Nodi Khan
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Nodi Khan

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      July 15, 2017

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Category:

Moments

Kyle Rittenhouse Verdict
FeaturedLifeMomentsStories

Kyle Rittenhouse Verdict

It’s hard to even start this post. The verdict ruled today revealed many ugly truths about not only our judicial system but our country as well.

The fact still stands that a murderer crossed state lines, entered a populated environment with a gun, and shot three people. Undeniable drone footage shows him committing these atrocious acts, and yet he walks free.

There is a lot to unpack in this case. There is the fact that the judge refused the prosecution to refer to those shot by Kyle Rittenhouse as “victims.” But the defense was allowed to refer to these two dead men and one fatally wounded man as “arsonists,” “looters,” “rioters.” There is the fact that the prosecution wasn’t allowed to zoom in on a video, because the judge was convinced it was a digital alteration. The fact that Rittenhouse’s involvement with the “Proud Boys” (a white nationalist hate group) was rendered not acceptable for use in the case, despite the obvious racially charged motives he possessed. There is also the extremely inconsiderate Asian food joke made by Schroeder in the middle of the trial. I can’t comprehend how you can make any sort of joke in the courtroom of families with dead sons.

It should be known that the prosecution itself was not perfect. There were flaws and inefficiency in some of the arguments but these shortcomings pale in comparison to the grand scheme of things.

Ultimately, the trial boiled down to a question of self-defense.

And this question is ultimately what gave the unimaginable leeway for a murderer to walk free.

America’s fixation with self-defense is ridden with racial biases and political agendas. “Self-defense” is what is used to justify policemen killing unarmed black men. “Self-defense” is used to justify the use of absolute and lethal force, taking away mothers and fathers and leaving their children without a parent. Today, “Self defense” is used to protect the privilidged few from the consequences of their horrific actions. 

It seems that “self-defense” is a one-way street and statistics on the overwhelming presence of racial bias in such cases reflect this.

Although the victims of Rittenhouse were all white, self-defense still remains a one-way street. After witnessing Rittenhouse shoot Joseph Rosenbaum, Anthony Huber attempts to apprehend the fatal shooter and he himself is shot. However, is this not also self-defense? What about when Gaige Grosskreutz, after being held at gunpoint, attempts to wrestle the gun from Rittenhouse’s hands? Is this also not self-defense? Why are these and similar cases of “self-defense” twisted to suit one narrative: granting one person the right to protect themselves, when that same right isn’t equally extended to others?

There is a lot to discuss in regards to the content of this trial and its nauseating outcome though what stands out the most is the very apparent and serious pitfalls in our judicial system. My condolences and sincere support go out to the victims’ families and I can only hope for the healing of their hearts.

November 19, 2021 0 comment
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Lunar New Year
LifeMomentsStories

Lunar New Year

I approached the silky gown with the caution of a bomb defuser, pinching the fabric as though too much human contact would cause it to dissipate.

With the hue of cotton candy, equally as bright as delicate, I pinch the cloth, trying to minimize the times I touch it. Like a prism, the fabric converts the ambient glow of my yellow kitchen lights into the blurred rays of a nighttime carnival.

The gown feels less like clothing and more of a second skin: gifted to me by my mother and tied with a matching magenta ribbon. Unfolding the drapery feels just like untying a bow- succinct and graceful until the original silhouette hangs.

The mission to slick my hair is equally as poised- my black hair stretched out into a thick string of inky dough, before twisted and twirled into an even bun. A blend of hair oils and serum acts as the glaze, flattening stray hairs until my hair sits taut and pulled back, neatly pleated to match the outline of my dress.

Getting ready had turned my body into a moving prototype of glass, where I carried myself with a cautious fragility, but I also brought a glittering skip in my step with me. As I kneeled gently for a family photo, I felt the moon rise in the center of my chest.

I tell my experience like this because the emotions that I underwent during this lunar celebration could only be described in the unsaid process of creation- the naturalistic and simplistic procedure of where each step is equally as necessary as intuitive.

