We Are now a Smart Family

I tried to "surprise" Sister Tiki. We have had a Smart car on order for over a year but they had one on the lot which met our specs. I created this elaborate ruse with the help of Kimiki. I had to work Saturday, so, the timing was crucial. So after Kimiki took Troyoto into work, she picked me up at Discover and we headed down to Lindon with cashier's check in hand. I told the dealership the color and options which I wanted and that I would be there by 6 pm to pick "it" up. After a quick few minutes of paperwork and a tutorial, I was on my way.

I told Sister Tiki that the BMW was not starting and could not be jumped either so I needed a rescue. I also told her to bring the camera because I needed to take pictures of somebody at work. So when she arrived at Discover I had had the Smart hidden. I met her outside and took the camera and went back inside. I emerged from another door and drove the car over to her. She was so unimpressed while I was taking a video and it was disappointing. Kimiki and the kids were hidden in the parking lot as well. Sister Tiki gave them a little ride in the Smart. They were thrilled. She loves those kids.

As we go to Europe often we have been smitten by the Smart. It's German (Mercedes)...it's French (manufactured)...viva la Smart!

So now we are Smart!

Graduatus

Yes....

All the kids have graduated from high school. This one's a sweetie!

MariTiki is actually brilliant in so many ways.

We had a good time at her graduation. The speakers were pretty good. MariTiki looked beautiful and was happy with her friends. We got some good pictures. Afterwards we went to the traditional Chili's. Each child has had the after-grad dinner there. It was pretty subdued but still nice. Even the mini Tikis were fairly well behaved.

MariTiki drove home separately in the Montero, and Sister Tiki and I went to Costco to pick up her graduation gift. When Wii got home Wii told he to get the groceries out of the car (I am so sneaky). She went into the trunk and was pretty excited over the gift Wii had gotten her.

Love ya' babe!

ינואר בירושלים

...January in Jerusalem.

Wow...that was a culture shock. That was the first place I had been in over 20 years that did not use a Latin-based alphabet. Squiggles and lines, lines and squiggles.

The hardest part of travel to the Middle East is the plane ride(s). Seemed endless. Heathrow = Hades.

Jet lag...no not Jet Li. Only 9 hours difference...I can hold my breath that long.

Loved the food! Falafels...pitas...bread ropes...hummus...freshly squeezed pomegranate juice..fruitopia...mmm...mmm...mmm. Have you ever had a date in Galiliee? Most people have not...we have.

uggg...Arab drivers. Traffic is not so bad if you can read the signs???

אין חנייה
لا وقوف السيارات
"No Parking"
"Thank you, dumb American for adding to the Jerusalem City coffers," signed Officer Ari.

Arab merchants...made my Jewish blood boil...in Centigrade (international correctness). Jerusalem is, after all, the city of the profits...did I spell that right?

Shekels...a widow's mite for your thoughts.

Olive wood nativity sets. Nice. Varied prices. Negotiation priceless. Customs Agent to Tiki, "now boy, why is it that you have so many nativity sets?"

BYU Jerusalem Center = Mormon University on signs. Shabbat was on Saturday...when in Rome...

Sister Tiki fared well. That was quite the trek up the Mount of Olives...close to 45 degree incline at the top...made Diamond Head look like yawner. Hill...hiller...hillest.

Gethsemane..."now that was one old olive tree." Thanks to Akbar for the "genuine" olive leaves from the garden.

Bethlehem...I touched the spot where Baby Jesus was born! Don't mingle with the LIPs (local indigenous population) here...they are friends of Uncle Hamas over in Gaza.

Still in Bethlehem...St. Catherine's basement where St. Jerome translated the Vulgate (Latin Bible). High 5, dude!

Shepherds' Field...cool...peaceful.

What is the Golden Gate? Certainly not that bridge thingy over San Francisco Bay. "We'll just seal up that 'ol city gate to keep 'their' messiah from comin' in here." Good luck on that...let me know how that goes?

The Wailing Wall...pretty awesome...love that temple stuff.

The Garden Tomb (the "real" one)...pretty awesome...love that temple stuff.

Nazareth...JADAT.

Soldiers...imagine your 18 year old kid with an M16...bravado from the occupying army.

Final observation...how would you react if someone were lobbing rockets into your town? It's easy to be judgmental when you are 10,000 miles away and you have "no skin in the game."

Final observation deux...Jerusalem, the only place you will see more guys in dark suits, white shirts, and ties than the MTC or maybe the CIA headquarters in Langley. The beards and haircuts though...

Shalom
שלום