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!

May I Present....

So remember all of that exciting news I mentioned? This is a small part of it: the tip of the excitement iceberg? Okay. Weird analogies aside - I was in a play last weekend.

Set in 1912, the play chronicles the events surrounding Abdu'l-Baha's epic visit to the West and the profound impact that visit had on the early American Baha'i community. I had the opportunity to play Juliet Thompson - and had so much fun working with my new friends! [ps. we are none of us professional actors - but we had a GREAT time!]

 Backstage: finishing touches complete!

 This is one of my favorite photos!

Lua! (she seemed to say)

 Meeting the press...

 Candid shots (amidst the melee) are the best!

 With our director!

 Catching some pre-show vitamin D

 Last minute running of lines

"...I have a confession to make"

 The ladies

 Nancy, chilling in the green room

Painter's bag: check!

In case there was any confusion... my favorite part might be the dressing up part. Just saying.

On Marine Layers...

On this day... in this girl's life, beating back June Gloom one song at a time.

On Love As Inspiration...

Photo courtesy my friend Nilou via my other other site

Mediterranean LiveIt

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

Via Steve McCurry's Blog

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.

...Let There Be Light

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!

Hit The Ground Running...

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.

PB & Jokes...

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.

Weekend Plans: In No Particular Order....

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)

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!"

Weekend In Laguna...

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.

On Public Service Announcements...

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.

And... Deep Breath!

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...

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.

Gl-Gl-Glorious!

Namibia - via 19 Months

So I've just booked a small vacation in Rome! I'm really looking forward, particularly as I've never been to Italy (I know...). If you have any recommendations about things a person should absolutely do - and things that should be seen only if the time presents itself, holler at your girl!

But I think this little holiday - planned to coincide with my transition from Israel back to the United States - will be just the thing I need to look forward to to lessen the nervousness I feel about living in Orange County again.

Who knew that 4 years could be so long - or go so quickly!

...but seriously, sorry I'm so MIA. One of my besties is coming to visit next week, and I'm kind of (read: actually) freaking out about moving half-way around the world in less than 2 months. And finding a j.o.b.

Excuse me while I go breathe deeply - and stuff.

Cougar Town...

Yo.

Fox Fire - best amusement park in Anaheim. Particularly noted for its unparalleled people watching....

Une Nuit Parisienne...

A night in the life of the city of light....

I love that there are places in the world that come alive at night - to me it means that there is room in this city for people who aren't exactly like Mr. Nine-to-Five.

Take note, Orange County - take note.

Une nuit Parisienne (Paris by night) from manemos on Vimeo. Courtesy Tralalere!

Oh... and I'm back in Haifa!

Use It Or Lose It...

A bike.

From someplace I forget on the interwebs.

In 2008 my driver's lisence expired. I had every intention of renewing my driving privileges upon return to California - but then I realized that I'd have to hang out with 300 of my closest friends for 6 hours in the mind-boggling bureucratic and maze-like nightmare that is the department of motor vehicles. I decided that I didn't have enough patience for that kind of thing...

Except I've been in southern California for 4.5 weeks. You know - the place where nobody walks? Yeah. That one.

So I dusted off the bike hanging out in my parent's garage and took it for a couple of spins around the neighborhood.

Friends, it appears that I now suck at riding a bike. Oh... I remember how - the adage is true. But I find myself wanting a cushier seat and wondering why (oh why!) is it so hard to peddle this thing!?

Sigh.... I guess I'm not as ready for Copenhagen as I thought, huh?

A Buck Ten...

Yesterday - for those of you not addicted to the weather channel - was the hottest day in the history of Southern California. Okay... so it was the hottest day on record in downtown L.A. An entire 113 degrees!

For those of you not in the Fahrenheit world that is 45 degrees! It was even 108 in San Clemente - and 110 in sunny Mission Viejo.

And I thought that I'd have to spend my whole vacation in a cardigan....

Saba Y Yo.

Naturally Saba and I found ourselves at the buck of star for a mid-evening cuppa reunion... because this is the OC and there's so much going on. Okay - that was out loud. I shouldn't get mad at suburban/lights out by 9 lifestyle - I'm technically its product.

But I'm almost finished packing for my flight home to Israel tomorrow - and I'm actually really happy to be going back. This doesn't mean I won't miss my people - but it's going to be really nice to get back in the swing of things, so to speak.

Super Top Secret Ninja Powers...

I got to hang out in the park today with my brother, my folks, my dad's in-town siblings & spouses, my in-town cousins/spouses and their awesome kids - plus 200 of their closest friends, an awesome live band and a giant yellow fin tuna in Laguna Beach for the annual fish fry my uncle hosts.

Image courtesy The Innocent Have Been Changed

But the highlight of the day was a conversation I had with my cousin Kyle's 4 year old son. He was very excited to see that the band playing in the park and a kid on drums (he was maybe 12 or 13 - and really good).

"Look! A kid!

"Yes, cool! Do you think that you would like to play an instrument when you grow up? Maybe the drums or a guitar?"

"No. I'm going to be a super hero."

"Oh yeah? What kind - what will your powers be?"

**After some serious consideration**

"I will be able to eat carbs and not get fat."

Okay - I could be projecting... it's possible that he said CARS (a la the Transformers, or something) and I heard him wrong. Um... the band was loud?

Reunited...

Niloufar, Jean, Aimee, Sanaz

Irvine? Check. Friday night? Indeed. The only thing open until 9:30? Starbucks.

Sigh... I know. 9 freaking thirty. For my international friends: meet the real real OC.

Thankfully I was able to catch up with some super good friends of mine. Cheers!