Things are a LOT more meaningful when...

...you have to wait for them.

It's difficult to realize the beauty of that thought, until the waiting is over.  But it is SO true.  

Six Man, Crazy Six Man

Since my days of ultra-competitive, indoor volleyball have ended, I've been able to take part in one of the most fun and hilarious beach volleyball events: the Manhattan Beach Charlie Saikley 6-Person Beach Volleyball Tournament.  Click here to get a sense of the craziness of the event.  The first year I played in it (2004), I was mesmerized by all the people and crazy costumes.  While I still love seeing the creative team uniforms and watching good volleyball, it has become a place for me to play competitive 6-Man volleyball and see friends that I don't cross regular paths with anymore.

Here are some pictures of this year's event.  My team was sponsored by OB's Pub & Grill and we had a jungle "Tiki Tarzan" theme.

For the rest of my life...

...I get to kiss him!

After 27 months, six cities, three continents, hundreds of emails, countless hours of conversation, and lots of kisses, Bradford asked me to marry him and made me the happiest girl in the world! He proposed on a tree-lined street, next to the tree where we first said, "I love you." He gave me a perfect, beautiful speech and I soaked up every word of it... sweet, genuine, and true. Then he grabbed the ring from the car, got down on a knee, and asked me to marry him. I said YES, he stood up, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. After hugging and kissing for a time, he slipped the ring on and it fit perfectly. Once I had the ring on my finger and Bradford in my arms, I couldn't stop smiling, crying, saying 'I love you,' and giggling, because I couldn't believe it was actually happening!

Once we settled down, we went out to dinner and enjoyed two hours of delicious seafood, where no one else except our waiter knew the big news. It was our beautiful little secret for two hours.

I am so excited for the adventure, passion, and happiness that will now be a part of my life forever.

"And the sea is just a wetter version of the skies..."

-Regina Spektor

To be able to see the world through different lenses, think crazy thoughts and then package it in such a beautiful way that the public just can't get enough of it.  That is the gift of a wonderful artist.  Who would have thought that Picasso's cubism would inspire so many people to look at art and the world and people in a different way?  And Bob Dylan: without such creative lyrics and soulful melodies, Dylan's words would have influenced a tiny fraction of the world that they did when accompanied by harmonious guitar and harmonica.

Today I had the privilege of watching Regina Spektor perform live.  Ever since I fell in love with her song "Fidelity" in 2006, Regina's bold vocals and unique translation of thoughts into lyrics have really struck a chord with me (haha... punny!).  Here are a few videos I shot while watching her perform.  The first one, "Folding Chair" is my favorite, but unfortunately I only had enough memory card to shoot 20 seconds.  Listen to the full song here.  You won't regret it.

"Folding Chair"

And here is a live version of "Fidelity."

Catherine in _________?

When I began this blog about a year ago, I titled it "Catherine in California" because I liked the alliteration, and I thought it was a good follow-up to my first blog, "Catherine in Jerusalem."  By including California in the title, however, I have recently felt a bit constrained to keep the majority of my posts focused on either myself (Catherine) or the state I currently live in (California).

But the truth is, much of the time, my thoughts are still in Jerusalem.  

The modest 3.5 months I spent there over a year ago ignited something inside of me and I can't/don't want to put it out.  I've often wished I had two more years left (on scholarship) in school to study Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies.  But I don't.  So my learning and fire is fueled by watching/reading news stories.  I've recently discovered World Focus which provides very strong coverage of the Arab world.  Today's show gives two solid features on both Palestinians and Israelis living in the West Bank. Watch it to get a better understanding of life in Israel.  

What makes me really sad is that 99% of the people I interact with on a normal basis don't understand the issues I care so deeply about.  It's not their fault.  If I can steal something from Amy's blog, "Everyone is doing the very best they can, according to their own level of understanding."

But what if that level of understanding can be changed, equalized to put all members of the Earth on the same level?  The people I respect the most are those that are open to hearing new ideas, new thinking and new knowledge, even if that new knowledge strikingly disagrees with their own circle of thought.  

While I'm often tempted to simply write about my daily, or weekly, activities, I'll do my best to continue posting my own personal understanding of this world.

