Morocco
The capital city of Morocco, where I resided for 9 months.
Rabat
The organ that I very infamously did NOT get removed at the age of two after receiving life-saving surgery on it.
(Right) Kidney
Referred to an unhealthy vice of mine as being like "a knife to the heart"
Mom (Kathleen)
The development of a seemingly harmless crush into borderline stalkerish behaviors by this classmate of mine has left me frequently stressed.
Ronald
Inspired by the OTHER Manhattan's famous nickname, we Manhattanites like to call our small city "________"
The Little Apple
A series of unlikely wins in this international sports competition had me flooding the streets with thousands of Moroccans, screaming "DIMA MAGHRIB!"
The 2022 Qatar World Cup
Birthplace of yours truly in the heart of Silicon Valley
Palo Alto, CA
Currently teaching English in Arcos de la Frontera, Spain, this older sister of mine is named after an ancient Irish Warrior-Queen
Maeve
The first artist I've ever seen live, and the only one I've ever seen twice-- famous for her collaboration with TV Girl.
Jordana
The Dusty Bookshelf
Long days of exploring empty fields, valleys, and other rural landscapes with this Michigan native, one of my closest friends, would often leave me badly sunburned.
Peter/Badr
Though very much not a fan of dressing up while young, I took a particularly strong liking to this Halloween costume, as immortalized in a widely circulated photo.
Black Cat
Before transitioning to an administrative role at K-State University, my father's primary occupation was professor of this subject.
Philosophy of Science
Though perhaps unwisely spending my savings on international travel, my independent expeditions have taken me to __ countries since starting college.
4
This controversial mascot at my alma mater has survived many challenges and replacement suggestions including Wolves, Honeybees, and Bison.
Indians
My research on Sub-Saharan migrants for my capstone project led me down many paths, including an interview with a "princess" from this country who correctly guessed that I'd "never been with a black woman before."
Ghana
I was hospitalized in Mercy Regional Hospital at the age of five after contracting this disease for the first of two times throughout my life.
Pneumonia
Location of the home my paternal grandparents built for themselves in retirement, circa 2004
South Kingstown, RI
The album that I, heading home from my House Internship one afternoon, unusually cheerful, posted about on my instagram story.
"Only God Was Above Us" by Vampire Weekend
After suggesting this play for one of my senior shows, I was thrilled to star as the titular role in it, Oscar Wilde's most popular theatrical work.
The Importance of Being Earnest
This wonderful woman, often calling herself my "second mother" never stopped struggling to get my name right, instead calling me Roland, Donat, Ronaldo, or Doran.
Mama Karima
After being advised by my teacher, counselor, and principal, I eventually decided to skip this elementary grade.
5th grade
My troubled uncle Brian on my mother's side passed away in the summer of 2023 from this cause.
Overdose
Before settling on my current major-two-minors combination, I briefly flirted with the idea of adding this major/minor to my degree first semester.
Literature
This academically advanced hometown friend of mine spent six months of freshman year with an unrequited crush on me, but that didn't get in the way of our long-term friendship.
Sam