Starting a new phase in life requires documentation
to reflect back and see if this chapter really was new.
February 5th, 2012
(don’t mind Shams!)
When I sometimes think about what an ideal life (not to be confused with my previous adventurous life or superficial wall street life) would be, I imagine a very simple life: be a teacher in a small, small community where it is like a family (preferably Middle Easter, Central Asian or African - #WorldExplorerIssues, where there is minimal competition because everyone genuinely cares for one another, and everyone knows one another - this would be the great life. Everyone has this great love and respect for the Imam, for the Isma’ili community at large, for their culture they have a sense of pride. I wouldn’t have to deal with the complexities of modernity (as much) or the confrontations of those who don’t understand my beliefs, my ideals, myself and community.
I get a glimpse of this ideal life two Saturdays a month when I go to Essen to teach BAI (REC). The community is a small Afghan jamat who treat each other as family, have such a vibrant culture, and welcome me with more than just open arms, but also open hearts. It is a simple life for me there, we eat together as family, the Jamatkhana is so small I am in love with it. And best of all I get to be a teacher. Yes, there are challenges in teaching a Central Asian youth with German societal influences and language barriers, but oh the joy I get with being challenged. All in all, I am living the dream - my dream.
November 20th, 2011
We are going as researchers
I am back! There was quite the lull on my part after getting y’all excited about Scotland. Well, Scotland was AMAZING! It was the perfect little getaway with everything I would want to see and do: old, stone buildings, castles, etc (really the highlight of my trip. I wanted to live there), kilts!, St. Andrew’s (duh! #royalcouple), tea and scones all the time, Elephant House (JK Rowling’s thinking hub), beautiful landscape of the Highlands (lochs etc), and just a dandy time!
I seem to have a trend of when I update this blog: prior to leaving for a trip. Well, there you have it folks, I am going on another trip! This time to Cairo, Egypt. For my followers from before (the blogspot times!) you are probably thinking, “wait she’s already been there, done that.” And while I have “been there”, I haven’t necessarily “done that.” Last time I travelled to Egypt, it was as a tourist. Tomorrow I will “go as a researcher.”
We had a session prior to this trip to help prepare with Dr. V. And in that session he said these crucial words that really stuck with me. Until then my mind was wandering about in Egypt with playful images, but now I am going with purpose. I am going to fulfill my lifelong dream. I know it sounds far fetched and a bit dramatic, but really, what have I wanted to do since I was young (besides live in NY with a pinstripe suit in stiletto heels, starbucks in one hand, a briefcase in the other on Wall Street……don’t ask, but for those of you who know me from childhood….you get it ya?) wellll LIVE IN EGYPT, WORK IN EGYPT, DO FIELD WORK IN EGYPT. Of course back then I had a very romantic vision in my head of what all of that meant, but today that romantic vision came back, with a more realistic approach of course. But this is my time to go and see Cairo through a different lens. It’s probably good that I’ve already done the touristy things, because now I can go in and give it my 100%! I felt the need to be prepared, do my readings and more, and just really take in all that this trip has to offer. And come back and really be able to reflect and say “I learned and retained and grew.” Is that strange, to desire a certain reflection? Well, whatever the case, that’s kind of where I am now! And it really feels great! woohoo!
On that note, I take your leave as I have to be downstairs in 4 hours.
layla s3eeda al-3alm!!!
October 21st, 2011
Becoming a Local
So now that the hype of London has died down a bit (it doesn’t really EVER die down completely), this place is beginning to feel more like home! Just today on our way back from khane, the guy driving the khane van got a tad lost, and WE showed him the way back! (Nayab and I…not the whole van lol). It was a great feeling.
But the more time that passes, the more work we have too. Granted the work is not unbearable or really ANYTHING compared to undergrad, or high school etc, but after a month of not really worrying too much about papers and assignments, it is relatively a lot. We’ve got our first graded assignment due the Monday after reading week (aka next Monday) and a draft of another paper soon after, and a discussion board soon; plus some other application deadlines. So it seems like a lot at once. Not entirely too worried.
Anyways, tomorrow is the first day for BAI (Bayt Al-Ilm = REC) observation, BUT I don’t actually have class tomorrow because the center I am supposed to go to (Leicester) is off tomorrow! In all actuality I am really looking forward to these observations, but having the day off tomorrow will really help get a lot of my work done before I leave for Scotland.
Speaking of which, I leave for Scotland tomorrow!!! It’s reading week (RW=no classes), and we all assumed we’d be done with all our work so we planned a trip to Scotland a while back. Turns out not many of us are completely done with our work! But not too far off, thank Allah. We’re planning to go to Edinburgh (pronounced Edinburra as the Londoners so kindly corrected me on the Tube), St. Andrew’s (!!!!!! THIS IS WHERE WILL AND KATE MET. AND WHERE THE ROYAL LOVE STORY STARTED! OMG YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW EXCITED I AM!!!!!!!!!!!), the lower Highlands (home of the Loch Ness monster), and Glasgow (largest city in Scotland I believe)! So gotta pack for that as well.
