<3 Music; <3 DJ AM

For the past three years, I have been lucky enough to live in the best city in the world. In Los Angeles I found my best of friends and had the best of memories. I have been exposed to art, music and information that would have never been available to me elsewhere, and for this I am forever thankful. Of the most important elements of my daily life was music. Falling in love with electro music as a dancing 18 year-old at the crappiest club on Hollywood Blvd. was a life changing event. From then on I went to every club possible, spent hours each day on music blogs, and even got a radio show on UCLAradio.com.

Going out nearly every night and seeing countless talented DJs who made me smile bigger and dance harder: life couldn't be more perfect.

With all of the unbelievably happy times had dancing to the beats of prophetic DJs, yesterday was by far one of the most tragic days, with the death of DJ AM. I've seen DJ AM spin countless times in Los Angeles clubs and at huge music events: Banana Split, Coachella, EDC and Spin the Bottle. I knew that no matter what lame performer Dim Mak scheduled for Banana Split Sundays, AM would be there to start everyone dancing or to shut down the club at 2:30 am with everyone demanding more. He was an amazing artist who could make anyone dance, and I am so fortunate that I had the opportunity to witness his talent. My condolences go out to his family, friends, Los Angeles and the world who will truly miss this unique DJ.

Thank you AM, for making me dance.

Please, listen to his mash-ups; I can guarantee you'll like, even love it:
http://www.myspace.com/djamone

Suzy is so pissed

Here's a video I took while at a restaurant in Tel Aviv with my friend Brianna. I hope you can hear the dialogue over my incessant laughing.

This Week...

Lots has happened in the past seven days. Last weekend (Thursday) I went to Tel Aviv right after Ulpan Hebrew class. I spent some time doing research at the Tel Aviv University library and then explored the city.


One of the many outdoor art installations at Tel Aviv University.


The most amazing breakfast of eggs, cucumber salad, camembert and homemade cherry jam from a restaurant called David in Tel Aviv

It was nice to be in a place where there's not millions of orthodox Jews making you feel like the ultimate sinner. The following day I spent on the beach in Tel Aviv which is definitely one of the most beautiful places on earth. The water is 90 degrees and everyone is in speedos.



On Friday I returned to Jerusalem in time to wash the sand out of my hair and go out with my friends in Jerusalem. It had been 12 days since I had been to a dance club, so it felt particularly good to go out.


Some of my wonderful friends from school!

Other things I've done this week:

1. Salsa dancing with 150 Israelis and instructors who speak only Hebrew-fun!

2. Not completely failing Hebrew, which is some sort of miracle.

3. Utilizing public transportation several times, in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. I'm so pleased I was able to learn the Tel Aviv bus routes all by myself!


A few of the many bus tickets from my various trips.

4. Registering for fall classes: Hebrew (not my choice; I'm forced to take it), Cultural Identity in the Arab-Israeli conflict, Palestinian Culture, and hopefully, if I'm accepted, a research internship at the Truman Institute in Jerusalem. The Truman Institute is a private think tank working toward the advancement of peace, focusing primarily on the Middle East. I would be working on one of their many projects ranging from international studies, like the Obama administration's approach to the Arab-Israeli conflict, or domestic issues such as the role of women in the Palestinian community. I am sooooo excited about the opportunity to work with the Truman Institute, and it's something that wouldn't be possible had I not come to study in Israel.
Here's a link to their website if you want to find out more about the organization: http://truman.huji.ac.il/about.asp

5. And finally, tonight I went to a yoga class with one of my friends from Hebrew Ulpan. There's a gym near the campus that has a reasonably-priced membership plan, but we wanted something other than a treadmill. It took us a while to figure out where exactly the studio was located, and once we arrived, we realized it wasn't actually a "studio" but a Jerusalem community center with only five people in the yoga class. Let's just say the overhead lighting, wreaking yoga mats and pedestrians yelling outside wasn't the most chakra-pleasing atmosphere. Next week we're on to another studio!

Panda Bear in Israel

Some of you may not know, but I had a show the past year on UCLAradio.com called Panda Bear. I played electro music and talked about music events in Los Angeles, while my co-host would DJ live. I had a great time hosting a show, and was sad to end Panda Bear when I left LA. But now I think I'm going to be able to continue my show in Israel!

I'll send you details soon, and try to schedule the show so everyone on the other side of the world can hear it.

Falafel!

