The People I Know

Myself - Zaid Ahmed Sayeed

Salaam. That means "peace" in Arabic. Salaam, my name is Zaid Ahmed Sayeed. I was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and spent roughly ten years there before I flew over to a desert island in the middle east, Bahrain. I lived in Bahrain for roughly the same amount of time until I moved to Toronto for my higher education. I now live in an apartment near York University, the school I attend. I am graduating with English this year, though I have passed through many majors, and next year I will be in Law School. If you want to know me further, I'm in my writings here.

:: Zaid Sayeed 9:53 AM [+] - Monday, September 02, 2002 ::
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Asya

I met Asya when I visited her family in Abu Dhabi. She reminded me a lot of my mother. She is a very compassionate person and one I am proud to know. She has this way of laughing that is so free it almost forces me to do the same when I hear it. Her daughter was the first baby I've ever held, at Sana's urgent prompting of course, though when I finally relented I was a bit cruel and made sure that Sana was out of the room when I held her. Amanee is my first niece, because her mother can be called nothing but a sister to me.

:: Zaid Sayeed 9:53 AM [+] -
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Dany

I met Dany in my first year at York University. He works at the Falafel Hut on campus and I used to come by often when he closed down at 2:30 am and chat about things. He's probably the smartest person I know at York University and I often end up finding out that whatever latest piece of advice he gave me was right all along (though I rarely choose to follow it to begin with). His easy-going nature and attitude is a big part of why I feel I can be 100% comfortable whenever I'm at Falafel Hut. Out of everyone I've known at York University, he is one of the few that I feel I can completely trust.

:: Zaid Sayeed 9:53 AM [+] -
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Helen

One of the Awali Bus crew, I got to know her way back when we took the same bus to school and often back from school. She's one of the few people who were Pearl Jam fans in Bahrain School and wasn't afraid to sing now and then at the back of the bus. We were in plays together and had LOTS of good conversations at the back of the bus together. I haven't seen her in a long time, but I know some things will never change, she'll always be an honest and considerate person, and that matters a lot.

:: Zaid Sayeed 9:54 AM [+] -
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Ibrahim

Ibrahim is my first cousin. I used to visit him and his sisters in Edmonton when I was a kid and lived in Calgary. His pacing and compassion reminds me of my brother's, and from me this is no small praise. He's one of those people who it only takes a few seconds to know is a great person. Among other ways, one way you will know it when he puts your comfort and the comfort of those around him above his own. He's also very intelligent. We've had long conversations and I've appreciated every one of them.

:: Zaid Sayeed 9:54 AM [+] -
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Lisa

I met Lisa in my first year in the dorm. What a girl. She's friendly and outgoing, but won't take shit from anyone. She seems like she belongs anywhere she chooses to plant her feet, and undoubtedly will spend the rest of her life making friendships and connections and living life well, we've had a satisfying friendship, and one that I cannot see ending.

:: Zaid Sayeed 9:54 AM [+] -
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My Parents

My parents are always with me. I think of them often and gain strength from the thoughts. My father was born in India and my mother in Pakistan. They are great people and are the children of great men and woman. They are the best people I know.

:: Zaid Sayeed 9:55 AM [+] -
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Narain

Narain and I go way back. We used to get kicked out of French class together, or rather, I'd get kicked out and he was allowed to stay. We're kindred spirits in a way, and can think in very similar ways, though we've chosen and led to have very different tastes over the past few years. I used to go over to his place and loved to meet himself and his family, and, of course, witness their "unique" interactions. ;-). He was a genius and so was I, and we reveled in that and spent many weekends for years finding different ways to chill and different things to think about. We're very honest with each other and interact on a similar level, in a strange way, I feel that we're remarkable similar, and I'm damn lucky to have him in my life.

:: Zaid Sayeed 9:55 AM [+] -
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Nicolas

I met Nicola when I first came to Bahrain. Currently he's studying medicine in Ireland, and I don't doubt that he will someday be one of the greatest in his field if he so chooses. He is one of the strongest and most intelligent people I know. I would put my life in his hands at the drop of a hat. He is a brother and what more is there to say?

:: Zaid Sayeed 9:55 AM [+] -
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Omar & Shaema

My brother lives in Edmonton with his wife, Shaema Imam. He is my older brother, and that relationship has marked my life in many ways. Omar is the type of person you will know in 30 seconds is of the best of men. He is very different from me, more spiritual, less artsy, and he has very different tastes. We've both been raised by the same parents though, in roughly the same way, and so I think many qualities are similar. I feel that beneath religion and culture and things like this there are the basic emotions which motivate people, and I believe we hold that in common. We also share the same sense of humour and think about things in similar ways, though he would probably hate to admit this. Omar is married to Shaema Imam. I haven't known her as long as my brother, but everything I have learned about her is very good, and I'm proud to have her as family.

:: Zaid Sayeed 9:55 AM [+] -
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Rena

I knew Rena in high school. We bitched at each other occasionally when we were overburdened with essays or had some teachers to vent about. Strange to say, I knew her better when I left high school, and would email her, and talk to her on the occasions I went to London. It seems to me that she's changed a LOT since high school, but I like who she is and it goes to show how great change can be.

:: Zaid Sayeed 9:56 AM [+] -
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Sana

I've known Sana for a relatively short period of time. She lived with her sister in Abu Dhabi when I lived in Bahrain, and we never got aorund to visiting them. I always heard a lot about her, though, and everything I heard made me think that she was extremely similar to myself. When I met her and her sister, though, it was amazed me how well we got along. I believe it's not only the time you've known someone that brings you close, but the experiences you've had within that time and other factors which are even harder to understand. Sana may be a second cousin to my blood, but she is a sister to my heart, and that is what matters to me. She lives in London with her husband Amir, who I wish I knew better. I cannot say enough good things about Sana.

:: Zaid Sayeed 9:56 AM [+] -
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Sangeeta

Sangeeta was in the same suite as Lisa and I in our first year. We got along well and I often ended up in her room venting about what my roommate had done that week. Equally often, she ALSO had something to vent about my roommate. She's fun and courteous and often manages to see the more humorous side of things. She's married now and lives in London, and it's important to me to get in touch with her whenever I'm there.

:: Zaid Sayeed 9:56 AM [+] -
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Sedarth

I met Sedarth in my first year at York. He's a giant on the outside but definitetely a nice guy on the inside. He's in the military and that sort of dominates his life. Once Sedarth decides he believes something, God help you trying to change his mind! He's a good man in a gitoni game and a very loyal friend.

:: Zaid Sayeed 9:56 AM [+] -
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Tony

I first got to know Tony on the Awali Bus. We were part of the Awali Bus crew and had experiences and memories aplenty with that gang. We later got to know each other in other ways. We had the same sense of humour and could laugh forever about things. We were so similar that we shared a lot, and because we shared so much we got tangled up in crazy ways. Oh the drama, stories out of the cheesiest soap. We've made plans, Tony and I, and we're linked, and we relate, and I don't doubt that we'll both be around for a hundred years more experiencing and relating until we're both food for worms.

:: Zaid Sayeed 9:57 AM [+] -
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Wisam

Wisam works at the Falafel Hut and I met him when I first came to York University. I remember late nights at Falafel Hut when I used to stop by and we'd watch "South Park" on T.V. We've had some laughs, not really because I'm a funny guy but mostly because he always manages to see the humour inherent in things. From that perspective, I guess I AM a funny guy...

:: Zaid Sayeed 9:57 AM [+] -
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