Greetings from the Holy Land! I finally arrived here yesterday at about 3:00 pm Jerusalem time which is 9 hours ahead of Utah. I was completely exhausted when I got here, but the staff made us stay up until at least 9:00 so that we could overcome our jet lag. Let's just say that I slept really well. :)
The flights were good.... I had 4 stops - Denver, Washington DC, Vienna, and Tel Aviv. After over 25 hours of travel and 18 hours of flying time I got here. Let's just say that the Jerusalem Center is AMAZING! I already feel at home here. The administration, faculty, staff, and service couples are all so welcoming and nice. I have like 3 grandmas here that make sure I am happy and healthy. And my fellow students are so so so awesome! I was really worried about making friends and finding my place here, but I know that these people will be lifelong friends already. We all get along so well, everyone is so nice, and things have gone great so far. And yes, there are some very very cute boys, but I am staying away from that game. :)
Today, April 29, was my first full day in Jerusalem. We took a tour of the Old City which is about a 15 minute walk from the JC (Jerusalem Center). It is very crowded, small, and full of merchants that would love to sell you things. They didn't allow us to do any shopping today, but I know that that won't last for long. We also had a great "get to know you" activity tonight which made me feel even more at home.
The classes will definitely be pretty intense. My mindset coming here was, "Oh, this is just a 3 month tour. And ya, I'll have classes, but it won't be that big of a deal." Well I was definitely wrong! My classes are already pretty intense, and it will require a lot of time on my part. But I will learn a ton and really grow from what I learn here.
The food is great! We eat in a cafeteria for every meal, so I definitely have to be careful on my portions while I am here if I want to keep off the 25 pounds I've lost. They do have a gym, but it doesn't have any treadmills. We are starting a running group in the morning so that we can learn routes outside which will be so so helpful. My dad blessed me that I would be able to keep up with my eating habits and be able to maintain while I am here, so I just need to give my full effort and hopefully that will come true.
So thus far, I have been very, very excited and happy to be here. Although I have so much to do, this experience is well worth it! I miss you all at home, but I trust that things haven't changed much since I left two days ago. :) If you want to e-mail me, my e-mail is cirving18@gmail.com. Much love!
P.S. The JC has a really small internet capacity, so I won't be able to post any pictures on here unless I go to an internet cafe. Also, they have blocked facebook so I won't be updating anything on there. Just fyi!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
It Never Hurts To Ask
This is just a great story that I had to share with everyone. And it completely describes my life and how many little breaks I get.
Okay, so last Saturday I was taking a final over the internet for my Political Science class. This class has really pushed me to the limit, requiring me to write 8 page essays (which I thought was entirely impossible before I actually did them)! But I love, love, LOVE this class because it pushed me and made me think outside of my BYU bubble. I've tried really hard all semester to do well, and it has paid off. Anyways, so I was taking the multiple choice part of my final for this class. I was really nervous to do it at first, but once I got going it was a piece of cake! It was only 20 questions, and I finished within like 5 minutes. I got my results back, and I only got 12/20!!! What the...?! So I went through my fill-in-the-blanks, and I realized that two of the 2 I missed were actually correct but I just misspelled them and that would be fixed by my teacher. But the other 6... I had missed! Marx theorizes about 3 types of alienation and 3 causes of alienation. Well, being dumb, stupid, stressed out me, I switched the types with the causes and the causes with the types! I was so distressed and angry at myself for not paying more attention to those small details!!! Well this teacher is like super-duper lenient. We have "deadlines", but they don't have to be followed and are always extended. And I already wrote him an e-mail telling him how much I loved his class and how it has changed my life in many ways. So I thought to myself, "My mom always tells me that it never hurts to ask. We'll see if this works out for me." Yes, I e-mailed my teacher, begging him to give me those points because "I really knew what I was talking about! Promise!!!" I waited a couple of hours, checked my e-mail, and lo and behold, he had written me back, on a Saturday. And he had given me full credit for my wrong answers! His exact reply was, "I'll give you credit for them - obviously you know them and that's all I care about." BEST DAY EVER! So instead of getting 14/20, I got a 20/20. Yes, I totally weaseled my way into getting an A on that part of the final.
As I told this story to my family later that night over dinner, my brother and sister were astounded and surprised that I had been given those points. And I told them that I never hurts to ask. My professor totally could have said no, and I would have dealt with the consequences. But luckily he was merciful and willing to work with me. It never hurts to ask.
