24 May 2011

This may come as a shock to you, but I actually had to go to school today. I know, I know. It is hard to comprehend right now, but don’t worry. It will get easier and easier to understand as the days go on. I feel like the idea of school is going to become less of an idea and more of a trend in the passing weeks. Something to look forward to…

Classes weren’t horrible today, in case I misled you before. I actually enjoy all of the classes I am taking. I had Old Testament, Judaism, and Hebrew today. In Old Testament, we talked about Joshua and Jericho. I really like all of the insights that Brother Muhlestein, and other classmates, give in that class. It really does help to broaden my understanding of the Old Testament. I never had a desire to study the Old Testament before I came to Jeru. It was just a book of “begats” to me prior to this class. But now, I love it and want to read it. There is so much to learn from it. The symbolism is out of this world! Judaism passed by without any problems as always! Dr. Ophir Yarden is a wonderful teacher. We studied the history and meaning behind “Torah” and “Mishnah”. It was very interesting to learn about the laws of the Jews and what they learn in their studies. The Mishnah is an aid to the Torah; it helps to clarify the text of the Torah. Hebrew is Hebrew. It was really hard today because we hadn’t had class for so long, but I enjoyed it. We learned the letter “M” today. I was jazzed. Now all I need to do is learn the “short i” and “sh” sounds and I will be able to spell my name in Hebrew. That would be amazing!

After classes and linen exchange, I set off into the city with Robert and Jenny. I had a list of things that I needed to do so they happily accompanied me while I did my thing and then we set off for Shabon’s, an LDS friendly shop in the Old City. We began at the post office and went to Aladdin’s (a money exchanger/ATM). We then went down the street to Omar’s. Omar sells some of the best olive wood carvings in Jerusalem. It is beautiful. Which is why I bought a nativity set today! I am so excited to put it up this Christmas. I will probably put it up before then…It is just too beautiful to leave in a box somewhere. It needs to be out where all of the people can see it. We left Omar’s for Via Delarosa in the Old City. We wandered down the street to find a shop where I had recently seen cameras. And guess what? I totally found one and bought it. I was elated. I got it for under $300 which was a steal. 12.1 megapixels, 10X zoom, free SD memory card, free camera case: I am excited to start using it. I took a few funny pictures of Robert while we were in the shop, just to try it out, as well as some pictures of Jenny, Robert, and I outside the Western Wall. It works amazingly well. Robert and Jenny made a wonderful decision. Shabon’s was Shabon’s. He had juice for us, as always. He just loves the Mormon kids! And we love him. He is such a great shopkeeper. Plus, he carries things gear for LDS consumers. How couldn’t we love him? I got a pair of earrings (my third from his shop) and a purple scarf. It’s such a beautiful scarf. My mother would love it; my brother would hate it. I love it! Haha.

The rest of the evening went smoothly. Dinner was delicious. We had duck! I talked to Candace and Samantha on the phone for about a half hour. That was really fun but made me a tad homesick. They are two of my favoritest people on this Earth; it is hard for me to be away from them. I am glad they were home so that I could talk to them for a little bit…even if they were eating lunch! My homework is finished. It is ten o’clock at night. Second day of going to bed before eleven. Life is good.