I'm pretty sure all of you know already...but...yeah. I am going to live in Jerusalem this Winter/Spring!! I know, I know I just went on a study abroad...but hey, this is the time to do it right? My mind set for the Caribbean was "wait a minute...all of my friends are gone on missions...I want to do something too! This'll show 'em." And I had a blast, learned a lot, and it did change my life in some aspects.Well...The Caribbean will look like NOTHING compared to the Jerusalem program! Serious....I'm about to change my life. :)
It's funny actually because I had to apply for the Jerusalem Program the week after I got home from the Caribbean. I felt so so spoiled and like I probably didn't even deserve to give it a try. But...my justification is that I apply for these things- so it can't make you spoiled if you earn it right? ...ok I kind of sound like a brat. Next?Alright, so in order to apply I had to fill out a bunch of papers, get ecclesiastical endorsements from my bishop and someone from my stake presidency, get papers signed by a notary, and write a couple of short essays. WOW it was stressful! Mainly because I put it off until it was crunch time - I was working on my paintings and final from my Caribbean study abroad all that week. I am SO lucky I have family and church leaders that were so willing to help me out.
I honestly had the mind set that I wouldn't get in. Lets be honest- so did my mom. haha It's a pretty intense program. So, the plan was to apply for Winter semester...probably not get it, and just keep trying.
When I applied I didn't know what my address would be down in Provo, so I just put my home address in my information. I knew I was supposed to find out on a certain day because I would get a letter sent in the mail. So the fateful day was here and I called my mom a few times to see if the mail came... and there was NOTHIN! I won't lie right now- I was pretty upset. Later that day I met up with a bunch of different friends down here from Murray and found out that Marissa Purser (she's a year older than I am) got into the Jerusalem Program! No one but my roommates knew that I had applied- so I just sat there thinking... oh..I didn't get anything in the mail...guess I didn't get it... I was pretty bummed, but WAY excited for Marissa!
Well, I should have thought this through before - but because my letter was sent to Murray it took longer. I got a phone call from Rob the next day and he started reading "Dear Lindsay, Congratulations! You have been given initial placement on the 2010 Winter Semester Program at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near easter Studies..."
I honestly couldn't believe it. I kept saying "stop...you're serious right now.. wait really? Don't even joke!" I think I literally went into shock. haha I later got the big white envelope from home that had my acceptance letter and more paperwork I need/ed to fill out along with a handbook. I also had to have an interview, but that was very relaxed and basically they just needed to ask more health related questions, and allowed me to ask questions about the program.
I guess I should say that I will be there from Jan. 5 - April 22. I get to be there for EASTER! AH I am just so so excited!
I am studying Old and New Testament, Jewish and Arab and Islamic Civilization, Ancient Near Eastern Studies and Hebrew! Sure, school is going to kick me in the pants...but wow I'm stoked for it!
The only bummer about this whole thing is that i'm leaving again. I'm really sad to leave my roommates and my awesome ward down here. It's sort of a topic that's off limits because it kinda makes us sad that i'm leaving. BUT - Marissa's roommate is another girl from Murray - CC er..Jaclyn Cowley - who is going to take my spot in the apartment! Which is awesome for me, but more importantly, awesome for Christie because they are way good friends.
We're just living right over here.
I'm also sad because Brooke will be coming home from China a week before I leave. It could have been worse world- she almost came home the day before...death. Thank goodness she's the best and is coming home in time to play with me.
Oh and another downer...Right when boys are coming home from missions I leave... Well, they can get out of the weird stage while i'm gone - right? Here's hoping anyway
I obviously don't have to say that I'll miss my family... that goes without saying.
I don't know if you can see if very well, (it's a picture of a picture- sorry) but this picture says "Be virtuous, Be wise, Be ready" I have it on my bedside table and it just gets me so excited to go!
I'm ready....now I just have to work on the other two...
I honestly had the mind set that I wouldn't get in. Lets be honest- so did my mom. haha It's a pretty intense program. So, the plan was to apply for Winter semester...probably not get it, and just keep trying.
When I applied I didn't know what my address would be down in Provo, so I just put my home address in my information. I knew I was supposed to find out on a certain day because I would get a letter sent in the mail. So the fateful day was here and I called my mom a few times to see if the mail came... and there was NOTHIN! I won't lie right now- I was pretty upset. Later that day I met up with a bunch of different friends down here from Murray and found out that Marissa Purser (she's a year older than I am) got into the Jerusalem Program! No one but my roommates knew that I had applied- so I just sat there thinking... oh..I didn't get anything in the mail...guess I didn't get it... I was pretty bummed, but WAY excited for Marissa!
Well, I should have thought this through before - but because my letter was sent to Murray it took longer. I got a phone call from Rob the next day and he started reading "Dear Lindsay, Congratulations! You have been given initial placement on the 2010 Winter Semester Program at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near easter Studies..."I honestly couldn't believe it. I kept saying "stop...you're serious right now.. wait really? Don't even joke!" I think I literally went into shock. haha I later got the big white envelope from home that had my acceptance letter and more paperwork I need/ed to fill out along with a handbook. I also had to have an interview, but that was very relaxed and basically they just needed to ask more health related questions, and allowed me to ask questions about the program.
I guess I should say that I will be there from Jan. 5 - April 22. I get to be there for EASTER! AH I am just so so excited!I am studying Old and New Testament, Jewish and Arab and Islamic Civilization, Ancient Near Eastern Studies and Hebrew! Sure, school is going to kick me in the pants...but wow I'm stoked for it!
The only bummer about this whole thing is that i'm leaving again. I'm really sad to leave my roommates and my awesome ward down here. It's sort of a topic that's off limits because it kinda makes us sad that i'm leaving. BUT - Marissa's roommate is another girl from Murray - CC er..Jaclyn Cowley - who is going to take my spot in the apartment! Which is awesome for me, but more importantly, awesome for Christie because they are way good friends.
We're just living right over here.
I'm also sad because Brooke will be coming home from China a week before I leave. It could have been worse world- she almost came home the day before...death. Thank goodness she's the best and is coming home in time to play with me.
Oh and another downer...Right when boys are coming home from missions I leave... Well, they can get out of the weird stage while i'm gone - right? Here's hoping anyway
I obviously don't have to say that I'll miss my family... that goes without saying.
I don't know if you can see if very well, (it's a picture of a picture- sorry) but this picture says "Be virtuous, Be wise, Be ready" I have it on my bedside table and it just gets me so excited to go!I'm ready....now I just have to work on the other two...
6 comments:
SO exciting. Pretty sure I had no idea you were going to Jerusalem until Kenz mentioned it the other day. Sad. I'm really excited for you though! My roommate this year did it during the summer and it changed her life. Such and amazing program. Good luck :)
I'm jealous! So happy for you though! We will miss you, but can't wait to hear about your experiences!
Wow, that will be a lot of fun! Take a lot of pictures and basically have the time of your life! :)
That is flippin awesome! It will be the best time of your life! (well, ONE of the best times of your life...and actually a PERFECT time to be in Jerusalem is when all the guys are coming home! Been there, done that!) CONGRATULATIONS! I AM SO SO SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!
Sounds like that will be a B-L-A-S-T!
Even though you are gone and I am super sad about it all, I am so excited for you and I know you'll have the best experience.. but shoot times likes these where I hate Jerusalem.. um did I just say that?... pretty sure. yup. already can't wait for you to get home and hear all about it.
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