Biblical Sharpies

Today our TASP group took an end of the year field trip to Neot Kedumim, the Biblical Nature Reserve near Jerusalem. It was a wonderful adventure. We made our own zatar (oregano) and cooked our own pita and other fabulous dishes using Biblical ingredients and methods. We made a lovely smelling satchet out of myrtle. We saw remains of a 1st century olive press, wine press, and cistern. We drew water using a model of an ancient Egyptian water wheel. BUT my Jonathan moment occured when we learned about the tools the scribes use(d) to write the Torah scrolls. The preferred writing utensil is a turkey feather but those were not readily available in all places and not all birds are kosher, so they opted for the reed. I was really surprised at how smooth the ink went on the paper - it was just LIKE a sharpie. Mine even seemed like a slightly old, dried out sharpie! :)

Here Fishy Fishy Fishy

So today was a day when I really wanted to call Jonathan because he would have loved this story...
I went to HaYarkon Park today for a picnic and boating with other immigrant students from Tel Aviv University. (No I am not an immigrant but they include me because I am an international student.) After eating, we divided into two groups for boating. I chose the paddle boat (flashbacks to pre-teen camp at the State park!). Danielle and Max were in my group. Max and I paddled; Danielle navigated. It was a beautiful evening and we were having great fun. Suddenly something jumped out of the water and back in. We were all curious. Pretty soon we noticed fish jumping every few minutes. Cute little fish diving in and out of the water. I instantly remembered this clip from Sesame Street that Jonathan and I loved. I found it on youtube but I can't get it to post here. The link is http://youtube.com/watch?v=pFTjeaDlxDI to watch it. So I tell Danielle and Max wouldn't it be funny if a fish jumped in our boat. They laughed. About five minutes later, Danielle screamed. I turned around a THERE WAS A FISH FLOPPING AROUND IN THE BOAT! Seriously. It was the funniest thing. I was screaming and grabbing the camera. Danielle was frantically trying to shoo it back into the water. Poor Max was more worried about the two of us than the fish. :)
Here is the poor guy bouncing around... I guess Bert and Ernie aren't the only ones who can fish without a pole!

Making Movies

Today I was waiting at the bus stop near Rabin Square. It is a large plaza type place with fountains and bushes and stuff. Anyway, all of sudden I see two guys walking towards each other. One guy is wearing a dark brown leather jacket and I am thinking - it is WAY too hot for that jacket. The other guy is wearing a suit and carrying a large silver briefcase. To make it even stranger the two guys meet in the middle of the square exchange the briefcase and walk away. Strange, right? I am looking around thinking did I just see a drug deal in the middle of the morning... Then I see a guy with a camera - and I realize they are filming a scene for a movie. The guys swap the briefcase like 50 times and the camera guy gets dozens of different shots. He occasionally confers with the guys and they walk faster or slower or whatever. It was pretty cool - and I thought this is what JD did...

Space Camp

A friend left her case of dvds at my house while she is backpacking through Egypt. I had immediate flashbacks when I came across this movie.
I distinctly remember Jonathan and I watching it with my parents at the house on Mossline Drive. I am pretty sure we watched multiple times. It was definitely part of the inspiration for Jonathan and I going to Space Camp one spring. I think he was in the fourth grade and I was in the fifth grade. If I recall we got to miss a few days of school because it was an educational trip... or maybe that was something else. Anyway - as best as I can remember my parents or maybe it was my mom and Lydia drove us over and then they stayed at a hotel in Huntsville.
Jonathan and I had a blast. We were put on separate shuttle crews but saw each other at meals and such. We did a lot of math stuff, rode in the centrifugal spin around thing and ate dried ice cream. I remember a lot of stairs at the NASA building. And I think we may have watched Space Camp while at Space Camp. :) We got to wear these really cool space suits - which I still have. I may also still have the packages of freeze dried strawberry ice cream that I brought back. Maybe I will sell that on E-Bay. We did not learn anything about diapers... that must be a recent phenomen. :)
And here is the proof...
Ok I am off to enjoy the movie and relive all the great memories...