On a lighter note, this is my list of things to do before I die... some of which I've already done and some of which I don't know of yet and so I'll add them on as a continuous entry throughout this year (and they are in no particular order)
1. ride a camel
2. ride an elephant
3. sky dive
4. see the 'Wattoluempiade' Mudflat Olympic Games in Germany
5. become fluent in another language
6. ski the Alps
7. read 100 books from literary acclaimed authors (Faulkner, Austin, Dickens, Hemingway, Poe, Shaw, Kipling, Huxley, Woolf, Steinbeck)
8. Visit the major church history sites in Mormon Culture (Independence Missouri, Martin's Cove, Palmyra, the Holy Land, Adam-ondi-ahman, Armageddon)
9. Visit every temple in the US (along with as many outside the US as possible)
10. ride in a hot air balloon
11. ride in a 2-3 passenger airplane
12. compete in a duathalon
13. Swim in or travel over the "7 Seas" - Dead, Red, Galilee, Black, Caspian, Mediterranean, Adriatic, Aegean, and Arabian and all the landlocked seas
14. Swim in the 6 landlocked seas - Aral Sea (Kazakhstan/Uzbekistan), Caspian Sea (Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan), Dead Sea (Israel/Jordan/West Bank), Sea of Galilee (Israel), Salton Sea (Cali), and Great Salt Lake (Utah)
15. swim with dolphins
16. Keep a journal for one complete year, in a consecutive fashion
17. Travel Europe with bare minimum for a month
18. rebuild a Peugeot 104 (1973 model?)
...
...
p.s. - this is a bit of a to-get-to-in-free-time list. Of course my marriage, hubby, chilluns' come first. Who you think I am? Some crazy bucket list hunter with no appreciation for the finer things in life (no not the caviar but those stinky diapers and as said on Alex and Emma - the laundry by myself)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
over time
I've been home for over a week now from Jerusalem. Some things are different and some things seem to always stay the same (such as the great taste of BlueBell Ice Cream and the underestimation of time, and muscle, to move into an apartment). I went rock climbing with
Chase Bowler and Veronica Benavides last night up Rock Canyon Park at
the Appendage on the 5.08, 5.09 there. It was there that we discovered
Veronica's rock woman instincts as she on her first real rock climb schooled both Chase aNd I, hands down. She was amazing... I think that I need to take more drill team classes/modern dance classes. I think that might be Veronica's secret... flexibility as well as a built up strength. Needless to say, I am once more excited to have friends that excel so quick at a passion of mine as well as share a portion of my passion- it means there's less time wasted on trying to convince them to join me in future escapades!
Chase said an interesting thing while we were climbing... Chase does that occasionally. He asked me a lot of similar questions as Dad - "how was it?" "How was Jerusalem?" and the final one "How was the spirit?". I thought for a while and responded with "well, for me it's hard for archaeological sites to hit home when they say 'this is so many years old, this is where Christ walked, Christ stepped on this stone most likely'. Being in Jerusalem wasn't a needed thing in order to build a testimony of Christ. However, it was neat because the spirit was present in a way to reaffirm what was already there for me. One doesn't need to travel to Holy Sites in order to know He lived". I really do believe this statement too. It was strongly emphasized in our religion class while there that just because we are visiting these sites, it d
oesn't mean that we should be growing in spirit. It should be through our study and our diligence to those things that can be done universally that makes our spirits sing at those sites. I don't know if Chase was simply humoring me or if it's similar to humility but he made a comment about a difference in me, more mature. Quite possibly he was humoring me to make me become puffed up, vain, and all those wonderful attributes I've been striving for for so long... or possibly it's similar to humility - you notice that there has been a change in your life and your actions over some extension of time but you aren't able to say "Oh that's where I became mature" "that's where I stepped from immature to mature - boy (girl) to man (woman)". It comes as a continuation of continued efforts that build layer upon layer until one day you can't believe you were once a water droplet and now a mountain of snow - possible to lose the state which you're in but with the correct actions on your part and conditions you put yourself in, only able to grow larger. A process over time
Chase Bowler and Veronica Benavides last night up Rock Canyon Park atthe Appendage on the 5.08, 5.09 there. It was there that we discovered
Veronica's rock woman instincts as she on her first real rock climb schooled both Chase aNd I, hands down. She was amazing... I think that I need to take more drill team classes/modern dance classes. I think that might be Veronica's secret... flexibility as well as a built up strength. Needless to say, I am once more excited to have friends that excel so quick at a passion of mine as well as share a portion of my passion- it means there's less time wasted on trying to convince them to join me in future escapades!
