3/16/2008

Making Do Without Tajrish

You will have to forgive the way my pictures are layed out on this post. I struggled with it for an hour, having to redo the photo uploads tens of times, and finally gave up. If you like to see any of these pictures in detail, just click on it.
Absent the possibility of going to Tajrish for my Nowrooz shopping today, I went to Target to buy some items for my Nowrooz spread. I bought an egg coloring kit. Continuing on my "solo" weekend theme, I stopped to have lunch by myself.
I then went to Albany to visit with one of my oldest and dearest friends in this area. Her name is Monir Zand and she runs a very successful deli/store, specializing in Middle-Eastern foods. Around Nowrooz in this area, Zand Market is the place to visit! She has a good selection of all things Nowrooz, which she has lovingly put together in anticipation of her friends. Monir is one of the nicest, most generous, and bravest women I have ever known. Her beautiful daughter, Arezoo, helps her out these days and Monir can't stop talking about how grateful she is for all that help.
After I finished shopping for my rather extensive shopping list, and as I waited for Monir to come have a cup of tea with me, I sat at a table watching all the Iranians who came through to do their shopping. It was really relaxing and joyful to be observing people, I am glad to report.
These are three generations of Shirazi's. The grandmother spoke Farsi with the sweetest Shirazi accent. Her daughter is married to an American, and that is half-Iranian-half-American Kian in the stroller, a very good baby, indeed.
There was a large assortment of Nowrooz sweets and candy. My personal favorites are the ones Monir and Arezoo made. When I got home, I had to tell the boys to stay away from the box containing the goodies, for without a warning, they would leave nothing until Wednesday night!
So, these four guys are college students who live in the area. I knew Mojan, who is Ala Hazrat's friend at San Francisco State University. The other three go to Vista College, De Anza College, and UC Berkeley. Yes, you guessed right, I was fozool and asked them a lot of questions. A wonderful bunch of smart young people. Mojan is an artist who plays the Ney beautifully.
These three lovely women were a highly educated and professional grandmother, Tahereh, her lovely daughter, Haydeh, and the sweetest little grandchild, Sheida, who is named after her great grandmother! Sheida danced for us in the middle of the shop, too!
This man and his baby, Kian (yes, two Kians in one place), were doing some "manly" shopping for Nowrooz! Kian so wanted to have my camera!
Zand Market's gorgeous Haft Sin spread.
And so, I have everything I need, except for the goldfish. I end my weekend feeling accomplished in some areas, and mentally refreshed. I apologize again for the format of this post. I know it's a mess, but I couldn't forego the pictures. Have a good week ahead y'all.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

such wonderful pic, we are blessed to live in this part of world that we could at least feel Nourooz and our beloved new year

wow u saw my friend Mojan too. that is cool.

Anonymous said...

WOW...I loved the Shirazi family...Specially the grandmother!

Shokaran

Anonymous said...

Happy new year !

Anonymous said...

Great piece of journalism. The pictures and the author are fabulous.

Sernedip

Mersedeh said...

How many slices of that pizza did you have Nazy-jan? It looks 'dangerously good' !!! One way to take your pizza to Tajrish would have been to dump a good bit of ketup on top!

I wish you a Happy Nowruz (dreadful spelling adopted by Encyclopedia Iranica & Library of Congress!)

Anonymous said...

خیلی عکسهای قشنگی هستند

مرسی نازی جان.

دوستانی بهتر از آب روان
شاد باشی

مرضیه..)مرسی برای معرفی کتاب عزیزم

Anonymous said...

سلام نازی جان
مثل همیشه یادداشت هاتون پر از خوبی و تصاویر زیبا و محتوایی آرامش بخش است.
براتون سال خوشی آرزو می کنم سرشار از زیبایی ها و موفقیت

abc said...

My Dear Nazy
Happy new year
Happy Norooz
Happy all childhood memories...
Happy sofre 7sin
Happy eid-didanihash
Happy mahie sorkhe tonge boluresh
Happy Norooz
Love & Boos
Halat

Anonymous said...

Salam!

I enjoyed reading your post about Norooz! I wish you an excellent Norooz time and a very happy new year : )

Shahrzad-UAE

by Mahtab said...

Hi Nazi Joon,

beautiful pictures and beautiful blog. My sister (Monier) sent me your link and I really enjoyed it. Specially seeing my sister's picture on this blog gave me a big smile and proud.

Although Tajrish is beging missed, but Zand is still the place to "Making Do withoug Tajrish"

hope to see you and happy Norooz

Mahtab

Nazy said...

Mehran Jan,

To what do I owe the honor of your majestic visit?!! Thanks for coming by and for leaving me this sweet note. Eidet mobarak Ala Jan.

Nazy said...

Salam Shokaran Jan:

Yes, they were really sweet, specially the grandmother!

Eidet mobarak azizam.

Nazy said...

Salam Haleh Jan:

I came and visited your wonderful blogs! How colorful and how very sweet! I'll be sure to come by again.

Thanks so much for your good wishes and for coming to visit. Nowroozat Pirooz azizam.

Nazy said...

Serendip Jan:

AND YOU ARE SO FABULOUS YOURSELF! I hope this is a great year for you and your family. With all my love,

Nazy said...

Mersedeh Jan:

Salam Azizam. Happy New Year!

Actually, the pizza looks a lot bigger than it was! Yes, I ate it all! Ha Ha, the joke is the "diet" coke that went with it!

Have a great new year my sweet friend. I can't wait to see you in the new year.

Nazy said...

Marzieh Joonam:

Eidat mobarak. That book is so fabulous! You and Yasi Joonam will really enjoy it, I promise!

Be good sweet and positive Marzieh.

Nazy said...

Salam Khanoom Doctor-e-Azizam:

I am honored you came to visit! Thank you for your kind words. I hope the new year brings you and your family joy and prosperity. Nowroozetan Pirooz.

Nazy said...

Halat-e-Azizam:

Thank you so much for your poetic comment! I just love it when you come to visit me! Happy new year azizam.

Nazy said...

Ey Shahrzad-UAE:

Salam o Salam o Eidet Mobarak! I promise I won't confuse you with anyone else again! How could I? You are so sweet and kind all the time!

Please come back again soon, and have a beautiful and happy new year.

Nazy said...

Mahtab-e-Azizam:

Oh My God! Of course I know who you are and I never forget the good times we had together! I am so delighted you found me and now I have found you. And you are a blogger now, too!

I came to visit your blogs and realized that it is dedicated to the memory of your niece. I am so sorry to see such a beautiful young woman died at such a young age. God bless her soul. She is in heaven now, as she was when she was alive. That's the nature of youth and dying young. As for you and me who are still around, how about if we get busy with the business of life and here and now? You have such good taste in picking poetry. I enjoyed the poems very much. Thank you for coming to visit me. Your sister is a remarkable woman through and through.

Please come back again soon, and happy new year sweet Mahtab.