Friday: 9 p.m. Inside the shuttle bus: Good-bye Virginia, hello Texas!
The city is welcoming. I’m greeted by a warm air with a cool, brisk spring breeze. I’m in a new place and this notion is quite comforting for the moment. Our small suitcase is located in the trunk of this shuttle bus. We go through a series of bumps in the empty streets of Austin before we reach our hotel.
We’re at the hotel. I get off and remind myself that I’m a tourist again, a visitor, and no one knows me. And that’s what I think of for the next two days…
I hear music as I walk the streets. Those who know Austin say it’s known for its live music. The bars are open and you can almost feel the vibration from the music inside.
I realize my feet are in pain. I’m wearing my red shoes that have fooled me once again, making me think they’re comfortable. Why can’t pretty shoes be comfortable?
I like this foreign hotel room and the cold, untouched bed. Somehow I’m able to forget the calamities of the day before. Somehow, I’m able to sleep without pausing to think of what’s to come…
Saturday, March 11:In search of handsome cowboys…any cowboy really
I love this small town. Everything from the streets to the D.C.-like architecture gives me a sense of tranquility and peace. Or maybe it’s because the storm in my head has finally calmed.
I don’t feel the excitement I normally feel when I’m in the middle of Manhattan. But I am enjoying the warm wind that slightly lifts my black skirt. I’m in search of cowboys and men with rich Southern accents. So far I’ve not encountered any except the woman at the cash register of a small gift shop who had a bit of an accent.
I buy a pair of sexy, red high heels for $18.50. I try on the famous Texan boots that range from $150-300. I try on a black cowboy hat and my mother secretly takes a picture.
Mirrors appear everywhere in almost every store I walk in. I don’t know if mirrors are symbolic in Texas or I’ve just walked into too many antique shops.
The night is beautiful…with live music coming out of restaurants and bars…I’m wearing my new red shoes and my feet hurt like hell…
I eat at a Thai restaurant in the company of four amazing women. Anastasia, the talented journalist/creator of Ypulse.com sits in front of me. She is wearing gorgeous earrings and a matching necklace. Dianne, the brilliant trend spotter sits to my right. And then there is the amazingly talented fashion writer Casey and her supportive mom. They’ve come from San Francisco, Missouri, and New York to join me in the “Meet Judy Jetson: How Technology is Transforming 21st Century Teens” panel.
What’s great about the trips we make is that if we look closely, we find inspiring people, talented women with ambitions and big dreams. Sitting with these women, I feel honored and truly motivated. Big dreams have come true for women like Anastasia, Dianne, and Casey. Big dreams are possible…
I enjoy a spicy, yet tasty, exotic Thai food and the conversations we have during our meal.
By the time I leave the restaurant I think of Anastasia’s advice. She believes in me…that’s more than I could ask for.
As Anastasia and Dianne part from us to their own adventures, I take off my red shoes and replace them with flip flops. My toes are red and a bit swollen…I’ve been fooled once again.
Sunday: Getting ready for the panel and yet another pair of painful heels
The panel starts at 11 a.m. A table is ready for us with our names on top. I have a microphone in front of me and I’m getting a little nervous. The audience is a blur and I prefer to see them that way so I don’t get nervous.
At the end of the panel a guy from M.T.V. talks to me and tells me he enjoyed it a lot. He gets my resume, which contains my e-mail. I am filled with excitement…later Casey and I are interviewed by a guy from the Houston paper (I forget the exact name).
I thank Anastasia again for this amazing trip and leave for the airport.
My return: Sleepless in Virginia
I’m very tired but my mind won’t shut-off. I’m back in my own warm bed. I’m back at home. I’m not falling asleep…tonight I’m sleepless in Virginia…

Click here to read my interview with Ypulse, Anastasia Goodstein.

Like I said before everything ends, but while it is ending it leaves off a great memory. I really like New York and enjoy everyday of it.
Today we walked through 5th avenue, but unfortunately I didn’t get to buy anything. The shops were great. It’s just like Iran; shops are everywhere. We saw Central park, what a beauty. Anyway, we had another great day.
We will leave New York tomorrow morning. It will be a long drive for us to get back to VA. Though I don’t think my family and I care. We are together, that’s what we care about.

Among the faces are many nationalities. Since New York is a big crowded city, it is easier to realize the many cultures and nationalities of people. There is so much diversity that you never feel different, even if you?re a foreigner.
View from the Top
From the top of the Empire State building New York is even prettier. It is alive with the heart of its people. From the top everything is both incredible and memorable.
Night
At night the city is full of lights. People are walking, talking on their cell phones, or eating. If it wasn?t dark you would think it is still morning.
Sometimes I forget that I?m in the U.S., but when I hear people talk I remember where I am.

It’s a crowded city with busy people. The streets are packed with cars, taxis, and buses, surrounded by tall buildings. There are many cultures amongst the crowd. Metros and taxis are used often, unlike Virginia in which you barely see a taxi on the road. What I like most about New York is that it’s alive. You can see life as you pass any street. I also like it because I like crowded cities. And it does remind me of Iran; its crowdiness, its traffic, and its shops.
I wonder what it’s like to live in New York. Maybe I’ll try it one day.
The ship on the Hudson River was great. All around the water you see New York’s tallest buildings, the statue of liberty, and the Empire State building. There was a constant wind that brought everyone to life. As I looked I wanted to jump out and fly on top of the water. It must be a joy to be a bird.

11:26 A.M, Tuesday, July 22nd (In the plane to U.S)
After all this time I’m finally going back to the U.S. My brother drove me all the way from Belgium to Amsterdam. I held my tears while hugging him and managed not to cry. The plane is very crowded. I just want it to end so I can go home. Dad is going to pick me up.
I learned a great deal during this journey. I learned about freedom and how life without it is very difficult. I learned about independence. I learned how precious life is and why it should not be wasted.
Revisiting relatives made me alive. Going back to Iran ensured me of who I am and what I will do with my life. This journey was the greatest gift. I can’t feel any luckier. Lucky for having a great family and a great life.
Finally Home
I saw my dad after picking up my two heavy suitcases. We hugged after getting out of the airport and drove home. I was so glad to see mom. I had missed them both very much. Our house looked really weird to me. I still feel a bit strange, but I’m happy.