Chase said an interesting thing while we were climbing... Chase does that occasionally. He asked me a lot of similar questions as Dad - "how was it?" "How was Jerusalem?" and the final one "How was the spirit?". I thought for a while and responded with "well, for me it's hard for archaeological sites to hit home when they say 'this is so many years old, this is where Christ walked, Christ stepped on this stone most likely'. Being in Jerusalem wasn't a needed thing in order to build a testimony of Christ. However, it was neat because the spirit was present in a way to reaffirm what was already there for me. One doesn't need to travel to Holy Sites in order to know He lived". I really do believe this statement too. It was strongly emphasized in our religion class while there that just because we are visiting these sites, it d
oesn't mean that we should be growing in spirit. It should be through our study and our diligence to those things that can be done universally that makes our spirits sing at those sites. I don't know if Chase was simply humoring me or if it's similar to humility but he made a comment about a difference in me, more mature. Quite possibly he was humoring me to make me become puffed up, vain, and all those wonderful attributes I've been striving for for so long... or possibly it's similar to humility - you notice that there has been a change in your life and your actions over some extension of time but you aren't able to say "Oh that's where I became mature" "that's where I stepped from immature to mature - boy (girl) to man (woman)". It comes as a continuation of continued efforts that build layer upon layer until one day you can't believe you were once a water droplet and now a mountain of snow - possible to lose the state which you're in but with the correct actions on your part and conditions you put yourself in, only able to grow larger. A process over time
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Finales
Today was a day full of non-stop energy, action, sights, smells, and most of all - memories. I've been interested these last few days to see how the entire term is playing out. Interestingly enough, with the ending of finals (slightly very scary), the finalization of our stay here in the Holy Land, I'm learning (still!) more... and this time it's more about myself. We went to so many different places today that my head is still reeling with the action but there were good things in all of these places.
1) Bethphage - where Christ got on the donkey to enter the city in a triumphal peace.
We sang "Redeemer of Israel" here
2)Pater Noster (the sight where Helena believed the Lord's Prayer to be given). It was so neat to come in here and see the Lord's Prayer in so many different languages. I lOvE languages. It'd be wonderful to be given the opportunity
to go live some where over seas to study a language and culture for a year... and then go to another place and study there... and another and another. From this trip I've realized how much I really wish I knew the languages of the world. I've met a man Jonathan from Italy and then overheard multiple Italian tour groups. I've walked by multiple French tour groups as well... allowing me to woe over the two years lost in high school, in which I never truly learned French (Zut!).
I saw braille in English and Hebrew side-by-side, Italian Lord's Prayer, some curly-q language that I have no earthly idea what it was, Farsi, some more curly-squiggly language, Gaelic, Creole... and many many more! We sang "How Gentle God's Commands" and some tour groups came to watch the anomaly.
3) Dominus Flevit - Jesus wept for Jerusalem here in his
famous saying "O Jerusalem". Interesting, the church was in the shape of a tear drop. I didn't expect to see this so that was quite neat to see.
4) Church of Mary Magdalene - Russian Orthodox Church. This one was rather interesting... always seen, slightly out of place, never been inside. It happened to be open when we were in the area so we all decided it'd be awesome to go inside..