Hmm..maybe I should be doing some of this stuff instead of updating this blog….
Ok well, I shall update probably after Scotland to let y’all know about the trip :)
Until then folks! Ma’a Salaama!
October 13th, 2011
Professor Charles Xavier
(Professor X from X-Men)
October 3rd, 2011
Historians
Weather in London has picked up! So for the past week or so, the sun’s been shinin’, the temp’s been near 80 (F), and the breeze’s been breezin’. This makes everything in London far more enjoyable!
Classes remain fabulous; I particularly enjoy the content for the Islamic History course we are taking. We are diving into pre and early Islam, which might I add is a difficult time period to decipher. Not only do you have all of these different historians’ perspectives, but you’re also trying to understand 7th century Arabia and the lifestyle etc to understand why certain things were done, perhaps why certain versus of the Qur’an were revealed, and the idea of succession…well that’s a mind boggling discussion. Although the lecture is great, there are 38 of us, so it’s sometimes a little overwhelming, and of course Dr. M is so knowledgable you feel as though you don’t want to give a wrong answer so as to disappoint or have her think you are ignorant! But seminars, o seminars- they’re a great platform for hearing and sharing ideas on these topics. They tend to stay focused but flexible. My personal goal is to make sure not to share too many times and listen to others’ ideas. And boy are there different ideas amongst just the 12 or so of us!
Along with classes come readings; and, because it’s been so beautiful outside, it’s been nice doing readings outside on the field behind our housing. A lot of people watching too! It’s really cute to see the more family oriented British culture out on a bright day and little kids playing football (soccer). One little girl kept getting stuck in the goal net and her brother had to keep getting her out haha! And another little bugger had a little plastic cricket set! It was adorbs!
Here in London I have 2 main options of jamatkhana: Center (Dharkhana) or north. (the others are pretty far I think). I really enjoy going to Center khane as I’ve mentioned before, so Friday we attended khane there again! It’s really great because it’s so beautiful and it’s big and there are just so many people you can just blend in. But it’s also nice to meet random people and friends of friends-you always run into someone! After khane, Sid told us about a live band etc at the Victoria and Albert Museum, just behind khane, so we decided to all go! IT WAS FAB! There we were in this middle outdoor courtyard with a live band with one of those fountains you can walk in (you know the very shallow ones that are meant for you to walk in!). And I mean no one knew me there (besides the people I went with!) so naturally I start prancing around in the water with the music playing in the background with an open sky, surrounded by this beautiful building displaying Christian art, and people all around. I would like to take credit for starting the dancing-in-fountain trend! It was very relaxing and enjoyable.
Another week has started and, oh ya, did I mention I’m trying to audit Arabic! Went to my first class here - and well, very different structure than what I’m used to but eh whatevs! It’s nice to be put back into that environment, although, recalling lessons from 2+ years ago is a difficult task. Slowly but surely it shall happen, iA!
Well I should read or be productive slash sleep. :)
Layla Sa’eeda aSdiqaee
OH YA: booked for Scotland for October reading break!
September 26th, 2011
Love y’all BPTN
September 22nd, 2011
LIFE IS GOING REAL FAST HERE IN LONDON!
I’ve been here for 13 days now and so much has happened. Of course when I try to think about all that I’ve done, it doesn’t seem so significant, but it really has been a busy two weeks!
So orientation week was full of information, tours, email and web accounts, and so much paperwork. Typical. But the great part of it was that half of all of this was at the IIS! We got a chance to hear and meet some great faculty/people already, INCLUDING Farhad Daftary. ANDDD I ran into Riaz (uncle) briefly one afternoon! Oh man it was so fantastic to see him.
Surprisingly that entire day had been on the downside for me as I hadn’t slept much the night before, had a brief moment of questioning whether or not I belonged here, and continuously tried to convince myself I shouldn’t feel discouraged even if others’ perspectives don’t match mine. My whole day turned around when I saw Riaz (uncle) - he didn’t really want me to call him uncle here…haha! I don’t know why it did, but it did. Maybe a familiar face, maybe a nostalgic moment of a summer when I was confident in my reasons for youth development, maybe just his enthusiasm; I don’t know, but my day turned completely around! That day also was the day I first attended khane here in London. We went to North Khane in the shuttles provided; it was such a cute little khane with mainly IIS students. Everyone was so welcoming and kind hearted. An old uncle even bought fruit in nandi and said to distribute it amongst ourselves! The mukhi sahib, etc all came and met the new kids (us!) and offered their help with anything. It was the sweetest thing. So I reiterate my fb status from a few days ago: One person can turn your day around. And of course Jamatkhana!
