the salad bar

Today after acing my Arabic Final Exam, I decided to reward myself with a big salad at my favorite salad bar here on campus. As I sit here looking out the big windows out onto the grassy courtyard filled with students returning this week from their strike, I'm reflecting on the joys of life, and the many lessons learned while studying here in Israel. Before my exam I called my dad because I had just received a letter from him dated 27 February, with words of encouragement. "Please take care over there! We all love you and want you safely home. My prayers and God's Angels are with you." He then assured me that I would do well on my test because "I have the mind of Christ". I took his words with me in to my exam, and have carried them with me throughout my day.

Over the past few days, I have been running into people who have been positive energy in my life over the past 6 months. Sharing a few minutes with each of these people has strengthened me, and helped me to feel re-energized and excited not only about being here, but reminding me that I need to embrace each of my remaining minutes in Israel. 2 classes down, 3 to go, and a wonderful country to continue to explore, despite all of its inherent conflicts.

While the world may be coming to an end soon and war is eminent, the best thing we can do for ourselves is to love ourselves and others, nourish our bodies, minds and spirits in the best way we know how. For some a belief and trust in the all-powerful and ever-present Allah, God of the Universe, for others a belief in traditions or history, cultivates our awareness and openness to the world around us. Stand strong, be healthy, and embrace life, because we don't know how long we have left.

sex and culture

I have been studying different world cultures since about 1998 with my involvement as a DJ on a World Music radio station. Shortly thereafter I began dancing Brazilian Samba, and in 2000 I began training the Afro-Brazilian martial art/dance called Capoeira. Such activities have allowed me to embrace the culture, and to become familiar with many facets of the lifestyle such as language, music, and social traditions. Because the primary emphasis in both Samba and Capoeira is on the body, its easy to overlook other cultural norms that come along with this. Due to sexual pressures and interpersonal dillemas resulting from such, I cut off my ties to various groups I had been involved with over the years. I decided to continue my practice of these Brazilian arts, but on my own for fitness, without a particular group identification.

When I moved to Israel, I began training Capoeira with Cordao De Ouro (my original group from 2000 to 2002) which gave me a familiar outlet in this strange country. The class was taught as a university recreation class, more of what I had been sticking to in recent years (like at SDSU) rather than a formal group with many events. Because of the university strike we stopped meeting on campus, and our training was more integrated with the high school level and younger kids' class. The kids are really good Capoeiristas and a lot of fun to be around, good energy. They have brought me joy, laughter, and a new element to my training = purity. This week we had our batizado/troca de cordoes, a semi-formal event where everyone advances to the next cord level, and spends the entire week together. I commented to some of the other university-level students that it was really different training with kids, because we are accountable to engage in different types of conversations and behaviors than if we were around all adults.

The other night we had a barbecue at the home of 3 of the kids (brothers and sister who all train with the group). We ate niknikiot - HOT DOGS inside of pitas, with the standard hummus and vegetables (Israeli-American crossover meal). Dror put on a CD of Forro music - a Brazilian country-style music with close, sexy "couples" dance - which no capoeira party is complete without. I had been longing for Forro, as some of my main friends in San Diego are in a Forro band which performs regularly at local Brazilian parties. I became disturbed when no one was dancing, and discovered that not only did no one know HOW to dance Forro, no one was even familiar with this music, other than that it was Brazilian, and kind of hokey. My first thought was: how can these people call themselves Capoeiristas without a first-hand understanding of other facets of Brazilian culture? The day before I discovered that the girls didn't even know the difference between Axe Bahia-style Samba and Rio-style Samba. I told Dror everyone needed to start dancing, because they were just sitting around. He said, "maybe later, we just ate". It took me a few days to understand what he meant.