.. which it was. The story of Mary Magdalene going and telling the Roman emperor of the resurrection of Christ. He said that was highly unlikely - as unlikely as an egg turning red. He handed one to Mary Magdalene which just so happened to conveniently turn red... Tricky tricky - Heavenly Father witnessing of his son to one and all! Oh and the joke goes as follows: what did the Mormon say when he say the church? it's so onion-spired ("un-inspired") (well it's true - we're one of the one and onlys that believe in continuing revelation.
5)Garden of Gethsemane - this was a very interesting site for me because I had already been here before in my own time to have personal contemplation and thought here. Versus the last time I came here, I was well and able to really think about many things. The garden is small. From the pictures in Mormon culture, one is led to believe that the site might be commemorated by some park or something. However, in actuality, it is quite small 30'x30' fenced in garden that you are able to walk around and contemplate. I had already been inside the Church of All Nations (which is connected to the Garden) so instead I walked to a quiet area near wh
ere our group was about to meet and sat and thought. I love when songs will come to mind without any prerogative. Now, no misunderstanding, the songs are not intrusive but rather instructive for me. As I sat the song Be Still My Soul came into mind. I began humming a little to my self to figure out what song it was because the song came to me mid-verse "With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain..." from that point I continued onward with the song and although I didn't get the entire verse word-for-word most likely, I did get a good part of it and the overall theme of the song "...Leave to thy God to order and provide; In ev'ry change he faithful will remain. Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end." This was significant to me because one it talks in a manner in correlation with the Garden and two because my personal most frequent way to receive revelation is through outside sources whether it be through other people's life stories or if it be implanted through a previously well known song. =======
6)Orson Hyde Park -
7)St. Peter's Church of Galicantu -
8)Cenicleum/Upper Room -
9)Church of the Condemnation and Flagellation -
10)Garden Tomb
after this wonderful day we had a quick dinner and then... our departure orientation meeting??? Yes, ironic in name but I'm happy to say the water is safe, tissue paper is not needed for the restrooms, and the watermelon is wonderfully, germ-free edible (but the need to travel in groups because of unsafe social situations should still be adhered to :) ). Afterwards testimony meeting/2 min memorable experience.
1) Bethphage - where Christ got on the donkey to enter the city in a triumphal peace.
We sang "Redeemer of Israel" here2)Pater Noster (the sight where Helena believed the Lord's Prayer to be given). It was so neat to come in here and see the Lord's Prayer in so many different languages. I lOvE languages. It'd be wonderful to be given the opportunity
to go live some where over seas to study a language and culture for a year... and then go to another place and study there... and another and another. From this trip I've realized how much I really wish I knew the languages of the world. I've met a man Jonathan from Italy and then overheard multiple Italian tour groups. I've walked by multiple French tour groups as well... allowing me to woe over the two years lost in high school, in which I never truly learned French (Zut!).I saw braille in English and Hebrew side-by-side, Italian Lord's Prayer, some curly-q language that I have no earthly idea what it was, Farsi, some more curly-squiggly language, Gaelic, Creole... and many many more! We sang "How Gentle God's Commands" and some tour groups came to watch the anomaly.
3) Dominus Flevit - Jesus wept for Jerusalem here in his
famous saying "O Jerusalem". Interesting, the church was in the shape of a tear drop. I didn't expect to see this so that was quite neat to see.4) Church of Mary Magdalene - Russian Orthodox Church. This one was rather interesting... always seen, slightly out of place, never been inside. It happened to be open when we were in the area so we all decided it'd be awesome to go inside..
