Ok so here is the first of several promised posts. I have described a little already that the Jews celebrate the beginning of Sabbath, Shabbat, every Friday evening at Sundown. We count our days from midnight to midnight, but the Jewish day is from sundown to sundown. To understand why we went to the Western Wall, I should give a brief background though. The Western Wall, formerly dubbed the "wailing wall", is the only part that remains from Herod the Great's Jewish Temple Complex--from Jesus' time. It is the western portion of the retaining wall that surrounded the entire temple complex. When the temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD, they burned it, and then toppled the stones to the ground below. Today, it is the Jewish belief that the Islamic Holy site Dome of the Rock stands exactly where their temple once stood. Though permission to worship near/on the temple mount has altered many times for the Jews in the last 2000 years, today they are able to worship at the Western Wall. It is THE holiest site in Judaism, because it is as close to where their temple once stood as they can get.
SO, luckily non-Jews are still able to visit and observe! So you walk in through security and it opens up into this large plaza. We got there just in time to see all of the boys from Rabbinical school marching and chanting down the stairs to the wall. For them, welcoming in Shabbat is a joyous occasion. They do their thing all the way to where the men go into worship by the wall. Once they get in there, a lot of them continue to dance, sing, clap, and chant. It is almost expected for the men to be very boisterous during the evening. For the women, it is a different experience. If the women acted the same way, they would be seen as very promiscuous. On their side, the women quietly read and pray at the wall. After observing all of this for a few minutes, my roommates and I wrote some prayers on small pieces of paper and stuck them in the wall. (We actually broke the Sabbath, because you aren't supposed to write on the Sabbath... oops.) After they worship at the wall, the Jews back away from it, so as not to offend God by turning their back on Him.
The feeling there was one of reverence, and intense faith. I wished that I knew Hebrew so that I could worship with the women there, but instead I just silently prayed to myself. After we left the worship area, we went back out into the plaza to people watch. We met and talked with several people who were there for their own personal worship. It was so fascinating to talk with these people! We weren't able to take pictures, because that is considered to be breaking the Sabbath. But next time I go back to the Wall not on the Sabbath, I will definitely get some pictures! I love learning about these people and their faith. It helps me understand my own background and faith from a different perspective, which I really appreciate!
16 September 2009
14 September 2009
Slacking
Ok so I know I have totally been slacking on this. But in all honesty, I will blame some of it on the internet connection here... and the incredible amounts of homework I have to stay on top of, since we have class every day. Unfortunately, I still have about 30 pages to read tonight, and it is already after 9pm. SO I will have to write a real post later. BUT here are some things to look forward to reading about...
The Western Wall, The Recent Shooting, The Garden Tomb, Our Second Free Day Extravaganza (that included the Garden of Gethsemane), and our Shephelah Field Trip we took today. So I have lots to write about... but I promise I will catch you all up soon! I love you all! And thank you so much for those of you who are still keeping in touch with me! It makes my day to get emails! Loves loves loves!!!
The Western Wall, The Recent Shooting, The Garden Tomb, Our Second Free Day Extravaganza (that included the Garden of Gethsemane), and our Shephelah Field Trip we took today. So I have lots to write about... but I promise I will catch you all up soon! I love you all! And thank you so much for those of you who are still keeping in touch with me! It makes my day to get emails! Loves loves loves!!!
Dear Mrs. Reyes' Class:
Thank you so much for all of your questions! I hope you all had fun learning about the different types of neighborhoods and communities that are here in Jerusalem. I want to answer each of your questions.
Marcelle, they have lots of cats here running through the streets. One likes to hang out on our patio as we eat our meals, hoping we'll give it some food. There are also dogs, horses, camels, pigeons, doves, and donkeys. Have you ever seen a camel? They are really goofy looking!
Cesar, I am having so much fun! I am very busy with my classes, but I try to get out into the city to explore as much as possible. I have the most fun when I am surrounded by my friends and we are doing something completely new, because it makes me feel adventurous!
Yesenia, they are serving us lots of different kinds of food here, so I am trying many new things. There is a lot of rice, and a lot of pita bread-which is kind of like a really thick tortilla. They mix all kinds of spices in everything here, so their food is very flavorful.
Alondra M.,When I go out into the city, I see lots of food for sale, but most commonly it is candy, spices, and fruit. I absolutely love it here! If you like traveling to new places at all, you would love to come here and learn more about this place and the people who live here! I really love all of the colors, but right now my favorite color is bright pink. That may change soon though!
