The girl between 2 towns

Hello ! It's been to long since I posted. I'm not sure why I didn't get round to it but now I will share what's been happening since 2017 is nearly over ! I started 5th year of medical school and it's been great . I actually feel more relaxed than 4th year but I've been using my time as efficiently as I can. I'm starting an OSCE society next semester which is where we do physical examination assisessments and I think it will be great for the students as a learning experience and hundreds of students are so interested. It will be pressure but I've relaxed enough and organizing this and getting it out there will be amazing. In terms of friends I know I have many but I've come to conclusion no one is there for me like my family is. I've had my lonely moments but I'm happy I've become more independent and stronger especially since I am so extroverted. For Christmas I would say I'm very lucky. At first it was just a stress but it all...

I'm always mesmerized by what I see in Plovdiv. Nature always seems so much more beautiful here. I feel constantly reminded of its amazing Creator. Here are some of the magical moments I captured.                                              

Hello, I know Its been a while. I think a summary is the best way to describe it all so here goes. My summer holidays had their ups and downs. It was amazing to be with my family including having long chats with my mom and playing board games with my siblings. Those kind of moments are always precious. However there were some family problems, My parents were in a bad state and there was a lot of drama in the house and a lot of emotional moments for every family member. I had one exam when I got back to university which was clinical pathology and thank God I passed it. Since I've returned to university I am happy to get back into the student life routine. However I've been thinking ahead and am already stressing. I am worried about next year since it will be mostly me speaking the very difficult language of Bulgarian. I'm also worried about my lack of clinical skills experience since we do so much theory these days at university instead of actual patient work which is...

While I am still in Plovdiv I finally had the chance to go to one of the famous summer operas they have at the Ancient Roman Theatre. This one was VIVA L'OPERA. It was my first time in the 4 years I have been in Plovdiv going to the ancient theatre. It was also my first time as an opera lover seeing the music live. My word to describe the night was simply...magical. The music, the stage, the performances, the sky and the breeze. Everything was so perfect. My body and soul was just taking it all in. Everyone watching was mesmerized. The night was alive. It really was a dream come true! I recommend anyone who comes to Bulgaria to come to this beautiful event.                                 

Exams are over (thank God)! I still can't believe next year will be my 5th year of medical school! Honestly it has been my hardest exam season so far. It was long and intense and as time went on my motivation would deteriorate. Now its over and a weight has been lifted. But I still feel a little tense. Right now I have to stay in Bulgaria for my clinical placements. For placements we only need to be in the hospital in the early morning hours and as students we can't do that much anyway.  Unfortunately my Bulgarian speaking skills are not very good either and I feel embarrassed to speak to staff and patients at the hospital who don't speak English (not to mention some staff seem so angry about my language skills). I am more disappointed in myself since I should know the language better. Balancing medical studies with learning a new language is hard and practising the language more is something I avoided for a long time. After...

A small but special moment happened today.. After temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius for the past 2 weeks (during exam season) , the city was blessed with rain and brought with it a cooler refreshing air. The moment I heard the rain I went straight to the balcony and enjoyed the beauty. Within moments the sprinkles turned to splashes as the rain intensified. The display of nature in front of me simply felt magical. After an unhappy couple of days this was just the little cheering up I needed. Thank you God

Today was a very special day for me. It was the day I proudly introduced a big part of me (my Religion) to my Greek friends. It was the first time they had been invited to the house of a Muslim who was fasting and they were fascinated by the whole experience once they arrived. I made sure to give them a unique experience in every way so even the cuisine was Pakistani. Dinner was meatball curry, chapatti, pakoras and salad. The dessert was mango custard. Before we ate, I told them how the last few moments before the fast were very important in praying so we just sat at the table and had a moment of silence where I prayed. Once it was sunset I played the Azan (call to prayer) which they were so excited to hear. Then we started eating and while we ate they asked me many questions such as why I fast and many more about Islam. It was so sweet to see their curiosity and their interest in everything I had to say. They even watched me pray Salah in Arabic ...

