Monday, September 18, 2006
That 9/11 thing
You might wonder why I haven’t touched upon the anniversary of 9/11. Well, my response to that anniversary is to say: yeh, we’ve caught a few of these barbarians, but they’re just a drop in the bucket: many more desire our downfall, plotting as we speak, and we’re still taking a kid glove attitude like they can be reasoned with and placated. I see this administration doing nothing about the borders, about seriously securing our transport (not only planes, and not only cosmetic inconveniences), about truly reforming those entities that are supposed to protect us (DHS, CIA, FBI, etc.). Until these things are seriously and diligently addressed – for the long term – we’re still extremely vulnerable. What more can I say?
In Appreciation: Oriana Fallaci
Oriana Fallaci, Italian journalist and author, died of cancer this last Friday, September 15th. Her fiery passion and brazen, uncowed style will be missed. You’ll remember, I just reviewed her book The Force of Reason recently here and had read (but not reviewed) her previous book The Rage and the Pride at DH Jeff's insistence when it came out. The Washington Post did a nice write-up on Saturday. She expressed her rage against Islam in The Rage and the Pride, in response to the atrocities of 9/11, and continued her diatribe in The Force against what she saw as the invading hordes of a religion into the West having anything but benign intentions. Ms. Fallaci had a rich career of interviewing (and provoking) political leaders around the world, such as Henry Kissinger, Ayatollah Khomeini, Yassir Arafat and Ariel Sharon. Early in her career, she covered conflicts such as the Viet Nam war and the 1968 massacre of student protesters in Mexico City.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Where in the world...?
Sadly, I have not been posting much & one might wonder what's the problem. Well, here's what's been up in my world:
- Biology class demands. Tomorrow's the first exam and Monday at lab was first lab quiz (one every week). That said, I like the prof (really a together, organized sort) & we got to look at stuff under the microscope in lab, including this tiny water insect that was wonder what happened to his aquatic world.
- Honors! Speaking of school, I've been nominated for an honor society at Marymount. Not my first in general, but my first there. Figures, though, that the only recognition I get is the kind I have to pay for.
- Work. Did I mention I've been working so hard, that I get home completely exhausted every day? Not to mention the dreary, chilly weather we've been having lately.
- Book Club? We've put it on hiatus because of lack of interest. Evidently to most, book club is something you drop by on when you have nothing better to do. Otherwise, no communication. Very frustrating to those of us who make an effort and actually host the thing! A few stalwarts, though, & we plan on recruiting others & hopefully opening up shop again in a few months.
- Exercise. This week isn't a good example, but I've been trying to work out regularly to get rid of this sludge around my middle and thighs. You probably wouldn't notice it, but that's irrelevant. I get to have my obsessions if I want.
- Socializing! Hah! Yes, actually going out with friends and family! And yes, I'd rather be doing that than carving out the time to blog. Sad, my lack of commitment. Ah, but mental healthy-speaking, a vast improvement over (specifically my) anti-social attitudes of the past.
Ok, enough for now. More soon, I promise! Rants galore! Harsh language and sentiments!
- Biology class demands. Tomorrow's the first exam and Monday at lab was first lab quiz (one every week). That said, I like the prof (really a together, organized sort) & we got to look at stuff under the microscope in lab, including this tiny water insect that was wonder what happened to his aquatic world.
- Honors! Speaking of school, I've been nominated for an honor society at Marymount. Not my first in general, but my first there. Figures, though, that the only recognition I get is the kind I have to pay for.
- Work. Did I mention I've been working so hard, that I get home completely exhausted every day? Not to mention the dreary, chilly weather we've been having lately.
- Book Club? We've put it on hiatus because of lack of interest. Evidently to most, book club is something you drop by on when you have nothing better to do. Otherwise, no communication. Very frustrating to those of us who make an effort and actually host the thing! A few stalwarts, though, & we plan on recruiting others & hopefully opening up shop again in a few months.
- Exercise. This week isn't a good example, but I've been trying to work out regularly to get rid of this sludge around my middle and thighs. You probably wouldn't notice it, but that's irrelevant. I get to have my obsessions if I want.
- Socializing! Hah! Yes, actually going out with friends and family! And yes, I'd rather be doing that than carving out the time to blog. Sad, my lack of commitment. Ah, but mental healthy-speaking, a vast improvement over (specifically my) anti-social attitudes of the past.
Ok, enough for now. More soon, I promise! Rants galore! Harsh language and sentiments!
Monday, September 04, 2006
Random thoughts
I just started my Biology class. Can't ignore the irony that the first few chapters we cover concern - anyone? anyone? - Chemistry! Aggghhhh! But that disturbing occurrence aside, the prof is organized and proactive - he emails us the syllabus and first lecture slides BEFORE we set foot in the classroom. Now that's impressive. Also, he seems really engaged in the study and how to bring it across to students - i.e., interested in actually making sure we grasp the concepts. This bodes well.
On a completely different topic, I've noticed that the more I focus on a task or more specifically a bunch of tasks, working on them concurrently, the more I get done. At work, I've had an (expected) avalanche of work that provokes that kind of focus. Although I've been exhausted over the last week, I've also been energized by the sheer volume of work & now study that I've been able to accomplish.
I'm planning to transfer some of that residual energy to home. There's this series of paintings by a Mexican artist that my dad gave me which badly need re-matting & framing. I'm finally going to take one of them (to start) to get this done & finally display it. Brother Chris & wife Steph should appreciate this as they've had a couple of the series framed (and displayed) so nicely. Today, in another effort to improve our home environment, I'm going to work on getting rid of some clutter in the apt. Less clutter, more tranquility and function.
At this point, I was going to launch into a catty tirade, but that'll have to wait.
Oh, one last thought: I'm currently in a state of non-indebtedness: I've paid off my school loans, my credit card balance in full (which included my Biology class tuition), our rent and bills are covered. I'm going to savor this moment - because it will not last long. But a keen moment it is!
End communication.
On a completely different topic, I've noticed that the more I focus on a task or more specifically a bunch of tasks, working on them concurrently, the more I get done. At work, I've had an (expected) avalanche of work that provokes that kind of focus. Although I've been exhausted over the last week, I've also been energized by the sheer volume of work & now study that I've been able to accomplish.
I'm planning to transfer some of that residual energy to home. There's this series of paintings by a Mexican artist that my dad gave me which badly need re-matting & framing. I'm finally going to take one of them (to start) to get this done & finally display it. Brother Chris & wife Steph should appreciate this as they've had a couple of the series framed (and displayed) so nicely. Today, in another effort to improve our home environment, I'm going to work on getting rid of some clutter in the apt. Less clutter, more tranquility and function.
At this point, I was going to launch into a catty tirade, but that'll have to wait.
Oh, one last thought: I'm currently in a state of non-indebtedness: I've paid off my school loans, my credit card balance in full (which included my Biology class tuition), our rent and bills are covered. I'm going to savor this moment - because it will not last long. But a keen moment it is!
End communication.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Ten Days in Israel - Some final Q & As
Dear Readers,
Before I ended this series, I wanted to get some personal reactions from Mom on the high points of her trip. Below are her impressions. Enjoy!
-------------------
Q: What was your favorite part of the trip?
A: A "loaded" question! Where to begin?!? Finally being there~for sure! I should have gone a long time ago. Actually, there were quite a few favorites, and I guess some of the favorites were also the most "moving." Giving you the "bigger picture," I guess I'll have to say experiencing the Israelis and their way of life.
I've always been very curious and have always wanted to learn more about their religion, their traditions, and so on. This may sound strange, but somehow I feel a kind of kinship toward them that is difficult to comprehend and even harder to explain.
Q: What was the most impactful or impressive part?
A: Considering myself a christian, it was walking in "Christ's footsteps," if you will. So the place would have to be Old Jerusalem.
In most of these biblical places, I could almost feel His presence at times... which would either make the hair from the back of my neck "bristle," have me in "goose bumps," or feel an overwhelming sadness that would bring me close to tears...or ALL of the above.
Q: What was the food like?
