Written By: Anwar

I needed an outlet. Over a cup of coffee, well a salted-caramel mocha to be exact (with a pretty foam swirl forming the shape of a heart), a chat with a couple friends, advice from the experienced, and support from my best friend and co-author of this blog, Esraa, I decided that this was best. I was able to come to a conclusion that this would be the starting platform of what my small world needs to know. It just makes sense. That’s why these blogs exist. Afterall, it’s better than keeping it bottled in, verbally venting to others, or just plain overthinking. There are so many experiences to share, for within the last 7 years of my life, I feel like I’ve lived multiple lives just based off of different experiences and interactions. Ha! Weird to say, and you’re probably thinking, “where the heck is this going?” You’ll see, and hopefully you’ll grasp the idea. Here is my goal of trying to piece it all together! Between working in a hospital, attending college, being a full-time, avid Cleveland sports fan, being involved with the local mosque, balancing healthy relationships between my family and friends, putting my faith before my worldly life, rekindling my love to my culture (both American and Palestinian), to eventually becoming a teacher and a coach, where do I even begin?! Well, rather how do I even begin to tell you about my experiences, the people I’ve met along the way, and how it has effected and shaped me to the person I am today among this outlasting society in which we live. A blog –A blog as a platform for you to understand, if you want. Otherwise, I’m venting by writing out my thoughts, experiences, and life. You can choose to stay and listen, read between the lines, or smile and walk away. I’ll never know! 🙂
Best Regards,

Anwar

By Esraa

I’ve played around with the concept of writing a blog for many years, but one thing or another always held me back. This time with the encouragement of my co-author and best friend, Anwar, I’ve decided to take the plunge.
I have recently come to understand that being silent is often worse than shouting at the top of your lungs. In this age of electronic media, getting one’s “voice” out there may be easy; however, having it “heard” is next to impossible. Blogging is a forum for the expression of ideas, feelings, thoughts and information – a means to share and learn from others lives and experiences. I think of words as a window into the writer’s mind; every word is a little part of their soul being shared to the world.
I am not anyone special; I’m just like any other human being who has walked, lived and played this game of life. However, each one of us has a different story to tell. My family immigrated to America from Egypt when I was only two years old. America is the only home I know, and English is my first language. My parents, however, made sure my four siblings and I were fluent in Arabic and maintained our Islamic culture.
I am the fourth child out of three girls and two boys, my father is a Shiekh/Imam, and my mother is a retired teacher. It’s the concept of who my dad is that has shaped my life and the main reason behind why I started this blog. A Shiekh is a Muslim Chapel leader similar to a Priest or a Rabbi, so you can imagine the position he held in the community and the responsibilities that came along with it. My father’s job wasn’t one he could leave at the door when he walked out after a strenuous day at work. Nope, this stuck to him, and it stuck to his family. We gained the title of “Children of the Shiekh” or “Wife of the Sheikh,” and people would call us that all the time. It was as if our entire identity was just tied to him; as if his wife or children didn’t have a name. Don’t get me wrong; it’s an honor, and I am grateful for who my father is without that identity I wouldn’t be half the awesome person I am today, :). But, there is more to who I am then just who my father is, I am a daughter, a sister, an aunt, and a friend to many. Every one of those relationships experiences “Esraa” differently, and they all form the ultimate being of who I am. Through my journey, I have met some of the most phenomenal people, and explored so many of life’s gems. It wasn’t just the title that irked me, rather all the standards that society placed upon us. So, I thought, why keep it in me, let’s break down the stereotypes one blog at a time. You’re going to hear this multiple times through out my blogs…my name is Esraa, not Bent Al-Shiekh.

With love,

Esraa