Editor’s Letter Meet the Team

Yasmin Ibrahim ( Reporter) Kenopsia (noun) The eerie, forlorn atmosphere of a place that’s usually bustling with During our monthly discussions concerning the Voice’s content, I had people but is now abandoned and quiet. realized this was one of the tougher times for the magazine. Not because there was a shortage of topics, but that there were so many things to When the days of the year unfolded, we collectively experienced various cover within one issue and not enough time or space. These past four and unique feelings; feelings of despondency, instability, and uncertainty. months have been a mixture of sadness and happiness for everyone, so it The shift of normality, for some more than others, was difficult to cope with. was important for us to relate to the AUK community and their experience Just as a pull of thread, the days and months unraveled, and we suddenly within these tough times. But how could this be done? There were too many found ourselves in a different state. As difficult as it was to stitch the seams personal experiences and stories to tell, too much for there to be one way and make sense of what has occurred, we have managed to pull through to relate to everyone. Personally, the most difficult aspect of this year was these months and are now entering a new semester. one thing: change.

However, these times, which we have spent in our homes facing obstacles Not only has this quarantine affected my social life as it has for everyone that once were swept under the rug, should not be left disregarded. This else, but it’s also made my and many other students’ senior year Quarantine Issue hopes to reflect the distorted feelings that we something unexpected and unwanted. But, to reflect on these situations individually experienced, but most importantly it is meant to express the means bringing an unwanted level of negativity and pessimism, hardships and coping mechanisms we used to adapt and overcome. It something we all need to recover from as a community, especially after stands now as a reminder of the surreal moments we lived—but also as a such a rough patch. Therefore, it was important for me to write about our reminder that we have, more or less, overcame those obstacles. experience without making things sad. That is why in this issue, I’ve started with a farewell long overdue for our beloved Shokry Garada, then a We experienced kenopsia when we looked out of our windows and found light-hearted rant about the troubles of 2020 and finally ending on a the crowded roads and highways suddenly deserted. This feeling was slightly sad but deserved goodbye note for AUK and the love I have built for intensified when we witnessed footage in the news of the city abandoned it along the way. and quiet. While online waiting rooms are filled with students to be Dania Ghassan admitted, our campus is empty, waiting for ambitious students to fill the (Graphic Designer) halls with life once again. Alas, we are slowly figuring out a way to coexist with this change. Hopefully, we can once again fill the campus with Being a Graphic Designer for VOICE gave me wonderful opportunities to bustling students, eager to reconnect with one another in a place we call have my work exposed to the AUK community and beyond. Designing a our second home. magazine is challenging and fun at the same time. The real challenge I faced as a designer was to read the topics and “design the words.” Rafah Al-Shohaty Expressing what is written behind written columns is not an easy task it requires intensive research. My method for designing a certain article is to Editor-in-Chief skim through the written piece and extract from it one idea then Google search this idea and look for inspirations to come up with unique design. This process takes time so bear in mind that the earlier you start on the magazine the better the quality you will achieve. University ( 1 -14)

Experience ( 15 - 42) Life under COVID-19

Acceptance (43-60) Table of Quarantine Lifestyle

Advice ( 61-80) Contents Combating and Adapting

Hobbies & Interests (81-98) Have you tried doing this?

Entertainment (99-110) UNIVERSITY Q: How did you feel when you Q: What is your most first came to AUK? cherished memory at AUK?

A: I felt motivated and that A: Probably receiving my encouraged me to be more awards, like the Wolfpack outgoing and unleash my award for outstanding maximum potential. From the performance in extracurricular first day, I could see the love activities or the Program of the and tolerance in the Year award. It’s nice to feel community. Regardless of recognized for being active on your cultural or religious campus. background, people always greet you with such acceptance and it was this non-judgmental Q: Who do you think you’ll environment that instantly miss the most? made me comfortable. A: They would definitely be Farewell Rawaa Mohammed, Mishari Al-Ruwaished, and Sherifa Q: What is an AUK event that Al-Majed. I started my journey you miss? Shokry! at University with these people and they’ve always A: Oh, so many. I would say supported me and the talent shows and sports motivated me to do better. events where I would be Fouzan Al-Qahtani is also a hyping up the crowd or great friend whom I’ll miss cheering for the teams. Truly dearly. Whenever I had an Shokry Hani Garada, a such fun experiences. But, it After growing accustomed to idea for an event, I would first name and face the AUK would be fair to say that each such a joyful presence in AUK, pitch it to these four to hear community has grown to year had its treasured it is hard for us to admit that their opinions, and not once recognize and treasure. moments. For example, there his journey with us has come have they refused to listen to Within the span of four years, were the 2017-2018 influential to an end and that he has me or lost interest. Their Shokry has organized and events with Fouzan transitioned from student to advice was always participated in more than 40 Al-Qahtani and the flash mob alumnus. But, before parting something I genuinely AUK events, enlivened event, but there was also the ways with this inspirational considered and took to heart. matches, concerts, talent Daffy event I organized in personality, we managed to shows and much more with 2020. What mattered most to ask him a couple of his bright and bubbly me was the fun people had Q: Do you have any regrets? questions in hopes of personality. Any person lucky and how we were always reminiscing about his AUK enough to come across his overbooked by students. A: Absolutely not. Thankfully, I journey and the memories extroverted self is always feel like I’ve done everything he’s made along the way. greeted with a big smile and that I could have. I was an endless jokes. active student and learned a lot along the way.

1 2 Q: Which classes and professors were your favorite?

A: My favorite professors are Mohsen Bagnied, Abdulrahman Al-Farhan, and Shihana Al-Mutairy. These amazing professors changed Marketing for me and made it so much more interesting. Professor Shihana truly made me love my major and work harder for it. As for Professor Q: What is something you Mohsen, he always wish you would’ve done encouraged me to be Q: Are you afraid of what the Q: What’s some advice you before graduating? comfortable with being myself and was like a father future holds for you? have for freshmen? A: I wish I had traveled with figure to me. Professor Farhan A: I wouldn’t say afraid, just A: Be active on campus. Use the AUK sports team. I was the was a mentor throughout my excited. I believe that I can do every minute of your time in assistant coach and was whole AUK journey. just as much work in this University; there are so going to go with them to Kuwait as I did in AUK. I have many facilities available and Turkey but had unfortunately He was not just a teacher, but high hopes in the future and you should use them to the missed out on that. If I’m an inspiration and is plan on becoming the next best of your abilities. Always going to be honest, I also someone I always look up to. largest influencer, hopefully remember this is a one-time really wanted to have proper Many times, the content of nationally then on a broader experience and that sitting goodbyes with my friends, but the class would be so level. around leads nowhere. this pandemic has prevented boring, but it was much more Opportunities always come to that from happening. bearable and fun when he you when you do something taught it. It was different with you love and work hard for it. these three; I remember Q: A building or B building visiting their offices and and why? Q: What about AUK will you chatting with them. They Q: It is sometimes said by miss the most? others that AUK was not their really were like my family and A: S building, actually. I was first choice. What about you? I will miss them as much as I always there, supporting AUK A: I will miss the AUK miss my friends. I cannot wait athletes and their matches or community; the people, the A: It was definitely my decision until University opens and I just visiting Student Life. I’ve friendliness. The love I to join AUK; I’d visit campus a plan on visiting them in their built many great memories received during my awards couple of times before joining offices the second it does. If I there. and the student council votes could leave them one and was really inspired by the were the most heartwarming message, it would be “thank community. I had a vision of aspect. It felt amazing getting you for making AUK a better going there, did just that, and the highest votes in my first experience”. loved every minute of it. year of University.

3 4 Q: Do you have any advice Q: Finally, what is your for students who might have message for AUK? wanted to go someplace else? Who didn’t consider A: AUK will always be in my AUK as their first choice? heart and it will always be my second home. I miss every A: Sometimes things don’t go detail of it and its campus. I your way and that’s just fate. only wish we had more But, it is up to you to optimize active and more motivat- what you are offered and work ed students there because with what you have. Make the there’s so much potential but most out of this experience people need to work on it. Be- because you don’t know what ing a student with such an life brings you in the future. active approach definitely Approaching things with paid off for Shokry; through his optimism will show you all the work in event organization, he fun you’re missing out on. has managed to score a business management job for Sheyaab, Sayood, and Sara Rabea.

Accompanying his charisma, his hard work and flexibility have opened up doors almost impossible to reach for a fresh graduate (mashallah, knock on wood). But it seems as if ‘impossible’ is a term foreign to the likes of Shokry. Though we hope his optimism continues to spread throughout the country, inspiring others to be more confident and motivated, we know that there will never be two of him. And to that we say, farewell Shokry Garada; your unmatchable character will forever be something we cherish. You may be missed, but will never be forgotten by the community you know and love.

5 6 WeWe know know that that engaging engaging students students outside outside Similarly,Similarly, Clubs were were overjoyed overjoyed to to theirtheir eClassroom eClassroom fosters fosters personal personal growth, growth, participateparticipate inin the the #ShareYourMemories #ShareYourMemories developmentdevelopment and and connections connections to others. to others. challengechallenge andand we we received received an an overwhelming STUDENT LIFE overwhelmingresponse from veryresponse nostalgic from club very members TheThe transition transition from from auditorium, Auditorium, recreation nostalgicsharing video club clips members and pictures sharing from theirvideo areaRecreation or hallway Area events or Hallwaywas difficult events was clipsevents. and pictures from their events. especiallydifficult forespecially those programs for those that isprograms RESPONDS TO L.E.A.D. at AUK also made it to the definedthat are by defined in-person by interaction in-person orinteraction services. L.E.A.D. at AUK also made it to the forefront in capturing the attention of a Outor services.of the many Out events of the that many would events have that virtualforefront audience in capturing in their the attentionleadership of a would have materialized in the spring materialized in the Spring Semester, we seriesvirtual of audience presentations in their enhancingleadership series semester, we missed the bustle of life in COVID-19 missed the bustle of life in the hallway students’of presentations listening enhancing skills, verbal student /non- the Hallway during International Week— during International Week – the parade of verbalListening communication Skills, Verbal/Non-verbal and lastly the parade of flags and the aroma of flags and the aroma of ethnic cuisine effectiveCommunication presentation and finally skills. Effective by Shirley Sullivan ethnic cuisine around campus signifying around campus signifying cultural diversity Presentation Skills. cultural diversity and unity. We and unity. We transitioned to a virtual Finally, all student engagement and transitioned to a virtual International participation were recognized with a International Week encouraging student Finally, all student engagement and Week encouraging student participation series of Wolfpack Spirit videos created participation by creating a 5-day series of participation were recognized with a series by creating a 5-day series of events. It to acknowledge the persistence, events. It started with a cultural cooking of Wolfpack Spirit videos created to In March, when it was announced that started with a cultural cooking day, determination and resilience of our day,quizzing quizzing the the students students on on different different flags, acknowledge the persistence, determination campus would transition to work online, Wolfpack community in the midst of a flags,engaging engaging students students in ina taga tag and and sharingshare pandemic.and resilience We of mustour Wolfpack also acknowledge community hundreds of questions must have crossed onon Instagram Instagram in in their their cultural cultural attire, attire, say thatin the this midst has ofnot a pandemic.been easy We for must all also your mind during the declared worldwide hellosaying in hello3 different in 3 different languages languages, and lastly and ofacknowledge you—some that with this financial has not beenchallenges, easy for withlastly a culturalwith a cultural souvenir souvenir engagement all of you – some with financial challenges, pandemic. some that lost their loved ones, and onengagement Instagram. on Instagram. otherssome that with lost multifaceted their loved onespersonal and others "We know that challengeswith multifaceted at the personaltimes of challenges this crisis. in We The emergence of COVID-19 prompted EncouragingEncouraging students students to stay to active stay during active standtimes togetherof this crisis. during We thesestand together unprecedented times. Student Affairs professionals to act both engaging theduring lockdown the lockdown was one of was our one utmost of our during these unprecedented times. prioritiesutmost priorities when planning when virtual planning virtual swiftly and creatively in making this students outside As we plan for the upcoming semester, engagementengagement activities. activities. Zoom Zoom sessions with As we plan for the upcoming semester, Student Life professionals bear in mind transition as smooth as possible. The the eClassroom fitnesssessions instructors with fitness were instructors introduced, were Student Life professionals bear in mind your eagerness to return to your beloved followedintroduced, by various followed workout by various challenges workout and staff throughout evolved their roles in a fosters personal campusyour eagerness but have to also return placed to your your beloved fitnesschallenges awareness and fitness posts. awareness posts. new format and environment promoting a growth, safetycampus and but well-being your safety as & top well-being priority. is our Studenttop priority. participation Student participation in clubs, in clubs, robust virtual cocurricular experience. development, and WeWe furtherfurther engaged engaged our studentsour students with with organizations,organizations, L.E.A.D.leadership At activities, AUK, athletic connections to InstagramInstagram ‘Post ‘Post & Tag’&Tag’ challenges. challenges. Our Our athleticevents, events,workouts workouts and engagement and in social In the flurry of the multidimensional athletesathletes were were ecstatic ecstatic with withthe the #Show engagementgatherings are in allsocial going gatherings virtual. These are all others". #ShowYourJerseyYourJersey challenge, challenge, where where they they shared goingprograms virtual. were These created programs with careful were pandemic, we addressed the numerous sharedpictures pictures of themselves of themselves in in theirtheir AUKAUK createdintentionality with careful and to intentionalityensure a robust and virtual to challenges and turned them into SportSport jerseys jerseys during during their theirgames gamesand some and ensurecocurricular a robust experience virtual forco curricularthe new and ex- perience for the new and returning opportunities. This involved re-visiting flauntedsome flaunted their entire their collection entire collectionof jerseys of returning students in Fall 2020. students in the fall 2020 semester. overjerseys the overyears the of yearsbeing anof athlete.being an athlete. our events calendar and ensuring Stay safe and wishing you the best! involvement was meaningful and Wishing you the best and staying safe. intentional.

