Janam Samjha Karo. Ahem ahem ahem. It is not a message to my 'Janam' but only the name of an album by Asha Bhosle which I had been looking for, for such a long time now. I had looked in all major shops of Rawalpindi and Islamabad for it. I had even asked a few pals to look for it in Lahore, a bigger city. But alas, no luck. I didn't find it anywhere. I even tried downloading it from the internet but no luck there either. But I did not loose hope and kept looking.
Yesterday I went to Saddar, a big marketplace in Rawalpindi. There I entered the biggest CD shop (Sadaf CD), which is on the 4th floor of the plaza and spans over almost the whole space on that floor. Looked at CDs and walked towards the corner where those people have displayed collections of Asha Bhosle. There was a mild ray of hope in my mind, as ever, that maybe I will
find my CD there. I went there and started looking at the same old CDs. I was looking up and down the rack when suddenly my eyes caught attention of something.
Yeah, it was a CD by Asha Bhosle which said 'Janam Samjha Karo'. I couldn't believe my eyes. They popped out literally. I got really excited. Took the CD off the shelf and ran to my sister Sanaa to show it to her. She also was amazed that how come I finally found the CD. But then we looked closer at the CD and there was this word written on it: Remix.
That one word burst my bubble instantaneously. Remixes are good many a times but I was after the original tracks. I got double minded about buying the CD. Seemed that it was glued to my hand and I was unable to put it back on the shelf. ;-) heheheee So I bought it.
The remixed tracks are not that bad. They are not like the original ones but they are good enough. Am glad that I got the CD. ;-)
Sunday 20 November 2005
My First Face Mask :-D
For quite a while I wanted to try on a face mask as well. I had heard everybody say that it makes skin fresh; it makes it glow and all. So I thought let me try it out and see for myself.
I went to the market and got one. It was a peel-off one of the make Freeman. Its flavour attracted me quite a lot: Blueberry and Champaign >:-) hehehee And on top of it, its colour was also blue so I bought it instantly.
The very same night I tried it on. It felt like a gummy, gooey, glue-ey sort of thing when I was applying it on. I finished applying it and waited for it to dry.
As it dried, I started feeling that that my skin is being tightened, a lot. I touched my face after a while and the mask was dry. SO I got up to peel it off. But as I looked at myself in the mirror, I burst into laughter. Rather it was quite difficult laughing as my face was trapped in the mask ;-) It was like someone had pressed a plastic bag against my face. My face looked all shiny and plastic. heheheee
I showed my face to my sisters too and they laughed as well.
Then I finally started peeling my mask off. Felt strange and interesting. My sister Batool said that it was reminding her off an English movie where some people were peeling off their skins like that. And I added that yes and some other creatures were coming out from underneath. lol But in that case, it was only me under there. Believe me, it really was only me >:-)
When I was almost done with the "peeling" [this word 'peel' keeps reminding me of peeling potatoes :-P hehe] I thought of playing a tiny prank. I ran to Abbu and said to him, "Look Abbu what's happening to my skin." And pulled at a bit of the mask to pull it off. For a sec Abbu was puzzled and said what happened. And then he realised what was going on. Clever Abbu! ;-) The prank didn't work that well but it was good fun.
Finally I finished with getting rid of that entire mask. And when I paid attention to my skin it really did seem in a good condition. I wonder why I had not done this before. Will do it again next weekend. ;-)
Till then I will think of applying something else on my face. Some rose water or raw crushed aloe vera maybe. Or maybe I can do something with my hair. >:-) God help me!
I went to the market and got one. It was a peel-off one of the make Freeman. Its flavour attracted me quite a lot: Blueberry and Champaign >:-) hehehee And on top of it, its colour was also blue so I bought it instantly.
The very same night I tried it on. It felt like a gummy, gooey, glue-ey sort of thing when I was applying it on. I finished applying it and waited for it to dry.
As it dried, I started feeling that that my skin is being tightened, a lot. I touched my face after a while and the mask was dry. SO I got up to peel it off. But as I looked at myself in the mirror, I burst into laughter. Rather it was quite difficult laughing as my face was trapped in the mask ;-) It was like someone had pressed a plastic bag against my face. My face looked all shiny and plastic. heheheee
I showed my face to my sisters too and they laughed as well.
Then I finally started peeling my mask off. Felt strange and interesting. My sister Batool said that it was reminding her off an English movie where some people were peeling off their skins like that. And I added that yes and some other creatures were coming out from underneath. lol But in that case, it was only me under there. Believe me, it really was only me >:-)
When I was almost done with the "peeling" [this word 'peel' keeps reminding me of peeling potatoes :-P hehe] I thought of playing a tiny prank. I ran to Abbu and said to him, "Look Abbu what's happening to my skin." And pulled at a bit of the mask to pull it off. For a sec Abbu was puzzled and said what happened. And then he realised what was going on. Clever Abbu! ;-) The prank didn't work that well but it was good fun.
Finally I finished with getting rid of that entire mask. And when I paid attention to my skin it really did seem in a good condition. I wonder why I had not done this before. Will do it again next weekend. ;-)
Till then I will think of applying something else on my face. Some rose water or raw crushed aloe vera maybe. Or maybe I can do something with my hair. >:-) God help me!
Wednesday 16 November 2005
Dunbfounded!
Just a few days back my pal Vivek game me a link to an annonymizer so that i could access blogger which has been blocked in my office. Today by chance i typed in the blogger URL and waited for that 'Red & Black screen of death'. But to my surprise, blogger opened. Not only this but i could log in actually type this blog entry as well. :-D I am dumbfounded, surprosed, astonished ......
But at the same time i am happy. Back come my blogging days, i hope. ;-) heheheeee
But at the same time i am happy. Back come my blogging days, i hope. ;-) heheheeee
Saturday 29 October 2005
Planning a Comeback
Well i have been away from my blog for a really long time. A couple of things responsible for that. For one my laziness. Then my busy schedule. Then comes the fact that blogger is now blocked at my office and i can't access it from there. And for some time after the 8 October earhquake, my mind was also not in place. Not because me or any of my family was effected by the quake, but because it was hard to digest all the destruction that had been caused.
I have been missing my own blog too. So i am planning a comeback. Hope i can succeed in my plans. :-)
I have been missing my own blog too. So i am planning a comeback. Hope i can succeed in my plans. :-)
Saturday 8 October 2005
Massive Earthquake: 7.6 on Richter Scale
We had a massive earthquake today in Pakistan. It was recorded to be 7.6 on the richter scale. It hit parts of Azad Kashmir, including Muzaffarabad, Rawlakot and Balakot. It hit parts of N.W.F.P., where Abbotabad had the most casualties. Hit many parts of Punjab including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan. It hit the capital city of Islamabad.
It also hit parts of India and Afghanistan.
The first major tremor was felt at about 8:50 am, today on Saturday. I didn't feel a thing as i was driving to the office. As i reached there i saw everybody standing out of the buildings. Then i was told that a major earthquake has passed only minutes before.
I stood there, outside the 14 storey building, with two of my collegues. Just then my mother called to ask where i was. She told me of the earthquake too and that it was so severe that she was still trembling.
While we were standing there we again felt a tremor. After a while we decided to go back in to the office. We went in and climbed up to the 3rd floor of the Green Trust Tower where our office was. We just entered and were deciding between staying there or leaving when we felt another jolt. Three of us ran out of the office and out of the building. We went inside for one last time after a while, just to shut down my PC and to turn off the lights. We did that in less than a minute, came out of the building and went home.
After reaching home, most of the time was spent in front of the TV, listening to news and updates on the earthquake. One major news was that in Islamabad two buildings of an apartment (Margalla Towers) containg 60 flats had collapsed and people got stuck in the debris. It was really painful to see that there were not many professional rescue workers and the local people themselves were trying to help out.
The rescuers did not have heavy machinery to lift off the big blocks of concrete. They were using hammers and then finally cutters to cut the blocks off.
Muzaffarabad and Rawlakot in Azad Kashmir also got badly hit. Many buildings collapsed there and many people died. Same was the case in Abbotabad where casualty rate was high.
The rescue work is still going on. But now on top of that disaster it has started raining. I feel that it is going to hinder the rescue work that has been going on since morning. I also pray that this work can be accelerated and all the people can be taken out soon.Ameen
It also hit parts of India and Afghanistan.
The first major tremor was felt at about 8:50 am, today on Saturday. I didn't feel a thing as i was driving to the office. As i reached there i saw everybody standing out of the buildings. Then i was told that a major earthquake has passed only minutes before.
I stood there, outside the 14 storey building, with two of my collegues. Just then my mother called to ask where i was. She told me of the earthquake too and that it was so severe that she was still trembling.
While we were standing there we again felt a tremor. After a while we decided to go back in to the office. We went in and climbed up to the 3rd floor of the Green Trust Tower where our office was. We just entered and were deciding between staying there or leaving when we felt another jolt. Three of us ran out of the office and out of the building. We went inside for one last time after a while, just to shut down my PC and to turn off the lights. We did that in less than a minute, came out of the building and went home.
After reaching home, most of the time was spent in front of the TV, listening to news and updates on the earthquake. One major news was that in Islamabad two buildings of an apartment (Margalla Towers) containg 60 flats had collapsed and people got stuck in the debris. It was really painful to see that there were not many professional rescue workers and the local people themselves were trying to help out.
The rescuers did not have heavy machinery to lift off the big blocks of concrete. They were using hammers and then finally cutters to cut the blocks off.
Muzaffarabad and Rawlakot in Azad Kashmir also got badly hit. Many buildings collapsed there and many people died. Same was the case in Abbotabad where casualty rate was high.
The rescue work is still going on. But now on top of that disaster it has started raining. I feel that it is going to hinder the rescue work that has been going on since morning. I also pray that this work can be accelerated and all the people can be taken out soon.Ameen
Wednesday 5 October 2005
Last Week on Thursday
Last week on Thursday i was very happy that i was going to meet my pal Attiya after a long time. I was wokrking hard at work to be able to finish it a bit early, as i wanted to leave early. I worked and worked. And i even asked my PM if i could leave early. He gave a green signal, sort of. I was happy at this too that i have approval of the manegement as well.
But the work was never ending. I was unable to finish it. I had to call my friend and tell her that i will be a little late to which that dear thing didn't complain at all. I kept working and working and i go very very late.
At that time i felt like abandoning my work and just running off to meet my friend, as our meeting was scheduled since long ago. But i stayed. My heart was crying and tears were ready to come out of my eyes.
But i was not going to cry. I don't people to see me as a damsel in distress. I kept quiet and kept trying to complete the task at hand. And finally i did it and handed it over. I rushed out of the office. I called my friend to appologise for being late and to ask if i could still make it. But alas, she had to go home too, from her office. So i headed home too, full of rage but sad at the same time.
Made a promise to myself that never again am i going to let things slip through. And again i am missing a meeting with a friend.
But the work was never ending. I was unable to finish it. I had to call my friend and tell her that i will be a little late to which that dear thing didn't complain at all. I kept working and working and i go very very late.
At that time i felt like abandoning my work and just running off to meet my friend, as our meeting was scheduled since long ago. But i stayed. My heart was crying and tears were ready to come out of my eyes.
But i was not going to cry. I don't people to see me as a damsel in distress. I kept quiet and kept trying to complete the task at hand. And finally i did it and handed it over. I rushed out of the office. I called my friend to appologise for being late and to ask if i could still make it. But alas, she had to go home too, from her office. So i headed home too, full of rage but sad at the same time.
