Purim = Jewish Halloween

This week was finals/midterms, so thank goodness that is over. Now I only have two classes to focus on. Hallelujah. Because of all of the tests not a lot happened this week (besides Purim-more on that later), but I have some photos saved up to share so don't worry, you will still get to see my face this week. 

Here are some photos of the Jerusalem center

 These are some fuzzy pictures of the Forum. I have easily spent 100 hours in this room. School and orientations are never ending. 

The computer lab 

 The auditorium, where we have church, This picture was taken after a formal talent show. 

So this week was Purim! A Jewish holiday that celebrates Esther. For some reason it is like Halloween where everyone dresses up. It is also an excuse for everyone to go out at night to party. So we went out on the town to check out the festivities. 

 Here we have Leggo men costumes and the rabbits behind them. 

We went to the great synagogue to hear a reading of Esther- something you are suppose to do on the night of Purim. And it just so happened that the Prime Minister of Israel made a surprise appearance. He gave a little speech at the end, but it was in Hebrew, so alas I didn't know what was going on. 

 During the reading you make noise with your noise makers whenever Haman is mentioned (at least that is what I think. Once again-I don't speak Hebrew). 

 After the reading we went and got dinner 

 This was the best Shawarma I have ever had. Brooke got really into the spirit and dressed up as a chicken for Purim. 

 ice cream. of course, 

 Ben Yehuda street

 Purim dance party. The Jerusalem center definitely got this dance party going

 A week or so ago we also had our own Seder dinner. Don't worry, that's grape juice. It was really interesting and fun, later we also learned some Jewish folk dancing which was also super fun. 

That's all for now folks. But in other exciting news, I go to Turkey in a few hours! 

Snorkeling, Shepherding, and Soup(ing)

What a good week! 

To being the week, we went to Eilat, where we spent the day at the Red Sea. We had to leave the center at 6 am and drive for about four hours. This was a student activity, so no teachers or administrators came with us. It's funny how the bus drive just flies by when you can be as loud as you want. After hours of music, games, and heated rounds of  Mafia (aka 'werewolf' in the Jackson home) I'm pretty sure our bus driver wanted nothing more than to get us off his bus. Needless to say, it was freeing to have just the students. Also, it was pretty crazy to one day be picking up snow, and the next day be swimming. 

The Red Sea was crystal clear and it wasn't too cold either. The sand could have been improved, but you can't have it all. 

It isn't a good day at the beach until you have a ukulele jam session

As Joe would say, "Good group"

Yes, this picture is not my most graceful moment, but I had no idea how much I would enjoy snorkeling! I'm not going to lie, I didn't quite grasp the concept for a good while, but after inhaling a few cups of salt water I finally got it down. 

The buoys were a popular hang out spot.

On the way home we stopped for dinner. And let me tell you, Israel is winning at ice cream

After a day of fun in the sun, it was back to field trip mode. I would describe this field trip as, Bible day camp. First we went to the shepherding station.  

If all else fails, the students at the Jerusalem center could probably all get jobs at herding sheep and goats.

After multiple failed attempts of trying to actually pick up a sheep, it was on to the "edible plants" station. We all got some hyssop and crushed it up and used it later on our lunch. This is used as a spice-usually with pita bread.   

The next station was the "cook a meal" station. It felt like we were camping. 

Bevan, Fitzy, McKenzie, and I had the job of dicing onions for the soup. 

Meg and Jen had the important job of breaking sticks. 

How many people does it take to start a fire?

Making the pita bread

It took a while, but after the fire was finally going we started cooking the soup and the bread.

The soup was delicious

And the company was even better. 

We're Hot Then We're Cold

Well everyone, another two weeks have come and gone here at the good ole Jerusalem Center. Here were some of the highlights that won't get a photo shout out. 

1. Valentines Day! It was great. We had a dance and a lot of people wrote valentines to each other.

2. Dodge ball tournament!! This has honestly been one of the most entertaining things I have ever seen. It was so hilarious, I was crying with laughter. Some people got super into it (let's just say that we saw some peoples true colors), while others were praying to get hit so they could be out. And guess whose team made it to the championship game? That's right. Mine. We don't need to talk about that game though. Regardless, it was extremely fun. 

4. We went to the holocaust museum on a field trip. 

3. I get called out by guys on the street a lot. They want pictures, and sometimes even a kiss. But then today someone threw a huge snowball at me (more on the snow later). I guess people show their desire in different ways.

Okay, picture time.

 Our favorite bakery. I don't know the name though because I can't read Hebrew. 

Never underestimate the power of a good baked good. 

A crooked photo of Dormition Abbey. 

Hezikiahs Tunnel! It was so cool. Definitely worth doing. 

At the end of the tunnel 

The Rockefeller Museum 

This is just a random picture from one of our field trips. It was so cold we were huddling together like a group of penguins. 

That is my home. Also, check out the satellite dish house. 

We got to play the Carillon bells in the YMCA tower, the bells that everyone hears when it is a new hour. This is Jace and I playing "When the Saints Go Marching In" for all of Jerusalem to hear. 

My lovely roommates-on top of the YMCA tower

The Western Wall

Here is an insider look. The Brother Anderson Old Testament class early in the morning. 8am class everyday.

It snowed again in Jerusalem. And this time, it really actually snowed. This was yesterday morning outside my bedroom. I can't believe it is snowing here and not in Provo-which was one of the main reasons I came winter, but don't worry, I'm learning to deal with it. We also decided to walk into the city later in the afternoon. We were all soaking by the end because not surprisingly, none of us brought shoes suitable for snow.  

The group the weathered the weather