Jordan Journal 7/17/12- 7/21/12

7/17/12 Tuesday night

     Last two days of work were Monday and today. Monday we got to pull out all the ruble we found in our square. Several highlights included taking two naps during our breaks and Rachel's confusion as to her square. Since she had been sick, she hadn't been for over a week and was really confused as to what should happen and what already had. We came back and I took a third nap [obviously I was very tired from the Jerusalem trip], went into town with Alyssa and Krista, then went to one of our workers house. We showed up at 7:00, Pepsi at 8:00, tea at 9:00, dinner at 9:30, coffee at 10:30, home at 11:00 -_-. Court, Emma, Rachel, and I spent the night talking about nerdy things. Work today was much better than yesterday. [we only had to remove a little rubble in the three hours we had and Peter gave us permission] Court and I slept in our square, resting from the late night last night, and finished by second breakfast. We had a party under the tent. After lunch, Emma left with Dr. David to pick up her parents [Dr Pollard, her dad, is the president of John Brown University] so she allowed me to use her laptop, which means I could finally catch up on Facebook. I read also got to read all of Alisha's and Gabrielle's blog posts! They are such great writers. I hope I can write like that one day. After posting a blog post [see post "life on the tell"], Luke and I played chess under the tree with some lemonade. We both wished we had discovered both the lemonade and the tree earlier in the dig season.He won though 2-1. At least I am getting better. After chess we had pottery reading then journal. I'm about to go sleep on the roof then call Alex at 3:30 in the morning. Should be good!

7/18/12 Wednesday night

     Talked a lot with Krista last night while waiting for the Pollards to show up then I talked to Alex in the morning. I really enjoyed both conversations. It was great hearing Alex's voice even though my phone ran out of minutes and hung up on him. We went to the dig site to make top plans and bulk plans. Emma and I finished early so we joined Dr. David and Emma's parents on a tour of some of the tombs at the dig site. Played some chess, did some more top plans, napped, read, talked, then dinner at the Department of Antiquates Representative for Abila house. Talked with Court and Liz for awhile then it switched to religion. I have very little faith that God would use me to save someone =/ I'm not very good at explaining things so when Luke joined the conversation, he made much more sense though it seemed to fall on deaf ears... On the bright side, Luke and I are becoming better friends. We talk and share more with each other and hangout some. 

7/21/12 Saturday Afternoon [partial post because it is a good time to tie it up]

     Wednesday night, Luke, Hannah, Jennifer, and I all slept on the roof again. Had a nice little sleepover, just talked then slept. Thursday we packed  a lot of the day. It was tough work. Had some good talks though. Aaron and I rode in the back of a truck with all the barrels on the way to their two year home until next dig season and we talked a lot then. I got to call my mom later but that's really all the excitement for that afternoon. That night we went to Um Quays (Gadara) [we went earlier in the trip too] for dinner at another DOA rep. We also got to see to see the sea of Galilee just after sunset. Beautiful  Dinner was good but many of us were just ready for bed. We woke up Friday and packed everything else [like our beds] up and left Hartha. [Here is the start of a week or so long trip visiting sites around Jordan. This next section is the highlight of my trip! I'll continue the rest of Saturday's journal starting with Friday afternoon in the next post]

Jordan Journal 7/14/12-7/15/12

[Jerusalem trip!!!!!]

7/14/12- Saturday night
     So Thursday us JBU kids planned our Israel trip. We also had class that night which was really good! It was about God being great and good then a bit on the trinity as well. Friday morning we left on the bus for Israel. The border was insane! There was a long line to get on a bus that took us twenty feet across the border but took an hour to cover that distance. Then there was lots of security in Israel. We then had to find a taxi to Jerusalem. Israel is so different from Jordan! Topography, humidity, and people. Nobody is friendly and you can definitely see the mixture of the Jewish and Palestinian cultures. Our hotel is right outside Herod's gate of the old city. Really great spot! The old city itself is amazing!! Houses tower above walkways and tin roofs block out the sun so it seems like you are underground at times. It's so dark that you hardly notice when you go into a tunnel (and there are a lot) or outside. There are also shops everywhere. It would be really interesting to live in there. [For those unfamiliar, as I was, with the sections of the old city, it is split into four districts and, as a whole, takes only about half an hour, maybe an hour, to cross from one side to the other. the four districts are the Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Armenian quarters]. We finally were able to explore the old city Friday evening. We wandered through the Christian quarter and were able to see the the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which was absolutely incredible!!! [This church is placed both were Jesus' tomb is believed to be as well as the mount where he was crucified (which has really strong evidence for both)]. It is a massive building and you can really feel the tradition there. I nearly broke down crying when I saw the spot where Jesus died. It was all just a very emotional experience and I'm glad God gave it to me. That night we watched Hercules then went to bed around midnight. Saturday we got up at seven and into the city at nine. (as a side note, I bought a chess set the night before). We walked around the Muslim quarter then saw the wailing wall during the Jewish Sabbath! It was a little sad to see all the Jews worshiping there though with me knowing they are missing the messiah... The temple mount was closed too. We wandered towards the Jaffa gate and I bought a silver candlestick holder depicting Jerusalem for a wedding gift for Robbie and Ariel on the way. After falafels for lunch [which are amazing on the street by the way], I took a nap in the hotel then we decided to go to Bethlehem. We found a taxi to the border, which we didn't know existed. Apparently Israel put up a huge wall to separate the Palestine state from Israel. Another tour guide offered to take us across the border and on a tour, then back to our hotel. He smuggled us across because Luke and I didn't bring our passports [well we didn't know we were crossing a border].  He showed us a lot of graffiti along the wall and a really nice shop. It was an elaborate building with lots of old artifacts, necklaces, and olive wood carvings. He told us that the Christians of the city carve the, (apparently Bethlehem is predominately Christian) so I wanted to support them. Oddly, there was a really nice peace in there. I wasn't pressured to buy anything and everything just seemed nice and legit. God is good. After that we went to the Church of the Nazarene which was beautiful! Our guide kind of rushed us through since it was so crowded though. We then went back to the hotel then walked through the park of David to the pool of Siloam. We walked around looking for it for a couple hours only to find it locked then had to walk across the old city back to the hotel. Such a long walk for no pay off and a lot of grumpy people. Once we finally got back to the hotel (with no deaths!) we calmed down a lot and got along the rest of the night. We all hung out in my room till bed time. I'm so tired but I need to journal. still missing my friends but I'll see them soon. Tomorrow we head back to Jordan. I'll miss Jerusalem...

7/15/12- Sunday night
     Today was great but super stressful. Nice morning, left for the Church of the Holy Sepulcher at 8. We rushed along and I had a fun time being tour guide to different people [For some reason I knew more about the church and it's stories than the the rest of the group. I guess I explored it more the first time]. Then we got lost in the Jewish quarter as we tried to find the temple mount. Sadly the line to reach the temple mount was longer than the time we had, Back at the hotel, we checked out at 9:30 then our tour guide from yesterday picked us up at 10:00. We saw the Garden of Gethsemane and two possible locations of Jesus' ascension. We also saw a great view of the entire old city and the dome of the Rock. I also sat on a donkey named Peter. We headed off towards the border with a quick stop in Jericho which ended up lasting an hour and a half. We saw the supposed sycamore tree that Zacchaeus climbed (the tree is over 2000 years old) and the spring of Elijah. The border was, again, nuts. Took a bus to security, got my knife taken away, then more waiting, then a bus, then more waiting, then it took an hour to get our passports in Jordan [they took them on the bus]. We then took taxis to Irbid then a bus to Hartha. Made it back at 6:00. Made it just in time for dinner =) Luke and two of the girls stopped at McDonald in Irbid but my group was to tired and just wanted to get to the school.  We had vespers at area E [the spot of our food fight] but that day was so long that my brain was fried and I didn't understand anything. Hung out on the roof for thirty minutes just thinking about what God wants from my life. I would love for God to tell me what to for but He wants me to trust Him with that secret so I will. One reason I want to know is to see if I'll be going over seas or not. I'll trust God because His plan is sweeter and greater.

