I saw graduating from UCSD as a stage in life. A qualification on a resumé, or a foundation of skills and knowledge, though I deeply and humbly recognize its blessing and absolute privilege. In some ways, it still hasn't set in, and in others it has, but what I've come to realized is that I very damn well worked hard, and so have my parents. And, it's okay to recognize and accept an accomplishment. Despite how long it takes me to get to my dream career, I just have to put in the work and be patient. The reality is that life is trial and error, and I'm still going to fall time and time again. And, I will break and mend. And, I will be terrified again and again, but I have to keep standing up. I am grateful for my mentors who've pushed me and remind me of my responsibilities and capabilities. For the love of my friends despite distance or how often I see them. And, most importantly, the unwavering love of my family, and especially my mother. Here's to the last five years of sweat, tears, and blood (in that order). The years where I pushed myself out of my comfort zone time and time again, when I at a point spread myself so thin that I didn't recognize the person in the mirror, where I broke and mended (like bones: stronger, of course). Where I reevaluated who I am and who I want to be, and who I want in my company. Where I learned and grew, and got scratched and bruised with every fall. Where I, as the Japanese proverb says, fell seven times and stood up eight. Where I learned that it's good to fall, because it gives you perspective. Here's to being a proud daughter of immigrants, a writer, and a visible Muslim woman in Trump's America. The first revelation of The Quran was "Iqra," translated as "read" or "recite," an action and a command. I guess some could say I took it a bit too literally, earning a degree in Literature and Writing, but you know what? Maktoob. (It's written.)
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