The third and fourth Ramadan I was in the States, I was working on my doctoral proposal and doctoral dissertation. I was living in a studio. I used to sit on the floor, lean on the couch, and write on the coffee table because of my back problem that I described earlier. For seven months my books and papers were open and scattered all around the coffee table. I used to work day and night trying to finish a 400-page dissertation. I got a lot done that Ramadan as I invested and managed my time very well. I did not waste time going in and out, nor did I waste time eating and preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner. I used to wake up at 9:00 a.m., take a shower and put my clothes on, tidy my apartment and then get started on my work. I would work until 8:30 p.m., prepare Ramadan dinner in half an hour, break my fast at 9:00 p.m., have tea or coffee and an hour later, I would resume my work. I would work the whole night until 3 a.m. At 3:00 a.m. I would eat sahur and then go to bed until 9:00 a.m. I took advantage of every minute of the day and by the end of Ramdan, I discovered that I have achieved more work than in non-Ramadan days. I did not have a T.V. set then. I used to listen to the radio so that I do not feel bored or fall asleep. I preferred to work in my apartment partly because it was hot and partly because I could concentrate on my work better. If I went out, I thought, I would be doing things that would waste my time like talking to people, going to the mall or hanging around. Sometime my friend Huda came over, cooked dinner and we broke our fast together. That Ramadan was a unique month in my life. I had a specific goal. I had a purpose. I was never bored. I was never tired. My motivation was high, and my spirits were up as I was determined to succeed, determined to achieve and in the end I did.