Saturday, January 24, 2009

Obama...welcome!

"…we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals….Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake." These words are still ringing in my ears. These quotes may not go down in history as those of other prominent American figures but these are powerful words appropriate for today's world. A world where wars have torn apart countries and ruthlessly taken away innocent lives, where American politics have left people feeling bitter, hateful and helpless. I tried to be cynical during the 44th American president's inauguration speech but the sincerity and conviction in Obama's words failed me. I couldn't help but feel hopeful of a better tomorrow. On the streets, in the elevators, in pantries, in restrooms, on emails, people were exchanging congratulatory notes. The American spirit permeated across all borders. The mood was one of rejuvenation, euphoria and victory.


Having been to Mount Holyoke College where I spent 4 crucial years of my life, I was brain-washed with idealistic values. Throughout this period, perfect-world concepts such as multi-faith councils, equality for women and gay people, reduced wealth disparity, no more race discrimination, freedom of speech, and acceptance of wide-ranging views were routinely instilled in students through classes and lectures, at religious centers and in college clubs and societies. Mount Holyoke had created an ideal world within its premises that sheltered me from the harsh realities of the "real" world. But once I graduated and left school, I was met with a society that lacked selflessness, kindness and compassion. Soon I had to undo my defense-less ways and re-train myself to be more guarded and skeptical. Somewhere along the line, I lost track of my extremely idealistic values as I was struggling to keep afloat on the rocky boat ride of life. I was often disturbed by news of wars, religious discrimination, "random"(coincidentally people from specific regions) security checks and gender biases.


But today, I feel different. I sense a return of all those idealistic values that a small American liberal-arts college had once infused in me. This is the world Mount Holyoke had envisioned for me and has prepared me to live in and fight for. As proven by Obama's presidency, yes, it is possible for Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, gays, blacks, whites, Asians, Africans, the poor and the rich to co-exist and be equal. As Obama promises, yes, it is possible to resolve conflicts in a civilized manner and not with the aid of bombs, tanks, missiles and nuclear weapons. Today, 7 years since leaving college, my beliefs and ideals finally align with those of America. My friends, welcome to a new world, welcome to a new era, and welcome Obama!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

A peek into the world of poetry

I wrote a poem last night. I got inspired after reading some beautiful write-ups by a very dear friend.

Night time

I used to await Dusk
Who would bring you in with tender care
I could mould you into anything I wanted
moonlit, romantic, serene, lively, buzzing, cosy

But things are different now
You are not how I knew you
You tag along loneliness and depression
Go away, I don't want you
You break me, I can't handle you

I miss loving you
I miss being one with you
I miss being comfortable around you

But I don't feel the same anymore
I await Dawn.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Layers of illusion

During the first formative years, our fantasy world is pieced together by Micky & Minnie, Goofy, Cinderella, Santa Clause, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast... But soon enough this neverland begins to fade away and our fairy tale world gets replaced by Romeo and Juliet, When Harry met Sally, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Laila Majnun, Pride and Prejudice... We hold on to this mythical but hopeful realism for a long while until practicality kicks in and begins to blur our romanticism. So what next? What illusion am I yet to strip off?

Monday, November 19, 2007

Cyclone hits Bangladesh

A natural calamity has yet again hit Bangladesh: a deadly cyclone (Cyclone Sidr) that has taken away 2,300 lives so far and the death toll is predicted to rise to 10,000. The link below tells us one of the many heartbreaking stories of the affected victims.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7100879.stm

During this crisis, the least we can do is send money to help out such victims. The link below gives a list of some organizations that are raising funds and helping with the relief effort. http://www.drishtipat.org/blog/2007/11/19/sidr-donation/

Let's all pray and hope that we can recover from this tragic incident soon.

Sawsan

Monday, July 16, 2007

best pick-up line ever!

I was wearing a T-shirt that read ECU. Someone stops me and goes excitedly "Oh, did you go to that university?". Totally baffled, I look down on my T-shirt and am trying to recall what university ECU stands for. As I am about to break his excitement by answering no to his question, he continues with a straight face "umm, let's see....extra....cute....university?" and then breaks into a grin. I couldn't help cracking up and feeling absolutely flattered. Thanked him and gave him the sweetest smile I could for making my day!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Instability

The human mind is the epitome of instability. Or is it just me? I cannot think of a single field, ranging from medicine to painting, that I haven't thought of exploring. I mean...seriously...I cannot be the sole example of such a scatter-brain at the age of 26!

Year 2007 has blessed me with fantasies of being a psychologist, journalist/writer, businesswoman, actuary, lawyer, psychologist again, dancer, actuary again, and finally back to journalist. In order to take this latest (short-lived?) passion to the next level, I have started the process of applying to grad schools in the UK to study journalism. Thou asketh of me if this is an impulsive move? I guess I'll find out soon enough, won't I?

A friend's optimistic remark to this instability: "Sawsan, I love it that you are so full of life and want to do all these different things!". Shanthi, thank you for the encouragement. :)

Monday, July 2, 2007

pre - july 4th weekend in a barren city.

culturally rich as I hummed to Sahana Bajpai's 21st century version of Robindro Shongit (a genre of songs written by renowned bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore).
expanded on worldly knowledge as I made it through four politically thought-provoking articles from the Economist.
intellectually stimulating as I continued reading a book about my country's independence...
religiously content after praying in solitude...
academically (almost) accomplished as I made progress with a Masters project that is wayyyy overdue!
physically challenged by strenuous gym sessions with the intent of training for a bike race in 6 days!
brave saturday night rituals that included a nervous walk in the neighborhood of Harlem in the late hours of the night...
educational movie experience about the WSJ journalist Daniel Pearl, A Mighty Heart...heart-breaking but a very well-made film.

a barren city? what a misnomer!