Leila & Nuri

Our plants :: Nuestras plantas

2009-05-19T12:48:00.000-07:00

Our little girl :: Nuestra niñita :)

2009-05-09T12:23:00.000-07:00

Bahia loves helping, here are a couple pictures of her "cooking" and the other photos are at our neighbors' garden, Dan & Dorothy, who have about 1000 bulbs planted of various types of flowers!!
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A Bahia le encanta ayudarnos, aqui van un par de fotos de ella "cocinando" y las otras imagenes fueron tomadas en el jardin de nuestros vecinos: Dan & Dorothy, quienens tienen unos 1000 bulbos plantados de varias clases de flores.

Bahia didn't want her picture to be taken that day, she was not cooperating, so this is the best we managed ;)
Bahia no queria que le sacaran fotos ese dia, asi que no coopero y esta es la mejor de entre las que sacamos :P

Visiting the Baha'i Temple

2009-03-09T10:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we visited the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, it was a cold, windy evening in Chicago, but once we entered the Temple our bodies felt warm and our souls felt right back home! :) It was a wonderful way to finish this Fasting day for Nuri and a great treat for all three of us, especially for Bahia. We were the only ones at the Temple most of the time, so Bahia was able to say "Abha" out loud as she really likes to do it, and we could explore and say "wow!" when looking at the Greatest Name in the center of the lace-like ceiling, at the beautiful light features or at the little holes we found on the floor near one of the doors. :)
We went to Chicago to pick up Nader, our Tofighian relative who was going to visit us, but unfortunatelly his flight got cancelled and then re-schedule for today too late for him to have enough time to visit us and Chicago, so we are looking forward for his next visit in October/November! Enshallah!! :)

Some photos..

2009-02-24T14:27:00.000-08:00

So much to blog!

2009-02-24T11:41:00.000-08:00

Oh! There is so much to blog, but so little time. Let's see... we had a great 2008, we started it in Land O'Lakes with Nuri's parents and we finished it in Santa Cruz with mine. Bahia went from being a little baby to a toddler, she is running all around the house, repeating everything we say, copying all we do and becoming more and more independent. She sleeps in her crib wonderfully, sometimes she wakes up for milk but mostly she has been sleeping through the night. I love it! We love it! It gives us time to rest and talk in our bed, and spread as much as we want!! :) Nuri has been working, he got a new type of job at Rockwell and he is doing well and happy. As well he is working inside the house and later you will see some pictures of what is going on. He finished the family room, he put up two walls there and after painting now he is done triming and makind two beautiful frames for the windows there, aaand adding a wide windowsill for my plants! It is really beautiful, I love his work!! of course, I love everything about him ;)
Now he is working finishing the entrance to the house, he changed the tiles and also he is working on the trim work. The detail work takes a lot of time, but you know how patient is Nuri, so soon that work will be done too!
These days have been really wonderful, the days are getting longer and brighter, there is a feeling of happy days coming soon -warmer days for sure! We have been busy inside, but still we get to go out once in a while, Ruhiyyih and Bahia come along and we enjoy new flavors in town and also friends. Actually this weekend will be really busy with the Baha'i friends, we are celebrating Ayyam-i-Ha and there is an activity every day from Thursday to Monday! :D Wooohooooo!!!!
Also these last three weeks we've been blessed to have a little baby girl to come and play with Bahia two or three (or four) times a week. She is Bera, daughter of Susan and Elijah, good friends of us, and she is still too small to play, but Bahia is starting to understand better other kids, especially learn to respect them (and not bite them) and share, although she's been very good with sharing toys, but now she is learning to share her Mom, and that has been quite a wonderful process to see... especially since one day she'll have siblings ;)

Oki doki, at least I wrote something, next, I will post some pictures... and tell you more about the trip to Bolivia, we are kind of behind with all that!
Hugs, Leila

:)

2008-10-20T12:17:00.000-07:00

Just playing with Bahia :: Jugando con Bahia :D

Pumpink patch visit with Naysan & Nahid :: Cosechando calabazas con Nahid & Naysan

2008-10-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

Taller de HUQUQ'ULLAH Workshop

2008-10-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

Today's project :: El proyecto de hoy

2008-09-13T17:50:00.001-07:00

el baño :: the bathroom

2008-08-05T11:43:00.000-07:00

Our guest's bathroom is ready, it is lovely, painted in "chilled mint" color and using some fabric curtains to enhance a warm environment for going and chilling there! :) Nuri did a terrific job and I really wanted to put pictures some pictures here before all the details are done, since they may take a while, since we are going to start painting and fixing upstairs. Anyways, the bathroom is functional now, Ruhiyyih pretty much moved in so... we can say it is ready!!

Working on our garden :)

2008-08-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

ARLETTE :)

2008-07-21T18:55:00.000-07:00

Our dear friend Arlette came for a 9-Day-visit to Cedar Rapids, and we went with her to Davison, to visit Grandma & Grandpa Eady and with them and all the family celebrate their 60th Anniversary!! We stopped at the Baha'i House of Worship in Chicago and it was a lovely day, we enjoyed prayers and visiting the lovely gardens.

We are posting a good selection of pictures of this trip, some from Chicago and some from the visit with the families, Grandma Schwartz and Uncle Joe came to the party, so we got to see them for that afternoon and the great thing was that Naysan & Nahid came for the weekend, so we spent two full days with them and that was a good treat. Oh! And all the pictures were taken by Arlette, so all the credits are hers ;)

Bahia did great through the whole trip, the day before we left she had hit herself on a coffee table and her lip was very swolen, she hit it three more times that evening, so it was really huge! But amazingly it got better and better and by the time we had the party her fat lip was all gone!!

The Anniversary party was a Saturday picnic at Uncle David & Aunt Maggie's cabin, and it was a warm summer day so it was perfect for games outside. There was a lot of food and soooo maaaaany people, for sure we were lucky to see so many relatives from all over!! :) Nuri's cousins wrote a song and surpised Grandma & Grandpa when they sung it. It was lovely, very touching!

Next day we went with Naysan & Nahid, Arlette, Mom, Ruhiyyih, Adam and Shakyra to the German colonies near there, Frankenmuth, and spent few hours walking and touring. That day Naysan & Nahid left and next day we went back to Cedar Rapids. Few days later Arlette left and now we just have the wonderful memories of moments all together and the wish to see everyone again, soon enshallah! :)

Update on our house :: Novedades con nuestra casa

2008-06-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

Ultimamente no hemos hecho mucho con los arreglos de la casa, hemos tenido visitas y nos hemos dedicado a disfrutar a la familia y amigos que han venido por aqui. Dos semanas pasadas Nuri comenzo de a poquito en remodelar el baño de abajo, o el baño para visitas, justo cuando comenzo Ian le dio una mano. Queria tratar de terminarlo para fin de este mes, pero siempre hay que hacer y a veces el tiempo no alcanza. Aqui van algunas fotos de los adelantos hasta ahora: Nuri puso la pared, pero luego tuvo que mover algunos de los pilares para aseguarse que el espejo/tocador entre dentro de la pared, primero pensamos en dejarlo fuera, pero una vez estudiando el caso vimos que dentro de la pared queda mas elegante y el lustre resaltara mas. Nuri ha pasado varios dias poniendo estuco y lijando y parece que finalmente hoy estara listo para ser pintado... solo falta que seque y necesitara una lijada mas. En cuanto a la otra pared que necesita trabajo, no quedara otra que encajonar el hinodoro y poner material aislante en el resto de la pared de concreto. Se va a ver muy bonito, pero implicara trabajo. ;)

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Lately we haven't done much with the house's improvements, we had guests over so we have been enjoying their company. Two weeks ago Nuri started little by little to fix the bathroom downstairs, the one for guests, actually Ian was around to give him a hand. He really wanted to finish by the end of this month, but there is always things to do and not enough time to do all. So here are few pictures of the advance so far: Nuri placed a wall, then he had to remove some of the 2x4s so the medicine cabinet could be recessed; first we thought to just put it out, but after studying the case if it was recessed it would surely look more elegant and the light fixture will also be nicer. Nuri has spent many days mudding the wall and sanding it, until finally today we think it might be ready to be painted... we just need it to dry once more and be sanded. Now regarding the other wall that needs work, we will need to frame the toilet seat and put insulation in that concrete wall. It will look veeery pretty, but its still lots of work ;)

Bowling Birthday

2008-06-06T14:01:00.000-07:00

Baby Abel-Akelo's baby shower

2008-06-03T13:57:00.000-07:00

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

2008-05-11T14:19:00.000-07:00

To all the Mothers that celebrate it today, we wish you a happy happy day with your loved ones!

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A todas las Madres que lo celebran hoy, les deseamos un dia muy pero muy feliz con sus seres queridos!

Our garden :: Nuestro Jardin

2008-05-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

Well, we have started working in our garden, Nuri is building a terrace and Leila has planted few things (spinach, lettuce and ruttabaga) near the house where we found some chives so we have some greens -while the terrace is being built.

There is a lot to do in our garden, we have the front yard that needs a lot of work as well, but slowly slowly we will do things. Our trees are surely doing good, the apple trees and cherry bushes have little leaves now and the strawberries are doing well too, we need to find some straw to mulch around them, and this year we have to remove all the flowers so they can produce more! But we are very excited. We have met three neighbors: the couple to our right, the couple behind them and the couple behind us. They are all very lovely and two couples have been here since the houses were built in the 60s, so we are loving hearing about all what has been going on around here!

Bahia loves being outside and she is a great help these days sitting there and playing while we work. Especially she likes looking at her Dad working with all those tools and gears, she is very curious, and notices all the little creatures now, she is very happy and social, likes to smile and interact with our neighbors, and these days she is trying to crawl. She still goes backwards, but now when she wants to go somewhere she lays on her back and pushes herself forward to what she wants, arching her back and pushing with her legs and arms, she is very smart! But she is very close to figuring out crawling, she has gone forward few times and got surprised of herself, so we are sure she'll do it anytime soon.

Adios NAHID Farewell

2008-05-06T08:10:00.000-07:00

Nahid left on Saturday, and we surely are going to miss her. Bahia loved having her Aunt around to play with. That morning we went to have a good breakfast and we took pictures at IHOP, which is one of Naysan's favorite places to eat.. we thought of you cuñadito! Soon after breakfast we head towards Des Moines and Nahid took the 3:10pm flight to Chicago. We know she arrived well and look forward to her next visit, now with Naysan of course!!!

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Nahid partio el sabado y la vamos a extrañar mucho. A Bahia le encanto tener a su Tia por aqui y jugar con ella. Esa mañana salimos a tomar un buen desayuno y tomamos unas fotos en IHOP, pues es uno de los restaurantes favoritos de Naysan... pensamos en ti cuñadito! Ni bien comimos partimos para Des Moines y Nahid se fue en el vuelo de las 3:10 pm a Chicago. Sabemos que llego bien y esperamos su pronta visita, esta vez con Naysan!!!

Bahia with the corn hat!! :) Bahia con el sombrero de maiz! tipico de Iowa ;)

Daniel's birthday!!

2008-05-06T08:05:00.001-07:00

Visita de Nahid :)

2008-05-06T07:47:00.000-07:00

Visiting Aunt Stephanie & Uncle Bruce :)

2008-04-29T08:57:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went to visit Grandma Schwartz who is visiting her brother, Uncle Bruce and his wife Stephanie in Illinois. They have a lovely place there, with lots of animals, such as horses, dogs and cats, and Bahia loved being there, looking at the animals, petting them and getting to learn about them. She loved them all, so we think our daughter might be working with animals or defending their rights! :)

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El fin de semana pasado fuimos a visitar a la Abuelita materna de Nuri, quien esta visitando a su hermano en Illinois, el Tio Bruce y la Tia Stephanie. Ellos tienen una linda finca con varios animales, como caballos, perros y gatos, y a Bahia le encanto el lugar, miraba a los animales, le gusto acariciarlos y aprender que eran. Le encantan los animales, asi que creemos que a nuestra hija le gustara trabajar con ellos o defender sus derechos en el futuro! :)

Here we are with Grandma :: Con la Abuelita

Here Uncle Bruce is giving us the tour of the place :: Aqui el Tio Bruce nos esta dando el tour del lugar!

We surprised Daniel, since his birthday is on May 1st, we thought perfect to celebrate it earlier with the family :: Le dimos una sorpresa a Daniel, ya que su cumple es el 1ro de Mayo, pensamos que lo mejor era celebrarlo en familia

Bahia meeting the dogs and horses :: Bahia conociendo a los perros y caballos

We had a show by one of the horses, really nice baby horse :: Uno de los caballitos nos dio un show :) lindo!

We ate yummy food! We had gulash for lunch, with garlic bread and the "Newman jellow salad" and at dinner with a camp fire we made our own hot dogs and s'mores!!!
Comimos rico tambien! Comimos un gulash para el almuerzo, con pan y una especie de ensalada con gelatina que esta en la familia Newman, y para la cena hicieron una fogata donde cada uno se preparo su panchito y sus marshmellos con chocolate y galleta!!!

Feliz Ridvan :: Happy Ridvan

2008-04-21T10:32:00.000-07:00

More on the house :: Mas sobre la casa

2008-04-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday they started digging the front yard in order to replace our sewer pipes, but it started raining so they continued today. They finally dug and found the pipes -there is a long trench from the street to our entrance door- and now they are working on the street, or under the street. Well, now we got a messy outside the house too! But not for too long, once they are done we will be able to work on our garden -front and back.

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Ayer comenzaron a cavar en el jardin de en frente para reemplazar las cañerias de desague, pero como comenzo a llover tuvieron que seguir hoy. Asi que finalmente cavaron y encontraron las cañerias, y ahora hay una trinchera desde la calle hasta nuestra puerta de entrada, ademas han comenzado a trabajar en la calle, o debajo de la calle. Pues bien, ahora tenemos el desorden afuera tambien! pero no por mucho tiempo pues una vez que ellos terminen podremos hacer el jardin -adelante y atras ;)

Planting our trees :: Plantando nuestros arboles

2008-04-03T08:05:00.000-07:00

Laundry's plumbing :: La plomeria de la lavanderia

2008-03-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

Nuri ha estado haciendo el trabajo de plomeria de la lavanderia y a la vez para la futura instalacion de un lavamanos mas grande en el baño de abajo (el baño y cuartos de abajo seran para invitados) y aqui van algunas fotos.

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Nuri has been working on the plumbing for the laundry area as well as the bathroom, where in the future we will install a larger sink (the bathroom and room downstairs will be for our guests) and here are few photos.