7 8 So strap in, stop sulking and get Even though you’ve gargled ready to cringe at your most Listerine five times before Fajr, treasured memories of the last and have pretty much finished seven months. an entire tube of Colgate, you still can’t get rid of that delightful 1. DIY food. fart hanging inside your mask. The The Recap Rant next time you think about saying Let’s be honest here… we’ve all something, type it. done it. You’re quarantined and you can’t order from McDonalds 3. Battle of the Co-ops. We All Need because they’re closed and “I wanted a McChicken” is a dumb Going to get groceries is a hit or excuse to say to a miss, some people like it, others Yasmin Ibrahim police officer. So you instead do a don’t. But if any person dares quick Google search for a recipe, to deny that it was a life-threaten- which redirects you to ing experience before lockdown, YouTube. From there, you go on to you’re either crazy or lying. watch a video of a person going You just went to get some flour for It’s almost October and you However, three months is a long, way too fast and there your mom, who now apparently is know what that means. I hope you long time when you’re waiting and commences the most intense two an aspiring chef with a do, because I definitely don’t. I’ve some of us are prone to hours of your life—your mom baking talent after all the quaran- stopped making expectations overthinking. So, though it will be yelling at you to get out of the tining, and you know the drill. But, after my license got renewed for impossible to stop you from kitchen, you yelling back because every time, it surprises you. they lost the measuring spoons, only one year. Since 2020 has worrying about future events, I the chicken smells like the believe reminding you of all that pretty much been the highlight of… freezer and they forgot the Keizer Just the sight you see when the you won’t have to go through fun, I’m more than happy to know bread. After a ten-minute doors open is…breathtaking. again can make you count your it’s almost over. breakdown, you walk out smelling Literally. People are running left blessings. like oil and a weird, greasy chicken and right with shopping carts, their sandwich. But hey at least you got eyes darting up and down as they the mayo right. look for that 15th chicken; some are just standing around in the middle of the aisle waiting for inspiration; 2. Good Whiff. two women are fighting through the masks and gloves for the last Though Ramadan was spent at celery bunch, neither one even home, the majority of us have hearing the other. And don’t even fasted after the month for a get me started about the number of reasons. And, my God, people who push in the line. the smell. If you’ve ever fasted, Demons. By the time you’ve walked you know exactly what I’m talking out, it’s been three hours and some about. You put on that mask, man is fighting with the security tighten it around your face and guard because he wants to buy leave the house. During your diapers for his baby and just journey to the supermarket, you cannot understand why he can’t make the mistake of talking to go in thirty minutes before they someone. Before you realize what close, or as he puts it “why no? you’ve done, that nasty surprise of Bleez I want to get bambarz.” a Ramadan breath wafts back into your nose and gives you the shock of your life.

9 10 4. Maybe Check Now? It’s been especially nasty this past month and sometimes it gets so When lockdown ended, everyone bad, you don’t even need to take either went to drive-thrus off your mask to breathe because (nightmare) or delivered food. No it won’t make a difference; there’s But, there was especially one nasty more will you have to eat your simply no oxygen. It’s so wet experience that I never want to disgusting, soggy fried sandwich outside that you might remember—the drive home. It replicas. Now you can order as well grow gills, pout your lips doesn’t matter how early you wake and have it delivered within an and start blub-blub-blubbing to up to get things done; by the time hour. Yum. Only problem is, the nearest AC. Even though they’re actually finished, you have Probably the most stress-inducing contactless delivery. Of course, it’s Sebastian says “Unda da sea exactly ten minutes to get home view is the two cars the best option and the safest in nobody beat us,” we have been before curfew begins. Now, in your parked on the side crashed into times like these. But, sometimes, beaten. head, you’re thinking “you know each other, because at that point they just don’t call in advance. At what? If I drive at 120 km/h , I’ll get neither one cares about the some point, you get so hungry and 6. Fear Factor: Corolla Edition there with three minutes to spare”. car, they just need to get home irritated that you call them up But little do you know, you oblivious before curfew. Just seeing them expecting an apology only to hear The best part about this whole walnut, that the entire Middle East step out and talk at the rate of that the food’s been dropped off humidity charade is finding a place also made this plan in their head. 200 words per second makes you twenty minutes ago. So now, not to park your car, which is sympathize with them. only do you have to eat it cold, but especially fun if you’re driving the the next time you order you’ll be likes of a Yukon or Suburban. It’s checking every twenty seconds already impossible to find a outside the door. good spot for your sedan, since So not only is the traffic Just pray judgmental uncle the entire population of Kuwait is unbearable, but the red lights feel See? Now October isn’t that bad. Mahmood, your neighbor, doesn’t trying to also park near the especially long. By the time you’ve The weather will be better, the walk out and make eye contact door of the Co-op. But, driving reached the highway, you have restaurants are open and you while you stand there with your anything bigger is just physical officially transitioned from the can at least not live in fear. Just messy hair and embarrassing pain. It is a challenge only fit for State of Kuwait to the African take care, wear your mask for the pajamas. the greatest of parallel parkers. Savanna; huge Jeeps driving at 160 love of God, distance yourself km/h, cars cutting across four lanes from others and you should be 5. Deep Heaves. Fail to do so and you’ll have to deal in one swift move, at some point a able to live through these terrifying with the consequences of cheetah will come out of the trees three months in no time. On Whenever you check social media, driving that massive sasquatch and bite your wheels; it’s mayhem. second thought, I did hear there’s you see these posts flooding the of dad-car around until you find How is it possible to be on the left another wave of Corona coming, explore page of people a tight place to back into as you lane driving above the limit by 5 though… Oh God. objecting to wearing masks (you sweat profusely with fear. Maybe km/h and still get flashed by an know in which country, don’t act that’ll teach you to stop buying aggressive Hummer?! But there’s so lost) and fighting for their ‘right’ buses as cars and bragging about no time to be angry, because with to breathe freely. They complain their “fool opshan”. Because the every minute, your heart about how masks are suffocating sunroof definitely didn’t help you pounds more and the fear in the them and making it harder to take here. driver’s eyes, that you can see deep breaths. Well, I say they’re behind you in your rearview ungrateful. Because if you’ve left 7. Salmiya Drift mirror, is making you more the house for these four months nervous. you would understand; the All of the above were things I was humidity of it all. glad to not have to go through again.

11 12 Synth Kuwait Anas Al Rasheed -Hamra Tower: Being the tallest building in Kuwait, it has helped me for bookmarking several spots in the city After classes are done, I used to take a short drive on the Gulf road before heading back home and I wanted to recreate that virtual trip. However, -Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre: One of the most unique I later realized that I wanted to virtually visit the fine segments of Kuwait. designs you will ever find while going for a drive I took a couple of architects that always stood out to me whenever I go opera house in the Middle East for a drive:

- These small domes are found all around -Kuwait Towers: No matter how old I get, sitting right below the Gulf Road Semi-Domes: tower is always mesmerizing the Gulf road and resemble the one just next to our university. I often find myself relaxing there because it is just quiet and calm

13 14 EXPERIENCE Unfortunate When humans are now

Events nature’s bait

My memory is destroyed

I can’t even remember The hoax visited School starts when? We rushed back home Was it September? We can’t go out now? Forever together No, it will have to be done over the And never apart phone And then what? I miss my home country … My friends and relatives, too

I don’t know what happened Never mind, I forgot But in a second, we were all doomed

I now stare at the sky

But from the car’s window seat - Yasir BiZaroo

This can’t be happening….

We can’t get beat!

My birthday passed

I didn’t even celebrate

15 16 But I do have to say, graduating Let’s start with the obvious—AUK’s sucks. Let’s just get something out campus. When you first walk into of the way—am I happy about AUK, the campus is just a blob of Graduation graduating? Absolutely. Senior grey, grainy walls and glass. There’s year is hell and the workload is B building, the Starbucks building, impossible to deal with. By the time and the student building. But by you’re done, you’re going to have to the time you’ve grown Goodbyes physically wash off the stress with accustomed to AUK, you know a loofah. And, no, not one of those these aren’t just stacked bricks and soft blue loofahs, an Egyptian that their true definition can only Yasmin Ibrahim loofah. But senior year also has be learned through experience. “A the most memorable laughs, cries building” is honestly the most , and stupid arguments with your hated and that’s obvious. Well, we all know how this is going On my first day at AUK, I remember friends. to be. Buckle up, it’s time for sulking thinking four years was so far station. Since the spring semester away. Whenever I’d look at my list of Before COVID-19 came and Everyone hates that building has officially come to a close, it’s courses, I would try to do the math dropped a dookie on our plans, because it’s a reminder of unfortunately time for me to admit in my head to understand how on senior year was amazing; I don’t compulsory math courses (shud- that I’m no longer a student. earth I would be able to finish that think I’ll ever have as much fun as I der). Then there’s the beloved B much within four years. Well, the did this year. Realizing the building and its diner smell and four years came and went like a impermanence of everything missing water cooler on the ground breeze, almost like these past four early enough, I’d decided to hold floor. Why? Just why? Just put a months did for everyone, and onto every detail of AUK, the good cooler there. Ridiculous. But even I’m still shocked that I’m and the bad, and really appreciate then, these are details you start to actually done. Like…I’m done? That’s it. That way, I could make miss. I mean sure, A building is the it? What now? memories to get me out of future home of science nightmares, but it bad days and never regret the also has Starbucks. The truth is, graduating is every feeling of missing out on anything. student’s dream. Especially after an awful class or a difficult project, you’d find yourself saying, “I can’t So, in honor of everything that As a freshman, you might go for wait until I graduate.” It’s true has made leaving AUK impossible that coffee, that freedom of being because graduating brings with it without getting emotional, it’s time able to buy a cup of coffee (even a sense of freedom to do what you to reminisce on all the little things if you don’t like coffee) for yourself want; you can try getting into a that make AUK just right, all the and go to class with it without your dream company, moving to habits I now have to grow out of, teacher being there to give you another country, freelancing, etc. and all the bad parts that will detention. By the time you’re well The possibilities are endless and weirdly also be missed. into your third year, it’s not even you’re young enough to feel the coffee anymore, it’s the routine. adventurous.

17 18 At any given moment in Starbucks, Besides, when a professor says If none of that applies, then at least So, you have to convince yourself there’s someone stressing out don’t come in after ten there’s the comfort of knowing to not be shy, roll up those sleeves about being late to class. And minutes, you hold them to it. They there’s great, hot food within reach and use them elbows, because every time there’s someone made the rules, not you. So if you at any point of the day, which is you’re not only elbowing your way stressed about missing class, the walk in and the professor especially great after a boring into an elevator, but into a higher longest line in Starbucks is sure to gives you trouble for walking into class. Even the most frustrating GPA. Living in the wildlife gives such greet them. This is something that class at the 9:59 minute mark, aspects of the B building, such as a rush, doesn’t it? Assuming you may go unrecognized at first, but challenge them to a joust and the hourly elevator traffic is find no humor in being pressured the temporary vibe of the fourth watch them fear your wrath. Don’t something to be cherished. What in an electronic box like some freak year makes you step back and look suggest that to an English is the B building experience if not from the fantastic four, then you around you every now and then, professor, though, because they being shoved to the back of the must at least admit the perhaps to prepare yourself for the definitely have experience in the elevator or hearing everyone hold auditorium makes the B building inevitability of this place no longer jousting area. in their sigh as someone presses unforgettable. becoming your home. for the first floor?

When doing so, you would find it Terrifying historians. Anyway, the We all know that cast is irrelevant; Alongside the awesome Halloween funny how preoccupied everyone same contrasting feelings can be it’s on your arm not your leg. And events and talent shows, there’s is, how familiar they are with the applied to the B building. When you “tired” is not an excuse we’re all something about going to a play process of stressing about class look at the B building, the first thing sleep—deprived here, it’s called there that’s indescribable. You can and getting their coffee. To you, the you’ll remember would most likely the “Uni experience,” bud. Take the disagree with me, but there will line might be a bother, because be the diner curse; during the rush stairs for the love of God. But even never be anything funnier than you just want your drink. But if you to get to class or get away from during this rush where everyone is Yasir BiZaroo playing John Travolta were to really go to Starbucks the godawful humidity, you take trying to get to the closest elevator in Grease. every day and not see this crowd, the diner shortcut inside. Well, now to the ground floor, a great level of there would be an uncomfortable you smell like fries and someone’s humor can be seen. Though we’re feeling, an unwelcome change. orders that are coming out all civilized individuals in a seriously late for some reason. university, the elevator scene brings out the savage within us.

Because that’s the point; it’s meant Don’t even try to wash that smell to be overcrowded and loud, filled off when you get home, it’s here You’d be surprised how rules with people willing to risk a to stay until you graduate. But applied here are not AUK’s professor being mad because the diner is not just a fryer-smell- guidelines, but the rule of the they need their iced caramel ing place, it’s also where you go jungle— survival of the fittest. If macchiato or some other insane for lunch at least once a week. It’s you’re not fast enough or assertive concoction. You can’t blame them, the place you sit outside with your enough, you’re most likely going to though. They can’t just go to class friends when the weather’s great be late to class. without their cup of coffee. Are you or huddle in their warmth when it’s crazy? No way. too cold.

