tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67591914474326967452024-03-05T03:07:00.722-08:00Cakes & CraftsJessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860074878526467114noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759191447432696745.post-68841898070182042942010-12-30T11:19:00.000-08:002010-12-30T11:20:47.918-08:00New blogYou can now find my new blog posts at <a href="http://jessicacstewart.wordpress.com/">http://jessicacstewart.wordpress.com/</a>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860074878526467114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759191447432696745.post-51884578288681803472010-11-30T09:53:00.000-08:002010-12-03T13:57:47.060-08:00colors in all caps<div style="text-align: justify;">It's funny how much things can change over the course of a couple of months. How God's timing took me from being so uncertain about me future, to on the path to starting a business (with an amazing friend) before I even graduate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Steen's plan for COLORS blew me away, when she told me about it last year during prep for Scarf Some Sweets 2009. I'm so blessed to be her partner is this amazing journey! Even though the name of the company is COLORS, you may see "colors in all caps" in some places. There's an awesome story behind why COLORS is in all caps (you can read in on Steen's blog <a href="http://steenjones.blogspot.com/2010/11/colors-in-all-caps.html">here</a>), but there are some places where we can't express the word in caps, so we use the phrase instead!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In January, Steen and I will be traveling to Thailand to work with an organization called Destiny Rescue, that rescues girls out of sex trafficking. We'll be teaching the girls how to crochet scarves and jewelry! The 3rd Annual Scarf Some Sweets will be raising money for our plane tickets, yarn, supplies, and fees. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">December 10TH @ 7:30PM<br />
River Park Clubhouse<br />
166 River Park Crossing<br />
Woodstock, GA 30188<br />
$7 @ the door.<br />
$25 for VIP access which includes front row to the fashion show & FIRST pick over all items!<br />
*Cash and Checks will only be accepted.*</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">There will be live music, awesome desserts, a crazy-fun fashion show, and some fabulous accessories!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And thanks so much to everyone who is giving their time and talents to help make this business a success. We wouldn't be here without all of you! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">You can read more about COLORS and the 3rd Annual Scarf Some Sweets at</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://moreaboutmayhayster.blogspot.com/2010/11/3rd-annual-scarf-some-sweets-benefit.html">Mayhay's blog</a> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://steenjones.blogspot.com/2010/11/colors-continued.html">Steen's blog</a> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">and</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://munclefredart.com/?p=264">The amazing MuncleFred's blog</a> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And you can learn more about Destiny Rescue <a href="http://destinyrescue.org/us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33&catid=10&Itemid=48">here.</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860074878526467114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759191447432696745.post-57101162943480522642010-04-26T19:56:00.000-07:002010-04-26T19:56:20.750-07:00Let's Sing a Song of Buttons<div style="text-align: left;">If I were one of those people, I would probably join hundreds of Facebook groups about how buttons define my LIFE! Well, maybe not hundreds... (cause there aren't that many)......... (yes, I checked).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">And when I saw this particular project in a handcraft store and on a random blog, I knew it was destiny. <i><b> Button Bouquets.</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiBbbYyja80R1ibRkYVz1v8aNG_uoAZKLA3Dy691TZJ8eG7DrACq5tNCujoBvTck54SLL65msmzy5EZqWiB7x_oS98awGBetuxuSN9iQZd2m6IGL5PGxJ4W7D1xCyqrxenyhZ6lnjJu5n/s1600/100_3429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiBbbYyja80R1ibRkYVz1v8aNG_uoAZKLA3Dy691TZJ8eG7DrACq5tNCujoBvTck54SLL65msmzy5EZqWiB7x_oS98awGBetuxuSN9iQZd2m6IGL5PGxJ4W7D1xCyqrxenyhZ6lnjJu5n/s1600/100_3429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiBbbYyja80R1ibRkYVz1v8aNG_uoAZKLA3Dy691TZJ8eG7DrACq5tNCujoBvTck54SLL65msmzy5EZqWiB7x_oS98awGBetuxuSN9iQZd2m6IGL5PGxJ4W7D1xCyqrxenyhZ6lnjJu5n/s320/100_3429.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: right;">It wasn't hard to figure out how to get the buttons threaded and standing up. I had some really cute scrap fabric and I like the idea of using it as the "grass". Or would it be "dirt"?<i><b> </b></i>It's cute, and that's all that matters!</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Besides being quite adorable, they really only serve as cute centerpieces. <b>SO</b> My wonderful friend, Kayla, gave me the idea to make them into picture holders! I tried to find the clips that most similar picture holders use, but I couldn't find those, so I ended up making them out of key rings and significant use of a hot glue gun (which I can never seem to use without hurting myself).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">The little girl in the picture is the wonderful Miss Lauren, of my favorite babysittees, the McCreary's! She got this one for her birthday (the big 7!). And I took advantage of their pretty back yard to take these pictures.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0h-2YW7skZWA3Mm-zfD8nEF4XMZoWCisBwu1mw9Ea7fd0cu5j4TpdqzE5YncS8eAcgEXh32ymOajgjOXXL4lPm-kEOzWhtRWfjLCwh_sKL2s91EulTnWb9PrAtI_Y0SedHZ1bi_R1QHiE/s1600/100_3437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0h-2YW7skZWA3Mm-zfD8nEF4XMZoWCisBwu1mw9Ea7fd0cu5j4TpdqzE5YncS8eAcgEXh32ymOajgjOXXL4lPm-kEOzWhtRWfjLCwh_sKL2s91EulTnWb9PrAtI_Y0SedHZ1bi_R1QHiE/s320/100_3437.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">I also have an undying love for weddings. So the combination of weddings and buttons would be pure heaven! As seen here, <a href="http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&resnum=0&q=button+bouquet&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=R0rWS571IILw9gTVxdDDDw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBgQsAQwAA"><i><b>button wedding bouquets</b></i></a>!!!</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">But I have to say, <i><b><a href="http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=brooch+bouqet&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&start=0">brooch wedding bouquets</a></b></i> are a strong contender for my love.</div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860074878526467114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759191447432696745.post-9974050360592201512010-04-21T07:12:00.000-07:002010-04-21T07:12:15.188-07:00Oldies but GoodiesSo the rainbow cake was only my second "official" cake, but I wanted to post pictures of the cakes and cupcakes I've done before!<br><br><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Owl Fondant Cake </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZF7YUrav0Al8V73PYXnWrxLOmrvWJAFRsAu8py52B0kREFHO5naY4qdw3vcRcGX13UjEj3xQHiTcY26GG80XTg2hYOOGUIZM7cNRl2KWRQDrEB_cDZPJd9KltlyBlezHc_SVtPlbGF3zU/s1600/100_3116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZF7YUrav0Al8V73PYXnWrxLOmrvWJAFRsAu8py52B0kREFHO5naY4qdw3vcRcGX13UjEj3xQHiTcY26GG80XTg2hYOOGUIZM7cNRl2KWRQDrEB_cDZPJd9KltlyBlezHc_SVtPlbGF3zU/s320/100_3116.JPG" /></a></div><br><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This was my second attempt at using fondant. My first attempt was pretty shabby. I don't even think I have a picture of my first try. This one was completely covered in fondant, but I usually prefer to just use fondant for decorations.<br />
