snapped out of it, thanks to assistance from various areas, not the least of which was prayer.

I spun on the beach with hands above my head
and my wrap flying in the air
and walked into water that was warmer than expected.
Felt that gravel bite my toes in unreasoning viciousness,
with sharp contrast to soft lake sand sliding under my feet.
I deluded myself thinking that I played in the water,
knowing now that the water played with me.
Surprised that I must hold my skirt so high
to avoid waves crashing against me.
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New recipe! (Especially good for starving college students, haha!)
Ingredients:
Chicken breast
1 clove garlic
1 onion
salt
pepper
1 can of stewed tomatoes

Slice chicken breast into long strips or cubes. Chop onion and garlic into small pieces. Place all of this in a crock pot or on the stove on low heat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook in crock pot for 4 hours, or on stove until done. Serve over rice.

YUM!

Posted in Chicago | Comments (2)

What with a surplus of weddings (Tajalli & Amir, Gavin & Kiyomi) and various other fun activities, I’ve neglected the poor blog. I’m so very sorry about that.

On Friday, I accompanied the illustrious Shannon and the fantastic Andrew to Evanston, where we helped Shannon’s father set up his business, which he moved from Wisconsin. It was incredibly fun, we unloaded an entire moving truck in a couple of hours, with a few other people assisting. I really couldn’t lift much, but I did get to help some. It is a beautiful storefront office, and I’m looking forward to the art that will be coming out of that place.

In these pictures, we were moving the VERY heavy equipment out of the truck. Mr. Reddy constructed that ramp himself, and the rope was a precaution against possible injury/loss of equipment. Fascinating to watch, haha.

(Click to make bigger!)

Summer is fantastic, it is wierd to think that this is the last summer before I graduate. heh. December is just around the corner…

Posted in Friends | Comments (0)

I apologize for the lack of entries this month…It has been a little busy. I attended a wedding in Minnesota this past weekend, and another set of friends is getting married this weekend. zooom!

Batman Begins was a great movie. I recognized so much of Chicago in the movie, it was hilarious.
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This is such a perfect explanation for the way we move.
Each one of us, timed to collide
in uncomfortable and serious ways.
Apologies do no good here, and sometimes cause harm,
words spilled past lips, for want of a better term,
that used to be sealed.
And going around the room, we learn each other’s names,
one by one, around the clock, we play this crazy game.
We speak the truth to open eyes, and instead force them closed,
because when we see through the cheap disguise,
it is best that no one knows.

Posted in Poetry | Comments (1)

This is the first time
that I truly understood this.
I sit back in wonder, my face lit
by the computer screen
and I’m aware of everything,
sensing the truth innately.
When I pray, it is beyond form
reaching out now, to seek home.
This is a gift, a dream…

(Fountain at night at the House of Worship, click to enlarge)

Posted in Baha'i | Comments (4)

I went to an art gallery when I was in Atlanta. On the roof of the gallery was this piece of art by my aunt & uncle’s friend (most of my dad’s family are professional artists). It was a bunch of glass or ceramic domes that were glazed in different ways. The piece was a tribute to some other artists that I didn’t recognize, and we spent a good 15 minutes standing in the sun, looking, commenting, and generally being pretentious. It was awesome. I love art galleries.

(click on the pictures to make them bigger)

Posted in Thoughts | Comments (3)

We did service at the Chicago Baha’i Center today.

It was a small group (remarkably smaller than the group that shows up at say….beach volleyball). But we ended up having a good time, ate food, and took care of the Center. I love being able to make sure that the Center is clean and people can come there for any event, and that the children have a place to have children’s classes.

A lot of people don’t realize the work that needs to be done there. It is an old building, and needs a lot of care. Painting, weeding, sanding, light bulb replacement, plumbing, electrical work…the list never ends.

Someday we’ll have a new Center, but for now…this is what we’ve got.

Posted in Baha'i | Comments (4)