Jordan Journal 7/10/12-7/12/12

7/10/12- Tuesday night
     Luke cut me short from journaling last night since he waned to go to bed =/ [So this is an extension from the 9th, should have included them in the same blog]. Basically the last thing I had to say was that Alyssa has been reminding me not to be judgmental [towards the one person I'm not happy with on the trip]. It's hard but I know it is what God is saying too and He's helped me with it today. Had an extremely hard time sleeping last night. Part of it was the 3 hour nap, the other part was my imagination. I kept running over scenario of how I would react if Lauren got engaged [she recently started dating Matt and that kind of threw me through a loop] as well as fear as to how our friendship would change once we all go back to school. Today God calmed them. Not by saying our friendship wouldn't change but by telling me there isn't anything I can do about it, it is for her best, and she will always be my friend [which by far was my biggest worry, I have a fear of losing people]. Just because it is change doesn't mean it is bad. SO God has given me piece about it. Today was extremely hot. We sat around the last hour of work because it was so hot. I tanned on the roof for a bit, I've been getting a really bad farmers tan. Sadly it got so hot that I gave up after twenty minutes. I napped, then finished reading "Cross and the Crescent . It was a great book that I recommend to EVERYONE!! =). [don't ask, was in a goofy mood] Had some chess matches, a trip into town with Alyssa (note, be cautious not to lead her on), finally got to use a laptop!! I have so much to catch up on, I only got Facebook done, nothing else. Also, I'm probably going to call Alex next week =D I've missed texting him!!! Well and hanging out with him.We text a lot since we live in different states. Finally, odd moment of the day. one of the girls got proposed to by one of the workers! [follow half page long description and reaction that is best not put on the internet].

7/12/12- Thursday afternoon
     Work was difficult Wednesday, super hot. After 2nd breakfast Peter told everyone to go back to work and a couple of the guys complained and refused and some drama ensued. I skipped Arabic lessons and pottery reading for a nap, then read a lot. We took group photos then went to our bus drivers house for dinner at 8... dinner at 8... However, the food was great! Liz, Court, Aaron, Dr. Bob, and I ate together and debated a bunch of different issues and still came out friends! Went to bed at 11, felt sick so I walked around outside till 12:15 then fell asleep. Rachel was sick again so Jennifer and her missed both the last to days and will miss tomorrow as well (the JBU kids, including Rachel and Jennifer, are skipping work tomorrow for Jerusalem). Emma and I also finished our square today... kinda. We hit a layer of ruble =/. We have to wait for Dr. Cheryl's call on Monday but we only have two days left so chances are we are done there. Richard also left for home today =/ well now for a nap!

[The next segment will be my weekend trip to Jerusalem! It is a bit of a long one. To give you an idea, the normal blog post is about 4 of my journal pages, maybe 5. the Jerusalem section is 6-7 depending on how much I need to cut out. Also in case the timeline hasn't been clear, we are nearing the end of the dig season. We spent a good 4-5 weeks digging but after this weekend, we only have one day of digging, one of cleaning, one day of packing then we spend two weeks traveling around Jordan.]

Jordan Journal 7/5/12-7/9/12

7/5/12- Thursday Night [This is three eventful days. Sorry, it is a long one]
     Registry makes things busy -_-. Alyssa is doing better [Her grandma, I believe, died and she found out on the second. She had been away from everyone in isolation since then]. She was going to come to work today but Krista felt sick so she went with Krista to the hospital. Not much happened Tuesday  Dr. Cheryl left our area of the dig which meant Peter gave us a lot of breaks. Registry [labeling and recording of artifacts kept] was short so I decided it would be a movie day. I watched an episode of Sherlock then went to bed. The 4th of Just was probably the worst day I've had here. In the morning, there were bombings and gunfights in Syria [which would continue the remainder of my stay in Jordan] which was awful. Work was boring and a little tedious with the workers. After a not so good lunch, I did registry till five but took a break at four. I plugged in my laptop but noticed it wasn't charging. It appears that the charger has died, probably couldn't cope with the different power levels despite the converter. So with the last of my battery, I updated my blog sharing the news, quickly ran to pottery reading, then did registry on it till it died.  No more laptop =(. I fell asleep at five and Luke woke me up at seven. I missed most of the 4th of July banquet and only got a hamburger, the last one with no fries. I'm glad Luke woke me up though. At 8:30 we had cake and fireworks up on the roof. Today was tough. As I said, Krista got sick but today was all about [a person. Here goes a long frustrated rant about the day, probably part of my anger from the day before, and I took it out all on one person. It would not be ok for me to share this here]. I am trying to not be rude, that's why I am journaling all this. I had class today which was ok. I also took a two hour nap after Arabic lessons. I was supposed to get up for registry but my group thought I deserved to sleep in, I should probably get them some candy =). I came in [slight comment about the person I was angry at the entire day]. Ready for the half work day tomorrow, then rest, then the weekend trip to the desert castles!!

7/7/12- Saturday evening
     Friday was nice. Dug a probe [a deep square within the square to figure out what is in the square] and finally found something: a rock wall!! [that was dripping with sarcasm by the way] After work, group G, my group, had a food fight with group E. We had collected tomatoes since Monday then stood on top of a cliff looking down on their area and started throwing on them. I even got out on the ledge to announce like it was a war =). As retaliation, Dr. Bob sat on me while I was taking a nap outside in the courtyard. I fell asleep while waiting on Court to head over to one of the workers house but he never showed up. It ended up being a chill day. Last night I had a nightmare that one of my friends got kidnapped and my imagination kind of went to town with it. Several times today I've been tempted to call and see if they are ok. I think I'll borrow Luke's laptop to check facebook for news. Today we left the school at 6:30 for the desert castles. They were pretty cool. The first one was a basalt city that was just amazing [for a second, I thought I wrote annoying! I was really confused because I remember the city and how cool it was! The only reason I could think of it being annoying is that I was wearing flip flops and got a good cut on my foot while climbing around a reservoir]. The second was a mosque and a palace on top of a hill. The preservation was really quite amazing! [I remember standing in the tower with Krista, Liz, and Court and telling them how this tower was used so they could find dragons, then continuing the dragon rants throughout the day]. Next was a castle which was legit! It had lots of impossible stairs! [These are stairs which weren't meant or are no longer meant to be stairs and therefore require jumping or climbing to complete]. After that we went to a bath house which was interesting, then another castle with a lot of secret rooms and such. Now we are back in Madaba at the Mariam hotel. [This is the same hotel we stayed in when we flew in, this is also really about the half-way point of the trip].