A: The food was great! Whenever we could, we would eat authentic~~I don't think I could ever tire of having Mediterranean cuisine. However, most of the meals were at the hotels where we lodged. The buffets were always wonderfully hugh, with so much variety that I could never really experience everything! However, I sure did try, and must have gained 10 pounds or more!
Q: If you could spend more time at one place/site/area, what would it be?
A: As you may already surmise, I prefer to be near water, so I would probably choose some city/town around the Mediterranean Sea (Haifa or Netanya, for example). Another place would be Tiberias, next to the Sea of Galilee (actually a lake). Water is always soothing to me....
Q: Anything else you'd like to add?
A: I would certainly be very happy going to Israel every so often (maybe twice a year), staying for an extended period of time (say a month or so), getting to know the country, etc. After all - who knows - I might just decide to move there!
Technorati Topics: travel, israel
Before I ended this series, I wanted to get some personal reactions from Mom on the high points of her trip. Below are her impressions. Enjoy!
-------------------
Q: What was your favorite part of the trip?
A: A "loaded" question! Where to begin?!? Finally being there~for sure! I should have gone a long time ago. Actually, there were quite a few favorites, and I guess some of the favorites were also the most "moving." Giving you the "bigger picture," I guess I'll have to say experiencing the Israelis and their way of life.
I've always been very curious and have always wanted to learn more about their religion, their traditions, and so on. This may sound strange, but somehow I feel a kind of kinship toward them that is difficult to comprehend and even harder to explain.
Q: What was the most impactful or impressive part?
A: Considering myself a christian, it was walking in "Christ's footsteps," if you will. So the place would have to be Old Jerusalem.
In most of these biblical places, I could almost feel His presence at times... which would either make the hair from the back of my neck "bristle," have me in "goose bumps," or feel an overwhelming sadness that would bring me close to tears...or ALL of the above.
Q: What was the food like?
A: The food was great! Whenever we could, we would eat authentic~~I don't think I could ever tire of having Mediterranean cuisine. However, most of the meals were at the hotels where we lodged. The buffets were always wonderfully hugh, with so much variety that I could never really experience everything! However, I sure did try, and must have gained 10 pounds or more!
Q: If you could spend more time at one place/site/area, what would it be?
A: As you may already surmise, I prefer to be near water, so I would probably choose some city/town around the Mediterranean Sea (Haifa or Netanya, for example). Another place would be Tiberias, next to the Sea of Galilee (actually a lake). Water is always soothing to me....
Q: Anything else you'd like to add?
A: I would certainly be very happy going to Israel every so often (maybe twice a year), staying for an extended period of time (say a month or so), getting to know the country, etc. After all - who knows - I might just decide to move there!
Technorati Topics: travel, israel
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Ten Days in Israel - Part IV
Following is Mom's final travelogue of her trip to Israel. Enjoy!
-----------
SHALOM--Welcome back to Israel...in happier times.
Monday, June 26 ~ Jerusalem Old City ~ continued ~
We started our day with a visit to the Wohl Museum of Archeology in Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter and the Herodian Quarter site, known as the Second Temple period. We viewed the Model of the Second Temple--Herod's Temple, built in 514 B.C.E. [Renee’s note: Before Common Era, AKA B.C. or Before Christ – you understand why Israelis don’t use this]. It stood 15 stories high and was completed in 18 mouths! The temple was destroyed by Titus circa 70 C.E. [Renee’s note: Common Era, AKA A.D. or Anno Domini, “in the year of our Lord” – same note as above].
At the Burnt House location, we experienced a moving presentation of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple. We toured the Temple Institute where the Book of Leviticus came to life, with replicas of vessels, priests' garb, spices, etc. The Book of Leviticus is the third book of the Hebrew Bible, referred to by Christians as The Old Testament.
Along the way, we attended an exhibition of biblical-time fragrances, and took in a most magnificent rooftop view of the four quarters (Moslem, Christian, Jewish, Armenian).
We explored the Southern Wall Excavation and took a virtual, computerized walk through the Jerusalem Temple at the Davidson Center. We viewed some of the most significant sites in Israel by means of exhibitions. The Center is an extension of the Archaeological Park.
Tuesday, June 27 ~ Dead Sea ~
Excavations anyone?
Early, we departed for the Masada National Park, located near the shores of the Dead Sea, between Ein Gedi and Sodom. We ascended by cable car for a tour/discussion of the dilemma faced by its Jewish Zealots. A most glorious sight!
We enjoyed a walk through the beautiful Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and studied the biblical stories of Kings David and Saul that took place. It was here that David composed several Psalms.
We proceeded to the Qumran – the site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the ancient Essene (Garden of Peace) community.
We then stopped for a brief dip in the Dead Sea, a "must" but quite messy experience, to say the least! The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth AND one of the saltiest! It is the deepest hyper-saline lake in the world!!
During "the dip," you must be very aware NOT to let the water get in your eyes--sooooooo submerging is most definitely a no-no! Floating is NOT a problem, feeling as though your whole body just wants to keep "popping up"! A "sensational" experience! After "the dip," we showered twice to get the slimy mud off! This mud is supposedly healing and good for the skin however. Of course, ANOTHER "must" is to buy their skin "sea beauty" products (what better way to help Israel but to buy your next gifts AND indulge yourself, check out www.ifcj.org (International Fellowship of Christians and Jews) catalog!
We drove through the Jordan Valley and visited Yardenit--the Jordan River and viewed the site of the Baptism of Jesus Christ by John (The Baptist), Jesus's cousin. The Yardenit Baptismal site has become a focal point for hundreds of thousands of modern pilgrims. They come, clad in flowing white robes, paying tribute by submerging themselves in the waters...
Wednesday, June 28 ~ Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee ~ The Christian Tour ~
We started the day with a tour of The Yigal Alon Center, home to The Ancient Galilee Boat. In 1986, two brothers from Ginosar – a lakeside location –discovered the boat, during a drought resulting in the lowering of the waters. The boat dates back to first centuries B.C. Analyses suggest this was the type of boat used during Jesus' Time, and so is known as "the Jesus Boat."
We drove to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, visited St. Peter's Primacy (Matthew 16), and traveled to the 2000-year-old remains of Capernaum (Luke 4)--a settlement on the shores of the Lake. We stood in what is left of the synagogue in which Jesus ministered. It was here that Jesus did most of his Galilean ministry, and where he performed many miracles. We viewed Kursi, where Jesus cast the demons into pigs that ran into the sea (Matthew 8).
At Ein Gev, we took a beautiful sunset boat ride across the Sea. We ended our day by enjoying a wonderful traditional fish dinner at a nearby sea-side restaurant.
Thursday, June 29 ~ Upper Galilee ~
And yet more excavations!
We drove to Corazim National Park, toured the Hula Valley, and the ruins of the ancient city Banias/ Caesarea Philippi, then continued to the tranquil Dan Nature Reserve. On to Tel Hai (Hill of Life), a national monument, and ascended Mount Meron to pay tribute to Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai, a famous scholar during the Roman Period. We toured synagogues, courtyards, shops, graves and mikveh ("ritual bath" used for purification) of the Ari z"l in the mystical city of Tzefat.
Our day ended with a great dinner and an overnight at the Kibbutz Kfar Giladi.
Friday, June 30 ~ Lower Galilee and Coast Line ~
Early departure for the city of Nazareth. We toured the ancient, excavated city of Tzippoi, and viewed beautiful mosaics and other finds from the time of the Mishna (200 C.E., the time when the entire body of Jewish religious law was passed down and developed).
We viewed the excavation of the ancient city of Megiddo, associated with Armageddon, the final battleground between good and evil. We ascended the summit of Mount Carmel for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Haifa Bay and Western Galilee. We visited the impressive site of the ancient city of Caesarea, and continued to Jerusalem...ending "The Excavation Period"!
Once in Jerusalem, we prepared for the Shabbat, and a wonderful farewell Shabbat Dinner for all!
