This past weekend, we packed up and went to our favourite camping spot along a beachy area not too far from Haifa. Friends of ours had already set up before we were able to get there, as I needed to work late, but the warm welcome when we stepped onto the sand with mint tea and bonfire already waiting for us, made a weeks worth of daily stress slip away quicker than a wink.
Together we handily managed to get my tent up in record time, chik chok, and we went about padding the inside with our expertly positioned sleeping bag and blankets. Between chatter in hebrew, english, and arabic, we whiled away the weekend hours making up rhythms and melodies, swimming out to reefs and declaring them conquered, examining moss crabs, running through sand dunes and abandoned paths, playing matkot, killing the game of soccer, and generally combining efforts to make the best bbq's in existance with lots of fresh vegetables from the arab village nearby.
Adorable made up songs in an instant and did one honouring the amazing shakshuka that our good friend Allaa made. I got it all on iphone video. Give it a month, the song's going to be the next national hit. hahaha. I'm ralling for it to be included on his new israeli ep.
Besides the fact that the weekend was incredible. I think I truly witnessed the power of music to bridge any divide.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
culture gap
I'm doing another graduate degree while I continue to work two jobs, and despite the difficulty in meeting assignment deadlines and finding the time to complete my course readings, I'm loving every minute of the program.
But something struck me today.
My class consists of professionals from many differant fields. We have lawyers, UN workers, NGO directors, Diplomants, and etc as members of the small class. Out of 32 students, at least 20 are non-jewish and have come to study in Israel specifically because of the strength of the program.
The class diversity means that we tend to have exceptionally interesting discussions. But what hit me wasn't so much a discussion as a few emails from a close friend and classmate from Japan.
This morning she posted a facebook notice that she's heading to Gaza for a picnic. Someone posted a comment that she should say hello to Gilad and maybe even use some of that sweet doll like charm to persuade Hama's henchmen to release him. I thought it was a peculiar choice of locale for a picnic.
After a morning of facebook exchanges, I noticed that she sent our class an email telling us that she had developed an interest in the french perspective on the holocaust. She suggested some books written in the french language and noted how she preferred a pro zionist take on the holocaust experience. I thought it was unusual that she would out of the blue feel the need to discuss the holocaust interest right after expressing her interest in going to gaza, as if she assumed a need to appease our jewish and arab classmates at the same time. It felt like a small person was stretching over too far a chasm that was only imaginary.
Is this what we've (Israel) created? A situation where our global friends and family constantly assume it's necessary to balance an israeli action with an arab action. Why can't we just frame things on their own? Realistically, Israel has so little to do with resolution in conflict ridden regions that constantly tying actions together is leading everyone in the wrong direction.
But something struck me today.
My class consists of professionals from many differant fields. We have lawyers, UN workers, NGO directors, Diplomants, and etc as members of the small class. Out of 32 students, at least 20 are non-jewish and have come to study in Israel specifically because of the strength of the program.
The class diversity means that we tend to have exceptionally interesting discussions. But what hit me wasn't so much a discussion as a few emails from a close friend and classmate from Japan.
This morning she posted a facebook notice that she's heading to Gaza for a picnic. Someone posted a comment that she should say hello to Gilad and maybe even use some of that sweet doll like charm to persuade Hama's henchmen to release him. I thought it was a peculiar choice of locale for a picnic.
After a morning of facebook exchanges, I noticed that she sent our class an email telling us that she had developed an interest in the french perspective on the holocaust. She suggested some books written in the french language and noted how she preferred a pro zionist take on the holocaust experience. I thought it was unusual that she would out of the blue feel the need to discuss the holocaust interest right after expressing her interest in going to gaza, as if she assumed a need to appease our jewish and arab classmates at the same time. It felt like a small person was stretching over too far a chasm that was only imaginary.
Is this what we've (Israel) created? A situation where our global friends and family constantly assume it's necessary to balance an israeli action with an arab action. Why can't we just frame things on their own? Realistically, Israel has so little to do with resolution in conflict ridden regions that constantly tying actions together is leading everyone in the wrong direction.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
a word from the SATC scripts
Carrie: Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.
coincidence
If you're a free thinker, who can consciously deconstruct mental boundaries and are open to liberal interpretation of experiences, then you can probably support theories of synchronicity and coincidence. Often times my life seems like a series of coincidences, joined length to length with some larger purpose and intent overarching that I'm supposed to divine. I take my imaginary divining rod with me everywhere I travel, not to find water, but to find the fluid of comprehension that underlies who we are individually.
Sometimes I ask for answers and get them in the form of an immediate and telling experience. I feel like I'm asking a council of elders and this is how I get feedback from them.
I've ended up in relationships purely by chance and coincidence. I've fallen in love purely by chance and coincidence. I believe that I was supposed to have the experience that I did in my last relationship. I think despite the fact that all my previous relationships were serious and longterm, I never really felt love as deep as I did in my last relationship. He may have even been my first real love. I still love him but the nature of my love has changed. Reality is harsh and when he out of the blue decided that he loved me and wanted me in his life again, I had already used all my strength to move on and I couldn't risk going backwards. It took me a long time but I did move ahead with my life. I tried to be friends and would always help him if need be, and I did, over and over again without a single thank you.
By coincidence and chance I fell in love again when I thought I never would.
I've never been luckier than the day I met Adorable. With him I feel such unfettered love and intimacy because it flows freely. I don't feel like I have to hold anything back. We're fully involved in each other's lives and he's wholeheartedly embraced whatever we're building together. I can't predict the future but I feel lucky for the now. I hope I can give him the flowers and forests that he gives me.
Sometimes I ask for answers and get them in the form of an immediate and telling experience. I feel like I'm asking a council of elders and this is how I get feedback from them.
I've ended up in relationships purely by chance and coincidence. I've fallen in love purely by chance and coincidence. I believe that I was supposed to have the experience that I did in my last relationship. I think despite the fact that all my previous relationships were serious and longterm, I never really felt love as deep as I did in my last relationship. He may have even been my first real love. I still love him but the nature of my love has changed. Reality is harsh and when he out of the blue decided that he loved me and wanted me in his life again, I had already used all my strength to move on and I couldn't risk going backwards. It took me a long time but I did move ahead with my life. I tried to be friends and would always help him if need be, and I did, over and over again without a single thank you.
By coincidence and chance I fell in love again when I thought I never would.
I've never been luckier than the day I met Adorable. With him I feel such unfettered love and intimacy because it flows freely. I don't feel like I have to hold anything back. We're fully involved in each other's lives and he's wholeheartedly embraced whatever we're building together. I can't predict the future but I feel lucky for the now. I hope I can give him the flowers and forests that he gives me.
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