48 Hours Later….

I finally have a quiet minute on campus! Well…kind of. Currently sitting at Starbucks drinking a Caramel Macchiato – loud music and the buzz of people talking – but I’m sitting alone and absorbed in my laptop…so I guess that’s why I feel calm.

Don’t get me wrong – it’s been absolutely great so far! I am just so exhausted, and am feeling so overwhelmed by the countless opportunities being presented to us. It’s funny how good things can stress you out too.

First thing’s first: EMORY IS AMAZING! I am so happy I chose this school – correction – I am so thankful that God chose it for me. I feel so welcomed! From the minute I was being helped unload my stuff into the dorm, to orientation activites and games yesterday, to asking anyone to help you with anything. Its only been two days, but I feel myself becoming part of the Emory family… and it’s happening so fast! I’m now a part of  TWO great families ;)

I actually cried when my mom and I first pulled up. A group of upperclassmen who were helping freshman move their stuff in ran up to our car and cheered and jumped when my mom told them I was a new freshman. Their reaction surprised me I guess…or scared me…and I suddenly found myself crying! Thankfully I had sunglasses on and it went unnoticed.

After moving all my stuff into my dorm, and instagramming a pic or two, my mommy left! She hugged me tighter that she ever has. She said that I was “all grown up,” and that I had to make my own decision now. We both cried…that and she only lives 20 minutes from me!  I don’t know how others are handling being hundreds of miles from their families. Separation is hard whatever the distance I guess…we’re just not at home anymore! We have a new home… (of course I get to cheat and go to my real home on weekends to see my mommy and siblings, but thats a blessing I’ll only have for this year! Alhamdellah – thanks to God).

My roommate is great. She’s sweet and down to earth, and she’s gorgeous. We’re getting along wonderfully and pretty much have the same views on the big issues – which makes living with someone that much easier.

I’m slowly meeting other people. My guess is that once we start classes and get involved in campus activities and clubs, it will be easier to meet people that you share interests with. I’m not worried though…my incoming class alone is 1,300 students! That was the size of my entire school in Jeddah – K through 12!

Dorm beds aren’t thaaaat bad, and neither is the food. Life is good. It’s about to get a whole lot busier. Tomorrow I meet with my advisor and I schedule my classes the next day. Classes will start Wednesday. I’m also currently looking for a part time job. Add extracurriculars to that and I think it equals no sleep! Coffee I suppose is the solution? Or Time Management? Maybe both.

Sending love to you all from beautiful Emory…

كل سنة وبابا طيب

Baba. Baba. Baba. Four letters that mean so much…how can I begin writing about the most important man in my life? I’ll start by saying that God knowingly blessed me with the perfect father for me. My dad is just right for me, and everyone else’s dad is right for them.

Today is my Baba’s birthday! And this is my small gift to him…a thank you! A thank you for the years upon years he spent tirelessly teaching me the same things over and over again. I’m not a quick learner, and I did not always appreciate his lessons, but his patience never wearied, and he never stopped teaching me. To this day, he teaches me. I’ve never had a teacher like my dad. I’ve never had a teacher who spoke with such a loving tone, and who never gave up on me.

I didn’t actually understand my father until a few years ago. I didn’t understand why he tried so hard to teach me what he taught me, why he cared so much. I often disobeyed him, refusing to follow his teachings…little did I know!

The day I understood my father, I realized that all he ever hopes to do is to protect me. He loves me so dearly, and wants no more than to keep me safe. To protect me from myself, to protect me from others, and to keep harm as far from me as possible. He prepared me for what was to come without my knowledge, without my knowing I was being taught. He set me up to think about things critically…to ask why. He taught me my self worth through his relationship with my mother. He taught me that my opinions matter by constantly listening to them. He taught me that I’m beautiful, but made sure that I took pride in my behavior before taking pride in my appearance. He taught me that I’m no better than another because in God’s eyes we’re all the same. He taught me that lying is an intolerable quality. He taught me that true love is unconditional and is proven through action.

In a few days, Baba will head back to Jeddah for work. I’ll miss having him around. I’ll miss goofing off with him and confiding in him. I’ll miss him waking me up for Fajr. And in a couple of weeks I’ll be moving out of the house, away from Mama and my siblings, and into the dorms. Then my college journey officially begins! And only God knows what’s to come after that – where I’ll be and who with. The bitter reality is that I’ll always miss my Baba, but I won’t always get to see him.

Whether I’m physically with my Baba or not, we are connected. He is a part of me, and he will live on through me, as his father does through him. I take such pride in being Ahd Hany Niazy – in being his daughter. His teachings, which I now understand and choose to live by, are of the reasons I am who I am. One day he will help me pass those very teachings on to my children, inshallah :)

May the coming year be filled with blessings, Baba. And may we celebrate many more happy, healthy birthdays with you as a family in the years to come. I love you so much, and will eternally be indebted to you and mama. I want no more than to make you both proud. <3