Manuel,The most common foods I see for sale on the streets are fruit, spices, and candy and other sweet treats. I see all of the other food we normally eat, too, but they are normally just sold at grocery stores. I am staying in a building that is both my home and my school. It is a white building set on top of a hill and cascades down. It is 8 floors high, and has 149 stairs in it!
Alondra G.,My home is beautiful! Mrs. Reyes can show you a picture of it, but it kind of looks like a waterfall cascading down the side of the mountain where it sits. I'm excited I get to call this home for awhile!
Mark, I got here by flying on four different planes and then a bus. It took us two plane rides to get across the United States. Then another plane ride to get us across the Atlantic Ocean, and finally a plane ride to get us from Europe to the Middle East. Then we had to take a bus ride from the airport to our new home. It took us two days to get here! It was a very long trip, but we were grateful to get here safely!
Adriana, when I wake up in the morning, I go out onto my balcony and I overlook the entire city of Jerusalem! It is a beautiful view! I don't think I will ever get tired of looking at the city from my home. It is the perfect picture, and when I get back maybe I can show you exactly what it looks like!
Stacey, they are serving us lots of different kinds of food here, so I am trying many new things. There is a lot of rice, and a lot of pita bread-which is kind of like a really thick tortilla. They mix all kinds of spices in everything here, so their food is very flavorful. I have met many new people here. There are 82 students here, so I have been trying to get to know all of them, plus the teachers and the other staff members that work here with us. I have met a few merchants in the city, too, and they have been very kind to us! I also go to church here, where I have met even more people! I am staying in a building that is both my home and my school. It is a white building set on top of a hill and cascades down. It is 8 floors high, and has 149 stairs in it! We got here the night of September 2, so I have almost been here for two weeks.
Arturo, I am staying in a building that is both my home and my school. It is a white building set on top of a hill and cascades down. It is 8 floors high, and has 149 stairs in it! I live in a room with three other girls. Our room has 4 beds, a big desk area, closets, a bathroom, and a balcony that overlooks the entire city of Jerusalem!
I hope I answered all of your questions!! Thank you so much for writing me! It was so fun for me to read what you all wrote. I hope you guys are learning lots and working hard for your education! Maybe one day, you can all end up going to school in a cool place like Jerusalem, too! Have a great week!
Sincerely,
Miss Dana
Thank you so much for all of your questions! I hope you all had fun learning about the different types of neighborhoods and communities that are here in Jerusalem. I want to answer each of your questions.
Marcelle, they have lots of cats here running through the streets. One likes to hang out on our patio as we eat our meals, hoping we'll give it some food. There are also dogs, horses, camels, pigeons, doves, and donkeys. Have you ever seen a camel? They are really goofy looking!
Cesar, I am having so much fun! I am very busy with my classes, but I try to get out into the city to explore as much as possible. I have the most fun when I am surrounded by my friends and we are doing something completely new, because it makes me feel adventurous!
Yesenia, they are serving us lots of different kinds of food here, so I am trying many new things. There is a lot of rice, and a lot of pita bread-which is kind of like a really thick tortilla. They mix all kinds of spices in everything here, so their food is very flavorful.
Alondra M.,When I go out into the city, I see lots of food for sale, but most commonly it is candy, spices, and fruit. I absolutely love it here! If you like traveling to new places at all, you would love to come here and learn more about this place and the people who live here! I really love all of the colors, but right now my favorite color is bright pink. That may change soon though!
Manuel,The most common foods I see for sale on the streets are fruit, spices, and candy and other sweet treats. I see all of the other food we normally eat, too, but they are normally just sold at grocery stores. I am staying in a building that is both my home and my school. It is a white building set on top of a hill and cascades down. It is 8 floors high, and has 149 stairs in it!
Alondra G.,My home is beautiful! Mrs. Reyes can show you a picture of it, but it kind of looks like a waterfall cascading down the side of the mountain where it sits. I'm excited I get to call this home for awhile!
Mark, I got here by flying on four different planes and then a bus. It took us two plane rides to get across the United States. Then another plane ride to get us across the Atlantic Ocean, and finally a plane ride to get us from Europe to the Middle East. Then we had to take a bus ride from the airport to our new home. It took us two days to get here! It was a very long trip, but we were grateful to get here safely!
Adriana, when I wake up in the morning, I go out onto my balcony and I overlook the entire city of Jerusalem! It is a beautiful view! I don't think I will ever get tired of looking at the city from my home. It is the perfect picture, and when I get back maybe I can show you exactly what it looks like!
