Nowruz 2026

It was supposed to be two weeks of Persian New Year celebration, but things took a different turn with the US-Israel-Iran war, and a funeral that I had to attend.

 

The day was sad, but not all of it was sad. It forced everyone who attended to take a pause, to slow down, and reflect on all the people who have come and gone as we walked past the graves that looked like stepping stones from far away, embedded in a field covered with grass. The sun was out. A welcomed breeze swayed its way through. The smell of fresh dirt lingered in the air.

 

It was a reminder of our limited time. No one has control over when they are born, and when they pass away. In fact, no one has control over anything. You can plan, but plans don't pan out. Maybe we live for the unpredictability of life. Perhaps if we knew exactly how our lives would unfold, we would go mad, and not want to live. But then again, if we knew exactly how our lives would unfold right from the start, we would make different choices, and our destinies would become completely different.

 

Sometimes, I equate life to a scene in Harry Potter when Ron must play the chess game whether or not he likes it, until he gets an outcome of life or death. But he hangs on tight because he chooses to live. In life, some people don't choose to live. There is a deep moral deficit in our world that pushes humanity to question the purpose of life. But there are those who say that you only see what you focus on. And that there is so much more to what we perceive.

 

My thoughts turn back to the funeral. The people buried there had similar cares as the rest of us when they were alive. And all the things that they worried about, all the things that kept them awake at night, none of it mattered. One day they were here, and the next, they were gone. As I stand toward the back next to my brother, he points out the grave of a 25-year-old girl. We both shake our heads.

 

I watch a casket lowering device pour dirt over the coffin as I think about the kindhearted person buried beneath it. It's hard to find many kindhearted people like her nowadays. The day she passed on, she was happy, looking forward to go out with us to celebrate Nowruz. And the next minute, she had a heart attack and died.

 

I realize that there is more to what we perceive. Our bodies are shells that we shed as we evolve to I don't know what. And it's the memories that stay behind in the minds of those who know us that keep us alive until one day, they too will be gone. Life is complex, and this funeral brought up so many questions that still linger on my mind.  

 

Learning Another Language

You use both sides of your brain to learn a language. I find that knowing another language makes you a better writer. When you're first starting, you're struggling, and translating from your mother tongue to a new language, but as you get better, you will begin to think, and put sentences together, not in your mother's tongue, but rather in the new language.

So, why is this important? Because you're using your brain in a brand-new way. You're learning how people from a different culture think, and view the world. This makes writers multidimensional. 

For example, when I first moved to the U.S, I used to think in Farsi, and translate my thoughts to English. But after awhile, I began to think in English, and have a better understanding of the English speaking world. And the same thing with French. I no longer translate in my head from English to French. I simply think in French. 

I was on a tour once, when I was carrying a conversation with people from three different cultures, switching back and forth in my thoughts. These types of experiences allow my writing, and voice as a writer to be more unique. I am now able to put together my sentences, and use expressions that are different.

As you immerse yourself in various cultures, you add a new layer, a new depth in comprehending the world around you. People who only speak their mother tongue should experience this on their own to understand what I'm talking about. Once you do this, you'll find a new door to a new way of thinking. And if you took a language class in high school, that's even better because you have a base from where you can start.

Image by Rachael Presky

I used to speak French long ago as a student living abroad, but my French is super rusty because I have no one to practice it with. So this year, I set some new goals, and one of them was to practice French.

I watch French movies, once with subtitles on, and repeatedly with subtitles off. I also listen to French Radio stations, and read French books when my time allows. My dad, who spoke five languages, taught me that these are some of the best methods to immerse yourself in another language. 

I don't speak like a native in English, Farsi, or French. I know this is unusual, but I have come to terms with the fact that I will never be able to speak like a native in any language, including my mother tongue. But I have no problem communicating with people, and that's what matters. 

 

The Marshes of Playa Vista

For decades, these marshes which were the habitat for various species, were damaged by developers. According to this article, the worse damage was done when they were building Marina Del Rey. 

Years later, developers and environmentalists butt heads over this area before apartment complexes, and businesses moved in what is today called Playa Vista. But the compromise was not an easy path. They even stabbed the city council member Ruth Galanter in her home, for wanting to protect the marshes.

Home to fishes, and wild life, this is an important birding area. On a day when the sun is out, and you're passing by, put away your cellphones, and you will hear the incredible voices of nature. 

Various bee species buzz around, and when there are too many, they put a yellow ribbon around a section, asking the public to be careful, especially if they're allergic to them. 

When I wear a yellow shirt, sometimes the bees land on my shoulder, and just sit there. Other times, they roam around my hair, smelling my conditioner. I keep telling them that I'm not a flower, but they don't listen 😄 

And on cool evenings, frogs and night creatures take over, making their voices heard. Unfortunately, there is not much left of these marshes, but I'm grateful for what is there and for the environmentalists who protect it. Now on to things built around the marshes...

I bumped into this pink trumpet tree, and had to take a picture. So, pretty.

4 p.m. Lunch at HomeState with a relaxed atmosphere, decent food, and good service. First time there. I got a potato Taco and mango green ice tea. 👍 Will try something else next time.

Coffee at Blue Bottle Coffee. When it comes to mixing espresso with almond milk, this place is the bomb. They have other locations, but I like this one. Rarely, a café or a restaurant gets this right, but this place knows exactly what they're doing. Will go back.

And if you don't know it already, I love, love, love sport cars, especially if they're stick shift, which I don't think this one is. My brother tells me to "grow up," you've past that age. He also tells me that I'm a woman, and not a man, and a Corvette is a "man's" car. But you know, I can't help it. This Corvette parked on the street, belonging to I don't know who, was hot hot hot, and I just had to take a photo. I cannot afford one, but I can always window shop. Right?