The End of an Era II

I’m picking up my story from Friday at 12.30 a.m. (when I posted my last entry). Sara and I spent around 6 hours from that time just lying in bed talking, laughing our asses off, eating, and watching the video (she teared up a bit, but I pretended not to notice). Finally, at 6.45, we decided to turn the lights off. When we did, we realized the blinds were letting in a very bright spot of light.

 

So we immediately tried to cover it up. We were trying to figure out just how to do it, when her mom came in and asked “You guys aren’t asleep yet?” We explained the situation, and she offered her roll of scotch tape (yes, we didn’t have any scotch tape, hence the “trying” to figure out how to do it). As we were about to go stick papers, she reminded us that aluminum foil would do the job better. So we took the roll and headed to the room. We covered that one spot, then turned off the lights to look at the result. What do you know? There was still so0o much light coming in, but we hadn’t noticed it before (the blinds were’nt hitting the bottom of the windows.

 

So we went back to work. I think we covered about half of one window and two-thirds of the other. Finally, we thought. We went bck into bed and turned off the lights… Still so much light coming in!!! At this point, we just gave up, and said goodnight (not failing to talk and laugh for a while longer, though). We finally fell asleep around 7.30 though.

 

I got a text message at 10.30, and it woke me up. I stayed in bed for half an hour, then woke Sara up at 11 (that was the goal wake-up time so she could finalize packing and such). A few girls came over to say goodbye to her, and then she and I and two more were left.

 

I decided I wouldn’t leave it until the last minute, and dad was waiting for me at home anyway. So, I hugged her, and that point she said “Ah stop being silly we’ll see each other in a month”. I knew it was denial on her end, so I hugged her again and said goodbye. I got into the car and the driver drove off.

 

As I looked around in the streets, I noticed that although the sky hadn’t been clearer than at that moment for a few weeks, it felt very gloomy to me. And as memories flew around in my mind, I shed around 10 tears (it is quite impossible for me to cry unless I am angry).

 

When I got home, we had lunch, and then mom took out an amazing cake she made for me:

We spent the day chilling, and then went out for a bit. I got home around 7, and couldn’t keep my eyes open. So I decided to nap on the couch. 9 p.m. comes around, and I’m still dead; so I went up and into bed. Although I woke up many times throughout the night, I slept until 9 a.m.!!!

The End of an Era

I start my story on Tuesday night. Everyone I call is restless, excited, irritated, and confused; as am I. 12 hours remained until everything would finish; 12 hours, and life as we knew it would come to an end…

 

Everyone was “studying” for our last religion final, and yet no one could focus on the writings in the book… The end was so near, and yet we still had to work so hard to get there. The word Graduate seemed so different, so intimidating, so unreal…

 

I stayed up all night trying to bring up the power and courage to open my book, but ended up chatting to friends online all night… I was so sick of studying I couldn’t care less anymore. Finally, at 6 a.m., I decided I needed to actually read the titles in the book, if nothing else (considering my exam started at 7). I sat at the breakfast table staring at my book, barely comprehending what my eyes were gliding over. Then, 6:30 cam about, and it was time to leave for school…

 

As I looked at the parking lot with all the life it enclosed, I realized that it would be the last time I would ever look at it the way I did at that moment; as MY school parking lot… I made my way up the stairs and into school. A few of my friends were grouped on the side of the courtyard… I ran to them and asked who had actually finished reading the book… Around 10% of the whole Class’08.

 

We walked into the exam rooms with our legs shaking… We wanted it to be all over; no more work, no more writing, no more thinking… And the papers arrived, and fell upon our desks. Everyone around me opened the papers with such enthusiasm in comparison to the past 2 weeks. We wrote quickly, trying to finish as fast as possible. Finally, most of us were done. I could see how restless everyone was feeling. Smirks generated on a few faces by the thought of never having to take a high school exam again.

