My bridal shower!

Photo's from yesterday - the most perfect, lovely and adorable day ever! :) Thank you so much to all the special people in my life that helped make it so wonderful. I am a lucky lucky girl!

Party time.

One of the most wonderful memories from my trip to Brazil was a surprise engagement pizza party that took place one Sunday night. It was so special and really warmed my heart to know that so many people helped to make it a beautiful night. We ate, laughed, and danced (alot), and you could really feel the love in the room. Another highlight was that one of my closest friends Suyane was there, and her presence made me feel even more at home and so so grateful and blessed.

 (Dancing with my love)

 (Making some muito gostoso (very delicious) pizzas)

 (We danced to gangnam style. Twice)

 (Making a little speech)

 :)

 (I love this girl)

 (Happy faces)

 (Beautiful people)

Laughter is infectious.

(i spy so many happy faces).

For the past few months I have spent alot of time thinking about the influence we human beings have on one another. Whether we like it or not, we give off an energy and affect the environment in which we are in. I have noticed so many times, especially at work, how it only takes 1 persons negative outlook to impact the entire group. If one person is feeling tired, angry or upset, it can heavily affect the attitude of people he is surrounded by, and thus the environment and the quality of the work that is being done. I truly think that we must be aware of this capability that we have to deeply impact one another, and as a result, take responsibility for this incredible power that we possess. What a gift it is that by possessing a positive and loving attitude we can bring a smile to the faces surrounding us.  Laughter is infectious, and it is truly wonderful that by causing someone to laugh you can assist in creating a space that is warm, positive and loving. So even if I am having a bad day, I still do my best to smile and laugh with the people I spend time with. Having this approach applies not only when you are with your friends, but also with your co-workers and family as well. An uplifting environment is conducive to building healthy and strong relationships with people as well as a space for work to be done in a more productive and efficient manner.

February Happenings.

I have not been taking many photos lately, and this truly has to change. I have been back in Haifa for about a month and a half now and Bahji already seems like a far off dream. The past few weeks have flown by and been have full of change and many challenging tests, or in other words, opportunities for personal growth and detachment.

1. Ayyam-i-ha party.

2. Hatzianout street.

3. C and I reading about the fast.

4. My sisters surprise bridal shower. She leaves me this Tuesday to head back to Brazil and get married. I am so happy for her and grateful to have met her. She was the first real friend I made here and I will never forget our late night chats on life, love and our service.

5. M waiting for bus 23.

Laughter.

My favourite thing to capture in a photograph is laughter. Laughter is honest. I was talking with some friends a few days ago about how pure of an act laughing is. My friend brought up that he finds laughter to be a form of prayer. When we laugh we are so detached from the physical world we live in and our ego. If only we could maintain this sense of detachment every time we prayed. 

1. Riz on a hot summer day in Akka.
2. N during 10-10.
3. Beautiful people at Uri Buri one evening in September.
4. My sister and the pub toils.
5. Ned having tea on one of our first nights together as flatmates.
6. My radiant Palauan friend retelling a story on hillel stairs.