Hannah Qazi: Assignment 18 - Just Kick It Already

High School:

1.  have at least one indie-film-esque experience
2.  raise $1000 for UNICEF club
3. become fluent in French
4. go to waffle house at one in the morning because for some reason that's a high school tradition
5. go on a road trip down the pacific coast with my closest friends

In all honesty, my "high school experience" has been pretty lame. I have yet to attend an actual football game or dance because my Asian tiger mom thinks weekends are for act prep and debate. But I'm not even interested in any of those things. In fact, I'd much rather become the quintessential indie teen who sticks their arms out the sunroof while driving through a tunnel or sneaks into crusty old and abandoned house for an impromptu photo shoot. Even though these are possibly the most cliche aspirations that I would definitely be ashamed to admit if asked in person, (mostly because I can't think of better ones right now), I still feel like I'd get something more out of them.

College:

1. study abroad!
2. start a foundation for women's education in Pakistan
3. explore my interests
4. find at least one new hobby

Growing up in Lexington, Kentucky must be a pleasure for most - that is if you're a cisgender, straight white male, but I guess I'll never get that experience. I can't say I'll miss the routine, subtle microaggressions, or being one of the only people of color in most of my classes. At the same time though, I know I can't escape it - at least in this country.  So, I hope that I could experience at least one different culture and expand my own knowledge of the world. 

Life:
1. visit my parents' hometown
2. become fluent in a third language - either Farsi
3. move to a foreign country for a bit!

My parents have always told me how beautiful their country is, but my greatest regret in life would be to not experience this myself. While its unmistakable landscape has remained untouched - its people have been oppressed by a corrupt system of government. This alone has prevented me from visiting my ancestral home and my parent's place of birth, and until it changes, I will never be able to experience this.