7/9/12- Monday night
     Saturday night I had a really good talk with Court and Liz. We talked a lot about morals, or tried at least. Sunday we went to a Greek Orthodox service in St. George's Cathedral. The little bit we saw was interesting though. Alyssa, Rachel, and I walked around Madaba after that. It was mostly Alyssa and I talking. I did find some souvenirs for Gabrielle, Alisha, and Lauren though! Can't wait to give them to them =). We visited Mt. Nebo [where Moses' last spent the last minutes of his life] which was amazing. I could see the Jordan River and a bit of Jericho! Emotionally, yesterday was hard. I really miss my friends =/. Without my laptop, it is a lot harder too. I did call home last night and talked to my family for awhile. I did have a good night though! I played some chess with Samuel and Aaron. Today was difficult. [By this point you have probably realized my vocabulary is pretty thin when I journal. I  have a hard time writing my thoughts so I apologize]. My chest was a monster [problems with coping]. Emma ended up doing a lot of the work for me then we drew a top plan. I had Arabic lessons this afternoon, then a three hour nap (no more registry!), then reading, dinner, meeting about Jerusalem, more reading, and finally getting ice cream with Alyssa in town [girls can't go into town alone and I like walking around, we did this a lot together and with others]. I called my mom again because Joey's birthday is Saturday and I wanted to make sure I could call him. I may end up calling Alisha, Lauren, or Robbie soon if I can get online to tell them I want to call.

Sanctioned by Shane: Fullmetal Alchemist

So I've decided to take a break from translating my Jordan Journal onto the blog and start a new segment: Sanctioned by Shane. Here I review/talk about shows, movies, books, and other types of entertainment. Today I'm going to talk about the anime Fullmetal Alchemist. I have been aware of this show for a couple months and it seems to be the casual anime watchers anime of choice. For those of you who don't know, anime is a style of cartoon animation practiced in Japan. Most of American anime is brought over from Japan and simply re-voices everyone, fixing the animation for the new voices, and editing for culturally inappropriate scenes.

As of this post, I've watched the first six episodes of FMA so far and I have to say, I've possibly fallen in love with the show! [warning spoilers may follow, depending on your definition of spoilers] The show is about two brothers who practice alchemy  a type of science where one can turn one thing into another as long as all the ingredients are there. Taking trees and water, you can instantly create a papermache hot air hydrogen balloon. These boys' mother die and they attempt the forbidden practice of human alchemy to bring her back but in the procces the younger brother, Al, loses his body and his brother. Ed, loses a leg. In order to save Al, Ed sacrifices his arm to put Al in a suit of armor for a body. The show continues showing their quest to get their bodies back. 

The concept of alchemy had me worried at first because it has a very close association with witchcraft, however, the show pushes very strongly the science of alchemy and the many things that alchemy can't do. However, there does seem to be a mystic element slowly creeping into the show. For one, there are three "things" that appear to be demons or something. they are called lust, gluttony  and envy. They can do amazing feats of alchemy, or magic?, and clearly relate to the seven deadly sins of the catholic church. Ed himself can also produce amazing feats of alchemy that has yet to be explained so we shall see. 

This show excels at humor. I have laughed out loud multiple times and have had to stop it before so I could calm down. What's best is that the action and drama work with the drama rather than against it. Everything is perfectly timed and the animation really works well with both. However, I don't like how obvious the bad guys are. You meet a misguided or evil alchemist and you instantly know that he is evil or is causing harm, even when it is supposed to be a surprise for later in the episode. My favorite part, however, is a running gag on the show. Ed is consistently made fun of for being short... I can relate to that.

I really look forward to watching the rest of the 51 episodes, and I'm actually going to start #7 right now. Bye everyone!!!!

Jordan Journal 6/28/12-7/2/12

6-28-12 Thursday Evening
     Dinner last night was good. We went to one of the workers house and had a traditional dinner of chicken, rice, and nuts in a sour goat yogurt sauce thing. SO good! We ate with our hands, rolling the food into balls, and we were given various foods and drinks as the night went on. Woke up feeling sick but didn't try to complain. The dig today was an easy day. Killed a scorpion, kept digging in the square. My chest started hurting again, like when I'm stressed so I ended up coughing a lot and was pretty weak. The last hour of work was a tea party instead. I also finished "Children of the alley" today. Interesting book, sad ending but a masterpiece nevertheless. I'll keep that book.  I had my first class today too! five of the six of us are taking Evangelical Theology. I look forward to this class now. I also updated myself on the internet today, caught up on blogs (my friends are amazing writers!!!) and facebook. Emma and I can also get along not too! Which is good since We're in a square for the rest of this trip lol. It's just so busy here now that it's different to really talk to people [Not to sure what I was saying here]. With work,rest, and school, it doesn't leave time for much else. It's going to be difficult tomorrow. My chest already hurts =/. Luckily we get done early tomorrow then off on adventures. Saturday and Sunday. This may seem like a sad entry but I'm really content. God is working on my character so I can be a better witness.
7-1-12 Sunday Afternoon
     I can't believe it's July!!!! I've been here for two weeks now but it feels like so much longer and yet it feels like I have so much more to go. I'm quickly reaching the halfway point for the trip and halfway for the dig is at the end of this week, so weird. So Friday was a lazy day- just dug a bit with a lot of breaks then ending at 9:30. I slept some, then got dragged into town to some guys house for tea. Misty [fake name] really has an odd (and inconsiderate) way of dealing with people. While many of us were ready to leave, she convinces our host to take us on a tour of Hartha instead. I'm not exactly happy with her at the moment. On the other hand, Court is an interesting person. He's only 16 but he has some really deep thoughts, though they can be clouded by his hormones from time to time. Saturday we went to Jerash, the largest, most preserved Roman city in Jordan. We also went to the castle Ajloud, a castle built to repel crusaders. Alyssa and Krista stuck with me on both tours. I really enjoyed the theaters and the temple to Artemis [go impossible steps!!!] The gladiator was also amusing. We arrived at the school at six. Most of the group decided to go to a wedding (read "went to someone's house for several hours for tea, showed up at the wedding swarmed my masses of people, then leave after ten minutes because a fight broke out) but I stayed because I was pretty tired. So I got online and received a surprise: Lauren emailed me! It's not the fact that she emailed me that's crazy but the news in it. Lauren and Matt started dating!!! I was so freaking happy for her! Woke up to another email from her with pictures of her date with Matt, but also an email from Gabrielle!! Pretty much made my day. Went to a museum in Irbid this morning then made my way back to Hartha by myself, well me and God. He is good to me =) Now just relaxing on my Sunday Sabbath.

7-02-12 Monday night
      Not much happened last night. There was vespers (on Joshua 5 that God is faithful and keeps His promises  which was nice. Went to bed early but tossed and turned all night. Only two good hours of sleep. OH! I also called home. The entire family (even Jaeda) was together so I got passed around and talked to everyone for a minute or so. I miss my friends right now. I keep saying our inside jokes instead of thinking them, a bit of the craziness is happening I guess =/. Less than a month though and we'll all be together again =) and what a joyous occasion that will be!!! [reference to Robbie and Ariel's wedding]. Emma learned ,ore about me today. It's odd how my past experiences have shaped me and allow others to see who I am. Took a three hour nap then did registry. That's a bit of a tedious job but not too bad. Rachel is sick but Aaron mad e is back from Israel!!! He wasn't allowed to cross over the border at another entrance and had to go back to the Northern one. I also watched a bit of Wild Hogs then decided to go to bed. I hope tomorrow is a good day.

