I keep waiting to post more about Israel until I develop the rest of my photos from there to illustrate the posts a bit. However, since I'm planning on developing the film myself (maybe even printing it! Who knows?), I have to wait till I can get a tutorial in the darkroom and actually do that. So. Patience. There will be talk of Hebron, talk of a lovely Israeli boy, talk of strangers on buses, perhaps.
In the meantime, I'm sitting in the RadCam (Radcliffe Camera for all you non-Oxonians; one of the numerous buildings of the Bodleian Library) working hard. Well, working hard at avoiding work. It's actually pretty difficult to do that in this library because especially in the LCam (Lower Camera) everyone is really dedicated and conscientious. Which, really, is why I work here a lot, so I am encouraged by all these studious Oxford people.
Term just began yesterday, but I've been work-pressured since Wednesday when I received my first assignment and reading list. As it happened, that was also the first day my mother was in town for a visit -- good timing! She was very understanding and had her own things to do as well, but I wish I could have spent more time with her around Oxford. As it was, we spent a lot of the weekend together, Shabbat at Chabad and all that. She left early Sunday morning, a few hours before my ex-boyfriend arrived. With me still having lots of work to do. (These visits had been arranged a while beforehand, because I figured my workload wouldn't have begun yet. Um, wrong.)
It was good to see Dan again (we went out for two-plus years, had a somewhat difficult break-up this summer) and to know that we can still be friends and be comfortable together. I had to do a lot of work, but we could sit in the same room in silence and not feel awkward. A part of me thought that after the stupid things we did to each other, we probably couldn't be friends again. But that's not the case, which is reassuring. Also, he has a new girl, which makes him happy and I'm pleased to say makes me happy. Anyway, it was a generally pleasant weekend (although I missed the Zoo Bop and the next night I missed seeing my friend get so plastered that he had to be carried back to his room! haha). (Oh, also: We had a go at my bottle of absinthe while watching Eddie Izzard on Sunday night, but no hallucinations, sadly.)
Anyway, it seems like most of my break-side fun is coming to a quiet end. It also turns out that this term both of my tutorials are going to be on the same day. Whee. So. Back to this essay (on Christian intellectuals in 19th century England) and translating Mesechta Brachos of the Mishnayos.
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
Monday, 7 January 2008
People, Faces, Things
Among the things I really enjoyed in Israel were the people. Not getting run over by the cab drivers or pushed around the bus by rushed masses, but the individual faces. I spent a large part of my time out people-watching.
All those 18- and 19-year-old soldiers drew my eyes to them in their olive green and khaki uniforms and the rifles swinging alongside their legs. The juxtaposition of the weapons and the youthful faces was alarming at first, but in time I think I got somewhat used to it, or as much as you can.
Once I got past the big guns, I payed more attentions to the faces and builds and walks of the young men and women wandering the streets of Jerusalem in uniform. I think my interest in portraiture has given me a different sort of appreciation for "looks" in general. I have a tendency now to frame people's faces in a mental lens, imagine a snapshots. The snapshots are also little bits of stories that I get to explore in my own time, as well. It makes more sense 65-year-old woman surrounding by grocery bags on a bus to be "beautiful" when thought about as such.
Actually, I realized that most of the shots I took of people in Israel (see links on the side, especially "Black, White, and Turn"), aside from family, were of people at least a little older than I am. There's just so much more interesting in creases and folds and eyebrows and anger, so much more to tell.
Anyway, this has grown to be a bit of a ramble. All I meant to say is that Israel is a country choc full of beautiful people, conventionally so and otherwise. I hope I have the same sort of opportunities for portraiture here as I did on those crazy freakin' buses.
All those 18- and 19-year-old soldiers drew my eyes to them in their olive green and khaki uniforms and the rifles swinging alongside their legs. The juxtaposition of the weapons and the youthful faces was alarming at first, but in time I think I got somewhat used to it, or as much as you can.
Once I got past the big guns, I payed more attentions to the faces and builds and walks of the young men and women wandering the streets of Jerusalem in uniform. I think my interest in portraiture has given me a different sort of appreciation for "looks" in general. I have a tendency now to frame people's faces in a mental lens, imagine a snapshots. The snapshots are also little bits of stories that I get to explore in my own time, as well. It makes more sense 65-year-old woman surrounding by grocery bags on a bus to be "beautiful" when thought about as such.
Actually, I realized that most of the shots I took of people in Israel (see links on the side, especially "Black, White, and Turn"), aside from family, were of people at least a little older than I am. There's just so much more interesting in creases and folds and eyebrows and anger, so much more to tell.
