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My Two Cents

Allhumdolillah! I am at a much better place since my last post with series of lab tests, utlrasounds, a mammogram and some other really scary tests, and a gut wrenching anxiety of results. I am doing well thankfully everything was clear except low iron levels with vitamin d3 deficiency. These deficiencies are now on their way to recovery. It is worth noting that I have been struggling with intense brain and physical fatigue since 2019 but not a single doctor was able to identify my problem. Once somebody is diagnosed with depression or anxiety then every health issue they complain about is looked from the psychological lenses. Nobody asked me to check iron, vitamin b12 or vitamin d3 deficiencies even my mum who is a dermatologist always assured me that I am fine and this weakness is just a phase.   It was a phase alright, it engulfed almost 8 years of my life pushed back my career and research ambitions.  This is not the case alone with me but there are many people who silentl...

From Home to Dubai: A New Year's Journey

 A very happy new year to all my lovely family, dearest friends & amazing readers. I am amazed that on 1 January 2024 for the first time in my life I am not home but in Dubai. Dubai, a city of lights, kites, bikes, heights, and of course Rolls Royce; where people of so many beautiful & different languages, cultures come for earning livelihoods, some for shopping, others to optimize their wealth and while others come aboard on winters to have some fun.

Dubai was not in my bucket list because it was synonymous to earning money and I hardly had any sense or concept of wealth. All I enjoyed is the little pocket-money that my mom used to give me out of my own salary and that was my life. I could buy coffee, I could go crazy with stationary shopping (I know stationary sounds crazy but I never claimed to be normal).

However, it all changed about two years ago when, one fine day, my mom handed over the burden of financial management over to me. No more pocket money but I will be giving everyone else their pocket money’s, the salaries of house-help, bills and Allah knows what not. I never had a relationship with money, not even a slight affair - rather we just watched each other from a distance. So much so that when I saw numbers my mind would just stop working, I would get anxiety just by counting more than 300 rupees.

As scared as I was, I had to do the job. Initially, I turned into a penny-pincher and it was only months later that I became comfortable with money. Although I give myself immense credit for micromanaging my first big European holidays with my mother and younger brother- when I single-handedly did every payment, booked all travels, and of course I paid for all of it. It was fun to do something for once; nevertheless when it becomes a daily job it isn’t fun anymore.

One would ask why Dubai? Why now? The main reason is my mom’s back to back 2 major surgeries within a span of one year. She became very weak and depressed- losing one’s energy and movability is not easy to handle. So she was the main reason for this urgent change of scenery. We needed a holiday place with normal sunny weather that is also easy on pockets, not very easy on the latter yet manageable, and Dubai won our votes.  

Besides being a hub of international brands, companies and human resources Dubai  offers something unique, that is sense of physical security amongst presence of so many nationalities. More importantly for women Dubai provides a secured atmosphere devoid of any fear of eve teasing or bully based on what they wear or how they look. Honestly, feeling safe is a very new feeling for me, as from childhood every girl has to be on a high alert and to be always on guard, it took me a while to accept that I am not under any kind threat when I am walking, going on public transports or even driving due to my gender.   

But at least for today I shall be positive and sweet. So all my best wishes to everyone.

Good Night! 

Sonya Syed (Post 595).

 

 

Comments

Ghulam Mujtaba said…
Happy Holidays 🎊
Abru said…
This was beautiful. Wish you the best. I think dubai is ready with for you
Dr. Sonia Syed said…
Thank you so much!

I hope so :) Abru
Qadri Ghous said…
Dubai is like a place where one feels like he is fantasizing, Vacations seem like a long run movie, which moves u from abras to marinas and deserts to high-rise adrenaline. From the greens to lakes, Deira to global village all filled with an energy enough to recharge the active soul that does not want to rest, a metropolitan that feel like a piece of future that with roots of early Bedouin culture. Though such is now inflicted by the reflections of east and west , a new dubai and new board to play same game with new rules.

Nice to see you here, i hope your vacations must have went well.
Dr. Sonia Syed said…
Yes they are passing very well thank you.. weather is absolutely great!
Dr. Sonia Syed said…
Mr. Qadri are you by any chance accounting professor from Bahria?
Dr. Sonia Syed said…
wow السلام عليكم Sir! So nice to hear from you..
Qadri Ghous said…
accounting professor , make me look over qualified , surprisingly you actually turned out to be a professor.

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My Two Cents

Allhumdolillah! I am at a much better place since my last post with series of lab tests, utlrasounds, a mammogram and some other really scary tests, and a gut wrenching anxiety of results. I am doing well thankfully everything was clear except low iron levels with vitamin d3 deficiency. These deficiencies are now on their way to recovery. It is worth noting that I have been struggling with intense brain and physical fatigue since 2019 but not a single doctor was able to identify my problem. Once somebody is diagnosed with depression or anxiety then every health issue they complain about is looked from the psychological lenses. Nobody asked me to check iron, vitamin b12 or vitamin d3 deficiencies even my mum who is a dermatologist always assured me that I am fine and this weakness is just a phase.   It was a phase alright, it engulfed almost 8 years of my life pushed back my career and research ambitions.  This is not the case alone with me but there are many people who silentl...