Made a promise to myself that never again am i going to let things slip through. And again i am missing a meeting with a friend.
Monday 19 September 2005
13 September Was my Birthday
Lat week on Tuesday, 13 September was my birthday. It was my 26 th (WOA I have grown! lol )
So if my birthday was a week ago, why am i writing about it so late. Well, i have been trying again and again to write about it on Bolgger but everytime an error is encountered and i loose the blog. And me being a bit stubborn am not giving up. So here i am again.
Since the minute the claco struck 12 to tell that its 13th September 2005, i had been excited. Couldnt show much excitement there as i was really sleepy and 'died' instantly.
Woke up in the morning. Found a birthday card on the ironing table. It was from Ammi, ABbu and Sunny. AND it had money in it from Ammi. It was LOVELY to see it there. (Ammi always puts money in my birthday card and i love it!)
The after having breakfast I hurried to the office. Spent the whole day there. In the afternoon got a cake for my office pals. Then i cut t and ate it with them. I got a few presents there as well. It was cool to get those. Then i collected my stuff and hurried back home. Reached here at 5:30 pm. Droped of another cake here, splashed some water on my face and hurried to my CSQE (Certifies Software Quality Professional) class. It was my second class.
Class ended at 9:15 pm. And then i hurried back home and reached here at 9:40 p.m. Had a lovely meal cooked by my Mum. And finally around 10:30 p.m. got a chance to open my presents. I did and had a good time doing it. Finally i retired to bed around 11:30 p.m.
The whole day was practically spent out of the house. I was feeling a bit bad about being out and being so busy that day. But in the end all turned out well. I really did enjoy every minute of my birthday. :-)
PS: Today is again a birthday. Not mine but Sahar's. [She is my cousin.] SO Happy Birthday to you Sahar. Many happy returns of the day. :-)
So if my birthday was a week ago, why am i writing about it so late. Well, i have been trying again and again to write about it on Bolgger but everytime an error is encountered and i loose the blog. And me being a bit stubborn am not giving up. So here i am again.
Since the minute the claco struck 12 to tell that its 13th September 2005, i had been excited. Couldnt show much excitement there as i was really sleepy and 'died' instantly.
Woke up in the morning. Found a birthday card on the ironing table. It was from Ammi, ABbu and Sunny. AND it had money in it from Ammi. It was LOVELY to see it there. (Ammi always puts money in my birthday card and i love it!)
The after having breakfast I hurried to the office. Spent the whole day there. In the afternoon got a cake for my office pals. Then i cut t and ate it with them. I got a few presents there as well. It was cool to get those. Then i collected my stuff and hurried back home. Reached here at 5:30 pm. Droped of another cake here, splashed some water on my face and hurried to my CSQE (Certifies Software Quality Professional) class. It was my second class.
Class ended at 9:15 pm. And then i hurried back home and reached here at 9:40 p.m. Had a lovely meal cooked by my Mum. And finally around 10:30 p.m. got a chance to open my presents. I did and had a good time doing it. Finally i retired to bed around 11:30 p.m.
The whole day was practically spent out of the house. I was feeling a bit bad about being out and being so busy that day. But in the end all turned out well. I really did enjoy every minute of my birthday. :-)
PS: Today is again a birthday. Not mine but Sahar's. [She is my cousin.] SO Happy Birthday to you Sahar. Many happy returns of the day. :-)
Sunday 11 September 2005
Once Again
All that ended a long time ago, but why do i feel sad, once again?
Why do i feel heart broken, once again?
Why am i trying to 'distract' myself towards happiness, once again?
Why do i want to bury my feelings in my giggles, once again?
Seems i have lost a part of myself, once again.
Dreaming of the old times, once again.
Wishing to be cured, once again.
Hoping never to fall, once again.
Why do i feel heart broken, once again?
Why am i trying to 'distract' myself towards happiness, once again?
Why do i want to bury my feelings in my giggles, once again?
Seems i have lost a part of myself, once again.
Dreaming of the old times, once again.
Wishing to be cured, once again.
Hoping never to fall, once again.
Wednesday 7 September 2005
First Blogger, Now My Very Own Blog
Till yesterday it was Blogger that was blocked. Today my very own blog URL was blocked too. And that same black screen welcomed me when i tried to access it.
One of my pals nicely termed this black screen as a 'powerful slap' on the face. :-D lol Well it sure does feel like one when you get to see this black screen. [ Maybe we can we call it the 'black screen of death'. ;-) ]
I wish they would unblock these sites. I promise i will not spend a long time here and will meet all my deadlines. ;-)
One of my pals nicely termed this black screen as a 'powerful slap' on the face. :-D lol Well it sure does feel like one when you get to see this black screen. [ Maybe we can we call it the 'black screen of death'. ;-) ]
I wish they would unblock these sites. I promise i will not spend a long time here and will meet all my deadlines. ;-)
Tuesday 6 September 2005
Blogger Blocked
In my office a firewall has been installed. After every little while, access to one site or the other gets blocked by it [rather by the administration ;-)]. Alas, today was the turn of Blogger.com. I logged on to it and made some changes. After a while when i tried to access it it was blocked.
That pathetic black screen appeared in front of my eyes which told me that from now on i will not be able to access blogger from the office.
Why is my office management making a poor girl like me cry like this? :'( Waaaaa
That pathetic black screen appeared in front of my eyes which told me that from now on i will not be able to access blogger from the office.
Why is my office management making a poor girl like me cry like this? :'( Waaaaa
Thursday 1 September 2005
Petrol Tragedy: Caused a Blast in My Heart
Last night i went to a petrol station to get some petrol for the car. I didn't get the tank filled. I thought the quantity i got was enough for my drive to the office and back. And it would also cater for several small 'in between' trips.
The price of the petrol was Rs. 49.01 a litre that time.
This morning i got the news :'( that the petrol prices have risen to a Rs 52 a litre (overnight).
Why didn't i get the tank filled up to the brim last night? Why, oh why?
The price of the petrol was Rs. 49.01 a litre that time.
This morning i got the news :'( that the petrol prices have risen to a Rs 52 a litre (overnight).
Why didn't i get the tank filled up to the brim last night? Why, oh why?
Tuesday 16 August 2005
Am I really a CARTOON?
Today morning, on my response to something, my father said this to me:
'Watching cartoons has turned you into a cartoon.'
Now tell me do you all really think so too?
If no its ok. But if yes, i will cry out of joy and jump out of happiness. Afterall, what more can a gal want than to be declared a 'Cartoon'. ;-)
'Watching cartoons has turned you into a cartoon.'
Now tell me do you all really think so too?
If no its ok. But if yes, i will cry out of joy and jump out of happiness. Afterall, what more can a gal want than to be declared a 'Cartoon'. ;-)
Thursday 28 July 2005
Midnight @ KFC
It was a new experiance, going to KFC so late at night.
Around 10 at night Khala called to tell that a plan has been made to go to KFC for the late night deal. Sunny attended the phone. SHe said she might not be able to make it. But i on the other hand yelled that i was IN. This motivated my sister to change her mind. So at 11 we all set off to KFC. We were a total of 15 people and reached there in three cars. I was driving one too.
I reached there first. Then came the next car, and then the last one. We all got out and went in. Poor Jaffar, Omer and Hamza (my cousins) were made to stand in the line to order the meal. It was good of them thatthey obidiently did stand there, otherwise we could not have had our burgers and drinks. The rest of us were just roaming here and there. Then Khala got hold of a table and i was one of the people to sit on that.
I had already had my full fledged dinner at home (the news of the KFC plan came late) so trying to finish the whole burger was of no use. I had a few bites and left the rest to take home. Finished my 'yummy' Mirinda however.
After finishing the food we all headed back. We reached back at 1:00 am. I was dead tired, but was glad that i didn't hesitate a bit in saying 'yes' and going to KFC at midnight (about).
Around 10 at night Khala called to tell that a plan has been made to go to KFC for the late night deal. Sunny attended the phone. SHe said she might not be able to make it. But i on the other hand yelled that i was IN. This motivated my sister to change her mind. So at 11 we all set off to KFC. We were a total of 15 people and reached there in three cars. I was driving one too.
I reached there first. Then came the next car, and then the last one. We all got out and went in. Poor Jaffar, Omer and Hamza (my cousins) were made to stand in the line to order the meal. It was good of them thatthey obidiently did stand there, otherwise we could not have had our burgers and drinks. The rest of us were just roaming here and there. Then Khala got hold of a table and i was one of the people to sit on that.
I had already had my full fledged dinner at home (the news of the KFC plan came late) so trying to finish the whole burger was of no use. I had a few bites and left the rest to take home. Finished my 'yummy' Mirinda however.
After finishing the food we all headed back. We reached back at 1:00 am. I was dead tired, but was glad that i didn't hesitate a bit in saying 'yes' and going to KFC at midnight (about).
Wednesday 27 July 2005
Going Home Early
Can't believe it my self, but i am going home early today. Well it is still after 6 pm, but it is much earlier than the times i was going home for the past some days.
Feels like a dream. I am still in the office though. Wish it is the reality even if it feels like a dream.
But wait a minute! What will i do with all the free time at home. I have sort of forgotten what it feels like.
Oh well, i will think of something. Even if it means taking a long NAP. :-D
Feels like a dream. I am still in the office though. Wish it is the reality even if it feels like a dream.
But wait a minute! What will i do with all the free time at home. I have sort of forgotten what it feels like.
Oh well, i will think of something. Even if it means taking a long NAP. :-D
Unmet Deadline
Yesterday, i.e. on 26 July, i had to complete a certain set of tasks. It was the deadline after taking a dreaded second extension. I tried hard to meet it. But something went wrong. And i don't have a clue about it. All tasks are 80%-95% done, which is not bad, but not good either as its still not 100%. The boss might kill me. [or not]
Wish i can meet deadlines better in future.
Wish i can meet deadlines better in future.
Friday 22 July 2005
Counters
I just saw the preview of my blog, and that reminded me of something i had been thinking for a while. The thought is that it seems my life is being ruled by 'counters'. And the internet has a lot to do with it.
Let's see. Well, for one, there is a counter on my blog. [I know i put it there myself :-P] I keep checking the number it has reached. The higher the number goes, the better i feel. And deep inside my heart i want it to reach the highest. :-D
Then there are the scrap counters on Orkut. I have a total of 221 right now, but i love to see the count proceed ahead. [I also feel jealous of the ones who have more than a 1000 scraps. Also i feel sorry for the ones who have less than 10. :-D hehe]
The new e-mail message counter also is a wonderful one. Every time i log in to a messenger or my company e-mail account, and i get the news of 'so & so' new e-mails, it makes my heart beat faster. I feel really good about it.
And there are countless counters in the daily life too. How many movies seen? How many songs heard? [I have actually kept a log of all movies seen. ;-) Thinking of doing something similar for the songs too.] How many books read? How much 'work' done in how less time? Highest scores of games. And it goes on.
