Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Human Resources
There is an analogy I have heard, though I can't find it to hand, which 'Abdu'l-Baha relates about the training of horses; that through causing horses to run, day by day they progress from slow and flabby to strong and swift. Though they may not enjoy the arduous training, the result is a stable of well-trained steeds, suited for whatever task they are called on to perform. Thus, the Master informs us, the Baha'is should be willing to arduously train, to strain every nerve to become swift and strong in teaching the Cause. Thus, in my words, while we are out and about teaching the Cause, we are training up human racehorses.
What's The Buzz?
Yesterday evening, late after work I was cruising to Eatonville, listening to music and getting in the groove, when suddenly I sensed something alive and struggling in my lap. I jumped and let out a little scream, then realized I had set my phone on vibrate, which I never do, and it was buzzing in my pocket.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
My Farcical Attempts At A New Language
I took a Farsi class this morning. For the other students, this was their eighth lesson or so. The other students ranged between about 8 or 9 and 14, but I am the baby of the class. We arrived 15 minutes late, as I'm not familiar with Burien and it is about 30 miles from Tacoma, and they were studying the alphabet. I had thought there were about 4 forms of each letter, but Saeid is teaching two: capital and small case.
When we came in, each student was writing a different letter in turn. After the break, where Saeid wrote the alphabet for me in the book I bought in Vancouver [Let's Learn Farsi, by Farshid Eghba] in beautiful penmanship, the class worked to memorize a prayer. The teacher had each student recite the prayer, word by word, then wrote the prayer in their notebook [in Farsi, of course.]
The class ended with a game in which Saeid wrote a letter on each student's back, with his finger, and had the student identify and write the letter on the blackboard.
I had my translator help me memorize the prayer [of which I can say about the first four words] and learn to pronounce them, as I drove from Burien to Puyallup. "Faghrr." I still have a sore throat learning to say the word. "Powerty," said Enayat. "If I can say faghrr, you can learn to say poverty," I said.
Then we looked in Walmart, Lowe's, and drove to Eatonville and argued--I mean, consulted--about the placement of the sink, stove and cabinets in the new kitchen. This time I am insisting on being consulted and included in the plans, which is difficult. Enayat gets into the flow of things and starts just making unilateral decisions; then he tries to invalidate my concerns. I did a good job of asserting my point of view while staying quiet about it.
I stopped by Northwest Trek, where I've learned that one can pick up a pass and walk the trails for free, while the park is open. So that was fun. That was it for my big day off.
When we came in, each student was writing a different letter in turn. After the break, where Saeid wrote the alphabet for me in the book I bought in Vancouver [Let's Learn Farsi, by Farshid Eghba] in beautiful penmanship, the class worked to memorize a prayer. The teacher had each student recite the prayer, word by word, then wrote the prayer in their notebook [in Farsi, of course.]
The class ended with a game in which Saeid wrote a letter on each student's back, with his finger, and had the student identify and write the letter on the blackboard.
I had my translator help me memorize the prayer [of which I can say about the first four words] and learn to pronounce them, as I drove from Burien to Puyallup. "Faghrr." I still have a sore throat learning to say the word. "Powerty," said Enayat. "If I can say faghrr, you can learn to say poverty," I said.
Then we looked in Walmart, Lowe's, and drove to Eatonville and argued--I mean, consulted--about the placement of the sink, stove and cabinets in the new kitchen. This time I am insisting on being consulted and included in the plans, which is difficult. Enayat gets into the flow of things and starts just making unilateral decisions; then he tries to invalidate my concerns. I did a good job of asserting my point of view while staying quiet about it.
I stopped by Northwest Trek, where I've learned that one can pick up a pass and walk the trails for free, while the park is open. So that was fun. That was it for my big day off.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Faith, or ???
My husband thinks I have a lot of faith because of what I will go through to get to Feast. I got my taxes done, spent 2 hours in Lowe's shopping for kitchen stuff, deposited my check in the bank, and brought paint and etc. to Eatonville.
Enayat decided he wanted to come to Feast with me in NE Tacoma, so by the time we left, there was no time to eat. Here's my route:
North on Meridian [Hwy 161]; West on 176th; North on Canyon; West/North on Pioneer; cross River Road and get on I-5 South to get onto Hwy 705 and take 509 across the tideflats, then up the hill to NE Tacoma. [I didn't listen to the little voice that said, try to get over to 509 some other way.] That is what happened, BUT.
Unknown to me there was a Black Eyed Peas concert at the Tacoma Dome, so the instant we got onto the freeway, blam, we were stopped in stop-and-go traffic for 1 1/2 hours just to get past the Tacoma Dome. While Enayat snoozed [never miss an opportunity to sleep] I held devotions in the car. I recited every quotation I could think of, several prayers, several songs, several songs that were prayers. All the time, inching forward.
Whenever I left a gap for some car to come onto the freeway or get in line for the Tacoma Dome, some other car nosed into it, so I stopped being generous and letting people in.
We did get to the Feast in time for the social portion, lots of good stories and laughter and fellowship. The real reason I will go through hellandhighwater to get to Feast is for the fellowship. I'm almost starting to be grateful for these types of tests. Almost.
