How Are You?
How Are You?
How Are You?
How Are You?
How Are You?
How Are You?
SMIIIIIILE
Hello! (AHLAN-W-SAHLAN)
My name is Malak Tawakol
As a kid I never felt super connected to my school, friends, my surroundings, MY EVERYTHING...
I would always wonder why I am only connected to my family, until I finally understood that I am...
(Malak AHMED MOHAMED-NAZIH Tawakol)
Born & raised Egyptian with Syrian roots, which you can easily tell from my long name.
“Malak” an angel
“Ahmed” the most thankful
“Mohamed-Nazih” a brother’s brother
“Tawakol” whatever will be will be
Tawakol Tawakol
The family name “Tawakol” dates back to the 1800s. The name was taken from the act of “Tawakkul” during their relocation from Syria to Egypt for starting textile business during WWII.
After relocating to Egypt, the Tawakol family created their own clan; they don’t fully fit in the Syrian or Egyptian culture. For that, they started only looking for each other in everything...making their sum greater than their individual compartments.
2+2=5
Prioritizing family above anything, a sense of “Togetherness” started to arise within this the “Tawakols”. From there, different aspects started to arise (such as business, connections, opportuntities, etc). They are always there for one another, making their sum greater than their whole.
After I understood this equation, I started to understand why I don’t feel a sense of belonging to my surroundings. It has made me undestand why I always perfer staying with my family. The sense of togetherness has fulfilled me, therefore not making me seek external support.
Looking back at my life, I would always take advantage of every possible opportuninty to spend more time with my family members.
I saw a trend...
...So, where to next?
Two Oat Milk Latte, please
...Pilates on Monday?
.... This is our Happy Meal <3
Two Eggs Benedict, please
...Lets go to shopping?
...I’m going to visit my bff. Wanna come with me?
The proximity of the pictures, snugly nestled together, serves as a visual symphony, echoing the profound closeness and interconnectedness that defined my formative years within a nurturing tapestry of love, friendship, support, and care...that I recieved from my family
These lines stand as a tableau, an indelible representation that fiercely paved the tumultuous road leading to the very core of the person I have become today
2+2=5
2+2=5
Since I was a kid, I would always celebrate my birthday with my brother (since our birthdays are almost onemonth apart). When my brother moved out for university, I was no longer able to celebrate with him. Since he moved to Dubai, I felt our bond started to break and I was a bit upset about that.
I had high hopes: to graduate, go to the same university, for us to grow closer. As most high school graduates, I didn’t really know what I wanted to study or where I wanted to work. My only goal was to go back to our special bond.
When it was time for me to start looking for universities, my brother was transferring from Dubai to IE University in Segovia. For that, I decided to apply to the Bachelor in Design. Not going to lie, I didn’t even know what design was at the moment. I said let me try out something new.
...COVID CAME ...
The Arrival of the Pandemic: A Dramatic Unveiling of COVID’s Onset in Malou’s Life
The four of us were under the same house again. This time... with a new challange. I was making a lamp, in Egypt, attending Zoom classes, not sure what I am paying for...but at least I am not taking a gap year.
As usual, I started going with the flow. Attending the classes, trying to make the best out of this experience. “Tawakuuling” on God choosing the best for me.
When it was finally time for the journey to unravel... finally to go to my dream university in Spain, I was very excited. I remember not being able to sleep because of how excited I was. It was also finally time to start creating more memories with my one and only brother, Marwan, but also in Spain... it was the dream of a little girl.
Obviously, not for a long time because this little girl didn’t think ahead of time... well Marwan graduated...
...MALOU THE LITTLE GIRL WAS LEFT ALONE...
Solo Odyssey:
Unveiling the Uncharted Realms of Malou’s Uni Life
At first, I started missing my family & most importantly, my brother (who cooked for me, comforted me, & did everything to please me).
At the time, I would always take every opportuninty to travel back home.
Then, I started to live in the moment and understand myself on a deeper level.
Health Journey Health Journey
After navigating the vast expanse of time, I embarked on a journey of heightened social escapades, surrendering to the allure of delectable indulgences and weaving a tapestry of questionable lifestyle quirks..
...FAST FORWARD TO DECEMBER 2022
In the solitary realm of self-existence, my unhealthy trinity—BODY, MIND, AND SOUL—danced to a discordant tune, they were all fed up of this unhealthiness.
A Christmas homecoming acted as a poignant mirror reflecting the chaos of my estranged life. Faced with the unsettling truth, I resolved to reclaim my well-being. The odyssey began, a Herculean task that exacted its toll on mind, body and soul. Undaunted, I initiated a cosmic shift, introducing incremental alterations. I nourished my vessel with vitality, severed the sweet shackles of excess sugar, and thus commenced a spellbinding saga of personal renaissance...a life changing step!
...
“You’re a girl how can you carry 10kgs on your own?”
until when are you going to stay like this?
I tried a new recipe, just take a bite it wont harm you..
Will you ever be able to jump the rope?
During this journey, I was left speechless with all the negative comments that were impeding my process...
One year later, I am proud to say that my relationship with food has changed. Not only am I trying to implement healthy meals in my diet, but I am also trying to implementing daily movement.
Personally, this has been my most life changing journy. After my university career, I plan to persue a nutrition or fitness certification because not only do I want to give back to my body, mind and soul; but I also want to give my all to my future family.
Now that I look back at this long and hectic journey, I think about the ways that giving back to my family has helped me improve and learn so much about who I truly am, my passions, and main motivators in life.
:)
Personal Statement:
Without designers, the world would be silent, lacking engagement with our surroundings. Design is an unnoticed concept, that shapes interactions with our environment. Good design requires collective acknowledgment, while poor design is distinguishable from its surroundings.This realization hit me during my gym workout, reflecting on the thoughtful design of a medicine ball preventing falls, contrasting with the discomfort induced by a metal dumbbell, leading to its rejection.
Amidst the challenges of my final university year and staying connected with family in Egypt, I’ve learned the value of progress. Initially pursuing a design degree to reunite with my brother, I discovered a passion for a healthier lifestyle, witnessing transformative changes in nutrition, health, and my relationship with food. Recognizing well-being encompasses both nutrition and movement, I’ve taken incremental steps toward improvement.
The aspect of design resistant to me is the perpetual change in our world. Recently, the design landscape has shifted, from Artificial Intelligence to the Metaverse. As someone who appreciates routine, navigating extensive changes challenges my settled life, yet I acknowledge the need to embrace change.
Personally, design is my reaction to the world, seeking better solutions for existing problems. Despite arguments of saturation, I believe there’s more to discover. Like unraveling facets of my identity, I’m confident our world holds untapped potential, eagerly anticipating the journey ahead with a bright smile.
THANK YOU
THANK
THANK YOU THANK YOU
THANK THANK
THANK YOU THANK YOU
THANK
THANK THANK YOU
“WATCH YOUR THOUGHTS, THEY BECOME YOUR WORDS.
WATCH YOUR WORDS, THEY BECOME YOUR ACTIONS.
IT BECOMES YOUR CHARACTER
IT
DESTINY.”
WATCH YOUR ACTIONS,
WATCH YOUR CHARACTER,
BECOMES YOUR
:)
Good & You?