This Sweet Life

Israel When we left Jerusalem, we rented a car and headed west (towards the West Bank to be exact).  This part of our 17 day trip was probably my favorite.  There was more nature, activities, and relaxation.   Tyler Jerrell and I hiking in the desert of Israel with Alyssa Jerrell at En Gedi Falls At 4:00am, we hiked to the top of Masada at to watch the sun rise over the Dead Sea.   The top  of Masada is where the siege by the Roman Empire  ended in the mass suicide  of the 960 Jewish rebels on top of the mountain Although Israel wasn't on my bucket list, it did allow for a chance to cross a few things off and made for some great memories. RIDE A CAMEL I think I have my favorite Disney movie, Aladdin, to thank for wanting to put this on my bucket list since I was 5. SWIM IN THE DEAD SEA Ever since I learned in history class that you could float effortlessly... with Alyssa Jerrell Mud Bath before a swim...

Jerusalem is an absolutely amazing and quite powerful place.  It's not typically one of the top things on your list when traveling abroad, and I would have never made Israel a priority when traveling without this opportunity my parents gave me.  It's not for everyone....but the combination of religion & history makes this place so unique, there's not a place like it in the whole world. It is one of the oldest cities in the world...considered holy to the three major religions.  "During it's long history, Jerusalem has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times."-(Wikipedia).  Just imagine how much history and passion is embedded within this city.  One thing you must have to get the most out of this fascinating place is...an open mind.  It doesn't matter what you believe in...you just have to respect everything you see in this place and at least try to understand where others come from.  You don...

"Life Begins at the End of your Comfort Zone" Let's start from the beginning, or at least my last blog post :)  After we were engaged life seemed to take off...I was in straight planning mode.  Not only was I planning a wedding, but also working full time and trying to understand Physics II.  My siblings and I all finished exams around the same time and our sleep deprived and caffeine intoxicated bodies were ready to celebrate, ready for "The Best Christmas Present Ever" (read previous post from December 2012). After months of anxiously awaiting, May 20th had finally arrived and we were on our way to one of the best three weeks of our life and we had no idea what to expect.  A learning and bonding experience of a lifetime!! We were off to Turkey, Israel, and Italy! First stop: Istanbul, TURKEY  I remember I was sitting in the front seat, just taking it all in.  I couldn't read the road signs, I couldn't understand the music that was on the radio...

Take a Ride on a Horse-Drawn Carriage "The most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself.  And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous." One of my favorite quotes ever, from one of my favorite people ever...Carrie Bradshaw. Well, I suppose she is a "character" not a "person" but nonetheless she rocks.  When I originally wrote "Ride a horse-drawn carriage through Central Park" on my bucket list, it was because of her. Ever since I saw that episode of "Sex & the City" where Carrie & Big are riding around Manhattan in a horse drawn carriage, I've always wanted to do just that!  I am normally not big on romantic gestures; I can't stand public displays of affection &  I don't even like flowers. I am not sure why this was on my bucket list, but there's just something about a sleigh ride that is even beyond romantic....

     As 2013 approaches, I have one word to sum up this year: weird .  It is actually the same word I would use to sum up my 20's thus far ... It's the first time in your life where everyone begins to take different paths & this change, at first, is weird.  P eople move, people get married, people have babies, and everyone changes.     Change is a part of life, you must take the good with the bad. It's comforting to know that those who love you help to provide stability & insight with ever-changing life.  Your twenties are full of unknowns; and for the most part that's a scary feeling, but it's also very exciting!  Share these experiences with family & friends.   This year I learned so much about myself through my relationships with others. Keep  close those that are honest, trustworthy, & help to uplift you.   A true friend is never selfish, loves you for your strengths & helps you face your weaknesses...

     Last week I turned 26.  Wow.  Birthdays are always a time to reflect upon yourself...where you thought you'd be at certain age, what you hope to accomplish in the next year, etc.  I don't know what it was about this birthday that is getting to me...maybe its because I am closer to 30 than I am 20 or possibly because I feel like I just turned 21...the past 5 years have literally been a huge blur.   Life really is starting to move too quickly-to the point where it's freaking me out!      A side from my paychecks coming in too slowly and leaving too quickly & having to say goodbye to late night corn dogs & fast food because my metabolism has taken a turn for the worst...26 really isn't so bad.  I am still young, full of life & energy, and most importantly (I may not have that Adriana Lima body I will always envy but) I am healthy.        I had such an amazing birthday weekend & it really is th...