A Day in the Life...

On Love As Inspiration...

2012-02-15T02:54:00.002+02:00

Photo courtesy my friend Nilou via my other other site

The freedom to be yourself and to be happy in that self.

Me. In the red cap at the top of the photo.

So on this day where people focus so intently on what and whom they love, I thought that I'd share some things that make me smile. Like did you know that I had 2 water polo games this weekend?! And that we won both of our games?

Well. Now you do.

Thanks for sharing in the things I love magic. Now get out of here! Unless you love the interwebs, in which case: carry on.

Fun Fashion Friday...

2012-02-10T19:08:00.002+02:00

Okay, I concede that I may have gotten carried away with my alliterative self... but that's just how I roll. [Monday Morning Morrissey Madness, anyone?]

Anyhow, I spotted this on Honestly...WTF and was a little nonplussed by the stills. This is likely because I have very strong opinions about logos and brand image that rhyme with "it looks like you're sponsoring a fashionista - you should pay me to wear that", but I digress.

What I liked most about this video was watching the people at work! I love to see good craftsmanship in action - and whatever your thoughts on the LV aesthetic, you can't deny that the construction is legit.

Enjoy!

Adventuresome...

2012-02-09T01:08:00.002+02:00

I don't really think that words are necessary here... this will be glorious and you will watch or you will not. But I am six thousand kinds of excited.

Thank You For Taking Action...

2012-02-08T21:22:00.002+02:00

Education Under Fire

Most of you who know me know that I am a member of the Baha'i Faith. It is, after all, the reason I spent 4 glorious years living in Haifa, Israel and the reason why I continue to incorporate service to my community in my daily life. If you check in here periodically, or if you read the news... you'll know that the Baha'i community in Iran is under intense scrutiny and that members of that community face persecution daily.

One of the most tragic ways that the Iranian government seeks to cripple the Baha'i community in their country is through the blatant denial of access to higher education. Yes, you heard me right. All Baha'is are summarily denied access to college or university education.

Ever resilient, Baha'i students have managed to matriculate remotely through accredited universities in the United States and elsewhere - clearly via distance learning. [Three cheers for technology].

Now the government of Iran is arresting these students, their mentors, and even their lawyer in further attempts to quash their spirit.

So I have joined thousands of people, including Nobel Laureates Desmond Tutu and Jose Ramos-Horta, in a call for change. A peaceful request that all students in Iran be treated with justice, equality and fairness.

What number will you be?

La Prima...!

2012-02-08T18:04:00.002+02:00

My dear friend Yasmin alerted me to this truly awesome video collaboration between OK Go & Sesame Street.

Interestingly enough (or not...), I never really watched Sesame Street when I was a kid. When I was the right age to be falling in love with Big Bird and Snuffleupagus, my family lived in Kachina Village on the outskirts of beautiful Flagstaff, AZ. Yes, friends. I spent my formative years in a cabin in the Rocky Mountains... with limited tv reception - certainly not enough for PBS.

The good news is that I'm still alive, and this video is still the boss. So everyone gets a win! Enjoy!

*Side note to Yasmin* :: I got the skype. Let's have an intercontinental reunion, yes?

Game Night...?

2012-02-08T02:05:00.005+02:00

Marilyn Monroe

In case you needed further evidence as to how rad Marilyn Monroe is....

Also, if you've never played Maiden, Trapper, Bear :: bring it to your next game night. It's an interactive, fun and potentially silly (ready your rad pantomime skillz!) interpretation of rock, paper, scissors.

As Promised: Seattle...!

2012-02-07T01:44:00.005+02:00

Home of the best Salmon and Chips... of life!

Thai food out on the town: legit!

Dessert times: espresso float

Farmer's Market: Cauliflower!

[so damned cute!]

Lucky Strike Bowling alley with the bride & some random guy I don't know.

Why do I love bunny ears SO much?!

Because they are awesome.

My good friend Joanna and her husband Stephen hosted a North American reception in Seattle last weekend following their wedding in El Salvador.... Such good times!

Who... Me?

2012-02-07T01:15:00.002+02:00

Just when you thought they weren't listening.....

Part 1:

Part 2:

Okay... I know that these have been making the rounds, but this one is probably my favorite so far. I can't tell which side of the joke I'm on - and I don't really care.

All credit to Fashion Is Spinach.

Monday Morning Musings...

2012-02-06T18:09:00.003+02:00

Courtesy C'etait Salement Romantique

The more I read about Marilyn Monroe, the more I think I would really have liked to be her friend.

A Preview...

2012-02-02T22:39:00.002+02:00

I spent last weekend with some great friends in Seattle - one of the raddest cities on the west coast, methinks. More photos in due course.

In the meantime... I've created a sort of homage to the Mediterranean: culture, fashion, views, foods and attitudes. You can peep it here.

Like a Boss...!

2012-01-27T21:58:00.004+02:00

Courtesy A Cup of Jo

So I just finished Tina Fey's classic rendition of her life until now: Bossy Pants. As she predicted, I borrowed it from "a woman at work"... and I loved it!

I particularly love the way that she talks about the women she has worked with: everyone from YMCA ticket takers to Amy Poehler. She's totally respectful of their work and talks of their contributions with a sort of dignity that more people should use. And her bold assertion of how we need to not tear each other down all of the time made me want to vote for her.

Another awesome woman on the topic of "why we don't ask Donald Trump what it feels like to be the boss of all those people" (that's me, paraphrasing Tina Fey) is Nicki Minaj. Whose body of work I honestly don't know that well. But I like what she has to say about the difference in attitudes about what happens when a man tells it how it is... and when a woman does it. You can watch the interview here.

#Baws.

...Keeps the Doctor Away

2012-01-27T00:58:00.002+02:00

All images courtesy {this is glamorous}

Notwithstanding the fact that I own (and am still learning to properly use) an iPhone... this article from Saturday's NYTimes gives me serious pause when I consider the incredible mark up. [Workers in China who build the fancy gadgetry we're gaga over earn $17 a day.]

But the folks at Apple do know a thing or six about design. I present to you the Apple store in Paris.

GPOYW...

2012-01-25T23:28:00.002+02:00

Mid-week rain break....

80 degrees and sunny brings out a slow, smug smile in everyone.

Forks Over Knives...

2012-01-25T20:00:00.002+02:00

Have you seen this movie?! I totally plan to. If you're up for a movie night, holler at your girl.

Carrot sticks are the new popcorn?

Lead On...!

2012-01-24T20:32:00.003+02:00

Courtesy Melody Ehsani

Words and their definitions really fascinate and amuse me. And they lead my thoughts in new and sometimes unusual directions... which is always good because it's important to keep your mind nimble. So there you go.

Today's word of the day is more interesting for the root of its definition... more than for the definition itself. To wit:

educe [ih-DOOS], verb:

Related to educate, educe is derived from the Latin roots ex- meaning "out" and ducere meaning "to lead." Shakespeare was the first writer to use it in the sense of "to provide schooling" in Loves Labours Lost.

So if educate and educe are essentially "to lead out"... then what are leaders meant to do? And how are we to treat our educators? And what of curriculum? How can students be effectively "led out" if we insist on recycling lessons designed simply to lead them to a single test and a limited outcome?

Kind of interesting thoughts in this time of political maneuvering, no?

Arts and Crafts...

2012-01-24T02:02:00.002+02:00

Courtesy Luckybeans

So now that I'm back in the States, one of my favorite things to do is to work with the children and youth in my area - learning cool things and making new friendships. Accordingly, I'm always on the lookout for cool arts and craft ideas or science experiments to try.

