Dear all,
Summer went by quickly. It is now that last week before all my friends and other students return to St Andrews. Work has been going well, the cafe had a few busy weeks and now were preparing for the student and parent rush. Good tips and good business coming our way. It's always good to have a mad rush.
I didn't end up spending all the summer in St Andrews. A few weeks ago I took a short trip to the USA to see friends and family. I saw Mom and Dad some, but I never spent more than three days in any location. Ari, Brett and I took a small road trip out to NH to see Zach. We we're a bit ridiculous, bolting out side of building and playing some good tunes (That Don't Impress me Much). Took Brett to see Niagara falls for the first time. I got to see my friend Shosh and explore a new raw vegan food place in Highland Park (In The Raw).
Now I am back and setting up for the year as well as attending badminton pre-season training. The new house is named Jackie, after the character from That '70s Show. The house has a very 70s feel. Carpets, purple lighting, big mirrors. Alex, my new housemate, and I have been moving things around. cleaning, and arranging the house to our taste. Of course, being guys, the TV, sound system, and xbox were set up before the boxes were unpacked and the clothing ready.
Pre-season is intense. Yesterday was a good 4 hours of straight play and drill. Getting back in shape for the new season is important and it's important to do so quickly. Matches will be begin soon. I hope to get a camcorder and post some videos for you all.
Off to more work.
-J
Monday, September 3, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Cooking Improvement
My apologies for two posts in one go, but I could not resist. This morning I was cooking for a friend and I finally succeeded in making an omelet that resembles what an omelet should look like. It has taken 40 attempts of which all have ended in, "Screw it, make scrambled eggs." But not today. Today is success.
Summer Companion
It has been quite a while since I have written for this blog. Too long I think, but then, not really. Not much has happened since London. The days have flown by and all is going in good flow. Work happens about 5 days a week and I love it. In my spare time I've been playing badminton, writing letters, organizing trips, and cooking. Also, been listening to Swing. Swing, candle light... with some boozy hot chocolate and a house guest. It just gets me in a good mood.
So, despite the lack of activity, life feels fast pace and great.
Also, I wanted to share a few pictures of a new friend. For those of you who know me my acquisition of this friend will come at no surprise. He is sweet and cute and friendly. A good cuddle buddy and a nice guy who greets me when I'm on my way home from a night out. Here's to Ginge.
So, despite the lack of activity, life feels fast pace and great.
Also, I wanted to share a few pictures of a new friend. For those of you who know me my acquisition of this friend will come at no surprise. He is sweet and cute and friendly. A good cuddle buddy and a nice guy who greets me when I'm on my way home from a night out. Here's to Ginge.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
London, I Visited Thee Again
I have now been down to London a few times. Each time I go there it is different in such a way that I experience it differently as well.
The first time I went it was to walk through and see the main tourist attractions, the ones that I found on all the bus tours. You can see the posts below where I describe them (November 2010, An American in England Parts 1-7). What I noticed recently is that me, Jeremy, was void in those posts. Yes, I went to all those places, but I did not experience them as me, and the tourist I am.
This past trip to London I visited the city as me without and agenda, but a few people to see and meet. This trip, in comparison, was much more enjoyable and much more.... me :).
I saw two theater productions, two movies, a few markets, a few exhibitions of art, and enjoyed a number of London's tasty food offers.
Theater production: The Sunshine Boys. Starring Danny DeVito and Richard Griffiths this play is about two comedians who used to do a show together and twelve years after they split they are called back to do a production together. A grudge has been between them in one direction. They work together and attempt to sort out the tension while putting on their final show together. The show was great and the two actors fitted the roles perfectly. Both actors are in their 60s and so playing a character that each was familiar with, in a way, themselves. The script was filled with Jewish jokes and American ones. This became interest as the majority of the audience did not laugh at the Medicare, Medicaid or New Jersey Jokes. I did though, and so, felt alone at some points.
Theater production: Noises Off. A show about putting on a show. It's quality non stop laughing time. There are three acts. Act 1: the night before the show is opening. Act 2: the show after a month of being on the road. Act 3: the show nearing its finish. It focuses around the interactions of the cast, crew and director. I have never been in a theater where people, or embarrassingly, myself, laugh so much.
Art Exhibition: Damien Hirst. I was first told about him and told his works were meant to shock you. However, I found his works and pieces to make things, that are often portrayed as fears and creepy in society, into calm and relaxed experiences. He organized objects like cigarettes, drugs and butterflies. Often things seen in chaotic messes. Into pieces that allowed you to be among them without disgust, or anything, and their presentation made it normal and distant.
London, it was great to be me there. To rent bikes and take midnight walks. To walk miles upon miles by myself. To be among hundreds of people moving too so many places and being there with no idea as to where.
The first time I went it was to walk through and see the main tourist attractions, the ones that I found on all the bus tours. You can see the posts below where I describe them (November 2010, An American in England Parts 1-7). What I noticed recently is that me, Jeremy, was void in those posts. Yes, I went to all those places, but I did not experience them as me, and the tourist I am.
This past trip to London I visited the city as me without and agenda, but a few people to see and meet. This trip, in comparison, was much more enjoyable and much more.... me :).
