Portland (OR) Daily Photos

Goodbye Portland

2010-08-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

This is going to be my last post on Portland (OR) Daily Photos, the 366th post. I'm leaving Portland to Chicago on Wednesday. Finishing a two-year master's program at Portland State University, it's the time to start my PhD at Northwestern University in Chicago without any pause. I'm going to drive all the way from Portland to Chicago, passing through 9 states; a 6-day long road trip. Pretty exciting!

I want to thank my blogger friends who I owe them much because of their kind support and love throughout these two years. The first days when I was new in Portland, I knew very few people and places and I was feeling home sick. My blog was a safe and warm place for me to feel that I have so many friends all over the world, to feel your support and love. After almost two years, it is still a safe and warm place for me to visit your blogs, view your photos, and make sure each of you is doing well in your own corner of the world. I've learned many things from you. You've changed my view to the world. I can't find words to describe your role in my life. I just want to thank you and shout out that I love you all: Dina, Petrea, Kim, Elaine, Laurie, Bibi, JM, Ann, Hope, Becky, Kris, Babooshka, Hilda, Jilly, Lynette, and many others. Dina, Petrea, Elaine, and Laurie you've been the best.

Please stay in touch with me via my new blog, Chicago Daily Photo.

Flicks on the Bricks

2010-08-15T09:03:00.001-07:00

Outdoor Movie Night in Portland

Harp in the Park

2010-08-10T17:31:00.000-07:00

I didn't know this instrument is called Harp in English. We call it "Chang" [چنگ] in Farsi which means five fingers or claws. I did a little bit of research and I found that the origin of the harp goes back to 4000 BC in Egypt and 3000 BC in Persia. Following is a carving in Taqe Bostan, Iran showing women playing Chang (226 to 650 AD.)

Trash

2010-08-09T00:34:00.001-07:00

Portland Bridge Pedal 2010

2010-08-08T16:30:00.000-07:00

Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint

2010-08-02T09:10:00.000-07:00

A simple example of an Iranian girl

2010-07-31T16:43:00.000-07:00

To all the Iranian girls for their beauty, braveness, resistance, and everything the Iranian society learns and gains from them. We will be free soon. Thank you. Photo by Nima Ojani and Rezvane Nazari.

Fremont Bridge

2010-07-24T11:54:00.000-07:00

Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint

2010-07-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

Learn more about "Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint" here:
http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2141/places/11661/

Yale Lake, WA

2010-07-12T17:05:00.000-07:00

Gold Beach, OR

2010-07-04T08:54:00.001-07:00

Black Butte Mountain, Northern California

2010-07-03T09:23:00.000-07:00

Crater Lake

2010-07-02T09:48:00.001-07:00

Multnomah Falls

2010-06-23T19:04:00.001-07:00

Bonneville Dam

2010-06-22T11:29:00.000-07:00

Portland City View

2010-06-21T14:10:00.000-07:00

Rose Garden; Pink Tower

2010-06-20T11:12:00.000-07:00

Westward; Council Crest

2010-06-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

At 1,071 feet (326 m) above sea level, Council Crest is the highest point in the Tualatin Mountains (West Hills) that run parallel to theWillamette River in Portland.

Portland State University 2010 Graduation Ceremony

2010-06-14T11:40:00.000-07:00

An Eventful Day

2010-06-13T01:19:00.000-07:00

Global day of action for Iran, June 12, 2010

Watching US vs. England soccer game outside in the street

Grand Floral Parade part of the Portland Rose Festival

Go Green!

2010-06-11T10:41:00.000-07:00

On the anniversary of the disputed presidential election in Iran (June 12, 2009), for all those brave people who died in protests, detained in prisons, and those who still resist and demand their rights; go Green! We will overcome.

Willamette River & Portland Downtown

2010-06-07T09:42:00.000-07:00

Vancouver Lake, Washington

2010-06-06T13:32:00.001-07:00

St. Johns Bridge

2010-06-04T13:49:00.000-07:00

Council Crest Park

2010-06-01T14:39:00.000-07:00

Interesting Google Street View of Washington Park Enterance

2010-05-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

I was checking the area around the Washington Park, Portland through Google map that I found these three interesting images of Google Street View of the same location from different angels/directions.