And one of the best sources I've found is Luckybeans.

You know... just paying it forward: one creative person to another!

P.S. Children's Class is totally making these stars this week: for my shining stars!

On A Moment of Silence...

2012-01-18T20:14:00.002+02:00

What does a bill like PIPA/SOPA mean to our shareable world? At the TED offices, Clay Shirky delivers a proper manifesto -- a call to defend our freedom to create, discuss, link and share, rather than passively consume.

Freedom of speech is something that I sincerely hold dear... I don't sneak around whispering at home, and I won't sneak around whispering on the internet, either.

Also, for those of you not in the States: look alive. They're the world wide interwebs....

Incognito...

2012-01-17T21:39:00.002+02:00

For one of the youngest women I know: Happy Birthday, Nana!

Little By Little, Day By Day...

2012-01-17T01:30:00.002+02:00

via Bitte Ein Kuss

Some friends and I began studying a book in the Ruhi series this weekend. We're learning to elevate our levels of conversation with the aim of having an impact on the discourse of society. Excepting myself and 1 other, everyone studying this book is in high school. I have the highest faith in their talents and capacities to effect a paradigm shift in our culture.

One of the things we read last night really stuck with me.

"O wayfarer in the path of God! Take thou thy portion of the ocean of His grace, and deprive not thyself of the things that lie hidden in its depths. Be thou of them that have partaken of its treasures. A dewdrop out of this ocean would, if shed upon all that are in the heavens and on the earth, suffice to enrich them with the bounty of God, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. With the hands of renunciation draw forth from its life-giving waters, and sprinkle therewith all created things, that they may be cleansed from all man-made limitations and may approach the mighty seat of God, this hallowed and resplendent Spot."

From the Writings of Baha'u'llah

Bon Chance...!

2012-01-14T03:03:00.002+02:00

Source: poppytalk.blogspot.com via Aimee on Pinterest

Ladies and Gentlemen... I got myself Coachella tickets today! I am so excited that I'm having a super tough time focusing on other tasks at hand... I keep having this day dream where Justin Vernon asks for my phone number (what? that could totally happen!) or where Thom Yorke and DJ Shadow let me in on their pre-show coffee and jazz pow-wow... or maybe where Zach Condon casually winks at me from stage. And I haven't even gotten to the part where Dre & Snoop give me a shout out!

So yeah, I am clearly having a productive Friday afternoon.

In related news, now I get to scour Pinterest for mid-desert 3 day festival concert outfit options. Because I'm totally getting Justin Vernon's phone number!

Work It...

2012-01-13T02:47:00.003+02:00

So I know that this album dropped roughly a year ago... but I've been loving the Stromae station on Pandora. And how rad is this song and video for a little "let's get active this new year?!"

Prefer to teach your couch who's the boss? Well, then this can be a little "let's all learn a new language" inspiration!

Big Love...

2012-01-12T21:02:00.002+02:00

Source: ohjoy.blogs.com via Aimee on Pinterest

Random sharing out loud moment.... I have a major crush on super silly romantic gestures.

Will you be my valentine?

The Joy of Books...!

2012-01-11T03:05:00.002+02:00

What do your books do when you're asleep? The owners at Type [a bookstore in Toronto: 883 Queen Street West, +1.416.366.8973] hid cameras in their shop over night to figure just his thing out!

Okay. I jest. This is a really excellent exercise in stop motion film, though.

Enjoy! ...courtesy, as per of course, Tralalere!

Would You Ever...

2012-01-10T20:20:00.002+02:00

Waldseilgarten campground (camp... air?) in Bavaria, Germany

Courtesy Double Takes

So I love camping... but a rock under your hip leaves something to be desired. With strategic whimsy, this Bavarian campsite seems to have covered everything! Except maybe what to do in any mid-night child sized bladder emergencies.

What do you think? Are you all in?

On Fashion Cues...

2012-01-10T02:21:00.003+02:00

Courtesy Lili & Mae

Me.

So I was poking around the interwebs today and spotted an ode to my favorite color (orange!) on Lili & Mae and I was quite tickled to learn that I was so fashion forward in my dress today.

But here's where I'm really going with this. Ladies, do you ever take fashion ques from men? On the street, in your life, at the office? There are a quite a few men's fashion blogs out there that I think, while definitely geared towards men, address a pretty universal aesthetic. Naturally, The Sartorialist is at the top of this list... but check out what James Nord is doing, or the ever dapper curators of Street Etiquette. Watch for things like incorporating color, accessories, and textures.

You can thank me later.

Growing Up Modern...

2012-01-10T01:53:00.003+02:00

This little girl is getting it done! There are parts of this (cranberry juice, anyone?!) where I feel like I'm watching a really well executed parody of my life!

I wonder what her mom does.... In my kindergarten book (an avant garde collection of drawings, stories, and an homage to my favorite animal - the Unicorn) exists an illustrated picture of how I saw myself as a grown-up woman, smartly dressed and pounding away on a "typerator". Okay, well I was at least color coordinated.

Thanks to Tralalere! for taking me back!

Bon Jour, Mes Amis...

2012-01-04T23:25:00.002+02:00

Courtesy the perennially lovely Garonce Dore.

So I'm looking at studying a new foreign language this year... and it's a toss between French and Italian. I know. My house is an hour from Mexico - why not Spanish? Or why not solidify the tenuous grasp I have of German, Persian or Hebrew? All excellent questions.

I'm in the process of learning Spanish with a friend, so this frees me up for a concentration in either French or Italian.

It sounds a little zany, even to me (my iPhone doesn't hold regular conversations with me, afterall - yet?), but I think my google.reader has a pretty strong opinion on the language I learn. Because I look at so many blogs [definitely not because I'm lazy], I like everything in one place. One of my favorite fashion blogs is Garance Dore - who, despite currently living in NYC, just so happens to be French. Long story short, I accepted google.reader's offer of translation.

Except it now tries to translate everything else I look at into English.

I know, you may be wondering how many French language blogs I read. Just the one. And yes, that means that my reader sees the English on the page as French and translates it to... English. At first I thought that everyone had gone off their rocker - it is, to a line, idiomatically and grammatically incorrect. But now the fun game is to figure out what the writers were meaning to write when they wrote what they wrote.

Quirky brainteasers aside... any plans for 2012?

Time Lapse Magic...

2012-01-03T22:35:00.003+02:00

This video, A Day in California, by Ryan and Sheri Killackey is truly excellent - but I'm always blown away by time lapse videos (magic?). I wonder how many still photos went in to the making of this little masterpiece?

Head's up courtesy Honestly...WTF - and in this case, I think it meets the holy goodness (!!!) category perfectly.

Also? Happy 2012!

Bestill My Heart...

2011-12-28T23:26:00.002+02:00

Courtesy HuffPost & StarzUncut

Okay... so I knew that I'd be going to Coachella this year. After 4 years abroad, it's only natural to take advantage of the good things living in SoCal has to offer. But this?

I know this is only the manifestation of a leaked rumor - but hot damn. I am all in.

FTW...

2011-12-28T22:48:00.004+02:00

...by which I mean 'Food Truck Wednesday', naturally.

Sliders and Tater Tots

I know... December in Irvine is rough.

Blackberry Lemonade

I'm still trying to get my hands on some good old-fashioned lemonana, but until I rock up on Little Tel Aviv (field trip, anyone?) or open my own food truck, this might just do.

