Super Special Pinky Day...TOEFL after the Party!

During the day, I heard that the TOEFL results were out! My friends kept nagging on me to go and see how much I got….but I did not listen. Before I leave the university at 5:00 pm, I went to S, Mr. Dn’s assistant, I said to myself “if she is still around I will go and find out”

And she was there!!! I went to her and after greeting her, I asked about my TOEFL score….I said “I am not sure if I got above 500”, she said “No!! you passed” …she looked at the computer screen and said “513!!!”…It was hard to believe that, so I got closer to her to make sure and yes I GOT THE TOEFL for the second time…I barely believed it!!!

Everyone was happy for me, but when I told my Dad that I got 513…he said “only that!!”…ah well, nothing can satisfy him. I am so happy about it and I am planning to take it once in every semester till I graduate….

Super Special Pinky Day...In the Party!

In the big day, I dressed in one of my favorite pink outfits. While I was admiring myself in front of the mirror, I hear the bus coming!!! When I was running down stairs, I was about to fall!! And what a great beginning it was!!

I went straight to J building, in order to be on time to help Mr. D and Mr. A. I did not find them when I went to the class, so I start helping some girls who needed help. Then the two guys arrived, and we sat at the end of the class waiting for the girls to start.

One by one and every presentation contained something interesting; I enjoyed marking with Mr. A and Mr. D….I was glad that they really wanted my opinion about every presentation.


At 12:05 Mr. Dn arrived even before Mr. D does, so I went to call him…and I told Mr. A that my next presentation will be finding differences between Mr. D and Mr. Dn! When I went back to class everyone was unusually quiet, and the reason was Mr. Dn of course.

F went first with her presentation and she was really good!! Though the video of the presentation, which the guys really enjoyed, took most of the time. But she really did great. And when it was my turn I was a little bit nervous sine I was marked by 3 teachers …..

Without feeling it, I finished the presentation…I was satisfied with what I did, but I wanted to know what did the three teachers thought about it. Mr. Dn gave 100% and Mr. A too…but Mr. D gave me 95% because I did some mistakes in grammar “Subject, Verb, Agreement”…

Super Special Pinky Day...Before the Party!

Nothing interesting happened during this week except yesterday. It was the day Mr. A’s class did their presentation. I was asked by Mr. A and Mr. D to help them observing and marking. I knew all Mr. A’s class and I am used to mark their presentations.

This time I wanted to a presentation for Mr. A’s class…just for fun!! And the topic was about my favorite boy Band “WESTLIFE”. I prepared for it like I am preparing to any other important presentation. Besides, I was helping F with her presentation “Behind the Serious Mask” which I was looking forward to see.

In Monday before two days of the presentation, Mr. A gave me a sample of the marking sheet, to my surprise Mr. D was around and he said that he is coming too. To observe the girls and I!! I teased him saying that I don’t want him to be there, he said “if it was not me, who will it be?” …I said “Mr. Dn”. Mr. D loves to tease me about Mr. Dn for that he insisted more on coming to my presentation.

Inviting Mr. Dn was not on my mind, but I thought it was a good idea. Since Mr. Dn was a part of F’s presentation, I asked her if it is ok if he will come in Wednesday afternoon to our presentation. She agreed and we took Mr. A’s approval.

TOEFL again??!!....3

I smiled at the paper; it was the first time for me to do that. The time passed so quickly, without feeling it I was moving from one section to the another and TADAAA the exam finished when Mr. Dn said “Put the pens down”

A girl who was sitting near me did not listen to him and kept writing. I did not see his angry face before coming toward me and I thought that he was talking to me!! “stop writing, I said stop writing!! You know that you can not do that!” But when he took the paper from that girl, I calmed down.

The exam was normal like any other. I was discussing it with my friends F and M when M asked me to go with her to J building’s second floor. She took her bag from her locker. And then..

When we went downstairs I noticed that someone was coming up before knowing who was I loosed my balance and was about to fall but I hold M’s shoulder. I breathed and looked down to see MR. DN!!!! He was shocked; I could not look at him. He said “be careful!”. in my heart I said “Has he to be around every time I am about to fall???!!!!”

This day was almost the same of last year’s. last year my right hand was injured, I fall in front of Mr. Dn --- long story--- and this year my left hand was injured and I was about to fall in front of Mr. Dn….WHAT A coincident!! Besides, in those two days I was taking the TOEFL exam.

TOEFL again??!!....2

On my way to my seat, Mr. Do and Mr. S stopped me saying if I have a mobile phone, I told them that I don’t have one, the truth is that I left it with one of my friends like I do in every TOEFL exam. I looked around and I felt the TOEFL’s atmosphere. I could not help but to smile.