My theory is that the world has never operated in words. “Show, not tell” is not just a commandment of writing but rather natural law, and anything else feels interruptive. It’s difficult for a single word to match the intensity of an emotion, but it’s easy to find read pages encapsulating a single feeling.

This is the sole reason why unsaid glances exist- the implications of unspoken movements, tones and atmosphere say what the human language limits us on. It’s not necessarily something one can document but feel.

Emotions aren’t tangible: they are the thin strings woven into a thousand thread rope.

February 7, 2021 0 comment
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FeaturedLifeMoments

Don’t let yourself forget

We sometimes have the tendency to give our memory more credit than it deserves. The human body naturally overlooks things, dims the vibrancy of previous life events, and allows for major occurrences to fade from the mind. Once the anticipation, fear, and excitement dissipate, a memory loses its position at the forefront of your mind. This is normal, of course, but that doesn’t mean it’s unavoidable. 

If the issue circulates around the idea that we don’t recall things as well as we should, then the only plausible solution would be to give our brains a well-deserved refresher. 

Nowadays especially, it is more important than ever to reflect and remind yourself of happier times. Looking at old pictures, videos, and clips will remind you of the better times that existed outside of now. They’ll also remind you of what’s to come in the future. For me personally, allotting a set amount of time each day to dedicate towards simply recalling sunnier days is what keeps me motivated and happier. Everyone should, once in a while, take time to appreciate the good things that they have experienced. Not just the memory itself, but the sensory stimulants, the emotion attached to it, and the visuals. Don’t just remember what happened that day, but the warmth of the sun on your skin, the speed your heart would beat, and the hue of the sky as well.

September 17, 2020 0 comment
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Swings
LifeMoments

Swings

When I was younger, the swings were my vice on the playground. I loved the gentle rocking of the motions, the wind rushing past my calves, and the rhythmic squeak of iron chains. But I despised the eclipse that would occur when I soared too high when the pit of my stomach expanded until it felt like I was being swallowed up whole.

Today, I embarked on those swings again: and the pit of my stomach still dipped, folding over and flipping itself like a falling pancake.

It is a good thing.

Your stomach’s “pit” is what makes the world’s colors seem brighter, what keeps your head refreshing, it is one of the sensations that separates your today from your yesterday.

Call it fear, adrenaline, or adventure, but the lively nature of the pit should be fed daily. Ironically, it is the hollow abyss that fits itself right beneath our belly buttons that keeps us from feeling empty.

The pit is metaphysical- It is not to be fed with tangible, sporadic motions like the simple presence of riding on swings but rather with the experience of things that one cannot get used to-

A confrontation, a risky menu choice, a different route back home. Everyone carries a different pit.

The pit for me, just for today, was the swings.

And after over twelve years, I’m happy to know that my pit is nowhere close to being full.

June 15, 2020 0 comment
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looking inside our hearts
FeaturedLifeMoments

looking inside our hearts

The photo above was taken by my father at the Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City. Art pieces here rotate monthly, featuring new works and different artists for people to discover.

The sculpture I’m standing beneath is by Nari Ward. It features a large upside down heart, made up scraps of rusty copper, hanging from a tall, red metal frame. Inside this copper heart is a bell you can ring. The noise it produces is nothing short of something magical and fantasy-like, soft jingles echoing from the depths of the inside of the heart and flowing outside. Like a heartbeat. When I shook the bell, I didn’t grab on to the string and shake it. I didn’t wildly swing the thread upwards. I didn’t shove the bell harshly. Instead, I gave it a very gentle tap. But that small gesture caused ripples of sound, and it let me know that something was inside the heart. I think that the whole structure of this artwork is an accurate model of how all of our hearts function. Whether it be a small smile, a pat on the shoulder, or a gentle tap, you will never completely know what the effect of your action is until it happens. The most tiniest of gestures can cause an entire earthquake in us.