Next week: scenes from the picnic tables.

I Can't Get No...

2011-12-28T02:57:00.003+02:00

Courtesy Samimi-Extremie

Wow. This is likely the best thing I could have seen today. I've been thinking a lot about resolutions: who I want to be and how to get there.... And I realize that I need to do what ever it takes to stay hungry for more. Knowledge. Love. Understanding. Movement. Growth.

So this year I resolve to give thanks for the people in my life who help my wounded spirit try again in those instances I pause too long, get too comfortable and backslide.

On Traditions...

2011-12-27T22:51:00.003+02:00

Aimee, Bill, Nana

Bunny ears make everything 'gangster'

Regroup for the real smiles....

Frankincense, Gold, Myrrh

Or... 3 wise women prepping for the New Year!

I hope that your holidays are happy!

Anthropology...

2011-12-24T19:03:00.003+02:00

A hilarious ethnography on upper-middle class (lower upper class?) urban women who are kind of liberal but whose friends all look like them.

Even though I'm only kind of liberal, I realize that I've said everything in here at least once - with the exception of the stink-eye aided "I'm on the phone" ...because that's just rude.

And to all of my friends who work in computers, I'm sorry.

Courtesy My Nana...

2011-12-23T19:26:00.002+02:00

It seems I'm not the only one who has noticed that The Most Wonderful Time of the Year... now spans half of the year. The Christmas Can Can is clever and catchy - enjoy!

Disclaimer: I'm not being a cynical jerk, I just think this is funny.

...Let There Be Light

2011-12-22T22:14:00.003+02:00

Maybe it's because these photos from NASA (courtesy A Cup Of Jo) are so lovely and serene, or maybe it's because our days will start to get longer and warmer (crosses fingers...) - but I feel a little reflection is in order.

East

West

So the biggest change in my life this year is the cross-globe move I made from Israel to the States at the beginning of August. I tell you that there was not a small amount of nervous excitement in that move. But I'm finding that the smaller ripple changes that resulted from that move have been correspondingly profound.

One of my biggest challenges has been holding on to the lessons of material detachment I learned (emphasis on earned) in Israel, particularly now that I'm living in a capitalistic society again. Being able to put that lesson to the test, so to speak, really makes me proud of myself. I also find that I'm thinking about and appreciating the idea of capitalism in a much different way... mostly by reevaluating what it is that I'd like to foster and invest in.

Which brings me to the true joy I've found in my new "extra-curricular" activities. At least once a week (but now that school is done, I aim to spend more time), I work some of the smartest, coolest, and kindest people I've ever met. As a team, we're learning how change our culture and society in positive ways: we examine things like the effects of unity and friendship versus the destructive effects of gossip and "cliques". We think about our impact on the world socially, materially, and spiritually and really think long and hard about the kind of people we want to be: how to be a true friend; how to be wise stewards of our environment.

I am learning so much from these people, who, by the by, are between the ages of 9 and 11.

Spend some quality learning time with children and youth, yourselves - it's the best investment I've ever made!

Happy...!

2011-12-22T02:11:00.003+02:00

Source: garancedore.fr via Aimee on Pinterest

So my Papa Jim just sent me an email wishing me a Merry Christmas, and I thought I'd pay it forward in a "may your days be merry and bright kind of way"... particularly as the shortest day of the year is upon us.

What's your share the light in your heart strategy? [wow... that sounds really "my blog is my full time job/hipster about town" to me, too.] But seriously? I'm making pasta with friends tonight and couldn't be more stoked!

!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-12-14T16:21:00.002+02:00

Further to my previous (like 2.5 seconds ago) post - El Ten Eleven will be playing in Santa Ana on the 30th! If you're going to be around, we should go.

Holler.

The Wednes Monster...

2011-12-14T16:07:00.002+02:00

Okay. I know... sometimes my ability to be corny and to abuse any and all "pun making" privileges astounds even myself. But I have my very last class and final today... and I'm a little giddy. It may or may not have something to do with the fact that in order to work my full day of work and still get to class on time, I have to come in to work at 5. In the am. As in "oh -dark-thirty" for those of you on military time. But my early morning, first cup of coffee thoughts led me in the direction of how similar Wednes and Loch Ness are - and why do we say "wins-day"?

So I guess we can say that my ability to run with a tangent is equally astounding.

Which brings me to the impetus for this little post. This song is the business. It is equal parts meditation and inspiration - really excellent for all kinds of things. Like writing papers, cramming for finals and/or working.

Big shout out to El Ten Eleven for being awesome and just what I needed. Cheers.

Nobel Peace Ladies...

2011-12-13T18:22:00.004+02:00

Via Bitte Ein Kuss

(L-R)

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia

Leymah Gbowee, Champion of Women's Rights (Liberia)

Tawakkul Karman, Icon of the Arab Spring Protest (Yemen)

[2011 Nobel Peace Prize recipients]

"The woman is indeed of the greater importance to the race. She has the greater burden and the greater work. Look at the vegetable and the animal worlds. The palm which carries the fruit is the tree most prized by the date grower. The Arab knows that for a long journey the mare has the longest wind. For her greater strength and fierceness, the lioness is more feared by the hunter than the lion.

The woman has greater moral courage than the man; she has also special gifts which enable her to govern in moments of danger and crisis…." - 'Abdu'l-Baha, from an address given in London.

I don't mean this to sound like man-bashing... because it is not. But it is nice to see the contributions and achievements of women recognized, particularly in the field of peace building and community development.

Happy Friday...

2011-12-09T23:48:00.002+02:00

Artist: Jessica Sutton

My Chaucer class is winding to a close (the final is in T-minus 5 days and counting) and I'm getting giddy, y'all! Naturally my interweb addiction has become correspondingly more pronounced.

Rawr.

On Thicker Blood...

2011-12-09T03:20:00.002+02:00

Via the perennially lovely Fleur

I can't believe that it's been almost three years since I was in Paris. ...freezing, wearing multiple (borrowed) unmatched layers and surrounded by stylish and chic Parisienne's - apparently immune to the cold. *And I mean snow. I know that I'm from Israel and SoCal, so you might not trust my value judgments on what constitutes cold: but this was it!

And I have to say that pictures like this take me right back. Because I'm shaking like a leaf here, and it's only in the 50s during the day (30s at night)... and these ladies are so cute it hurts me. So my recourse is to wear layer upon layer of figure morphing sweater, or to thicken my blood and walk out like a boss.

Which brings to me to my central question: how does DO that! Holler.

On Homesickness....

2011-12-09T02:02:00.002+02:00

This was shot literally down the street from my flat in Haifa. These guys - Broken Fingaz - have art up all over the city, but especially in my old neighborhood: Hillel & Masada Streets.

Live in an artist's enclave at least once. It's good for your soul. Or mine.

Major shout-out to Shadi Toloui-Wallace for the head's up. ...she's lucky enough to be in Haifa right now! She also has a new album out that you should totally get. You will love it. Maybe even more than living in an artist's village.

On Realistic Expectations...

2011-12-06T20:12:00.002+02:00

In this rare clip from 1972, legendary psychiatrist and Holocaust-survivor Viktor Frankl delivers a powerful message about the human search for meaning — and the most important gift we can give others.

This is probably the most important thing I have seen all year. As someone who works with young people and is consistently humbled and amazed by the potential and manifest capabilities of youth - and who is also trying to find a position in this world with significant meaning and worth - this short speech really speaks to my heart. I hope that you will also love it.