Anyway, this has grown to be a bit of a ramble. All I meant to say is that Israel is a country choc full of beautiful people, conventionally so and otherwise. I hope I have the same sort of opportunities for portraiture here as I did on those crazy freakin' buses.
Wednesday, 2 January 2008
Back in Action
It's 2008 already; I haven't updated around here in over a month. That's OK, since this blog is mostly to keep family up-to-date with my goings-on in Oxford, and I spent the last month WITH my family.
A few days after winter break began, I flew out to Israel to visit my with brother and sister and their respective spouses in Jerusalem. It was difficult for me to go, as I was just beginning to enjoy vacation in Oxford -- friends, drinks, sillyness, no stress. The first week there was a challenge, too, mostly because I was hung up on Oxford. Plus, not being as comfortable with the language as I would have liked, I didn't explore freely on my own the way I usually do in a new city. While I wandered occasionally and did some of the main tourist things (such as the Wailing Wall and the Old City of Jerusalem and the Jewish shuk, the open market), I also spent some days in bed or in my brother's flat, reading, sleeping, and watching DVDs.
The next week was a bit better, mostly because I was becoming acclimated. And I was seeing lots of gorgeous soldiers. (I'm against war, but all for the physical beauty of such a great number of the Israeli people.) I made my own way to a few museums and some times just wandered the area near my sister's house, the downtown sort of place. My sister (Chava), my sister-in-law (Shira), some of Shira's family and I took a bit of a day trip to Amuka to visit the tomb of a rabbi. I found myself miserable on that day more than I can remember -- three hours in a stuffy car each way, hungry, craving Oxford, going to some place where people prayed to find their future spouses ...
The good parts of that trip are 1) I met a bull and gave him water when he was thirsty and 2) most days seemed much better in comparison. All the same, I still wasn't happy and eventually changed my ticket to come back to England a week early, at which point I felt a great sense of relief and I was able to enjoy myself more. This was followed by a greater understanding of conversational Hebrew, visits to museums, meeting a wonderful Israeli guy, my mother's arrival, another day trip up north (to Haifa), as well as one south (to Hebron). I hope to detail more of these in the coming week or two, as quite a few things struck me about the people and the culture and how I relate to the land that is supposed to be that of my forefathers.
But for now, I'm resting up from a long, long trip.
(By the way, I've put new photos on Flickr -- see the links on the left -- including a new category: black and white shots.)
A few days after winter break began, I flew out to Israel to visit my with brother and sister and their respective spouses in Jerusalem. It was difficult for me to go, as I was just beginning to enjoy vacation in Oxford -- friends, drinks, sillyness, no stress. The first week there was a challenge, too, mostly because I was hung up on Oxford. Plus, not being as comfortable with the language as I would have liked, I didn't explore freely on my own the way I usually do in a new city. While I wandered occasionally and did some of the main tourist things (such as the Wailing Wall and the Old City of Jerusalem and the Jewish shuk, the open market), I also spent some days in bed or in my brother's flat, reading, sleeping, and watching DVDs.
The next week was a bit better, mostly because I was becoming acclimated. And I was seeing lots of gorgeous soldiers. (I'm against war, but all for the physical beauty of such a great number of the Israeli people.) I made my own way to a few museums and some times just wandered the area near my sister's house, the downtown sort of place. My sister (Chava), my sister-in-law (Shira), some of Shira's family and I took a bit of a day trip to Amuka to visit the tomb of a rabbi. I found myself miserable on that day more than I can remember -- three hours in a stuffy car each way, hungry, craving Oxford, going to some place where people prayed to find their future spouses ...
The good parts of that trip are 1) I met a bull and gave him water when he was thirsty and 2) most days seemed much better in comparison. All the same, I still wasn't happy and eventually changed my ticket to come back to England a week early, at which point I felt a great sense of relief and I was able to enjoy myself more. This was followed by a greater understanding of conversational Hebrew, visits to museums, meeting a wonderful Israeli guy, my mother's arrival, another day trip up north (to Haifa), as well as one south (to Hebron). I hope to detail more of these in the coming week or two, as quite a few things struck me about the people and the culture and how I relate to the land that is supposed to be that of my forefathers.
But for now, I'm resting up from a long, long trip.
(By the way, I've put new photos on Flickr -- see the links on the left -- including a new category: black and white shots.)
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Scattered
I glanced at that last post and thought, "oh, a week has passed. It was another long Tuesday to-day." Then I realized that, in fact, TWO weeks had passed. I'm mere days away from the end of my first term at Oxford. I can't quite process it yet, as I still have two papers to complete and turn in this week (one on Matthew Arnold's ideology and another on the commentaries on the Biblical story of the Great Flood). Still, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Which is nice, except it gets in my eyes and I can't see the audience and it keeps me awake, this bright light.