.. which it was. The story of Mary Magdalene going and telling the Roman emperor of the resurrection of Christ. He said that was highly unlikely - as unlikely as an egg turning red. He handed one to Mary Magdalene which just so happened to conveniently turn red... Tricky tricky - Heavenly Father witnessing of his son to one and all! Oh and the joke goes as follows: what did the Mormon say when he say the church? it's so onion-spired ("un-inspired") (well it's true - we're one of the one and onlys that believe in continuing revelation.5)Garden of Gethsemane - this was a very interesting site for me because I had already been here before in my own time to have personal contemplation and thought here. Versus the last time I came here, I was well and able to really think about many things. The garden is small. From the pictures in Mormon culture, one is led to believe that the site might be commemorated by some park or something. However, in actuality, it is quite small 30'x30' fenced in garden that you are able to walk around and contemplate. I had already been inside the Church of All Nations (which is connected to the Garden) so instead I walked to a quiet area near wh
ere our group was about to meet and sat and thought. I love when songs will come to mind without any prerogative. Now, no misunderstanding, the songs are not intrusive but rather instructive for me. As I sat the song Be Still My Soul came into mind. I began humming a little to my self to figure out what song it was because the song came to me mid-verse "With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain..." from that point I continued onward with the song and although I didn't get the entire verse word-for-word most likely, I did get a good part of it and the overall theme of the song "...Leave to thy God to order and provide; In ev'ry change he faithful will remain. Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end." This was significant to me because one it talks in a manner in correlation with the Garden and two because my personal most frequent way to receive revelation is through outside sources whether it be through other people's life stories or if it be implanted through a previously well known song. =======6)Orson Hyde Park -
7)St. Peter's Church of Galicantu -
8)Cenicleum/Upper Room -
9)Church of the Condemnation and Flagellation -
10)Garden Tomb
after this wonderful day we had a quick dinner and then... our departure orientation meeting??? Yes, ironic in name but I'm happy to say the water is safe, tissue paper is not needed for the restrooms, and the watermelon is wonderfully, germ-free edible (but the need to travel in groups because of unsafe social situations should still be adhered to :) ). Afterwards testimony meeting/2 min memorable experience.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
closed eye, open heart
Today was wonderful. We got back from Jordan (awesome time getting to learn what a real mosque is like dressed in head-garb and black dress, visiting the Jordan River where Christ was most likely baptized, crossing border crossing after taking quite some time to get from Jordan to Israel, and many wonderful hours sleeping on the bus) late today after doing a great day of traveling and I was able to grab a clean, water, fresh veggie meal before going to the Bible Land's Museum. IT WAS AWESOME! We were told that we'd be able to make it through the entire museum in a little less than an hour.... NOT SO! We went through a tour of Ancient Music for about an hour - it was phenomenal hearing and seeing so many artifacts from before I could ever think. Musical artifacts from Ancient Mythology, Ancient Cultures, Ancient Religions genres. We discussed the lyre, double flute, cymbals, drums (which were typically played by women because they represent the cycles of life and women are so intricately involved in the cycles of life, months, birth), harp, and such wonderful instruments as that... oh! and the shofar (reminds me of the didjeridoo)! We talked of Eros and Apollo and Pan and the Pan-flute. Emily Ward, Keola, and I were on fire afterwards with excitement. I'm going to go into the Old City and look for somewhere that I can get inexpensive bedouin, desert music/folk music. We walked by a beautiful Bat Mitzvah on our way up to the 2nd floor of the museum and it was so neat looking! I would love to have a Bat Mitzvah with the beautiful hot pink, dancing all night, beautiful dresses - wonderful way to come of age! The museum was wonderful with so many interesting things that I could have stayed an hour longer... except closing time was at 9:30 and at got out of there at 9:32pm. The sherut back ride back was a trip and a half needless to say. With 10 of us in it, the guy had black lights going, techno "holding out for a hero"... and I'm in Jerusalem? It was so so amazing! We were dancing and having quite some fun with the cab driver just smiling and enjoying our enjoyment. Needless to say it was quite the night. And needless to say I learned something tonight. If life is really going to be appreciated you have to just go for it. Enjoy every minute with an eye closed to all around that might scorn, judge, or impede you from feeling that joy. With an heart open be willing to experience everything. Why else do we humans willingly commit ourselves to such things as love, child rearing, or dreams if we don't realize that there's going to be pain that piggy-backs with those wonderful things. I realized I can't ever let someone else put me in the circumstances where I'm willing to sacrifice or pass by those dreams/ that love - the true vibrant experience can't be felt then.
Galilee
Galilee was wonderful... kind of behind though and will fill in the news from the 10 days here once I get the chance
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