I hope, too, that you will be inspired to help someone find a place in this world that has meaning for them. To help instill or even restore a persons dignity.

Courtesy Tralalere - original source TED.com

Hit The Ground Running...

2011-12-05T22:07:00.002+02:00

The Street Aesthetic of New York City from Christian Andersen on Vimeo.

I know that there are great things about Orange County - but sometimes I have a hard time seeing the forest for the trees. Or, you know... the track homes. This video, courtesy Double Takes, is the business though! It kind of makes me wish I could play it on the inside of my sun glasses when I go for walks.

Christian Andersen - you're my homeboy. Cheers.

The Better To See You With...

2011-12-05T19:18:00.003+02:00

Via Bitte Ein Kuss.

They don't even have different expressions... as though their feelings and personalities don't really matter - so let's not draw them. Awesome [she said with not an inconsiderable amount of sarcasm].

In other related news, Doghouse Diaries: rendering equal opportunity stick figures since 2008.

PB & Jokes...

2011-12-02T20:47:00.003+02:00

Pottery Barn online catalogue :: lamps

Faced with a long holiday weekend and a week off from school (!!!), I did what anyone unaccustomed to bucketfuls (buckets full?) of free time would do: rearranged my living space. I've moved my bed and really love the new set up of my bedroom - but my penchant for late night book reading times is now is serious need of a bedside lamp.

Hence my perusal of the Pottery Barn catalogue for "inspirational" ideas... like for a Friday morning chuckle.

...Magnificent

2011-12-01T23:23:00.002+02:00

This (Holocene) has been my favorite song since BBC started streaming Bon Iver's new album - so, like, 6 months or so.

I'm so happy that they've finally done a video for it!

Shout out to Tralalere! for the head's up. In somewhat related news, if you're looking for some way to help society and further universal education, check out how the Tralere! family became involved: Capucine's Library. So sweet!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

2011-11-30T16:12:00.002+02:00

Okay... so it's beginning to look a lot like 65 (fahrenheit) and sunny with a chance of rain. But I still love the cozy feelings that fall bring. Hence my overwhelming to hole up in a tree house, drink cocoa and read excellent books.

Thankfully Josh over at Urbanskiies has the cozy wonderland hookup. I'm not sure where this is, but I'm all in!

...Rewind

2011-11-30T02:04:00.002+02:00

So I'm not sure that I can go so far as to call this little jam by, Bloom by The Paper Kites, the sweetest song of life.... But it's not far off. And besides, you know how I have a flair for the superlative, right?

As per usual, all head's up credit goes to Rachel over at Black*Eiffel. I really hope that she does a 2011 musical wrap up because her Music Monday series is seriously on point.

In maybe related news, dates for Coachella 2012 were just announced. This April, 2 wicked hot weekends of you and me dodging hipsters and enjoying what I trust will be truly excellent music? I accept!

On Long Weekends...

2011-11-28T21:01:00.004+02:00

One of the advantages to living in your hometown is that all of your friends who've moved on to different scenes and climes come home for the holidays. Like Thanksgiving. Exploring new restaurants in the grey area between local and tourist is always kind of fun.

Note to self: courtesy Bitte Ein Kuss

But long weekends, particularly those that start to feel like staycations (the weather was 83 degrees, y'all!), kind of wreak havoc on my already spotty Monday-morning attention span....

Le sigh.

Musical Monday Surprise...

2011-11-28T17:06:00.003+02:00

I am seriously loving this song and so I had to share it, post-haste style. You also probably already know and love Yael Naim (and David Donatien) -particularly if saw a MacBook Air commercial circa 2008 - but she's new to me :: 3 cheers to Pandora for the head's up.

Anyhow... enjoy!

Cheers M'Dears...

2011-11-23T21:41:00.002+02:00

My first Thanksgiving in the States in 4 years... and it's about to get crunk. Okay. I clearly jest.

This year I'm starting the party with the Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot - representing with Team Shelley! And then we're over the river and through the woods to my aunt's house for wicked good food [that will definitely include my world famous pumpkin scones] and Mexican Train Dominoes. Because that's how we roll.

Have a good one!

And to my Haifa people - as I have recently mastered the FaceTime universe, I'll be seeing you Saturday for your Thanksgiving festivities! Can't hardly wait!

Eye of Newt...

2011-11-22T02:55:00.003+02:00

Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, in an address at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, calls child labor laws "stupid". Full article courtesy The Huffington Post.

Why pay parents in poor families a living wage when their kids can quit school and contribute financially? Okay... that was cynical, even for me.

See this for what it is: not economic empowerment of youth, and certainly not union or education reform. It is the single greatest means of insuring a greater than ever class disparity in our country.

In my opinion, it is time to be intellectual capitalists. Capitalism (according to my high school economics class) demands that income be reinvested in the product, thereby constantly improving your product. So if income in this sense becomes time, knowledge, wisdom, experience and opportunity for growth, and we invest that in our product - ie. the people in our society [particularly children] then we can have an ever advancing society.

And Newt (Mr. Gingrich?), if you're of the opinion that our schools are failing (they are. I do not disagree with you here), why don't you volunteer in a local school? Or read to kids in your neighborhood library, or volunteer with the Big Brothers and Sisters of America program? There are nearly as many ways to help a problem as there are to complain about it.

Instamatico...!

2011-11-22T02:11:00.002+02:00

This weekend I sat down and really made an earnest effort to learn more about the gadgetry in my life. To wit, I have mastered (as much as a heart-to-heart with my best Haifa neighbor will allow) FaceTime and discovered Instamatic.

Which I love. Clearly.

Molly.

Weekend Warrior style.

Is that a cup on a coaster, you ask?

So?

Sometimes technology is really awesome.

Um...Thanks?

2011-11-16T21:06:00.002+02:00

Considering the story I'm about to share, it may seem a little self-serving to tell you how much I love New Girl. But I do. It's hilarious. Just saying.

Zooey Deschanel as Jess!

So my friend Sanaz tells me that I remind her of Jess - which is super flattering. ...even though I don't have brown hair or wear glasses. My mom was willing to accept this comparison, but insisted on the caveat that I'm also similar in character to Dr. Brennan from Bones and Sheldon from Big Bang Theory.

Emily Deschanel as Dr. Brennan

Jim Parsons as Sheldon - er... Dr. Sheldon Cooper

Well, that was okay. I mean, all 3 characters are really smart (oh... is that me being self-serving again?) and fun and original. I like to think I'm these things, as well. Even though I can't really be mistaken as a long-lost Deschanel sister (3rd cousin once removed?).

But then my mom started telling my brother and I this story last night (shout out for a family game of Yahtzee!). She was going on and ON about this wack-a-doodle who attends the local high school she works at. About how the poor thing is so anti-social and too smart for his own good ... and about how MUCH like Sheldon he is.

"But Mom. You think I'm like Sheldon. I'm social."

Crickets, friends. Your girl didn't even try to print a formal retraction.

It really is lonely at the top.

L'Archives...

2011-11-16T01:48:00.004+02:00

So photos from my lovely weekend in Sonora, CA will have to wait... as I may or may not have left my film camera in Palo Alto. But trust that I was completely enamoured of all of the trees that were actually turning colors for fall!

In the meantime, here are some more shots from my Roman Holiday. What? Wasn't that the first week of August, you ask? Yeah. So?

My trusty pink umbrella and I at the Vatican.

I know it looks like I'm giving the flora a stink eye - but the sun is fierce in Rome.

