The American Me

Although like most who recently immigrated to this country I still retain a name that sounds foreign to the natives, my interests, my worries, my dreams and my frustrations are as American as can be. I wake up worrying about the American weather, the American economy and the progress of elections here at home. As I get the kids ready for an American school, I have a mix of appreciation for the teachers yet some doubts about how ready my kids will be for the challenges facing us in America. My name may sound foreign for few more generations, my accent may never be Americanized but my heart has become American a long time ago.

'The American me' has some experiences that may be hard to come by in the natives. Not very surprising if you consider what went into his making. Consider being raised in a middle eastern society with strong family influence, a struggling economy, in a state where politics and getting involved in it could be hazardous. He now lives in a society with very few family ties, as a minority, in a free society where freedom of speech is protected by the constitution, in a better economy despite the recent government failures. The change is drastic on many fronts, but it is not a change that produces confusion or puzzlement as much as establishing reference points that help him view issues with a unique perspective not possible without this multi-cultural background.

'The American me' is proud of his new reality, of his ability to adapt, but not completely dissolve into the rich background of his new home. He is willing to absorb into the fabric of his being from its rich aroma, but keen to add his share to the make up of this aroma. He is full of hope in the future, aware of the opportunities, yet scared as the present brings familiar images from his past pointing to his new home sliding in the wrong direction. He watches with amazement as some, voluntarily, choose to choose the risky familiar old over the hopeful change.

'The American me' realizes he may have a "foreign name", but a free and sincere voice and one day, some day, he will be heard as an American voice despite his name or accent.

Fountain of Youth

As summer winds down, some will get the blues, but for me, it is hardly time to get depressed. It is actually time when my life and that of many just like me are recharged by an injection of renewable energy in the form of enthusiastic young adults venturing into our world. Watching them move around campus with energy levels that easily beats that of the energizer bunny is invigorating to say the least. During the first few days, it is easy to recognize freshmen with their wandering eyes looking for familiar faces or themes in this new world. Although it has been more than I dare to admit, I can still relate to their struggle. I still remember my first day as I stepped into the campus of Cairo University. I recall literally asking myself: "Can I make it through?".

They are away from home, from the norm, entrusting complete strangers with the making of their futures. To think that I am part of making their future brighter, I cannot help but feel lucky to be a teacher. I may not make as much money as I would have if I joined the industry. I may not have had to put as many hours into my job or walk around with my head always churning technical ideas and thinking of ways to better educate these young minds. But where else could I get this supply of endless energy in the world outside. After all these years, I cannot think of a job choice that would have been better. Since eternity there were those that were always looking for the fountain of youth, most believe it is really a myth. I think I found one and it is big enough to share: become a teacher!

Who won the olympics?

I came back to the US from an overseas trip close to the end of the olympic games and was surprised to see that the US was ranked first in the national websites.   Overseas the official ranking put China first followed by the US and Russia based on the gold medals each earned.  I recall that this was always the rule for the ranking.  I got to know that, somone decided that unlike the rest of the world, the US inhabitants deserve a better ranking.  The ranking in the US  will be based on the total number of medals without regard to the type of medal.   

This was a little buzzling! We have essentially decided that Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are worth the same.   According to this a country winning 100 gold medals would lose to another that got 101 Bronze medals.  This is quite a bit off if the price of actual metals is indicative of what these medals are worth.  Gold is worth 60 times as much as silver and bronze is even sold in pounds not ounces.  This silly rule seems to have been conveniently imposed to keep those of us living here thinking that we won the 2008 Olympics.  Our athletes did great winning 110 medals, but we came as number 2.  Who benefits from hiding this truth.  Is this indicative of a bigger problem?  Have we become too proud to admit when we lose?  I always thought that the only way to get ahead is to know when you are behind.  Burying our heads in the sand will never make things better.  The truth will always be the same, whether we know it or not.