Hey, hey!

I woke up and looked across from me, there was Donnady sleeping, and then I looked the other way and there was Amy. Then a sudden realization hit me…I was in New York! This morning I had my interview live with CHML radio in Hamilton. I had never been live on the radio before and I was seriously nervous. The phone was handed to me before I could even think of what my voice would sound like or more importantly…what I would say. I think I answered the questions pretty well; I talked about Day of the Girl and the problems that I thought girls faced. My family was really proud of me (as they should be).

Saba, Donnady and Amy in New York

We went to UNICEF for my “supposed” interview but we had mixed up our schedule and it was not today. So we went to this café and I ended up having a not so yummy breakfast- warning: oatmeal doesn’t taste good. Today was the big day for me because today was our event for Day of the Girl! I was super excited and could not wait to present. However, first we had to rehearse and practice and practice and inevitably…practice.

Mid speech Dreeni walked in to tell me that I had another interview with the Hamilton Spectator! I was shocked, I mean since when was I getting interviews? So I rushed over and luckily I really didn’t have time to hyperventilate. The interview went alright, I felt sort of like a celebrity today being interviewed and such. I learned a lot about interviewing today, only answer what you want to and remember your answer doesn’t always have to be what they want to hear. By the time I hung up the phone, I was filled with enough energy to go back to Siham’s room and kill the participatory activity this time. Anyways, we got pizza for lunch!!! Yes!!

I have to say that I love event time and presentations…maybe it’s the actress kicking in or just the fact that we would be getting our message across to so many people. The event started of with the song “I am Super Girl” and it flew by. The monologues were my favourite part; we stood in a circle “making the world” and turned each time so the next girl could say her part. Hearing everyone’s opinions of why they want a Day for Girl’s was great and the audience was engaged. I am really happy because I think we got the message across and when the time came a lot of positive feedback was given. I greatly appreciated everyone’s feedback and people seemed to want to sign the petition. Of courses, we ended up taking lots of pictures on this awesome statue; I know for sure that these are the pictures that I am going to cherish for the rest of my life.

To celebrate we headed off for dinner. I could tell you what I had but then I’d probably make you hungry. So guess what I did next? Okay, think reception…the Canadian Reception! I’d never been to one of these kinds of receptions so we all got ready and headed off. The reception was in the UN building so it was really close. I love the UN building, there is so much in it and it’s extraordinary- filled with art and sculptures of all kinds. When entering the reception I finally got to meet the Canadian Minister on the Commission on the Status of Women for Canada. She was really nice and we got to take a picture with her. What I found odd at the reception was that Amy and I were the only girls there. I met a couple of people and they all had some message to share. I think that’s what it so great about these receptions is that you can mingle and meet all kinds of people!

On our way out, I looked around just to make sure that I was actually still in New York and I had not just walked out of a fantasy. The life I have here seems unreal and I love every minute of it. Maybe it’s because I am not used to this kind of city with lots of tall buildings and where so many opportunities are available. Being here has giving me lots of chances to think which is perfect because when we got back after the reception I had to partake in a research study. The atmosphere for this was not as demanding, and I felt really comfortable answering her questions. I am getting used to this whole interview process, and who knows maybe this will one day come in handy!

I do not take anything that has happened to me here for granted, even as I sit here and blog. I have a voice and whether you want it or not I am going to use it.

Tomorrow looks like it is filled with a lot of awesome events- I will be watching my friends rock on!

Saba