19 20 That probably made the next two Whether they’re friendly, There’s the MBA professors, who’ll From this branches another years for me without me even passionate about their job, or just think you’re a grad student and category: the Analyzers. A moment knowing it. Alongside the makeup appreciate you as a student, some thus give you until the end of the of silence for our fellow victims and outfit, there’s something very professors just make it really week to give in a 15 page research of the Analyzers. The Analyzers amusing about seeing a very difficult to be indifferent towards. paper with a minimum of 10 are usually very good professors, Arab-looking man play an Yes, they’re not exactly your friends, credible sources for a 100—level very nice and understanding. But, intensely Caucasian actor. And I mean you won’t walk up and slap course. Dude… this is compulsory. there’s only one problem: they’re that’s just a fact. It was truly a their back and say “hala” or I didn’t choose to take this course. detail-oriented. You go to their performance for the kings and something, but they’re not random Why am I being blamed here? office to understand why it is they’re queens. people, either. giving you a C+ and their answer is something like “you didn’t add Then there’s Projector Professors the page number” or “you should’ve used a comma instead of a semi At some point, you might realize who’ll never turn on the lights. I Even though everything colon”… you actually really care about their understand it’s so that I can see the previously mentioned factors into opinions and it especially bothers projector, but I won’t be able to see making AUK what it is, the you when they think your work is it when my eyes are fully closed I’m just going to leave it at that. I’m professors are the ones who really not good enough or that you’re not and I’ve sunken into my deepest going to refrain from sharing my bring it to life. Throughout my four interested in their class. Slowly but slumber. And why not add a cherry views. What makes it worse is that years, I’ve realized that building an surely, this morphs into wanting to on top and make the background they’re completely right, you did emotional connection with certain listen to their personal stories, of the PowerPoint black? That way not use MLA properly. So, you can’t professors is inevitable. actually listening to their opinion you can really study my sleeping go complaining to the chair on things and even taking their schedule. saying, “they messed with my advice to heart. grade because I didn’t follow guidelines. I’d like to appeal my grade to them.” And don’t even get me started Now, let’s be honest here. Not all about the Yep Professors; the ones But maybe if a certain professor are great. But that’s just the nature that take a good look at your hasn’t sent me to learn about my of university—there will never be a assignment, say…“good,” then ancestry and write 6000 words university where all the professors never give you a proper grade. about it I would not have had these are amazing. In every. Single. What is it that you want from me? issues. Now, right off the bat, yes, university. There’s a specific What does “good” mean? It’s like these are all some awful, over- category of professors that are being in a relationship with a exaggerated examples. But that’s there just to test your patience passive aggressive person; just tell what we do, don’t we? It’s normal on a level unknown to us mortals. me what you want so I can fix it. to blow things out of proportion when you’re mad, especially if you feel frustrated about a course.

21 22 But it’s the difficult professors that This is not because you want them Their arguments with you are make you appreciate the great to like you, but because something never-ending, but are usually ones. How else will you feel the in their approach and in them as stupid, minor, and laughable, like importance of hearing funny short people inspires you to work fighting with a close sibling. Your stories about Johnny Rockets trips harder and be better. And this is relationship with them holds no and their resemblance to the class, something no bad professor can formalities, no walls, and no or the generosity of a really nice rid you from. As we always leave drama. They’re the people your chair with ever-changing the best for last, like the curliest fry family loves having over, they trust hairstyles who’s always trying to in the pack, we realize we are left you’re safe when you’re around support her students and offer with the most wonderful group them and actually check up them advice. Maybe if you didn’t there is: the friends. No words can on them every now and then just come across those moments of express the importance of a good to see how they’re dealing with anger, you’d miss out on noticing friend group in university. university. that some people, like a friendly, Southern English professor or a super relaxed Sudanese.

Communications professors, are The filtering process of the first Nothing coming from them is too You stress about being late to class genuine, serious, and understand- year or two, where you lose and weird or uncomfortable, because in Starbucks together, get there ing no matter the circumstances. gain many friends, is a highly likely you both have dirt on each other late together, and then get the You might even come across the occurrence for most university stu- through embarrassing childhood shaming look the professor gives right professor who’ll open doors dents. But, only after going through stories and buried unpopular you both as you sit down next for you and help you go to plac- such a phase will you be able to opinions. The chances of hearing “I to each other, something only es you’d never thought you would find the perfect group of people know this is weird but...” on a daily possible with the assistance of a reach. But this impact of theirs will for you. If you’re lucky, you’ll end up basis is highly likely and it’s always third friend saving seats for you never be truly felt without having with people who appreciate your something that makes you laugh. with her bags. Unlike high school, a semester be ruined because of differences, understand you, and- Though all of this happens in you spend hours of free time one course. Only then, will you share your views and emotions. high-school, there is a euphoric together, occasionally having to admit to yourself that they make Though there will always be some- sense of belonging during these drive to Piña Colada and yell at you look forward to their classes, one to sit with in AUK’s friendly times in university. your friend as the man look for reasons to stop by their campus, they’re just different approaches your window and they office, and interact in class even if because they’re the right fit. They That’s because they elevate every still haven’t decided whether they you’re not social. will never judge you or think less of possible experience in a manner want Awar Qalb or an Oreo you, but will care enough to only felt when you’re older. milkshake. intervene when things get out of hand.

23 24 Everything mentioned about AUK This is exactly what makes Maybe then my friends and I can can only be truly felt when graduation so difficult. It is a bombard the usual professor’s discussed with your best mixture of the memories, the office and have countless friend. How else will you be able to professors and the best friends discussions with him, his endless laugh off being stuck in the back that make separation painful. patience for our shenanigans of the elevator, or rant about the However, this is not meant to never something to be forgotten. course you hate? Who will tell you, depress you about graduation, as Maybe I’d be able to laugh at in all honesty, that you smell like I really am happy to move on with the seriousness of a tiny friend you fell in a pot of canola oil and life. Nevertheless, it’s important to walking in at noon always wearing should seriously go home and acknowledge it’s no easy process sunglasses and chugging lattes to change because they know based and with it comes a great deal of stay awake. on first-hand experience that the sadness. diner’s smell sticks like superglue?

Or perhaps I would be able to have But, the truth is the Even in a time of frustration, they Before anything else, before a deep conversations about the possibilities are slim and it is will be the only ones to look at graduation party, a robe, cape, or future as we sit in my car, techni- unlikely I will be able to live these things in a better light, the ones to a proper job in a well-established cally our car since we use it for moments again. It is a strange laugh off a professor’s over- company, I have a deep longing everything. feeling to understand the saying the ,”دوام الحال من المحال“ analysis of your paper. Semester to live with at least one memory of by semester, they become a part mine again surrounded by those permanence of something is of you and grow to know I love. My heart yearns to walk impossible. But, I’ll know even everything about you and you through Gate 3 and see them through a time like this, I will forev- everything about them. The growth sitting outside Starbucks in er be able to say I’ve truly lived the these relationships cause is winter at 6 a.m., to see everything in university experience and have indescribable and you realize, place—the blue HP laptop, the cold done everything I could’ve possibly sooner or later, that traces of their brew on the table, and the car keys, wanted. personality have remained in you just how I remember them and even when they’re away. how they’ve been for years. There From the minor things, such as the is an urge to properly say goodbye way you drink your coffee or to everyone I’d met along the way, And this lack of regret refreshes the jokes you make comes an un- to actually go into a crowded me endlessly. As said once in The precedented bond. elevator or sit on the couches on Office, “I wish there was a way to the fourth floor. know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.”

25 26 As a freshman, you are stepping into this stage terrified and excited. Usually, you know no one and you have no idea what is coming your way. With all this The Impact of tension, universities generally provide resources like advising, counseling, I was determined to use the COVID-19 on workshops and many others in following experience to grow an attempt to ease the as an individual and a college complications of being a first- student as well. But that didn’t year student. last long since the government Freshmen decided to keep the country under lockdown, as a result of Personally, my first semester the coronavirus pandemic. Maram Ahmad wasn’t that great, since it was only my first semester. I went through the typical issues that Almost everybody would We are supposed to figure out a new college student goes It was an important and agree that going through a career that we think we’ll through; such as trying to fit in thoughtful decision on their college is one of the most practice for the rest of our lives, and hang out with a crowd for end, to prevent the virus from difficult and stressful times of and pursue a degree related the sake of socializing, spreading quicker, which our lives. It determines our to that field. It is an extremely regardless of the crystal clear would’ve been a disastrous future. It prepares us for the tricky decision to make, differences between them situation. In the beginning, I “real-life,” where we will be especially if you have no idea and I. was very opposed to the idea perceived as our developed what your strengths and of online classes, so I selves. weaknesses are. refused to take them when AUK However, starting the spring first offered the spring online semester, I was way more continuation program. Being Nevertheless, university is also motivated and excited for my quarantined for months was a time for you to explore those courses and the entire demotivating and uninspiring. aspects of yourself. experience. I planned on changing my approach and altered my goals, which helped me sketch a better action plan to reach without allowing irrelevant distractions to get in the way.

27 28 Additionally, being stuck at Despite all of the negative On a completely different Lastly, this pandemic altered home with your family is not aspects of quarantine, life took note, one of my passions is our first-year college the most ideal environment to a positive turn. I digital marketing so I spent a experience in a way that we study and attend classes. This managed to keep myself busy good chunk of quarantine could have never thought of. caused several mental by doing things I loved and learning about that and As freshmen, the university obstacles for me despite my learned new skills rather than enjoyed every second of it. environment is really helpful unlimited online access to going through the motions of I also started practicing the for us to cope with the barriers AUK’s counselors. Several of the boring daily routine. habit of journaling almost that we face on a daily basis. my friends as well found this I tried learning how to play the every day; that really helped Being on campus is a challenging, especially those guitar. Although I was not so me reflect and gain a lot completely different who participated in the online great with that, I could at of self-awareness at a time experience, which is classes. None of them least say I gave it a try and when I needed it most. exactly what makes the completed any form of formal discovered it was not my cup freshman year so crucial and education online before, so it of tea. special. was so foreign to them.

After that, almost all of my Overall, quarantine was a Challenges regarding Moreover, I am a foodie, so I college peers said that their blessing in disguise, at least communication, class also spent countless hours classes went really well and it from my perspective. It meetings’ environment, looking up recipes and just takes time to adjust and provided for us collectively a technical issues and even coming up with weird adapt, which helped me chance to grow. I managed to personal family matters that concoctions that I call snacks. I prepare for the next online spend a ton of time working on interfered sometimes, and would even name my block as that was my only myself and tried out different disrupted their learning so-called dishes. I wouldn’t call chance to complete the things that sparked my process, resulted in a lot of myself a chef, but I can spring semester. So far, I am interest. mental strain. Moreover, while definitely make a dish or two doing great with my class as it battling that, they were that taste good. comes to an end. expected to submit weekly assignments for their classes.

29 30 Whether you’ve been reading, I believe everyone is trying to working out, eating right, or cope with this life-changing The Pandemic from pursuing some of your goals event in their own way. Since in the comfort of your room, the country is going back to you’ve been trying to make a “normal,” people are gradually an Anthropological change in your life and taking starting to cope with this initiative during the months pandemic easily. Many religious under our pandemic. You might holidays, traditional customs, Perspective disagree with me but think and some national events have about it. taken place in Kuwait throughout the fight against the coronavirus. Nora Al-Aati I don’t know about you but my experiences during COVID-19 National and Liberation day was have definitely changed different for my family because Is life after this pandemic ever Many aspects of life have been many aspects about my life: my we didn’t attend public events; going to be normal as it was tested throughout the personality, discovering new instead, we remained in a before? My answer is no. It pandemic: leadership, the things about myself, and taking secluded area at our family’s may go back to normal in terms economy, businesses, the on activities that, pre-COVID-19, chalet. Since the virus entered of services and facilities in the medical field, religious I normally wouldn’t have. Since the country at the end of country, but in terms of humans, decisions, but most importantly, the end of February, during February, my family and I I don’t think so. I feel like people something very personal to National and Liberation week, took precautions as early as have become aware of more yourself—you. my family and I have been possible. Similarly, the virus things during this period of their taking full precautions on became the center of my lives than they ever did before. physical distancing (I disagree family’s conversations. with the term “social” distancing) and have been gradually getting used to life in We were very worried about the quarantine. spread and contamination of COVID-19 in our family; so as a group, we educated ourselves We haven’t been inviting on how to remain safe and extended family and friends healthy during this crisis. My into our home, we haven’t been family and I also spent ordering out, and we barely Ramadan, Gergeyan, and both leave the house unless it’s for Eids in a similar situation. groceries or something urgent. Ramadan is a special month Now this situation may be and its traditions are very similar in your household or similar from family to family, somewhat different. across the Muslim community.

31 32 Having iftar with a group of However, I do know that there I agree, I did experience some However, now more than ever, people, whether that be your were people upset about the laziness throughout the spring I’ve witnessed a change in our family, friends, or a group at curfew and not being able to semester but it’s normal. I was culture’s approach to its own the mosque, is one of the many visit their families during in the midst of finding a traditions and customs. We’ve beautiful aspects of Ramadan religious holidays. How else is routine that fit my school and been altering the way we do that makes the month special the country supposed to keep work schedule while making things to comply with global to Muslims. Having Ramadan its people safe if they’re not time for activities that make me events, and to me, that will under quarantine was different complying? Not only did we happy. However, I feel like either change the course of our as, of course, I wasn’t able to see have to adjust our Ramadan made it harder for traditions or make people miss my extended family traditional and cultural students to become them even more which means members and spend time with customs during this pandemic, productive during a time of things will probably stay the them. I only had iftar with my but we also had to comply with significant change. same. nuclear family. new educational techniques at school.

E-Learning changed many Even then, the center of our By now, we should be used to I guess we won’t know students’ outlook on learning conversations was on the eLearning as we don’t know for sure what will happen until and continuing their education. coronavirus, but this time we whether we’ll be continuing to the pandemic is over. However, I Some students I know preferred were monitoring the number of study like this for a while or if will leave you with this. online classes but some didn’t, cases, deaths, and we’dbe going back to normal. Think of yourself and your life saying it was making them lazy recoveries. I also began We have to get used to change. before the pandemic. Not just and unproductive. I believe that noticing health commercials Presently, it seems like people about how you used to go there’s something about on Kuwait TV advertising safety have been quick to respond to out with your friends, or eat out, physically driving to university practices on physical Kuwait’s re-opening of or go to the gym. No. Remember that mentally prepared some distancing and the dangers of places and services. It makes the way you used to think or students to learn and they being a victim to the virus. It was me think of whether the pan- perceive aspects of your life. didn’t receive that prepared- becoming serious and I wasn’t demic has actually changed us Now, if things truly go back to ness throughout eLearning sure how people outside of my collectively or individually. how they were pre- because they weren’t used family were handling life under As an anthropology major, coronavirus, will you go back to to it. quarantine. I understand how important how you were or is this your new culture is in shaping an normal? individual.