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June 7, 2017 3 comments
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A Day in Chicago
FeaturedMomentsStoriesTravel

A Day in Chicago

The photo above makes me especially smile. This was taken at night at Chicago’s famous Magnificent Mile. The Magnificent Mile is a popular commercial district that features many luxe and upscale shops, trendy restaurants and posh hotels. I bought a sweatshirt, some pants, a dress and a bath bomb. The bath bomb proved to be a very relaxing experience while the clothing items are some of my most favorite garments in my wardrobe.  Treating yourself to something once in a while isn’t something you should feel guilty about. Taking time to take care of yourself is something you’ll thank yourself in the future for.

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June 7, 2017 3 comments
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Match Point
MomentsStories

Match Point

This summer, I played tennis. I was enrolled in a summer tennis camp program, as well as practicing with my dad. I really enjoyed incorporating exercise into my daily routine, as it came with a multitude of unexpected benefits. For example, after exercising, I actually felt more energized because I had successfully gotten my muscles to start moving and my blood to begin flowing.  As a result, I had better performance throughout my daily tasks and studies. Another thing that exercising does is improve your sleep. This might only be my case, but I fell asleep much more easily when bedtime rolled around. After continuing tennis for an extended period of time, my skin started to glow a bit more and I also felt better emotionally. Playing tennis had the ability to make me feel productive and accomplished. If I ever find additional time in my school schedule, I’d really like to integrate a time reserved for exercise so I can continue receiving these benefits.

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June 7, 2017 3 comments
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My Wonderful Mom
FeaturedLifeMoments

My Wonderful Mom

There is a relationship with your mother that resembles no other. A lot of people think it’s because your mother gave birth to you, but that’s only one part of it.  Even though the message is finally catching on, I still feel like mothers are still underappreciated.  We don’t recognize all the amazing things that they do for us. From day one, our mothers protect us with their life. After a while, we forget that feeling. We don’t realize how much strength it takes for someone to protect something with all their heart, for years and years to come. A mother will wake up from her five-hour sleep and one of the first things that will pop up in her morning thoughts is you. And those morning thoughts linger for years. A mother will relate anything and everything to you. She’ll find something and it will instantly remind you of her. A mother will give you a part of her head reserved for only thoughts of you, and all her heart for your loving, and will spread her arms open wide when you come running to her. All the mothers in the world are incredibly extraordinary and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Thank you, mom.

Love, Nodi.

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May 24, 2017 3 comments
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Writing A New Life Chapter
LifeMomentsStoriesTravel

Writing A New Life Chapter

Change, for the most part, is always good. It refreshes our eyes, it revitalizes our tastebuds, it wakes up our noses. It is incredibly important to avoid a monotonous, gray routine that doesn’t make you truly happy.  This is because if you live a life of misordered priorities and you worry about the irrelevant things, you’ll become, to simply put it, sad. There’s a reason why ice cream comes in more than two flavors and why the sky likes to change colors. It’s because, without variation, life quickly becomes boring. We as humans need something to differentiate today from yesterday. Every day, I try to do something new, something different. This can be as simple as switching up my breakfast, or as drastic as completely re-organizing my wardrobe. If you’re out of ideas or choices to alter, create something new. Picking up an instrument or a new book cannot only change your life but you as well.

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May 10, 2017 3 comments
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My Crazy Dad
My Crazy Dad
LifeMomentsStories

My Crazy Dad

My dad and I are very close. The biggest thing we have in common though, is our tendency to find other solutions to a problem. For example, my dad temporary sofa covers using duct tape and fabric he bought online and I built a makeshift shelf support using books. Recently, our caulking gun broke, so we used various tricks in order push the silicone out. Regardless, every time we use our DIY talent and instinct, the outcome is something that solves the problem in a cost-effective, functional, efficient way. And that’s all the matters right?

My dad has taught me a lot of lessons. Like to always work with what you have, or how to retain composure when a situation is stressful. My work ethic, grades, and this blog that I’m writing in at this very moment are all thanks to my dad. Thank you, Dad.

Love, Nodi.

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May 2, 2017 3 comments
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I love reading, learning about new places, new ideas and unique thoughts, but more than that I love writing and expressing myself and creating imaginative worlds that I can take the reader on amazing journeys.

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“And still, after all this time, The Sun has never said to the Earth “You owe me” Look what happens with love like that. It lights up the sky!”

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