۱۳۸۷ خرداد ۴, شنبه
۱۳۸۷ اردیبهشت ۲, دوشنبه
Earth day
Tomorrow is Earth day and I believe each of us had an obligation to protect our environment and beloved Earth planet. Each of us individually can have a huge impact to keep our planet better place to live for now and for our children and our grandchildren.
Here are some small little things I do to keep planet better:
• try to use reusable containers as much as possible
• try to recycle as much as it holds
• try re-use the water bottle for drinking water. Avoiding to buy water bottle every time I need
• use least paper towel and use the regular towel for cleaning the kitchen(still sometimes I use paper towel but should minimum to the least)
• minimized the shower time(not very successful yet)
• I don’t print unless really necessary
• I asked my bank to send me online monthly statement instead of paper statement
• I was very good lat year in turning my computer off when I leave office especially during weekend) I only turn off the monitor Monday to Friday
• Turn off the light whenever I can
I am working on these to get better:
• When I brush my teeth I working to close the water
• I was using the plastic glass in the office I am changing this habit and using regular glass that I can wash it.
• I was bad using my shopping bag instead I was using the plastic bag offered by grocery stores. I am working on this too.
• TV is on when I am at home even when I am not watching it. This is really a bad habit I should work on this too.
These are really small little things that everybody can do in their daily life. After all we are here in planet for only couple of years; we should try to keep it clean and healthy for the next generation. Please at least give it a try …………………..
۱۳۸۷ فروردین ۳۰, جمعه
How can I write in Farsi in my blog? Anybody????
I really like to write in Farsi in my blog or at least give it try but I don’t know how???? Anybody can help? Sometimes I blog from my Mac laptop and sometimes from Windows based computer. So what is the catch to write in Farsi? Do I need to create a new blog in different server to be able to write in Farsi??????????????
۱۳۸۷ فروردین ۲۳, جمعه
On The Road by Jack Kerouac
Couple of friends and I started a book club reading in New York City. We decided to read a book each month and talk about the book when we gather next time. The rule is whomever is hosting the book reading night next time can recommend books and we vote and decide which one to read. I was the first host so I recommended couple of books and eventually we picked “Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wild. This Monday we will be talking about “on the Road”.
“on the road” a novel by Jack Kerouac published in 1957. Mostly it is autobiography of his trips cross United State with his friends from Columbia University., experiencing life, drug, sex, poetry, etc…For me not familiar with American history especially during depression, after depression, and hippies this is a great book to start learning about all these. The book considered as postwar beat generation who inspired by poetry, jazz, drug and sex.
Jack and his friends are studied in Columbia University in New York; he is creator of the beat generation who they want to live. The philosophy behind it was I am poor so everything belongs to me. They belong to post war period (Second World War) which Jack and his friends mostly came back from. This is the period people started migrate to the suburb of the cities and owning affordable house, having wife and kids considered as an ideal life. Jack Kerouac and his friends on the other hand didn’t considered it as an ideal life(American Dream in 1960) and decided to live and experienced all they could in life and started with visiting different cities in America. Cars and using the car was a luxury and most people couldn’t afford buying tickets for train or bus so they ended up hitchhiking or using car services(which you drove the car or pooling car with other people to share the gas) and living on the road.
Sal Paradise represents Jack Kerouac an innocent writer who wants to experience the life. The fear of the death and not having much time to live he decides to live by experiencing as much as could. Seems the beat generation has only one ideology and that is life and the holly and precious life and maybe that’s explains the madness of Dean who wanted to leave and do everything he could in a short period of time. Fear of death and loosing all and being buried in a cemetery in gloomy suburb.
