I didn’t do anything for Ayyam-i-Ha last year…I am pretty sure I spent the Intercalary Days cleaning my house and reading.

This year has been vastly different. On the first day, Tuesday, I spent the evening at my friend’s house for “Ladies Night”…which mostly consisted of watching a movie, eating, and talking about very random things. Last night (Wednesday) I went to another friend’s house for a Chili dinner/Musical Devotional. I ate 3 very large bowls of chili, and then we sang songs, said prayers, and played musical catch phrase. There was much laughter, which was desperately needed.

Tonight I plan on doing nothing. Well, “doing nothing” in my world means cooking food for the next few days, doing a little art project, and probably watching a movie. Tomorrow night (Friday) I am going to an Ayyam-i-Ha party, and then Saturday morning I am having brunch. Saturday afternoon I am going hiking in the Haifa forest.

This year is much better than last year. These days outside of time have been a welcome respite from a very busy work schedule, and of course an opportunity to prepare for the Fast, which starts on Sunday.

I got mystery chocolate in inter-office mail today…apparently a few other people did too! yum. As an extra-special treat, 3 of my favorite ladies just stopped by my office on their way out to say goodnight.

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Music in department stores is the same, no matter where in the world you are.

As I wandered the one department store at one of the malls in Haifa last night with a friend, I realized that the piped-in music floating through the store was the same brand of Americana middle-aged-woman-friendly chintz that haunts shoppers in stores across the country back home.

And it has followed me to Israel!

Also, department store dressing rooms are exactly the same, too. It is strange…sometimes I feel like I haven’t left home at all.

Posted in Haifa, Humor | Comments (4)

A Saturday unplanned became a Saturday of relaxation and time with friends.

I went next door for brunch, and six lovely ladies and I cooked and ate a large meal…eggs, bacon, pancakes, potatoes, coffee, tea…yum. Then I hopped on a sherut and went to Bahji for the rest of the day.

This is what it looked like:

It is khamsin (dust storm) season, so the sky was not clear, but it was still warm and beautiful…I wandered the gardens for a while by myself.

A large group of us ate dinner back in Haifa at 14 Sheks (I doubt anyone actually knows the real name of that place), then Roya and I went to my place to watch Chocolat and drink…hot chocolate. Perfect ending to the day.

Posted in Baha'i, Haifa, Personal | Comments (4)

March 31 of this year will be 7 years that I have been blogging.  Actually, a little longer, because for a while I had the rudimentary beginnings of a blog on my personal web site in 2000.

I’ve seen some crazy things…people pretending to be someone they’re not, online drama translated into real life drama, breakups, marriages, deaths, birth announcements, and relationships beginning entirely through an online interaction.  There was a time when saying that you “met on the internet” was kind of…weird.  Several people I know have been introduced to the Baha’i Faith through the internet…whether it be through blogs, forums, etc.   Some of the biggest events in the world that have happened in the last few years I have learned first through blogs.

I love the path that I have been able to tread.  It is a privilege and a blessing to be able to write, express my views, and connect with other human beings in this way.  Friends have scattered across the globe, and yet I feel like they still live next door.

With all of that said, it is important to endeavor to use wisdom in one’s speech, to keep an open mind, and most of all rein in that mouse button…I’ve seen some really damaging things happen when people (including myself) have not thought before pushing the “post” button.  I say this in particular to Baha’is who have blogs, but it is applicable to everyone.  Also, I refer to blogs because that is my main focus, but it applies to all social networking interaction, really.

“Be fair in thy judgment, and guarded in thy speech.”

(Baha’u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 93)

This also pertains to our reactions when someone does something that we don’t like.  Whether we know them or not, it is so easy to react negatively when we perceive that we have been wronged, or that someone is attacking us.

“One word is like unto springtime causing the tender saplings of the rose-garden of knowledge to become verdant and flourishing, while another word is even as a deadly poison. It behoveth a prudent man of wisdom to speak with utmost leniency and forbearance so that the sweetness of his words may induce everyone to attain that which befitteth man’s station.”

(Baha’u'llah, Tablets of Baha’u'llah, p. 173)

That being said, it is also important to speak up when there is an injustice occurring, to defend those who are helpless, and to stand up for justice.

“We exhort mankind in these days when the countenance of Justice is soiled with dust, when the flames of unbelief are burning high and the robe of wisdom rent asunder, when tranquillity and faithfulness have ebbed away and trials and tribulations have waxed severe, when covenants are broken and ties are severed, when no man knoweth how to discern light and darkness or to distinguish guidance from error.