Jordan Journal 6/23/12-6/27/12

[So a note I forgot last time. Sometimes I may not be able to actually use a persons name so I'll replace it with a random symbol at some point. The symbols won't continue over different blogs but will be the same person in one blog. Yeah, I think that's all I forgot. Enjoy!] [Wait, I, of course, forgot something. I didn't journal every day so some times will have gaps, like the first blog. I wrote the 21st and the 23rd but not the 22nd. sorry] [I'm not on my memory game today! Here is a list of the dig members for reference.

     JBU group- Emma, Luke, Rachel, Jennifer, and Hannah. Dr. Vila is the head director and a prof at JBU. Peter was a student at JBU but now a senior staff member. Samuel is Dr. Vila's son and Court is his best friend. Neither have graduated high school yet.

Nebraskans- Liz, Krista, and Alyssa. Dr. Susan and Dr. Cheryl are senior staff members. Alyssa is Dr. Susan's grand daughter. Liz has graduated from college and Krista is in her last semester.

Others- Olivia and her grandmother Paulette are from New Orleans. Olivia is about to graduate from college. Aaron is from Cornerstone university and learned about this program from Dr Ostrander. Richard is from Australia as is married. Dr Bob is a senior staff member and director of the archaeology side of the dig.] 

6/23/12- Saturday morning

        Yesterday.... that was an interesting day. Woke up with the same pattern and left for the dig site at 8. We actually got to work in our squares, preparing them for the real work Monday. I am working in a side room of a late Roman and Byzantine church with Emma Pollard. Yesterday we had to remove weeds and rocks. After two years [the dig season is once every two years] there were a lot of weeds and rock! Monday we'll be tearing the balk (read wall) down between our square and the two next to us. Lots of bugs and spiders in that square, but also a snake and we'll probably see him before long. [sadly we never did see that snake again]. Came back to the school for lunch, did laundry, then got online! we have wifi! Around three, Liz me to go to Irbid with Court, Rachel, and her. The four of us had fun walking around Hartha the night before so I decided to go along. We walked to the bus station thing and we were instantly swarmed by about ten local kids. They really didn't try to talk to us much but mostly laughed at us. We had our own great conversation though so it was fine. After about 45 minutes, one of the boys told us that buses don't run on Thursday -_-.So we decided to walk around Hartha for another hour then headed back to the school. We created an elaborate story about how we accidentally took the bus to Syria, were held because we didn't have our passports, then I had to belly dance to earn us money to pay bail. Only two or three people believed us. Read some more while we made dinner (the cook leaves Friday afternoon and comes back Sunday night) and then Liz, Alyssa and I washed the dishes. We took a break to watch the sunset on the roof then a game of chess with Luke. More reading then bed. During dish duty, the three of us talked a lot about life and such. I found out Liz used to be a Christian but is now not. I'm really not feeling the love for this fallen world we live in. Finally I think * likes me. She said hi to me this morning and 2 other girls smiled at each other. I called them out on it and the tried to deny/ cover it up. I'm going to have to be careful around her. =/. [Apparently I succeeded because nothing ever came of it!] Today I'm off on another adventure. Should be good!

6/23/12- Saturday night

       Today went off much differently than planned. After finishing my entry this morning [see above =)], I entered into a state of introspectiveness. [Since I was looking back on yesterday and all, I just closed in. Maybe some stress too]. The first half of today I just struggled with figuring out my thoughts.]I was really quite and such. We went to Gadara (the site where Jesus cast the demons into the pigs). Walked around a lot and I got to see the sea of Galilee =). We then went to Irbid where Sam, Liz, Court, Rachel, and I walked around, explored shops, then took the bus back to the school. I'm sure a lot more happened but I didn't write it in my journal, in fact my journal was all thoughts to help me process and would be considered gossip so sorry but no gossip for you lol.]

6/25/12- Monday Afternoon

      So Sunday was adventurous. Got up at breakfast, etc. Around 8:30, most of us left the school for Irbid. Kids were taking exams so we needed to leave the school or be quite. I kinda unexpectedly went: I was asked if I was coming as everyone was walking away so I just followed. I stuck with Liz, Court, and Alyssa after the bus and we went shopping in the area. We then took a taxi to the post office then walked around this huge shopping market. After some Schwarma sandwiches and more shopping, we went to the archaeology museum at the University. Sadly, it was boring. We got another cab to take us to Hartha and he was quite the opposite from the museum. He had the greatest voice inflections and humor. He kept pronouncing my name wrong (shine) and copying my hand motions. He was a riot and both Liz and I got his number in case we needed him again. The rest of the evening was uneventful, just relaxing. oh! and we had a vespers service that night on Joshua 3 =). Today, we woke up at four [shudder] and started for the dig site at five. Our first real day of work. It was pretty good, not exciting or anything. I'm just super tired now though. 

6/27/12- Wednesday afternoon

Things got really busy yesterday. In between work, pottery reading, and dinner, there really is room for a nap and a bit of reading. The solitude has started to set in. It's getting a little harder to get along with people here. We're all tired and stressed. I'm going to one of the workers house tonight [we have local workers help us on the dig]. That should be interesting. oh and it's Richard's birthday.

Jordan Journal 6/20/12- 6/21/12

Now that the craziness that was my life after Jordan has ended, it is time to write up my journal! However, a couple of notices: 1) This has been edited. I used this for more than telling stories but to describe my emotions and such. Some of these I can keep but others.. well private stuff that is better left not being made public. 2) I'm going to post several days in a blog and the entire trip in several blogs. 3) For clarifications and additions, I'll use [ ]. These will try to explain things in relation to today and such. 4) Finally, if you are one of my closer friends (the only ones who are actually going to read this) then you are allowed to view these edited sections in my actual journal. just ask: if you can decifer my handwriting that is. So here we go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6-20-12 Wednesday
        [To catch up, check my 3 posts on Jordan from June] "Yesterday we left Madaba for the village of Hartha, where we'll be staying for the rest of the trip. This morning I wasn't able to sleep much, I woke up at 3 =/ Layed in bed till 6:30 then went up for breakfast. Feeling pretty lonely at this point =/ Rachel hadn't come in yet so I had hope this would soon be fixed. We left the hotel at 9:30 and drove north to Irbid, the second largest city in Jordan. There were some pretty amazing sites on the way there but I got car sick an hour in and fell asleep. In Irbid, we were able to shop and have lunch. I was also able to get a phone. (As I look back, this following statement seems false but this is what I thought then). There really isn't much to distinguish the different cities. They all use the same materials for buildings and the streets, also there are lots of roundabouts. I fell asleep again on our way to Hartha though I could hardly tell since it's only 20 minutes north. We arrived at 2:30. Hartha is a small village about 3 miles south of the Syrian border and about an hour west of Israel. Smaller than Siloam Springs as well.We arrived at the "Hartha Hilton", a 4 story secondary girls school. The first story was just a lobby like place (which we turned into a dinning room) then three stories of one hallway with classrooms. There was also a Kitchen and an office on the main floor. We spent the afternoon making this school into a house, unloading barrels, moving mattresses, setting up the registry and the dining room, etc. Guys stayed on the third floor and the girls on the second. We had foam mattresses that we set up on desks for our beds, and we also set up lines in the courtyard of the school for hanging our laundry, which we do by hand. The bathroom is in a second building in the courtyard with stalls. Half of the stalls we converted into showers and the other half we left, for toilets of course. They are squatty potties so yeah. Water is precious in Jordan so we have to take short showers and use laundry water to flush the toilets. After everything was set up, most of us didn't think we could live like this and I'm sure that it will start to bug people eventually. So first night in Hartha and I go to bed at 9. So today [the 20th] I woke up at 6 and got ready for the day. 5 or so of us were ready for breakfast at 6:30 which consisted of tea, jelly, and peeta bread. I feel pretty great right now! I think I'll be ok living here. On top of that, Rachel got in last night so I finally know somebody on the trip! At 8 we left for the dig site and got a tour. The scope of the thing is just amazing!! I can't wait to start next week. I did some laundry in the afternoon and played some chess then walked around Hartha. I think I'll like it here. I still feel like I get on people's nerves but we'll just wait and see...