The Collossuem by night.
Beth, Penny & I - Trevi Fountain
[clearly already planning our next trip]

All photos courtesy the lovely Beth who has just wrapped up a grande European tour and is back home in Australia. Major shout out to Beth, Penny, Ratna & Imke - I made some seriously rad friends this summer. Thanks for accompanying me on my vacation!

Weekend Get Away...

2011-11-11T02:41:00.002+02:00

Sorry that my flake factor has been kind of tangible lately... except for the part where I've been too busy to devote more time to this here blog. Mea Culpa!

So I thought I'd squeeze a little note in (do you see what I did there?) to let you know that the flake will continue at least through the weekend as I'm off to the Bay (the other Bay) for a friend's bridal shower - but I hope to have pictures or at least cool anecdotes to share soon.

In the meantime... enjoy!

On Life Lessons From Glee...

2011-11-02T20:48:00.003+02:00

Damian McGinty as Irish foreign exchange student Rory Flanagan.

*courtesy Perez Hilton*

So aside from the grand unveiling of Irish foreign exchange student and resident Leprachaun Rory Flanagan (played by the charming Damian McGinty), last night's episode - in which Mr. Hummel throws his hat in the political ring - served up one hell of a false dichotemy.

I love that Sue's vicious bashing of the arts has become a composite characterization of the real life treatment of arts programs in public schools aross America. And last night when she called a cease fire on arts bashing in order to highlight the genuine discrepancies in education programs for developmentally challenged students created a scenario all too familiar in our nation: if we fund arts, we can't fund sports. If we fund sports, we can't fund special education [bt.dubs, "gifted and talented" programs also often fall under the budget of "special education"]. Or worse still - pitting education against health care or an increase in environmental standards against social security.

Now, I'm not an expert (clearly), but I have some strong opinions that I'm going to share with you.... I will leave my feelings on global harmony out of this for the moment and focus on the US of A.

We are a nation of hard workers, we are bright, creative and innovative. If we can avoid the trap of petty in-fighting that (ahem) some people have set, I bet that we will learn some things.

1. If we make a serious effort to think outside of the box - to demand a paradigm shift - we could come up with cost productive solutions for everyone. It will require consultation, collaboration and compromise - but it is doable.

2. It won't take as much money as you think... and my feeling is that we actually have the money available to do these things! And before you get all crazy, what I'm actually talking about is a move towards social and fiscal responsibility: and no... I don't see these as mutually exclusive concepts.

Because seriously? I don't know any old, rich guys. And you probably don't either. So why are we so hung up on their opinion? Most of the people I do know have worried at least once about how to get food on the table, or gas in their car, or getting their bills paid on time... these are the concerns that should matter.

And that's what I learned on Glee: be creative, be brilliant, be a problem solver.

Boo!

2011-10-31T22:44:00.003+02:00

Via Missed Connections.
Via Bitte Ein Kuss.

What are you going to be for Halloween? This is my first Halloween back in the States after 4 years abroad... and I'm super excited - not least because this is my favorite holiday.

I make no promises, but I hope (crosses fingers) to have pictures up soon - and the according details!

Have fun and be safe!

Why Don't We...

2011-10-29T01:13:00.003+02:00

Drive into the sunset...

Believe in dreams...

Grow something excellent...

Okay, so I lean a little (a lot) towards the romantic - but I'm a dreamer, and that's why you like me... right? So I thought it'd be fun to unleash some of that on you in the last weekend of October - before daylight savings draws to a close and we get the joy of trundling home from work well past dark.

Also? I know that in many places the harvest is past its zenith, but how about growing something? My friends and I from Saturday Virtues Class have planted flower seeds in recycled soup cans. Some of them are even sprouting - it's the most exciting thing!

On Imagination...

2011-10-28T23:37:00.002+02:00

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand… Imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.”

- Albert Einstein

Don't Try This At Home...

2011-10-24T22:33:00.002+02:00

Dr. Sheldon Cooper

So my mom and I have recently joined a gym. I know... I know! But walking is boring unless you're actually going somewhere - and quite frankly, a lap of my neighborhood's track homes just doesn't cut mustard. [Beige, tan, 'cornflower', cream - repeat!]

The great thing is that they have a pool, and bringing your mom as a workout buddy? Kind of awesome, actually.

So we took ourselves down for a little Lord's Day early morning workout (what!? 10 is totally early! ...but I digress) and I did some weight training - specifically for my legs - and then swam some.

Are you familiar with the comedic genius of The Big Bang Theory? Good. So you know how Sheldon's laugh is like 3 super-high speed exhalations of breath?

Then you know, roughly, the sound I'm making at even the thought of sitting down.

Suffice it to say that I'm trying to transform the weird gait I've appropriated trying not to out-right limp into what could pass for thoughtful introspection. It involves a broad use of a Jane Austen worthy 'quizzical brow'... which isn't so hard, really. Particularly when contemplating how to get down stairs with any kind of dignity.

If I Had A Sugar-Daddy...

2011-10-24T16:50:00.002+02:00

Lanvin clutch (see more clutch bags)

Truer words have never been spoken... also - it appears that my favorite fashion blogger and editrix, Johanna of A Serious Job is No Excuse (ASJiNE) has come out of retirement and can be found, regaling us all with her not inconsiderable wit, charm and style via Twitter. Huzzah!

Fly On a Wall...

2011-10-22T01:04:00.002+02:00

Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn

via Awesome People Hanging Out Together

In related news, I think I'm finally going to invest in a trench coat. ...particularly as I no longer seem to own warm clothes.

On Precedent...

2011-10-20T17:45:00.002+02:00

Via Bitte Ein Kuss

Thanks to Cost Plus World Market's commitment to importing delicious "foreign" food stuffs, I never have to drink terrible coffee again.

I don't know if it's because the coffee I'm currently enjoying is Italian, or what... but y'all? This coffee is so smooth it has game.

Who's The Boss...

2011-10-19T02:07:00.003+02:00

Einstein on a bike.

So remember how I said that I was going to teach a pool who's boss this weekend? Yeah. It turns out that a 3 month hiatus is the point at which ass kicking and name taking actually works in the inverse.

...which is to say that I've been sore a few days. Specifically my triceps.

The good news is that it's like riding a bike: I remember how.

The moral? Don't lapse on your laps.

When The Levee Breaks...

2011-10-15T01:19:00.005+02:00

So it turns out that my football (soccer for my Americans) tutor is a fantastic photographer. I met him in Haifa, though these days he's calling Oxford home. Yes... that Oxford. Check out his work at oxonography. Unless you hate beautiful things. And then stay far far away.

Clearly I'm loving the series he shot in Haifa last month. Not least because I'm feeling a little homesick. But if you knew how delicious and mouth-watering the falafel was... you'd be homesick (and starving), too.

Also... sorry for my recent MIA behavior. It took me a while to get into the rhythm of life here in OC. But now that I have my feet beneath me, my creativity is starting to come back. Which is excellent, because between you and me...? I was worried for a minute!

Repitition On A Theme...

2011-10-15T00:45:00.003+02:00

Ellie Saab

I've been really into green lately: shoes, kitchens, lifestyles... and this dress. Holy cow, dear friends! You know how I feel about Ellie Saab - but this is just stunning!

All thanks to the lovely Laily of Fleur - and contributer to {this is glamorous} ::love.

