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THE LIFE OF KOSAR
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Zygote conception
This is the period from 0 to 2 weeks. One lucky sperm gets to fertilize the egg. -
Embryo
From 2 weeks to 8 weeks -
Fetus
From 9 weeks till birth. Here, my ears and nose were already formed. My hands and feet were slowly beginning to shape -
I was born..
On Sunday 7:34 PM in a hospital in Manhattan, New York -
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Sensorimotor Stage
According to Piaget, children begin expressing themselves and experiencing the world through their senses and reflexes. -
Infancy through early chilhood: Avoidant Attachment (Ainsworth; Cognitive,Social)
According to my mom, I was one of those infants with "avoidant attachment" towards my parents and had no stranger anxiety. Apparently, even though did go to my parents sometimes to seek comfort, or to get fed, I was friendlier with strangers and preferred to stay with them more than my own parents. -
Trust Vs. Mistrust
Because my dad worked for most of the day, I spend most of my time with my mom. I began forming a bond with her that was stronger than the one I had with my dad. Because of that, I somehow trusted my mom more than my dad, and was always happy when she held me, but cried for a while when my dad held me! -
Sucking fingers (Sensorimotor)
During this age, I would begin sucking my fingers (or my whole hand!) whenever I was surprised, happy, or nervous. This may also be one of the resons why even today whenever I'm nervous or deeply scared, I begin biting my nails. -
Mastering Motor Skills
I took my very first step . I was so amazed that I could stand on my own feet and go places. I ran and jumped everywhere, and no one could ever make me sit still somewhere for longer than 2 minutes. -
Moved to Iran
Here, I spent most of my early childhood years going to a Persian Kindergarten and spending time with my family. According to my mother, I was cery friendly and loved being around new people and socializing! -
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Kohlberg's Preconventional Stage
During this time, as mentioned by Kohlberg, I STRICLY followed every single rule set by my parents, or any person in authority, even those set by kids slightly older than myself. My parents always warned me about what would happen if I didn't follow any of their rules, and I hated the punishment (obviously!), which is why I rarely ever followed my friends when I thought they were doing something wrong. -
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
By this time, I was potty trained and dressed myself and sometimes even picked my own clothes. I had a specific set of toys, which i had chosen and bought myself and was very attached to. -
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Initiative vs. Guilt
During this time, my parents, especially my mom, was always complaining about how I talked waaaaaay too much and always asked questions. She even recalls times where I would just randomly start a conversation with a question, which was then followed by a million other questions. Still, even if I got on my parents' nerves 24/7, they always answered all my questioned as complete as they could. Which is probably why that ''talkativity'' is still a part of me today! -
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Preoperational Stage
During this time, I began to pretend play with my barbie dolls, especially my teddy bears. I'd sit for hours sometimes talking to them and pretending that we were one big happy family. -
Moved to Belgrade, Serbia (Cognitive, Social and emotional)
After moving to Serbia, I found my first bestfriend! She was the person who made me love chocolate and french fries, and for that, my life has changed!
Living in Serbia was a different but exciting experience. I got to learn a lot and discover many new things. -
Finding my passion (Psychosocial)
During the 3 years we lived in Serbia, we got to travel much around Europe. We took roadtrips from Hungary and Croatia to Italy and France. This, as well as marking some of the best memories and times of my life, is also the reason why traveling is still one of my true passions and why I truly wish to travel the world someday. -
Animism (Preoperational Stage)
At this age, I began communicating with my teddy bear, Snowy. According to Piaget, children at this age think that inanimate objects have living characteristics, life, and soul.
When I was a kid, I once watched a movie about a toy factory in which its toys came to life at night (no, not Toy Story). After that, I spent almost an hour talking to my teddy bear, nearly begging him to say something if he could hear me...
Needless to say, he never replied, and I was heartbroken for days. -
My first pet
Having a pet to care for and look after ,asides from the cousin incident,made me step out of my egocentric self and become more responsible and caring. -
Industry versus inferiority
I started school in Belgrade, with only 3 other classmates. Because of that, I began to feel very confident and "smart", seeing as there was not much competition! Because of that, I became very social and wasn't afraid of meeting new people! -
Egocentrism
I was egocentric around 6-7 years old. According to Piaget, children are unable to look at the world from someone else's perspective and put themselves in their place. They also think that the world revolves around them.