I saw two theater productions, two movies, a few markets, a few exhibitions of art, and enjoyed a number of London's tasty food offers.
Theater production: The Sunshine Boys. Starring Danny DeVito and Richard Griffiths this play is about two comedians who used to do a show together and twelve years after they split they are called back to do a production together. A grudge has been between them in one direction. They work together and attempt to sort out the tension while putting on their final show together. The show was great and the two actors fitted the roles perfectly. Both actors are in their 60s and so playing a character that each was familiar with, in a way, themselves. The script was filled with Jewish jokes and American ones. This became interest as the majority of the audience did not laugh at the Medicare, Medicaid or New Jersey Jokes. I did though, and so, felt alone at some points.
Theater production: Noises Off. A show about putting on a show. It's quality non stop laughing time. There are three acts. Act 1: the night before the show is opening. Act 2: the show after a month of being on the road. Act 3: the show nearing its finish. It focuses around the interactions of the cast, crew and director. I have never been in a theater where people, or embarrassingly, myself, laugh so much.
Art Exhibition: Damien Hirst. I was first told about him and told his works were meant to shock you. However, I found his works and pieces to make things, that are often portrayed as fears and creepy in society, into calm and relaxed experiences. He organized objects like cigarettes, drugs and butterflies. Often things seen in chaotic messes. Into pieces that allowed you to be among them without disgust, or anything, and their presentation made it normal and distant.
London, it was great to be me there. To rent bikes and take midnight walks. To walk miles upon miles by myself. To be among hundreds of people moving too so many places and being there with no idea as to where.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Edinburgh Half Marathon and Summer
Hi Everyone! I hope your summer is off to a great start. Mine has.
The past week or so St Andrews transformed from a rainy cold place to one of the most beautiful sunny and flowering places I have every seen. Wow, this town really is different and I think I owe myself a little kick for every time I complained about it.
During exam week and the week after I had been celebrating and throwing different sort of get-togethers with friends to say good bye for the coming season. We had an excellent last violent movie night (VMN), a tradition of staying up really late and watching some good action films. This time we had some made sushi. :) Also had a BBQ at my house.
-----
My last post was regarding a fund-raiser, which is still going on. Yesterday, however, was the Edinburgh half marathon. I completed it in 1:45:22, I believe my fastest time yet. It was a fun run, ideal weather condition, and it was great fun running with the Thumpers (a St Andrews casual football team). Over 3,000 pounds raised.
-----
Now, it is all about the summer plans. I will be down in London in June and to the States in August. Looking into more races and more fun.
Look out for more blog posts and some challenging thoughts this summer. I've had months to think on them, but now I have time to write them out. So, be in discussion with me!
:)
I hope to skype you, chat you, mail you.
-J
The past week or so St Andrews transformed from a rainy cold place to one of the most beautiful sunny and flowering places I have every seen. Wow, this town really is different and I think I owe myself a little kick for every time I complained about it.
During exam week and the week after I had been celebrating and throwing different sort of get-togethers with friends to say good bye for the coming season. We had an excellent last violent movie night (VMN), a tradition of staying up really late and watching some good action films. This time we had some made sushi. :) Also had a BBQ at my house.
-----
My last post was regarding a fund-raiser, which is still going on. Yesterday, however, was the Edinburgh half marathon. I completed it in 1:45:22, I believe my fastest time yet. It was a fun run, ideal weather condition, and it was great fun running with the Thumpers (a St Andrews casual football team). Over 3,000 pounds raised.
-----
Now, it is all about the summer plans. I will be down in London in June and to the States in August. Looking into more races and more fun.
Look out for more blog posts and some challenging thoughts this summer. I've had months to think on them, but now I have time to write them out. So, be in discussion with me!
:)
I hope to skype you, chat you, mail you.
-J
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
For Sofia
Dear Friends and Family,
For the past few years, once a year, I have ran in a
half-marathon or participated a sport event for the charity Chai Lifeline. This
year I was invited by a new friend, Matt Harrison, of mine to run with him and
a few friends in the Edinburgh half-marathon and raise money for a newly
established scholarship.
Last year, Matt began seeing a girl, Lorena. Last May Lorena
lost her dear sister, Sofia, who took her own life. Sophia was an
undergraduate student at the University of Maastricht in Holland. At the University of Maastricht a scholarship has been set up in Sophia’s name. This scholarship
will help a selected student who would otherwise not be able to attend
university, to meet with Sophia’s parents and have the chance to pursue their
goals.
In order to raise money we have partnered with a charity in
Dundee (one big town north of us), “Remembering Yusef Abubaker”, who have
kindly agreed to help us with our project.
Please, take your time to read Matt’s side of the story at https://www.justgiving.com/Thumpers-Edinburgh-Half-Marathon.
I, and the guys I will be running with, appreciate any donation you can make.
All the best,
Jeremy Hipps
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Some Days You Just Can't Get Nachos
I found out recently that sometimes life decides to support the maintaining of bad habits.
A few days ago I was worrying as my last test of the year was approaching. The test would be on psychology second year stats, mostly ANOVAs and other variance tests. I realized that this semester I had not attended any of the stats lectures and hardly paid any attention in the methodology labs. I had wanted to, I promise, but I found every time I went I just remained confused by my teacher's explanations with no hope of understanding until I went back and did the labs on my own.