۱۳۸۷ فروردین ۱۹, دوشنبه
"I want to believe" Guggenheim Museum
Guggenheim Museum in New York is only 10 minutes walk from where I live, so it is no surprise that Pete ad I visit this museum very often. Guggenheim Museum is very famous for its unique architecture and I always find myself enjoying walking around the spiral floors. Of course there are always ongoing constructions inside or outside the building. But yesterday we decided to see what is new in museum and checked out the exhibition since I saw a strange picture from new exhibition in the paper and was very curious.And we both were very impressed by the “I want to believe” by Cai Guo – Qiang exhibition. Cia is born in 1957 in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China. He is gone to Shanghai Drama Institute from 1981 to 1985, and his work has, since the outset, been scholarly and often politically charged. Cai is one of the most well-known and influential Chinese contemporary artists, having represented his country at the Venice Biennale in 1999 with his project Venice's Rent Collection Courtyard, a performance during which he had artisans recreate a famous work of Socialist Realist propaganda sculpture. For his complete bio and work please check here: Cia Guo-Qiang
Cia works inspired by many Chinese myths. He also experiences how energy can affect his artistic work. He also created many work using gun powder.
You can see better pics in Pete's blog
Cia works inspired by many Chinese myths. He also experiences how energy can affect his artistic work. He also created many work using gun powder.
You can see better pics in Pete's blog
۱۳۸۷ فروردین ۱, پنجشنبه
A trip to British Virgin Islands
Getting to Tortola from JFK airport in New York was a big challenge. Originally we suppose to fly from JFK to San Juan, 3 hours fly and then from San Juan to Tortola Island in British Virgin Island, total 8 hours.
That changed as a result of snow in New York City which starts at midnight the same day of our trip. How unlucky you can get????????? Usually there is a little snow in New York City or not. It hasn’t been this much snow in New York City almost 4 years.
After seating 5 hours in runaway finally our flight canceled and we had to fly out to Miami airport and then to San Juan and finally to Tortola.
We had to sleep in Maiami airport in the floor, no room provided and it was too expensive for us to get one. So we slept in the floor. The next day when we were checking our bag noticed there is bug line to go to Cuba. I had no idea there is flight from US to Cuba. I thought I heard wrong and asked twice but seems I heard fine.
Anyway, it took us almost 32 hours to get to Torotola. Finally we were there, sunny with blue sky.
It was a beautiful day to be there. From San Juan to Tortola is almost 45 minutes fly and you can see beautiful islands while you are flying. In the sky I was trying to see where our airport is and where in the earth we are going to land. To my surprise we landed in little tiny runway.
British Virgin Islands or B.V.I is in Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Torotola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Cooper, Peter, Ginger and Round Rock Islands.
The capital of BVI is Tortola Island, the official language is English and currency is US dollar. The population is 21,730 and the main industries Tourism, Yacht Charters & Offshore Financial Services. The status/affiliation is British Dependent Territory and head of the state is Queen Elizabeth II.
First stop at Torotola Island, meeting with other people in the boat, getting settled and taking shower in the dock. It was a long trip to get here, Pete and I both exhausted from long hours in airport. Our boat’s name is No Grief, soon find out that the boat is everything but NOT grief. The boat has 5 cabins, each included with bed, closet, shower and bathroom, small but clean.
We have a dinning room which includes stove, fridge, refrigerator, dining table and seating area.
After one hour sailing in the ocean I felt nausea and my sea sick start. Turns out that I need to take Dramamine all the time or I am tossed.
First stop is Peter Island. I was the first person to leave the boast since I was sick the most. So we were there just on time to see the sunset, seating in the beach and dining with other friends. I ate Mahi-Mahi which was excellent grilled fish from the same region.
Second stop Virgin Gorda Spanish town
Third night Bitter End in Virgin Gorda
Bitter End Yacht Club is the Caribbean's premiere luxury water sports resort. Located on the island of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands , Bitter End is uniquely situated along a mile of lush gardens and beaches fronting the protected waters of the North Sound.
Known for its casually elegant atmosphere, secluded accommodations with spectacular views and robust activity programs, Bitter End is a safe island retreat where sailing, snorkeling, swimming and relaxation are a way of life.
Fourth and fifth nights, visiting Anegada Island. Lobster dinner and meeting all people in the group, next day exploring the island with motor bike, snorkeling during the day, fish for dinner in the boat.