6-21-12 Thursday
        Today was good. Woke up at 6 again and left for the dig site at 8 (same again tomorrow). We actually got to dig today, though in practice squares. Had some fun, but learned I needed to become more observant. We came back at noon, ate lunch then read some in the entry way, which has this fantastic breeze! I'm reading "That Hideous Strength" by C.S. Lewis. So I had a realization today. I prayed last night that God would show me why I am here. All my reasons were pretty selfish So today while I was reading and listening to my Ipod, God kinda guided my thoughts. I think God is leading me into a part of my Christian walk that has really been absent in the rest of my life: evangelism. I think I've explained the gospel to someone once and he was only 5 but all the people I have run into in my life are either Christians or God uses someone else. I've never really had the opportunity to evangelize. [So at the end of this trip, I realize it's no so much me learning to evangelize but more so me learning to be a witness which is much more important. It ended up being God ironing out personal flaws and making me more like him, well at least a little bit]. God also kinda showed me that I need to get to know the people on this trip and not be a hermit, so let's see how good I am at that... In the afternoon we had a "draw your room" game where we had to draw our room to scale like the top plans we'll have to draw soon. Luke, Aaron, and I won (we drew Luke's and my room) so we got ice cream. I spent the evening on the roof, a beautiful spot, then off to bed!

Life on the Tell

Today I finally have an extended time on a computer. =) Lucky for you, that means a blog post!!! So here we go!

Everything is still going great in Jordan. I've been doing well, keeping not sick, and exploring the area. This last weekend a group of us decided to go to Jerusalem on our free weekend. So far, that has been the highlight of the trip but I'll talk more about that later. Before I left, I got several requests for what a typical day is like here on the tell. I have been planning how to write this/ present it since then so I hope it's good. So without further ado, I present "Life on the Tell by Shane Buxman".

My wristwatch alarm goes of at 4 in the morning. I silence it and go back to sleep. My phone alarm goes of at 4 in the morning (Separated by 5 minutes). This time I wake up. I untuck the mosquito net from between my foam mattresses and take car not to knock anything over as I step from the desks, which make my bed/ nightstand, onto the floor. As I change into my dig clothes (whick away short sleeve shirt and nylon khaki pants), I take care not to wake up Luke who won't be up for another half an hour. I head down three flights of stairs then outside the school, which is our residence, to the bathroom complex across the courtyard. After I comb my hair, I watch the moon and the stars as I brush my teeth, amazed at how bright they are. Sometimes I'll hear the call to prayer in the background.  As I walk back into the school, I join Krista and Alyssa for a breakfast of peta with cheese, jam, peanut butter, or nutella (not the good kind though). I pour a cup of tea and read my daily devotion, spread cheese on my peta. It's 4:30 so I head upstairs to wake up Luke and grab my dig supplies. As I come back downstairs, the kitchen is more crowded for most of the team is awake. I finish my peta, check on Luke one more time, grab a bucket and sit out in the courtyard. The bus arrives shortly before 5 and I take my usual spot one up from the back. I'll share a couple words with Alyssa, Court, or Liz but we're usually to tired to talk. Bus leaves at 5 for Abila. The drive is short and there isn't much to see. Many of the townspeople of Hartha are sleeping in from their daily late night socialization. We reach the crest of a hill and look out onto a brilliant sunset (though none more brilliant than today's). We've arrived.

Area AA marches up to the crest of the hill while E and G (I'm in G) march down. We pass the guard tent as well as workers still retrieving wheelbarrows for their area. About 3/4ths down the hill, I part ways with Hannah and Jennifer. They are in area E at the base of the hill. Emma and I (Court is usually behind since he'll stop with Liz at the pottery dump while Samuel and Rachel speed ahead) turn of the dirt road and head up a short goat path leading to a flat landing in the tell where our site is. Area G: the excavation site of a single apsis church from the Late Roman-Umayad period, disused after a major earthquake toppled it. I prepare the paper work for our square and at 5:30 we start work. Due to the fact that Emma and my square has nothing but rocks in it, everyday is similar. We dig out dirt with dust pans and little picks, dump it into guffas (tire baskets), then a worker carries the guffa to the wheelbarrow and another worker dumps it while a third dumps the wheelbarrow. We sort the dirt (as we pan it) for pottery, glass, and bone. If we find any, we sort it into buckets or plastic bags prepared earlier. We have a break at 7-7:30, another at 8:30-9, second breakfast at 9:30- 10:30, and one final break at 11:30 which usually signifies the end of the work day. During break, I will either nap or talk with Emma, Court, and Samuel in Court's square. Several of the workers will frequently join us as we throw rocks, play jokes, or just sit in tired silence. After second breakfast the sun has come out and hardly any work gets done. It is very hot and even water in the shade is turned warm. We scrounge or whatever shade our balks can give us or we huddle underneath a tent made inside the main area of the church. After work, we pack up our supplies and make the long trek back up the hill, the hardest part of the day. Each area gets out separately so we usually don't see anyone until we reach the crest of the hill where the bus will pick us up. Who ever arrives first claims the valuable shade underneath the olive tree. Usually we arive first followed quickly by AA. We talk about our great finds and drama during the day and the buss comes at 12:30. The afternoon is significantly harder to predict since events change daily but it usually includes a hour nap (usually 2-3 hours). Around 7:30 I'll go out on the roof and view the sunset and the stars as they appear in the sky. Dr David and Dr. Peter come up just as I'm leaving to enjoy the cool breeze. As I head to my room, I reflect on the day, which I then journal. I change to my pajamas, make sure my supplies is set, climb into bed, tuck in my net, and set my alarm; praying 4 doesn't come too soon.

extreme sadness

Dear world. My laptop charger has died (95% positive). I'm going to ask around to see if anyone can fix it or loom for a new one. So I guess this is the last post/ conversation with me you'll have for who knows how long. Mom, I'll call you Sunday's in the morning sometime (probably around 11 like last time). Hope you are all having a fantastic summer. 

Another post about Jordan

Ok... confession time. I found out Wednesday that I'd have internet everyday until the last week. Yes, that means I can get on and Facebook (not video chat too much data), post blogs frequently, etc. but I don't think I will. I'm in this fantastic country of Jordan we amazing people and tons of things to do. I really don't want to spend time sitting on a laptop talking to people in America or updating them on how I am doing. I want to experience every moment I have here with these people I'll probably only get to know this once. I don't want distractions.

