Jerusalem University College (JUC)

I arrived on campus early this morning and have spent most of the day getting unpacked and organized. The campus is a beautiful limestone building that is literally just outside the city walls. The campus is super-cool. There is a garden courtyard in the back, there are dorm room scattered randomly around. Nothing cookie-cutter about this place. Every room is different. I have much exploring to do. :)

The grad women are in the "rooftop rooms" which are at the top of the administrative building. Lots and lots of steps (oy!). This pic is just one of the stairways. But it's pretty cool because my room has a high ceiling, and outside my door is the entrance to the roof with a beautiful view of the city! Can you believe I live here??

On the way up to my room I pass through an inner courtyard where the women's bathroom/shower is...two flights down from my room!

My roommate hasn't arrived yet, but I have been told that she is returning, 2nd year student. I look forward to meeting her later today.

Tomorrow orientation starts. I will get to meet everyone, register for classes, and I am sure learn a lot about how they run things. Right now I am ready for a nap. This jet lag thing is kicking my butt. I can't imagine just arriving here today. According to the schedule they will be keeping us pretty busy the next two days!

The Journey to Jerusalem

The flight: well...I got the aisle seat I wanted - and no neighbors....but the two taped off seats beside me were suspect. hmmm...(never did find out why), and their lack of seat cushions hindered me from stretching out. All the same, my flight was quite enjoyable....I owe it all to my new friend and favorite-est flight attendant ever: Senoga!

I was fortunate enough to be seated right beside Senoga's station/kitchen...whatever you call it! :)

He SPOILED me rotten with complimentary champagne, a true meal (with actual plates and silverware), fresh fruit and even a goodie bag (footies and an eye mask) for the sleeping portion of the trip - all "imported" from the alien world of first class. What a charmer! Needless to say, I enjoyed the "princess" seat, as he called it, and had a wonderful flight because of him.

Sitting behind me was another fellow adventurer. Everyone, meet Steele Johnson - future chef extraodinaire!

Steele is also studying abroad for a year. He was headed to Florence, Italy to study the culinary arts! WHAT FUN!! Maybe we will get to eat at one of his restaurants one day...

After my second (and much less exciting) flight, I was so grateful for my safe arrival in Tel Aviv. Even more thankful when I saw my luggage coming towards me at the baggage claim! After about an hour shuttle ride to the Old City, I arrived at my temporary accomodations. I can't check in at school until Sat, so I am spending two nights at the Christ Church Guest House. It is "the first Protestant church in the region, ... built in 1849." (so sayeth the brochure). The location is awseome - just inside the Jaffa Gate, in an area that I am semi-familiar with from my previous visits. So today I think I will just wander around a little, maybe go find the school (its nearby - just outside the Old City), check things out. And of course, Dr. Beyer suggested a few places to go and people to meet. :) It's very exciting! I am so glad to have this downtime before school starts!

A Wedding! (and a County Fair)

It was so fun seeing my friends Bekah and Eric get married this weekend! We all started CIU at the same time (Fall 2005) and they met and started dating almost right way. Two years later - and now look at them! The beautiful bride and the handsome groom.

It was also a blessing to see some of CIU friends one last time before I leave for Israel. (This time next week I will be on a plane!) I was a little envious they were all reuniting on campus this week. I will miss everyone this year.

Good news - the wedding wasn't the only attraction in Newport, TN that day - there was also the Cocke County Fair! Yahoo! So post-wedding, several of us had our fill of funnel cake, people-watching, and of course, games!

We spotted a stuffed giraffe that needed saving at one of the game booths. It seemed like an appropriate gift for the bride. We decided that it must be won in her absence! Sara was up to the challenge. She went fishing and caught three, winning the giraffe's freedom! In memory of how he was rescued (and because of his new family name) he was appropriately dubbed "Fish". He will be waiting for the Fisher's (or maybe for the dog, Cooper) when they return from their honeymoon. Good work, Sara!

OBX, NC

Woo hoo! I am about halfway thru my most recent road trip. I am currently in NC with my sister's family, again at the beach [poor me! :)] They come to Duck every year, but this year they got a house on the Sound side instead of the Beach side. We have a great view, especially at sunset. I am blessed to spend time with my beautiful nieces - these are the things I will miss while I am away....how will I last 9 months without seeing them???