Mr. Dn started his usual lecture about not having cell phones and not having anything on the table except a pencil and an eraser or maybe a cup of water. Then he asked the teachers to help distributing the pink answer sheets. He was the one who gave me the answer sheet but I believe he did not hear me thanking him. I started felling the answer sheet with my name, ID…etc. I really missed feeling the bobbles!

I liked it when Mr. Dn say the word “NONE”, I don’t know way but I like it! and once I told him that I like his “NONE”. There is a question in the answer sheet asking about how many times have we took the exam and we have three choices “NONE, ONE TIME, TWO OR MORE”. I remembered that in this part Mr. Dn say that word so I listened to him. To my surprise, he said “If you did not take the TOEFL exam before mark..” he paused and looked at my smiling “NONE!!”

I thought I was imagining things but I was not!! I was happy that he remembered it and I looked back at my paper wanting to laugh. Then teachers started giving us to TOEFL exam paper. Mr. J gave it to me! Then it started!!

TOEFL again??!!....1

In the early morning and while I was looking at myself in the mirror… I remembered my old days with the TOEFL and how nervous I was back then but at that moment I made up my mind. “I am going to take it today!!!”

When I arrived to the university, I went to the auditorium looking for Mr. Dn. I found him talking to Mr. G, I greeted them. Mr. G said “Are you here to take the TOEFL exam?” “Not now but afternoon” I said. He thought that I was joking but after he heard me asking Mr. Dn to put me on the list, he believed me.

My global class finished at 12!! I went to J building to take F with me to the exam, but I found that she went before me… I was glad that she did not wait for me, I did not want her to be late because of me.

The exam was for level 6&7 and I did not know where Mr. Dn put my name. I went inside the auditorium and looked for him; he was talking with couple of teachers. I asked him about my name… he showed me where to go but I found his assistance S. she showed me my name where I signed and paid. In this moment, I heard Mr. Dn’s voice asking everyone to take their seats.

Not on the Bus...P2-- Career Fayer, Mr.Do's lunch and an idea

In the university it was a special day, it was the “career fayer” day!!!I found a lot of interesting jobs for the summer holiday! Working is summer will be great, I don’t want to repeat the nightmare in the next summer holiday.

When I went to have lunch, I saw Mr. Do looking for his friend. After chatting with him, he went to have lunch alone. I could not ignore that, I pick up my lunch and made my way to Mr. Do’s table. I asked him if he is ok, and he asked me if I want to join him. I did not think twice, I just grab a chair and sat with him.

After having lunch and chatting, we went walking to J building. He had to prepare for his class and I had a class to attend. It was the first time for me to have lunch with Mr. Do and I hope it will not be the last.

I finished my classes at 4:20 pm and I went to see my friend F. she was nervous because the next day will be a big one. It was the TOEFL exam, all readiness students worse nightmare.

I remembered that I wanted to take it too, just to challenge myself and see how good I am. So I went to see Mr. Dn and I asked his if there is any room for me. He said that there is, though he was surprised that I REALLY wants to take it. I told him that did not make up my mind yet and I will tell him in the next morning whether I am going to take it or not.

Not on the Bus...P1-- From Hospital to ZU

Tuesday is kinda special…I did not go to the university by bus because I had to go to check on my eyes in the hospital.

I woke up at 7:20 am and I had ENOUGH sleep. I dressed and waited for my aunt to come and take me to the hosptial. At 8:30 am I was with the doctor who was checking on my eyes. She told me that I have to do an operation because for the “double vision” I’m having for about 4 years. I stayed there till 9:30 am, and I went back home waiting for my Dad.

In the car I was writing:

At 10:30 am my Dad arrived with his funny old nice friend from Egypt. Till this moment those two are discussing a lot of things about life and in every point they want my opinion about they topic they are talking about.

In all my life I did not see my Dad having fun talking to someone like he talks to his friend H. those two have a completely different characters, yet they are friends for more than 20 years!!! They like to tease each other but WOW!! They are doing it in a very strong way but both of them seem to understand each other…they are really having a good spirit.

I was wondering from where did I get my spirit …well, that is obvious …I inherited it from my Daddy!! What a boring topic they are talking about!!! About tourist and terrorism!!

Now they are talking about something interesting involving my future. My dad said that he have a vision about me and my bro future. He said that I will work and live in Dubai. My dear bro will work in AD the capital … I did not know that my father have this vision for my and my bro. but as his friend said “if your children will live away from you, who will keep you company”…..my father answer was laughing out loud.

My father lost the way to the university!! Though I was tilling him where to go, he chose the wrong road and blamed me!! Any way I felt peace when I arrived to the university….I said goodbyes to my Dad and his friend.

Behind the Serious Mask C4

Chapter Four: Mr. Dn's Interview

On the way to the last interview, I asked F if I’m doing fine. She said that the way of interviewing them is really interesting….that made me happy because I want her presentation to be good …though I looked tired….

