All We Need Is...

Image courtesy Snippet & Ink

Well kids, we're in the waning hours of 2009 - what has turned out to be a pretty good year. I won't bore you with end of year - or (gasp!) decade - best of/worst of lists... nor will I regale you what I plan to do in the coming year (or weeks or days - let's not kid ourselves).

Instead let's keep it simple.

Let's just try to love more this year.

Here's to Mona & Vahid starting the party right! Congratulations! (even if I'm day early...)

As the World Turns...

Some years are ending and beginning - and others just keep rolling along... but I always look forward to these little 'end of year mashups'. I find them to be more palatable and certainly more entertaining than the 5,000 DIY wall calendars floating the blogosphere (but I digress).
Enjoy!

Pop Life...

Vintage...

My grandmother just sent me some mail (ahem) and enclosed was this little gem. What's funny is that I'm currently sporting that haircut - if just a little darker. It's amazing to see yourself so clearly when you look at your 'baby' pictures. It's like the essential me - my fundamental self or personality smiling for the camera. Glad to meet you. ...I mean me.

Aimee & Bill Piper - the 80s, of course!

San Clemente, CA

Thanks, Nana!

The Weekend Update...

Okay, I know that it's Monday night already - but give a girl a break, huh? Thanks!
Remember way back in August when I waxed excited about the pending arrival of my friend's little one's? It's official! Mrs. is a Mama! (And a hot Mama at that!)
Welcome, M&V!

On Mixed Messages...

I am your typical southern Californian girl... and since I've been living abroad for the last 2.5 years, I finally feel comfortable in my own skin. This post is meant less as 'therapy' and more as not-so-casual observation, but find what projection you may.
The word of the day from 25 December 2009 is embonpoint \ahn-bohn-PWAN\, noun: Plumpness of person; stoutness.
Here's where the mixed messages come into effect: it's from the French, literally "in good condition" (en, "in" + bon, "good" + point, "situation, condition").
Wondering when annorexia became a good thing - or, as the case may be, a good condition.
Image via 'weheartit'.

Without Further Ado...

I'm generally opposed to (well... not a fan of, anyhow) blog posts sans pictures. I think it gives the reader (I mean me) something nice to look at - maybe it's a conversation construct, or maybe I miss picture books.
Anyhow, I've got no picture today, kids. Sorry.
What I've got is a two-day old cold (ewwww. I know) & a bundle of nerves. You see, tomorrow morning I'm getting a cardio-echo. When I had to do my stress test for water polo (it's routine for the team), they found an anomaly. So to rule out complications from said discovery, I'm having an ultrasound of my heart. This is actually pretty cool. The result will be a complete 3D color-coded image of my heart - and I'm really excited to see what that looks like.
Except for the part where I'm sort of (okay, actually) a prude. Do you know where your heart is in relation to the rest of your body? I do. And I know that doctor's see boobs (for the mature among you: breasts) all day long and twice on Fridays. But they don't see my boobs. For some reason, I don't feel like a concession will be made for the shy/modest girl. Sigh.
Merry Christmas to me?

Do It... Do It Now

...preferably in 3D.

In case you're confused, James Cameron killed it. The world he's created is phenomonal. It has (hopefully) clearly blown my mind.

The part I find particularly fascinating and important is the conversation he has about unity - between people, nature & the supernatural. The way that we see this interconnectedness, and tap into it, in our own lives is something that is coming - increasingly - to the forefront of social consciousness. Think, for example, on the environment summit of Copenhagen, or the global-minded direction that human rights has taken. These are all areas of our collective human psyche that have transcended old world thinking of "my problems, my solutions" into something more. It's truly amazing and wonderful to be part of that transformation.

How do you connect with people, with nature, with God?

*In case you don't have "wide screen" - see the trailer here.*

Rejoice!

Yesterday and today mark the Twin Holy Days: The Birth of the Báb and the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, respectively. If you've visited here before, you likely know that I am a Bahá’í, and that I am living in Haifa, Israel serving at the Bahá’í World Centre. What you may not know is that the Báb (a title meaning "Gate") is the Herald of the Bahá’í religion and that Bahá’u’lláh (a title meaning "the Glory of God) is the Prophet Founder of the Bahá’í religion. From the Bahá’í Writings:

Glory by to Thee, O Lord my God! Make manifest the rivers of Thy sovereign might, that the waters of Thy Unity may flow through the inmost realities of all things, in such wise that the banner of Thine unfailing guidance may be raised aloft in the kingdom of Thy command and the stars of Thy divine splendor may shine brightly in the heaven of Thy majesty.
Potent art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. Thou, verily, art the Help in Peril the Self-Subsisting.
- Bahá’u’lláh

Image credit.