I actually like the counters. They, sort of, create an excitement, and encourage you to move ahead and reach the next numbr in line. They push you to keep going ahead. I could be wrong, but that's what i feel, for now. ;-)
Let's see. Well, for one, there is a counter on my blog. [I know i put it there myself :-P] I keep checking the number it has reached. The higher the number goes, the better i feel. And deep inside my heart i want it to reach the highest. :-D
Then there are the scrap counters on Orkut. I have a total of 221 right now, but i love to see the count proceed ahead. [I also feel jealous of the ones who have more than a 1000 scraps. Also i feel sorry for the ones who have less than 10. :-D hehe]
The new e-mail message counter also is a wonderful one. Every time i log in to a messenger or my company e-mail account, and i get the news of 'so & so' new e-mails, it makes my heart beat faster. I feel really good about it.
And there are countless counters in the daily life too. How many movies seen? How many songs heard? [I have actually kept a log of all movies seen. ;-) Thinking of doing something similar for the songs too.] How many books read? How much 'work' done in how less time? Highest scores of games. And it goes on.
I actually like the counters. They, sort of, create an excitement, and encourage you to move ahead and reach the next numbr in line. They push you to keep going ahead. I could be wrong, but that's what i feel, for now. ;-)
Return of Monazza aka Titlee
So once again it has been a long time since i last posted here. Seems like decades, centuries, milleniums. Well i guess the time interval is shorter than that. I was being dramatic. :-D
Well i am here, and i have a LOT to say too. But I don't have the time to write it all. Guess will have to wait a bit to find some nice relaxing time so that i can write whatever is in my head.
Guess you guys will have to keep coming back, again and again. ;-) heheheee
Well i am here, and i have a LOT to say too. But I don't have the time to write it all. Guess will have to wait a bit to find some nice relaxing time so that i can write whatever is in my head.
Guess you guys will have to keep coming back, again and again. ;-) heheheee
Thursday 30 June 2005
It Was Alive But Still Needed Lots of Oxygen
On 29 June, the net was there. But the situation was pathetic. I had to do some online testing of a web site. Can't explain how did it. There were a total of 10 issues that I had to check. And it took me from morning till afternoon to complete that. It was like I would do one click, on a button or a link, and then wait for 3-5 minutes, or maybe more. [In these 3, 4, 5 minute breaks I was playing FreeCell ;) ]
I had to upload some content as well. I struggled with it for an hour or so and then gave up. Wrote a mail to my CEO that because of the pathetic net speed I am unable to continue with the task at hand. ;-)
So 29th was wasted as well. Almost wasted. Did testing offline of a thing called DCD. And did some web site testing as well. Completed a document too. Prayed that the 30th should not be as fruitless as the 29th.
I had to upload some content as well. I struggled with it for an hour or so and then gave up. Wrote a mail to my CEO that because of the pathetic net speed I am unable to continue with the task at hand. ;-)
So 29th was wasted as well. Almost wasted. Did testing offline of a thing called DCD. And did some web site testing as well. Completed a document too. Prayed that the 30th should not be as fruitless as the 29th.
The Slightly-Alive Net Came Back
On the afternoon of 28 June, a "slightly" alive net came back. It would serve pages but with such dead speed that you would wish for yourself to be dead. :-S
That whole day was sort of wasted. Nothing could be done. Rather everything seemed to have come to a halt. There were some tasks that i could do offline as well. But since the "life line" was dead nothing seemed to be working.
The colour of life had kind of faded.
That whole day was sort of wasted. Nothing could be done. Rather everything seemed to have come to a halt. There were some tasks that i could do offline as well. But since the "life line" was dead nothing seemed to be working.
The colour of life had kind of faded.
Ding Dong The Net is Dead!
It really is. I am not kidding. In Pakistan it is dead. Well let’s say it's almost dead.
It started when a telephonic/internet meeting was going on. I was silent participant as well. It was about a demo to be given by our CEO in USA to the clients in the USA. We, the Pakistani office people were supposed to listen to what was happening. And to look at the demo being given via Net Meeting.
I was getting late, so around 8:45 pm I asked my PM to allow me to leave. He did. I was just turning of my own PC, when the call and all was disconnected. I thought maybe it’s a temporary problem. I left in 10 minutes.
At home around 12 mid night, I tried connecting to the Internet. It would connect but no pages would be served. I disconnected and connected the net a couple of times but in vain. The disconnection of net in the office came to my mind. I just had a thought that maybe the whole Internet of Pakistan is down. Having the thought alive in my mind I went to sleep.
The next morning when I reached the office, my fears were confirmed. Got the news that the submarine cable, somewhere near Karachi, has been damaged. Also heard that engineers are supposed to come from Singapore to fix the cable.
That time, all I wondered was, when will the Internet finally live!
It started when a telephonic/internet meeting was going on. I was silent participant as well. It was about a demo to be given by our CEO in USA to the clients in the USA. We, the Pakistani office people were supposed to listen to what was happening. And to look at the demo being given via Net Meeting.
I was getting late, so around 8:45 pm I asked my PM to allow me to leave. He did. I was just turning of my own PC, when the call and all was disconnected. I thought maybe it’s a temporary problem. I left in 10 minutes.
At home around 12 mid night, I tried connecting to the Internet. It would connect but no pages would be served. I disconnected and connected the net a couple of times but in vain. The disconnection of net in the office came to my mind. I just had a thought that maybe the whole Internet of Pakistan is down. Having the thought alive in my mind I went to sleep.
The next morning when I reached the office, my fears were confirmed. Got the news that the submarine cable, somewhere near Karachi, has been damaged. Also heard that engineers are supposed to come from Singapore to fix the cable.
That time, all I wondered was, when will the Internet finally live!
Wednesday 22 June 2005
I am Disgusted
Ever since i put the Site Meter counter on my blog, it has been a habit to visit that site regularly and log in to check my blog traffic [which is at times really pathetic and painful :D heheheee]. One of the nice things about the detailed information provided there is that the URLs that refered people to my blog are also listed there.
Yesterday, I was just checking out the site meter site and spotted a new visitor. I opened the details page to see who the visitor is, where was she/he refered from, to which part of the world she/he belongs to etc.
There was this referring URL there it the details. I clicked it. As soon as the page opened, i was disgusted. It was some sort of a search engine thingy, providing services to search blogs. There it was, the name and URL of my blog, in the list. But the rest of the entries in the list were shocking and alarming. Almost all the entries said something like 'See so-&-so N***'. Some even contained some words i wouldn't even dare mention here. It made me sick. Felt like puking.
Didn't have a clue as to how to scratch the name of my blog off such a search engine. I know i can't do a thing (Maybe i can try disguising my blog under a false name). And i have a feeling that that was not the last time i saw such a thing.
But i like blogging. And i guess minor *gulp* such things can't force me to go underground and erase my bloggy presence from the web. :-)
Yesterday, I was just checking out the site meter site and spotted a new visitor. I opened the details page to see who the visitor is, where was she/he refered from, to which part of the world she/he belongs to etc.
There was this referring URL there it the details. I clicked it. As soon as the page opened, i was disgusted. It was some sort of a search engine thingy, providing services to search blogs. There it was, the name and URL of my blog, in the list. But the rest of the entries in the list were shocking and alarming. Almost all the entries said something like 'See so-&-so N***'. Some even contained some words i wouldn't even dare mention here. It made me sick. Felt like puking.
Didn't have a clue as to how to scratch the name of my blog off such a search engine. I know i can't do a thing (Maybe i can try disguising my blog under a false name). And i have a feeling that that was not the last time i saw such a thing.
But i like blogging. And i guess minor *gulp* such things can't force me to go underground and erase my bloggy presence from the web. :-)
'Dupatta' Advantage
I thought of an advantage of my 'dupatta' (a silly one!).
Because of it being on my head, nobody can see my dreadful hairstyle. ;-) heheheee
{If anyone does not know, a 'dupatta' is the Urdu word for a kind of head covering.}
Because of it being on my head, nobody can see my dreadful hairstyle. ;-) heheheee
{If anyone does not know, a 'dupatta' is the Urdu word for a kind of head covering.}
Monday 20 June 2005
It's Been a While
I can't even remember when was the last time i logged in here and wrote a blog. I know i can check the date from my blog entries list, but the point is that it has been so long that i can't remember it on my own.
There are some other things i want to do and haven't done in a while. Like on the net i want to reply to so many emails & i want to leave comments at my friends' and others' blogs. Offline i want to call my pals (the list is quite long), i want to read some books, i want to watch some movies, i want to give some time to my guitar playing, i want to..... And the list goes on.
But i am unable to do any of this. The main culprit being my work. I wanted to keep it between 9am to pm. But it is taking much more of my time. I have even started having dreams about it and about my deadlines. Scary, isn't it?
Some people say that without work there is no life OR work is life. I say that work is just a part of life, and some play should also be involved. All work and no play DEFINITELY makes me a dull girl. Maybe not that dull, but bored to the highest levels.
I guess one of my shortcomings is that i don't have good time management skills. And so that's why all my time gets drained into this work and work related stuff. But then i don't want to lead a very regimented life, full of lots of discipline and time tables. If i want to do something i like, i want to do it at my free will. And not because it was listed in a time table.
Oh well, i guess its just one of those phases of life. I am hopeful that it will pass, SOON. ;-)
There are some other things i want to do and haven't done in a while. Like on the net i want to reply to so many emails & i want to leave comments at my friends' and others' blogs. Offline i want to call my pals (the list is quite long), i want to read some books, i want to watch some movies, i want to give some time to my guitar playing, i want to..... And the list goes on.
But i am unable to do any of this. The main culprit being my work. I wanted to keep it between 9am to pm. But it is taking much more of my time. I have even started having dreams about it and about my deadlines. Scary, isn't it?
Some people say that without work there is no life OR work is life. I say that work is just a part of life, and some play should also be involved. All work and no play DEFINITELY makes me a dull girl. Maybe not that dull, but bored to the highest levels.
I guess one of my shortcomings is that i don't have good time management skills. And so that's why all my time gets drained into this work and work related stuff. But then i don't want to lead a very regimented life, full of lots of discipline and time tables. If i want to do something i like, i want to do it at my free will. And not because it was listed in a time table.
Oh well, i guess its just one of those phases of life. I am hopeful that it will pass, SOON. ;-)
Friday 27 May 2005
No New Messages
Every day when I come to the office and open MS Outlook (configured with my company email server), I find at least one new email there. Its bold black subject indicating the freshness, stimulating me to take a bite.
But today when I opened my email program, there was nothing there for me. I clicked the "Send/Receive" button a hundred times, in hope that maybe a big fat message might be choking in the communication lines and would slip in easily if I did that. But all in vain.
There was no email and there was no email.
It makes me kind of sad to see an empty mailbox. Whether it is my company email box or my personal email box, the sight of "No New Messages" just makes my heart sink. I guess I am too addicted to the Internet and emails. :-S
Do you think it's bad?
But today when I opened my email program, there was nothing there for me. I clicked the "Send/Receive" button a hundred times, in hope that maybe a big fat message might be choking in the communication lines and would slip in easily if I did that. But all in vain.
There was no email and there was no email.
It makes me kind of sad to see an empty mailbox. Whether it is my company email box or my personal email box, the sight of "No New Messages" just makes my heart sink. I guess I am too addicted to the Internet and emails. :-S
Do you think it's bad?
Wednesday 25 May 2005
How Wrong Was I
Is that an hour glass? (the thingy you see at the bottom left of an Internet Explorer page). I always thought that it was an eaten up apple. :-D heheheeee
Anybody out there who thought the same as i did? ;-) LOL
What is this?
Anybody out there who thought the same as i did? ;-) LOL
What is this?
