Autumn Twig

Buggie For A Cause

2011-11-17T20:58:00.001+05:00

It's not everyday you meet someone who has literally stepped out of their world to raise voice for a silent cause. So I feel proud writing about this here.

Kanak Dixit and his lovely wife Shanta, along with 3 team mates, are driving in a blue 1973 beetle from Nepal to Pakistan to generate funds and raise awareness for their 'Spinal Centre Nepal'. They hope to generate enough funds ($100 per mile) so they can expand their facility and really help out as much patients as possible. But more importantly they talked about tying South Asia together. Yesterday they finished their 1100 mile journey but during their stopover here in Islamabad, we got a chance to meet up with them. They're fabulous people and it was great getting a chance to talk to them.
Pakistan could not have let them leave without their signature hospitality so the Pakistan Volkswagen Club presented them with an ornate truck art bumper. Here's a pic from that evening.

Please take some time out to check out their YouTube channel 'For Nepal'.

What is it with this world and its obsession with procreating?

2011-11-14T19:10:00.001+05:00

'Just been given the greatest gift, of all time', said I on my Facebook status. 60 comments later, I finally had to clear the misconception that there was a baby involved.

We had, in fact, gotten a puppy! A beautiful golden Labrador Retriever puppy!
Something I'd always wanted all my life. I couldn't of course, because Ami ~~hates~~ ~~despises~~ doesn't tend to go along with 'em. Imagine my relief when I found out Dude felt otherwise about the matter. 3 years down the road and we finally have a puppy together. You can't hear me but I'm totally going 'awwwwwwwwwwwww...' :)

Buddy was born on September 13, 2011. 7 weeks later, I brought him to our home. He's smart, loving and ~~very~~ naughty. There's just so much I want to write about him but I think this blog will soon have regular pet posts so I'll let you wait for those. Here's a snapshot of Buddy though. I just adore him!

After his first bath and blow-dry

I Am Rich

2011-10-23T17:55:00.002+05:00

A few months ago, when Nano (my maternal grandmother) was blessed with better health, I agreed to take her and my mom to their friend's place who had recently lost a nephew. They wanted to go say a prayer for the young boy and his family at this time of loss and sorrow. So, on the decided day and time, I drove over to each of their homes to pick them up. As soon as we helped Nano into my car, she lit up with a proud smile. I thought she was just happy to be out after a long while but ten seconds into the journey, I realized this was much more than just a day out.

Nano, who had lost half her vision some years ago, ran her wrinkly hand smoothly over the dashboard, the passenger door and the fabric of the seat that she was sitting in. She smiled when I raised her hand to buckle her seat belt and as soon as I reversed out the driveway, she exclaimed proudly, 'Wah...would you look at this!'

'Look at what, Nano?' I asked as I paused before driving into the street.

'Look at how rich I am. I may be the richest lady in the world. I wished to visit my friend and my wish has come true. I have my own private car picking me up from right outside my door taking me directly to my friend's house. I don't have to walk, or take a bus... I am so rich.'

It took me a couple of seconds to find my ground as I realized the importance of what she had just said. And I don't think I will ever forget this for as long as I live. Now every day when life throws a hardball or two my way, and each moment when I feel a great absence, I stay patient because I know in my heart, that I am rich in more ways than I can count.

In Loneliness, There Is Peace

2011-10-19T19:15:00.000+05:00

I took a drive today. It may be one of the best drives I ever took. Which is odd.

Odd, because it wasn't raining or a starry night. It wasn't recreational because I was going to run some errands and my mind was busy thinking up anniversary ideas for the love of my life. I wasn't bothered when a taxi cut right in front of me. Nor when I got a red light at every signal I came across. I was alone. Just me, my thoughts, my car and good music.
The only difference was acceptance, in my mind and in my heart. That is new. But I think I'll get used to it.

Bidh Boxes

2011-10-06T12:49:00.002+05:00

Good things come to those who wait. :) Lots of good stuff happening but more on that later.

Here's some samples of bidh boxes I made for someone. They go with the red and gold theme and form together to make as big a 'cake' as you want.

Oh Dear Eid!

2011-09-01T23:36:00.001+05:00

I don't mean to be ungrateful but I'm so glad Eid is finally here. 29 days of fasting through every sunlight was beginning to take its toll on me by now. Again, I don't know how majority of the world's people do it, survive starvation, or live without clean drinking water. Makes me wonder how blessed I am. Every single day, there is food on my table and water to quench my thirst. And that's just two of the many things I am thankful for...

Eidee from the Dude :)

It's a Boy!

2011-08-29T00:46:00.000+05:00

A friend of Dude's just had a baby and guess what they're going to get in their mail soon...

Ramadan Blessings

2011-08-27T12:46:00.000+05:00

I am babysitting for my sister's kids these days so I didn't have enough time on my hands. But sweet offerings had to be sent out to all the neighbors and I just couldn't get myself to send it without some thoughtful packaging.

So here's a sample of the 25 that we sent out. It has the traditional 'Zurda' sweet rice. Both the bag and the tag was made by using the 'Plantin Schoolbook' cricut cartridge.

Day 10: Water

2011-08-11T16:46:00.001+05:00

There's so much in our lives to be thankful for. Family, Love, Food, Shelter,Respect, Peace...Money! I could go on forever. But the beauty of Ramadan is, each new day teaches us the true value of it all. It makes us aware of our surrounding, of people who may not have any of the blessings that we have. For example, I can't imagine myself starving and having to look for work on foot. Can you? I wonder how some people do it...

Dear Allah,

Today, I am so thankful for clean drinking water! I have learned that it is difficult to go without food and yet maintain my composure but I find it is harder to stay without water. So thank you for the mountain springs, the clean flowing rivers, the joyous streams and everything that makes drinking clean water possible.

This evening at dusk, I know what I would like to have before anything else, and I'll know to be grateful for it...


Not juice, not lemonade, not chilled pop... JUST cold clean drinking water!

Ramadan, You're Here!

2011-08-02T16:13:00.003+05:00

Ramadan Mubarak everyone! :)

Today is day 1 and even with the scorching summer, I can feel the festivity in the air. Ramadan is here. 30 days of celebration and prayer are here. It's just so good for life's harsh realities to take a halt and give way to some well intended kindness. The world could really do with some good deeds right now.

I'm also very happy because this month has given me another chance to get busy with so many projects. There are gifts to be sent out, menus, table settings, centerpieces, decoration, lighting and more. But for now, here's what's happening today!

The Blessing Baskets are going out this evening

The Ramadan calendar is also going up on the side of our refrigerator today

Twitter Inspired Birthday Card

2011-05-25T17:07:00.000+05:00

I was feeling all twittery so I made this for one of my dear friends.

Spring in Abbottabad

2011-05-22T07:54:00.000+05:00

Its 7.00 am. The sun is only just beginning to rise. I see nature's family rejoicing in the little peace they have as they dance and perch around me. It's all so beautiful...
...until a tone deaf person clears his throat over the microphone and dissects a well-intentioned Naat from the nearby mosque.

Peace, Where Are You?

2011-05-21T10:38:00.001+05:00

We're in Abbottabad. It's a blessing after the scorching heat back home. The mountains remain paternalistic and grand. And the trees... the trees... It's like they whisper away your sorrows to some unknown land. There's no trouble here, no reminder of the barbaric world out there. Just calmness. Until of course you step out onto the bazaar area and wonder why it's getting so crowded day by day.
Oh yes! The displaced, the troubled, the driven. Everybody seeks the answer here. Even Osama bin Laden did, didn't he? The world and its many turmoils...

Look what my FIL picked on his way home from prayers. A piece of heaven growing wild right here around us.

DIY Paper Organizing Solutions

2011-04-24T13:06:00.001+05:00

In the midst of organizing my craft space and making a list of stuff I'd need, I realized how expensive some of the basic storage items can be. Take the cropper hopper vertical storage for example. It's like $8-10 for one holder. So, (and this is one of the best "so"s that I've expressed) I thought I'd make my own.

Using thick cardstock, paper cutter, adhesive and a corner rounder, this is what I made.

Look mom, I can fly!

Then I thought, why stop there? I made two 12" x 12" paper organizers and one for my standard card size.

I love this one

Spring Has Sprung

2011-04-17T18:12:00.000+05:00

Through rain, hail and thunder, it finally survived. Spring is here, in my home, out on the terrace!

Happy Cards

2011-04-14T19:07:00.000+05:00

Still trying out the bug... Here's three for you.

Handmade Notepad with Cricut Elements

2011-04-07T09:40:00.000+05:00

I just had to break the ice with my new bug so for my little sister's birthday, I made her a notepad.
She loves cutesy, flowery, pinkish (you get the idea right!) stuff so this turned out pretty well considering I hadn't planned it out before starting. But I'm so excited to think about everything that I can eventually do with this baby.

Hello Happiness

2011-04-04T13:58:00.001+05:00

It's raining cats and dogs here. It is either that or life's several reality checks that have woken my blogging spirit today. Whichever it is, I'm glad I'm back. 'Nothing like typing to a happy window.

Remember how I used to say I'm without any fancy craft tools and how I adore stationary heaven. Well say hello to my dream because the Dude just recently got me my baby Cricut. I can't even begin to say how happy I am. Call me silly, but it's like I've been introduced to a whole new world out there. It's lovely.

I will of course be posting all my paper crafts here but for now, here's a look outside my window today.

Yellow Grey Themed Party

2010-12-20T10:43:00.001+05:00

The Dude had his birthday on the 18th and I threw him a surprise birthday. But Oh My God, was it tummy fluttering?

I have never had to go so long without blabbering out everything to the Dude. And to organize a rooftop party, with decorations, food, friends, family, BBQ, karaoke and more than anything, getting the Dude to be at home during that time... it was way too much to handle. But if I've learned a thing or to from this event, it's that I ain't that bad :)

So here's a peak at my crafting.

Dear Mayyah...

2010-11-23T18:26:00.000+05:00

It's been years since you passed away today, but the pain doesn't go away. I don't know why. Every time I think it has now been too long... it is now better... life has moved on now... it comes back again.

Tonight, while everything moves without distract, as the time approaches, my heart grows heavy without delay.

I miss you. And it hasn't gotten better.

The Winter Calls Out

2010-10-27T19:20:00.000+05:00

Why must I wait to write something impressive?

Why can't I just let my heart do the talking and write because it lifts me up? Through heights of happiness, through days of low...

Write...

Kids Say It Best

2010-09-09T22:48:00.000+05:00

I am taking some time out to teach 3+ year old children. Yes. A whole bunch of cute little peek-a-boos in my care.

I was so nervous about it because it's such a big challenge but having spent two days as a Nursery teacher, I am now so excited about it. I feel so responsible teaching them alphabets, phonics, numbers, animals and art. I get to teach them rhymes and songs and dance through the room and not feel silly :D It takes a whole lot of patience and creativity but it's great and I can't wait to see how it goes.

On our last school day before we break for Eid holidays, I helped my students make a head band that said "Allah <3's me". I also had them make Eid cards for their parents. They had so much fun pasting everything together. Here's a peak at our fun day.