<br>First Owl Cupcakes </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsS5NhL2wZEkoXh3a4M5suxWChFV1trmbj0StLa9Gqim_FcRHpMnOCNn8GEjAdzLBkZdyZJSYq7Cx8jP4I6ZnAuuktFkJ3BscsdZ3fCQxGNabThWpUs9LXGkj3b1VTvfms0rTBGcR6gG0i/s1600/100_3118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsS5NhL2wZEkoXh3a4M5suxWChFV1trmbj0StLa9Gqim_FcRHpMnOCNn8GEjAdzLBkZdyZJSYq7Cx8jP4I6ZnAuuktFkJ3BscsdZ3fCQxGNabThWpUs9LXGkj3b1VTvfms0rTBGcR6gG0i/s320/100_3118.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Mo4YmwqccUTN29nCGpFeNFKc6KdCXDTG30hty9Lv7QmdKfBS1UhDDdtueQTnJVQxnK4qZM26hFSwuDhrEffBSlcWCN5fG-0ecdgyguUWI-yqbUb3lMdSZHadqNyliDZPytsvo4T40cNV/s1600/100_3119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Mo4YmwqccUTN29nCGpFeNFKc6KdCXDTG30hty9Lv7QmdKfBS1UhDDdtueQTnJVQxnK4qZM26hFSwuDhrEffBSlcWCN5fG-0ecdgyguUWI-yqbUb3lMdSZHadqNyliDZPytsvo4T40cNV/s320/100_3119.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ha, I was still working on my icing technique at this point. Buttercream icing, fondant decorations.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br>Jessica, Michaela, and Kayla's Owl/Bird Cupcakes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMebO5Kn0YcZ2d5CWzLyEt58BhHmFeI-cG-1_nBqDlOzORe_OjcH9IhSQaFXQE4z9c-lsyai03zEztI2IXLJkK3gMMw86adnKCmeHoPEJKaO6q7085T7XoWHk-yexXOmtFa5bFk7nLccwZ/s1600/100_3140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMebO5Kn0YcZ2d5CWzLyEt58BhHmFeI-cG-1_nBqDlOzORe_OjcH9IhSQaFXQE4z9c-lsyai03zEztI2IXLJkK3gMMw86adnKCmeHoPEJKaO6q7085T7XoWHk-yexXOmtFa5bFk7nLccwZ/s320/100_3140.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a bird/feather themed party! So much fun!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br>Tara's Pumpkin baby shower!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWP_IMs8AO9JtadJzbP7xeDGViMQpu-uU94O16iPyuCDq1cNpTZ8btwKEF_JmwdHcudwlaI-hUUKawdWx016zhdrIWbQsjtalEVoxw2KC6KZWKPyH3FIpkBiM_nfMZnCKQ7R0BOUvsSV1/s1600/100_3220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWP_IMs8AO9JtadJzbP7xeDGViMQpu-uU94O16iPyuCDq1cNpTZ8btwKEF_JmwdHcudwlaI-hUUKawdWx016zhdrIWbQsjtalEVoxw2KC6KZWKPyH3FIpkBiM_nfMZnCKQ7R0BOUvsSV1/s320/100_3220.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4Za0BtueQVrjh4iRjuZHQEpa4QWQghlO-iR6trlh9hAH6mFqY0_iBY5AZ_2aDI5LoB20qqrRrT9TObxhRoLs7SAcsSNuDStoeuKHqrJ4nh5Uiz8E4-G5aXwl3goynwesrgBLNsisMvNa/s1600/100_3219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4Za0BtueQVrjh4iRjuZHQEpa4QWQghlO-iR6trlh9hAH6mFqY0_iBY5AZ_2aDI5LoB20qqrRrT9TObxhRoLs7SAcsSNuDStoeuKHqrJ4nh5Uiz8E4-G5aXwl3goynwesrgBLNsisMvNa/s320/100_3219.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A pink pumpkin cake! I was so afraid to make this, because I'd never done <b>ANYTHING</b> like it before. I ended up having to melt the icing and pour it over the cake. Fortunately the texture wasn't too bad, and the fondant decorations were good for covering up the messy bottom!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br>First Icing Decoration</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zc-hMTHA8yp2G9_oXCtMas_uQ-09_50AGrgERlFMriZSuWc-zcZY3KIWeXaZdo873cXseASnlmjyA2GfsHCzqbNjv5y0gzoHgA8azdWPQtsXOwGoeF2ZhorgS_H5anF7YBVBHTm1ncHC/s1600/100_3377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zc-hMTHA8yp2G9_oXCtMas_uQ-09_50AGrgERlFMriZSuWc-zcZY3KIWeXaZdo873cXseASnlmjyA2GfsHCzqbNjv5y0gzoHgA8azdWPQtsXOwGoeF2ZhorgS_H5anF7YBVBHTm1ncHC/s320/100_3377.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7gyk_k_f2kFDZJA1F771vQdCJCBT1j07QdfBuFOla3yffkU3E5dXEGehQXC2CqRlXbqgpc2Vf2RNaNRD1PIBAaWzuPQsG-6FgUIlUIwRAc7utDR_d-yII2CwhgYoTC2z0lRVk3pwIcrs/s1600/100_3374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7gyk_k_f2kFDZJA1F771vQdCJCBT1j07QdfBuFOla3yffkU3E5dXEGehQXC2CqRlXbqgpc2Vf2RNaNRD1PIBAaWzuPQsG-6FgUIlUIwRAc7utDR_d-yII2CwhgYoTC2z0lRVk3pwIcrs/s320/100_3374.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">First time I had ever iced a round cake. First time using icing bag to decorate. Thankfully I had already gotten some tips from my friend Marcia (who also makes awesome cakes!). It was just practice, so this cake ended up going to Noah's (because apparently, the kid never eats).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br><br>Oh, and I'm still getting the hang of how to edit these posts, so have patience with my horrible formatting. And if anyone has some advice, shoot me a message!</div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860074878526467114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759191447432696745.post-60838966096835061182010-04-20T19:49:00.000-07:002010-04-20T20:16:32.967-07:00The Rainbow Connection<div style="text-align: right;">My sister just started her own blog over at <a href="http://katistewart.wordpress.com/">nearsighted</a>. You should go read it. It's cute, she's cute. What more could you ask for? (Disclaimer: I'm not responsible for what kind of language she uses)<br />
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It has been a crazy couple of weeks, which is why it has taken a while to post this. Lucy's actual shower was a couple of weeks ago. <b>BUT</b> this is the first official post under my new name "Cakes and Crafts"!!! See my new banner?? I made that. You're welcome. </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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So, Lucy's first bridal shower was a while ago, and I made these cupcakes for the gala.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9fccv0vGGxztlj_arkagE3U53aTvptdVy5vVDDafA6K_6uCkczRENqoXN7JOG3hnKRnFv9l3MY1-BEtXqXDQV-y5TTLb9ACSbAHfhXEThW_PyWEFk5_YKlS0wOmTIdnr9vbPN9eJRz_Y/s1600/27262_1293514470340_1604648784_743668_6628993_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9fccv0vGGxztlj_arkagE3U53aTvptdVy5vVDDafA6K_6uCkczRENqoXN7JOG3hnKRnFv9l3MY1-BEtXqXDQV-y5TTLb9ACSbAHfhXEThW_PyWEFk5_YKlS0wOmTIdnr9vbPN9eJRz_Y/s320/27262_1293514470340_1604648784_743668_6628993_n.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">White cake, homemade cream cheese icing, and handmade chocolate monograms. It was my first time ever doing the monogram decoration, which is why they are all "differently shaped", haha.</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, right after the shower, I was browsing through blogs and found this amazing cake on <a href="http://whisk-kid.blogspot.com/2009/08/say-it-with-cake.html">Whisk Kid</a>'s blog, and I instantly wished I had made it for Lucy's shower instead! So when Leah asked me to make the cake for the second shower, I already knew what I was going to make.</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: right;">I knew it was going to be a lot of work, considering that there are six layers and I only have one ten-inch cake pan....<br><br><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> The first layer that Kati so proudly iced :)</div></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1AgyFMVsjjQWET6qZ-uEutoU9W_X7_ZOXVmFoeMaX4AcCTcbmwoMXwVnNhlPIfHYreUKgJ0QHEBaedz1numJkMtYiufaID_epjlGAZs5TNRWlVNxvi-OU3KVNIBuHRoh9eKdSlPuddwL/s1600/100_3399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1AgyFMVsjjQWET6qZ-uEutoU9W_X7_ZOXVmFoeMaX4AcCTcbmwoMXwVnNhlPIfHYreUKgJ0QHEBaedz1numJkMtYiufaID_epjlGAZs5TNRWlVNxvi-OU3KVNIBuHRoh9eKdSlPuddwL/s320/100_3399.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br><br>Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the cake before I crumb coated most of it. But this is it with the red layer before crumb coating.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVx1FgOIaVk7ec216iG-ZIyDG2ZpToLGBclmxVPFWtmOp4qy4oXBurjs6YUO3bR6-FqOBQjI5tkA-oVJONoDsRx74e6S-_OpO4Mkzb7dFgVeTK7Pj3krBcQywOZRxM2CM1C0oZXxCkLQP/s1600/100_3401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVx1FgOIaVk7ec216iG-ZIyDG2ZpToLGBclmxVPFWtmOp4qy4oXBurjs6YUO3bR6-FqOBQjI5tkA-oVJONoDsRx74e6S-_OpO4Mkzb7dFgVeTK7Pj3krBcQywOZRxM2CM1C0oZXxCkLQP/s320/100_3401.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yay! All crumb coated!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHezhCd0UsY0K-vv2yJNMcUQnAbBEQ2PZuzga49vd8v3kQPJRkdl1X5B9miEh94gyChbrjaMCmbv6bxJHX9J_nMehRyu0uoxVLnXsJbyrh2_L7CTuL38tTGwdfL6rgpQGuqMQUtEX-ihYm/s1600/100_3402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHezhCd0UsY0K-vv2yJNMcUQnAbBEQ2PZuzga49vd8v3kQPJRkdl1X5B9miEh94gyChbrjaMCmbv6bxJHX9J_nMehRyu0uoxVLnXsJbyrh2_L7CTuL38tTGwdfL6rgpQGuqMQUtEX-ihYm/s320/100_3402.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br><br><br />
I'm horrible at taking timely pictures, so this is it after final icing and starting decorations.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aYOTz_wwDLIBj5kxOvICBTC-tZBlhd3N9XqLNrByJPMFAznVyH04fjQtjABfkakqE2Quh8txNqw2YQHZcYmVB7iaGWYefwM0xSb1FcTvK6xMiZ1q4KGdgxBvg3s3Pvp9jr4iUsl-vv9O/s1600/100_3404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aYOTz_wwDLIBj5kxOvICBTC-tZBlhd3N9XqLNrByJPMFAznVyH04fjQtjABfkakqE2Quh8txNqw2YQHZcYmVB7iaGWYefwM0xSb1FcTvK6xMiZ1q4KGdgxBvg3s3Pvp9jr4iUsl-vv9O/s320/100_3404.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br><br><br />
