It's a crowded city with busy people. The streets are packed with cars, taxis, and buses, surrounded by tall buildings. There are many cultures amongst the crowd. Metros and taxis are used often, unlike Virginia in which you barely see a taxi on the road. What I like most about New York is that it's alive. You can see life as you pass any street. I also like it because I like crowded cities. And it does remind me of Iran; its crowdiness, its traffic, and its shops.
I wonder what it's like to live in New York. Maybe I'll try it one day.
The ship on the Hudson River was great. All around the water you see New York's tallest buildings, the statue of liberty, and the Empire State building. There was a constant wind that brought everyone to life. As I looked I wanted to jump out and fly on top of the water. It must be a joy to be a bird.

Among the faces are many nationalities. Since New York is a big crowded city, it is easier to realize the many cultures and nationalities of people. There is so much diversity that you never feel different, even if you?re a foreigner.

View from the Top

From the top of the Empire State building New York is even prettier. It is alive with the heart of its people. From the top everything is both incredible and memorable.

Night

At night the city is full of lights. People are walking, talking on their cell phones, or eating. If it wasn?t dark you would think it is still morning.
Sometimes I forget that I?m in the U.S., but when I hear people talk I remember where I am.

In Manhattan

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Jarvis today. Thanks to him we got a great digital camera. Enjoy the photos.

Like I said before everything ends, but while it is ending it leaves off a great memory. I really like New York and enjoy everyday of it.
Today we walked through 5th avenue, but unfortunately I didn't get to buy anything. The shops were great. It's just like Iran; shops are everywhere. We saw Central park, what a beauty. Anyway, we had another great day.
We will leave New York tomorrow morning. It will be a long drive for us to get back to VA. Though I don't think my family and I care. We are together, that's what we care about.

We got back home safely. It was a very enjoyable trip especially because of my brother's presence.
When I think of all these happy times, I know that life is great. There's no doubt about it. Of course everyone's life is different. To me the happy times count, though I learn from all of it, happy or sad.
I have 10 more days left before school starts. I am hoping to have a good year.

We attended an Iranian-Afghani wedding yesterday. The wedding was held at a Marriot hotel in D.C. Most women had their heads covered. Dance was not allowed, though music was playing. They made some speeches for the bride and the groom. The groom and the bride had invited their American friends as well. At the end of the ceremony the room was divided. On the right side there were ladies who wanted to dance without anyone seeing them. The rest were on the left side. It was a bit of a surprise to see this in America

We live close to Washington, though we don't see it often. It is a nice city with beautiful surroundings. It is also beautified by its history. To me New York was more alive, probably because of its many tourists. Washington doesn't shine like New York, yet both are beautiful in their own ways.

It seems like I had more to write about when I was in Iran. I guess it was because it was a new experience and because I had never written anything about it.
I still feel as though it was dream, but either way it was great. It was so great to see my land again and to walk among the people I once knew. Or I thought I knew. The people were great. They were cool and were fun to be around with. Iran is a great country, if you don't look at its government. It always was.
So once again, I had an awsome Summer, one that I will always remember.

I've joined the volleyball team. It's pretty good so far. I'm not a sports person, but I thought I'd give it a try. School starts on Monday. I'm nervous. It's going to be a difficult year. I will stay positive though. My brother leaves on Tuesday. It was real nice to have him with us. We're going to miss him. When I was little I didn't know how great my siblings were until they were gone.
Life is still going on. I'm just going to relax, I'll try. Besides I still have two days.

I packed my bookbag for tomorrow's torture, school. Well, it's not that bad to be honest. We went to Tyson's corner and had a drink at Starbucks. I had a caramel Frappuccino. It is now 4:25 and we will go to a restaurant at 5. We will have the delicious Iranian kabob, yum.

The Unlimited Sky

That blue wall above is so unbelievably big that you think anything is possible. This world is full of possibilities, so many opportunities, and so many unanswered questions. You see the sun set and you think it is over. You see the sun rise and everything is alive again. If there are so many possibilities why don't we take a risk and use these possiblities to make a difference. Why are we scared of changes, of alterations?

I had a hard long week. It seemed like a long time even though it was just a week. I sort of lost my confidence and worried too much. I could not control myself. I felt very weak. Now I feel much better. My mom always gives me strength and reminds me to be positve and to believe in myself.

I started my week good. I am positive so far, and I am happy. School is fine, volleyball is fun, and life is still going on. I hope my sister passes the nursing exam so we can have here with us. That will be awesome. I saw S.W.A.T on Friday night. It was an awesome movie and definitely worth watching.

Imagine an ocean
With its waves
And the sound it makes

Imagine a child
Running through the wind
And laughing out loud

Imagine a place
Where you could walk into
And let your dreams come true

Imagine a place
Where nothing surrounds you
Just you and your soul

Imagine a world of freedom
And a world full of pleasure
With justice and peace

Now stop imagining and think of reality. If you’re near the ocean, can you get rid of all your thoughts so you can only hear the waves? Can you understand the laughter of a child and think of the importance of happiness? Can you get to all of your dreams? Can you be left only by your soul and no other being? Can you see a world of freedom with justice and peace?
Sometimes imagination works, sometimes reality won’t let it work. Either way we have to lead a life. Each one us holds something big on the way. Each one of us is capable of making a difference. We have to accept ourselves and our neighbors. We have to accept reality.