Christmas Eve

I was going to wait until I was home to blog about my day in Bethlehem, but it was so good I couldn't wait! I'll leave the important stuff for tomorrow, but for now I have to write down some of the odd highlights of my day so I don't forget.

1) In the car this morning on our way to Jerusalem, Lev was telling us a story about his experience in a hostel in Ireland. Without getting into the specifics of the story, within 2 minutes I was laughing so hard my stomach hurt, I couldn't breathe, and tears were pouring down my face. I was basically out of control. But I knew it was going to be a phenomenal day. And it was.

2) Lev struck again when we were at a coffee shop in Jerusalem. This time, all five of us were all laughing uncontrollably. The people at the table next to us actually got up and left, but we couldn't help it. It was one of the best moments of the trip for sure.

What were we laughing about? Well, there was some confusion about memory and mammory. But Lev got it worked out. Thanks again, Lev.

3) When we were heading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for midnight mass, it was raining in the Old City and all the shops were closed. It was absolutely beautiful. And I jumped in a puddle.

Christmas Cookies and Red Wine

This past weekend several of my girlfriends and I baked Christmas cookies to help us get into the Christmas spirit. Even though it was probably 70 degrees and sunny that day, I think it worked! Of course, all the cookies were delicious, and after we were done baking a bunch of other people came over to help us eat them. We sat around for hours and talked about things that people should never talk about (i.e. religion and politics). During these sometimes heated conversations that I generally stay out of, I remember looking around at all of the people eating and talking in my kitchen and being so thankful for the opportunity to experience Tel Aviv with them.

On another note, have you ever had those moments when you're walking down the street and something funny pops in your head and you laugh out loud? That happened to me the other day because of a hilarious morning I had. Lev and I were eating breakfast together last week and we were talking about hippies. Lev and his family are Russian, which I am learning is a pretty hard and intense culture. So anyways, we were chatting and he tried to tell me that his parents were hippies. I've heard enough of his stories to know that they are definitely not hippies in the American sense of the word. So I said, "Your parents are definitely not hippies." And he said, "My parents are hippies in the Russian sense of the word. They beat their kids and they hate the environment, but they ride bikes and travel and stuff." At first, Lev didn't know I was laughing because it was one of those silent laughs, so he kept talking. But then when I was bowled over in my chair and tears were coming out of my eyes, I think he got it.

I just laughed out loud again while I wrote that! Awesome. 

I'm seeing more and more that it's the people who make the experience more than anything else. Some of the best moments I've had here are so great because of the friends who were there to share the moments with me. If Tel Aviv has taught me anything so far, it's taught me to really enjoy the present. I think that's because I know my time here is temporary, and I want to get everything out of this experience that I can. But here's the thing: life is also temporary. So shouldn't we all make a point to really live in the present instead of always hurrying to the future?

I think the Christmas season is the best time of the year to start practicing this.

The Fastest Way to Spread Christmas Cheer is Singing Loud for All to Hear

Thanksgiving in Israel was a success! Me and 17 of my friends got together and had such a great time. We had Turkey and stuffing, cornbread dressing, pumpkin pies, a pecan pie, and tons of other delicious food (but we couldn't for the life of us find cranberry sauce!). It really felt like we were celebrating in the States, which helped fight off the homesickness for all of us for sure. 

One holiday down, one to go.

Now on to Christmas. I am really excited about spending Christmas here because we are going to Bethlehem on Christmas Eve and Nazareth on Christmas Day. What better way to celebrate, right? And I'm happy to report that I have found a Christmas tree! It's about a foot tall and I bought decorations and a star for it and everything. It took me about 2 minutes to decorate :)

I'm also thinking of having all of my girlfriends over one weekend so we can make Christmas cookies. It's funny because when you're taken out of what you're used to, any little reminder of the familiar is really so special. The pumpkin pies on Thanksgiving, the mini Christmas tree I found, the smell of Christmas cookies... these things mean so much more when they aren't as readily available.

And I already know that next Christmas I'll probably be nostalgic for Israel. Even now I find myself missing this place and I have nine months left. Funny how that works.