Tuesday 24 May 2005
A Lesson Learnt
I am coming to believe strongly in the fact that the lessons learned the hard way are never forgotten. They do leave a bad taste in the mind at the time of learning though. But I guess it's worth it since once learnt the lesson pays off forever.
I am learning several small such lessons at work.
The one I learnt today is that never overlook even a tiny thing when testing a software. Test every teensy weensy inch of it. And no matter how "Experienced" the developer is, and no matter how confident she/he looks, never take that as a guarantee that her/his code will not be buggy.
I learnt the hard way. Well it was not that "hard". The boss simply pointed out the bug in a launched project and raised a question "who tested this?". The fingers could be pointed to no one else but me.
I felt confused at the question. I could not believe that I could miss such a big error. I tried to recall the events that took place when that feature was introduced in the application. My mind returned a NULL value.
But I won't let that happen again, hopefully. I am going to be meaner and stricter (some might give a tag crazier). After all I have my own back to save. ;-)
I am learning several small such lessons at work.
The one I learnt today is that never overlook even a tiny thing when testing a software. Test every teensy weensy inch of it. And no matter how "Experienced" the developer is, and no matter how confident she/he looks, never take that as a guarantee that her/his code will not be buggy.
I learnt the hard way. Well it was not that "hard". The boss simply pointed out the bug in a launched project and raised a question "who tested this?". The fingers could be pointed to no one else but me.
I felt confused at the question. I could not believe that I could miss such a big error. I tried to recall the events that took place when that feature was introduced in the application. My mind returned a NULL value.
But I won't let that happen again, hopefully. I am going to be meaner and stricter (some might give a tag crazier). After all I have my own back to save. ;-)
Monday 16 May 2005
Clearing Up the Clutter
Today was a very relaxed day at office. The big project being released last week on Wednesday, and its documentation completed on Friday, there was no work for me to do today. (At least nothing I could think of.) So what I did was that I cleared up the clutter.
It was not a physical clutter but a virtual one. I cleaned up my PC and removed all unused, obsolete files that were merely eating up space on my hard disk. I did let some old files stay. But those I marked with a bold label 'Old'. I did that because I did not want my old and new files mixing together to give me the headache of a lifetime.
Now my desktop is tidier too. Mulan along with Mushu are completely visible now. I will keep them this way, before I switch back to putting Sully, Mike and Boo back on my desktop.
I wish things were clutter free in my room at my house too. ;-)
It was not a physical clutter but a virtual one. I cleaned up my PC and removed all unused, obsolete files that were merely eating up space on my hard disk. I did let some old files stay. But those I marked with a bold label 'Old'. I did that because I did not want my old and new files mixing together to give me the headache of a lifetime.
Now my desktop is tidier too. Mulan along with Mushu are completely visible now. I will keep them this way, before I switch back to putting Sully, Mike and Boo back on my desktop.
I wish things were clutter free in my room at my house too. ;-)
Tuesday 10 May 2005
Elmo Likes to Play
Yes, it's true that Elmo likes to play. And I am a little Elmo myself so I like to play too.
There may be some people for whom the whole life is 'work' and they 'work' 24/7. But for one I am not from that species. All work and no play makes me a dull girl.
It has been so many days since I last 'played'. The work routine is too hectic for me. It's like my whole life is revolving around my 'work'. Sitting late in the office and not getting even the weekends as free.
I am hopeful that things will get better once this 'Bookstore' thing is over. And I hope that this comes true.
There may be some people for whom the whole life is 'work' and they 'work' 24/7. But for one I am not from that species. All work and no play makes me a dull girl.
It has been so many days since I last 'played'. The work routine is too hectic for me. It's like my whole life is revolving around my 'work'. Sitting late in the office and not getting even the weekends as free.
I am hopeful that things will get better once this 'Bookstore' thing is over. And I hope that this comes true.
Wednesday 4 May 2005
Bad Driving Day
Saturday was a good day for me. I could do my bank related chores that day, could collect my sewn clothes from the tailor and had a get together in the evening.
But...
It was a bad driving-day for me. Maybe I was to blame too. But the other parties involved were no angels either.
First it was when I was happily going to Islamabad, a stupid driver spoilt my mood. I was on the road in front of the airport. I was in the right lane, he was in the left a little ahead of me. Suddenly that man came towards the right. He came so close that I had to apply brakes forcefully. And when I did that, he moved back to the left. I didn’t honk my horn or flash my lights at him. But in his side mirror he was trying to tell me with signs that there was a LOT of space there and I didn't HAVE TO apply brakes. :-P
Then similar thing was done by a bus when I was coming back to Pindi from the reunion. I was in the right most lane and the bus was in the middle one. When I was about to go ahead of it, while staying in my lane, it suddenly came towards right, right on to my car. This time I just pressed the horn and didn't take my hand off till the bus moved to its own lane. (Applied brakes too as I didn’t want to be crushed!) Felt like beating the hell out of the bus driver, but what could I do but to moan and complain inside. :-S
The worst came when I dropped off a pal and was going to go home. I was on the extreme left of the road, and had to turn back. At first a lot of cars were coming that way, so I couldn't break in the line. But then there came a time when I found some space. SO on almost zero speed I started turning the car. That time an overly enthusiastic 'uncle' tried to go past me in a hurry. He was not quick enough and my zero speed was maybe too fast. As a result his green scooter hit the top right edge of the bumper. He instantly stopped and glared at me with anger. (I wonder if I were a boy would he have uttered big fat abuses to me.) The only words that came out of his grunting mouth were 'drive carefully'. I knew it was his fault too, but I said sorry to him, turned my car and started my home ward journey.
The day was great but for driving maybe it was worse.
But...
It was a bad driving-day for me. Maybe I was to blame too. But the other parties involved were no angels either.
First it was when I was happily going to Islamabad, a stupid driver spoilt my mood. I was on the road in front of the airport. I was in the right lane, he was in the left a little ahead of me. Suddenly that man came towards the right. He came so close that I had to apply brakes forcefully. And when I did that, he moved back to the left. I didn’t honk my horn or flash my lights at him. But in his side mirror he was trying to tell me with signs that there was a LOT of space there and I didn't HAVE TO apply brakes. :-P
Then similar thing was done by a bus when I was coming back to Pindi from the reunion. I was in the right most lane and the bus was in the middle one. When I was about to go ahead of it, while staying in my lane, it suddenly came towards right, right on to my car. This time I just pressed the horn and didn't take my hand off till the bus moved to its own lane. (Applied brakes too as I didn’t want to be crushed!) Felt like beating the hell out of the bus driver, but what could I do but to moan and complain inside. :-S
The worst came when I dropped off a pal and was going to go home. I was on the extreme left of the road, and had to turn back. At first a lot of cars were coming that way, so I couldn't break in the line. But then there came a time when I found some space. SO on almost zero speed I started turning the car. That time an overly enthusiastic 'uncle' tried to go past me in a hurry. He was not quick enough and my zero speed was maybe too fast. As a result his green scooter hit the top right edge of the bumper. He instantly stopped and glared at me with anger. (I wonder if I were a boy would he have uttered big fat abuses to me.) The only words that came out of his grunting mouth were 'drive carefully'. I knew it was his fault too, but I said sorry to him, turned my car and started my home ward journey.
The day was great but for driving maybe it was worse.
Reunion: The Class of 1998-2001
On Saturday evening, we the old students of Fatima Jinnah Women University, met in Holiday Inn at high tea. All of us were classmates in the 1998-2001 batch of Masters in Computer Science. We were, by the way, the first batch of the university too.
The planning for the get together was going on for the past month or so. Finally it was decided to meet in Holiday Inn. Out of a class of around 60 only 8 of us could make it.
I don't blame the rest. Some were busy in their married lives. Some had kids that were ill. Many were not in the city. Maybe some were on the family way too. :-)
But we 8 had fun. Two among us 8 were the married ones. One even brought her cute daughter along. Two are about to get married this year. :-D It was good meeting after such a long time. It was fun chatting and exchanging notes about each others lives. Nadia Nazir, the CR of our class at that time, had made the arrangements. Booking the table, getting people together and all. She had done a great job.
The food was great too. I ate a lot. I was particularly interested in trying the 'gool gappay' there, and I did too. But their water (juice? whatever) was not that tasty. But anyways I got to have them. ;-)
I wish we could arrange such get togethers frequently. And I am hopeful that next time, there will be at least 16 girls around the table. :-)
The planning for the get together was going on for the past month or so. Finally it was decided to meet in Holiday Inn. Out of a class of around 60 only 8 of us could make it.
I don't blame the rest. Some were busy in their married lives. Some had kids that were ill. Many were not in the city. Maybe some were on the family way too. :-)
But we 8 had fun. Two among us 8 were the married ones. One even brought her cute daughter along. Two are about to get married this year. :-D It was good meeting after such a long time. It was fun chatting and exchanging notes about each others lives. Nadia Nazir, the CR of our class at that time, had made the arrangements. Booking the table, getting people together and all. She had done a great job.
The food was great too. I ate a lot. I was particularly interested in trying the 'gool gappay' there, and I did too. But their water (juice? whatever) was not that tasty. But anyways I got to have them. ;-)
I wish we could arrange such get togethers frequently. And I am hopeful that next time, there will be at least 16 girls around the table. :-)
Wednesday 27 April 2005
Reminding Me of Hull
It is very windy outside, and it is raining a bit too. This weather is reminding me of the windy days at Hull. :-)
Story of Goldfish (still continues....)
The story continues.
Lady luck was not that generous with me. After a short while all my happiness and excitement fizzled out.
When in the evening I brought my sister back from her college (she has classes at such unearthly hours) she said she wanted to see my new fish. She went in the bathroom where I was keeping my fish. She yelled from there that she could see only two and not three fish. I ran to her and looked in the tub, and there were just two fish.
For a second I couldn't grasp what could have happened. Then suddenly I looked on the floor and there it was, my third fish, being eaten my ants. :-( I realized that it must have jumped and fell out of the water and landed on the ground.
I was extremely sad. So sad that tears started running from my eyes. My mother was laughing and saying that those were the reasons she didn't allow me to have pets. I was just feeling so helpless. Another fish lost and I couldn't do a thing to save it. It just hit me from nowhere. I was not expecting it.
So now I have two fish left. They were ok in the morning. I covered their tub with something so that they would not be able to jump out. I gave them food so they wouldn't die out of hunger. And I changed their water so that they don't suffocate in dirty water.
Now I can only hope and pray that they live, and live for a long time, till I get myself a proper aquarium and can shift them into it.
Lady luck was not that generous with me. After a short while all my happiness and excitement fizzled out.
When in the evening I brought my sister back from her college (she has classes at such unearthly hours) she said she wanted to see my new fish. She went in the bathroom where I was keeping my fish. She yelled from there that she could see only two and not three fish. I ran to her and looked in the tub, and there were just two fish.
For a second I couldn't grasp what could have happened. Then suddenly I looked on the floor and there it was, my third fish, being eaten my ants. :-( I realized that it must have jumped and fell out of the water and landed on the ground.
I was extremely sad. So sad that tears started running from my eyes. My mother was laughing and saying that those were the reasons she didn't allow me to have pets. I was just feeling so helpless. Another fish lost and I couldn't do a thing to save it. It just hit me from nowhere. I was not expecting it.