This little story just illustrates how many times and ways that I get my way in so many things. Some of the time I work my magic and do things on my own part, but most of the time Heavenly Father truly blesses me with so many tender mercies for which I can take no recognition. To name just a few: my success in school, never getting pulled over (yet), my jobs that have always come because of someone else I knew, and oh so many more. I am truly blessed, and I am so grateful to a Heavenly Father who loves me so much to bless me with so many small and seemingly insignificant things that add up to huge blessings!
Okay, so last Saturday I was taking a final over the internet for my Political Science class. This class has really pushed me to the limit, requiring me to write 8 page essays (which I thought was entirely impossible before I actually did them)! But I love, love, LOVE this class because it pushed me and made me think outside of my BYU bubble. I've tried really hard all semester to do well, and it has paid off. Anyways, so I was taking the multiple choice part of my final for this class. I was really nervous to do it at first, but once I got going it was a piece of cake! It was only 20 questions, and I finished within like 5 minutes. I got my results back, and I only got 12/20!!! What the...?! So I went through my fill-in-the-blanks, and I realized that two of the 2 I missed were actually correct but I just misspelled them and that would be fixed by my teacher. But the other 6... I had missed! Marx theorizes about 3 types of alienation and 3 causes of alienation. Well, being dumb, stupid, stressed out me, I switched the types with the causes and the causes with the types! I was so distressed and angry at myself for not paying more attention to those small details!!! Well this teacher is like super-duper lenient. We have "deadlines", but they don't have to be followed and are always extended. And I already wrote him an e-mail telling him how much I loved his class and how it has changed my life in many ways. So I thought to myself, "My mom always tells me that it never hurts to ask. We'll see if this works out for me." Yes, I e-mailed my teacher, begging him to give me those points because "I really knew what I was talking about! Promise!!!" I waited a couple of hours, checked my e-mail, and lo and behold, he had written me back, on a Saturday. And he had given me full credit for my wrong answers! His exact reply was, "I'll give you credit for them - obviously you know them and that's all I care about." BEST DAY EVER! So instead of getting 14/20, I got a 20/20. Yes, I totally weaseled my way into getting an A on that part of the final.
As I told this story to my family later that night over dinner, my brother and sister were astounded and surprised that I had been given those points. And I told them that I never hurts to ask. My professor totally could have said no, and I would have dealt with the consequences. But luckily he was merciful and willing to work with me. It never hurts to ask.
This little story just illustrates how many times and ways that I get my way in so many things. Some of the time I work my magic and do things on my own part, but most of the time Heavenly Father truly blesses me with so many tender mercies for which I can take no recognition. To name just a few: my success in school, never getting pulled over (yet), my jobs that have always come because of someone else I knew, and oh so many more. I am truly blessed, and I am so grateful to a Heavenly Father who loves me so much to bless me with so many small and seemingly insignificant things that add up to huge blessings!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Weeks
That's it. Only 17 weeks. I only have 17 weeks until I return from Jerusalem. But as of now, I'm ready for that 17 weeks to be here. I am ready to come home. I want to be home.
You may ask why I am wanting to be home before I've even left. Well, as of right now I don't want to go. I'm not ready to go. I'm not ready to leave my family, my friends, Provo, my job, and everything else for 15 weeks. So many drastic changes will occur in my family and in my life back home that I won't be here for. My sister is moving home before she starts grad school, and this might be the last chance I could have to live with her. My brother and sister-in-law are moving into my parents home as well which means that we're finishing the basement and making it an apartment. My entire home will be completely different when I return. I don't know if it will really be mine anymore. My best friend is coming home for being gone for two years, and I'm gonna miss it. Everything special about that time with that person I will miss. I get a pit in my stomach just thinking about that one. My roommate is getting married. I was supposed to be her maid of honor! When I come back, she'll be a married woman with real life responsibilities and no time for my single life drama. My parents. What can I even say about that?! I don't want to leave my parents. That's probably the hardest one right now. I go home every single weekend just to see them. And I usually see them in the middle of the week somehow as well. I call my mom probably three times a day at a minimum. Yes that's a little extreme, but that's how I rollThey are my best friends. I don't want to go....
That's it. Two weeks. Two weeks until I start the greatest and most amazing adventure of my life up to this point. I can't wait to go! Get me out of here!!! After 19 weeks of anticipating and waiting, I can taste the sweet freedom of Jerusalem. Finals will be over, I'll be done with my job, my apartmentw will be vacant, and life will be sweet. I need a new adventure, new friends, and a new outlook and perspective on life. I need to get away from Utah, my friends, my old life that I need to leave behind. I need a new start with new people who know nothing about me and who I was before. This is a chance to be who I want to be, become anyone I want to become, define myself as a person significant and apart from anyone else. I can't wait to leave. And I know that once August 13 comes, I will be dreading the plane ride home back to reality.
