Dedicated (in random order)…
to S. for his friendship, complicity and honesty
to An. and Hi. for bringing art back to me
to the vice chancellor who with his bad example reminded me why I believe in democracy
to E. for what he gave and what he took
to An. for the long time we spent together and the travels
to B., J. and I. for their commitment and dedication
to As. for the bright future that is awaiting her
to Du. for reminding me of the power of women
to Re. for her determination
to the mountains for making me feel home
to Ka. cause she found a way to be close despite the distance
to my family: without them none of this would have been possible
to Ka. for his smile and his special way to showing you the world
to Ha.: a special domino partner and to his pick-up truck
to the students who gave me strength and motivation to continue
to A. and H. who made me understand that men here have a long way to go
to J. for his “preaching”, the long conversations and his sarcasm
to Ch. for the girly chats
to Ka. for the dreams that come true
to my granny for the active patience
to Su. for having always been the mirror of my thoughts and emotions
to G., Sa. and Pe. for having believed in my potentials all these years
to my old friends who still endure me
to Be., Ro., Ai, Mi. for being family when I first arrived in Erbil
to Ha. for his integrity
to Br. for his heart of gold
to Me. and Mu. for their warm hospitality and their friendship
to Di. for his independence and love for freedom
to Ch. for his stories of women over some beers
to An., Ak., Al., and D. for the Friday dinners
to the street ice sellers for reminding me of the flow of time
to Li cause when she is there she is there
to me for having embraced the challenge and decided not to give up