Bittersweet Feelings

For some reason, whenever I depart from Istanbul, a profound feeling of melancholy overcomes me, but this time around, I feel prepared to say goodbye to this beloved city. My love for Istanbul is eternal. I consider myself blessed to have witnessed this place. I can attest that no other city gives me the same sense of serenity as Istanbul. I will miss the silhouette skyline of the city’s majestic minarets contrasting with the mellow orange aura of the setting sun. This was the last magical glimpse of Istanbul I experienced with Omar as we drove to Sultan Ahmet Mosque yesterday. Without me realizing the blessings He has bestowed me with, this summer has passed in the span of a heartbeat. I’ve deliberately, although subconsciously, kept myself busy this whole summer with graduate school applications, GMAT studying, reading, etc… to avoid facing the sadness that accompanies the thought of departing Istanbul for good…

At the same time, I find myself optimistic to be returning to Cairo. This time around, I will be a university graduate where a future of limitless possibilities awaits me. I know my time is short, but this time around I intend to get the ball rolling in terms of making sure that I set up the right conditions for my intended future. Networking is key at this phase. My absence from Egypt has almost made me a foreigner to my own motherland, but I am sure that a heavy dose of reality will wake me up. Call me an idealist, but I will not give up with my aspirations of impacting positive change in my country. I just pray that the right opportunities present themselves and I make the best use of them. Who knows what’s next. Work or study... but one thing I’m sure of is that, as a friend put it, my belief in God will make the future arrive as if it is a rosy breeze.

This may be as personal as I may get on my blog, but I guess I needed to pen my emotions of nostalgic goodbye to Istanbul and enthusiastic hello to Cairo…