Final

Family is a priority. The challenges and struggles I exhibit at home and school are greatly different. My parents are immigrant- which makes it challenging to overcome a most of my personal goals.
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One day, I was forced to work at my parents store after school- I did not want to because I had lots of homework.   Even though I was tired, I had to give a happy impression for the customers and my parent’s sake. When I would yawn or take a seat in front of the store, my father would yell, “What are you doing? Why are you sitting down? You have not done anything,” and I would quickly arise with a smile on my face to make my father comfortable with me at the counter amid sharp knives and large bulks of meat.

Unfortunately, as I arrived home around ten, my father pulled out tons of paper work, and told me to complete it in a non-debatable voice. So, while my parents were eating their dinner, I was completing governmental documents. After I finished the paper work, around twelve o’clock- it took awhile mainly because I had to research a few of the terms to see if I was completing the work correctly.

 While I handed the paper work to my father, he replied by saying “go to sleep,” and I ignored him. Simply because I ignored him, he started to yell about how I am not a hard-working student and that I will never be successful. My parents and erupted in an argument about my working habits- mainly because I did not complete my homework during school. So, after the argument, I was forced to go to bed and “sleep”. While I was in bed, I had to secretly complete my homework while in bed. I did not want to anger my parents or get a zero on my assignment so I had to satisfy my teachers while satisfying my parent's as well.

This is a typical evening.

Although I understand personal life and school should never be integrated, it always does, especially when at home- there is tons of paper work that needs to be completed for my parents, and also, to help my brother transition through his school year. I am a major assistance in my household overall. Sometimes, I wish that my parents understood something’s American parents knew, but then I rethink , and see that if they were different, then I would never be who I am today  which I am greatly thankful about. Because my parents are immigrants, I have to explain many documents and papers being sent to them with out neither getting frustrated nor inaccurate about the papers are they getting sent idea. Additionally, it signifies how much of a priority my family is and to what extent I would take to complete whatever need to be done. This shapes my dreams and aspirations because I know how my actions affect everyone else around me- I make my decisions wisely. Although I have an extent to  extra curricular simply because of the religious and parents expectation and limits, I have to venture and explore other ideas and programs that would fit me as a person and also be accepted to my parents to actually attend the program. Furthermore, I cam expand my idea and flourish and establish new ideas without getting stressed out.    So, I have to put a lot of effort to become successful and a consistent assistance to my family and friends- while maintaining/satisfying my own personal responsibilities.

Also, when something goes wrong, I am there to help and often times able to resolve problems that were previously aroused. I am proud of this mainly because of how much I have been through for the past fifteen years. For instance, the situation dealing with my parent’s needs and my academic success symbolizes my diligence and vivid look on life. Moreover, I have lots of patience and during stressful times, I can easily pinpoint what I have done, what I need to do to make the situation less scattered and confusing. By this, I am easily calmed and when either a friend or family member is in stress or does not know what to do; I am usually there to help them. So, based on this quality, this represents me simply because it is who I want to continue to be as I gradually ladder to my next academic program- college.

I clearly understand that there is a fine line between family and school, and because of this, I am able to complete what I need to do, while assisting my parents or any some other person. This incident, shows me how all my work pays off and to continue to flourish not only academically but also personally. This would also improve and also clear my ideas to establish a life filled with glory and success.

This experience taught me how much I care about my self academically, personally, and so, how much I care about my family and home responsibilities- and even though it can be stressful at times, and sometimes these two demanding worlds- school and home responsibilities are sometimes mixed in, I am able to organize it in a way that both need will be completed- there is a balance. And with balance, I can improve my life and everyone else’s that I am affecting- I make decisions that are not only beneficial for me, but for the people I am surrounded by.

I understand when someone does not remember that everyone is affected my ideas, it ruins and shocks other people affected. Which make the situation worse?  This makes me  original and often times, a person who can lead in to a new world and adjust myself accordingly without any confusion or help- this experience taught me that I am independent, and independence is an essential quality to have to improve socially and academically.  I do not only accomplish academic goals but personal goals as well- and because of this, it reflects who I am.  I never stop working, and when I do, it is probably because am getting ready or preparing for my next task of some sort.  As I have grown, and assisted many people of my life, I have concluded that: Life is challenging Learning how to defeat those obstacles logically, without getting hurt, or anyone else getting affecting my decision, then their is definitely an opportunity for everyone to succeed- no matter how challenging the scenario is. I believe in myself- which make me stronger as a person and makes me grow overall.

As a result, I know I am capable to venture and explore the new possibilities in store for me and hopefully succeed as a student and a Muslim women overall.  Hopefully all the experiences I have been through improve me overall.

*Sorry I did not write about the whole, Muslim Women idea. I just don’t know how to integrate it and make it cohesive (you know what I mean?) Sorry.