Life, Simple And Beautiful

Children in Khorasan's Farizi Village, near Chenaran, May 21, 2008. Photo by Mohsen Bakhshandeh, IRNA.

Remember how afraid I have been of falling asleep in that dark, cool training room for the past couple of weeks? I have been choosing the corner station way at the back of the room, where a) if I fall asleep it would be noticed by a few and b) I can check my email, etc. without the entire class seeing me do it! My worst nightmare came true today--for someone else! Well, I watched a younger co-worker of mine succumb to sleep today, all the way in the front row! The funny thing was that it wasn't even 11:00 a.m. when it happened. Our chap must have had a wild night! Anyhow, even when it happens to someone else it feels uncomfortable and strange, wouldn't you say?

We live in a housing complex in the suburbs. Our homeowners' association has decided everyone must do some work on our townhomes before they come to paint the exterior next month. I didn't see the $1,600 bill that was coming my way until it was too late! Not that I had a choice. Anyhow, the contractor who came to do the work, a Czech man, called last night to arrange for payment. I said I would leave his check with my son. He asked what time I got home from work. I said "late," asking him why he needed to know. He said he wondered whether he could come visit and have dinner! Can you believe that?! Heeh! That was so bold and presumptuous of him. It reminded me of when I called to have our garbage disposal replaced last year. That evening the company sent a handyman, a nice Iranian man, to come take care of it. He stayed for a couple of hours, telling me and my niece and nephew some stories while he worked, leaving at 10:00 p.m. The next morning at 8:30 a.m., I received a call at work. It took me a few minutes to recognize the caller, the handyman. I asked what I could do for him, and he said he was calling to check to see whether my new garbage disposal was working properly! I said well, I was sure it was working just fine, but that really, I hadn't had time to test it between 10:00 p.m. last night and very early this morning! Anyhow, today I found myself hoping that the "bright star" that is supposed to be appearing in my sky, as prescribed by Masoud and Mojgan the other day, does not carry a hammer!

My older son finished his two-year college today. We will go to visit Santa Cruz this Friday. We are so excited.