At the University II
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Hey.. Not sure how to start this. It's been long since I last wrote that I almost feel like a stranger ;)
Universities in Iraq are mixed (girls and boys, unlike secondary schools, and now primary schools) which was a bit hard to get used to. We are walking baby steps towards better communication with each other.
Some boys just want to start a conversation, which is sometimes really annoying, since they just can't say a whole sentence without making fools of themselves, and sometimes offending us. Like that one boy who asked me whether I bought the exam questions (Which happens in Iraq BTW, don't be surprised), now thinking it over, I can't believe I haven't slapped him in the face! Girls can be smarter than them, they will have to see it now.
I go to the students' center and have falafel with my friends every Thursday, and sometimes Tuesdays too, which is lots of fun. I used to get scared and uncomfortable walking and eating among a crowd, feeling like everyone is looking, everyone is waiting and anticipating me to make a mistake, now I'm much more confident and comfortable. My friends are getting used to me, my forgetting names and faces, jokes, habits and sometimes helplessness. We're a group of four girls now, much more than I thought.
Grandma and grandpa left Baghdad and moved to Mosul to live with us. We prepared a room for them and made the house as comfortable as possible. We're getting lots of visitors daily, giving me little time to study and sleep.
They spent about 9 hours on the road, 2 just on the bridge in Mosul because the situation was very tense the day in which they arrived.
I left home late today since the neighborhood was surrounded. We were having breakfast when an explosion happened and broke several windows in the house, including the dining room, but none of us was hurt. A bullet broke one of the windows yesterday too. We'll need new glass for the windows and some new curtains too. You can never anticipate what's going to happen next.
I love college, still, but I am under great pressure to prove myself, and the circumstances aren't always helping me. I want to prove myself real hard that I am losing some of the fun in learning and studying. I guess I just need a real exams and knowing who my opponents are to know where I stand and how much work I need to do.. I just do not feel like losing here.
Universities in Iraq are mixed (girls and boys, unlike secondary schools, and now primary schools) which was a bit hard to get used to. We are walking baby steps towards better communication with each other.
Some boys just want to start a conversation, which is sometimes really annoying, since they just can't say a whole sentence without making fools of themselves, and sometimes offending us. Like that one boy who asked me whether I bought the exam questions (Which happens in Iraq BTW, don't be surprised), now thinking it over, I can't believe I haven't slapped him in the face! Girls can be smarter than them, they will have to see it now.
I go to the students' center and have falafel with my friends every Thursday, and sometimes Tuesdays too, which is lots of fun. I used to get scared and uncomfortable walking and eating among a crowd, feeling like everyone is looking, everyone is waiting and anticipating me to make a mistake, now I'm much more confident and comfortable. My friends are getting used to me, my forgetting names and faces, jokes, habits and sometimes helplessness. We're a group of four girls now, much more than I thought.
Grandma and grandpa left Baghdad and moved to Mosul to live with us. We prepared a room for them and made the house as comfortable as possible. We're getting lots of visitors daily, giving me little time to study and sleep.
They spent about 9 hours on the road, 2 just on the bridge in Mosul because the situation was very tense the day in which they arrived.
I left home late today since the neighborhood was surrounded. We were having breakfast when an explosion happened and broke several windows in the house, including the dining room, but none of us was hurt. A bullet broke one of the windows yesterday too. We'll need new glass for the windows and some new curtains too. You can never anticipate what's going to happen next.
I love college, still, but I am under great pressure to prove myself, and the circumstances aren't always helping me. I want to prove myself real hard that I am losing some of the fun in learning and studying. I guess I just need a real exams and knowing who my opponents are to know where I stand and how much work I need to do.. I just do not feel like losing here.
posted by Najma at 6:52 PM, | 
25 Comments:
so glad to hear you are having fun. yes, keep up the competitive spirit. I agree wih David about boys. My two sons werea bit of a testosterone pain in their teens but developed nicely.
How I wish all that violence could miraculously go away for you.
Keep smiling.
starliz
How I wish all that violence could miraculously go away for you.
Keep smiling.
starliz
Najma,
you put yourself here to share with us, and we appreciate this view into your world, so we can see the differences, and what is the same.
forgive us if we assume your beautiful spirit cannot lose here in this new part of your life (which proves to be very exciting for us to follow!).
many of us recognize our (younger) selves in the situation you describe, and know the learning you will recieve will not all come from where you may expect. i am looking forward to everything you care to share with us and have only one request:
we freak out when you dont post for a while, but we know you are busy and your world is chaotic, maybe if you dont have much time or energy just a quick post on how Aya and Ayman are doing :)
ok one more request... take care of yourself, a new unit has taken over in Mawsil and they will take a while to learn the area. This is always the scariest times (for the soldiers too but i worry about the people most.)