I know that I seem bipolar right now, but I really do feel all of these emotions at once. How that happens, I have no idea. But, I am truly ready to leave. Even though I will be missing some huge changes in my life and things will be very different once I get home, it's all apart of my Jerusalem adventure.
Jerusalem... Here I Come!
You may ask why I am wanting to be home before I've even left. Well, as of right now I don't want to go. I'm not ready to go. I'm not ready to leave my family, my friends, Provo, my job, and everything else for 15 weeks. So many drastic changes will occur in my family and in my life back home that I won't be here for. My sister is moving home before she starts grad school, and this might be the last chance I could have to live with her. My brother and sister-in-law are moving into my parents home as well which means that we're finishing the basement and making it an apartment. My entire home will be completely different when I return. I don't know if it will really be mine anymore. My best friend is coming home for being gone for two years, and I'm gonna miss it. Everything special about that time with that person I will miss. I get a pit in my stomach just thinking about that one. My roommate is getting married. I was supposed to be her maid of honor! When I come back, she'll be a married woman with real life responsibilities and no time for my single life drama. My parents. What can I even say about that?! I don't want to leave my parents. That's probably the hardest one right now. I go home every single weekend just to see them. And I usually see them in the middle of the week somehow as well. I call my mom probably three times a day at a minimum. Yes that's a little extreme, but that's how I rollThey are my best friends. I don't want to go....
That's it. Two weeks. Two weeks until I start the greatest and most amazing adventure of my life up to this point. I can't wait to go! Get me out of here!!! After 19 weeks of anticipating and waiting, I can taste the sweet freedom of Jerusalem. Finals will be over, I'll be done with my job, my apartmentw will be vacant, and life will be sweet. I need a new adventure, new friends, and a new outlook and perspective on life. I need to get away from Utah, my friends, my old life that I need to leave behind. I need a new start with new people who know nothing about me and who I was before. This is a chance to be who I want to be, become anyone I want to become, define myself as a person significant and apart from anyone else. I can't wait to leave. And I know that once August 13 comes, I will be dreading the plane ride home back to reality.
I know that I seem bipolar right now, but I really do feel all of these emotions at once. How that happens, I have no idea. But, I am truly ready to leave. Even though I will be missing some huge changes in my life and things will be very different once I get home, it's all apart of my Jerusalem adventure.
Jerusalem... Here I Come!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sister Missionaries
I found out tonight that one of my best friends has decided to go on a mission. And yes, she is a girl. She is the first girl from my age group (that I know) who has decided to go on a mission. I was at first very surprised and taken aback because I don't feel old enough for girls my age to be going on missions yet, but once I realized how I really am it made perfect sense. It's ironic because the thought of going on a mission myself has been on my mind recently. I could theoretically start my papers on May 25, and I could submit them on August 25.
Why not go on a mission? All I hear from the missionaries that I write is that they love it with all their hearts, they are dreading coming home, and they wouldn't trade the experiences they've had for the world. They are so glad that they made the decision to serve the Lord for two years. Why shouldn't a girl take that opportunity as well if it is presented to her?
Here are the reasons why I do not want to go on a mission. You don't have to agree with me and I'm sure some of you will think that I'm not putting Heavenly Father first in my life, but these are the things that pull me away from serving a mission.
1. If I went on a mission, I would delay my schooling by two years. Because I am in the dietetics program at BYU, classes are only offered fall or winter semester. Thus, even though I would only be gone for 18 months, my schooling would be delayed two full years. Plus, I have medical school to look forward to after my undergraduate program. I don't want to go into all of the details, but from this point I estimate that I have 14 or so more years until I will be earning a salary. Ya, that's a long time, and I don't want to delay that any more than I need to.
2. I've heard from my missionaries that there are only two kinds of sister missionaries. Really good ones or really horribly bad ones. I mostly hear that they are horribly bad. I don't think that I'd be a "bad" missionary, but who knows. It just doesn't sound appealing to me from an Elder's perspective.
3. Money. I am going to Jerusalem this summer, and I am spending almost $10,000 to do that. I still have a big chunk of money in the bank, but I'm hoping that I won't be over $200,000 in debt after medical school. I'm trying to save every penny I can anywhere I can. Ask anyone who knows me even slightly well, and they will tell you that I hoard my money.