The image below shows the entrance of the park from the SW Lewis Clark way (north to south direction). Check out the rest of the images.

The image below shows the same location from the SW Park PI (east to west direction).

This is the interesting image that took my attention. This is just one step further to the west from the SW Park PI. See the cyclists there looking at the camera - a very "Portlandish" photo! Apparently, this photo is taken on a different day and time since it's sunny and nice while the other images show a cloudy sky.

TRIMET new trains

2010-05-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

STEP: Students in Transportation Engineering and Planning

2010-05-04T19:03:00.000-07:00

Portland Vintage Trolley

2010-04-30T12:33:00.000-07:00

Hotlips Pizza

2010-04-29T09:21:00.000-07:00

Art on Skiboard

2010-04-16T20:04:00.000-07:00

Tulip Fest: Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm

2010-04-11T12:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.woodenshoe.com/

Portland South Waterfront Development

2010-04-08T12:35:00.000-07:00

South Waterfront is Portland, Oregon’s newest neighborhood along the Willamette River.

SW View Point

2010-04-06T16:04:00.000-07:00

Portland City Center

2010-04-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

Lair Hill Neighborhood

2010-03-31T19:15:00.000-07:00

Bikes Keep Left

2010-03-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

Portland Aerial Tram

2010-03-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

Washington Park MAX Tunnel

2010-03-24T17:22:00.000-07:00

Vista Avenue Viaduct: 1925

2010-03-17T11:15:00.000-07:00

Happy Persian Fire Fest: The Eve of the Red Wednesday Festival

2010-03-16T10:41:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday of the Persian year is know as "Chahar Shanbeh Soori", the eve of which is marked by special customs and rituals, most notably jumping over fire. On the eve of last Wednesday of the year, literally the eve of 'Red Wednesday', bonfires are lit in public places, it is hoped for enlightenment and happiness throughout the coming year. The festival is celebrated on Tuesday night to make sure all bad spirits are chased away and Wednesday will pass uneventfully. All is to welcome spring on Saturday, March 20.

Pizza Schmitzza

2010-03-14T12:27:00.000-07:00

March 8, International Women's Day: To acknowledge women of my home country, Iran and women all over the world

2010-03-08T11:15:00.000-08:00

Portland Welcomes Spring

2010-03-08T11:06:00.000-08:00

Portland Urban Form

2010-03-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

What does "urban form" mean?
Urban form refers to the spatial imprint of an urban transport system as well as the adjacent physical infrastructures. Jointly, they confer a level of spatial arrangement to cities. This picture shows just one view (out of many) of the urban form in Portland.

Street Photography

2010-02-27T10:36:00.000-08:00

From Morrison Bridge to Natio Pkwy

2010-02-22T14:03:00.000-08:00

Shirazi Salad

2010-02-21T09:58:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite "Shirazi Salad". Actually Shiraz is a city located in southwest of Iran with a long history since 2000 BC. Shiraz is known as the city of poets, wine and flowers. I'm not sure why this type of salad is named after Shiraz but probably it was first made there.

Ingredients:
2 medium tomatoes
1 medium cucumber
1/2 medium onion
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoons virgin olive oil
100 grams fresh mint (or 1/2 teaspoon dry mint)
with salt and black pepper

Portland Light Poles

2010-02-18T09:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine

2010-02-14T18:20:00.000-08:00

Shoe Brush

2010-02-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

Water Monitoring

2010-02-03T22:25:00.000-08:00

I-5 South to Beaverton and Salem

2010-01-28T11:23:00.000-08:00

Portland Trail Blazers and Portland Winter Hawks

2010-01-26T12:25:00.000-08:00

Haystack Rock, Oregon Coast

2010-01-25T09:08:00.000-08:00

According to Wikipedia, Haystack Rock is a 235-foot (72-meter) tall monolith (or sea stack) on the Oregon coast in the northwestern United States, the third-tallest such "intertidal" (meaning it can be reached by land) structure in the world.

