Miracle Baby

Yesterday, I became an auntie for the second time – a beautiful, healthy and extremely energetic baby boy sneezed (literally) into our lives. It was my first time seeing a – less than a minute old  newborn.. It was absolutely awe-inspiring.

Like many, I have never liked hospitals but my nephews helped create fond memories in this hospital so much so that I have spent majority of the last two days here.

It is amazing how the body produces a baby – how extremely complicated yet simple, pleasurable it is to help bring a life into this world.

I pray for a life filled with love and happiness for him. I can’t wait for all the ’firsts’ to follow this one.

Welcome to the family beautiful. We love and cherish you. Always <3

First of Last

WEDNESDAY was my first day of my last quarter as an undergraduate student.

As always, the campus was full of over excited freshman who are hoping for their idealized view of the college life to play out. Some will have an experience very similar to what they imagine and others might be surprised.

Fortunate the college experience was how I’d expected with a few good and bad surprises. But am grateful for everything because I ended up learning a lot through the process (not just the academic lessons).  It is a wonderful journey. I grew – not only in years- but in wisdom and experience.

One thing that turned out to be absolutely true – the experiences outside the class are as important to the journey of college as taking classes and gaining knowledge through academics.

I traveled 6 states on an amazing road-trip that involved a lot of laughter, jokes, bad food, good food, amazing scenery, national parks, music, two world wonders and wonderful company. I was fortunate enough to have visited 5 countries with family and friends through studying abroad. I appeared on TV and asked questions as an intern and I learned about my strengths and weaknesses.

I created strong relationships with old friends and made some wonderful new friends. I totally believe that you find your best friends in college – or just become better and closer with some great friends. I joined organizations – SSA (best one to take part in), great BBQs and amazing days with The Crew zip-lining, laser tag, bowling and days at Alki (love you all).

I learned a bunch of life skills as well – time management, riding a bike for the first time, learning to swim, writing essays last-minute, and prioritizing and learning to take a stand for what I value.

The past 3 years went by extremely fast and it is hard to believe I’ve already been here that long. I am a bit anxious but mostly excited for graduation. Looking forward to starting the next chapter of my life.

BUT I am going to enjoy this last quarter and make even more memories that last a lifetime.

Eid Day

It’s around 6am, the sky is beginning to light up with brilliant colors. The house smells newer, cleaner, better.  The night before, my mom took my sister and I to get henna on our arms and legs for the celebration. After hours of my mom repeating ” hadha qaaqina hadii kale barri baad foolxumaanaysiin” – don’t move or you won’t look good tomorrow. This was both the best and the worst part of Eid. As a child, being asked to sit still was a nightmare but it wasn’t Eid without henna.

The morning sky was beautiful as I walked to the kitchen to find my mom preparing Cambaabur (with dish) which was sweet, really sweet. She saw me, asked me to wash up and wake up my sister. I did as told. Eager to put on our new clothes, my sister and I washed up fast. We ran to the room and got fully dressed. My mom warned that we should eat breakfast before putting on our new clothes but we swore we wouldn’t make them dirty.

On the morning of Eid, people attend the morning prayers and back home you could hear the Adaan or call to prayer. We were especially excited that year because we were allowed, for the first time, to attend prayers in the big park where thousands prayed in really long lines. We begged for almost the whole month before. Pleading that we were old enough and all of our friends were allowed to go.

It was a short walk to prayer and it was beautiful, I felt like a grown up. After prayer is when the real fun started. First, each kid visited all their relatives homes where they were expected to give each child “xaqal ciideed” – which was money. There was no set amount. Each family gave what they could give. After we collect enough money to spend, we  went into town.

The whole city turned into a theme park. There were hundredths of stands to play for prices and lots of rides. There were swing beds that could hold three or four of us at a time and we’d get on with our friends screaming as it wasn’t up and down.  There were big trucks that took us on rides around town – 20 kids, maybe more, would get on the back of a truck and sign songs as we drove around the city.

We’d stay out the whole day but in a city where everyone knew one another, we were surrounded by family and friends. We’d return home at sunset and the whole family would gather at my grandparents house for dinner. It was my last Eid home and It was perfect.

Each year, I wish to have an Eid like that here. One that feels so great and memorable. This aim gets me really excited each year about Eid and I believe helps me enjoy it each year.

EID MUBARIK EVERYONE!