Monday, April 21, 2008

October 2, 2007

Journal October 2 2007
Jessica Bringhurst
Surprise, surprise! Once again I get stuck with the most normal and average of days (aka- boring) to write a class journal entry. Go figure.
Let’s see. We started off the day with a delicious breakfast, including (you’ll never guess)… eggs, French toast, and oatmeal. Although today they did spice it up with chocolate muffins drizzled in chocolate sauce. Mmm!
Arabic, Old Testament, and Ancient Near Eastern Studies classes followed. After lunch, it was pretty much a free day. Our Palestinian class was cancelled for the rest of the week due to border crossing issues and our professor not getting his papers updated. So for the rest of the day people did as they chose. I studied for as long as I could until the bean bags called out my name. The following two hours (of which I was fast asleep) were spent watching movies, going into the Old City, socializing, and studying by those still conscious.
I woke up feeling very well rested and resumed reading Jewish narratives until 5pm on 5th floor, where we gathered for group scripture study. Our focus of study has been on the creation of Zion here amongst us at the JC. Today we read and discussed Moses 7. The discussion began with listing what signs we see that are ushering in the second coming. This triggered the discussion of loved ones gone astray.
The Spirit is always so strong when we get together. It’s amazing how much I grow by listening to others. We share so many experiences, and we have such a great opportunity to grow and learn together. We really have the cream of the crop here in the Jerusalem Center. I think I learn just as much from my peers as my professors.
After scripture study we had dinner which was fantastic. It was some sort of curry-ish chicken with rice. That was delicious, but my favorite part was the desert—cream puffs! It’s hard to resist the “only take one rule” with a desert like that.
Shortly after dinner we got a volleyball game going. We’ve improved SO much since the beginning of the year, and had some great rallies. I’m totally getting a JC intramural volleyball league together when we get back to Provo. Let me know if you want to join. Soccer followed volleyball. So fun, but SO dangerous. Our motto has become “Strive to survive.” I now have four new bruises!

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