LockNess

**This was written rather quickly, with little revision, so it may be a bit rough! As Israel’s 60th anniversary approaches, all I see in the news are articles entitled, “For Israel’s Arabs, 60 years of regret,” “Israel marks 60 years as political clouds gather,” “Israel celebrates its 60th with pride, but also uncertainty.” As an American Jew, I feel more than ever confused, embarrassed, unsure of how to react to what should be an incredible feat of politics, military might and determination. The state of Israel still survives as the Jewish homeland after sixty years of unfaltering attacks on its existence. Shouldn’t I be proud, ecstatic, happy at the very least? Many say no. Western media says no. Other Jews say no. They say we cannot “celebrate the birthday of a state founded on terrorism, massacres ... read more

Tomorrow I take a bus to London, spend the night and then fly to Girona for two weeks in Spain! So here’s a quick catch up on what I’ve been up to before I leave. A couple weekends ago I participated in Superteams. This is a tournament between different club sports teams (men and women compete separately), everyone split into teams of seven. My football team put in three teams and there were numerous teams from netball, rugby, basketball, cricket, swimming, water polo, field hockey. Over three days we competed in way too many events: swimming, kayaking, volleyball, dodgeball, basketball, football, gym test, sprints, campus mile, and an obstacle course. My favorite bit was the basketball. Our first match in basketball was against the rugby girls. The only way to describe it is that there was ... read more

We went to Cardiff while the Wales - Scotland rugby match of the 6 Nations Cup (England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, France, Ireland) was being held there, and came back dirty, tired, and not wanting to leave Aber again for a while. These photos probably won't do our trip any justice, but I hope it gives a glimpse into the many things that happened between the evenings of Friday, 2/8 and Sunday, 2/10.... read more

I find it fascinating that despite being in another part of the world there is still a huge portion of the news and every day discussion regarding the US primaries and elections. Although I am in the UK, which I assume is much more closely invested in US politics than perhaps other parts of the world, it still goes to show a spotlight that is incessantly trained on the change and movements of our domestic politics. I guess I had always denied that the US was a hegemon for more than its status as a political, economic and military power. My world view was closer to a utopian vision of the international system as a more globalized and equalized plane. But evidently it is the nature of a super power, or at least this super power, ... read more