Oxford Circus, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben There is actually a big tower with a CLOCK on it!is there anything more exciting than this?!, Westminster, London Bridge, like in the song! Soho This one was interesting! Especially the girls in windows!! The only other place I saw girl prostitutes in this very obvious context was in Amsterdam, when I went with my friends two years ago we soon realized that people were staring at us, because we were the only DRESSED women in the street! Boy how shocking and embarrassing this was! My face still goes red at the memory!

I still can’t grasp the freedom I feel, I don’t understand it, I don’t know what to do with it. I just know that I want to experience London to the maximum! I want to go to every musical, to every concert, to every museum, to ALL my classes, and I want to walk and walk and walk. I want to enjoy the culture, the beauty that this place has to offer….But to be able to do this, I need to find a job NOW! London is really TOO expensive.

The company was nice as well. My friend took us to this beautiful Japanese place, I had what they call a bento box, it was a bit of everything… sushi, sashimi, chicken tiryaki, some fried shrimps yummy!! and of course the beautiful salad and a lovely miso soup!

The girl was fine, she is clearly in love with the guy and as sweet as her devotion is to him, as much as these very same feelings made me realize that we women are much more attractive and much sexier when we are strong and in control of our destinies, and we are completely unattractive and boring and Blah…when we allow ourselves to be weakened and submit to emotions… I am not talking about falling in love, I am talking about how to handle being in love….and as my good friend used to say “il tu2ol san3a”! which means for a women to be hard to get is actually hard work that requires very good skills!

I finally decided to take control of my life, and my first step was to start my Masters degree in Anthropology Community and Youth work. After years and years of confusion and loss and not knowing where I am heading and what I want to do with my life and what is my mission on earth. I found my way.

Today was my first day at school, and boy how exciting it is! I caught myself smiling, I am fascinated with the topics that I am to study: religion, politics, society, racism, terrorism, gender roles, nationality, youth, drugs, sex… have you ever heard of anything more fun?!! … topics that I am not only perfectly capable of handling, but topics that I love, that I enjoy, that I excel in!

I love the school, the people, the professors, the students, the streets, the buildings I am looking forward late night studying, countless cups of coffee that leave you jittery, exams, homework,… I dont know what could a person ask for more in life! I really dont know what you school brats are complaining about!!

It really was not a bad experience at all… as a matter of fact, it was very interesting. I met so many nice people, and have been through so much this year…. one thing for sure, i have learnt about the concept of solitude, as for the first time in my life i was faced with so much free time, and i had to use my imagination on how to fill it out. But everything comes to an end and this is the end of my idle days.

I will actually miss few things here…mainly:
1- the warm water in the swimming pool… i hate cold water, and swimming in the very warm water in Jeddah at night feels like floating in psace.

2- I will miss the constant feeling of challenge and thrill that i lived here when walking in the streets, for i never covered my hair, not because i have anything against hijab, on the contrary i really respect women who reach this high level of looking beyond materialistic stuff ( if they actually wear the hijab out of conviction)… but i refuse to do anything so personal that is imposed on me by anyone, wether family or society or laws…

3- I will miss the great frienship bonds that form in this country, because everyone is in the same boat, everyone is a stranger with no family, and so they substitute that with the support of their friends… it is something that i have never experienced anywhere else

Anyway… a new page opens in my life…what is next…. only God knows!