Interstate 5, Portland, OR

2010-01-23T13:21:00.000-08:00

I-5, Exit 296B, Multnomah Blvd.

Germany 1938: Jews Forbidden

2010-01-18T09:41:00.000-08:00

This was inside the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. I cropped out myself from the photo but still you can see me there standing in a street in Germany in 1938. In addition to the Holocaust memorial, the museum had some sections for other massacres in the world like Rwanda, Bosnia, and some other places. It was a very impressive place.

Side trip to Washington D.C.

2010-01-15T15:03:00.000-08:00

It was my second time visiting Washington D.C. I have had the chance to visit the Capitol, including the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the White House (inside the house, yes!). It was quite amazing and impressive. This time I also had the chance to visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum. I will post a few more photos later.

Oregon Safe Routes to School

2010-01-08T18:55:00.000-08:00

This was an advertisement installed at a bus stop. Pretty educative! So please brake for kids. Thanks,

A bird being caught at the beach

2010-01-04T22:42:00.000-08:00

Mo's Restaurant at Cannon Beach

2010-01-03T19:45:00.000-08:00

Check their website. It's pretty cool. They have good Clam Chowder.
http://www.moschowder.com/

Bicycle Signal

2009-12-18T11:49:00.000-08:00

Alive and Kicking: V for IRAN

2009-12-09T12:51:00.000-08:00

Bike Portland

2009-12-08T22:14:00.000-08:00

I would like to introduce the Bike Portland website to you. Check it out.
http://bikeportland.org/

Real time bus arrival information system

2009-12-06T12:08:00.000-08:00

Street Sweeper

2009-11-30T09:03:00.000-08:00

Planet Earth (in the library)

2009-11-29T11:19:00.000-08:00

Portland State Bookstore

2009-11-22T11:46:00.000-08:00

Look Up & See Green

2009-11-17T08:55:00.000-08:00

Eugene, Oregon

2009-11-16T20:22:00.000-08:00

Eugene is the second largest city of Oregon. Not a very big city though.

Rain Drops on The Glass

2009-11-10T16:43:00.000-08:00

Pyxis Cargo Ship at the Toyota Berth in the Port of Portland

2009-11-05T18:46:00.000-08:00

They were unloading thousands of Toyota and Lexus cars to the port. Pyxis had just arrived from Japan.

Columbia River Gorge

2009-10-27T09:07:00.000-07:00

Click to enlarge the photo

Colorful Autumn of Portland

2009-10-22T01:10:00.000-07:00

With all its impression of being depressing, it is as beautiful as spring, even more. I love Autumn.

New Bus Stop Signs in Portland's Bus Mall: SW 5th & Morrison

2009-10-18T09:19:00.000-07:00

Be Courteous: Share The Road

2009-10-13T21:35:00.000-07:00

Sitting by Lake

2009-10-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

"Fall"ing for Iran

2009-10-09T09:31:00.001-07:00

Fall with its astonishing colors reminds me the beauty of Iran in fall. Viewing photos of Iran in flickr gives me a nostalgic feeling. I like to name this post "Falling for Iran."

Vakil Abad Park, Mashhad, Iran

Tehran, Iran

Niavaran Park, Tehran, Iran

U.S. Flag at Night

2009-10-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

Port of Portland

2009-10-07T08:27:00.000-07:00

http://www.portofportland.com

Portland, City of Bikes

2009-10-05T23:26:00.000-07:00

Portland Bus Mall

2009-10-03T01:28:00.000-07:00

If you like to know more about the history of Portland Bus Mall, click here.

