I cannot believe that we are already in the month of February. Times flies when you’re having fun spending every waking minute reading your textbook, right? 😉

This month has been exciting and kind of blue. I love college, but coming back to Austin after winter break was so incredibly hard. I was so used to being home that coming back was just sad. When I feel that way, though, I just think about how time has to progress for even better things to come.

To celebrate the end of 2017, my family and our close friends went to the beach — in the freezing cold.

Cotton candy skies make me so happy!

I am so grateful for these experiences Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to God alone)!

My mom loves planning parties; she is great at collaborating and making events enjoyable. So, a week later, we had our annual New Year party with the same group of people. I guess we don’t get tired of each other.

I made Oreo balls, chocolate covered strawberries, and falooda (an Indian sweet ice cream and strawberry dessert).

I was not lying when I said my mom is the party planning queen! Look at the decorations that my brother and mom coordinated.

A picture with the superwoman-party-planning-wizard, my mom. ❤

I love spending time with my family. I know I write about that all the time, but nothing beats quality conversations and never-ending laughter.

After all of that, I had to go through the nightmare that is finalizing my classes for the semester. I survived, even though my schedule is a marathon. If you see a girl running around campus — because of her screwed up schedule; it’s me.

The final highlight of the month was something so special. My wonderful Aunt threw me a surprise birthday party with the help of my friend. What?! How?! I know. I am incredibly lucky to have so many wonderful women in my life.

That’s all for January! I do, however, want to acknowledge that while I am experiencing so many wonderful events there is still so much heartbreak in this world. Death. Poverty. Corruption. Violence. Please continue to pray or send positive vibes to those who are in horrific situations — because there are many.

❤ ,

Hira