Well here I am...living in the Holy Land!

I left on Jan. 5th for the Holy Land! I was one of the lucky groups that had to meet at the airport around 8 - rather than 4 like some of the others - pshew! Glad I dodged that bullet. Praise you Delta. It's funny because we left later, only had one lay-over in JFK and we actually got into Jerusalem before any other groups! Spoiled? check.

The beautiful building with the arches is where I eat, sleep, go to school, church, fhe, forums - everything! Isn't that gorgeous!? Sorry the picture isn't fantastic...it was taken at night. But really though.

Here is the main entrance. They built the Center to be like temple quality - so true. It feels amazing in there and is gorgeous!

Room 411 - home sweet home.
You walk down hallways with little openings outside to get to each of the rooms.

This is our view of the Old City from our porch :)

The Jerusalem CenterSunset and the view of the Old City from the Center

My roommates Corina and Emma - They are SO great. We get along really well and they are always making me laugh. They are so fun to be with and are way easy to talk to. I'm really excited to get to know them more!

haha no big deal right? Just a street sign where I live. Hebrew, Arabic and English :)
I LOVE it here!

i want to go to there....take 2

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...

yeah....about that...

Remember that one time I was obsessed with blogging? Oh yeah...absolutely I do.

While I still check blogs occasionally, each time I have this weight over my very soul. I believe that this is called
I'd like to publicly apologize for my lack of posting for all of my readers. All I have done is take, take, take from the blogging world. This is not fair to anyone involved. I will do better. Cross my heart and hope to die.
Meanwhile....I suppose I could post pictures of some watercolors I did in the Caribbean...I've heard from so many admiring people that they would love to see...ok maybe like one person..
Alright so I had to do a set of paintings that had a similar characteristic. My favorite thing to paint was the colorful houses, so that was my set.
This set is just random stuff...obviouslyThen I had to collect things and make a set of collages. This actually saved my bacon because they are a lot faster than painting. I'm obsessed with detail so painting took me FOREVER!

Caribbean Study Abroad pics!

I'm sorry this is a lame way of talking about my study abroad experience... but it's the easiest way! I had to break down a LOT of pictures, so hopefully these can show you mostly what I did. It was really so much fun and I actually did learn a thing or two! I wouldn't have changed a thing!
The first slideshow is from St. Lucia- the first island we visited, and the second one is from both Trinidad and Tobago.

...i want to go to there...

So I have wanted to do something wicked-sweet this summer like a study abroad or some sort of service organization and go somewhere awesome. Well, the last week of February I got an E-mail about a Study Abroad program that had extended the deadline till Saturday March 7th in the freakin’ Caribbean! Hahah So, I called my mom to ask if I should even try applying- unfortunately she had just seen the movie Taken (Oh and lets remember how I had to sleep in Russell’s room for a while after Elizabeth Smart got kidnapped …yeah biggest fear right there) needless to say, my mom was pretty nervous, but was like “eh whatever you want.” Anyway, I didn’t really think about it that much…Until I think Wednesday (March 4th)…And I just up and applied! Why not right? I was bored that day… haha
So I had an interview Friday afternoon (the 6th) with a Humanities professor and it went pretty well I thought, except there is a prep class I have to take the second block of this semester – a.k.a. the next Monday! So the professor was sayin that I have to go get an Add/Drop card and come back and have him sign it, then run it to the registration office. So I did all that and get there and apparently the deadline was the day before…so I had to go to this petition place and write something about why I needed to add the class and why I should be an exception. SO, I still had to meet with another professor that was going to be at the first interview-but was teaching class… I e-mailed him saying that I could have my interview anytime after 4. I went to the library around 2 and just studied and kept checking my e-mails. I finally got one around 4:20 saying that he was in his office and that I could go over right then and talk to him. This guy was an art professor of some sort and was really chill and way nice. Anyway we were talkin for a few minutes about my admittance essay, my major and what not and he just says “so…do you know that you got accepted?”

