My favorite experiences so far.

Things that have happened in my life in the past month that have felt surreal or have made me happy.

• A younger girl stopping me in the bathroom to talk to me because she thought I was cool. Feeling like the cool older girls I used to look up to as a kid.

• Drinking matcha and not getting caffine anxiety like I usually would.

• Introducing my mom to new friends (she wants to adopt them all).

• Seeing the hours of work pay off, working with larger companies.

• Collaborating with three designers on separate projects I’m super passionate about.

• Meeting girls who encourage me to go to the mosque. Car rides and coffee study dates every day.

• Seeing one of my students slowly gain confidence and participate in class when he usually puts up a nonchalant front. He told me I was one of the few teachers he actually likes, and that I’m “pretty cool”.

• Meeting a homeless woman who rescues cats from dog fights and raises them.

• Wearing lots of abayas and hijabs everywhere. Posting/filming in hijab.

• Exploring hidden places. Discovering an art studio on campus.

• Passing my permit test (first try without studying #academicweapon).

• Seeing my younger brother ride his bike through my school campus.

• A high school friend flying out just to see me after three years.

• Being invited to an event by a girl I had a friend crush on.

• Conversations with friends that challenge my perspectives. Rediscovering myself without familial/external influence.

• Getting invited to join weekly entrepreneurial brunches with really cool founders/builders.

• Discovering different installations in the art museum.

• Befriending a 10 year old who reminds me of my younger self.

• Finally buying an arabic name necklace (I’m so late to the trend).

• Making new memories in places I struggled to walk past.

• Collaborating on a Notion template that suits my needs perfectly, getting to share it with others.

• Falling in love with cities I didn’t know I could enjoy.

• Being recognized for my art.

• Meeting so many new people that all help one another.

• Watching friends land internships/jobs after making so much dua for them.

• My friend texting me “You’re a chalant person trapped in a nonchalant body, and I’m a nonchalant person trapped in a chalant body”.

• Studying with friends in the library until 3 AM.

• Seeing things I once feared become things I am excited by.

• Spring weather, the sun.

• Viewing my college town from the top floor of the tallest building.

• Ramadan!

Sorry guys I actually have 0 writing but I do want to work on a piece about the troubled/yearning artist stereotype soon. But I also only have so much time in the day. I still want to create something that is positive, and I hope this is a reminder to be grateful for the experiences you have. If you’ve read this far, have a great day!