One incident was when my cousins came over from Canada and one of them asked me to give him a piece of my sandwich, which I refused. A few hours later, I got terribly sick and threw up everything I ate. After that, I learnt to share everything and be less self-centered. -
First Piano recital
I continued playing until ten-eleven years later. I played in many recitals and won awards, which, normally would've encouraged me to continue it. And I did...until I realized I was too lazy to practice everyday and eventually gave up -
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Concrete Operational Stage
During this period, I began logically thinking about every problem. I had started 2nd grade and was already solving math problems. By the end of elementary school, I had already learned percentage and multiplication and division and was ale to solve all the problems on my own. -
Parents
As a child, I had always thought that my parents were more authoritarian because none of their rules or punishments seemed to make sense to me. Later, I began understanding some of their reasons for their semi-strict behaviors. Though, sometimes they are slightly permissive, I have come to an agreement that they are authoritative for sure. Most of the times anyway. -
A year alone with mom (Cognitive)
In this year, my father moved to Jeddah, leaving my mom and I alone in Iran and in my final year of Primary school. I don't remember much of this time, other than the obvious fact that I got to spend a lot of time with my mom, and build a strong attachment to her. I also remember my mother making me love vegetables during this year, which, though I thought was horrible at the time, was pretty good and is why unlike many
people, love broccoli and don't mind other vegetables either. -
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Conventional Stage
This was a crucial stage in my development. I had just moved to Saudi Arabia after living in Iran for 3 years, with my conservative, strict grandparents. I was very careful with my behavior when I was with them, as I didn't was my image of a "good girl" to be shattered. After moving to Saudi Arabia, (especially after starting Highschool). I had to completely re-adjust my definitoon of what ws right and wrong, which was very different than what I was raised to know and believe. -
Move to Jeddah
A year after my father had moved, my mom and I moved to Jeddah. It was a terrible transformation from Serbia and Iran to Saudi Arabia, I think I even became depressed for a while, but I eventually got used to the heat, and everything else. Moving to Jeddah, although may have seemed a terrible choice at first, turned to be a great experience. I learned so much and met some amazing people. -
Starting Middle school
It seemed pretty scary to be the new kid again, especially since I barely spoke any english. But on the first day of school, I met my bestfriend, and soon I got used to my new environment and started making more friends. With a lot of practice, I improved my english and soon enough, I was acing all my grammer and spelling tests. -
First real, legit childhood nanny (Cognitive)
Before this, I had a part-time nanny in New York. But this time, I was older and more responsible. I did my chores and helped around the house, so having a nanny seemed strange at first. Often times I would feel guilty and help her out, even if she tried her best to tell me that she didn't need any.
What seemed strange at first, became a necessity a few years later. I often wonder if I would've grown up such a procrastinator and lazy if we hadn't had a nanny when we moved here... -
Identity vs. Role Confusion
I try to find who I am. By this time, I had already tried several different 'roles' and 'identities' as a result of being in different groups.
One example of this would me the change in my taste in music. When I began listening to English songs, I was really into cheesy pop and rap, because my friends were into those kind of music at the time. A few years later, I started listening to heavy metal, again because of my friends. Today, I have a different taste in music.It's neither genres, its b/w! -
Information-processing model
According to Piaget, our abilities to memoriza, interpret and perceive develops as we age.