Silent Night...

So I read an interesting article in the BBC today: "US moves to ban 'excessively noisy' TV advertisements ". The House of Representatives has approved a bill that will limit the maximum volume of television commercials.
Okay. I get it - I too hate when you're chilling out with some classic tv time and all of a sudden there's an overwhelming and annoying hike in volume as soon as the commercials come on.
What I don't get is why the House of Representatives can figure out the volume crisis, but not - say - the health care crisis faced by so many Americans.
Don't mind me - I'm just the crazy 'thinking out loud' girl....
As you were.
Image credit.

Happy Chanukah...

You may not know this, as I've been keeping it sort of on the DL, but I started playing water polo here in Haifa a couple of months ago... and I love it. I play three times a week - with 2 different teams. Lucky me - I got to experience my first and second Chanukah celebrations all in one fell swoop!
*Happy Chanukah*

Window to the Soul...

So I'm still dabbling in the arts... alas the art class has moved to a night I play water polo, so I'm having to get creative in finding time to practice my creativity. With me? Cool.
Anyhow, one of the things I've always been drawn to in art (pun not intended) is the artist's ability to convey the essense of the her or his subject. My art history/criticism books always warned me how difficult that was to do with oil, and - for example - was why William Blake preferred water colors or charcoal in his mission to portray the spiritual and ethereal realities of his subjects.... Now that I'm practicing with different media, I'm realizing just how true this is.

When I lived in Southern California (2.5 years ago, now!), I regularly visited the Getty - and the above portrait has always been one of my favorites in their collection. Gericault painted this as a study for a larger painting about a sunken ship off the coast of Africa - major news at the time - that had very few survivors ("The Raft of the Medusa", at the Louvre). What is amazing and profound to me is the simultaneous sorrow and dignity conveyed here. The man seems to me to be narrating a story - and is at a point in his tale where he must somehow collect himself from the staggering heartbreak of it all.
I tell you truly, friends... if I could paint nothing else, I would love to be able to paint eyes like this.

Dear Vancouver...

Saw this on a little blog I sometimes look at and thought of my good friend Kadria - who just so happens to be one of my favorite photographers.
...so. How's it going?

Liquid Beauty...

These people are so smooth - and the choreography is so tight... it hurts me.

Thanks to Ashley (everyone's favorite ghettoblaster) for the head's up.

Technological Ineptitude...

I often make the joke that if my computer and I were the Dynamic Duo, that I would be the sidekick in the really (ahem) cool tights.
As is evidenced below, I'm actually really fascinated by technology - I think it has amazing and wonderful potential - and I'm reading Coupland still (somehow desperately hoping that my computer will know & my tech/information superhighway cred will miraculously and exponentially increase). Alas....
One thing I learned (and rather quickly, I add) how to do when I came here was to utilize the alarm clock function on my cell phone. ...I'm old fashioned - I get it. Anyhow, so a few weeks ago I left my cell phone at the office & went into a minor panic about how I was going to wake up in the morning. A friend pointed out that it was possible to program an ipod to function as an alarm clock.
To make a long story short... I can't figure out how to get it to stop! Twice a day - at increasingly random times - my ipod starts playing Milosh. And I love the music - but it's getting a little weird. Just saying.
Check the video below for some of the cool things you can do (if not me) with an iphone/pod.

If You Build It...

We Three Queens...

Well - we are in the Holy Land. It's my story... I'm sticking to it.

(clockwise from top)
Sholeh, Aimee & Abi
‘Akká, Israel

And oh yeah - I'm a brunette, now.

Basketball Is My New Jam...

So as you know, Thanksgiving (and a myriad other things) isn't exactly traditional here - but we get sort of close. We streamed a little football - but no one's team was really playing, so we wound up watching various youtube highlights.... Including the gem above.

Glorious.

Happy Friday.

Random Realizations...

No longer a blonde is not equal to no longer clumsy.

The more I like a t.v. show, the greater its chance of being prematurely cancelled and completely underappreciated by all "Neilson families". {ie. Firefly, My So Called Life...}. Consequently I think that I should be consulted more often - is there such a thing as an Entertainment Value Barometer? I think I could do that.

Image credit.

It is almost impossible for me to walk seriously (vs. casually) and eat.