Photos of our rooms :: Fotos de nuestros cuartos

2008-03-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

Aqui van fotos de los tres cuartos de arriba: uno es el nuestro, otro para Bahia y el tercero es uno multiuso, pues tenemos la computadora alli y lo usamos para invitados (al menos hasta ahora ;) ).

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Here are some photos of the three rooms upstairs, one is our room, the other is Bahia's and the third one is a multifunctional one, since we have the computer desk there and also we have been using it for guests!

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Nuestro cuarto :: Our room

Bahia's room :: El cuarto de Bahia

El de invitados :: The guest room

House Facade :: Fachada de la casa

2008-03-26T09:26:00.000-07:00

Oh! Finally here are some pitures of the outside of the house, the front and then the back. Hopefully you can appreciate the large backyard in the pictures, it is perfect for gardening and for kids to run and play around ;)

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Finalmente aqui van algunas fotos de afuera de la casa. Las de adentro tendran que esperar, pues aun esta un campo de batalla con las remodelaciones en las que andamos, pero de seguro en una semana mas les pondremos fotos del piso de arriba, que ya casi casi esta presentable ;) Primero van fotos de la fachada de adelante y luego van las de atras incluyendo el patio, que es bien grande y planeamos poner un huertito con algunas verduras y frutas. Ojala puedan venir a visitarnos, el jardin sera un lindo lugar para pasar los dias soleados bajo la sombra del arbol y para ver a niños jugar, pues hay espacio para todo! :)

Ruhiyyih's Bedroom :: El cuarto de Ruhiyyih

2008-03-26T09:19:00.000-07:00

Sip, el cuarto ya esta casi terminado. Ruhiyyih escogio un color amarillo para las paredes y aqui van fotos de ella pintando su cuarto. Ya solamente falta unos retoques, poner marcos para la ventana, puerta y piso, y la alfombra, que Nuri ira haciendo de a poco, pues hoy Nancy y Ruhiyyih se fueron de vuelta a casa.

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Yup, the room is almost finished. Ruhiyyih chose a nice light yellow tone for the walls and you can see her here painting her room. Now only few areas need to be touched up, trim to be added, and the carpet to be installed, which Nuri will slowly finish since today Mom and Ruhiyyih went back home.

Cont...

2008-03-23T18:51:00.000-07:00

Today Ruhiyyih, Nancy and Nuri worked in the two projects, while Bahia and I took care of few things such as preparing food for the hard workers! :) The bedroom's walls are ready and the ladies painted the ceiling, tomorrow they will be painting the walls and hopefully by the time they have to go will be ready!!

The laundry area is also progressing, we figured it is harder to build little walls than the large ones... so much work goes into them! Nuri has done a great job measuring and figuring out the engenieering of them though, so it is almost finished!! And of course, here are the pictures...

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Hoy Ruhiyyih, Nancy y Nuri trabajaron en los dos proyectos mientras Bahia y yo hicimos algunas cosas como preparar comida para los trabajadores! :) Las paredes del cuarto estan listas y Nancy y Ruhiyyih pintaron el techo, mañana pintaran las paredes y ojala para cuando les toque irse estara el cuarto terminado!!

La lavanderia esta tambien progresando y nos dimos cuenta que es mas dificil construir paredes pequeñas que las grandes... hay mucho trabajo en cada pedacito! Nuri si ha hecho un gran trabajo de ingenieria midiendo y calculando como hacerlas, asi que estan ya casi terminadas!! Obviamente, aqui van las fotos...

Laundry room :: La lavanderia

2008-03-22T16:45:00.000-07:00

Today afternoon Nuri started the laundry room project, while the plaster is drying he decided to fix the wall in the bathroom downstairs and create a small laundry room... so here are some photos.

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Hoy por la tarde Nuri comenzo el proyecto para el cuarto de lavanderia, asi mientras seca el estuco el decidio arreglar la pared del baño de abajo y crear una lavandaria pequeñita, aqui van unas fotos de lo que hizo.

Still working :: Todavia estamos trabajando!

2008-03-22T09:56:00.000-07:00

Today we had a lovely time all together, Daniel had to go for meetings/work so around 10:00 Nuri and Ruhiyyih started working on the walls, later the rest we helped and here are few pictures. Things are going fast and we hope the room will be done by the time Mom & Ruhiyyih leave.

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Hoy tuvimos un lindo desayuno juntos, Daniel tuvo que irse a unas reuniones/trabajo asi que a eso de las 10:00 Nuri y Ruhiyyih comenzaron a trabajar en las paredes, luego nosotras tambien ayudamos y aqui hay algunas fotos. Todo esta avanzando rapido y esperamos que el cuarto este listo cuando Nancy y Ruhiyyih se vayan.

Finishing the day :: Terminando el dia

2008-03-21T17:43:00.000-07:00

Well, we just had dinner and are starting to get ready to open presents and visit each other. The hard working crew has finished putting the dry wall up and now we need to fill the gaps and holes with some sort of mud/plaster... but it will be done tomorrow! Here are few pictures... more are coming!

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Acabamos de cenar y ahora nos estamos alistando para celebrar en familia y abrir regalos. Los trabajadores han terminado de poner la pared y solo falta ahora llenar espacios y huecos con estuco... pero se hara mañana, ahora es hora de disfrutar la familia! Aqui van algunas fotos y mas vendran despues!!

Photos :: Fotos

2008-03-21T13:47:00.001-07:00

Today Nuri and Daniel are working on the room downstairs, they will put a good dry wall to two sides of the room, add a couple of plugs and then paint the room, Mom and Ruhiyyih are helping them, as we (Bahia and I) also try to give them a hand!

Here are some photos of how it is so far...

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Hoy Nuri y Daniel estan trabajando en el cuarto de abajo, le estan poniendo dos paredes (aqui las paredes son algo diferentes a como lo son en Bolivia) a dos lados del cuarto, le añadiran unos enchufes y luego pintaran el cuarto. Ruhiyyih y Nancy estan ayudandoles y nosotros (Bahia y yo) hacemos lo posible en tambien darles una mano!

Aqui van fotos de como esta yendo el trabajo hasta ahora...

:)

2008-03-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Today I felt like placing something in our blog... normally we update Bahia's, so we kind of feel that is enough, she is truly growing quick and we enjoy her every minute! :)

We moved a month ago and still we are opening boxes and fixing things in the house. Nuri finished one guest room and now the computer is there and feels so good to type on a desk! Our Eady-Schwartz family will join us to celebrate Naw Ruz, so it also great to have a room ready for them. Still the rest of the house is still a work in progress, but that is okay, actually they will be helping us to fix dowstairs!! We got another bedroom there and it will be for Ruhiyyih when she moves here to start her nursing degree in the fall. I am adding few pictures of that room, Nuri removed the panels that were covering the walls, we thought it will be nicer to have dry-wall and when he started removing it, he found two layers of this kind of panels, a very thin insulation type of thing and the breik wall... we thought the breiks were beautiful, but kind of cold, so we are planning to put a thicker insulation and that will be the project for our weekend! :)

Well, I thought I would have the chance to write much about everything, but Bahia is calling. So I will end it here and continue another day... hopefully soon!

A family project :: Un proyecto familiar

2008-01-29T13:35:00.000-08:00

Last summer we got this high chair for Bahia, we were looking for old fashion chairs (now they are all made of plastic, or the counter is made of plastic), so we finally got one from a garage sale. Nuri worked sanding it and then varnishing it beautifully. Today Leila finished a cushion for it, and of course Bahia already is happy using her cute high chair!! This has been a fun family project, and we all enjoyed it very much...

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El verano pasado compramos esta silla para Bahia, estuvimos buscando por un buen tiempo por una silla de este estilo (ahora todas son hechas de plastico o tienen la bandeja de plastico) asi que finalmente encontramos esta en un "garage sale". Nuri trabajo en pulirla y le hecho varniz, asi que quedo bellisima. Hoy Leila finalmente termino de hacerle un cojin y claro, Bahia ya esta chocha utilizando su linda silla!! Este fue un proyecto familiar bien divertido para todos nosotros ;)

Time flies :: El tiempo vuela

2007-12-06T12:43:00.001-08:00

Time really flies, it is already December and Bahia is over three months now... we just celebrated Nuri's birthday and we are now approaching the end of the Gregorian year! It has been all great, we have enjoyed visiting both our families this year, Nahid & Naysan's wedding was a wonderful blessing and also visiting them and the Hariri family during Thanksgiving. Hopefully we get to see them during the summer, and maybe celebrate our birthdays together! Now there is lots to celebrate in August, all the girls in our family have their birthday in that month (Ruhiyyih, Nahid, Bahia and Leila). It was also especial to see Nuri's grandparents from both sides and many of his aunts and uncles, as well as the Naraghis, hopefully next year we get to see the Wichtendahls!! ;)

We have been living in Iowa six months now, time surely goes quickly when you are busy. Cedar Rapids is a beautiful community, it is a kind of small large city, so you get the bounties of both, a small town and a city with all its commodities. We love the Baha'i community of Cedar Rapids, they made our transition very easy and their loving open arms are always there to confort us! Now we are starting to look for a house, so hopefully we start investing in a place of our own and have other luxuries - like a garden with flowers, fruits and veggies to enjoy during the warmer seasons!! :)

Bahia has made our lives full and we enjoy watching her discoveries of this world. We hope we can be good parents and teach her to love mankind, to serve it and to develop spiritually as well as she is doing physically!

We are planning to spend our winter break at Nuri's parents, it will be wonderful for Bahia to be up North, enjoying the warmness of her grandparents home and having Ruhiyyih and Daniel playing with her too. We can't wait, we are really looking forward, and we will keep you posted for sure ;)

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El tiempo realmente vuela! Ya es diciembre y Bahia tiene mas de tres meses, tambien acabamos de festejar el cumpeaños de Nuri unos dias atras y ahora estamos llegando al fin del año 2007!! Ha sido un buen año, hemos disfrutado visitar ambas familias este año, disfrutar del matrimonio de Nahid & Naysan, una gran bendicion, y tambien visitarles junto a la familia Hariri durante Accion de Gracias. Ojala los veamos durante el verano, tal vez hasta podamos celebrar nuestros cumpleaños juntas! Ahora hay muchos cumples para celebrar en agosto, todas las chicas somos de ese mes(Ruhiyyih, Nahid, Bahia y Leila). Fue tambien especial ver a los abuelitos de Nuri, de ambas partes y a casi todos sus tios, asi como a los tios Naraghis, ojala el año que viene sea posible ver a los Wichtendahl ;)

Hemos estado viviendo ya seis meses aqui en Iowa, asi es como se va el tiempo cuando uno esta ocupado. La ciudad de Cedar Rapids es bonita, una gran ciudad pequeña, tiene asi lo mejor de las dos opciones, el sentirse en un pueblito con las comodidades de una ciudad algo grande. Nos encanta la comunidad Baha'i de Cedar Rapids, realmente hicieron nuestro cambio algo tranquilo y placentero, con sus brazos siempre abiertos para ayudarnos! Ahora hemos comenzado a buscar casa y ojala pronto podamos invertir en un lugar propio, teniendo los lujos que eso implica, como por ejemplo tener un jardin con flores, frutas y vegetales para comer durante el verano!! :)

Bahia nos llena la vida y nos da alegrias al verla descubrir este mundo. Esperamos ser buenos padres y enseñarle a amar la humanidad, a servirla y a desarrollar espiritualmente tan bien como lo esta haciendo fisicamente!

Ahora planeamos nuestras vacaciones de invierno ir a la casa de los padres de Nuri y sera buenisimo para Bahia pasar ese tiempo en el norte, disfrutando del calor de los abuelitos y a Ruhiyyih y Daniel cerca para que jueguen con ella. Ya estamos ansiosos, realmente esperando esas vacaciones y de seguro les contaremos como nos fue ;)

John & Pat Kershner

2007-10-25T19:43:00.001-07:00

Today John & Pat came to visit us, well, to visit Bahia especially, and it was just wonderful to be with them!!! They live in Sun Prairie, WI, and have an amazing family (of course, they as parents are amazing!!)

We were able to catch up with the activities going on there and in Madison, and Bahia enjoyed their arms and smiles very much!! Hopefully we will see them again soon ;)

::

Hoy John y Patty vinieron de visita, en realidad a visitar a Bahia, y fue muy especial estar con ellos!!! Ellos viven en Sun Prairie, Wisconsin -cerca de Madison- y tienen una familia increible (claro! ellos son padres increibles ;) )

Pudimos ponernos al tanto de las actividades que hay por alla y en Madison, y Bahia disfruto de estar en sus brazos y ver sus sonrisas!! Esperamos verlos de nuevo pronto ;)

MADISON

2007-10-15T11:04:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday and Sunday we were in Madison, visiting our friends there, and introducing them to Bahia, as well as experimenting traveling with a baby since we need to plan what to do and take when we visit Nahid & Naysan next month, and that will be a long trip - we are going by car!

Bahia behaved wonderfully!! We drove there and it takes two and a half hours each way. She slept the whole time in our way there and almost the whole time coming back, she woke up half way for nursing, so we stopped and we also had a treat -icecream! ;)

In Madison we had a great time, we placed most of our pictures in Bahia's blog, since she was always the center of attention! We visited our friends Lua & Hadi, and Gino, Khadijih and Rumi, as well as the Vestlie brothers, Caitlin and the Manners brothers. With them we went apple picking and for a pumpking patch, on Saturday, and that evening we all carved our pumpkings, had some pizza and played games, the boys played ping-pong of course!

Sunday morning we went to the Baha'i center for devotions and we met there all the dear friends who were happy to meet Bahia, there were also a lot of babies and kids, since after devotions they have children classes. Hadi made us a wonderful lunch, so we ate with the Yaganagi-Maggiore and soon after left back to Cedar Rapids. It was a great trip!

We learned a lot from this experience, what we need (almost everything) and how to organize a trip by car. We are already making the arrangements for our trip to Canada, which is 12 hours each way, but we are considering few stops for Bahia to eat and rest, so it will be longer than that!! We are so excited though!!! :)

El sabado y domingo nos fuimos a Madison para visitar a nuestros amigos alli, para presentarles a Bahia y de paso para ver como es viajar con un bebe y que necesitamos llevar o hacer, pues estamos planeando visitar a Nahid & Naysan el mes que viene y ese si sera un largo viaje, pues planeamos ir por tierra!