Stacey, they are serving us lots of different kinds of food here, so I am trying many new things. There is a lot of rice, and a lot of pita bread-which is kind of like a really thick tortilla. They mix all kinds of spices in everything here, so their food is very flavorful. I have met many new people here. There are 82 students here, so I have been trying to get to know all of them, plus the teachers and the other staff members that work here with us. I have met a few merchants in the city, too, and they have been very kind to us! I also go to church here, where I have met even more people! I am staying in a building that is both my home and my school. It is a white building set on top of a hill and cascades down. It is 8 floors high, and has 149 stairs in it! We got here the night of September 2, so I have almost been here for two weeks.
Arturo, I am staying in a building that is both my home and my school. It is a white building set on top of a hill and cascades down. It is 8 floors high, and has 149 stairs in it! I live in a room with three other girls. Our room has 4 beds, a big desk area, closets, a bathroom, and a balcony that overlooks the entire city of Jerusalem!
I hope I answered all of your questions!! Thank you so much for writing me! It was so fun for me to read what you all wrote. I hope you guys are learning lots and working hard for your education! Maybe one day, you can all end up going to school in a cool place like Jerusalem, too! Have a great week!
Sincerely,
Miss Dana
07 September 2009
Week One
Salaam and Shalom from the Holy Land!! (That's hello in Arabic and Hebrew!) So just a heads up, I am the new pen pal for my sister's First and Second grade class, so at least once a week I will be writing specifically to them. Unfortunately because I've been so busy here and the internet is really slow, I've had a hard time getting on this week to write. So I think I'm going to make Erika use her teaching skills and just some up this post with what she wants to tell her class. Love you Erika! :) And yes, this may have something to do with all of those pictures you just posted of me on your blog...haha :P
The Jerusalem Center is absolutely beautiful! It is definitely one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever been in. It sits on the western slope in the middle of the Mount of Olives, which some Israelis call Mt. Scopus (it's all political, like everything else here). There are 8 levels in the center, and 149 stairs on the inside (with a lot more on the outside!). I live on level 3 in a room with 3 other girls. The four of us share a bathroom, so I don't have to wait in line like in the dorms! Our room has its own patio outside that overlooks East Jerusalem (the Palestinian sector) and the Old City that sit to the west of our center. It is a beautiful view and one of my favorite places to sit and watch the sun go down. The Garden of Gethsemane is just south of us at the base of the Mt. of Olives, as well as the Orson Hyde park. North of us lies Hebrew University and some new Jewish neighborhoods that are encroaching into the Palestinian neighborhoods (much to the uproar of everyone around). (Erika-I know you've been talking about neighborhoods and communities in class, but I don't know if it's too hard to explain how they are divided up by what ethnicity and religion the people are...)
It is about half-way through Ramadan-the Muslim holy month of fasting (lunar months). The Muslims wake up really early (about 4am) to eat a big breakfast and then they fast all day long until the sun goes completely down (about 7:30pm). Each morning when it is time to begin their fast, a big canon goes off (of course I wake up! It's practically right outside my window! haha). The canon will go off again in the evening when they are allowed to eat again. They have big parties every night where they eat lots of food and have music and fireworks. The streets in the Arab neighborhoods are decorated with Christmas lights in celebration of the Holy Month. At the end of the month, they will all exchange gifts with each other. So it is a combination of Christmas, the Fourth of July, and Fast Sunday in our culture. They certainly make it look fun! And of course there is the Muslim Call to Prayer that goes off from all of the Mosques in the city 5 times a day, starting at 4:30am. Normally it is only about 10 minutes long, but because it is the Holy Month they have been playing sermons before and after the call to prayer, so in total about 45 min of Arabic is sung and chanted every morning from the loudspeakers just across the way from us... I'm just used to getting up with it now. But it really is beautiful!