In fridge, waiting for the shower!! :D</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebIq1smhDtRmlrXcMb5hoUx-FYKYDsnK1dV5NLxQaSAOwhBXmHCP9-KnzkEU1b00wVNZp2z92zM9RAz1C702sx8914Y-fypv0RqMw88VNBK8_hvDgZr-qLrYAZjN2psvQjxRTQO-lzavz/s1600/100_3405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebIq1smhDtRmlrXcMb5hoUx-FYKYDsnK1dV5NLxQaSAOwhBXmHCP9-KnzkEU1b00wVNZp2z92zM9RAz1C702sx8914Y-fypv0RqMw88VNBK8_hvDgZr-qLrYAZjN2psvQjxRTQO-lzavz/s320/100_3405.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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And then the photos taken with Lauren's camera, cause they're way prettier.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherPMqiXwLE0s30bZVbodODX73mQE9XNoOMJNuv5pVyo4NlNDRpii9py7OTddQ_w04dElnA9CJhGM7sOL9YEMwje1WwxHDy5RcH8j-YYeUwoa7I49fbNHWymM6cYfMVFKv-JmYfGnDuIfj/s1600/IMG_7749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherPMqiXwLE0s30bZVbodODX73mQE9XNoOMJNuv5pVyo4NlNDRpii9py7OTddQ_w04dElnA9CJhGM7sOL9YEMwje1WwxHDy5RcH8j-YYeUwoa7I49fbNHWymM6cYfMVFKv-JmYfGnDuIfj/s320/IMG_7749.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIRWzCKeprdm8jTMH8Aue-wjethKF-2iwhPoM3QzvJJRs6CVAgbSjVMX8kR4zLqfLRB0XSDpuUG5NHZXuErzNIFabfuD2oj2hXmZRTBI7AVy3ub8uYkgLLg-i-20ll3POfwlYugtZdBiD/s1600/IMG_7766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIRWzCKeprdm8jTMH8Aue-wjethKF-2iwhPoM3QzvJJRs6CVAgbSjVMX8kR4zLqfLRB0XSDpuUG5NHZXuErzNIFabfuD2oj2hXmZRTBI7AVy3ub8uYkgLLg-i-20ll3POfwlYugtZdBiD/s320/IMG_7766.JPG" /></a></div>My fave :D<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">Post devouring <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgEmGKky7hYGpams0SSTp8_oraDe4J_w18jg7qm8nbw2aNsIOxtyBVDCzI6R0zYfZoAIFkSvcBH4aexxnlXLa8J41aj8CXZVczr4pP2q_xhUuvvgG0Hz34JTzGgGS1RMg0Gkum6xqu27S/s320/IMG_7847.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>OH!</b> And the rainbow part was a surprise to Lucy :D So I got a video of cutting the cake.<br />
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</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzIswiwBW_ymLN5zYYkXXh0G8I7uTyWbPMycz_DT4izDlhhPEkIwWkM5NkjChkNEyw3jR262z471csnT52aEw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860074878526467114noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759191447432696745.post-23124270774932163752009-11-12T09:47:00.000-08:002009-11-12T09:47:07.016-08:00Santorini<div style="text-align: center;">We only spent a few hours in Santorini, but it was one of my favorite cities!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0o71uA_BN8M-9GvgbU_SRu44ZG-6I2adoHihM1gTyXWOQJn5_lf69Tgv-L3ENsjdeiddcBZ0OTmSKDVuuZeeAChUQTPvuSDiKVcHFPdSiF4tlWApkfgXLcNn8EfnfsztdNHhWnlXcybw/s1600-h/100_1760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0o71uA_BN8M-9GvgbU_SRu44ZG-6I2adoHihM1gTyXWOQJn5_lf69Tgv-L3ENsjdeiddcBZ0OTmSKDVuuZeeAChUQTPvuSDiKVcHFPdSiF4tlWApkfgXLcNn8EfnfsztdNHhWnlXcybw/s320/100_1760.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNPimv565WVD-2kyzXmOiJjTSQhfn8Q1-YtnIwROOZ_aZGOxWikTvai-0rvqBVpoacUUvDZWVwqkX9WP0qVOKXM5Kw4UI4p6ERB8qMMVX7gfbQXK36beMrBm7_hVxmotvhu7hAQJtLPRB/s1600-h/100_1758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNPimv565WVD-2kyzXmOiJjTSQhfn8Q1-YtnIwROOZ_aZGOxWikTvai-0rvqBVpoacUUvDZWVwqkX9WP0qVOKXM5Kw4UI4p6ERB8qMMVX7gfbQXK36beMrBm7_hVxmotvhu7hAQJtLPRB/s320/100_1758.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As we were pulling into the harbor, it was SO windy! Kate is probably going to kill me for this, but I think it captures the moment perfectly! Haha!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMYPla9xelxZyIKeJ3cFCnY36hOCRbNStutL2OKBrHvanAtwcNoHZ1zD6Z20YRM08A1gGP4D3ILJLS4Z926q_bu9DL-a1s8m_r9Mz9KjkjNyzahepq_PdXY1waESnQRUJA9jPh8QZP_Y6/s1600-h/100_1753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMYPla9xelxZyIKeJ3cFCnY36hOCRbNStutL2OKBrHvanAtwcNoHZ1zD6Z20YRM08A1gGP4D3ILJLS4Z926q_bu9DL-a1s8m_r9Mz9KjkjNyzahepq_PdXY1waESnQRUJA9jPh8QZP_Y6/s320/100_1753.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">We also had the "wonderful" opportunity to ride donkeys up the side of the cliff to the city. Can you see the light, squiggly line between the left and center of the picture, that leads to the top of the cliff? Yeah, that's the path that they donkeys walk on. It was absolutely TERRIFYING!!! Ha, well maybe not so bad, but I sure was scared.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghiuGum0q53S_HC0xvqcBPc4LT0GmGaTCQASWwW-BJQ93n1MdFNWsmLFEfRA3zIPuJABF_FP-KIzp4TIaQB5-pFrJlb71iLalbBoHOL6To2sxZfclda8vMimTy_PIe4Sg6CXCZTSTmxGA/s1600-h/100_1764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghiuGum0q53S_HC0xvqcBPc4LT0GmGaTCQASWwW-BJQ93n1MdFNWsmLFEfRA3zIPuJABF_FP-KIzp4TIaQB5-pFrJlb71iLalbBoHOL6To2sxZfclda8vMimTy_PIe4Sg6CXCZTSTmxGA/s320/100_1764.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/video/video.php?v=1110148590296">This is the video of my "harrowing" experience.</a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIL54ZvxxqTuzFxxjlXWshoEQr2ruyzwrPYmr33vioel3xIr52I8xzV4P3xZSxqgAcMhs6FXgNVyqDhoU58Zi3w-mczG8VyQeQqFs8vuYPTb_dduk3wU_bVzwl2If2rj-QdxikjKbzRFJd/s1600-h/100_1767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIL54ZvxxqTuzFxxjlXWshoEQr2ruyzwrPYmr33vioel3xIr52I8xzV4P3xZSxqgAcMhs6FXgNVyqDhoU58Zi3w-mczG8VyQeQqFs8vuYPTb_dduk3wU_bVzwl2If2rj-QdxikjKbzRFJd/s320/100_1767.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Poor donkeys....<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The only thing we did was walk around and look at all the cute shops. I got some cute pictures. Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BdXiK_CM3CdXYG2BWDDc-bLjx1_U9F840ye9EPGS2Xg-NvYlnEjwih6-5QB_SqnIJYHH8gPfeyVTdvpWzh0MvWc9TBOdZvwWAtyAW1zI4SJob37T3nAKfCxWNY6wSe50gL33r7AqiTQd/s1600-h/100_1776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BdXiK_CM3CdXYG2BWDDc-bLjx1_U9F840ye9EPGS2Xg-NvYlnEjwih6-5QB_SqnIJYHH8gPfeyVTdvpWzh0MvWc9TBOdZvwWAtyAW1zI4SJob37T3nAKfCxWNY6wSe50gL33r7AqiTQd/s320/100_1776.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_UUXtIOhRrpFrPR9nm3arEfXtaq9fTWGQs1-mhDz35yuwYk-s2jtLaghU7pis7fhBeFLR2qc5AyyOe7B_RbBi-GvcrgWT7Sc6TMw60uW47jrahrVNrGy3U0AzVg3kfXXt38NYfKPNXmD/s1600-h/100_1772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_UUXtIOhRrpFrPR9nm3arEfXtaq9fTWGQs1-mhDz35yuwYk-s2jtLaghU7pis7fhBeFLR2qc5AyyOe7B_RbBi-GvcrgWT7Sc6TMw60uW47jrahrVNrGy3U0AzVg3kfXXt38NYfKPNXmD/s320/100_1772.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thankfully we decided to ride the cable cars back down the cliff! This is Kate being super happy about that! Haha (not really)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGA_EEmgTqVvUf9vTyR6cvhNCGWUJRmE4_p__fClZ-CIQxDQiFI5xvuQhndY7b3KJzsL8ydpZaHGGkPLH6wTLiJJC8PEwH30jhX3jCXL6_VEqZBR5pqdiKYTLASIthb_i8t_M7wjq6y4HS/s1600-h/100_1795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGA_EEmgTqVvUf9vTyR6cvhNCGWUJRmE4_p__fClZ-CIQxDQiFI5xvuQhndY7b3KJzsL8ydpZaHGGkPLH6wTLiJJC8PEwH30jhX3jCXL6_VEqZBR5pqdiKYTLASIthb_i8t_M7wjq6y4HS/s320/100_1795.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860074878526467114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759191447432696745.post-5572359710915543312009-09-03T07:37:00.000-07:002010-04-26T20:09:38.100-07:00Rhodes and Crete<div style="text-align: center;">Rhodes was SO much different from most of the cities we had been visiting. That is because Rhodes has been infiltrated and influenced by many, many different cultures. There were Roman, Ottoman, Medieval, and Italian influences, and all can be seen in architectural structures and the culture!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">So, we started our exploration off with gelato! I love this stuff; it is so delicious, and I'm pretty sure I had it at least ten times over the course of our trip. I think my favorite part is how the prepare it to be visually tasty too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4JMAmOldejbdm0rbzXfPtWrg_S07x6CpBNi4b-hMz0KzXu6h6rGVtmYu12LH_Ny7PeERY96gaL1F4D33wgITCq9vmMmfRx1i0N9szkUUgdeMIVakabwAi4piKH1fqGCU2zAeehML87gx/s1600-h/100_1667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4JMAmOldejbdm0rbzXfPtWrg_S07x6CpBNi4b-hMz0KzXu6h6rGVtmYu12LH_Ny7PeERY96gaL1F4D33wgITCq9vmMmfRx1i0N9szkUUgdeMIVakabwAi4piKH1fqGCU2zAeehML87gx/s320/100_1667.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They use fresh fruits and ingredients. It's not like going to Baskin Robbins or Coldstone and having plain, boring ice cream scooped out of buckets.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then we got to explore for a little while. We ended up visiting this castle-like museum. There were several pieces of Greek art that I really enjoyed viewing and learning about.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKjeoFGkz8tjrfNFC4NtaZcEuIxqRxSztUNByKHY5TV2TNfyXLzJDL_v0Yqek37lv7WJWgvd6QpzdGFpeUWTXdTc8Q-rFen4JNQ8VF51MyC-e9N81oyJxv-PvUT5a05rl0_6j9OaeHaMj/s1600-h/100_1676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKjeoFGkz8tjrfNFC4NtaZcEuIxqRxSztUNByKHY5TV2TNfyXLzJDL_v0Yqek37lv7WJWgvd6QpzdGFpeUWTXdTc8Q-rFen4JNQ8VF51MyC-e9N81oyJxv-PvUT5a05rl0_6j9OaeHaMj/s320/100_1676.