Eid Mubarak and happy holidays :)

Educational Wall Art - Land Animals

2010-09-08T18:11:00.000+05:00

Here's the finished project that I had been making for the school's junior section.

To The Greens

2010-09-07T15:58:00.001+05:00

Here's the rest of the animals I made for the "Land Animals" board and no, I do not have access to all the fancy material available elsewhere. This is 100% hand made, which is why the messy bits if you look closer.

Hello Bear

Roar!

Mooooooooo

Hello down there!

A Neigh, A Baa, A Roar

2010-09-05T15:26:00.000+05:00

Elephants Can't Jump

2010-09-04T12:17:00.000+05:00

I could have done better on these...

Hello Panda

2010-09-02T09:09:00.003+05:00

Sharing some panda love with the world today...

'Got bamboo?'

Hello Tiger

2010-08-31T13:43:00.004+05:00

So I am making some educational wall art for the school before art classes start. The first one I am making is called 'Land Animals'. I couldn't find felt (believe it or not!) so I am using fomic sheet instead. It's such a wonderful material. I'm so glad I found it.

Here's one for you,

'Roar back at ya'

MIA for the Better

2010-08-31T01:45:00.002+05:00

I know I've been missing from action for quite some time now. To tell you the truth, I haven't felt like blogging until now and all because there was something or the other that was bringing me down big time.

I had planned so much for this Ramadan but because of my chickenpox, everything went down the drain because I just wasn't well. But thankfully, that is over and there's always next year right. Although I still have time to wish everyone a very Happy Ramadan so Yeay! :)

But then followed the depression. After the Islamabad plane crash, our country saw one of the world's worst floods ever. As if the constant price hike, poverty, bombings, corruption weren't enough, we now have to worry about the consequences of massive flooding in an agricultural country. And I don't even want to mention the kind of crimes that are happening around here. It's all too horrible. However, I've decided to come out of this depressive, demotivating hiatus because it's not doing me any good.

The Good Part:

My family has recently taken over a small school nearby and we're all very excited about it. Since I'm taking care of their collateral, I really want to share what I've been making for them.

The School Logo

First Flyer

A Pinch of Heaven

2010-08-06T02:46:00.002+05:00

If you're living in a place where people have moved beyond third-world issues (beyond worrying about dying in a bomb blast or the price hike or the police itself), you won't think craft supplies are a big deal. But for someone like me, someone who has yet to step into a 'Craft Store' and get a chance to look through shelves and shelves of fresh paper stock, fancy punches, stamps, die cuts, embellishments and what not... this is almost like heaven.

My sister brought me this from her trip to Boston...

Su-weeeeeeet :)

And then I got motivated out of my chicken pox to make this...

Chickenpox: Day 7

2010-07-30T20:36:00.002+05:00

Thank God for Love...because I would never be able to survive this alone.

Day 4 - 5 were my worst. The chickenpox came out everywhere, every freakin' where. I couldn't sleep, eat, drink, lie down without pain. And when the Dude returned from work, I wouldn't let him see my face. I was so scared he'd start hating me because of my ugliness. After much coaxing and promises of forever love, I finally let him turn on the light and uncovered my face. And then I cried and cried. I can be such a baby, really.

I feel much better today. The pox are still there. In fact I even see some new ones popping up but the older ones have started to dry out and while it hurts everywhere, every freakin' where, I am better. The fever's gone and I have hope of happiness again.

Oh No, No, No, No, No. This Is So Not Cute

2010-07-26T12:54:00.001+05:00

Yes... It's true. I've got the chickenpox. And I don't like it.

Why: Because I may or may not have had them when I was little.
How: Because I was around my nephew who had it.
When: Today is Day-3 and it is today that I have accepted it really isn't going away.
Symptoms: Splitting headache, low energy, skin blisters, red spots, itching

I don't like this...

Birthday Craft

2010-06-25T00:32:00.000+05:00

Here's a simple birthday card that I made recently. By the way, if you are wondering why I keep using old olive card stock, it's ~~because I don't have any other color in my stock right now~~ because I am really loving the olive color right now :)

Versatile Blogger Award

2010-06-23T16:33:00.000+05:00

Caffeinated Globe has just granted Autumn Twig with the "Versatile Blogger" award. I am more than humbled and especially happy because it's my first one. You can read about it here and be sure to visit their blog because it's got very nice reviews on food, decor and more importantly caffeine infused drinks and everything related to it.

Part of the rules to accepting this award includes that I fess up 7 things about myself. So, (most reluctantly) here they are,

I don't like talking about myself
I love chocolate in my dessert and flowers in my garden
I don't like mean people
I'v seen an avalanche in real life
While I can cook to save my life, I generally don't know how to cook
I literally thought Tuiti Fruiti was a waste of valuable ice-cream making time because I never knew anyone who liked it... until I met Dude
I think blue whales are mysterious

Fair enough? Ok, now for the second rule. I hereby bestow this award to the following bloggers who I think are really fantastic. Each of these is inspiring and versatile in their own unique way.

Fathers' Day Craft

2010-06-22T18:29:00.001+05:00

Here's what I made for both our fathers this week. I love paper art and how a simple element can make the most impact. What do you think?

Olive Colored Paper Set

2010-05-20T22:21:00.002+05:00

I am just so in love with paper crafts. Anything and everything to do with stationary actually. So much so that I imagine Heaven to have the best stationary and craft supplies ever. Ever.

So, when my sister's birthday was approaching, I knew I wanted to make something for her myself. Something simple and special, something that she could use. Now I don't have all those fancy punchers and stamps and die cut alphabets and other fantastic stuff available elsewhere in the world. But I whipped up this...

I apologize for the unimpressive photography but by the time I got done with this, I only had enough time to get ready and reach her surprise party at midnight.

Birthday Craft

2010-05-18T17:34:00.001+05:00

I made a card for my sister's birthday (which is today). Here's a look at the finished product. I also made her a present, something for her handbag which I'll post tomorrow.

For now...

Iron Will

2010-05-14T18:49:00.002+05:00

I've been meaning to write about my grandfather for a long time now. But somehow I've never gotten to it. It's not that I don't know what to say about him. Because I do. I do have so much to tell. It's just the reluctance of introducing him.

See, I imagine someday that our family's next generation may read my blog. Or not ("what a silly old lady we had there" *eek*) But maybe they will. And I want them to know what a remarkable person their great grandfather was. I want them to know about his charisma, his willpower, how he lived. But I don't know if I can do justice to that, his story.

I want to be able to put into words how a simple villager turned his life around. About how tall and strong he stood, and how vast his vision was. About his hard work and dedication. About how he joined the British Army and fought in the World War II. About how everybody had lost hope when he hadn't returned. And it was only after 7 whole years that the village found out he had been a prisoner of war in Japan all this time. He had come back frail and wounded, both physically and emotionally. He wouldn't say what he had gone through but if one looked deep enough, it was all in his eyes.

Even still, he wouldn't let anybody dare feast on his weakness. He recovered and came out stronger, more aggressive. He raised his five sons the same. To be tough in the face of challenge. To conquer all their dreams. But more than anything, to let nothing, nothing come between them and success.

I wish I could tell about the time when he was diagnosed with Tuberculosis. About how people expected him to give up his agricultural lands and die soon. But on one lung alone, he survived all these years. And not just survive but live life to the fullest. Even at 92, he didn't need glasses or a walking stick. He was as independent as anyone could be.

But more than all this, I wish I could tell you about how people feared him. About how they cherished his loyalty. And about how supportive he was to us. I haver never met someone from his generation encourage me more to study further, work and lead a better life.

Life finally gave in for him last month. On April 11, 2010, after momentarily being sick, he passed away. Early morning, silently in his sleep.

Long time back, a woman in our village had said to him, "Malik Ali Khan, I've watched the grandeur you have lived in. And now I wish to see how such a life ends."

He had one of the biggest funerals in town. People from all over came to bid him farewell. And all everybody talked about, was what I need to carry on, his iron will.

Chocolate Chip Muffins

2010-03-20T15:26:00.004+05:00

I tried Nigella's chocolate chip muffin recipe the other day. The lady is right. It's easy and super delicious. Here's how I did it.

250 gm Flour

2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda

175 gm Sugar

2 tblsp Cocoa Powder

150 gm Chocolate Chips

250 ml Milk

90 ml Vegetable Oil

1 tsp Vanilla

1 Egg

Just briefly whisk the wet ingredients and add into the dry ingredients. Mix well and place into a well oiled muffin tray. Sprinkle some chocolate chips on top.

Bake for 20 minutes at 180 - 200 degrees C.

This recipe makes about 15.

(Are you digging my photography skills?)

Now go Mmmmmm......

Road Trip

2010-03-18T21:37:00.007+05:00

Cue Music

Sunset on the road

Lahore

Attending a Mehndi

Guess who Dude's niece wants to be when she grows up

Dropping a cousin off at the Lahore Airport. Time: 6.30am

Back on the road

Through the farms

Through the mountains

Almost home

Life's Little Lesson # 3

2010-03-17T15:41:00.004+05:00

If you go to Lahore, and you absolutely must have (and when I say absolutely must have, I literally do mean absolutely-must-have-or-I-wouldn't-know-the-meaning-of-life kind of must have) the local Gol Gappa/Pani Puri, you must in all sense of its meaning be prepared for what may follow.

In the most recent case, I completely denied that the dust, pollution may be getting to me when I started sneezing a day earlier. I also conveniently ignored that teeny tiny itch in my throat (Remember... must have Gol Gappa). Nothing came between me and my awaited serving. Ah, happy day ("day"=singular connotation).

The next day, not only did I have a horrible, horrible mucus-producing sore throat, I lost my voice, had fever, couldn't sleep, threw up twice through the night and got the flu the next day. Brilliant, no?

Mental Note: must have Gol Gappa from alternate location next time.

Oh Come On Now

2010-03-08T09:13:00.004+05:00

The world sat awestruck when Joannie Rochette, a Canadian figure skater, gave her emotional performance during these Winter Olympics 2010. The sorrow of her mother's sudden death just two days ago moved every one who was watching her fly over the ice that day. It was as if even the commentators had lost their voice to the aura. It was too brave, too strengthening.

At the end of her routine, she looked up and blew a kiss. That's when everybody broke down with her.

And all I wanted to do was watch that moment. The moment that went down in history. The moment that spoke a thousand words in a thousand languages.

Is that too much to ask for? Instead, link after link after link, I get this...

"This video is restricted to viewers within the United States"

Hoo Goes There

2010-03-02T16:54:00.006+05:00

We hosted a family get together a couple of days back. And because my mind involuntarily wanders off on creative escapades at most times, I thought I'd make it a little special by adding a theme to it. I feel doing just a bit more than you usually would adds that unique little something... something to smile about, something to talk about. Not that I'm super awesome at all of this but I tried and it turned out to be a great day.

Great weather, great food, great company, happy day. Here are some pictures. You can tell me how I scored.

Owl Mobile

(U Create inspired me to do this)

Owl Banner

Owl Cupcakes

(in my defense, they were my very first)

I got a few bubble makers for the kids. Those little containers with the handle that you blow into... yes those. It was so much fun.