 

As we were allowed to leave at mid-time of the exam, everyone was running down the stairs, screaming with joy. We hugged each other, and then everyone sat on the floor in a messy group, and started signing each others’ yearbooks. Unfortunately, mine was signed a while back, but someone stole it for some reason, so I had to start over Wednesday. We sat there for around an hour, then we were called to the theatre.

 

As we walked in, we saw a group of girls huddled over something in front of the stage. Walking up, I realized they were looking at out graduation cake! It was really cute, with small square cakes all around it with our names on them.

 

Then we all sat down, and our supervisor asked anyone who wanted to say something to go up to the stage. A few girls did, and then the valedictorian who was robbed the chance to say it at the Graduation ceremony got to say it then. Next, the teachers said a few words. Some went up, and then said they couldn’t because it hurt too much, which was so sad. Our principals pulled an irritating gesture though; they refused to attend this celebration based on a stupid thing that happened a month ago. At the Graduation ceremony, we were asked to wear long white dresses. A lot of girls came in knee-length or similar white dresses. For that “gesture of disrespect and violation of rules” as they called it, they refused to join us on our last day of high school in our lives.

 

So we wrapped it up, and I got up and read a small farewell paragraph I wrote in the yearbook (I figured most girls wouldn’t read each page). I don’t have my yearbook with me at the moment, so I can’t post what it said, but I will soon.

 

Next, we took a lot of pictures, and walked out of the theatre. I was surprised to see the school almost empty; most of the girls had left already, without another glance back or a simple goodbye. But, what really hurt me, was seeing that two of my closest friends decided to go out with a bunch of girls that they had only known for a short while, rather than a lifetime of going through everything together. I never told them how I felt about it as I didn’t want to hurt them.

 

So 7 of us went out; we had brunch at McDonalds, got some ice-crushed mocha coffee, and dropped a couple of girls home. 5 were left: Me, B, L, S and T. At that point, one of my friends (T) decided her long-waited naval piercing should be done Wednesday to mark the day. So, we went to the mall and got her the bar. The other girls shopped a little too. Then, off to the clinic it was. My other friend (L) decided she would pierce her ear as well. Oh, I forgot to mention; Sara fell asleep in the shop on the chair!!! We were up all night procrastinating.

 

As we walked in, my friends got very nervous. Sitting down, they were told that T’s naval couldn’t be pierced until 4.30 p.m. (it was still around 1.45). So L spent 3 minutes freaking out about piercing her ear (and then finally went through with it). S decided she’d put in another one too, and so did B. I felt so left out, but I knew that if I went through with it I’d be buried alive (I asked once before and was given a strict NO WAY!).

 

So, off to S’s we went, to chill… Next thing you know, she and I are fighting so hard to not fall asleep, while B, L and T were watching something in the next room.

 

At 6.15 p.m., we left the house and went back to the clinic. T freaked out, screamed and threatened the nurse that if she felt pain or it was in the wrong place, she’d do things I’m not going to mention because you’d think she was insane (but she isn’t lol). Finally done, she started smiling non-stop. We headed back to B’s house (S said goodnight and went to bed).

 

We hung out at B’s house, and I played with her adorable little sister. I fell asleep for about 10 minutes on the couch (no one noticed), and then I went home, and straight up to bed it was for me.

 

Today, I spent my time finalizing the Video I was making for S and L (music, pictures and videos of the three of us). I finally was done, then went up and took a shower, and sat with my dad for a while. I left the house at 12.30 a.m. and came to Sara’s house. I’m sitting in her bed typing, hoping the night goes by very slowly (she’s leaving at 12.30 p.m. tomorrow, and this is probably the last time I’ll see her until December).

 

I feel confused, relieved, sad, happy, stunned, and everything else I can/can’t think of at the moment. I guess all that’s left to say is:

 

I’m now officially ENAS ALKHUDAIRY <> MIT’12, GRADUATE OF NAJD.

 

Peace out!

 

Explanation

Everything I posted today, I wrote a while back. I just thought I would share it. This is my type of "creative writing". I do not write about things I do not care for, or people irrelevant to me. I write about my life, and everything that goes on in and around it. Some posts will be my feelings, others will be the feelings of acquaintances. But, pain, happiness, hopelessness, and faith are reasons to write, and that is what I show in today's postings... And hopefully if I write more in the future. 