Today I had this test. Last night I printed out all the slides, in a moment of determination, and sat down to work on them. But, I got distracted and visited friends. Then I went grocery shopping and had a chat with my housemates which left me in my room at 11:40pm with the stack of lecture slides. I looked at them and thought, "Wow, so many slides." I decided sleep would be better than a morning headache. I woke up, had some coffee, and started to study the practice questions (based on a friend's hint and common sense) with only a hour and a half to go.
Forty minutes until the test I walked to the psychology building where I met a friend and read a few More slides. The time came and I sat down. Half the questions on the test matched the practice questions exactly. Hallelujah. Jeremy passed.
As I said. Life can support bad habits. I'm grateful that this once on this day life did it for me.
I went out afterwards to grab some of the Whey Pat's nachos, but discovered four rejections on the way.
1. A dog sitting out side didn't want to be pet and turned its head away.
2. Hamish McHamish walked up to me then quickly ran passed.
3. The Whey Pat was closed and no nachos were two be found.
4. The West Port wasn't serving nachos until 12pm.
Some days you just can't get nachos.
-J
A few days ago I was worrying as my last test of the year was approaching. The test would be on psychology second year stats, mostly ANOVAs and other variance tests. I realized that this semester I had not attended any of the stats lectures and hardly paid any attention in the methodology labs. I had wanted to, I promise, but I found every time I went I just remained confused by my teacher's explanations with no hope of understanding until I went back and did the labs on my own.
Today I had this test. Last night I printed out all the slides, in a moment of determination, and sat down to work on them. But, I got distracted and visited friends. Then I went grocery shopping and had a chat with my housemates which left me in my room at 11:40pm with the stack of lecture slides. I looked at them and thought, "Wow, so many slides." I decided sleep would be better than a morning headache. I woke up, had some coffee, and started to study the practice questions (based on a friend's hint and common sense) with only a hour and a half to go.
Forty minutes until the test I walked to the psychology building where I met a friend and read a few More slides. The time came and I sat down. Half the questions on the test matched the practice questions exactly. Hallelujah. Jeremy passed.
As I said. Life can support bad habits. I'm grateful that this once on this day life did it for me.
I went out afterwards to grab some of the Whey Pat's nachos, but discovered four rejections on the way.
1. A dog sitting out side didn't want to be pet and turned its head away.
2. Hamish McHamish walked up to me then quickly ran passed.
3. The Whey Pat was closed and no nachos were two be found.
4. The West Port wasn't serving nachos until 12pm.
Some days you just can't get nachos.
-J
Friday, April 20, 2012
Man Is Nature's Sole Mistake, Part 2
My last post was of true heart and feeling, but under some misguidance. As many friends have pointed out to me the portest I saw was not a protest at all. The group of women were in costume and dress to advertise and promote a Gilbert and Sullivan play Princess Ida. A play about female education in the start of the 20th century.
My conclusion: context matters.
I encourage all to see the play, it sounds great! Saturday, 20th (tomorrow) The Byre Theatre 2:30p.m. or 7:00p.m.
My conclusion: context matters.
I encourage all to see the play, it sounds great! Saturday, 20th (tomorrow) The Byre Theatre 2:30p.m. or 7:00p.m.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Man Is Nature's Sole Mistake
Man Is Nature's Sole Mistake
The title of this post are the words that were on a sign being carried by a woman dressed in Victorian clothing today. She was holding it high as the leader of the feminist marching party was shouting pro-female lines mixed with negative male ones.
I was caught off guard by the sign and I quickly felt my temper rise and my body feel hot. I was angry with her and the group. I wanted to speak out against it, but I did not. I rushed back to work with the shopping in my hands.
I can't quite been down why I grew angry so quick, though I have ideas. I think that it caused a stir within me because someone was discriminating against me and my existence; someone was calling me and my gender a mistake. I also think I found her argument disagreeable and ill-presented. If something is nature's how can it be a mistake? Is that not the definition of nature? The lack of mistakes, the, for lack of a different word, natural.
Something hurt. Something got to me. I would never hold a sign saying "Something about you/you are nature's sole mistake!" So, please, do not hold a sign against me in that way.
The title of this post are the words that were on a sign being carried by a woman dressed in Victorian clothing today. She was holding it high as the leader of the feminist marching party was shouting pro-female lines mixed with negative male ones.
I was caught off guard by the sign and I quickly felt my temper rise and my body feel hot. I was angry with her and the group. I wanted to speak out against it, but I did not. I rushed back to work with the shopping in my hands.
I can't quite been down why I grew angry so quick, though I have ideas. I think that it caused a stir within me because someone was discriminating against me and my existence; someone was calling me and my gender a mistake. I also think I found her argument disagreeable and ill-presented. If something is nature's how can it be a mistake? Is that not the definition of nature? The lack of mistakes, the, for lack of a different word, natural.
Something hurt. Something got to me. I would never hold a sign saying "Something about you/you are nature's sole mistake!" So, please, do not hold a sign against me in that way.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Visiting Home and Passover
I remember e-mailing my Dad around the time I returned from my inter-semester vacation and asked if it would be okay to visit home. He said it was okay and would be up for it.
