It is interesting to see how one question is answered
Only to have another spring up.
One task completed, and another come undone.
As I write the words
The ink disappears from the page.
My sentences are muted, unraveled at the source
And though my eyes are open, no light reaches my face.

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Chewy the caterpillar died. He had formed a chrysalis, but then…death. We’re sad.

Luckily, our fish are still alive. Hmm…perhaps we need more pets?
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Neda and I were eating tacos for lunch at my house today, and she made a fun creation (with my help) that I thought I’d share.

Ingredients:
Ground beef with taco seasoning
shredded cheddar cheese
diced tomatoes
shredded lettuce
sour cream

Fry beef with taco seasoning. Sprinkle cheese over hot beef, then put tomatoes, lettuce, and sour cream on top after the cheese has melted a bit.

yum…and so easy. Yeah, its basically nachos, but we mixed it all together and didn’t use chips.

Anyone out there have a favorite, easy recipe that doesn’t have bread, pasta, or flour in it that they would like to share? Please leave it in a comment, or email it to me. I am always looking for fun things to experiment with!

Also, my dinner two nights ago was heavenly: 2 eggs with cheddar melted on top, 3 slices of bacon, and tater tots. I was very full and happy after that meal!

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My housemate Angela brought home a caterpillar from work a few days ago. He lives in a container on our kitchen table and his name is Chewy…because he chews on things.

He is dark grey with black spots, and watching him eat a piece of spinach was one of the most fascinating things I’ve seen in a long time. It is nice having a pet, even if he is only a bug.

I didn’t know we even HAD a pet…I thought the jar was just a nice flower arrangement.

Posted in Humor | Comments (2)

There were voices coming out of the ferns! Seriously. Turns out it was some kind of “art”, but I was seriously disturbed for a little while there.

For some reason, this picture looks like something from a sci-fi novel. Florescent fish! (read the dictionary definition, I spelled it wrong on purpose.)

Twilight Zone, yeah.

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One of my roommates performed at the Lyric Opera’s “Don Giovanni”. She gave me a ticket to see it last week.

The opera house is amazing. I had never been there before.

Posted in Chicago | Comments (3)

I saw purple shoes walking down the street yesterday
they looked a little sad
plodding along, tongues hanging out wearily
In September 80 degree weather.
I don’t know what style they were
or if they are offended by being labeled in a category
just because they have a logo on their sides.
I couldn’t exactly stop to ask them…
I mean, wouldn’t you be a bit startled
if a stranger came up to you on the street
to ask about your brand loyalties?

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Random Link:
And they wonder why there is a shortage of teachers in this country.

Posted in Poetry | Comments (3)

Classes are canceled!

*does a happy dance*

Some kind of flood that messed with the electricity. I have the whole day to catch up on classes, nap, clean the house, and just relax. YAY!

Yesterday was overwhelming, today is bright, sunny, and happy.
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There are general life-moods, and there are everyday emotions that vary according to circumstance. That is my definition, anyways.
Current life-mood: joyful
Current day-mood: peaceful

The Valley of Contentment

…The tongue faileth in describing these three Valleys, and speech falleth short. The pen steppeth not into this region, the ink leaveth only a blot. In these planes, the nightingale of the heart hath other songs and secrets, which make the heart to stir and the soul to clamor, but this mystery of inner meaning may be whispered only from heart to heart, confided only from breast to breast.

-Bahá’u’lláh, The Seven Valleys and Four Valleys

Posted in Baha'i | Comments (0)

Thank you for hugs.
Thank you for laughter.
Thank you for the New Food of Life cookbook and necklace. (mom)
Thank you for a gluten-free dessert cookbook.
Thank you for a ticket to a show.
Thank you for such a comfortable hoodie.
Thank you for a wonderful blue scarf.
Thank you for a card that everyone signed.
Thank you for wishing me happy birthday every time you saw me.
Thank you for cute earrings that we can match in.
Thank you for a photo album.
Thank you for phone calls.
Thank you for postcards.
Thank you for candles.
Thank you for money.
Thank you for cards.
Thank you for some really awesome cds.
Thank you for listening and being wise.
Thank you for understanding.
Thank you for rooftop healing.

Thank you, my family and friends. Thank you for being in my life, and showing so much love. I love you!!

Posted in Friends | Comments (2)

I wore a white denim jacket today.

Yes, I did. AFTER LABOR DAY.

What are you gonna do about it, huh?

And I will probably continue wearing white articles of clothing. The seasons will not restrict MY style.

A twisted ankle, however, will. I can only wear flip-flops because my foot is swollen and bruised. hmph. Be aware of basement steps.

Posted in Humor | Comments (1)

The Persian Conference was…different this year. Some of the same people, and some new ones, and an extraordinary number of Chicago youth (Persian and friends of Persians). I went to as many sessions as I could, and spent the rest of the time laughing with friends.

I had lunch with family on Saturday, which is what usually needs to happen on a birthday. Yay for family! Saturday evening was spent at California Pizza Kitchen with 20 friends, where food was consumed and a brownie with ice cream was brought for me. Jonathan got everyone to sign a birthday card for me, and I nearly started crying because of all of the love. Yay for friends!

The weekend just kept extending itself. There was more birthday goodness for Shannon on Sunday night, which you can read about in his blog.

There is something to be said about living with a large group of Baha’is, and all of us living in the same neighborhood.

Also, life takes strange and wonderful turns sometimes.

I think I have a cold, which means tonight will be spent relaxing and drinking tea, in between studying sessions, hopefully. I’m not terribly witty or funny right now…it seems exhaustion has taken over at this point.

Posted in Friends | Comments (1)

LAST DAY OF BEING 20. I have no opinions, thoughts, or feelings on this. Except that my friends are unnaturally excited that they can now take me out dancing. haha.

Enjoy the weekend, y’all. I’m off to Persian Conference.

Posted in Thoughts | Comments (4)

Hold onto the people you love.

Make sure they know that you love them. Be loud and vocal about it.

Give hugs frequently and without reserve.

Smile and laugh whenever you are given the opportunity.

Walk down the street with full confidence that you know where you are going, even if you feel very lost.

And most importantly, don’t underestimate the power of a good, hot cup of tea and some homemade food in an emergency situation. I cook to heal, and it really does work…at least for me!
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I wanted to say to the girls in my house that I love you all very much. You’re beautiful people and I’m lucky to be in the same residence as you. Also to the guys down the street who take us all in stride and let us use their internet unreservedly.

Posted in Thoughts | Comments (5)

On the road and around town:

THE JOY BUS. “Come Join Us!”

Heartbreak Towing Truck (driven by a very large man with a very long gray beard)

A family playing baseball in a parking lot in the middle of Michigan

AVOID HELL. JESUS SAVES. REPENT TODAY. (billboard)

A freshman with orange hair with a matching orange shirt…that he seems to wear every day.
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3 days until my birthday! Saturday night, y’all. I’ll be at Persian Conference. Party to be determined at a later date. There WILL be one.

Posted in Humor | Comments (5)