Saturday, July 1 ~ Jerusalem ~
Whew!! Finally, a free day devoted to shopping and just roaming around the old quarters. For lunch, we discovered a very nice roof-top restaurant, and enjoyed pizza and cold beer!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I won't say "the end" BUT rather a beginning to many more adventures to this beautiful and very interesting country!
I hope you've enjoyed touring Israel through Renee's mom's eyes. I know it was a terrific thrill for me! THANKS to Renee for giving me the opportunity.
SHALOM, SHALOM to all!! (Hebrew word for peace)
Adela
Technorati Topics: travel, israel
-----------
SHALOM--Welcome back to Israel...in happier times.
Monday, June 26 ~ Jerusalem Old City ~ continued ~
We started our day with a visit to the Wohl Museum of Archeology in Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter and the Herodian Quarter site, known as the Second Temple period. We viewed the Model of the Second Temple--Herod's Temple, built in 514 B.C.E. [Renee’s note: Before Common Era, AKA B.C. or Before Christ – you understand why Israelis don’t use this]. It stood 15 stories high and was completed in 18 mouths! The temple was destroyed by Titus circa 70 C.E. [Renee’s note: Common Era, AKA A.D. or Anno Domini, “in the year of our Lord” – same note as above].
At the Burnt House location, we experienced a moving presentation of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple. We toured the Temple Institute where the Book of Leviticus came to life, with replicas of vessels, priests' garb, spices, etc. The Book of Leviticus is the third book of the Hebrew Bible, referred to by Christians as The Old Testament.
Along the way, we attended an exhibition of biblical-time fragrances, and took in a most magnificent rooftop view of the four quarters (Moslem, Christian, Jewish, Armenian).
We explored the Southern Wall Excavation and took a virtual, computerized walk through the Jerusalem Temple at the Davidson Center. We viewed some of the most significant sites in Israel by means of exhibitions. The Center is an extension of the Archaeological Park.
Tuesday, June 27 ~ Dead Sea ~
Excavations anyone?
Early, we departed for the Masada National Park, located near the shores of the Dead Sea, between Ein Gedi and Sodom. We ascended by cable car for a tour/discussion of the dilemma faced by its Jewish Zealots. A most glorious sight!
We enjoyed a walk through the beautiful Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and studied the biblical stories of Kings David and Saul that took place. It was here that David composed several Psalms.
We proceeded to the Qumran – the site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the ancient Essene (Garden of Peace) community.
We then stopped for a brief dip in the Dead Sea, a "must" but quite messy experience, to say the least! The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth AND one of the saltiest! It is the deepest hyper-saline lake in the world!!
During "the dip," you must be very aware NOT to let the water get in your eyes--sooooooo submerging is most definitely a no-no! Floating is NOT a problem, feeling as though your whole body just wants to keep "popping up"! A "sensational" experience! After "the dip," we showered twice to get the slimy mud off! This mud is supposedly healing and good for the skin however. Of course, ANOTHER "must" is to buy their skin "sea beauty" products (what better way to help Israel but to buy your next gifts AND indulge yourself, check out www.ifcj.org (International Fellowship of Christians and Jews) catalog!
We drove through the Jordan Valley and visited Yardenit--the Jordan River and viewed the site of the Baptism of Jesus Christ by John (The Baptist), Jesus's cousin. The Yardenit Baptismal site has become a focal point for hundreds of thousands of modern pilgrims. They come, clad in flowing white robes, paying tribute by submerging themselves in the waters...
Wednesday, June 28 ~ Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee ~ The Christian Tour ~
We started the day with a tour of The Yigal Alon Center, home to The Ancient Galilee Boat. In 1986, two brothers from Ginosar – a lakeside location –discovered the boat, during a drought resulting in the lowering of the waters. The boat dates back to first centuries B.C. Analyses suggest this was the type of boat used during Jesus' Time, and so is known as "the Jesus Boat."
We drove to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, visited St. Peter's Primacy (Matthew 16), and traveled to the 2000-year-old remains of Capernaum (Luke 4)--a settlement on the shores of the Lake. We stood in what is left of the synagogue in which Jesus ministered. It was here that Jesus did most of his Galilean ministry, and where he performed many miracles. We viewed Kursi, where Jesus cast the demons into pigs that ran into the sea (Matthew 8).
At Ein Gev, we took a beautiful sunset boat ride across the Sea. We ended our day by enjoying a wonderful traditional fish dinner at a nearby sea-side restaurant.
Thursday, June 29 ~ Upper Galilee ~
And yet more excavations!
We drove to Corazim National Park, toured the Hula Valley, and the ruins of the ancient city Banias/ Caesarea Philippi, then continued to the tranquil Dan Nature Reserve. On to Tel Hai (Hill of Life), a national monument, and ascended Mount Meron to pay tribute to Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai, a famous scholar during the Roman Period. We toured synagogues, courtyards, shops, graves and mikveh ("ritual bath" used for purification) of the Ari z"l in the mystical city of Tzefat.
Our day ended with a great dinner and an overnight at the Kibbutz Kfar Giladi.
Friday, June 30 ~ Lower Galilee and Coast Line ~
Early departure for the city of Nazareth. We toured the ancient, excavated city of Tzippoi, and viewed beautiful mosaics and other finds from the time of the Mishna (200 C.E., the time when the entire body of Jewish religious law was passed down and developed).
We viewed the excavation of the ancient city of Megiddo, associated with Armageddon, the final battleground between good and evil. We ascended the summit of Mount Carmel for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Haifa Bay and Western Galilee. We visited the impressive site of the ancient city of Caesarea, and continued to Jerusalem...ending "The Excavation Period"!
Once in Jerusalem, we prepared for the Shabbat, and a wonderful farewell Shabbat Dinner for all!
Saturday, July 1 ~ Jerusalem ~
Whew!! Finally, a free day devoted to shopping and just roaming around the old quarters. For lunch, we discovered a very nice roof-top restaurant, and enjoyed pizza and cold beer!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I won't say "the end" BUT rather a beginning to many more adventures to this beautiful and very interesting country!
I hope you've enjoyed touring Israel through Renee's mom's eyes. I know it was a terrific thrill for me! THANKS to Renee for giving me the opportunity.
SHALOM, SHALOM to all!! (Hebrew word for peace)
Adela
Technorati Topics: travel, israel
Sliding into Home at Cosi
I went over to Cosi for lunch, had my salad & yummy bread in hand when I found myself on the floor - a victim of a tiny drop of water. No injury except to my ego, but the funny (curious) thing is that everyone lunged to my rescue, asking me if I was ok. The employees I understand (no, I'm not going to sue), but all the men around were very concerned. It was sweet. If embarrassing.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Star Trek turns 40
In the Travel Section of the Post is a piece about the festivities across the land celebrating Star Trek's 40th anniversary. According to the article, the first episode of the Classic Series aired September 8, 1966 (year of my birth, by the way, heh). Amazing that a series that lasted only three seasons spawned several more series, a bevy of movies and legions of fans throughout the world. Curious.
Book Reviews: "Force" and "Risk"
Oriana Fallaci is very angry and that comes across loud and clear in her second book of a three book series, The Force of Reason. So loud and clear that I had to literally put down the book several times before finishing it because that anger was so infectious. For those uninitiated, Oriana Fallaci is an Italian journalist who wrote The Rage and the Pride as a response to 9/11. She’s noteworthy because she’s equally unapologetically pro-American and unequivocally blunt (read: un-PC) about her feelings toward Moslems in general and what she sees as their deleterious effects on Western civilization in particular.
To tell you the truth, while I found The Rage and the Pride to be a breath of fresh air with a European’s staunch support for America and its ideals, her unvarnished feelings toward those who perpetrated the 9/11 atrocities and her sense of the dangers ahead with this demographic (young male Islamists), I found The Force of Reason just ragingly angry and as DH Jeff says “a book-length blog rant.” Now, keep in mind that while many of her assertions and warnings parallel my own, I am uneasy with what her prose evokes in me.