The Old City of Jerusalem is divided into 4 sections, or quarters: Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and Armenian. There are 7 gates into the city through the walls (built by Sultan Suleyman in the 1500s). I haven't even been here a week yet and I've already made it into the Old City 3 times. Thursday our professors took us on a walking tour of the city just to show us around and get us oriented. Friday I spent the afternoon in the city and we wandered around the Christian, Armenian, and Jewish Quarters. As we were on our way out of the city, we randomly stumbled upon the Western Wall as the devout (mostly Orthodox) Jews were coming to welcome in the Sabbath--which is Saturday for them, and also for us here at the Center. We didn't get to stop because we still had a long walk ahead of us to get back to the center before the sun went down. But we will be going on a field trip for this very purpose this coming Friday evening, so I'm excited about that! Sunday we had a completely free day, so I went to the Old City with my roommates. We attended a Lutheran service at the Church of the Redeemer in the Christian Quarter. Then we just explored... or got lost... haha. We did visit the courtyard of the Church of the Redeemer. It is one of the favorite places of the 12 Apostles to come when they are in Jerusalem. And some of them have filmed their testimonies here. It is absolutely beautiful! And very peaceful in the middle of a very loud and bustling city. We ate our lunch here and then had some photo shoots. Overall, we are still finding our way around the city, but hopefully we will be pros in no time!
Saturday was our Sabbath here. I think it has been my favorite day so far, actually. We hold Sacrament in the Auditorium of the Center, which faces a wall of windows that overlooks Jerusalem. A little distracting maybe, but such a wonderful experience. We all sound phenomenal when we sing together, too. Church was beautiful. Sunday School was awesome, and Relief Society was special, too. I don't know how to articulate how powerful the Spirit was in our meetings, but it was such a neat experience... like being back in Nauvoo again. :) Our Relief Society President is Palestinian and she lives in Bethlehem, which is actually located in the West Bank. For years she has not been allowed to come to Church because it is held here in Jerusalem. Luckily she got a job working for the UN and now has a pass that allows her to come to Jerusalem during certain times of the day. She is fantastic and I know I have so much to learn from her!
Today we took our first field trip to study the geography of the Holy Land. We went to several different high points around Jerusalem. We stayed within a 15 mile radius of the city, but we saw so much! I never realized from reading the scriptures just how close everything is! Bethlehem is only 6 miles from Jerusalem. Bethany is on the mount just south of the Mt. of Olives. We went as far north as Nabi Samwil, the burial place of the Prophet Samuel. I see archaeology every where I go, and I'm hoping to somehow get involved with some type of current project while I'm here, or at least make some contacts. But I also have a lot of classes and LOTS of homework... so we'll just have to see how that goes.
I know this was all pretty scattered, but it is hard to find the words to articulate how beautiful this place is, and also how much we need to pray for the people here. Many Israelis and Palestinians get along just fine with each other, just like any neighbors. However, there are those who try to incite reactions, which is never a smart idea. It isn't a matter or who is right and who is wrong any more, though that is still what many fight over. Now, the conflict is really about what is fair and how to compromise, but some aren't interested in compromise, and those in power don't really care about what is fair. But I can say that all of the people here worship God, just like we do. They try their best, they raise their children, and they live their lives just as we do. They attend church with their families on their Sabbath Days, whether it is Friday, Saturday or Sunday. And we are all children of Abraham, and have inherited the opportunity to make those same covenants and receive the same blessings as he did. The Church is still true, and the Gospel is perfect in the knowledge of truth it gives us. And these people are just as good and worthy of our respect as any of God's Children.
The Jerusalem Center is absolutely beautiful! It is definitely one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever been in. It sits on the western slope in the middle of the Mount of Olives, which some Israelis call Mt. Scopus (it's all political, like everything else here). There are 8 levels in the center, and 149 stairs on the inside (with a lot more on the outside!). I live on level 3 in a room with 3 other girls. The four of us share a bathroom, so I don't have to wait in line like in the dorms! Our room has its own patio outside that overlooks East Jerusalem (the Palestinian sector) and the Old City that sit to the west of our center. It is a beautiful view and one of my favorite places to sit and watch the sun go down. The Garden of Gethsemane is just south of us at the base of the Mt. of Olives, as well as the Orson Hyde park. North of us lies Hebrew University and some new Jewish neighborhoods that are encroaching into the Palestinian neighborhoods (much to the uproar of everyone around). (Erika-I know you've been talking about neighborhoods and communities in class, but I don't know if it's too hard to explain how they are divided up by what ethnicity and religion the people are...)
It is about half-way through Ramadan-the Muslim holy month of fasting (lunar months). The Muslims wake up really early (about 4am) to eat a big breakfast and then they fast all day long until the sun goes completely down (about 7:30pm). Each morning when it is time to begin their fast, a big canon goes off (of course I wake up! It's practically right outside my window! haha). The canon will go off again in the evening when they are allowed to eat again. They have big parties every night where they eat lots of food and have music and fireworks. The streets in the Arab neighborhoods are decorated with Christmas lights in celebration of the Holy Month. At the end of the month, they will all exchange gifts with each other. So it is a combination of Christmas, the Fourth of July, and Fast Sunday in our culture. They certainly make it look fun! And of course there is the Muslim Call to Prayer that goes off from all of the Mosques in the city 5 times a day, starting at 4:30am. Normally it is only about 10 minutes long, but because it is the Holy Month they have been playing sermons before and after the call to prayer, so in total about 45 min of Arabic is sung and chanted every morning from the loudspeakers just across the way from us... I'm just used to getting up with it now. But it really is beautiful!
