i was afraid feared my expectations would leave reality in the dust, and cause hence, disappointment. sort of like what happened in south america. but that didn't happen. life in the university is all i dreamed it to be, and more.

a mere four weeks of academic classes in the fields of mathematics, philosophy and economy, boosted my inner world by giving me tools to think with (mathematics), food for thought (philosophy) and a [questionable] link to reality (economics). lovely. it's a new thrill every day.



of course, on top of the intellectual festival, comes the social interaction with excellent individuals. every day introduces me to a great new person, and puts an old friend in my path. a smiling society, being a great source of energy, keeps me pumped and alive.

a wise man once said, invest in the three places you spend most your time at. this made sense to me, since life is what you sense and think it to be at every given point of the day.



my three were:
1. my room
2. my method of trasnportation
3. the university.


so i spent some thought, resources and time and..

1. fixed up my room to be nice and comfy
2. bought a good mp3 player and great headphones to enjoy my daily commute
3. practiced my smile to get the warmest welcome every day in class

...things are looking good!

now all i need is find a cozy female to sleep with.


i'm working these days to improve my bubbleshots photography skills. any feedback would be awesome.

there is no place like home

dorothy knows her stuff.

more than anything else from my conclusions of this past year, i learned to appreciate my one and only, irreplaceable home.

israel may have many hostile conscienceless enemies, an impossible economy, a lame leadership, many difficult radicalized groups within society, a hazardous driving mentality, the most horrible sauna-like summers, infuriating abusive banking plans, and way too many people with too short of a patience. but you know what I figured? it’s my country, and the people of Israel are my people. each and every one of them.
we all go through bad times together, we all share the same religion, we speak the same language and laugh at the same jokes. it’s one big loving family. and it’s priceless.

my welcoming committee at the airport

how I’ve forgotten the joy of comfort in a routine-driven life! what once seemed to be my worst enemy, is now my dearest friend. the routine allocates time and energy which helps me focus on my priorities and get through my books.
before my jetlag was completely slept out, i’ve already spent all of my savings on a scooter, started bartending at an excellent spaghetti restaurant in my home town, and got word from the tel aviv university that I was accepted to the three faculties I applied for. i will begin my degree in mathematics, philosophy and economics in six weeks.

a scoop of vanilla ice cream, some milk and a shot of espresso coffee will produce a fine cool awakening beverage.

my Nikon started behaving a little funny this week. a benefit for creativity?

so I’m back to work on my favorite element of maslow’s pyramid – the peak. all my needs are comfortably satisfied, but one; the need to burst, explode, launch the lid off my boiling mind - and do. create, compose, form, group, direct, shift. my foot lays heavy on the gas while the gear remains neutral. as this need may seem recreational to one, it is my kernel.
i have a couple of ideas i’m working on. more news on that soon.

in the meanwhile, i seek a shabby student apartment in downtown tel aviv, in a range near the university. also, i refresh my mathematical skills in order to give private lessons to high school students.

did you ever notice that when your eyes scan still objects they hop from point to point along a fragmented imaginary line but only when they follow an object in motion they can move in one uninterrupted flowing motion? try it.

i'd like to take my hat off before Grigori Perelman, the 40 year old brilliant russian mathematician who solved a 100 year mathematical problem - the poincare conjecture problem - and declined to accept the million dollar prize. he's a howard roark* of mathematics (* the fountainhead).

i look forward to continue writing for this blog. only now it will be about a different type of expedition; the journey of thought and observation. the blog of my journey in the americas is stored at http://crossing-america.blogspot.com.

cheers.