IDs

Traveling requires documents, passports, processes. Nothing is worse than growing up sans a nation, and hence any legitimate and worthwhile documentation. When I first got my hawiya in a little run-down government office, I though it was a joke. The Hawiya is one laminated card and a normal printed paper stuffed inside a gaudy, cheap, plastic folder embossed with the Palestinian seal. Printed in both arabic and hebrew, these papers remind their owners that they are occupied (as if we could forget).

I resented my hawiya because it limited where I could go. The 1948 region, Gaza, and Jerusalem are all off limits. I likened the hawiya to the Stars of David Jews wore in Hitler's Germany. A hawiya signals to young bored soldiers at checkpoints that they can humiliate and degrade us. 

Despite all of its issues, I realize a hawiya is very much a blessing. As a Palestinian living in the Unites States, this ID is the my only legal connection to Palestine. My laminated card, gives me the right to live in Palestine. As Israeli's try to intimidate and drive Palestinians out, this right is very precious. Not anyone can go to the West Bank or Gaza and simply claim Palestinian ancestry (any jew can receive Israeli citizenship). A major portion of Palestinians live outside of Palestine, holding on to our identity and rights to the land is very important. Holding a hawiya is my small connection.

Last Minute Deatils

I am feeling exhausted since I didn't actually go to bed last night. Not because of the royal wedding (though that was a nice perk). I was up writing my last research paper as an undergraduate student. I have eight pages done and need two more to finish up. My ideas are all there but I just need to hurry up and put them down in an organized and neat manner.

While in the West Bank, I want to volunteer with the Red Cross. Thankfully, I have contact so I will be able to at least volunteer once. I want to feel like I am actually doing something worthwhile for my country while I am there. This is also why I want to visit the Jenin Camp. I can talk about the occupation and its effect all day, but unless I experience it or see it myself, I will not convey the message well.

Also, give me one moment of being shallow. OMG, Kate Middleton is so pretty and I effing love her dress!

Flight in 1 MONTH!

I decided to revive my forgotten blog. Instead of my random whims, I will record my thoughts and ideas leading up to my EPIC Middle East summer travels and adventures to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the West Bank.

As of tomorrow, my family and I will have one more month before we board a VERY long flight over seas. Despite having a paper and 2 finals, I can't help searching for student blogs in the West Bank. I am getting very excited and already planning the places I want to visit.

* Freedom Theatre in Jenin
* A soap factory in Nablus
* Jenin Camp
* Ibraheemi Mosque in Hebron
* Ramallah (everywhere!)
* our old home in Jericho
* Beir Zeit University
* An-Najah university with my dad so he can show where he studied/worked/etc.

My list keeps growing and I can't wait. I am worried that with the amount of family I have in my small village, I won't be able to go off and do what I want. I will try my best though.