The Old City of Jerusalem is divided into 4 sections, or quarters: Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and Armenian. There are 7 gates into the city through the walls (built by Sultan Suleyman in the 1500s). I haven't even been here a week yet and I've already made it into the Old City 3 times. Thursday our professors took us on a walking tour of the city just to show us around and get us oriented. Friday I spent the afternoon in the city and we wandered around the Christian, Armenian, and Jewish Quarters. As we were on our way out of the city, we randomly stumbled upon the Western Wall as the devout (mostly Orthodox) Jews were coming to welcome in the Sabbath--which is Saturday for them, and also for us here at the Center. We didn't get to stop because we still had a long walk ahead of us to get back to the center before the sun went down. But we will be going on a field trip for this very purpose this coming Friday evening, so I'm excited about that! Sunday we had a completely free day, so I went to the Old City with my roommates. We attended a Lutheran service at the Church of the Redeemer in the Christian Quarter. Then we just explored... or got lost... haha. We did visit the courtyard of the Church of the Redeemer. It is one of the favorite places of the 12 Apostles to come when they are in Jerusalem. And some of them have filmed their testimonies here. It is absolutely beautiful! And very peaceful in the middle of a very loud and bustling city. We ate our lunch here and then had some photo shoots. Overall, we are still finding our way around the city, but hopefully we will be pros in no time!
Saturday was our Sabbath here. I think it has been my favorite day so far, actually. We hold Sacrament in the Auditorium of the Center, which faces a wall of windows that overlooks Jerusalem. A little distracting maybe, but such a wonderful experience. We all sound phenomenal when we sing together, too. Church was beautiful. Sunday School was awesome, and Relief Society was special, too. I don't know how to articulate how powerful the Spirit was in our meetings, but it was such a neat experience... like being back in Nauvoo again. :) Our Relief Society President is Palestinian and she lives in Bethlehem, which is actually located in the West Bank. For years she has not been allowed to come to Church because it is held here in Jerusalem. Luckily she got a job working for the UN and now has a pass that allows her to come to Jerusalem during certain times of the day. She is fantastic and I know I have so much to learn from her!
Today we took our first field trip to study the geography of the Holy Land. We went to several different high points around Jerusalem. We stayed within a 15 mile radius of the city, but we saw so much! I never realized from reading the scriptures just how close everything is! Bethlehem is only 6 miles from Jerusalem. Bethany is on the mount just south of the Mt. of Olives. We went as far north as Nabi Samwil, the burial place of the Prophet Samuel. I see archaeology every where I go, and I'm hoping to somehow get involved with some type of current project while I'm here, or at least make some contacts. But I also have a lot of classes and LOTS of homework... so we'll just have to see how that goes.
I know this was all pretty scattered, but it is hard to find the words to articulate how beautiful this place is, and also how much we need to pray for the people here. Many Israelis and Palestinians get along just fine with each other, just like any neighbors. However, there are those who try to incite reactions, which is never a smart idea. It isn't a matter or who is right and who is wrong any more, though that is still what many fight over. Now, the conflict is really about what is fair and how to compromise, but some aren't interested in compromise, and those in power don't really care about what is fair. But I can say that all of the people here worship God, just like we do. They try their best, they raise their children, and they live their lives just as we do. They attend church with their families on their Sabbath Days, whether it is Friday, Saturday or Sunday. And we are all children of Abraham, and have inherited the opportunity to make those same covenants and receive the same blessings as he did. The Church is still true, and the Gospel is perfect in the knowledge of truth it gives us. And these people are just as good and worthy of our respect as any of God's Children.
02 September 2009
Two countries down, one to go!
So have a whirlwind of a week with family and friends, repacking about 8 times, and an orientation that would urge even Logan into submission, I finally got on the plane. My checked bag was 50.00lbs on the money, and my backpack is so stuffed that it didn't even fit under the seat on my flight to Vienna. And lucky for you all, the Vienna airport has FREE wireless. So my mom gets an update about 36hrs before I told her she would. Love you mom! :)
I hate international flights purely because of the length. But I love them because of the really good food, and the excellent service. Of course it only adds to my pleasure that the flight attendants ask you everything in English AND German! I've already met a lot of people, but only one of my roommates so far. Everyone pronounces my name Danna upon introduction. Maybe Connie is right... maybe I should spell my name Dayna. Maybe THEN people from Utah would get it right. ;) haha Love you Connie!
