Fasting, Family and some Free Time

March has been quite a crazy month for us, leaving me very little time to update our neglected blog.  So once again, I will try to summarize the many things we have had going on. 


For those who aren't familiar, Omid and I are members of the Bahá'í Faith. As Bahá'ís, we participate in fasting, for 19 days (or one Bahá'í month) once a year. Fasting is abstaining from all food and liquid from sunrise to sunset. And here is why we do it:

Fasting is a symbol. Fasting signifies abstinence from lust. Physical fasting is a symbol of that abstinence, and is a reminder; that is, just as a person abstains from physical appetites, he is to abstain from self-appetites and self-desires. But mere abstention from food has no effect on the spirit. It is only a symbol, a reminder. Otherwise it is of no importance. (Dr. J.E. Esslemont, Baha'u'llah and the New Era, p. 184)

Every year, fasting starts on March 2nd, which also happens to be my little sister's birthday. And this year, she turned 10 years old. Its crazy to think that she's not my baby sister anymore. I remember visiting her at the hospital when she was born like it was yesterday. She was truly, the cutest and sweetest baby girl I have ever seen. But I guess it is time to stop being in denial and face the fact that she is growing up and before I know it, I'll be going to her wedding. 

So Omid and I made the trip to Houston to celebrate this very important event, and it was definitely not easy to watch my step-mom cook enormous amounts of delicious food and then not be able to eat it. Fasting isn't easy, but it is a time that is meant to bring us closer to God - so   its worth it. The first few days are by far the hardest, but what was worse than the hunger was the headache I got on the first day from breaking my caffeine addiction cold turkey. But I survived. 


While we were in Houston, we also got to attend the graduation party of my best friend and her brother.  That was also quite nostalgic since I remember playing with them in our cul-de-sac when we were 10 years old ourselves. Big events like this make you realize that time really does go by fast. 


After spending some time with my family, we returned home to immediately pick Omid's parents up at the airport. We got to have them stay with us for the night (1st time!) and enjoyed a delicious blueberry pancake and eggs breakfast prepared by Chef Omid himself in the morning. Its always so wonderful to have his parents in town - with them living out of the state, we go quite a while sometimes in between visits. 


I also had my "Spring Break" from March 12th through the 16th. I didn't have class but still had to go to work every day. Sad that working adults don't get a spring holiday. So, I basically spent my break from classes taking naps and watching Season 1 of Glee. The Fast definitely messed with my sleep schedule and it got to a point where I would sleep 4 hours at night and then 4 hours in the afternoon. Not ideal. And then one weekend, I slept for a total of 24 hours. I literally slept half my weekend away. Kind of sad. 


But alas, school has started again and the last day of the fast was on Tuesday. Also very exciting is that the end of the fast marks the Bahá'í New Year, which is a time of celebration and new beginnings! So Happy New Year everyone!

Picture source: http://www.bahai.us

February: The Abridged Version

Okay, so I knew this would happen. I knew that once I got into the semester and back to being busy with school, that the whole blog thing would probably be a fail. But since I only have like 3 followers, I guess its not that big of a deal. 


So since I didn't write a single post in the month of February, here is my shortened version of a very busy month. 


The first weekend of the month, my dad, stepmom and sister came to visit us. It was such an awesome weekend. We went to the movies, ate a TON of delicious food, went shopping and spent some great quality time together. Every year (except last year, due to an ice storm) since I have moved to Dallas, my parents have come to visit me for my birthday. And I love that they still do it even though I'm a "grown-up." 


Feb. 6 was my actual birthday. It was a Monday so it was a pretty lame day. Went to work and then class that night. Although, I will say, I did have some very sweet coworkers make me signs and sing to me while presenting me with a delicious cupcake. I also got to have Starbucks with the BFF in Arlington (and my drink was free so that was pretty sweet too). 


Feb. 10 marked 2 years of Omid and I being together. We felt no need to celebrate now that we have a wedding anniversary and all. It was always an inconvenient time anyways. 


I really wanted to play into the whole Valentine's Day thing this year and do something special for our first Valentine's as a married couple but it was pretty impossible being on a Tuesday and all. Omid had work that night and I had class. He got me the delicious box of chocolates I requested (and a sweet card), and I made him a little goody bag with a sappy card as well. And that was our Valentine's Day. 


We were pretty busy this month with various weekend commitments, but we finally had time for a date night this past weekend and celebrated three glorious months of marriage. 


In other news, I had my first big paper due on Monday, which basically marks the intense time of the semester. Pretty much from here on out its going to be intense. But I think I got a pretty good hold on it. Hopefully no meltdowns have to happen this semester. I'll keep you posted. 


This week also brought very EXCITING news. Omid's brother and wife are having their first baby, and on Monday they found out it is going to be a beautiful baby girl. We CANNOT wait to be an aunt and uncle! Amazing times ahead.


And I guess that's it. Goodbye February. Hello March and spring time weather. I've been waiting for you. Tomorrow marks the first day of The Fast and we are leaving for Houston. More to come in the near future (I hope).