Why I've Never Been Happier

This is a really sentimental, memory keeping slash diary blog post. Just thought I'd warn the two of you that read this. Hi Valerie and Mom!

I live in Ecuador and I've never been happier. Here's why.

Because of the time the q-tip cotton bit got stuck in my ear and Valerie had to stick tweezers down my auditory canal to pull it out.
For the way that Kendy's eyelids droop when he's super super tired.
Because of Rosita's shy/unexpected/hilarious eyebrow-looks.
For the time that I laughed so hard with Carlos and Oscar, I cried.
Because I went on my first date and he took me salsa/merengue/bachata/reggaeton dancing.
For the fact that table manners don't exist. Elbows up, fingers ready, mouth open and talking.
Because I was dancing with Wladimir in the kitchen and he tried to dip me but then dropped me... and I fell hard on my back on the floor.
For the high-top converses that the hotness monster wears. I'm writing a song about it.
Because Paolo and Paola are dating.
For Jose Luis Perugachi's humor. Pero pero pero por supuesto!
Because I'm singing as a jazz vocalist at a gig in a bar next weekend.
For Tahereh's sweat pants. And how we opened the locked door to the girl dormitory in the institute using a metal wire.
Because Mauro Cedeño taught me soccer tricks and is the best young man I know (besides my brother).
For Anthony's constant love, although he doesn't do any work in class.
Because Andres in Kindergarden has a crush on Alejandra and whenever she goes to the bathroom, he goes and waits for her to come out, just so he can try to get her to notice him.
For Julian's friendship. And music. And the many many lessons he's taught me.
Because Nabil likes Mr. Bean and opened his house and heart for me.
For the summer school in Chongon. I met some really special people there.
Because Alejandro makes fun of the way I say 'doctor' in Spanish. I say it with a persian accent. Ha.
For the way that the kids in our children's classes love to memorize quotes using the little white boards.
Because Bahieh sends me emails with really cool links that brighten my day.
For Danny's cool/sexy/laid back attitude.
Because of Valerie's cool/sexy/laid back attitude.
For the time that 7mo/4to de basica and Paola dragged me down the hill and drenched me completely with water from the hose on "cleaning" day.
Because we made pizza in Kinder and it was really yummy.
For the time I asked Fabricio to fight.
Because I studied the December 28th letter and the Ridvan 2010 message from the UHJ in spanish and learned SO MUCH.
For the pineapple Janet gave us. Which I used to make pineapple jam.
Because I baked homemade brownies and haven't stopped since.
For the spiritual growth. The swirlings of spiritual stuff stirring around there in my soul.
Because of so much more.

My heart is so full. So full.

Noran Bakrie

Stunned by these effortless, simple, indifferent photos. Noran Bakrie

Firework - Katy Perry

I like belting

Woes and Ohs

Things here have been crazy. The loops and drops featured in a year-of-service-rollercoaster are arduous. I can't write much about it but I can say that my NGO project unexpectedly and unwillingly halted, despite its thriving rate of potentiality. Needless to say, I'm bummed. Not for the NGO, I never expected it to have such a latent response, but for the reasons it stopped.

I was talking with my friend yesterday, my student Julian actually... but he's more a friend than a student... but anyway, we were talking about many topics but mainly about ma ma ma music.

It's so cliche. Everyone loves music. Everyone is passionate about it which usually makes me want to hate it. But, I can't. Not when it does SO much. So me and emotions don't really work well together. I know when to put aside emotions for the benefit of practicality. Thinking back to the times of my scoliosis brace, I remember feeling the hate for the brace, the self pity, the embarrassment... but those feelings would come in pangs, little twinges, because my determination to deal with it dominated it all.

I like that about myself in ways. It's a confirmation for my medical aspirations. In other ways, it really makes it hard to figure out how I feel about certain things. Especially when it comes to romance. Hopefully I shouldn't have to worry about that because I've got a Persian uncle in Canada hunting down a list of suitors for me. Which, if you think about it, wouldn't make for a bad reality show. 

However, with music... especially when I sing classical music, I release. I actually feel. The thrill of performing comes from being vulnerable. When I perform, I'm exposed. I share a glimpse of my soul with complete strangers. The raw-unfiltered-pure emotion gushes through my veins. Oh the drama, oh the passion, oh the heart.

So... yeah I like music.

***
I think this might be Plan D... ballet. But speaking of ballet, I finally saw Black Swan last night. I was watching it on my computer as all the lights were out in the entire city. Probably not the smartest idea I've had... but it was still a great movie. Favorite blog, I love you.

Ruh'u'llah/Ruhi

Introducing my best friend, Ruhi.

I'm starting an NGO

I think.

This is going to be fun.

More about this soon...

"¡Oh amigos! ¡Si tan sólo pudiera caminar por esas regiones, aunque fuese a pie y en condiciones de pobreza total, levantando la llamada de ‘Ya Bahá’u’l-Abhá’ en las ciudades, los pueblos y las montañas, los desiertos y los océanos, promulgando así las divinas Enseñanzas." 'Abdu'l-Bahá

Naw-Ruz

Happy Naw-Ruz! Happy eating! Happy new year! HAPPINESS

I had the best Naw-Ruz of my life. Last night I danced for hours. HOURS. I danced San Juan, the indigenous cultural dance. I danced merengue. I danced salsa. I danced bachata. I danced reggaeton. I danced house music. I DANCED MY BUTT OFF.

But the best, sweetest, most special part of it all was when I danced with Ahmad. Ahmad is 5 years old and is in my kindergarden class. He's been a special friend of mine ever since we played tag for hours at the indigenous wedding I went to earlier this year. Anyway, at the Naw-Ruz party last night, he saw me standing alone. So, he left his mother, came up to me (on his own), grabbed me by the hem of my shirt, pulled me onto the dance floor, held my hands, and started to dance.

I don't think I can remember feeling so much happiness. So much joy. I really really love where I am. And I don't just mean where I am as in Otavalo, Ecuador.

I was honored to perform these two songs with Sr. Consejero Almeida (Counselor Almeida). J - we're recording/performing Queen of Carmel this summer.