Green With... YSL

2011-10-14T19:21:00.006+02:00

Everyone's favorite Parisian blogger and fashion photograher, Garance Dore, has dubbed these the craziest shoes of Paris Fashion Week... methinks she must mean that in a very "bad as in good" Run DMC kind of way.

Because I want them on my feet.

Artist: Matthew Cusick...

2011-10-14T18:38:00.002+02:00

[Kara's Wave, 2009]

[Many Rivers, 2009]

So I'm kind of nest-y. And I'm a day-dreamer. If we're going to be friends, I feel you should know that.

Naturally I don't have my own walls to decorate (yet), but that hasn't stopped me. I'm like the virtual, or otherwise, window-shopping champion of the world.

And these pictures from Matthew Cusick (support the artist!) are amazing. Called "Map Works", they are inlaid maps with acrylic on panels. Annnnd I totally want one. Or five. But you know I'm on a budget....

Props to Double Takes for the head's up - well spotted!

Weekend Plans: In No Particular Order....

2011-10-13T23:25:00.005+02:00

These kids and I will be learning about virtues and God, and broadening our horizons about life in general on Saturday: super looking forward!

I'm going swimming again!
Even though I'm reunited with my running shoes (#glad), I've really missed swimming.

I'm fixing to show a pool who's boss!

...speaking of running-shoe reunion times, I did try jogging around the block last week.
Despite being horribly out of shape, I did okay.

But the real weekend excitement lies in the fact that some friends from work and I are hiking it up after children's class on Saturday.

Color me stoked!

(bottom 2 images courtesy Love Your Chaos)

(In)Action Figures...

2011-10-12T21:14:00.003+02:00

Overly groomed metro-sexuals got you down? Prefer a manfriend who doesn't have to drop a dollar in the douche-jar on a daily basis? [I'm not the only one who loves The New Girl, right?!]
Well... look no further than the comfort of your pocket.

Kenneth

Eric

The Pocket Manfriends are kind of genius... by which I mean really. This year's holiday parties are suddenly looking much brighter.

He's like a pet rock, but with the potential for attitude. Skillz.

All credit to Joanna of A Cup of Jo fame!

One For The Books...

2011-10-10T15:38:00.002+02:00

Courtesy Tralalere!

Reader, I know that I've been quiet for quite some time... and I apologize, but adjusting to life in a new (old?) country has been simultaneously more hectic and, well, boring than I'd have anticipated two and a half months ago.

But life is not without its funny moments: take last week, for example. My arch-nemesis... okay. We're frenemies... technology and I had a little run in. For once in my life, I was not to blame - but as per usual, technology pranked me good. It all began with a simple little email to some friends in Haifa (that I will share with you because I have no shame):

"So yesterday SoCal got a significant amount of rain - for which I was completely unprepared. as small background, I go in to work at 5 on Mondays/Wednesdays because I take a class in the afternoon - and since it didn't start raining until 8.... yeah.

So I also park off campus because I'm a) completely skint and b) the semester parking pass is seriously ridiculous - especially if you're only taking one class. So it starts (continues?) pouring rain when I get to school. And I don't have an umbrella - because at that time I literally DIDN'T... so I'm sprinting to class in the pouring rain, crossing streets, waiting at cross walks - all the while incredulously remarking in a LOVELY British accent [okay, I was talking to myself] because it was raining.

Naturally, "holy hell, it is pissing it down!" cannot be said without the benefit of my Eastenders best. I probably sounded Australian... but it was funny. I know because I was also laughing at my crazy antics.

Annnnnnnnnnnd I got to class sopping wet - and even got to ring the water out of my dress. but I have an umbrella now. and since my package finally came from Haifa - I also have my rain boots!"

Right. So you see that it was just a quirky little anecdote excerpted from the life of Aimee Piper and shared with some of my Haifa besties.

Except that bright and early yesterday morning, as I'm prepping for my adventures at the world famous Rosebowl Flea Market, I get a quick email from another friend in Haifa. Said friend works in the Information Services Department at my former place of employment (and where most of the people who received the above email work)... he included my story in his email (verbatim) and explained that it had wound up on an in house distribution list not dissimilar to a Craig's List, and that he was endeavoring to take it down.

Reader, my one of the original recipients outlook things (yes... still decidedly tech-lingo challenged) had auot-populated this list serve.

Right. So I've been unwittingly regaling my former bosses (who, incidentally, are recognized as diplomats abroad in Israel) with random rain soaked adventures from my new life in Orange County.

Say it with me, friends: "oh, aimee piper!"

Media, Darlings...

2011-10-05T02:32:00.001+02:00

Miss Representation 8 min. Trailer 8/23/11 from Miss Representation on Vimeo.

This topic is so incredibly important. I can't wait for the actual movie to come out!

Thinking Out Loud Style...

2011-09-30T08:11:00.002+03:00

If a man has an apartment stacked to the ceiling with newspapers, we call him crazy. If a woman has a trailer house full of cats, we call her nuts. But when people pathologically hoard so much cash that they impoverish the entire nation, we put them on the cover of Fortune magazine and pretend that they are role models.
- B. Lester

On Wander Lust....

2011-09-28T19:47:00.001+03:00

Homeland from Hifatlobrain on Vimeo.

Dear Double Takes: thanks for the head's up. This is exactly what I needed to see.

Weekend In Laguna...

2011-09-24T07:51:00.003+03:00

Beach, that is. As evidenced by the lovely Pacific panorama behind yours truly.

Nasaem and I: Rooftop Lounge, Laguna Beach.

Since Nasaem and her husband have recently moved to Orange County, I've taken it upon myself - as only a native can - to show them around and to treat them to the best that OC has to offer. Not withstanding my usual aversion to to all things tourist-trap, I still love Laguna Beach. And the rad thing about the Rooftop Lounge/Kya Restaurant is that while it's on PCH, it's far enough away from the boardwalk area that it's not a zoo.

Okay, I pinky-swear that this isn't a plug - but try the seared Ahi sandwich. You can thank me later.

And on that note, I'm back to prepping for tomorrow's class. You remember that I'm studying virtues with some local children, yes? Well, they're awesome. Virtues and kids. I'll get back with an update (dare I say progress report?) after class tomorrow. Or... you know. Soon.

I Need to Get on This...

2011-09-21T03:38:00.001+03:00

Via Bitte Ein Kuss.

Clearly, I've even been neglectful of my reader - but seriously? On that billboard swing is exactly where I want to be right now.

Smile...

2011-09-21T03:10:00.001+03:00

Via Melody Ehsani

Via Bitte Ein Kuss

Sorry I've been off the face... I'll try to get with the program soon - in the mean time! Pictures that made me smile.

Peace.

2011-09-11T22:51:00.004+03:00

Via Le Love.

"Ten years ago today, the world did not change. We just got a glimpse of the appalling state we've been in for quite a while now and a heads-up of how much worse it'll get [unless and] until we accept and embrace the essential organic unity of mankind and overcome the barriers of prejudice... from both sides."

This tiny and poignant slice of awesome is courtesy of my good friend John.

Don't allow the sacrifice of so many to become a tool of hate and greed and disunity. Remember that love and peace are not only possible, they're essential.

Milestones...

2011-09-10T09:48:00.002+03:00

Airport landing via Bitte Ein Kuss.

5 weeks ago I landed at LAX and the phase of my life as a carefree expat drew to a close. Okay... I wasn't carefree. I care about things - but you're picking up what I'm putting down, yes?

Today also marks the conclusion of my first week in my new job! See. I'm careful. Ha. You see what I did there.

To a happy weekend!