More photos from Canovix:

Leaving....

...for a week at the Lakehouse. This picture is from a Hawaii trip 3 years ago and I'm riding toward the ocean, not a lake, but it represents everything I love about summer: sunshine, water & freedom.

I'm slightly excited to do whatever I want for the next 10 days. And all key ingredients will be there: sun, a large body of water, friends and family. Peace!

Goodnight Moon

Excuse me for sharing this great photo I snapped last night of the moon resting over Los Angeles.  The moon has been amazing lately.  Or maybe I've been catching it at just the right time, when it's close to the horizon.

Isn't it funny how the moon has become such a symbol for bedtime and rest?  The closer and brighter it is, the more comfort it seems to offer, like a giant nightlight.  It's also the perfect starting point for dreams.  Gazing at the moon creates questions, wonder and amazement about what else is out there.  I love it.  Check out today's NASA picture of the day, which is also very peaceful and beautiful.   Good night, Moon!

Soul.

(image - Raphael Saadiq)

Enjoy a little bit of it this weekend.

Hint--wait for the playlist to load.

My Grandpa, the Hero

After finishing his book, RAJA'OUN, I was going to title this post, "my Grandpa, the author," but he is so much more than an author and much more deserving of the title, "hero." I just found this great article about him. It was written in 1982 and details his work and service when he served as Director of AMIDEAST, an organization that helps Arab students gain education in the United States. This picture shows my Grandpa (on the left) welcoming a visitor to the AMIDEAST Baghdad office in 1960.

In his years of retirement, Orin Parker has taken to writing books. RAJA'OUN: We Will Return is a moving novel about the triumphant return of Palestinians to their homeland. It is, of course, fiction. Described by the author as "wildly optimistic and unrealistic" it is a touching story that connects human emotion with political insight.

Recent years have taught me how lucky and rare I am to have grown up in an American family so sympathetic to the Arab community. By raising their family in the Middle East, my grandparents set an incredible standard for understanding Muslims, a group who was and still is misunderstood by the US population. Orin and Rita were open to adventure, to learning, and to acceptance of other people.

Their open-minded attitude is clearly expressed in this article, titled "A Life Among Muslims," written by my Grandpa and published in the Ensign six months after 9/11. It emphasizes similarities between Muslims and Mormons and if you have time, I recommend reading it.

Thanks, Grandpa, for sharing your understanding of a part of the world so few Americans know.

Sunflowers in June

are my favorite!

Good thing someone was nice enough to give me some for my birthday.  ;)

Last week, I was speaking with my mom on the phone and she asked if I was getting excited for my birthday.  I replied, "Well, it doesn't really feel like my birthday."  To that, she responded sympathetically, "Aw, it's because you're getting old!"  

While true that birthdays aren't quite as monumental as they used to be, they're still a great excuse to sing, laugh and eat cake with friends and family.  And lucky for me the singing and cake lasted all weekend!  Reflecting on my 24th year of life, all I can sat is it has gone by fast.  For the first time, my life is not defined by a semester, or a season.  Instead of being segmented by time frames and deadlines, it's turned into something more free-flowing.  Aside from my Parker-family-plan cell phone bill and bi-weekly laundry trips home, I am completely independent and living on my own timetable.  

No one or no thing is forcing me to do anything.  I'm living for myself.  And enjoying it. 

Aside from LA traffic and stuffy parking, I can't forget the quality of life California offers.  Living in warm weather is wonderful.  After bearing the brunt of Provo winters for 4 years (and a Jerusalem winter for 1), the California sunshine is a welcome reminder of why I moved home after college.  Yesterday while pontificating this very topic I said, "It's like summer never ended!"  While I have a strong desire to live a large portion of my life overseas, if I'm in America, I very much enjoy California.    If only my two siblings moved here, it would be perfect.  

I'm grateful to be living a life that doesn't require things to be happy.  I'm content with a good book.  I have a long way to go in my knowledge of the world, but I do have enough insight to know that I have so much more than most people.  I would look like a fool to ever feel ungrateful. 

While the last year of my life does not offer any foreign adventures, it offers a solid foundation of self.  Travels will come in the future.