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Like these boxes, that were often used to store the bones of the deceased. The pictures on the outside often told a story of who the person was. For instance, if they were and mother or father, their occupation, or how wealthy they were. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoQv-zd6S92kfQh98LxRe1wo-60eIRfQEU_22UCeSLYQeyyf5L2Gmhc_48oLVhTVq2yBg8xyXpoYHWE2-3Vt32l7UIGSFRMd0ZrFx3JQGSbyAWsBzraSL3tc16mSUqaugGwdgWFNAllQU/s1600-h/100_1684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoQv-zd6S92kfQh98LxRe1wo-60eIRfQEU_22UCeSLYQeyyf5L2Gmhc_48oLVhTVq2yBg8xyXpoYHWE2-3Vt32l7UIGSFRMd0ZrFx3JQGSbyAWsBzraSL3tc16mSUqaugGwdgWFNAllQU/s320/100_1684.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kate and I then decided to set out on our own. We were trying to find our way back to the town square, so I just decided to head in that general direction, not really knowing where I was going. Kate was convinced we were getting lost. I just kept walking down the most obscure alleys and walkways, and I also thought we might be lost for a minute. Ha</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Uwtird-E67B6tCxhkpy6K4lJH7p3DiNArRHRZbtDLYp8iWJVlIcH5O_KS50sDuoIyTQgKGe08zgSDsvOCIjbPGZEnwuzNRaeCiuV-szfq5xP8G4wKUQZwy7HQPaN6Dpxf0SLhL1It6VA/s1600-h/100_1695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Uwtird-E67B6tCxhkpy6K4lJH7p3DiNArRHRZbtDLYp8iWJVlIcH5O_KS50sDuoIyTQgKGe08zgSDsvOCIjbPGZEnwuzNRaeCiuV-szfq5xP8G4wKUQZwy7HQPaN6Dpxf0SLhL1It6VA/s320/100_1695.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But the best part was that there were no tourists there. It felt more authentic to be walking in places that the Greek people usually only frequent. We came across this French phrase on the wall in one of the alleys. I could only translate part of it, so I stole this translation from the lovely Kate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Without you, the emotions of today would be the dead skin of the emotions of the past"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiHKUwTxIQn7zQINsL31Y5O1wgmPA1XyxJDGbHHD4wr6KRoaUSJHud9GLGdv2PjwiRCBJ-Ijga2X4hQg6djhyVzAmKrgSB8wQPTd4Zv5XfhkVa-NEHC9eLY3vpljbZBoplwUnhYrzuxbA/s1600-h/100_1696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiHKUwTxIQn7zQINsL31Y5O1wgmPA1XyxJDGbHHD4wr6KRoaUSJHud9GLGdv2PjwiRCBJ-Ijga2X4hQg6djhyVzAmKrgSB8wQPTd4Zv5XfhkVa-NEHC9eLY3vpljbZBoplwUnhYrzuxbA/s320/100_1696.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Needless to say, we did find our way back to the square, thanks to me! Haha. It was so much fun to watch everyone in the town square. These restaurant employees would stand on the balconies and entice people in the square to come eat there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWoNn8ZJUQOM67HQVBtxoUSAoajZZSMeU-PpT6zbl10OysgDgjxlUGo1b3Ahyphenhyphen4_XKZ1DyWJYDuO20OHzLejv4CNIwdJVXf9tBolAjDYfLktVgBCzmvHaQUJLWpolbivmhaBcXppw1is0C/s1600-h/100_1666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWoNn8ZJUQOM67HQVBtxoUSAoajZZSMeU-PpT6zbl10OysgDgjxlUGo1b3Ahyphenhyphen4_XKZ1DyWJYDuO20OHzLejv4CNIwdJVXf9tBolAjDYfLktVgBCzmvHaQUJLWpolbivmhaBcXppw1is0C/s320/100_1666.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They were so charming, and if you made eye contact with any of them, you were dead meat. They would not leave you alone! We also got to relax by the water for a while, tired of all the walking. It still amazes me how clean their water is! This picture was taken in the harbor, which baffles me even more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Crete was probably the least exciting of all the islands. We were supposed to visit a different side of the island where we would visit an archeological site, but we landed on the city side instead. But I did get some really great panorama pictures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagxbKSc5d9Amdbz8DsKsD-YqgwRFx2f9Ov6c3H4rC8cyycCBw94R14qn_0xDm5hh60Pq_4sHjkiAB8e3v9Q1pUyfEP9BWeB6M9CiHbiDbRhBrvuy9qh9Kv6T816YNycdISYSdAUHHzFM9/s1600-h/100_1745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagxbKSc5d9Amdbz8DsKsD-YqgwRFx2f9Ov6c3H4rC8cyycCBw94R14qn_0xDm5hh60Pq_4sHjkiAB8e3v9Q1pUyfEP9BWeB6M9CiHbiDbRhBrvuy9qh9Kv6T816YNycdISYSdAUHHzFM9/s400/100_1745.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7tJpdHy-myDOkv24xuwRfp_YoPMZg_iitoBZnFMdu0Ye2FHSAclhnwB-x2fmaPKVVo-RbyPcz3ibfNRlIUKXTxKW_ha01VilMyYneyXAxmlSkW6vZemzGPvhPZ1QEStVzNPYCd2XsRlg/s1600-h/100_1746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7tJpdHy-myDOkv24xuwRfp_YoPMZg_iitoBZnFMdu0Ye2FHSAclhnwB-x2fmaPKVVo-RbyPcz3ibfNRlIUKXTxKW_ha01VilMyYneyXAxmlSkW6vZemzGPvhPZ1QEStVzNPYCd2XsRlg/s400/100_1746.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6c6tbrk6OiAwMwacKY5par6_kxhEWNO3b_lSLe3tc1peMg1MQC94aTYv0boeFaulrXet3HFaWVHQfyqQplWllWbiZ25L5agUDej8CcOQvdZPL5UOwMHAKxmADAmhVuCNOwb8QfMlUiLK5/s1600-h/100_1747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6c6tbrk6OiAwMwacKY5par6_kxhEWNO3b_lSLe3tc1peMg1MQC94aTYv0boeFaulrXet3HFaWVHQfyqQplWllWbiZ25L5agUDej8CcOQvdZPL5UOwMHAKxmADAmhVuCNOwb8QfMlUiLK5/s400/100_1747.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEL3BLkEfI65RkRhJfwN4olIKopK45mVmI69gd8AJL1ohS21icVFz6OHDuR3CPD_0tIpKwD3TX8L0DypCqlw1M76hOFsBA1gWhBTr-TDi3z0OQHDMlqICq3MR8NfGQHu4MGJCZW7WS4bo/s1600-h/100_1748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEL3BLkEfI65RkRhJfwN4olIKopK45mVmI69gd8AJL1ohS21icVFz6OHDuR3CPD_0tIpKwD3TX8L0DypCqlw1M76hOFsBA1gWhBTr-TDi3z0OQHDMlqICq3MR8NfGQHu4MGJCZW7WS4bo/s400/100_1748.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I also LOVED some of the architecture I saw!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a Greek Orthodox church </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinnao838BJHQ7ziPdL7TIGJvWTtbsW9NmmI1m7r0srpymeL2LySwZPwWf81oiXyY_xbBCvPtuVF2oN-d08HkaVVpRxllsZnippDAw6J9Ger6lOFj9kzt5wAQeQa7KXKF1EryeXXJBQeud/s1600-h/100_1737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinnao838BJHQ7ziPdL7TIGJvWTtbsW9NmmI1m7r0srpymeL2LySwZPwWf81oiXyY_xbBCvPtuVF2oN-d08HkaVVpRxllsZnippDAw6J9Ger6lOFj9kzt5wAQeQa7KXKF1EryeXXJBQeud/s320/100_1737.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-aPAavgdkJhbp_Q4MmwxEBt3AVYUH4fsC7ivywyva9Kfy3Q9tabyCJUApL_TnyuulsGqsC-S4jSwunoXs9BNd-bEDdQcIcFufNEiHGfO0as3HsJOCzipEMrRMBK6MrCvtvCiDIhSvqlK/s1600-h/100_1738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-aPAavgdkJhbp_Q4MmwxEBt3AVYUH4fsC7ivywyva9Kfy3Q9tabyCJUApL_TnyuulsGqsC-S4jSwunoXs9BNd-bEDdQcIcFufNEiHGfO0as3HsJOCzipEMrRMBK6MrCvtvCiDIhSvqlK/s320/100_1738.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also loved the artwork we saw on these stairs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1ZtJ8RRKKeE8dng-Hx0zNbM_rvY4l65o5dz_weCoCtcf3KZZwu3Q5zZIgXSC7RrhPHrbuIaMTaytUsZ4l_xWzZqNmzxS3nXp2Y54O0kh2QO-FoOY2faRJu94-99Me6N3WcM0CHXvBrCp/s1600-h/100_1742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1ZtJ8RRKKeE8dng-Hx0zNbM_rvY4l65o5dz_weCoCtcf3KZZwu3Q5zZIgXSC7RrhPHrbuIaMTaytUsZ4l_xWzZqNmzxS3nXp2Y54O0kh2QO-FoOY2faRJu94-99Me6N3WcM0CHXvBrCp/s320/100_1742.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And another picture of the gorgeous water, in Crete this time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MWONazl0-0YsnsA4vPa9kXSzpkivUF7t4t-ypqvPySHO-u1K0XXthsPesfSRdVI_BaFzb9NIFyIbRR2MlKVR-5Sg7hGBZED4coDXgOO2CdF6rhcuSl5dDCsm2JV0hwZWGPFkJ2aBiebi/s1600-h/100_1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MWONazl0-0YsnsA4vPa9kXSzpkivUF7t4t-ypqvPySHO-u1K0XXthsPesfSRdVI_BaFzb9NIFyIbRR2MlKVR-5Sg7hGBZED4coDXgOO2CdF6rhcuSl5dDCsm2JV0hwZWGPFkJ2aBiebi/s320/100_1743.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860074878526467114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759191447432696745.post-52782012534847980872009-09-02T17:29:00.000-07:002010-04-26T20:10:22.995-07:00Patmos and EphesusI was SO excited to be going to Patmos and Ephesus. For years I had heard the stories from the Bible, and I finally had a chance to walk on the same ground as Paul the Apostle and John the Revelator.<br />