Considering there are 60 of us traveling over through Vienna on to Tel Aviv, there has not been a single incident. We are so grateful that we've been able to travel safely. Now we just have to make it through security in Tel Aviv without a problem--the most secure airport and customs in the world. Wish us luck!
I hate international flights purely because of the length. But I love them because of the really good food, and the excellent service. Of course it only adds to my pleasure that the flight attendants ask you everything in English AND German! I've already met a lot of people, but only one of my roommates so far. Everyone pronounces my name Danna upon introduction. Maybe Connie is right... maybe I should spell my name Dayna. Maybe THEN people from Utah would get it right. ;) haha Love you Connie!
Considering there are 60 of us traveling over through Vienna on to Tel Aviv, there has not been a single incident. We are so grateful that we've been able to travel safely. Now we just have to make it through security in Tel Aviv without a problem--the most secure airport and customs in the world. Wish us luck!
28 August 2009
It's Official!
Well, I just found out today that my paper was accepted for publication! It will be published in this fall's BYU Inquiry Journal! I'm so grateful for all of the encouragement I've gotten while working on it this summer. This project has been in the works more than a year, before I even went to Jordan! Of course, I had never imagined that I would be able to get this paper published as a result, but I have been very blessed! I will admit though, it feels pretty good to have all of this hard work pay off in a big way!
04 August 2009
Exciting things coming my way!
I had a phone conference last week and if we get permission from our professor, my senior thesis (co-written with Krystyna Hales) is going to get published!!! YAY!!! I'm SO excited! I just really have to get busy on the revisions because it is due in a couple weeks.
I also had an exciting/scary realization that this last Sunday was my last Fast Sunday in the United States for the rest of this year! AAAAHHHHH. I can't even believe it! The summer has gone by SO FAST! First there was the Family Reunion, then setting up Erika's classroom, and then working for the last couple of months with only 7 days off so far. WHEW. I'm SO excited for Jerusalem! However I also know that things aren't going to slow down until after Christmas. When I get home from Jerusalem in December, my brother Logan will be back from his mission and there to greet me at the airport! Somehow I know that a couple weeks of break in between semesters will not be nearly enough time for the two of us to catch up on the last two years of our lives, but I know we're certainly going to try!! And then of course Winter semester I get to once again live with the best bestie ever and finish up my undergrad years at BYU! No rest for the weary, but certainly lots of exciting things for me to look forward to in the next few months!
I also had an exciting/scary realization that this last Sunday was my last Fast Sunday in the United States for the rest of this year! AAAAHHHHH. I can't even believe it! The summer has gone by SO FAST! First there was the Family Reunion, then setting up Erika's classroom, and then working for the last couple of months with only 7 days off so far. WHEW. I'm SO excited for Jerusalem! However I also know that things aren't going to slow down until after Christmas. When I get home from Jerusalem in December, my brother Logan will be back from his mission and there to greet me at the airport! Somehow I know that a couple weeks of break in between semesters will not be nearly enough time for the two of us to catch up on the last two years of our lives, but I know we're certainly going to try!! And then of course Winter semester I get to once again live with the best bestie ever and finish up my undergrad years at BYU! No rest for the weary, but certainly lots of exciting things for me to look forward to in the next few months!
Oh sweet civilization!
So I haven't updated in a while, but I have been SO busy! TUrns out I WAS transferred up here to Salt Lake City. This is my second week up here, and we're still digging digging digging. Our site is just immediately west of the SLC Airport. And it turns out, our dead end road is also both a popular street racing road AND a high traffic area for prostitution (as explained to us by the Airport Police who cam to find out what we were doing). Apparently the Control Tower of the airport as a camera aimed at us... Just A LITTLE creepy. All of us are wondering how many times we've mooned the cameras in search of our perfect potty place. haha
Up until the end of Friday, I was a recorded for the in-field lab analysis and the cartography team (as we like to call ourselves). Then my next assignment was to dig a 1x1m unit by myself. Which wouldn't have been a terrible undertaking except that almost my entire pit was gravel embedded in hard packed dried mud. NOT FUN. But I finished the square early Monday morning. Next I was assigned to dig a 1x2m unit. My objective: to take the square a little more than 2m down. The is going to be one BIG HOLE! But it's a good thing I have all week to dig it!