4. It just doesn't sound like my kind of thing. I have never had the desire to serve a mission. Does that make me a bad person? I've talked to my parents about that a lot. I don't want my Heavenly Father to think that I don't love Him enough to sacrifice everything to serve Him because I do. I have just never had that drive to share the gospel. Don't get me wrong. I love the gospel! It is the driving force in my life. But I've just never had the urge to go on a formal mission. As I have thought about this, I don't think that I am a bad person. And if I am meant to serve a mission, I think that the desire to do so will come when that time comes.
Now, even though I don't want to go on a formal mission, I have gone on my own mini missions and want to go on more. When I was 16 I went to China to sing in the International Choir Olympics where my choir sang hymns such as "Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise" and "High on a Mountain Top." We were heard all over the country, and the people loved us and the message we shared with them. When I was 17 I went to Europe and sang songs like "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." Again, we were received with love and the people loved what we had to share. I am also counting my Jerusalem experience as a mini mission. Even though I am forbidden to proselyte in any way, shape, or form, I know that just by going there I will have missionary experiences. I have also thought about serving a formal "mini mission" in Russia in the summer of 2011 depending on where my life is at that point. My neighbor's parents are mission presidents of the Moscow Russia West mission, and they want me to come over there for six weeks and serve a mini mission. I think that these experiences could be just as fulfilling as a regular mission even though I wouldn't have the mantle of a missionary.
I admire those Elders and Sisters who give up so much to serve the Lord, and I know that they are blessed immensely. And if it is in the Lord's plan for me to serve a mission, I will do so. I will not pass up what He wants for me. It might take some convincing, but I'll do His will, whatever it is for me.
Why not go on a mission? All I hear from the missionaries that I write is that they love it with all their hearts, they are dreading coming home, and they wouldn't trade the experiences they've had for the world. They are so glad that they made the decision to serve the Lord for two years. Why shouldn't a girl take that opportunity as well if it is presented to her?
Here are the reasons why I do not want to go on a mission. You don't have to agree with me and I'm sure some of you will think that I'm not putting Heavenly Father first in my life, but these are the things that pull me away from serving a mission.
1. If I went on a mission, I would delay my schooling by two years. Because I am in the dietetics program at BYU, classes are only offered fall or winter semester. Thus, even though I would only be gone for 18 months, my schooling would be delayed two full years. Plus, I have medical school to look forward to after my undergraduate program. I don't want to go into all of the details, but from this point I estimate that I have 14 or so more years until I will be earning a salary. Ya, that's a long time, and I don't want to delay that any more than I need to.
2. I've heard from my missionaries that there are only two kinds of sister missionaries. Really good ones or really horribly bad ones. I mostly hear that they are horribly bad. I don't think that I'd be a "bad" missionary, but who knows. It just doesn't sound appealing to me from an Elder's perspective.
3. Money. I am going to Jerusalem this summer, and I am spending almost $10,000 to do that. I still have a big chunk of money in the bank, but I'm hoping that I won't be over $200,000 in debt after medical school. I'm trying to save every penny I can anywhere I can. Ask anyone who knows me even slightly well, and they will tell you that I hoard my money.
4. It just doesn't sound like my kind of thing. I have never had the desire to serve a mission. Does that make me a bad person? I've talked to my parents about that a lot. I don't want my Heavenly Father to think that I don't love Him enough to sacrifice everything to serve Him because I do. I have just never had that drive to share the gospel. Don't get me wrong. I love the gospel! It is the driving force in my life. But I've just never had the urge to go on a formal mission. As I have thought about this, I don't think that I am a bad person. And if I am meant to serve a mission, I think that the desire to do so will come when that time comes.
Now, even though I don't want to go on a formal mission, I have gone on my own mini missions and want to go on more. When I was 16 I went to China to sing in the International Choir Olympics where my choir sang hymns such as "Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise" and "High on a Mountain Top." We were heard all over the country, and the people loved us and the message we shared with them. When I was 17 I went to Europe and sang songs like "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." Again, we were received with love and the people loved what we had to share. I am also counting my Jerusalem experience as a mini mission. Even though I am forbidden to proselyte in any way, shape, or form, I know that just by going there I will have missionary experiences. I have also thought about serving a formal "mini mission" in Russia in the summer of 2011 depending on where my life is at that point. My neighbor's parents are mission presidents of the Moscow Russia West mission, and they want me to come over there for six weeks and serve a mini mission. I think that these experiences could be just as fulfilling as a regular mission even though I wouldn't have the mantle of a missionary.
