Mohammad and I meet again

     It is evident that we have reached one of the busiest times of the semester where almost every professor assumes we're only taking their class. After several reschedules, Mohammad and I had the opportunity to meet again. Although this was only our second time meeting, we somehow get off to a great start and chat non stop. An hour has never passed so quickly in my life as he told me his adventures of getting a new car and the development of his research paper for IEP.
     After driving a rental car for several months, Mohammad decided it was time to go car shopping. Quickly picking up on his love and fascination of cars without him disclosing the brand of his new car, I knew he probably settled on a luxurious car that's designed to speed. Proceeding, I asked him what kind of car he got and low and behold, he is a proud new owner of a Mercedes Benz. Unfortunately, he already had to take it to the shop to repair the carburetor, but was excited to pick it up this evening. Knowing that he lives off campus I asked how he had been getting to school the past several days. He laughed for a few seconds before describing his attempt to walk 15 miles to school. I quickly said, "Wait, what!?! You walked 15 miles to school!" Replaying his morning, he set his alarm for 6 am in order to be at class by 9. He began walking approximately 2 miles before looking at his watch to read the time of 8:15. Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he immediately dialed and begged his friend from Arlington to pick him up and drop him off at school. Arriving 45 minutes to class, he was in for a rough day ahead. Reassured that he didn't have to walk 15 miles to school I was happy for him to be getting his car back.
     After asking how his classes were going and his performance on the economics test he was concerned about last meeting he began to vent about IEP. He was shocked and slightly upset when his teacher assigned a research paper. Claiming that his teacher never told him how to write, format, or research the paper and topic he demanded some guidelines, although he openly admitted "I know how to do it, but I want her (his teacher) to tell me how." Understanding where he's coming from, I laughed because I too admit guidelines and structure makes the assignment a little more black and white. Trying to let him see the bright side of the creative assignment, he told me he was going to write his paper on the hate crimes of the religious police in Saudi Arabia. Intrigued  and unaware of this topic, I asked him to describe the religious police. Little did I know, in Saudi Arabia, they are all strictly enforced to practice Muslim and religious freedom is nonexistent. Although Mohammad is a devout Muslim, he said the religious police have entirely too much power and have similar authority to the princes' in Saudi. I'm always very interested when he describes life in Saudi Arabia, being the ignorant, sheltered American that I am. Wrapping up our meeting, I reassured him that it sounds like his paper is going to be great.
      I look forwards to meeting Mohammad again, as we have now established a set time that will hopefully work with both of our schedules.
     Until next time!
         Katelyn