February 2021 – Sandra Chen

When Einstein invented the “Theory of Relativity” he referred to the size of different objects and their impact in the universe. Like many, I chose to leave these kind of ideas back in physics class and absorb the ideas that will actually serve me as an individual in a modern society.

It was a long time since my last physics class, yet I found myself thinking about this theory a lot recently. As much as I appreciate Einstein’s work, the physics didn’t matter to me at all. I looked at the relativity of the different aspects that take space in my own life. A few days ago, I became a Seregant, which means that I have only 6 months left of military service. I was thinking about the different things that I have been through and realized how grateful I am for many things that I would never get to experience if I wasn’t doing military service. The negative experiences seemed so distant and with very little importance. I didn’t want that to be a major part of who I had become.

This made me think about time in general. My military service is only 2 years of my life and I want the rest of my life to be the best I can make out of it. I started thinking about all the great things that I want to accomplish in my life and about all the different things that stop me from doing what I love. I don’t want those things to become greater than the aspects that make me who I am in the infinite universe that is called “the soul”.

Moreover, I realized that those negative aspects that take such a big space in my soul effect my interactions with my family, friends and new people I meet in my life. I want to use the limited time I have with them and be (and make them) as happy as I can.

Thank you Einstein for changing my perspective on life.

Southern Israel has always been very special to me. No, I don’t talk about the Negev but rather about the Gaza Strip. Well maybe southern to Tel Aviv is a proper description. My dad who works in Asdod, had taken us (before quarantine) to tour around the city and discover its best restaurants. There are so many other great places at the south. It has always been clear to me that my military service will be next to the Gaza Strip. This makes everything perfect.

Not really.

In times of emergency, the south is attacked by the rockets from Gaza and the red alert is sounded all over the area. For many kids, waking up to this sound is pretty normal and some people spend longer time in shelters rather than their own rooms. Now, that I am serving in the army, I can identify with the southern citizens. I have been there. I now know what it is like to spend days worrying about the future of my family and friends and to care for those who need more support during these difficult times.

This, however, is not what the south is all about. There are beautiful sides to it too. Every year, around February all the way to May, the forests in southern Israel bloom with red. The Anemones! Not only the show the beauty of this controversial part of Israel, but also they bring joy to the entire Israeli population! Families from places as far as Metula, come witness the beauty of the Anemones.

This is such a special occasion to me. After getting the second vaccine for Covid, I made my friends go and watch the blooming of these amazing flowers with me. Reluctantly, they agreed, and even though there were not a lot of Anemones at this time of the year, I couldn’t be happier.

Not only I enjoyed the breathtaking bloom and the story behind the Anemones, but also the company of my best friends, who have already become family.

Month: February 2021

Theory of Relativity

Red South