Maybe you also felt as if the reason for your creation was rooted in something worthy you would someday achieve. I was telling stories as soon as I learned how to talk, and my constant curiosity drove my mother insane. I have always been determined to make others feel and take them on journeys outside of their normal life. In this way, I spent my entire life equally in love and disgusted with myself and everyone around me.
I moved to Canada when I was nine years old and very quickly adapted to the new culture and language. A month into the country, I was helping my ESL teacher teach the other kids with my little hacks. I welcomed this place even if it couldn’t return the favour.
I was obsessed with storytelling, which drove me towards a diploma in Journalism from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). Perhaps others make close college friends, I simply made close friends while also attending college.
I never imagined it, but somehow, just like the other graduates, I ended up in marketing. I built my career brick by brick on the premise of embarking on a new adventure. I like to see where the wind settled and the lights hit so I can draw shadows that dance across the landscape.
My greatest source of encouragement and love are my two beautiful children. They light up my world and show me the oath when my eyes forget to adjust.
It’s been an amazing journey developing my skills and learning how to share my content with the world. With each heartbeat I tug at my soul whispering, “I am alive,” and so with gratitude I give you a little piece of me.
Thank you for joining me on this journey.
Rizwana Shaikh,
A forever dreamer perpetually lost in her head.