Mid-Summer Night's Dream...

Bahji, Israel

Courtesy Paul Aziz Netherwood

via Nineteen Months

Once a home, always home... now it's just closer than my life's vein.

A Year in the Life....

A year ago, dear friends, I left the Holy Land.... seeking parts unknown in places I navigate with my eyes closed. And so began a year of transition. In many ways I feel like I had unrealistic expectations [6 months. Definitely only 6 months and then I'm good to go!] - but I've been learning how to be more gentle and understanding with myself.

 East.

West.

Some funny and some true stories (anecdotes? tales?) from my year of transition:

It may be helpful to know that, while I moved nearly every year as a kid, I did most of my "growing up" in Orange County... and yet people still ask me where I'm from. I know that the Baha'i World Centre has its own accent going on [the result of the in-gathering of hundreds of people from hundreds of countries communicating and making themselves understood in a single language]. It's somewhat a mash-up of the Commonwealth accents, with incredibly heavy American overtones - and all sentences end up sounding like a question, as though you're making doubly sure that everyone understands you. So yeah. We sound (to my ears) Canadian. Many people have confused me for a well-educated mainland European ex-pat who either went to an American school or watched a grip of American TV.

When I slide into my BWC accent (never apurpose, I assure you) lately, however - local folks ask me if I'm French. French. Well, merci beaucoup to you and you and you! [But it's still weird. Trust.]

I really (really) love the service opportunities I have here. You should know that I miss Haifa, like, e.v.e.r.y.d.a.y - but! I had a really interesting dream yesterday (the actual and factual one year anniversary of my last day in Israel). I dreamed that I was back in Haifa, and I really felt like a fish in water - so natural to be there, and 2 weeks into my visit... I was offered a chance to stay. Permanently. And my first thought to the people I serve with here. To the children and youth I mentor (but who really mentor me), to the friends who help me - everyday - to be the best person I can possibly be... and without hesitation, I felt that I should decline the offer. An offer that at alternating points in the last year I'd have jumped at. I'm not saying that missing the Holy Land is easy... but I realize that (particularly as a result of prayer and service) it is closer to me than my life's vein. Confirmations abound.

This has been a year of learning for me. Learning how to be a gentler person, learning how to detach from those things you thought would make you whole... would make me better, learning how to learn. Road rage is an irksome beast... but there's always the hope that my next community will have public transportation and be pedestrian friendly! Until then, if you happen to be in south Orange County, don't cut off the girl in the '90 Ford Bronco. The Bruiser doesn't slow as quickly as some would like!

On Homesickness....

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.

Cheers M'Dears...

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!

Instamatico...!

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.

When The Levee Breaks...

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!

One For The Books...

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!"

An Emotion In Time...

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...

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.

...Until It Is Done

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....

Let the Good Times Roll...

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.

Weekend Plans...

Marilyn, courtesy Bitte Ein Kuss.

I Spy, With My Little Eye...

A golden jackal.

Just when I think that I've seen just about everything that Israel has to offer....

So the other day I was walking through the Baha'i Gardens here in Haifa - as I do every day on my way home from work - when I see this small fluffy animal sort of scampering or hopping down the hill and into the bushes. And I thought "oh my gosh - it's Peter Rabbit!" which of course came out "ah! A bunny!" [sometimes when I get really excited I experience a disconnect in my brain between my thoughts and the words that come out of my mouth].

Small fluffy ball of animal cuteness, noting my fascination and adoration, pauses and sort of looks back at me - and I think, "fox?!" [with more than a little excitement].

And then a colleague of mine catches me up and spies what I spy and says "jackal".

Dear friends, I finally - after nearly 4 years of living in Israel - saw my first jackal. Specifically a golden jackal (yes, the italics are really necessary. This is a big deal!) who, according to wikipedia, are the only jackals to live outside of continental Africa.

Oh! And it was a baby golden jackal. And would totally have let me pet him had other people not been around.