Most of these writings, I wrote in the summer before Junior year(maybe even all of them)

A struggle from within

I sit here, watching you laugh, watching you smile, and I never want to leave the moment. I feel so glad just to be by your side, and all my troubles just seem to fly away into the darkness of the night. But I have one problem, one simple thing that I still feel inside, one simple thing that tears me apart when I look into your eyes. It hurts me that I can’t tell you how I feel, it pains me that I tell myself I’m not ready to say what’s on my mind. “Just wait” I tell myself, “just until you’re confident of who you’ve become”. But my heart feels the pain of being so close but yet so far. I try to find a way to ease my pain, by saying “at least he acknowledges you, at least he knows you’re there” but o how I wish you could sense the love in the air. My heart breaks, with every word I hear from your mouth as you speak, knowing I cannot be one of the girls you talk about, one of the girls you dream about, one of the girls you seek. “Just wait” I remind myself, as I struggle to get to where I want to be, partly because that is what I want, and partly because I imagine that it would make you think a bit more highly of me. And thus, I struggle with words as I speak in your presence, only to find it the most hurtful but yet the most joyful time of my life.

My Role Model

The person who affected my way of thinking, my way of life, and my way of dreaming is one and the same; Mr. Ammar Alkhudairy, or as I like to call him, “DAD”.

Born into a well-off family, my father grew up with 3 older siblings. However, shortly after he came to the age of ten years old, my grandfather passed away. What is truly touching is that, instead of becoming a depressed child, my father decided that he wanted to grow up. He began reading all about life, science, nature… anything he could think of.

Shortly before entering high-school, this young man moved to the USA. He realized that his family was no longer as well-off as they once used to be, since they had become a non-income family. He therefore decided that he would finish high-school and university as quickly as he could. Thus, he finished high-school, normally 4 years long, within 3 years, and graduated to university at the age of 17. During the 4 years he spent in GWU, he accomplished what normally takes people 6 years or even longer to finish; he got a B.Sc. and a M.Sc. in Civil Engineering. But his story didn’t end yet.

Graduating with some debt, he started work immediately after graduation, as to try and pay back the people who helped him through. Not a day went by did he slack on his work; he did what he needed to do when he needed to do it, and more.

Two years after graduation, my father and mother got married. At the time, they could barely afford to rent a villa in a compound. A few months passed, and they had a son, as well as many house-guests. So, instead of having to feed 2 mouths on a low income, he now had to feed roughly 7 people. And yet, he kept working hard, never though once neglecting his family. As a few years passed by, my parents had finally managed to rent a regular villa, and had only 4 mouths to feed now; theirs and their children’s.

A few years later, another child, a better home. But still, no laziness and no family neglecting. A decade later, my father was able to buy the house of his dreams, and still have plenty of food on the table for 5 people, as well as help around the house.

For as long as I can remember, my father has tried so hard to lead us in the right direction towards success. And yet, he never once broke a promise to me, never once neglected me, and never once was too busy to pay attention to me, even with the schedule he has tried to keep.

What inspires me about this great man is that he does whatever it takes to get a job done, but makes sure it doesn’t affect his other life, whether it being his family life or his work life. True, he has been working long hours the past couple of decades, but he managed to acquire hobbies, read, start a family, spend time with them, and so much more. To see in front of my eyes that success is possible in many variations, and to observe it being reached on so many levels is why I look up to my father. He has shown me what I need to do, and how I need to do it, to get to where I want to be, and for that I am truly grateful.

