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.

Read more

When you set foot in a place to begin a life you don’t know what will become of that life. Or maybe you do. You are not aware of the changes that take place and you might not expect any surprises, but we all know that life is full of them.
As an 8 year-old I never expected to live in America or even to leave my land. I never imagined that my time was going to be very short and unfortunately I didn’t know how precious life was.
Right now life is acceptable for me. I have accepted the past and the present and I don’t regret any part of my life.

Continue reading Accepting Life

Read more

A minute ago I didn’t know what to write about. I couldn’t write about love because I don’t know what love is. I couldn’t write about happiness because it is different for everyone. For me happiness is being with my family and enjoying life. For someone else happiness might be a glass of cold water or a chocolate cake. To a homeless happiness can be a home with a nice cozy blanket. To a starving man happiness can be a piece of bread. To a rich family happiness can be a new Mercedes or a villa near the ocean. To a little kid happiness can be a toy with mom and dad.
I can’t write about sadness because it brings pain. I can’t write about the world simply because I haven’t yet seen it all.
I have an opportunity to write and let others see it. I write in a cool room, with music, and a computer. Somewhere out there, someone else might be writing, but in a small space, with an almost broken pencil, with lots of disturbing noise, too much heat, and no one to show it to.

Read more

My parents looked at the many photos I had taken from Iran. As I saw, I stepped into them and the memories reminisced.
My relatives saw me as an older, wiser, and a changed person. A very different person from the one they used to know. Now that I’m back I feel even more changed.
The future keeps knocking on my door and I get worried. I try to enjoy my life without thinking of tomorrow or the day after.
I already had fifteen years of life and there is more to come.
I don’t want to be famous, but I want to be noticed. I want to be unique. I want to be remembered.

Read more

Saturday mornings people go to the mall and spend their morning and part of their afternoon shopping.
The road is clear. Not too many cars. Not too much traffic. It is a joy to drive.
At home music can play loudly.
At the movies people quiet down when the film starts.
People are not allowed to smoke in public places.
Choosing a comfortable outfit is not a problem.
Writing is not a crime.
Speaking is not wrong.
Dreaming is allowed.
Success exists.
Freedom is a word.
Love is a reality.

Read more

I went to the park today with mom. I ran a bit and then walked. My arms and shoulders still hurt from picking up the suitcases.
Again I started comparing. This time America and Iran. I was very upset in Iran because I noticed the unfairness. I always knew it, but knowing is different than seeing. When you see, you understand. You really understand. So I saw and I wasn’t happy to see a country falling apart.
In the park today I told mom about my journey. I told her how I felt. She felt the same, she understood me. That’s all I can write right now. My mind is somewhere else…

Read more

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.

Read more


Ignorance by Milan Kundera speaks exactly of how I feel about my homeland. This greatly written story is about immigrants who have escaped Prague during communism. Some of these immigrants return after 20 years.
I was only away four years, but I still felt a great connection with this book.
Even in Belgium there are many Iranians who have not returned in many years. To me four years was very long and I couldn’t imagine being away any longer. Now I see the ones who have not returned in 16 or 17 years and I think, what was I complaining about?!

Continue reading Ignorance

Read more