Pilot

January 1st, 2014. Happy New Year! 

I've wanted to start a blog for the longest time, but haven't had the courage to... until now. Well, to be honest, I had to get over how much the word 'blog' bothered me. I'm old-fashioned and really like the English language and all its intricacies. I call myself a word-nerd. I prefer spelling words out completely in text messages and tweets (there's another word I'm wrapping my head around). I was that annoying kid in the class who over-eagerly raised her hand to spell out words when asked and who got 10 out of 10 for her spelling and dictation tests. But here I am, attempting to maintain my love for writing in this modern day and age of the Interweb. I will embrace this new-fangled mode of communication, goshdarnit. And with any luck, you and I will both get something out of this. I, like every other blog (hey, didn't cringe this time) writer out there, am hoping to share my thoughts electronically and impart my vast knowledge of life, love and other stuff with as many readers as I can. 

I've traveled extensively over the past decade and a half and have learned so much about myself and the world. I always thought it would be cool if I could write about it. Maybe even publish a book one day. But my fear of putting myself out there always stopped me. Until now. Life is simply far too short. There is just no time to be fearful. I'd also always known, from the time I was a little girl, what I wanted to do with my life. I have always wanted to act. But until last year, I never actively pursued my passion. I have spent a lot of time doing other things, making excuses and running away from my true path instead of running towards it. Not this year. 2014 is the year I finally start this blog. Hey and even if no-one reads it, I can pat myself on the back for having done it! But then that got me thinking about so much more, like the Gregorian calendar and religion and the duality of what it means to be me.

If you've read my bio, you'll know that I'm Muslim. And the Islamic New Year started in November. The current Islamic year is 1435 AH. (FYI - The 1st Islamic year began in 622 AD, during which the prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him- migrated from Mecca to Medina. This was known as the Hijra, hence the Latin AH for anno Hegirae.) What got me thinking about this, is how much significance we give to the Gregorian calendar and celebrating New Year's Eve. It becomes a time for reflection as we look back at all that we achieved in the past year and all that we hope to do and achieve in the new year. We write out our New Year's resolutions and promise ourselves that this year, we may actually keep them. But, at the end of 1434, I didn't do that. Why didn't I start writing and posting this on the 1st of Muharram 1435? 

For a long time, I found it hard to talk about religion, especially my own. I thought it such a difficult topic to discuss without offending or insulting someone. That was me projecting my own fears of being offended. (I have only recently figured out that without open discussion about our beliefs, how else will we learn from and about each other?) Perhaps, that is why 1435 passed by so quietly for me. It was an internal, more spiritual celebration whereas the Gregorian new year is part of a different aspect of my life that is more out there and public. 

I usually feel this way - like I'm living a dual life. There's the me who lives in this modern, Western world celebrating 2014 and the fresh new year and all the possibilities it may bring to my acting and modelling career. Then there's me, the somewhat reserved Muslim girl who is in 1435, trying to remain true to myself and my beliefs, while still accepting all that 2014 has to offer. 

I'm going to attempt to make sense of this life of G right here, and I invite you to come along if you'd like. If you do decide to join me on this journey, and would like to leave a comment, please be nice and/or constructive. There's enough negativity in the world already. 

Happy 1st of January, 2014 and 29th of Safar, 1435. I hope that this is the year you get to conquer some of your fears!

-G