The Holy Land Awaits!

Less Than A Month!

On January 20th a group of 43 Master's College students will depart for Israel on a semester long study abroad program, know as IBEX. I cannot even begin to imagine what life will be like while in Israel. Will I go through culture shock? Will I miss the everyday comforts of the American life? Can I survive seeing the same 42 people everyday for 15 weeks without wanting to kill them? Are there In and Outs in Israel? What the heck does Kosher really mean? These are all questions which frequently cross my mind as I wait for the adventure of a lifetime.

There are however, more pressing issues which I must deal with at the moment. First and foremost my SMM, which stands for Student Map Manuel. This is a map project which every Ibex (Israel Bible Extension) student must complete before arriving in the Holy Land. It traces the history of the Land of Israel, showing famous invasion routes and Coastal Highways. I'm sure it's a really important part of studying in Israel, but right now its just a pain in the butt.

Next is the packing dilema. Two fifty pounds bags for 15 weeks. This includes all my clothes, books, school supplies, and anything else I may want for the semester. The weather presents a slight packing problem. It will be cold and rainy when we arrive and may stay that way for much of the semester, but there is a chance that it could warm up towards the end of my time there.

I'm sure, as the date draws closer, more problems will arise, but for now I am just enjoying my time at home, and thinking about how this time next year I will have visited the place where the most wonderful gift the world will ever recieve was born!

Merry Christmas!