Bookstore Lessons hey, now!!!

I liked the piece, but I do agree with Zehra- a bit.

It has lots of potential, and we were left with only a morsel of the piece of cake we were hoping to devour.

Your pieces often cling to me like undigested food, that I soemtimes need to replay in my mind over and over again. in other words, it leaves an impression, not a bad one nor a good one, just one at least. *smile *

Squeamish in the Name of Science Your article brought an old familiar jaab in the left side of my heart. How many of us, do you imagine, were sent to college armed with the responsibility of fullfilling our parents` dreams of medical school???

Ironically, how many of us were strong enough to pursue OUR dreams?? I find it amazing that most of my fellow compadres happen to choose writing as their mark in this world. I find that through writing I can escape, challenge, rebel, accept and defend my identity. Unfortunatly, the cultural

baggage is so heavy, that I find it almost impossible to make the leap from the literary reality to the actual one.

A friend of mine, is also a writer, pseudo medical student. I see so many of us caught up in this web of culturally-imposed images of superiority. My friend`s parents are so absorbed with climbing the social ladder that they have devoured the gentleness and charismatic charms of their beautiful daughter. Writing seems to be her only salvation, her only medium of self-redemption.

Why is it if an intelligent desi girl decides to choose writing, journalism, law or psychology as a career, it is looked down upon? We are we so quickly ridiculed as wasting our time and talent? Is medicine the only career choice for women? How many of us have wounds of our own, that we cannot heal in fear of disrupting the cultural balance that we are forced to succumb to in the name of family, respect and honor.

Since the time I was five years of age until my second year in college, I always wanted to be a physician. I loved medicine, and still do. However, there came a time when I realised that it was not my choice to become a physician, but rather my duty to become one. I had to maintain an old tradition in my family that dates back to four generations.

From that point on, I refused to continue to tread along the pre-med path. But, at the same time, I have yet to fully embark on my own journey towards redemption.

And than, I ask.... why is it so important for us to be accepted? Isn`t that what we are asking for? And, than again, why shouldn`t we ask for it?

Why can`t we be respected and accepted for who we are? Why must certain initials accompany our titles in order for us to be taken seriously?

actaully, I think I have written more than I had initially intended. I have introduced more topics than I can safely contend with here and as a result, I have created somewhat of a puzzling effect for the reader. My humble apologies.

My compliments to the writer, BRAVO!

Remember the Magic Ironically, I just came back from my trip to Orlando about less than 24 hours ago. I am miserable after catching the bug on the plan to Disney World.

ALthough, my family and I went during the month of october, the off-season month, the lines were still very long, and the people still smelled bad! *silly smile *

My brother and I were left with the responsibility of ``babysitting` my spoiled 13 year old sister.

We spent far too much on food, and useless souvenirs. All in all, I didn`t really mind the Disney Challenge.

I was upset with the EPCOT center, though. Could they have made it any more pro-euro???? No country from Africa was presented, oops, I forgot about Morocco. But, what about Kenya??? And, there was China and Japan. okay. but, what about the middle East or South-East Asia?

The majority of it was, England, France, Italy and Norway -- oh yes, can`t forget great ol` America.

So much for diversity! I was greatly disappointed. And I had the unfortunate experience of going at a time where 95% of the visitors were from Britain!!! I am not sure whether there was a brit discount value or not! But, they were everywhere with their ignorant comments and stupid stares.

No one spoke English, or at least American english besides my siblings and the fellow Floridians.

The magic in the Kingdom was suppressed by the great British air of BEANdom!!!

I think I would have enjoyed far better, had the miserable not set foot on the tropical state! *silly laughter *

But, I found Disney to be kinda nice, but then again, I didn`t have to take care of a young child.

Come to Hershey Park, in Hershey, PA!! much more Funnnnnn!

besides, all welcome for a cup of tea at my place!!

Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a Match I luved your article!!!!

cute, and sacrastic!!!!