Some visitors...

Farah & Bruce from Australia who came last March for a nine day pilgrimage

some friends coming from the Americas & Europe who attended a training on Statistics

Shalisa Veira Mzungu came from Malawi for the statistical training as well together with husband Muti and their baby Taraz. Also in this photo is a pilgrim visitor Nica Treadwell from the US.

Shalisa was Menchie's co-orientaion mate when they came to the World Centre 11 years ago. Also, she was Arnold's officemate, so this was a reunion of the three good friends.

Baby Taraz

Dinner at Burias place

We got invited for dinner by Ate Diane and Kuya Lonnie at their place with Parviz and Barbara Hatami as their special guests. They are visiting their son Jalal and his family. As always we had a scrumptuous dinner prepared by the hosts; a Filipino dish called "pansit" was the favorite among the guests.

Mr. Naraghi making pita bread while other friends look on.

close up

Mr. Hatami also trying to learn the skill Kuya Lonnie has mastered.

Nabil entertaining us with his piano pieces












...and of course Enna-Marie tried to imitate his kuya.



playing under the table

finished product...freshly made pita!

us with Alberto, Burias family (Nabil, Kuya Lonnie, Bahia & Ate Diane), & Rey

Another New Year dinner...

We had a lovely evening at the Laroya's a week ago. We had some Filipino and Turkish dishes, and desserts were blueberry cheesecake made by Maarten and egg pie from Mildred...both really...really de-li-cious! What a treat for everyone at this time of new year. Mrs. Ramirez, Isra, Kurt and Harrison joined us as well.

Enna-Marie's little sister Elfida Laroya who is now five months old

beautiful Elfida...cutie cheeks!

us just had yummy desserts...

and this is everybody...sorry for the blurry pic!

Monette, Josh & Sophie are in town...

At New Year's eve, we were invited for dinner at the Lincoln's to see Monette, Josh & their daughter Sophie. Sophie who is 8 years old was playing so well with Enna-Marie. Then we had a short musical entertainment where Na'im and Yasmeen performed a song, Sophie played a couple of her piano pieces, and Mrs. Lincoln of course delighted us with her songs as well. Enna-Marie got into the groove when she heard some familiar songs...

Dinner with Dutch friends

We invited May, Martijn and Monib for dinner yesterday. We have been planning to invite these friends, but everyone including us was busy lately. We especially want to see May and Martijn before they leave for Namibia to attend May sister Shirin's wedding. Enjoy your holiday guys and will see you back soon! Thank you again for the lovely present you gave Enna-Marie.

Happy Birthday uncle Arnold!

This month was the birthdays of auntie Canan and uncle Arnold (I pronounced his name "uncle atot"). Despite their busy schedules, auntie and uncle surprise each other e--very single year organizing a birthday dinner. This evening we joined the celebration of uncle Arnold's birthday at a dinner at uncle Shahram's place. As always, we enjoyed the food and company of the friends. My parents said though that I was a bit difficult at the later part of the evening because I was stubborn and unstoppable in playing and moving around the house.

singing "happy birthday" to uncle Arnold and uncle Navid (it was also his birthday a day before)

birthday cake

this is a sweet picture that says..."I love my baby girl!"...

Laroya family

uncle Arnold with the host and chefs of the night!

auntie Canan and baby Elfida

it's me making my muscles stronger

and again me...I just love going to any bedroom closing and opening doors...

the friends who came to greet uncle...