Sober Saudi

I want to preface this post by mentioning that I went to the first “KAUST Wellness” meeting this past week, in which seven somber students sat and shared (no alliteration intended) their struggles to transition to life at KAUST; not necessarily life in Saudi Arabia (since they’re apples and oranges).  In one of the more [...]

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(Contrary to popular belief as a result of the “Sober Saudi” hiatus, a lot has been taking place here at the KAUST Zoo over the past three weeks.  However, as a wise Mother of mine once said, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”  So I’m keeping the events [...]

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For the past four years I’ve successfully dodged invitations to climb Half Dome in Yosemite National Park under the stars with friends and family. A combination of fear, disinterest, and a few other good excuses (probably not that good) kept me from discovering the magic that comes with catching the sunrise from atop the world… [...]

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Yesterday I took my first (and hopefully last) ever flight from one desert to an even bigger desert… not something most people can boast having ever done. Nestled inside the middle of the Rub ‘al Khali and a scene reminiscent of the late 1990’s, I had finally found the Saudi Arabia I was looking for:  [...]

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It’s 10 am and my Transport Phenomena (no I have no idea what that even means) professor just broke the record for consecutive slides with at least 6 abstract, mind-blowing equations (43 slides).  Either that or he’s switched over to that Word font that’s nothing but symbols and numbers… regardless, my mind is drifting like [...]

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Every major player in this world has someone they can turn to whenever they want to feel better about themselves; a younger, acne-prone step-brother of sorts… Switzerland has the EU, China has the World, the United States has Mexico (just kidding amigos!), and Saudi Arabia has the Kingdom of Bahrain.  Being California born-and-bred living in [...]

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Tonight I attended my first Royal Ball, on National Saudi Day, hosted by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (and now KAUST); King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.  The official event, the KAUST Inauguration Ceremony. I have never felt better (or cooler for that matter) being so insignificant in my entire life, if you [...]

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If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard the President of our school say “pioneers,” “adventurous,” or “The KAUST Family” in his speeches I’d probably have enough money to endow the next KAUST Project myself… “KAUST 2: Beirut.”  It rings like a new season of The Real World, I like it already. I [...]

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Every culture has their own way of saying “I Don’t Know.”  Saudi Arabia is no exception to the rule.  Some cultures are direct, while others are evasive.  Some people are humble, while others too proud.  Then there are those cultures that have clearly out-thought the rest of us, putting matters directly into the hands of [...]

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The other day, eating lunch in the cafeteria I noticed an unfamiliar face sitting next to me.  At a table full of Mexicans, I assumed the same of this student until he spoke up only to find out that he was in fact Lebanese.  Since Ramadan began, it’s been a menial task recognizing the non-fasting [...]

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