Last Games Night/Afternoon in Haifa!!!

It is sad but true, last Friday was our last large gathering for games in Haifa. The games are still in town but, alas, Minoo and I are too busy to continue hosting the games night. There are rumors, though, that Balbir and Melissa are going to take up the torch and continue the tradition.

Joey came at 2:00, so Minoo Joey and I played Take 6.



Rumi helped Mummy choose her cards.



After three rounds I won and Minoo came one point ahead of Joey.

Balbir, Joey and I then played a quick round of No Thanks! with Balbir being victorious.



Melissa and Minoo joined us with Joey winning this one, beating me by one point.



Siyamak, Selvi and Lillian came for a visit before going to Bahji.



Just as Siyamak, Selvi and Lillian were leaving Maarten, Menchie and Ena Marie arrived.

Menchie and Ena Marie visited while, Maarten joined Joey, Balbir, Howard and myself to play Balbir's game El Grande. Joey had to leave before it was done and had John sub in for him. John also had to leave and had Kurt sub in for him. Maarten left before it ended, so his player just stagnated. I had to explain the rules so many times.



It was an interesting game. Joey jumped into a huge lead in the first scoring round, and it was neck and neck between Joey's team and me until the end when I pulled away. Balbir and Howard were in a tough fight for third, with Howard taking third place in the end.

Meanwhile, Sara came over and helped Minoo with dinner. The dinner was delicious. Thanks Sara:)

Then Natascha and John came over to visit.



Rumi had lots of fun!



Nagmeh, Ladan, Amelia and her brother Brian came over and started playing Uno and Saboteur with Sara, Melissa and Minoo. Minoo won the Uno games, and for Saboteur, one time the miners won and the other time the Saboteurs won.



Howard and Balbir teamed up against Kurt and I in a game of Tichu that we actually finished (by midnight though)!



After a good start for Howard and Balbir and a poor start for Kurt and I. Kurt and I really took off and gradually caught up and pulled ahead with a one - two finish and successful Tichu call to get close to winning. Then they came back with a one - two finish and a successful Tichu call to put both teams with a score above 900. After two more rounds Kurt and I won.

Collages of Rumi

Minoo prepared some collages of Rumi.

Here they are:

Rumi with his friend Lillian:


Rumi in front of the Shrine of the Bab:


Rumi wearing Daddy's hat:


Rumi with Mummy!!!


Rumi on the grass:


Rumi with kitchen implements:


Rumi in traditional Arab dress:


Rumi on the balcony of the Mansion of Bahji:

:)

Our first visit with Ariana

Ariana was born on 3rd August 2007. She is just absolutely so beautiful and adorable. Her parents, Farzana and Neil are very happy to have this precious little one. Well done Farzana:) Rumi enjoyed his first visit with someone who is younger than him (Finally :))

Our packing has begun

We had so much fun packing with Rumi. He was happy and cheeful all day.

August 2nd Games Report!!!

We had another excellent games night on Thursday.

We started with a nice chicken dinner that Minoo made and Serghei seems to be really enjoying.


We split into two groups. Ilya wanted to play Saboteur, so Liudmila, Serghei, Kurt, Yelena, Quddus and Dj played two games.


I think Serghei won the first game, but I know Kurt won the second game.


There was a lot of laughter and it seemed like everyone had a good time.



Natascha and Melissa came and visited Minoo.


The other group: John, Balbir, Siyamak, Lessan and I started to play Maharaja.


We chose Maharaja because John wanted to play a 'real' board game, so I thought that Maharaja would be easy to explain and short, but with a very complex dynamic.


We ended up having a four hour intense marathon game! So much for a ninety minute game that is usually shorter. Kate dropped by for a quick visit and watched us play for a bit. She was expecting a smaller turn out, but I think she enjoyed herself.


Everyone had fun though. At the end of the tenth and last turn Lessan and Siyamak had both built seven palaces (although some of Lessan's were temples and quarries, but we will still count them ;)), but Lessan had more gold, so he came in first. Balbir had built six palaces for third place. John and I had built five palaces, but I had 6 more gold and avoided last place. Not a good showing for the two people who had played it before (Balbir and I). I made several tactical errors that accounted for my poor placing.



I hope everyone had a good time. It was our last Thursday night with our full complement of games, because our shipment leaves next Tuesday and this week we are having a 'games day' on Friday. Although, we just found out today that our shipment may be leaving later, so we may be able to have one or two more games nights with all of our games.

Visit with Mr. Grossmann

Last Thursday we met with Mr. Grossmann in his office. Since he is on vacation now and he won't get back until after we leave this was our good bye.

Rumi was snacking on his mummy's purse as we waited in the lobby of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice.


After he finished his snack he waited expectantly for some wisdom from daddy.


Fortunately, just at that moment Mr. Grossmann's secretary came to lead us up to the second floor and I was saved from having to make a wise comment.

Rumi was very happy in mummy's arms as we talked to Mr. Grossmann in his office.


Our last photo with Mr. Grossmann:

Visit to the Haifa Office of Public Information (OPI) Display

As we ready ourselves to leave the Baha'i World Centre we have availed ourselves of our last opportunity to visit the OPI display here in Haifa.


Rumi was very excited indeed! Now that he sits comfortably by himself he found a premium spot in the centre of the foyer of the display.


But he also enjoyed sitting on Daddy's lap.


The foyer has photos and writings of the Baha'i Faith in it. Below is a picture of the house where Baha'u'llah passed away in the garden of Bahji near Acco, Israel.


Photos and writings related to Baha'u'llah's visits to Haifa:


After leaving the foyer we entered the main hall which has many displays about the Baha'i Faith. Here you can see Daddy and Rumi looking at the display about the social and economic projects that the Bahai's of the world are doing. You can just see Rumi's feet.


Below is a facsimile of the writing of Baha'u'llah.


Pictures of two of the monarchs that Baha'u'llah addressed letters to and excerpts from the letters:


Articles related to the Bab:


A map of the Bab's journies:

We're leaving Haifa!

Yes, it is true. We have the tickets in our hand (well at least Rumi does, Minoo and I are flying on e-tickets).



We are leaving on August 27, earlier than we had previouly thought because we are going to Montreal, Quebec to work as custodians of the Maxwell home for one year.

We will be sad to leave Haifa, but we are very excited about our new job. Minoo has been here for 11 years and I have been here for 9.