etc.

On Saturday June 23, during the day we went up north to cottage country for a family friends birthday party. It was full of people of all ages and backgrounds. There were lots of Baha'is and non-Baha'is, which turned out to be a great teaching event.


On Saturday evening we went to the Toronto Baha'i Centre for a talk by Siamak Hariri, the architect of the last continental Baha'i House of Worship located in Chile. He spoke about the process of the creation of the design of the temple as well as what stages they stand at at this present time. The different area's of art concepts and technology such as the idea of perfection from classical art pieces, symmetry and asymmetry, and fractural geometry to the use of highly advanced software programs such as Maya were incorporated for a unique design. It was fascinating to see how a creative mind works.

On Wednesday June 27 we went to Edwards Gardens, which is a major Toronto park that runs throughout the city and took our engagement photos with our photographer. The weather turned out to be perfect eventhough all weather stations forecasted severe thunderstorms.


On Monday July 2 we went for our second photo shooting with the photographer. This time we took Bayan (Naysan's brother) with us to take some pictures as well. The place we chose was right in downtown Toronto. There you find a combination of modern architechture as well as classical style, we used the clasical one which is now part of the University of Toronto. The day was beautiful and the light really helped for the shots.


Please check out the different photos in Our Photos link!

DOWNTOWN

Since we've arrived in Toronto, we have been quiet busy with last minute wedding preparations, spending time with family and friends, going to Baha'i activities and more importantly organizing our lives. Also, Naysan has been looking for work and will have something hopefully soon (cross your fingers) and Nahid has been filling out her immigration papers.

On Tuesday June 26, 2007 we decided to get out of the house and head to downtown Toronto. It was a short but sweet getaway! We walked around Yonge St. (the longest street in the world) and did lots of "window" shopping. Toronto has changed so much in the last months; the population seems to have increased as well as traffic and construction is taking place everywhere.

It's been great for both of us to be back in the T-dot!!

A LUCKY START

Roughly a week since we arrived in Toronto, one day as Nahid got out of the car her eyes suddenly got hold of a four leaf clover that sat in the garden in front of our house.

For those of you that don't know, to find a four leaf clover is very rare. There are approximately 10,000 three leaf clovers for every four leaf clover found. According to legend, each leaflet represents something: the first is for hope, the second is for faith, the third is for love, and the fourth is for luck or God's grace.

Not that we take this so seriously, but in any case we're lucky to be amongst the one for every ten thousand.

TORONTO!

After a long and excruciating flight, Nahid and I finally arrived in Toronto. It was only an 11 hour flight, but it totally felt longer than that. As mentioned in the previous post, our arrival in Toronto was to be a complete suprise for my parents. Therefore, the only two people that knew we would be arriving and picked us up at the airport were my brother Bayan and good friend Iman.

We went to a flower shop and picked up a dozen roses and headed home. My mom had just left the house and was to return home soon, and my dad had just walked in. We totally suprised my dad, who was in complete shock when he saw us. My mom came home not too long after and when she did she was so shocked she burst into tears... tears of joy and happiness of course!

It was great for the both of us to be finally home.

Our Departure

On Friday June 2, 2007 at approximately 3am, Nahid and I said our final "see you later" to Haifa. The past week and especially final day was an emotional time for both of us, more for Nahid than myself as she had spent 3 years in the Holy Land.

Our flight was at 7am and we were definitely looking forward to it as we had a overnight lay over in Athens, Greece. On the way we saw some of our friends; in Tel Aviv at Ben Gurion we ran in to Nadim Yazdani and in the airport in Athens we ran into Shingo, Amelia and Shiori. Accompanying us to Toronto via Greece was Bonnie Ellis who was also finishing her services at the Baha'i World Centre. We spent the day in Athens and visited the Acropolis, where the famous Parthenon is situated. Nahid is an avid shot glass collector and so we also went to the Hardrock Cafe where we purchased one to add to her collection.










Our hotel was in a very nice location right beside the beach. In the evening, Nahid and I ate dinner and walked along the shoreline... it was gorgeous.


Our flight to Toronto was the next morning at 9am and it was exciting, because our arrival in Toronto was going to be a big suprise for my parents and friends!

Our Final Days in the Holy Land

During our last weeks, we spent time visiting the different Baha'i Holy Places as well as trying to spend time with our friends. It was hard at times to balance it all as we also tried to pack and get ready for our departure.

Amongst some of the activites, Nahid had her office farewell as well as her bridal shower... oh-la-la times (for pictures click on Our Photos link)! She also met with the Universal House of Justice, the supreme governing body of the Baha'i Faith after serving for three years at the Baha'i World Centre; first in the Pilgrim Reception Centre and then in the Finance Department. Unfortunately, due to Naysan's "short" term of service he was unable to meet with our beloved Institution, since it is for staff that have served for 2.5 years or longer. However, he accompanied Nahid for support before and after her meeting.











On the other hand, Naysan had a get together with some close friends playing Counter Strike over the network; Purchasing vs Accommodations... great times! He also spent time training his replacement, showing him the ropes of what was yet to come.

Other events that took place included the commemoration of the ascension of Baha'u'llah where we had the bounty of visiting the room where Baha'u'llah passed away, guiding at the Shrine of the Bab, which was a very special moment since we were able to do it together, and last but not least to visit the House of the Master and the House of Abud.

We can't believe how quickly this special period of our lives has a come to a close, but we are very grateful for having been given the opportunity for this memorable experience.

Sohail & Parwaneh's Wedding

On May 24, 2007 two of our friends got married. It was a great pleasure being able to attend the wedding before leaving the Holy Land.

We wish you a great and happy life together!