25 June 2012
What an incredible journey it has been, but it is nothing but an introduction to a life filled with excitement; whether good or bad. Three weeks ago, I graduated from high school. Until now, I haven’t come to the full realization that I am done with school and I’m about to begin the next phase of my education and life. However, it feels like the last few years have been among the most important in my life. My paths have changed, I have become more optimistic and I’ve met people who I can only describe as “amazing.”
When I finished third grade, I was fully convinced that I would grow up to become an astronaut. When I graduated from sixth grade, I wrote a paragraph in my yearbook which said that I hoped to see myself as a nuclear scientist in 20 years. During my eleventh year in high school, I chose subjects for my diploma to suit my plan to study medicine in college. Don’t ask me how or why, but I eventually saw myself as a person who works in the field of journalism when I grow up. I didn’t drop my subjects and have successfully gained a science diploma, even though I’ve decided that science will not be the path I take, at least not yet. This decision came as I was inspired by a bunch of amazing people that I wouldn’t have met if it wasn’t for my blog and activism on the streets, which all started last year for me. My path in life is changing, hopefully for the better, and I have every single one of you people reading this blog to thank.
There are also those few people who have shared my journey, classmates and close friends that I believe will have a great impact on their communities, if not the world, when they grow up. Those few people make me believe that a brighter future awaits all of us.
Ali, Areen, and Faris are three of the people that make me hopeful for a better future. Ali is my closest friend who I’ve known since I was six-years-old; he is probably the most mature among our classmates, he and I always discuss politics but we rarely ever agree on any single issue. He is an aspiring lawyer, but I see him more as an aspiring politician who will serve us good.
He is pro- almost everything that I’m against, but I always believed and still believe that his impact would probably be the greatest. He is fully aware of the world he is entering and knows what is best for it.
Areen, on the other hand, is one of the smartest and most energetic persons I’ve known. I got to share with her the experience of organizing Palestine’s first high school Model UN conference. Areen even contributed to The Electronic Intifada when she was 12-years-old. Areen will be studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology next year. She will make us proud.
Last but not least, we have Faris. He is unique all around, a natural revolutionary leader who is close to everyone. I’m glad I got to share this journey with a person like him. Not only was he the president of the student council last year, he even published a book where he compiled some amazing and powerful poetry pieces and short stories that he wrote during the past two years. The symbolism in his literary works is brilliant.
Every one of my classmates and friends meant a lot to me; therefore I’d like to sincerely thank all of the class of 2012 for taking part in this journey.
The inspiration didn’t come only from friends I’ve met in and outside school, it also comes from some steadfast powerful Palestinians who haven’t inspired only me, but have inspired the whole world as they took on their battle of empty stomachs for freedom and dignity. During the past few weeks, I have been honored to personally meet with Khader Adnan and Thaer Halahleh, both of whom have left me with an amazing feeling of optimism. Even during my exam period, I insisted that I will continue to act for those Palestinians fighting for dignity using their stomachs. They depend on us, the people, to act and bring out their voice. Their steadfastness is my motivation.
Ironically, I didn’t feel like my graduation was much of an ending to a phase, rather it felt as a confirmation that I’m ready to embark on the eventful journey that will shape my life. The feeling I got after graduation is indescribable, I really hope the best comes out of it. Again, I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to my life in the past couple of years; hopefully I’ll be back actively blogging now.
