To New York and back, with love.

For our 11th year anniversary, Pieter and I went to frequent the spots we used to go to, visit places we never have and reacquaint ourselves with our former home, Manhattan. We took the NY Waterway Ferry across from NJ to NY, the same ride we used to take everyday to get to work in NY. The boat was nice, and though cloudy, was still a great ride, all 6 minutes of it.

When we arrived, we went to Columbia Circle to the Mall on 59th which contained the flagship store of Williams-Sonoma and an array of other shops and restaurants (one with a review a great place to eat, but lunches costing a mere $300). Our experience was less than interesting, maybe because I didn't really care to splurge for anything that was unnecessary, nor did I find the high end boutiques pleasant. The fancy bakery that looked really good was a real let-down. How in the world could a $30 ham and cheese baguette and an almond brioche be stale and overly soggy respectively?? What-ever. The best part of the "mall" was walking down to the basement for some Heavenly teas from Whole Foods and then bringing our overpriced baguettes and wet brioche to Central Park, where we checked out a cool tree and ate lunch. Anyway, despite the oops factor, and the "better to go to Cosi for a GOOD sandwich" it was still a day of discovery, with more to come. After the park and checking out the new APPLE store uptown, we took a ride in the subways to go to Soho and revisit some of our favorite cafes.

The subway reminded me that NY is a city of strangers, often bumping into one another and exchanging the rituals of human communication, trust and kindness. Yes, this is NY, but I felt the warmth and the briskness of the city again. We had many smiles, short conversations, pictures that people volunteered to take (while holding 3 Hat boxes mind you)and through it all witnessed the symbiotic consciousness of the city. The funny element though that is often missing, is that you have to have the right EYES to see this. I found eye to eye contact in this panorama of movement can be extremely cold and distant, self-preserving with fear, or can enable one to connect completely as a fellow soul walking on the street.

For Pieter and myself, it often felt like the latter and we enjoyed it. Check out the cellist in the cafe which was located in an art gallery. So cool, and so NY.

Anyway, later after Iced coffees, Jamba juices etc, Pieter and I went to the opening weekend of AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, a very impressive film about reality that is not fun to hear; man's playground (Earth) needs some improvement and fast due to global warming. I was skeptical and cautious and was fully aware that I personally would not be swayed by suppositions only of "uncertain" or "unfounded" science regarding global warming. Instead, I wanted to wait for facts supported by uncontroverted details before I reach a conclusion, a process that may be intuitively supported by legal analysis tools I use everyday. This film provided the content...dead on, simple, and to the point. Facts like this do not need the Hollywood drama, stars or a great script to get the message across. If you can watch a film this summer, watch this one and become aware. I would offer that anyone who has a preconcieved notion of what global warming is, whether it is a myth or reality, keep your mind open and think for yourself. It may help mankind (or rather the Western world) prevent some of the worst manmade global crises from happening.

Towards the end of the night, after we reflected on the state of the world, as far as environment, global cooperation and pro active action was concerned, we needed to eat dinner.

The table is perfect, the restaurant like a second home, and the food, oh the food. Cornelia Street Cafe was our host for the evening, a place Pieter and I used to go to and loved each time for its simplicity, great food and warm atmosphere. We commenced with sharing a warm goat cheese salad on belgian endive; and then extended our journey with Bistro-perfect Steak Frites, and ended the wondrous meal with cappacino that made me want to linger in the City lights for the rest of the night. Here is quick pic with me holding the candle in awe of our surroundings, evening and overall celebration of our anniverary.

The day was memorable and every bit special. It was like seeing our old friend again. With some friends, it is great to visit, but better to keep a distance. It was nice to see that we both were so thankful for our 5 year experience in and around the city, but even happier that we could come home. (A special Hartelijk Bedankt to Carolina for taking care of Bella and Alec ALL day and being a fantastic Oma (making pancakes with them and all). We couldnt have had the day without your generosity, kindness and love.

When We Dance...

Eleven years ago tomorrow, the most wonderful event happened that changed the rest of my life. I made a promise to someone and these were the words I heard on that most wonderful day while we had our 1st dance as husband and wife on May 27, 1995:

Come and live with me
We'll have children of our own
I would love you more than life
If you'll come and be my wife
When we dance, angels will run and hide their wings

I'm gonna try in every way
Cathedrals are broken
Heaven's no longer above
And hellfire's a promise away
I'd still be saying
I'm still in love
When we dance, angels will run and hide their wings

I never thought it would come true, but it has. What started as an unexpected yet wonderful email correspondance in 1994 became the start of an incredible intense shared friendship and partnership that would last and endure through today with utter love and respect while setting each other free as we grow & learn through this thing called life.

Happy anniversary to my greatest love and best friend Pieter Bas. I look forward to the rest of time by your side.

Youth persecution in Iran?

I received an heart wrenching email around midnight that 57 Bahá'í youth were recently arrested in Shiraz. They were taken captured, and imprisoned...I supposed by the authorities. I do not know any details, or have I verified with any news agency. As much as I hope (and pray) it is not true, it could be.

Today also commemorates a holy day for Bahá'ís, with the Declaration of the Báb, which began the "Bahá'í era". 163 years ago, the Báb, the prophet-herald of the Bahá'í Faith, announced in the same city of Shiraz, that he was the herald of a new messenger of God and with that new messenger, a new age in which a new type of society, one of unity, and world peace.