And he was right. By this time I'm able to memorize song lyrics much faster and understand their meanings way deeper than I did 5 years ago. -
Move to AISJ (Formal Operational)
When I started Highschool at AISJ, I didn't think I would last more that a 2 months, a year tops, before begging my parents to move me back to my old school. I never thought I would get used to the huge change from my old small, all girls school where everything was much easier, to this huge coed school. But much to my surprise, I stayed way longer than I had expected. And I don't regret a second of it. I learned most of what I know today from the people and teachers at AISJ. -
The almost end of an attachment.. (Cognitive)
In my Sophomore year of high school, my mom moved to Vienna to continue her education. The first few months of living with my dad was a bit uncomfortable, since I had always been more attached to my mother. But I got used to it after a while. This move, and the fact that my father traveled/travels a lot helped me be more independant and learn how to deal with problems when I'm on my own. -
Responsibilites responsibilites...(Cognitive)
After my mom's decision of moving to Austria became final, everyone's expectations of me changed. At the age of 14/15, I was expected to become a mature adult and basically 'run the house'. Though very tough at first, I managed to learn from my many, many mistakes on my journey to maturity and early adulthood. This emotionally painful experience made me realize that I would be fine on my own, especially if I plan to leave alone for college. -
First time traveling alone + Habituation
The first time my parents let me travel alone was to Vienna, to visit my mom. I had to travel to a different country, and from there take a flight to Austria. I was almost unbelievably excited the first time. And the second and third times. But after that, everything seemed pretty casual and slightly frustrating. -
Intimacy Vs Isolation: New people, New relationships
This is the time when young adults begin forming new relationships and finding a balance between their work, and friends and family.
In the past few years, I've met people who, most of them, I will never forget. -
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Postconventional stage
During this stage , which continues until my death, I become less concerned with others' opinions of what is acceptable and begin making decisions based on what I think is right and just. -
Another big move.. for Mom (Cognitive)
My mom moved to a university in Sweden. I was really happy at first, because I didn't like Austria much, but soon I was bored of the small city and the cold weather and the zombie-like people. I think this move had a huge impact on my relationship with my mom. We became more distant and were not as close as we were a year ago. On the plus side, I got to visit Denmark and Spain for the first time.. At least I got those off of my bucket list! -
Volunteer at Mental Hospital/Homless shelter in Iran (Cognitive, Psychosocial, Emotional)
One of the most beautiful experiences of my life was when I volunteered at this center for a few weeks over the summer. During this short time, I learned the value of life, the value of sanity, and to appreciate the love I get from the people around me. This experience also made me certain of what I wanted to be in the future: A Psychologist. -
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Fetus
From 9 weeks and on -
Graduate from Highschool (Formal Operation)
I finally get out of school, and start college.
I've learned so many things in the past 7 years of being in Saudi Arabia, that it actually makes living here worth it! Even though I'll miss my friends and maybe even this country, I'm happy to move on, and, as they say, start a new chapter in my life. A new chapter with more responsibilities and pressure! -
Start college
I start my post secondary education somewhere in America (or Canada). Although it may be hard to part from my family, I am able to quickly adapt to my new home and people. -
Graduate from College
I finally graduate from university with a degree in a field of Psychology. Soon after, I begin my Master's studies and graduate 2 years later. -
Marriage (Genital Stage)
On this day, I get married to the love of my life. My husband and I decide to take a year off from work and studying and travel around the world. -
Birth of first child
On this day, I give birth to a beautiful and healthy baby girl (or boy). My husband and I are still arguing over the name until last minute when the nurse asks us for the name and we decide chose one. -
Get my PhD in Psychology
I finish my studies and begin my career as a therapist. -
Generativity Vs Stagnation (Psychosocial Stage)
Just a quick look around at my life. The first part of my life plan has been completed, now unto the second part...continuing my career and raising my children, making sure I balance my work and my responsibilities as a mother while assuring my children that even in my most busiest hours, I would have time for them. -
Second child is born
Our second beautiful baby boy (or girl) is born on this day. My hunsbamd and I are still arguing over the name, but this time we actually decide on one pretty soon. At least sooner than last time. -
Become a Psychology Professor
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First child graduates from Highschool
...and makes mommy and daddy proud.
She/He then decides to continue his educations at a prestigious university. -
Second child graduates from Highschool
...and again, mommy and daddy are proud.
Unlike his/her older sibling, he/she decides to take a year off before going off to college. We let him think about his decision and besure about it before we give him our permission, but in the end, it all comes down to his own choice. -
Integrity Vs Despair (Psychosocial Stage)
With death right around the corner, I look back at my life; the happy moments not the tragic ones. I'm happy with the way my life turned out, whether it was planned or not. I'm satisfied with how my life is, mostly because it's too late to change the past, but also because everything happened for a reason, and as a result of all those events that took place in my life, I am here and I am surrounded with the people I love. -
Death and eternal peace..
A day after my husband, children, and grandchildren celebrate my 75th birthday, I die whilst I'm asleep.