<a name='more'></a> The island of Patmos was up first. We landed in a very small harbor and made our way up to the "Cave of the Apokalypsis" (where John is believed to have seen visions and wrote the book of Revelations). As we entered, I realized that it would be much different than I expected. I'm not really sure how I felt about the grotto. It was filled with items common to Greek Orthodox denomination and surrounded by chapels dedicated to other saints such as Nicholas, Artemois, and Anna. As I took this all in, I couldn't help but think that John would not have wanted the place to be rendered in that way, but that is just my personal opinion. Unfortunately I was not able to get any pictures inside the cave because I did not want to be insensitive to the priest and people who were there for their own religious reasons. But I did get some pictures from outside the grotto.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUzyNxR5XxwQWBV84gbTWzE1rRXhnaQvG_FovUqslpaHx-F4h0Qsov1hvEH1IDEEL5xlQqzP5ayarTgg5Xr1AE486lJlwQDVnfH98ifIz77Kz6vIqkdSAPvor0s0y4DW-ANdozt2uMV4S/s1600-h/100_1493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUzyNxR5XxwQWBV84gbTWzE1rRXhnaQvG_FovUqslpaHx-F4h0Qsov1hvEH1IDEEL5xlQqzP5ayarTgg5Xr1AE486lJlwQDVnfH98ifIz77Kz6vIqkdSAPvor0s0y4DW-ANdozt2uMV4S/s320/100_1493.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYe3BNcauihGfXnN39YAPpuMHmXihsTilPQk1eTkpO31FBK-Pkq6nqqewPNoxG6ZGGUo6N3C33qVfFQrsbHLHjRhlopKsQ3lyf4w_3LlsMAzIPFyVYiByB4KfPk5GyDr2tFo0E4J0R79ao/s1600-h/100_1490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYe3BNcauihGfXnN39YAPpuMHmXihsTilPQk1eTkpO31FBK-Pkq6nqqewPNoxG6ZGGUo6N3C33qVfFQrsbHLHjRhlopKsQ3lyf4w_3LlsMAzIPFyVYiByB4KfPk5GyDr2tFo0E4J0R79ao/s320/100_1490.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheD01RYpqF4nqiRzkeLK02qaLAjWtLI2x61t35W010W6-CU9dB4-qb_uF5yqTiZM_oC702Q2-Va5RRskjgncALhI0XYjG3HBz4IyMVftaH4oglzXD1g1nJ-XWktheOPrWGnm3upjQl9ic5/s1600-h/100_1489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheD01RYpqF4nqiRzkeLK02qaLAjWtLI2x61t35W010W6-CU9dB4-qb_uF5yqTiZM_oC702Q2-Va5RRskjgncALhI0XYjG3HBz4IyMVftaH4oglzXD1g1nJ-XWktheOPrWGnm3upjQl9ic5/s320/100_1489.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were also able to visit the Monastery of St. John that sits atop the island. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZr1LETykpm9qqkdrpH6nRK174XPP386zNO5TdjS6iO_cTnDqEoTv8AKH2RTzZIAL49_jirDXzQKqAcw_dDCdShkJstt9pR0voIPgXW0plj7_FbUvLMZuGjG6Qbv_K8-ih-PnbaQA_hgFA/s1600-h/100_1487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZr1LETykpm9qqkdrpH6nRK174XPP386zNO5TdjS6iO_cTnDqEoTv8AKH2RTzZIAL49_jirDXzQKqAcw_dDCdShkJstt9pR0voIPgXW0plj7_FbUvLMZuGjG6Qbv_K8-ih-PnbaQA_hgFA/s320/100_1487.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a small, slow town, but I greatly enjoyed visiting it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg165vRdGguFvpiQhbcqDIBJOB4vgdD9S2WL7_SxDKiri-cJrY5AkuRIf53FBFOauXIwUwJRDvnBkCrQ_bD25_1RjZdagx9zzt8OhAjt9z4wVqExN2PL9KF0ZYh9gc3dcOk9R_04TF1V-n8/s1600-h/100_1505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg165vRdGguFvpiQhbcqDIBJOB4vgdD9S2WL7_SxDKiri-cJrY5AkuRIf53FBFOauXIwUwJRDvnBkCrQ_bD25_1RjZdagx9zzt8OhAjt9z4wVqExN2PL9KF0ZYh9gc3dcOk9R_04TF1V-n8/s320/100_1505.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ephesus was one of my absolute favorite parts of the trip! We landed in Kusadasi, Turkey and drove about twenty minutes out into the country. We were able to visit this awesome center developed to house students on study abroad and dedicated to the study of Ephesus called the Crisler Library.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLynyKUgDSK22VdxShnh3F4XR2i3JqDoaEgAruabWFUY6XrzEMAjqrLMuqXMcyM_qeeyX9McgReHL5cKADbqwYNBfVe20p9mKrxQAxedYsWEK8ywz8zN7fxtAu__ZC73vpyQU8EE98UOQ/s1600-h/100_1529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLynyKUgDSK22VdxShnh3F4XR2i3JqDoaEgAruabWFUY6XrzEMAjqrLMuqXMcyM_qeeyX9McgReHL5cKADbqwYNBfVe20p9mKrxQAxedYsWEK8ywz8zN7fxtAu__ZC73vpyQU8EE98UOQ/s320/100_1529.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was so beautiful there, like a little oasis. The lady who ran the center (in honor of her late husband), was able to set up a tour for us with one of the archeologists who worked on Ephesus from its beginning for forty years! We weren't allowed to tell anyone because he would have gotten in huge trouble for giving tours without some type of tour guide license (there are lots of laws like this in Greece and Turkey, and they strictly enforce them). But he knew so much, and it was an awesome tour.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcfsnn3-4dzNiARw30pmi_BUptSLohQ0WweVWUZ9QUwcf_QNNQLIqbqvlk-B2X5XB9F5daYJrXok9Pi8vM16E2oOxwaloMxFO5y0q4lnt5cD9bd4LoDz5IEEGstP0XmeiruxjAC6dFoPD/s1600-h/100_1542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcfsnn3-4dzNiARw30pmi_BUptSLohQ0WweVWUZ9QUwcf_QNNQLIqbqvlk-B2X5XB9F5daYJrXok9Pi8vM16E2oOxwaloMxFO5y0q4lnt5cD9bd4LoDz5IEEGstP0XmeiruxjAC6dFoPD/s400/100_1542.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The funniest part was that just before we left Crisler Library for the tour it started to hail! Dark storms were starting to roll in, but I wanted to do the tour anyways! It definitely made it exciting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMbjunspbLWJS6iZjH_BVps8zkeEJUP_Qrq6p4btxmzSNmhwAaGekS8Zk45kQ-XSKIvUZMgN5OYD-xomsCTgu1S5RsCrD3JpZjAvzQoGZhh8jLXf6fHE-Ol2HThzeDfWIodSS7SZFfuGf/s1600-h/100_1543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMbjunspbLWJS6iZjH_BVps8zkeEJUP_Qrq6p4btxmzSNmhwAaGekS8Zk45kQ-XSKIvUZMgN5OYD-xomsCTgu1S5RsCrD3JpZjAvzQoGZhh8jLXf6fHE-Ol2HThzeDfWIodSS7SZFfuGf/s320/100_1543.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ephesus was AMAZING. I can't even begin to describe what it was like to walk through this ancient city.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There are two different stadium/arena type areas, living areas, and the marketplace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVkz6Pdx8FeHQcav9MBT55N1NCdWlNu6h-_22ZS3kP-vmKzVgdRZW7CNc25C7cFQ0dPeCd17CYyxQzF_CovdIN77m6drBl8bz_KCFDZLrcFDVv3-xAz0VI9BErNpF8Q4d2E2IEKzwl-a_/s1600-h/100_1587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVkz6Pdx8FeHQcav9MBT55N1NCdWlNu6h-_22ZS3kP-vmKzVgdRZW7CNc25C7cFQ0dPeCd17CYyxQzF_CovdIN77m6drBl8bz_KCFDZLrcFDVv3-xAz0VI9BErNpF8Q4d2E2IEKzwl-a_/s320/100_1587.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the Celsius Library, built sometime during the 2nd century.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldWIuf2cfrtk_jNrrq52BfsW4bWBDZN8pTfayUEBjW-QbzoWzRMWETJxZrOOl81ca0gYIKoV07lUt31u_tQoKXLB92VKNxeMQyf4xpRgB_rJE1L458GZ3AsrjzGaoBsTcwE7InapAavqf/s1600-h/100_1590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldWIuf2cfrtk_jNrrq52BfsW4bWBDZN8pTfayUEBjW-QbzoWzRMWETJxZrOOl81ca0gYIKoV07lUt31u_tQoKXLB92VKNxeMQyf4xpRgB_rJE1L458GZ3AsrjzGaoBsTcwE7InapAavqf/s320/100_1590.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the main street that ran past the living area and through the center of the market place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR21Rdnm6cWA0rNSL1WsN9ti41lQc-VTdhUPLQ4pQw0fTVabZU1xvBiro6zFhSOs8upkJbHPGyTyR9X6aErmBE3BwzJxqc-PnNEW4mmn5Ip_dqw97B4tHoRL1Y34Wdcx2bGhi73Gdh8Ad/s1600-h/100_1586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR21Rdnm6cWA0rNSL1WsN9ti41lQc-VTdhUPLQ4pQw0fTVabZU1xvBiro6zFhSOs8upkJbHPGyTyR9X6aErmBE3BwzJxqc-PnNEW4mmn5Ip_dqw97B4tHoRL1Y34Wdcx2bGhi73Gdh8Ad/s320/100_1586.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This flooring is a mosaic pattern, tons of tiny little colored stones, all placed there by hand. Most of the flooring in the homes were mosaic pictures too.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaT5GftXEFI827BRHkljxjlFdNjLJLoN4mHTDqMyMG_ChejqmkplELuc5RgG6SnEbR88TIj59mIuJDs8h54V6y-RfajZp5f4r-Jx1od5lwM1rsW4XtSdgRk8sNvD4ItJOQiT7VqyJNVqp/s1600-h/100_1570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaT5GftXEFI827BRHkljxjlFdNjLJLoN4mHTDqMyMG_ChejqmkplELuc5RgG6SnEbR88TIj59mIuJDs8h54V6y-RfajZp5f4r-Jx1od5lwM1rsW4XtSdgRk8sNvD4ItJOQiT7VqyJNVqp/s320/100_1570.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the area where the living quarters were. There are tons of those glass walkways built across the entire area so that you can look down into the living areas. It's covered by a huge roof, which was convenient when it started pouring rain!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDj0dG1j3_ECVWuZOvFgzTzjd8s_DKuNj398_bJ3IdrUwLzqO5zzgzS0g1NvjM146OhlNwm9imxVUt_xGdmztyWJuNj_gbeppJlriFVN50gHSxUY3I5oa9pHscnVYgDIu-IPE3IJfZ8Da/s1600-h/100_1611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDj0dG1j3_ECVWuZOvFgzTzjd8s_DKuNj398_bJ3IdrUwLzqO5zzgzS0g1NvjM146OhlNwm9imxVUt_xGdmztyWJuNj_gbeppJlriFVN50gHSxUY3I5oa9pHscnVYgDIu-IPE3IJfZ8Da/s320/100_1611.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5RUhImo9UoGHhH6huqB9o-DLzMf35JDy2SW78vl_Vl3asYun74S1_YL1PQJdLYKQz5_ValZwCZbd8R1IcGraHW1PwnWjZi1t7KHYhiDzfnK9PsmIuCPwbOUNKLF9Tb911_oZJpy7Sho5/s1600-h/100_1614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5RUhImo9UoGHhH6huqB9o-DLzMf35JDy2SW78vl_Vl3asYun74S1_YL1PQJdLYKQz5_ValZwCZbd8R1IcGraHW1PwnWjZi1t7KHYhiDzfnK9PsmIuCPwbOUNKLF9Tb911_oZJpy7Sho5/s320/100_1614.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this was the Church of Mary.