WSC DELEGATES! Are you ready to face 17 crazy Austinites ? If not, keep your socks on and get ready to be blown away. As the FAMOUS SAYING Says "DONT MESS WITH TEXAS". I hope to see many of you there. If I dont talk to some of you before conference, I would like to wish you a Happy New Year.
I would like to wish you all Happy Holidays. Merry Christmas to those who celebrate Christmas, Happy Hanukkah to the Jewish people and if you are celebrating other holidays, I would like to wish you Happy Holidays too.
So after Wednesday, I felt quite anit-social. I wanted some time to my own to self-reflect. Some Aiesecers were surprised that I have not been keeping in touch with them. I needed time to visit what I believe and why I am who I am. I get a call on Friday of that week from new York. I was sleeping and the phone call woke me up. It was from The DE Shaw Group. I interviewed with them a few weeks ago for a fullt-ome position. The lady on the phone apologised for waking me up and said she could call later. I said "Nah, its okay". Then, she said "Well, maybe this would be worth your time. We would like to make you an offer.". I did not know how to react. So I jus tsaid simply great. We talked for a few minutes and she told me to read over the documents they are sending. Then, I wanted to talk to my parents. I wnet online and contacted my old roomate on MSN. I told him to call my parents. It was around 2 in the morning. He suggested not calling so late but I told him to do it. My mom called and I told her the news. Poor women heart raced because I was calling so late. Sorry mom. I told my dad too. Then, he said two particular things that disappointed me. Firstly, he said if I take the offer, to come to Pkaistan for a whole month before starting. I disagreed and he did not take it. Second, he said not to live in NYC for more than a year. I wasa like, geez I got an offer and he is putting restrictions on me already. Anyways, I was in a foul mood. After some time. I realised that I can make decision on my own. I would listen to my parents but I need to lead my life now aftter graduating from college. I have not the documents as of yet.
So my mom told me not to be alone for the day she was going back home because I would be sad that she left. So I made a plan to go with some Aiesecers to Trudys. Anyways, not surprisingly, some of them had alcohol. Then they got an idea to go to downtown Austin. I have yet to go into a club on 6th street so they are like lets go and we will take Ali. Plus, since he just got his learner's permit, he can be the designated driver. I agreed due to the fact that i need to practice driving. Yet, it turned out to be one of the worst days of my life. We went to this place called Exodus. They drank more and danced. Then we went to a place called The Library and they drank more. In the end, when we left, no one knew where the car was. I forgot also, to add to the misery. So we walked for a bit till we found it. One of the Aiesecers srated throwing up. She threw up three times, once in the car. To add to the drama, I am not that familiar with the Austin roads. Hence, I had Emir, who knew where to go giving me one directions and the drunk people giving me other directions. Well, it was one of the drunk people's car and hence, I had to listen to her too. So we somehow managed to drop two people. Three people were left, including me. We decided to go to the person who owned the car place. We stayed over and left the next day. When my mom said not to be alone and hang out with your friends, neither her or I would have envisioned such an evening. It made me realsied that its good that I have never drank, otherwise I might hvae a little too many and then not feel good. I feel fortunate that such an event did not happen when I joined AIESEC. Because if it would have happened, I would have not been involved in the organisation for such a long time =( . I have decided that I wont agree to be the designated driver because it is a pain to drive with totally drunk people and plus, it gives them more the reason to get wasted and drink more. So that was last Wednesday.
My mom left today to go back home. My sister travelled with her for the Winter Break. I was happy that I did not cry as much this time. I tried to hold myself. It was sad to see her leave. I cant imagine flying all those hours to go to Pakistan. I just shiver at the thought. It was a moment of mized feelings when she was leaving. I am at a stage where I am deciding whether I want to go back or stay in the United States. One foot was saying "Mom, dont worry I will see you in a couple of months and I am coming back!" and the other was "I am going to stay here and try to work. So I hope you come visit me soon because if I do work, it will be difficult for me to come back soon."I have an interview in January coming up, so lets see how that goes.
My mom came to visit me for my graduation. The plan was for her to come here and then she can travel back home with my sister. My sister found out that there is a new law for Pakistani citizens. If we travel through England and just land at their airports, we need a visa. Hence, now she is scrambling to get that done before her flight on Wednesday. In this world of globalisation, there are still such little barriers. Countries want to come closer to trade and other reasons and then yet have rules that hurt any progress by asking people to stamp visas and such on their documents.
Posing in front of the Finance pillar
My mom, myself and my sister
Professor Gerber (International Business professor) and myself showing the Hook'em Horns sign
received an award recently. The UT women's volleyball team has reached the Sweet 16 stage this year. More information:
http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/vb_pages/2004_05/006/120804_41.html
In Israel, a bank has launched a credit card that cannot be used on Saturdays, the Jewish day of rest:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4063449.stm