But I also realize that this isn't fair to my amazing friends back home. They want to hear from me as well, know I am safe, know all my great stories and partake in this experience with me (trust me, I want to guys here with me so much). So this is my apology for all of you. I'll get on every once in awhile and update you on what is happening, but not very often. I'll chat with you in emails if you wish, but don't expect quick replies. If I disappoint you, I'm truly truly sorry but My attention needs to be focused here for what God has for me (and He has wonderful plans that I am only starting to realize).


Do not fret though!!! I am keeping a daily journal of the events and such things and I will share these (or selected ones) on the blog once I return and have less of a life to invest in. You can also ask to look at my journal and I'll let you read it no problem, I want to keep it forever.


So here is my brief update. I love it here so much!!!! Yeah it can be rough but it's all worthwhile and amazing at the same time! I love the people in our group, I love the locals (though I can't really speak to them well), I love the location! Harta is a small village about 2 miles south of Syria and it's beautiful in a sense. Lots of fig and olive trees, seas of grain, and the lights of the city at night (from a roof) are brilliant. Being an archaeologist is tough but fantastic as well (though I'm only just training now and waking up 2 hours later than I will be on Monday). I was talking to one of the girls last night (a bunch of us were on the roof) and I was letting her how easy it would be for me to live here if I only knew the language. 


God has given me this love for the country and the people. He is protecting me and guiding me while I'm here. How do I know this? everything here is exactly what I'm scarred of. Snakes, Scorpions, Spiders, getting lost, doing work, cold showers, heat, sleeping on a desk, Jordian food, strangers, waking early, squaty potties. The list goes on but God has given me a peace about these fears and guided me through them into a place where I'm in love (not romantically). I'm going to leave here and be so sad but so happy at the same time.

Please don't mistake this enthusiasm for an ignorance of bad things or thinking I've only not hit them yet. Things have been difficult, and still are. I know even harder things are to come, but I'm ok with this. I know God is leading me every step of the way and I know He won't abandon me. He has me here for a very legit reason. I believe he is leading me into the next step with my relationship with Him: Evangelism. I know many people stress that and always talk about telling my non Christian friends about God, but as I grew up, I never had friends like that. There was hardly anyone I know that I could tell or there was but the situation never fit (like the idea never came to mind or we knew each other only a small amount of time). I see this now as protection from God. He was keeping that training for another time. He would have someone else evangelize to others I could have in the past (several times that exact thing happened where I was about too but someone else came in instead). I'm not sure where He's leading me in this but I know He is and I trust Him. SOunds all messy on the computer but makes more sense in my brain =). I hope you are all having a fantastic summer and I'll update eventually. bye!

Jordan day 2

This is the last day I'll have confirmed internet. After this, it will depend on whether there is an internet cafe nearby or not. So i'll take this chance to explain my first true day in Jordan. After going to bed at 2, Luke (my roomate for this brief part of the trip) and I woke up at 5... yep. 3 hours. We weren't tired so we got up, talked, and got ready for the day. Had a good breakfast at the hotel, and started our group orientation. The group consists of 6(?) JBU students, 4 senior staff members, 2 high school students, a girl and her mother from New Orleans, a guy from Australia, another from cornerstone university, and 2 girls from another place in the USA. There is another girl but I don't recall her story. Racheal Cotner (also from JBU) lost her passport in Chicago but will be able to make it here tomorrow or the day after: which would be nice because I really could use a friend right about now. This group is pretty great. I can get along with people, but I've never been much of a talker and these people certainly don't know me so it's kinda difficult, especially since almost everyone came knowing someone on the team pretty well.

So we had orientation in the morning. Learned more about the culture, who and where we'd be working on the dig site, and how camp life will work. I was/am pretty excited and can't wait to leave for the site tomorrow morning. For lunch, we walked around Madaba with two of the senior staff members. They helped us exchange money, buy lunch, and then showed us two crazy awesome archaeological cites within the city. The first was a Greek Orthadox church with a mosaic map of the holy land on the floor. It's from the 6th century and pretty much fantastic. The second site was a tell (a spot where something was, destroyed then rebuilt over). It contained a Roman road and temple, a mansion, and two churches. Lots and lots of mosaics as well.

We made it back around 5 and Luke and I (we only have one key) went to our room to rest. We were planning on going swimming but I fell asleep and I wake up to him leaving. By the time I was able to get up, he had already made it down to the pool with the key. I couldn't lock the door, I couldn't go down there,he left me stuck in my room. So I fall back asleep hoping he'll get me up for dinner... nope, he wakes me up at 9 once he's already eaten and hung with the group and all. So I went today without lunch and dinner. (oh right, I ordered lunch but the guy never brought it to me, I guess he wasn't happy I didn't order a drink). It's a very good thing my mom bought cliff bars for me.

So that's my first day. Full of ups and downs but a wonderful day I'm sure. Keep praying that we'll be safe and that I'll make some friends here

Jordan day 1

So bear with me if this gets long but it was a very long 24 (?) hours. So I got to DIA (Denver International Airport) at 3:30 PM. Everything went perfectly ok, read some at the gate, got on the plane. As the plane starts to taxi, it hits me... I'm leaving. To cope, I automatically start saying Psalms 23, still not sure why I said it but it helped me so much through this crazy trip. God's word has that effect, to calm you when you start to freak out, and a bunch of other things.

So the plane takes off, and about half way to Dallas, I look out my window and see a rainbow. So I wondered... The story of the flood and the rainbow seems so much like a myth, quite like the Greek and Egyptian ones. It's some crazy impossible thing that explains why we have something people couldn't explain back then. I guess I kinda had always though of the story that way too, well in regards to the rainbow, not the flood itself. thought on it for a bit and realized, a rainbow is made from water droplets, signifies God's promise not to destroy the Earth by a flood, and usually appears at the end of a rainstorm, maybe during it. Suddenly it makes a whole lot more sense to me that God really did create the rainbow as a promise. Noah and his sons and their sons and etc. all knew the story of the flood and it's perfectly understandable that they would worry about another flood every time it rained. But God didn't give them the rainbow to comfort them DURING the storm, He gave it to show He had kept His promise at the END of the storm. Same idea works with many aspects in Christianity. We have to have faith through the bad times (or all of life) that God is really in control and keeping us safe. Then at the end of the trial, God shows us that He really was in control, mainly with the fact that the trial ended with you alive.

So I landed in Dallas with ten minutes till I started to board my next flight. It was dinner time, I was hungry. I'm starting to worry as I get off the plane, how will I make it to my gate AND get food. ok first lets get to my gate... God was looking out for me because my gate was just on the other side of the concourse, not in a separate one, which is usually what happens. Not only that, but there was a McDonalds on my way to the gate with nobody in line. By now, sitting still had taken its toll and I kept forgetting my order number and almost taking other peoples food (mine was slow for some reason). The food guy thought this was so funny, he gave me a free apple pie =). I made it to my gate, slowed down, and ate my food. I had just finished my pie when they started boarding my flight. God is good =)

The flight to London was odd, as was London for that fact. I sat next to a nice British women and in front of an American who had made this travel many times. He kindly advised me to take some Tylenol PM during dinner on the flight (wow two dinners!!! I needed it) and use a eye sleep thing... not eye patches but like two of them. I decided to watch a movie while I waited, I watched Chronicle.... biggest mistake of the trip. The movie is such a great movie but it is SO SAD!!!!!!!!!!!! I was just in this shock while watching it, I really couldn't eat much of my dinner, then I found it hard to sleep because I was still in shock! I really recamend this movie but just be prepared, it's pretty crazy. But I finally slept, about 4 hours, woke up with breakfast on a tray in front of me. That was nice, lol. Slowly ate that as my body disagreed about the time and he amount of sleep. Stayed awake so I could fly over cardiff =) that was brilliant =) no window seat though so I couldn't see Rose's house. OH speaking of houses, I'm pretty sure I flew really close to Lauren's if our digital map flight path was correct =) Fell asleep as I landed in London, got up and followed  maze into the connecting international flights area

