Yesterday I went to another park. This time I was with my sister and her friend. Once we were in the park, everyone seemed to be staring at us. I looked at the trees and the people sitting under them. Some were chatting, some were walking like us, and others were looking at us. I saw a girl on a bike and two others skating. I thought that was interesting since not many girls bike or skate. I was happy to see that they’re not afraid and do what they like.
I went to the bookstore twice. I saw many teen girls looking at books. They were with their friends or alone. Even though there are not many ways for them to have fun they do what they can to enjoy life They read they bike skate and spend time with friends Another problem for them is that if they walk alone or with other girls boys would often bother them Some men slow their car and start talking to them others just look and make remarks> life for women is very difficult.

My grandmother, my dad’s mom, died when I was 3. Today I visited her grave. It was an odd feeling, walking among the many graves. I sat by her grave and put a flower. My brother poured water to clear the dust. I watched the grave stones and felt tears behind my sun glasses. It was sunny out but not too hot. It was early morning. It was a peaceful place to be in. No sound, no worry, no problems. A place where the soul is above and life is no longer down on earth.

Everyday I dress in my sister’s clothes, her monto, a sort of dress to cover the shirt under, and her scarf. I even put some light lipstick of hers, something I never do in America. Then I take my small purse, put on my jeans and Nikes, and walk out the door with her. I become another girl. This girl goes to the streets and looks at everything. EVERY thing. As many things that fit her eyes. She looks at people with different eyes than about four years ago when she would hardly look at them. She smiles because the moments are too precious. She feels sorry for her people because they’re trapped. She wishes to alter things but can?t. After all she is only a teenager. Can a teenager change a society? I doubt it. So she keeps on walking and looks for familiar places. Places she had been during her childhood. Why does everything look different? She wonders. Was it that long ago? It seemed only yesterday that she had been there with her family, going to school as always and hating it. She had wondered what America would be like? What could be better than what she had? Then she knew. She found her answer later.

I visited my uncle and aunt two days ago. They live two floors below us. My uncle said, So, you’ll be gone soon. I will stay in Iran for a month but of course it will end soon. He told me of the times we were all together and how we suddenly left and disappeared. He told me his house no longer has a smell or a color. It is just a house with a few faces left that show up once in a while. To him our house is only a colorless, odorless house with a heart that still beats.
Whoever I see thinks of the time I’ll be gone rather than the fact that I’m still there. Only a week has gone by but I’m already leaving in their mind. I don’t blame them. That’s life. Is all I can say. I can’t stay forever and I can’t be gone forever. Only my heart will stay with them. Always

Driving in Tehran is a bit tricky. The rules are pretty much broken. It is not really safe. You just have to be very careful and calm. If you are not calm or a patient person, then driving wouldn’t really be a great idea. There’s a lot of traffic. Cars can suddenly come out of nowhere and they will come too close to you. Motorcycles are a different story. They go really fast and you have to let them go through. No matter whose fault it is, if you hit them, it is your fault. Oh and seatbelts aren’t required, only in highways! And kids under the age of 13 can sit on the passenger seat.