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So much work and effort has been put into reconstructing Ephesus, and it is turning out so beautifully. Despite the hail and rain, I still had the best time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860074878526467114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759191447432696745.post-13734869015544862152009-08-27T07:29:00.000-07:002009-08-27T07:29:34.902-07:00Mykonos, Greece<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mykonos was what everyone pictures I their mind when they think of Greece. White-washed buildings with bright colorful doors and trim. Located in the Cyclades Islands in the middle of the Aegean Sea, Mykonos could not have been more picture perfect.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are the octopi that they catch, let them dry in the sun, grill them, and serve them with a good bottle of ouzo. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmEMk0h7oqb8G5f9HC1fQ3b2THZCrVYlNUqxYdu1qRl8faLlqOiwZLYsLNNPQcMbzQP7kvBbAi29cJ87KbMT-QXGQIJhyJImp5yyhxAgBKFy2ZYCFkNLWTL6Cz5-RPlwVUdsjLl9rwkL0/s1600/100_1390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmEMk0h7oqb8G5f9HC1fQ3b2THZCrVYlNUqxYdu1qRl8faLlqOiwZLYsLNNPQcMbzQP7kvBbAi29cJ87KbMT-QXGQIJhyJImp5yyhxAgBKFy2ZYCFkNLWTL6Cz5-RPlwVUdsjLl9rwkL0/s320/100_1390.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNbAtse-1thyphenhyphensEzm1ehA0SSPzh7lhjU_cRSpikeEQjyGbpcX7RLjXkBSsB90_AHeadkSe-32l2KnVPA1y36aI4EvPiAacFtpIahD0G4ts59KuiiyMwX01vM0VCkcugNc1KIsP-9ve1zBU/s1600-h/100_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNbAtse-1thyphenhyphensEzm1ehA0SSPzh7lhjU_cRSpikeEQjyGbpcX7RLjXkBSsB90_AHeadkSe-32l2KnVPA1y36aI4EvPiAacFtpIahD0G4ts59KuiiyMwX01vM0VCkcugNc1KIsP-9ve1zBU/s320/100_1393.JPG" /></a></div>Our tour guide told us that pelicans usually can be found in Mykonos because it is in their migratory pattern, but we probably wouldn't see one that day. But lo and behold we saw one chilling out beside a restaurant.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIzWKYaL6yBIm3lPQHGh-Tn5ZcCXu-3z0ncjXTkOMdap_xsuyUiR92gV_O6vyggdmJWV_fyL0N53JsOpQBEiGuBGuaVsXPFtwnwQvtWdxdhrC0OogXGpEtEtOMTqxZs2fkslqVp_PLv7q/s1600-h/100_1400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIzWKYaL6yBIm3lPQHGh-Tn5ZcCXu-3z0ncjXTkOMdap_xsuyUiR92gV_O6vyggdmJWV_fyL0N53JsOpQBEiGuBGuaVsXPFtwnwQvtWdxdhrC0OogXGpEtEtOMTqxZs2fkslqVp_PLv7q/s320/100_1400.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was HUGE! I couldn't help but think that Finding Nemo didn't do an honest job of depicting how big they were. This guy almost came up to my shoulders! And he wouldn't budge. Tons of people were trying to take pictures of him, and he just took it all in stride, not disturbed by it in the least.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The best part of Mykonos was actually having the time and freedom to explore on our own for a while. I was worried that we would get lost because there were so many alleys and sideways that all looked the same!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixj7-Tj2cjrhTJPxuOVJ07V26l3IDXm9gyAgAUqjKIo5skGlI5TZ0i2XYVrqhVbIQdzODFMD9PizmGJC7qg3VKEwh7n1j_WTKtCoGNEYNxr9MHj3VSQCDF4ApJYETkMXRXhJ4QE_WFwwX1/s1600-h/100_1404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixj7-Tj2cjrhTJPxuOVJ07V26l3IDXm9gyAgAUqjKIo5skGlI5TZ0i2XYVrqhVbIQdzODFMD9PizmGJC7qg3VKEwh7n1j_WTKtCoGNEYNxr9MHj3VSQCDF4ApJYETkMXRXhJ4QE_WFwwX1/s320/100_1404.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The town was very well taken care of, and it was just as colorful on the inside as it was on the outside!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18ELJyS5i6hyphenhyphen0Ry4HSKfU_fU2_VdMKPtfi3_sCw6T_tl9b6gpeTDoq5XaQ8buf_ZsqfYYA_xy9ts6bvIfAnuJB_egHyEFvlA4Nt6feLhUUt6WED3A_AAT0SvMUYYl-Wb-ENgW-bKJHcAB/s1600-h/100_1406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18ELJyS5i6hyphenhyphen0Ry4HSKfU_fU2_VdMKPtfi3_sCw6T_tl9b6gpeTDoq5XaQ8buf_ZsqfYYA_xy9ts6bvIfAnuJB_egHyEFvlA4Nt6feLhUUt6WED3A_AAT0SvMUYYl-Wb-ENgW-bKJHcAB/s320/100_1406.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDd9qAS-QUtD67rTw6LEF7ZKZYEqMnM97uIKYFZ5gW5_Q5nKifk28AKshKD4unaWUalks7Qy4hEiwt-bdKgc8J9KYkjfMbnXVhNV3aeT3EZSukVtAyXVmSED9qsWVlJHIoDGVIlga5mHG/s1600-h/100_1415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDd9qAS-QUtD67rTw6LEF7ZKZYEqMnM97uIKYFZ5gW5_Q5nKifk28AKshKD4unaWUalks7Qy4hEiwt-bdKgc8J9KYkjfMbnXVhNV3aeT3EZSukVtAyXVmSED9qsWVlJHIoDGVIlga5mHG/s320/100_1415.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbv30QHLGGj5hxlobQlCDgFawUR5Tsn6Ds0eG9u1TBz_4xOe55zJx80zTIetHkqiKIUgdPILyrZ6pWSw4gpuTjQH0UWq2SWUb7sL5IKU6VuSGnPIktDGBKMSYLAMoZUx1PKN19cz02HwCJ/s1600-h/100_1449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbv30QHLGGj5hxlobQlCDgFawUR5Tsn6Ds0eG9u1TBz_4xOe55zJx80zTIetHkqiKIUgdPILyrZ6pWSw4gpuTjQH0UWq2SWUb7sL5IKU6VuSGnPIktDGBKMSYLAMoZUx1PKN19cz02HwCJ/s320/100_1449.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was really windy and a little chilly that day, but we still wanted to go swimming! It was the Aegean Sea and I wasn't going to pass up the chance to swim in it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur31R8BKPmabS0PEoaR4T9Du68iB1GWdpC2A9qaNe9_t4xdIQVLIU_y1h7mw90kjGNR7yCoHT5y_P1rPp8h9JAhwatSF37uTTMVeXEaO8dsGVN-YhAbXk9nguVJyrCZ_qap6nXmGmG_zl/s1600-h/100_1435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur31R8BKPmabS0PEoaR4T9Du68iB1GWdpC2A9qaNe9_t4xdIQVLIU_y1h7mw90kjGNR7yCoHT5y_P1rPp8h9JAhwatSF37uTTMVeXEaO8dsGVN-YhAbXk9nguVJyrCZ_qap6nXmGmG_zl/s320/100_1435.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was freezing cold in the water! And sharp rocks were covering the floor of the sea, but for those of us that braved it out, we had a blast!! Us four in the picture below were the ONLY people in the water, it was hilarious.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsW7a3mwmQdgI02swNHAInsOHaQdCEljfuF5CSfLNC7PQZJyfKHmq9Iblk-NeXo2fHyGDFZQfHbzP-njGejuNN9mGv-yT9PbHKD-hX4BLxe_mDuuzFA8tb53Q0ISrMOETMQCjepiJtZW9-/s1600-h/100_1437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsW7a3mwmQdgI02swNHAInsOHaQdCEljfuF5CSfLNC7PQZJyfKHmq9Iblk-NeXo2fHyGDFZQfHbzP-njGejuNN9mGv-yT9PbHKD-hX4BLxe_mDuuzFA8tb53Q0ISrMOETMQCjepiJtZW9-/s320/100_1437.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We decided to head back to town, and on the way we met an older American couple who was walking that way also. We asked them where they were from, and they were from Marietta! It was the craziest thing!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back in town we grabbed some dinner and sat down to watch the sun set. Every day in Mykonos many, many people gather in the square to watch the sun set over the Aegean Sea, and after it does, everyone gives it a round of applause. It was so much fun to sit their admiring and conversing with everyone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUtM7a-rsi0sZpzwIF53apAKFh5QwQulp4frZp7V-SXYGSMfqCs6pPaPnR3-ags3uJlj4a8qwdmtdUTAdW5zvJmOaBZFxUmTYnvkajQ6GPpOVj6WGYBNpsc2jBiLkmAs6ya5W6lzNtnQU/s1600-h/100_1454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUtM7a-rsi0sZpzwIF53apAKFh5QwQulp4frZp7V-SXYGSMfqCs6pPaPnR3-ags3uJlj4a8qwdmtdUTAdW5zvJmOaBZFxUmTYnvkajQ6GPpOVj6WGYBNpsc2jBiLkmAs6ya5W6lzNtnQU/s320/100_1454.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was a little Greek boy that came out with his parents and was throwing rocks into the sea; he was so cute!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-1DRDaRcwKe5fgkrrl1egZDYNLNcvqRNWWYjOuz4oI2ix2K_2jGflHaUqfDK7u9fO9omMGf5yTxZZ9HG5q8gshRb3_TIzvt51hc-unjJYNs8zhd8wTDq5TqpitG2V6xoKGdjfsEw_CJM/s1600-h/100_1455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-1DRDaRcwKe5fgkrrl1egZDYNLNcvqRNWWYjOuz4oI2ix2K_2jGflHaUqfDK7u9fO9omMGf5yTxZZ9HG5q8gshRb3_TIzvt51hc-unjJYNs8zhd8wTDq5TqpitG2V6xoKGdjfsEw_CJM/s320/100_1455.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The town was filled with hundreds of tiny Orthodox churches. There are actually 365 of them, one for each day of the year they say. The story goes that most of the Greek men had to go out to sea to fish and make money, while their Greek wives stayed at home. So each woman would have a church built personally for her so that she could go in at any time and pray to St. John for her husbands safety.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoXgJKC2Rf9cvKu9L4E2cnwTh8cmKz8dR2nuyNcPXcZEvsUl6A33hn_-rVZoQ4jw8WI6bEnSRXzjHXP7a2h_6DYncLcShXdZslxfcVAG6N1TWLw3wPUvj-7LrgpK0YDf-1A9ctMSqQYTK/s1600-h/100_1398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoXgJKC2Rf9cvKu9L4E2cnwTh8cmKz8dR2nuyNcPXcZEvsUl6A33hn_-rVZoQ4jw8WI6bEnSRXzjHXP7a2h_6DYncLcShXdZslxfcVAG6N1TWLw3wPUvj-7LrgpK0YDf-1A9ctMSqQYTK/s320/100_1398.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was the sidewalk that you walked along to get to the square. I was fun to walk on because the waves would crash against the side and splash up onto you. Just before and after sunset, the tables you see were filled with people there to watch the sunset. