So, my first question for you, Baba, is whenever we get on the phone, what are usually

the first things you say to me?

Kiffek.

That means how are you in Arabic?

What other things do you ask me?

How's work?

Are you thinking good-get of yourself, Rina?

And how's your back? Do you exercise, do you go and walk and get some fresh air?

So why do you ask me all these questions?

Because I have a feeling that you're always so busy and occupied with your job. And you

don't leave much time for yourself, for your health.

My dad is always on me about this, because he knows just how much I prioritize my work,

how it means that I put so many other parts of my life on the back burner. And I don't

know that frustrates me too. Every couple months or so, I sit down and I write this master

to-do list. I have one right here.

I wrote, read 15 minutes a day, exercise four times a week, sharpen my Arabic, call my

sister, reorganize my kitchen, and learn how to sew.

But months later, there is virtually nothing crossed off this list.

I've just been thinking a lot about my relationship with feeling and being productive. And even

though I am consumed by work, I still feel sometimes like I'm falling short. And I don't

know, I'm just not doing that.

I just feel bad, because every single person has this dilemma of doing everything in a little

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