So now I have two fish left. They were ok in the morning. I covered their tub with something so that they would not be able to jump out. I gave them food so they wouldn't die out of hunger. And I changed their water so that they don't suffocate in dirty water.
Now I can only hope and pray that they live, and live for a long time, till I get myself a proper aquarium and can shift them into it.
Story of Goldfish (continued...)
Now there are static pet shops or fish shops where you can go and get a pair or more for yourself. You can even order an aquarium there. Then there are the traditional, mobile sort-of fish pet shops. In that a person carries different fish in different plastic bags filled with water. All the bags are mounted on a big stalk-like thing. You can choose the ones you like and that man will give that plastic bag to you. You can then bring the fish home and put them in a container.
Now Tuesday morning, I said to my father that on our way home, if I saw that "mobile" fish man, I want to get partners for my fish at home. He resisted this but then agreed. Lady luck favoured me and when we were near our house, I saw that fish man. And I got a pair of goldfish from him.
When I reached home, I took out my 'lonely' fish, threw the dirty water, filled the container with fresh water and put all (now three) my fish in it. All of them were so active. Even my quiet fish had suddenly got energy and was happily swimming around with the other two. I gave them some food and they quickly gulped it down.
I was happy that now I had three energetic goldfish as pets.
Now Tuesday morning, I said to my father that on our way home, if I saw that "mobile" fish man, I want to get partners for my fish at home. He resisted this but then agreed. Lady luck favoured me and when we were near our house, I saw that fish man. And I got a pair of goldfish from him.
When I reached home, I took out my 'lonely' fish, threw the dirty water, filled the container with fresh water and put all (now three) my fish in it. All of them were so active. Even my quiet fish had suddenly got energy and was happily swimming around with the other two. I gave them some food and they quickly gulped it down.
I was happy that now I had three energetic goldfish as pets.
Story of Goldfish
For a long time, I had wanted to have a pet. My mother was not allowing it. She said that if I keep a pet I will have to take care of it myself, and since I don't have the time, I should not do it. Deep down I also know that I don't have much spare time to take care of a pet, but I still wanted one.
So lately I was obsessed with having two small turtles or some fish as pets. My mother was still not allowing it but suddenly this Sunday when she came back from grocery shopping, she brought a pair of goldfish for me. I was excited beyond explanation.
My mother put the fish in a glass jar. I was leaving for office that time (yeah for office on a Sunday) so I couldn't pay more attention to the fish. But I was excited that when I came back, there would be two fish to welcome me.
In the evening when I came back, the first thing I heard my father say upon entering the house was "One fish is dead! The other one is dying". That was a really big shock for me. Not even 24 hours had passed, one fish was already dead and the other one was dying.
I quickly took a very big container, filled it with clean water and shifted my 'living' fish to it. Gave it some food. Till I went to bed that day, I kept checking on it. It was ok, but a bit dull. Maybe because its partner was gone. I felt sorry for it and decided I will get some more fish to give this one company.
So lately I was obsessed with having two small turtles or some fish as pets. My mother was still not allowing it but suddenly this Sunday when she came back from grocery shopping, she brought a pair of goldfish for me. I was excited beyond explanation.
My mother put the fish in a glass jar. I was leaving for office that time (yeah for office on a Sunday) so I couldn't pay more attention to the fish. But I was excited that when I came back, there would be two fish to welcome me.
In the evening when I came back, the first thing I heard my father say upon entering the house was "One fish is dead! The other one is dying". That was a really big shock for me. Not even 24 hours had passed, one fish was already dead and the other one was dying.
I quickly took a very big container, filled it with clean water and shifted my 'living' fish to it. Gave it some food. Till I went to bed that day, I kept checking on it. It was ok, but a bit dull. Maybe because its partner was gone. I felt sorry for it and decided I will get some more fish to give this one company.
Tuesday 26 April 2005
Yet Another Mehandi of Another Friend
(Written on 24 April 2005)
On Saturday evening, I went on the mehandi of my friend Ghawas. The time was of 7:00 pm. I was quite late and reached there around 8:30 pm. But alas, seemed I was early after all. I was invited from the 'larkay walay' side (the boy's family). The girl’s family was already there at the reception. I had to wait about half an hour before my friend's family came.
But finally they did come. They brought the 'dhool walay' (traditional drum beaters) with them. The atmosphere remained loud till the 'dhool' was being beaten. But turned very quiet afterwards.
To tell you the truth, I was extremely bored becasue i had gone there on my on and was alone in the crowd. And also there was nothing else to do. No songs to sing with the 'dholki' and no 'bhangra' or 'luddi' to see.
All I did there was sit and smilingly stare towards the stage where my friend was sitting with his wife. Took a few pictures as well. Went up to my pal and said Hi too. And then when my father came to pick me up I went to the stage again to say my farewell and left.
Myself getting bored in such a situation was inevitable. I was expecting it and so it happend. But the main thing is that I wanted to be a part of my friend's wedding, and wanted to be there to congratulate him, and so I did. :-)
PS: I wonder what will happen on the 'walima' on Monday. ;-) heheheee
On Saturday evening, I went on the mehandi of my friend Ghawas. The time was of 7:00 pm. I was quite late and reached there around 8:30 pm. But alas, seemed I was early after all. I was invited from the 'larkay walay' side (the boy's family). The girl’s family was already there at the reception. I had to wait about half an hour before my friend's family came.
But finally they did come. They brought the 'dhool walay' (traditional drum beaters) with them. The atmosphere remained loud till the 'dhool' was being beaten. But turned very quiet afterwards.
To tell you the truth, I was extremely bored becasue i had gone there on my on and was alone in the crowd. And also there was nothing else to do. No songs to sing with the 'dholki' and no 'bhangra' or 'luddi' to see.
All I did there was sit and smilingly stare towards the stage where my friend was sitting with his wife. Took a few pictures as well. Went up to my pal and said Hi too. And then when my father came to pick me up I went to the stage again to say my farewell and left.
Myself getting bored in such a situation was inevitable. I was expecting it and so it happend. But the main thing is that I wanted to be a part of my friend's wedding, and wanted to be there to congratulate him, and so I did. :-)
PS: I wonder what will happen on the 'walima' on Monday. ;-) heheheee
Saturday 23 April 2005
Long Title?
Now it seems that the title of my last post is longer than the content. Funny! :-D heheheeee
All Work & No Play, Makes Monazza A Very Dull/Moody/Unhappy Girl
We all in the office have been ordered to work on the weekend. We worked on Friday (22 April) too while it was a national holiday in Pakistan because of Eid e Milad Un Nabi.
Today is my 6th consecutive day at work. And I think that I will be working at least 12 days in a row till next Friday. Unless, I have to work that weekend too. And then I wonder how many consecutive days that would make. The fear is creeping up my spine, giving me jitters. Oh I want to work, but not that much. Once again, somebody save me!
Today is my 6th consecutive day at work. And I think that I will be working at least 12 days in a row till next Friday. Unless, I have to work that weekend too. And then I wonder how many consecutive days that would make. The fear is creeping up my spine, giving me jitters. Oh I want to work, but not that much. Once again, somebody save me!
Friday 22 April 2005
Sun Burnt Hand
There were three consecutive days of driving from my home to Islamabad and back. And that resulted in a tanned hand. Mine, off course. ;-)
The colour of my right hand is now a much darker shade than the left one. And there is a light coloured band on my wrist that marks the existence of my wristwatch. ;-)
Now only the right hand got roasted and not the left one. Well for one because the car is a right-hand drive. And secondly the blazing sun is always on my right in the mornings when I am driving to work.
I did use the sun-block lotion (ok one of those three days I didn't) but it didn't work either. Now I guess I can either wait till the 'true' colour of my hand returns, or use "Fair and Lovely" on it instead. LOL ;-)
The colour of my right hand is now a much darker shade than the left one. And there is a light coloured band on my wrist that marks the existence of my wristwatch. ;-)
Now only the right hand got roasted and not the left one. Well for one because the car is a right-hand drive. And secondly the blazing sun is always on my right in the mornings when I am driving to work.
I did use the sun-block lotion (ok one of those three days I didn't) but it didn't work either. Now I guess I can either wait till the 'true' colour of my hand returns, or use "Fair and Lovely" on it instead. LOL ;-)
Wednesday 20 April 2005
Embarrassed By An MSN Nick
Well it might seem really funny and strange that how can one get embarrassed by an MSN nick. But tell you what, it can happen. It happened to me so can happen to you too.
I myself am a person who keeps changing the nicks almost every day. And gladly provide the small background tale to whosoever asks me about it. And when my friends change theirs I ask them too, about the background of their nick.
Now sometimes it happens that people choose nicks adorned with swear words. :-P No problem with me as everybody is free to do whatever they like. And no problem if nobody is looking at my PC screen. But such a nick can be the cause of extreme embarrassment if a colleague of yours is standing right beside you, showing you something on your PC and spots a tiny window popping at the bottom right of the screen flashing the 'hideous' nick.
It happened to me once. And I dealt with it by completely ignoring it in front of my colleague. I pretended that I was so engrossed in what he was telling me that I didn't notice anything. And finally to spare myself from more embarrassment, I blocked that ID. :-P Now no matter what nick that pal of mine chooses, it will not be flashed at my screen.
No more embarrassment! Unless, some other 'pal' of mine starts fancying swear words and starts throwing then in the MSN nicks. :-S Somebody spare me!!
I myself am a person who keeps changing the nicks almost every day. And gladly provide the small background tale to whosoever asks me about it. And when my friends change theirs I ask them too, about the background of their nick.
Now sometimes it happens that people choose nicks adorned with swear words. :-P No problem with me as everybody is free to do whatever they like. And no problem if nobody is looking at my PC screen. But such a nick can be the cause of extreme embarrassment if a colleague of yours is standing right beside you, showing you something on your PC and spots a tiny window popping at the bottom right of the screen flashing the 'hideous' nick.
It happened to me once. And I dealt with it by completely ignoring it in front of my colleague. I pretended that I was so engrossed in what he was telling me that I didn't notice anything. And finally to spare myself from more embarrassment, I blocked that ID. :-P Now no matter what nick that pal of mine chooses, it will not be flashed at my screen.
No more embarrassment! Unless, some other 'pal' of mine starts fancying swear words and starts throwing then in the MSN nicks. :-S Somebody spare me!!
Monday 11 April 2005
Customer Service: We Have A Long Way To Go
One of the things that I noticed while my stay in UK was the good customer service. And that is why if there were occasional bad tempered, moody people to attend a customer, they were highly noticeable.
Now here in Pakistan it is the other way round. If customer relations’ people (be it be on shops, in offices or at restaurants) are nice and helpful you suspect if they are out of their minds.
A recent example of bad customer service was at Red Onion, a restaurant, where we (Khala, Sanaa, Fati and me) went to have a pizza snack a few days ago.