Bahia se porto de maravilla!! Fuimos en auto y la manejada es dos horas y media de ida y lo mismo de regreso. Ella durmio todo el camino de ida y casi todo el camino de vuelta, se desperto a mitad del camino para tomar su leche, asi que paramos a tomar unos helados ;)

En Madison la pasamos muy bien, pusimos la mayor parte de las fotos en el blog de Bahia, pues ella es siempre el centro de atraccion! Estuvimos con nuestros amigos Lua & Hadi, Gino, Khadijih y Rumi, ademas de los hermanos Vestlie, Caitlin y los chicos Manners que vinieron a vernos. Con ellos fuimos a cosechar manzanas y calabazas el sabado por la tarde, aprovechamos que el dia no estaba tan mal y nos fuimos. Por la noche comimos pizza y los chicos jugaron ping-pong.

El domingo por la mañana fuimos a la sede local para las devocionales y alli vimos a nuestros queridos amigos quienes estaban felices de conocer a Bahia en persona, habian muchos niños, pues despues de las devocionales son las clases de niños. Hadi nos cocino un riquisimo almuerzo, asi que comimos con los Yaganagi-Maggiore y de ahi retornamos a Cedar Rapids. Fue realmente un lindo paseo.

Aprendimos bastante de esta experiencia, en cuanto a que llevar (casi de todo) y como organizar el viaje por tierra. Desde ya estamos preparandonos para el viaje a Canada, el cual es 12 horas de ida (y lo mismo de vuelta) pero con las paradas para las comidas de Bahia, seguro que sera mas!! Pero estamos ya emocionados por que llegue el dia!!! :)

Bahia is one month :: Bahia tiene un mes

2007-10-02T14:45:00.000-07:00

Our beautiful little girl is one month already!! We as parents are enjoying her growth very much, and we are amazed of how every day she gives us a new surprise. They told us that we will enjoy these first months, and truly we have had lots of joy in watching her move, do her faces, and all what babies do!!! :) We have no idea where time went and can't believe she is over a month already!

Today we took these pictures, she was having a great time while the storm was pouring outside, and she was watching the rain on the window. We know she will enjoy nature, she already shows a lot of interest in the trees, the little creatures that come to our window, and we can't wait to see what she will do once she starts talking and walking!!!! Good that there is still time for that, one step at the time, even for us parents ;)

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Nuestra bella niñita ya tiene un mes!! Nosotros como padres estamos disfrutando su crecimiento un monton y estamos asombrados de como cada dia nos da una nueva sorpresa. La gente nos dijo que disfrutariamos mucho los primeros meses y en verdad que nos alegra mucho ver cada uno de sus movimientos, hacer sus caras y todo lo que los bebes hacen!! :) Tanto asi, que no tenemos idea de donde se fue el tiempo y tampoco podemos creer que ya tiene mas de un mes!

Hoy dia tomamos estas fotos, ella estaba disfrutando de la tormenta afuera y ella miraba la lluvia desde la ventana. Sabemos que disfrutara mucho de la naturaleza, desde ya demuestra gran interes en los arboles, los animalitos que vienen a nuestra ventana y ya estamos ansiosos de ver lo que hara una vez que comience a hablar y caminar!!!! Lo bueno es que aun hay tiempo para ello, un paso a la vez, aun para nosotros como padres ;)

Our Baby Bahia has born :: Nuestra Bebe Bahia ha nacido

2007-09-06T07:27:00.000-07:00

Finally the day came when we could feel close the moment when we will hug our baby for the first time! On Tuesday, August 28 -her due date- Leila felt that still there was a long way for the baby to come. With her mom went for a walk, and we had a normal day, watched a movie and while getting ready to do the last things of our daily routine (wash our teeth, check mail and so on) Leila's bag of water broke and we called the hospital... it was around 9:15 that we went there and they checked her.

Her belly was still high -normally the belly "drops" to give birth. The doctors and nurses started giving her petosin, since there were no contractions yet. The story is long, labor took about 28 hours at the end, and it was quite hard because once contractions came they were very painful for Leila, she was feeling them around her ribs and wouldn't let her breath in general. We wanted to have a natural birth, but not only the baby was high up, also she was coming face up instead of down. Leila tried and pushed and the baby was able to come down, but after three hours of pushing (that is after 24 hours of being already in labor) she was exausted and since there was still a long way, we decided to go for the C-section, something that she is happy with! :) So, the baby was born on Thursday, August 30th, at 1:29 am.

Our baby is very beautiful, her name is Bahia, and we were so happy to finally meet her and hold her. Nuri is a great Dad, we have been sharing the joy of bathing her, changing her diapers and play with her, and soon once she is very used to breastfeeding he also will be able to feed her using Leila's milk in a bottle! :D

We have decided to start a blog with photos of Bahia and all about her, especially for her grandparents, aunts and uncles, and of course all her family and friends to follow up her growth. THANK YOU EVERYONE for your loving support through your messages and prayers!! The address of the blog is www.bahia-eady.blogspot.com

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Finalmente llego el dia cuando nos acercabamos al momento para abrazar a nuestra bebe por primera vez! El martes 28 de agosto a Leila se le rompio la bolsa de agua y a eso de las 9:15 fuimos al hospital para que la examinen y ahi comenzo el trabajo de parto.

Su barriga aun seguia arriba -generalmente "baja" para dar a luz. Le administraron hormonas para que comiencen las contracciones.. la historia es larga, el trabajo de parto tomo unas 28 horas hasta el nacimiento, fue bastante dificil pues las contracciones, una vez que comenzaron, eran muy dolorosas para Leila pues las sentia alrededor de las costillas y no la dejaban respirar. Nosotros queriamos un parto normal, pero no solamente la bebe estaba aun muy arriba, sino que tambien venia de cara. Leila hizo todo lo que pudo, empujo hasta que la bebe bajo, pero despues de tres horas de pujar (y eso despues de 24 horas en el asunto) estaba tan cansada que no podia pujar ni hacer nada mas y faltaba mucho para que la bebe salga, asi que decidimos hacer una cesarea y ella esta feliz con el resultado! :) De esta manera, nuestra niña nacio el 30 de agosto a las 1:29 de la madrugada.

Nuestra bebe es preciosa, su nombre es Bahia y estamos tan felices de conocerla finalmente y poderla abrazar. Nuri es un gran padre, hemos compartido el placer de cuidarla, bañarla, cambiar sus pañales y jugar con ella, pronto cuando este tan familiar con tomar el pecho Nuri podra tambien darle la leche de Leila via mamadera! :D

Hemos decidido comenzar un blog con fotos de Bahia y todo sobre ella, especialmente para sus abuelitos, tias y tios, y claro esta, para que todos, familia y amigos, puedan ver su crecimiento. GRACIAS A TODOS por sus bellos mensajes y oraciones, es nuestro mejor regalo para ella!! La direccion es www.bahia-eady.blogspot.com

.:: Touring Cedar Rapids ::.

2007-09-05T14:46:00.000-07:00

While Siavache & Carmen were here, and while Leila still can move around we tried to show them the city and the area, although we ourselves haven't really seen much or know much because we are new too. We were able to visit the Amana Colonies, the Downtown area, a Museum, the lake, and went to check out shopping malls and stores, as well as enjoyed various Baha'i gatherings at the Center.

The weekend that Siavache left to Bolivia we went to Madison and just drove around for them to see where we lived. With Carmen we were able to visit a bit more, we walked around the Capitol, inside and outside, since there was a farmer's market, we also attended the wedding party in Wausau of Joe & Carolina, Nuri's friend from Michigan Tech... and of course, spent time with Lua & Hadi and our friends in Madison before we went back to awaite the coming of our baby!

::

Durante la visita de Siavache & Carmen Rosa y cuando aun Leila podia movilizarse facilmente, tratamos de llevarlos por varios lugares para que conozcan la ciudad y el area, aunque para nosotros todo es nuevo por aqui. Pudimos visitar las Colonias Amana, el centro, un museo, el lago, y algunos centros comerciales y tiendas, asi como disfrutar de varias reuniones Baha'is en la Sede.

El fin de semana que Siavache partio para Bolivia fuimos a Madison y manejamos por la ciudad para que ellos vieran donde viviamos. Con Carmen pudimos visitar un poco mas, caminamos alrededor del Capitolio, dentro y fuera de el, tambien fuimos a la fiesta de matrimonio en Wausau de Carolina y Joe, el amigo de Nuri de su universidad, y claro, tambien nos deleitamos de la compañia de Lua & Hadi y nuestros amigos en Madison, antes de volver a casa y esperar la llegada de nuestra bebe.

Happy Birthday Ruhiyyih!!!

2007-09-05T14:15:00.000-07:00

The first weekend of August we had Ruhiyyih and Nancy visiting us and sharing wonderful moments with us and Leila's parents. Also on Saturday evening Daniel came with his friend Bobbi, and we all celebrated Ruhiyyih's birthday with two amazing cheesecakes that Bobbi made and a cake that Carmen made for Ruhiyyih to blow a candle with us, since her birthday was going to be next Wednesday. It was a wonderful evening of enjoying games and each other's company.

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El primer fin de semana de Agosto tuvimos a Ruhiyyih y Nancy de visita, pasando bellos momentos juntos. El sabado por la noche Daniel y su amiga Bobbi vinieron a cenar con nosotros y todos celebramos por adelantado el cumpleaños de Ruhiyyih con dos cheesecakes espectaculares que hizo Bobbi y una torta que Carmen preparo para que tenga ella donde apagar una vela, ya que su cumple era el miercoles que venia. Fue una noche divertida de juegos y de disfrutar el estar juntos.

Baby Shower :D :D

2007-09-05T13:37:00.000-07:00

Los amigos de Cedar Rapids se juntaron el ultimo fin de semana de julio para derramar su cariño y regalos sobre nosotros y en especial nuestra bebe. Becky fue quien organizo todo y ofrecio su casa para este evento especial. Comenzamos con una bella parte espiritual y luego disfrutamos de juegos y pastelitos. Realmente hemos sido bendecidos al estar aqui rodeados con una familia Baha'i tan amorosa y gentil.. alli van unas fotitos :)

::

Friends from Cedar Rapids got together the last weekend of July to shower us, especially our baby, with their love and gifts. Becky had organized everything and hosted this special event at her home, starting with beautifully chanted prayers and later we enjoyed some games and refreshments together. We are truly blessed to be surrounded with a kind and loving Baha'i family here in Cedar Rapids, here are some pictures :)

Llegaron los papis Naraghi!!

2007-09-05T09:50:00.001-07:00

A week after coming from back from the wedding/family reunion, Leila's parents came for a visit... Siavache would stay for two weeks and Carmen will be with us until September 22nd! She will be a great help to us during Leila's last weeks of pregnancy and especially when our baby comes.

We went to Chicago to pick them up from the airport, went straight to visit the Baha'i Temple and had lunch together at one of Carmen's favorite restaurants here in the States (The Cheese Cake Factory).

::

Una semana despues de regresar de nuestra reunion familiar/matrimonio de Nahid, los padres de Leila vinieron a visitarnos: Siavache estara un par de semana con nosotros y Carmen se quedara hasta el 22 de septiembre! Sera realmente de gran ayuda tenerla en estas ultimas semanas del embarazo de Leila y en especial una vez que llegue la bebe.

Los recogimos del aeropuerto en Chicago y fuimos directo a visitar el Templo Baha'i, yendo luego a almorzar juntos a uno de los restaurantes favoritos de Carmen aqui en los Estados Unidos: The Cheese Cake Factory.

Last day in Toronto :: Ultimo dia en Toronto

2007-09-04T12:47:00.003-07:00

The wedding was on Friday July 20th, we visited the Niagara Falls on Saturday and on Sunday we came back home. Nahid & Naysan took us to the airport and before departing we went to check Toronto's Downtown, had something to eat quickly and farewell everyone who were in their way to tour the city.

One of our favorite TV programs is "Unwrapped" from the Food Channel, and just before going to Toronto we watched an episode on ice cream, where they showed how some famous ice creams are made, and one of the new products in the market they showed is this frozen ice cream shaped in little balls, that you eat with a spoon... well, we had the chance to find it and taste it during our short walk around the CN Tower! By the way, if you come to Toronto YOU MUST visit the Tower, the tallest building in the world, we plan to do a good touring next time ;)

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El matrimonio fue el viernes 20 de julio, visitamos las Cataratas del Niagara el sabado y el domingo volvimos a casa. Nahid & Naysan nos llevaron al aeropuerto y antes de irnos pasamos por el centro de Toronto, comimos algo rapido y nos despedimos de todos, quienes iban a dar un tour por la ciudad.

Uno de nuestros programas de TV favoritos se llama "Unwrapped" en el canal de comidas y justo antes de ir a Toronto vimos un episodio sobre helados, donde mostraron como algunos de los helados famosos son hechos e presentaron un nuevo producto que salio al mercado de bolitas congeladas de helado de crema que uno come con una cucharilla... pues bien, encontramos el helado en nuestra caminata alrededor de la Torre de Toronto y lo probamos! A proposito, si visitan Toronto TIENEN que visitar la Torre, el edificio mas alto del mundo, y nosotros planeamos venir a un buen tour de esta ciudad la proxima vez :)

Niagara Falls

2007-09-04T12:47:00.001-07:00

Despues del matrimonio de Nahid & Naysan, fuimos a visitar el Niagara con nuestros padres y Ruhiyyih. Tuvimos un picnic en frente de las caidas de agua y realmente era como sentarse en frente de una postal: una vista espectacular y el clima ideal, soleado y la brisa fresca proveniente de las cataratas eran combinacion perfecta para estar debajo de los arboles del parque donde disfrutamos de un almuerzo ligero.

Los novios habian organizado un programa de actividades e invitaciones para toda la familia y amigos cercanos, pero nosotros y la familia de Nuri teniamos que marcharnos pronto, asi que este paseo fue el unico que hicimos y ahora esperamos una proxima oportunidad para visitar a Nahid & Naysan y poder asi conocer Toronto y sus alrededores.

::

After Nahid & Naysan's wedding we visited the Niagara with our parents and Ruhiyyih. We had a lovely picnic in front of the water falls and truly was like sitting in front of a post card -an amazing view, the weather just ideal, sunny, with a fresh breeze from the falls that perfectly combined with the spot in a park where we enjoyed having a light lunch under the trees.

The bride and groom had scheduled activities and gatherings for their close friends and family, but since we and Nuri's family had to leave earlier than the others, this was our only outing in this trip, so we hope to have a chance soon to visit Nahid & Naysan and then get to see Toronto and its surroundings.

