'Don't Let Money Come In The Way Of Your Dreams'

I was more than happy with my job as a Production Assistant at KCBS Radio. It never irked me that I was earning minimum wage. I would wake up at 4:30 AM, shower, get ready for work and then drive to San Francisco from San Jose everyday. Despite the early morning commute, I was eager to go to work. My co-workers appreciated me and very soon, we were just like family. I had no reason to complain but internally, I felt something more needs to be done.

Living in the suburbs didn't help much either. They were just as dull as my love life. I've always dreamt of going to New York City because it felt thrilling. I would jokingly tell my mom, "one day, I'm going to go there and light up broadway." She would laugh and shrug it off and say "uh huh, yeah right." During family parties, when brown aunties and sometimes uncles, pestered and pressurized me about marriage, I was 200% sure that I needed to do something quick. I wanted an escape plan. I was no longer Sleeping Beauty. I was Mulan.

When I was admitted, to say I was shocked is an understatement. I was dazed. If someone told me that I would be going to an Ivy League School, I would throw into a fit of giggles. I never thought I was deserving of it. And at times, I still think it was a miracle. Why? Because most of my life, many people had put me down. I felt belittled.

But when I read the sentence, "Dear Arooba Kazmi, on behalf of the Admission Committee, it gives me great pleasure to inform you that you have been admitted to the Master of Science program in Journalism at Columbia University," my jaw dropped. I was still for several minutes. What just happened? I got into Columbia Journalism School. OMG!

It was one thing to get into an Ivy League School and it's another thing to actually go to one. There were financial constraints. I didn't how to cook. I've never lived on my own before. The weather in the east cost is completely different from the west coast. How will I get through this?

I was initially waitlisted for the journalism program at UC Berkeley, but when I got in, almost everyone told me to go there. It made sense. It was ideal. I was getting two scholarships. The cost of tuition was feasible. I was going to be in the same state. I would be an hour away from home. I could visit my parents every weekend. It was perfect. More than perfect.

But then my mom told me something. She gave me the "3 Idiots" speech. She said to me, "I never want you to regret this decision. Several years from now, I don't want to hear you say, that I had the admission letter and everything worked out but I didn't go because of money." I told her that money is a huge factor but she said to me "don't let money come in the way of your dreams."

And that's all I needed to hear. Till this day, her words echo in my ear. If it wasn't for my mom and her wise words, I would not have made a decision that changed my life and mindset forever. So yes, moms know best!