33 34 The day after my results, I had a checkup at the closest medical center by me; I was then sent to the isolation Escaping a space in Khairan two days later. The drive to Khairan was full of tears but ended in laughter at the thought that it Pandemic would soon be all okay again, and video calls with my family and friends would soon Sarah Nader Al-Hussaini turn to physical hugs and company.

The space there was oddly What is COVID-19? How do I What’s even scarier, I had a relaxing, I had a beach view protect myself from it? Will I gathering the very next and a doctor a call away. always live in fear? These are day—to think that I would’ve During my 10-day stay, I used possible questions I’m sure have possibly been the reason my the time to reflect on my gone through your mind, they friends could’ve gotten infected actions and self, and used all have gone through mine, and gave me the chills! Thankfully, I the free time to try new things. it’s scary. For the first few months got my results the night before I was incredibly terrified. There and immediately began to was not one type of mask, wipes, isolate myself. gloves, nor sanitizer that I did not At times, I felt super tired, and It was lonely at first, but the have. on others I felt like nothing calls from everyone around was wrong at all, which was me made me feel a ton the scariest part. Waking up better! It was tiring and My hobbies switched from online I was confused, terrified, and, for two weeks knowing you’ve alarming; I felt super shopping at Shein to Royal more than ever, needed a hug been infected with a disease unmotivated, sick and in need Pharmacy, Bath and Body Works that I knew I couldn’t get from that is still unknown was of company, it really was and every other store that I knew any of my loved ones. It’s insane anxious, stressful, and exhausting. I spent all 10 days sold any type of sanitization thinking you’re fine one day, and exhausting. I had difficulty of isolation alone. Although equipment; I needed to be safe. I the next you’re waking up with a breathing, general body ache, the area was filled with was scared, as I should’ve been. virus the entire world is trying to and the worst migraine; people, I still felt very alone Days passed and I thought I’d either escape or heal from. thankfully I had no fever. without my friends and family. start to learn to live with it. My experience with the virus was Having COVID-19 felt like the I I will admit, I got a bit careless, not the worst, thankfully. It was saying, “Expect the reckless, and almost forgot the still horrible, but I was able to unexpected.” You really don’t pandemic still existed among us; cope. know what to expect. until I got infected.

35 36 I continuously woke up Subconsciously, I think I really feeling anxious. I began to needed time for myself, some Don’t isolate yourself in your Remember to breathe. I know overthink the first few days, deep alone time and this was room forever, that won’t it’s worrisome, but you need to but I learned to cope. It mother nature’s odd way of protect you! Get out, breathe, remind yourself it’s did not happen overnight, but saying that! It’s disappointing take walks by the beach but okay, and it will be okay—this I tried to work with it. I began to that it took me to be infected make sure to keep some is the most important part of conduct breathing to realize just how real space between you and those being in a pandemic, it’s exercises, I set an alarm on my this pandemic is and to be around you. Masks are insanely strange and apple watch that helped me. more self-aware, but important. Please make sure worrying but you need to everything happens for a you have one on and an extra remind your subconscious reason. pair in your purse or pocket! that it will be fine. Read a few Wear gloves! But make sure positive quotes on the daily, or Every hour or so, it would you avoid touching your face maybe even just one before remind me to either get up Isolation wasn’t all bad though, while having the gloves on to you go to bed and another and go outside for a minute I did discover a lot of new avoid the spread of bacteria when you wake up. to walk around and breathe in things like new music, new and the virus. fresh air, or just sit up and TV-shows, and watched a few inhale and exhale deeply movies I’ve always wanted to watch but didn’t have the time for a whole minute. It was Keep on washing your hands! As cheesy as it sounds, it really for. I took some time off of my calming and really helped me It’s important. Make sure to eat does help spiritually, I promise! phone for the last few days with my anxiety. I also tried to lots of fruits and vegetables, Try to surround yourself with and really focused on myself entertain myself by trying new they contain natural vitamins. positivity, the energy around which was great. things—they helped to Speaking of vitamins, increase you is so important. distract me. your intake of vitamin D, C, E, and Zinc. I removed every negative Although it was lonely, it was distraction I could a somewhat peaceful and possibly think of, more than eye-opening experience. Make sure to get enough Try new things! Buy a canvas ever I wanted to stay as COVID-19 has helped me more sleep and most importantly, and paint! Try molding with positive as I could be. than ever to remember to stay please stay hydrated. Coming clay! Something new I did was Personally, it’s insane how it aware and conscious of from someone who practical- buy a bunch of roses and paint feels like I have everything going on at all ly never drinks water, you real- on the petals, it was amazing! completely changed in a times; you really never know ly need to start drinking more; Yes, a pandemic is upon us, matter of 10 days. what happens next, it’s add rose water if you’re like but remember to breathe and important to be prepared me and hate plain water! But stay calm—it will pass, and it and always take precautions also make sure you’re having will be okay! whether a pandemic is upon fun and living your life as you us or not. I also learned a few should and normally would tips to help protect myself but with precautions. from this virus that I think everyone should start doing as well:

37 38 A scene dedicated to my mother since Lost Beauty I have not met her in several months due to travel restrictions. Anas Al Rasheed

39 40 Life and its Dimensions

Malak Hussein

It’s early evening, you’re in the middle of a very interesting podcast, you sit up and look over at your window. What do you see? The top of buildings and the skyline? The sea? The sunset? Well in my case I found myself looking at my neighbors’ houses, they blocked the entire view of the private roads and the sky. Well let’s just say it was there but very minimal. At first , I thought it seemed claustrophobic. But as I gazed intensely at its structure, its shape, texture, lines and color, it spoke to me. And so, I thought to change my perspective a bit and placed a bold solid red box right smack in the middle to create a different dimension. I placed a moon within the sun up above and thought if I can’t get to see the sunset then that is fine, I can create an imaginary one in a different dimension. I then proceeded to add subtle details such as the woman seated on the edge between the 2 dimensions gazing upwards. As for the greenery, I felt it added some sort of life and a tone of peace into the image. The whole point of this piece, I believe, was that it had made me pay attention to the details that we often neglect in our daily lives. Sometimes those details allow you to change your perspective.

41 42 ACCEPTANCE Stage 1: Happiness Whatever I did was in a perfunctory manner; life be- The Guide to Well, you must be perplexed on came so monotonous that I lit- why I felt that initially. When the erally had to add banal items University announced that we to my to-do list to give some Accepting COVID-19 were temporarily closing be- purpose to my day. cause of COVID-19, I was wor- ried momentarily but had a into Your Lives. mindset that it's JUST a virus. Stage 3: Confusion The human race has evolved immensely over centuries and With the cases still staggeringly Lavena Jacob can effortlessly kill this pesky increasing, I had no idea where virus, right? things were going. The govern- When the clock struck 12 on Right now, being months away ment announced two weeks of public holiday and work from January 1st, 2020, there were from January, I would oppose I was elated that I did not need home. I was relieved with this ruptures of happiness the pre-notion without a blink to study for finals and the days news because this allowed my emerging all over the world as I was being extremely coming forward would be my parents to spend more quality as it was considered a notable superstitious. While there was a hibernation period. I was de- time with me, and a sense of year. I believed 2020 was the clear jump from being termined to use this time as my solace was gained within my year that I would slay my ebullient to feeling ultimatum to catch up on my family. A new level of happiness demons, achieve the despondent, I would like to missed T.V. shows and movies. and bonding was associated unachievable, that this would take you through a journey of Those were days that refuelled with it while we had meals to- be a glistening year—solemnly 8 stages that I encountered my system with ecstasy, and gether. Through this, I focused as the first two digits are whilst accepting the pandemic my joy knew no bounds. identical to the second two into my life. on my mental well-being and digits. added more value to my life. Stage 2: Boredom

Stage 4: Angst A few days and weeks went by in this routine as everything Adversely, as months seemed nonchalant, even proceeded, all I witnessed was though the cases were slow- the curve surging ly picking up. I tried to engage dangerously fast with no myself in trying out new intention to flatten out. When recipes, improving my the government announced physique, brushing out my curfews and lockdown, artistic skills; overall, I aimed for people started being frantic self-improvement. Those days and began hoarding were so soporific that I reached supplies. This truly brought out a stagnant stage in the selfish animalistic side to watching T.V. shows and was humans, as everyone became mostly reminiscing on the egocentric and did not even times I used to go out with my consider the elderly. friends.

43 44 My parents purchased grains Stage 5: Buoyancy I was infuriated that this I became reluctant to expose and long shelf life items as we minuscule virus was able to myself to the outer world as were uncertain as to how long Whilst I was drifting in my suck away my sheer I had to conduct strenuous the lockdown would carry on, vacuum of nothingness just to happiness into oblivion. All the tasks to ensure that my whereas my natural survival realize how absurd life has money I invested in stocks be- family and myself are protect- instinct was to buy crisps and become, as a blessing in came nugatory as the pan- ed when I came back home. chocolate for sustenance. With disguise, the university demic had other plans in stock. Consequently, I naturally pre- all the new rules imposed, peo- decided to continue classes I felt aggravated when I real- ferred staying at home as it ple rushed into their homes online. I was extremely exultant ized that COVID-19 is a conceit- was the easier and safer route. and locked themselves inside as I finally, had something to ed rascal as it wants to reign as it felt like a safe haven in fear keep me distracted from all the over the world, and ensure that Stage 8: Acceptance of getting the dreaded virus. appalling things happening. the whole world would revolve around it; and all we ever would At this point, you may have talk about is COVID-19 and its expected to read how I effects. overcame the aforementioned The bustling cities became The first realization that I had Well, the truth is: currently, I am dead as though a zombie was that I left my gym bag with accepting things for how they I wondered how a nano apocalypse occurred. The my favourite shoes in the are. It is impossible to put a enemy could make me feel be- life that we knew then had University locker and felt deadline on COVID-19 as we do littled so effortlessly, and this changed and became nostalgic as I never knew when not know when this further antagonized me as I felt stagnant in a blink. The only I'd get them back. Due to pandemic will finally be over. like life became constrained to uttered words were COVID-19, having a busy schedule, I The blame-game of wheth- four walls with barricades. Corona, pandemic, lock- became systematic and er this virus had a negative

down, and quarantine; and I determined that this minor or positive impact on our lives Stage 7: Freedom? felt trapped in a never-ending inconvenience would not drag is futile. So I believe the best

loop. my lucrative spirit. strategy perhaps is to keep Despite being engulfed by an open mind and adjust with complete negativity and things for how they are. disdain, a silver lining came The reiteration of those words I was trying to stay afloat! I forth when the government was causing a void within firmly held on to the glimpses decided to reopen everything I would like to consider the past me casually eating away my of hope that the University will in small increments. I felt six months as a pause in my hopes and dreams of the finally open in August, and euphoric hearing this but life. Right now, I have reached pandemic ending soon. everything would go back to simultaneously, I realized that a mindset to finally press play; how it used to be. even though there is freedom, however, I am aware that many people still would be hesitant others are still struggling to do Stage 6: Frustration to go out as the virus is still a so, which is alright. factor. So, is this really Ultimately, we should not Conversely, when the freedom? It is more like partial procrastinate and wait to do University announced that freedom with masks, gloves, things once this pandemic is classes would not be onsite hand sanitizers— a social eradicated. Instead, we need in August, all my hopes were distancing that is still to alter our mindset to accept crushed, just like a porcelain embedded with fear. this entity as part of our lifestyle figure being scattered into and adapt to it with resilience. millions of pieces.

45 46 So, what is your approach when In this article, I’m going to talk you read the title “Lake Natron”? about my jealousy and how Do you think this article will be COVID-19 impacted our world. Lake Natron about the lake? Or is there a Before you judge this article and hidden meaning since the say it is negative, just remember riddles were mentioned earlier? that the virus took quite a toll on Abdulwahab Al-Qarooni A lot of questions, possible humanity, affecting many confusion, and an eagerness for aspects of our lives and At one point or another, After that, when the riddle has an explanation, which will spare changing it. This right here is everyone grows fondly of been solved or the answer has your brain the epic battle of nothing but a mere personal riddles, but only of course we been revealed, you start to reaching a conclusion. experience. only like it if we know what the discover how your brain approached the riddle and start answer of the riddle is. For the Take a step back and breathe, This has been my lifestyle for the to realize that everyone’s most part, however, we love the didn’t we all experience the past 6 months; this is my perception is clearly shaped challenge or actually we like same thing when COVID-19 first experience and most differently. something that juices our brains. emerged? Even though we had importantly, why I’m jealous. The classic battle between the some of the hints, and surely Lake Natron exists in Northern “come on think, it has to be ob- enough, some answers, Tanzania, Africa; it is known for vious,” and the “it can’t be obvi- we were still raising a lot of its extreme saltiness, and how ous, think outside the box.” questions. Some of us had the everything that touches it dies. answers and some of us didn’t, However, the reason I’m but the shock still remained in- mentioning this lake, is that it tact. Now, what does Lake Na- is the birthplace of flamingos, tron have to do with all of this? which is extremely ironic. Just like COVID-19, you will have to wait and see the connection.

Relating back to the subject of How can a place that riddles, riddle me this: Poor basically kills any creature be people have it, rich people need the birthplace of flamingos? it; if you eat it you die. What is it? Flamingos are beautiful The answer is “nothing.” creatures that are pink… Sometimes riddles take the life Anything that is pink is obviously out of our brain, suffocate us, pretty—yet their birthplace is and disappoint us. Just like the hideous. Flamingos are virus, we had to do nothing. Do naturally adaptive and that is nothing but sit in your house till why, despite their beauty, the the universe unveils its next salt is the main component for riddle for us to ponder and their life. potentially can’t solve.