The great thing about being in SLC is mostly just having civilization around us, and having options for food and entertainment. We went to Park City and rode the Zipline, the Coaster, and the Alpine Slide. We've been to Temple Square and the Gateway Mall. I've eaten at the Cheescake Factory, Tucanos, Red Iguana, Happy Sumo (where I ate Sushi for the first time!), California Pizza Kitchen, and Jonny Carinos. I was also able to attend the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House with Erika and John who came up to visit me. I've been shopping at the Gateway, Walmart, and Albertsons. I'm spent some time with friends and family in Provo. I have cell phone service ALL THE TIME! Basically what I'm trying to say is that I L-O-V-E civilization, and particularly SLC. It's such a nice change of pace from Delta!
Up until the end of Friday, I was a recorded for the in-field lab analysis and the cartography team (as we like to call ourselves). Then my next assignment was to dig a 1x1m unit by myself. Which wouldn't have been a terrible undertaking except that almost my entire pit was gravel embedded in hard packed dried mud. NOT FUN. But I finished the square early Monday morning. Next I was assigned to dig a 1x2m unit. My objective: to take the square a little more than 2m down. The is going to be one BIG HOLE! But it's a good thing I have all week to dig it!
The great thing about being in SLC is mostly just having civilization around us, and having options for food and entertainment. We went to Park City and rode the Zipline, the Coaster, and the Alpine Slide. We've been to Temple Square and the Gateway Mall. I've eaten at the Cheescake Factory, Tucanos, Red Iguana, Happy Sumo (where I ate Sushi for the first time!), California Pizza Kitchen, and Jonny Carinos. I was also able to attend the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House with Erika and John who came up to visit me. I've been shopping at the Gateway, Walmart, and Albertsons. I'm spent some time with friends and family in Provo. I have cell phone service ALL THE TIME! Basically what I'm trying to say is that I L-O-V-E civilization, and particularly SLC. It's such a nice change of pace from Delta!
21 July 2009
The Life of a Working Girl
Well, working 54 hours a week and living out of hotels as pretty much made it so that my only social life is with the people I work with. But we are getting to know each other better and having a blast! I love the people I work with, and I'm learning so much about so many different things. Particularly liquor... these people LOVE their alcohol. haha ;) Last Friday we all went bowling, and it was hilarious! On Sunday, a group came up to Salt Lake and I was able to meet them at Temple Square and help show them around. It was a really neat experience, and I'm so grateful it worked out so I could be there. The tour at the Conference Center was a little long, but the view from the roof at the end made it totally worth it for me. Salt Lake City is so beautiful! And it is so peaceful up there. I loved every minute of it! I was able to get a few pictures of the gang, so I thought I would post some so you could see who I'm working with. And just ignore that a few of the pictures are taken at the bar... haha
I am not being transfered up to the site in SLC, which I'm a little bummed about. Looks like I'll be staying in Delta for a while longer... and quite possibly the rest of the summer. It is also looking like I might be forced to move back over to the Budget Motel. :/ But, what would life be if it weren't full of adventures and crazy stories like mine?!
When I was in Provo this weekend, a friend gave me this sweet Henna Tattoo on my ankle. Love it! Love her! Next weekend, it's a pink streak in my hair! ;)
I am not being transfered up to the site in SLC, which I'm a little bummed about. Looks like I'll be staying in Delta for a while longer... and quite possibly the rest of the summer. It is also looking like I might be forced to move back over to the Budget Motel. :/ But, what would life be if it weren't full of adventures and crazy stories like mine?!
When I was in Provo this weekend, a friend gave me this sweet Henna Tattoo on my ankle. Love it! Love her! Next weekend, it's a pink streak in my hair! ;)
13 July 2009
WSA Adventures
So most of you (the two of you haha) who try to keep track of me, know that I have been so blessed with an awesome job working for a company called William Self Associates (WSA)--a contract archaeology company out of Tucson, AZ. They have been contracted by Holly Energy Corp. to do all of the archaeological work necessary in order for them to build a pipeline from SLC to Las Vegas. I work 9 hours a day, 6 days a week digging in the dirt, hacking through rock, and other intense physical activities (such as paperwork...haha). It is definitely dirty and exhausting. Every day I come home and can hardly move. BUT the money is awesome, not to mention they pay for my housing (we're living out of hotels as we travel around Utah) and give me a generous food stipend for all 7 days of the week. Seriously. Who could complain? I'll dig whatever the heck you want me to in 105 degree whether on the frontiers of nowhere for this kind of deal! haha This opportunity with this kind of sweet deal is SO rare as an archaeologist!!
