Shalom lekulam!
Hope everyone is doing well. Almost the end of January 2010! Unbelievable how quickly time passes no? I haven't written for a while because not a whole lot has been going on. Still working at MEMRI and am really enjoying it. Most of my time is split between two things: doing transcripts/clips in English with MEMRI-TV and researching Jihad in the Caucasus (for the Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor).
For those of you who are not so familiar with the Caucus region (I sure as hell wasn't before MEMRI) - it is comprised of a various republics which are technically part of Russia and are not independent (i.e. Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, Ossetia, and so on). Sounds crazy? that's because it is! Most people have never really heard of these places, much less considered that there are Muslims there, or even radical Islam and terrorism! It's a total mess over in that part of the world, there is not a whole lot of scholarly writting about it --- and it's MY job to figure out what the hell is going on! Along with researching the historical context of the situation, I am also reading daily the Caucus-Jihadi websites (in Russian) and trying to figure out if there is any relevent/interesting information that MEMRI might be helpful to MEMRI. I never thought my my Russian skills would be put to such use ahha! But it's great, I am learning a lot, and it is pretty interesting (as long as you're a safe distance away) ;-)
I have also decided to move out of my apartment and move in with my friend Karen and her two flatmates. Despite giving up a wonderful apartment, having to share a room, living in a smaller space, and moving (which is always a pain in the ass) - I really think it's going to make me happier and (hopefully) bring my experience full circle. I love my flat, but the honest truth is that it's not my home , it's just a place where I sleep. I still feel pretty isolated and lonely at the end of the day. It's just not worth it for me to be paying so much and not feeling fulfilled. So, instead I'll be living with 3 really great girls, who will be speaking Hebrew, and are sweet and caring. if worst comes to worst - it's only for 4 months. I'll survive :)
In other news - I've kind of started running again. It's time for my fat lazy ass to make an attempt at getting into (some kind of) shape. Probably not the best time to be doing so, seeing as how its FREEZING here right now! There were serious thunder/lightning storms for a couple of days too. But I'm trying to make it out as long as there isn't any rain. brrrr
Oh, and one other thing - I'm starting private Hebrew lessons!!! YAY! I know it sounds really lame and ridiculous that I haven't really learned any hebrew - but jerusalem really isn't the 'all immersion' environment you would expect. everyone speaks english, many speak russian, and meeting israeli's isn't as easy as one would think. (that is - getting hit on/picked up on isn't a problem - it's actually making israeli friends that's a bit more challenging) haha oi! so hopefully these lessons will help me develop my Hebrew. better late than never right?! ;-)
that's really the most of it folks. nothing too exciting. don't have any adventures to really write about - it's simply been too cold to do anything extremely interesting! hopefully that will change soon
Lots of Love!
<3
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Who Knew Anti-Semitism Could be so Fun!?!
Hello All!
Just wanted to give you a quick update on what I am doing, that I am at working at MEMRI. I get into the office about 8:30am and leave around 5 or 5:30pm. The people here are so sweet, constantly bringing in food and pasteries (I am going to gain so much weight), and there is plenty of work for me to do! Also, every day, Yigal gives me some kind of article or political analysis to read. How cool right?
Okay, so as far as my what I actually spend my time doing (aside from stuffing my face with bureka's and croissants). I am compiling a huge list of contact information of all the influental newspapers, media outlets, professors, private orgs, and military personal - IN RUSSIA! Yes, it's a massive job, but the good thing about is, is that I am doing a lot of reading in Russian. This is in the office which handles the Arab press.
In addition, I am splitting my time with the office (across the street) which handles Arab television (http://www.memritv.org/). Though I am not doing direct translations (since I don't speak Arabic or Farsi), I am writing all of the transcripts which accompany each video. Also, some videos are all in English. In these cases, I transcribe the clips AND insert all of the subtitles using this special software.
May I just point out, that when you watch one of these 2 minute clips, you can't help but be stunned by the speakers and horrifyed by the messages. But what you *don't* think about, is how much time and work it takes to actually translate, transcribe, and insert subtitles for these little clips. It is SOOOO MUCH WORK!!! Seriously!!! A 10 minute clip can easily take about 3 hours to complete!!!! It's really incredible. I can't tell you how much my appreciate for this organization has grown, that I understand the work people are doing here. wow!
Many people ask, including myself, how you can watch these videos - day in and day out, over and over again. People talking about the slaughter of Jews, the glory of martyrdom, the evilness of America and the West. It's astounding and incredibly disturbing. I'll admit that the first time I transcribed one of these clips, I couldn't believe that my own fingers were typing these terrible things. It's a legitimate feeling. But the truth is - you get over it, treat the words and words, and even laugh off some of the more ridiculous statements crazy people make. There are people here who have been dealing with this for years, and have just learned to dissasociate themselves. Pretty nuts though.
Anymmoo - that's about it for now. I actually have to run. I am going to be working with Proffessor Menahem (who gave us the lecture on our first visit to MEMRI) - and then we (IGF) have a lecture with Prof. Irwin Cotler (who is AMAZING!).
Hope everyone's week is going well!
:) בלה
Just wanted to give you a quick update on what I am doing, that I am at working at MEMRI. I get into the office about 8:30am and leave around 5 or 5:30pm. The people here are so sweet, constantly bringing in food and pasteries (I am going to gain so much weight), and there is plenty of work for me to do! Also, every day, Yigal gives me some kind of article or political analysis to read. How cool right?