Beacon Rock Hike

2009-09-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

Columbia River Gorge

2009-09-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

Portland, City of Roses

2009-09-26T01:01:00.000-07:00

International Day of Peace

2009-09-21T11:01:00.000-07:00

The International Day of Peace occurs annually on September 21. It is dedicated to peace, or specifically the absence of war. The first year this holiday was celebrated was 1981. To inaugurate the day, the "Peace Bell" is rung at UN Headquarters. The bell is cast from coins donated by children from all continents. It was given as a gift by the Diet of Japan, and is referred to as "a reminder of the human cost of war." The inscription on its side reads: "Long live absolute world peace."

You see, I forgot it was my blog's birthday

2009-09-20T16:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my blog's birthday. I landed in America exactly one year ago on September 19, 2008. One year has passed and I have had such wonderful experience that not so many Iranians can have. I have learned so many things in this country. I want to thank everyone who has helped me through out this way and who has tought me something. I'm just happy and I feel I'm older as much as one year. Actually in this one year, I've learned things more than a regular single year. Living all alone by myself in a country far away from my homeland, among people with a different culture than mine, making many friends from all around the world, studying full time and working at the same time, all have been amazing and great.

Still there are several more years for me to go to reach my goals. I hope I will keep posting photos and things about myself wherever I will be in next years. At least I know, I will be in Portland for one more year but after that who knows. Hopefully, things will work out well and I will get into UC Berkeley. If this happens, then I will start my Berkeley Daily Photos and that would keep me busy for four more years. After that, I really don't know what I will be doing. My plan is looking for an academic job somewhere in the world, in Iran, Europe, Australia or in the US. There is still a long way to go.

By the way, happy birthday Portland Daily Photos! Thank you all for visiting, commenting and supporting. The above photo has been taken by one of my friends, Keivan, while he was visiting the city of Yazd, Iran. The photo shows inside of a traditional type of houses in desert regions of Iran.

Happy "Eide Fetr"

2009-09-19T11:05:00.000-07:00

Eide Fetr (in Farsi) or Eid ul-Fitr (in Arabic) is a long day feast that marks the end of Ramadan. In the culture of Iran, Eid is a highly personal event. Charity is important in this day. Visiting the elderly and gathering with families and friends is also very common. Typically, each family gives food to those in need in this day. I've heard this year the amount of money that each person should donate is calculated to be $1.5. Let's assume half of the population of Iran (total population is 70 million) pay their donations. So at the end of the day, $52.5 million will be collected for charity.

Happy Rosh Hashana!

2009-09-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

I would like to warmly congratulate Rosh Hashana, the new year, to my Jewish friends, specially Dina. I wish you a good year. May peace and love prevail on Earth.

According to Dina, "pomegranates are traditionally eaten for the first time at the Rosh Hashana table." We used to have a pomegranate tree in our garden back in Iran. "Anaar" is the Persian equivalent of pomegranate in English. Dina, how do you say pomegranate in Hebrew? We have the same tradition of eating pomegranate in Yalda night, one of our biggest feasts in Iran.
I took this photo from Flickr by searching Anaar to give you a bowl of Iranian pomegranate. Happy Rosh Hashana!

Good looking grandmoms

2009-09-16T21:55:00.000-07:00

I was visiting the Rose Garden a few weeks ago when I saw two "good looking" old ladies. This is always amazing to me that some people, even when they are old, care much about how they look like and they try to wear as nice as possible. In our culture back home, wearing nice clothes is not that important specially when you are old. Of course young people wherever in the world care but not always old people. This is another good lesson from America for me. If you look good, you make other people around seeing you by chance feel good and happy. I hope I will care about this when I get old.

Japanese American Historical Plaza

2009-09-15T22:58:00.000-07:00

Mount Jefferson

2009-09-13T20:58:00.000-07:00

Mount Jefferson is the second highest mountain in Oregon. It was named in honor of US President Thomas Jefferson by the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

My mom is leaving today :(

2009-09-12T06:59:00.000-07:00

I think I was sad last night that I wrote such a long post. I may remove some parts of it. Today my mom is leaving back and I don't feel very good. It is as hard as when I was leaving to the US. Ah, I don't like "goodbye"s.