On Public Service Announcements...

2011-09-06T08:35:00.004+03:00

If you've managed to go an entire day without googling anything... you may be unaware that today marks Freddie Mercury's 65th birthday. And so I thought that I'd do you all a solid and share one of my favorite Queen songs - and a little story in how this song resonates with almost everyone.

So... once upon a time, an extremely quirky young lady (c'est moi) found herself working in Newport Beach - at Fashion Island, of all places. If you've met me, you'll know that I'm not very "OC-y" (yes, that's a word) - but 10 years ago I was even driving a beat up pick-up truck. ...amidst a sea of black Mercedes Benz and BMWs. One evening, on my way to work, I pull up to a stop light and as per of course, I'm rocking out to a now extinct classic rock station that just so happens to be playing my theme song, ie. Queen's Somebody To Love.

Well, lo and behold, this guy - probably in his 50s, black Mercedes sedan, black 3-piece power suit - pulls up beside me, and is rocking out to the same song! Specifically, we were exercising a mad-hot air piano/drum/general percussion instrument solo circa 3:10-4:05. Okay, I mean me. I am a sucker for rocking out in the car. Your boy was singing along, however. I saw it with my eyes - about 10 seconds before we sort of sheepishly laughed at having been caught loving the same song.

But it's Queen - what's not to love? And there you have it, one of my favorite OC memories - courtesy Queen.

On The New 'Oil on Canvas'...

2011-09-02T08:54:00.002+03:00

By which I mean: pictures on blog. Too much? I blame the prospect of a long weekend.

So as you may know... I start my new job on Tuesday after the Labor Day holiday! In honor of my last pre-work (vacation?) weekend, my good friend Nilou - of Perfectly Made Weddings fame - and I took a little field trip to the Getty Museum in L.A. As evidenced below, it was a gorgeous day!

The foyer of the Getty. If/when you guys come visit me (ahem), we'll go.

Promise.

Party on the tram!

Ms. Nilou, herself!

Yo... overlooking el.ay.

Yes. I'm the champion of the self portrait universe.

Okay, so Rembrandt might have me there - but you know...

Imitation is the highest form of flattery?

Listen Up...

2011-08-29T06:00:00.002+03:00

This speech is excerpted from the closing scene of the Charlie Chaplin classic "The Great Dictator". Filmed at the beginning of WWII, it parodies Hitler and the Nazi regime.

Nearly 71 years since the film's initial release, and this impassioned speech retains its relevance. For this reason, I think it profoundly important to really listen to the words here - three and a half minutes is really nothing - because the call to universal peace and brotherly love is more necessary than ever!

Shout out to Sina A. for the head's up. I appreciate you.

Lazy Sunday Style...

2011-08-28T20:14:00.002+03:00

The Dirty Dancing Soundtrack has been in heavy rotation this week - so perfect for summer! Anyhow, I thought I'd share one of my faves. Y'all... music used to be sexy. Please, please, please: bring it back. By which I mean explicit just isn't cutting it.

Since I'm back in a country where Sunday is the Lord's day (vs. the start of the work week), I'll leave it there. Yeah.

And... Deep Breath!

2011-08-27T23:50:00.002+03:00

Source: weheartit.com via Aimee on Pinterest

Doosts! I am pleased to say that my charming - if antique - lap top has been reunited with a power cord! I no longer need to flit about town, pirating computer time - and (ahem) borrowing interweb connection. I'm totally (mostly?) legit now.

But just because I've been a little silent on the proverbial airwaves, doesn't mean that I've been totally inactive. Oh no. I've been up to all kinds of things!

In the 3 short weeks (and 1 day) that I've been living in good old Orange County, I have managed to learn about such virtues as kindness and justice with some really awesome neighborhood children, meet 4 members of the cast of Criminal Minds (!!!!) - specifically A.J. Cook, Joe Mantegna, Matthew Gray Gubler and Paget Brewster. They're so kind and awesome!

Oh... and I also got a job!!!!!!!! I know - I'm really relieved! More deets soon; I officially begin life as an employed, tax-paying American on 6 September. Until then, I'll be studying more virtues, making new friends, and hopefully finding a local water polo team I can train with. By which I mean if you know someone who knows someone who plays water polo in Orange County, holler at your girl - I have to keep my skillz sharp! Ha!

Thinking Outloud...

2011-08-24T22:34:00.002+03:00

Now that it's 2011, I kind of expect somethings. Like cars that get at least 50 miles per gallon. I don't feel that this represents the impossible dream. Humans are totally capable of designing something along these lines. And not just a one-off.

Oil resources are becoming increasingly scarce, and owing to some serious turmoil in the countries most famous for oil production... these resources are also becoming unreliable.

Now that I'm back in Southern California - where, by the way, the public transportation is nearly non-existant and entirely non-effective, and the addage about walking is true - doing things like spending hundreds of dollars a week on gas is just crazy talk to me.

I mean, cars have been with us for over 100 years, why are we stuck in the 70s? ...by which I mean technology has come a long way, baby.

Busy Is The New Available...

2011-08-18T02:13:00.003+03:00

Truth, courtesy Doghouse Diaries.

So I'm back in OC and ironically connected to most of my friends by the thin lines of g.chat. Sadly, the power cord on my uber-vintage laptop (lap top?) has gone belly-up on me.... so I'm a little incommunicado. The good news is that the world wide interwebz have all kinds of things - even the power cord to a 2002 era computer.

You may be pleased to know that the repatriation process isn't as scary as I'd feared - and I've even already taken a weekend refresher course in teaching children's classes on spirituality and moral lessons.

I also got my library card renewed and I plan to serve as a reading tutor! [I'm actually really excited about this prospect - service is such a great way to engage in the community!]

I would like to suggest to the fine folks who are charged with determining what constitutes "televised news" that a little diversity is a good thing. I mean, I'm not an expert, or anything - but maybe you should consider looking beyond our borders. Just a suggestion....

Roman Holiday...

2011-08-10T08:36:00.003+03:00

So I'm finally home in Orange County, after 4 lovely years in Israel and 5 whirlwind days in Rome. I'll share more on my repatriation in due course, but I've got my film back from Rome and I thought I'd share some of the pictures. ...particularly as I managed to shoot 2 entire rolls of film while there - and if you've met me, you know what a feat this is!

Enjoy:

Il Vittoriano

The Pantheon

[I accidentally exposed some of my film...

so I cut out the overexposed parts on this one.

Sigh... aimee piper!]

Anti-war graffiti tagged on a building on Via Nazionale, complete with corresponding web site information.

Graffiti, interestingly, comes to us in English from the Italian - for 'to scribble'.

Columns near Marcello's Theater

Iron gates and a small sample of the throngs of people in front of Il Vittoriano.

St. Peter's Basilica: Vatican City

My fascination with the angles in architecture knows no bounds.

...methinks that geometry would have been much better if presented with a camera and a Roman holiday, however.

Trevi Fountain.

...you know I'm coming back, yes?

Field Notes...

2011-08-02T19:28:00.005+03:00

Image courtesy The Culture Bite

First gelato: eaten. Specifically at this little place on an island in the middle of the Tiber. [...I'm in Rome!]

The house specialty was a scoop each of chocolate and pistacchio. It was ridiculous. Must.Get.More.

Updates: My massacre of Roman gelato is complete... and I am back in the States. I'll have more recaps soon. [Also, never underestimate my tech-ineptitude... field notes. Ha!]

A Thousand Words...

