As the boxes pile high, and the apartment gets emptier day by day I have come to realize the move to Michigan is around the corner. This move is quite a big deal because it is one step closer to the bigger move in life, the move to Egypt to study abroad.
I am originally from Michigan, so I guess you can say I am returning to my hometown. I have been in Chicago for a few years and have met the most amazing people. People that I can call true friends, friends for the sake of Allah. Chicago is a special place for me, its a place I came a few months after I graduated, a place I had my first child, and a place where I had many happy moments in life, Alhumdulilah. It makes me very sad that I have to leave, because truly Chicago is a place I like to call home. This reminds me of the other day when my dear friend Liv and I were having breakfast together at Maxfield’s. I had told her that Chicago has been a very happy place for me, and she said something that really touched my heart, she said inshallah Farah you will have many more happy moments wherever you are in life. When she said that I had to try very hard to hold my tears back.
On a happier note, it is nice to know that I will be returning to my family and friends in Michigan. It will be nice for us to spend some time with everyone before we leave. I know it is going to be very hard for our parents and siblings to see us leave and I know that deep down inside they are hoping for a change in plans. Ultimately Allah is the Planner and he decrees what is to happen, all we can do is hope and pray that the move goes smoothly.
When I pack my last few things away I know its not just for some days but for a few years. The thought gives me butterflies of the excitement to come. This has been something my husband and I have been wanting to do for some time. And we have decided that this would be a great time to take such a venture. There are days where I have mixed feelings about leaving, thinking of my family, friends and belongings that I will be leaving behind, but it is a great opportunity to study abroad, an experience of a lifetime. I know we will look back and be happy we made the decision we made.
I’d like to give a big shout out to all of the people I have met while living in Chicago, especially Qabeelah Wasat, my fellow Al Maghribers. You all are great people mashallah. Please do keep my family and I in your duas as I will keep you in mine inshallah!
August 28th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Will miss your family and the neighbor status that yours and ours shared. Will definitely miss Googly-Bear! I hope she starts a blog, too.
Take care,
Saqib
August 28th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Can I ask how you and your husband made it possible to take some years to study abroad?? did you save up and then apply to a university or and what are going to study abroad I take it its islam but the whole living/financial arrangements did you guys do that through a university through relatives?? sorry I”m just curious as I see many people doing this and would love to someday either do this or give my kids the opportunity to do this inshallah.
August 28th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
We will miss you Farah! Please keep up this blog! It’s so beneficial, mashaAllah. Jazaki Allah Khair for all the work you have put forth, and the positive changes you have made in our Qabeelah! You will be greatly missed!
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I’m so happy for you and your family :o)
MashaAllah, may Allah make this a superb learning opportunity for you and your husband. I’ve only met a few people in Chicago, and you I will def miss. *sigh*
September 28th, 2008 at 8:40 am
I can imagine it will be difficult to leave, may Allah swt make the move to Egypt an easy one for you and your family. From those that I know who study in Egypt, it is a difficult but exciting transition. To be away from family, but to be studying for the sake of Allah swt. In sha’ Allah you will be meeting amazing people, who will be your support group and your family as you transition your life in this stage of seeking knowledge. I have heard many interesting stories about my friends experiences when studying in Egypt, and I look forward to reading your experiences as well in sha’ Allah.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
farah, i think you blog has officially died =/
October 15th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
knock knock, when is the next post coming?
October 17th, 2008 at 12:53 am
Sabz: Alhumdulilah, the moment we decided to study in Egypt is when we started to save up as much as we could. Some students we know of also teach the natives there English, this helps out with covering some expenses. We are having some friends assist us in finding a place there. And as far as studying, inshallah we will be initially starting off with learning Arabic with Qortoba institute (http://www.qortoba.net/) Inshallah I hope to inspire others to also go study aboard, even if you are married with children as in my case. There is nothing like learning a language in a country where that particular language is the prominent. I believe it is a key tool in learning and implementing.
Nazihah: I truly wish we made more opportunities to meet each other and get to know one another more…inshallah I pray Allah gives us another opportunity! May Allah bless you and your family!
Olivia & Mariam: Two words for you…FARAH’S BACK!