Dear Israel - thanks for always being ready with a great surprise!

Lovely Israel...

As promised... pictures from my adventures with Sanaz in Israel:

Eilat.

What happens in Eilat stays in Eilat.

Take public transportation - it's good for you.

...it also allows you to take goofy pictures at will.

Back in Haifa.

Heading down the upper terraces of the Baha'i Gardens.

Dinner at Duzan Haifa's German Templar Colony district.

This place is, like, world famous!

Sanaz on the terraces at night.

Remember, San :: man artist-am!

Blooper Reel...

As promised, the time lapse video Chad shot from our rad night of bowling.

I feel that some background is necessary here.... Ahem.

You see, I think I'm a pretty good bowler - as evidenced by the video, you'll note that I have decent form. But for the life of me, I could not catch a break that night! No matter how hard I tried (and trust me when I tell you that I might be the most competitive person I know - except for my mom) I just couldn't get a strike. So I thought that I'd try bowling with a heavier ball - you know... give it some more oomph! Let the pins know who's boss.

So I upgraded to a 10 pound ball.

Friends, that is actually heavy.

And as you can see... I almost lost it. Literally and figuratively.

Enjoy!

GPOYW...

...like a boss!

Courtesy Major Chad.

Some friends and I went bowling a few weeks ago - mostly because it's fun, but also to bid farewell to a friend... adios, Alex!

Chad Mauger (pronounced major), fellow contributor to 19 Months, caught me in a really awesome 'blooper reel' - the footage of which I'll share anon.

In the meantime you'll have to settle for a shot of me getting it right!

On Community...

BBC One is killing it! I just peeped the trailer for Human Planet on Melody's blog - and I'm so glad. This looks amazing! Besides the obvious (and cool) physical/survival elements to human existence, I'm really hoping that this documentary touches on those variables that make us human - that make us, to quote the fine folks at BBC "the most remarkable species of all" - the human spirit and the human community.

Community is the topic up for discussion over at Nineteen Months this month; there are some really lovely articles up - I suggest that you check them out! And don't forget the fine photography - the theme this month is Glory.

In related news... I'm going to my first ever Seder Pesach (the traditional Jewish Passover dinner). I am really excited. I'll keep you all posted - but I'm really looking forward to a night with friends and family: to celebrating community!

Queen of Carmel...

Courtesy Bob Tansik.

Restoration on the Shrine of the Bab in Haifa, Israel is officially complete! The golden dome of the Shrine was uncovered this morning.

According to the Mayor of Haifa, Advocate Yona Yahav, "The Shrine affects the whole set up of Haifa. It is the core and symbol of this tolerant and multi-cultural city."

See the full article here.

...Just Can't Get Enough

Head's up courtesy Jason... thanks!

So I know that spring is still 2 days away (!!!) - but I really can't wait for this to be my summer jam. I think it's perfect for relaxing on the beach.

In related news, yesterday was totally warm and awesome - and I had the opportunity to walk (more or less aimlessly) around Kiryot Ata for what felt like an eternity in search of a bus back to Haifa before Shabat.... And I got my first "tan" of the year!

Okay... so I got a little sunburned. But give me a couple of days - by spring, it will totally be tan!

Apple of Their Eye...

Mona and Vahid: my neighbors.

So in the midst of making a new kind of scone (off-handedly mentioned yesterday... didn't want to ruin the surprise for the recipients!) flavor last night, I helped M&V with a little Valentine's Day project of their own.

Okay, I make it sound like I'm some kind of high-tech street-fashion photoblogger. We all know that the opposite of this is true. I basically just used the camera option on Vahid's iPhone and then they did some kind of fancy-shmancy editing on the computer and BAM!

Photobooth-esque Valentine's Day e-card.

I'd like to credit my steady hands, good eye, and engaging personality for the lovely card above, but it's really down to the fact that the Yamartino's are incredibly photogenic and that Vahid knows almost everything there is to know about Apple. I know, I'm practically begging you to make him prove it!