Thank you, to everyone who's helped punt my team (representing South Africa) in the Imagine Cup competition (if you haven't, no fear, you can still give us a gentle nudge here). The support and pride has been a little overwhelming at times, and I'm incredibly grateful to everyone.
The team leaves next Thursday for New York City, to present to 3 expert industry panels, and, hopefully, earn some recognition for hard work and innovative done. It's very exciting to see a concept that you helped shape and develop into a working prototype being acknowledged as being among some of the best in the world.
I won't be joining the team when they leave for NYC, in short, because the US consulate has denied me a visa, for reasons of "further processing required". It's been a little irritating, but it's kind of hard to feel sorry for myself when not being able to go to NYC means I get to continue as an employed, healthy, debt-free and smug little boy, and have the sorts of perks and comforts that make seem an utter corporate bastard.
That selflessly said, I have been a bit cynical when asked why my visa was denied; "Hi, my name is Mohammed. I'll give you two guesses." The rate at which Muslim South Africans are denied visas to the US is significantly high, but the sarcastic ranting has more to do with a slightly misplaced sense of entitlement. My ego is easily bruised.
Since I've started working, I've been keeping Imagine Cup as a mile-marker in my mind - something to work towards, and once done, it'll be a new phase or chapter or era. Time to set new goals, get through new things, and work out - now that I've settled into an employment routine - what comes next. That Imagine Cup is sans me now, and I feel a little loss and floundering.
So lots of chin scratching. These things, new things, next things, needed things.
2 comments:
Blerg to name assumptions.
Bravo for seeing the lighter side, but it's fine to feel kak about the unfair lameness of it all.
You do still get to be superproud about participating and you and your team making it so far.
Can has madskillz yo!
Sometimes personal milestones get thrown off. I suspect it's training for The Rest of Life. It'll pull back on course soon enough :)
Aw congrats boet! That is so cool...
I've noticed that the US are becoming more and more like their brother Israel in terms of paranoia...Apartheid re-hashed, discrimination much?
Anyways, bask in what you've achieved, your visa denial does not diminish your accomplishment or potential... so bask until its done then get back to work, there's alot more stunning rabbits to pull out of hats. Stuff that will make authorities begging you to visit ;)
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