There is some reason God wanted us to spend and hour and a half by the Dome saying prayers; someday maybe I'll find out what it is.
Enayat decided he wanted to come to Feast with me in NE Tacoma, so by the time we left, there was no time to eat. Here's my route:
North on Meridian [Hwy 161]; West on 176th; North on Canyon; West/North on Pioneer; cross River Road and get on I-5 South to get onto Hwy 705 and take 509 across the tideflats, then up the hill to NE Tacoma. [I didn't listen to the little voice that said, try to get over to 509 some other way.] That is what happened, BUT.
Unknown to me there was a Black Eyed Peas concert at the Tacoma Dome, so the instant we got onto the freeway, blam, we were stopped in stop-and-go traffic for 1 1/2 hours just to get past the Tacoma Dome. While Enayat snoozed [never miss an opportunity to sleep] I held devotions in the car. I recited every quotation I could think of, several prayers, several songs, several songs that were prayers. All the time, inching forward.
Whenever I left a gap for some car to come onto the freeway or get in line for the Tacoma Dome, some other car nosed into it, so I stopped being generous and letting people in.
We did get to the Feast in time for the social portion, lots of good stories and laughter and fellowship. The real reason I will go through hellandhighwater to get to Feast is for the fellowship. I'm almost starting to be grateful for these types of tests. Almost.
There is some reason God wanted us to spend and hour and a half by the Dome saying prayers; someday maybe I'll find out what it is.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The Test of Sincerity
"Anonymous" challenged my level of sincerity because I do not support the business of mendicancy. My compassionate nature attracts many people asking for money, and I have had multiple interactions with them over the years.
Sincere people are truly hungry, and they are satisfied with food. The food I've found which travels best is a small jar of peanut butter: it keeps, it contains lots of fat and protein, and very few people are actually allergic to it. Sincere people are usually grateful to receive it when offered.
The vast majority of people asking you for money are insincere. They are running a business. The target is you, and the product is whatever story will put the money into their pockets. It's all profit. And I am weary of listening to their insincere approach, which is what prompted my flippant [but truthful] response which I posted the other day.
I am involved, heart and soul, in an organization not only dedicated to, but guaranteed to change the world by transforming people one heart at a time. And the best part? "No salesman will call on you."
Sincere people are truly hungry, and they are satisfied with food. The food I've found which travels best is a small jar of peanut butter: it keeps, it contains lots of fat and protein, and very few people are actually allergic to it. Sincere people are usually grateful to receive it when offered.
The vast majority of people asking you for money are insincere. They are running a business. The target is you, and the product is whatever story will put the money into their pockets. It's all profit. And I am weary of listening to their insincere approach, which is what prompted my flippant [but truthful] response which I posted the other day.
I am involved, heart and soul, in an organization not only dedicated to, but guaranteed to change the world by transforming people one heart at a time. And the best part? "No salesman will call on you."
Monday, April 5, 2010
This and That
Observations driving around:
"Fibromyalgia? 1-800-555-3456."
No, thanks.
"Born to Fish."
If you were born to fish, you would be one. And, technically, you would have been hatched.
"Can you spare some change?"
Okay, let me get this straight: you want me to pay you for nothing. I think I'll just skip paying you, and continue to get the nothing.
"Fibromyalgia? 1-800-555-3456."
No, thanks.
"Born to Fish."
If you were born to fish, you would be one. And, technically, you would have been hatched.
"Can you spare some change?"
Okay, let me get this straight: you want me to pay you for nothing. I think I'll just skip paying you, and continue to get the nothing.
Pea Soup: A New Take
Pea Soup With Soy Chorizo
In Trader Joe's the other day, picking up some whole wheat lavash bread, I found soy chorizo. I decided to make pea soup with it in the pressure cooker.
one yellow onion, cut up: saute on medium low in pressure cooker in 2 T olive oil until carmelized.
Meanwhile, cut up: one garnet yam, several peeled garlic cloves, two small tomatoes. When onions are carmelized, squeeze out soy chorizo into pot to saute; add rosemary, dill, basil, oregano, cumin. Add diced yam and garlic and tomato.
Add two cups dried peas and about 6 + cups water [I still had to thin the soup later as I don't like the thickness of traditional pea soup. So next time I would add even more water.]
Pressure cook on high for ten minutes and allow pressure to release naturally. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke. The chorizo is a little smoky, salty, and fairly spicy.
I ate this with multigrain bake it yourself baguette.
In Trader Joe's the other day, picking up some whole wheat lavash bread, I found soy chorizo. I decided to make pea soup with it in the pressure cooker.
one yellow onion, cut up: saute on medium low in pressure cooker in 2 T olive oil until carmelized.
Meanwhile, cut up: one garnet yam, several peeled garlic cloves, two small tomatoes. When onions are carmelized, squeeze out soy chorizo into pot to saute; add rosemary, dill, basil, oregano, cumin. Add diced yam and garlic and tomato.
Add two cups dried peas and about 6 + cups water [I still had to thin the soup later as I don't like the thickness of traditional pea soup. So next time I would add even more water.]
Pressure cook on high for ten minutes and allow pressure to release naturally. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke. The chorizo is a little smoky, salty, and fairly spicy.
I ate this with multigrain bake it yourself baguette.
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