I'm here on a beach house with my mother's family, happily isolated on Bolivar Peninsula for a week, celebrating the completion of my years in college, the conclusion of my adolescence, and bracing for the next chapter of life to commence. We are, overall, just celebrating life. In a moment of reflection, here are a few things I've learned over the past few years. Things I want my younger brother to know and a snapshot in my life's timeline that I will one day look back and laugh at my nativity. 1. Seize opportunities, especially when it comes to traveling or trying something new 2. Determine who really matters in your life- family, close friends, coworkers, good bosses. Deepen those relationship because they will last a lifetime 3. Good bosses are hard to come by. My ... read more

As I stand at this moment, I have on one hand a degree from a world renowned institution, and on the other the prospect of a very promising future. I wrote to the admission office over four years ago that I wanted the U of C to be the cornerstone foundation for the rest of my life. And it is. Gratitude is not enough. Words are not enough to express incredible appreciation for opening doors and windows into a world I had never before experienced. For showing me a beautiful city, and giving me the courage to act on life. And for giving me the room to grow and the space I needed to embark on a lifetime of self- discovery. We as students of the University of Chicago are blessed to attend an institution that ... read more

It has been a little over a year since I returned from a summer long visit to Syria in late August 2011. I was twenty years old, and it was perhaps one of the best summers I had in a very long time. I traveled, I explored, I learned some Arabic, but more importantly I learned the values from a society that promotes generosity, love, family, peace, and friendship- values not easily learned when living alone. Last summer I was shown through numerous people, friends and family alike, that it is a hundred times better to give and to love with your heart even if you have little to offer, than to hold back or hold in any adoring emotions or possessions. The love I received from my family that summer is enough to empower me ... read more

Last weekend, collection of us were rounded up and transported to the Loire Valley- one of the most spectacular things I have yet seen here. We spent the day exploring castles, dining, and traveling throughout the French countryside. These castles, namely Chateau d’Amboise and Chambord, were a relic of the past that symbolically narrated French history.It was a two hour bus ride from the south of Paris, where many of us students are residing, to the Valley itself. Hazy for most of the ride, our bus swam through a sea of fog. We left early in the morning, and one of the most striking things about Paris is that the sun does not come up until well past eight in the morning. So when we boarded the bus, the moon was still out… Our first destination ... read more

I'm back (home) to Chicago, after too long an absence away. This fall has been particularly beautiful, and leaves are turning alluring shades of yellow, orange, and bring red before floating gently unto the ground. When viewed collectively, it is quite a break-taking sight. Those of you from the East Coast and Midwest may laugh at me marveling at the simple concept of leaves turning color before the cold winter months, but this is my third autumn in Chicago, and I still cannot get over how amazing this phenomenon is. Fall became my favorite season after I saw and felt how beautiful the atmosphere is supposed to be. What's more, temperatures cool significantly in the fall and the mugginess of summer evaporates. Trips to the lake (Michigan) become a favorite pastime for bikers, runners, joggers, and ... read more