Forests in my head

As I close my eyes trying to organize my thoughts, I see a picture form inside my mind. In a dark forest is where I stand, all alone. The trees surrounding me express the barriers between us; the reasons I cannot share my feelings, the thoughts of you with another person, the thought of the trouble that may occur if I ever revealed my feelings, the challenges that lie ahead, and so much more. But the trees are not so obvious in such a dim light; for you see, the darkness surrounding me is my love for you and the fear of never having you. But a faint glow of light is visible through the high branches, as the light of the moon shines through; the hope, no matter how slight, of being with you. As I struggle to find my way across the land, with every tree passed, a new perspective of the light, a new brightness, a new darkness. And yet no matter how far I run, there never seems to be an end to where I am trapped, as I cannot escape the life I am living. Sounds around me frighten me, reminding me of the life around me, whether it being the good or the bad. And yet, no matter how terrified I become, there always seems to be a hand in reach whenever I need it, a hand that has never failed to ease my fear. A best friend is all the hand could be, I remind myself, as they are the people who help us through. To me, getting to the light of day is the goal, the point to where I want to get to, as it would mean the end of the suffering, and the knowledge of love existing. But the night has been far too long, and the break of day is nowhere to be seen. It is said that when one is scared, the night seems far longer; this night has seemed to me like an eternity. And suddenly, I find an axe in my hand, so I may reduce the number of trees surrounding me. But they are too thick, and need time, patience, and determination to be cut down. I know that I must start with one tree at a time, so I try for the most reasonable; the one I may have an actual chance of cutting down. It seems so thick, so strong, and yet, with every swing, the progress begins to show ever so slightly. I find it hard to believe that any other person could be in my situation, and yet, we are all equals in this world. Possibly, the difference is the length and time of the night, and the number of trees. Opening my eyes, I realize that every word I have written seems overly dramatized, but I do not find the strength to delete a single one, as I know that they were written by my heart, and are all true.

When two people dear to your heart break up...

This is what I wrote the girl to show her how the guy felt...

By day, he says nothing but your name, and by night, he dreams solely of you. In every moment of everyday I share with him, all he says is “I’m dead”, “Love kills people”, and “Life is pointless and meaningless without HER”. The moment he walked into this city, into this suite, all he could say was “We planned on having a home like this, but now all hope is lost”. And as we sat side by side through meal and every flight, all he would do is look me in the eye and motion a tear roll down his face or a dagger puncture his heart. All he would say is “Why can’t we be WE again? Why can’t she leave out all the factors and be mine?” So I try to explain that it is what you think is best for him, but all he ever replies is that he doesn’t care, and that he was being torn apart by a love so strong and so unforgettable. Everything seems to remind him of you, and even though he asked me not to tell you any of this, I couldn’t keep the truth from you, because you deserve to know. He couldn’t do what everyone told him to; to go get another, simply because you never left his mind, never left his heart. “Could there be someone else?” is a question he didn’t seize to ask, trying to find himself an explanation on what it was you couldn’t say. “She’s the only one I’ve ever cared enough about to still love and want after all the fights, all the troubles”, he told me yesterday. “She’s the only one worth it”, he said. I needed to tell you so you’d know, because the truth is so important.

Politics

I would have to say that the most interesting book I read before my junior year would have to be “Deception Point” by Dan Brown. While reading the book, I was amazed to see the extremes to where people go to win an audience over. I found politics to be the greatest battle of all, as it makes and breaks people. The way the president in the story tries to be honest about everything to do with his campaign inspires me to do the same with my life, especially work and school. And yet, seeing how simply the Senator was able to deceive everyone around him showed me that some people need to be feared. Unfortunately, not all people are like the President, nor are all of them like the Senator. For that reason, I realized that we always need to be “en guarde” when being with other people, as it is impossible to know what kind of people they are, whether being at one of the extremes, or simply in the middle. If anyone asked me what I thought of the book, I would strongly recommend to them that they read it, as the way the author has decided to express his point is strongly captivating and clear.

A great leader; lost

Many world leaders have done great things, and yet only few of them are remembered for doing so. The person that comes to my mind whenever the words “great” and “leader” are joined is President Rafiq Al Hariri. After his assassination on February 14^th of 2005, everyone around me began to speak so highly of him. And for that, I decided to look up all his accomplishments.

