power of interconnectedness

a year ago today, a moment of clarity changed my life. i don’t even know how i came to think of it right now but then again i am perpetually humbled by the fact that there are so many things that i do not know and understand. the moment was profound in many different ways and it led to experiences that have changed who i am and how i see the world. i’d like to think that bitter or sweet, they have helped me become a better person.

the moment:
“from those who bring tidings of peace, there is a message that must be gained. look within yourself and you shall discover riches that will fill your heart, mind and world with such tranquility that cannot be touched by even the largest of earthly calamities. there is such strength that can be gained to carry you further along the path. and there is such exquisite beauty that will make you count the seconds before you will be again in His presence, in awe of His majesty.

the first thing i had to do when i arrived at nyu was to register and pick up my schedule. but i could not have imagined that the simple words uttered to me as i entered the room could so profoundly transform my world, peak my interest and forever change the path of my life. as-salamu alaikum. peace be upon you. such a beautiful greeting!

and from that day onward my life has not been the same.”

burnt beyond recognition

that's the story of my hands anyway... i don't believe they've ever been this tanned/burnt before. but then again i've never lived through so many 40+ days. it's quite the contrast from my colorless days back in march (that was frightful in its own way).

on to more pressing matters, i’m sitting here thinking of what i would be doing in a parallel world and it’s so darned freaky. i mean, i was supposed to be moving into my place, unpacking, brushing up on the details for my interviews to commence today. but i’m here, on the other side of the planet, writing letters and emails and thinking how much i miss my sister and mum and friends...

tracking the days

just got back from china and cannot believe eiw starts in just two days. and more importantly i can't believe that i won't be there. i still have to get used to the idea and figure out exactly what i'm going to do with the next year. i can be sure of one thing: i'm going to travel a lot!
china was a fascinating experience. thankfully the combined effect of not eating very much and sweating in the humid weather helped me lose a couple of pounds (which after my gran's cooking for the last two months was absolutely necessary). going from dubai to shanghai felt like a totally surreal experience. dubai, the desert city that barely existed half a century ago is the hub of economic activity and home to some of the world's top class architecture (and let's not forget the world's only 7 star hotel). and as for shanghai, it was certainly different from what i had imagined. a mega city that has emerged from the depths of communism to become a giant in the international market. the skyline was filled with shiny new buildings, the streets filled with tons of well dressed chinese going abt their business, and the roads filled with the latest car models.
travelling around china was a testament that the chinese model of opening up markets seems to be working. but the traveling was also a treat cos we got to see some the most beautiful scenery in the world. houngzhou and beijing were absolutely gorgeous. the pictures have turned out pretty well and i have to find a way to upload them so you know exactly what i'm talking abt...
anyway, must get back to work. things have seriously pilled up over the last two weeks.

a return of sorts

i’m taking a break from academia.
that's the current plan. the application for a leave of absence has been approved and i'll be going independent for the next twelve months... and thankfully that means no exams (although i have a feeling i might actually miss some aspects of school life, like hanging out at the library... may be not).
but the decision came pretty suddenly and there are a wealth of opportunities for me to explore. so while my student loan interest accumulates i'm going to work surviving in a world where you are not assessed on your magical performance in an exam. it should be interesting. that's what i'm hoping anyway, and it's this hope that made me decide to make an effort to update this space over the next year.
i'm off to the uae and china tomorrow, hoping the emirates flight is worth the extra dollars...