When we went, more than half of it was empty. Still we were lead to a seat in a corner at the last of the restaurant. We didn't mind. We just asked them to turn on the fan or the AC as it was hot. To this the manager started a long tale about how only 5 minutes ago a "breaker" had short-circuited and the electricians were working on it, implying that the AC could not be turned on. My Khala pressurized him a bit by raising the voice a few decibels that if the AC could not be turned on, we should be given a place where the fan was working at least. This resulted in a cool breeze from the AC within 5 minutes. {;-) Cruel us!}
Then the manager came again to take the order. We all told him at least thrice that we wanted a "thin" crust. And again when he turned while repeating the order he said "Ok THICK Crust". To that all four of us nearly yelled "THINNNN". This embarrassed him a bit and said, "Ok sorry, thin". {Silly man :-P}
Then we asked for "plain water" and got "mineral water" and we asked for "cold water" but we got "room-temparatured water". We asked for a salad bowl so that we could fill it up in the salad bar "ourselves", and the waiter who brought the bowl was adamant that he will fill it for us. :-P {Good that Khala scolded him a bit. ;-) heheheeee}
Finally the filled salad bowl (filled my Khala and Sanaa) and the pizza came to the table. Thank God both the things were good to eat, otherwise we had a strong urge & tendency to burn down the restaurant at that time. ;-) LOL
And this is just one example of poor customer service. There are many many more. ;-) Will bring them to you shortly.
Now here in Pakistan it is the other way round. If customer relations’ people (be it be on shops, in offices or at restaurants) are nice and helpful you suspect if they are out of their minds.
A recent example of bad customer service was at Red Onion, a restaurant, where we (Khala, Sanaa, Fati and me) went to have a pizza snack a few days ago.
When we went, more than half of it was empty. Still we were lead to a seat in a corner at the last of the restaurant. We didn't mind. We just asked them to turn on the fan or the AC as it was hot. To this the manager started a long tale about how only 5 minutes ago a "breaker" had short-circuited and the electricians were working on it, implying that the AC could not be turned on. My Khala pressurized him a bit by raising the voice a few decibels that if the AC could not be turned on, we should be given a place where the fan was working at least. This resulted in a cool breeze from the AC within 5 minutes. {;-) Cruel us!}
Then the manager came again to take the order. We all told him at least thrice that we wanted a "thin" crust. And again when he turned while repeating the order he said "Ok THICK Crust". To that all four of us nearly yelled "THINNNN". This embarrassed him a bit and said, "Ok sorry, thin". {Silly man :-P}
Then we asked for "plain water" and got "mineral water" and we asked for "cold water" but we got "room-temparatured water". We asked for a salad bowl so that we could fill it up in the salad bar "ourselves", and the waiter who brought the bowl was adamant that he will fill it for us. :-P {Good that Khala scolded him a bit. ;-) heheheeee}
Finally the filled salad bowl (filled my Khala and Sanaa) and the pizza came to the table. Thank God both the things were good to eat, otherwise we had a strong urge & tendency to burn down the restaurant at that time. ;-) LOL
And this is just one example of poor customer service. There are many many more. ;-) Will bring them to you shortly.
Wednesday 6 April 2005
Orkut Gone Bonkers!
Orkut has gone completely "Bonkers" today. It is not working at all. The bad server error keeps creeping up. Its not letting me post on a community forum (i have littereally tried 50 times). It is displaying one of my community with deleted forums. You name it, it's happening here.
I wonder if a day would come when i would be able to go to Orkut, do whatever i like and not see the sight of this dreaded error message for the whole duration of my session.
When will it turn good!
I wonder if a day would come when i would be able to go to Orkut, do whatever i like and not see the sight of this dreaded error message for the whole duration of my session.
When will it turn good!
Tuesday 5 April 2005
Yummy Cold Coffee
Thanks to my dear Khalas (aunts) I got the chance to have cold coffee, twice at Kudos and once at Rahat. And that too within one week. ;) heh heh heeee We 'the kids' looted them for sure. But they were so sweet so as to keep offering more. :-D
Don't worry Khala and Kakai Khala, there will be other times, SOON. >:-D
Don't worry Khala and Kakai Khala, there will be other times, SOON. >:-D
Monday 4 April 2005
Mobile Junkie
There used to be a time when I thought that mobile phones were a luxury, a drain on the pocket and a means to show off. Look at me now! I am the same person, only not without a mobile anymore. I have not but two connections right now (Mobilink & Telenor), and I am looking forward to the launch of another mobile company (Warid) so that i can get my hands on their connection as well.
Am I mobile junkie or what! :-D LOL
PS: Junkie or not, I still feel that mobiles are a drain on my pocket as I cannot resist sending off texts. And when I call to tell my Mom that I will be late from office, she starts scolding me then and there, thus making me loose even more credit. :-D hehehehe Funny!
Am I mobile junkie or what! :-D LOL
PS: Junkie or not, I still feel that mobiles are a drain on my pocket as I cannot resist sending off texts. And when I call to tell my Mom that I will be late from office, she starts scolding me then and there, thus making me loose even more credit. :-D hehehehe Funny!
Wednesday 30 March 2005
Horoscopes!
My horoscope for today (by Francis Drake) says that today people want to give me gifts, do favours for me and lend me things.
Well if that's the case, let's see how much do i "get" from others, who are supposed to be benficial to me today. ;-)
PS: Horoscopes are seldom true, but atleast they can make you feel better [ or worse ;)], depending upon the type of prediction they proclaim.
Well if that's the case, let's see how much do i "get" from others, who are supposed to be benficial to me today. ;-)
PS: Horoscopes are seldom true, but atleast they can make you feel better [ or worse ;)], depending upon the type of prediction they proclaim.
Tuesday 22 March 2005
Why was I away?
For a day or two after writing my blog on March 2005, I was under siege of laziness. But after that, on Friday 11 March 2005 there came a big blow. I got a news and after that for about a week I was nearly numb. Daily life routine was going on but deep inside I was shaken, and so were all my family members.
It was the news of a death. Death of an uncle of mine, who was the cousin of both my parents. The initial news was that he has passed away in an accident in USA. Later on we came to know that he had a heart attack that instantly took his life and thus caused the accident. He was 35.
We were too close to his family (his mother, his brother and him) and it was hard seeing his mother, having to bear such a burden. What was even sadder was that he had not met his family for nearly 7 years, and he was just planning to visit Pakistan.
Who knew that he would come to Pakistan in such a state, in a coffin.
The whole 8 days, till his dead body arrived from USA, were extremely depressing. The feeling of human helplessness was hard to bear. Some might say that death is inevitable and it happens all the time so why be so depressed. But it was not death but the whole 'unexplainable' situation that was depressing.
On Friday 18 March he was laid to rest. May Allah rest his soul in peace. Ameen.
It was the news of a death. Death of an uncle of mine, who was the cousin of both my parents. The initial news was that he has passed away in an accident in USA. Later on we came to know that he had a heart attack that instantly took his life and thus caused the accident. He was 35.
We were too close to his family (his mother, his brother and him) and it was hard seeing his mother, having to bear such a burden. What was even sadder was that he had not met his family for nearly 7 years, and he was just planning to visit Pakistan.
Who knew that he would come to Pakistan in such a state, in a coffin.
The whole 8 days, till his dead body arrived from USA, were extremely depressing. The feeling of human helplessness was hard to bear. Some might say that death is inevitable and it happens all the time so why be so depressed. But it was not death but the whole 'unexplainable' situation that was depressing.
On Friday 18 March he was laid to rest. May Allah rest his soul in peace. Ameen.
Monday 21 March 2005
No Abandonment
Some of you might think that I have abandoned my blog. But reality is different. I have not. Actually due to the turn of events in my life I could not spare even a minute to add something to it. So here I am and updates will follow shortly. :-)
Wednesday 9 March 2005
Dirty Laundry, Wet Laundry, Oh My God!
By this last Sunday all my clean clothes had transformed into dirty laundry. Situation turned so bad that i didn't even know what to wear to work on Monday, unless i washed some clothes. And so i did. Started at 9 at night and finished around 10. (What the hell was i doing the whole day!)
Sqeezed as many drops of water out of the wet clothes as i could and hung them on the clothes line. Came back in the house like a triumphant soldier. Satisfied that now i will have some clean clothes to wear to work the next morning.
The next morning came. I went out to get the clothes i had decided to wear. To my dismay they were still wet. Not dripping wet but not dry either. I felt like banging my head against the nearby wall but refrained from doing it. Instead took the clothes and brought them inside. Turned on the iron and started ironing my clothes dry.
And God! it took so long. 15 minutes alone on my qameez (shirt) and even longer on my shalwaar (trousers). :-S I was mad at myself for not doing the laundry on time and also angry at my fate that why did it have to happen in the morning when time is already short. :-S
Finally my mother came to my rescue. She took over while i was ironing my shalwaar so that i could go and change the shirt and at least comb my hair. :-D And finally i got dressed fully. But by that tim ei was about 10 minutes late.
Abbu was quite understanding that day. He didn't utter a single time to hurry up. He could see my plight and he was enjoying it as i could see him smile constantly. ;-) Finally when i got in the car and we set off i was also laughing deep inside at what had just happend. ;-)
Sqeezed as many drops of water out of the wet clothes as i could and hung them on the clothes line. Came back in the house like a triumphant soldier. Satisfied that now i will have some clean clothes to wear to work the next morning.
The next morning came. I went out to get the clothes i had decided to wear. To my dismay they were still wet. Not dripping wet but not dry either. I felt like banging my head against the nearby wall but refrained from doing it. Instead took the clothes and brought them inside. Turned on the iron and started ironing my clothes dry.
And God! it took so long. 15 minutes alone on my qameez (shirt) and even longer on my shalwaar (trousers). :-S I was mad at myself for not doing the laundry on time and also angry at my fate that why did it have to happen in the morning when time is already short. :-S
Finally my mother came to my rescue. She took over while i was ironing my shalwaar so that i could go and change the shirt and at least comb my hair. :-D And finally i got dressed fully. But by that tim ei was about 10 minutes late.
Abbu was quite understanding that day. He didn't utter a single time to hurry up. He could see my plight and he was enjoying it as i could see him smile constantly. ;-) Finally when i got in the car and we set off i was also laughing deep inside at what had just happend. ;-)
Monday 7 March 2005
Keep Your Right Hand Free
Yes, do exactly what I have said in my title whenever you go for an interview. Because if it is not free, it can land you in an awkward situation. ;-)
Well, I am speaking out of my own experience. Last week on Friday I had an interview at a company. I went there carrying my handbag on my shoulder, a tissue in my left hand and a pen in my right. There at the gate I had to get a Visitor Card. I got it but while doing that I grabbed all the small stuff (the tissue, the pen and now the visitor card) in my right hand and went in. There inside the company I sat and waited for the contact person (or whatever you call the person you are supposed to go and meet at a company for an interview).
And then the person appeared. Usually it does not matter for me whether I have my hands full or not, because that person is almost always a male. But this time is was a female. She approached me and while exchanging greetings she extended her arm towards me for a handshake.
I extended my loaded arm towards her. Then suddenly I realized that and took it back. Then I took the services of my left hand to put that stuff there. And then once again I extended my, this time empty, right hand towards her. All this time (even though it was a couple of seconds but seemed longer) her hand was frozen in the air, waiting for mine to finally get vacant, so that we could get over with the handshake.
She must have felt irritated but still she shook my hand warmly. And so finally I could follow her into the conference room to get butchered. ;-)
PS: If some people are still wondering why it wouldn’t have mattered if the contact person were a male, here is the answer: Males do not shake hands with females in Pakistan. ;-) heheheeeee
Well, I am speaking out of my own experience. Last week on Friday I had an interview at a company. I went there carrying my handbag on my shoulder, a tissue in my left hand and a pen in my right. There at the gate I had to get a Visitor Card. I got it but while doing that I grabbed all the small stuff (the tissue, the pen and now the visitor card) in my right hand and went in. There inside the company I sat and waited for the contact person (or whatever you call the person you are supposed to go and meet at a company for an interview).
