Blake Savadow

Walking with a purpose

2009-08-14T11:33:00.006-04:00

I traveled to Israel this summer on a trip sponsored by Hillel through Taglit-Birthright, led by Ken Krivitzky, the Towson Hillel Director.

Our group was comprised of students from Towson and Silicon Valley.

It was an all-expense-paid trip. After a 12-hour direct flight our plane landed in Israel where we spent 10 long but amazing days on a trip that I will never forget.

Our tour guide constantly used the phrase “walk with a purpose” to keep us focused, so many sites and so much to see and only 10 days to see as much as possible. Our groups even designed a t-shirt with this message.

So, when you spot someone in this shirt you’ll know they were on our trip.

I learned a lot of history that dates all the way back to the Ottoman Empire and I saw so many amazing sites that I can not even list all of them.

Some of the best sights were visiting the Western Wall, hiking Masada, going into the Dead Sea, riding a camel and going on an archeological dig where we found history dating all the way back to the time of the holiday Hanukkah.

We also traveled through underground tunnels and visited Jerusalem, the most populated part of Israel.

We saw Tel Aviv, which is the symbol for the state of Israel. We went rafting and for fun the soldiers flipped over our rafts as we flowed down the Jordan River.

We camped out in a Bedouin tent for two nights and stayed in two very nice hotels.

It is hard to believe that a country that is only the size of New Jersey has so much history packed into it.

We constantly had soldiers and guards with our group to keep us safe. However, at no point did I not feel safe.

In America, we go to the gym to stay fit, and in Israel it is mandatory that they serve in the military to stay fit.

We had a taste of their boot camp and it was hard work. I had the luxury of getting to know one of the soldiers personally by the name of Yogev. I was surprised by how much we had in common because we watched the same TV shows and listened to the same music.

Technology is huge in Israel, from agriculture to medical science.

Being a technology fan, much to my chagrin, I found that Wi-Fi is readily available while the iPhone is not!

I also found it interesting that it is common for Israelis to video chat with each other through their cell phone.

My purpose was met: I got to see the contrast between the new and old cities, hear the history, feel a connection with the people, taste the salty sea and touch and smell hundreds of years of continuing development.

Overall, getting to see Israel up close was an amazing experience and it made all of the difference in my life.

I can’t express in words enough how meaningful this trip was to me after bonding with 45 amazing people in such a short time and memories of a country I will never forget.

I also would like to express that if you have the chance to visit Israel, whether through Taglit or through another group of organization, you must go!

Of course, being a Towerlight photographer, I “focused” my camera on about 2,000 photos as well as videos to capture my time in Israel.

So for what words can’t express, you can check out a slideshow of some of my photos from the trip on the TheTowerlight.com.

Check it out in the Towerlight at: http://www.thetowerlight.com/walking-with-a-purpose-1.1820941

2009-05-05T12:50:00.001-04:00

Sophomore Geneane Johnson a mass communication riding a toilet seat bicycle at the HRL carnival.

YouTube Sensation

2009-05-04T12:55:00.001-04:00

Damian Sanders a Junior at Towson is currently ranked as the 6th most viewed subscription on YouTube.

In person he really is a shy guy but he comes alive in his videos.

Striving, thriving with HIV

2009-05-03T12:58:00.001-04:00

At 19 years old, senior Allie Reitz learned of her illness; now works to raise awareness

Steve Wozniak's Day To Day Life

2009-04-22T17:31:00.004-04:00

An inspirational blog piece on Gizmodo about Steve Wozniak of how he started Apple computers with Steve Jobs. It also talks about what he is currently up to in his daily life. Check it out.

http://lifehacker.com/5222989/how-apple-co+founder-steve-wozniak-gets-things-done

The iPhone is the new professional camera

2009-04-19T22:15:00.005-04:00

I was stunned when I heard about this. An iPhone was used by a professional photographer instead of a photo from one of his digital SLR cameras. The reason being the photo told the story well enough and it also could be sent the quickest through wireless transmission over the photographers iPhone.

In my opinion one day all cameras will move toward being able to upload right to the web from anywhere.

Check out the picture at: http://twitpic.com/3ea64

I found out about this at Multimedia Shooter

Possiblilty of going to Israel

2008-12-28T13:43:00.004-05:00

Celebrating Hanukkah early the day before by exchanging cards and gifts at my Bubby's apartment in D.C. with my sister and her boyfriend.