47 48 That is the same thing that It was clear that I was not Also, I realized that COVID-19 is No one is superior, no one happened when COVID-19 having fun, so I had to steer clear possibly the only reason why chooses to be the flamingo. emerged and decided to stay from the salt and quit being parents finally acknowledged Who knew that “wear a mask” for a while, some people jealous. I decided to move on the importance of social media, is all that it really takes… Some became flamingos and and be responsible for the sake and get this, actually praise it. will argue and say it is easy to adapted, others were killed—I of my own health. The first step The world had to evolve and adapt and become a flamingo, was killed when I touched the was sacrificing the redefine its priorities. Social but no one really chooses to be. salt. The reason that I’m university life and choosing to media has finally become a No one chooses his ability on jealous is that I was not able to take the eLearning option since I platform where we understood how to deal with any crisis that adapt like others. I didn’t had opted out in the beginning. what was going on with takes place. The idea is not to pick up new hobbies and try to businesses failing, witnessing beat yourself up every day and understand that there is change. the behind the scenes, and wonder whether you should encouraging us to be socially have done something different responsible. or not. I was in tremendous shock; I Turns out it was a positive didn’t have the appetite for change, the second we opened watching movies, nor reading a our cameras and saw everyone It was no longer just memes and The idea is looking forward to book, nor even working-out in with grown hair and beards, it resharing famous quotes. It another day and trying to do my room. I was even too gloomy was clear to me that I wasn’t became a place where we look something useful that makes to pick up the PS4 controller and alone. Despite seeing people for answers and send prayers you feel comfortable at the decide to finish The Witcher. I on the news and posts from all across the world. Now my mom end of the day. What is the next never understood why I couldn’t around the world, seeing the finally knows who Tom Hanks is? step? That is another riddle that adapt; I never understood how people I personally know face It was beautiful to see that all we will have to look deep it is possible for a human to the same experience ignited a that was needed was a word of within our souls in order to waste such incredible amounts positive energy that led me to assurance. It was terrifying to answer it, only this time, the of time. direct my energy into see how the world was answer won’t hopefully something useful. collapsing. It was, and still is, a be “nothing.” platform that finally opened our It suffocated me even more. eyes to fast news and Celebrities were doing celebrity The eLearning experience was changing lifestyles. stuff, and parents across the extremely helpful as it made me world were surprising their kids realize that my creativity was in We are no longer with fun activities. Naturally, it sleep mode. The idea that I was brainwashed by targeted news raised the everlasting question, waking up to do something that takes advantage by “Am I just not motivated? Or do I productive cancelled all the exaggerating and instilling fear need someone to push me?” But distractions that were making in the lives of people; everything I never figured out what I was me unproductive. It was the was exposed, everything was supposed to do, and it made me same goal before COVID-19 happening to all of us. We all lost realize, I just did not visited: say goodbye to your jobs, we all lost money, and naturally adapt. They say time blanket so you can return to it at sadly, most of us lost our loved wasted having fun is not night with a rested conscience. ones. wasted time.

49 50 I just wanted to go for a brisk walk or at least Quarantine Chill a small journey but staying away from all the Anas Al Rasheed calamities and maintaining safety for myself When the lockdown lasted a bit longer and everyone in my vicinity. So, this art just fits than I expected, I started cherishing all about everyone, who wanted to chill outside the liberties and freedom I had before while maintaining the best social distancing all of this. ever.

51 52 The dozen-odd days leading up to the break were turbulent; university trips organized by student clubs were placed on hold, but ultimately cancelled. The Coronavirus rhetoric among many was heavy in palpable deniability. How could a force be beyond our control? in the Past-Tense How could plans, festivities, and our own short-term projections be threatened by an inexplicable virusthat came seemingly out of There were no distractions from it, nowhere? It could not be. Abdulwahab Al–Othman not school, nor weddings, nor It was foreign, it was overseas, dewaniyas. All one had was their own mind ticking and the people they lived with, which to some was I remember leaving campus in There was, however, a collective an opportunity to bond with those February with an intangible sense anxiety based in the uncertainty It was foreign, it was overseas, closest to them, but to others, a of relief along with many of my that was not fully realized nor distant—something that was mind prison. Comparatively, the fellow students. I, like others, looked understood by the students, the rumored, something we read desire or urge to break away from forward to the national holiday as administration, and in a broader about on our phones; an environment can develop into a brief week-long break from the sense, even the world. a pathology. Speaking catharsis of university spadework. embellished and exaggerated when discussed in its initial stag- candidly as a former smoker, the es among friends and family. But desire to smoke meant the then suddenly, it became decrease of cigarettes in my pack; real—it was at our doorsteps. Six it was the scarcity that created months since I left campus, I and consternation. everyone I know, have found ourselves at the cusp of a global pandemic.

The same could be said about the curfew—especially in May, during the twenty-two-hour lockdown. Suddenly the desire to go out It took some people longer than surged—given only two hours others to fully realize it, but for for exercise by the government. most, when April rolled in, and we Suddenly everyone became an had started taking our courses athlete during Ramadan in the online, it became clear that this middle of summer. A truly surreal was not going to end anytime sight of entire blocks full of people soon. Days blended into each wearing masks, walking for the other; the sense of time had sake of leaving home. begun to fade—the animation and idiosyncratic rhythms of our social and work lives had been evacuated. For the first time, we were truly confronted with ourselves—who we really are.

53 54 James Baldwin once said, “Home is not a place but simply an irre- It’s that freedom, that we once all Though it’s true that the finish vocable condition.” Something shared to varying extents—and to line keeps getting pushed away that a lot of us are just learning many younger people, me the more we run, we will eventu- now. In its most superficial sense, included, is all that we have ever ally cross it and look at this time which is what it was to me, home known, a privilege that was once in the past-tense. Make most of it was a layover, a place to eat and the status quo. Our entire world with what little we have left, which sleep, a transitional spot, a fugue has been flipped on its head. hopefully, is also the remainder of state; something taken for Bearing that in mind, it can be the pandemic. granted or something that was transformative, a humbling ex- tolerated before going along with perience—in the same way that our busy lives. Home was people who lived through wars something separate from our ended up being more beholden professional and academic lives, to the concept of normalcy, which we only allowed people we trust- will come with time. ed, people we were close to into our homes.

I would figure that this is a period Precipitously, and without much The side-effects and of introspection, reflection, and alternatives, colleagues, mentors, consequences of a globalized understanding of oneself. It’s a and co-workers were in our world has taken a great deal from mirror and we’re all looking right bedrooms, our living rooms, us, the most relevant being our at it. It could be a time of peering in through 960×720 freedom. Freedom to go where confinement as much as it could webcams, surrounded by the we please, when we please. Free- be a time of liberation. residue of an adhesive, where a dom devoid of consequence—not It might just be a once-in-a-life- thin piece of tape once was. Home understanding what we once had time experience, a collective trau- became the all-in-one—the whole until it was gone, even things that ma that should not be wasted and maximal destination where were once seen as a chore, such in vain; learn and grow from it be- we slept, worked, and as going to work or school, now cause when normalcy returns it communicated with the outside looking back can be seen as a will make you stronger, it will make world. It was an uncomfortable luxury. you more grateful. transition to hear the voices of people we once only heard in our classes, in our rooms.

55 56 From malls closing, to home I saw the people around me. I deliveries and online shopping. saw who was oozing poison, Moving On From quarantine and and who was shining with light. lockdowns, to online classes I saw the ones with coal hearts Yasmeen AlHasan and Zoom meetings. We had to and the ones with diamond cope with what’s going on, even hearts. I saw things in if we didn’t like it. myself and in others that I never Public places like AUK “What if 2020 isn’t cancelled? thought I could see. What if 2020 is the year we’ve started to put hand A lot of people saw this as the sanitizers all around, but been waiting for?” lowest rock Quarantine wasn’t the everyone thought it was just - Leslie Dwight bottom they can hit, but to be answer to ending the virus, we a thing that’ll pass in a few There we all were: happy, honest, the amount of masks simply had to “live with it,” and weeks. One thing led to celebrating the new year. It that fell off, the amount of that’s what happened. Malls another and COVID-19 took started off normally, like any people who showed their true and shops started opening. Life over the whole world. We other year. By February colors, the amount of friends slowly started going back to had to change our lives we started hearing about who haven’t been there for me, normal. Masks became the new in ways we never thought COVID-19 and that it’s the amount of toxicity norm. Gloves were essential. would change. Everything coming to Kuwait. No one lifted from the skies, the amount Hand sanitizers were around us changed. took it seriously. of animals who breathed fresh inseparable. This is how we’re air for the first time in their short going to have to live with it. As a lives, the amount of healing good friend once told me, “you that happened to planet Earth, don’t move on from it, you move the amount of healing that on with it.” COVID-19 is one thing happened to our heart didn’t —a virus invisible to the naked just astonish me, but cleared eye. The same concept my eyes from the blindness it applies to every other obstacle was in. we come across in our lives.

Coronavirus truly changed the That obstacle may be world inside out. What gets me significant enough to put a thinking the most is how a tiny pause on our lives for a while, virus did all this to the whole but we eventually have world. Wow, how things can to live with it and move on, but change with a snap of a finger. we don’t just move on, we move Coronavirus literally paused on with it. We take all the lessons the world. Since the world was we learn with us. We take all the on pause, I had the opportunity sadness and sorrow with us. to take a step back and look We take all the good and joy at the bigger picture. I met with us. That’s how we become myself without insecurities, better people. 2020, we’re without anxiety. I found out my moving on, and we’re taking strengths and my weaknesses. you with us. I saw my heart, and I saw how it was healing and getting stronger.

57 58 Last Words

I wonder what my last words will be to you I’ll cherish the little things that happen to me Maybe we didn’t talk for months or years Because I know that one day I won’t be or days I hold on to the bad and good because that’s all I have to But remember, my last words don’t define us hold on to They don’t define who I was to you I don’t have that person to hold me when I need to I tried so hard to be the perfect person for you Knowing that I made you smile, whomever you may be, is I tried to pick my words carefully the best mark to leave in the broken state of me Thinking before speaking So my last words, may it be kind to your broken heart that is So that my last words won’t leave us be crying over me Sometimes I come off as person who doesn’t speak a lot But it’s okay. The thought of me is all I want to be. But know that your words are heard by me

AbdulAziz Redha

59 60 ADVICE So much more Ode to Memories Than ordinary family At times I wanted to escape

Memories flooding through the wind Or hide Some wonder with sweet sublime From all the pain While others are tinged with sadness You engraved inside No matter what, they all make me feel But then I stopped and thought gladness clearly for a second As a monkey, I’m climbing trees In spite of me wanting to cry In the warm summer breeze I’m incapable of running away from And laying on the grounds you Whilst hearing birds chirp and other Because I’m unable to tell you beautiful sounds goodbye Playing as a kid in the park So desperately I hold on And going home when it’s dark Hoping to never forget Getting bruised and crying These thoughts that hold your story But then getting over it From the eyes of everyone you met Because it’s not like I’m dying Arguing with my friends But then remembering Shogh Farhanian How much they mean to me

61 62 The media lets us know what to Instead, the fear of the outbreak COVID-19: A Psychological think of, they direct our attention conquered the news outlets and to events/issues that they think took a hateful turn as the rise of are relevant and important. In racism against the Chinese was Pandemic and its Media this case, COVID-19 is a serious established. As it was reported, virus that affected some more the origin or outbreak of the virus than others, but wasn’t was located in the heart of Repercussions necessarily as life threatening as Wuhan, China. Social media blew other diseases. Because of the up against the Chinese for that pandemic being the status quo reason. If you recall, bat soup Malak Hussein of most mediums, some chose to rumors started surfacing due to expose the virus by using the supposed allegation of the At the beginning of the overexaggerated keyword/terms Chinese animal market pandemic, both parents and drowning the masses in fear. being unhygienic, which was children have increased their And mainly, why were some broadcasted at the beginning as technology and social media use. mediums able to evoke fear from the main reason for the spread. According to the its audience? Why did we allow it Cyberpsychology, Behavior and to manipulate our emotions? Many studies and credible Almost all U.S. media outlets chose Social Networking journal, those Did you know, an overwhelming resources such as the NCBI this detail as a main means of who experienced higher levels of number of articles related to the Journal and Jorgensen reporting, unjustly portraying anxiety were reported to pandemic mention the discoveries revealed COVID-19 is China in a bad light by pointing amplify the usage of mobile word “fear” or any other keywords not as dangerous as other its fingers towards it. A mass phones to access social media related to it? diseases such as SARS or the confusion happened later in a and connect with people. Influenza. Interestingly, I learned game of he-said-she-said as when researchers went back to both the Chinese and U.S. media study and analyze the news started to point fingers at one The increase in anxiety and In an article written by professor coverage of these previous another. usage of social media was a and director of Research diseases, SARS and the common factor when it came to Development and Environment, Influenza, they concluded that many individuals in Kuwait. Karin Jorgensen, the mission was China accused the U.S. for the none received an excessive Almost everyone had some sort to look into the use of emotional spread of the virus and claimed amount of exposure as COVID-19. of media exposure, whether it be wording used in journalistic it was not from an animal market, our parents who consumed writing. Now we all know fear was and vice versa. U.S. media information from the local news the main factor that induced coverage of this virus allowed for Moreover, Jergensen studied channels and WhatsApp anxiety all around the world. Not hate against Chinese and those media outlets for messages or the teenagers/ only was the virus unpredictable, anyone who looked Chinese in keywords such as ‘fear’; anything young adults who consumed the but people were forced to retreat the States to increase, related to that term was not same information through and protect themselves against especially on social media. One acquired in these articles or any various platforms on the “Killer Disease,” as some U.S. Chinese homeless man was news mediums. At the beginning social media. Many questions media outlets chose to name it. recorded and posted on of the pandemic, and specifically prevail when it comes to the One important thing to Instagram as he demands in the U.S, COVID-19, being not as dissemination of information remember about the media is respectfully for Americans to stop harmful as other diseases like amidst the pandemic, one be- that it sets the status quo. harassing him; he was called Ebola, was scarcely spoken of in ing how truthful and credible it is, names and told to go back to his the media. in other words, how can we spot country because the virus fake news? outbreak was “his fault.”

