Because all of the frogs i've kissed are still frogs

i discovered that when you kiss a camel:

He turns into a bedouin:

And then the word got out among the herd that i was a good kisser and this happened:

i love camels.

And then i got to ride one ::huge grin::

Happiness is riding a camel.

O Jerusalem

i got to spend 6 days of my trip in "The Holy Land" that is now Israel. The majority of that time was spent in Jerusalem (and more specifically, the Old City). It was surreal to walk through the streets of this city that has been around for thousands of years. A city that has been destroyed and rebuilt a handful of times, been besieged, attacked, captured and recaptured. It is a Holy Land for so many different religions. Prophets and Kings walked her streets. Her name is mentioned in scriptures of Christians, Jews and Muslims. 

Jerusalem as seen from the Mount of Olives

My first glimpse looking over Jerusalem

From the ramparts of the southern section of the city wall

i also felt the pull of my blood and religious roots to the city. My ancestors, even Abraham and Isaac, walked this land. King David built his city here. Solomon constructed the temple that is at the roots of my temple worship today.

The Western Wall

Standing in the ancient "City of David"

The Damascus Gate

Dome of the Rock

Me standing on Temple Mount looking toward the Mount of Olives

 i learned the history as i walked the streets above (and through tunnels below the streets). i witnessed the conflict of the persons living there. i felt the tension surrounding the city.

In the "Western Wall Tunnels" touching the original wall from the Second Temple Period

Wandering the neighborhood streets

The Old City Souks at night as seen from above

From the Southern Ramparts

Chasing the sun in the Old City

Deserted market in the early morning hours

Vendors in the streets of the old city

Looking across Jerusalem from the Northern Ramparts

Walking the streets

i am still amazed that i stood in front of places that i have seen pictures of for years.

Listening to the call to prayer echoing over Jerusalem

In front of the Dome of the Rock

i was really there!

It's all up from here

Last week i was in the lowest place on Earth.

i visited the Dead Sea from the Israeli side:

And i got to swim float in it from the Jordanian side:

Floating there was a feeling i can't describe. i kept laughing out loud every time my feet popped up to the surface. My favorite was walking along the ocean floor. Then i would realize that my feet weren't touching the floor anymore, but i was still bouncing along as if they were. 

After an hour bobbing on the top of the salty water, i left feeling silky smooth and completely relaxed. Healing powers indeed.

Life Savers

Linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy to share the things that are saving my life right now in the middle of the dreary winter months.

1- My new blanket. Not one day has passed since i received this blanket that i haven't snuggled in it at least once. Some nights it has even come to bed with me. It's so soft and fluffy!

2- Meal exchanges i have three single girl friends who invited me to join them in meal rotations. At the beginning of the week, we all make one meal, then we get together and exchange a serving of our meal. In other words, i cook once at the beginning of the week and then (instead of eating the same leftovers for the rest of the week) i have four homemade and different delicious meals. i have eaten infinitely less fast food since doing this!

3- Being able to run indoors When the snow comes down and the sidewalks turn to ice, and the wind blows to the point of insanely cold...

...i am grateful for an indoor track that enables me to keep my miles up and still receive a shot of feel good running endorphins.

4- Being able to run outdoors Once in awhile the weather has cooperated enough to let me pound the pavement outside. It's still usually close to obscenely cold (my 21 miler on Saturday peeked at 24 degrees) but it reminds me why i love to run and i get to enjoy the beauty of the winter around me.

Plus, i will take any break from laps.

5- Books i read 11 books in January and finished my 12th yesterday. (Find me on goodreads to see what i'm reading).

6- This post-it reminder stuck to my work computer screen:

7- My indoor plants In my office i have a dracena, sansevieria, three poinsettias, a succulent garden, two aloe vera, a donkey tail, an unidentified vine (i don't know how to figure out what it is) a philodendron and a homalomena.

At home i have a diffenbachia, philodendron, two spider plants, two pothos, an aloe vera, a monstera deliciousa and another unidentified vine. Want to be my best friend? Propagate a new plant for me :)

8- Planning my trip overseas i leave in 9 days and will be gone for 2 weeks!!

9- My newly organized bookshelves 

10- Pictures of my niece