Nahid & Naysan

2007-07-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Nahid & Naysan got married, and we were fortunate to be able to be part of their special day!! Leila was able to go there a couple of weeks before the wedding, so she could get some rest and be with her sister, and Nuri came for the weekend, since he had just started his new job. Many family members were able to come; all the brothers/sisters of Mr. and Mrs. Hariri and Leila's dad were there, many cousins and some close friends. It was also special that Nuri's parents and Ruhiyyih were able to come and join the family!!

The wedding was beautiful, the couple put a lot of work into all the details and making it not only a special event for them and their families, but also their guests. For sure they will share everything with everyone through their blog... and since Nuri took few pictures, here we post them for you to have something to look in the meanwhile ;)

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El pasado fin de semana Nahid & Naysan se casaron y tuvimos la dicha de ser partes de su union!! Leila viajo un par de semanas antes del matrimonio, asi podria aclimatarse y estar con su hermana, y Nuri vino para el fin de semana del matrimonio, ya que recien ha comenzado este trabajo. Muchos miembros de la familia pudieron ser participnes: todos los hermanos y hermanas del Sr. y la Sra. Hariri, y del papa de Leila estuvieron alli, muchos primos y varios amigos cercanos. Tambien fue especial tener a los padres de Nuri y su hermana Ruhiyyih, partes de nuestra gran familia!!

El matrimonio fue bellisimo, la pareja trabajo arduamente en todos los detalles e hicieron de este evento algo especial no solamente para ellos y sus familias, sino para todos los invitados. De seguro compartiran ellos muy pronto con todos los pormenores de aquel dia a traves de su pagina... pero como Nuri saco algunas fotos, aqui las hemos puesto para que tengan algo mientras tanto ;)

>>>>>><<<<<<

Nahid coming down the stairs where Naysan has been waiting for her for few hours :: Nahid bajando las escaleras, donde Naysan esperaba por ella por algunas horas

During the ceremony :: Durante la ceremonia

Sayind the vow to each other :: Diciendose el verso de matrimonio

The Naraghi Brothers/Sister :: Los hermanos/a Naraghi

Leila was Nahid's witness and Mr. Hariri (Naysan's dad) was his witness :: Leila fue la testigo de Nahid y el padre de Naysan fue su testigo.

Us remembering our day 31 months ago :: Nosotros recordando nuestro dia 31 meses atras :D

With Ladan, Sana and Rayan :: Con Ladan, Sana y Rayan

Jasmin, Nasim, Negin and Shirin sending waves of love to the couple through their video :: Jasmin, Nasim, Negin y Shirin enviando ondas de amor a la pareja en su video.

< County Fair >

2007-07-23T20:43:00.000-07:00

Few weeks ago we went to the county fair, we enjoyed the ride through the corn fields and once there enjoyed the stands, the ice cold snow cone and here are a couple of things that we thought most interesting: a tractor powered by steam and cows! well, the cow heads looked different to Leila, so far she had never seen cows with a bump on their head, so she took pictures of them ;)

2007-07-06T18:14:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Leila finishing her 7th month :)

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Aqui hay algunas fotos de Leila en lo ultimo de su 7mo mes ;)

Seventh Month :: Septimo Mes

2007-06-17T10:00:00.001-07:00

Good morning every one!

Today we woke up ready to enjoy a warm, sunny Sunday! We had a wonderful breakfast, Nuri prepared waffles and we had them with 100% Simeoni's maple syrup... we enjoyed putting together the Pack-n-Play that all the Eady ladies gave as a gift to our baby, which is really a very handy thing to have considering we are planning to travel as much as we can with our little girl... and we also thought on taking a picture of both of us, since we haven't done that for so long -our batteries were dead for a long while- and we also wanted to show how big Leila's belly is now that she has started the 7th month of pregnancy!! :)

So... enjoy our pictures and have a great week!

::

Buenos dias a todos!

Hoy nos levantamos para disfrutar del calido y soleado domingo! Tuvimos un desayuno deliciosisimo preparado por Nuri, hizo waffles que comimos con un almibar hecho del arbol de "maple" (preparado por la familia Simeoni)... nos divertimos armando el regalo que las mujeres de la familia Eady le regalaron a la bebe, un corredor/cama/mesa para cambiar bebes que es super practico para cuando uno viaja - lo cual planeamos hacer mucho ;)... y luego decidimos sacarnos una foto juntos, pues hace tiempo que no lo hemos hecho ya que nuestras baterias se habian muerto y estuvimos atareadisimos con la mudanza. Asi pueden ver la pancita de 7 meses y de paso, nuestro balcon y las verduras que tenemos creciendo ya.

Disfruten las fotos y en especial la semana que viene!!

Projects :: Proyectos

2007-06-15T09:30:00.001-07:00

Una vez solos en nuestra nueva casa hemos tenido bastante trabajo acomodando y organizando las cosas, aun estamos en ello, pues hay que ver donde va cada cosa y tambien tenemos que ver que necesitamos, pues hasta ahora no habiamos comprado muebles porque queriamos primero saber donde nos estableceriamos - ahora ya sabemos que estaremos en Iowa por un tiempito!

Asi que hemos finalizado un par de proyectos en los que estabamos trabajando, uno de ellos era hacer tres cajas que sirvan de tocos (para descansar las piernas o que sirvan de sillas extras para cuando tengamos visitas) y el otro proyecto eran nuestros vegetales para el verano.

Nuri hizo los tocos y estan espectaculares! Los cubrimos y acolchonamos asi que estan bien comodos ahora. Los vegetales que plantamos este pasado fin de semana son basicamente tres tomates, que los pueden ver en las fotos, y aunque no se ven aun, en las otras masetas tenemos espinacas, lechuga, nabos y arugula! Que rico!! :)

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Once by ourselves in our new house we had quite a lot of tidding and organizing to do, it is still in progress, we have to figure out where to put things and also what we need, since we didn't want to purchase any furniture until we knew where we were going to settle - we kind of know it will be in Iowa for a little while, now!

So, a couple of projects that have been accomplised now is making three boxes that can work as stools (so we can rest our feet up, or work as extra seats when we have people over) and planting some veggies for our summer.

Nuri made the stools, they look awesome! We covered them completely so they are soft. And the veggies we planted last weekend are three tomatoes, which you can see, and although still germinating we have spinach, lettuce, rutabaga and arugula! We are looking forward!!! :)

Baby Shower <3

2007-06-10T10:24:00.001-07:00

Last weekend Lua & Hadi organized a baby shower party for us in Madison. We were coming back from up North and enjoyed spending the weekend with Lua & Hadi and on Saturday everyone came for the shower. We also had Nancy, Ruhiyyih and Grandma Schwartz joining the party... it was very special and lots of fun! We laughed and had a great time with the games Khadijih and Gino organized, some where hillarious, and hopefully some of the friends who took pictures can send us some to share with you. Our camara and Lua's died, no batteries for either one, so this post has to be updated soon!! :)

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El pasado fin de semana Lua & Hadi organizaron un baby shower para nosotros en Madison. Al volver del norte nos quedamos ese fin de semana para pasarla con ellos y el sabado todos nuestros amigos vinieron para el shower. Tambien Nancy, Ruhiyyih y la Abuelita materna de Nuri vinieron a la fiesta... fue muy especial y bien divertida! Reimos y la pasamos super con los juegos que Khadijih y Gino organizaron, algunos eran tan chistosos que ojala nuestros amigos que sacaron fotos nos manden copias para poder compartirlas con ustedes. Nuestra camara y la camara de Lua quedaron sin baterias, asi que tendremos que actualizar esta entrada pronto! ;)

Family gathering

2007-05-27T14:03:00.000-07:00

Poco despues de mudarnos a Iowa e ir a Madison para devolver el apartamento, fuimos por una semana de visita a Land O'Lakes para pasar unos dias con la familia de Nuri. Nos toco ir para el fin de semana de promocion del colegio, y uno de los primos de Nuri, Adam, se graduo este año, asi que casi todos los miembros de la familia Eady estaban por alla y pudimos disfrutar de su compañia. El Abuelito y Shakira tomaron fotos de aquellos dias y ojala nos puedan mandar copias para compartirlas con ustedes. Adam es un joven muy talentoso y para varios de los eventos lo vimos cantar, realmente lo hace increiblemente. Ruhiyyih tambien canto en uno de los programas, un concierto el primer dia, y se pueden imaginar que todos estabamos super orgullosos de ver a ambos en el escenario.

Tambien mientras estuvimos alli Lua & Hadi vinieron a darnos una visita y llegaron justo el dia que habia un triatlon. Nuri participo remando una canoa en uno de los equipos, Ruhiyyih manejo bicicleta para otro equipo, Jamie -una prima de Nuri- hizo las tres actividades como solista (kayak, bicicleta y correr) al igual que Daniel, el hermano de Nuri. El dia de deportes finalizo con un almuerzo abierto para todos, donde comimos haburguesas y panchitos!!! RIIIICO!

Una vez que nuestros familiares y amigos se fueron, trabajamos en varios proyectos y tambien descansamos y disfrutamos de estar con Nancy, Ruhiyyih y Daniel, y una amiga de Daniel que vino de visita, Bobby. La abuelita materna de Nuri estaba alli tambien con nosotros, ella estara todo el verano con Nancy y su familia, pues siempre se escapa de los huracanes de la Florida y visita a uno de sus hijos por el verano. Este año estan planeando viajar y participar de varios cursos y campamentos con Ruhiyyih y Nancy en Wisconsin, Michigan y Ohio.

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Soon after moving to Iowa/going to Madison to give back the old apartment, we spent a week visiting Land O'Lakes and being with Nuri's family. We were there for graduation week, and Adam -Nuri's cousin- was graduating, so almost everyone in the Eady side of the family was there and we had the chance to be with them! Grandpa Eady and Shakira took pictures of those days and hopefully they can send us some copies to share them with you. Adam is very talented and he performed for few programs prepared for the families. Ruhiyyih also performed in one of those events, a concert, and you can all imagine how proud we all were to see them both on stage!

Also while we were there Lua & Hadi came for a short visit and made it on time for the triathlon. Nuri canoed for one of the teams, Ruhiyyih biked for another team, Jamie -Nuri's cousin- did all three activities by herself (kayaking, biking and running) as well as Daniel, Nuri's brother! When the day dedicated to sports finished, we all enjoyed a free lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs! YUMMM!!!

When the family and friends left, we were able to work on various projects and just relax and enjoy Mom, Ruhiyyih and Daniel, and also spend some time with a friend of Daniel who was visiting, Bobby. Grandma Schwartz also was there, she is spending her summer up North, and also traveling around with Nancy and Ruhiyyih while they go to their activities in Wisconsin/Michigan/Ohio this summer.

Welcome to Iowa!! :: Bienvenidos a Iowa :)

2007-05-26T16:42:00.001-07:00

El fin de semana del 20 de mayo nos mudamos a Iowa, Nuri manejando el camion de mudanza, Hadi manejo nuestro auto lleno de pilchas, y Lua y Leila viajaron en su auto. Daniel vino desde Cedar Falls (30 minutos al norte) a darnos una mano y entre los cuatro movieron todo (mientras Leila dirigia ;) ). El dia viernes John Kershner, Lua & Hadi y Nuri habian puesto todo en el camion, asi que el sabado salimos tempranito rumbo al oeste.

Lastimosamente nuestras baterias estaban muertas y no pudimos sacar fotos de la mudanza. Cuando finalmente recargaron, fue cuando todos se habian marchado, Daniel se fue ese mismo dia despues de mover todo y Lua & Hadi pasaron la noche con nosotros y partieron temprano al dia siguiente.

Estuvimos desempacando y partimos pocos dias despues, el miercoles para ser exactos, pues teniamos que limpiar y devolver el apartamento en Eagle Heights y de paso ir a nuestra clase para prepararnos para dar a luz... asi que uno de esos dias comimos alitas de pollo con platanito maduro y mocochinchi, y como encontre la foto, pense que seria bueno ponerla aqui para que los que saben cuanto me gustan la vean!! :)

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The weekend of May 20th we moved to Iowa. Nuri drove the truck, Hadi drove our car full of things, and Lua and Leila went in the Yaganagi's car. Daniel came from Cedar Falls (about 30 minutes North) to help us and all four moved the stuff in (while Leila supervised ;) ). On Friday John Kershner, Lua & Hadi and Nuri had placed everything in the truck, so we left West early on Saturday.

Unfortunately our batteries died so we couldn't take any pictures during the move. When finally we got them charged, everyone had left, Daniel left that very day and Lua & Hadi left next morning.

We unpacked and left few days after, to be exact on Wednesday, since we had to clean up the Eagle Heights appartment and return it, we also had our birth class in Madison on Thursday, so we didn't stay long in Iowa. One of those days though we had some chicken wings with fried plantain and mocochinchi, and since we found the photo here we thought nice to share it -especially with those from Bolivia who know how much Leila loves plantain and mocochinchi!!

Bye-Bye Eagle Heights!!

2007-05-26T16:41:00.001-07:00

Despues de estar nueve meses en Eagle Heights, un area residencial del campus de la Universidad de Wisconsin, llego el dia donde tenemos que empacar y marcharnos. Nuri ya termino su maestria y encontro un trabajo en Iowa, un estado que colinda con Wisconsin, en la ciudad de Cedar Rapids (a unas 2.5 horas de Madison). Aunque tenia varias oportunidades, pensamos que seria ideal estar cerca de los padres de Nuri, asi al menos un par de los abuelitos pueden disfrutar de la bebe. Ya tendremos que hacer planes para que el otro par de abuelitos puedan disfrutarla tambien ;)

Antes de marcharnos de Madison organizamos un dia de picnic con nuestros amigos Baha'is, y aqui en esta comunidad/vecindario hay una cabaña para este tipo de eventos y canchas alrededor, asi que compartimos un lindo almuerzo y disfrutamos de juegos, entre ellos bocci (ahi ven a los chicos jugando y a las chicas mirando) y voley, donde todos jugaron contra todos!!

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After nine months of living in Eagle Heights, now it is time to pack and move. Nuri finished his master's degree and found a job in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (just 2.5 hours from Madison). Although he had other job offers around the country, we thought it will be ideal that a set of grandparents are close and can enjoy the baby.. plus we will figure out the way for the other set of grandparents to enjoy their grand-daughter!

