Introduction: Off the Record

Hey! I’m Hiba Awais, and I’ve been writing for UIC Radio for quite some time. Every semester I change my blog name, but I’m hoping Off the Record is here to stay! 

I wanted to rebrand my blog and make it more personal, so here’s a proper introduction to me and my music taste. 

I’m currently a junior studying data science (it’s as interesting as it is difficult) and have always loved writing, from informative pieces to short stories. Blogging for UIC Radio is a great way to incorporate writing into my weekly routine. I’m also currently writing a novel, which in theory is exciting but actually is a vicious cycle of awful drafts and endless rewrites. I’m enjoying the process, though, and I think I’m getting better at it with each chapter. 

In my free time, I love watching movies and shows (I’m a wannabe cinephile). My favorite movie this year is definitely Superman, and I’m counting down the days until it comes out on HBO Max so I can rewatch it an unhealthy number of times. The show I’m currently watching is The 100, which is a masterpiece. It is spectacularly written and so suspenseful that I spend hours spamming the Next Episode button, a habit that has made a horrific impact on my sleep schedule. 

I also pride myself on my diverse music taste, since I truly listen to anything and everything from punk rock to rap to K-pop. My favorite artists and albums depend on my mood and the season. Right now, I’ve been listening to a lot of Radiohead and Fleetwood Mac. Their music makes me feel like I’m in the opening credits of an early 2000s film. In a few weeks, I’ll be at Tomorrow x Together’s concert in Rosemont, which I’m very excited about! I’ve been following them since their debut and heard this tour’s setlist has a ton of their older music.

Some of my other interests include video games and Formula 1. I’m currently playing a classic, Final Fantasy VII (the remake, of course), which is a lot harder than I anticipated. I usually stick to FPS games, like Call of Duty, so switching between the two drives me crazy. Last month, I finished playing Resident Evil 4, which was a blast, and I’ll definitely be grabbing the next one when I have the funds. I’m also new to Formula 1 this season, but I find it very interesting and love watching the races. Last weekend’s Dutch GP had me on the edge of my seat, cursing at the TV screen. Needless to say, I’m invested for the foreseeable future. 

That’s all I’ve got for now! I’m really looking forward to sharing more of my interests and opinions through my weekly blogs (every Wednesday at 1 p.m.) I’ll also be making an official Instagram soon so I can post more updates about Off the Record.