Hiding your availability status on g-chat is lame. There, I said it.

>br>Am I crazy, or have street fashion blogs suddenly become uber predictable and highly commercial?

Anyhow, that's all I've got now... I'll try to be more focused & less critical next time.

Upon Further Reflection...

I think of myself as a somewhat awkward person - I'm a bit clumsy, if you will. If there's a wall to be walked into, I will find it; likewise the crack in the sidewalk that lies in wait for unsuspecting people to trip up. I have mastered (equally well, I might add) the awkward silence and its opposite: the unintelligent babble meant to mask silence that somehow just makes everything more uncomfortable.

But I've been reflecting and meditating on grace. Grace in all its meanings: elegance of movement, polite good will (okay, maybe I haven't thought about this definition so much), and the unearned favor of God. I was particularly thinking of the latter definition and how God's grace pours continually on us - whether or not we're prepared to receive it.

[For example, if you wish to feel the rain on your face, but insist on looking at the ground... it doesn't mean it's not raining - it means you haven't placed yourself in such a way as to feel it on your face.]

So then I got to thinking about what it is to be graceful. And I am. Now I just need to figure out how to manifest it more consciously!

Dear DHD... sorry for the half-formed and corny than usual (even for me) pun. I hope you're enjoying your family time, pilgrimage & pow wows, respectively.

Globalization...

Bahá'u'lláh said that "the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens". The verity of this becomes more obvious every day - just think of the number of people you communicate with, or share interests and beliefs with. It's truly mind blowing.
So I know that it's cliche - but let's try this experiment (particularly during the warm & fuzzy 'holiday' season): think globally and act locally.
If the whole world is one giant community: friends, family, colleagues, etc. why don't we try to really make an effort to know our neighbors? I'm sure many of you already do - 3 cheers for that - but let's take it to a new level. Let's raise our consciousness - talk about the world, how to make it more positive, more spiritual, how to create a relationship with God.

Go on. Try. Try it together. It's good for you.
Image credit.

Requiem For A Big Bird...

Dear Family and Friends,
Thank you.

This year my friends and adopted family serving at the Bahá'í World Centre are celebrating Thanksgiving on Saturday. I know it's a little untraditional - and there won't be any (gasp!) 'Black Friday' sales {hmmm. Meant to somehow and magically propel retail stores into the black? Must think about this...} - but we'll be together and thankful. We'll even have a turkey!

In all seriousness, though, I love you very much. I'll be with you in spirit!

One Fine Day...

21 November 2009 :: 'Akká and surrounding environs, Israel

Sunset :: Bahjí
same same

Bahjí

I had the opportunity to visit two Bahá'í Holy Places this weekend in 'Akká... the weather was perfect - complete with peaceful meditation. It was like a spiritual vacation.

All photos courtesy Sholeh Magzub. I know... and yes, all of my friends really are this talented. Sigh. Lucky me!

With Power Comes Responsibility...

When I went to Europe in February, I happily chanced upon Douglas Coupland. Since this time, I've read several of his books and consistently found him to be pithy and timely with his social commentary.

Last night before water polo practice I was reading a little out of Micro-Serfs. The following passage really struck me. The main character is talking about his boss (of sorts… they work in a start-up)

“[…]I have been thinking about it, and I realize that Ethan has fallen prey to The Vacuum. He mistakes the reward as the goal; he does not realize that there is a deeper aim and an altruistic realm of technology’s desire. He is lost. He does not connect privilege with responsibility; wealth with morality.”

It's interesting to consider just how truly awesome the world wide web is - and I think that it, of all of history's myriad technological advances, has the ability to transcend being simply a tool. Specifically, I think that we need to move away from thinking in terms of "guns don't kill people, people kill people" - to use a cliched example....

Thoughts?

Officially In Recovery...

So there have been some jokes lately (or for the last few years) that I'm waspish about certain things. Like my personal space. For the record, I don't think of myself as a WASP(B) - in fact, I think of myself as a very warm and demonstrative person. ...maybe just not physically.

As a result of my love of personal space, I've perfected the side hug. Alas, it's sort of a knee-jerk reaction now. So I'm in recovery.
This doesn't mean I'm hugging strangers - but I'll be trying this hugging thing. Starting with high fives, naturally......

Image: Steve Powers, courtesy My Love For You Is a Stampede of Horses

The Ides of November...