I admire those Elders and Sisters who give up so much to serve the Lord, and I know that they are blessed immensely. And if it is in the Lord's plan for me to serve a mission, I will do so. I will not pass up what He wants for me. It might take some convincing, but I'll do His will, whatever it is for me.
Friday, March 19, 2010
The First of Many
Well hello! I have finally succumbed to the peer pressure of my sister and have started a blog. I don't really know why. Mostly it will just give me something to do while I'm at work and bored. It will also be very useful while I am in Jerusalem so that I can document my adventures and have you all read them! Even though I haven't even left yet, my adventures in the Holy Land have already begun. Here's a quick (or not so quick) recap:
I applied to go to the BYU Jerusalem Center in November 2009. I have wanted to go to the center ever since I heard about it when I was like 10 years old! I never really thought about it once I actually came to BYU, but once I remembered things happened in a whirl wind! One day I was looking at the application, the next I had it entirely filled out and ready to turn in. I don't know what drove me to it, but I'm super glad I did!
From there, I waited. And waited. And waited. Finally, I found out in mid-January that I had been accepted!!! I would leave April 27 and return August 12. Things were in the works.
I was so excited once I found out I was going, but I also had some reservations. First, I am going to miss my best friend's wedding! I was supposed to be her maid-of-honor, but I'm not even going to be here. Secondly, I talk to my parents at least once a day if not twice, or even five times! Yesterday I couldn't get a hold of them until about 10:30 pm, and I was freaking out! It's gonna be really hard for me to not be able to talk to them all the time, but it's worth it. Lastly, I am missing my best friend coming home from his mission. In all honesty, this is probably the hardest one for me, but he'll still be around when I get back. :) Other than those things, I am all gung ho for this adventure!
After I found out I had been accepted, I started my payments. My first payment was for $1,000 and my second was for $5,355. This trip is definitley not cheap. The initial price is $9,650!!! Luckily, I got some scholarships that paid for about a third of it! The intial price includes airfare, tuition, books, all food, all housing, and even laundry. Basically the only things that I will buy for myself over in Jerusalem are basic supplies like shampoo and such and souvenirs. But, before I go I have to get an entirely new wardrobe. My clothes can't be tight, my pants have to be waist high, and my skirts have to go to my mid calf! I've already spent $424.82 and there's still more for me to buy!!! But again, it's totally worth it, and I have a completely new wardrobe! Things are going well.
The next things on my list are: continue shopping, make a final packing list, and keep being STOKED to take this adventure on!
To be continued...
I applied to go to the BYU Jerusalem Center in November 2009. I have wanted to go to the center ever since I heard about it when I was like 10 years old! I never really thought about it once I actually came to BYU, but once I remembered things happened in a whirl wind! One day I was looking at the application, the next I had it entirely filled out and ready to turn in. I don't know what drove me to it, but I'm super glad I did!
From there, I waited. And waited. And waited. Finally, I found out in mid-January that I had been accepted!!! I would leave April 27 and return August 12. Things were in the works.
I was so excited once I found out I was going, but I also had some reservations. First, I am going to miss my best friend's wedding! I was supposed to be her maid-of-honor, but I'm not even going to be here. Secondly, I talk to my parents at least once a day if not twice, or even five times! Yesterday I couldn't get a hold of them until about 10:30 pm, and I was freaking out! It's gonna be really hard for me to not be able to talk to them all the time, but it's worth it. Lastly, I am missing my best friend coming home from his mission. In all honesty, this is probably the hardest one for me, but he'll still be around when I get back. :) Other than those things, I am all gung ho for this adventure!
After I found out I had been accepted, I started my payments. My first payment was for $1,000 and my second was for $5,355. This trip is definitley not cheap. The initial price is $9,650!!! Luckily, I got some scholarships that paid for about a third of it! The intial price includes airfare, tuition, books, all food, all housing, and even laundry. Basically the only things that I will buy for myself over in Jerusalem are basic supplies like shampoo and such and souvenirs. But, before I go I have to get an entirely new wardrobe. My clothes can't be tight, my pants have to be waist high, and my skirts have to go to my mid calf! I've already spent $424.82 and there's still more for me to buy!!! But again, it's totally worth it, and I have a completely new wardrobe! Things are going well.
The next things on my list are: continue shopping, make a final packing list, and keep being STOKED to take this adventure on!
To be continued...
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