Today after class I went to Ben Yehuda, the center of West Jerusalem, with my friend Brianna from San Diego. Bought a pair of sandals to wear around my dorm, some Q-tips and finally a straightener so my hair will no longer look like a fuzz ball. Along with the shopping we ate falafel, which was not only a delicious meal, but also incredibly cheap. Just 17 shekels for 1/2 falafel and juice; just $3.99!!!

Falafel is now my new favorite meal.



The sandals I bought today. Quite funny if you understand my political views.




Brianna gave me this bracelet. Maybe I can fit in better.

Shabbat Shalom

It's Shabbat (Saturday), the final day of the Jewish week, which is the day of rest. So nothing is open, no taxis run, you can't use elevators and basically there's nothing to do. Even though it may seem boring, it's actually quite nice. I'm forced to sit at home and do my homework and read the news and just RELAX.

Last night, for our first Shabbat evening in Israel, the Madrichim (student counselors/RA's/something like that) planned a dinner for us at the Regency Hotel near the school. It wasn't too formal or conservative, but I still got to use the "Shabbat clothing" Mom bought me. I made sure to bring with me some conservative skirts and shirts that I would need when I go to the religious parts of the city, like where the Western Wall and the Old City.

Here's me wearing in a skirt that goes below my knees-amazing!

Shabbat dinner was amazing and I'm looking forward to many more.

I finally went food shopping this past week, which wasn't as frightening as I thought. Although I was really limited in what I could get, because I wasn't too sure what exactly it was, I think I did a decent job. Here's some of the stuff I got. Notice the branding elements that identify the Corn Flakes. So thankful for that!

Finally Here

Well, I'm finally in Israel!

I arrived in Tel Aviv at 2:10 am and waited for the sun to come up, then took a Sherut (a shuttle-like taxi) to the school. I didn't know where I was really going and no one on campus seemed to know where the International school was either. But finally, as I was wandering around with my 100 lb. luggage, an Israeli offered to help me to the school and carry my luggage!

On Monday I went to bed at 4 pm and slept 14 hours.

I have a dorm with two Americans, Eric and Shifra, one Israeli, Hachmity, and an Arab-Israeli who I have yet to meet. I have my own room and share the two toilets, one shower and kitchen and living room with everyone else in the apartment. The place wasn't the cleanest when I moved in, but luckily my roommate Shifra shared my views and we decided to scrub it clean last night.

I got to wonder around the school and the perimeter all day Tuesday. And by wander, I mean be completely lost. Haha. I'm getting the hang of it now. But like Jerusalem, the layout of the school is a bit confusing and resembles nothing of a grid. Thank goodness for my roommate Shifra who knows this city, and the country, like the back of her hand. Although she's American, she spent the last year in seminary in Israel (which she got kicked out of-ha!), and has been here many times before that.

After my campus tour yesterday evening, we had an orientation and a shopping trip to get necessary items for our dorms. With how much time she's spent in this city, Shifra even knew the mall like the back of her hand!

And now today, I begin my first day of class. I'm only taking Hebrew courses, five days a week, for the next two months. Which will definitely be useful considering I know almost none.

Here are some photos from my dorm and the school. Excuse my amateur html formatting skills. I swear, I'll get better.

Kitchen in the dorm, view of Jerusalem from the front of school,
view from my dorm room window, view from my window at sunrise, my room!

Aerosvit

I’ve been on this flight for nearly 8 hours now and although I woke up early and it’s super dark in the cabin, I can’t sleep to save my life. Partially because I’m uncomfortable and just over sleeping in front of large groups of strangers, but also because I made this amazing mix of 125 of my favorite songs. My ipod is now on shuffle and I’m having the greatest evening/morning/afternoon. Going from PST→EST→Ukraine/Israel time has really fucked me up.

DC-->JFK-->Ukraine

Off to JFK to continue my journey to Tel Aviv. So, that’s a taxi, a bus, a shuttle and finally a plane. Couldn’t get a ticket on one of the luxurious Bolt buses (wifi, outlets, leg-room), so I had to settle for a Greyhound (dripping air-conditioning, seemingly intoxicated driver, and essentially the worst experience ever). Oh well. I somehow made it to JFK with a generous 20 minutes till my plane began boarding. Thank goodness my airline Aerosvit, a Ukrainian air service, is the most obscure carrier and had barely a line. Not being able to understand the flight attendants, who spoke solely Ukrainian, was one of the only downfalls.

Now, I’m headed to Kiev, Ukraine. I’ll arrive at 11:50 am Ukraine time; basically 10 hours ahead of LA. Wait for a a few hours, and board El Al to Tel Aviv!