I have been planning to visit Israel this winter with Birthright. I would leave January 11th and catch a flight in New York. Well, the current status of Israel may cancel my trip or postpone it. I will have to wait and see what the future will hold.

If I do end up visiting Israel I will attempt to blog and post photos. However, I may only be able to post once in a blue moon because I will not be bringing a laptop or my iPhone. Basically I will be suffering from computer detachment syndrome. If I am not able to post anything I will be sure to post photos and updates when I arrive home on January 22nd. This is if the trip goes through.

2008-11-23T21:30:00.003-05:00

2008-11-23T21:30:00.002-05:00

Youth drive, celebrate Obama

2008-11-15T15:27:00.002-05:00

Supporters Celebrate Obama's Victory at Bourbon st. in Baltimore.

Check out more photos in the slideshow, video or read the article at:
http://media.www.thetowerlight.com/media/storage/paper957/news/2008/11/06/News/Youth.Drive.Celebrate.Obama-3525518.shtml

Towson Womens Soccer

2008-11-01T11:45:00.003-04:00

Towson senior midfielder Jaime Swears walks off the pitch for the last time following a loss, 2-1, to visiting Mason, Thursday afternoon.

Kickoff for November 1, 2008

2008-10-29T14:30:00.000-04:00

Kickoff Cover: October 9, 2008

2008-10-20T00:45:00.005-04:00

One of the better cover's of kickoff which featured my photo on the cover October 9, 2008.

baltimorestudentmedia.com/pdf/2008/kickoff101108.pdf

Sean Schaeffer

2008-10-20T00:36:00.005-04:00

Towson quarterback Sean Schaeffer gets tackled and his helmet goes flying.

T-Pain Concert

2008-10-19T15:41:00.003-04:00

2008-10-08T14:07:00.002-04:00

The photo that should have run in The Towerlight.

Phelps Welcome Home Parade

2008-10-05T16:09:00.010-04:00

After shooting Towson Football vs. Northeastern back to back with the Michael Phelps Parade. It looks like my photos will be on the front and back cover of The Towerlight.

For more photos of Michael Phelps http://tinyurl.com/3jr55u

Towson vs. Columbia Football

2008-09-30T22:31:00.001-04:00

Junior running back Matt Castor runs by Columbia defensive end Javier Garza on one of his 37 carries Saturday. Castor compiled 108 yards on the ground along with two touchdowns in a 31-24 win over the Lions. It was Castor's first game back from an ankle injury.

Towson vs. UMBC Soccer

2008-09-30T22:29:00.004-04:00

Freshman forward Liam Maloney celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in the second half against UMBC at the Towson Center Soccer Complex Wednesday, Sept. 17. Towson won, 2-1, to move to 3-2 on the season with its first winning streak of the fall.

War Protest

2008-05-11T20:19:00.004-04:00

Freshmen Jenni Kallal, left, and Brittany Winchester march down York Road as part of the Progressive Democrats of Towson protest against the war in Iraq. Demonstrators chanted while walking across campus and through academic buildings.

War Protest

2008-05-11T20:19:00.003-04:00

Towsontown Spring Festival

2008-05-11T20:18:00.002-04:00

Three girls pick out handmade bottle cap earrings during the 41st Towsontown Spring Festival Sunday afternoon. Below, many different food vendors lined the roads of downtown Towson to sell sandwiches, lemonade and other dishes.

Appeared on the cover of The Towerlight 5/5/08.

TigerTHON

2008-05-11T20:16:00.003-04:00

Dressed in roller derby attire, sophomore Jillian Rogers dances during TigerTHON in the University Union Friday night.

Tigerfest

2008-05-11T20:15:00.003-04:00

Excited audience members Erin Eberle, Trisha Fields and Leslie Smith at Tigerfest cheer for The Roots, Fire in the Hole, Immortal Technique and The Calling on April 26.

The Calling performing at Tigerfest

2008-05-11T20:14:00.003-04:00

Alex Band of The Calling strums and sings during the band’s performance at Tigerfest. Band wore a green bracelet for “Donate Life,” a charity he started after his wife almost needed a liver transplant after tumors were discovered on the organ.