And yet – I had just finished the book when the news broke of the foiled plane blow-up plot in Great Britain. And the arrest of two young Moslem men (oops! add three to that) stateside who had engaged in mega-purchases of tracphones (disposable phones). And the missing Egyptian eleven. Those events certainly reinforce my belief that Islam is not our friend and that we (the West in general and the US specifically) MUST stop being “sensitive” (read: permissive, weak, ambivalent) about those in our midst and throughout the world who may indeed be planning our harm – at least – and our total annihilation at worst. All in all, I’d give this work a B or B- for the reasons above and the fact that Fallaci provides no citations for her historical assertions or quotes.
The book I read immediately after Force was Patricia Cornwell’s At Risk. Cornwell is one of my favorite authors and in this instance, provided a balm after the impotent fury of Fallaci. This book told of much more garden-variety criminals with no in-the-name-of-God motivations and the authorities’ pursuit of them through sleuthing. Now, purist Cornwell fans (those who only like the Kay Scarpetta story lines) will not be impressed by this effort: the author introduces a third story line with new characters. However, I found it to be an enjoyable read with engaging subplots which will undoubtedly be explored in future books. The forensic tech talk about improvements in evidence analysis held my interest as well. I would give this book a solid B+: engaging writing and plot, but with new, unknown characters (ok, there’s a bit of the purist in me).
To tell you the truth, while I found The Rage and the Pride to be a breath of fresh air with a European’s staunch support for America and its ideals, her unvarnished feelings toward those who perpetrated the 9/11 atrocities and her sense of the dangers ahead with this demographic (young male Islamists), I found The Force of Reason just ragingly angry and as DH Jeff says “a book-length blog rant.” Now, keep in mind that while many of her assertions and warnings parallel my own, I am uneasy with what her prose evokes in me.
And yet – I had just finished the book when the news broke of the foiled plane blow-up plot in Great Britain. And the arrest of two young Moslem men (oops! add three to that) stateside who had engaged in mega-purchases of tracphones (disposable phones). And the missing Egyptian eleven. Those events certainly reinforce my belief that Islam is not our friend and that we (the West in general and the US specifically) MUST stop being “sensitive” (read: permissive, weak, ambivalent) about those in our midst and throughout the world who may indeed be planning our harm – at least – and our total annihilation at worst. All in all, I’d give this work a B or B- for the reasons above and the fact that Fallaci provides no citations for her historical assertions or quotes.
The book I read immediately after Force was Patricia Cornwell’s At Risk. Cornwell is one of my favorite authors and in this instance, provided a balm after the impotent fury of Fallaci. This book told of much more garden-variety criminals with no in-the-name-of-God motivations and the authorities’ pursuit of them through sleuthing. Now, purist Cornwell fans (those who only like the Kay Scarpetta story lines) will not be impressed by this effort: the author introduces a third story line with new characters. However, I found it to be an enjoyable read with engaging subplots which will undoubtedly be explored in future books. The forensic tech talk about improvements in evidence analysis held my interest as well. I would give this book a solid B+: engaging writing and plot, but with new, unknown characters (ok, there’s a bit of the purist in me).
Monday, August 07, 2006
Ten Days in Israel - Part III
Following is part 3 in Mom's Ten Days in Israel. In light of the current events enfolding there, Mom offers the following organization for those interested in helping Israel: International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
-------------
[Note: The places toured on June 24th are sometimes not in the order we toured them, but more in the sequence of historical events, so as to make it "flowing" for the readers.]
Shalom and onward!
Saturday, June 24 ~ Christian sites tour ~
~ A truly somber and reflective day ~
Our day started with a visit to the Pool of Bethesda, in Jerusalem. Bethesda means, "house of mercy," and reported as the site Jesus healed an invalid man (John 5)...
...drove to the top of the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem, where Jesus often brought his disciples to teach and pray (Acts 1)...
...walked up through the ancient walls of Jerusalem, ending in the Upper Room. The Upper Room commemorates Jesus' Last Supper with his apostles before his death (Luke 22).
...walked the historic Palm Sunday road. Palm Sunday is the day we remember Jesus' "triumphal entry" into Jerusalem, exactly one week before his resurrection (Matthew 21). Palm branches were laid on the road, as Jesus rode a donkey into the city...
...walked down to the Garden of Gethsemane (John 18), an extremely moving experience. The Garden was Jesus' favorite resting place. It was here where He waited and prayed...,it was here where He suffered for the sins of the world...,it was here where He was betrayed by the disciple Judas; and it was here where He awaited his arrest the night before He was crucified...
...visited The Sisters of Zion Church, where Jesus was whipped before mockers....
After, we visited the Church of All Nations which is located right next to the Garden.
We drove to St. Peter in Gallicantu, site of Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest's house where Jesus was taken after his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane.
We went to the traditional site of Calvary, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This site commemorates Jesus' crucifixion.
We visited The Garden Tomb. The Garden Tomb has two chambers cut out of solid rock. This site coincides with the Gospel accounts of where Christ was said to be buried. We paused for a brief prayer in remembrance of Jesus Christ's saving death (Luke 23)...
...and this is where we ended this very moving day....
[Note: The places toured on June 25th and the 26th are pretty much in the order taken.]
Sunday, June 25 ~ Jerusalem New City ~
We attended a very comprehensive and interesting lecture by Knesset member Prof. Arieh Eldad. After, we took a VIP tour of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. A lecture followed regarding Israel's evolving democracy, and later met with representatives from various sides of their politics.
We drove by the architectural wonder of the Supreme Court on the way to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum--a memorial to the six million Jews murdered during WWII.
We visited the Shaare Zedek Hospital, a 500-bed facility located in the center of Jerusalem. Our visit started with a moving presentation on how the hospital copes with terror. We saw how they respond medically to mass disasters, and how they save the lives of heart attack victims through pioneering techniques.
We also had a glimpse of some of the happier aspects of their work, such as, bringing close to 11,000 babies a year into the world!
Their Weinstock Family Department of Emergency Medicine is a major addition to Jerusalem's emergency preparedness infrastructure, due to its superior design, and centrally accessible location. This state-of-the- art facility provides the most modern and effective trauma and emergency treatments.
The support the Medical Center receives from their worldwide network of friends is most important, since they receive no government funding. Shaare Zedek celebrated the hospital's 100th anniversary in 2002.
A brief visit to the Jerusalem College of Technology followed. This college was founded in 1969 and has grown into one of Israel's major academic institutions of higher education, specializing in high-tech engineering and industrial management. They grant academic degrees in:
~ Physics and Medical Engineering
~ Physics and Electro-Optics Engineering
~ Electronic Engineering
~ Industrial Engineering and Management
~ Software Engineering
~ Computer Science
~ Managerial Accounting and information Systems
~ Technology Management and Marketing
We visited the Synagogue of the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Ein Karem, located in a beautiful setting near Jerusalem. There we viewed the Chagall stained-glass windows, installed in 1962. The windows represent the twelve sons of the Patriarch Jacob, from whom came the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and depicts Jewish history, its tragedies and its victories.
Monday, June 26 ~ Jerusalem Old City ~
We started with a visit to the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other rare ancient manuscripts. This Dome-like building covers a structure which is two-third below the ground and is reflected in a pool of water that surrounds it.
Then on to the Western Wall (known as the Wailing Wall to most), and saw the massive foundation stones in the Kotel tunnels. I was even able to write a message/wish/prayer and insert it into one of the many, many crevices throughout the stones. This is a ritual for most locals, and a "must" for tourists as well. People from near and far go and pray next to the wall, while laying their hands upon it. Yet, another very moving experience!
The Western Wall site is also a popular place for the celebration of the "coming-of-age" events for young adults. These are usually celebrated at the age of thirteen, and are known as Bar Mitzvahs (male) and Bat Mitzvahs (females). Bat/Bar Mitzvah in Hebrew means "son/daughter of the commandment". This means a boy/girl has reached adulthood and is fully responsible for his/her morals and religious duties--becoming a full-fledged member of the Jewish community. On this particular day, there were many such celebrations. The celebrant is hoisted on the shoulders of their father. The families enjoy the tourists joining them on their respective processions and can even participate--a really joyous occasion! Singing takes place and we even get to throw little individual-wrapped candies for all--a fun thing to do, and ending this day of much sight-seeing on a very happy note!