Well, the time between that conversation and my actual departure date flew by. One day it was two months until I was leaving, the next thing I know it was just 12 hours before the taxi arrived to take me to Edinburgh.
Scotland gave me a nice farewell of blue skies and sunshine. Chicago greeted me, after a long flight, with rain just as I stepped out from O'hare Airport. Welcome home, Jeremy, welcome home.
----
Break went quick and it went well. I got a chance to visit and see a lot of the people I have been missing for the past months. By invite, I got to attend a bit of an Ultimate tournament.
I got a chance to spend time with the family. Who now has a plus one as another member moved in.
The main change over break is that I will no longer be home for the summer. I'll be a waiter and barista in the U.K.
----
I left the U.S.A. on the evening before passover and arrived in the U.K. on Friday evening. At the last moment, I decided to do something unexpected and something I thought I wouldn't do for many years to come: host a seder.
Messages were sent out as well as posts. Quickly I received replies from students who were also in St Andrews for all of Pesach. Within a day I had a total of four guests. We got together on Saturday night and had a student seder. A white table cloth, sushi-plate seder-plate, wine glasses and plates. One guest brought Matzah, another brisket. Matzah ball soup, chocolate and salad. Mmhmm.
As tradition would have it the youngest read the four questions and every one had a chance to read. To no American's surprise, nothing reads better on passover than a Maxwell House Haggadah.
In these last few days of Pesach I wish you all a Chag Sameach and a Shabbat Shalom
Well, the time between that conversation and my actual departure date flew by. One day it was two months until I was leaving, the next thing I know it was just 12 hours before the taxi arrived to take me to Edinburgh.
Scotland gave me a nice farewell of blue skies and sunshine. Chicago greeted me, after a long flight, with rain just as I stepped out from O'hare Airport. Welcome home, Jeremy, welcome home.
----
Break went quick and it went well. I got a chance to visit and see a lot of the people I have been missing for the past months. By invite, I got to attend a bit of an Ultimate tournament.
I got a chance to spend time with the family. Who now has a plus one as another member moved in.
The main change over break is that I will no longer be home for the summer. I'll be a waiter and barista in the U.K.
----
I left the U.S.A. on the evening before passover and arrived in the U.K. on Friday evening. At the last moment, I decided to do something unexpected and something I thought I wouldn't do for many years to come: host a seder.
Messages were sent out as well as posts. Quickly I received replies from students who were also in St Andrews for all of Pesach. Within a day I had a total of four guests. We got together on Saturday night and had a student seder. A white table cloth, sushi-plate seder-plate, wine glasses and plates. One guest brought Matzah, another brisket. Matzah ball soup, chocolate and salad. Mmhmm.
As tradition would have it the youngest read the four questions and every one had a chance to read. To no American's surprise, nothing reads better on passover than a Maxwell House Haggadah.
In these last few days of Pesach I wish you all a Chag Sameach and a Shabbat Shalom
Friday, March 2, 2012
This Week In Review
It has been one long week in Scotland. It may have only been seven days, but is has felt like a long, long time.
On Tuesday night was the inter-hall badminton competition. While I do not belong to a hall, as I live in a house, a hall invited to me to play for their team. I accepted their offer and had a good few matches. We didn't win the competition, but they no longer took straight defeat, even winning a match or two. After the competition I was surprised with yet another invite, this one to play for the University's Badminton Team. I accepted this as well.
On Wednesday I went to the University's match and played some of the hardest games for me yet. The team we were playing, the Nomads, were an older but well experienced group. They tested by ability...and beat it. I lost all my matches (brutally) but had a really fun time. It was really nice to have a chance to play at a competitive level and see how far along I have come since last year. I still have a long way to go though.
Thursday night was an eventful and exciting night. My AEPi chapter decided to do a dinner and I got the opportunity to be the planner and cook. The meal I made was steamed carrots and broccoli, a puff pastry topped with carmalized onion, peppers and goat's cheese and, for the main, baked trout/salmon in a balsamic vinegar honey mustard glaze. Yum! My apologies, dear friends, for I lack photos of these. I promise, I'll try to take more while I cook.
Tonight was even crazier. My friends and I, seven of us, did a Shabbat (Friday Night) dinner. On the menu was tortilla with homemade salsa along with sauteed vegetables, guacamole, and sour cream. Wine was featured along with a lemon tart and mint chocolate Scottish ice cream. Dinner was accompanied by both political (Israel) discussion and a game brought to us by my friend M. You vote on whose is most likely to do _____ (fill in). Its really fun, but can get offensive ;)
My week ended with a nice walk home in a foggy St Andrews. I passed a man on the way who was relieving himself in a bush. As I went to walk by he spoke up and said, "Sorry, I'm not usually like this." I replied, " Don't Worry, I won't call the cops. Have a good night." He responded, surprising me by saying, "Thank you, sir."
I love the casual awkwardness of my town.
Shabbat Shalom
On Tuesday night was the inter-hall badminton competition. While I do not belong to a hall, as I live in a house, a hall invited to me to play for their team. I accepted their offer and had a good few matches. We didn't win the competition, but they no longer took straight defeat, even winning a match or two. After the competition I was surprised with yet another invite, this one to play for the University's Badminton Team. I accepted this as well.
