Although many may say, oh break is still at its beginning, looking at my calendar, this week is going to go by so fast, as a result of the amounts of work I have to do. I’ve done some sort of homework, work, job search, etc every day since Friday. Tired am I? Oh yes, but the road is still long ahead of me.

This break isn’t like other breaks I’ve had before, first of all it is the last break I will have as an undergraduate, probably the last break I will have for a while, if all goes to plan ( cross your fingers for me, won’t you?). Going to the city today to do some research for my Midterm which is due on Wendesday was more inspiring, awakening, emotional, overwhelming than I planned for it to be. Being at UPenn always makes me happy, in a way I can’t quite explain, it makes me feel more self sufficient, more inependent, and yet makes me realize how huge this world is, and how to make things happen, to achieve dreams, I have to work so hard. Not that being at bryn mawr is any different, but it’s a different type of hardwork I need to be doing, it’s the hardwork that transitionning to the real world requires. May is fast approaching, and there is a ton, a ton that needs to be done between now and the big day. A lot to do that it’s hard not to get overwhelemed and feel like just sleeping it all off, but that’s not what a Mawrter would do, not what Muna would do. So, bring it on, world, I am here to take everything you through at me, with arms wide open, and big smile, because whatever is going to happen will happen for a reason (yes i said it, I went there..the philisophical of me can’t hide haha).

I am always rather amazed by the power of networking, of communicating, but most of all, I am always happily surprised by how strong the Bryn Mawr community can be, in and out of Bryn Mawr. I met with an alumna and a friend of mine today to talk about work she’s done before and I am interested in working in. Meeting up and walking around West Philly while talking was so nice. It was overwhelming to talk about possible places to live (it’s that time now, looking out for places to live after the infamous May 18th). Her experience out of bmc has been difficult, yet the network of alumnae in the area has proven strong and supportive which made me feel a little more at east with the idea of living in the area, of moving in and of graduating. We walked for a couple of blocks, thankfully the rain held off to make the walk pleasant. We ended up grabbing a bite at a local middle eastern restaurant, the well known Saad’s, which made the atmosphere even more enjoyable. I had forgotten that she had been to Jordan and actually came to Palestine, which was so great to look back upon and relive some of the fun moments we had when she visited.

With the comments in arabic, to reminiscing about bryn mawr, and a valuable advices from her, I felt as if I am ready to take on the world, ready for what’s coming. She gave me tips of places to apply to, ways to get by, and promised to keep an eye out for things that might be of interest to me.

Feeling that you’re not alone, that someone has your back, that things will be okay was all that I wanted to feel, and for that and much more, I am ever so thankful to be part of such an amazing community, one that is so supportive, so inspiring and united despite our personal differences. And with that I must go on with my tasks to tackle before I hit the haysack.

Keep positive my fellow seniors, although things might look hard, and you might feel overwhelemed, know that we’re all in this together, and all will be just fine. So, just keep swimming, and take it one day at a time.

Until we meet again,
Peace.

~Muna

This is a post dedecated to the weather. It’s the first day of Spering Break, and the sun was beautifully out, shining through and making me feel like dancing, more than I usually feel like.

I forgot how light sensitive I am, it has been such an up and down couple of weeks and all became clear and better and vibrant within a minute of me stepping outside. I was pleasantly surprised by how beautiful the weather was, and it sure felt like being on break. The sounds of birds chirping, the cool breeze playing through the trees and the geese (had to mention them) playing around on campus brought about the joy and the beauty that is Spring.

After going to the mall to run some errands (yeah, right!) and yes, shopping, Emily and I stopped by a McDonalds, got some ice cream and walked over to the neighboring park to eat and be in the sun. This small event made me beyond ecstatic, feeling the sun rays on our backs, the cool breeze coming through. To brighten the day further, there was a mother walking her baby on a stroller, and a father playing with his daughter and takings pictures of her, happenings that never fail to bring a smile on my face and make me realize how beautiful this world can be.

