Today’s post comes in four distinct, but equally magnificent parts. (You should be very excited.)
Part 1:It's nerdtastic! (No I don't feel at all embarrassed using that word, so there!)
I'm so excited that we've actually started "talking" (blogging?)back and forth that I literally got off my butt, and did my happy dance. That’s right, a lot of spinning, jumping, and thrashing arm movements began and ensued for a few seconds. The crazy dancing would have gone on for a lot longer but, my dog walked over, gave me a look and walked away. So nice to know even in the comfort of your own home you can still be made fun of for being a nerd! By a pet no less?! Such is the way things our in this crazy world of ours.
Part 2: My class trip (but only 1/3rd, the rest is coming)
Hales, your trip to Boston sounds fantastic, unfortunately none of it actually happened. I’m sure the real trip was just as fabulous. Soon after you came back from your trip, I left for mine. I know we talked on the phone a little bit about our trips, but I feel I haven’t done mine justice until you’ve seen the pictures. Before your trip, we spent some time one the phone setting up this here bloggy-blog. You mentioned how annoyed you were that you had to get up to travel to Boston but, you said “I think it’ll be worth it once we get there.” Ok, I’m not sure that’s exactly what you said but it’s pretty darn close. Anyways, I don’t know if this statement is as true for you as it is for me, but the 24 hours of travel were all worth it once we landed in Ben Gurion Airport. Well you only had to travel a few hundred miles; I had to travel several thousands more. Traveling with my class to Israel was surprisingly fun and easy**** (see footnote). I sketched, took pictures with my friends, talked and indulged my tea addiction when I bought a chai at starbucks. Even though it was fun, I was still super happy when we finally reached our hostel in Tiberius. The next two weeks were a blur of amazing adventures. I will try to summarize really quickly some of the highlights. AHEM *clears throat* here we go:
Day 1: We arrive in Israel, and immediately head to a special park. (I think it was a national park) At the park they reenact biblical experiences; therefore my class got the unique opportunity to herd goats, and draw water from a well. Let’s just say if I was to be a Sheppard like many of my biblical ancestors it’s safe to say I would have been out of a job.
My class herding goats
Day 2: My class visits our partnership school in Tiberius. It was really cool to meet kids our own age in Israel, and to hang out with them. The adults had organized team building activities to help the students from both schools bond. Kids at my school definitely need to work on our team building/ logic/ taking directions skills. After that we immediately headed to the Jordan River to go rafting. My group somehow managed to get stuck on a waterfall, and sat there for five minutes until we finally managed to get our boat back on course. Just typical really, we’re the only group that happened to. Later that day we walked around the streets of Tiberius with the kids from the school and they helped us buy dinner.
A view of Tiberius from an overlook
Two of my friends and I after walking around the streets of Tiberius
Day 3: We left Tiberius very early in the morning. and winded our way up the many mountains that make up the Golan Heights. We visited a mountain, Har Bental from which you could see Syria. My class toured a bunker that had been used on that mountain in some of the past wars. Then we drove for another few hours to a park (I think?) where we went hiking. There was a waterfall there, so obviously we had a waterfight. We were not the only group there, and some unfortunate boy made the mistake of staring at one of my good friend’s behind a little too long. He brought some other friends over to look. I watched on in horror (Ok, I was laughing the entire time) as my friend proceeded to try to kick the guy in the you-know-where. She failed but managed to get him thoroughly wet, and start what my social studies teacher referred to as the next “Middle Eastern war.”
A stream where my class was hiking
Day 4: We got up at 6:00 AM to start driving down to Jerusalem. We hit the beach first, and buried one of our classmates in the sand. My friend and I had just been covering his legs with sand when some of the boys came over and decided to turn him into a mermaid. He grew quite voluptuous on top if you catch my drift. Then, we visited the Israeli tank museum, Latrun. Finally later in the evening we arrived at a lookout to catch our first glimpse of Jerusalem. What do we see when we get there: a thick smog; so much for our majestic view! Later that night we did take a tour of part of the underground city of Jerusalem. The tunnels we walked in exposed bits of the Western Wall, one of the holiest spots where Jews go to pray, that aren't ussually seen. It was a really cool experiance.
People praying at the Western Wall
My friend and I right before we went on the tour to see the underground Western Wall
**** Footnote***The exception being the one kid who lost his ticket five minutes before we boarded the plane.
IMPORTANT!!!! I almost forgot, but luckily I didn't. I owe credit where credit is due. I did not take any of these photos. I have used some that my friend gave me permission to use, and some that were on my facebook profile. I apologize if I have missed giving credit to anyone. Thanks for the photos!
Part 3: For your entertainment pleasure
Since you apparently failed to recieve my very well put together list of music and books, I will post the list for you. These should entertain you for the rest of the summer! I’m such a nice person…ok not really since I clearly have proven that I still can’t spell your last name. I can’t believe I tried to email you at the wrong address. Gosh, it’s not even that hard to spell?
Well here’s the list:
1. Amy Winehouse- Tears dry on their own
2. Amos Lee- Keep it loose, Keep it tight
3. Avett Brothers- Head full of doubt/Road full of Solace
4. Barenaked Ladies- Pinch Me
5. Belle and Sebastian- Step Into my office baby
6. Ben Folds- Still Fighting It
7. Bon Iver- Skinny Love
8. The Mountain Goats- Love Love Love
9. Gavin Degraw- Nice to Meet you Anyway
10. Guster- Hang On
11. Indigo Girls- Closer to Fine
12. Iron and Wine- Naked As We Came
13. John Mayer- No Such Thing
14. John Mclaughlin- Four Years
15. Matisyahu- One Day (If you don't look this up right away I will come eat you NOW!)
16. Phoenix- Everything is Everything
17. Rufus Wainright- Beautiful Child
18. Wilco- Hummingbird
Book Recomendations :
1. Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns- John Green
2. Da vinci Code- Dan Brown
3. The Time Travelers Wife
4. My Sister's Keeper- Jodi Picoult (It's an excellent crying book if you need one)
5. The Truth About Forever- Sarah Dessen
Part 4: Hats, gloves, shoes, and life’s other great pleasures
What to do with your extra, awesome hats? Is that even a question? You bring them to camp so a certain two campers (cough* Haley, Rhea* Cough) can wear them. I’m bringing a bunch of crazy accessories to camp. Maybe you can add little decals or appliqués to them to spice them up. I’d have to see them though. Post pictures so I can help you decide what outfits to wear them with. Or you know, we could figure that out at camp ;)
I know this was long, but I owe you that! Luv ya and better hear from you soon, Rhea
PS: I apologize to you, Hales, for the lateness of this post. In my defense it was the fourth of July and I needed to celebrate like all good Americans should. You know the drill; you sit with your family, eat too much, laugh too much, then watch as the local country clubs and park systems put on a demonstration which is actually a fake war (though it may look colorful). Then you watch in amusement as your father roots through a box of fireworks trying to find the sparklers. Then you contemplate whether the five to seven year old sparklers still work or will blow up in your face when he finds them. All this is forgotten when you are handed one of them and you get to watch the pretty colors and sparks. I had an amazing time with my family! Hope you did too.......Happy 4th
