06/16/13

“Baba”: doesn’t only mean Father…

“Baba” One word and only 4 letters, but with so much meaning. Whenever I say this word, feelings of warmth, gratitude and love fill me.

Most know this word to mean “Father” and this is it’s literal meaning. However, sometimes we stick this word randomly into sentences, kind of like a place filler when you just feel your sentence needs some more… terms of endearmeant?

Examples of usage, not referencing your Father…

“Ok Baba, just do what you want”
Or
“Eh baba, why are you doing this?!?!”
Or
“Baba, nagoo” Meaning, “dude, dont say that”

Or my favorite
“Na Baba!” meaning something like “No way!”

Other definitions for your entertainment. Regardless of its many uses, its main meaning is the one I know and love.

I have always used it in the past, I use it today, and I will use it forever.

However you choose to use the word, wishing all the Baba’s out there a wonderful day!

06/5/13

Presenting Parisa Zeinali: A story of an Iranian-Preneur (8)

Parisa Zeinali…when I saw her work I thought Creative, Unique, Expressive, and Modern. Her work in animation stood out to me and was very different from what I had seen from other artists. So I wanted to hear her story and learn more about her passion.

Below is her story. Hope it inspires you.

1. What is your business?

I am a freelance illustrator that designs characters and spaces through animation. In addition, I design characters for food products, advertisements and any other work that uses imagery or illustration. Of course, like any other artist I also just draw for myself and my own pleasure.

2. Why did you start this business? What interested you?

Since I can remember, I’ve been a lover of Art so I chose graphic design as my major for my undergrad education. After that, I became interested in illustration. I have always wanted to work within new and fresh experiences and I’ve always loved learning something new.

3. What were some challenges you have faced?

I have realized that sometimes for different projects, you need to also be different. I have had to be more flexible and change my format to fit myself in a bigger format and accept a new experience to challenge myself. This can happen to anyone and at that time you should trust to your ability and skills in order to have a great start. Just face forward!

4. What are some recent news?

There were lot of events that I participated in recently, but the most exciting one was the 11th Skill National Tournament in 2012 where I won the Gold medal in country level.

5. What are some plans you have for the next year?

I have decided to try creating illustrations for children books next year. I have started talking with some artists and publishers in several cities.

6. Anything else you would like to share?

Since I was a child, I have always loved Disney characters and always watched their movies. Then I began to design the characters myself. I have also had dreams of these designs and would just imagine what they would look like. I have always wanted to work for a Disney company where I could design some of these types of characters and that children from all over the world would love them and talk about them This is a dream that I hope comes true one day…

——————————————————

Thank you Parisa for sharing your story!

Click one of the pictures below to open the gallery and see her work!

05/22/13

Yes, (for the 100th time) my name is spelled…

Have you (or someone you know) ever changed the spelling of your original name, or moved your first name to be your middle name, or just gotten rid of your original name all together because it was too difficult for (lazy) people to pronounce? It’s ok… just admit it.

Babak becomes Bob. Ali becomes Al. Yasaman becomes Jasmine. Soraya becomes Sarah. And it goes on…

This is a personal pet peeve of mine…and this is not just relevant to Iranians but pretty much anyone who is not from America. If you look at someone’s name, and actually wonder if the letters are in the right order, you can bet they have also experienced this. We can all relate.

I have heard it all: ”Your name is not spelled the way it should be” or “Oh it’s pronounced so different from how it’s spelled.”.. and the best one is “Why don’t you just change the spelling of your name?” NO.

The good thing about this issue, is it becomes a predictable pattern. For example, I no longer have any expectations for anyone at Starbucks to get it right. It is just a given my name will be spelled wrong.

Case in point: (You probably can’t even guess what these actually should say..that’s how bad it is)

But, why should we be the one to compromise? How about everyone else just takes a minute to learn how to say the name? Pretty sure that is much easier than us doing THIS.

So, the next time someone suggests that you should change your name or its spelling… spell your name to them and say it proudly!

05/2/13

Merci (Thank you) for the 1st year!

Over a year ago, I started to think about this blog and many questions went through my head.

Should I start one?
What would it be about?
Would anyone even read it?
What if I run out of things to talk about?

But then I said… well, I will never have all the answers. Only thing I do know is that I want to share more about our culture, our traditions, our amazing food, and anything else I could think of! So I just went for it.

Today is exactly a year that I started this blog and I just wanted to simply say THANK YOU for reading and hope you have enjoyed it.

On to the next year… I am not sure what it will bring, but I am excited for it, and that is all that matters. :)

04/20/13

Recipe #6: Salad-e Olivieh (Chicken, Potato & Egg salad)

No, we couldn’t just stop at chicken salad, or potato salad or a nice simple egg salad. We went above and beyond, mixed it all up and came up with Salad-e Olivieh!

Such a multipurpose and delicious dish. In my family it is either an appetizer for a party with some crackers, a late night snack, or even as a sandwich with some sliced bread. I won’t lie, the garlic in this can be pretty strong sometimes. Bring into public with caution!

Regardless, a favorite amongst many. Enjoy it!

Ingredients:

4 medium sized potatoes
6 eggs
2 carrots
1 full chicken breast
4 persian pickles
2 cloves garlic
Salt
Ginger
Helman’s Olive Oil Mayonnaise
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
White pepper

Procedure:

1. Wash the potatoes, carrots and eggs and place them all in a pot
2. Cover full with water and bring all to boil on low heat (potato takes longer to come to boil, but let them all continue boiling)
3. Remove any skin off the chicken breast, wash and clean in a different pot
4. Add water about few inches into the pot with the chicken, doesn’t have to cover
5. Add little salt and ginger to the chicken for flavor
6. Don’t cover the pot fully and keep on low heat until chicken is cooked. Should take about 20 min
**At this point you could keep all these cooked vegetables in the fridge for later use
7. Peel and chop the potatoes, eggs, carrots, pickles and chicken
8. Mix together in a bowl
9. Add some salt & pepper, lemon juice, olive oil and chopped garlic (little by little and taste, your own choice on how much)
10. Add mayo slowly. Again up to you on how much you want
11. Taste to see if needs anything more based on your own liking
12. Pour onto a platter
13. For serving, you can put a layer of Mayo on it and design with olives or green peas (this is up to you)

That’s it. Quick, easy, and delicious.