To be continued...don't miss my "final episode" coming up soon....
-------------
[Note: The places toured on June 24th are sometimes not in the order we toured them, but more in the sequence of historical events, so as to make it "flowing" for the readers.]
Shalom and onward!
Saturday, June 24 ~ Christian sites tour ~
~ A truly somber and reflective day ~
Our day started with a visit to the Pool of Bethesda, in Jerusalem. Bethesda means, "house of mercy," and reported as the site Jesus healed an invalid man (John 5)...
...drove to the top of the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem, where Jesus often brought his disciples to teach and pray (Acts 1)...
...walked up through the ancient walls of Jerusalem, ending in the Upper Room. The Upper Room commemorates Jesus' Last Supper with his apostles before his death (Luke 22).
...walked the historic Palm Sunday road. Palm Sunday is the day we remember Jesus' "triumphal entry" into Jerusalem, exactly one week before his resurrection (Matthew 21). Palm branches were laid on the road, as Jesus rode a donkey into the city...
...walked down to the Garden of Gethsemane (John 18), an extremely moving experience. The Garden was Jesus' favorite resting place. It was here where He waited and prayed...,it was here where He suffered for the sins of the world...,it was here where He was betrayed by the disciple Judas; and it was here where He awaited his arrest the night before He was crucified...
...visited The Sisters of Zion Church, where Jesus was whipped before mockers....
After, we visited the Church of All Nations which is located right next to the Garden.
We drove to St. Peter in Gallicantu, site of Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest's house where Jesus was taken after his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane.
We went to the traditional site of Calvary, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This site commemorates Jesus' crucifixion.
We visited The Garden Tomb. The Garden Tomb has two chambers cut out of solid rock. This site coincides with the Gospel accounts of where Christ was said to be buried. We paused for a brief prayer in remembrance of Jesus Christ's saving death (Luke 23)...
...and this is where we ended this very moving day....
[Note: The places toured on June 25th and the 26th are pretty much in the order taken.]
Sunday, June 25 ~ Jerusalem New City ~
We attended a very comprehensive and interesting lecture by Knesset member Prof. Arieh Eldad. After, we took a VIP tour of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. A lecture followed regarding Israel's evolving democracy, and later met with representatives from various sides of their politics.
We drove by the architectural wonder of the Supreme Court on the way to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum--a memorial to the six million Jews murdered during WWII.
We visited the Shaare Zedek Hospital, a 500-bed facility located in the center of Jerusalem. Our visit started with a moving presentation on how the hospital copes with terror. We saw how they respond medically to mass disasters, and how they save the lives of heart attack victims through pioneering techniques.
We also had a glimpse of some of the happier aspects of their work, such as, bringing close to 11,000 babies a year into the world!
Their Weinstock Family Department of Emergency Medicine is a major addition to Jerusalem's emergency preparedness infrastructure, due to its superior design, and centrally accessible location. This state-of-the- art facility provides the most modern and effective trauma and emergency treatments.
The support the Medical Center receives from their worldwide network of friends is most important, since they receive no government funding. Shaare Zedek celebrated the hospital's 100th anniversary in 2002.
A brief visit to the Jerusalem College of Technology followed. This college was founded in 1969 and has grown into one of Israel's major academic institutions of higher education, specializing in high-tech engineering and industrial management. They grant academic degrees in:
~ Physics and Medical Engineering
~ Physics and Electro-Optics Engineering
~ Electronic Engineering
~ Industrial Engineering and Management
~ Software Engineering
~ Computer Science
~ Managerial Accounting and information Systems
~ Technology Management and Marketing
We visited the Synagogue of the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Ein Karem, located in a beautiful setting near Jerusalem. There we viewed the Chagall stained-glass windows, installed in 1962. The windows represent the twelve sons of the Patriarch Jacob, from whom came the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and depicts Jewish history, its tragedies and its victories.
Monday, June 26 ~ Jerusalem Old City ~
We started with a visit to the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other rare ancient manuscripts. This Dome-like building covers a structure which is two-third below the ground and is reflected in a pool of water that surrounds it.
Then on to the Western Wall (known as the Wailing Wall to most), and saw the massive foundation stones in the Kotel tunnels. I was even able to write a message/wish/prayer and insert it into one of the many, many crevices throughout the stones. This is a ritual for most locals, and a "must" for tourists as well. People from near and far go and pray next to the wall, while laying their hands upon it. Yet, another very moving experience!
The Western Wall site is also a popular place for the celebration of the "coming-of-age" events for young adults. These are usually celebrated at the age of thirteen, and are known as Bar Mitzvahs (male) and Bat Mitzvahs (females). Bat/Bar Mitzvah in Hebrew means "son/daughter of the commandment". This means a boy/girl has reached adulthood and is fully responsible for his/her morals and religious duties--becoming a full-fledged member of the Jewish community. On this particular day, there were many such celebrations. The celebrant is hoisted on the shoulders of their father. The families enjoy the tourists joining them on their respective processions and can even participate--a really joyous occasion! Singing takes place and we even get to throw little individual-wrapped candies for all--a fun thing to do, and ending this day of much sight-seeing on a very happy note!
To be continued...don't miss my "final episode" coming up soon....
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Sorry about the silence
To those loved ones out there who have sent me emails and such, sorry I've been silent. Not on purpose - this last week has been a doozy. For starters I had an ear infection I had to deal with. We're talking swelling that made me look like a lopsided Ferengi. Kidding, but I couldn't hear out of that ear. Then I had my final exam. Then another doctor's appointment (regular maintenance type). Then my job has exploded with work. Fortunately, I got antibiotics for the ear and it's recovering; I aced the exam & the class (yeah!) & the abundance of work means I'll be employed for at least the next few months.
So all's well that ends well - and I'm going to start returning emails. Last night Jeff & I got together with a gym friend and her new beau for dinner. We've been trying to be social with her for a while & I'm so glad we finally got things together. Also, tried a recent addition to the Clarendon restaurant scene - Sette Bello - and the consensus of four is that it was way overpriced for the food quality and service. They ran out of olives & glasses (no kidding) for our martinis.* I mean, come on. We're not going to give the restaurant a second chance. But - good to try new things anyway.
Coming up: Mom's part 3 of Ten Days in Israel. Right now, though, I must go work out.
Update: Oh, forgot to mention, I decided to pay off my current school loans in one fell-swoop. It's a large commitment of cash, but with my job ending possibly before the end of the year, better to be completely solvent than having that hanging over my head. Of course this is a temporary condition as I'm planning (tentatively) to start back at school full-time Fall '07. I feel good about getting rid of any debt, but I dread having to be back in the market for a job. Might go the consulting route since that's more flexible & "clients" don't generally want a long term commitment, so I don't have to lie. Never easy, is it?
* Clarification: it's not out of the question to expect a restaurant that charges $20 an entree to stock more than two glasses of a certain variety. Our favorite tiny & modestly priced Thai restaurant has no problem with this concept.
So all's well that ends well - and I'm going to start returning emails. Last night Jeff & I got together with a gym friend and her new beau for dinner. We've been trying to be social with her for a while & I'm so glad we finally got things together. Also, tried a recent addition to the Clarendon restaurant scene - Sette Bello - and the consensus of four is that it was way overpriced for the food quality and service. They ran out of olives & glasses (no kidding) for our martinis.* I mean, come on. We're not going to give the restaurant a second chance. But - good to try new things anyway.
Coming up: Mom's part 3 of Ten Days in Israel. Right now, though, I must go work out.
Update: Oh, forgot to mention, I decided to pay off my current school loans in one fell-swoop. It's a large commitment of cash, but with my job ending possibly before the end of the year, better to be completely solvent than having that hanging over my head. Of course this is a temporary condition as I'm planning (tentatively) to start back at school full-time Fall '07. I feel good about getting rid of any debt, but I dread having to be back in the market for a job. Might go the consulting route since that's more flexible & "clients" don't generally want a long term commitment, so I don't have to lie. Never easy, is it?
