Oh dear. You know it's been too long since your last post when your own blog no longer comes up as a recently visited site! So, as my pizza dough is rising (and I'm avoiding the papers calling for me to grade them), I figured I would take the time to update you on the happenings of my life.
The biggest news of late would be that my family came to visit me! My dad, mom, and "little" brother made the trip over from Jordan to spend Novruz with me. It was so surreal to see them walking up in the airport. Here's the picture version of their visit.:)
Thursday: They're here! In my entry way! Nothing like having your parents come visit you in your house in your very own country to make you feel grown-up (the feeling grown-up didn't last beyond the first 10 minutes or so:)).
I now have dishes. They brought me two beautiful sets from Jordan (which actually matched and which didn't get broken! Two miracles)
Friday night: Phase 10 ties are now decided by arm-wrestling. In case you were wondering. . . my dad won.:)
Saturday: Down to the old city to see the decorations for Novruz. Stephen and I posed with the semoni (?) bush.
Then, we proceeded a little further down to the bulvar to stroll by the Caspian. Mom made a new friend.
:)
The semoni (grass stuff) is a key part of Novruz celebrations here. The holiday used to be a celebrations of the new year. Now, it's a celebration of spring coming. Building up to Novruz, everyone grows some or buys some on a plate (even my students did it at school), and then it's the centerpiece for the Novruz platter.
Mom did lots of cooking and cleaning. I'm thoroughly spoiled.:)
Part of the Novruz celebrations. There were many displays (one from each of the country's regions), musicians/bands, artists, etc.) to enjoy.
Maiden's Tower in the background.
The actual week of Novruz we did more sightseeing downtown. This is at the top of Maiden's Tower. This guard nabbed Dad when he first made it to the top, and then proceeded to do a photoshoot with him.:)
We rode the metro together.:)
Touring Shirvansheh's palace.
He didn't actually get in the pot. Pretty impressive photography, huh? Especially since while he was trying to position himself behind said pot, we were whispering directions and several "Hurry up! That lady who works here is coming back!":)
Walking along the walls of the old city.
Down at Martyr's Alley. My family and my city. It doesn't get much better than this.:)
This picture just cracks me up, so I had to share it.:) 
Our "band" cover picture.
That night we made potato soup in the dark because the electricity was off in my building. It came back on shortly after this, but that didn't stop some of us from playing hide-and-go-seek in the dark after supper. It's amazing how scary it is to walk into a pitch-black bathroom and put your hand into the tub to make sure no one is hiding there, all the while fearing that someone is going to grab your hand and yell.:) Amazing.
Mud volcanoes! E, J, G, B, and the fam headed out of town to the petroglyphs and the mud volcanoes. SOooooooo cool! I'm going to take my kids there shortly.
Do wishes come true? Legend says that if you can climb through this rock, your wish will come true.
I made it!
More mud.
It was very windy. This picture gives you a good view of the surrounding area. . . nothing out there! We seriously made our own road (drove on dirt tracks in places and through open fields in others) to get out there.
They fixed stuff around my house. Granted, before they came there was nothing wrong with this door.:)
"I can't get it open!"
Our last night: Phase 10 again.
and popcorn.
There you have it. So many happy memories. It was amazing to have them here. Just writing about it now is making me smile. I am blessed beyond measure. It's a wonderful life.:)
Now, back to pizza.
The biggest news of late would be that my family came to visit me! My dad, mom, and "little" brother made the trip over from Jordan to spend Novruz with me. It was so surreal to see them walking up in the airport. Here's the picture version of their visit.:)
Thursday: They're here! In my entry way! Nothing like having your parents come visit you in your house in your very own country to make you feel grown-up (the feeling grown-up didn't last beyond the first 10 minutes or so:)).
I now have dishes. They brought me two beautiful sets from Jordan (which actually matched and which didn't get broken! Two miracles)
Friday night: Phase 10 ties are now decided by arm-wrestling. In case you were wondering. . . my dad won.:)
Saturday: Down to the old city to see the decorations for Novruz. Stephen and I posed with the semoni (?) bush.
Then, we proceeded a little further down to the bulvar to stroll by the Caspian. Mom made a new friend.
:)
The semoni (grass stuff) is a key part of Novruz celebrations here. The holiday used to be a celebrations of the new year. Now, it's a celebration of spring coming. Building up to Novruz, everyone grows some or buys some on a plate (even my students did it at school), and then it's the centerpiece for the Novruz platter.
Mom did lots of cooking and cleaning. I'm thoroughly spoiled.:)
Part of the Novruz celebrations. There were many displays (one from each of the country's regions), musicians/bands, artists, etc.) to enjoy.
Maiden's Tower in the background.
The actual week of Novruz we did more sightseeing downtown. This is at the top of Maiden's Tower. This guard nabbed Dad when he first made it to the top, and then proceeded to do a photoshoot with him.:)
We rode the metro together.:)
Touring Shirvansheh's palace. 
He didn't actually get in the pot. Pretty impressive photography, huh? Especially since while he was trying to position himself behind said pot, we were whispering directions and several "Hurry up! That lady who works here is coming back!":)
Walking along the walls of the old city.
Down at Martyr's Alley. My family and my city. It doesn't get much better than this.:)
This picture just cracks me up, so I had to share it.:) 
Our "band" cover picture.
That night we made potato soup in the dark because the electricity was off in my building. It came back on shortly after this, but that didn't stop some of us from playing hide-and-go-seek in the dark after supper. It's amazing how scary it is to walk into a pitch-black bathroom and put your hand into the tub to make sure no one is hiding there, all the while fearing that someone is going to grab your hand and yell.:) Amazing.
Mud volcanoes! E, J, G, B, and the fam headed out of town to the petroglyphs and the mud volcanoes. SOooooooo cool! I'm going to take my kids there shortly.
Do wishes come true? Legend says that if you can climb through this rock, your wish will come true.
I made it! 
More mud.
It was very windy. This picture gives you a good view of the surrounding area. . . nothing out there! We seriously made our own road (drove on dirt tracks in places and through open fields in others) to get out there.
They fixed stuff around my house. Granted, before they came there was nothing wrong with this door.:)
"I can't get it open!"
Our last night: Phase 10 again.
and popcorn.Now, back to pizza.
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