This weekend was a celebration of all things amazing. Like birthdays (so many I can't count - tallying to 3 parties, though), family (hey Hoffmans!), and picnics.... Matt, Will & I - breaking it down 80s style

Big shout out to the rad playlists supplied by Shaza & Abi

...we couldn't have done it without you. Don't be jealous, we're just rolling down the hill.

...okay, no. Be jealous - it was glorious.

Despite (or maybe because of?) the fact I somehow rolled sideways.

Me.

Someday, Mr. Hoffman, you'll teach me to get the color to pop when I take pictures.

Someday.

Sunset. Haifa. Glorious.

(what, where, why)

Sir Will does a ribbon dance.

Amazing.

My friends are boss.

Excited, With a Chance of Delay...

I find it interesting that we still have time delays on some things - particularly entertainment things like movies. Pop culture seems to me to be so ubiquitous now that I really wonder why movies don't have world wide releases.... But what do I know - I'm just a pop culture junkie.

Patience: n. the ability to accept delay, trouble, or suffering without becoming angry or upset. {via the OED}
Lesson subtitle, courtesy Christopher David Ryan.

Lesson soundtrack (and 'excited' impetus), courtesy Bon Iver & St. Vincent.
Enjoy.

Rejoice!

Today, Bahá’ís around the world are celebrating the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh.... My heart is with you all.

Magnified be Thy name, O Lord my God! Thou art He Whom all things worship and Who worshipeth no one, Who is the Lord of all things and is the vassal of none, Who knoweth all things and is known of none. Thou didst wish to make Thyself known unto men; therefore, Thou didst, through a word of Thy mouth, bring creation into being and fashion the universe. There is none other God except Thee, the Fashioner, the Creator, the Almighty, the Most Powerful.

I implore Thee, by this very word that hath shone forth above the horizon of Thy will, to enable me to drink deep of the living waters through which Thou hast vivified the hearts of Thy chosen ones and quickened the souls of them that love Thee, that I may, at all times and under all conditions, turn my face wholly towards Thee.

Thou art the God of power, of glory and bounty. No God is there beside Thee, the Supreme Ruler, the All-Glorious, the Omniscient.

From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh.

Self...Ish.

La Roux's album came to my attention today (I know... late to the party). Anyhow, this jam is a shout out for my people.

Armour Love.
I love it.
Thanks for the head's up, Geoffrey. 'preciate you.

Butterfly In The Sky...

As you no doubt know, Bayan and I have 'reading times' at least once per week. If you've ever read with a child (particularly a very active little boy), you know that it can often be a challenge to find material that is engaging and yet reading level appropriate. This is especially challenging for me because eight-year-old Bayan, the wunderkind polyglot that he is, is at a very beginner reading level in English.

Naturally, I'm always on the lookout for children's books [even if they have to go on my wish list: a.k.a. 'things to get when I go on vacation'].

I learned of this book "14 Cows For America" today in the NYTimes - and I'm honestly so intrigued... and my heart is really warm. {the original article is amazing, please read it}
It is the true story of how, in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a Masai village in Kenya came to the aid of the United States.

...“because there is no nation so powerful it cannot be wounded, nor a people so small they cannot offer mighty comfort.” *Excerpted from Nicholas D. Kristof's article, link above*

Book information:
14 COWS FOR AMERICA
By Carmen Agra Deedy with Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah
lllustrated by Thomas Gonzalez

Try It, It's Good For You...

Getting back to the basics.

I've been thinking about trust a lot lately. I think that from today I'm going to try trusting myself.

Support the artist: Roll & Tumble Press

Woman About Town...

...and other goings on this fine November weekend.

Bayan has finally agreed to read Harry Potter. Praise the Lord - and trust me when I tell you that it was about t.i.m.e! He doesn't much care for the muggles, in fact he reeked of boredom with the story (gasp! I know!) until Dumbledore came on the scene.....

I'm continuing my coalescence of plans for my spring trip to London.

Engaging in some elevated conversation - shaping the discourse of society... beginning with organizing and honing my own thoughts and mind.

Having a huge and overwhelming girl crush on Michelle Obama. ...okay, I think I have a crush on her whole family. Further evidence of why the First Lady is my homegirl:

December's issue of Glamour will honor 12 women as "Woman of the Year." Popular icons that have overcome serious challenges or given back to society are recognized by the fashion magazine. Among the winners are Maya Angelou, Rihanna, Serena Williams, Susan Rice and, of course, Michelle Obama.
The First Lady is interviewed by guest writer Katie Couric, and she gives this great advice to women still looking for love...
"Cute's good. But cute only lasts for so long. Then it's 'Who are you as a person?' Don't look at the bankbook or the title. Look at the heart. Look at the soul. When you're dating a man, you should always feel good."