Throughout the week I was baffled at how different this Batizado week was than those I had experienced in America and Brazil. While we had many workshops and group activities, the parties lacked the "Brazilian" flavor. I believed this was due to being in Israel, and I DID embrace the Israeli culture more than ever with this group (good for my Hebrew). I have grown to feel so comfortable with them, as this is the first group in 4 years that I have actually been able to identify myself as an official PART of. I even bought a pair of pants with the group name (a big step for me), and earned my next level cord with them - my first cord since 5 years, and my 3rd cord in my total 7 years of training. This Batizado week helped me recognize not only the familiar territory of group comraderie, training, and changing of the cords, but the cultural dimensions that come with the territory. Because of the special environment with the kids, and being in Israel rather than America or Brazil, there were no "other" pressures that I associate with the Capoeira culture. No close-dancing freaky Forro, no scantily-clad Samba gyrations, no Brazilian men all up on my business, no major focus on the human body, just a wholesome, pure, new childlike perspective on the arts and culture of Capoeira that I have loved for so many years. This has been a truly amazing and unique cultural learning experience, that I will take with me much more than my yellow-level cord.

Israeli strikes

for the past month, there has been a University student strike throughout Israel due to their dissatisfaction with tuition rates. They have held numerous protests statewide, created disturbances on campus, and "blocked" the entrances to campus, forcing me to climb the fence to get in. As an international student, my program of study has not been affected (other than these outrageous displays), as we are visiting scholars technically not a part of the overall Israeli education system. Coincidentally I personally pay more for tuition than possibly an other student currently enrolled at the University, so I don't understand what their problem is. Nevertheless I have observed the extreme behaviors of Israeli students during the strike process, as just an example of the overall Israeli extremism which is an integral part of their existence here.

In addition to the student strike, there have been numerous train strikes - at least one per week, labor strikes, and even bread and egg strikes. I kid you not, for an entire week it was illegal to buy bread and it was pulled from the store shelves (except in Arab areas). If that weren't enough, every weekend (called Shabbat) and every holiday (there are at least one per week besides Shabbat) ALL of the stores are closed (except in Arab areas). This is just a part of the overall Israeli culture, so foreign to a foreigner like myself. For the past two weeks there have been rumors of the student strike ending, in order to avoid canceling their entire semester. Fortunately MY semester ends in a few weeks, as I will be completing my second MA.

Now Israel has a greater kind of strike to deal with, brought on by the presence of qassams being fired into in the Negev. For the past few weeks, extreme factional violence has been occurring in Gaza and into Israeli territory, leading to retaliatory strikes by the IDF, into Gaza and on various Palestinian factions and their leaders. Israel's militant response to Palestinian extremism has created a feeling of deja vu, likened to last year's resistance to Hizbollah's strikes in the north. This country is in disarray, from its factional violence, criminals roaming the streets, to its government and education system and unethical decision-making therein. Sending out an SOS to the world - God please help us, here in your Promised Land.

new world order II

As suggested in my last blog entry, Nicolas Sarkozy is a major political player to be taken seriously in the changing global arena > aka New World Order. While foreign policy was not one of the most pressing issues during the French Presidential campaign (other than that Segolene Royal was completely clueless on this topic), it is NOW. Go Nic go! Recent media coverage including this article highlights Sarkozy's aggressive foreign relations strategy with the Middle East region. Plans are being discussed for the 16 countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea to form a union, with cooperation regarding economics, trade and security, and may unify a diverse area comprised of many cultures and religions. This is undoubtedly an extreme political move, but those who are familiar with Sarkozy's aggressive political behaviors should not be surprised by his startling emergence from the ghettos of immigrant France.

Meanwhile, about 10 miles from my house, factional fighting continues between Hamas, Fatah, and the Israeli Defense Force. One news source reported such chaos as "lawlessness" descending upon the Gaza Strip. Targeted killings have transcended Gaza's borders to nearby Israeli towns which have been partially evacuated (many refugees have been moved to the nearby city of Beer Sheva, where I currently reside). Likewise Israel has targeted various terrorist leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad both in Gaza and the West Bank, and the IDF will continue its escalated military action in response to constant rocket attacks from Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with King Abdullah II of Jordan this week to discuss solutions. Let us speculate Jordan's role, strategically sandwich-packed between Israel and Iraq.