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddG8056Z6_5qqvn5UzM3dfri650VOmEFkmIHJpFosbm92urbX-sqMsry9q6Rv4bBareT-qwHUHUQ4RGEw4s_ePoyKU2FJzHM3EIxAe12lM4SRPWc_lSTgEmmc7PvDmPsh4A-q7s5pjOkS/s1600-h/100_1475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddG8056Z6_5qqvn5UzM3dfri650VOmEFkmIHJpFosbm92urbX-sqMsry9q6Rv4bBareT-qwHUHUQ4RGEw4s_ePoyKU2FJzHM3EIxAe12lM4SRPWc_lSTgEmmc7PvDmPsh4A-q7s5pjOkS/s320/100_1475.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">The best part of Greece is something that I found in every single city that we visited, and I'll probably repeat this several times in the next blogs I post. Living in Greece is about living as a community. You treat people you don't even know like you've known them their entire lives. Free time is spent gathered around a table conversing about life's pleasures and pains. Time isn't wasted on meaningless frivolity, but it is used to build and keep relationships with those around you. </div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860074878526467114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759191447432696745.post-27738452697545060452009-08-26T20:04:00.000-07:002009-08-26T20:04:03.634-07:00Athens and IstanbulSo I realized that I never actually posted anything about my trip to Greece and Turkey. We went to several, several different places.<br />
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We landed in Athens and made our way to our hotel.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaERqfKPUQ5jDSSEoySaGGYXGN8sxEnaD45p5BMxW2zduGep4HoC1MbrV7EMLI9uEA4A5f5OX54YgJnlLhFYJ7qzu6g0TdeR5wGnB5ngFKwrR_z1uI4smaL44yg_5KZDdmp_T-J7VPmeyk/s1600-h/100_1057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaERqfKPUQ5jDSSEoySaGGYXGN8sxEnaD45p5BMxW2zduGep4HoC1MbrV7EMLI9uEA4A5f5OX54YgJnlLhFYJ7qzu6g0TdeR5wGnB5ngFKwrR_z1uI4smaL44yg_5KZDdmp_T-J7VPmeyk/s320/100_1057.JPG" /></a></div><br />
It was more like a hostel because there were four beds to a room...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVewuBfEdhCIB58pQxwXxKhku_bdLqIEvXVjC9VTEkogaAMwYpK61VrnDMnJP7VKuUc0VQ_pK6ZVog2paBWTwJLng50igjgFqxQrhyBs9hsD9EL89b4KqJOV4JfMmLnQR4YrpCce1cFf1g/s1600-h/100_1054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVewuBfEdhCIB58pQxwXxKhku_bdLqIEvXVjC9VTEkogaAMwYpK61VrnDMnJP7VKuUc0VQ_pK6ZVog2paBWTwJLng50igjgFqxQrhyBs9hsD9EL89b4KqJOV4JfMmLnQR4YrpCce1cFf1g/s320/100_1054.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the shower was SUPER tiny.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdx-1NJa7ghmq0T23C-Leqk-RlBcgbay_03iu7my7UCTC5PpSvVw38STXPfLsz4HvdZfmTdDdAhGotkOqZA1RmZGoa0xTOq5inBsIX63Fpa9lhGxZGnl5TK5EJdTG6aBQvr1Rm5kaW4Ob7/s1600-h/100_1055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdx-1NJa7ghmq0T23C-Leqk-RlBcgbay_03iu7my7UCTC5PpSvVw38STXPfLsz4HvdZfmTdDdAhGotkOqZA1RmZGoa0xTOq5inBsIX63Fpa9lhGxZGnl5TK5EJdTG6aBQvr1Rm5kaW4Ob7/s320/100_1055.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">But I can't help but love it as part of the authentic Greek experience. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">The next day we climbed the Acropolis, which was simply amazing. I think my favorite part of the Acropolis was being able to people watch. Because not only were there foreign tourists there, but there were also Greek tourists and Greek school children. They are a fiercely independent nation, and you can tell in the way they talk, walk, and interact. You can even sense the pride and individuality in each and every Greek child. I think the hardest part of seeing Athens is the way that the city is run down and not taken care of. Graffiti covers the walls of buildings, and the smog pushes out any ounce of fresh air in the city. Despite it all, I could still feel the history surrounding me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKvSo_-V_ogtW5dQ0zQFepqmBeWa7npADhjOAKk9mmN54xczxkue1GrMxMcNoam3T7dIcnkErKYpJm_6PDzLKkJySNVbrWpjIaVFHhbG4f5DGOn0IETMz4-cfj6HGjra7loaq8nCZSLBo/s1600-h/100_1064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKvSo_-V_ogtW5dQ0zQFepqmBeWa7npADhjOAKk9mmN54xczxkue1GrMxMcNoam3T7dIcnkErKYpJm_6PDzLKkJySNVbrWpjIaVFHhbG4f5DGOn0IETMz4-cfj6HGjra7loaq8nCZSLBo/s320/100_1064.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1xBAYjQYOeQE4d-V5FomaYtTTS3oAYeSrg1oSvK-pKAQpnTgZ0YfrVrJ1EoSvFj9LGf5ZN19D4jM2QNWRTs_LTBFio4Odiy43nPFgjmPj90PY_281BhuFu8tM6MKbBpZ4vZKNFwvXqMv/s1600-h/100_1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1xBAYjQYOeQE4d-V5FomaYtTTS3oAYeSrg1oSvK-pKAQpnTgZ0YfrVrJ1EoSvFj9LGf5ZN19D4jM2QNWRTs_LTBFio4Odiy43nPFgjmPj90PY_281BhuFu8tM6MKbBpZ4vZKNFwvXqMv/s320/100_1099.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Later that day we boarded our cruise ship to head to Istanbul, Turkey. Right after we docked, we set out to the Grand Bazaar, which was just as big of a climb as the Acropolis.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewF_0BeoSg8HsWqpgT8dHhb-qx2vugX0hlaKszUP8t9xvl34XUCL23U10IMc6zhkGmY3I-h7BSJ1bAhGdi4kVGqQ4okc0b-ku3425RppeEkGhop9SiZ6HprAqZ4OmCr_J59yJtQ1L2Yx6/s1600-h/100_1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewF_0BeoSg8HsWqpgT8dHhb-qx2vugX0hlaKszUP8t9xvl34XUCL23U10IMc6zhkGmY3I-h7BSJ1bAhGdi4kVGqQ4okc0b-ku3425RppeEkGhop9SiZ6HprAqZ4OmCr_J59yJtQ1L2Yx6/s320/100_1144.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxmUHyN73b7_GiH_6tuwzV5ZRck-MDdBAd5Grhh_97Yd7GdunvH_HIzJr9bOnG4q_zOWrsG70647nqcT2HDJ9WMxuP3Y7EaK31MThR2DsqniqW-YgiKGcZWAY7oMz3IYByj-1gTokFD8g/s1600-h/100_1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxmUHyN73b7_GiH_6tuwzV5ZRck-MDdBAd5Grhh_97Yd7GdunvH_HIzJr9bOnG4q_zOWrsG70647nqcT2HDJ9WMxuP3Y7EaK31MThR2DsqniqW-YgiKGcZWAY7oMz3IYByj-1gTokFD8g/s320/100_1145.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was so very busy, with shop owners enticing you to buy their items and restaurant owners pestering you to eat at their businesses. I was beginning to feel very overwhelmed, like many others in the group, and we were all very tired from all the walking. So we decided to rest for a bit, and ended up walking into one of the many mosques that line the streets in Istanbul. It was like stepping into a different world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iDh3IsjHf0bKvlQlUgCNv8sVAjRqqey5nmQTXRXNm1Yq3ttBS4RNlNwHrP6sWnK-XS2uAl8A185w9zyk0Tihamd3ljmq9lDBbQKHttM6rwE0sm6jnulPhHm9oABGuTrrH7mt2M5njT6E/s1600-h/100_1148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iDh3IsjHf0bKvlQlUgCNv8sVAjRqqey5nmQTXRXNm1Yq3ttBS4RNlNwHrP6sWnK-XS2uAl8A185w9zyk0Tihamd3ljmq9lDBbQKHttM6rwE0sm6jnulPhHm9oABGuTrrH7mt2M5njT6E/s320/100_1148.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">There was a lone woman washing her hands and feet in reverence before entering. It was so quiet and serene, vastly different from the scene we had just left. I walked back to the ship with a different mindset; my opinions of Istanbul had been severely wrong. </div><div style="text-align: left;">The next day we first visited the Agia Sophia, which was first an Orthodox church, but during Ottoman rule was changed into a mosque, the paintings and mosaics covered and hidden. It now serves as a museum. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6sAQEsooYvaiZRkM6sLqi01VY1yn2PQ7rnXWZ8cUv4ebODnhBbuFcQsKyc7Tavda4w5Z_9rC6ZdY4e3z7i4MLv67Dee1IGa9QpEUYjQnZxmkIfnopB2xPPgAu4d8GFe6VjazO-P0aTQn/s1600-h/100_1191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6sAQEsooYvaiZRkM6sLqi01VY1yn2PQ7rnXWZ8cUv4ebODnhBbuFcQsKyc7Tavda4w5Z_9rC6ZdY4e3z7i4MLv67Dee1IGa9QpEUYjQnZxmkIfnopB2xPPgAu4d8GFe6VjazO-P0aTQn/s320/100_1191.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">As we were exploring someone noticed an etching in the wall, and it appeared to be Greek letters.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1wLLwvTiPH9ArdnsJml3_8boH3KR9BDQ2wwU3l0n6afgMqbxZa41J62Ab-YHIb__MNwRb-bUA6nFSfmHHWcT3ZaqibRUB9-DiUEwdwbS8pS2EcC_noc7O4Y4U00cLuwOEhYjkBVCJGd-/s1600-h/100_1239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1wLLwvTiPH9ArdnsJml3_8boH3KR9BDQ2wwU3l0n6afgMqbxZa41J62Ab-YHIb__MNwRb-bUA6nFSfmHHWcT3ZaqibRUB9-DiUEwdwbS8pS2EcC_noc7O4Y4U00cLuwOEhYjkBVCJGd-/s320/100_1239.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We realized it was ancient graffiti and asked Dr. Harper to translate it for us. It says "Honor God's House."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
