MY name is Sandra Khaled El-Danaf, and I am about to turn 13. I am Lebanese, but I have been living in Saudi Arabia for around 10 years. When I first arrived here in Jeddah, I was only three years old and had never been to school. I believe I am so lucky to be enjoying life in each of these two fantastic countries, but I wonder who can help answer the question stated above: Lebanese or Saudi?
It is true that I love my home country Lebanon, but I also cannot imagine living away from Jeddah. Lebanon is definitely a very nice country, and I enjoy visiting it on every vacation to see my grandparents and relatives and to enjoy a lot of leisure. But I cannot stay away from Jeddah for a long time. Here I have the best friends ever and the best school ever. I enjoy life here because I have the most wonderful memories of this holy land. Even my cute nine-year-old brother was born here.
Every time I am in Lebanon, I keep talking about my life here. And when I come back to Jeddah, I recount to my friends all my unforgettable memories over there. I love people here, but I miss my family over there. I enjoy days out here, but I need to enjoy every vacation there. I enjoy shopping in the huge malls here, but I cannot miss the snowy season there.
Well, both Lebanon and Saudi Arabia mean a lot to me. I have always been told that Mount Lebanon is my first home, so I am growing up with the belief that Jeddah is rather my second home. Yet, I personally cannot tell which one is first and which one is second. To me, they are both so equal that I cannot even understand why there should be a first and a second.
While I enjoy being on vacation in what is considered first, I soon miss what is considered second. I think I am so lucky to keep moving between these two amazing lands, and I refuse to lose either of them. I am happy with my life as it is. I am happy with both of these choices, and I heartily choose them both equally.
I legally hold the Lebanese nationality, but this has never prevented me from my natural belonging to Saudi Arabia. I heartily love Saudi Arabia, but this has never affected my Lebanese origin.
Sandra Khaled El-Danaf, Jeddah