63 64 That hate was extended Similar use of hate and These examples are nothing Triggering the fight-or-flight worldwide due to its excessive terminology was also used compared to other numerous response in a pandemic filled exposure. In Kuwait, several posts locally on Kuwaiti social and obnoxious amounts of with uncertainties may have on Instagram bashed the platforms when restrictions of rumors that were circulating the led to various problems. We are Chinese for eating bat soup, certain areas took place, such as nation. In fact, to lessen the not put in an immediate danger when rumors went around that Mahboula, Hawalli, Jleeb Al- widespread fear, the Kuwaiti where we are defending the virus outbreak was allegedly Shuyoukh and Farwaniya. It’s government had issued fines to ourselves against a predator, due to this type of cuisine. known that most of the residents whomever participated in the and we know that, but the fear I’ve read several comments that who live in these areas come spread of ‘fake news’ on all kinds consumes our brains. When we expressed disgust and from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, of socials. Psychologically, most are guided by fear, our choices disrespect to the Chinese culture Philippines, and Egypt. Although people around the world were in and certain decisions we take and numerous racist jokes. the country was pushed to do a fight-or-flight mode. We were may not be as rational. An precautionary plans, the virus defending ourselves against an example may be the excessive was spreading at a fast pace. unforeseen and unpredictable hoarding of toilet paper in the U.S. Unfortunately, the rate of enemy. Suddenly our lives took a or the excessive hoarding of food infection was high in these areas full 180 flip. supplies in other regions. due to crowded and tight spaces of accommodation that Fear triggers our survival mode, inherently made social Our normal activities and meaning “me first.” Once it’s on, distancing hard. routines paused. Every individual usually the outside world and may have dealt with it differently, other people won’t matter as To limit it from spreading but we certainly can’t deny how it much as you. In a crisis such as further, full curfews were affected everyone both this pandemic, we must all step imposed on those large areas. mentally and physically. Being outside our personal circle and At a time where uncertainty and fully quarantined, exposed to contribute more to the fear consumed everyone, and several media outlets, and the community to overcome it—to with the rise of ridiculous rumors spread of fake news gave birth to help, to connect and to solve that may have aided that fear, anxiety and depression. problems together. the people who live in those areas were portrayed unjustly.

Certainly, hate against expats We need each other to survive. Our immune systems crashed, and xenophobia prevailed during So, how did the local news in and the fear of getting sick with these testing times. On Kuwait cover COVID-19? Upon the virus pushed some people to Instagram, Indians were labeled closer analysis, it refrained from fight others on social platforms ‘dirty and smelly’ and that’s why using emotional terminology. For to point fingers and accuse. In they got sick. Ridiculous fake news example, KTV news remained addition, the fact that the usage of two Egyptian women running objective when it came to of different types of media and around with no gloves in a store informing its audience, it didn’t technology increased during to ‘purposely contaminate the use ‘fear’, but rather reassurance. the quarantine, everyone looked surfaces’ with the virus, spread The anchors gave the objective at those tools either for like wildfire on WhatsApp adding hard news but then resumed by entertainment, connection, and/ more fuel or fear to the exces- stating words such as unity, or to receive news. sive/oversaturated COVID-19 collaboration, and patience to related media exposure. tackle the disease.

65 66 Teenagers and adults willingly As social media consumers and Works Cited collaborated and volunteered to viewers, we must understand help, offering extra hands in the and deconstruct the information Rudan, Igor. ”Answering The Initial 20 Questions On COVID-19 (January-February supermarkets. Donation drives of being pushed on us and 2020)”. NCBI, vol 10, no. 1, 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ all sorts were available for those question it. It was drawn that fear PMC7303804/. who needed it the most, was used as the main tactic on specifically the areas that were some media platforms/news to “Coronavirus: How Media Coverage Of Epidemics Often Stokes Fear And on full lockdown; those who had manipulate emotions and how Panic”. The Conversation, 2020, https://theconversation.com/coronavi- huge platforms ‘locally’ chose that manipulation caused rus-how-media-coverage-of-epidemics-often-stokes-fear-and- to raise awareness and further individuals to become more panic-131844. shed light on such struggles en- anxious. With every struggle or couraging people to participate/ problem there must be a solution. Drouin, Michelle et al. “How Parents And Their Children Used Social Media And volunteer and to send essential Technology At The Beginning Of The COVID-19 Pandemic And Associations With packages. Anxiety”. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, And Social Networking, 2020. Mary Ann Liebert Inc, doi:10.1089/cyber.2020.0284.

Lambda Pi Eta held an event to And in this case, LPE thought it’s highlight the significance of very important to establish an media and its effects on our awareness when it comes to the mental health. The event information being consumed. On established an understanding of the other hand, it is important to how media during a pandemic openly discuss the emotions communicated to its audience one experiences during a chal- and how its repercussions had a lenging period and innately dis- significant impact on our mental cover ways ‘together’ to under- health. stand and cope with such mental and physical struggles.

67 68 This period made me appreciate COVID19 & the smallest things that weren’t clear to me when life was moving fast. I took the journey of Quarantine self-discovery within quarantine, along with enjoying every minute I Farah Saad spent with my family. I discovered that in life, we dream, This was the year I didn’t see we plan, we wish, but eventually coming—nor did any of us. 2020 we cannot control what actually was a year full of surprises and happens as everything is I successfully finished my first year the biggest one was the spread of People’s exposed faces were soon organized by the hands of God. But at AUK, read a lot, listened to the global pandemic that we are to be covered with masks walking we should never lose hope, music, exercised, and practiced still facing. Since the outbreak of at least six feet apart; not to forget because that is what keeps us yoga. It was nothing very special, COVID-19 was identified in the psychological problems many going. which made me realize that December 2019, the world has people faced. And yet, we tried our maybe this strange stage was never been the same again. best to survive and cope with the meant to let us rest, take a deep new lifestyle this virus has brought breath, and learn that it’s totally us. As with everyone else, it was a Getting back to the pre-COVID-19 This virus has travelled the whole fine if we stopped being great challenge for me. life is going to be a long and world at the speed of light, productive for a while. difficult task, but until then, we posing enormous health, should all keep calm and safe. For economic, social and me, I’m preparing for my third But with time and between the environmental changes in every There were a lot of unstable semester with high hopes and big chaos I learned how to deal with strata of the world. It’s been an moments and uncertainty but dreams wishing everyone health the unusual change that hap- overwhelming period for all of us. I kept hoping and I knew deep and safety. Millions of people got infected and pened, the slow-paced phase of down that we are going to get it thousands died. Many different life that we encountered. Amidst together somehow. This was the businesses were in danger. all of the mess I tried my best to year I didn’t see coming, but it was find a place to breathe and I an eye-opening experience that never stopped looking forward. taught me something great. Face-to-face meetings were no Everything happens for a reason. longer an option and working from home became the new normal. Economic crises appeared raising the rates of unemployment.

69 70 Or ascend higher to the heavens Not barking in this new adventure Life as I know It because I know me I know I’m not the person who goes out of his comfort zone A zone that has been preserving me As I lay down in my bed Yet I know in my bones that I should I look up into the void let go Obsidian sky, dark night Knowing once I cut ties with As I was thinking about the good earthly things memories Stars began to glow My soul would be weightless Illuminating the empty dark place Flowing midst all this darkness One by one starts appearing Knowing that my weightlessness Filling the sky like polka will set me free dotted dress Now I lay in between Not knowing if I should go back down AbdulAziz Redha

71 72 But now, with my family working, I’ve been playing those songs on and me having a lot more time to the ukulele, which I haven’t picked kill, I started reflecting and it was up in a long, long time. This is anxiety-inducing. Sitting in my the most embarrassing of them room, I thought about all of the all, but this is the thing that I am Nostalgia Surge bad stuff that happened during obsessed with the most… I have my last three years of high school. been playing a lot of Mystic Kawthar Al-Hamer I felt the self-doubt, lack of self- Messenger! That game basically worth, the ever-growing loneli- got me through my senior year of So, I was having a perfect time There were online classes, a lack ness, and I just wallowed in all of high school. on holiday with my family in late of socialization, a bunch of world that again for a few days until I February of this year. issues popping up on my feed, realized that I got through them. We have a good time, we get and the never-ending demons in back home, and quarantine is a my head telling me sweet and thing now. We had to stay at mean nothings about myself, I am where I am today because I It never fails to make me feel home for God knows how long, all resulting in crying myself to sleep got through all those terrible giddy or fluttery in the inside in the name of health and safety? almost every night. You know, just and lonely nights. I did that by whenever I hear that ding at the usual. That last part though, doing things that I liked back around three in the morning, was thriving during quarantine. when I was 16. And I’m getting telling me that a new chatroom Cool! Seriously, I didn’t really mind through that again now…by has opened. Never fails to get me. that much. Instead, I was doing those same exact things. So, those are some of the things honestly relieved. I’m a Before the pandemic took the I am now going to list many things that have been getting me homebody, so really, this whole world by storm, I was always out. that my cringey 16-year-old self through quarantine. They may be “stay at home” thing was a piece Whether it was university, enjoyed that I am currently cringey, and I know they are, but of cake… for the most part. There errands, or typical casual outings, enjoying at this very moment: I’ve I don’t care? The only difference were some anxieties that I I spent more than half of my day been listening to the entirety of between past me and current had to deal with, of course. outside the house. Most of the the Five Nights at Freddy’s songs me is that I would care so much time, I didn’t like being at home; by Living Tombstone, I am about what someone thought of specifically, I didn’t like being in watching a bunch of Adventure me. my room. That might sound odd, Time, which was the absolute but it’s always been associated peak of my childhood. with loneliness for me.

I started writing a blog and being I felt like I had to stop liking some I spent my last three years of high ACTUALLY committed to it of my interests to fit with school isolating myself from instead of writing one post someone else’s. I know that’s not everything and everyone. And for saying, “I’m going to be posting the case, and I’m super duper a while, just sitting in my room more!” and then do the opposite glad I got over that type of kind of made me sad. At the of that. I’ve started re-watching thinking. Realizing that has made beginning of quarantine, I did animes, making me slowly fall me less anxious and stressed keep myself distracted. My family into my weeb phase again. I am about everything going on right members were around, and I had also listening to the entirety of now. And for the first time in online classes to deal with, so I the Steven Universe soundtrack. forever, I’m finally chillin’. didn’t really reflect on what was going on internally.

73 74 REarth Birth

Malak Hussein

What do you see? Fire destroying a spherical object or fire igniting the energy of that object? You see, fire can be interpreted in many different ways. In the realm of dreams, fire is seen as a symbol of passion, destruction, purification, or transformation. Now, my mind chose to see that fire as a sign of transformation not of destruction. The spherical object in the middle is in fact our mother Earth. Given the current circumstances and the possible readings of dystopian themes, my mind decided to paint a positive result. In other words, despite the negative outcomes of such situations, Earth underwent or is still undergoing a rebirth process, just as how a phoenix would rise from the ashes anew. Now I would like to point out that I’m no artist and that my painting skills are that of an amateur, but I truly find art to be therapeutic.

75 76 Snapseed

Fatemah Al Hashemi

Since the early days of quarantine, I had some of the most unexpected friends contact me through calls or social media checking up on me and my mental health, all assumed I must’ve been taking the confinement the hardest being an extreme extrovert with an extremely busy and fast-paced lifestyle in the urban outdoors. Like everyone else, my daily routine has come to a halt, yes, and as much as I missed my weekends’ 8AM coffee downtown, my favorite café noises and strangers’ voices and the slight discomfort of working in a public space, I was slightly happy with the calm of being home. I quickly found myself adapting and compromising and turning different corners of the house into my own cafe/office. What I struggled with was at first the severity of the uncertainty, but after the ministry I work at announced a new plan for the school year and AUK announcing eLearning, I felt like I regained some ground to stand on. The lack of real structure and routines my personality thrived on, and the days melting into each other still made me feel like a fish out of water. So, I did what I do best given the situation and looked for that feeling of routine and structure in something else. I attempted calendar-blocking every hour of the day and giving myself small projects to occupy my time. Nevertheless, I still needed something that required urgency and worry that carried much responsibility and accountability to keep things from falling apart. Eventually, I ended up investing in my own urban jungle to keep, grow, and take care of, refreshing my education on botany, and turning what I have believed to be all black thumbs into velvet green. Fingers crossed I don’t end up killing all of them as my life slowly moves back to being packed and busy.

77 78 79 80 Hobbies & Interests However, I rediscovered what brought me joy and began taking up the aforementioned hobbies Combatting once again. Rediscovering my true self and what I enjoy doing has been the main factor in Hopelessness eliminating occurring feelings of hopelessness during this pandemic. As a communication in the Midst and media major, the COVID-19 pandemic brought forth new perspectives of what I have of a Pandemic studied.

Fadeela AlSabah Since this pandemic is fairly Although this time is quite unprecedented in recent times, dispiriting, it also allows me to Feeling burnt out and we are seeing a wide array of study and learn how unmotivated have been companies dealing with this communications and media can prominent emotions during the crisis and managing to combat it change in an instant to cater to COVID-19 pandemic. As staying with advertisements and powerful people’s needs. As life is slowly at home has been mandatory for media messages that inform, getting back to normal, it is vital to months, this pandemic left many persuade, and entertain comprehend that feeling people confused and in a state of consumers to stay hopeful, all the hopeless is only a matter of time hopelessness. The shift from while trying to survive this since difficult matters tend to normal life to social distancing calamity. always come to an end sooner or happened rapidly, and it made a later. major impact on the whole world.