 

            President Hariri began his contributions to the Middle East during the Lebanese civil war, as he funded many restorations made to the cities of Lebanon. So much was destroyed, and yet, all was not lost, for he had given the people hope and belief that they would one day be able to regain their status among other countries. And as every year passed by, the diaspora began returning, the people returned to their lives, and the country returned to its glory. In my opinion, had it not been for the President’s encouragement, the country, as we knew it three months ago, would not be.

 

            But Lebanon was not the only place in which this great man made a difference. My home country, Saudi Arabia, was affected in a great way by the generosity and good-heartedness of a great leader, no matter how minor it may seem. For the past twenty-few years, one of the country’s finest schools, Najd, has been standing tall, urging the schools around it to reach its standards. The reason this school is important is not only because it was built by President Hariri; during the first years, he handed scholarships to so many Lebanese students who could not afford to pay for a private school, and offered jobs to many people within the city of Riyadh. And, as the years passed, the school had continued to keep its high standards and good name.

 

            The fact that this man was able to affect the lives of so many people is touching and inspiring, and that was proven by the love and respect the people of the Middle East, as well as others, had for this great man, and still have to this very day. 

My past 18 months

When I started my university applications a while back, I got a lot of help from a many people. However, I owe my successes (and dedicate my story) to 3 people in particular. Not sure on whether or not they want their names mentioned, I will call them Mr.C, Mr.A, and Dad.

My application story started last January, when I couldn't go to MIT's RSI because of, well, everything listed in my previous entry. Dad urged me to apply to other schools on his personal funding. So, I did. A few weeks later, Mr.A finds out about the whole thing, and gets really upset about what happened. He asks dad to tell me to check UPenn, and said he'd help me with the application if I decided to apply, which I did. A few days later, he introduces me to Mr.C, who is the Dean of MBA Admissions at Penn... Amazingly helpful as he is, he went through my whole application with me(even though he was jumping around from one country to the other around Asia, trying to recruit students, I assume), and gave me a few pointers about all university applications in general. 

Fast forward 2 months, I go to Penn and have the time of my life(thanks to Mr.A's idea to search and apply for programs, and the help I got from the 3 of them in the whole application process; essays, portfolio, resume, etc.). Another 2 months later, I was back home going through Undergraduate Applications. 

Mr.C kept in contact, checking up on my applications. Dad read everything I wrote, and added a few comments/notes without altering anything (he wanted the application to be MINE only). Mr.A, being the great guy he is, read everything I had to write(even though his work schedule is as hectic as I can imagine one to be). He urged me to consider taking the SATIIs, saying it wouldn't harm me to try. He also urged me to apply to my dream schools, even if it was more work; because getting accepted gives a great feeling. As a Wharton graduate, he read Essays for the admissions process for a while right after graduating, and so he knows what universities want. Here come the tips he gave me(along with a few things I learnt over this process):

-Your essay should reflect your personality and interests, not your grades; that's what transcripts are for.

-Be as natural as possible in your interview.

-Talk about "you" in your interview, not your grades, because again, they can read(considering they offer you a college education)

-Do your best on your applications/tests etc., but don't stress out too much

-Be curious about your interviewer (ask them about themselves)

Before doing all of that, though (and everything else I've put into my college blog), Mr.A was kind enough to go over everything I intended to write and form my essay plans with me, then went over everything I had written (weeks later) to check it all out.

Had it not been for the support I got from these 3 incredible people (who I consider my mentors in more ways than one, considering how great they are personality-wise, and in every other way) I would at the moment be freaking out, wait-listed at my top-choice university, with the AUS (in the UAE) as  back-up. Instead, I am enrolled at MIT!!!

Mr.C, Mr.A, and Dad... I owe my education and my future successes to the three of you. I hope I can accomplish as much as possible, and reach the high standards that will make you proud of me. Your hard work will not go to waste. Thank you for everything. Also, thank you for taking the time to read this.

What got me into MIT (I think, anyway)

The last paragraph is what did it, I think...