Hail-O

2010-02-26T19:14:00.004+05:00

We had the heaviest hailstorm I've ever seen here a couple of days ago. Here are some pictures from during and after.

"For You, A Thousand Times Over"

2010-02-24T09:21:00.007+05:00

About a year ago, when JD brought home some new DVDs, I wasn't really thrilled to see "The Kite Runner" amongst them.

'But you loved the book', he had said.

I did. As opposed to some who thought it was gory and intense, I loved it.

Its not that I feed off of grief. But I loved how Khaled Hosseini told the story, how he made me feel through every page. Familial...familiar joy, sadness, desperation, helplessness, fear, thankfulness...I felt it all. It was as if I was there, as if I knew the pain only too well. But when the movie came, I wasn't so sure if I wanted to go through all those emotions again. It had taken me so long to get over the brutal faces of reality. I couldn't go through it again. And also because, often, movies don't do justice to the greatness of their books.

But yesterday, I finally saw it. I was alone at home and I knew I could get away with my tear brigade. So I did. And I loved it all over again. How Khaled Hosseini told the story and how Marc Forster filmed it.

However all is not well. After the film, the young actors' (who played Amir, Hassan and Sohrab) lives and privacy were threatened. While the studio made an effort to relocate the young actors elsewhere, fear still looms over their heads. After four months of living in Dubai, young 'Amir' returned to Kabul. He is now home schooled and remains indoors. He regrets being part of the film.

The boys have expressed their wish to be able to study in USA because 'it is a modern country and more safe than Kabul'. But who will stand true to the book's lesson "There is a way to be good again".

Because I Love Crafting

2010-02-18T17:58:00.004+05:00

Did I say tomorrow? I meant day after tomorrow.

Something for his car

Something for his bedside

Something for my bedside

Flowers, Chocolate and That Thing Called Love

2010-02-15T18:50:00.005+05:00

I know I have been away for some (many) days. It was only because JD completely surprised me by flying me to a beautiful resort in the Bahamas. It was so unbelievably amazing. The sand, the water, the rocks, the wind. And then it got really scary because on one of our boat rides, we got attacked by Pirates. It could've gotten pretty dangerous too if we hadn't traded our souls against one of our Chicken specialties. Except that we couldn't find Chicken so we had to cook fish instead. And that turned out pretty good too. So much so that the Pirate leader wanted to make us their ship's permanent chefs. So the next time, we didn't make it as good. But then they wanted to kill us and feed us to the fish instead. Long story short, we fortunately made it out...

*phew*

...naaaaaa, not really! But fun imagination, no?

Anyway, so I don't quite agree with Valentines Day and so much focus given to only one day of expressing your love. But because I love crafting and because I love being in love, I did make a little big deal out of yesterday. Pictures tomorrow.

Oh Dear Grey

2010-02-06T14:09:00.007+05:00

If you're a fan of Grey's Anatomy and you still haven't watched Season 6, walk away now...

You may also walk away if you eventually plan to become hooked to Grey's Anatomy, because really that's the only way to go with this show...

I'm serious, major spoilers coming ahead...

Don't say I didn't warn you then...

Ok, ARE you serious Shonda Rhimes? I mean really? Did you absolutely have to kill George? And not just kill him but kill him and make the characters move on like that? Seriously? Its George O Malley. George O Malley! And I know I'm kind of late at throwing this at you, what with all the Grey's Anatomy not being aired here in time and depending on the internet and later buying the seasons on DVD to be able to enjoy this and that's a completely different post altogether, but really now. You ignored him last season and then you killed him. So not fair.

And while we're at it, I don't like the Mercy Westers. They're mean. And you're letting them be. Also not fair. Now I'm at episode 9 as of this hour. But things really need to step up here. Really. Its my favorite show. What would I do without it.

Boxes Are Good, And So is the Color Pink

2010-02-03T18:12:00.004+05:00

Before I had those fancy IKEA boxes, I still dreamt of storage being cute. So I wrapped some of my shoe boxes in pretty paper, labelled them and now use them on my shelf.

Boxes are good...so are baskets...but boxes are definitely good, or as Jim Carrey would say 'its goooooooooood'.

My Jade Thumb

2010-02-01T13:33:00.010+05:00

I love flowers. I just simply adore them. And so while I dream about the wonderful joys a huge garden can bring, I have to (oh but willingly) make do with our lovely terrace.

Step 1: Buy planter pots. Lots of them.

Step 2: Try to plant flowers. (Oh my! They actually do grow. Aw, you lovelies!)

Step 3: Wait for the frost to be over.

Step 4: Really try to plant flowers.

Step 5: Wait for Spring... *happy sigh*

Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel

2009-12-25T13:39:00.005+05:00

The "Squeakquel" to 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' has been released. Here's a short clip of the cute Chipettes singing 'Single Ladies'. Love it! :)

You're My Dude

2009-12-19T17:29:00.006+05:00

When I met JD, I had little to no belief in this thing called love. Miraculously and as if by some unknown logic, we fell into the meant-to-be pairing. Its been two years since then and as each day passes by, my faith in 'us' grows deeper and stronger.I couldn't understand it before. Or maybe I was thinking too much about waiting for 'it' to happen. But then I learned. Its here, its all around me, its what binds him and me, it is what pours into our hearts as we walk this path together.

JD is out of the country on a business trip. Which means we have to stay apart for 25 days. Which means I miss him like crazy. Which also means that we weren't together on his birthday yesterday.

Happy Birthday, shon. Thank you for always being there for me, for showing me the way, for holding my hand through it all. I hope we can be the best for each other. I hope our little heavenly abode can nurture our dreams and our hopes. I love you.

Oh So Pretty

2009-12-16T13:05:00.000+05:00

I saw these at the Islamabad Club the other day. Aren't they just beautiful?

I Think I Saved a Puppy Today

2009-12-14T19:28:00.002+05:00

So I'm in my car standing at a traffic light when I notice a tiny black stray puppy crossing the road. Just as it reaches my lane, the light turns green, and if you know the crazy traffic in Pakistan, you'll know when I say... the light turned green. The puppy took a step forward, then backward, then forward, then crouched down in fear right in front of me. So obviously being the angel soul that I am being considerate towards all living beings, I wait until it can cross ahead of me onto the safe green roadside. The puppy, instead, crawled right under my car and took shelter.

I get out of the car amidst great honking (*Oh great! the female driver screwed her car*) and bow down to try to locate the puppy. Meanwhile two policemen who only happened to be motoring by, stopped to help. Them and a couple of other street boys try their best to pull out the puppy but it was so scared that it snapped and howled at any hand reaching towards him.

One of the policeman convinces me that the puppy is crouched in the middle so I can actually drive right over without hurting it. After much speculation, I climb back in and drive two inches ahead.

Policeman 1: Go! Go!

Policeman 2: No stop!

Policeman 1: I'm telling you go go!

Policeman 2: Yes okay go go!

Street boy: Stop, stop! Its crawling right alongside the right tire!

I halt with utmost fear on my face.

Policeman 1: Ok, don't move because now you'll really kill it!

After much trying and coaxing and jolting, the puppy refuses to come out. In all this while, the light turned red from green, then red again, then green again and every single car is slowing down to look on to the confusion (*Oh great! the female driver killed a dog*).

Policeman 1: Look here, you have got to just drive over it. I think its death has been written.

*Is he kidding me?? Did he just say that?*

Me: Definitely not on my watch. I'll stay right here until it comes out safe and alive.

So they, and the cars behind mine, figure there's no other way out and so taking the leap, some guy from the left roadside comes up, takes the wiper from one of the street boys, bows down, pulls the puppy out, picks it up and takes it to the other side of the road. Just like that. Took about ten seconds.

Traffic Policeman: Now ma'am, can you please move your car along?

p.s. If you were driving along the airport road this evening and saw a girl cause a traffic halt... that was me.

(photo courtesy: Google Images)

Happy Feet

2009-12-11T16:20:00.002+05:00

Didn't you just love the movie "Happy Feet"?

I did, and now I cannot wait for its sequel. Yes, yes. Happy Feet 2 is in filming and is scheduled to release on November 18, 2011.

By the way, did you know that this film is dedicated to Steve Irwin? Steve Irwin also voiced the role of Trev, one of the elephant seals, in the film. What a remarkable personality. Steve Irwin's that is, not the elephant seal. May your memory live on forever mate.

Yet Another Sad Day On Our Calendar

2009-12-07T15:22:00.003+05:00

On December 4th, as the muezzin called them for Friday prayers, fathers and sons walked towards the mosque at Parade Lane, Rawalpindi.

Friday prayers hold great importance in our culture. Even if one is not regular in prayer or visiting the mosque, Friday afternoons are seen dedicated to faith and praying. All Muslims throng towards the mosques in clean traditional shalwar kameez to offer their regards to Allah and pray for peace and prosperity. No rank or class defines them. All stand equal in rows, all bow down with humbleness and all raise their hands in prayer.

While 300 faithful prepared for Salat in this particular mosque, four men, four heartless immoral men, entered the mosque, threw hand grenades around and started firing. The last row which is usually occupied by children suffered the greater loss. The men did not stop at one fire. They repeatedly fired at each person. Then two of those men blew themselves up with suicide jackets.

36 people died, 17 of them children. 75 people were wounded.

While every single house in the locality is mourning the loss of their loved ones, there are families who have lost ALL male members of their family. Fathers and sons, brothers, siblings together have gone.

The complete city was at a standstill. Funeral after funeral, passed our eyes through the roads. My father lost one friend and visited to mourn the loss of another friend's son.

To see some online memorials from friends and families, please take some time out and click on the following links:

Eid Mubarak

2009-12-02T13:06:00.000+05:00

Eid ul Azha just passed and I went to celebrate the occasion in the beautiful city of Abbotabad, JD's hometown. Now I have another bakra to miss :(

Here are some pictures from my trip. Look out for our special guest who came peeking through the garden :)

Mayyah and Me

2009-11-24T16:01:00.004+05:00

Its been so many years. And I'm so very scared of forgetting all my memories with her. Though I can still hear her laughter. I don't understand why God had to take her, or take anyone who is loved so much for that matter. But maybe, sometime, I will understand, maybe. We all will. For now, I just really miss her.

Summayyah Akram

May 18, 1981 - November 23, 1994

'Tis The Season To Be Happy Lalalala lalalala

2009-11-22T23:29:00.002+05:00

Ever since the beginning of my quest to be happy and unbreakable (yes I will be), I'm looking for every chance to celebrate happiness. And as it turns out, a lot of them are coming my way soon.

(that's my own wedding dress)

For one, we have invitations to a few upcoming weddings, at least two of which we will be enjoying the most, hopefully. Traditional dholkis and dance preps have already begun and while my routine doesn't allow me to attend each one, I'm still being swept into the whole excitement. Which reminds me, have you ever seen one of those impressive makeup tutorials on YouTube where the girl doesn't even need makeup since she has flawless skin anyway but still does the works so smoothly that it makes people like me feel even worse? Right then, so I got motivated enough to try being talented myself. I convinced my sister to be my model and it was all working wonderfully until at the end of her photo shoot she refused to make the results public. No, no, not because I was that bad but only because she was embarrassed about going pro. Here's a sneak peak at her eye makeup. Let me know what you think but *Sshh* don't tell her.