9/11

2009-09-11T22:30:00.000-07:00

I was visiting Seattle with mom in the last few days. This is a photo I took from Seattle's sky. Not very related to 9/11 but it may remind the "looking up at the sky and seeing a skyscraper in fire and ash." I say "Rest in Peace" for all the victims of this tragedy and I hope we will never see any other mass killing in any place in the world.

Google's "Unexplained Phenomenon" Logo

2009-09-05T08:36:00.000-07:00

Google's latest logo today features an image of a UFO with a link to the search term "unexplained phenomenon". I searched around the web but no one was sure what the story is behind this logo. I thought maybe this photo is proper for today. However, an "unexplained phenomenon" is not always in or from the space. There are many unexplained phenomenons on the earth or even in our social life. Well, maybe this photo is more suitable for July 20, the moon landing annivesary. Anyway, I hope you like it.

Oregon Air Show II: My Mom's Memories of War

2009-09-04T20:12:00.000-07:00

An American may be proud of the US Army, the US Air Force, the US Navy and all the other military forces but what about my mom and me as non-Americans? It was the Oregon International Air Show. Many people were there to visit the "strength" of the US. Almost all of them seemed to be Americans. Mom and I were probably the only Iranians there; from the Middle East, a region full of foreign interferences and wars, one after another during its long long history. Sometimes I think this part of the world is a "war zone" for ever.

It was the time for the Air Force Thunderbirds show. I think it was a F-16 Falcon or maybe a F-14. I don't know exactly. A plane was approaching the croud. We could just hear a regular sound as other planes. Then it became closer and closer and its sound became louder and louder. The Falcon passed the croud and that was the time when people were holding their ears while smiling but my mom was holding her ears and crying. I saw tears in her eyes. Our burnt memories were lightened up after many years. My heart started beating faster and mom's tears began falling.

It was April 1988 in Tehran when an Iraqi war plane, a Falcon or a Phantom, dropped a bomb on our back street. Both the plane and the bomb were made in USA. The sound of the plane and the explosion wave broke all our windows. We hided in our underground basement. It was our shelter when we were attacked. Lightless and fearful. I was only 3 and my brother was 7 years old. He was just about to go to school and I was a little kid. We were held by mom's arms in darkness. Her arms were full of love and worriness. Dad was out at work. Phones were dead. After the red alarm went down, we ran out to the street. Mom just took a bag of my "baby supplies" and we were trying to get to a relative's house. People in the street were shouting at mom that why she is out with two kids at this time. We should find a safe place. Less than a month after that, we moved to Mashhad.

This time it was August 2009 in the US. I ask you Americans. Please stop your country exporting weapons, bombs, war planes, tanks, war ships and etc to all around the world. Please stop it, please. You may like your strength. You may smile at the sound of your war planes in a happy show in the US but we don't like them. We couldn't smile at them when they were dropping bombs on us. Please stop it. No one can bring peace to our world with war. Thank you.

Oregon Air Show I

2009-09-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

The Oregon Air Show celebrated its 22nd year in 2009. This outstanding community event is one of the largest events in Washington County and draws an average of 65,000 people to Hillsboro each summer to see some of the best in aviation from all over the United States and Canada. Events are planned “around the family” all weekend long! http://www.oregonairshow.com/

Back to Portland: Pink Tower, Blue Sky, White Cloud, and A Dark Green Tree

2009-09-02T23:52:00.000-07:00

Side Trip to San Francisco: The Bay

2009-08-31T21:00:00.000-07:00

Golden Gate Bridge

Oakland - San Francisco Bridge (Bay Bridge)

San Francisco Bay

Side Trip to San Francisco: Ferry Building

2009-08-30T00:23:00.000-07:00

"The San Francisco Ferry Building is a terminal for ferries that travel across the San Francisco Bay and a shopping center located on The Embarcadero in San Francisco, California. On top of the building is a large clock tower, which can be seen from Market Street, a main thoroughfare of the city.

The present structure of the Ferry Building in San Francisco is designed by local San Francisco architect A. Page Brown and opened in 1898. Until the completion of the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge in the 1930s it was the second busiest transit terminal in the world."