In the beginning of the civil war of 1947-48, there were similar attacks and regional battles. Nobody realized at that time that a war was starting. While I wasn't around then, I have been educated about the history through some of my classes (currently working on a MA in Middle East Studies, in Israel). Factional fighting does not really phase anyone here in Israel, because people are used to such things occurring on a regular basis and have seemingly become desensitized. However, this is the start of something really significant - World War III? Both Biblical and Quranic prophecies indicate that the End Times are upon us. So live each day as if it is your last, and may you be enlightened to the reality of the new global paradigm.

new world order

last night during dinner with a few friends, we discussed the topic of newly emerging leadership in the EU. I have been following this topic closely, with my interest in Nicolas Sarkozy and of course the End Times prophecies. My friend actually brought up Sarkozy being Jewish, and I chimed in that I thought he was going to make aliyah because of his heritage, but would actually be for more of a political move. During the election the focus was not on him being Jewish at all, but rather the son of 2 immigrant parents, though he is rather tough on immigration in his policies. Our conversation focused on the new leadership being more conservative, a refreshing change for the loose liberalism that Europe has traditionally been known for.

As Tony Blair steps down on June 27 (coincidentally the same day I leave Israel), Gordon Brown will take over his post as Prime Minister of Britain. Brown has served as the Chancellor of the Exchequer (HM Treasury) since 1997; the Treasury is responsible for formulating and implementing the UK Government's financial and economic policy. Coincidentally, Nicolas Sarkozy served as the Finance Minister of France before giving up his post to run for President. With these two new, powerful, money-minded men now at the helm of the EU, the world will no doubt witness Europe's influence in the commercial sphere.

Another important changing-of-the-guard is taking place at the World Bank, as Paul Wolfowitz steps down, also at the end of June. While speculation indicates that the vacant post should be filled by an American, a few European candidates enter the mix, including none other than Tony Blair. Not only would this be a smooth transition from his current post, but would complete the EU's control of the New World Order. How would such European dominance affect the rest of the world you ask? From a one-world bank to a one-world currency, the Euro has unified not only the European countries in recent years, but will soon unite the entire global community.

stupid human tricks

If you've ever been to Israel, you know that the place is plagued with cats. That's right, the world's favorite housepet, millions of them, roaming the streets among the Bedouins of Beer Sheva. Lately I have been inspired by some of the cats, as they slink down the alleys with grace and agility, waiting quietly before pouncing into a new situation. I have also seen a great number of baby kittens, which are so precious, cute, small, furry, and fragile. Every time I see a baby kitten I am filled with exceeding levels of exuberant joy. I often stop to pet them, and sometimes pick them up and let them sit in the palm of my hand. The other day my friend Sean and I found 4 baby kittens in a hole outside of his dorm building. The mamma cat came over and made these outlandish noises towards Sean, as he was holding the babies in his pockets, and they attached themselves to his shirt with their tiny claws. Who will protect the precious babies without their mother, from other cats and scary humans?

Alone in Israel, I am like a small baby kitten surrounded by strange cats. Too young to speak the language of the other cats, and unprotected from the perils of the neighborhood, I rely on basic instincts and innate defenses. My little claws grasping for whatever they can hold on to. My little cry, barely heard over the societal norms which I am not prepared to face in this unknown territory. Who will help the baby kittens? So precious and fragile, so special to their families, but so alone and defenceless.