Hot Water And The Works

2009-11-18T22:33:00.003+05:00

Dear Unnamed Greek (Lord),
Thank you for discovering the shower. While you enjoy your eternal days in Heaven (for you must surely be in Heaven) please know that us mortals love you everyday. For every little drop that hits the human body, for every little acu-poke that it inspires, you will be blessed.

Sincerely,
me

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Benjamin W. Maughan,
Dude, do you have any idea what you have done? You have single-handedly invented one of the greatest blessings in the history of mankind. Hot water - heart warming, ache dissolving, love inspiring, fog communicating hot water!

*sigh*

People appreciate you (most of us at least) and so God must love you too.

Sincerely,
me

Project Bird Home

2009-11-12T19:56:00.008+05:00

I am on a quest to be happy. Happy and unbreakable. And so, I turn to my love for painting, even though I don't quite know how to...really...but still...

I have ten absolutely beautiful budgies and finches. JD got them for me recently and ever since then I have been trying to make them as comfortable as possible. I couldn't find little homes for them anywhere so I thought I'd make them myself.

I couldn't trust myself with wood and nails *nervous laugh* so I bought different sized clay pots (mutki) that's traditionally made here. The guy that I got them from had cut holes in them for me, through where the birds could come and go...

So all that remained was to make them look pretty. Yesterday afternoon, me and my sister sat down and painted them. No fancy materials, just good old poster colors.

After they had dried out, I put some cut up straws of grass inside to make them comfy.

And finally, with flexible wire I fixed them inside the cages. The birds went crazy. They chirped and they sang and literally fought over who got which home. It was super cute.

Iqbal

2009-11-09T17:59:00.008+05:00

Today is "Iqbal Day" in Pakistan. This is the day when Allama Muhammad Iqbal was born.

Iqbal remains to be one of the most acclaimed poets in literary history whose Persian and Urdu works have influenced and inspired millions of people around the world. He is widely recognized in not just Pakistan but India, Iran and Afghanistan. In fact, much of his work has now been translated in English and many European languages as well. His poetry greatly inspired the creation of Pakistan and the Iranian Revolution but what I most love about his work is the reflection and perspective of life and its many faces. Following is one of his famous works translated in English. It is a dialogue between Man and God which he wrote in the early 20th century. One of my favorites indeed.

Note: I copied this from somewhere and since it is a translation, I myself am confused about a couple of words in this but it nonetheless captures the whole essence.

Shikwa (Complaint to God)

Why should I abet the loss, why forget the gain,
Why forfeit the future, bemoan the past in vain?
Hear the wail of nightingale, and remain unstirred,
Am I a flower insensate that will not say a word?
The power of speech emboldens me to speak out my heart,
I'll sure be damned, I know, if fault my God.

***
Hear, O Lord, from the faithful ones this sad lament,
From those used to hymn a praise, a word of discontent.
Eternally were you present, Lord, eternally omniscient,
The flower hung upon the tree, but without incense.
Be Thou fair, tell us true, O fountain head of grace,
How could the scent spread without the breeze apace?

***
The world presented a queer sight ere we took the stage,
Stones and plants in your stead were worshiped in that age.
Man, being inured to senses, couldn't accept a thing unseen,
How could a formless God impress his senses keen?
Tell me, Lord, if anyone ever invoked Thy name,
The strength of Muslim arm alone restored Thy fame.

***
There was no dearth of peoples on this earth before,
Turkish tribes and Persian clans lived in days of yore;
The Greeks and the Chinese both bred and throve,
Christians as well as the Jews on this planet roved.
But who in Thy holy name raised his valiant sword,
Who set the things right, resolved the rigmarole?

***
We were the warrior bands battling for Thy cause,
Now on land, now on water, we the crusades fought.
Now in Europe's synods did we loudly pray,
Now in African deserts made a bold foray.
Not for territorial greed did we wield the sword,
Not for pelf and power did we suffer the blows.

***
Had we been temped by the greed of glittering gold,
Instead of breaking idols, we would have idols sold.
We impressed on every heart the oneness of our mighty Lord,
Even under the threat of sword, bold and clever was our call.
Who conquered, tell us Thou, the fearful Khyber pass?
Who vanquished the Imperial Rome, who made it fall?

***
Who broke the idols of the primitive folks?
Who fought the kafirs, massacred their hordes?
If the prayer time arrived right amid the war,
With their faces turned to Kaaba, knelt down the brave Hejaz.
Mahmud and Ayaz stood together in the same flank,
The ruler and the ruled forget the difference in their rank.

***
The rich and poor, Lord and slave, all were leveled down,
All became brethren in love, with Thy grace crowned.
We roamed the world through, visited every place,
Did our rounds like the cup, serving sacred ale.
Forget about the forests, we spared not the seas,
Into the dark, unfathomed ocean, we pushed our steeds.

***
We removed falsehood from the earth's face,
We broke the shackles of the human race.
We reclaimed your Kaaba with our kneeling brows,
We pressed the sacred Quran to our heart and soul.
Even then you grumble, we are false, untrue,
If you call us faithless, tell us what are you?

***
You reserve your favors for men of other shades,
While you hurl your bolts on the Muslim race.
This is not our complaint that such alone are blessed,
Who do not know the etiquette, nor even can converse.
The tragedy is while kafirs are with houries actually blest,
On vague hopes of houries in heaven the Muslim race is made to rest!

***
Poverty, taunts, ignominy stare us in the face,
Is humiliation the sole reward of our suffering race?
To perpetuate Thy name is our sole concern,
Deprived of the saqi's aid can the cup revolve and turn?
Gone is your assemblage, off your lovers have sailed,
The midnight sights are no more heard, nor the morning wails;

***
They pledged their hearts to you, what is their return?
Hardly had they stepped inside, when they were externed.
Thy lovers came and went away, fed on hopes of future grace,
Search them now with the lamp of your glowing face.
Unassuaged is Laila's ache, unquenched is Qais's thirst,
In the wilderness of Nejd, the wild deer are still berserk.

***
The same passion thrills the hearts, enchanting still is beauty's gaze,
You are the same as before, same too is the Prophet's race.
Why then this indifference, without a cause or fault?
Why with your threatening looks dost thou break our heart?
Accepted that the flame of love burneth low and dim,
We do not, as in your, dance attendance on your whims;

***
But you too, pardon us, possess a coquettish heart,
Now on us, now on others, alight your amorous darts.
The spring has now taken leave, broken lies the lyre string,
The birds that chirped among the leaves have also taken wing;
single nightingale is left singing on the tree,
A flood of song in her breast is longing for release.

***
From atop the firs and pines the doves have flown away,
The floral petals lie scattered all along the way.
Desolate lie the garden paths, once dressed and neat,
Leafless hang the branches on the naked trees.
The nightingale is unconcerned with the season's range,
Would that someone in the grove appreciates her wail.

***
May the nightingale's wail pierce the listeners' hearts,
May the clinking caravan awaken slumbering thoughts!
Let the hearts pledge anew their faith to you, O Lord,
Let's re-charge our cups from the taverns of the past.
Through I hold a Persian cup, the wine is pure Hejaz,
Thought I sing an Indian song, the turn is of the Arabian cast.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Jawab-e-Shikwa (The Response)

The word springing from the heart surely carries weight,
Though not endowed with wings, it yet can fly in space.
Pure and spiritual in its essence, it pegs its gaze on high,
Rising from the lowly dust, grazes past the skies.
Keen, defiant, and querulous was my passion crazed,
It pierced through the skies, my audacious wail.

***
"Someone is there," thus spoke the heaven's warder old,
the planets said, "From above proceeds this voice so bold."
No, no," the moon said," "tis someone on the earth below,"
Butted in the milky way: "The voice is hereabouts, I trow."
Ruzwan alone, if at all, understood aright,
He knew it was the man, from heaven once exiled.

***
Even the angles wondered who raised this cry,
All the celestial denizens looked about surprised.
Does man possess the might to scale imperial heights?
Has this mere pinch of dust learnt the knack to fly?
What are these earthly folks? Careless of all respect,
How bold and impudent, the lowly dwellers of the earth!

***
Extremely rude and insolent, cross even with God,
Is it the same Adam whom angels once did laud?
Steeped in bliss, man is of wisdom's lore possessed,
Nonetheless, he's alien to humility's sterling worth.
Man feels proud of the power of his speech,
But the fool doesn't know how and what to speak.

***
You narrate a woeful tale, thus the voice arose,
Your heart is boiling over with tears uncontrolled.
You have delivered your plaint with perfect skill and art,
You have brought the humans in contact with God.
We are inclined to grant, but none deserves our grace,
None treads the righteous path, whom to show the way?

***
Our school is open to all, but talent there is none,
Where is that soil fertile to breed the human gems?
We reward the deserving folks with splendid meed,
We grant newer worlds to those who strive and seek.
Arms have been drained of strength, hearts have gone astray,
The Muslim race is a blot on the Prophet's face.

***
Idol-breakers have left the scene, idol-makers remain,
Aazar has inherited Abraham's glorious name.
Wine, flask, and drinkers-all are new and changed,
A different Kaaba, different idols now your worship claim.
There was a time when you were respected far and wide,
Once this desert bloom was the season's wealth and pride.

***
Every Muslim then was a lover profound of God,
Your sole beloved once was the all-embracing Lord.
Who removed falsehood from the earth's face?
Who broke the shackles of the human race?
Who reclaimed our Kaaba with their kneeling brows?
Who presses the sacred Quran to their heart and soul?

***
True, they were your forbears, but what are you, I say?
Idle sitting, statue-like you dream away your days.
What did you say? Muslims are with hopes of houries consoled,
Even if your plaint is false, your words should be controlled.
Justice is the law supreme, operative on this globe,
Muslims can't expect the houries, if they follow the kafir's code.

***
None of you is, in fact, deserving of the "hoor",
A Moses is but hard to find, burneth still the Tur.
Common to the race entire is their gain or loss,
Common is their faith and creed, common too the Rasul of God;
One Kaaba, one Allah, and one Quran inspire their heart,
Why can't the Muslims then behave like a single lot?

***
Cast, creed and factions have disjointed this race,
Is this way to forge ahead, to flourish in the present age?
It's the poor who visit the mosque, join the kneeling rows,
The poor alone observe the fasts, practice self-control.
If someone repeats our name, it's the poor again,
The devout poor hide your sins, preserve your vaunted name.

***
Drunk with the wine of wealth, the rich are unconcerned with God,
The Muslim race owes its life to the poor, indigent lot.
"Muslims have vanished from earth," this is what we hear,
but we ask, " Were the Muslims ever the Jewish sects.
You are Nisars by your looks, but Hindus by conduct,
Your culture puts to shame even the Jewish sects.

***
If the son is alien to his learned father's traits,
How can he then claim his father's heritage?
All of you love to lead a soft, luxurious life,
Are you a Muslim indeed? Is this the Muslim style?
All of you desire to be invested with the crown,
You should first produce a heart worthy of renown.