I never snorkeled before so it was challenging to learn how to breath while swimming and your face is in the water. It turns out that is very fun indeed but you should learn not to panic when the water comes in your breathing system. I never did so I was sacred but it was really fun.
This is the only major coral island within the British Virgin Islands. Anegada features fabulous beaches, an immense barrier reef, salt ponds, flamingos, rock iguanas, spectacular sunsets, and great lobster dinners! Known as the "drowned island", Anegada's highest elevation is only 28' above sea level.
This Island can be divided into 6 different sections
Anchorage
Beaches
Salt ponds
The settlements
The outback
Anegada Reef
Sixth night Virgin Gorda, Spanish town. Dine on the top of the hill, spectacular view and drink in Café. Piano bar
Seventh night, back to the FootLoose dock in Tortola, swimming in the pool, relaxing and enjoying the land specially for me being tired of sea sick. Oh we should pack now.
That changed as a result of snow in New York City which starts at midnight the same day of our trip. How unlucky you can get????????? Usually there is a little snow in New York City or not. It hasn’t been this much snow in New York City almost 4 years.
After seating 5 hours in runaway finally our flight canceled and we had to fly out to Miami airport and then to San Juan and finally to Tortola.
We had to sleep in Maiami airport in the floor, no room provided and it was too expensive for us to get one. So we slept in the floor. The next day when we were checking our bag noticed there is bug line to go to Cuba. I had no idea there is flight from US to Cuba. I thought I heard wrong and asked twice but seems I heard fine.
Anyway, it took us almost 32 hours to get to Torotola. Finally we were there, sunny with blue sky.
It was a beautiful day to be there. From San Juan to Tortola is almost 45 minutes fly and you can see beautiful islands while you are flying. In the sky I was trying to see where our airport is and where in the earth we are going to land. To my surprise we landed in little tiny runway.
British Virgin Islands or B.V.I is in Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Torotola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Cooper, Peter, Ginger and Round Rock Islands.
The capital of BVI is Tortola Island, the official language is English and currency is US dollar. The population is 21,730 and the main industries Tourism, Yacht Charters & Offshore Financial Services. The status/affiliation is British Dependent Territory and head of the state is Queen Elizabeth II.
First stop at Torotola Island, meeting with other people in the boat, getting settled and taking shower in the dock. It was a long trip to get here, Pete and I both exhausted from long hours in airport. Our boat’s name is No Grief, soon find out that the boat is everything but NOT grief. The boat has 5 cabins, each included with bed, closet, shower and bathroom, small but clean.
We have a dinning room which includes stove, fridge, refrigerator, dining table and seating area.
After one hour sailing in the ocean I felt nausea and my sea sick start. Turns out that I need to take Dramamine all the time or I am tossed.
First stop is Peter Island. I was the first person to leave the boast since I was sick the most. So we were there just on time to see the sunset, seating in the beach and dining with other friends. I ate Mahi-Mahi which was excellent grilled fish from the same region.
Second stop Virgin Gorda Spanish town
Third night Bitter End in Virgin Gorda
Bitter End Yacht Club is the Caribbean's premiere luxury water sports resort. Located on the island of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands , Bitter End is uniquely situated along a mile of lush gardens and beaches fronting the protected waters of the North Sound.
Known for its casually elegant atmosphere, secluded accommodations with spectacular views and robust activity programs, Bitter End is a safe island retreat where sailing, snorkeling, swimming and relaxation are a way of life.
Fourth and fifth nights, visiting Anegada Island. Lobster dinner and meeting all people in the group, next day exploring the island with motor bike, snorkeling during the day, fish for dinner in the boat.
I never snorkeled before so it was challenging to learn how to breath while swimming and your face is in the water. It turns out that is very fun indeed but you should learn not to panic when the water comes in your breathing system. I never did so I was sacred but it was really fun.
This is the only major coral island within the British Virgin Islands. Anegada features fabulous beaches, an immense barrier reef, salt ponds, flamingos, rock iguanas, spectacular sunsets, and great lobster dinners! Known as the "drowned island", Anegada's highest elevation is only 28' above sea level.