Inshallah they will appreciate the beauty of your city and its people and do their best to ensure we will not come back (except as tourists, to picnic on the hills...)
you put yourself here to share with us, and we appreciate this view into your world, so we can see the differences, and what is the same.
forgive us if we assume your beautiful spirit cannot lose here in this new part of your life (which proves to be very exciting for us to follow!).
many of us recognize our (younger) selves in the situation you describe, and know the learning you will recieve will not all come from where you may expect. i am looking forward to everything you care to share with us and have only one request:
we freak out when you dont post for a while, but we know you are busy and your world is chaotic, maybe if you dont have much time or energy just a quick post on how Aya and Ayman are doing :)
ok one more request... take care of yourself, a new unit has taken over in Mawsil and they will take a while to learn the area. This is always the scariest times (for the soldiers too but i worry about the people most.)
Inshallah they will appreciate the beauty of your city and its people and do their best to ensure we will not come back (except as tourists, to picnic on the hills...)
Dear Aunt Najma
I think your blog is smart and well presented.
One thing I want to say to you as you are still very young: JUST BE CAREFUL FROM THOSE WILD DIRTY ANIMALS WHO ARE TRYING TO PULL YOUR LEGS.
I noticed some are inviting you to their countries in very innocent way, please be extra careful from those PIGS
Best of luck, I am sure you smart enough to protect yourself.
I think your blog is smart and well presented.
One thing I want to say to you as you are still very young: JUST BE CAREFUL FROM THOSE WILD DIRTY ANIMALS WHO ARE TRYING TO PULL YOUR LEGS.
I noticed some are inviting you to their countries in very innocent way, please be extra careful from those PIGS
Best of luck, I am sure you smart enough to protect yourself.
Glad that you and your family are safe.
University has many surprises for you but I know you'll do well.
Shinygamy
University has many surprises for you but I know you'll do well.
Shinygamy
Hello Najma,
I am a stupid boy in college. We get smarter as time goes on. I am glad to hear that you and your family are okay and I hope the violence stops soon. Good luck in school and stay safe.
Your friend,
Nicholas
I am a stupid boy in college. We get smarter as time goes on. I am glad to hear that you and your family are okay and I hope the violence stops soon. Good luck in school and stay safe.
Your friend,
Nicholas
good luck with all your studies, and I hope the situation around you calms down today!
please keep us informed on how you are doing - and your family too.
please keep us informed on how you are doing - and your family too.
Najma, Najma, Najma. Please. You are already IN the University. Relax a little. There are no winners and losers, just kids learning.
You WILL not lose here. The only competition you're in is with yourself: how can you beat bad habits (if you have any), focus on learning (rather than studying), and *most importantly* enjoying yourself. This is one of the best periods of your life.
You WILL not lose here. The only competition you're in is with yourself: how can you beat bad habits (if you have any), focus on learning (rather than studying), and *most importantly* enjoying yourself. This is one of the best periods of your life.
Hi Najma,
I'm happy your grandparents arrived safely. I bet they are enjoying time with Aya & Ayman.
University sounds like fun. Even the silly boys. :)
Yes, you DO sound confident and comfortable. Keep us updated please.
I'm happy your grandparents arrived safely. I bet they are enjoying time with Aya & Ayman.
University sounds like fun. Even the silly boys. :)
Yes, you DO sound confident and comfortable. Keep us updated please.
hi Najma...
Good luck in Uni..these are the best years of your life. . .make sure you enjoy them, and make the most of them. I just graduated. And wow nine hours? Im from Mosul too, and it used to take 4-5 hours max...wow the situation must be really terrible..allah y3eenkm...
ozmonsta
Good luck in Uni..these are the best years of your life. . .make sure you enjoy them, and make the most of them. I just graduated. And wow nine hours? Im from Mosul too, and it used to take 4-5 hours max...wow the situation must be really terrible..allah y3eenkm...
ozmonsta
Najma,
I just read about your blog here on Daily Kos and had to come check it out. It's so interesting -- I plan to come back a lot to see how you're doing. My son just went to university as well, so I want to make sure BOTH of you are doing your homework! :-)
I hope you and your grandparents and the rest of your family will be safe. Most Americans are very angry about our President's decision to invade Iraq, and we are horrified and so sorry about what is happening to the country and to the people there.
Please take good care of yourself. And, as some other posters said, university is a wonderful experience, so don't forget to have enjoy yourself and have fun, too.
I just read about your blog here on Daily Kos and had to come check it out. It's so interesting -- I plan to come back a lot to see how you're doing. My son just went to university as well, so I want to make sure BOTH of you are doing your homework! :-)
I hope you and your grandparents and the rest of your family will be safe. Most Americans are very angry about our President's decision to invade Iraq, and we are horrified and so sorry about what is happening to the country and to the people there.
Please take good care of yourself. And, as some other posters said, university is a wonderful experience, so don't forget to have enjoy yourself and have fun, too.
Hello Najma :)
Don’t be too hard with us boys :P
Good thing to hear colleges still open at Mosul, were having bad times here at Baghdad…
Have fun am sure you will fit in :)
Don’t be too hard with us boys :P
Good thing to hear colleges still open at Mosul, were having bad times here at Baghdad…
Have fun am sure you will fit in :)
hi Najma,
I am an american mother of three kids, two of which are about the same age as you and one little guy.
My son-in-law is in the army and is stationed in Iraq.