Before leaving Madison we had a picnic here in Eagle Heights with the Baha'i friends, and in this residencial area they have a nice place to host these kind of events, with some fields surrounding a hut where we played games, like bocci (you see in the pictures that the boys are playing and the girls are watching) and also voley, when every one played!!

Ian's visit

2007-05-08T11:29:00.001-07:00

Ian (Nuri's brother) came for a short visit, he is a coast guard in California -Moro Bay area- and soon actually he will be going to the Persian Gulf for a year.

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Ian (el hermano de Nuri) nos dio una corta visita. El es un guardia costero en Moro Bay, California, y pronto estara yendo al Golfo Persa para estar alli por un año.

Happy Ridvan :: Feliz Ridvan

2007-04-29T09:18:00.001-07:00

It is Ridvan! The celebration of the three days of Ridvan here in Madison were very inspiring and renewing to the spirt. We gathered each of the Holy Days (1st Day, 9th Day and 12th Day) under a tent placed in the middle of the room, remembered through the Writings on what happened each of those days when Baha'u'llah was in the Ridvan Garden in Baghdad and it was very inspiring to have a friend from Saudi Arabia, Abdullah, sharing passages from the Quran in a beautiful chant. Here are a couple of pictures and this is the only photo we have of Leila with a 5th month belly!

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Es Ridvan! La celebracion de los tres dias de Ridvan aqui en Madison fueron muy inspiradores y renovaron nuestras almas. Nos reunimos cada uno de los Dias Sagrados (el Primer, Noveno y Doceavo Dias) bajo una carpa colocada en el medio de la sala de recepciones, recordando a traves de las citas leidas lo que paso cada uno de aquellos dias cuando Baha'u'llah estuvo en el Jardin de Ridvan en Baghdad, y fue muy especial tener a un amigo de Arabia Saudita, Abdullah, quien leyo pasajes del Quran de manera melodiosa para todos. Aqui hay un par de fotos y son las unicas que tenemos de Leila con una pancita de 5 meses ;)

4th month :: 4to mes

2007-04-29T08:52:00.001-07:00

Finally got time to take a picture of Leila going from four to five months... :) she is 21 weeks, and we just had an ultrasound screening, all is well and according to what is expected, and our great news is that we are having a GIRL!!!

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Finalmente tuvimos tiempo de tomar una foto de Leila yendo de los cuatro a cinco meses.. tiene 21 semanas aqui y acabamos de ir a la ecografia donde toman todas las medidas, todo esta dentro de lo que se espera y todo muy bien, con la bella noticia que estamos esperando una NIÑA!!! :D

::::::...FLORIDA...:::::

2007-04-13T08:58:00.001-07:00

During our spring break we (Ruhiyyih, Nancy, Nuri and Leila, and of course, the baby) went for a great adventure down to Florida, where Nuri's maternal grandmother lives - Citra, near Ocala. We drove for about 19 hours each way (lots of stops for Leila to go and visit all the restrooms), and once there we had a great time, quite relaxing and adventurous, with lots of wildlife around us (Grandma Schwartz lives besides a lake, you can see some pictures below); we met there with Nancy's brothers, Joe, John and his family, and one day we enjoyed the beach. The weather was just perfect, warm and pleasant... it was a perfect way to scape from the Wisconsin cold weather!! :)

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Para nuestra semana libre nos fuimos de visita a la Florida (eramos Ruhiyyih, Nancy, Nuri, Leila y obviamente, el bebe!) Alli vive la abuelita materna de Nuri, en Citra, cerca de Ocala. Manejamos por unas 19 horas de ida y otras 19 de vuelta (paramos muchas veces para que Leila haga tour por los baños en el camino), y una vez llegando alla, la pasamos super bien, relajados y con una que otra aventura, habia flora y fauna a dos pasos nuestros (la abueltia vive al lado de un lago y pueden ver fotos de nuestros "vecinos" a continuacion). Tambien vimos a dos de los hermanos de Nancy, Joe, John y su familia, y un dia disfrutamos de la playa. El clima estaba perfecto, calientito y bien rico... fue la mejor manera de escapar del frio de Wisconsin!! :)

1st Trimester :: 1er Trimestre

2007-03-27T10:07:00.003-07:00

Here is a picture of Leila just over 3 months pregnant, not much yet, but starting to curve a litte, probably she is about 15 weeks...

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Aqui pueden ver a Leila en una foto tomada poco despues de cumplir tres meses de embarazo, no mucha pancita pero comenzando la curvita, tal vez tiene unas 15 semanas...

Nahid & Naysan visiting Chicago

2007-03-27T10:07:00.001-07:00

After a week visiting Naysan's family in Toronto, Canada... Nahid and Naysan went to Bolivia to visit the Naraghi-Wichtendahl family, and stopped for a day in Chicago. Leila was able to go there and have a visit with them, and Mae Badiyan, with whom they were able to visit the Temple and just catch up after so many years! :)

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Despues de una semana visitando a la familia de Naysan en Toronto, Canada, Nahid y Naysan fueron a Bolivia para visitar a los Naraghi-Wichtendahl, y en su paso hicieron escala en Chicago. Leila pudo ir y encontrarse con ellos, y juntos con Mae Badiyan, visitaron en Templo y estuvieron en grata compañia, mientras se ponian al dia despues de varios años! :)

Weekend <> Fin de semana

2007-03-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

This last Friday we went to Chicago. We wanted to visit the Temple, its been quite a while since we haven't gone there for prayers, and since Nahid -Leila's sister- was passing through Chicago in her way to visit Toronto with Naysan, then we thought a wonderful opportunity to go on a day trip.

Chicago's weather was beautiful, sunny and chilly, but nice compared to a snowy Madison. We first went for prayers, it is the first time that we "three" go there for prayers and it was very special for a little one to be in that Place. We then went to O'Hare and met with Nahid and Naysan, had something to eat... well, Nuri was the only fasting, so the rest we ate; and enjoyed four hours of visiting each other and updating ourselves with what has been going on!

They took their plane at 9:00 pm, so around 7:00 we had to say farewell, and hopefully we will see them soon. Leila will meet them when they are in their way to Bolivia next weekend, so hopefully we can blog then!!!

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El viernes pasado fuimos a Chicago. Hace mucho que queremos visitar el Templo y ya que Nahid -la hermana de Leila- estaba de paso por Chicago en su ida a visitar Toronto con Naysan, pensamos que esta era la mejor oportunidad para tener un paseo.

El clima en Chicago estaba bellisimo: soleado y algo fresquito, pero muy lindo comparado con nuestra ciudad Madison donde estaba nevando. Primero fuimos a hacer oraciones, es la primera vez que los "tres" vamos al Templo y fue muy especial llevar a nuestro pequeñin a dicho Lugar. Luego fuimos al aeropuerto y nos encontramos con Nahid y Naysan, comimos algo... bueno, con excepcion de Nuri quien estaba ayunando, y disfrutamos de cuatro horas de compañia entre los cuatro!

Nahid y Naysan tomaron su vuelo a las 9:00, asi que a eso de las 7:00 nos despedimos y ojala pronto los veremos de vuelta. Leila se vera con ellos este fin de semana que viene cuando esten en su paso a Bolivia, asi que escribiremos algo entonces!!

Happy :: Ayyam-i-Ha :: Feliz

2007-03-18T10:32:00.000-07:00

Photographs taken by Robert Jr. Eady

Jessica Fly visiting Madison

2007-02-15T10:23:00.000-08:00

A friend was visiting Madison, Jessica, and she and her husband Steve are planning to come back to settle in Madison!! They were students when we came to live in Madison, and they left last summer to their hometown in Texas... but, it seems that Wisconsin has a special something that is making them come back, settle, and start their family here... Caitlin had a group over for dinner and we remembered to take our camara, so we got some photos for sharing.

Jessica preparing bread with garlic..

Caitlin cooking some pasta for their guests..

People happy after dinner!!

Tour of the Capitol - Madison, WI

2007-01-15T18:45:00.000-08:00

We went for a tour of the Capitol here in Madison. Well, all we can remember is that is the second largest Capitol in the country, and it is a gorgeous building. It is a wonderful tour so we will take you there anytime you come and visit. Here are some pictures...

Wedding / Anniversary

2007-01-14T11:01:00.000-08:00

During our stay up in Land O'Lakes we went to the wedding of Courtney & Daryl. Courtney's family and the Eady-Schwartz family are good friends.. and the wedding celebration for us was double, theirs and the 30th anniversary of Mom & Dad, Nancy and Robert that is!! :)

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Mientras visitamos Land O'Lakes participamos de la boda de Courtney & Daryl. La familia de Courtney y la de Nuri son muy cercanas.. y la celebracion fue doble para nosotros, pues celebramos su boda y el 30 aniversario del casamiento de Nancy & Robert, los padres de Nuri!! :)

Family :: Familia

2007-01-05T15:58:00.000-08:00

While in Land O'Lakes we are enjoying being with Mom & Dad, Daniel, Ian and Ruhiyyih. As you can imagine the days went by working on projects at home, some days going out for walks or cross country skiing, and enjoying great home food!!

We welcomed year 2007 in the company of the Waters and felt like including them in this family blogging! ;)

Visiting Land O'Lakes

2006-12-28T16:10:00.000-08:00

El 29 de diciembre nos fuimos a pasar 10 dias con la familia de Nuri en Land O'Lakes. Al llegar el lugar era un parque de invierno, totalmente cubierto con nieve y como sacado de una postal. El 31 en la noche Ian, el hermano de Nuri, llego de California y al dia siguiente todos salimos a disfrutar la nieve y los hermanos con Ruhiyyih fueron a esquiar alrededor de la casa.

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On December 29th we went for a 10 days visit with Nuri's family up in Land O'Lakes. As we were arriving we were finding a winter wonderland, all covered in white snow and as if we had jumped in a post-card. On the night of the 31st Ian, Nuri's brother, arrived from California and on the next day we all went to enjoy the snow, and the brothers and Ruhiyyih went cross country skiing near the house.

Feliz Navidad

2006-12-25T10:35:00.001-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS :: FELIZ NAVIDAD

We wish all our friends and family a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and may all your wishes and plans accomplish their goal and give you joy.
Today we went for a walk downtown, visited the Christmas tree that is placed every year inside the Capitol and had the chance to see some of the ornaments made by students all over Wisconsin and hung on the tree.
Here are some pictures, including one of Nuri with a sample of the ornaments made by his Mom's students at Conserve.

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Queridos amigos y familiares, les deseamos una Feliz Navidad, un Prospero Anio Nuevo y que todos sus deseos y proyectos alcancen su culminacion este anio y les den gran felicidad.
Hoy fuimos a caminar por el centro de la ciudad y visitamos el arbol de Navidad que se arma cada anio dentro del Capitolio. Vimos algunos de los muchos arreglos que los estudiantes del estado de Wisconsin hicieron y fueron colgados en el arbol.
Aqui hay algunas fotos, incluyendo una con Nuri y uno de los adornos hechos por los estudiantes de Nancy (su Mama) en el Colegio Conserve.

Nuri's yoggen fruz

2006-12-22T08:27:00.001-08:00

Nuri makes the most amazing yogurt ice cream, and for his birthday Ruhiyyih gave him beautiful ice cream cups and here is a picture of one made with raspberry, YUUUUUM!!!

TWO YEARS :: DOS ANOS

2006-12-22T08:27:00.000-08:00

Today we celebrated our two years anniversary, went for dinner to a Thai restaurant, opened cards a loving messages from friends and family, and dearly remembered that beautiful winter day when we said each other the Words of Baha'u'llah and exchanged vows in the Most Special Place on earth.

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Hoy celebramos nuestro segundo aniversario. Salimos a cenar a un restaurant de comida Thai, abrimos tarjetas y mensajes cariñosos de nuestros amigos y familiares, y en especial recordamos aquel bello dia de invierno cuando nos leimos las Palabras de Baha'u'llah e intercambiamos nuestra promesa de matrimonio en el Lugar Mas Especial sobre la tierra.

FALAFELS :)

2006-12-15T08:01:00.000-08:00

Leila hizo falafels hoy y al comerlos con pan pita y humus, fue como transportarnos de vuelta a Israel, estar conectados otra vez con la Tierra Santa y las experiencias que tuvimos en aquel Lugar. Estaban buenisimos -y eran de un paquete de falafels instantaneos de Haifa ;) gracias Nahid!
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Leila made falafels today and while eating them with pita bread and humus, it was like transporting us back to Israel, to be again connected with the Holy Land and the experiences we had in that Place. They were great -and they were from a package of instant falafels coming from Haifa ;) thank you Nahid!

Greenfield Village II

2006-12-03T17:05:00.000-08:00

Greenfield Village wouldn't be the village it is, if it wasn't for Mr. Henry Ford. Here there are some pictures of Mr. Ford's significant buildings, the first is the Ford Motor Co., the second photo is inside this building and all is set as Mr. Ford left it, and the following two pictures are inside his home (or his parents' home, where he grew up).
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La Villa Greenfield no seria la villa que es hoy si no fuese por el Sr. Henry Ford. Aqui ponemos algunas fotos de aquellos edificios relacionados con el, la primera foto es de la Compañia Ford, la segunda es dentro de este edificio tal y cual lo dejo el Sr. Ford, y las siguientes dos fotos son dentro de su casa (o la casa de sus padres, donde el crecio).

Here is a picture of the horse-drawn vehicle we took to have a ride along everything, our guide/driver was Pistachio and he was very helpful with information and tips on how to enjoy the village. Oh! And then we have a picture of where to go and eat -unless you bring your own lunch- the Eagle Tavern from the mid 1800s.
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Aqui ven una foto de un carruaje tirado por caballos belgas, el cual tomamos para dar un tour y ver toda la villa, nuestro guia/chofer se llamaba Pistachio y nos ayudo mucho con informacion y sugerencias de como disfrutar la villa. Ah! Y de ahi veran una foto de un lugar donde puedan almorzar (a no ser que traigan unos sandwiches) una taverna de mediados del 1800s.

We went also inside a Court House from Logan County. Between 1840 and 1847 Abraham Lincoln tried cases here as a traveling lawyer, visiting once or twice a year, and dealing on cases resolving neighbors' disagreements over land or things like that. And here Nuri, Mom and Ruhiyyih are standing on the only part of the floor that is original form that time, since when they moved this house they had to refurbish most of it.
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Tambien fuimos a un edificio dedicado a la Corte para el Logan County. Entre 1840 y 1847 Abraham Lincoln visitaba esta corte en sus viajes como abogado, una o dos veces por año, resolviendo casos entre vecinos que disputaban por tierra o cosas asi. En esta foto Nuri, Nancy y Ruhiyyih estan parados sobre la unca parte del piso que es original de aquella epoca, ya que al mover la casa tuvieron que refaccionar la mayor parte de ella.