Okay, so as far as my what I actually spend my time doing (aside from stuffing my face with bureka's and croissants). I am compiling a huge list of contact information of all the influental newspapers, media outlets, professors, private orgs, and military personal - IN RUSSIA! Yes, it's a massive job, but the good thing about is, is that I am doing a lot of reading in Russian. This is in the office which handles the Arab press.
In addition, I am splitting my time with the office (across the street) which handles Arab television (http://www.memritv.org/). Though I am not doing direct translations (since I don't speak Arabic or Farsi), I am writing all of the transcripts which accompany each video. Also, some videos are all in English. In these cases, I transcribe the clips AND insert all of the subtitles using this special software.
May I just point out, that when you watch one of these 2 minute clips, you can't help but be stunned by the speakers and horrifyed by the messages. But what you *don't* think about, is how much time and work it takes to actually translate, transcribe, and insert subtitles for these little clips. It is SOOOO MUCH WORK!!! Seriously!!! A 10 minute clip can easily take about 3 hours to complete!!!! It's really incredible. I can't tell you how much my appreciate for this organization has grown, that I understand the work people are doing here. wow!
Many people ask, including myself, how you can watch these videos - day in and day out, over and over again. People talking about the slaughter of Jews, the glory of martyrdom, the evilness of America and the West. It's astounding and incredibly disturbing. I'll admit that the first time I transcribed one of these clips, I couldn't believe that my own fingers were typing these terrible things. It's a legitimate feeling. But the truth is - you get over it, treat the words and words, and even laugh off some of the more ridiculous statements crazy people make. There are people here who have been dealing with this for years, and have just learned to dissasociate themselves. Pretty nuts though.
Anymmoo - that's about it for now. I actually have to run. I am going to be working with Proffessor Menahem (who gave us the lecture on our first visit to MEMRI) - and then we (IGF) have a lecture with Prof. Irwin Cotler (who is AMAZING!).
Hope everyone's week is going well!
:) בלה
Saturday, January 2, 2010
A New Start in a New Decade!
HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYBODY!!!!
Hard to believe that it is already 2010! I figured we would have been zipping around in space-pods by now and taking lunar vacation (Maybe next year?). I hope everyone had a wonderful NYE celebration. I ended up meeting the new decade with my program director (Tamar) and some IGF alumni. It was actually pretty good. Nothing too crazy, and no, I didn't get completely wasted. But, I was with good people and 10 minutes walking from my apartment - what more could you want?! ;-)
Well - I have some great big news!
........It has to do with work.......
...................I have a new job..............
.
..
...
....
.....
......
.....
....
...
..
.
**drum roll please**
.
..
...
....
.....
......
.....
....
...
..
.
I AM OFFICIALLY WORKING AT MEMRI!!!!!!!
That's right ladies and gentlemen - I am finally in an environment which is condusive to hard work but is still pleasant and enjoyable! I am in the company of very intelligent and diligent individuals! I am already improving my Russian language skills. And to top it all off - LUNCH IS PAID FOR!!!! Holy crap, I think I just died and went to (unpaid) work heaven! hahaha. To put it bluntly - I'm thrilled! This should be good and will hopefully prove to be a really great and meaningful experience.
As far as the MOT (ministry of timewasting...i mean tourism) is concerned, I am going to go in tomorrow for a little bit to tie up any loose ends, grab any remaining items, and say goodbye to Noga. Tamar is going to try and find a different option for me in another government position, but to be honest, I've kind of lost faith in the government and would rather just enjoy MEMRI to the fullest. We'll see how it goes.
In any case - 2010 seems to be off to a very good start! :-D
On that note, I am off to have a drink!
Happy New Years everyone!
<3 Love <3
Hard to believe that it is already 2010! I figured we would have been zipping around in space-pods by now and taking lunar vacation (Maybe next year?). I hope everyone had a wonderful NYE celebration. I ended up meeting the new decade with my program director (Tamar) and some IGF alumni. It was actually pretty good. Nothing too crazy, and no, I didn't get completely wasted. But, I was with good people and 10 minutes walking from my apartment - what more could you want?! ;-)
Well - I have some great big news!
........It has to do with work.......
...................I have a new job..............
.
..
...
....
.....
......
.....
....
...
..
.
**drum roll please**
.
..
...
....
.....
......
.....
....
...
..
.
I AM OFFICIALLY WORKING AT MEMRI!!!!!!!
That's right ladies and gentlemen - I am finally in an environment which is condusive to hard work but is still pleasant and enjoyable! I am in the company of very intelligent and diligent individuals! I am already improving my Russian language skills. And to top it all off - LUNCH IS PAID FOR!!!! Holy crap, I think I just died and went to (unpaid) work heaven! hahaha. To put it bluntly - I'm thrilled! This should be good and will hopefully prove to be a really great and meaningful experience.
As far as the MOT (ministry of timewasting...i mean tourism) is concerned, I am going to go in tomorrow for a little bit to tie up any loose ends, grab any remaining items, and say goodbye to Noga. Tamar is going to try and find a different option for me in another government position, but to be honest, I've kind of lost faith in the government and would rather just enjoy MEMRI to the fullest. We'll see how it goes.
In any case - 2010 seems to be off to a very good start! :-D
On that note, I am off to have a drink!
Happy New Years everyone!
<3 Love <3
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