And then the person appeared. Usually it does not matter for me whether I have my hands full or not, because that person is almost always a male. But this time is was a female. She approached me and while exchanging greetings she extended her arm towards me for a handshake.
I extended my loaded arm towards her. Then suddenly I realized that and took it back. Then I took the services of my left hand to put that stuff there. And then once again I extended my, this time empty, right hand towards her. All this time (even though it was a couple of seconds but seemed longer) her hand was frozen in the air, waiting for mine to finally get vacant, so that we could get over with the handshake.
She must have felt irritated but still she shook my hand warmly. And so finally I could follow her into the conference room to get butchered. ;-)
PS: If some people are still wondering why it wouldn’t have mattered if the contact person were a male, here is the answer: Males do not shake hands with females in Pakistan. ;-) heheheeeee
Thursday 3 March 2005
Doing Self Generated Work
So when you are not doing "Donkey's Work", what are you doing? You might be doing the "self generated" work. ;-) Since this is another of my coined terminologies i will not inflict any more curiosity on you and will explain what I mean by it.
Well it happens in an organisation that some people are continuously being monitored. they are constantly asked about their progress and are assigned various different tasks, one after the other, whether they have finished the previous one or not.
Then there is this category to which the boss says, "I will discuss this with you later". And this "later" in the sentence is a PAIN as it never seems to come. These people do all their groundwork, prepare each and every aspect of the assigned task and then start anxiously waiting for a few moments of attention from the boss.
And during these moments of wait one can get really impatient. It's like you are longing for work, tasks, assignments but all you are getting is a LONG waiting period. Now how long can you keep yourself entertained with the net surfing or chatting (or even blogging). SO you have to find something to do that can be regarded as "work" and can be appended to the already completed tasks. Something that would also not be responsible of wasting your precious company time.
And this, dear reader, is the "self generated" work.
As an example, your boss asked you to make an outline for a document only to discuss later to finalize it. So you can very cleverly take the next step and star filling in the outline. That is self-generated work. Your boss asked you to make an ER Diagram, and if you make it and make a Data Dictionary along with it, that is doing "self generated" work.
Some might say that there is no need to do what you are not asked to do. But i disagree here. When you work in a company you sort of understand the patterns of work there. You know that you will ultimately be asked to do that self-generated work of yours, so why not be wise and do it well ahead of time. ;-)
PS: It is ironic that it happens, and nobody likes it (at least not me), but it does happen, honest!
Well it happens in an organisation that some people are continuously being monitored. they are constantly asked about their progress and are assigned various different tasks, one after the other, whether they have finished the previous one or not.
Then there is this category to which the boss says, "I will discuss this with you later". And this "later" in the sentence is a PAIN as it never seems to come. These people do all their groundwork, prepare each and every aspect of the assigned task and then start anxiously waiting for a few moments of attention from the boss.
And during these moments of wait one can get really impatient. It's like you are longing for work, tasks, assignments but all you are getting is a LONG waiting period. Now how long can you keep yourself entertained with the net surfing or chatting (or even blogging). SO you have to find something to do that can be regarded as "work" and can be appended to the already completed tasks. Something that would also not be responsible of wasting your precious company time.
And this, dear reader, is the "self generated" work.
As an example, your boss asked you to make an outline for a document only to discuss later to finalize it. So you can very cleverly take the next step and star filling in the outline. That is self-generated work. Your boss asked you to make an ER Diagram, and if you make it and make a Data Dictionary along with it, that is doing "self generated" work.
Some might say that there is no need to do what you are not asked to do. But i disagree here. When you work in a company you sort of understand the patterns of work there. You know that you will ultimately be asked to do that self-generated work of yours, so why not be wise and do it well ahead of time. ;-)
PS: It is ironic that it happens, and nobody likes it (at least not me), but it does happen, honest!
Monday 28 February 2005
Another Dream
I was browsing through Guitar Noise when i suddenly came across a lesson for beginners where the teacher was going to teach how to play "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd. Before trying it out i just listened to the lesson mp3s just to see how the song sounded when being taught on a web site. (otherwise i really like the song) As soon as i listened to those mp3s i feel in love with the song, once again.
Now another item has been added to the list of my dreams and that is to be able to play this song just the way i heard it being played by the guitar teacher.
Wish me luck! ;-)
Now another item has been added to the list of my dreams and that is to be able to play this song just the way i heard it being played by the guitar teacher.
Wish me luck! ;-)
My Big Boss is Here
My "big boss" (ther CEO of the company) was supposed to come to Pakistan from USA on 26 February. And for that reason, the whole office crew was called to work on Sunday. I was called too, but i took leave since i had something planned before for that day.
Today it was the second day of my boss in the office. I had strange thoughts in my mind when i was coming to work today. What it would be like to have him around? How will i get to talk to him about my "issues"? How will he go about things? etc
I still haven't found time to have a chat with him, but its not bad having him around. He also brought gifts for the whole office, which seems like a good gesture. All the single men got ties, the married ones (who also have a kid or two) got toys for their kids. I could neither be given a tie or a toy (well maybe a toy for ME could have been good), so i was given a huge mug. The size is good. Perfectly fits my needs for a single serving of tea. ;-)
I just hope that the way my boss looked today, friendly and considerate, he remains the same when i finally take my bundle of "complaints cum demands" to him. :-D
Today it was the second day of my boss in the office. I had strange thoughts in my mind when i was coming to work today. What it would be like to have him around? How will i get to talk to him about my "issues"? How will he go about things? etc
I still haven't found time to have a chat with him, but its not bad having him around. He also brought gifts for the whole office, which seems like a good gesture. All the single men got ties, the married ones (who also have a kid or two) got toys for their kids. I could neither be given a tie or a toy (well maybe a toy for ME could have been good), so i was given a huge mug. The size is good. Perfectly fits my needs for a single serving of tea. ;-)
I just hope that the way my boss looked today, friendly and considerate, he remains the same when i finally take my bundle of "complaints cum demands" to him. :-D
Friday 25 February 2005
Cough Cough Go Away!
About a week or so ago my sister caught a cold, yet again, and i made fun of her. I did it as she got the flu for the third time in three months. I said that she was interested in "fashion" and didn't wear her jersey to the college, so thats why it happened.
Just the next day i started feeling something in my own throat. Turned out i was coughing and sneezing at the end of that day myself. I had got the flu too. Poor me. Maybe it was God's way of teaching me a lesson for making fun of my sister. :-D
Anyways for a few days i took some medicine (irregularly) and had a few cups of "joshaanda" (herbal tea) to cure the cough. It was effective too and the signs started fading away. I was hopeful that it would just go away, and stoped my medicine and joshaanda treatment. *cough*
But its been so many days after that. I still have a cough. It is not painful anymore. But it is damn irritating. Suddenly, out of nowhere, it would attack me, leaving me helpless. Now the tables have turned and my sister has started making fun of me. She says i am coughing and coughing as if i have Tuberculosis (God forbid). *cough cough cough* (At least thats how they show a TB patient in Pakistani movies, coughing and coughing whole day and night, non-stop)
I hope i can get rid of this soon. Its so irritating taht i can't even talk to someone over the pone without coughing in their ears continuously. ;-) *cough* Abbu suggested i take in lots of black pepper, do gargles with salty water and eat honey. So from tomorrow i m going to do that. No more medicine for me, no siree. Just the "desi" treatments.
Lets see how effective they will be and how soon can they help me get rid of the iritant cough. Ending my post with a *cough*. ;-)
Just the next day i started feeling something in my own throat. Turned out i was coughing and sneezing at the end of that day myself. I had got the flu too. Poor me. Maybe it was God's way of teaching me a lesson for making fun of my sister. :-D
Anyways for a few days i took some medicine (irregularly) and had a few cups of "joshaanda" (herbal tea) to cure the cough. It was effective too and the signs started fading away. I was hopeful that it would just go away, and stoped my medicine and joshaanda treatment. *cough*
But its been so many days after that. I still have a cough. It is not painful anymore. But it is damn irritating. Suddenly, out of nowhere, it would attack me, leaving me helpless. Now the tables have turned and my sister has started making fun of me. She says i am coughing and coughing as if i have Tuberculosis (God forbid). *cough cough cough* (At least thats how they show a TB patient in Pakistani movies, coughing and coughing whole day and night, non-stop)
I hope i can get rid of this soon. Its so irritating taht i can't even talk to someone over the pone without coughing in their ears continuously. ;-) *cough* Abbu suggested i take in lots of black pepper, do gargles with salty water and eat honey. So from tomorrow i m going to do that. No more medicine for me, no siree. Just the "desi" treatments.
Lets see how effective they will be and how soon can they help me get rid of the iritant cough. Ending my post with a *cough*. ;-)
Wednesday 23 February 2005
Bad Mood
Today I am in a very bad mood. And I am hating it. But so far nothing has come my way that can change my mood status.
It all started at home in the morning. Had a "tiny" argument with my mother.
Then on the road I could feel that I was more intolerant of others "mistakes". I impatiently honked the horn for the greatest number of times at various people today.
In the office I heard the news that the "big boss" is coming from USA and so we have to come to work on Sunday.
Then I got a call from my sister. It was referring to the same “reason-of-argument". That further made me mad.
Finally, I got to talk to my boss over the phone, and the "vague" tasks he assigned me further deteriorated my mood. And that was like a straw on the camel’s back.
Since then I am so “@#$%” that I can’t even tell. It’s a feeling hard to explain. Even I myself cannot understand what it is.
And in this situation I have decided to resign from my office too. I don’t know how far am I going to stick this decision, but right now I even feel like quitting. Just want to shut down my PC (maybe not even do this), collect my stuff and just run off. Maybe it’s not a wise decision. But then not everything we want to do is wise.
But I know I am a slave of this wisdom. I am not bold enough to just do it. I do think about consequences. I think about “appropriate behavior” (whatever that is). I think about ethics and morals. I think about fulfilling commitments and abiding by agreements.
And maybe a “slave” like me does not have a right to complain.
It all started at home in the morning. Had a "tiny" argument with my mother.
Then on the road I could feel that I was more intolerant of others "mistakes". I impatiently honked the horn for the greatest number of times at various people today.
In the office I heard the news that the "big boss" is coming from USA and so we have to come to work on Sunday.
Then I got a call from my sister. It was referring to the same “reason-of-argument". That further made me mad.
Finally, I got to talk to my boss over the phone, and the "vague" tasks he assigned me further deteriorated my mood. And that was like a straw on the camel’s back.
Since then I am so “@#$%” that I can’t even tell. It’s a feeling hard to explain. Even I myself cannot understand what it is.
And in this situation I have decided to resign from my office too. I don’t know how far am I going to stick this decision, but right now I even feel like quitting. Just want to shut down my PC (maybe not even do this), collect my stuff and just run off. Maybe it’s not a wise decision. But then not everything we want to do is wise.
But I know I am a slave of this wisdom. I am not bold enough to just do it. I do think about consequences. I think about “appropriate behavior” (whatever that is). I think about ethics and morals. I think about fulfilling commitments and abiding by agreements.
And maybe a “slave” like me does not have a right to complain.
Thursday 17 February 2005
Dip Your Biscuit In Your Tea
All of you must have done this at least once in your life, that is to dip a biscuit in your tea and then eat it. Maybe you were a kid at that time. Or maybe you did it just to try out a new thing. But i am sure you have done it.
