Last night, myself a few other people had an intimate discussion with someone from the Jewish Agency. I am honored to have had the opportunity. My thoughts and analysis of the situation in Israel are right on. To those of you who support the State of Israel's continued existence, let me just say that things are going well and the future looks good, but the path there is going to continue to be ugly. All parameters are moving in the right direction, but the state and the internal social dynamics will never be able to be viewed through purely Western eyes. Security-wise, suffice it to say the so-called "peace camp" is completely detached from reality.

On a annoying note, the South Americans in the ulpan are getting cheeky. They party too much, don't respect the fact that not everyone wants to be kept up until 3am by their festivities. These are the downfalls of living in a communal environment. Thing with a program like this is that it is basically a 5 month vacation with no responsibility. Maybe the authorities that be will kick some of them out, which would be great. It would make everyone else respectful of other people's sleep. By because those same authorities are softies and don't want anyone to feel bad or find themselves with no support network during their first few months in a new country, the trouble-makers will not bear any consequences. One can only rely on their goodwill. And if any of you know South Americans, you know that they keep partying and being loud no matter what. And they do not understand the logic of people differently inclined.

I was aware of this before I came here, as I am more interested in the fact that it's a good language program in a nice Jerusalem neighborhood and it gives me access to key people and information that I wouldn't otherwise get. The bad apples come with the package.

While I am venting - Ynetnews is a shitty news website. The fact that Yediot Ahronot runs it is a black mark of shame on their reputation, if they ever had a reputation to uphold. Weak articles, childish opinions, editorials and analysis written be people that never learned how to write, pieces on topics that are totally inappropriate for a serious audience. If anyone wants journalism and analysis that isn't complete trash read Jerusalem Post (centrist with left-wing and right-wing writers), Haaretz (left-wing) or Israel National News (right-wing). These publications, in both paper and online versions are actually good. Ynet is a rag.

Next week is Purim, so there will be three days off from class, which for most people means they are taking the entire week off. Aside from some great festivities that will include heavy boozing and large parties/demonstrations of the holiday spirit in many public places, I am looking forward to my Dad's visit. There will be touring in Jerusalem and other parts of the country, good eating, and discussions on religion and Zionism. Zot artzeinu, v'nisheret artzeinu l'olam v'ed.