"Independence Park"

Friday afternoon before Prom, a few of us took a nice little trip out to "Independence Park" in West Jerusalem.  I think our Sherut driver was on one that day because it took us about 30 minutes just to pull away from the center, and then he took us to Yad Vashem, and THEN to the Harry Wilf Park instead of Independence Park where we wanted to go...

What is Harry Wilf, you may ask?  Well, it's a dog park.  And we weren't disappointed.  We hung around watching dogs run around for at least an hour.

We then made our way over to Ben Yahuda street where we bought carnations for our Prom dates bouteniers, and I ate a BIG MAC at McDonalds.  I kept my receipt because it was funny to see the McDonalds logo with a Hebrew receipt... dumb souvenirs.  That's when you know you've been in Israel a long time.

Then we came across this secret treasure that Brookey is pointing out...

And had a hipster photo shoot in the city with our bouquet.

Outside the Great Synagogue with some of my favorites.

Pressing Olives.

Remember last week's post when we spent the afternoon hanging in trees like monkeys picking olives? Well, the Little Red Hens that we are delivered this week.  We were able to press those olives and make our own olive oil to take home.

The olive pressing process is actually really interesting, and I'm amazed how these people figured out how to do this so many thousands of years ago.  Crazies.  It's a lot of work.

These sweet little lover bees even gave it a shot.

All tuckered out.

This is the actual olive press.  You stick the smashed olive pieces into these basket bags where it's pressed into oil and water.  You leave it out over night and then sift the oil off the top!  Brilliant.

After awhile the sun started setting, so we ditched that and enjoyed the beautiful Jerusalem sunset.  I've been trying to catch these most nights, because pretty soon I won't have this luxury anymore, and that makes me cry when I think about it too long.

One of my favorite buildings in the world right thur.

Bombs & Prom

So here at the JC we've hit 2 firsts: We were the first crew to ever have a sesh in the bomb shelter, and we were the first group to ever hold a JC Prom.  And they both happened in the same night.

Understanding the risk of increasing the Mormon stereotype of polygamy, we went ahead and held a Prom here at the JC.  It's a little difficult considering there are 59 girls and only 23 guys, but there's always a way around that.  You make the guys take 2-3 dates!

Mary and Katie were good sports for getting stuck with Tom and I, and they answered the door with bike wheels on their shirt.  Yeah, they came as our third wheel.

In case you are wondering, the JC has a small collection of wedding dresses hanging around... Just in the case of drastic measures, I suppose.  It came in handy for Rosie's Prom dress!

Throughout the week we had Prom Royalty voting everyday at lunch.  The Benches won Prom King and Queen, and that is just because we all seriously worship them.  Like no joke during our free time we hang out in their apartment. 

 JC Royalty Fall 2012! What a good looking bunch.

A HUGE thanks to Mackenzie Peay for putting on the first ever JC Spirit week!

Disclaimer:  We are all completely safe, and there weren't real bombs involved...

Spirit Week: Twin Day

This week we had JC spirit week.  We had stripes day, khakis day, and Thursday was TWIN DAY!  We were the first group to hold a JC Spirit week, thanks to Mackenzie Peay.

Everybody got pretty into it this week, and we even ended the week off with a PROM.

Israeli Dancing with Boaz Cohen Everybody.

Last week we had Israeli Dancing on the agenda for Wednesday Night. I'd be lying if I said I was super stoked to attend that night.  That is until I walked in and saw Boaz instructing.

I left early that night unfortunately, but luckily he invited some of the ladies back for a free session at his dance studio.  Let's just say all the 70 year old ladies in there LOVED him, were pros at dancing, and the 9 of us looked like complete fools. 

One woman came up to Jaquel and said "You are very high." And Jaquel said yes, I am tall.  She said "How tall?" And Jaquel told her.  She then proceeded to tell her how much she loves Boaz.  Jaquel told her we love him too, "He's so awesome."  The lady responded, "No, I love Boaz. He is MORE than awesome..."

Shabbat Shalom

This place.  This is one of my happy places.  He Lives.

"Behold the Wounds in Jesus' hands, 

the marks upon His side.

Then ponder whom He meant to save

when on the cross He died."

Rosie, Jaquel and I filmed a video last week of the Garden Tomb.  It's so lovely.  Look forward to it.

Carillon Bells and rainy days

Last week I did one of the coolest things I've done in Jerusalem yet.  I dare say few people can say they have played the Jerusalem Carillon Bells for the entire City.

"I hear Jerusalem Bells a ringing

Roman Cavalry choirs are singing,

be my mirror, my sword and shield,

Missionaries in a foreign field."

-Coldplay

Yeah, those are the bells that we played.  McKay, because there's nobody cooler than him in this world, plucked out the notes to that song, but the Squires didn't think it would be appropriate to play for the city... shame.

Jaquel and I started off the group with a nice little reverent primary number.  Nerve racking.

Seriously one of the most fun things we've done here in my opinion.

At the top of the YMCA

The YMCA is oh so very kind to allow us to come play their carillon. 

Remember how everyday I am sweating and HOT and I have to change my clothes 3 times a day?  Not these days...  It's RAINING IN JERUSALEM!!!! WOOOOT!