Little Celebrity walking on the Parade!!!

Another plus of living so close to the Parade, is that there is always something happening there!!
Lots and lots of festival and shows! And two weeks ago was no exception! It was the Food and Wine Show of Adelaide!

And one little Miss, was so happy because for once, she could walk on the streets freely, without having to hold mummy's hands!!
Just look at her running on the Parade!!! She was really excited about that!!!

And here little Miss Mona posing in front of the 'Charminar' Indian restaurant stand:
Then a bit further up the street, there was this one woman show, and at the beginning of her show, she asked the kids to come and help her set her stage with ropes. Of course Mona was the first to jump in and offer her help!!
The lady asked them to stand on the rope, each on one corner, to form a square stage. Unfortunately for Mona, she didn't get what she was suppose to do, and the rope kept sliding off her foot. So the lady did this:

She rapped the rope around Mona's legs!! It was hilarious!! And little Mona was like "What's wrong with you lady!!" But it only lasted for a few seconds and the kids quickly went to sit in front on the stage to watch the amazing woman with her hula-hoops!

(Mona sitting - to my big dismay, on the road!!! - to watch the show)

It was really a funny and amazing one woman show!

It was also a very hot and sunny day and luckily for us, there were several stand where they had free sunscreen for people to wear!! And I think we stopped at each stand to put some extra sun screen on!! lol... (hey, don't blame me, we need to protect our skin from the sun, and also it was free!!! lol...)

Then we had some lunch... chicken kebab on bread with hot chips and sauce!

Mona didn't waste any time to devoured it all!!! (as you can see for yourself... lol)

Then there were some music performances, African drumming to be exact!!

And Mona danced, to her heart's content, to the beat of the drums!!

And then of course, when Mona saw all the kids with their colorful shaped balloons, she was quick to ask for one too, and we had to walk all the way down the opposite side of the Parade to go find the Clown who made those shaped Balloons for Mona!

(Here the clown is making a flower shaped balloon for Mona)

When we paid the clown and he happily gave his balloon to Mona, something funny happened!!
The camera man from ABC channel was right in front of us. And he started shooting Mona and the Clown with his Camera.

So much so, he asked the Clown to repeat the scene, THREE times, to get it right on the camera!! lol... So the Clown happily walked back and forth to give Mona the Balloon and they of course paused the Camera man and Mona gave him a big smile...

Unfortunately, we were so busy that week, that we were barely at home to watch the news and see if Mona did made it on television or not... lol..

But anyway, here is a shot of my little celebrity with her flower balloon!!

Hidden Cords Live Concert

On the 21st of Feb, the Baha'i Music Band 'Hidden Cords' had a Live Fireside Concert and it was just brilliant!! I was so glad I was there... because I would have really missed out on this great Fireside!

They started off with some Baha'i Prayers and followed with some other rocking Baha'i tunes!

And there was a beautiful reading of a Writing from 'Abdu'l-Baha on Pain and Joy, which really touched my inner core and feel compelled to share with you:

"In this world we are influenced by two sentiments, Joy and Pain.
Joy gives us wings! In times of joy our strength is more vital, our intellect keener, and our understanding less clouded. We seem better able to cope with the world and to find our sphere of usefulness. But when sadness visits us we become weak, our strength leaves us, our comprehension is dim and our intelligence veiled. The actualities of life seem to elude our grasp, the eyes of our spirits fail to discover the sacred mysteries, and we become even as dead beings.
There is no human being untouched by these two influences; but all the sorrow and the grief that exist come from the world of matter--the spiritual world bestows only the joy!
If we suffer it is the outcome of material things, and all the trials and troubles come from this world of illusion.
For instance, a merchant may lose his trade and depression ensues. A workman is dismissed and starvation stares him in the face. A farmer has a bad harvest, anxiety fills his mind. A man builds a house which is burnt to the ground and he is straightway homeless, ruined, and in despair.
All these examples are to show you that the trials which beset our every step, all our sorrow, pain, shame and grief, are born in the world of matter; whereas the spiritual Kingdom never causes sadness. A man living with his thoughts in this Kingdom knows perpetual joy. The ills all flesh is heir to do not pass him by, but they only touch the surface of his life, the depths are calm and serene.
Today, humanity is bowed down with trouble, sorrow and grief, no one escapes; the world is wet with tears; but, thank God, the remedy is at our doors. Let us turn our hearts away from the world of matter and live in the spiritual world! It alone can give us freedom! If we are hemmed in by difficulties we have only to call upon God, and by His great Mercy we shall be helped.
If sorrow and adversity visit us, let us turn our faces to the Kingdom and heavenly consolation will be outpoured.
If we are sick and in distress let us implore God's healing, and He will answer our prayer.
When our thoughts are filled with the bitterness of this world, let us turn our eyes to the sweetness of God's compassion and He will send us heavenly calm! If we are imprisoned in the material world, our spirit can soar into the Heavens and we shall be free indeed!
When our days are drawing to a close let us think of the eternal worlds, and we shall be full of joy!
You see all round you proofs of the inadequacy of material things--how joy, comfort, peace and consolation are not to be found in the transitory things of the world. Is it not then foolishness to refuse to seek these treasures where they may be found? The doors of the spiritual Kingdom are open to all, and without is absolute darkness.
Thank God that you in this assembly have this knowledge, for in all the sorrows of life you can obtain supreme consolation. If your days on earth are numbered, you know that everlasting life awaits you. If material anxiety envelops you in a dark cloud, spiritual radiance lightens your path. Verily, those whose minds are illumined by the Spirit of the Most High have supreme consolation.
I myself was in prison forty years--one year alone would have been impossible to bear--nobody survived that imprisonment more than a year! But, thank God, during all those forty years I was supremely happy! Every day, on waking, it was like hearing good tidings, and every night infinite joy was mine. Spirituality was my comfort, and turning to God was my greatest joy. If this had not been so, do you think it possible that I could have lived through those forty years in prison?
Thus, spirituality is the greatest of God's gifts, and `Life Everlasting' means `Turning to God'. May you, one and all, increase daily in spirituality, may you be strengthened in all goodness, may you be helped more and more by the Divine consolation, be made free by the Holy Spirit of God, and may the power of the Heavenly Kingdom live and work among you.
This is my earnest desire, and I pray to God to grant you this favour. "