Housepets are often known for performing tricks, or expected to conform to the standard "sit", "stay", and "lie down". Sometimes I feel like Im expected to fit into this mold of unrealistic submission. I must slink down the alley stealthily as they perform their stupid human tricks. Since I'm not one for tricks, I pause to lick my wounds before retreating to the shade for my afternoon catnap. The other cats see me lying there and try to pounce on me, but just as they descend into my personal space, I stretch out my paw and greet them with my tiny little claw. Don't step on the kittens. They are precious... little perhaps, but mighty.

grounded in golan

this past weekend I traveled to the Golan Heights in northern Israel, with a group of American students. The weekend was filled with outdoor activities, two 10-mile hikes in the wilderness, bathing in natural waterfalls, white-water rafting in the Jordan river, and swimming in the Sea of Galilee. It was through these activities that I connected with nature, causing me to become even more grounded than I have been feeling in recent weeks. I am so grateful for this opportunity to live, study, and travel in Israel.

While the Golan Heights is an area often known as the grounds for war and continually disputed territory, it is also a place of peace and natural beauty. The higher elevation made for a different purity of air which accompanied a feeling of spiritual purity. i was among a group of Jews and we stayed in a Jewish neighborhood, heightening the Shabbat experience overall. While I do not understand all of their traditions, I was able to observe, learn, embrace, and even share some of my own beliefs. This religious aspect added to the spiritual atmosphere of the higher grounds in Golan. In addition we visited a local winery, keeping spirits high and feeling nature within all of our senses.

one word that rang true for me throughout the weekend (besides peace) was "transcendence". Feeling ever grounded, as I hiked through the wilderness of nature's temporal sphere, I experienced the sensation one often attains through meditation and yoga - transcending one's own reality to the level of spiritual/physical bliss and unearthly euphoria. I have felt this before in meditation, but I was experiencing it here as I trudged through the brambles on the mountainside and skipped stones on the creek. The best way to describe it would be as Neo approached his interactions within "the Matrix" - a constructed reality in which nothing is fully what it appears, and what is real is questioned by the alternate paradigm of the Matrix. The same invincibility and ability to face challenges (like the opponents' bullets) and tackle them by a simple swing of the arm, a slight ducking to one side, or gracefully escaping into a backbend, became my strategy. Being grounded requires much more than a solid foundation, it requires strength, agility, tenacity, connection with one's surroundings, and the ability to transcend with wisdom and discernment.

life's a beach

Today I went to the beach in Tel Aviv, my first time to visit the beach since my trip to San Diego 3 months ago! It cost 46 shekels (about 12 bucks) to take the train round trip from Beer Sheva, and was quite an exciting adventure. The weather has been so beautiful here, Tel Aviv feeling much like San Diego, and the Negev Desert feeling much like Arizona or Mexico. I have really been longing for the beach lately, and I felt it calling me today.

Throughout my lifetime, the ocean has always provided a place of tranquility and peacefulness for me. Listening to the waves crashing on the shore, watching the tides roll along, and smelling the fresh sea air are all enjoyable aspects of the beautiful beaches of the world. As a large percentage of the earth's surface is water, the sea is not only a vital area for travel and commerce but also an incredible balancing force on our planet. It's no wonder that the most popular vacation destinations are coastal or islands, and people often go on cruises to find themselves out in the middle of the vast ocean - an incredible feeling of harmony with nature.

After the tranquility of the sea, the most important thing to observe while at the beach is the happiness and peace of the people there. It is a place where you rarely see anyone angry or spreading hatred or violence. You see people running and playing games, children building sand castles, and surfers finding balance. You see teens embracing their social milieu together in laughter and comraderie. You see young adults partaking in libations and releasing their inhibitions. You see families enjoying their time together and frolicking in the water. You see singles and older folks relaxing, sunbathing, reading, listening to music, exercising, or people-watching. You see people sharing or collecting items they enjoy, whether for a hobby, personal pleasure, or even financial gain. All of these people share a feeling of positivity, relaxation, or recreation which I believe can only be attributed to the sea's majestic power. And behind the majesty of the sea is it's Creator, giver and sustainer of all life. Thinking of the popular t-shirt slogan "life's a beach", wouldn't it be nice to superimpose this magical environment onto all of life's scenarios? Remember that you have the power to create your own environment, so why not let your personal energy embody the tranquility of the sea?