* Clarification: it's not out of the question to expect a restaurant that charges $20 an entree to stock more than two glasses of a certain variety. Our favorite tiny & modestly priced Thai restaurant has no problem with this concept.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Book Review: Nickel & Dimed
I originally was going to (attempt to) do a well-crafted review of Nickel and Dimed, by Barbara Ehrenreich, but if I take the time to that, I’ll never complete it and I’m bad enough at regular blogging anyway.
First the positive:
- Interesting premise: writer decides to try to live on the wages that unskilled workers (waitresses, home/hotel cleaners, department store [Walmart, for instance] clerks) earn to see if she can do it and see if she learns anything in the process.
- She exposes some very unethical (even illegal) employer practices such as withholding a worker’s first paycheck until the second pay period.
- She notes some of the problems experienced by low-wage workers that aren’t (or may not be) experienced at higher levels of employment (e.g., lack of healthcare benefits, being unable to live in an apartment because of cost-prohibitive security deposits, almost universal drug testing as prerequisite to employment, etc.)
- Funny anecdotes about her experiences on “the other side.”
- She appears to have done some outside research besides her own experiences and observations.
Then the negative:
- The reader recognizes immediately that this writer is a liberal, specifically a bleeding-heart socialist. To those of us on the right, this is a red flag: we know what in the end she’ll advocate. Besides, the dreck that comes from that ideology is just annoying.
- She makes comments about the nurturing aspects of smoking that I find vomit-worthy. Part of the whole getting-out-of-poverty thing is making some good choices – continuing an expensive nicotine habit isn’t one of them. Ms. Ehrenreich breezes past this obvious expense and instead philosophizes about it. Gaack.
- Ditto for children. I never buy the whole thing that poor people can’t (read: don’t have the brain-power or self-control to) limit their reproduction. Children are expensive and in having them (in a marriage or not) without thought to all the costs associated with merely keeping them alive, not to mention THEIR future, people are essentially dooming them to the same life and poverty that they currently experience. I mean, if you as a parent don’t have reliable healthcare it’s one thing, but your kids will definitely need it – so why are you jeopardizing their health? Oh, yeah – Medicaid.
- She has a permissive attitude toward drug use – and even admits to “an indiscretion” of that sort during her experiment. She buys and uses products that mask or flush evidence of the drug use. That whole business is not going to lend credibility to your whole argument – whatever the argument is. And drugs are an expense.
- She always has a car (“rent-a-wreck” in her words) during her experiment. Expense. Now, some of the locations she works do demand personal transportation, but she purposely steers clear of big cities with public transportation. Hmm.
- She never tries to coordinate/share living arrangements and pool resources. After all, she DOES have her limits in this experiment!
- The biggest problem with her experiment is that it is just an experiment – she can return to her comfy upper middle class life, while demanding that the government do something about the minimum wage and poverty.
Yeah, I could go on, but you get the general picture. I would give this read a C+ - readable, but there are some reservations.
Technorati topics: book reviews
First the positive:
- Interesting premise: writer decides to try to live on the wages that unskilled workers (waitresses, home/hotel cleaners, department store [Walmart, for instance] clerks) earn to see if she can do it and see if she learns anything in the process.
- She exposes some very unethical (even illegal) employer practices such as withholding a worker’s first paycheck until the second pay period.
- She notes some of the problems experienced by low-wage workers that aren’t (or may not be) experienced at higher levels of employment (e.g., lack of healthcare benefits, being unable to live in an apartment because of cost-prohibitive security deposits, almost universal drug testing as prerequisite to employment, etc.)
- Funny anecdotes about her experiences on “the other side.”
- She appears to have done some outside research besides her own experiences and observations.
Then the negative:
- The reader recognizes immediately that this writer is a liberal, specifically a bleeding-heart socialist. To those of us on the right, this is a red flag: we know what in the end she’ll advocate. Besides, the dreck that comes from that ideology is just annoying.
- She makes comments about the nurturing aspects of smoking that I find vomit-worthy. Part of the whole getting-out-of-poverty thing is making some good choices – continuing an expensive nicotine habit isn’t one of them. Ms. Ehrenreich breezes past this obvious expense and instead philosophizes about it. Gaack.
- Ditto for children. I never buy the whole thing that poor people can’t (read: don’t have the brain-power or self-control to) limit their reproduction. Children are expensive and in having them (in a marriage or not) without thought to all the costs associated with merely keeping them alive, not to mention THEIR future, people are essentially dooming them to the same life and poverty that they currently experience. I mean, if you as a parent don’t have reliable healthcare it’s one thing, but your kids will definitely need it – so why are you jeopardizing their health? Oh, yeah – Medicaid.
- She has a permissive attitude toward drug use – and even admits to “an indiscretion” of that sort during her experiment. She buys and uses products that mask or flush evidence of the drug use. That whole business is not going to lend credibility to your whole argument – whatever the argument is. And drugs are an expense.
- She always has a car (“rent-a-wreck” in her words) during her experiment. Expense. Now, some of the locations she works do demand personal transportation, but she purposely steers clear of big cities with public transportation. Hmm.
- She never tries to coordinate/share living arrangements and pool resources. After all, she DOES have her limits in this experiment!
- The biggest problem with her experiment is that it is just an experiment – she can return to her comfy upper middle class life, while demanding that the government do something about the minimum wage and poverty.
Yeah, I could go on, but you get the general picture. I would give this read a C+ - readable, but there are some reservations.
Technorati topics: book reviews
Let's make a germ, shall we?
Back in my naïve days (not so long ago), I would bring up the topic of bioterrorism at the work lunchroom (ok, it’s more compelling than the latest bottom-feeding “reality” show), and be greeted with the kind of silence and stares reserved for bona fide Martians and the like. I learned to keep my ponderings to myself while at work. No one seemed to think that such things really existed or at least were of any concern to Americans.
Well, the Post today ran this article about artificial virus production. I mean, yoiks. Read it and tell me if you think we all should feel safe and protected in the present world and that I’ve just grown antennae.
Well, the Post today ran this article about artificial virus production. I mean, yoiks. Read it and tell me if you think we all should feel safe and protected in the present world and that I’ve just grown antennae.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Oh, yeah, evidently I left Las Vegas
Yep, I've returned uncorrupted by Vegas. Good thing I don't gamble. Anyhoo, the Wynn Hotel was fabulous, the 120-degree heat was um, HOT but amazingly tolerable without any humidity, The Family (no! not the Cosa Nostra - my inlaws, silly!) was fabulous as was our mini-tour of eatin's around town.
But - now back to reality. Job's in turmoil, sort-of. Don't know about that. Next week is my final exam with the latest class. Whirl-wind class, but interesting & informative, and such a pleasant change from the drudgery and frustration of Chemistry. Never again! So...late August I start a biology class. You just know I'm going to have to buy the latest edition of Campbell's Biology (I have an older edition from an earlier Biology class - weighs a ton, costs a fortune). Really feeling like I need to get serious & save money in a hurry. Uggh.
Well, gotta get some sleep - my new resolution.
But - now back to reality. Job's in turmoil, sort-of. Don't know about that. Next week is my final exam with the latest class. Whirl-wind class, but interesting & informative, and such a pleasant change from the drudgery and frustration of Chemistry. Never again! So...late August I start a biology class. You just know I'm going to have to buy the latest edition of Campbell's Biology (I have an older edition from an earlier Biology class - weighs a ton, costs a fortune). Really feeling like I need to get serious & save money in a hurry. Uggh.
Well, gotta get some sleep - my new resolution.
Ten Days in Israel - Part II
Hard to believe my mom just returned from Israel a few weeks ago - and then all hell breaks loose there. Well, on some brighter notes than the current events, here's part II of Mom's Ten Days in Israel. Enjoy!
----------
Shalom everyone!
