Wednesday, August 31, 2011

10 Tantalizing Truths about my Travels Today


10 facts about Jerusalem thus far:
  1. The plane ride over was like watching a huge family reunion.  At least half of the jews headed to Tel Aviv were just up wondering the isles, chilling listening to their music, or praying.  Very unique 11 hour flight.
  2. The group is fantastic!  There are 30 of us that have reached the center thus far and everyone is sooo nice.  Granted, I think everyone is a little shell-shocked, jet-lagged, and wanting to have an amazing experience, but if they can still be super fun and nice with only 3 hours of sleep, I’m in for a treat.
  3. The flight attendant from JFK to Tel Aviv sounded EXACTLY like Michelle from Gilmore Girls.
  4. Unfortunately, 51 of the groups flights were cancelled in Pheonix so some will probably get here tomorrow, sunday, and then next week.  Catie LeGrow was serious when she said I would be lucky I wasn’t on her flight... :(  Please say a prayer so they can get here soon!
  5. The call to prayer was going on as we got to the center.  A very touching experience.
  6. I am still in complete shock as to the beauty of the center.  Get this, the dome of the rock is framed by a pomegranate tree and roses on my patio.  As I am typing away, there is a waterfall behind me that just echos across the limestone interiors. 
  7. Food at the center is soooo good!  When we arrived they had a beautiful array of snacks awaiting us.  (And for those curious, I did only eat one)  Dinner was also absolutely incredible!  Everything is very aromatic and tastes as good as it looks.  Tonight was a sweet chicken with green olives with rice, vegetables, salad, pita, and chocolate mousse. 
  8. Airplane food is in fact ridiculously bad.  I don’t know why they don’t just give you a carton of milk and a mini box of cereal but the pitta bread in a breadstick this morning is just not cutting it.
  9. I read the Genesis 1-20 yesterday and remembered that there are some crazy/semi disturbing bible stories.
  10. Tonight was the last night of Ramadan and our neighborhood sounded like they were having a wonderful time celebrating it.  
  11. I know I said 10, but my computer changes all the little ads and buttons into hebrew now, which is kind of impossible for me to figure out....
P.S.  I love you all and am having a marvelous time!  If you want/need to get a hold of me, it’s easiest of you email me @ lesliegerber0@gmail.com :)  Thanks!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Finding Joy

Sometimes, we waste time on blogs.
Sometimes, we find cute things that we LOVE on blogs.
Sometimes, we find helpful tips on blogs.
Sometimes, we find things that change our lives on blogs.



There is a girl, and I don't even know her name, that has changed my perspective of my life.  She keeps one of the best blogs around.  This blog is all about how she has chosen to develop her skills and talents while she and her husband are separated by war.  As Jesse and I have now been separated for a solid 4 days now, I'm hoping to become more like that cute girl.  Positive, happy, faithful, fun, talented, smart.  I am practically packed for Jerusalem and getting more and more excited.  This is going to be a wonderful time where I can really focus on becoming a better me.  A better student, friend, daughter, sister, and especially, a better fiance for Jess.  I'm so lucky to have found the wonderful guy he is and I'm even more lucky that he asked me to be his wife :)


Thursday, August 25, 2011

New Material

Want to spice up your blog reading material?  check out my cute friend Catherine's blog here :)

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Time Line

 A lot of people are asking the same questions, so I figured I could just let you all know now what the deal with my life is.

Last day of work: August 9th
Last day in Provo : August 11th
Drive to Chicago: August 12th
Fly back to Utah: August 22nd
Fly to Jerusalem Center: August 30th
Field Trip to Turkey: Sept 17th-25th
Field Trip to Jordan: Oct 24th -27th (yes, I will be able to be with Jesse while in Amman!  yay!)
Field Trip to Galilee: Nov 14th -24th
Turn 20:  End of Nov
Fly home to Utah:  Dec 16th
Jesse home to Chicago: Dec 23rd
Jesse and I reunited: Dec 26th
Go through the Temple: Dec 28th
Get Married in the Salt Lake Temple: December 30th!!!!!!!
Utah wedding reception: December 30th
Chicago Wedding reception/open house: sometime next spring :)

A pretty exciting next 4 months, wouldn't ya say? :)