Birthday Surprise............

I'm 7 going to 8 in just a few days..........

Fakhry!!! it's almost your birthday, my mom said.

I was a little sceptical, for some reason there wasn't any snow outside my window. It was hot, very hot, not the usual snow or the loud songs I would here during christmas, not that I celebrate it. Ever since that long trip on the plane, I realzie that there wa something different with this "new place". I didn't took any notice. I just went through, maybe the clouds were waiting for my birthday to snow, yes I assuered myself.

31st december 2000

I woke up and quickly grab my sweater. It was my birthday!!! I was 8 years old!!!

It was still dawn, I quickly ran down the staircase careful not to trip.
there must be snow, must be snow, MUST.

I opened the front door with my sweater in hand. As I opened it I saw something dissapointing.

THERE WAS NO SNOW!!!!

and to make things worse, it was rainning!!!!

I slumped on the front door, what has happened, I thought. Then the realization came to me.

This wasnt home, he wasnt in America anymore, wherever he is it was hot, chaotic, I cant even understand the language here.

tears fell off my eyes, wondering what I did wrong. I went back into my room with utter confusion. What was happening, where was the soft white snow? where was the bright white sky and the frozen ice ponds? where? it was suppose to be a joyful day today but it wasnt.

Then my mom came to me and hugged me.

She asked me to close my eyes and think back the days where our courtyard was filled with snow, we could play sledge outside, we could create snowmen and most of all, the air was filled with laughter and exitement. Remember that Fakhry, remember those moments.

31st Decemeber 2009

Im 17 now, it has been 10 years since the last time I step foot in America, I realize that the reason I came to malaysia was to find my Identity, my purpose.

Whenever something bad happenns I will close my eyes and I will remember:

• The time iwill be playing in snow
• The time when I was given the title of "elder brother"
• When I was made BADAR
• When I was made Head Prefect
• When I lead my team to debate Musleh

I will remeber that because I realize that htha was the best birthday present