In the following days we went to a 99 pence store (RIGHT?!?! FANTASTIC!) multiple times where we went nuts, and other necessary shops (INCLUDING PRIMARK…OMG SO CHEAP! But I controlled myself on my first visit and did NOT buy anything…surprised? shocked? so am I…). I also finally got a sim card for a phone service! Let me tell you…not many things in London are unlimited (sodas, minutes, txts, data, etc). It’s bittersweet. You hate it, but learn what you really need and to live without excess ‘stuff’. Everything is better in moderation right?! We also did many logistical things for our educational field trips, school etc. I also had another khane trip, this time to the Center (?) jamatkhana. I had been here before in 2008, but the magnificence of it rejuvenates every time you enter it. I joined my friends/peers in the tour again and saw it in a completely different light. It was much more peaceful than the last time I was there (golden jubilee darbar time…so naturally bustling with tourists, myself included). After khane that night we went to Piccadilly Circus to celebrate Shabs’s birthday! This reminds me: completely forgot to mention chai chats (name courtesy of Nayab) There are a few of us who have this tea tradition at night after our day. We meet in one of our clusters and I usually make chai and we sit around discussing things or just talking or playing games etc. It’s a pretty nice tradition we’re starting! (also, for those of you who are shocked I am making chai…it’s because that is really one of the only things I know how to make well and is my contribution to the group - many others cook for the group and clean dishes for which I am OH so grateful!)
Now, moving on to classes. We had our first set of classes this week! The first was a practicum module, which despite many others’ opinions I really enjoyed, and our first Islamic History class today. This class we had heard many different things about from previous cohorts, and well, I was completely terrified/intimidated, with my expectations pretty low (not in terms of content…just, logistically..), but whoever said ‘go in with low expectations, you’ll be much happier of the results’ was SO right! (ok, I think I made that up.), but nonetheless, sooo true. The class was a good introduction to the rest of the term. Along with lecture we also have seminars. Seminars are split into 3 groups so they are a smaller setting with more discussion oriented reading and questions. My first one is tomorrow so I’ll let y’all know how it goes!
I think this update should suffice for now, ya? (I’m picking up the Canadian!)
Ma’a Salaama!!!
September 19th, 2011
His Highness Aga Khan IV on the Formation of the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London
November 25, 1977
September 12th, 2011
Day 1
Literally all day yesterday was referred to as “Day 1”! After a 9 hour journey on British Airways, which by the way was foul, not at allll what people made it out to be, I arrived in LONDON! We had Zibi (a Polish man) waiting to pick us up from the port with a sign that read “IIS Students”! It felt really cool!
We were dead tired when we arrived to Opal (student housing) and I had decided that I just wanted to go up, nap and then unpack and set the room up. You know a typical day 1, arrival day, day of relaxation and recuperation. Of course that didn’t happen. Instead, I dropped off my bags and went to the 8th floor where some C4s were hanging out and cooking for us! Came back to my room after 20 mins or so and unpacked some more (like one more shirt…yea…), changed and got ready to take a nap.
::KNOCK KNOCK::
I open the door to find SID!!!! I was so excited to see another familiar face. Sid was going down to attend some 9/11 services etc with some friends and convinced me to come along. I wanted to nap, but figured this way I wouldn’t mess up my sleep cycle. What I thought was going to be a couple hours of 9/11 commemoration, turned out to be a ~7 hour day turned night of numerous events.
There was a festival along the Thames River that we went to (we=3 GPISHers, 3 C4s, me, and a bunch of Syrians!!!!) with tons of people, food, music and dance. It was really nice to get out and see the city. I really do love London already! Some of us then walked to Westminster Abbey for the 9/11 service: it was beautiful and elegant. Sitting in that grand church, praying for those brave souls who lost their lives because of a few intolerant and outrageous people, I felt as if the entire world was mourning with America that day. The entire experience would have been even better if I wasn’t so tired; I kept dozing off (but in my defense, I wasn’t the only one! the others also dozed off a couple times). By the time the service ended it was getting darker out. We walked back to the festival area and around there there was a parade which we got to catch a glimpse of, and proceeded onto a crowded bridge (of course I don’t remember which one…) to wait for the promised fireworks at 9:45. 9:45 came and went, no fireworks. Then at 10:12 (one of the C4ers was keeping precise track of the time), they started! It was as though they were celebrating Day 1 with me (or rather for me :D ). After a fantastic Day/Night 1, I came back and PASSED OUT!
And now I bid you goodnight :)
Layla Saeeda folks!
September 10th, 2011
My life for the next 2 years.
These past couple of days FLEW by. Slowly but surely everything got packed into these bags. It is now the night before my flight, a mere 15 hours aways and I am stress free vid chatting with my friends on Google+. I’ve still got a couple things left to do, but they can wait till tomorrow morning.
The next time I update will probably be in London!
Ma’a Salaama!