Thursday, June 22 ~ Tel Aviv/Jaffa
Early this morning, we were briefed/lectured while departing for old Jaffa on the places of interest that we were about to visit. More lectures on places of interest in Tel Aviv. We stopped at Rabin Square, the Mann Auditorium, and drove by the Tel Aviv Art Museum, arriving at Rothchild Blvd.
During the afternoon, we visited Independence Hall and relived Ben Gurion's very moving declaration of the State. We also examined the early leader's vision for the Israeli society. Later, we attended an impressive and informative overview of the amazing achievements of the Palmach (an elite Jewish underground striking force, founded in 1941), at the new exposition at the Palmach Museum. Afterwards, we visited the Diaspora Museum. Along the way, the beautiful Mediterranean Sea was breathtaking, to say the least!
Friday, June 23 ~ On the road to Jerusalem...
Firstly this morning, we departed for the Neot Kedumim (Biblical Landscape). We learned about the ecological and ancient agriculture of Biblical Israel, as well as experience workshops. In addition, we also spent the early afternoon in briefings by officials at the JNF (Jewish National Fund) to learn about Israel's reforestation and ecology programs. We even took time out to plant a pine tree in honor or in memory of a loved one and received a certificate for our efforts!
For over a hundred years, the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael/Jewish National Fund (KKL~JNF), has been involved in land reclamation, conservation and development of the Holy Land of Israel.
Their main activities are:
-Afforestation - more than 230 million trees have been planted
-Sustainable and environmental development
-Land preparation for agriculture
-Development of new water resources; 175 reservoires
-Rehabilitation of polluted rivers
-Building bypass roads
-Preparing recreation areas in the forests
-Savannization programs
-Ongoing research & development programs
-Wide range educational activities in Israel and abroad
These activities are made possible by sponsorship from their KKL~JNF friends worldwide for the improvement of the quality of life and the environment for the benefit of the population of Israel.
Now, onward to the Latrun IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Armored Corps center to view/examine the many tanks (Tank Museum at Latrun), and to learn how Israel works to remain on the military cutting edge. Here, the women in the corps do not participate in the actual maneuvers, BUT, must know all parts and information regarding the mechanisms. They do, however, perform such tasks as instruction for new recruits and also serve as tour guides. The regular military does permit women to fully participate in their endeavors.
We continued on to Mini Israel, a small-scaled, very intriguing, life-like replica of the country. We experienced a unique birds-eye view of more than 300 models of different buildings and sites in Israel. To our delight and surprise, we got to meet the architect and engineers of this pain-taking project, and even took photos! We then started back to our hotel, ascending, via Shar Hagai...on the road to Jerusalem.
Last, but definitely not least, we get back to the hotel to prepare for and attend a Shabbat (Sabbath) Dinner. This means "getting on your finest" for a very special occasion!
Shabbat is a religious festive day of rest, and entails ceasing from labor. It starts on Friday afternoon, lasting until Saturday afternoon. At that time at the hotels, all elevators are designated to stop at every floor. However, for the tourists' convenience, a couple of elevators were exempt from this ritual. The kosher meal begins on Friday, after sundown. Before the meal, the ceremony includes blessings, sharing/saying something special aloud with family and friends, breaking bread (challah bread: a sweet, eggy bread, shaped into a braid and covered with a cloth), drinking wine, and toasting each other. A very fine way to end a long day.
To be continued...
----------
Shalom everyone!
Thursday, June 22 ~ Tel Aviv/Jaffa
Early this morning, we were briefed/lectured while departing for old Jaffa on the places of interest that we were about to visit. More lectures on places of interest in Tel Aviv. We stopped at Rabin Square, the Mann Auditorium, and drove by the Tel Aviv Art Museum, arriving at Rothchild Blvd.
During the afternoon, we visited Independence Hall and relived Ben Gurion's very moving declaration of the State. We also examined the early leader's vision for the Israeli society. Later, we attended an impressive and informative overview of the amazing achievements of the Palmach (an elite Jewish underground striking force, founded in 1941), at the new exposition at the Palmach Museum. Afterwards, we visited the Diaspora Museum. Along the way, the beautiful Mediterranean Sea was breathtaking, to say the least!
Friday, June 23 ~ On the road to Jerusalem...
Firstly this morning, we departed for the Neot Kedumim (Biblical Landscape). We learned about the ecological and ancient agriculture of Biblical Israel, as well as experience workshops. In addition, we also spent the early afternoon in briefings by officials at the JNF (Jewish National Fund) to learn about Israel's reforestation and ecology programs. We even took time out to plant a pine tree in honor or in memory of a loved one and received a certificate for our efforts!
For over a hundred years, the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael/Jewish National Fund (KKL~JNF), has been involved in land reclamation, conservation and development of the Holy Land of Israel.
Their main activities are:
-Afforestation - more than 230 million trees have been planted
-Sustainable and environmental development
-Land preparation for agriculture
-Development of new water resources; 175 reservoires
-Rehabilitation of polluted rivers
-Building bypass roads
-Preparing recreation areas in the forests
-Savannization programs
-Ongoing research & development programs
-Wide range educational activities in Israel and abroad
These activities are made possible by sponsorship from their KKL~JNF friends worldwide for the improvement of the quality of life and the environment for the benefit of the population of Israel.
Now, onward to the Latrun IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Armored Corps center to view/examine the many tanks (Tank Museum at Latrun), and to learn how Israel works to remain on the military cutting edge. Here, the women in the corps do not participate in the actual maneuvers, BUT, must know all parts and information regarding the mechanisms. They do, however, perform such tasks as instruction for new recruits and also serve as tour guides. The regular military does permit women to fully participate in their endeavors.
We continued on to Mini Israel, a small-scaled, very intriguing, life-like replica of the country. We experienced a unique birds-eye view of more than 300 models of different buildings and sites in Israel. To our delight and surprise, we got to meet the architect and engineers of this pain-taking project, and even took photos! We then started back to our hotel, ascending, via Shar Hagai...on the road to Jerusalem.
Last, but definitely not least, we get back to the hotel to prepare for and attend a Shabbat (Sabbath) Dinner. This means "getting on your finest" for a very special occasion!
Shabbat is a religious festive day of rest, and entails ceasing from labor. It starts on Friday afternoon, lasting until Saturday afternoon. At that time at the hotels, all elevators are designated to stop at every floor. However, for the tourists' convenience, a couple of elevators were exempt from this ritual. The kosher meal begins on Friday, after sundown. Before the meal, the ceremony includes blessings, sharing/saying something special aloud with family and friends, breaking bread (challah bread: a sweet, eggy bread, shaped into a braid and covered with a cloth), drinking wine, and toasting each other. A very fine way to end a long day.
To be continued...
Friday, July 14, 2006
Viva Las Vegas
Ok, don't be too sad, but I'm taking off for Vegas in a couple of hours for a week's vaycay. See ya!
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Ten Days in Israel (part 1)
Some months ago, my mom announced that she was going on a tour through Israel. My first thought was, “couldn’t you choose a somewhat less volatile and dangerous place to vacation?” Actually, I said something like that, but she was undeterred. Good for her. She’s back safe and sound with stories to tell of her very interesting journey. The good blogger in me jumped at the chance to publish some of her tales. And she graciously obliged. Here’s what hope will be the first of several segments on her Ten Days in Israel.
------
Renee's mom’s Christian bird's eye overview of "The Holy Land experience."
"In the beginning... "
Yes, right from the start, my trip was no ordinary one! In spite of my many flight delays (going and coming [Renee: Mom flew from San Antonio, TX thru NYC to Israel]), luggage "misplacement," having to wear the same clothes for four days (some of the lovely women on the tour came to my rescue, however), I truly had a most enjoyable and memorable ten-day tour experience. This trip was definitely the highlight of my 2006 summer! I don't think anything could possibly top it!
Hopefully, I will share with you and your readers, a day-by-day account, and as much as I can recall of the many fun/wacky/silly-, and some not so silly occurrences.
Ours was an interfaith group, although our very gracious host, Michael Medved, is of the Jewish faith. The Medved tour took us to many wonderful and important Jewish sites, as well as optional Christian tours.
