Thursday, July 31, 2008

Mrs. Constance Irene Piper

My Grandma Connie passed away yesterday. The most difficult thing for me, during the time in which my grandma was dying, was my sneaking suspicion that she was afraid to die. And that, correspondingly, many in the family were afraid to loose her. Death, and your thoughts on it - which is directly (in my opinion) related to God and your thoughts on Him - seems to be one of those taboo topics. Like to speak of it prematurely would be, in a way, asking for death to "pay a visit" - and when someone dear to you is dying, to speak of death just seems so awkward - like directly addressing the elephant in the room.
As a Bahá’í, my thoughts on death (and God) are less ominous - I view death more as life after life....
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Son of Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, writes:

"O my God! O Thou forgiver of sins, bestower of gifts, dispeller of afflictions!

Verily, I beseech Thee to forgive the sins of such as have abandoned the physical garment and have ascended to the spiritual world.

O my Lord! Purify them from trespasses, dispel their sorrows, and change their darkness into light. Cause them to enter the garden of happiness, cleanse them with the most pure water, and grant them to behold Thy splendors on the loftiest mount."

...life (after life) is a beautiful thing.

A Moment of Silence


Tuesday, July 29, 2008

One of My Favorite Pictures...

I took this picture with my cell phone about 3 or 4 years ago - in any case, long before photos became a hobby. I really love it.
Laguna Beach, CA
Sunset from the boardwalk

The Things We Do For Love...

Like walking in the rain and the snow, when there's no where to go - and you're feeling like a part of you is dying??? Ok. I really love walking in the rain - but let's focus on that last bit, hmmm?
I ran yesterday! Well, that's only partly true. Kalila and I walked home from Haifa University after work - and we decided to run for part of it. (I swear it was at least a 1/2 mile!)
Before I give you back story on my impetus for last night's jog - let me fill you in on my history with running.... I don't run.
Ok, well that's not exactly true, either. I'll run if the situation calls for it - like, is there a large angry man chasing me? Can I take him? No? Does he have a gun? Because I can't out run bullets... Does he have a knife? Maybe? Ok, I'll run - downhill, please? And, to be fair, I'll also run if I need to get somewhere faster - or, oddly enough, if I'm really excited or happy.
*Please reference the "Quirky" post, it may help you if you're feeling confused...*

So by now, you may be wondering why - in light of my (former) anti-running policy - was she running last night?

Flash forward to The Things We Do For Love.... By my calculations, Bruce Wayne (ahem. Batman) is in need of a new leading lady. Enter yours truly. Consider me in training.
And if you happen to know someone who knows someone? Let me be the first to promise not to let my whirlwind affair with my future husband completely eclipse the premiere. Just saying.

P.S. I don't think I hate running anymore - I certainly don't feel like a part of me is dying....

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Aimee Piper Picked a Purple Pepper

I'm Growing Things!
So awhile ago I had a chat with my mom (Hi Mom!) and we talked about gardens and the like. *She's quite an avid gardener* Well, I told her about my flat, and how Kalila and I were wanting to grow things: so here they are! And they're still alive!

This is my pepper plant - the new ones are purple!
...but when I bought it they were only red and yellow peppers.
Exhibits A and B:
And I also have lavender - which I truly love!

Ps. please ignore the evidence of my previous (ahem. failed) attempts to grow things - I assure they've been removed....
Oh. Yeah. And if you're confused about why aimee piper is growing peppers of all things - it's because I thought they were pretty. That's enough, right? Thought so - besides, several of my neighbors have volunteered to take some off my hands.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Randomized Reflection...



I got the idea for this from How About Orange, a blog I frequent... Like she says, it's amazing to see what you're actually writing about.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

This Just In!


The happy couple & their first kiss...

Patience IS a Virtue!

The long awaited (and longer promised) pictures from Merilee & John's wedding!

Merilee & John ME!

Nana & I : We clean up okay, huh?

Sorry I took... I didn't really take many pictures while I was home, and I took none at the wedding (I know, I know!). These pictures are from Ms. Carol - thanks!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Shabat Shalom!

I went to the movies with some friends this weekend.... We checked the paper for the proper time and theater - but when we arrived, the theater was closed! Ah, yes. Shabat Shalom! The good news is that we were all fit and capable young ladies and walked to the next theater (maybe 2 miles away) as there was also no transportation. Thankfully this particular theater was open (whew).
But even with this minor annoyance (and minor blister) - I think it actually really lovely how seriously Israeli's, specifically those in Haifa, take their religious tradtions - especially the Sabbath. I think we can actually learn a lot for the Jewish community, in this instance. I mean, if you have faith in God - and God asks you to do (or not do) something, you should take that seriously, yes?
Thoughts?

Monday, July 7, 2008

Metaphysics For Beginners

Some more (hopefully not too) random thoughts I had as a result of watching What the Bleep... during the summer I had pneumonia....

For the benefit of those of you who haven't seen the movie/to refresh your memory, there is a scene in which the metaphysicists are discussing molecular density. They (the scientists) have been able to prove that cells, on a molecular level, exist in two (or more?) places at once. What they are unable to determine (so far) is what in the world of creation lends molecular density.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, son of Bahá’u’lláh - the Prophet Founder of the Bahá'í Faith, mentions that love (L.O.V.E.) is the foundation of all existence. So then I got to thinking about this in relation to the scientific information provided in What the Bleep..., and I thought about the moments that we, as humans, really and truly experience love - in its purest forms. Are we more molecularly dense in those moments? How are we otherwise able to maintain our physical reality? I am not capable of sustaining the kind of love I feel is necessary to maintain the molecular density required for physical existence....

Then I began to reexamine what I really know about love, and I was reminded of this beautiful passage from the Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh:
"O Son of Man!
I loved thy creation, hence I created thee. Wherefore, do thou love Me, that I may name thy name and fill thy soul with the spirit of life."

God's love is the basis of all creation; His love for His creation is the only thing powerful enough to keep our molecules united. Therefore, the purpose of the entire creation is love and unity - from protons and neutrons to humanity itself.... You are literally, and can be figuratively, walking and talking manifestions of God's love (L.O.V.E.). Thanks for sharing some more of my quirky thoughts. For more information on constructive methods of acheiving unity, visit http://www.bahai.org/.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Holler At Your Girl...



This video came to my attention today (thanks, Nasim!) and I think it worth sharing. I'll let you all come to your own conclusions on this one - but if you care to discuss... read the title.
 
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