You know how after a training for a marathon and running it, people often get depressed? I feel like I'm in that sort of state. Not depressed, of course, just in this "down" slump. I need a break more than anything right now, but the idea of all that free time boggles the mind. I'll be spending about 5 weeks in Israel visiting my brother and my sister and their respective spouses, so that should be lovely. I booked the tickets back in September when I figured I'd hate it here and not have any friends in the area. But now that I see that's not the case, I wish I had only booked the tickets for three or so weeks in Israel. I'm also thinking ahead to Easter break and how I can spend a couple weeks in Oxford.
It's a beautiful city and I wish I had the time to just wander it with a camera and rolls of film (speaking of which, new photos here and here). Also one girl I've gotten to know pretty well lives in London and has invited me for visits over breaks.
Anyway, no use regretting all that nonsense. It will be a lovely time in Israel. I will be able to collect myself and all the bits of gray matter that are scattered about the Bodleian. First, however, I need to get through these next couple days: More coffee, please!
You know how after a training for a marathon and running it, people often get depressed? I feel like I'm in that sort of state. Not depressed, of course, just in this "down" slump. I need a break more than anything right now, but the idea of all that free time boggles the mind. I'll be spending about 5 weeks in Israel visiting my brother and my sister and their respective spouses, so that should be lovely. I booked the tickets back in September when I figured I'd hate it here and not have any friends in the area. But now that I see that's not the case, I wish I had only booked the tickets for three or so weeks in Israel. I'm also thinking ahead to Easter break and how I can spend a couple weeks in Oxford.
It's a beautiful city and I wish I had the time to just wander it with a camera and rolls of film (speaking of which, new photos here and here). Also one girl I've gotten to know pretty well lives in London and has invited me for visits over breaks.
Anyway, no use regretting all that nonsense. It will be a lovely time in Israel. I will be able to collect myself and all the bits of gray matter that are scattered about the Bodleian. First, however, I need to get through these next couple days: More coffee, please!
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Long Week Ahead
My train of thought as I woke up this morning:
What day is it? Saturday! But wait, I have to get up and do things, so it must be Friday, right? Wait, that can't be because I didn't get to go to CatWeazle last night. Must be Thursday. No, that can't be, I've not had an all-nighter for writing my history paper. Wednesday, then! If that's the case, then what happened to writing my paper for Dr Solomon last night? Hmm ... HOW CAN IT ONLY BE TUESDAY?
I ask you, how can I only have completed one day of the week? *Sigh* Wish me luck.
What day is it? Saturday! But wait, I have to get up and do things, so it must be Friday, right? Wait, that can't be because I didn't get to go to CatWeazle last night. Must be Thursday. No, that can't be, I've not had an all-nighter for writing my history paper. Wednesday, then! If that's the case, then what happened to writing my paper for Dr Solomon last night? Hmm ... HOW CAN IT ONLY BE TUESDAY?
I ask you, how can I only have completed one day of the week? *Sigh* Wish me luck.
Monday, 12 November 2007
Going Up
Since the last post I've been pretty busied-up. Readery, paperage, minor socializing, etc. I also developed the plague on my face which spread for days and days. Much consultation, a visit to the nurse, a doctor, and a pharmacy determined that it was impetigo and I needed a week's worth of antibiotics to not die. Or get more plague-y. Anyway, that's been clearing up and ought to done with pretty soon (thank God!).
Some of the healing time was whiled away in London. My Theology/Hebrew Scriptures tutor is fantastic. He and his wife have a house in Oxford and one in London and he invited me down fr Shabbos. It was so strange and so lovely to really step AWAY from all things school-work-y, but not step away from intellectual conversation, really. I was away for maybe 36 hours and I realized something important: I can pass time and not work and still be OK and not fall behind. See, when we're in Oxford all the time, even when we're not working we keep thinking "this is just a half hour break" or something -- there's no proper escape or release. There's always that tension. Going away and leaving most of my books and stuff behind was really good. Plus, I got 14 hours of sleep on Friday night. FOURTEEN. And lovely home-cooked Shabbos food and kiddush and just the feel of Shabbos. :) Happee timez. Also, on Motzei Shabbos Rabbi/Dr Solomon and his wife very generously took me a to see a play in Leicester Square, Shadowlands. It was fantastic -- beautifully written and acted, touching, witty ... I'm so glad I got to go and relax and appreciate it.