So Ramadan finally started and so did exam season. I have a feeling this month wont be easy. At the beginning of it all I was lucky enough to be home for a few days. It was great to spend time with my family and everyday I looked forward to our meal together (for iftar and sehri). However I had to study intensely for neurology so I decided to take a few days from fasting. I was sad to leave home and go back to Plovdiv for my first exam but I knew time would fly by before it was time to return home. Since I got back I decided to push myself and fast everyday along with studying for my exams. I am grateful to God that I have managed to do every single one so far. It hasn't been easy but vie managed to pull myself through. I had some iftars with my flatmate initially and then I had to open some fasts alone which wasn't a good feeling since I'm so used to opening them with others like my family. Luckily I was invited to some iftar dinners and I had one at my own place wh...

Having spent a few weeks away at university, my next visit home was due. One of the best things was coming into the arrivals area at the airport and seeing the smile on my mom's face when she saw me. I instantly gave her and my dad a big hug and felt so blessed. Coming home, I was given theusual treat which was my mom making all my favourite dishes including my favourite Pakistani dish Biryani. It was great to see everyone and have a catch up with my siblings how they have been. The next day my sister decided to take me for the day with her to a barbeque party arranged by students from Loughborough university (in Leicester) collaborating with students from her university (Birmingham). Initially I wasn't sure about going because I was only home for the weekend and wanted to relax with my whole family instead of spending a whole day of extra travelling. However now I am so glad I had pushed myself and gone with her. It was ju...

I n my opinion my university doesn't offer as many opportunities for its students compared to other universities which are outside of the normal curriculum. Finally an exciting student conference was made! I was an active participant in the conference called “Surgery but not only.” I have a great interest in endocrinology so I chose the topic Intrathoracic Goitre. My article will now be published in an E-book with the articles of many other students and is available for anyone to read. As part of the scientific conference, students are also required to present their main findings as a presentation. The presentation needed to be 5-10 minutes long. I put myself forward to do the presentation but I was very nervous. But I know that whatever tasks make me anxious are the only way for me to grow as an individual and university is the perfect place to grow! It was a great  experience to help me improve on my public speaking skills and I love public speaking. I ...

I finally decided to visit an English heritage site and explore some history before I get back to university. This trip combined two of my favourite things, history and the picturesque english landscape.  The location was Kenilworth castle, one of the famous castles in the UK.  The castle is one of the oldest in Britain which dates back to the 1100s. One of the most famous residents of the castle was Queen Elizabeth I herself. It appears as as ruins, but a little imagination and knowledge is enough to revive it. It was set in the stunning Warwickshire countryside. One of my favourite moments was gazing out at the grounds and admiring the beauty that surrounded me. As Jane Austen said: "There are much to be pitied who have not been given a taste for nature early in life."    

It feels great to be home now. Finally a nice long holiday for Easter after a busy semester of university. Yes, I really missed my family even if I came home for a weekend which is always too fast.  But there are other things I completely didn't pay attention to and missed out on. Sometimes you just don't see what is happening in the family and the emotions going through the house and what feelings your loved ones are really hiding. People act happier than they really are. The good thing about having a holiday between university and coming home is that I have the chance to properly communicate with my loved ones and understand the situation. I've learned that even when I am away from home, I still need to talk more, especially to my parents and really be there for them. All of the children of the house are busy with their studies but we all need to work together and really support each other. Family comes first and I'm blessed to have mine. Uswah xxx

One of the best things about Plovdiv is the picturesque beauty of the city during the warmer seasons. The sun is shining, the air is warm and the plants are blooming in a city full of history and treasures. I can find peace going for a walk or  just siting outside and taking in the scenery. Happy Spring!

So our university has finally completed its new simulation centre. Its so exciting since its a great wayfor students to learn more practical stuff. Not to mention the centre is one of 14 in Europe and coasted 20 million euros! The course was a few lectures in the morning and then a series of workshops which were rotated. The workshops were Basic Life support, Obstetric emergency/emergency labour, Airway management, Cannulation and surgical suture and knots. I had a wonderful time and learned a lot of useful information and skills. I'm so happy to see the university advancing. I hope the students of Plovdiv have many more chances to learn at the simulation centre and other universities also collaborate with Plovdiv which would be exciting !

