So how much sleep am I running on?

It’s Friday at 10pm. But my body thinks its Friday at 3pm. I’ve been running since Thursday (9am America) till Friday at 10 now. Almost 48 hours. The twitch is real.

After a 10 hour flight, an hour sherut cab ride, and an extensive uphill trek (with my two suitcases and three carry ons) in the desert sun and cobblestone, I made it in one (barely one) piece to JUC. Karen, the student activities director, and Diane greeted the three of us traveling together with a warm welcome. My room is right near the gated entrance of the school, spacious with stone floors, a high ceiling and plentiful windows. I have two roommates, and we have the bounteous choices of four sets of bunk beds and several closet trunks. There is a couch and a few desks in the room as well. After a cold shower (hot water is in scarce supply) and a hour power nap, there was a meet and greet in the garden where some of the students who have arrived were able to congregate and get to know each other. 

The campus is beautiful, overlooking the hilly side of Jerusalem and the buildings stacked atop one another. Tomorrow no mercy is spared- an 8am wake up call for breakfast and a 9am orientation for class registration. Later, we dive right in to the physical settings course and start the preliminary touring of the Old City and beyond. 

 

I AM GOING TO BED.

Just a few more hours!

I always want to kick myself for saving everything for the last minute- and this trip is no exception! I still haven’t finalized my packing, and only a few short hours stand between me and my flight abroad. So many thoughts traveling through my mind at 100 mph… did I pack every thing I could possibly need? Is my carry-on satisfactory for a trek to Newark and then a nearly 11 hour flight?… I certainly hope so.

I can’t believe this day that I’ve been planning for for eight months is rapidly approaching me. Time really doesn’t stop for anybody. So grateful and appreciative for everyone who has paused in the last couple of days to send me well wish texts, calls, facebooks, and the like. Will miss all of my family, college friends and home friends tremendously but I’m sure that, just as this summer has, the fall semester will fly by as it seems to every year. Would ask this one final request: keep me in your prayers that I will relate to and meet people from all walks of life quickly and with ease. That I will remain safe through this extraordinary journey in this amazing part of the world. And that I will be challenged in the best way possible to grow mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I love you all and am excited that you are going to be sharing my adventure with me! Don’t forget: I’ll have access to skype (skype username is elizabeth.hortopan), email, and if you want to text or call, the best way to do so is through the free apple app, ‘viber.’ The college campus I will be living on DOES provide wifi. However, I cannot say that I will always have wifi while out and about. Email, skype, and facebook are probably the most secure ways to get in touch. Many have asked for my post office address in Jerusalem, but I haven’t been informed yet. I will pass it along right when I know it!