***
The new age is the lighting blast, it will set your barns on fire,
It can't produce in groves or deserts the Old Sinai's burning spire.
The new fire consumes for fuel the blood of nations old,
The clothes of the Prophet's race are incinerated in its folds.
Don't be depressed, gardener, by the present scene,
The starry buds are about to burst with a brilliant sheen.
***
The garden will soon be rid of its thorns and weeds,
The martyr's blood will bring to bloom all the dormant seeds.
Mark how the sky reflects its orange purple hues,
The rising sun will flush the sky with its rays anew.
Islamic tree exemplifies cultivation long and hard,
A fruit of arduous gardening over centuries past.

***
Your caravan needn't fear the perils of the path,
But for the call of bells you own no wealth at all.
You are the plant of light, the burning wick that never fails,
With the power of your thought you can incinerate the veil.
We'll love you as our own, if you follow the Prophet's ways,
The world is but a paltry thing, you'll command the pen and page.

Whose War Is This

2009-11-09T16:52:00.006+05:00

I'm so depressed these days, and I can't help it. Which is why the 'writer's bloc'. Writing always helped me and I always knew something or the other to write about but I really don't know why this long absence of words.

It may be because of the sad situation my country is in. The insurgency by the Taliban and the suicide bombings have scared us all. The government continues to fight their own superior battles while the Army fights. One by one, they kill and capture the terrorists. And every once in a while, we hear about a brave martyr's fight till the end. The terrorists however, keep pouring in, showing no mercy. What human heart can think of blowing themselves at a market busy with shoppers or a college cafeteria filled with students. I fail to understand this human limit, this evil option. And yet, no word of hope, no condoling presence from our 'president'.

Just going out to run my necessary errands has become a feat. Nothing's significantly different in the way people go about their lives here, but nobody stops to be nice anymore either. In fact, for the ignorant ones, the party still goes on, literally. But for the poor, for the hardworking, for the considerate or for the man who is slowly building a future for his children, the uncertainty remains.

And it doesn't end here. The frustration and the desperation is creeping in the veins of our people. More and more of us are losing faith, losing our values and morals, losing the respect of life, patience and tolerance, of the ability to speak good and do good. Where are we heading?

(photo courtesy: Facebook Group)

The Strength of Love

2009-10-26T16:55:00.002+06:00

Hi readers! My name is Becky and I’m participating in the 20 something blogger blog swap! Your regular fabulous blogger has swapped with me for the day – and she posted quite a lovely story, so be sure to check it out!

I started thinking about her red balloon, how it was an important memory from her childhood, and it was shaped by books she read in school. I began reminiscing about my childhood and what shaped me. I have lots of memories – good, bad, and in between, but I think one of the biggest influences in my life came from all the strong, amazing women in my family.

I have a large extended family. Both my parents had a lot of siblings, and while we didn’t live close to any of them (they were all always at least a 5 to 10 hour drive away), we were good at staying in touch, and my aunts were always interested in what was going on in my life.

Without realizing it, I was being shown that love, honesty, humor, determination, loyalty, humility, (and about a hundred other characteristics) were all possible for a woman to have and even cherish. My family always celebrated the successes in each other’s lives’ without competing with one another.

One time when I was in 5th or 6th grade, a rock hit the windshield of our car and the glass needed replacing. My mom told me to watch my dad replace the windshield and when I asked why she responded, “So you’ll know how to do it when it happens to you someday. How else would it get fixed?” I said something to the effect of “Oh, I’ll just have my husband fix it,” and I got a gasp and the use of my full name. (Never a good sign). When I asked my dad later why mom was so upset (and yes, this was while he was replacing the windshield), he said that mom wanted me to be my own woman.

A few months ago, I was talking to one of my cousins (her mom and my mom are sisters), and we were discussing tough love. All of a sudden I exclaimed, “you know what, thank goodness for the women in our family who showed us how this is sometimes hard, but totally necessary.” That was a moment when I realized just how much of an impact all these women had made on me – and how I didn’t realize it until years later because I was raised seeing strong women and knowing that as normal.

So thanks to all the amazing women I am related to (by blood, marriage, or friendship), who have shaped me more than I probably know. And thanks to Autumn Twig for getting me thinking about this!

What about you readers? Is there a specific memory or person who has been influential to you or helped shape you into who you are today?

Don't forget to visit 'Love Everyday Life' to read some more great posts from Becky

A Brain for the Scarecrow, Heart for the Tin Woodman, Courage for the Lion and a Memory for Tabitha Temple

2009-10-21T17:25:00.011+06:00

JD and I got such a good deal at an old bookstore recently. We found several classics, all in great shape and all in hard back.

Yesterday, as I picked up the charming old 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' and settled to read it on my olive green couch, I found something more inside its pages than just Dorothy's story.

On the very first page, there is a handwritten message,

This wasn't just any book. It was a memory. Somewhere in London, sometime several years ago, this book was probably gift wrapped and hid somewhere, then handed over in a well-thought-of manner. Isn't that special?

I imagined a very dramatic episode following this where I Google the girl's name and find out where she is, then I contact her, tell her I've found her book, she cries with emotion and tells me she had been thinking about where this book had been and how sorry she was for giving it out, and then I courier the book back to her and we become friends for life.

Then reality and its many possibilities struck me. It is 2009, the girl has probably gotten married by now, changed her last name, maybe isn't on talking terms with her parents and took great effort to discard all memories associated with them. Or worse, moved in with an African tribe in search of her quest to save an endangered species of lion, with no blogs, no internet, no way of contacting her.

(If I get to find you, Tabitha, and you read this, please ignore the above paragraph)

I still want to try though, so I type her full name on Google ('Tabitha Emma Temple') and click search... Nothing except a Surrey directory which further tells me 'no match found'.

'Tabitha E. Temple'... 10 results but nothing enlightening, except a whole Temple genealogy website. Whoa! This is not going to be easy.

'Tabita Temple'... 2730 results. Ok, people need to stop naming their daughters Tabitha now. There's too many of them out there.

How about if I try on Facebook... 19 results. Hmm...

What in the world am I trying to do?

The Hopeful Airplane

2009-10-16T19:00:00.004+06:00

I saw a plane land today. Not that there's anything squeaky new or life changing about it but if you saw what I saw, you'd agree with me. It was... hopeful.

On the road alongside the airport runway, the traffic light was red. Everybody had obediently stopped and sought attention elsewhere for those thirty seconds. Just as the countdown came down to a 5, a deep whirring sound came and everybody turned.

4...

A beautiful airbus was smoothly descending to the ground. Its wings shone in the evening sunlight.

3...

I imagined all the passengers; excited, fearful, anxious, thinking about the person waiting for them outside the terminal door.

2...

It came down like a bird does on water, smooth, elegant, feet first.

1...

Its wheels touched the gray path effortlessly.

*Green*

Nobody moved. Only the airplane continued to glide over the runway like a pro ice skater.

1 second over...

News reports were forgotten. Hopelessness of seeing death and destruction were put aside. Sorrow of lost ones made way for new beginnings.

2 seconds over...

We all watched the airplane, together, united.

3 seconds over...

We all thought about the 150 Pakistanis who died this month. Not of natural causes but blown away by terrorists. And still, the Pakistani government agreed to sign the Kerry Lugar Bill. Not for dignity, not for pride, not because millions of people were against selling our country, but for more, unconditional aid.

4 seconds over...

As we saw the last of the airplane's tail tip fade away into the treeline, we gathered hope again. After all, if Allah puts you to it, He puts you through it as well.

5 seconds over...

Nobody had honked. Nobody had noticed the light that had turned green 5 seconds ago. It was as if everybody, and everything had paused. With no sight of the airplane, we all turned back to reality together and went on.

Like I said, it wasn't life changing, but it was hopeful.

p.s. Congratulations on your Nobel Peace Prize, President Obama.

Oh Crap! I May Not Be Unique

2009-10-13T19:00:00.011+06:00

I was listening to the radio while driving this morning. The guy with the sexy voice, as my friend calls him, was on. His question to the callers was ‘If you could make a world record at something, what would it be’? Some were just going on randomly, not making any sense, only wanting to go live on the radio. A few wanted to make the record sound as hilarious as possible and ended up chuckling alone (‘I’d be the one who sleeps the most, after all, what’s there to lose at 9.00am HE HE HE’). But there were actually people, even though a couple, but lucky, fateful people, who knew exactly what they wanted to attempt. They knew exactly what they were good at.

As they confidently admitted about the possibility of doing something truly unique and holding a world record at it, I couldn’t help but wonder. What can I achieve that nobody in the whole wide world could? I looked around in my brain, heart too, and the answer surprised me, to say the least. And the answer was… nothing. I couldn’t think of anything that set me apart from the rest of humanity. Sure I could come up with the many traits of my ~~charming~~ personality, my ~~countless~~ skills, the many people who ~~definitely~~, maybe like me a lot but something that only I could do that nobody else could in the world…? Hmmm…

Note to self: Invent something… anything.

Oh well, rather a nobody than somebody with the longest nails or the most stretchable face, right?

Have You Read This?

2009-10-11T19:10:00.011+06:00

This book titled 'Baby Proof' by Emily Giffin was such a delightful read. It has just the sort of perspective that life can offer for women who are in relationships, women who want children, women who don't want children, women who are trying and/or women who are with children.

It's the kind of book that you put down with a smile.

The 'Two' In Life

2009-10-09T19:05:00.004+06:00

In life, it is always about the ‘two’. The two choices we always have. The two ways to go about all. The two paths that lead to completely different sets of lives for us. Unfortunately and as opposed to majority view, it is not ‘right’ vs. ‘wrong’ anymore. It’s not ‘this’ or ‘that’. In fact, and trust me on this one, it is the two different ways you get to be ‘wiped out’ – a term I learned from AXN. If you have seen the show and have found time to contemplate on this creature called ‘life’, you know what I’m talking about. No matter how high you jump or how tight you grab that rope, eventually, inevitably…you fall, hard. You muster all the courage you have known and repeat every pep word you can remember and yet, upon every return, it is a painful, endless, struggle to stand up.

I am standing up…still. Because as ‘they’ say it, it is not the end of the world. Because I still have people who I will stand up for, who I will live for. I still have my people. And I still have my ‘happyness’.

p.s. I love you, JD. Happy October!

Bliss

2009-06-12T18:08:00.000+06:00

It’s been twelve days since I left work. I have to admit… I don’t miss it.

Life is good.

I get to stay home, sleep and wake as I wish. The only low point is when I turn on the television to watch the news. It reminds me of where the world is going to. I can smell the fear even sitting inside. I remembered how I had tried to take my mother in law for shopping the other day. Ten minutes into it, we heard about a bomb blast that hit a rescue station two sectors away. A rescue station! Can you believe that? We turned back home.

As I watch, I lose a pound as each minute passes by until my sugar level drops to a zero. I switch the channel to something happy… ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’. Ah, my favorite show! I go get a bowl of ice-cream; two big scoops of vanilla fudge with a crushed cookie, two wafer sticks and chocolate syrup. I come back, look around at the new additions I have made to our home and smile.