I felt great pride when my school selected me as one of its representatives to the country-wide competition sponsored by the King AbdulAziz Foundation for Gifted Students, which entailed selecting 4 winners who would be granted scholarships to pre-college programs at MIT.   I became one amongst over 450 11^th graders selected to compete.

I am proud to report that I achieved the highest countrywide test mark. Naturally, I was informed by the program administrators that I would selected to enroll into the RSI program (The Research Science Institute, sponsored by The Center of Excellence in Education, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

I was so excited that I earned the chance to be one of only four Saudi students to go. Yet, circumstances managed to turn this proud moment into a truly upsetting one. Unfortunately, I was denied the chance to go when conservative members of the board of trustees of the foundation managed to cancel female participation in the program.

At first, I felt devastated. I couldn’t understand why they were being so unfair. My parents were also very upset with this highly discriminatory decision, and countered it by offering me to go to a similar program, at their expense. I therefore decided that I would not let some close-minded members of the society to get in the way of my ambition and education as a fulfilled and proud Saudi woman.

After researching various alternatives, I applied to four pre-college programs, and got accepted into all four; Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Yale and The University of Pennsylvania. Upon closer investigation, I found The University of Pennsylvania (Penn)’s program to be the most suitable for my interests and future academic pursuits.  Although all the universities’ acceptances overwhelmed me with joy, I was particularly fond of Penn’s program, as it seemed tailor-made for me.  It would give me the American university study experience, and help me experience a diverse student body, sharing our cultures and backgrounds. In addition, Architecture, the subject of study I was admitted to, has always been a passion of mine.

My summer at Penn nurtured my perspective on college life; I’ve always wanted to study Architecture, but experiencing the life and the subject first-hand proved to me that my long lasting dream was in fact achievable. I saw that I could handle living on my own as a college student, and that Architecture was truly an amazing field of study.

Now, more determined than ever, I am adamant on availing myself the opportunity to attend MIT, an opportunity that was taken away from me for the silly and discriminatory reason of gender. Had it not been for me being robbed of the chance to attend as a summer student, I might not be as resolved to set things right as I am now, and diligent to realize my aspiration, which is the reason for my application. Being Saudi and female was the reason I was deprived of this honor. Therefore, I am determined to succeed in life as a prominent, sophisticated, and educated Saudi woman, and prove to future female generations that it is possible to live up to our ambitions, even if we have to fight slightly more for them.

 

TechCash Accepted at...

All TechCash accepted at:

 

Campus Dining:

Cambridge Grill (W20)

Anna's Taqueria (W20)

Au Bon Pain @ Z-Center

Bio Cafe (Bldg 68)

Building 4 Cafe

Bosworth's (Lobby 7)

Cafe Spice (W20)

Dunkin Donuts (W20)

Faculty Lunch (Bldg 32)

Forbes Family Cafe (Bldg 32)

Hungry Mind Cafe (Bldg 46)

Pacific Cafe (NW86)

R&D Pub (Bldg 32)

Refresher Course (E52)

Sepal (W20)

Shinkansen Bullet Train (W20)

Starbucks (Bldg 32)

Steam Cafe (Bldg 7)

Subway (W20)

Vending Machines

 

House Dining:(Mandatory $300 Dining Dollar plan as well)

Baker House

McCormick Hall

Next House

Simmons Hall

 

Convenience:

Campus Convenience (W61)

LaVerde's Market (W20)

 

Bookstores:

Coop at Kendall Square

Coop at Student Center

MIT Press Bookstore

Quantum Books

 

Off Campus Dining:

Au Bon Pain - Kendall SQ

Dominos Pizza

Papa John's Pizza - 622 Sommerville Ave, Somerville

Quiznos - 600 Technology Sq.

Subway - 21 Mass Ave, Boston

 

Services:

Alpha Phi Omega (APO)

Copy Tech Centers

IS&T PC Repair           

IS&T Help Desk

LSC Movies           

MIT Alumni Association

MIT Audio Visual           

MIT Libraries

Residential Laundry           

Student Art Association

Technicuts - Hair           

New Tech Barber - Hair

 

Other Merchants:

Economy Hardware

 

Hope this helps...