O peoples of the world! Forsake all evil, hold fast that which is good. Strive to be shining examples unto all mankind, and true reminders of the virtues of God amidst men. He that riseth to serve My Cause should manifest My wisdom, and bend every effort to banish ignorance from the earth. Be united in counsel, be one in thought. Let each morn be better than its eve and each morrow richer than its yesterday. Man’s merit lieth in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches. Take heed that your words be purged from idle fancies and worldly desires and your deeds be cleansed from craftiness and suspicion. Dissipate not the wealth of your precious lives in the pursuit of evil and corrupt affection, nor let your endeavours be spent in promoting your personal interest. Be generous in your days of plenty, and be patient in the hour of loss. Adversity is followed by success and rejoicings follow woe. Guard against idleness and sloth, and cling unto that which profiteth mankind, whether young or old, whether high or low. Beware lest ye sow tares of dissension among men or plant thorns of doubt in pure and radiant hearts.”

(Baha’u'llah, Tablets of Baha’u'llah, p. 137)

It isn’t always easy to do these things, and as human beings we are still learning to conquer the world of the written word.  Keep trying, keep writing, keep learning.   I’m cheering you on, and I’m right here beside you.

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everything changed and is the same
we left behind our shattered selves and started fresh
but the stains and stars are trailing after.

we can’t remember everyone that we know
and I’ll come back to the same place where everything is new,
you’ll be there and gone and here and leaving
and scattering to begin again and again.

it is no longer mine or ours or anything we knew
I’ve written words and you stepped in new places
and over the silence our whispers were heard.

Posted in Poetry | Comments (2)

It was time. My old design was buckling under the weight of plug-ins, time, and over-use. I decided about a month ago that I needed something new for my blog. I treat it so badly sometimes.

It was like buying a new dress for a high school reunion (although I won’t have mine for another few years)…you want to make sure it looks good, because everyone will be seeing it, and probably judging it just a little.

So with the help of a few friends, my site has its grand unveiling. I commissioned a banner from Jordan, who made my last banner…he had very little to go on, and he did a fantastic job. There was much rejoicing when it was received in my inbox a few days ago.

Notice the new Links page on the sidebar!

If something is broken/needs work, please let me know.

Posted in Technology | Comments (20)

The last week has been full of technological misadventures. I don’t know what is going on in the universe…but really, I could use some help! *sigh*

- I bought a memory card for my camera on Wednesday. After taking several pictures…it decided to say “card error” and refused to work.

-My external hard drive wasn’t being recognized by my computer. Thanks to a savvy friend, I was able to make them be friends again. This is the second time that “Ducks” (the name of the hard drive) has failed on me, although less serious than last time.

-Computer problems at work caused me to lose a 1/2 day’s work, which made me sad.

-I just dropped one of the ear buds for my iPod into my cup of coffee. I fished it out and it seems to be working fine…but will likely stop working at some point.

We’ll see what happens next…

Posted in Humor, Technology | Comments (6)

4 months until I leave Haifa, Israel and go back to the United States.
My departure date is June 7.
11 weeks until the event that I came here to work on occurs.
3 weeks until Ayyam-i-Ha.
19 Saturdays until my departure.

And to think how easy it would be to spend eternity in this place…

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sometimes I wish you could see me
my subtle moments, my tired eyes, my smiles and my gestures.
my million ways of laughing and the way I wash dishes,
the way I stare up at the stars and off into the distance,
or how I get totally immersed in a book or chopping vegetables.
you don’t know how I act when I am taking charge of a room,
how my tone of voice changes when I call home,
how my mother and I spent evenings in front of the fireplace
with chocolate and tea and laughter.
do you know that I love cobblestone streets, grand old homes,
and perfect climbing trees?
or that my little sister means everything to me,
and my Faith encompasses my life?

sometimes I wish you could see me dancing, I am joyful,
the whole room disappears and I am complete.
my fascination with little details and museums,
my love of road trips and forests and conversations over coffee.
I still love to play dress-up…just a more grown-up version…
did you know that my kitchen is my sanctuary?

sometimes I wish that you could know me, that you continue trying,
and that the things that I want you to know about me…
someday I will know about you.

Posted in Family, Poetry, Thoughts | Comments (7)