i'll be Home for christmas

This break has been saturated with family time. I've spent the break at home, at movies with my family, at Caribou Coffee with my brother, helping my sister get ready for her semester in Botswana, and at extended family's houses. Lots of family time! And two of my dear family members, Elizabeth and Allie, reminded me that I have not been blogging in a long time! :) So here goes!



This is my favorite verse of Oh Holy Night! I don't normally hear it sung, but I love the message of Christ as just, loving, and peaceful.

Truly he taught us to love one another,

His law is love and his gospel is peace.

Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother.

And in his name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

With all our hearts we praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,

His power and glory ever more proclaim!

His power and glory ever more proclaim!

I leave for Haiti this Thursday. I've been on a research team with the United Nations Study Program at Columbia this past semester, and we will be spending a week in Haiti conducting field research on the relationship between peacekeeping, statebuilding, and the private sector.

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Oh Holy Night...

So Many Pretty Things!

I watched a photoshoot in Chinatown. It was pretty fabulous! This man dressed in a classic 1940s suit with slicked back hair walked down the street, a cell phone on his ear, as the photographer crouched down to get a great angle. This actually wasn't the first photoshoot I stumbled upon the past two weeks!
...I need some insight on the above two photos. I went into a Buddhist Temple, and to my surprise I found dozens of Chinese people wearing masks and packing what appeared to be paper money in bags. Hmmm... any ideas?

So, I've been exploring this HUGE city the past two weeks! I have to say that every time I venture out, I come across something unexpected! And, most of these surprising finds leave me with a smile. I really enjoy stumbling upon a unique street, an interesting person, or a beautiful dress! Maybe I should search out a career as a Professional Explorer. Does that exist? If anyone has any contacts, drop them my name please!

Outside the NY Stock Exchange building on Wall Street.

I've also become bosom buddies with the A, C, and 1 subway train. I've finished two books, and I am starting a third!

I've made some friends along the way...tried on lots of fun clothes (no purchases though)...and found many free museums and spots of interest! One of the best tours of the city is simply hoping on a public bus and riding the entire route. Now, this requires quite a bit of time; however, it is worth it!

I went to a book reading and discussion with Toni Morrison!

I'm anxious to start classes!!! Orientation starts Monday

.An INCREDIBLY expensive pair of earrings that Valerie and I saw in the Hamptons! I got to visit her family there for a few days!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

"Boom" by Anjulie

Nesting in New York!

So, my dad and I drove up from Miami to New York City! We loaded my car up with stuff that the movers didn't take and began the three day drive! We took our time and got to visit my friend Courtney in DC on the way.

Here are some pictures of my apartment in the moving process and finalized! I'm glad to be here in New York, but I miss my friends in Miami a lot.

I have just been transitioning and wandering around. This morning I biked to Columbia's campus and visited Grant's Tomb.

I'm just anxious for classes to start! Orientation starts August 31. :)

My mom and dad helped SO much. There is no way I could have gotten everything together and organized without them. I am so lucky that I have parents who can come to New York for a week to move their daughter in!

I've met some of the people in my building, and they are very nice. Hopefully I can make some friends here.

Lyrics I'm Humming:

"City" by Sara Bareilles

Day Five: Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Tiberius, and Amman (Jordan)

Tuesday, June 30

Left Jerusalem

We left early in the morning to drive up to the Sea of Galilee bridge and border crossing. Dan and RayRay drove us. They are such kind men. We drove through the Israeli desert, mountains, and acres of cropland. I was shocked to see the amount of farming going on in Israel. We also passed a mountain which some say is the Mt of Beattitudes. (Picture below)

Sea of Galilee: Capernaum

Capernaum is the city where Jesus started his ministry. He moved from Nazareth to Capernaum to find his "fishers of men." It is incredible to think of all of the life that Jesus and his disciples lived in Capernaum and around the Sea of Galilee.
We went to the location of Peter's home. On top of the ruins of his home a church has been built. The church is beautiful. It is full of windows and natural elements. (Picture below) I loved looking around the ruins of Capernaum. The city's synagogue has ruins, which is probably the synagogue that Jesus went to while living and working in Capernaum.

It seems that every place in Israel is a Holy Place. There is hardly a location where Jesus or his disciples did not grace. Every city and building has a story.

Sea of Galilee: Tiberius

We then went to Tiberius to have lunch before crossing the border. Ally, Dan, RayRay, and I all ordered the St Peter fish! The fish was fabulous, as has been all Israeli/Palestinian food! I am sad to be leaving this fabulous part of the world.
Before leaving the Sea of Galilee, we saw some Jewish men camping and fishing on the sea. How wonderful...Jews fishing on the Sea of Galilee. :)

Lyrics I'm Hummin:

"Wade in the Water" by the Blind Boys of Alabama

Day Four: Jerusalem and Bethany (West Bank)

Monday, June 29th

Wandering around Jerusalem

This morning, Ally and I decided that we would just hang around in Jerusalem. We shopped and wandered the streets looking for interesting people and places. It is so easy to get lost in this fascinating city. I bought a fabulous Palestian tiled tea tray!

Bethany (West Bank)

Nile and Dan took Ally and I to Nile's favorite chicken place in Israel!!! It was in Bethany, which is in the West Bank. So, we drove into Palestine again. The chicken was fabulous!!!

Western Wall

Ally and I have come to love the Western/Wailing Wall. We spent the evening around the wall, putting a prayer into the wall and enjoying the incredible array of people watching!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Ray LaMontagne's "Trouble"