Post-Chemistry...

OKay, so... I sucked it up after my last blog entry, and decided to get as much read as possible (yes read not memorized... no time for that)... So I ended up not crying, not killing myself, or dying (although some hysterical laughter; yes).

So we had around 80 full A4 pages.... By time I got to school, I was done with like 55...

In the 10 minutes I had until the bell, I skimmed over anything that was obviously in a rectangle or box, or something that said "important" next to it, etc. 

Our Chemistry teacher is a great person... Right before the exam she answers questions, and gives you a few pointers... And if you ask about something that isn't on the test, she'd be like "oh I'm sure you know and it isn't as important as so and so"... So I bumped into her 5 minutes before it WAS TIME and she gave me a few of her notes...

Of everything I managed to never look at, I got two very simple questions... The rest of the exam was from what i studied (amazing how things happen.... I think that is my 6th sense: sensing what is important and what is not... And my best friend Sara does it by always asking me 2 or 3 questions exam day... and they are part of the exam!!!)

So our finals are 30% of our grade(and are worth 30 points lol)... So I got at least 10 points higher than I had anticipated walking in...

So all-in-all, it was a good day =D (Although someone took my yearbook :( and it was already signed by a lot of people!!! They'd better return it soon!!! Only 5 finals left and they're the only days I see friends in school and get to ask them for signatures)...

Then Layan, Sara and I (my best friends, whom I will start mentioning by name from now on) passed by McDonalds for a bite... After which we came back to my place to listen to a tape Layan and I made when we were 7... let me just say: OMG!!! Seriously!!! 

if I get a chance to make a copy and bring it to MIT, I will share it with people I know who won't use it against me lol... I swear it's a MASTERPIECE!!! The three of us were on the floor in tears with laughter...

So I pulled an all-nighter for Chemsitry (obviously)... And am BEAT with 3 hours until I have to wake up... So Goodnight/afternoon!!!

P.S. What we learnt from today's story: Always be optimistic and work until the last moment... Don't listen to the crap some teachers use about how last minute revision mixes up your thoughts!!! Last-minute revision gained me at least 4 points today... That's 1/6th of the whole test!!!

Chemistry!! :S

So I have a Chemistry final tomorrow... It's 1.50 a.m. and my exam starts at 7 a.m.

Oh and I know I need around 12 hours of studying time to finish what I need to finish... So how do I squeeze that into 5 hours? I have no clue!!!

I am going to kill myself or die... I'll keep you posted on which happens...

Why I say "Apply to your dream schools even if you're not allowed to go there"

So there is no overprotectiveness in the world like the parents of a Muslim Saudi girl... And that is what I am. Based on that, you can imagine how my parents were about my university situation. Until a year ago, it was "no college outside Saudi"... Then after I was selected to participate in MIT's RSI program last summer, it turned into "McGill is ok cause your brother is there"... Then AUS in the UAE was added to the "okay" list...

But I didn't get to go to RSI... Because after I did all my applications (having of course passed the test we had to pass and such) they decided to take girls out of the Saudi RSI equation... As you can imagine, I was devastated, and quite upset with the government. So I went to UPenn's summer program instead (I applied to Harvard's, JHU's, Yale's and Penn's).

After the summer, I applied to MIT, and my parents tried to talk me out of it... Dad said if I got in I'd want to go and I know it isn't okay with him, and that the SATIIs and the essays I was doing were all a waste of my time... I said I wanted to know if I could get in and went ahead with it...

Let me just say my essay was about how I was robbed the chance to go to MIT because I was a Saudi girl, and that I was more adamant than ever to prove to myself than I can get in to MIT again (to give myself the chance I deserve, or something like that)... And to show other females (especially Arabs) that we can make it in this world even if we have to work harder than our male peers (my arguments were a little stronger than my actual beliefs). I think that essay closing was the reason I was accepted to MIT lol.

