You are currently browsing the archives for September, 2007.
Night skies are less heavy with your feet off the ground, sitting three steps up. But still somehow weigh on me with the flower scents from gardens across the street, with the emotions of evening rain hanging over my head.
The end of summer was always a beginning, except here it is more of a feeling than a time.
I haven’t taken any pictures yet. I hope I can, I hope it will never be too late.
Endless, endless sun and the days are filled.
These days, I am always looking up.
In just a short time I will attend the funeral of the last Hand of the Cause of God, Dr. ‘Alí-Muhammad Varqá. He passed on to the Abha Kingdom on Saturday evening.
The obligations of the Hands of the Cause of God are to diffuse the Divine Fragrances, to edify the souls of men, to promote learning, to improve the character of all men and to be, at all times and under all conditions, sanctified and detached from earthly things. They must manifest the fear of God by their conduct, their manners, their deeds and their words.
(Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i World Faith, p. 444)
Sunset last night was the start of Yom Kippur, which means that for 24 hours everything is shut down. I do mean everything. No one drives, so my flatmate and I went for a long walk….in the middle of the street. It was rather surreal.
I haven’t heard Haifa this quiet…ever. I cleaned, baked, and read last night after soccer, it was extremely relaxing. Today I am having a day in the flat with a couple of girlfriends (food, movies, the usual), then going to see a play that a bunch of my friends are performing in/directing/helping with. Rather excited about that.
A weekend means:
-work
-the lending library
-soccer
-an evening reading a book on the couch
-a day at the beach
-an evening at Bahji
Abi tagged me nearly a month ago to do this meme, and in between the chaos of birthdays (I think I’ve counted about 6 that I’ve celebrated in the last few weeks!) and other things (like, you know, life), I have not had a chance to do it.
I am not going to tag people, because most of my friends have done this one already, or…they may not want to do it. At first when I was writing this list, I felt rather self-centered and narcissistic. But then I started thinking about it as a way to count my blessings and remind myself of how lucky I am.
1. I am a Baha’i. This is the reason I am who I am.
2. My genetic material. It is pretty darn good (thanks Mom & Dad!).
3. I surprise people, especially when they make assumptions about my character/intellectual abilities based on superficial qualities such as my physical appearance.
4. I am generally an optimist, but have a nice dose of cynicism to keep my feet on the ground.
5. I used to be a shy person, and sometimes that is still there, but I made a conscious effort to overcome it over the last 8 years.
6. I read a lot of books.
7. I don’t hold grudges and it is very difficult for me to lie.
8. I take care of people.
9. I laugh easily.
10. I know how to cook, and I love doing it.
Today was the commemoration of the Martyrdom of the Bab, which we observe on the lunar calendar in Israel.
I woke up at 9 am to make a giant breakfast and shared it with some friends in my building. At 11:30 we caught a cab to the Shrine of the Bab for the program at noon. Every Holy Day chairs are set up in the courtyard of the pilgrim house, prayers are read, and we circumambulate the Shrine. It is quite beautiful and peaceful.
After the program was over, 10 of us went up to the Merkaz (top of the mountain, shopping area) to eat lunch. It was quite delicious.
I spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping on my couch and watching movies. At around 7 pm I went over to Roya’s, and I got home just a little while ago.
So that is my day, one restful day in middle of a busy week. People ask me what is new, what is happening in my life. I’m busy, and that is really all I have to say. The details are not that important, especially if you’re not me. 
There are the usual things, and I document with pictures and stories and words, some things you see, some you don’t. There are some exciting things in the works…trips, events, etc. I think every weekend is already booked from now until November (ok, maybe I exaggerate a little, but still!).
Also, I am still getting used to the idea of being 24. Hasn’t quite sunk in yet.
Maysoon suggested that Andrew and Jinous make a video for my birthday.
I love you all so much.
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Also, thank you to all of the lovely people who sent me ”Happy Birthday” wishes…I can’t possibly respond to each one individually, but I really appreciate it. Wow.
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Two of my dear friends are getting married this weekend, and I am helping with the wedding. It is so much fun to see everything unfold (I know, some people think I’m crazy for enjoying wedding planning), and I’m looking forward to witnessing this beautiful event.
I was born on a Sunday.
One of my favorite stories is about when my parents brought me home from the hospital. My parents put me in my crib, and they say (here my dad always jumps in and states that I was very aware of my surroundings, even though I was only a few days old) that I stared at them with my “big brown eyes” and looked so sad that they couldn’t bear to leave me by myself that night.
Mom & Dad, thank you for not leaving me alone that night and every night after, thank you for being the most amazing parents in the world. I miss you guys so much, especially today. To my sister Niki…you are wonderful, and I am so proud of you. To my sister Gloria…I miss our shared birthdays when we were little, and having a “partner in crime”.
My coordinator suggested that I eat Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate ice cream with raspberry sauce for breakfast today…so I did. It was delicious. I enjoyed a wonderful (slightly off-key) rendition of “Happy Birthday” in the sherut this morning on the way to work. I will spend the evening at my flat with friends, it will be a “quieter” birthday than usual, and I am so very, very happy.