With one sad moment comes many happy moments. That's exactly what I realised this week. I was hurt on Saturday from someone who was for a long time a best friend to me and I had felt so low. I just wanted to go back home and see my family. Thank God that now I feel so happy again. Yesterday my best friend Jenny decided to surprise me for a birthday meal with a big group of all of my close friends and honestly it was such a big surprise, I just didn't expect it! I thought it was just a dinner with me and Jenny and I walk into the restaurant to see 16 of my close friends sitting on a big table and all smiling at me. My mouth just dropped and I was so embarrassed but happy. The evening was full of so much love and I was given attention. I had so many faces just smiling at me and wishing me happiness and I really felt so blessed and loved.  I'm so happy because of Jenny who arranged it but also because of tall the wonderful people in my life who came.  I...

I really feel so happy knowing I have such an amazing group of people in my life. For the past few days one person who I really cared about recently showed her true colors and it really hurted me. I thought maybe that it was me who was a bad person and I could lose my other friends. But God has shown me that I have much more love and support than I thought and I have more than enough special friends in my life.  When my family cant be there since I am away from home, I can count on these people to be like my second family. These people aren't people that I was blessed with when I was born but they are people I have met throughout my life so far and I hope they will continue to be there and grow with me. I have a best friend in my year who I became closer to as our time at university went on and I know she is one of the very few people in my life who is always there for me. I know I can talk to her about anything, and we be totally honest with ...

Yesterday was such a busy day i never had the time to blog but it was a very special day. Mom worked very hard to arrange a big birthday party with some old family friends and some of my own friends who were free were invited. Normally when we have family parties i know what to expect but because I was the birthday girl it was surprisingly much more fun than i expected. all the guests were people I've known for ages and catching up with them was lovely. One of my favourite moment was when i was reunited with two of my very close girl friends from my college times who have each been my Skype buddies but separately. They have each kept me company throughout my degree and i have been doing it to them. Its not only talking on Skype but also studying together and just being there for each other, especially since all 3 of us were away from home. But Jyoti and Rukiya both hadn't seen each other since college so i reunited them both and it was amazing having 2 of my closest friend...

What a day its been! i really am so grateful for everything I have. Nothing is ever perfect or lasts forever so thats why I'm blogging these special moments with the special people in my life. <3 So I woke up around 7:30 in the morning and it was because of a mixture of me being excited and also the time difference where in Bulgaria where it was 9:30am which is around the time i wake up on my days off. Mom gave me the biggest hug and straight away had already prepared breakfast for me. It was a beautiful fruit platter topped with vanilla yoghurt and honey and nuts and her special signature bowl of oats was with it. It was so tasty but also so healthy! Me, my younger sister Izzah and mom just sat on the conservatory table and ate breakfast together with the beautiful garden views and had a good girly chat. After that I had to go out and do some jobs. In that time me and Izzah also headed to a local cafe in the town centre and had a lovely fish finger sandwhich to split and ...

I'm very blessed that every year 3rd march (my birthday) is a national holiday here in Bulgaria. Another year and another journey back home IA. I'm just on the bus and it's so peaceful because the bus driver kept the radio off. Yes the seats are not so comfortable and I am a little squashed up by on the plus side- The weather is warm and the sun is shining on the gorgeous Bulgarian countryside and mountains. I'm listening to some classical music too and it all just feels so peaceful. I'm very blessed and very excited to go home and see my family ! Till then I pray for a safe and smooth journey home. Xxx

Its another long day and I have a small dinner with the girls tonight for s friends birthday. I was so tired yesterday I didn't even get the chance to get ready properly and my hair was a mess. One of the benefits of living in Bulgaria is that there are a lot of small businesses which need supporting and provide services at a cheap price! So before the dinner instead of walking all the way home I decided I would just go to a local hair dresser In the area and get my hair washed and dried. I found a place that did it just for 5 lev which is about £2.50! She even massaged my hair as she washed it and really took her time to do a good job. It was so relaxing and in the price of a meal I had some real treat. I doubt I would be so lucky at home in the UK. And I will for sure do this more often and look for some more little treats to do. Happy Friday !