This Island can be divided into 6 different sections
Anchorage
Beaches
Salt ponds
The settlements
The outback
Anegada Reef
Sixth night Virgin Gorda, Spanish town. Dine on the top of the hill, spectacular view and drink in Café. Piano bar
Seventh night, back to the FootLoose dock in Tortola, swimming in the pool, relaxing and enjoying the land specially for me being tired of sea sick. Oh we should pack now.
۱۳۸۶ اسفند ۲۹, چهارشنبه
Happy New Year and Happy Nowrouz
Tomorrow is official day of the spring, Iranian New Year and Nowrouz( meaning new day). All the events start 2 -3 weeks prior the arrival of spring.
The housekeepers set out to do the spring-cleaning, "Khaane-Tekaani" in Persian, which mainly entails the washing of the carpets and the other must-wash items and furniture.
The other preparation is growing "Sabzeh" (wheat, lentil, or barley seeds) in some pot, which is done about 2 or 3 weeks before Nowruz but today many people simply buy them. One other preparation to welcome Nowruz is "Nowruzian shopping", called "Kharid-e Nowruzi".It includes purchasing new clothes, sweets, flower (in particular hyacinths and tulips) and the articles of
"Haft Sin ".
Number 'seven' has got a holy position in the Persian mythology. We are told of seven levels of earth and heaven, seven deities superior to others, seven constellations which controlled the fate of the mortals and even seven days in a week. Seven-S spread, in Persian called "Sofreye Haft Sin", is the inextricable component of all homes on Nowruz. Sofreh means spread or tablecloth and Haft Sin, seven-S. Zoroastrians of Iran used to decorate their Haft Sin in seven big trays each bearing seven kinds of foods. The role of Haft Sin is very comparable to that of the Christmas tree in the Christian countries. Each item has its own symbolism, which stems from the advent of the custom.
Haft Sin's most outstanding item is
"Sabzeh" (the green sprouts of wheat, barley or lentil) which symbolizes rebirth and usually is beatified with a strip of red ribbon, while an orange may be placed atop.
A glittering red or yellow "Seeb"(apple) is the second and stands for beauty and good health.
"Samanu", kind of a sweet pudding or custard, is the next article symbolizing affluence.
The following item stands for love and is called "Senjed", fruit of the oleaster or lotus tree.
The forth one is "Seer" (garlic) and is the representative of medicine on the spread.
Then there exists sumac berries, "Somaq", which epitomizes the color of the sunrise.
The last article "Serkeh"(vinegar) epitomizes patience and age.
Number 'seven' has got a holy position in the Persian mythology. We are told of seven levels of earth and heaven, seven deities superior to others, seven constellations which controlled the fate of the mortals and even seven days in a week. Seven-S spread, in Persian called "Sofreye Haft Sin", is the inextricable component of all homes on Nowruz. Sofreh means spread or tablecloth and Haft Sin, seven-S. Zoroastrians of Iran used to decorate their Haft Sin in seven big trays each bearing seven kinds of foods. The role of Haft Sin is very comparable to that of the Christmas tree in the Christian countries. Each item has its own symbolism, which stems from the advent of the custom.
Haft Sin's most outstanding item is
"Sabzeh" (the green sprouts of wheat, barley or lentil) which symbolizes rebirth and usually is beatified with a strip of red ribbon, while an orange may be placed atop.
A glittering red or yellow "Seeb"(apple) is the second and stands for beauty and good health.
"Samanu", kind of a sweet pudding or custard, is the next article symbolizing affluence.
The following item stands for love and is called "Senjed", fruit of the oleaster or lotus tree.
The forth one is "Seer" (garlic) and is the representative of medicine on the spread.
Then there exists sumac berries, "Somaq", which epitomizes the color of the sunrise.
The last article "Serkeh"(vinegar) epitomizes patience and age.
Happy New Year and Nowrouz everybody
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