Next thing I know, MIT accepts me!!! Dad, being the great person he is, sits me down and says "although I still prefer you go to McGill, and I think it would be easier for you to adjust, seeing as your brother is there and we have an apartment, I cannot stop you from going to MIT, so it is your choice". Anywhere else in the US was still off limits, but dad loves Boston, and MIT is MIT...

At that point I was still 99% on McGill... Until everyone starting telling me all about how great MIT is, and how much better it would be for me, and how it was the opportunity of a lifetime... So I kept thinking about it (McGill hadn't made their decision yet, but I was expecting an acceptance for sure)...

By time is was April 25th, I was 95% MIT 5% McGill... Then what do you know? McGill wait list me!! I took that as my sign (considering I prayed that if I should go to MIT McGill should reject me) and said "That's it, Im going to MIT!!" =D

So, I had not thought of going, I was talked out of it, and it was off limits... Then I get the okay, and get the wait listing from the school I was supposed to be going to (imagine if I had not applied to MIT... I wouldn't know what I would be doing now... Well maybe going to the AUS... But really: AUS over MIT?!?!)

So reach for the stars, work hard, and you will get to do what you want to(well not all the time, but for the most part).

Good luck to everyone on your quests to find the perfect place for you!

P.S. Yes this is partly procrastinating studying for finals lol... But also partly because a friend asked me about it a minute ago, and I had the urge to share it with everyone to once again prove the point I made in my essay: we CAN make it!!!

F/ASIP as sent to me by Rachel Greenburg

P.S. If anyone doesn't know why she said a certain thing, it's because I had e-mails with questions, so just ask me what I asked).

 

#1: Dear Enas,

 

Thank you for your email and interest in F/ASIP. I am glad to hear you are

so enthusiastic about the program! There are no pre-requisite courses you

would need to take in order to join F/ASIP. In order to participate, you

simply need to complete and submit the application, which can be found on

our website at http://web.mit.edu/fasip. Applications are accepted on a

first-come, first-served basis beginning today through August 11. Our main

criteria for acceptance is that you put effort into each of the pieces of

the application and demonstrate a genuine interest in participating in the

program.

 

The location of your internship depends on your own interests and

priorities. We do not place students in internships, rather we provide the

support, tools and resources to help you find an internship in your field of

interest.

 

In response to your questions in your follow-up email:

 

- Yes, F/ASIP does count for credit. Though the seminars begin in September

of your freshman year, participants receive 3 units of credit in spring of

their freshman year for the first half of the program and 3 units of credit

in Fall of their sophomore year for the second half of the program.

 

- Participation in F/ASIP and a Freshman Advising Seminar do not conflict.

You will receive credit for your FAS in fall semester, and credit for F/ASIP

in Spring, so they will not conflict and cause a problem with your credit

limit. So, you are welcome to do both.

 

Hopefully this answers your questions. If you have not already done so, you

may find it useful to review the slides from the presentation we gave at

Campus Preview Weekend in April. These slides can also be found on our

website. If you have any other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate

to contact me. I look forward to receiving your application and to

hopefully working together next year!

 

Best wishes,

Rachel Greenberg

 

#2: Dear Enas,

 

Thank you for your follow up email. All F/ASIP seminars and required events

take place during the academic semesters only, so you are not required to be

on campus during IAP. In fact, most of our students do not choose to stay

on campus during that time.

 

Please let me know if you have any additional questions! I look forward to

receiving your application soon.

 

Best wishes,

Rachel

 

#3: Dear Enas,

 

We only need your home address for now, as we understand you do not yet have your term address.

 

Best wishes,

Rachel

 

#4: Dear Enas,

 

It's my pleasure to answer your questions! I appreciate the enthusiasm for the program.

 

You can submit your application via mail (to the address in my signature below), fax (617-253-8457) or via email to ragreenb@mit.edu. If you choose to submit your application by email, please be sure to include a scanned version of your signed course requirements page with your signature.

 

Please let me know if you need further information or if you have additional questions as you complete the application. I look forward to receiving your application and to working together next year!

 

Best wishes,

Rachel