At 2:30 pm we were at the Secret Room with Mr. Dn. I thought that he was nervous before the interview when I asked him he said that he is not…well that was GOOD! I was more relaxed interviewing Mr. Dn because I got used to asking questions and to F’s video camera. After finishing with him, I got the idea of treating F and Mr. Dn to a cup of coffee but both of them were busy …so Mr. Dn suggested doing that sometime next week. F and I are looking forward to it.

We went back to class, to watch the video and see if we did well. It was pretty good though I looked awful!! I left F with her work …it was a nice experience doing an interview while I was videoed. I hope that F’s presentation will be perfect, she is really a great friend and I wish her all the best.

Behind the Serious Mask C3

Chapter Three: What were they up to? & Mr. S's Interview

My jaw was dropped, and then I heard Mr. S saying “I saw this man, Mr. G, killing someone with his bare hands!!” I really laughed and it was the first time to know that Mr. S, the new teacher, is really funny! F and I gave each other wow-they-are-really-interested-on-doing-this-interview look. Mr. Dn and Mr. S asked about their turns and I told them that after finishing with Mr. S, we will do Mr. Dn’s interview outdoors as it was planned.

Mr. Dn asked if it is ok to move the place, because the building will be crowded with students at that time. So, he asked to do it in the “Meeting Room”… I was DELIGHTED!! I’ve always called that room a secret because none of the students is allowed to get in there.

Around 2:15 pm, we were at Mr. S’s office getting ready for the second interview. I forgot to bring Mr. S chocolate as I promised. The day when I settled an appointment with him, he told me joking “I answer better with a chocolate”. F started videoing and WOW!! I confirmed that behind Mr. S serious face is a person with a really funny character. Before I leave, I promised him that I will bring him a chocolate next week.

Behind the Serious Mask C2

Chapter Two: First Interview with Mr. G!

At 2:00 pm was our first interview with Mr. G, while F was getting ready…We saw Mr. G he asked us if we were ready I said “Go to your office right now, we are coming”…it sounded like an order so he said “EXCUSE ME!!”…He knew that I did not mean it, he was only teasing.

F and I were really nervous…she was the director and it was the first time for me to be videoed while I’m doing an interview. At Mr. G’s office we got ready…and when she said “3,2,1” I did not feel anything, I just moved in to actions by asking “Behind the Serious Mask” questions.

Mr. G was so cooperative and I enjoyed interviewing him and I notice that F enjoyed videoing us. But I got kind of confused when I heard the door’s office been opened!! I tried my best to be calm. After finishing I noticed that F noticed the same. We heard footsteps coming towered Mr. G’s desk. Then TADAAA!! It was Mr. Dn along with Mr. S!!

Behind the Serious Mask C1

Chapter one: Before the Interview

I met F last term; she was kinda mysterious girl to me. Something told me that we may become good friends. And that was true, our friendship started to take its place from the first phone call she made. We found out that we have so many common things between us like old Arabic poems and astronomy.

Since I go to J building a lot lately, I see her more than before! So I get to know her better…once she told me that she wants to do a presentation and she needs my help. Of course it was my pleasure to help her. Her idea was about “People’s Serious Face”. She got the idea of doing interviews with teachers from the Readiness Program.

We started to think of teachers who have a really “Serious Face”. Our choices settled down on Mr. G, Mr. S and Mr. Dn. We arranged appointments with the three of them. She did not do any interviews before, so she asked me if I can show her how….well, I did interviews before and I was more than happy to help her.

In the early morning, we started the first step which was to video me when I was giving an introduction. It did not go well, because one of the India workers kept bothering us on purpose. We had to do it twice, but Mr. PD saw F videoing me and started to make some SILLY movements to make me laugh but he failed!!

I MISSED Him!!!

Almost everybody was upset to come in Thursday…but couples of girls and I were really happy about it. My new friend K suggested that I can bring my cousin F to the university … I liked the idea and I called her at once to ask if she is free at Thursday and she was!! That day she came to spend the night at my house.

I was praying when I heard my cousin K calling my name!! He was kind of excited .. When he saw me praying he said “Maryam after you finish come downstairs, your uncle J in here!!” I was delighted but I could not interpret my prayers.

F came running after moments telling me the same news!! I brushed my hair and wore something nice. I went to greet him with a BIG smile. Usually I see Uncle J only once a year and seeing him for the second time this year made me move to tears !!

When I saw him, he smiled and shocks my hand I said “Uncle I missed you!!” “Really! I missed you too” … he added saying “you look extraordinary happy!” “of course Uncle its because of being in the university and because of your visit” then we sat together a long with my aunt, three cousins, grandma and my brother A who joined us later.

We chatted for a while and I took a picture of him => when he was about to leave, I walked with him to the gate…we said goodbye.. I told him that I always massage and call him. I will really missed Uncle J and I can not wait to see him again.