And to finish our little tour here we added pictures of the area dedicated to Edison and his work, there are replicas of some of the buildings located at Menlo Park Complex, New Jersey, although some structural elemens are original. The first two photos are from the laboratory where the first electric light bulb was created, and we were told that Mr. Ford asked that Edison's chair be nailed to the floor where he used to have it and no one was allowed to sit on it anymore. The next photo is inside the house of Mrs. Sarah Jordan from 1870, who boarded some of the men employed by Mr. Edison. This was one of the first few houses to be wired with electricity, and here is a picture of how it looked like to have light!!
"In 1876, Thomas Edison set a goal to have one major invention every six months and one minor invention every 10 days. He came very close to achieving that goal."
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Para finalizar nuestro pequeño aqui adicionamos fotos del area dedicada a Edison y a su trabajo, hay edificios replicados de los que se encuentran en Menlo Park, en Nueva Jersey, aunque algunos elementro estructurales son originales. Las primeras dos fotos son del laboratorio donde el primer foco electrico fue creado/encendido, y nos dijeron que el Sr. Ford pidio que la silla de Edison sea clavada en el piso alli donde el siempre se sentaba, y nadie mas se sentara en ella. La siguiente foto es dentro de la casa de la Sra. Sarah Jordan del 1870, quien alojaba a algunos de los hombres empleados de Edison. Esta fue una de las primeras casas donde se instalaron cables electricos, y en la foto ven como se veia una casa con luz!!
"En 1876, Thomas Edison se propuso como objetivo de tener un invento grande cada seis meses y un invento pequeño cada 10 dias. Estuvo muy cerca de alcanzar este objetivo."

We thank Mom, Ruhiyyih and especially Aunt Patsy for coming with us to visit this historic place. We loved it!! :) And we learned a lot, about history, inventions, culture, and perhaps it will be nice to share with you some of Mr. Ford's quotes, oh! by the way, did you know Nuri's great great grandpa knew Mr. Ford and was about to join him in business when Mr. Ford was just starting?? Well, his great great grandma thought it was a crazy idea, and didn't let him invest ... :) Here are the quotes we liked:
"The person who says he is overworked, is usually working the wrong way."
"No one really fails, who does his best."
"I shall be kind today - for my own sake if not for others."
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Agradecemos a Nancy, Ruhiyyih y especialmente a la Tia Patsy por venir con nosotros y visitar este lugar historico. Nos encanto!! :) Y aprendimos mucho, acerca de la historia, los inventos, la cultura, y tal vez fuera bueno compartir con ustedes algunas citas del Sr. Ford. Oh! a proposito, ¿sabian quen el tatarabuelo de Nuri conocia al Sr. For y estaba a punto de unirsele en sus negocios cuando el Sr. Ford estaba a punto de comenzar?? Pues resulta que la tatarabuela pense que era una idea loca y no le dejo invertir... :) Aqui van las citas que nos gustaron:
"La persona que dice que esta trabajando de sobremanera, esta generalmente trabajando en la forma equivocada."
"Nadie realmente falla, mientras da lo mejor de si."
"Hoy sere bondadoso - por mi propio bien, si no es por el bien de otros."
(Leila hizo la traduccion, asi que perdonen las fallas ;D )

Greenfield Village I

2006-12-03T16:56:00.000-08:00

That weekend on Saturday we went to the Greenfield Village adjacent to the Henry Ford Museum, probably the number one place to go as a turist visiting Detroit. The village was created by Mr. Ford, who brought to this village all the houses (yep, the whole house, with everything inside) that were meaningful to him, either from his town, or his grandparents home from Canada, or the people's homes/workshops/stores that had a special connection with him, such as his very good friend Thomas Edison, or the Wright brothers. It is like being in that time and those working there dresses exactly as they used to dress in that house/store/worshop.

We spent a whole day at the village with Mom, Ruhiyyih and Aunt Patsy, we went to everysingle house and here are some photos... not all of them fitted in this blog, so we will try to place the rest in another one, part II! :)

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Durante ese fin de semana, el sabado mismo, fuimos a una villa llamada Greenfield Village, que queda a lado del Museo Henry Ford, y tal vez es el lugar de visita numero uno en Detroit para turistas. La villa fue creada por el Sr. Ford donde el traslado las casas que tenian un significado para el (si... estan leyendo bien, casas completas, con todo adentro), ya sea de su niñez, la casa de sus abuelos desde Canada, o las casas/talleres/tiendas que tenian una coneccion especial con el, como las de su muy buen amigo Thomas Edison, o la de los hermanos Wright. Es como estar en esa epoca y la gente que trabaja alli, se viste exactamente como se vestian en esa casa/tienda/taller.

Pasamos todo un dia en la villa con Nancy, Ruhiyyih y la Tia Patsy; fuimos a cada una de las casas y aqui tenemos algunas fotos... no todas entraron en esta entrada, asi que pondremos las que faltan en la proxima, parte II! :)

The Carrusel from the Herschell-Spillman Co. from the early 1900s.
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El Carrusel de la Compañia Herschell-Spillman hecho a principios del 1900.

At the Wright's bike workshop/store
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En la tienda/taller de los hermanos Wright

A bus from the mid 1900s :: Un bus de mediados del 1900s.

The Village has its own craft works/shops created in 1930-35: mills, pottery, weaving, printing, tin works, glass, and so. These three pictures are from the printshop, a wood fire kiln outside the pottery shop, and the glass shop.
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La Villa tiene sus propios talleres/tiendas de artesanias que fueron iniciados entre el 1930-35: aserraderos, ceramica, tejido, imprenta, trabajo con estaño, vidrio, etc. Estas tres fotos son de la imprenta, un horno a leña afuera de donde hacen ceramica, y la fabrica de vidrios.

Also there are the working farms, where the Firestone Farm is located, brought from Pennsylvania and renovated in 1882. Here Benjamin and Catherine Firestone raised their three children, including the tire maker Harvey Firestone. Mr. Benjamin made his money from wool of wrinkly Merino sheep, which we saw there as well (out in the market there are not that wrinkly anymore)
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Tambien hay areas dedicadas a fincas y granjas, ahi se encuentra la Finca Firestone, traida de Pennsylvania y renovada en 1882. En esta casa Benjamin y Catherine Firestone criaron a sus tres hijos, incluyendo a Harvey Firestone quien se dedico a hacer llantas. El Sr. Benjamin se gano el pan de cada dia con la lana de sus ovejas arrugadas Merino, las que pudimos ver alli tambien (hoy en dia en el mercado ya nos son arrugadas, las han cambiado geneticamente para poder cortar la lana mas facilmente)

"When a new road forced Henry Ford's beloved birthplace from its original location, Ford decided not only to move it, but to restore and refurnish it to match his boyhood recollections. The restoration received so much press that Ford was inundated with requests to save other buildings. Soon after, the idea for Greenfield Village was born." http://www.hfmgv.org/village/default.asp

Thanksgiving at Grandma & Grandpa Eady

2006-12-03T16:17:00.000-08:00

This year we spent Thanksgiving weekend at Grandma & Grandpa Eady's, sharing wonderful moments with Nuri's paternal family. We left on Thursday 22nd quite early, at 4:00 am, so we could avoid traffic in Chicago, and we had a very good drive, making a great time. We arrived and had some snacks (it was close to lunch time) and shortly after Nancy arrived from Land O'Lakes. Ruhiyyih was there already, and slowly slowly -after 3:00 pm- everyone started arriving for the dinner.

We had all sort of traditional food, and after that awesome meal we all sang along and played games. It was truly delightful to be in the company of family, and hopefully these pictures share the spirit of that gathering!! :)

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Este anio pasamos el fin de semana de Accion de Gracias con los Abuelitos Eady y compartiendo bellos momentos con la familia paterna de Nuri. Salimos de nuestra casa el jueves 22 a eso de las 4:00 am, para asi evadir el trafico de Chicago y por ello llegamos bien, sin estres por la manejada. Llegamos cerca del medio dia, asi que nos esperaban con algo para picar y poco despues de llegar, llego Nancy desde Land O'Lakes. Ruhiyyih ya estaba por alla y despues de eso de las 3:00 pm, los miembros de la familia comenzaron a arribar.

Tuvimos todo tipo de platos que son tradicionales de la fecha (el que me causo mucho interes fue un pure de camote con mantequilla y mashmelows encima, horneado por unos minutos, que estaba espectacular! ;) Leila). Despues de la cena todos cantamos y jugamos juegos. Fue una bella noche en la compania de la familia y esperamos que estas fotos puedan mostrar algo de ese espiritu!! :)

The food :: La comida

Cousins ready to attack :: Los primos listos para el ataque

Grandma Eady, Aunt Maggy, Grandpa Eady

Shakira, Aunt Patsy and Mom looking at books from Shakira's publishing trust :: Mirando libros de la editorial donde trabaja Shakira

Jessie and Uncle David watching the game :: Mirando el partido de futbol americano

Watching Ruhiyyih's claymation video :: Mirando el video que hizo Ruhiyyih

Family singing along :: La familia cantando

Jamie and Aunt Kathy :)

Nuri and Tie Die, Shakira's bird :: Nuri con el lorito de Shakira

xx_xx_xx QUILTING xx_xx_xx

2006-11-20T07:33:00.000-08:00

This last month I (Leila) started and worked on a quilt. It was a great experience and although I had never made any quilt, I thought that would be a fun project to work on during the evenings while Nuri has homework (or during the weekends, too!)

So, after being inspired by the design of a 9 point star that a lady was working on while one of our Baha'i meetings, I thought I could probably try to do that, and here are some pictures of the process. I cut fabric in diamonds and put them together and used some yellow to cheer up the pattern, and then put a light background and then worked on the batting. That was the hardest part of all this, at least to me, and of course the quilt has its own personality -not quite perfect- but oh well, I am still happy with the results! :)

I just finished today and wanted to share it with you in own blog. Next quilt will be smaller, that for sure ;)

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Durante el pasado mes me dedique a hacer un cubrecama usando la tecnica de retazos de tela y armando un diseño. Finalmente hoy dia termine mi obra maestra, la cual me tomo un mes entre el diseño y la costura, pero fue muy divertido, aunque la parte de hacerlo tipo hedredon con costuras entre medio fue largo y complicado.

Como se imaginaran, es mi primer "quilt" asi que no esta perfecto, tiene sus fallitas por aqui y por alla, pero de todos modos esta sano y completo, asi que nada mal para mi primer esfuerzo. Aqui puse algunas fotos de los diferentes pasos en el proceso y a ver si les sirve a algunos de motivacion para trabajar en algo que nunca han hecho, con tal de hacer uso de un tiempo libre (pues mi excusa fue encontrar que hacer mientras Nuri tenia tarea y proyectos por la noche, y mirar tele no me parecio suficiente buena ;P )

22/10/2006

2006-11-01T10:11:00.000-08:00

Last October 22nd we went out to dinner and here are few pictures of our celebration, it is our 22nd month anniversary!! :) We are funny, are we??
Well, the most interesting is that we had snow that day in Madison, and here is a picture to prove it, especially since it was gone quite fast!!

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El pasado 22 de octubre fuimos a cenar y aqui ponemos algunas fotos de nuestra celebracion de nuestro "22avo mes"!! Somos un caso, no?? En fin, lo mas interesante es que ese dia nevo en Madison y aqui hay una foto de prueba, especialmente porque se derritio a las pocas horas despues!!

Noemi Robiati

2006-10-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went to Chicago, we were able to visit the Temple and meet there a dear friend from Italy, Noemi. We also met with Mithaq and Sina. Noemi as always contaged all of us with her radiant happy spirit, and even the day became sunny and bright! We had lunch in an Indian neighborhood and later we went to Lake Forest College -where Mithaq and Sina go to school- and attended a Fair where the Baha'is had a stand representing their Baha'i Club (and served tea to everyone). We were able to see various cultural dances and had a great day. Here are some pictures ;)

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El pasado fin de semana fuimos a Chicago y visitamos el Templo, nos encontramos alli con una querida amiga de Italia, Noemi. Tambien estuvimos con Mithaq y Sina Vahedi. Noemi como siempre nos contagio con su espiritu radiante y alegre, a tal punto que hasta el dia se puso soleado y resplandeciente! Almorzamos en el barrio Indio y luego fuimos al Lake Forest College -donde Mithaq y Sina estan estudiando- y participamos de una feria donde los Baha'is tenian un stand representando su Club Universitario (y ellos servian te para todos los que pasaban por alli). Presenciamos varios bailes culturales y tuvimos un lindo dia, aqui van algunas fotos nuestras :)

The refurbishing of the building of the Temple and its fountains is going wonderfully, we could admire the restoration work and the beauty of the gardens that day.
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La restauracion del edificio del Templo y sus fuentes esta yendo de maravillas, ese dia pudimos admirar el trabajo de restauracion y los bellos jardines.

Cedar Rapids - Iowa

2006-10-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

It has been quite a while since we last updated our blog. We have been quite busy, studying, working or being involve with activities in our community; and we haven't had time to share all this with you.

Nuri has started looking for a job, so when he finishes his masters in May next year, he is all set to start working somewhere. One of the places he went for an interview is Cedar Rapids, and during that weekend he was able to visit the town and bring pictures for Leila to see. Here is a picture of the Baha'i Center in this town, and hopefully soon we can go for a visit so Leila gets to have a feel for the area.

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Hace mucho tiempo que no actualizamos nuestro blog. Hemos estado bastante bien y ocupados con el estudio, trabajo y las actividades en nuestra comunidad, y lo sentimos que no hemos compartido mucho al respecto, todo pasa rapido y no nos alcanza el tiempo para ponernos al dia!!

Nuri ha aplicado a varias empresas, asi cuando termina su maestria en mayo ya tendra un trabajo en donde comenzar y lo mas probable es que este estara fuera de Madison. El fui a una entrevista en Cedar Rapids, en el estado de Iowa, y durante ese fin de semana visito la ciudad y trajo fotos para que Leila vea. Aqui hay una foto del centro Baha'i en dicha localidad y ojala pronto vayamos de visita, asi Leila se puede dar una idea de como es por alla.

