From the Archives...

Lauren, Veronica, Aimee

Excerpted from the 'parentals lunch' at Safa's - Safa's parents were in town, and so was my mom. Rad day - truly.

When In Rome...

So when I was in Paris, this song was huge! ...well, the original was. And since it was one of the few things I could understand - it being in English - I kind of got in to it. Plus, it's a pretty catchy song.
These guys, Los Colorados, cover Katy Perry's "Hot'n'Cold" - to pretty amazing effect, actually.
I feel that I should tell you that there are a grip of Russians in Haifa. To the point that my Hebrew accent (affected, or otherwise) sounds more Russian than anything. So yeah, I feel like this is a personalized shout out.
*Big shout out to Samimi-Extremie for the head's up*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Creative License...

Each year, the fine folks at MENSA rub their overactive brain cells together and come up with a fun set of vocabulary words - the idea is that they change one letter in an established word and then define this new word.
One of the best is Sarchasm: The giant gulf (chasm) between what is said and the person who doesn't get it.
In case you haven't been paying attention, I love words - so these little exercises in definition really resonate with me, and sometimes make me feel creative.... The following is excerpted from an email thread with my friend Abi.

So Thursday’s W.O.D. (word of the day) was propinquity:

Word of the Day for Thursday, March 26, 2009
propinquity \pruh-PING-kwih-tee\, noun:
1. Nearness in place; proximity.
2. Nearness in time.
3. Nearness of relation; kinship.

Propinquity derives from Latin propinquitas, from propinquus, near, neighboring, from prope, near.

Which leads me create my own Mensa word:
Gropinquity: \groh-PING-kwih-tee\, verb
1. Feel coping that which is near to hand.
2. Taking advantage of close quarters/a crowded room to exercise an otherwise inappropriate display of public affection.

Holy Dance Party, Batman!

Do you remember going dancing with your friends - and it wasn't about the scene or who you would 'meet' - but strictly about the dancing? Well... I do. I co-hosted such a one last weekend. And let me tell you, friends - it was gl-gl-glorious!

Here are some pictures, and etc. Enjoy - and remember, we were completely committed to the joy of dancing.

Will: aka Mr. Roboto
Julia & Abi

Ash
And The Beat Goes On...

DJ Shamim: so hot we had to put him in the kitchen

Speaking of hot...

Joe & Mona: Salsa Caliente

Aimee & Nava: 2/3 of the 'co-hosts'

But you can call us the 'Mostesses'

You know the dance party is in full effect when you need a little balcony break - elevated conversation style.

Lauren, Nava, Aimee

Dancing Machines...

Jean-Pierre (& Aimee): the missing piece to the co-host puzzle

I hope, for your sakes, that you find something you like to do as well I like to dance - and do it with complete and undivided joy.

I Love Love...

Notte Sento (English subtitles) from napdan on Vimeo.

I found this short film (composed entirely of still photos - over 4500!) over on Le Love. Enjoy.
Seriously. You'll thank me later.

Happy Naw Ruz!

Each year on 21 March, Bahá'ís all over the world celebrate Naw Ruz - which literally means 'new day' in Persian. This is a time to reflect on the previous year and to evaluate ways we can continue to mature and progress spiritually.
This is also an important time of year for Persians who are not Bahá'í; they also celebrate the vernal equinox as a time of rebirth and renewal.

Remember how I just suggested that today be the day that we decide that peace is our only option? ...you know you want to - everyone's doing it.
To quote my girl Safa - Eid-i-Shomah Mo-Barack Obama.