On Wednesday I went to the University's match and played some of the hardest games for me yet. The team we were playing, the Nomads, were an older but well experienced group. They tested by ability...and beat it. I lost all my matches (brutally) but had a really fun time. It was really nice to have a chance to play at a competitive level and see how far along I have come since last year. I still have a long way to go though.
Thursday night was an eventful and exciting night. My AEPi chapter decided to do a dinner and I got the opportunity to be the planner and cook. The meal I made was steamed carrots and broccoli, a puff pastry topped with carmalized onion, peppers and goat's cheese and, for the main, baked trout/salmon in a balsamic vinegar honey mustard glaze. Yum! My apologies, dear friends, for I lack photos of these. I promise, I'll try to take more while I cook.
Tonight was even crazier. My friends and I, seven of us, did a Shabbat (Friday Night) dinner. On the menu was tortilla with homemade salsa along with sauteed vegetables, guacamole, and sour cream. Wine was featured along with a lemon tart and mint chocolate Scottish ice cream. Dinner was accompanied by both political (Israel) discussion and a game brought to us by my friend M. You vote on whose is most likely to do _____ (fill in). Its really fun, but can get offensive ;)
My week ended with a nice walk home in a foggy St Andrews. I passed a man on the way who was relieving himself in a bush. As I went to walk by he spoke up and said, "Sorry, I'm not usually like this." I replied, " Don't Worry, I won't call the cops. Have a good night." He responded, surprising me by saying, "Thank you, sir."
I love the casual awkwardness of my town.
Shabbat Shalom
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Shabbat Shalom
Yesterday the Jewish Society held a Shabbaton in morning. Leading the Shabbaton was Bill, a Chicago native, but since has moved to Scotland as his wife works here at the University. Bill always leads our Saturday service and each time does something different and unique. Yesterday Bill decided to flip the service on those attending and begin with a bit of Torah and then do a bit of prayer.
Bill walked us through, and asked us to visualize, the tabernacle. He told us of its three sections. The first was a place for anyone to come in and leave a sacrifice for their personal needs. The second, divided by a curtain, was the Tent of Meeting, where Moses spoke with G-d. The third, also divided, was where the Holy of Holies were kept. After the brief tour and the details of its construction, Bill walked us through the prayer service as if we were a person walking through the Tabernacle. First, we say the the Birchot HaShachar, we bless G-d regarding our needs and our concerns. This would be like the sacrifices and offering in the first tent. Next we move onto the prayers like Ashrei and Shma. Prayers that bring us closer to the divine. Our concerns are no longer the main focus, but now our concerns with God our. Finally, we move to the Amidah, the Holy of Holies. Here we are on a whole different level, a level of complete spirituality.
We only said a few prayers, but it was nice to pray with the image of the Tabernacle in my mind.
A word of Torah, I hope you enjoyed. A little late, but Shabbat Shalom and Shavuah Tov.
Bill walked us through, and asked us to visualize, the tabernacle. He told us of its three sections. The first was a place for anyone to come in and leave a sacrifice for their personal needs. The second, divided by a curtain, was the Tent of Meeting, where Moses spoke with G-d. The third, also divided, was where the Holy of Holies were kept. After the brief tour and the details of its construction, Bill walked us through the prayer service as if we were a person walking through the Tabernacle. First, we say the the Birchot HaShachar, we bless G-d regarding our needs and our concerns. This would be like the sacrifices and offering in the first tent. Next we move onto the prayers like Ashrei and Shma. Prayers that bring us closer to the divine. Our concerns are no longer the main focus, but now our concerns with God our. Finally, we move to the Amidah, the Holy of Holies. Here we are on a whole different level, a level of complete spirituality.
We only said a few prayers, but it was nice to pray with the image of the Tabernacle in my mind.
A word of Torah, I hope you enjoyed. A little late, but Shabbat Shalom and Shavuah Tov.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Movies and More
I am currently in Dublin, Ireland and will be so until the 24th of January. I will be posting on my experiences here soon, but I currently wanted to do something else. During my time here in the UK and on breaks, I have taken to seeing movies and becoming a movie buff. I thought I'd share my review on three films that I have seen recently.
American History X - A story about a skinhead. After years of being in a gang and believing he was helping the United States, the character ends up murdering two people in a quick act of hate. The story is about his time after serving three years in jail (he only got charged for manslaughter), and how his view of the world and what he did has changed. It follows the skinhead's brother who believes he has been doing exactly what his brother would have wanted of him.
13/15
Valentine's Day - i remember the day Love Actually and He's Just Not That Into You both became two films I enjoyed. I thought they both portrayed love in funny ways, but both told good stories and were well directed. I recently saw Valentine's Day. I can say that this is a terrible movie, with bad acting, but still manages to have a few scenes of entertainment. It has a star cast, just as the two previous, but just fails with its jokes and romance. I hear New Year's Eve is the like movie to the ones listed here, but i here its worse.
3/15
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - I read the book a few years ago. I remember taking to the book because of the innocence of the child and how the author wrote through his perspective. The movie does a very good job of realizing the book into a visual production. It also portrays Nazi Germany in a realistic way. People are living their daily lives as normally as they can and the sun is shining. The sky isn't always gray.