Courtesy: I Like Her Style!

Going to Bahjí this weekend.... So looking forward! Not least because I have a lot of important decisions looming on my horizon and could use a little consultative and meditative time with God.

Mind the GAP...

Dear Miss Stella...
I've seen and I love it. *Ahem* How about a version in my size?
Thanks!
But seriously, right? Stella McCartney's collaboration with GAP*Kids?
So cute it hurts me.....

...Well Alright, Then!

Image: courtesy Kadria

Dear K,

I'm glad to see that you're feeling better - I pray it is so.

Love,

a.

Vanity: There's a Cure for That....

So I had painting class again last night. *I’m a beginner – as in this is my very first such class*

Last night we graduated from sketches and mixing colors to painting something on a canvas.

That something was a self portrait.

(Mirror + canvas + paint + brushes) x (–skill) = I hate my face.

It’s a good cure for vanity, though.

But seriously, I don't think I've ever looked at my face in quite that way before. To look at it critically, but paint what you see - not what you would like to see, etc.
Painfully cathartic, that.

Sidenote: I found this image on goo.gle or on one of the myriad blogs I daily peruse long ago - if you recognize it, holler so I can properly credit. Thanks!

Lazy Sunday Afternoon...

Okay - so those are pretty much non-existant here. {Please quell your shock - but the work week begins on Sunday in Israel. Same Lord: different Lord's Day} But! Can't you just imagine. I can.
Love (or otherwise) notes, laying in the grass, enjoying the greenery from within a warm room - preferably with a fire crackling nearby & a cup of hot chocolate in your hand? Oh! Or cider... yeah, hot apple cider.
And a book.

Impetus for this particular day dream: Classic Bride.

Party Edition...

So my sister's name is Merilee. Eventually she became Myrtle - and then Myrtle the Love Turtle. I thought it was a Dr. Seuss shout out... alas, it's been Yertle all these years!
Anyhow, Mer: Happy Birthday! I love you!

Thunder and Lightening and Rain... O My!

I love the rain - and Israel really needs it. It's a win/win situation!

...And That Means Fall Is Finally Here!

D A C E: Excerpted from the Fall 2009 Look Book

More from the man who shot said book:
André Paul Pinces

New and (Not So) Different...

Image credit

Head's up: courtesy Naysan

So I've been getting hate mail that rhymes with 'why don't you love us anymore' from the family. ...okay, I'm being superlative - relax! But I have been a little lax with the ongoings here in the land o' aimee piper.
This is mostly because I don't think that anything I do is that extraordinary - but I also realize that somehow curating the world-wide-interweb is insufficient to keeping the family posted.
*Sidenote to Will, Ray & Raf (you may also know them as the genius behind DogHouseDiaries - yes, I'm name dropping... but I'm proud of my uber-talented friends, and I'm wont to digress): pun very much intended.
I've joined a water polo team here in H-Town. It's good to get back in the water and do something besides chase a line (much as I do like to swim, it can be boring).
I tutor a little boy whose parents also serve at the Bahá'í World Centre in English - specifically reading English. I'm really proud of Bayan; English is his fourth language, and he's only 8 years old!
I've recently begun taking painting lessons here - this is fun and therapuetic - and I find that it's helping with my photography. All good things!
It's still in the 80s here - starting to think longingly of cooler weather... to that end, I'm in the beginning stages of planning another trip to London. This time I plan to join the local Bahá'í community in its efforts to share the message and teachings of Bahá'u'lláh.
Okay, so that's what I'm about - sorry for the 'massness', I love you all!

Reunited... And It Feels So Good

New Kings of Convenience single: Boat Behind

I can't wait to get my hands on the album - sounds so good!

p.s. I love the video - film makes everything seem so much warmer.

Loaves and Fishes...

Ticky Tacky Little Boxes...

My name is Aimee Piper, and I am addicted to pop culture. Living in Israel, this sort of manifests itself bulimically - when it's available, I binge.

I've recently started watching the show referenced in the title of this post. I'm in season 3 already. I'm a little concerned why, when I look at imdb(dot)com Conrad & Miss Mahailia are no longer with us. ...Conrad is my favorite.

I've also recently got my hands on the British equivalent of USWeekly, People, and etc. I so far only recognize 3 of the people they're even talking about - but I'm going full emersion with British culture, and you can't do that without learning who their celebutantes are, can you?