“…umm…WHAT?! I just had my interview with the other professor” and he’s like “He e-mailed me after your interview and accepted you already” hahahahhahaha WHAT THE CRAP! HOW DID THAT JUST HAPPEN TO MY LIFE!? Me and that professor were talking for a while about the classes (that can work as GEs p.s.) and the prep class I’ll have to take, and about other random things. OH MY WORD! HAHAHA I was honestly still in shock! My program goes to Trinidad, Tobago and St. Lucia... :)

World, I’m full on going to live in the Caribbean for about a month. Well, June 22-August 10 and the first 2 weeks of class are down in Provo. I guess I’ll just live with Rob and Rachele during that. (sorry guys…Good thing I like sleeping on couches!) Anyway how crazy is that?! Just sign up for something on a whim and it totally works out! I’m gonna live on 3 different islands this summer what the heck. Lol So I will be taking a watercolor painting class…just going to different beaches and painting. Haha It isn’t an advanced class at all or anything, and I’ve always wanted to get better at painting. The reason why it’s in the Caribbean is because this world famous poet Derek Walcott lives in St. Lucia and we are going to study his poetry and meet him! That will be difficult, but pretty sure it will be worth it! The funniest thing about all this is that I didn’t tell anyone I had applied. My mom and dad didn’t even know because they were still in Mexico! So I just called and left a message…bah! Mom was kinda worried (again with that Taken movie…) but dad seemed pretty excited! St. Lucia is a small island that mom and dad have been to before and they say it’s probably the best scuba diving they have ever done! So maybe I’ll talk them into getting me certified, and coming down to visit sometime Hahaha Don’t think it’ll be too hard to talk them into that huh?! I mean seriously…who wouldn’t want some of this…

my missionary boys

Well reader I am in that special time of life where all my amazing guy friends leave me for 2 years to serve the Lord. I have sent some of the greatest friends out and am about to send out another bunch of them coming up here pretty quick...buckle up Linds.
My whole life I have grown up with boys to play with...many of which are these boys I sent/am sending off. These amazing young men have made me the way I am (uhh...not sure if that is good or bad to say...sorry if that hurts your feelings boys). Honestly I have looked up to each of them as examples throughout each of our friendships. But nothing impresses me more as these last few years as these boys draw closer to their missions. I was lucky enough to be the "it" for them. I got this title because i'm not a guy to them...but i'm also not a girl to them either.
Some may think this is an insult, or something that I shouldn't just throw out there and be proud of. But I am.
I am proud to be the one they would turn to for advice, they could completely be themselves by, someone who they knew they still had to be a good example to, the person that expected so much out of them- because I saw so much within them.
These boys have helped me in so many different aspects and different times in my life. They have made me recognize what is important in life. They have showed me how to truly be happy, no matter what is happening at the time. They taught me the true meaning of friendship. These boys have strengthened my understanding of the gospel and have helped me build on my personal testimony through sharing theirs. They have taught me that serving the Lord is one of the greatest things we can do on this earth. Their excitement about serving a mission helped give me a true assurance that the young men of this generation are strong and valiant.
I am forever grateful for the friendships that i've had with these valiant young men, and for the influence they have had in my life. They are and will be incredible missionaries.
Look out world! You're gettin' the best!

Alma 53:20-21
"And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all-they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him."

lots to work on for 09...bring it on!

Gotta have a picture...

So this week as I was waiting for classes to start...I decided to stop doodling and make some goals! Well I have a LOT to work on and had lots of time to think of things...So here is my monster lists of goals for 09! (in no particular order mind you...)

1. Get good grades
2. Don't fall behind on reading and homework
3. Fix my sleeping habits! (almost posted this late last night- but i'm doin fairly well on this)
4. Spend my time wisely
5. Do better at writing missionaries
6. Be more kind-stop teasing
7. Do more service
8. Read and study regularly and earnestly
9. Exercise vigorously and regularly
10. Get in better shape
11. Focus more on the Gospel and learn lots more!
12. Apply for Jerusalem or Romania this year!
13. Focus more on others
14. Be more patient
15. Don't gossip
16. Stop over-eating!
17. Sincerely care for and help others- don't give up
18. Be more grateful and SHOW it!
19. Stop focusing on the past
20. Stop over-thinking things that aren't a big deal
21. Branch out- make more friends
22. Don't be reserved
23. Challenge myself
24. Be positive
25. Gain a greater desire to LEARN
26. Keep in touch with friends
27. Work more on physical appearance
28. Don't miss a day of scripture study and personal prayer- ever!
29. Don't just settle
30. Be honest
31. Stand by my word
32. Go home when I NEED to - not just want
33. Cook!
34. Be more independent
35. Don't procrastinate
36. Keep a spiritual journal
37. Maybe even keep a normal journal
38. Make sure everyone is included and happy
39. Be a better example
40. Help boys want to go on their missions
41. Be on time
42. Make people feel special and so good about life
43. Take more pictures
44. Get my notes and markings from my old scriptures to my new ones
45. Work on my quote book more often
46. Be more helpful
47. Never show that i'm having a rough day- make people guess! hehe
48. Teach swimming lessons
49. Prepare for a mission
50. Love 2009!

Just had to get to 50....ocd haha If there are other things you think I should work on- let me know! haha