I first spoke to Najmeh and instantly became her friend in a toilette at the School, and I just love the contradiction of this unglamorous setting versus this sophisticated iranian, whom doesn’t share an ounce of my hipsterish ways and for which I am sure this first lines got an out-loud laugh out of her. Some friends come in a package, you meet them in groups and you keep seeing them mostly in that same way, but this wasn´t the case here. After our brief and for sure non-relevant conversation in the loo, the next four years Najmeh and I kept meeting just the two of us. We kept it like that despite having many friends in common and sticked to that ritual until the day we said goodbye in London documented in these pictures. Maybe our friendship was a bit hermetic because at the time we met we were going through the same crazy situation, one that even for PhD-desperation-standards goes right up to the top; or maybe it just was a scorpion thing, our sign, given the right conversation partner, won´t shut up and go deep into talks that doesn´t care too much for secondary characters, easily falling into a sort of shrink-patient dynamic where the couch switch sides every five minutes, not leaving much space for open conversations I guess. So, we started out and remained a small unit, one that worked like a swiss clock since I had nothing but easy-going and happy moments with this one. I must confess that apart from enjoying life with my friend, I also used her for learning purposes, I had to, not every day you find a resolved woman that skillfully master the winning formula of commitment+passion, in all areas of her life no less!. I believe living like that will lead you exactly where you want to go, so for a constant wonderer as myself, the subliminal lessons of this natural-born teacher were an incredible gift. This story, much delayed because of, well, life, comes now in perfect timing, when Najmeh finally gets to stare in the face wishes she made many birthday candles back and for this, I have two things I want to say to her. First, congratulations "almost" Doctor! The "almost" will be falling-off this text very soon since I have no doubt you will ace your Viva; and second, I hope you always remember how today´s upturn of the Fortune Wheel is 100% earned for you to feel proud and enjoy to the fullest. Love you azizam.
