Providence, Rhode Island

Emily and Christina took a day trip to Providence, RI this past week. Half-way down there snow started coming down like a blizzard, and I was convinced we were going to have to turn around and go home, but 20 minutes later it cleared and the sun came out. For those of you who don't know, New England is getting a very El Nino winter with much less snow than usual...NOT complaining, mind you. Well let's see what photos we took that day...

First, that beautiful grand white building is the capitol building of Providence, which is the capitol city of Rhode Island. Although Em and Chris grew up less than two hours away from here, they had never spent time there... THAT is about to change....



Our first stop was Providence College, future home to one of our favorite people. Here is Em standing in front of a modern chapel on campus (it is a Catholic school).

















Cedric, this is especially for you...this is Christina dressed as school mascot. Get it?!?!













As for those of you who didn't know (probably everyone reading this) Providence College had the national championship women's division 2 rugby team. And right below the sign where we learned this, we saw that if anyone gets in trouble on campus, they list the crime AND punishment on the "judicial postings" cork board in the student union. Sentences seemed to range from Parental Notification, to Write an Essay about..., to 20 hours of Community Service. Sounds to me like forgiveness and mercy are two values the Friars of Providence hold high.



And finally, here is Em writing an email to Ced telling him we are standing in the student center - proof!

All in all, it is a very pretty school and we really liked the city too. It has different neighborhoods, real people seemed to live in all areas, there are lots of interesting small shops and restaurants, it is really hilly, sort of like Haifa, and it is right on the water (aka. Atlantic Ocean). Looks like a great place!

Nothing like old friends...

Last Sunday, Christina had a chance to drive to the Boston area (less than 2 hours away) and see two old friends...Amy and Karen. YAAAAYY!!! It was awesome. We met at Amy and Josh's house, and hung out with their two adorable daughters.

These two friends are also Bahai's from Christian backgrounds and all have spent some time getting edu-mu-cated in Amhert, Mass., so we have lots in common. It was LOVELY to see you all!


Anna was eager to play her "flute" for me...

The two lovely ladies...
Could you two be any cuter!!??

Post-Thanksgiving Visits

There were a few photos from the Thanksgiving time that we haven't posted yet...so here they are! This one is Em and good friend Joey at the lighting of a Christmas tree in Harvard Square. Joey, we wish you and Chris all the best with your plans to move to Sweden!! So exciting! Em also had a chance to see other old friends, as Chris and her mom window shopped till they dropped.

Em, Chris and Mom

Dad and Em

Em and Dad enjoying the weather on a peaceful walk down Main Street

More Quotes...On Cooking and Food...

on exercise...

"Another good reducing exercise consists in placing both hands against the table edge and pushing back." (by Robert Quillen)

hahahaha...

"I've been on a diet for two weeks and all I've lost is two weeks." (Totie Fields)

"The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found." (Calvin Trillin)

on serving guests...

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2)

"To invite a person into your house is to take charge of his happiness for as long as he is under your roof." (A. Brillat-Savarin)

"Feeding people graciously and lovingly is one of life's simplest pleasures: a most basic way of making life better for someone, at least for a while." (Anna Thomas)

wise...

"If we don't sing the songs, tell the stories, and make the foods that are dear to us, our children won't know what they missed, but I think they'll miss it just the same." (Laura Ward Branca)

Ruhi Book 7 Study Circle completed!

At our home, we recently completed with some friends the study of Ruhi Book 7, which is titled "Walking Together on a Path of Service". This course that we facilitated, but in which all participants are considered equal learners, is concerned with spiritual and moral empowerment, and prepares each of us to tutor other groups. It was developed by a very forward-thinking Bahai educational institute in South America, and is now used world-wide in Bahai communities. This study circle had awesome participants, fully engaged, and sincerely concerned with the well-being of their families and communities. Congratulations you guys!!



For two classes a few months ago, we had special visitors from Cameroon!!! They shared with us wonderful and encouraging stories. We hope to meet them again some day!

Thank you, oh great guitar teacher!

Trip to the Container Store

At Lydia's encouragement, we took a trip to the Container Store in Natick, the "Gift Wrap Wonderland". It was so fun! The colors, the creativity, it made us all want to start a million crafts projects! So, Lydia, these photos are for you!!!

Of Books & Quotes...

I have read some fabulous books this year. Not too many, but hey, its quality, not quantity, right? :-) I highly recommend (they made me laugh and cry, which is my criteria) :
1. My Sister's Keeper
2. Bel Canto
3. Monique and the Mango Rains
I am about to begin reading (thanks Lydia!!!) The Lovely Bones, and The Color of Water. As far as religious books, I have started The Revelation of Baha'u'llah, Volume 1: Baghdad 1853-1863. Fascinating history well illuminated by Adib Taherzadeh.
If you have any recommendations for great books, let us know!

And now, for a very sweet quote:
Things to Ponder
Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun.
Birthdays are good for you: the more you have the longer you live.
How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you’re on.
I have noticed that the people who are late are often so much jollier than the people who have to wait for them.
If ignorance is bliss, why aren’t more people happy?
Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us.
If Wal-Mart is lowering prices everyday, how come nothing in the store is free yet?
You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.
We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors…but the all have to learn to live in the same box.
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Happiness comes through doors you didn’t even know you left open.