A much needed update!

So I've been really absent and I apologize for that. Life has been so crazy busy! I remember that last year, when I was the new, quiet international student who never spoke up unless called upon, I had timidly joined the core committee of International Student Organization. The President of ISO at the time, was a senior; much involved in many things around campus. After I had landed the job of Community Advisor with Res Life and the AugSem Leader position, I had updated my status on Facebook with something like this: "I think I have put too much on my plate for next year!" The President had come up to me the next time we met and had awkwardly sorta-hugged me from the side (because I don't hug guys; not comfortable with physical contact!) and said, "I'm sorry but it's gonna get worse each year!"

And my, was he right! Though he has graduated from the college, I think of him often now, just because he said this to me once. I'm sure he doesn't even remember it now. But said it, he did and his prophecy came true. Life seems something like a hurricane and a roller coaster now. I'm doing all these things already but now I want to start experiencing new things, new organizations, new jobs etc so I have already started thinking about next year. (Crazy, right? The semester has just begun!) I think instead of being a board member of ISO (which I have been for 2 years now) and writing/editing for the yearbook (also what I have been doing for two years), I will join other organizations more related to my major. I think I will join Murphy Square, the literary and visual arts publication, and also The Echo, the college newspaper. I already started volunteering with Campus Kitchen as well and I know I want to run for President of the Muslim Student Association. I have also already applied for a Lead Staff position with Residence Life and I want to continue working for the CLASS Office (Oh, I haven't mentioned this before but I got upgraded; I was a Proctor with the CLASS Office before but now I am a Lab Assistant). I am also hoping to land the Asian Students in Action Scholarship again inshaAllah (God-Willing) so I will continue to be a Student Mentor inshaAllah.

You think that's enough to keep me busy? Res Life, CLASS office, MSA, The Echo, Murphy Square, Campus Kitchen, Student Mentor, and of course a blogger for the International Admissions webpage (inshAllah)? Sounds good? Or is that piling too much on my plate too?

Other than the work and volunteer front, life has been good al-hamdulillah (praise be to God). I recently became an aunt for the first time mashAllah (by the will of God)! My nephew, Ahad Usman Malik, came into this world on 22nd December 2009, and lit up all our worlds! Everyone is super excited about him; my parents back home, my brother, my sister-in-law, and me of course! It's the first baby of the family. I am no longer the youngest one! ;)

Pictures of Ahad coming soon inshaAllah. Look out for them!

Take care now. Peace, love, and blessings to everyone!