This is good.

p.s. I am waiting for the computer system and the LAN line to get installed at home which is why the long absence. I can hardly wait.

"Man's A Man, When Honor's Kept"

2009-05-26T12:13:00.000+06:00

There’s only so much happiness that I can write for in my blog. At some point, it will be only fair if I recognize the efforts of those that bring me and many more peace and freedom.

Taliban have entered Pakistan in massive numbers and have threatened to take over the nation. In Swat, and nearby areas, they had ‘established’ rule of power whereby it was 'okay' for them to publicly punish men who didn’t have beards and women who were out alone or without the big veil. In various cities and towns, they burnt down music stores and bombed cinemas. And they didn’t stop there. They bombed, kidnapped, tortured and murdered soldiers and civilians, all for what they believed was the right cause. They had enough cheek to even hold press conferences and put up public notices warning anyone who may dare to fight against them.

Well, this isn’t the jungle. This is

Pakistan

, and here, we fight back.

First step was evacuating the many Pakistanis living in the affected regions towards lower, safer areas. This has been the biggest displacement since the formation of Pakistan. Millions, and I literally mean millions and millions of Pakistani families are now living in camps under the scorching weather. A massive campaign to cater to these crowds is under way and donations in all forms are being accepted.

On the war front, Pakistan Army is strongly fighting back against the Taliban. While the Pak Army is gaining good ground over the terrorists, the extremists are showing neither sanity nor religion. They dared enough to torture some soldiers of the Pakistan Army, skin them, behead them, tape them and at the end sent the recordings to the Head Quarters. The families of those young men received only parts of their son’s / brother’s / father’s / friend’s body.

What kind of person does that…? What kind of heart allows that…?

What a disappointment of a finale show

2009-05-21T11:54:00.000+06:00

Yes, Adam Lambert sings well. Yes, he has amazing vocal heights. He has years of theatrical experience for crying out loud, of course he’d be really good at this. But to verbally just hand over the title to him over the recent episodes of American Idol is not fair. And yesterday, it was just way over the top. The judges were swooning over Adam. I couldn’t even understand the lyrics of that last song until Kris Allen sung it.

And it’s not fair to Kris who has actually grown throughout AI and used variations in his instruments and arrangements. I loved the first song. Yes, the second song wasn’t big enough for the night but hello! The night itself wasn’t big enough for AI finale as well. The last comments to him from the judges were literally like, oh you know what, you were good too and you should be proud you got to compete with Adam Lambert.

Give it a fair competition people.

p.s. You rock, Carrie Underwood.

Why, American Idol, Why

2009-05-20T16:10:00.000+06:00

So apparently, the Top 2 finale show of American Idol has already aired and I still have to wait about six and a half hours to watch the performances when the show repeats, which will be when we get home tonight. And even then I won’t be able to keep my anticipation till the results, because the live results show will air when I am at work tomorrow morning.

And I know, I know, the whole world is going hoo haa over Adam Lambert but seriously, does he even need this competition? He has already achieved stardom and he is likely to get contracts and albums any way, with or without American Idol. In fact, he had already been performing before AI. This show would have already fueled his singing career, no?

Oh okay, alright, I know Adam will win. Every body seems to know so anyway. But if you know me, you’ll know I have been rooting for Kris Allen so fingers crossed....still.

The Bougainvillea Dances

2009-05-19T11:13:00.000+06:00

I saw bougainvillea petals fall to the grass. I saw them dance with the wind this morning. Not many, but some braved enough to skip on to the road and surf the hasty cars. Then the raindrops came. Light and fragile. The petals went on. They danced between them and smiled at the sky.

It was magical...

Letting it out and Rising above

2009-05-18T16:09:00.000+06:00

“I was swimming. I was fighting. Then I thought, just for a second, I thought, what’s the point? And then I let go. I stopped fighting. Don’t tell anybody” - Meredith Grey

~~Dear~~ Umbridge,

Guess what? I resigned. Not because you were out to achieve something bigger and bolder and not because I had realized there were a couple of more Umbridges around you but because I had finally seen it, the faces and their impudence.

So the next time you pop open your bottle of Vodka and dance the night away before arriving swollen eyed at your fancy little workplace, know this… You deserve this path, because you compromised your whole life for this.

And I’m not ready to do that. Not for where you are now, not for what you have become.

Take care…or don’t.

p.s. when you call someone to ask for a favor, it’s considered normal pleasant courtesy to exchange greetings first.

Whatever Happened To...

2009-05-12T14:48:00.000+06:00

...The Smurfs!

Remember the little blue cartoon buddies who lived in mushroom houses tucked away in some forest village? Last time I heard, Papa Smurf was 542 years old but wasn’t that really long ago?

If you’ve grown up in the 80’s or 90’s you’ll know how much these cartoon characters were adored. I remember when we were little; we used to search for them avidly amongst any clump of trees and upon finding none, we blamed it on nearby ‘Azrael’ cats and nosy people.

Recent activity over the internet tells me that Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures have planned to remake this brilliant invention by the artist Peyo into an animated film. If this is true, I am going to be so happy.

Here’s a little fun activity to reminisce your childhood. Click here to find out which Smurf character are you.

Dude is Papa Smurf and I am Painter Smurf. Which blue are you?

At least Red Indians knew who they were

2009-05-05T11:33:00.000+06:00

While on our way to work, we were listening to this radio show on air in which the DJ was asking the callers to describe themselves in one line. And that’s not the first or the only time I’ve heard that.

In class introductions or ice breaking sessions, in slam books or while introducing your talent, always and again people insist on asking to describe you in one line. And then nervously people force their inner twisting to muster some impressively sounding words…’fun loving’, ‘eccentric’, ‘bubbly’… or heroic denotations like… ‘a candle that gives light’ or like the one I heard on the show from a caller ‘master of his fate, captain of his soul’.

I mean, seriously.

Whatever happened to meaningful and insightful names? Names that have life, names that speak of stories and character and hold enough strength to be spoken and remembered. Names that matched the personality of the carrier.

Wasn’t that name honor enough to identify a life…?

I’ve met several people whose names are so strong. They speak of dignity and valor and yet some of those people are really the opposite. Imagine meeting someone whose name means ‘greatest’ or ‘most respected’ or ‘strong hearted’ and yet they are shallow in their day to day behavior.

Does it then make sense if they speak of how successful or how famous they are…?

On a lighter note...

On the Way to Hell

2009-04-30T19:02:00.000+06:00

So I am having lunch in the cafeteria when this girl on my right starts a ‘conversation’,

Myth Girl: You know you shouldn’t use just one hand while taking from your roti. You should take from it with both hands.

Me: *pause*

Myth Girl: It’s a sin.

Me: *silence*

Myth Girl: My daddy says so.

Me: So people who are paralyzed or don’t have one or the other hand functioning are destined to sin all their life?

Myth Girl: *stares quizzically at my right hand still holding the warm bread from the tandoor*

*more silence*

Myth Girl: Hmm…

Rosie follows the Yellow Brick Road

2009-04-29T12:01:00.000+06:00

There’s a cleaning lady at my workplace. She is tall and has a good built. I don’t know how long her dark hair is because they are always tied back in a neat bun. She has sharp features which she makes sharper with her bold makeup. But perhaps, her most notable feature is her shrill voice. I have seen people laugh at her when she talks…which is mean of course.

I noticed she doesn’t hang out with anyone in particular. She always catches the earlier hour of lunch and doesn’t wait to sit and ‘gossip’. Instead, she eats well and chews slow.

I first got to talking with her when we both met in the locker room. I had gone to get a couple minutes of peace and quiet (do you realize how much telephones ring?) and she was there, crying. I brought her tissues and asked her what happened. Her supervisor had unfairly shouted at her in front of everybody, even her juniors. In between sobs, she told me how disrespected she felt.

I hugged her.

Thirty minutes later, I knew a lot about her. Her first marriage had failed because the man was violent and used to beat her. When it ended, she was lucky to gain custody over their daughter who is now six years old. She later got married to her cousin. It’s been two years since and the family in law treats her well. And while they are financially stable, she continues to work; in fear of a day in future when there will be no one to support her daughter. She doesn’t ever want to ask her family in law to pay for her daughter’s education, health or marriage…in fear that they will say no. She and her second husband were also trying for a child. She had had a miscarriage last year, a painful and expensive one, and so she was very scared about never being able to conceive again. She was waiting for hope.

She was so strong, all for love and I admire that about her.

Last week, in the cafeteria at lunchtime, she had whispered ‘I think…’ and smiled.

And then this morning, she showed me the thumbs up sign with the biggest smile I had ever seen on her.

She is expecting :)

Re: IT’S OVER

2009-04-21T16:37:00.000+06:00

Dear S,

I am sorry to hear about the news. But you have to realize that everything happens for a reason and this is what was best for both of you.

I am sure he is happy where he is now, but I’m surer that you will find somebody better. Somebody just right for you. Somebody who will marry you and love you for the wonderful person that you are.

I know it’s hard but please find the strength to move on.

Love,

Me.

p.s. Let me know whenever you’re up for ice cream and chocolate brownies.

Original message follows:

Subject: IT'S OVER

Dear M,

Andy Roddick got married!

I'm just so depressed...

Love,

Seriously...

2009-04-16T13:15:00.000+06:00

I feel like I’ve had a burn out. I mean seriously, isn’t there a law that prohibits employers who make their people work six days a week? Is that even legal…to make them do a 54 hour working week? Hang on…

Aha!

The Constitution clearly states “…limits working adults to an eight-hour working day or a 48-hour working week. Only exception is seasonal businesses e.g. timber related work in mountainous areas…” oh wait, is this just for the workers in factories…? Hmm… but even foreign and government offices have a five day working week of 42 – 45 hours…

But clearly it’s a violation of human rights. Nine hours a day, six days a week, doesn’t that limit your right to life and liberty? No...?

First Impressions

2009-04-13T19:58:00.000+05:00

We don’t get the show “Britain’s Got Talent” in my area but finding this over YouTube absolutely blew me away. I just had to record this. I mean I've seen Simon Cowell give a standing ovation before but to get him to give expressions like these... Priceless.

Here’s to Susan Boyle and dreams coming true, with or without hairspray... or tweezed eyebrows.

The Orange Candle Is No More

2009-04-13T11:57:00.000+05:00

I miss the ‘old days’…Times when the only complication in life was getting through college or enrolling in a ‘good’ university. Things that got you upset were instantly forgotten in the company of friends. Friends who listened to you, who consoled you, who sang out loud with you on the way to home, who loved and hated the same things. Somehow, marching along the corridors animatedly singing the national song ‘hum zinda kaum hein…paaenda kaum hein’ was so normal.

Even moving every two years from city to city was good because at the end of the day, you’d have had a road trip with your family to remember for the rest of your life.

And then life hits you…smack in the face. You’re working a nine to six, six days a week. You leave home in the morning and come back late. You surf around on television at night hoping something entertaining will help you relax. Instead, you find how many people died that day in clashes, bomb blasts, murders, hunger strikes…

All your best friends are either married with or without children or unfortunately divorced. Everybody has their own priorities and their own responsibilities in life and so let alone venting out, you hardly get a chance to exchange greetings every other day.