Lastly, I am obsessed with this show (Glee!) ...that I can only watch in youtube clips so far. Sigh. It's kind of like having a crush on someone you've never actually met.
Enjoy the clip - it's hilarious!

Weekend Wrap-Up: 6 Days Later...

So as you know, I've got 2 rolls of film back - these are some pictures I took from my field trip to the Sea of Galilee last weekend. If you ever get to Israel, I highly suggest that you make a trip up there - the history and the scenary are - literally and figuratively - awesome.

Sunset: as seen from the Bahá’í cemetary in the northern Galilee.
ibid.

Vantage of the sea from the Church of the Beatitudes

The church where the Disciples witnessed Christ with Moses and Elijah.

I hope you're not bored with my looting of the film vault - I'm really pleased with the way things turned out! *by which I mean: I will be posting more pictures...*

yea boi!

Room With a View...

Below are some pictures I took from my balcony of the bay between Haifa and ‘Akká, Israel. I've also put them up on my flickr page - the links are below. Enjoy!
1. sunrise balcony, 2. flock, 3. flock 2, 4. color, 5. balcony view, 6. balcony sunrise

P.S. I'll be putting more pictures up as the week progresses.

In Due Course...

So I finally finished and developed 2 rolls of film - and I got my pictures back last night!
This is the first of many to come... taken from the sea wall in ‘Akká. ...I'm never exactly sure how they get out there with all of their bait and tackle - but those people are fishing.

On the Bright Side...

My friend Monica Schulman of Ciao, Chessa! fame shared some pictures from FutureAncient - a London based photographer. I love what he (she?) does with light - truly amazing.

Both photos excerpted from flickr - link above.

...take heed lest ye confuse the dawn for dusk.

Updates...

The seven Bahá’ís I mentioned yesterday? Who have been held for over 18 months in Tehran's infamous Evin prison simply because they are Bahá’í?
Their trial was postponed again yesterday. Bahá’í World News Service gives more information here. I truly appreciate your prayers and positive thoughts. Please continue to remember them in your prayers.

Please Please Please...

I truly hope this comes to Israel.

Bright Star.

A Call to Prayer: A Call to Action...

As many of you may know, I am a Bahá’í. These people, my brothers and sisters - my coreligionists in Iran - have been imprisoned since March and May 2008.
Their case has received world-wide attention with passionate pleas for their release made by scholars, politicians, comedians, actors... and everyday kind of people like you and me. If you've been following their case, you'll know that - as Diane Ala'i, the Bahá’í International Community representative to the United Nations in Geneva says, "They are completely innocent of the accusations against them and should not have been imprisoned in the first place".
You will also know that they were finally scheduled for trial today. 18 October 2009. And that the trial has already been postponed from 18 August 2009.
In case this is news to you... you can read this article in the Bahá’í World News Service. You can also do a simple google search.

My dear friends and family... I am asking that you please remember these 7 people - and the greater Bahá’í community of Iran - in your prayers and positive thoughts today.
I appreciate you.


From the Bahá’í Writings:
"Lauded by Thy name, O Lord my God! I entreat Thee by Thy Name through which the Hour hath struck, and the Resurrection came to pass, and fear and trembling seized all that are in heaven and all that are on earth, to rain down, out of the heaven of Thy mercy and the clouds of Thy tender compassion, what will gladden the hearts of Thy servants, who have turned towards Thee and helped Thy Cause.
Keep safe Thy servants and Thy handmaidens, O my Lord, from the darts of idle fancy and vain imaginings, and give them from the hands of Thy grace a draught of the soft-flowing waters of Thy knowledge.
Thou, truly, art the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous.
- Bahá'u'lláh

Gl-Gl-Glamorous!

Excercising my vanity factor today... there's no use in my pretending that it's not inconsiderable.
To quote myself at circa 1:05 p.m. this afternoon... "gasp! That hair! Those eyes! ...swoon! That dress!"

Above and Below...

Both images courtesy {this is glamorous}

I'll soon be getting back to my new-found free-Friday service project cum burgeoning hobby: book binding. It's the business, kids.

In other creative news... I'm taking a painting class - holler at the beginner in the house!

I also managed to sneak not 1 but 2 (ha.ha.ha.) rolls of film out for developing this morning. I'm so proud of myself! This time I'll hold back the deets until the photos are in my proverbial hot little hands. *but my weekend was r.a.d!*