Getting to Know Hanan - Part IV

For our fourth meeting, Hanan and I decided to catch a workout together in the recreation center. This meeting really stood out to me because of my realization of my friendship with Hanan. I love how quickly the relationship between Hanan and I has developed. Even though it may take a while to get the conversation going, once Hanan and I start talking, I feel like the conversation never lulls. It feels like Hanan and I have been friends for years now, but yet, we have only known each other for three months. Hanan even wants me to visit her when she moves to Pennsylvania in the spring. I have never been to the state of Pennsylvania, but maybe that will be a place I can check off my bucket list!

When Hanan and I started walking on the treadmill, we began to speak more about our families. Hanan, of course, first asked me how my family was doing. I explained to her what growing up in Wichita, Kansas was like. I also spoke about my odd family dynamics. I finally felt comfortable asking what Hanan’s father did for a living. Hanan’s father works for the Saudi Arabian government. Because of her broken English, I did not quite understand what her dad’s job description entails, but it seemed important. I was impressed with her father’s ability to send two of his children (Hanan and her brother) to TCU to further their English speaking capabilities and their education. Like I mentioned in a previous blog post, Hanan once explained to me that the Saudi Arabian public colleges are not the greatest, and the private Saudi Arabian universities are too expensive.

Hanan also spoke of how much she missed her family. She has two of the cutest little sisters I have ever seen. She calls them her babies. I asked if she helped raise them and she gave a definite, “yes.” I cannot imagine being so close to younger siblings and then having to move away from them. It also seemed that Hanan’s mother has a lot of control over her family. Since Hanan is not in Saudi Arabia to plan her wedding, her mom has been planning for her. Hanan said that her mom has loved choosing the venues, food, and dress. Hanan does not seem to care that her mother took over during Hanan’s absence. Hanan is laid back and is low maintenance. She even said, “Abby, you know I’m not like that.”

Hanan has added much joy into my life. I have learned about many aspects of the Saudi Arabian culture and what it means to be a Saudi Arabian woman. I hope I get to see Hanan again soon; I absolutely love her company!