902 Eagle Heights

2006-09-29T08:13:00.000-07:00

BIENVENIDOS <<>> WELCOME

A mediados de agosto nos trasladamos a un nuevo departamentito que queda en la zona residencial universitaria llamada "Eagle Heights." El departamentito esta muy bonito y el lugar es ideal para nosotros, tranquilo, con arboles alrededor de las casas, un centro comunitario y nuestro jardin ahi mismo. A traves de este email les daremos un poquenio tour por la casa, y ojala puedan venir a visitarnos (tenemos un cuarto de huespedes, que aun no lo hemos puesto entre las fotos del tour, pues es donde estan todos nuestros cachivachis!!)
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Around mid-August we moved to a new apartment at the UW students' residences called "Eagle Heights." The apartment is quite nice and the place is ideal for both of us, quiet, with trees around the buildings, a community center and our garden is right here too. Through this email we will take you for a little tour of the house, and hopefully you can come for a visit (we have a guest room, which we haven't included in these pictures since all our "stuff" is there right now).

The living room, kitchen and bathroom :: La sala, cocina y el banio

Our bedroom and that is where we work on the computer as well :: Nuestra habitacion y donde ambos trabajamos en la computadora

Here are pictures of the outside and the community center :: Aqui van fotos de afuera de la casa y del centro comunitario

Weekend of Baha'i activities :: Un fin de semana de actividades Baha'is

2006-09-27T08:16:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of this last weekend, on Friday night all the youth in Madison met with the LSA to consult, mostly the youth offer ideas on how to serve their community and their activities at the UW Campus as a Club Association! The second set of pictures is from our Saturday pic-nic. We actually had forgotten it was happening that weekend, but got a reminder on Friday night. It was a rainny day, but really we had a great time with the friends and somehow the day brightened while we were there!! :)
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Aqui van algunas fotos de este pasado fin de semana. El viernes por la noche todos los jovenes de Madison se reunio con la AEL para consultar y ofrecer ideas de como servir a nuestra comunidad y sus actividades en el campus universitario como Club Baha'i! El segundo grupo de fotos es del picnic que tuvimos el sabado. Nos habiamos olvidado que teniamos picnic, pero el viernes nos hicieron acuerdo... aunque fue un dia de lluvia, la pasamos muy bien con los amigos y mientras estuvimos alli, al menos no llovio!! ;)

Brigadeiro :: Brazilian Truffles

2006-09-22T09:13:00.000-07:00

This is one of the most amazing things on earth, called Brigadeiro and originally from Brazil, it is just so sweet and smooth, at the same time chocolaty and chewy, that you will long for it once you have tasted it!

Easy to make, just mix in a pot on medium heat a can of condense mil, two spoons of butter (or margerine) and two spoons of cocoa powder! Stir it with no interruption until becomes sticky and hardy, detaching itself from the bottom of the pot.

Make balls once it cools down, and cover them with sparkles or grounded nuts.

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Todos saben lo espectacular que son los brigadeiros... asi que voy directo al grano: la receta! Es re-facil, en una ollita sobre fuego medio, mezclar una lata de leche condensada con dos cuacharas de mantequilla (o margarina) y dos cucharas de chocolate en polvo. No parar de batir hasta que endure y quede pegajosito, en una masa que se desprende del fondo de la olla. Hacer bolitas una vez enfrie y cubrirlas con nueces o chocolate granulado!! :)

Land O'Lakes

2006-09-21T07:27:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went to visit Nuri's parent in Land O'Lakes. It was a great weekend, we were able to enjoy each others company and Mom's great food!! :D We were able to work on projects, Nuri and Dad did some stuff for a robotics' class, Leila learned some Chinese knots with Mom, we all watched a movie and especially, we all enjoyed watching Ruhiyyih play voleyball with her school's team! The pictures we took during the weekend were just about that game, and we were so proud to cheer for Ruhiyyih who did a terrific job saving and scoring! GO NUMBER 16!!!!
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El fin de semana pasado fuimos de visita a Land O'Lakes, a ver a los padres de Nuri. Fue un lindo fin de semana, pudimos disfrutar de linda compania y la rica comida de Nancy!! :D Tambien trabajamos en "proyectitos", Nuri y su papa prepararon algunas cosas para su materia de robotica (del papa), Leila aprendio de la mama a hacer unos nudos Chinos, todos disfrutamos de una pelicula, y en especial, todos la pasamos super mirando a Ruhiyyih jugar voley con su equipo del cole! Las unicas fotos que tomamos durante el fin de semana fue de ese partido, y estabamos orgullosos de hacer barra para Ruhiyyih, quien hizo un trabajo fenomenal salvando y haciendo puntos! UNA BOMBA PARA LA NUMERO 16!!!!

Sunday morning we had the bounty of gathering with the Baha'is of the area (Cluster #13), we had prayers and the study of the Letter of the Universal House of Justice dated December 27th. Mom prepared an awesome soup and home baked bread for all, and it was a very special gathering to us all!
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El domingo por la maniana tuvimos la oportunidad de reunirnos con los Baha'is del area (Agrupacion 13), hicimos oraciones y estudiamos la Carta de la Casa Universal de Justicia fechada 27 de diciembre. La mama preparo para todos una riquisima sopa y pan horneado en casa. Fue una reunion muy especial para todos nosotros!

Our garden :: Nuestro Jardin

2006-09-09T15:38:00.000-07:00

To all those interested in our garden, let us tell you that it did very good this summer, considering that we were gone first for three weeks up north to Land O'Lakes, and then for three weeks to Bolivia. During that time Hadi helped us with seldom watering and most importantly with picking up produce, because plants stop producing good "fruits" if they are not picked. Anyhow, when we came back from Land O'Lakes the garden was a jungle, as you can see in this picture:
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Para todos aquellos interesados en nuestro jardin, les contamos que sobrevivio muy bien el verano, considerando que nos fuimos por tres semanas al norte, Land O'Lakes, y luego otras tres semanas a Bolivia. Durante esas semanas Hadi nos ayudo con riegos de vez en cuando y lo mas importante, con recoger las verduras una vez maduras, puesto que las plantas dejan de producir buenos "frutos" si no son cosechadas. De todas maneras, cuando retornamos de Land O'Lakes nuestro jardin era una jungla, como pueden apreciar en esta foto:

... and with the help of Nancy and Ruhiyyih we spent an afternoon cleaning it up. We had a lot of weeding to do, and air the soil, and also watering the plants. Nuri put mulch around the plants, so not many weeds will grow during the time we'll be visiting Bolivia.
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... y con la ayuda de Nancy y Ruhiyyih pasamos una tarde limpiando el jardin. Habia bastante trabajo con deshierbar, darle una movidita a la tierra para que le entre oxigeno y tambien darle agua a las plantas. Nuri puso hojas secas alrededor de las plantas, asi las hierbas no crecerian mientras visitabamos Bolivia.

And here is the fruit of our hard work that day, a clean-walkable-garden!
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Y aqui esta el resultado de nuestra ardua jornada, un jardin limpio y transitable!

With exception of the cucumbers and eggplants, all the other plants gave produce. Our sweet peppers needed more time to grow and produce, only one had one pepper, but it has been the sweetest one ever! :) Here are some pictures of how the plants looked on that day, July 17th.
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Todas las plantas dieron bastantes frutos, con excepcion de los pepinos y las berenjenas (que no sobrevivieron). Nuestros pimentones necesitaron mas tiempo para crecer y dar mas frutos, pues solamente uno de ellos nos dio un solo pimenton, pero fue el mas dulce que hayamos comido! :) Aqui hay algunas fotos de como estaban nuestras plantas en aquel dia, el 17 de julio.

While Leila was in Bolivia, Nuri picked up the first canteloupe! It was sweet and juicy, perfect for an August summer day!!
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Y mientras Leila estaba aun en Bolivia, Nuri cosecho el primero de los melones! Estaba dulce y jugoso, perfecto para un dia de caliente de verano!!

This is this week's produce, and of course, you may be able to see our lovely sweet pepper. Until the frost comes, we will still be enjoying of some zuccinis, tomatoes, broccoli and cabbage. Most probably they will not be as great as they have been, but the land has been already so generous with us. This is something that Leila's Dad always said, "just be a little gentle to the land and gives you back 10 times, to show how generous and humble it is."
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Esta es nuestra cosecha de esta semana, claro que podran apreciar alli nuestro lindo pimenton rojo. Hasta que llegue la helada estaremos disfrutando algunos carotinhos, tomates, brocoli y repollo. Lo mas probable es que no seran tan buenos como los que hemos comido hasta ahora, pero ya la tierra nos ha dado tantas generosidades hasta ahora. Eso es algo que Leila se acuerda de lo que decia su papa, "si uno demuestra un poco de gentileza hacia la tierra, esta le da de vuelta a uno 10 veces mas, para demostrar cuan generosa y humilde es."

The Wichtendahl's

2006-08-31T21:31:00.000-07:00

Hoy cenamos en familia, vinieron los hermanos de mi mamá y mi Abuelita Elena a comer a la casa y la pasamos muy bonito, riendo y compartiendo.

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Tonight we had a family dinner with my Mom's syblings and my Abuelita Elena, we had a great time, lots of laughter and enjoyed each other's company.

2006-08-31T12:11:00.000-07:00

Last night with my parents I went to the opening of an exposition of the French photographer Robert Doisneau, organized by the Alliance Française. This man took amazing photos from everyday life between the 1930s and 1950s, and here are some of my favorites!

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Anoche fuimos con mis padres a la inauguración de la exposición del fotógrafo francés Robert Doisneau, organizado por el centro cultural Franco-Alemán. Este fotógrafo tomó impresiones de la vida real entre los años 30 y 50, aquí puse mis favoritas!

The Kisser :: El Besador

Picasso's Breads :: Los Panes de Picasso

Hell :: El Infierno

I don't know the names of these three :: No se el nombre de estos tres

Celebrating :: Celebrando

2006-08-31T11:52:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I celebrated the company of all my lady relatives and friends I haven't seen during the trip until now. Here they are in a snap shot my dad took of them getting ready for "coffee time" and the other picture is of my Abuelita Elena and her grand-daughters!

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El sábado celebré la compañía de todas las mujeres de mi familia y amigas que aún no había visto hasta aquel día. Aquí hay un par de fotos que tomó mi papá, una es de todas preparándonos para el cafecito de la tarde y la otra es de nosotras las primas con la Abuelita Elenita.

LAS TRES ESTRELLAS: El Re-encuentro

2006-08-31T08:28:00.000-07:00

Esta es una foto histórica! Cuando éramos chiquititas, Moky, Susi y yo solíamos bailar y cantar, disfrutándo nuestra niñez sanamente. Nos encantaba preparar unos bailes y hasta nos hicimos nuestras poleras con el nombre de nuestro grupo: Las Tres Estrellas (aunque en realidad nunca cantábamos tan bien, o tocamos algún instrumento, o escribimos nuestras canciones; pero eso sí, éramos buenísimas para el baile!). Susi esta ahora viviendo en San Pablo, Brasil, y generalmente viaja a Bolivia por su trabajo, visitando a sus padres aqui en Santa Cruz, los señores Shoaie. Ella es la única que guardó su polerita, ya que ni Moky ni yo sabemos dónde estará la nuestra. Moky organizó un almuerzo para nuestro encuentro y comimos el famoso pollo Moderno... lo que comimos todos los jóvenes entre amigos. El pollo costaba 8Bs. antes y ahora esta en 11Bs., es realmente un plato abundante y su salsa sigue siendo tan rica como siempre! También al almuerzo vino Griselda, una gran amiga nuestra, y con quien tuve el honor de servir en el comité de jóvenes Bahá'ís.

This is a historic picture! When growing up, Moky, Susi and I we used to dance and sing, and just enjoy being three girls with a lot of energy. We loved preparing shows and we even made a T-shirt with the name of our band: Las Tres Estrellas or The Three Stars (although we never really sang well, or played, or have our own songs; but we were great dancers, that for sure!). Susi now is living in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and usually has business in Bolivia so she gets to travel around, and visits her parents in Santa Cruz, Mr. and Mrs. Shoaie. She is the only one who kept her T-shirt, Moky and I have no idea where ours is. Moky organized for us to have lunch at her house, and we ate "pollo Moderno", a roasted chicken that we always ate when we were teenagers with the other youth and friends. The chicken used to be 1 US$, now is few cents more, but it was a big meal with a special hot sauce that we all love still! Also Griselda joined us for lunch, who is a great friend of us, and with whom I served for many years in the Bahá'í youth committee.

Betty & Martin

2006-08-29T18:15:00.000-07:00

El 26 de agosto nuestros amigos Betty & Martin se unieron en matrimonio en Santa Cruz. Betty fue mi compañera de colegio y es una brillante ingeniera que actualmente está terminando su doctorado en España. Martin es un joven alemán que vino a Bolivia como geólogo y según escuchamos es alguien muy capáz y dedicado. El año pasado en Barcelona estuvimos con Betty, su hermana Eliane y su esposo Jose, con quienes pasamos un lindo día paseando... poco tiempo después escuchamos la linda noticia de que se casaban y fue una alegría que el matrimonio fue mientras estaba aún en Santa Cruz.

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On August 26th our friends Betty & Martin got married in Santa Cruz. Betty was one of my high school classmates and she is now a bright ingenieer who is finishing her PhD in Spain. Martin is from Germany, who came to Bolivia for his work and we heard that he is very good at it! Last year while we were in Barcelona we spent a day with Betty, her sister Eliane and her husband Jose, who took us all around the city. Shortly after our visit, we got the happy news that she was getting married, and we got really excited to know that we were going to be in Santa Cruz for the big date!