11/15
More reviews to come as I watch more :)
American History X - A story about a skinhead. After years of being in a gang and believing he was helping the United States, the character ends up murdering two people in a quick act of hate. The story is about his time after serving three years in jail (he only got charged for manslaughter), and how his view of the world and what he did has changed. It follows the skinhead's brother who believes he has been doing exactly what his brother would have wanted of him.
13/15
Valentine's Day - i remember the day Love Actually and He's Just Not That Into You both became two films I enjoyed. I thought they both portrayed love in funny ways, but both told good stories and were well directed. I recently saw Valentine's Day. I can say that this is a terrible movie, with bad acting, but still manages to have a few scenes of entertainment. It has a star cast, just as the two previous, but just fails with its jokes and romance. I hear New Year's Eve is the like movie to the ones listed here, but i here its worse.
3/15
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - I read the book a few years ago. I remember taking to the book because of the innocence of the child and how the author wrote through his perspective. The movie does a very good job of realizing the book into a visual production. It also portrays Nazi Germany in a realistic way. People are living their daily lives as normally as they can and the sun is shining. The sky isn't always gray.
11/15
More reviews to come as I watch more :)
Inter-semester Break: Dublin, Ireland
Unlike my previous blog posts regarding my vacations I wanted to keep this one short and sweet because the trip I took was both of these. Unfortunately I did not take any photos, but the photos my friends took are on Facebook.
I went to Dublin with two friends of mine from St Andrews' Jewish Society. I spent a total of five days with them.
Our days were very relaxed and full of a number of pubs. We averaged around three a day. This isn't to say we drank from morning till evening, rather, we enjoyed the diverse pub atmosphere Dublin provides. Each pub we went to had its own unique feeling and its own claim to fame. Some of the famous ones we went to were Whelan's, where P.S. I Love You was filmed, O'Donoghue's, where the band The Dubliners formed, Against the Grain, a bar famous for its imported beer, and The Temple Bar, a location key to Dublin's history.
We visited the Book of Kells, the National Archaeology Museum of Ireland, and St Patrick's Cathedral, where Jonathan Swift resides.
We ate excellent restaurants and pubs. Had amazing food, but our favorite was salmon with crust along with perfectly spiced mash and spinach. We also indulged in tasty quesadillas and home made falafel and Guinness treacle bread.
One day we spent the morning in the Guinness Storehouse. We toured through the historic and current location of Ireland's, and maybe the world's, number one draught. We finished the tour with a Guinness each in the Gravity Bar, a bar with nearly a full view of the area of Dublin.
The best day I had was when we went on a guided tour along the coast of Dublin and to the Wicklow Mountains. We saw where the films such as P.S. I Love You and Braveheart were filmed. We saw the house where the Guinness family resides. And, we saw Glendalough, where a very old monestary resided under St. Kevin.
Overall, my trip to Ireland was perfect. Ireland was perfect. It's green and friendly. The accent is excellent, my favorite of all time.
I'll end with a quick song made about Guinness that I found in a pub:
"Sing a song of Guinness,
A bottle full of good,
Since it is for goodness,
Guinness always stood.
When the bottle's opened
We all began to shout,
'There's nothing like a Guinness
When you feel-tired-out'.
I went to Dublin with two friends of mine from St Andrews' Jewish Society. I spent a total of five days with them.
Our days were very relaxed and full of a number of pubs. We averaged around three a day. This isn't to say we drank from morning till evening, rather, we enjoyed the diverse pub atmosphere Dublin provides. Each pub we went to had its own unique feeling and its own claim to fame. Some of the famous ones we went to were Whelan's, where P.S. I Love You was filmed, O'Donoghue's, where the band The Dubliners formed, Against the Grain, a bar famous for its imported beer, and The Temple Bar, a location key to Dublin's history.
We visited the Book of Kells, the National Archaeology Museum of Ireland, and St Patrick's Cathedral, where Jonathan Swift resides.
We ate excellent restaurants and pubs. Had amazing food, but our favorite was salmon with crust along with perfectly spiced mash and spinach. We also indulged in tasty quesadillas and home made falafel and Guinness treacle bread.
One day we spent the morning in the Guinness Storehouse. We toured through the historic and current location of Ireland's, and maybe the world's, number one draught. We finished the tour with a Guinness each in the Gravity Bar, a bar with nearly a full view of the area of Dublin.
The best day I had was when we went on a guided tour along the coast of Dublin and to the Wicklow Mountains. We saw where the films such as P.S. I Love You and Braveheart were filmed. We saw the house where the Guinness family resides. And, we saw Glendalough, where a very old monestary resided under St. Kevin.
Overall, my trip to Ireland was perfect. Ireland was perfect. It's green and friendly. The accent is excellent, my favorite of all time.
I'll end with a quick song made about Guinness that I found in a pub:
"Sing a song of Guinness,
A bottle full of good,
Since it is for goodness,
Guinness always stood.
