New pictures!

Happy Friday!

A short post, since I haven’t done much in the last few days. Wednesday I went on a long hike with some HUC people. We were out for a good 8 hours, hiking probably for 5-6. It was really fun to be out there! Israeli hikes seem to be different from American hikes, because as you’re walking, you come across all sorts of things. We saw ancient (Byzantine era) monasteries and associated buildings (well, their remains), mosaic floors that were just covered by sand, a really old olive press, and probably some other things that I’m forgetting right now. We also hiked through a lot of thorns, but it was worth it! I had a great time, although it makes we want to hike in the Shenandoah. It must be gorgeous right now!

Yesterday I tried to get some things done around the house and start attacking my pile of homework. I did some of it, but I still have a history paper to write for the end of October. I know I’m way ahead, but it’s not done yet. (It’s barely started.) And I’ll be getting more work again Sunday when vacation’s over. Last night I was with my frequent Thursday night crew, playing cards and hanging out. We tend to divide by card game and gender somewhat, with the boys playing poker in one room and the girls playing euchre or just hanging out in the other room. So we had lots of good girl talk last night. It was so much fun!

Today I slept in, went grocery shopping, talked to Karen’s visiting parents for a while. And I had a delicious grilled cheese sandwich. Cheese is delicious in Israel, but good, sharp cheddar cheese is difficult to near impossible to find. So right now I’m giddily enjoying the cheese that Michael brought over from my parents. Life is good!

I have new pictures posted! Flickr has a very low upload limit though, and it’s been driving me nuts, so I’m posting somewhere new now. I apologize that you may have to register again (although I don’t know if it makes you), but it will be worth it. This is (I think) where my pictures will be posted for the rest of the year: http://community.webshots.com/user/jkarpay. What’s there now is pictures from Michael’s visit. They’re mainly scenery, around Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and lots of self pics of the two of us. I’ll keep adding more when I have time. Also, some of you have been curious to read some of my classmates' blogs. I added a link to my friend Mara's on the right side, and I'll try to add a couple more. (I feel like I have to get permission to link though, so it may take a couple days. Mara linked to mine this morning, so it's ok!) She updates a lot as well. Enjoy!

Shabbat Shalom!