field trips galore.

last week we went on a jerusalem overlook field trip.

 we went to five different sites

and i could never see far enough.

 the city is so diverse and beautiful.

 i honestly wish it would go on forever.

the interiors of the churches are so intricate,

and the artwork is so ornate.

i am beyond overwhelmed by the beauty of my new home.

oh and don't worry that as i tried to take a picture with this guy,

he immediately attempted to eat my head. 

fa-la-la-la-lafel.

falafel. 

i had my first one today--i'm obsessed. 

today is a free day,

so naturally, we all packed our bags and took on the city. 

 we followed the via dolorosa.

(which is supposedly the path Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion)

and walked inside all sorts of beautiful churches.

 we went to the western wall, or the wailing wall

(& i felt like i was right back in ms. pudar's class).

 and finally, we stopped at the dome of the rock.

the intricacy of the artwork and architecture here is actually out of this world.

highlights of today:

riding on the public bus

& being so obviously out of place i couldn't help but laugh.

and having a man yell "you looking for husband? i'm looking for wife."

and the two guys with us responding "hey, so are we!"

is this real life?

i'm still not sure.

shalom.

 i am finally here!

(after a very long plane ride &

some serious jet-lag.)

it's only been four days, and i already feel at home.

this is seriously the most beautiful city in the world. 

i am in love.

 the spirit, the religion, & the people continue to amaze me.

yesterday was sabbath, 

so after church we ventured over to the garden tomb.

regardless of their religion
everyone here has such strong faith. 

muslims, christians, and jews all came to see the burial place of Christ.

women weep over marble slabs that are said to have been where his body was laid.
people light candles, burn incense, & carry the cross through the streets.

the call to prayer rings throughout the city 5 times a day

(including once at 4 am).

you can't walk down a single street without being able to identify someone's religion.

no matter what religion each of the individuals are, everyone holds true to their beliefs.
it's incredible.

the spirit is so strong. 

and the people are so amazing.

i think this place gets a bad rap. 

marcie and i on the balcony. 

(nbd)

there is not a place in the center that does not overlook the city.

i really am in the holy land.
i could not be happier 

& it's only just begun.

peace out.

tomorrow i leave.

to my new home.

(for the next four months at least)  

write me:

P.O. Box 19604 

Jerusalem, 91196 ISRAEL

or email me:

samanthaaerin@gmail.com

& until I return
I expect you all to

looking back.

I've been thinking a lot about this past year--

how I've grown & what has changed; 

all the incredible experiences I had, 

& all the many firsts that I can add to my list.

 I've looked back on my new years resolutions from last year,

and I'm still deciding which ones to make this year.

I figured I'd reflect on my top moments from 2011:

I finished up my freshman year at byu and lived up every last second of it. liss & kena :)

I took my own spring break and hit up florida in style.
I spent spring term lying by the pool, sipping on dc,
running the dirty dash, and falling in love with the kardashians & justin beiber. 

I took a little trip with miss meliss to southern california.
I ventured home & started nannying (aka lying poolside everyday) my two favorite kids--brenner and kaisyn.
Pretty sure those kiddos saved my life.

I got to watch my best friend perform live in la and win so you think you can dance.
Continued the infamous hilton head tradition. (with the grand addition of candice and amy)
Ventured to d.c and road-tripped to the britney spears concert with the greatest sister ever.

I attended the hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry before returning to provo and all its glory.

I went to the premiere of breaking dawn and reveled in the beauty that was edward and bella's wedding.
I spent one too many weekends hanging out with caisa and kristan.
(and i'm not even mad about it. grand america cookie anyone?)

And finally, I saw my very best friend get married to her soulmate.

2011 was a very, very good year.
I learned a lot about myself and a lot about who I wanted to be.
I made some big changes
and had a lot of experiences.

And I look forward to what 2012 has in store. 

under the mistletoe.

nothing really says christmas quite like family, friends, and sugar cookies. 

new years resolution.

become musically talented.

she amazes me.