You turn to parents who talk about how they don’t get to see you enough. You know it’s true but out aloud you blame it on work.

And so, you either live with that, or…you try to make the best of what’s in front of you.

Dude and I stayed up most of Friday night talking. Even though we had to get up early for work on Saturday. Even though we were tired.

The orange candle wax has made artistic designs on my bedside table. It even dripped a trickle over the front. I’m going to leave it like that for as long as I can. It helps me remember the little things that help us make the best of what we have.

Here's my favorite performance from earlier this month. Kris Allen sings "Ain't No Sunshine" for American Idol Top 9. 'Love it!

Home-Made French Bread

2009-04-09T12:28:00.000+05:00

The recipe that I actually followed makes four long loaves of bread but since I was trying it for the first time and I wanted to keep the bread fresh for use, I modified the recipe to make two long loaves of bread.

I used:

Flour 500 g

Dry Yeast 11 g (the sachet said it was enough for 500g – 1kg)

Salt 2 tsp

Warm Water 300 ml

Sift the flour into a bowl and sprinkle salt over it. In a separate cup, cream the yeast with a little of the warm water. Make a well in the centre of the flour and pour the creamy yeast in it. Mix in the rest of the water and knead well until the dough is smooth and elastic. You might want to sprinkle a little more flour so that it doesn’t stick. Cover and leave for 2 – 3 hours. The dough will have increased twice in size by the end.

Knead the flour just a bit more and divide it into two rolls. Lay them out on a floured baking tray. I used baking sheet underneath it. Leave it in a slightly warm place for another 30 minutes.

Make diagonal cuts over the top with a sharp knife and glaze with warm water.

Preheat the oven to 220 C and let the bread bake for 15 – 20 minutes. Then slow down the temperature till 180 C and let it stay in for another 15 minutes until golden brown.

Confession:

My oven wasn’t working too well, so I flipped the loaves over after 15 minutes to get them to brown themselves from the top. It worked out wonderfully.

My 25 - A Memory For Each Year

2009-04-06T17:32:00.000+05:00

Yesterday morning, long before the sun shone its first ray, I turned 25.

Now I am not one to talk about myself…even when asked, which by the way annoys Janay Dude. But 25 is a big milestone don’t you think and looking back at all that I have lived for, I feel like I owe myself at least one post.

I had to really nudge my memory for this one because I wanted to record snippets of some of my good memories lest I forget.

1984 – Was born in Quetta, Baluchistan.

1985 – Apparently, the room heater attracted me enough to touch it and I burnt my hand. This was only the beginning of my curiosities.

1986 – Somehow I still remember my beloved teether. It had a delicate baby blue chain that I always had around my neck.

1987 – I’ll have to revert to the old photo albums. I don’t remember anything from this year.

1988 – Younger sister, Izzah, was born in Rawalpindi, in January. I remember there was a bush outside our home wall that had small orange flowers on it.

1989 – I tried to be friends with some of the geese near our home. Apparently they didn’t like the idea too much because they smacked me with their beaks until I ran back home.

1990 – We went to spend our holidays at my maternal uncle’s home in Cavalry, Lahore. We used to watch ‘He-Man’ (what a funny name for a cartoon hero) and ‘Thunder Cats’ on television every morning. I remember my cousin, Ali, was so engrossed in the cartoon that he hadn’t noticed a black ant walk into his sandwich until it bit him on the tongue.

1991 – I hit my head against the wall while playing ‘Dark Room’ with friends. Ami and Daddy were out for an official dinner and they returned to find me at the neighbor’s house with a bandaged head. I hadn’t cried at all through the collision or the stitches, but when the kind lady at my neighbor’s offered me a glass full of milk, egg and turmeric powder to make me feel better, I cried because I didn’t want to have it.

1992 – We had a big house in Bannu where Daddy was stationed at the time where we kept lots of pets; 33 pigeons, 4 cranes, some chickens and a pair of turkeys.

1993 – Nana Abu, my maternal grandfather, who was very proficient in Urdu, English and Persian, taught me the difference between “R” and “r” in Urdu language. He kept asking me to repeat words like ‘baarish’, ‘sarak’ and ‘rungeen’. He also taught me to write Urdu properly. He said, to be illiterate under the shade of literacy was the biggest crime.

1994 – We lost my elder sister, Summayyah, in November. I remember that night. Ami and Daddy had promised to take us along to visit her in the hospital the next morning. Me and my sisters had just completed drawing into our hand made Get Well Soon cards, Apa called bed time, we had just changed into our nightwear when Mama, my aunt, came running upstairs…

1995 – My passion for writing was fueled; amongst many essays and poems that I wrote, I complied with some of my class fellows who wanted me to write a poem on them. The poems were so stupid I can’t even write them here out of embarrassment.

1996 – I finally, involuntarily, moved on from Enid Blyton. For the record, I still miss the books.

1997 –This was the only year I scored 85% in Mathematics, the highest I would ever achieve; My maternal uncle, who we call Abu, passed away.

1998 – Moved to Okara, naturally hated it; Suffered from a mild dose of Hepatitis but it took me about two months to recover.

1999 – Survived Okara; Nana Abu got diagnosed with Cancer.

2000 – We lost Nana Abu in May, I remember feeling completely helpless when I saw him on the hospital bed; Moved to Rawalpindi; Completed my Matriculation from school; Enrolled in college to study for my B.Sc. Home Economics; met my future best friend Hina.

2001 – I had opted to take ‘Anatomy & Physiology’ instead of ‘Urdu’ but the course was taken by the college nurse and she always let us go after having us read out two pages of the course book. So every other day, about twelve minutes later into the class, I used to join my friends in ‘Urdu’. That teacher never figured out I wasn’t actually part of the class and she let me read out loud the essays and poems in our course book.

2002 – My Chemistry teacher and I shared a mutual hate, which grew by the day. She referred to me as ‘mohtarma’ and I referred to her as ‘whatever’.

2003 – Apa got married. We had the time of our lives and I made sure every member of the family participated. I didn’t have to force them too much though because it was the first wedding of our generation and spirits were high.

2004 – Graduated from College; Attended YLC: Went to Kinnaird, Lahore, to study for my Master’s degree; Went to perform Umrah with family and was enchanted by the Holy Kaa’ba in Makkah; Also had the time of our lives trying to get Nano through all the escalators.

2005 – My darling nephew was born in December; Ami couldn’t stop crying when she told me over the phone that night. I was having my Mid Term Exams at the time but since I had one day off, and because I was completely ecstatic, I took an early Daewoo bus (5.00 am) to Islamabad. Daddy picked me up from the terminal and we talked about how Yahya looked all the way to the hospital. I was overjoyed. The next morning (5.00 am again) I took a bus back to college.

2006 – Completed the two best years of my academic life; Graduated from Kinnaird; Went to Haramosh on a trekking trip, saw an avalanche, got a sprained ankle in the Gilgit hotel on our way back, found Kara Koram Highway blocked by landslides and a swept away bridge, trekked through it all ON my swollen ankle which I sprayed numb every fifteen minutes, helped our trekking instructor escape out of a quagmire, since we had left our coaster behind, we returned home via Speedy Gonzales a.k.a. Niazi Express bus, its wicked.

2007 – This was a difficult year; I left my first job because I hated the hypocrisy of real estate; lost my cousin Uxi in a tragic road accident; Three days later, we lost Dado, my paternal grandmother; Went back to thinking of the people I had hurt in the past and much to their confusion, I apologized; Found another job in September; and in an astonishing turn of events, I got engaged in December.

2008 – Fell in love with Janay Dude and found a life long best friend in him; My dear niece was born in June, in Australia, so I couldn’t be there but my mother and younger sister went, Usman bhai, Apa's husband, named her Summayyah, after our late sister, it was very emotional for the whole family; we finally moved in our own home, one that Daddy put years into saving up for, thinking and developing; I also got married the same month, in October.

Here’s to new beginnings…

Life's Big Lesson # 1

2009-03-31T12:23:00.000+05:00

If you stay focused and positive and hardworking, not be mean or disgraceful towards others, with patience, you will get rewarded. At some point, people and businesses will recognize you for who you are and for what you deserve.

But if that time doesn’t come, and you continue to be forced into de-motivation, then they don’t deserve you or your contribution towards them. So leave, because there are better horizons to achieve.

You Punch Me, I Keel You

2009-03-31T12:15:00.000+05:00

The battle began and ended with an apparent victory but something tells me I am going to have to pay for it every day of my workplace existence.

So Biggest Daddy hadn’t accepted my resignation but something had to be done so he called his important meeting and pointed out that he didn’t feel like my skills were being utilized efficiently and that my role should be redefined very soon. Can you believe that? I didn’t think he’d actually do that really.

So while I was offered a better position… lets call it ‘Upstairs’, we had to find consensus on a new job role. Here comes the battle part. While I was looking forward to a role where I have my own area of work and a direct reporting line to Big Daddy, Umbridge wanted me to remain on the same job title and come assist her. She said since there was no point in having both at the parallel level, I could be her “no.2” and “evolve”. Oh and the prize winner punch… “I don’t think creative writing is one of your strengths…” This is where I do a double take.

Pardonnez moi?

Punch after punch, and with much effort by Dude, I remained calm. Umbridge and I both knew we didn’t agree, and we wouldn’t, so we went to Big Daddy. He had both the proposals in front of him and asked our comments on each other’s suggested role.

Umbridge’s comment:

“I don’t think bifurcating the department, in my opinion, is such a good idea”

My comment:

“This is neither different nor better than what I already have”

What I got:

New job title, direct reporting line, important role description, something new, something better, most of what I had hoped for. Only Biggest Daddy’s approval and the official change awaits now.

What she got:

A punch bag for life. Just my luck.

Whatever Happened To...

2009-03-26T11:23:00.000+05:00

…My favorite three characters from “Mind Your Language”, the British sitcom that ran from 1977 – 1979.

Mr Jeremy Brown (Teacher) – played by Barry Evans (June 18, 1943 – February 11, 1997). I didn’t even know he had died. Did you know that he was abandoned as a baby and he died, alone, probably of alcohol poisoning?

Ali Nadeem (Pakistani) – played by Dino Shafeeq / Shaffer (1929 – March 10, 1984) He died too…? He was Bangladeshi by the way.

Giovanni Capello (Italian) – played by George Camiller. Up till 2007, Camiller has played twenty seven roles in his career.

Some of my favorite quotes from them on the show are:

Ali Nadeem: Squeeze me please!

Jeremy Brown: What is your profession?

Giovanni Cupello: I work in a restaurante.

Jeremy Brown: Oh, so you are a waiter.

Giovanni Cupello: No, a cookeder.

Jeremy Brown: A cookeder?

Giovanni Cupello: Yea, I cooked ravioli, I cooked…

Jeremy Brown: You mean a chef?

Giovanni Cupello: Ok.

Jeremy Brown: Now, although most sports are international, there are some sports that are native to different countries. For example, the national sport of

France

is...

Danielle Favre: Football!

Jeremy Brown: Correct! And the national sport for

Italy

is...

Giovanni Capello: Girls!