Nevertheless, it is safe to say that this pandemic has taught us how Life since March has not been an to cope with our surroundings in easy feat. In the first few months of difficult situations, and it opened quarantine, I had this notion that our eyes in rediscovering our true my personal creative outlets were selves in times of desperation and somewhat limited due to staying vulnerability. at home, which was not true at all. I had let myself stray away from the hobbies I enjoyed participating in, such as playing the piano, reading, studying film, and creating music.

81 82 1. What did you start with first? B. Chow Mein: a chicken I love baked goods and noodle dish full of different pastries because it is my weak spices—very popular in the spot when I visit new cafes and Chinese American cuisine restaurants. I first started with savory goods from the North C. Lo Mein: a basic noodle dish American cuisine, starting with soy sauce and oyster from butter garlic biscuits, sauce. pizzas, calzones, cinnamon rolls, to German Bundt cakes. The D. Pilaf Rice: a dish from the Cooking & reason why I started with baked North Western regions of China. goods is that it is an easy route It can have chicken, beef, or for beginners. vegetarian. Very delicious with COVID-19 a side of Greek shepherd’s salad. 2. What recipes from other cuisines have you tried E. Egg drop soup: a basic soup Nawaf Al-Mahdi cooking? dish full of protein—and you guessed it, it has silky shreds of My favorite cuisines are South egg batter poured into the soup African, Chinese, and Greek. The on a very high heat so it cooks recipes that I have tried fast. from these cuisines are the following dishes:- Greek:- A. Chicken Gyros South African:- A. Jollof rice: a spiced red rice B. Spanakopita: a tasty pie made from a blend of spicy made of filo pastry and filled peppers and aromatic herbs, with feta cheese and spinach. as well as onions and garlic.

C. Tzatziki: a thick creamy B. Chakalaka: baked beans with From my side of the story, I used yogurt mixed with squeezed Restaurants and cafes are an julienned bell peppers and to cook as a hobby when I was shreds of cucumber, cilantro, important aspect in Kuwait’s curry. lifestyle before the COVID-19 in both middle and high school, parsley, and extra virgin olive oil. pandemic of February 2020. but did not have time to enjoy it Chinese:- because of university. Now that D. Mousaka: a dish made from The pandemic caused a panic A. Orange Chicken: cutlets of I am a fresh graduate, I have thinly sliced egg plants, amongst busy families who do chicken thighs/breasts had more than enough time to potatoes, and minced meat not have time to cook marinated in a batter of starch practice cooking again as topped with thick bechamel homemade meals. and egg yolks, fried and mixed a hobby. sauce and mozzarella cheese. with a sweet and sour orange It is oily, but worth every calorie. -flavored sauce.

83 84 4. What sources do you recommend for beginners who want to start cooking?

There are many channels on YouTube that can help with learning how to cook basic dishes, but the channels I specifically like visiting for recipes are the following:-

A. Souped Up Recipes: the Tomato owner of the channel has C. Osama Al-Qassar: Osama different playlists on cooking Al-Qassar is a Kuwaiti chef who different Chinese dishes from has his own YouTube channel basic to advanced, and even and Instagram account (@ has a playlist for those who are osama_alqassar4), and his in a gluten-free diet, keto, or videos are in Arabic. He cooks A tomato ponders vegetarian. both Kuwaiti/Middle Eastern dishes and recreates foreign dishes from different cuisine Contemplating – fruit or not? that fits the Halal requirements B. Xiao Ying Cuisine: Xiao Ying (since the Middle-East forbids Cuisine is a Chinese channel using alcohol and pork). with different closed captions A vegetable perhaps? (subtitles) and offers fascinating dishes from His description of the ingredients different regions of China, and steps of the recipes are very usually cooked by steaming, straightforward yet professional, making broths, noodles based I highly recommend you fellow dishes, and breakfast dishes readers to look him up if you as well. Highly recommend for want to learn about cooking as a health nuts! hobby.

In conclusion, cooking does require patience, and you should not be a stickler about it. Have fun doing it with your siblings and friends because it’s a life-long skill that will keep your stomach happy.

85 86 Fishy Article One day my mother shared her desire to have fish again. Back then, we used to have fish, with the longest fish Isehaq Al Shamel to survive with us only dying But with sweet COVID-19, less than a year ago—it which contributed to my Introduction: lasted 2-3 years with us. I, I haven’t been keeping fish for graduating funny enough, back then, never had any Fish-keeping is a challenging a long time to be able to call plaguing the world and interest in raising fish. and time-consuming hobby myself an expert, and I still shutting down literally that requires serious have a lot to learn as I’m still everything, going to the commitment to sustain new to the hobby; however, pigeon market isn’t wasn’t an healthy fish. Yet, it is a I can confidently say that I option. rewarding and thrilling started off with one fish tank At the time when my mother experience that provides and as of the writing of this proposed the idea to me, I some kind of satisfaction article, I ended up having 12 was too focused on after a long day of running fish tanks and 2 more on the graduating, daydreaming on around. way. how I would react on Thankfully not everything campus once I received my closed, and with the help of final grade, that good feeling PetZone I was able to run an Again, I am not an expert but of finally finishing my studies aquarium and get every- I have learned the basics of after 7 years of kicking and thing I needed, but not the fish-keeping that I would like screaming. Anyway, my fish. Thanks to social to share and give you an idea mother wanted to have fish; media, especially Instagram of, hoping to encourage you so to reduce the stress, I and its trend in online to enter this thrilling hobby. thought to myself that I could businesses, I was able to get When I Started Fishkeeping cool down by distracting in contact with this The way I started fishkeeping myself from the anxiety amazing man who owns a was….well actually caused by the capstone farm in Wafra. unintentional. You see, it was paper. back sometime in July 2020, while I was working on my capstone graduation paper.

87 88 In addition to growing I have tried to raise pets You need to observe the fish vegetables, he also raises previously, a green iguana tank for any symptoms of Malawi Cichlids (a type of fish and before that 4 turtles. We something wrong. For from lake Malawi, duh). In also tried keeping a parrot, instance, one of the issues I other words, while pet stores but it also ended up dying. observed is swim bladder import fish from abroad, That’s where I got my sense disease, and how did I know? mainly from South East Asia of commitment; I really didn’t The fish was swimming (which I have come to find want the fish to get wasted upside down. out as I researched this like my previous attempts of hobby more), this man keeping pets. So, a quick Google search managed to have a fish farm about what exactly is for pet-keeping and become happening inside your fish a supplier to the pigeon The Ups and Downs to tank will help you learn the market. Fishkeeping : cues and symptoms of unusual behavior and save Unlike cats or dogs, there is your fish. How do I know? When the Again, one reason was to little to no interaction pigeon market reopened reduce stress of the between you and the fish; but For example, symptoms of a again, I saw that they were workload during the day, in the long run the fish will get pregnant cichlid are: selling cichlids that were the but another reason was the excited every time you 1) Mouth is mostly closed, same kind of fish I bought sense of commitment that approach them. Mainly, this that is because cichlids are from that man, and slightly got me attached to the fish. is because they think you will what they call “mouth priced higher than what our feed them, but it’s still fun to breeders,” they host their fish-farmer friend was watch them swim eggs inside their mouths for My main goal was simple: I selling. Though originally the towards you. protection. wanted to provide a dignified fish were meant to be for my and healthy life for the fish. mother, I personally started 2) A pregnant cichlid will not Though they are easily It is essential for you to keep to get attached to them. eat,for the previously replaced fish as they are an eye on your fish if you mentioned reason. cheap, the real challenge is intend to learn anything. Fish to keep them alive and watch tend to behave in a 3) They are always in hiding. them grow from a tiny spec particular way; if something Learning these symptoms into something that is as big is wrong or if they are having before they gave birth made as my hand. a blast, you will be able to me move fast and separate observe that, which is one of them from the rest of the the reasons why it’s pack, since the fry (baby entertaining to have them in fish) will be at risk of getting your living room. eaten by the elder cichlids.

89 90 Final Thoughts

By the time of writing this On the other hand, fish do not Fishkeeping is fun; honestly, article, three cichlids have require a lot of I’ve made attempts to keep given birth. attention; after you pets before, but by far fish establish the tank, and are the easiest (or Of course, as mentioned provide the weekly maybe because I’m bad at before, fishkeeping can be maintenance, you do not keeping pets, I don’t know). time-consuming, as you will need to spend any further Yet, like a dog, cat, or bird you need to prepare the tank, set time with the fish unless you name it, it requires constant up the equipment to sustain want to. care. However, unlike other life, have essential pets, it is sometimes difficult weekly maintenance and so You can simply feed them to figure out fish problems on. Moreover, this is in the morning and forget before it’s too late. subjective, but you may fall about them for the rest of the into an obsession and day until dinner time. Another This is why when you keep expand your aquariums perk of fishkeeping that is Other than that, I really hope fish as a pet, you require which can get related to religion, as unlike that I did justice to the patience; fish are fragile to overwhelming, so stick with cats and dogs, fish do not hobby. Like I mentioned sudden changes. I’ve tried one fish tank. have the najasa penalty. before, I am not an expert saving a goldfish from an and I’ve only been doing this illness, but I ended up killing Another flaw about for less than a year. Hopefully it. Fish can also die from fishkeeping is that there isn’t my experience gave you an recklessness of the owner a vet in Kuwait that is insight on fishkeeping in if not careful. Mistakes are specialized in fish, though general and I hope that it bound to happen, but the you can find medicines for encourages you to try it out. most important thing is that particular diseases. you learn from them. Consequently, sometimes illnesses or injuries can This does sound cliché, but it be fatal. is the cumulative experience that actually determines a successful fish tank. Right now, I have over 40 fry in a fish tank of their own in addition to the cichlids I initially had; about an estimation of 20 fry will increase once the pregnant cichlid gives birth.

91 92 I have been a member of TrashTag Kuwait for almost a year and had the best experience. On Saturday, 5th of September 2020, I was able to join their clean-up at Abu AlHasaniya Beach. It was 6:30AM and on my way there, the roads were empty and quiet. To be honest, I was hesitant to go due to how hot Kuwait can & COVID-19 get during the summer and was afraid of suffering a heatstroke, but the weather was just perfect Retaj Ashkanani that morning.

“TrashTag” started off as an Clean-up details are usually I felt happy. Once I arrived at I was greeted by my good friends Internet challenge and hashtag posted on their Instagram page Abu AlHasaniya beach, a beach from the team, whilst keeping where people would gather up to @Trashtagkuwait. I had never visited before, I was distance. I grabbed a reusable clean the most littered areas in Although the pandemic is still shocked how people can so bag, and gloves and got started. their country. TrashTag Kuwait is going on, TrashTag Kuwait still easily trash such a beautiful and As I was picking up trash, I found a non-profit organization started continued their weekly beach peaceful area. I instantly glass bottles, kids toys, A LOT by co-founders, Carina Maceira clean-ups, but with precautions. spotted members already of cigarette butts, plastic forks, and Yousif Al-Shatti. Their goal is People usually ask, “How do I working on picking up trash and spoons, bags, juice boxes, chips to “Fight the negative environ- sign-up? Do I have to bring my started to walk through the beach bags, soda cans, and many mental impacts of marine litter own equipment?” towards them. I reached the table other things that shouldn’t be on and waste pollution in Kuwait.” where all the equipment was the beach. provided to us.

TrashTag Kuwait hosts weekly Well, when going to an event, clean-ups, usually on Saturdays, TrashTag members provide all Not a lot of people were at the where people can volunteer to essentials for you. All you need to beach that morning other than a clean beaches or even parks. do is bring yourself and your few fishermen, men on kayaks, and They have also hosted volunteer reusable water bottles. The us. It was peaceful; picking trash work when it comes to members set up a table where up while listening to music with a distributing food to people in you can grab reusable bags breathtaking view, and being need before and during the and gloves, even ‘trash pickers’ surrounded by great people who pandemic, working with kids, , and water to refill your bottles. made the whole event fun. visiting NBK’s Children Hospital, Currently, due to COVID-19, they and educational meetups. also provide masks, sanitizers, and urge to keep distance from one another.

93 94 That day, we picked up 18 bags of trash in total. These bags then got taken by the municipality team of Abu AlHasaniya. Not only do I take part in cleaning my own country, that I love so much—I get to meet amazing people who eventually become good friends. On top of that, I get to visit beaches with breathtaking views that I never knew existed my whole 19 years of living in Kuwait.

As much as I get lovely and But that’s the type of mentality The beach is a great place to motivational messages about my that’s making us go backwards, relax by yourself, with friends or contribution and TTK’s initiative, I rather than forward. If we do not family. Next time you visit a beach, get many discouraging take these baby steps towards be more mindful with items you messages and comments such creating a better and cleaner choose to bring with you. Invest in as, “What is the point of cleaning world, how will we ever get there? reusable bottles, which can be when it’s just going to get dirty We should not let the trash pile used for many activities and again?” They’re not wrong, it’s not up just because “it’s going to get Tupperware to hold your food. uncommon for us to walk by a dirty again anyway.” It is more beach that we recently had a frustrating hearing it come from a clean-up for, and see it trashed Kuwaiti and makes me question, Try to avoid bringing and using again. “Do you not want what’s best for plastic when going to the beach. your own country?” Remember to properly dispose of waste. And of course, have fun!

I hope people do realize this soon, and feel the need to do something about it, even if its as little as picking up a bottle you see on the side of a pavement and throwing it into a trashcan, switching to reusable bottles rather than plastic ones, or participating in a clean-up once in a while.

95 96 After filling the food boxes, we would each look at our lists and start contacting the people, then be on our way. With each car locked and loaded, we went our separate ways, whether into Jleeb, Jahra, Fahaheel or Mangaf. It became our job and Food Boxes we did it as a routine.