I love those moments where after a long day of university all I want is a good dinner and I'm blessed that my mom has made dishes for me and froze them so I can just simply defrost them and have home food even when I am away from home. I made my self a quick chapati and defrosted a meatball curry. I feel so good right now! Thank you mom! I recommend all students to get some frozen food from home and you wont go back.

I had a very busy morning and finally have a small break before he next lecture . Fistly I had  a lovely cup of tea at a restaurant near the uni campus which was so relaxing. Now I'm at the university campus. It's finally a warm and sunny day but the best part is the cool breeze today. I'm just sitting waiting for a friend and it's so quiet and I'm surrounded by the beauty of nature. Feeling so at peace xxx

Yesterday two of my lovely friends decided to eat out at Plovidv center and invited me. It was so good they did because i needed a change after not being out with them for so long and missing the center too. There was a restaurant open called Atlas and we originally decided on Happy's but i suggested this place and I'm so glad we went there. it was beautiful. i dont think I have every been to such a gourmet restaurant and I tried to be healthy and took just some vegetable starters which were grilled zucchini wraps with cheese and some hummus with bread and it was all so perfectly arranged on the plate and it was so tasty and i was surprised how satisfied i was with the meal. And i had a lovely chat with the girls and I felt again very blessed. <3 I'm considering having a birthda y meal there especially upstairs where it was magical with the nature projections across the room.  Sometimes the extra price really is worth it! what an experience it was...

So today was a very intense and special day for me. The whole day I was basically very productive and thought that I have to write it all down. Cardiology class was very interesting today and we did patient examinations, Urology we saw a suprapubic drainage and a urethrocystoscopy in the operating theater and in gynecology i saw my first Caesarean section! The C-section was amazing and I was just praising God when I saw it and it just hit me how beautiful life is for that moment and how blessed I was to see what I just saw. The operation was so quick and the baby cried very quickly and I had a great view of thr whole thing. I also wore my new scrubs the whole morning and they really suited me which made me extra happy. I had an hour lunch break and since i live near the hospital I popped back to the flat and had a lovely lunch which was a Bulgarian pepper cheese pattie and it was healthy with no carbs (need to get the name) and I enjoyed it with an episode of Modern Family. Lunc...

I forced myself to go to a yoga class for the sake of being there for a friend. Instead it was cancelled in the end. On the positive note there were many stalls of local fresh produce and i bought apple and cinammon jam, chocolate honey and an olive oil and flower face treatment. The most interesting part was the person who i bought the Jam off was actually British and i recognized hum by his accent. Turns out he moved to Bulgaria 12 years ago after a few days because he had fallen in love with it and now lives in a small village just outside of Plovdiv and wakes up to the views rivers and mountains everyday. He is now living a more simpler life but goes home to visit his grandparents and get all the UK goods like clothes and PG tea bags! His parents also live here with him and now he also speaks fluent Bulgarian. He also has his own search engine because of all the extra time he had. He gave me some tips on how to pick up the language and how I can watch some tv shows in Bulgarian to ...

I'm absolutely exhausted from the week. Fourth year is definitely taking its toll on me and its only been the second week! Anyway today I had to go the center bank to get a statement for my Bulgarian ID which is far but its the only bank i could go to. The good thing was it was another opportunity to see the beautiful center including the mosque and the morning sun really did make the scene all the more magical. Had o wait for  a while at the bank biut at least that job was sorted! I then returned to university since I really missed the homemade hearty and healthy canteen food and of course Bulgarian cuisine and I love trying new dishes. Even though i cannot eat the meat, I still have plenty of options for my lunch. I wasn't too hungry so I took just one dish and a salad. I had the quinoa kofte and they were superb and i had it with a homemade tomato sauce which complemented it well.  After that it was just another two intensive lectures in neurology and dermatology and by...