And so the end begins.

Staying up 'til 5 am
Watching the sun come up again,
I'd do it all again if I could...

...the nights that we wasted,
Got us through the days that
Seemed never ending...

...40 oz intoxicated dream,
All our faded memories,
That's made us who we are
Today.
- Mest

Last Wednesday night at the Mount of Olives.

Just met Michael Palin. http://ping.fm/4PQqp

On my way to see Michael Palin at the Lutheran Church in Bethlehem.

It feels as weird as it sounds. Also, awesome.

Dear Mr. US Dollar, Please kindly wait for me to be done traveling internationally before continuing your plummet into the abyss? http://ping.fm/3D312

Sermon for Sunday, draft 1: Completed.

Yes, I'm preaching in Jerusalem. Go figure.

The whole "leaving in less than two weeks" just hit me full-force. Beginning the packing/seperation process.

I have a place to live when I get home! I'm moving in with Justin (taking JC's spot). And just in time for summer. One word: EPIC.

Random Chicago song stuck in my head: "No Tell Lover" from Hot Streets. I have no idea where this gem came from, but it's welcome to stay.

85 degrees. 97 heat index. Not even June.

85 degrees. Heat index of 97. Not even June yet.

I just trimmed my beard for the first time in... a month and a half. It looked like a hedgehog exploded in my sink.

Just applied for a job as a cable TV host. Why not? In other news: Grotto tonight, Cosmos tomorrow..it's a real weekend!

Took Tyler's advice and went to see Tony in the Christian Quarter. Just told him "no shabab cut." It's not bad.. but he's no Ian. :(

Wandering around the Christian Quarter in search of a haircut. Pray for me.

It was worth the try.

Attempt at crashing the Pontifical Mass in Bethlehem: Failure.

So. Pope's in Bethlehem Square today, being all papal and whatnot. I never got around to finding a ticket to the mass, but figured I might as well try and get in.

I managed to get one of the police who knows me to let me through the first checkpoint, but the second checkpoint was a no-go. I might've been able to sweettalk them into it, but I hit right at the time as they were shutting down entrance for anyone, invitation or no. Ah well. I have a few pictures of people's backs.

I backtracked to George's shop and watched some of the mass on television, then went on to teach at Beit Sahour. It was interesting to see how the school was going about its business, with only a mention here or there about "Baba" being in town. A very Lutheran moment in many ways.. to have the Pope in Bethlehem itself, and yet continuing on in daily life. Looking back, I probably got more out of being with the kids than I would've by being 100 yards away from the Pontiff, barely participating in a service I couldn't consummate because of a word choice in my definition of Real Presence.

Ah well. I just hope that I can get through to Jerusalem tonight. The walk-through checkpoint is closed entirely (wouldn't want to let anyone get to work on Pope Day, after all).

I can currently hear "Angels We Have Heard on High" being blasted outside. I think there's a concert on Manger Square. Strange things happen when Popes visit.

I have joined the ranks of Twitter. Follow me at http://ping.fm/nhhlW if you dare. Also http://www.ping.fm is awesome.

Meet the new boss...

...same as the old boss.

Worth five minutes of your time.

Read this.

Cabbage!

Today, on my way back from Beit Sahour, I stopped by the produce stand for some fresh vegetables. I grab:

(2) Tomatoes
(2) Potatoes
(1) Personal-sized head of lettuce*.

Total cost: 4 shekels (about 96 cents).


* Upon further inspection, I realize that this is probably cabbage. I have subverted the German half of me which, upon realization, demanded I turn it immediately into cole slaw.

So now, I am enjoying a freshly-tossed caesar-tomato-cabbage salad, for a cost of, I estimate, about 25 cents.

There are some things I am reeeeally going to miss about here.

Erp.

I've just made "The Calendar" ... on my little whiteboard that I bought at the local "whatever" store for three bucks. Four and a half weeks, roughly, until I leave.

Time to get some local travelin' in.