours of sleep) and headed out early. My spot on the bus didn't recline because the button was broken and the air conditioning water kept dripping on me. Needless to say, it was fabulous.

We got to the border and waited until we could cross. Luckily, we all made it with no problems.  Then we st in customs (I think) for a long time not doing anything.  Our tour guide is awesome.  His name is Muhammad and he wore green cargo pants, a green shirt, and a green vest over it--all different shades of green.  Yep, awesome.

First stop, Mount Nebo.  This is where Moses is believed to have died (although we know better). It is here where he came and saw the promised land.

With Lindsay on Mount Nebo.

With Danielle, Charlotte, Me, Elyse, Lauren, and Katie.  Our photographer didn't know how to zoom out with my camera--how adorable!

Next up--The Mosaic place. They make amazing mosaics in Jordan. Most of the workers are handicapped but can work with their hands. Such beautiful work.

For lunch I had pitas and pasta salad and it was scrumptious.

MADABA. This church had an important Byzantine map of the Holy Land. It was cool to hear the tour guide talk and recognize information that I have learned from Old Testament and Ancient Near East classes.

Our final stop was Mukawir where John the baptist was beheaded. It was a great hike with a beautiful view.

Classic.

Izak and Ben flaunting their bromance.

With Izak and Lindsay!

JUMP!!!

SOO GORGEOUS!

Observation. Highways. There are three main highways used to get through Jordan; however, one of the ones we went on for much of the way seemed to only have one lane! Luckily the drivers and friendly and patient so we didn't see any accidents.

We spent the night in an old Bedouin village turned hotel. I took a quick swim and now I am ready for a delightful nights sleep! It is amazing how sitting on a bus is tiring.