They have brought people in, trying to restore some of the old paintings from the Orthodox, and some have faded through the Muslim paintings. It makes this kind of ironic effect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8PgQm4MKuA36KXFNeZ5j_OCKFmGCuH-ZCC32iBOdpcyIKEq45mWc5tK5drZ-6GXtEAy02m6N5Vb2ivFq9yG8J45HrSQgMhh-J-wCHQpAnN65sJP2O-kdYO-iRMcaQbTGQj0VeHYWAmT3/s1600-h/100_1215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8PgQm4MKuA36KXFNeZ5j_OCKFmGCuH-ZCC32iBOdpcyIKEq45mWc5tK5drZ-6GXtEAy02m6N5Vb2ivFq9yG8J45HrSQgMhh-J-wCHQpAnN65sJP2O-kdYO-iRMcaQbTGQj0VeHYWAmT3/s320/100_1215.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also were able to visit the Blue Mosque. It was packed with people who visited from other countries to pray, residents of Istanbul who were there to pray also,and people like us who were just there to watch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX90u9rmiA53dHuJPUC8qtGtSMn9XmPYdy3HumD5tWgP0_iDye-ML3u0YS9_Yi4keROgnl1N89IIbZ2PVTQKBI8pDjUFE-Z8bhxfLnQi1FeuN_PrHig860QWiIBGvBD1OqpDWm3Z2fE2Qp/s1600-h/100_1180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX90u9rmiA53dHuJPUC8qtGtSMn9XmPYdy3HumD5tWgP0_iDye-ML3u0YS9_Yi4keROgnl1N89IIbZ2PVTQKBI8pDjUFE-Z8bhxfLnQi1FeuN_PrHig860QWiIBGvBD1OqpDWm3Z2fE2Qp/s320/100_1180.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHwWppmvXtl1hmAHrOfraak_VuJaDbxVL8-EkisopZAAB2IEvmgE2lhhxXweeHe3d2S1kdHD5w28TyT9CqD71WEbZlk7oQw78pSkSAo7mX6RcAFnJW_6nsk-QrZSYo58HIAlo3V5IjHio/s1600-h/100_1274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHwWppmvXtl1hmAHrOfraak_VuJaDbxVL8-EkisopZAAB2IEvmgE2lhhxXweeHe3d2S1kdHD5w28TyT9CqD71WEbZlk7oQw78pSkSAo7mX6RcAFnJW_6nsk-QrZSYo58HIAlo3V5IjHio/s320/100_1274.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also visited Topkapi Palace, but it was so huge and beautiful that I couldn't pick one single picture for it. But they are up on my Facebook. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think my favorite part of Istanbul was the call to prayer. It happens five times a day, and each of the hundreds of mosques have speakers on top of the spindles that project it across the city. I have a video in which you can hear it and how loud it is. I'll try and post it to Facebook later on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh and here is a picture of our pretty ship!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1L6as-MLcyWQiIanDUJgONLaGKj_5ybBqyhL47oYMkYyve8rmiEOF9Q36ppFlY5dkbAy4hp_4aWkVq-WSki-6QmUUPHLEByqFyVhDJOm1Yno7Altr7bD0EEpatIJUdWYg0hA2CAga89ai/s1600-h/100_1339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1L6as-MLcyWQiIanDUJgONLaGKj_5ybBqyhL47oYMkYyve8rmiEOF9Q36ppFlY5dkbAy4hp_4aWkVq-WSki-6QmUUPHLEByqFyVhDJOm1Yno7Altr7bD0EEpatIJUdWYg0hA2CAga89ai/s320/100_1339.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhu-nRR7RZ6vbfLdveXrX5WJitQsY5xPo75g0_8VQQOBiwcUFpiglswnfkA4YSa-s3mVpdKgpqqAR_a2ww998GQQwUFHt4hHqYveSVtib1plUdWPjSEfZQ4xHgkT1Rwk5zPcFLwhzN7DU/s1600-h/100_1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhu-nRR7RZ6vbfLdveXrX5WJitQsY5xPo75g0_8VQQOBiwcUFpiglswnfkA4YSa-s3mVpdKgpqqAR_a2ww998GQQwUFHt4hHqYveSVtib1plUdWPjSEfZQ4xHgkT1Rwk5zPcFLwhzN7DU/s320/100_1173.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mykonos is next! </div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860074878526467114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759191447432696745.post-49395460578429133822009-03-04T12:40:00.000-08:002009-03-04T09:40:53.269-08:00Go Jump Off a Cliff<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzSG2y9-KO0QKRbUzaSUSmDCJSVgBfLVSwFbgv_J-QOnifRKt14jKwnBsaRik83XdmjEvvWMkNjB2169XAyfC7hPfv-Wlic-Y9UDVZcRr6S8hKZn7yLz8Iaf6hKdpq_mPyLLICrl0_17X/s1600-h/100_0622.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzSG2y9-KO0QKRbUzaSUSmDCJSVgBfLVSwFbgv_J-QOnifRKt14jKwnBsaRik83XdmjEvvWMkNjB2169XAyfC7hPfv-Wlic-Y9UDVZcRr6S8hKZn7yLz8Iaf6hKdpq_mPyLLICrl0_17X/s200/100_0622.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309388523601661410" border="0" /></a><br />Walking Wisely Weekend could not have been more amazing. I'm a leader for a group of 10th and 11th grade girls at InsideOut, and what surprised me most about this weekend was how the girls were ministering to me as much as I was to them. One thing that Mo explained this weekend made absolute perfect sense to me, so much that I wanted to write it down. It was that believing in God, REALLY believing in God, is like you're standing on the edge of a cliff and you have to jump off to find God. He's standing right past the edge and telling you that if you jump, He'll be right there. And it makes complete sense because placing complete faith in an "unseen" God can be pretty terrifying. But the thing about jumping off a cliff is that it can be pretty exhilarating. I remember when I took the "jump." It was like God suddenly became very real for me, his love, grace, and mercy.<br />Well, now I'm working on using my time efficiently for God's purpose and will, so I have given up Facebook and television for a week. We'll see how this goes.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860074878526467114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759191447432696745.post-63055062032332269032009-03-04T08:38:00.000-08:002009-03-04T08:42:05.604-08:00Coming SoonNew post coming soon! Just give me a couple of hours :)<br /><br />----------------<br />Now playing: <a href="http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/ben+sollee/track/how+to+see+the+sunrise" title="'Ben Sollee - How to See the Sunrise' - open on FoxyTunes Planet">Ben Sollee - How to See the Sunrise</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-style: italic; font-size: 10px;">via <a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="http://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/" title="FoxyTunes - Web of music at your fingertips">FoxyTunes</a></span>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860074878526467114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759191447432696745.post-12494252103154893162008-07-12T17:49:00.000-07:002008-07-13T12:44:55.517-07:00An Advertising SuccessDuring the 50% of my time that I apparently spend watching television, I have noticed the increasing quality of music being used in commercials. I have looked up quite a few and found some amazing songs and artists. So here I have listed some of my favorites, including the song, the artist, and the associated commercial. Hopefully you'll look and find some that you like too.<br /><br />"Falling In Love At a Coffee Shop"<br />by: Landon Pigg<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7HG-6rw1o4">"A Diamond is Forever" Commercial</a><br /><br />"Pirates"<br />by: Francois-Paul Aiche<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIn5cS2eVbg">"Pirates" Clorox Commercial</a><br /><br />"Mermaids"<br />by: Francois-Paul Aiche<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxwbpQz8oSs">"Mermaids" Clorox Commercial</a><br /><br />"New Shoes"<br />by: Paolo Nutini<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x_zOV6z2ls">"Usan by Puma" Commercial</a><br /><br />"Sweet Pea"<br />by: Amos Lee<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgjIk-_SQjA">AT&T Commercial</a><br /><br />"We're All In This Together"<br />by: Ben Lee<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeCnNre0Nj4">Kohl's Commercial</a><br /><br />"The Way I Am"<br />by: Ingrid Michaelson<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-7luX488iY">Old Navy Commercial</a>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860074878526467114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759191447432696745.post-57062193990242983772008-07-05T10:33:00.000-07:002008-07-05T12:09:56.102-07:00Fa Sol La Ti DoThere is so much that I could write about in my first post. My new relationship with God is the most amazing thing that I've ever experienced. I'm so thankful that I've found my way back to Him after wondering for so long if it would ever happen. I think it began when I first came to Watermarke. It was awesome to meet people that were so different in Christ but so accepting at the same time; to be able to worship God without "rules" about how I should act or dress just so I make a good impression for my parents. BigStuf was my turning point. I went in not exactly knowing what to expect, worrying that it would be awkward because I wasn't in high school, but I quickly had all my expectations changed. I had so many faith-changing experiences, just to name a few: being anointed and prayed over by Steen and the other senior girls, the last night's worship, communion on the beach, being re-baptized in the ocean. Plus the relationships I built; spending a week with people is a good way to make friends. Since I came back I've had even more experiences. I'm learning to listen and know when God is speaking to me, and I'm learning to trust in him to provide. Thanks so much to everyone and to God for helping me come this far.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860074878526467114noreply@blogger.com0