Didar -------^--@

2006-08-29T15:17:00.000-07:00

Didar es una de mis queridas amigas, quien en La Paz nos llevó a todos (Nancy, Ruhiyyih, Nuri y yo) a cenar a un lindo restaurant, pero lastimosamente ese día nos olvidamos la cámara fotográfica. Este fin de semana vino a Santa Cruz y pasamos unas horas juntas el sábado, lo cual fue uno de los mejores regalos que pude recibir! Aunque estábamos medias enfermitas y ya casi sin fuerzas (ella por su arduo trabajo y yo por los trajines de mis trámites y papeleos) nos dimos cita el domingo para almorzar en cama las dos y nos pusimos al día con nuestras cosas! :)

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Didar is a very dear friend, who took us out for dinner in La Paz when we were visiting with Nancy, Ruhiyyih and Nuri, but unfortunately we forgot the camera and we don't have pictures of that memorable night. This past weekend she came to visit Santa Cruz and we had the chance to spend some time on Saturday, one of the best gifts I got for my BD! Although we were both weak and a bit sick, and quite tired (Didar because of her hard work and I, because of doing my papers and registrations) we got together on Sunday to have lunch in bed (literally) and we cought up with our lives and things! ;)

Manigeh :D

2006-08-27T19:03:00.001-07:00

Un almuerzo estuvimos en casa de Manigeh, donde comimos riquísimo y disfrutamos de sus lindas historias. Ella estuvo en Madison, así que esta entrada está dedicada para que los amigos de Madison la vean :)

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This blog entry is for those who know Manigeh, especially the friends in Madison.
One day for lunch we were at Manigeh's, who prepared a wonderful meal for me, Moky and my parents. We enjoyed her stories when she was living in Madison and studying at UW. She remembers with a big smile Paul & Ellie, and many other friends from the Bahá'í community, wishing us to convey her love and greetings. Hopefully she will come for a visit, that is what I tried to convince her to do, since she is always traveling... enshallah! I had the chance to tour her house and as you can imagine it is beautiful, with a warmth so characteristic of Manigeh!! Here is the only picture I took. Enjoy!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

2006-08-27T19:03:00.000-07:00

Feliz cumpleaños Nahid! Otro año que la pasamos celebrándolo a la distancia, pero conectadas con el corazón. Nahid: espero que siempre estés feliz y ojalá que al año la pasemos juntas... aqui está mi cama cuando llegué del cine, después de la media noche ya en el día 25. Muchas gracias a mis padres y a mi hermanita, a Nuri, su familia y a toda mi familia y amigos por hacer de mi cumpleaños un día especial!!

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Happy birthday Nahid! Another year that we are celebrating our birthdays separated, but we are still connected in our hearts. Nahid: I wish you to be always happy and hopefully next year we'll be together... Here is my bed when I arrived from the movies, on the 25th. To my parents and sister, dear Nuri, his family and to all my family and friends, THANK YOU for making this day so especial!!

The eve of the 25th we went out for dinner with my parents, and my dad took this picture :: La noche del 25 fuimos a cenar con mis papis y mi papá sacó esta foto.

Tucunaré ><((((º> Peacock Bass

2006-08-23T18:17:00.000-07:00

El Tucunaré es conocido como el rey de los peces amazónicos y una noche fuimos con mis padres a cenar unos tucunarés espectaculares en el restaurant de la Plaza Callejas en Santa Cruz, los cuales estaban crocantes y deliciosísimos. El tucunaré se lo distingue por el ojito que tiene en la cola, muy similar a aquél que posee el pavo real en su plumaje.

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Tucunaré or Peacock Bass, is known here as the king of the Amazonic fishes. One night we went out for dinner with my parents to a restaurant at Plaza Callejas, and the fish was really amazing, crunchy and delicious. The peacock bass is recognized by the little eye in the tail, very similar to that found in a peacock feather.

Here are the "before & after" dinner pictures!!

Abuelita Elenita

2006-08-23T06:58:00.000-07:00

My grandma, Abuelita Elenita, is a very interesting lady, who I love very much. She has four children, my mom being her oldest daughter, Carmen, Rodolfo, Maria Elena and Ingrid. Now that I am spending some time in Santa Cruz I am trying to enjoy her as much as I can. She came with us for lunch last Sunday and we had a great time... she has always been a great company!!

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My abuelita Elenita es una señora lindísima, a quien quiero muchísimo. Ella tuvo cuatro hijos (o tiene aún :D), siendo mi mamá su hija mayor, ellos son Carmen, Rodolfo, María Elena e Ingrid. Ahora que estoy pasando unos días extras en Santa Cruz estoy tratando de aprovechar estar con ella lo más que puedo. Salimos con ella a almorzar el domingo pasado y la pasamos muy bien... siempre ha sido una linda compañía!!

:: PERSIAN KEBAB ::

2006-08-22T19:25:00.000-07:00

Kebab is a well known Persian meal, probably the favorite to many Persians and non-Persians. In Santa Cruz there are three friends who always have invited me and my family for kebab, and they really do it excellently. When Nuri, Nancy and Ruhiyyih were here, Mr. Pourahmari made some for us to enjoy… and this week I was invited by Mr. Hajari to have some kebab with the friends and my family. Mr. Vojdani is the third Kebab expert around here.

Basically you need good ground beef to prepare kebab (it could also be made of turkey or lamb, as we have already tried in the US) and each has its own way to prepare it, but basically needs some grated onions and spices. Iranians have a flat “sikh” where they mold the kebab, and here in Santa Cruz they have developed various grilling techniques, being Mr. Hajari’s a custom made grill that uses propane (he created it, actually).

Kebab is accompanied with rice or bread, and usually they also have onions, tomatoes, a cucumber & yogurt salad, and lots of fresh herbs, such as basil and mint. I love kebab!!

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Kabab es una comida persa muy famosa, siendo probablemente la favorita de muchos, sean o no persas. En Santa Cruz hay tres amigos persas quienes siempre me han invitado con mi familia a comer kabab, y lo preparan maravillosamente. Cuando Nuri, Nancy y Ruhiyyih estaban aquí, el Sr. Pourahmari hizo kabab para que lo disfrutaramos… esta semana estuve invitada por el Sr. Hajari a comer kabab con mi familia y amigos. El Sr. Vojdani es el tercero experto en la materia.

Básicamente se necesita una buena carne molida de vaca para hacer los kabab (también podría ser de pavo o cordero, como lo hemos comido en los EEUU) y cada cocinero tiene su propio estilo de preparación, generalmente mezclándolo con cebolla rallada y especias. Los iranís tienen un “sikh” donde amoldan el kabab y aquí en Santa Cruz han desarrollado varias técnicas para asarlo, la del Sr. Hajari es usando gas (él mismo inventó su parrilla).

El kabab se acompaña con arroz o pan y generalmente se come con cebollas, tomates, yogurt con pepino, y muchas hierbas frescas como el basílico y menta. A mí me fascina el kabab!!

Guapurú

2006-08-20T23:04:00.000-07:00

One of my wishes was to blog some native fruits and flowers from Bolivia, especially from Santa Cruz, because I have never seen them elsewhere and I always craved for some while away from home. Guapurú is a tree that belongs to the same family of guaba, guabirá, arrayán and saguinto (I haven't found English terms for the last three). Its cientific name is Myrciaria cauliflora, people from Chiquitos call ittaanumox and Pauserna natives call it ibapumi.

It is a native plant from Bolivia, naturally found in the department of Santa Cruz, growing in dry or semi-humid places, in the tropic areas, mostly in the provinces of Andrés Ibáñez, Florida, Chiquitos and Cordillera, although internationally it is also known in Brazil.

Guapurú is a little tree with lots of branches, with a smooth crust that peels eventually. Gernerally grows under the shade of larger trees and its fruits give you the impression to be glued to the stem because they grow mostly on the main trunk and the thicker branches. Initially they are purple, and become black when they are ripe.

The guapurú is used in our poetry and writing: guapurú eyes, for example, is widely used in the traditional songs, used to flatter a lady of beautiful eyes, since it is used when she has big, sparkling eyes, as well as intensely black in color.

Its fruit, the guapurú, belongs to the berries. It has a thin and smooth peel, and inside a white and juicy pulp that is bittersweet. Normally is consumed as fresh fruit, but also people prepare juice, marmalade, licor, home made vinager and others with it. Also, with the crust of the branches the natives make medicine for diarrea, and because of all these products, people in the rural areas plant them near their houses to have it handy.

El Guapurú, pertenece a la familia de las Mirtáceas al igual que el guayabo, el guabirá, el arrayán y el saguinto. Su nombre científico es Myrciaria cauliflora; los chiquitanos lo llaman taanumox y los pauserna ibapumi.

Es una planta nativa de Bolivia, su distribución natural corresponde al departamento de Santa Cruz, en áreas secas o subhúmedas y de baja altitud. Se encuentra en las provincias de Andrés Ibáñez, Florida, Chiquitos y Cordillera, aunque internacionalmente se la conoce también en Brasil.

El Guapurú es un pequeño arbolito densamente ramificado, de corteza lisa que se desprende. Crece generalmente bajo la sombra de árboles más grandes y sus frutos dan la impresión de estar pegados al tallo puesto que se concentran en el tronco principal y las ramas gruesas. Son morados al principio y negros al madurar.

El guapurú es utilizado en nuestra poesía y canciones: ojitos de guapurú, por ejemplo, es una expresión inmortalizada en canciones populares, constituyendo un halago empleado como sinónimo de ojos hermosos, cuando una mujer los tiene grandes, agraciados, vivaces e intensamente negros.

La fruta del guapurú corresponde a la clasificación de las bayas. Es de cáscara delgada y lisa, mientras que su pulpa es blanca y jugosa, de sabor agridulce. Se consume directamente como fruta fresca, pero también se preparan refrescos, mermeladas, licores, vinagre casero y otros. Además, la cáscara del tallo y del fruto es una eficaz medicina para la diarrea. Por todos estos usos, en áreas rurales se la cultiva cerca de las casas, para tenerlo siempre al alcance de la mano.

RESTAURANT MONTESANO

2006-08-20T23:03:00.000-07:00

Mr. Abbás Mohsení, one of the Persian friends living in Santa Cruz, just re-opened his well known restaurant “Montesano” in a very private area downtown. He kindly invited me and my parents to have dinner there with his wife, Annie, and we enjoyed an amazing gourmet meal. Here you can catch a glimpse of the spectacular food, and definitely you need to come and taste it!

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El Sr. Abbás Mohsení, uno de los amigos Persas que vive en Santa Cruz, volvió a abrir su distinguido restaurante “Montesano” y ubicado en un lugar privado en el centro. El nos invitó, a mí y a mis padres, a cenar con él y su esposa, Annie, y realmente disfrutamos de una comida increíble. En estas fotos pueden tener una idea de lo espectacular que estaba todo, pero definitivamente tienen que venir para probarla!

I ate this meal, lamb!

This is chicken rings with pasta

This one is a beef tower...

And here special sea fish for my dad!

Santa Cruz - Bolivia

2006-08-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

El viernes 11 de agosto Nuri, Nancy y Ruhiyyih partieron de Santa Cruz, Bolivia, de vuelta a sus casas. Hemos puesto fotos e historias en el link aqui a lado. Espero que Nuri ponga algo en la página respecto a sus días en Madison sin mí… así que aquí están algunas anécdotas de mi visita a Santa Cruz y lo que he estado haciendo desde que se fue mi querido Nuri y su familia.

Ese primer fin de semana Moky & Marquito me llevaron a pasear a un nuevo lugar, donde la gente va de paseo y a comer, situado en el Urubó (a unos 20 Km de la casa de mis papis) y llamado “La Rinconada”. Los padres de Moky vinieron también y la pasamos muy bonito. Me subí a todo lo que encontré, hasta me lancé por un cable que iba a gran velocidad.

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Last Friday, August 11th Nuri, Nancy and Ruhiyyih left from Santa Cruz, Bolivia and returned home. We placed pictures and some journey entries in the link right beside here. I hope Nuri can post something in our blog regarding his days in Madison without me. So, here I am posting some stories about my visit to Santa Cruz and what has been going on, since my dear Nuri and his family is gone.

That first weekend my friends Moky & Marquito took me to a new place where people go for a walk and good food, it is located in Urubó (20 Km west from my parents house) and called “La Rinconada” which means the very corner. Moky’s parents came as well and we all had fun. I hiked everything; I even slid down with a cable.

Japanese fish for good luck!!

CERAMICA :: Class 3 & 3 1/2

2006-07-14T07:37:00.000-07:00

Pues bien, despues de hacer nuestras vasijas las pusimos en el horno, donde cocieron por unas 8 horas (el fuego fue de lento a fuerte y de ahi, a lento) y luego enfriaron por 24 horas, asi que estuvieron listas para ser pintadas!! Las pintamos de adentro hacia afuera, uno puede usar cualquier tecnica, desde usando brochas y pinceles hasta sumergiendo la vasija en la pintura. El secreto es no poner ni mucha ni poca pintura, pues si es poca no tiene el efecto deseado y si es mucha se cocinara con burbujas o simplemente se desprendera de la superficie! :P No tenemos fotos de nuestra pintada... asi que tendran que utilizar su imaginacion!

Una vez pintadas, las vasijas secaron y otra vez fueron puestas al horno, basicamente pasando por el mismo proceso: una vez que la coccion termino, entran a un proceso de enfriamiento y luego se abre el horno un poquito para que comiencen a recibir oxigeno y a enfriar. Tomamos una foto del horno recien abierto y luego cuando lo abrimos completamente... aun asi, hay que esperar bastante. La pintura tiene particulas de arena o cristales que se convierten en vidrio, dandole ese toque que todas las ceramicas tienen.

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Well, after we made our pots and were dry, we placed them in the kiln were they cooked for about 8 hours (the fire went slowly higher and then cooled down slowly back) and they were left to cool down for about 24 hours, so they were now ready to be glazed!! We glazed them from inside out, you may use any technique: from bruses to submerging them or splashing them -well, that was my understanding- and the secret is to not use too much glaze or too little of it, so it looks good! We don't have pictures of our glazing .. but you can use your imagination to picture us doing it! ;)

Once the glaze was dry, they were fired in the kiln basically under the same procedure: once fired they had to be cooled down and the kiln is cracked (slightly open the lid) and then cooled. We took pictures of the kiln cracked and then fully opened... you have to wait quite a bit though! The glaze used has some crystals that become like a glass sheer on top of the ceramic, giving a wonderful touch!

Russian Dinner :: Cena Rusa

2006-07-12T12:14:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had a Russian Dinner, basically Nancy (Nuri's mom) made Russian black bread and a soup called Borsh and we all enjoyed it, and when we say all, that is not only the family but all the campers and counselors, and the director here at the Conserve!! We also had Paul and Anastasia as special guests, and once dinner was over, the youth went for a soccer game! :) That is why in our group picture the youth are missing.

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Hoy tuvimos una Cena Rusa, y toda la comida fue preparada por Nancy (la mama de Nuri), ella hizo pan negro Ruso y una sopa llamada Borsh para todos nosotros, y esto quiere decir TODOS: la familia y los que estan trabajando y estudiando en el campamento que tiene la escuela! Tambien el amigo de Nuri, Paul, y su esposa Anastasia vinieron como invitados especiales, y ni bien terminamos de cenar, los jovenes se fueron a jugar futbol! :) Por eso es que no tenemos fotos de los jovenes.