When the bottle's opened
We all began to shout,
'There's nothing like a Guinness
When you feel-tired-out'.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Winter Vacay Part 4 - Geneva
December 30th – Geneva Day 1
We began the day with an early train to Geneva. Weather decided to resist us. Forty minutes outside of Geneva branches had fallen on the wires the train uses. We were stuck. Four to five hours later the technicians and crew men had cleared the wire and another train was brought along to help us get to Geneva. We had lost half a day but weren’t too upset. We hadn’t planned what to see in Geneva. None of us really knew anything about the city.
When we arrived my friend, a resident of Geneva that goes to school with me in St Andrews, picked us up and took us to her house. We illegally took both tram and bus, but discovered that public transportation in Geneva isn’t anything to brag about. A tram and bus traffic jam occurred outside a main shopping center. Geneva had just redone their system. I think it needs redoing again.
We spent the rest of the day relaxing, making mince pies and eating. Come evening, my brother’s friend and I joined my friend for a local’s party. There we enjoyed a night of beer, live music (violin, piano, guitar, and more) and conversation. English was a commonly spoken language, though few there spoke it very well. To my surprise, I ended up speaking Hebrew with a number of people. A lot of present people were Jewish, and one had just spent three months in Israel.
The live music continued for hours until the players put down their instruments and a computer with speakers were set up. People started dancing and jumping round.
An hour or two later I was back at my friend’s. I was tired.
31st December – Geneva Day 2
I slept wonderfully!
I didn’t wake up for quite some time, but my brother woke me. When he did I hopped into the shower, the first time in a couple of days. It felt great and relaxing.
My friend and my brother’s did not wake up yet. When they did, we all came together in the kitchen and had breakfast very, very slowly. Finally, my friend decided it was time to go and we headed into town.
Walking there we stopped by a few of Geneva’s historical and monumental places. We saw its fountain that sat just beyond the docks, visible from all over Geneva. We picked up my friend’s friend and he joined us for the day. We continued around town. We then ate lunch at a cool buffet style place. They made the basics like pizza and pasta, but mainly you were allowed to make your own and choose your toppings. The food was fresh and delicious. We continued yet again with our tour and saw a cathedral along with Geneva’s oldest building.
After a few hours we returned to my friend’s and relaxed until dinner. We toasted to health over sparkling white wine and had an Ethiopian style meal, prepared by my friend’s mother. We gathered again, and went to my friend’s sister’s flat. We met more locals and began New Year’s celebrations. We played a version of Pictionary which started out easy. Each team member picking a film title and having the other team draw it. But we decided to get more difficult and went to historic events. It became interesting as we watched each person attempt to draw a concept differently. Everyone found different things important.
We celebrated for a while until the early hours of the morning.
* * *
A Happy New Year’s
I hope everyone has had a great start to the new year as well and that y'all enjoyed celebrations. May you make resolutions that you will keep and be healthy.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Winter Vacay Part 3 - Paris
December 27th – Paris Day 1
We arrived in Paris, in the morning, at Gare De L’Est and quickly walked over to Gare du Nord in order to pick up my brother’s friend who flew in to meet us and join us for the vacation. We picked her up and attempted to get tickets for Paris’s train system. After failing once we got help from a local, but ended up at a ticket vendor booth with a real person, not a machine. Worked out for the best and we proceeded to our hotel and check-in. We debated for a little while on what to do, what to see. 
We decided that the catacombs would be a good place to start.
Outside the catacombs there’s a crepe van and we decided to indulge. My first real crepe! Banana and Nutella. It happened that the queue for the catacombs was too long and we couldn’t get in. With the crepes in hand we were not too bothered, so, we took the time to relax and eat them.
Post deliciousness we walked down to the cemetery. Turned in to it and we soon realized we were in the Jewish section. Crypt stands next to crypt and grave in rows upon rows. Family 
names appear on each stone and each crypt. Some very familiar names are there and some not. Further down in the cemetery is a grave of a famous. . . Here’s his grave stone. A different take on a standardized idea?
We continued our walking tour at the Arch of Triumph. A giant arch in the center of Paris. It is the conclusion to the Tour de France and a memorial to soldiers who served in the French Revolution. There is the grave of the Unknown Soldier commemorating World War One.
We walked from the arch down the road and stopped at a few shops along the way. Towards the end of our evening we had dinner at a local café. Our dessert was a Banana Split.
December 28th – Paris Day 2
The Louvre . . . all of it.
We arrived at the Louvre at around 9:30, but didn’t get to start wondering around until 10:00. We decided that since none of us are too much of art crazed beings that we would walk the whole thing. This became to be a draining task. We took one big break but made it through the whole museum available to us by 9:00pm.
The Louvre suited my taste as it, as a building, was a beautiful piece of architecture and art. Walking around in it was just as satisfying as looking at the art it contains. My favorite sections were the sort of sculpture park they had set up as two squares. My favorite pieces were those that depicted stories from the Tanach, statues of the four seasons and a painting of the five senses.
Since we walked the whole thing and tried to view each piece briefly we noticed some themes among works and gave them titles. Here are the three main ones:
The Book of Bunny Death. There is an actual book of bunny death. It is a cute and sick thing of a cartoon bunny dying in many different ways. The Louvre doesn’t host quite a variation, but manages to have many paintings of rabbits hanging from walls or at someone’s feet as killed game. We thought it would be nice to take pictures of all the paintings and compile a Louvre edition of the book.