2011-07-25T17:03:00.003+03:00

Unlike Scott Schumann (one of my favorite bloggers), I'm not tight with the editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, Franca Sozzani... so I can only speculate as to her particular motivation in including these three lovely young women on the cover of the June edition. And I actually and sincerely appreciate that a publication as prestigious as Vogue - and in one of the major global hubs of fashion - would openly declare that women with curves are beautiful and fashion forward.

We're on a slippery slope indeed, however, when the standard of success of modern (post-post modern?) feminism is set by the further objectification of women: congratulations! Women of all shapes and sizes can now be viewed as sex objects! I know, I know: sexy people are desirable, desirable people are envied, the happiness of being envied is glamour, and glamour sells magazines.... We've come a long way, baby?

Last summer I read a really amazing book by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn called Half the Sky. It is truly "a passionate call to arms against the oppression of women around the globe - "the central moral challenge" of our time" (I totally took that from the book's jacket - but it's completely true). As a woman, I felt the lives of those interviewed - theirexperiences - cut into my heart, grab a hold, and rock me with the power of their story and the strength of their character. As a western woman, I couldn't help but feel slightly detached. This isn't to say that I wasn't still moved, very often to tears, by what I read - but I had no mechanism or concept of how to process my thoughts and feelings into something concrete and conducive to the betterment of the whole of society. Which is exactly what these myriad heroes were doing: working through their experiences and changing the discourse and reality of their society in positive, meaningful ways.

And then I had the opportunity to study a small, humble, yet infinitely profound document prepared by the Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity (ISGP) called "Advancing Toward the Equality of Women and Men". I knew while reading Half the Sky that the inequality of women and men is as much a problem in developed nations as it is in developing nations....

Addressing the importance that a fundamental knowledge of our selves and of the purpose behind our creation can have in overcoming oppression, the ISGP states that "even in societies where women have been granted certain political and economic rights and are legally empowered, both men and women are denied knowledge of their true selves. Women are objectified and sexuality is made the core of their identity. Their aims and aspirations are set in terms of pleasing men. Attraction to beauty [...] is deliberately perverted to the point where women and men are seen as no more than means for the gratification of material desires."

It is true, the human body is a wonderful, beautiful thing. It has been uniquely designed as the receptacle of the human soul - and it is capable of tremendous things. Let us celebrate our appreciation of the 'body beautiful' for its achievements and for the service it renders the soul - and not because a small number of them have been used as a marketing tool in the advertising of culture.

On Development...

2011-07-21T19:15:00.002+03:00

'Akka, Israel

I've finally had a chance to upload the last roll of film I shot in Israel... and I'm pretty happy with the results.

One of the things I like most about film are the little surprises that are in store for you when you get your pictures back. Like the way that the sun races through this picture I took last month at the House of Abdullah Pasha in 'Akka. It's like a gift to your future self.

I think that all development works that way, though. Sometimes you need a moment to step back and really examine how you've been growing and maturing.

"I have wakened in Thy shelter, O my God, and it becometh him that seeketh that shelter to abide within the Sanctuary of Thy protection and the Stronghold of Thy defense. Illumine my inner being, O my Lord, with the splendours of the Dayspring of Thy Revelation, even as Thou didst illumine my outer being with the morning light of Thy favor." - Baha'u'llah

I hope your day holds a myriad pleasant surprises....

Origami Parade...

2011-07-20T17:33:00.002+03:00

A just because it's lovely picture, courtesy Po, of P is for Pinata and The Monacycle Diaries.

An Emotion In Time...

2011-07-19T22:34:00.002+03:00

Or: on introducing my summer jam.

I'm having some departure anxiety... and this song pretty much sums how I feel. I've lived in Haifa, Israel for the last four years of my life and in less than 2 weeks I'll be leaving this wonderful place. It still seems all very surreal to me.

It's like my days are going fine, fine, fine - and then it hits me that I'm leaving so soon. For now I'm being kept busy with wrapping up my work at the office, prepping to win a water polo game on Saturday (ahem!), and planning for my brief sojourn in Rome on my way to the States.

Yes, that's it... I'll focus on the positive. Vacation.

On Fandom...

2011-07-16T02:45:00.002+03:00

Awesome: via Bitte Ein Kuss.

Alternately known as "Dear Harry Potter, thanks for not sucking... Sincerely, Aimee".

Some friends and I went to see the new (and last - for those of you just emerging from a time-warp/alternate universe) Harry Potter movie. The lead up to this movie has had my geekery on over-drive... but I don't really care.

Fun and random trivia: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was the last movie I saw in the States before moving to Haifa. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is the last movie I'll see in Haifa before moving back to the States.

I kind of feel like I've come full circle.

Ha Yom...

2011-07-14T13:23:00.002+03:00

Me.

So I have a big game tonight... this picture was taken at last week's game. I'm hoping we win again. Positive thoughts are welcome.

p.s. Funny faces and taped-up tennis elbow aside, I make this goalie shhh look good!

...Until It Is Done

2011-07-11T23:25:00.002+03:00

Source: melodysblog.tumblr.com via Aimee on Pinterest

So you know how, in addition to playing with the women's water polo team in Tivon (Tivon-o!), I occasionally [like twice a week] train with the men's team at Technion University here in Haifa? Well, about a month ago - in one of the last practices of the semester at Technion - I blocked a really great shot from a friend who shall remain nameless. 'Nameless' is easily twice as strong as I am... and I totally hyper-extended my right elbow.

You'll know this as tennis elbow. And the only cure is time. ...that I don't have. I've been doing about a many goalie exercises as a lady can do without actually touching a ball. It is pretty much the height of boring. But my patience paid off - we won our game on Saturday! I would like to shake the hand of the person who invented water proof tape. Genius.

You should know, of course, that as my klutz factor is actually boundless, I've gone and hurt myself - again. On Sunday, ironically while walking to a chiropractic appointment, I slipped and fell on some marble steps - and landed smack(!) on my tailbone. It is the pain.

Thankfully the chiropractor was able to get me sorted - but don't think that my teammates haven't threatened (offered?) to put me in a bubble or wrap me up like a mummy! At least until the end of the championship tournament....

Lovely Sunday...

2011-07-10T13:26:00.002+03:00

India : Oxelo Skateboards from GuilhemMACHENAUD.com on Vimeo.

Head's up courtesy Melody Eh$ani - this video, featuring three members of the Oxelo Skateboard Team (Loic, Simon, and Nans), is a magical travel diary highlighting 4 cities in India: Bangalore, Jaipur, New Delhi, and Agra.

Awesome!

{Weekend updates pending}

Let the Good Times Roll...

2011-07-06T21:45:00.002+03:00

Courtesy

Awesome People Hanging Out Together

How badly would you love to be a fly on that wall, hmmm? Awesome People [...] is seriously a pretty rad little blog (tumblr, for those of you into the semantics of interweb life).

Speaking of awesome people hanging out together, I'm trying to get as much [ahem] face time as possible with my people before I hit the proverbial road.

Funnily enough this doesn't preclude taking an odd night for myself. ...time to relax, unwind, meditate - to really let my time in the Holy Land; my interactions with both the amazing people I've met and with the land itself, sink in.

Do you guys ever do that? Hang out with yourself and your thoughts? I kind of love it.

T-Minus 10 Days And Excited...!

2011-07-05T17:45:00.002+03:00

Courtesy Emma.

Dumbledore's Army will be kicking ass and taking names (soon!) in a theater near you.

Look alive.