Commencing with the announcement of the Báb, Bahá'ís believe the coming of Bahá'u'lláh opened the age for the establishment of world peace, when, as anticipated in the sacred scriptures of the past, all humanity will achieve its spiritual and social maturity, and live as one united family in a just, global society. Bahá'ís believe that there is one God, that all humanity is one family, and that there is a fundamental unity underlying religion. Interesting note that the night of the Declaration of the Báb coincided with the 1st transmission in Morse code in 1844 with the following words: “What hath God wrought?”

Is this a religion that deserves persecution?? More than 20,000 Bahá'ís have already died, people have been killed in the past and in the recent present. Now today, of all days, more youth, YOUTH, students, kids, not adults, but youth have been captured and imprisoned???!!!

I will not recount all the history of the Bahá'í persecutions in the past, (go to Bahai.org/iranthreat for more history and information) but I am constantly and utterly numbed at how this can persist even through today.

I know that recently, there has been fear that the attack on the Bahá'ís would get worse. The White House even took note.(See blog entry on White House responds). It is happening, it is happening, the fear has become reality.

The only thing I know what to do is to say prayers for these youth, for strength, courage, safety and their return, and that as these events take hold, as the world takes notice, that action will follow thought, and voices will be heard to change this situation, before it gets too late.

A Second Life

If you could do something different, what would it be? Would you change yourself? Change your life? I am on a constant quest for betterment in the world, through the micro-actions of my life. Hopefully they will at least affect some change; at least for Isabella and Alec. I have my own type of instruction booklet guided by principle, hard work, discipliine and utter sincerity of heart. Much of what I do is inspired by my Bahá’í sense of purpose, peppered with my personality and experience as a woman, mother, lawyer, friend and soulmate.

If I didnt have this path though, where would I be? What would I have done? Well, for some of us, there is a second reality available to you for free, as long as you have the internet, can download an application and connect.

"Second life". A place that was created by Linden Labs to set in motion a new virtual community filled with keyboard communicators across the world. So far there are about 180,000 (or so) members from around the world loggin in at different times or at the same time to discover the areas navigatable by your specially made, customized moving and virtual living avatar.

My avatar's name is Alanna and I have purple hair with red eyes, and long hair. Even in the virtual world I can't seem to settle for a hair cut. I log in by clicking on an icon that resembles a green gloved hand and enter...

This is a fascinating place where anyone can be anyone and walk through computer generated lands, discovering things, people, creativity, art, places that satisfy our lower nature and many other areas which I have not ventured into to discover. I personnaly still having trouble navigating with arrows, page ups and page downs (which help you fly). I wish I had a GPS system to get around but no such luck. So anyway, I get online, stay on for about 15 minutes and then log off. I seem not to have the patience to linger, learn and slowly find my way. I walk into trees, dip into water and fly backwards a lot.

My graceful husband (as Scott) of course has already found out how to sail a boat, not surprising of course based on his innate skills at navigating, discovering and acquiring knowledge. Plus he misses sailing on this planet (he once spotted Duran Duran on their yacht while he was sailing!!!)

Where can this virtual community lead to? In a perfect world, perhaps dialogue, growth, empathy and communication. In fact I think there are some university sponsored learning centers that have launched virtual lectures there as well. That sounds cool. The other telling item is that many areas of the virtual community are built by members online, they own the IP rights (as long as they share the coding with the owners, an open source type sharing tool for the master coders)and folks can charge Linden Dollars which can accumlate into real Earthling dollars. Interesting business models...collaborative development through a voluntary system with shared opportunities and possible benefits leading to profits, creative expression and...

Well, I will hold off on judging or commenting on the future of this place just yet and will revisit this item later on. For now, I'll get back to my reality... my primary (1st) life.

Peace.

Nish stops.

I was sick for 2 days. This entry is really a reflection about when we are stopped in our tracks.

I had to actually call in sick two days in a row. I never do that, and yet I had to with a fever that would not go away and a headache etc that prevented me from focusing, reading or even responding to my blackberry. I slept longer in bed than I can ever recall, looking at the clock as it hit the AM's and then the afternoon and into evening, with little motivation for me to get up. I did finally to eat some wasa crackers and to drink some water and hang out with my kids. But the experience was surreal.

I have also found out that Alec loves to hang out with me at my worst moments, wanting to be held and just to sit with me. My daughter meanwhile comes to my room, sits on my bed and asks whether I am feeling better. When I am sick I am not in the mood to chat or hang out, but with kids like these, who can resist?

P has been wonderful during these two days, as his work schedule on his book has become topsy turvy dependent on how the house is going, whether he can feel good enough to leave the house while I am less than better. I wish my illness didnt impact him at all, but in reality what I go through, he goes through too, for good or for bad. As a quick example, he slept in our "office" at night, on an old couch/bed which is not very comfortable, but since I have had such sleepless nights, it was his only hope for a full night sleep. Actually he awoke 5 times each night, with a sore back and probably feeling more tired than when he went to bed. He is really a sweetie.

Anyway, I came back to life today...almost. One of the Nancy's at work (there are three...) looked at me said I should go home, and wondered if I got any work done. Well, it was a better day than yesterday and although I did not get all the stuff done, I did make a dent in my workload.

I do not like getting "stopped" in my tracks, but I have to let go, be detached and let others help out. My work-mates (thanks Judy and Nancy) were amazingly supportive, helpful and very kind; my family was great, and even though everyone kept on going, they didnt make me feel bad that I couldnt.

Nice to sometimes stop, since only at those times, does one know who will help you go forward.