London does it different than America. For one, their security is less strict. (I had to go through another security thing). Also, they only open the gate of a flight about an hour before it takes off. If your gate isn't open, hang out in the MASSIVE sitting and shopping area. SO many people, probably half of them spoke English, shops only took pound (not euro's, that's important to know), and I was very lost lol. I had a 5 hour layover and I couldn't decide what to do. I could sleep, but someone might steal my stuff, so I locked up one bag and decided I'd sleep on the other... but now I was thirsty. to the exchange desk to get some... English money? doesn't Rose always call it quid, no Shane, you know this. it's a pound. I still  said Euro to the exchange lady, ha! I got some pounds, exchanges other money to Jordian Dinar, bought some post cards (no Tardis) and some water. and some British chocolate =). I had a lot of "fun" trying to figure out how to use pounds, pence, and what the different coins meant but I managed to not make a fool of myself to any clerks! Took a 2 or 3 hour nap in the terminal, said it was nice to talk to a couple who sat by me while I napped and she asked if I had a good nap (I love when people play along) and I went to my gate.

Got on the plane. Well by this point my brain was gone. I made several mistakes on the London flight (attendant asked me if I would like chicken or Lasagna and I said I hadn't ordered yet, lol) but this flight was kinda the worst with that lol. I just was kinda clumsy, fumbled around, nearly knocked a lot of things over, took me awhile to figure out the tv thing, yeah I was just a mess lol. People would ask me a question and I'd just look at them.. realize they asked me something, then ask what they said. but I finally was able to focus and watch 2 movies: Sherlock Holmes 2 and We bought a Zoo. I had seen Sherlock, but it was still good to see it again since I was just in London. We bought a zoo was an increadable movie that finished literally right as we taxied into our gate in Jordan. Along the way I was able to see the amazing lights of Europe, specifically the lights of Athens Greece... Oh Athens I will visit you too one day. I've always dreamed of going to Greece so it was fantastic to see it, even if only by street light.

When I landed in Jordan, I started crying. I don't cry but the mixture of disbelief, joy, fear, loneliness, and emotions from the movie just caused me to silently (thankfully) break down. I was so happy that I finally made it to the place I had only dreamed of. God had got me here and I was so thankful, but this was just before the hardest part. I had to navigate immigration, customs, and a taxi to get to my hotel, by myself. GOd got me there. He set up events back in the states and here so that I got a good taxi driver and I wasn't scared when he drove off onto dirt roads in the desert. I made it to my hotel at 2 in the morning and slept very very nicely on a bed. a bed =) woke up 3 hours later with the sun and got online. More to come eventually =)

Updates

So I haven't written in awhile, not sure why. Guess I just haven't been feeling like writing. I guess I also don't think I have anything to write about, not anything meaningful or important. Even now I'm not sure what to say.

The past two weeks haven't been uneventful, they have been pretty goo. Went to a baseball game, saw Matt Carney in concert (You jelly Gabrielle?) watched the hunger games with my friend Joel, went for a great run with Alec, staying up way to late talking to Sarah and David. Really great moments spent with great friends, but I miss Arkansas. I miss college and the work/adventures/laughs I had there. My friends here are wonderful but I've been away for too long and it's hard to relate to them when I've changed so much this past year. Life here in Colorado is good but it's slow and uneventful. I'm ready for August, for the Robbie's wedding as well as the start of the semester.

So I leave for Jordan this Saturday. The closer I get, the less and less excited I get. I keep thinking I haven't prepared enough, I'll never make it through the airport, I'll accidentally ruin an artifact. I'm mostly afraid it will be another extension of this summer: No growth, just me doing stuff and not being poured into or pouring into someone. I know the trip will be great but there is a difference between a great experience and a meaningful one.

In case you didn't know, having a mentor/being a mentor is something I've been struggling with this past year. I want so badly for someone to invest in me, to help me. Someone wiser who has been down the path of life: but God just isn't putting anyone there. I don't know what He's planning but I know He's saying He is enough for now. guess that's my trust issue again. I also really want to mentor someone else and I know several people I'd love to mentor, problem is I live in Siloam Springs and not Greeley Colorado. I could have counseled them when I lived there but it just never clicked in my brain then.

I guess finally, I'm very mad at this world. I hate the greed and pride our world thrives on. I despise how this world is groaning and causing such disasters for people (There are several really big fires in the USA right now, one which is close to me. It blots out the sky with it's awful smoke, except at sunset when it's beautiful). I want to make a difference and fix this world but I know I'm a part of the problem and only God can. more trust issues ha.

In summery, I'm very homesick right now, both for my home in Siloam Springs and for my eternal home in heaven.

 I think this blog sounds a lot more depressing than how I'm actually feeling so don't worry to much about me. I started ranting and just putting my thoughts from the past couple weeks on here. I'm perfectly fine and content (much to the disagriance of my mom, which is another story,) with life so definitely don't read to much into all this. I hope you all have a fantastic summer because this will probably be my last blog post till I get back from Jordan. I may be able to post a couple depending on the internet there (I'll probably post a quick one when I get in Jordan) but I'll try to keep a personal journal then digitize it for all of you to read. Have a wonderful summer my readers.

Adventure 3 (kinda): Nerdyness

Digimon, Pokemon, Avatar, Sherlock, Dr. Who, ancient cultures, mythology, books, cross country, Microsoft, E3, video games, cartoons, comic  books, superheroes, and batman. These are only a few of the words that will launch me into huge nerd rants where anyone without basic knowledge of the subject will certainly get lost. I can get very excited very quickly about these subjects and a lot of these things have been coming up today so you all get to hear (read) me rant for a bit. In other news, I'm going to use pictures in a blog for the first time ever. I think.

So lets start with Digimon and Pokemon. These two shows served as my childhood until I wasn't allowed to watch them anymore (long story). I was looking on Hulu this afternoon and decided to check if they had either of these shows on it. I was very excited to see that they had the entire third series (like a reboot) for free. I started the first episode and learned a sad fact... the episode was in its original form. Normally that would be a great thing but for digimon, that means it's completely in Japanese -_-. Luckily some of the Pokemon episodes are on Comcast Ondemand. But to continue my nerdiness, I'm going to assemble my all time favorite Pokemon and Digimon team. (in Pokemon, you have 3-6 Pokemon and only one Digimon/partner in Digimon). 

This is Puppetmon! He is my Digimon partner. If you've watched the show, then my puppetmon would be nice, not a psychotic murderer. 

The following 6 are my pokemon team: Alakasam, Arcanine, Gengar, Scyther, Gyarados, and Golem. 

I honestly won't make you sit through the rest of my nerd rants so if you ever want to talk about them, just text me or extra. I'd truly LOVE to talk about them, even about these 7 guys and why I'd choose them. 