Muhannad Al-Shohaty Again, I contemplated about It sometimes was even whether I should join. This time, enjoyable to watch our It was not long until volunteer I understood the reasons; they my parents (mostly my mother) progress as a team and mostly groups sprouted during the were concerned as they should gave me their support and I took the people’s appreciation. The pandemic. I can still be. I finally decided against it. I the opportunity! Then came the boxes mostly consisted of rice, remember my friend telling was then disappointed in not days when it became my oil, wheat, and other essentials. me to join a group who sani- taking this opportunity, then usual shift: to deliver food There were also boxes which tize public areas and I can still never gave a thought to it. boxes. I would first drop my were altered for Filipino or remember contemplating it. “I Fortunately, another father to work to take his car, Indian cuisines. Not only did we want to volunteer,” I declared opportunity presented itself. then I would drive to the deliver food, but we also to my parents. “What would “Muhannad, TrashTag is destination to pick up the delivered baby essentials such happen if you get infected? delivering food boxes for boxes, which was in Salwa or as diapers for families in need. Where will you have to go?” people in need. Come and join!” Salmiya where we await for the Were their replies. A friend of mine called and told lorry filled with food boxes. me. “I need to think about it,” was all I could say. We then had to unload the lorry We also managed to send toys and fill up our cars with the to children during Eid! All of this boxes based on the number of would not have been possible deliveries we each had that day. without the organizers, Unloading boxes seems like volunteers, and most little work, but each weighed importantly the donators. about 40kg. During the humid People in need were met with days, after the last box has been helping hands and I am glad to unloaded, we would be have been a part of it. drenched in sweat, I could’ve squeezed a cup full of sweat out of my jeans. It was mostly the hustle that got us through.

97 98 ENTERTAINMENT Nebula Chase Anas Al Rasheed

I am pretty sure every kid had a dream of going I wanted something to keep me happy and to space one day. But for me, it was more of an engaged, hence my first project was a grown escape to hopefully spend time with numerous man who finds himself stuck in an endless loop, cosmic beauties. chasing behind his old cosmic dream.

99 100 : After Hours Other notable tracks on the album include “Blinding Lights”, “Escape from LA” and “Faith” to name a few. The Review In conclusion, the album was very well designed and executed properly. I enjoyed the sadder songs With his latest album, After Hours, just as much as I enjoyed the having been released on the 20th upbeat songs. of March, The Weeknd decided to change his style and approach the album from a new point of view. In his previous two albums Starboy and My Should have known you were lonely. I thought stylistically speaking the Dear Melancholy, there was a focus I know things will never be the same. album was superb. The lack of on past relationships and his previous Time we lost will never be replaced. features on this album is a high use of medication and drugs. I’m the reason you forgot to love.” point as it allows The Weeknd to Looking back at his past carry his work by himself. The album relationships, in particular the also showed how The Weeknd’s on-and-off relationship he had with music changes from album to Bella Hadid, he regrets not album, showing just how original he Although he does talk about these having let her go which in turn can be. Overall, I give this album a two points in his newest album, he changed the way she saw him. The 9 out of 10. The reason it misses out instead chose to focus on Weeknd also references on getting that perfect ten score is himself in an attempt to break celebrities like Jay-Z, Eminem and the replay value of some tracks like himself down. He also made sure to Patrick Swayze, to name a few. “Alone Again”, “Too Late” and give the album its own style which “Heartless” to name a few. is very reminiscent to the musical style primarily used in the 80’s.

On “Snowchild”, The Weeknd sings “Stack a couple M’s like I was Shady. In my humble opinion, this album Now I’m in Tribeca like I’m Jay-Z. was absolutely fantastic. Instead Rockin’; Sorayama like he pay me. I of talking about certain aspects of just signed a new deal with failed relationships that were out of Mercedes. Got me movin’; dirty like his control, he talks about how some I’m Swayze.” It is always enjoyable relationships failed because of him. to hear references and shout-outs On the song “Scared to Live”, The in songs, especially when the song Weeknd sings “When I makes sense and sounds good with saw the signs, I shoulda let you go. the references made. But I kept you beside me. And if I held you back, at least I held you close.

101 102 لن تموت مبتسما هززت رأسي بنعم. عادت بعد خمس دقائق، ناولتني الصندوق وهي تتذمر: "جدي ال ترسلني ًأبدا للمخزن مرة "!أخرى ألنه مليء بالغبار والصراصير !“ المحاولة : ضحكت وعوضتها بخمسة دنانير فقبلتني على رأسي وقبل كانت موسيقانا تُعزف في كل مكان، بعثت األنس لشوارع أن تخرج قلت لها : المدينة، تغنّى بها الجميع وسكنت ذاكرة العرسان واألحبة بـ "هب السعد". خففت آالم السفر بـ "أو يا مال" فتعرفت " "أنت لم تقبليني صباح اليوم كعادتك، أين كنت؟ عليها موانئ ال تعلم من أين أتت ُسفننا. سألتها بفضول. "خرجت آلخذ جولة في السيارة مع صديقاتي" اآلن ال تتواجد سوى في مقاطع فيديو على اإلنترنت وتسجيالت "لكن الوبا...؟" تُبث على قناة راديو ال يسمعها أحد. أطفأت المذياع واقشعر لكنها بسرعة قطعت حديثي: "ال تخف يا جدي فلم نخرج بدني الضعيف من هذه المالحظة، كان لدي الكثير ألشاركه، من السيارة قط .“ لكن ماذا يفعل المرء في هذه السنة الموبوءة؟ هاجمني النوم "حسنا..عليك أخذ الحذر، فمهما ...." وأنا جالس على سريري المريح، لكنه ليس النوم المعتاد، قطعت حديثي مرة :أخرى "جدي ال داعي ألن تصنع من عيناي كانتا مفتوحتين كأنهما موجهتان إلى إضاءة التلفاز الحبة قبة فالناس في الخارج آمنون طالما التزموا الصامت، لكنهما كانتا تريان الماضي وتتخيالن القادم . بلبس قناع الوجه وإبقاء "...

ظلت تعظني وكأني طفل في السادسة من عمري. " وهذا بعد وقت طويل أفقت من عاصفة األحالم بفكرة ألعيش بها الحاضر: "نورا! نورا! نورا!" كررت اسم حفيديتي ذات التسعة أهم شيء." أنهت حديثها. عشر عاما كالمجنون حتى دخلت الغرفة : "ما األمر؟!" قالتها "حسنا .. ال أريدك أن تفوتي وجبة الفطور صباح الغد." بقلق وهي تلتقط أنفاسها. قلت بابتسامة مبطنة باالستياء. أومأت باإليجاب، وختمت ابتسامتها اللطيفة بـ "تصبح على ابتسمت: "اذهبي يا حبيبتي إلى المخزن وعلى خير!"، خارجة من غرفتي بشكل فوري، ناكرةً وجودي الرف المتوسط مقابل الباب ستجدين أكياس، أزيحيها للذهاب لمشاهدة مسلسالتها المفضلة في غرفتها، أثار هذا وسترين صندوق هدايا كبير بنفسجي اللون إيِتنِي به التصرف المشمئز شعوري بالعجز وال أعلم إن كنت حزينا أم لو سمحت”. نظرت إلي باستغراب :"كل هذا الصراخ في غاضبا، لكن في كال الحالتين أنا أسامحك يا ابنتي المدللة. ”هذه الساعة المتأخرة من أجل صندوق؟

103 104 نسيت كل الهموم عند فتحي صندوقي البنفسجي العزيز ”سحقاً !"انزعجت لمالحظتي أن هاتفي كان فارغ المكتظ بأشرطة الكاسيت ومسجل الصوت الذي وثّق حفالتنا البطارية ألنني كنت أبعد أربعون دقيقة عن منزلي ودون المنزلية. شغلت إحداها ثم زارتني ذكريات أليام كانت ثرية موسيقاي المفضلة كانت ستمر كأربعين سنة! بدأت بالحب والمرح، ذكريات ألشخاص على العوِد والطبل قد لعبوا، بالقفز بين قنوات مذياع السيارة الذي لم أستخدمه قط، فنانون هم وفي موسيقاهم تفننوا، بها أحيوا المدائن والضمائُر. وفجأة، أسرتني موسيقى معقدة ببساطتها، هادئة جميلة وبريئة، تائهة بين موسيقات سريعة متوحشة ودنيئة! تغيرت األزمان والناس تغيروا، فهل كان لغذاء الروح سبب؟ موسيقى ألحانها حركت قلبي الصلب الالمبالي، موسيقى نعم! فموسيقانا كانت بالناس تسمو ! سأحافظ عليها ما دمت مزينة بكلمات كانت ألجدادي... موسيقى أصبحت جزءاً من حيا أرزق! وضعت )كاسيتاً( فارغاً داخل المسجل وضغطت الزر هويتي. موسيقى سأبقيها حية وهذه هي قضيتي! وصلت األحمر، شاركت الجماد أسرار فنوننا، تكلمت أياما حتى أصبح إلى منزلي وأنا مذهول ونمت في فراشي على ألحان تلك مسجل الصوت صديقي المفضل الجديد حتى لم يعد هناك الموسيقى العالقة في ذهني. شيء للحديث عنه، أعدت كل شيء داخل الصندوق ثم أتاني شعور النوم غير المعتاد الذي لم يسبق لي أن شعرت به في نفس وقت سماعي ألحان أجراس المنزل الهادئة. في اليوم التالي جاءتني فكرة باالتصال على خالي الذي أعرف أنه أحد المعجبين بهذا الفن الساحر لكني كنت أخجل الحصاد : من سؤاله خوفاً من السخرية، نظرت إلى الهاتف، أخذت نفساً عميقاً، واتصلت. بدأ هاتفه بالرنين ولعشر ثواني تنفست لم أكن أهتم ألي شيء بقدر اهتمامي بالخروج مع أصدقائي بصعوبة حتى سمعت : لقضاء وقت ممتع في المطاعم ودور السينما، وهل أالم؟ كان "من الجيد أن سمعنا صوتك أيها الحمار !“ الوقت يمضي بسرعة البرق بصحبتهم، وكنت متعطشاً لها ”أهال خالي." قلت بخجل. ألنها زودتني بسكرات المرح وجرعات من المتعة اللحظية، ” أين كنت؟ ال تسأل عن خالك؟" لكن في ليلة كمثل أي ليلة خرجنا في ساعة متأخرة من ” كنت في الجامعة يا خالي! أعمل على واجباتي!" قلت ملجئنا الذي يصد الملل، مقهى يمأله الدخان يطل على مبرراً. أظهرالمباني.. قدت سيارتي وأشعلت الوميض الساطع ألودع رفاقي الذين ال زالوا يدخنون سجائرهم ويتحدثون أمام المقهى.

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تقبل خالي كعادته الطيبة، تحمست : "خالي أتعلم من انتهت المكالمة. رددت في ذهني "لن يكن ذلك صعبا!" أستطيع أن أقابله ليحدثني عن موسيقى أجدادنا؟ انتظرت خالي حتى ظننت أنني أنتظر غودو ! ضحك، وسأل: "ومن أين جاء هذا االهتمام؟" جاء خالي أخيرا! ركبت معه وفي السيارة كنت أرتب أفكاري ”ال أعلم، الكون مليء بالعجائب" قلت بصدق. بتوتر، وصلنا أمام البيت المتواضع فنزلت وحدي، ووصلت إلى فقال: "عجيب، أنا أعرف موقع بيت أحد الفنانين، ألنني الباب، أخذت نفساً عميقاً. ضغطت الجرس وسمعت ألحانه حضرت إحدى جلساته وهو أفضل شخص تستطيع الهادئة. أن تكلمه، سأدلك عليه“ "من؟ "سألتني فتاة. ”أنستطيع الذهاب غدأ؟" سألت بحماس. "أنا هنا لمقابلة األستاذ محمد." قلت بأدب شديد . " لو أنك تسأل عن خالك لعلمت أنني لست في البلد مرت دقائق ثم فُتح الباب، رأيت فتاة تحمل صندوقا بنفسجي ولن أرجع حتى الشهر القادم ." اللون، ناولتني إياه برفق. قالت بصوت جريح: "رحل ولم يكن له تالميذ”. ومن هنا بدأت يا عزيزي المستمع.

حسن حاجيه

107 108 Aries: A big part of the Scorpio: No, the university experience for professor doesn’t have a you was the exploring personal vendett against and socialising you did you because it took them in between classes and Leo: Listen, the first joke an extra second to let Zoom might have ruined was funny. It is a math you in the class. There Horoscopes that for you but here’s a class after all, people are 25 other students piece of advice, try to want to alleviate the demanding to enter at make the best of it and tension. The second joke the same exact second (Zoom school year edition) don’t spend too much was okay, it incited some as you. Give the professor time on the private chat laughs. The third joke is the benefit of the doubt. with the one friend you the limit though. Keep it have in class. at that before you get reported. It might not be Sagittarius: Make sure very pretty. you are muted before Taurus: I know you love you call out for your mum the fact that other to ask what she’s people are muted and it Virgo: INTERNET making for dinner. I beg looks like you have the CONNECTIONS LAG you. Please. professor’s undivided SOMETIMES, IT IS OKAY. attention but please can there is no need to get a Capricorn: You hate you give other people the mini breakdown attending classes on chance to answer?? It every time your your laptop but you know might not seem like it but professor’s voice starts what else is hard? they all want to learn just cutting. Chances are you Unemployment. Attend as much as you do. are still going to pass. your classes and thank Take a deep breath and me later. maybe go sit closer to : Just...stop Gemini your router. posting videos of the Aquarius: Yes capitalism class meeting on your is unfair but you don’t Instagram story. It is Libra: Multiple choice need to yell that out in funny but also invasive. questions are terrible, the middle of biology Don’t do it. right? Especially now that class. Focus on your you are doing them on mitochondria and leave your laptop. However, the politics for twitter. Cancer: You made a you studied well, there Whatsapp support group is no reason to linger on Pisces: how do you for your class and you one question for 20 already have a crush on give them an unlimited minutes. The answer is someone? HOW? Its a supply of the notes you almost always B. bi-weekly 1 hour meeting worked on in class while and your crush’s camera everyone was sleeping. is turned off 90% of the God bless you. Next time. How do you do it, time demand to be paid. Pisces? Answer me.

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