Another highlight of the day was going for a bike ride on campus in the late afternoon, after a nice talk on the phone with my dad. Riding my bike takes me back to my childhood, where I would make sure to finish my homework early so I can get to go outside and ride my bike with my friends. Although we never went farther than the parking lot and the small piece of land cross the buildings, it always felt like we were going on picnics, and long distances. I relived these memories today as I was just going around campus, admiring its beauty and taking in the fresh air while awaiting for Luci to come back from the city (we’re such a married couple.. that’s what they say, but it is very true nonetheless).

Chatting about our own days then parting ways to relax and do our own thing, I finally cooked my very first meal for myself! I made tacos..er…burritos? It was such a success and the outcome was rather satisfying, I guess I’m ready for you, real world, so bring it on! (give me a job first, won’t you?)

So, thank you Mother Nature for bringing the good weather our way, and please keep the sun around, it is Spring Break afterall.

I hope you all are enjoying your breaks, or weekends. Go outside for a walk, listen to the birds singing and take in the smell of flowers blossoming, it is a beautiful world we live in.

Cheers,
~Muna

This is the post I wrote right after I went to see Tabitha, the dance senior thesis performance this past weekend, with few additional thoughts added today.

Mixed feelings, emotions taking over me. A glimpse of the bitersweetness that is graduation has hit me tonight. Maybe because I was totally amazed by how beautiful the show was, maybe because I’ve been sleeping so poorly that things are exaggerated, maybe maybe maybe, but the truth is, this beautifle circle is coming to meet its end, and start a new beginning. Soon it will be the summer, summer of new beginnings, of change, of new faces, and perhaps a few familiar ones, new places, new stories to be written, new dances to be danced.

I have been looking forward to Luci’s performance since the beginning of the year. I heard about it everyday, lived through her struggles, her achievements, her moments of doubt, of wonder, others of joy and happiness as the piece was coming together, and my perspective was that of a close friend, listening to how her days went, how the rehearsal was, and how it’s coming along. And tonight was the night, it was time to watch her be who she is, what she loves to do, was born to be. It may sound so cheesy of how emotional this is for me, but the dance wasn’t just about Luci’s experiences. Her piece, Black Lining, resembled some of my experiences too, experiences of relationships that are built, ones that are growing, and others waiting to be started. Complex, deep,and meaningful feelings. The beauty of the way the dancers moved on the stage, the music filling the air, keeping you on your feet watching as couples interact, grow and become what they’re meant to be.

Aside from the dance itself, the presence of her wonderful family who I’ve missed, her friends and the love that was taking over was overwhelming in its own good way. The good vibes, the emotions from everyone and the smiles, the hugs, the pictures and the laughs were rejuvenating. This show has brought upon me so many feelings, good ones though overwhelming. It got me reflecting upon this precious friendship along with a few others which have brought me to where I am now, to realizing how fortunate I am, and how wonderful this world can be. The beauty of her dance, the deep message in the choreography, the music, the colors, the feelings in the air, feelings in the movements and everywhere took us to a different place, one that is filled with joy and happiness, some moments of struggle, confusion, but always followed by the bright sunshine outlined. Such a journey it has been, a journey of growth, of friendships, of self-discovery. Flashbacks of happy moments passed before me, all in one night, one dance. Relationships that have come and gone, ones that have been growing, others are still blossoming.

Going to see the show the second night gave me the chance to enjoy the dance once again. Shawn and I had planned to get Luci a small thing to show our support, love, and congratulations. And if you know us, the toolas, we have an obsession with the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and we happen to reference it on almost daily basis -don’t roll your eyes, it’s such an addicting movie, plus, the fact that I can relate to all the craziness that greeks do, makes it better- we thought we could make it a funny gift and so it was, a bunt cake. not any bunt cake, it was a fixed one. There you go.

Toolas fixed the Cake! Photo Credit: Megan LaBouff '13

I thought I could end this with a few words to you, Luci, here they are, no tears:

Words can’t explain my feelings of how proud I am of you Luci, how fortunate I am to have you in my life as a friend, as a sister. The friendship, the sisterhood and the love-affair (haha, you know it’s true) we’ve been having for the past (almost) 4 years. Tonight you were beyond what words can describe as breathtaking and amazing. You are a person who doesn’t need introduction.

Until we meet again, eat somesing!

Peace,

~Muna