Jeremy Brown: That's not a sport!

Giovanni Capello: Maybe not, but it's more popular than football!

Jeremy Brown: Ali, where would you go to get some aspirin?

Ali Nadim: The Tandoori Takeaway.

Jeremy Brown: What?

Ali Nadim: My jolly good friend who works there always has plenty aspirin.

Jeremy Brown: No, where would you *buy* aspirin?

Ali Nadim: Why would I be buying aspirin, when I can get it from my jolly good friend for free?

Jeremy Brown: All right, where would you go if the Tandoori Takeaway was closed?

Ali Nadim: Oh, blimey! The Taj Mahal Curryhouse.

[Ali leaves his seat and begins to walk out of the classroom]

Jeremy Brown: Where are you going?

Ali Nadim: To buy aspirin.

Jeremy Brown: I thought you said you didn't have a headache?

Ali Nadim: Oh blimey! I do now!

Jeremy Brown: Take Danielle, for instance.

Giovanni Capello: I would love to take Danielle!

What A Wonderful World

2009-03-24T16:00:00.000+05:00

It’s raining outside.

If you live around Pakistan, you would know what I am talking about.

The happiness of feeling raindrops on your forehead. The smell of wet earth. The purity, the pleasantness that follows…

*sigh*

And here I am, sitting in my office listening to my Good Boss grind me about why Umbridge isn’t executing the tasks at hand. I show him all the correspondence that says she wants more time, for the third time. He gets angrier.

I want to zone out. And so I do.

They should put a ban on offices being in basements you know. I mean seriously. Just one window towards the sky, or the greens, with fresh air breezing in, ventilating out; is that too much to ask?

By the way, do you remember Terry Fator’s performance in “

America

’s Got Talent” where he sings in the voices of Kermit and Louis Armstrong?

‘Loved it.

And I loovee Kermit but I won’t say anything more here because really, doesn’t Kermit deserve a post of its own?

The Happy Rope

2009-03-21T17:26:00.000+05:00

I knew work life was taking its toll on me when I literally broke down a few days back. I was depressed about the tiring work routine, tired of people being mean and things just being so complicated.

I talked it out with Dude about how I envied people who smiled back from the screen as they danced their way through aerobics. They looked so…healthy in mind and spirit.

Maybe I could start that…

I know I don’t have the time or stamina but maybe…

Dude had a better idea. Instead of walking to our favorite DVD store for a workout video, we went to a sports shop.

I was fascinated instantly as we looked and ‘played’ around. Finally, and I know the shop keeper wasn’t too thrilled about it; we got the humble skipping rope.

Now I know I had my doubts. That is until we reached home and decided to try it out. Dude showed me a quick ten skips in like two and half seconds.

Whoa. I can’t do that, I think. I look at him skeptically as he hands me the rope. Oh well, no harm in trying right.

First skip… nothing.

Second skip… I break out in laughter.

Third skip… I’m still laughing and almost fall over.

Fourth skip… This is already helping.

Fifth skip… It’s actually difficult.

Sixth skip… busss that’s all I can do today, I say to Dude…smiling.

Can you believe that? One minute of simple pleasure and I was already de-stressing. Although I do admit lack of activity has made my body creaky but I’m finally off to a healthier start and I’m loving it.

Of Coffee and Gazetted Holidays

2009-03-21T12:02:00.000+05:00

So I am all groggy eyed owing to a wonderful evening out with Dude and family and I think I absolutely must have coffee this morning. The cafeteria serves only the local tea but I mix some coffee powder in it whenever I go to make it drinkable for myself. And as I’m walking along the corridor, dazed, I hear a greeting from behind my shoulder and I look to the side to find… (Are you ready for this?) …Guy B! Remember him from one of my earlier posts? (click here)

Guy B: Hey congrats!

Me: For…?

Guy B: You got married!

Me: I got married ages ago.

Guy B: Oh yea, but I hadn’t met you after you came back from your leave so…

And I think, excuse me? Since when were we ever on talking terms?

Guy B: … hasn’t it been only a month?

Me: No actually five months.

I daze out as it makes me think of Janay Dude and our home and I smile… until his voice comes back again.

Guy B: Your job seems so interesting.

Hmm… it is, I mutter as I enter the cafeteria and find my likeable bunch of colleagues sitting at a table. Excellent opportunity, I think as I steer off with my cup of Chaa. *phew*

I spent a good fifteen minutes there. I figured since I had to make my work life more tolerable I might as well have a few good laughs on the way. So I let loose and enjoyed.

Meanwhile, as of today I am legally and officially Mrs. Me Dude. I got my new NIC today and I feel revamped.

I am so looking forward to a great weekend. I know I don’t have Saturday off but we are getting this Monday off because of March 23 being a national holiday.

On this day, sixty two years back, the resolution was passed for an independent Islamic country, Pakistan. I know we have a long way to go and we haven’t had the best of luck with leadership but it is a beautiful country with great people (half if not most of them at least are). It is only unfortunate in what it has come to.

Famous Faces

2009-03-18T13:46:00.000+05:00

I found this astonishing piece of art over the internet today.
This oil painting titled “Discussing the Divine Comedy with Dante” was painted in 2006 and carries 103 famous faces of the world. This extraordinary depiction was painted by three Chinese / Taiwanese artists named as Dudu, Li Tiezi, and Zhang An.

Update on the Aussies

2009-03-18T10:50:00.000+05:00

My Gosh, do you see how they have grown...the kids that is.

Yahya has learned to join full sentences now and has now learned to fluently say:
the Muslim greeting "Assalam o Alaikum" (May peace be upon you),
Takbir "Allah o Akbar" (Allah is great),
"Bismillah er Rahman er Rahim" (In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful)
and the first Kalma Tauheed:
"La-ilaha, illa al-Lāh, wa Muhammed ur rasul-ul-Lāh" (There is no other worthy of worship than Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger) in one go.

He's also reminded me that his "favorite color is... umm... ummmm.... BLUE"

Summayyah on the other hand makes plenty of sounds and has discovered the expression "Oho"

When You Can’t Beat ‘em…Join ‘em

2009-03-17T10:47:00.000+05:00

Now I know I wouldn’t want this to be a political blog but when the government decides to seal off the capital and put a halt to the country (Oh yes they did), I am bound to say something or the other, right?

When the law community decides that after two years of judicial absence (the CJ along with other judges got deposed in March 2007), they are ready to protest with a final blow and the political opposition decides to publicly support the cause, and when the, oh say millions of citizens decide they have had it with price hike, load shedding, lawlessness etc., this is what happens; a flood of people, including women and children, marching their way through the cities towards the capital and the government freaking sealing off the capital and instructing their security agencies to do whatever is necessary to stop the long march.

What they did not predict were the many officials who emptied their rounds of tear gas and with bewilderment at the spirit of the protestors, let down their guard and joined in.

Take the new local hero for example, Muhammad Athar Waheed, SP Gujranwala who refused to arrest political activists without a reason or arrest warrant. He said that when he had taken oath, he had vowed to ‘obey all lawful orders by his senior’ and this wasn’t one of them.

It was exhilarating to watch it all. And finally, the president gave in. CJ and other judges were restored, section 144 that legalized the many arrests was lifted, and if we’re lucky the Governor Punjab will lose his job, followed by others.

Whatever Happened To...

2009-03-12T16:37:00.000+05:00

Bunny... the singer who gave us a few hits in the 90's and then a couple more when Indus Music came out with their 'Daira' albums

Celebrity Endorsement ?

2009-03-12T11:55:00.000+05:00

I saw this advertisement in a local magazine yesterday. I doubt Anne Hathaway in any way agreed to model for this. Or maybe they are promising similar smiles...

Catfight

2009-03-11T14:38:00.000+05:00

I spent all last week killing my feet and handling mind boggling cat fights. I am going to officially state here that to organize an event with only females is no convenient feat. It involved double the patience, double the diplomacy and double the talk time.
But I was still glad with the way the event turned out. No one fell off the ramp and the weather was supremely pleasant for outdoor activities. We did however receive low attendance and less coverage, compared to our earlier expectations. But nothing we could control what with all the uncertainty in the city.

At the end of it all, I got blisters in my feet from running around in heels but great appreciation from a lot of people including Biggest Daddy who reminded me that he still hadn’t accepted my resignation.

But of course the event could not have been complete with a quip or two from Umbridge. This time, it was a post event email which she sent to all management in order to recognize the active participation of two girls.

I wasn’t one of them.

Warning: Sad Post Below

2009-03-03T15:27:00.001+05:00

It’s been another wicked two weeks. As much as I want to stay away from the politics and news and turmoil of the world (at least in my blog), it just hits us smack in the face. The only option left is thus to live…accordingly.

The political protests in Rawalpindi and Islamabad turned violent last week. We had to stay back really late to sit it out but the roads remained blocked and traffic jammed between the twin cities. The expressway had just recently been built. Below is a photograph I took last month.

The scene however was very different before the weekend. There were burnt cars, stones, rocks, shattered glass and road blockers all over it. I’m sure half of the people involved in the protests were only there because they had been so fed up with everything, they settled for any way to vent out. But it still is just so sad. A couple of Janay Dude’s employees were injured and their vehicles damaged because they got stuck between the protests on their way to work.

And then the Marriot in Islamabad caught fire, again but this time due to some short circuiting. Fourth time coming down and it still says it will continue operations.

This morning, unknown gunmen opened fire at the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, killing their police escorts and injuring at least six of the players. As our politicians mechanically dish out condemnation statements, the killers return to their safe houses and make merry. And

Pakistan

loses yet another wicket.

I suggested to Umbridge that we reconsider the event we are organizing on Friday since another strike has been called by PML-N on the same day and what if things go out of control. But she said no. “We can neither postpone nor cancel our beautiful event”.

I feel like escaping with my loved ones to a different, peaceful more beautiful world.

And I Quote...

2009-02-23T17:57:00.001+05:00

You know how every once in a while you receive a forwarded email about funny essays and applications and you think, is that actually true? I mean there are people, not just ten year olds, who communicate like that?

And then every once in a while, you directly receive something that makes you wonder, are people really qualified for the job they’re at? Or am I just being super smart?

Below is an email that I received myself in my inbox. I’ve changed some names because really I am not that mean but the other text, including the spellings and the punctuation, are quoted letter to letter.

“subject: Quatitation

sir

i am emailing you from (a renowned school) system we have

250 branches in 200 cities accross pakistan one of our

campus students are visiting islmabad so the want visite

your (organization) and have lunch there.The children are of class KG

they will be 50 in number. Your early responce will be appraciated

best regards

Relationship Officer”

Funny Signage

2009-02-21T19:21:00.001+05:00

I received this very amusing email recently. I am attaching some of its pictures below.

Complete Education (nursery to intermediate) in 60 Days

Too bad for Mr Butt

"Mineral" Water Bottle

Oh yes, nothing to "warry" about

Uhh...

Go "ficial" and "die"

they fix the "daint" in your car

I say "stap". right now

"Wife and Dog Missing: Reward for Dog"

We could never have known otherwise...

Nando's New Branch?

Riightt....

Only in Pakistan