I check your blog at least once a week and hope that the conflict lessens so you can continue your path unheeded.
I love reading about your life and pray that you lead a long and successful one, you sound like a smart and interesting woman.
I am an american mother of three kids, two of which are about the same age as you and one little guy.
My son-in-law is in the army and is stationed in Iraq.
I check your blog at least once a week and hope that the conflict lessens so you can continue your path unheeded.
I love reading about your life and pray that you lead a long and successful one, you sound like a smart and interesting woman.
Hi i'm from the UK, and not really aware of what is happening part from what the news says. But i did not relise that boys and girls dont mix till such an age. Here we mix from primary school and many of my friends are girls, there is not much seperation or barriers between two different genders. I suppose all i can say that the boy you were talking about he was probebly just nervous and was trying to be friendly by making conversation.
Hi i'm from the UK, and not really aware of what is happening part from what the news says. But i did not relise that boys and girls dont mix till such an age. Here we mix from primary school and many of my friends are girls, there is not much seperation or barriers between two different genders. I suppose all i can say that the boy you were talking about he was probebly just nervous and was trying to be friendly by making conversation.
Glad you are doing well. Enjoy your years in college.
I just read about your blog on the BBC. I nearly half way done with third year at uni. Guy even in American universities are the same. Trust yourself. Have confidence. You are not at school to have fun but fun will happen. I hope you a great year and you and your family stay safe. I wish all of this chaos would just end.
I love your blog. It's wonderful to have this window into a world that everyone outside knows so little about. You will be fantastic in your studies, I'm sure. And keep going. All of the stress and frustrations will be worth it in the end. I sincerely hope you and your family will be safe until this terrible situation is over.
Aunt Najma,
It sounds like you have already made tremendous progress!--and growing to be more confident in yourself and abilities. May God grant you deep peace as you go about your day and studies. There is a prayer I like to pray when I feel anxious, ..."Lord God, give me stillness of soul in you. Let your mightly calmness reign in me. Rule me oh you king of gentleness, king of peace."
It sounds like you have already made tremendous progress!--and growing to be more confident in yourself and abilities. May God grant you deep peace as you go about your day and studies. There is a prayer I like to pray when I feel anxious, ..."Lord God, give me stillness of soul in you. Let your mightly calmness reign in me. Rule me oh you king of gentleness, king of peace."
Bonjour, excellent blog.. Tu es très intéressante.. prend soins.. et bonne chance ! Salam.
Martin from CAN
Martin from CAN
Hi Najma, I am also a first year student at university. I promise to pray for you and keep you in my heart as I try for every suffering people in this cruel world. I feel selfish living in Canada where the only violence i see is teenagers in short fist fights. How blessed I am. I would love to talk to you and share first year university experiences with you. My email is j7231@email.unb
Hi!
Well, what can I say? It seems college guys are the same everywhere. They'll grow up someday...(I hope so).
I hope you enjoy your uni, have fun sometimes (studying all the time can be boring huh ;-) )... and I really hope you get some PEACE.
I wish the best for you and your family.
Greetings from Mx.
Well, what can I say? It seems college guys are the same everywhere. They'll grow up someday...(I hope so).
I hope you enjoy your uni, have fun sometimes (studying all the time can be boring huh ;-) )... and I really hope you get some PEACE.
I wish the best for you and your family.
Greetings from Mx.
جميعنا الذين نعيش خارج العراق نستفيد من قراة افكارك لاننا لا نعرف الوضع الواقعي بل ماذا نشاهده في التلفزيون و هكذا -- شكرا جزيلا لك على كتابتك. انا اسكن في امريكا حيث ادرس في الجامعة مثلك، و كلنا نتمنى للعراق مستقبل احسن و إن شاء الله سيقف العنف قريبا و الوضع سيحسن. الله يبارككم و قلوبنا معكم.
HI ARABIAN NAGMA
IT MAKES ME HAPPY TO HEAR FROM U THAT PEOPLE IN IRAQ CAN STILL STUDY AND HAVE FUN .I WISH U A HAPPY LONG LIFE.MAY GOOD BLESS YOU.
amr-ragab48@yahoo.com
IT MAKES ME HAPPY TO HEAR FROM U THAT PEOPLE IN IRAQ CAN STILL STUDY AND HAVE FUN .I WISH U A HAPPY LONG LIFE.MAY GOOD BLESS YOU.
amr-ragab48@yahoo.com
well i can feel what are you experiencing as im a college student too.believe me college days are the best and yes boys do try to start up a conversation with you.just take them lightly and have fun
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and please do use keepv.com to rip or download videos from : YouTube.com, Google.com, Myspace
Don't be a stranger! ;) It must be quite a change for the girls and the boys when they enter the University and have classes together! Try to be patient with the boys. I was once a shy young boy who couldn't help making a fool of myself, too. I agree, girls can be smarter because boys spend most of their time thinking about girls! :)
I am very concerned to hear that there are still explosions and bullets that are damaging your house. However, I am glad that your grandparents moved to Mosul where they should be safer.
I know you want to be the best student in college, but I hope you will try to have some fun also. :)