- 'Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, November 22nd.

Then there was a brilliant and incredibly inspiring account of the story of a very young martyr in Iran, by one of the friends who witnessed it and was tortured and imprisoned himself in Iran for his Faith in Baha'u'llah!
I really wished I had taken notes on that night, because the story was really moving and touching, and I am really bad with names and dates! But one day, I will get the exact details of the story to share with you all. Because a story like this must and should be shared!!



The following two pictures were taken by Mona:

Ruhi Bk 3 and family time...

Two weeks ago, we were at Mamani's house (grandma's) and we went to dinner with her to celebrate the graduation of her participants of Ruhi Book 3.

We had a lovely time and eat yummy food and had free complimentary pancakes (yes we went to Cafe Primo! lol) for desserts. Our tummies were exploding when we came out of the restaurant!!

Here are some pics:

(Mamani giving the certificate for graduation Ruhi Bk 3 to cousin Ruha)

(Mamani giving certificate to Mobin)

(Mona walking around the restaurant as if she owns it!! lol...)

And believe me or not, but here are some the amazing photos that my darling daughter (almost 3 yr old) took from my good old digi camera!!
She is getting really good at taking photos, she will make sure her hands are not in front of the lens and will focus on her subject and wait till her hands stop shaking to click on the button!!
She will even tell you to 'Smile' when she is ready to take the shot!!
Her mama taught her well, don't you think? :) lol...

(Haleh Roya, viewed by Mona... This shot is really beautiful.. and no I'm not biased at all!!!! )

(Amu Nader and Haleh Roya, again by Mona)

(Mummy and auntie Nushan by Mona, ok, she cut me off from the picture, there was mamani also on the other side of me who didn't make the shot, but I love this shot anyway!!! lol)

(And my personal favourite of all of her shots: Babaee Hamid and Mamani Shahla! Love the rawness of the moment!!)

One day.... She will become a very famous and great photographer.... one day!

Visiting old friends

I have a few blog updates to make.... was very busy during Ayyam-I-Ha Celebrations, but now that I have some free time... let me share with you what we've been up to in the past couple of weeks or so (before Ayyam-I-Ha)...

So a few weeks back, after coming back from the gym, I told Mona that we were going to visit some old friends, and if she remembered 'Danny' and 'Emilia'?
You see 'Danny and Emilia' and their parents recently moved back to Adelaide and we didn't get a proper time to go see them and catch up with them. Last time we saw them was when they came to visit us, about 6 months or so ago (see this post here).

So when I told Mona that we were going to see them and that we are going to have a nice time playing at their house, she got really excited!!! And when I asked if she remembered them, she gladly said: "Oh mummy, I'm so happy to see Danny and OLIVIA again! They are my best friends!!!"
She was so excited to just go and play with kids her age that she gave Emilia a new name!!! lol...

Here are some pictures of our dear friends and Mona playing with them:

(Emilia and Daniel)

(Martha pushing very heavy Nushan and Mona on the swing)

(Mona really loving the swinging with Nushan)

(Watch out.... here she comes!!)

(Ooops... what happened there!?!)

(Kids will be kids.... even Nushan!! lol)

(Auntie Nushan and Martha reading a story to Mona)

(I love this picture of them 3 together!!)

Can't wait to do that again... It was really fun spending time together with friends...

The End and New Beginnings.... a Personal Reflection!

Seems like a never ending story... but it's how life goes... there is always a beginning and an ending and after each ending there will be a new beginning and on and on it goes...

