Standing Strong

Two months passed already here in the USA. Now am 19, living without my parents.. away from my friends and family. I never thought this would ever happen to me, maybe other girls.. but not me. Going to college here is miserable, but I know this will be better for my future.

Even though I'm going through a lot every day, I always try to convince myself that I am strong enough and will not break. Yet, I just don't know what to do to stay the same person, that teenager who left UAE and promised herself not to change or change he values. I set my red lines at school, so now not a single muslim guy would dare sit on the table if am there. No, i didnt even speak, but my actions showed them that am dead serious about unnecessary mixing with males. Even though most muslim girls don't really care about this issue here, I do. And subhannallah, I get the most respect, from muslims AND non-muslims. They all know now that I'm the muslim girl who doesnt wear make-up, wears the widest clothes possible, wouldn't reply a salam if she felt it has flirtatious purposes, doesn't gossip, wont look at guys who pass by. Yes, thats me & I promised myself not to let go of any of these values. I set MY values, not others. I will not "just go with the flow", I will MAKE the flow. :)