Get your floaters out and put your sunroofs down because it’s that time of year again. In the immortal words of Troy and Gabriella: “What time is it? SUMMERTIME!” But you know what? Summer isn’t all it’s cracked up to be…well at least not summer over here!! The temperature is rising, and so is my hair: exams are over, and so are the spring collections. Despite all those other terrible things, I’ve been able to cope with many summers in Abu Dhabi.
To be honest, my summer lifestyle usually consists of movie marathons, blanket forts, and hibernation. But can you blame me? The weather is too brutal to encourage other activities; in fact, Abu Dhabi temperatures are already hovering around the 50s and breaking all sorts of records. However, when I’m not auditioning for The Walking Dead, I try to stay in shape and keep my internal clocks ticking. So this summer, I am going to do some intense swim training and water aerobics. Another thing I intend to do is catch up on everything I put on hold for the two grueling years of IB. This includes reading a dozen or so books, finishing a handful of paintings, brushing up on my Japanese, and raising money for my move to university. The one thing that really makes this summer the most important one is that it’s the last one I’ll have before being shipped off to the States.
It’s a bittersweet reality that matches the theme of an Arabian summer. The ups are almost as plentiful as the downs. Having to say goodbye to my friends and the country I’ve grown to appreciate for shaping my character and giving me a home away from home is heartbreaking. But the anticipation and excitement of a new life in a different city is gripping. That’s why I have made it my mission to enjoy the time I have left here, thoroughly.
By following the to-do list of awesome things I need to do I shall be able to accomplish my mission – it is just too bad that my friends won’t there to share it with me. I hope that everyone, staying or leaving, has a wonderful time and makes the best of this summer…
By Nisma Hamid | @nismahamid
