Friday/Shabbat – Day 159/160
January 7, 2013
Friday and Shabbat were unfortunately more of the same. Singing and dancing without end. As a result this post is going to be kept very short. Unfortunately my Shabbat was mostly without the Shabbat and while everyone else was going out to eat their meals I was eating a supply of fruit and pita that I had purchased beforehand. Suboptimal.
The above photo portrays a fun moment of me being dragged around the rehearsal space, a definite highlight.
After rehearsal on Shabbat everyone walked to Nord’s (our director’s) home for snack and a little time to relax. Amongst the activities was a screening of the ‘newman’ scavenger hunt video which revealed just how poor our singing was that day. Thankfully the oldmen cut us a little slack.
Back we walked through the dangerous neighbourhoods of northwest Philly and late that night I finally made it back to Hamilton Court, my new residence!
Hurricane Update
October 29, 2012
Hurricane Sandy is about to pass through Philadelphia, I’m alive and well and will continue to post updates stating that I am so! More updates on my days to follow as class is cancelled for the next two days!
Update: The weather is stormier, and we’re all snug and tight in our rooms. Campus is mostly deserted but nothing scary yet.
A Few Links
October 18, 2012
So today as I am still not feeling well and wished to post something that would have taken me less effort I leave you today with my favourite articles from the last day.
First up is ‘Telling Israel Like It Is – In Arabic‘, the story of an Arab Israeli woman who flies around the world giving a more factual presentation on what Israel is like for an Arab citizen as opposed to the junk that spews out of Israel Apartheid week and other similar events.
“Israel is my country, my home. Why would I leave to Jordan or Egypt? This is where my roots are. Here my grandfather and grandmother were born, all my family is here. This is my home,” – Boshra Khalaila
Next up is a fascinating piece on Apple’s design philosophy and the problems and advantages that go with it. The Real Meaning and Future of Apple’s Mantra: Designed in California breaks down the inspiration and process behind Apple hardware, software and retail, giving one a real insight behind to what lies behind their closed doors.
Perhaps the most revolutionary product Apple has ever designed is its retail store environment. Most retail design is about artifice, scenery design as a backdrop for products that try and sell you an idea, Apple retail design is about authenticity and customer service.
and I’ll leave it at that for today.