Ayyam-I-Ha's celebrations have come to end and we have now entered the last month of the Baha'i Year, a month where one needs to reflect and meditate on the ending of this year and prepare one's self spiritually and physically for the beginning of the new year. And the last Baha'i month of the Baha'i calender, the month of 'Ala, helps us to do just that. It's the fasting month dear friends. And this year, even more than ever, I am so happy and ready to go on this spiritual journey with myself.


The fast fleeting days of Ayyam-I-Ha, those 'Days out of Time' was really just that for both me and Mona. It really put everything into perspectives for me!
It really showed me how important it is to just be happy and bring happiness to others.

Just like those 4 days went by so fast, so is our time here on earth, and what's the use of holding up grudges against each other, what's the use of being upset or staying upset with others, what's the point of being sad about what others do or don't do.... It all really doesn't matter... Why let some one's actions influence the way you feel...

It really doesn't matter who did me wrong or who hurt me or disappointed me, it doesn't matter if I loose or win, if I have a big house with all the materials things, it doesn't matter if I am rich or in debts, it doesn't matter if I am sick or healthy, it doesn't even matter if I am all alone in a foreign country.... but what really matters is how much I let all those material and fleeting things control my entire being or not...
No matter what the issues or problems are, the ultimate thing is, I can only depend on myself to be happy in life and need to make sure that I can do everything possible to make my daughter happy....

For so long I held someone else accountable for my happiness, but when that person left, I realised that I can be happy no matter what and no matter who is beside me, because it ultimately depends on me! Like 'Abdu'l-Baha said: "If you want to be happy, just be!"

And this is exactly what I have learned during those days out of time. During this Ayyam-I-Ha period, it didn't matter where we were, what party we went to, who were with us, or what we did. What really mattered was our attitude of love and sharing, of gifts giving, and of happiness.

So from now on, I am turning on the switch of happiness in my heart and will let it light up my whole being...


Like I wrote at the beginning of this Gregorian new year, I feel this is going to be a great year for me. And so far it's been a great one in so many different and unbelievably challenging ways....

I have grown so much and can say that I am a totally different person today than the person I was a few months ago... And I know that I still have a long long way to go, the journey is not finished yet, there is still a lot of growing up to do...

But you know what, it's amazing how much each little steps counts towards that bigger picture!
I am discovering myself and a whole new world of possibilities is slowly opening up itself before me... and as I find the strength and courage, that I wasn't even aware I had within me, I find myself becoming more and more independent and truly happy with the way my life is leading it's way...
I have found love and support from the most unexpected places and people. I have met new and fascinating people and was amazed at how much strangers (people who I don't know that well) and old friends and family members were right here with me, by my side, to help me along this learning path and reach out a loving and helping hand to help me and pull me out of this dark path into a brighter and happier one...

And today, after the first day of the fasting month, I feel so happy and deeply connected with my Creator. I feel a deep sense of happiness inside of my heart, that it is almost impossible for me to find the right words to describe it.... and it's only the first day of the fast!!!
I am so looking forward to the end of the fasting month, because I know deep inside something greater is awaiting me...

So my dear loved ones and new and old friends alike, thank you so much for being a part of my life and for accompanying me on this part of my earthly journey. You have no idea how much you all are contributing to my physical, emotional and spiritual growth.
And in a very near future, when those seeds starts sprouting and when all the growing is done, I hope there will be fields of pure beauty in me for all of you to see...

Lovingly,

Even Ayyam-I-Ha's parties has to end...

On Sunday afternoon we had our last Ayyam-I-Ha party and what a wonderful party it was.
The party, which was hosted by our friends Shideh, Erfan and their cutie little daughter Elia, was so well organized and prepared, from the food (and there were lots and lots of them), to the decorations, the little details, the gifts for the children and little take home sweets in a box for each guests!
It was cute to see Mona interact with baby Elia, and how she insisted that Elia plays with the pink teddy bear we got for her... lol...
Mona had so much fun with her good friend Achi and I really enjoyed meeting new people and all the grown-ups conversations!!! lol...

Here are some pictures of the last but very memorable Ayyam-I-Ha Party:

Elia and her aunt Mosghdem (sorry for the wrong spelling of the name)






(Mona and Achi crawling like baby Elia)


(Sabby, Mona and Fereshthe and Achi)

Everywhere we go and everyone we meet, says that Mona and Achi looks like sisters and that Fereshthe and me looks like sisters too!
And all this is becoming quite interesting because both Mona and Achi and Fereshthe and myself are becoming good friends now.... maybe we all are 'soul sisters' after all...

Opening of gifts time...


Mona proudly showing off her new pink book!


Shideh and Mona


Achi and Mona comfortably settled on the Persian rug for a session of drawing and colouring.


Mona and Achi eating the yummy cup cakes that Shideh baked.


Mona sharing her half-eaten cup cake with Morgan.