We started out in Cedar City working at sites west of Minersville. After a week, we moved up here to Delta, which is the closest town to most of the sites. For any of you who have been to Delta, WHY would you ever go to Delta?!?! And for those of you who have never heard of it, there's definitely a reason for that! haha It is definitely in the middle of nowhere. And if you can believe it, our sites are all at least 45 minutes further to the edge of nowhere. But this little town does have its quirks that we're getting to know quite well. When we first got here, we stayed at the Days Inn--by far the best hotel in town. Then some people complained about not having their own rooms, so they moved all of us over to the Budget Motel where we could all have our own rooms because it was half the price. The first night I was there, I woke up with a huge swollen leg as a result of a spider bite. The next night I was there, I realized I had fleas bites all over me. WHAT?!?! FLEAS?! In a US hotel room? To remind you, I got fleas when I lived in Jordan. In fact, a majority of us did. But I figured that was just part of my cultural experience. I got fleas while living with a Bedouin family in Petra, Jordan. OH WELL. SO WHAT. But getting fleas in Delta, Utah... that's just down right disgusting. Makes for a good story, but still disgusting. ;) So I informed my advisor that I had fleas from the Budget, and I was able to get a few of us moved back over to the Days Inn. This is definitely where all of the cool people are. haha
I also don't have phone service in Delta, so who knows what kind of ridiculous bill I've racked up from roaming charges... But at least now I have a job to pay for them! :) I'm going to try and get some pictures of the people I work with for your viewing pleasure. We have a large crew of about 25 people and only 6 of us are LDS. However, we received one reinforcement today, and we're getting 2 more next Monday. All of these girls that I know from school make it so much easier to jump in and make new friends, because I know I already have a group of friends to fall back on. It's so wonderful!! And I'm so grateful that all of us have been blessed with this sweet job. It is so wonderful for me to know that Heavenly Father knows each and every one of us. He knows what we want, what we need, and what will be best for us. And if we do His will, He will help all of that happen. This job has been so needed by each of us, for one reason or another. And not only are we enjoying ourselves as well work together, but all of our needs are being taken care of. God is so Great!
We started out in Cedar City working at sites west of Minersville. After a week, we moved up here to Delta, which is the closest town to most of the sites. For any of you who have been to Delta, WHY would you ever go to Delta?!?! And for those of you who have never heard of it, there's definitely a reason for that! haha It is definitely in the middle of nowhere. And if you can believe it, our sites are all at least 45 minutes further to the edge of nowhere. But this little town does have its quirks that we're getting to know quite well. When we first got here, we stayed at the Days Inn--by far the best hotel in town. Then some people complained about not having their own rooms, so they moved all of us over to the Budget Motel where we could all have our own rooms because it was half the price. The first night I was there, I woke up with a huge swollen leg as a result of a spider bite. The next night I was there, I realized I had fleas bites all over me. WHAT?!?! FLEAS?! In a US hotel room? To remind you, I got fleas when I lived in Jordan. In fact, a majority of us did. But I figured that was just part of my cultural experience. I got fleas while living with a Bedouin family in Petra, Jordan. OH WELL. SO WHAT. But getting fleas in Delta, Utah... that's just down right disgusting. Makes for a good story, but still disgusting. ;) So I informed my advisor that I had fleas from the Budget, and I was able to get a few of us moved back over to the Days Inn. This is definitely where all of the cool people are. haha
I also don't have phone service in Delta, so who knows what kind of ridiculous bill I've racked up from roaming charges... But at least now I have a job to pay for them! :) I'm going to try and get some pictures of the people I work with for your viewing pleasure. We have a large crew of about 25 people and only 6 of us are LDS. However, we received one reinforcement today, and we're getting 2 more next Monday. All of these girls that I know from school make it so much easier to jump in and make new friends, because I know I already have a group of friends to fall back on. It's so wonderful!! And I'm so grateful that all of us have been blessed with this sweet job. It is so wonderful for me to know that Heavenly Father knows each and every one of us. He knows what we want, what we need, and what will be best for us. And if we do His will, He will help all of that happen. This job has been so needed by each of us, for one reason or another. And not only are we enjoying ourselves as well work together, but all of our needs are being taken care of. God is so Great!
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