I can’t believe this has actually happened. I’m feeling an overwhelming mixture of shock, joy, and pride as I sit in the UCSB library with the celebrations from Cairo and the AL Jazeera reports blasting through my headphones. Among all segments of

Arab society including diaspora Arabs who have been following these events closely, I doubt that anyone really believed this was possible. The fact that the uprisings took place in such a consistent, disciplined, unified, and dignified manner was an inspiration in itself. The achievement of the people’s goals has been an electrifying; a life altering game changer for the Middle East as well as for myself. This is liberation… real live revolution… the people unrelentingly broke through the “fear barrier” and transformed their nation and will be the catalyst for the transformation of the remainder of the Arab world [of course I don't forget Tunisia's definitive role in this ongoing transformation]. I can’t believe it!

These events are definitely not the end but only the beginning. However they have only renewed my once wavering belief in the inevitability of change. Being a young person who became politically aware during the Bush era and having only experienced the Middle East under the rule of these dictatorial, oppressive regimes I didn’t honestly believe the Arab world was capable of what was undertaken and accomplished in the past few weeks. I was wrong on all counts and I am proud to say I was. I only hope that this precious moment of opportunity springs Egypt into positive and ongoing change guided by the same spirit that moved the masses for 18 straight days on the streets of Egypt.

Interestingly, hours after the announcement of Hosni Mubarak’s resignation… Neither the Arabic nor English version of the Jordan times has yet reported the events. The front page still reads yesterday’s headline:

“Mubarak says to transfer power but not resigning; protesters outraged”

I cant wait to see what the future has in store for this region!

This is the closest equivalent to my reaction this morning: http://i.imgur.com/54zHb.jpg