The dock has allowed them to go fishing/crabbing every morning, which they have really enjoyed. One bucket of crabs had an escapee that ended up in the pool. We ended up setting him free (he wasn't looking so good), but the next day's catch made a fine lunch for those who like crab!

This afternoon the girls put on a "dance show" for us. So cute. Jillian just wants to do anything and everything that her big sister Zoe does. They are adorable.

Of course we have also had a great time on the beach. This is the first year they have both been willing to go out in the water.

Not their best picture, but the only one I had of them together!

Gotta Keep Up - Family Business

My brother-in-law (Blake) has a brother (Joel) who recently quit his job to launch his own company. It's an online service called "Gotta Keep Up" that helps with organization . There are so many of us faced with the challenges of tracking birthdays, doctor's appts, regular home maintenance items, etc. His service allows you to enter in all your needs, track your tasks and receive reminders for all of them, as well as offering links to vendors for the services you might require.

Starting Tues (Aug 21st) his site will be live (http://www.gottakeepup.com/), so if any of you are interested, try it out. He would love to get feedback, and its free.

Myrtle Beach, SC

Family and the beach...what a great combination! I just spent a lovely week with some family I don't get to see very often. My Great Aunt Gaynell goes to Myrtle Beach every year in August, and she is always so generous to invite us to join her if we can. It's been several years since I have been able to make it, so I was really excited!

It always promises to be such a relaxing week, lounging on the deck or in the pool, watching the waves, and of course eating some AMAZING home-cooking. I could describe it in detail, but you would just be jealous. :) On top of all the good company, food and fabulous weather, I was able to read three books for pleasure. Any other students out there? I know you can relate.

Harper's Ferry, WV

Another day trip. This time to visit some friends who moved to WV when they got married several years ago. They live near Charlestown Race Track (which I have yet to check out) and also Harper's Ferry. I can remember taking some school field trip or something to Harper's Ferry as a kid, but I have never been back since so we decided to make a day of it.

Okay - All my friends with history backgrounds, stop reading now - before you are both embarassed and ashamed of my shoddy explanation of the town's significance. Basically it was best known for "John Brown's Raid" on the arsenal there. John Brown was an abolitionist who wanted to arm his cause and start an uprising against slavery. Then a bunch of stuff happened there over the course of the Civil War. It was originally part of VA until after the Civil War and WVA came to be. And that's all I have to say about that....

...except that it is really beautiful there, and the town with all its original buildings is super-quaint. It was a fun day trip. I'd like to go back again when there is time to also go tubing on the river!

Day Trips

If you are from the the N. VA area then you know how expensive it is to live here. This has led several of my friends to move west once they married and were ready to buy a home. Therefore, in my efforts to visit as many friends and family as possible before I leave, several day trips have been required.

One trip was to visit some friends who just had their first baby! How exciting! His name is John Matthew, after his father, and he is as cute as can be (aren't all babies?). He was only two weeks old when I saw him and he has a FULL head of dark hair.
....and I am telling you all this because....in all the excitement I didn't take a single picture! geez. I can't believe what a horrible friend I am. So I will have to brag without pics for now and ask for forgiveness later. Congrats Susan and John!

Luray, VA

Okay....clearly I haven't gotten the hang of this blog business....it's been a month since I have posted anything - and I have done so much!! Time to catch everyone up...

I went to Luray several weeks ago to visit some dear friends of mine. They have recently built a beautiful new home on a fabulous piece of land. It was so great to see them, catch up on their lives, and see how much their boys have grown! "Captain" Jack is a full-blown Pirates of the Caribbean fan, and "Speed Racer" Chet is bound for the racetrack one day.

Luray is such a beautiful place. I recommend a visit to any of you who get the chance. Most people are drawn
to visit Luray Caverns, but I can tell you there is so much more to do. I spent many a summer canoeing and camping here.

It has taken me two years to get back since my last visit - let's hope its not as long for the next one!

Here is a Morris' family photo....for more pics see my photo album...