Some of the Quirky Things That Make Me... Me.

Two summers ago I had pneumonia - yes, a really nasty affair - and while I was in healing mode (almost a full month) I attending a Bahá’í study class with my mom. *You should take one: they're amazing - but then, I love to learn new things*

This particular week, my mom's study group took a break from the usual (The Bahá’í perspective on Life After Death) and watched What the Bleep...Do We Know. What struck me (ok, a lot did...) was the little segment on water molecules and how they react to positive and negative thoughts and images. I then began to think about (I had some serious issues with insomnia while I was healing...) how the human body is composed mostly of water. To that end, I began to meditate on very simple, and yet positive virtues throughout the day - specifically during my prayers. I clearly got better. (This is not to say that I lay my turn for the better entirely at the door of positive thoughts - I was clearly already healing...But!)

Back to quirky (I swear you haven't seen quirky yet, and that I have a point):

I L.O.V.E. Harry Potter - last summer I read the 7th book (love it!) and I learned something:

THE BRAVEST THING YOU CAN DO IS TO LOVE SOMEONE

Back to my obsession with water and virtues: now I write virtues (thanks, Sharpie) on my water bottles in an attempt to shape the molecular structure of the water I drink - thereby shaping the molecular structure of yours truly. At worst I have a pretty handy reminder to focus on virtues, daily.

The impetus of this post? I chose two (2!) virtues today: Love (pretty much a constant virtue for aimee piper reflection - for a myriad reasons) and Courage. Does it work? Are my molecules shiny and happy? I don't know - but I feel good.

Upon Further Reflection

In case you've missed the news, or are new to A Day in the Life... I live on the mountain of God. Literally. It's funny, but being here - the seemingly most mundane activities can leave some pretty profound impressions.
For example: my feet cramp up a lot here. I know, I need to eat more bananas and the like - but focus.
I went for a walk last night - one I've done numerous other times before. This time, my feet started to cramp - painfully so. And of course I didn't have my cell phone handy, and even though I'd planned ahead and brought my bus pass, I was already past the places it was useful. Then it hit me that the problem might be too much lactic acid (look it up). And that the obvious cure would be to exhale.
So here is my actual and metaphorical conclusion: when the pain is bad, stop and exhale. More than you want to. More, even, than you think you can. Just let it go.

*More thoughts on this topic can be found in the archives (A Day in the Life...: Thinks That Make You Go Hmmmmm)

Change, Please

More thoughts and sights from my recent vacation soon, but first!

Um... yeah. I took this picture (on 11 June 2008) in Laguna Beach, CA - which is admitedly a bit of a tourist trap. But seriously? The cheapest gas I found was $4.41 - in Bakersfield!!!

And they advertise as thrifty.

So yeah, I'd like some change, please.

Oh The Things You Will See...

So I don't have any pictures to show for my trip (yet), but I'll give you a little sneak peak of my (so far) adventures:
Getting to LA was an adventure (or not so much) - but the story is better in person so you'll have to be patient, grasshopper. It was much colder here than I expected or even was prepared for - and I know all about June Gloom! Sigh.
It's weird being at home, and to realize that even after having been away for so long, it still is so familiar. I haven't been in Orange County in almost a year, and I'm still on autopilot here. Go figure. My dad and I are going to my grandparents' home in San Clemente today (and I plan to bring my camera). I'm really excited to see them, although the big family reunion will be Saturday at my sister's wedding.
Okay, but the truly exciting part? I WENT TO TARGET YESTERDAY! I was standing there, literally just turning around in circles in a where-do-I-go-first kind of frenzy - like a kid trying to figure out which of her birthday presents to open first! My friend Nasim and I have been talking about some of the things we miss about the US, and the one that keeps coming to the top is how wonderfully convenient things in ths US are. And I want to tell you, friends, Target is the epitome of convenience.
Right - so it's over the river and through the woods I go....

Giving Credit Where It Is Due...

Many of the pictures seen below are courtesy of my friend Nava:
http://nasaka.blogspot.com/ *you should check it out*

Endless thanks!

I'll be home in OC for 10 days - Merilee is getting married next week! More soon - airport stories, shopping in real malls, LA at rush hour, the Pacific Ocean, family & friends....
Trust the stories & pictures to be rich!

It Just Keeps Getting Better...

Riding camels in the desert - you're only in Israel once, you know?
Great shot, Nava!
Breakfast and laughter: Before our Bedouin Experience
What would a car trip be without two guys checking under the hood?

Vafa and Ray

Ray and Joe:
Ray was slightly less undercover than the rest of us...

Bill.i.am - Or he.is

So my brother is (should be?) home by now - but here are some pictures from when he was here and the shenanigans we got up to (however brief they were):

Bill and I on the train from Tel Aviv back to Haifa.

...yes, I went to pick him up - at 3:30 in the morning!
Bill at the Bahjí Visitors Centre
Countdown to the Holy Day
Niloufar and Jason:
At Bahjí for the Commemoration of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh
Spring break 2008: BWC style - on our way to Eilat (Red Sea)
Bill, Ana, Aimee, Shadi, Joe, Ray, Jared, Vafa, Sholeh, Natalie, Monica
Nava is taking the photo
First night in Eilat at dinner - the lady's table

Spring in the Holy Land

As my first spring in the Holy Land is winding to a close, I thought I'd share some highlights from what is quickly becoming my favorite season! (Don't worry, Fall, I still love you...)

Pilgrim Farewell :: Haifa Pilgrim House

Aimee Piper, (unknown) Pilgrim, Soroush Parsa, Tyrie Philoe

Posing for Kadria in front of the mall
Sartorialist Style

Aimee, Layli, Hoda, Kalila :: Bahá'í International Convention Registration
*too bad it's fuzzy*

Aimee & Nasim :: Lunch during Convention

Inside Out

I found this on a blog I'm wont to frequent: http://amysahba.blogspot.com/ - and you know I can't resist this stuff:

So, here's how it works:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.

b. Using only the first page, pick an image.

c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker.

And here are the questions:

1. What is your first name? *Aimee*

2. What is your favorite food? *Mexican food*

3. What high school did you go to? *Mission Viejo HS*

4. What is your favorite color? *Orange*

5. Who is your celebrity crush? *Batman? Hello!*

6. Favorite drink? *Iced Tea*

7. Dream vacation? *Cruise*

8. Favorite dessert? *Coffee*

9. What you want to be when you grow up? *Happy*

10. What do you love most in life? *Family*

11. One Word to describe you. *Courage*

12. Your flickr name. *Aimee Piper*