In other news, it's now back to the same old drag of read, notes, read, write, read, sleep. It's not too bad, really -- it's pretty satisfying as I make progress, even though it's a struggle. Actually, BECAUSE it's a struggle. For this week I have a paper on (1) the Mekilta de-Rabbi Ishmael, masechta Nezikin (related to Parshat Meshpatim) and (2) the reality or fabrication of "separate spheres" for men and women in Victorian England.
By the way, as for photos, I have taken and developed some more and will post them at the Flickr sites that are linked at the left ASAP.
Some of the healing time was whiled away in London. My Theology/Hebrew Scriptures tutor is fantastic. He and his wife have a house in Oxford and one in London and he invited me down fr Shabbos. It was so strange and so lovely to really step AWAY from all things school-work-y, but not step away from intellectual conversation, really. I was away for maybe 36 hours and I realized something important: I can pass time and not work and still be OK and not fall behind. See, when we're in Oxford all the time, even when we're not working we keep thinking "this is just a half hour break" or something -- there's no proper escape or release. There's always that tension. Going away and leaving most of my books and stuff behind was really good. Plus, I got 14 hours of sleep on Friday night. FOURTEEN. And lovely home-cooked Shabbos food and kiddush and just the feel of Shabbos. :) Happee timez. Also, on Motzei Shabbos Rabbi/Dr Solomon and his wife very generously took me a to see a play in Leicester Square, Shadowlands. It was fantastic -- beautifully written and acted, touching, witty ... I'm so glad I got to go and relax and appreciate it.
In other news, it's now back to the same old drag of read, notes, read, write, read, sleep. It's not too bad, really -- it's pretty satisfying as I make progress, even though it's a struggle. Actually, BECAUSE it's a struggle. For this week I have a paper on (1) the Mekilta de-Rabbi Ishmael, masechta Nezikin (related to Parshat Meshpatim) and (2) the reality or fabrication of "separate spheres" for men and women in Victorian England.
By the way, as for photos, I have taken and developed some more and will post them at the Flickr sites that are linked at the left ASAP.
Monday, 5 November 2007
All Cultured Out
I've not posted in a while mostly because I've been a bit overwhelmed around here. Lately I seem to spend either ALL my time in the library (like 9 straight hours last week on my friend's birthday) or ALL my time relaxing/socializing (like this weekend when I barely cracked a book for three days). Now that I'm reaching mid-term burnout phase, it seems to have gotten worse. I'm going to have to reestablish a balance. That's what life's about, right? Balance.
So this is just a quick update to let you know I've not died. Definitely haven't gone to heaven. :) I expect to buckle down seriously this week, and then I want to establish a schedule maybe Thursday afternoon to plan the work for next week, since it looks like it will be pretty intense. This weekend I'm supposed to go to my tutor's house in London for Shabbat, while really is a lovely thing for him to do, but it makes me very anxious. I'll be sure to update on whether or not that happens.
Social life has been a bit strange for me. I was always the mellow one who just wanted to chill and read and hang out with some close friends. I have people here with whom to do that. But when I'm in a huge social gathering (like the Bop we had on Saturday night), I flit, flit, flit and drink, drink, drink and am not myself. I'm not sure I like who I am when I'm like that.
I think the strangest part is how much I drink when I can count on one hand the number of times in the past two years I drank during the school year. It's part of the culture, it's there all the time -- it would be easy to drink every night straight for a couple of weeks, and I know people who have. It's horrid, really, when you think about it like that. It seems, somehow, that this social lubricant is absolutely necessary for mingling here. Anyway, it's a very interesting social study, if I can remain sober enough to observe it!
OK, back to work, work, work. There ought to be new photos soon, too!
So this is just a quick update to let you know I've not died. Definitely haven't gone to heaven. :) I expect to buckle down seriously this week, and then I want to establish a schedule maybe Thursday afternoon to plan the work for next week, since it looks like it will be pretty intense. This weekend I'm supposed to go to my tutor's house in London for Shabbat, while really is a lovely thing for him to do, but it makes me very anxious. I'll be sure to update on whether or not that happens.
Social life has been a bit strange for me. I was always the mellow one who just wanted to chill and read and hang out with some close friends. I have people here with whom to do that. But when I'm in a huge social gathering (like the Bop we had on Saturday night), I flit, flit, flit and drink, drink, drink and am not myself. I'm not sure I like who I am when I'm like that.
I think the strangest part is how much I drink when I can count on one hand the number of times in the past two years I drank during the school year. It's part of the culture, it's there all the time -- it would be easy to drink every night straight for a couple of weeks, and I know people who have. It's horrid, really, when you think about it like that. It seems, somehow, that this social lubricant is absolutely necessary for mingling here. Anyway, it's a very interesting social study, if I can remain sober enough to observe it!
OK, back to work, work, work. There ought to be new photos soon, too!
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