My last name is not Abjotu.[1] Born on December 25, 1988 in Boston, Massachusetts, I grew up in a small semi-rural town of Dracut, Massachusetts. My family and I were a part of the very small black population of Dracut. Add in the fact that I went to a Catholic school ten miles away in Pelham, New Hampshire where over 97% of the population was Caucasian and you can see how I grew up feeling much like an outsider. I made the trip down to Boston many times throughout my stay in Boston, going to Red Sox games and visiting the home in which my family used to live prior to my birth in Roxbury. Boston was my main source of diversity.
Traveling was common for my family at a young age. I visited Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida almost every year during my school's February break. I had been to New York, New York, San Francisco, California, and San Antonio, Texas during my time in Massachusetts. My father had gone on so many business trips that one time when someone asked what my father did for a living, I told her that he was a pilot. I myself had become interested in travel through my own personal travels. To this day, I remain the de-facto backseat driver.
On August 17, 1996, my family and I picked up our stuff and moved to Maryland. Prior to moving, my older sister had helped me with academic concepts, particularly in math I had not gotten to. As a result, I was put into a gifted and talented school after third grade. Due to this move and the re-location to Maryland, I went to first grade, second grade, third grade, and fourth grade at four different elementary schools.
My travel experiences have not always been pleasant though. In 1998 during a trip to London, a delayed flight resulted in a near-miss of a connection flight (thankfully the wonderful Parisians held the flight for us, although my family's luggage did not make it). During a 1999 trip to Las Vegas, a flight cancellation resulted in a nine-hour flight delay (pushing the departure time to past 1:00am). And most notably, in 2003, because of the 2003 North American blackout, I was stranded on an Amtrak train for thirty hours (on what should have only been a twelve-hour ride). Hospitality was once again graciously given, however, as Amtrak provided passengers with free food (until there was none left). In the future, I hope to go to Jerusalem, Tokyo, Dubai, Istanbul, and Moscow at some point. Eventually.
The year 2005 was a somewhat significant year in my life; I obtained my driver's license in April 2005, I began to edit Wikipedia in June 2005 (not that that's a life-altering event), and I converted to Islam in July 2005.[2] I will be graduating from high school on June 4, 2007. Most likely, I will be a member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Class of 2011. But I'm fickle, so check back with me in a few months.
Printings and reactions to the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy
Countries in red represent those that hosted large widespread demonstrations. Countries in blue represent those that hosted reprintings of the cartoons. Countries in purple represent those that both hosted demonstrations and reprintings of the cartoons.
First Created on February 20, 2006 | Last Updated on March 5, 2006
Bikes at Stanford University
Of the approximately 14,000 students at Stanford during the 2005-2006 school year, approximately 12,000 of them had registered bikes with the school. That is because it is the second-largest university campus in the world (surpassed only by the University of Moscow).
Taken on June 5, 2006
Good Article Star Proposal
These stars were created using the featured article stars in Macromedia Fireworks MX. Each star is the original featured star superimposed with a slightly transparent star shape (each in a different color).
Created on June 14, 2006
Vickers hardness tester
There really isn't much more to say here. It makes indentations into materials to measure hardness. I think. Yeah... something like that.
Taken on July 31, 2006
Flag of Moscow
This is the flag of Moscow, Russia. It was created in Macromedia Fireworks MX with the assistance of an image of the Moscow coat of arms (did you seriously think I drew that?)
Created on July 3, 2006
English Wikipedia: Admin Growth
This charts the growth of the number of administrators on the English Wikipedia since late September 2002. This was created with Microsoft Excel and Macromedia Fireworks.
Created on August 24, 2006
"In the great body of human society it is impossible to establish unity and coordination if one part is considered perfect and the other imperfect. When the perfect functions of both parts are in operation, harmony will prevail. God has created man and woman equal as to faculties. He has made no distinction between them." -- Promulgation of Universal Peace
Because all of your edits that I have seen were wise and also your userpage becomes more pretty by a life barnstar. You have the most beautiful userpage in wikipedia!
"...a single man was created for the sake of peace among mankind, that none should say to his fellow, 'My father was greater than your father." -- The Mishnah
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." -- Epistle to Galatians
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
Pirates of the Caribbean - Much of the work I put into this article came from present articles, so I wouldn't say this was especially fascinating. However, I feel I put it together well.
"By nature men are pretty much alike; it is learning and practice that set them apart." -- The Analects of Confucius
^ My real first name is not Tariq either; it's one of two pseudonyms by which I prefer to go. The other one is Abbas (hence Ab). Jo and Tu are the first two letters of my legal first and last names respectively. So, my username is a portmanteau.
^ However, I now consider my spiritual beliefs to be more centrist as I take refuge in ideals from Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and the Bahá'í Faith
