Salma's blog

  What's one question that has sparked lots of debates and controversies? I believe there are quite a lot, but perhaps we can all agree that the question “can money buy happiness?” is among the top on the list. The idealistic answer has always been in the negative, as a great number of people would argue that money can buy you materialistic things, but it can never guarantee your happiness. Allow me to disagree with this common perception, because I believe that money is such an important tool that could grant you the cause for your happiness.  In today's world, being financially secure can open the doors to comfort, freedom, and luxury. Many may argue that materialistic items do not equate to true happiness, but to me, being able to purchase whatever makes you happy, such as luxury bags and designer clothes, will always put a smile on your face. Money can buy you a house, a car, and other essentials that provide stability and comfort. I would much rather be sad in a mansion t...

  A Battle Between Comfort and Responsibility Salma Hreish It is widely acknowledged that time management is an empowering life skill that enables individuals to take control of their priorities, set their goals straight, and make the road to achieving these goals straightforward, and attainable. It helps us make the most of the precious time we are granted, avoid time-wasting practices, and stay away from falling into the habit of procrastination.   Procrastination is an experience that intertwines with many people's lives. It can get in the way of doing homework, chores, or just trying to achieve a goal. In the beginning, it may give you a sense of relief and a break from doing the task you were about to do, but its long term effects won't make up for it when you realize that you weren't able to get much done.  Even though procrastination is often associated with laziness, it holds deeper meanings of self-harm. When we put off a task against our good judgment, we a...

       Whisking Through Stronger Connections, Meaningful Moments, and Self-Discovery  Salma Hreish Growing up, I have spent more time than any girl my age in the kitchen, baking and cooking classical and newly discovered recipes. Until this day, the kitchen is my safe space. It is where you’ll find me when I need to take a break from a stressful situation, such as preparing for an important exam, and where I spend most of my quality time, such as winter, spring and summer breaks. Cooking is not merely the process of making food, as its significance definitely extends way beyond the act of satisfying hunger. It is a therapeutic process that never fails to take my mind away from anything distressing in my life. I enjoy putting my headphones on, blocking all the noise around me, and pouring ingredients into a bowl without having any clue about how it is going to turn out. Somehow, this is one of the most curative things you could do. Cooking and baking are meditati...

  The Pencil: A Pathway to Comfort  By Salma Hreish Growing up, sketching has always helped me create the life I want. If I am to decide on a single object that would tell my story, it would most definitely be the pencil. One would think that picking up a pencil out of boredom wouldn't mean much, and the ultimate benefit one would get out of it is a meaningless pastime. However, pencil sketching has been a major part of my life; it has helped me become a better student, daughter, friend, sister, and overall, a better human.  Since elementary school, I have used a pencil to draw and craft ideas for my future goals. At the academic level, my skills advanced greatly after taking advanced art classes in high school. From realism to ceramics, these classes have allowed me to have a better understanding of art and how it can be used to convey emotion. Learning about perspective, shadows, light, and detail have made my art work more expressive. This passion for art paved the way...