The Inconvenient Shirt. 
Pun on the Inconvenient Truth. I hope you caught that. It is no secret that for many years artists have loved painting, sculpting, and photographing women. However, many of the paintings host what we titled the Inconvenient Shirt. This is their piece of clothing that manages to cover their whole body except for one breast. Sure, it makes sense in paintings where a woman is nursing a child. But otherwise, artists seem very good at making it appear that they told all their models to bring loose clothing to their sessions. Make sure their models . . . expose a little. Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction?
The Magical Penis Cloak/Cape. 
Women seem to have the problem of keeping their clothes on. The Men in most paintings seem to have this problem solved and sometimes appear out of their control. Many paintings we saw will have a naked man or child in them. Somehow, though, there is a piece of clothing just covering their . . . This piece of clothing is amazing. In some paintings it manages to defy gravity or appear out of nowhere.
* * *
We concluded are artistic evening with dinner at a Sushi place. Cheap wine was included along with another Banana Split!
December 29th – Paris Day 3
Our final day in Paris, we decided to continue being touristy! We made it to the Catacombs on time, but still had to wait three hours to get in. Inside we enjoyed walking along the 
underground baths and seeing the bones of many dead piled up with skulls as decorations. It was quite creepy, but an interesting and challenging experience. I had never thought of burying the dead in such away. With modern ideals it seems so foreign. We truly value our post life space these days whether it be in the form of ashes or our own space in a graveyard.
We then had a delicious French lunch outside of Notre Dame and afterwards walked around the cathedral. 
As we walked through it a service was going on with someone chanting and speaking in French to a present audience. Tourists circled the main sitting area walking to chapels and taking pictures of the cathedral. The church now caters to tourists more than to religion.
Next we went to the Eiffel Tower. Prior to queuing to get take the lifts up, I began a new tradition. In St Andrews I agreed to take notes of my friends to places I travel, mainly by town. 
In that town I would find a recognizable land mark and burn their note there while having my picture taken. My brother took the photos and I lit my friend’s humorous message. “My baguette is bigger than yours. Don’t eat too many frogs… and mind your mustache.”
We then queued and after many hours made it to the top of the Eiffel Tower. We enjoyed the view of Paris and took pictures. I took one of Paris’s highest toilet (note: a urinal would be higher than a sit down john).
After the long day we returned to the hotel, but first stopped by a pizza place for two pizzas and our last Banana Split.
Winter Vacay Part 2 - Berlin
23rd December – Berlin Day 1
After the many hours of waiting in Heathrow airport with my brother we eventually made it to our flight to Berlin. Arriving in Berlin we discovered something we hadn’t thought of, foolishly. We don’t know any German. This can make it quite difficult to communicate with locals unless you are good at visual expressions and pointing. We must have managed, because we ended up with rail passes and arrived at our hostel just fine. Our next move was to explore the city. 
We didn’t know what to expect of Berlin. Our knowledge of the city stops short with World War Two and the knocking down of the Berlin Wall. First, to Berlin’s Christmas markets. We found three of them just blocks apart from each other. Next, we walked through a park and discovered Berlin’s senate. A tall, wide red building with a construction being done all around it and a security guard standing at the front. The senate has only been there since 1991. We then found what Berlin calls Museum Island. A set of four museum’s all along a section of river. We went to each of them for an hour, walking through them at a nice leisurely place. We practiced our photography and enjoyed the surrounding art.
After the museums we headed back to the hostel and then out to dinner. Burritos. Not your traditional German, but most assuredly vegetarian friendly! We ended our night at the local bowling alley. There we had a few number of games and found out that Berlin isn’t too accepting of foreign credit cards. I ran 400m to the nearest ATM machine in order to get cash and pay them.
24th and 25th December – Berlin Day 2 and 3
We took these two days lightly because it was Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The 24th we mainly stayed in the hostel, working and relaxing. We rented a pool table, a family hobby. The 25th we went out to see a movie and walk around the Berlin Sony Center. A place of modern technology and cool design. Very modern looking and well lit for Christmas. We also went out for an Indian Mexican dinner as we couldn’t find Chinese. Jews will understand this. Sorry we couldn’t keep with tradition!
26th December –Berlin Day 4
We started our day by taking one of the Berlin’s trains to the end of its route. There we walked down and fine one end of what’s left of the Berlin wall. What was once a division between two powerful nations and two very separate ideals of life is now a memorial and monument to modern art and world peace. Some of it is also designated to mockery of a border gate.
After the wall we headed to HBF, Berlin’s biggest train station. Its five stories tall and really long. We walked the entirety of it. Then we visited the Reichstag and a nearby plaza. The Reichstag has a huge field in front of it that currently acts as a park.
People were playing with their dogs and many people were just strolling along. The plaza has an arch that has a famous picture with the Nazi flag hanging from its top. Now there is both a 
menorah and a Christmas tree there (A little Chanukah fun!). People dress up as war figures and take pictures with 
tourists.
Last we went back to the train station for some UK style fish and chips, back to the hostel, and then back to the train station for some gelato. We then waited for our overnight train to Paris.
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