Although, Michael Medved lives and broadcasts his radio talk show from Seattle, Washingon, his father, as well as his brother and family live in Israel. They are all very actively involved in civics and public affairs, as well as enterprising business organizations, etc.
The tour took us to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem New City, Jerusalem Old City, the Dead Sea, Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee, Upper Galilee, Lower Galilee and the Coast Line, Nazareth, and even stayed overnight at a Kibbutz (a communal-type hotel). A very fully-packed trip to say the least!
We visited many historical and holy sites, museums, important buildings, churches and synagogues, excavations, Nasada National Park, The Shaare Zedek Medical Center, a hospital, Jerusalem College of Technology, the Israel Air Force Center Foundation, and we even planted a tree! We also experienced sabbath (Shabbat) dinners, which included their prayers, songs and thanksgivings. All this I will go into more depth about later on in the "series."
I was totally impressed by the bravery of the Israeli people, and their ability to carry on their daily lives. How much they enjoy life, are happy, outgoing, hard-working people, very devotedly religious and God-fearing, often "breaking into song." They're always beautifying and improving their country and I found them to be very friendly, welcoming, and wanting to share their traditions, customs, and way of life with all who will listen. All this, in spite of having to be forever vigilant of their many enemies surrounding them who are trying to obliterate them from the face of the earth.
Another impressive aspect of their society is that because their country is small, most citizens not only have one profession, but two, three or more, taking these responsibilities very seriously and non-complaining, not to mention serving in the military, and doing so with pride! They are for the most part, very well educated and are forever striving for greater achievements.
One of their very absolute resolutions which clearly stands out is: They will always BE! In other words, they will NEVER cease to exist. They are making sure of that! They are working diligently on that every day. Their average birthrate per family is six, and the hospitals that we visited make sure that the moms-to-be are very well cared for and pampered (their words).
To be continued…
Technorati Topics: travel, middle east
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Renee's mom’s Christian bird's eye overview of "The Holy Land experience."
"In the beginning... "
Yes, right from the start, my trip was no ordinary one! In spite of my many flight delays (going and coming [Renee: Mom flew from San Antonio, TX thru NYC to Israel]), luggage "misplacement," having to wear the same clothes for four days (some of the lovely women on the tour came to my rescue, however), I truly had a most enjoyable and memorable ten-day tour experience. This trip was definitely the highlight of my 2006 summer! I don't think anything could possibly top it!
Hopefully, I will share with you and your readers, a day-by-day account, and as much as I can recall of the many fun/wacky/silly-, and some not so silly occurrences.
Ours was an interfaith group, although our very gracious host, Michael Medved, is of the Jewish faith. The Medved tour took us to many wonderful and important Jewish sites, as well as optional Christian tours.
Although, Michael Medved lives and broadcasts his radio talk show from Seattle, Washingon, his father, as well as his brother and family live in Israel. They are all very actively involved in civics and public affairs, as well as enterprising business organizations, etc.
The tour took us to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem New City, Jerusalem Old City, the Dead Sea, Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee, Upper Galilee, Lower Galilee and the Coast Line, Nazareth, and even stayed overnight at a Kibbutz (a communal-type hotel). A very fully-packed trip to say the least!
We visited many historical and holy sites, museums, important buildings, churches and synagogues, excavations, Nasada National Park, The Shaare Zedek Medical Center, a hospital, Jerusalem College of Technology, the Israel Air Force Center Foundation, and we even planted a tree! We also experienced sabbath (Shabbat) dinners, which included their prayers, songs and thanksgivings. All this I will go into more depth about later on in the "series."
I was totally impressed by the bravery of the Israeli people, and their ability to carry on their daily lives. How much they enjoy life, are happy, outgoing, hard-working people, very devotedly religious and God-fearing, often "breaking into song." They're always beautifying and improving their country and I found them to be very friendly, welcoming, and wanting to share their traditions, customs, and way of life with all who will listen. All this, in spite of having to be forever vigilant of their many enemies surrounding them who are trying to obliterate them from the face of the earth.
Another impressive aspect of their society is that because their country is small, most citizens not only have one profession, but two, three or more, taking these responsibilities very seriously and non-complaining, not to mention serving in the military, and doing so with pride! They are for the most part, very well educated and are forever striving for greater achievements.
One of their very absolute resolutions which clearly stands out is: They will always BE! In other words, they will NEVER cease to exist. They are making sure of that! They are working diligently on that every day. Their average birthrate per family is six, and the hospitals that we visited make sure that the moms-to-be are very well cared for and pampered (their words).
To be continued…
Technorati Topics: travel, middle east
Friday, July 07, 2006
On another positive note...
...is a story a few days ago in the Post about diesel car owners who use used vegetable oil from local restaurants and bars in their cars for fuel. Yeah, they have to buy a converter & yeah that can cost a bundle (depending), but the oil burns cleaner and the best part is - it's free. Businesses have to pay to have it hauled away, so they're happy to supply individuals with it free to take it away. I just love situations like this that 1) are eco-sound, 2) creative alternatives to the usual business (esp. the fuel business), 3) community-centered, 4) show that individuals can do the right thing and 5) strengthen my philosophy of/argument for "mutuality" AKA "symbiosis" (not just for lower animals any more!).
Is self-regulating commerce a dream?
No, actually, it's not. I've had the very best experience ordering from Amazon.com used books. In fact, I just rec'd a large hard-bound book I ordered 3 days ago, and in perfect condition. Not only was the shipping time and condition great, but the book was a steal at just over $4 (that's including shipping). The "magic" of it, if you will, is the buyer feedback. I was lazy about that the first time, but now, I leave feedback every time. Why? Because I depend on the cumulative ratings from others to decide from which bookseller to buy (one usually has a variety to choose from) and buy only from those both with a high rating and who give a description of the product. I'm amazed at how well this system works. I shouldn't be, though, because those folks who really want to sell their books make sure that they make good on the deal. And that's what really counts. Some sellers even email you directly to let you know when they're shipping the item - now that's service!
For those of you who haven't used this service, look for the term "used & new" below the Amazon price (in this ad for the book I bought, it's above the Amazon price and called "best price"). You can browse thru the offerings & decide which one suits you. You can pay by credit card and/or Amazon gift certificates - not just with money orders. Now, I've only bought used books thru this service, but I'd imagine DVDs & CDs operate the same way. I've always appreciated Amazon.com for their excellent service and prices, & this is yet another reason to patronize their site.
For those of you who haven't used this service, look for the term "used & new" below the Amazon price (in this ad for the book I bought, it's above the Amazon price and called "best price"). You can browse thru the offerings & decide which one suits you. You can pay by credit card and/or Amazon gift certificates - not just with money orders. Now, I've only bought used books thru this service, but I'd imagine DVDs & CDs operate the same way. I've always appreciated Amazon.com for their excellent service and prices, & this is yet another reason to patronize their site.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Kinshasa on the Potomac
Yes, folks, your nation's capital IS in fact a 3rd world nation. We've had some rain and the whole city falls apart. Metro has been a disaster with many and long delays - one of the downtown stations flooded - and they can't seem to get it together.
Last night, coming home around 8pm, Metro first gave no info, then told us to switch sides to go in my home direction, only to switch us back to the regular side. The next available train was, of course, packed. It took me approx 45 minutes to get home. But that was nothing. On Monday, it took me 2 hours to get to work when it usually takes 30 minutes door-to-door.
Drivers fared no better - obscenely slow traffic conditions, poor-to-no drainage of rain.
Statehood? Folks, DC can't even handle a little rain.
Technorati topic: Metro
Last night, coming home around 8pm, Metro first gave no info, then told us to switch sides to go in my home direction, only to switch us back to the regular side. The next available train was, of course, packed. It took me approx 45 minutes to get home. But that was nothing. On Monday, it took me 2 hours to get to work when it usually takes 30 minutes door-to-door.
Drivers fared no better - obscenely slow traffic conditions, poor-to-no drainage of rain.
Statehood? Folks, DC can't even handle a little rain.
Technorati topic: Metro
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