winding down

it seems that with people spending their last hours and minutes awake in front of the computer, skyping or chatting with friends, that there is very little to no time to wind down before going to sleep. how do you sort out your impressions and experiences of the day, if you are not allowing yourself some silent moments and time for reflection before sleeping? I think the last 30 minutes awake should be spent away from new impressions - TV, computer, etc. - and spent instead on prayer, meditation and reflection.

the sacrifices of 'Abdu'l-Bahá

reading this last night left me speechless:

I noticed that my own presence in that room was another source of torture to all of them. This was due to the fact that parents and children were suppressing and restraining themselves by trying to be quiet and polite in my presence. So, in order to give them freedom, I accepted the morgue of the barracks, because that was the only room available, and I lived in it for about two years.
(from Voyage of Love)

great relief

unsubscribing from stuff in google reader... ahhh, feels good!

4 years

what a bounty

real life angry birds!

post-it wars!

this looks amazing and hilariously fun! taking post-its and creating huge characters from different games:

is it a waste of time? well, as mentioned in the article, I think there's something about bringing people together and having fun, getting to know each other outside of the regular working environment. building stronger bonds of friendship creates trust, and promotes cooperation. I wish I could do something like this myself!

your happiness

"you're as happy as you make up your mind to be", from things we forget. so true.

20 amazing places to see before you die

check it out on bored panda! unfortunately, I've been to exactly 0 of them :(

Shohreh's story: How Iran violated a top student's rights

Even for the fortunate ones who might be offered a place, expulsion often follows during the course of their studies. In recent months, two students at the Isfahan University of Technology were prevented from registering for the next term, also for having "incomplete documents;" a Baha'i studying English literature was thrown out of the University of Kerman; a biomedical engineering student at the University of Sahand was dismissed; and a physics student at the University of Mazandaran was expelled after completing eight semesters on the honor roll and gaining admission to a Master's program.

read more here. 

pasta salad

250 grams pasta

2 cucumbers

3 tomatoes

feta cheese

cream cheese

salad leaves

can of corn

delicious!