Adventure 2-the story

Stories are basically my favorite thing in the entire world. I love to hear them, I love to create them, and I long oh so desperately to be part of one. I guess that's one of the reasons I'm an actor and a wannabe writer and director. I'm not the only one like this though. All throughout history, people have emphasized the importance of stories. The stories of a thousand Arabian nights is tells of a king whose wife betrayed him so he killed her then he decided that he'd marry a new wife each day then kill her in the morning. Well this one lady stayed alive as his wife by telling him stories (with cliffhangers) for one thousand nights until he fell in love with her. Stories are crazy influential, important, and life changing.

I have a few dreams I my life: To go on an archaeological dig, write a bestselling novel (or series), act on Broadway, and to visit Greece. I also am studying to be an Social Studies teacher. I'm in love with stories and I thrive for them. History is one giant story so I pursue it as well (that's why I want to go to Greece and become an archaeologist). I just can't get enough of them and my life shows it.

As I mentioned above, I want to be apart of a grand story. I read stories about people going on these huge adventures risking life and limb to save the ones they love. They have a core group of friends that travel and support them, a group I've always longed for. The adventure is so great and amazing, I wish I could be apart of it. I want to be one of those friends or even the leader (I hate being a leader) just to do something worthwhile and to have a story to tell. This longing has grown as the years go by.

 As I get older and study History, I hear of all these real life stories and adventures. I know these things can happen in real life, but I'm not apart of them. I hear people's testimonies and I'm saddened that mine was so easy and boring. I've had my fair share of adventures, but never anything crazy. Yeah I've been to Haiti and went through the earthquake, but I was there a short time and didn't do hardly anything.

Ok, don't get me wrong. I love my life and I wouldn't trade it for the world, but sometimes I wish there was more excitement or that I could do something right. Which brings me to this summers adventure. I'm so bored here at home. Life has hit a standstill and I keep asking God what He wants me to do for the next 4 weeks. Many of my friends and aquatintses have moved on since I left college (which is normal) so I don't have many people to talk to here now. I know God wants me to continue to grow while I'm here but I have nobody to pour into me and nobody for me to pour into. I'm part of a bible study once a week but I still feel like I need more with the Body of Christ. So I started a story with my friend Lauren.

Lauren and I had come up with this idea earlier this year but we decided to work on it over the summer. I love stories and actually getting to write and plan one now is pretty fantastic! But this story means more to me than just a story or the possible fulfillment of a dream. It is a chance for me and Lauren to connect more (in a friendly way, definitely not a romantic way). Talking with her (especially since I'm not able to talk to a lot of other people this summer because they moved on or communication would be bad) has been really helpful for me and provides part of that purpose and need I feel this summer. So thank you very much Lauren for your help =) oh and Alisha, we have to work on our screenplay soon (may that be a story for later).

The Chronicles of a Superhero: part 1

Mother Nature is like a second mother to me. You see, when I was 3, my real parents died saving the world from an evil genius. Surely you remember my parents, known as the super heroes Mightymom and Dinodad. They defended the world for years from the evils of... well evil! Well when they died, the League of Nature met to decide my fate. I was a toddler who was sure to develop powers maybe even greater than my parents! Well Santa Claus, Father Time, Mother Nature, Jack Frost, Easter Bunny, Jack Skellington, and others of this league unanimously decided I should be given to mother nature to raise for she herself had no children.

Well Mother Nature did a great job for I was no easy kid. By the age of 4 I developed my first power: electricity. Oh but what better a teacher could I have than the controller of nature herself. Later I developed some basic psychic powers, from my mothers side, then invisibility. Mother Nature was patient with me as I learned how to control my powers and my struggles with living in my parents shadow. It's like being Robin under Batman! it's tough! There was this one time when I was 10, when I first learned how to turn invisible, when Mother Nature took me to the League headquarters. They had this special exhibit showcasing trophies of recent missions the League had accomplished. I started to go crazy with excitement. I wanted so badly to earn my own trophies and show them to the world. I snuck away and ran down the street looking for anyone to fight, anyone to challenge me, the kid of Mightymom and Dinodad. Well I ended up trying to stop a bank robbery... and nearly got killed. Jack Frost saw me sneak off (he can see heat signature so invisibility is useless on him) and followed me. He ended up stopping the robbery and saving me from a bullet. Well I made it through my childhood, with very few near death encounters, and made it to teenhood where I joined the Teen Titans (A real world version of the DC team). However, that is a story for another day. I just wanted to give a brief introduction of how I grew up and the think the great superhero who raised me, Mother Nature.

two side notes from Shane, not the hero.
1) Mother Nature and Father time are superheroes. Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and Jack Skellington are actually those people (Just watch the Nightmare before Christmas and the Santa Clause) Mather Nature has the power to control the elements much in the same way as storm and Father Time has the ability to manipulate time like Hiro Nakamora from Heroes. 


2)This is the beggining of my fake adventures. It came up talking to Alisha today about how dry it was where she lives so I told her I'd talk to Mother Nature about it and she wanted to know how I knew her.

Adventure 1: The island

I'm stuck on an island. My plane crashed and we have no hope of rescue. A ferocious monster of some sort is killing people and tearing down trees, a pregnant lady has been abducted, a mysterious hatch has been found in the middle of the jungle, and I lost my favorite book. What is one to do in this situation!?!??!?!  Sound familiar?  If not, then you have missed out of a prominent culture icon: Lost. A tv show about, well the things above and so much more. Now for a random tangent.

I've been reading a Christian "self help" book recently. In this book is a chapter about family and their importance in your life: how one is usually much harsher and real with their family than with strangers. I read this chapter the day after I returned home from college. I love my family to death but I can easily get annoyed with my younger brothers. Back in high school, my parents called my room "the cave" because I never left it. I got annoyed and separated myself from my family a lot. The same thing happened over Christmas break and Spring break. I feel God wants me to change this and so I've been working on it as the week has gone on.

Joey, my youngest brother, and I probably have the hardest time getting along. I don't have much patience for his middle school intelligence and he doesn't have patience for his non popular older brothers ramblings of advice and such. We live in two separate worlds and have a hard time communication between them. On top of this, Joey has been learning the hard way how to make good friends and be a leader. With all the business of life, my parents really haven't had the time or patience for him either. God has been pushing me to be a better older brother, communicate on his level, and to be a mentor for him.

All this to say, Joey and I have been watching Lost together. We both love tv but usually disagree on what to watch. We talk during the show and get to spend quality time together. Lost has always had a special place with me and my brothers. Trent and I bonded over the third and fourth seasons of the show (the finale of season three was an emotional night that really brought the two of us together) and I'm really excited to be able to share this show with Joey. It's wonderful to hear him guess over the identity of the monster ("it's an earthworm!!") and to see him start to care about the same characters I did. I love it even more when he sees those immoral moments (which the show points out as immoral) and starts complaining to me about how stupid the characters are for doing something so dumb.

I've really enjoyed this time with my brother and I look forward to more adventures with both my brothers as the summer continues.

Home!

Hello all and welcome to the first in a series of blog posts of my adventures of the summer, whether fact or fiction. This first one isn't really an adventure but a prelude. This series is specifically aimed towards my friends in college who will also be posting adventures and the like. Every now and again I'll post profound thoughts and funny saying but not today. So for those who didn't know, I'm going to the country of Jordan this summer =). I leave June 16 and return late July. While there, I will participate in an archaeological dig (!!!!!!!!!) and take some college classes as well. That is going to be the true adventure of the summer =). So keep checking back every now and then and read about my fantastic life!