Some people associate this act of dipping biscuits, bread, roti etc in tea and eating it with childhood. They say only children do it. Some associate it with a specific region. People from "that" area do it. SOme think it is not very polite to do it in front of others. SOme think there is nothing better than this.
I, for one, belong to the group who did it when they were children. Who did it when they grew up. Who still do it. And who plan to keep doing it till the very end of their life. Because i simply love it. Can't resist having tea in front of me and a biscuit (or bread) in my hand, and not dipping it in. Who cares if a piece detaches from it and falls in the tea, creating tiny splashes. That can't stop me from doing what i do. :-)
So which group do you belong to? ;-)
PS: Well i do fulfill the association of belonging to "that" area. So maybe it's in my genes. ;-)
Some people associate this act of dipping biscuits, bread, roti etc in tea and eating it with childhood. They say only children do it. Some associate it with a specific region. People from "that" area do it. SOme think it is not very polite to do it in front of others. SOme think there is nothing better than this.
I, for one, belong to the group who did it when they were children. Who did it when they grew up. Who still do it. And who plan to keep doing it till the very end of their life. Because i simply love it. Can't resist having tea in front of me and a biscuit (or bread) in my hand, and not dipping it in. Who cares if a piece detaches from it and falls in the tea, creating tiny splashes. That can't stop me from doing what i do. :-)
So which group do you belong to? ;-)
PS: Well i do fulfill the association of belonging to "that" area. So maybe it's in my genes. ;-)
Sunday 13 February 2005
In Office on Sunday
Today was Sunday. Which is generally a holiday all around the world. It is a holiday here in Pakistan as well and in my company too, to be more specific. But they said Monday is a deadline, so you have to come on Sunday.
So here i was in the office on a Sunday, getting MAD and CRAZY and getting a HEADACHE. But hey, it was me who decided to work, so i have to follow the boss' orders. :'( ["Noker kee tay nakhraa kee"]
Well i am hoping that i can run away some time soon. Wish me luck! ;)
So here i was in the office on a Sunday, getting MAD and CRAZY and getting a HEADACHE. But hey, it was me who decided to work, so i have to follow the boss' orders. :'( ["Noker kee tay nakhraa kee"]
Well i am hoping that i can run away some time soon. Wish me luck! ;)
Friday 11 February 2005
Six Strings
Last night, after a really long time, I took my dearest six stringed instrument out of its case and gently strummed its strings. Kept playing it for about 25 minutes. When I finished, the tips of my left hand fingers were hurting. But I was very happy inside. :-)
Planning to repeat the strumming-pain-happiness pattern, yet again. ;-)
Planning to repeat the strumming-pain-happiness pattern, yet again. ;-)
....And the Darkness Spread
Well the darkness was not only cloaking the building but it spread to my company as well. After visiting my Dadi Jan, when I returned to the office, everybody was still here. I also stayed and waited for a while. And then it was disclosed that out project manager has been relieved of his duties by the CEO.
That was indeed a dark moment as I hate seeing people get fired. And that too was no ordinary person, but my PM. Cannot imagine him doing anything so wrong so as to get fired.
He seemed upset. We all felt bad. But there was nothing we could do. The CEO called us from USA and talked to each and everyone of us. He was trying to make us feel as if nothing has happened. He wanted his work done. He was gentle but he was the CEO too. I did assure him to complete my work, but I didn't feel any better.
I left the office with the rest, saying goodbye to H the PM, thinking how would it feel the next day not seeing him around.
That was indeed a dark moment as I hate seeing people get fired. And that too was no ordinary person, but my PM. Cannot imagine him doing anything so wrong so as to get fired.
He seemed upset. We all felt bad. But there was nothing we could do. The CEO called us from USA and talked to each and everyone of us. He was trying to make us feel as if nothing has happened. He wanted his work done. He was gentle but he was the CEO too. I did assure him to complete my work, but I didn't feel any better.
I left the office with the rest, saying goodbye to H the PM, thinking how would it feel the next day not seeing him around.
Green Trust Tower Drowned in Darkness
Yesterday, around 10:30 in the morning i was about to send a reply to my friend Attiya on MSN Messenger when suddenly the computer screen turned black. Turned out that everybody in the office faced the same dilema of the black screen. The reason being power failure.
We waited for a couple of mintes for the power to be restored, but in vain. It never happened. I paid the roof of the 14 storey building a visit, made friends with the receptionist and talked to her for a long time, but still the power wasn't restored. The only electricity inthe buiding was beig fed to the elevators so that the people going from ground floor to the 14th wouldn't die out of loss of breath on the stairs. ;)
I decided i could use this time to do some tasks, like getting the horm of my car fixed, and to go meet my Dadi Jan (grandmother). So i fled the darkness covered building to do what i had planned. It seemed darker as it was not a sunny day but a cloudy, rainy one.
I was sitting at my Dadi Jan's place when the clock struck 2:30 pm. I tok leave from her and got back, hoping to see some light. But alas! the power was still not restored. It was told to be a "major fault" and there was no chace of the return of electricity any time soon.
So finally i left that place, earlier than the usual time, hopeing that tomorrow would bring light with itself to wash away the darkness.
We waited for a couple of mintes for the power to be restored, but in vain. It never happened. I paid the roof of the 14 storey building a visit, made friends with the receptionist and talked to her for a long time, but still the power wasn't restored. The only electricity inthe buiding was beig fed to the elevators so that the people going from ground floor to the 14th wouldn't die out of loss of breath on the stairs. ;)
I decided i could use this time to do some tasks, like getting the horm of my car fixed, and to go meet my Dadi Jan (grandmother). So i fled the darkness covered building to do what i had planned. It seemed darker as it was not a sunny day but a cloudy, rainy one.
I was sitting at my Dadi Jan's place when the clock struck 2:30 pm. I tok leave from her and got back, hoping to see some light. But alas! the power was still not restored. It was told to be a "major fault" and there was no chace of the return of electricity any time soon.
So finally i left that place, earlier than the usual time, hopeing that tomorrow would bring light with itself to wash away the darkness.
Tuesday 8 February 2005
The Pains I Have Gone Through Using Visio
There would be many people out there who really like Visio and consider it to be a very powerful tool to create diagrams, charts and UIs. No wonder it is a powerful tool and is quite a huge application, but I hate it. :-P
How did I come to hate it? Well, soon after I started working in it I started hating it. And my "hatred" is not baseless. Let me tell you how and why.
Well for one, maybe I am too used to making drawings in MS Word so that’s why I am not getting the hang of Visio. Visio doesn’t actually let me draw a shape on the canvas (like in Word) but wants me to first throw the shape there and then stretch it to the desired size. And God is it difficult to do that. (Could it be so that my mouse is faulty?)
Then if a file gets a bit big due to multiple drawings in the same file (let’s say up to 200 K) it becomes damn slow. Every action I perform after that takes at least 10 or more seconds to complete. (10 seconds might seem a very short time period but imagine spending a number of 10 seconds on several minute tasks)
And the worst thing is when we have to shift pages up and down, i.e. to reorder pages, in Visio terminology. Its fine if you have 10 or 20 pages in a file and you want to move the 20th page to the location of the 10th. But what if you have 80 pages and want to move the 80th page to the 10th? Or what if you want to move the pages numbered 70 to 80 to the location of 10 to 20. Believe me, its hell doing it in Visio. There is no way you can move a block of multiple pages to a different location at one time. You have to drag each and every page to its new location, and that is not a very pleasing task to do.
Maybe I wouldn’t have hated Visio so much if I could have gone home on time on the days I was working in Visio. Or maybe if Microsoft people make it better for ME to use, my hatred would lessen for sure. ;-)
PS: Ok I admit, I don't actually hate Visio. It's just that when things don't run smooth, this drives me mad (I still manage to keep my cool and stay calm). And so i come to think that I hate the thing responsible for the bumpy ride. ;-) Shear human nature, I presume. Or at least mine. ;-)
How did I come to hate it? Well, soon after I started working in it I started hating it. And my "hatred" is not baseless. Let me tell you how and why.
Well for one, maybe I am too used to making drawings in MS Word so that’s why I am not getting the hang of Visio. Visio doesn’t actually let me draw a shape on the canvas (like in Word) but wants me to first throw the shape there and then stretch it to the desired size. And God is it difficult to do that. (Could it be so that my mouse is faulty?)
Then if a file gets a bit big due to multiple drawings in the same file (let’s say up to 200 K) it becomes damn slow. Every action I perform after that takes at least 10 or more seconds to complete. (10 seconds might seem a very short time period but imagine spending a number of 10 seconds on several minute tasks)
And the worst thing is when we have to shift pages up and down, i.e. to reorder pages, in Visio terminology. Its fine if you have 10 or 20 pages in a file and you want to move the 20th page to the location of the 10th. But what if you have 80 pages and want to move the 80th page to the 10th? Or what if you want to move the pages numbered 70 to 80 to the location of 10 to 20. Believe me, its hell doing it in Visio. There is no way you can move a block of multiple pages to a different location at one time. You have to drag each and every page to its new location, and that is not a very pleasing task to do.
Maybe I wouldn’t have hated Visio so much if I could have gone home on time on the days I was working in Visio. Or maybe if Microsoft people make it better for ME to use, my hatred would lessen for sure. ;-)
PS: Ok I admit, I don't actually hate Visio. It's just that when things don't run smooth, this drives me mad (I still manage to keep my cool and stay calm). And so i come to think that I hate the thing responsible for the bumpy ride. ;-) Shear human nature, I presume. Or at least mine. ;-)
My Sleeping Brain
After hopping along some old blogs (the ones I access daily) and some new blogs I finally came to blogger to make a contribution to my own blog. But surprisingly I can't think of anything to say right now. It's not that I am short of words or stuff to talk about, but I am just unable to decode my mind blog into this one.
Do you think my brain is still sleeping? Could be so, but then how come I reached the office safe and sound and have started my day's work?
Strange!
Well I guess I better give this a thought for a while and get right back as soon as I can think of a way to wake up my brain and saddle it to work. ;-)
Do you think my brain is still sleeping? Could be so, but then how come I reached the office safe and sound and have started my day's work?
Strange!
Well I guess I better give this a thought for a while and get right back as soon as I can think of a way to wake up my brain and saddle it to work. ;-)
Saturday 5 February 2005
Solidarity with Kashmir
Today, on 5 February, we celebrated the “Kashmir Solidarity” day.
I really pray that the sufferings of the Kashmiris living in Jammu & Kashmir end soon. May the genocide end there. May they be given the right to choose what they want to do. May they be given the right of self determination. May the plebiscite be conducted in Kashmir which United Nations promised long ago.
Ameen
I really pray that the sufferings of the Kashmiris living in Jammu & Kashmir end soon. May the genocide end there. May they be given the right to choose what they want to do. May they be given the right of self determination. May the plebiscite be conducted in Kashmir which United Nations promised long ago.
Ameen
Thursday 3 February 2005
Mehandi Songs
Last week on Friday it was Asma's mehandi. And Thursday night she called me and asked if I could make a nice pattern with mehandi on hands. Then she asked me if I had a load of songs memorised to sing at the ceremony. The answer from my side to both the questions was No. I knew I could doodle with the mehandi cone on the hands, but the patterns would not be fit for a bride. I also knew a couple of songs to sing but they too wouldn't have been enough.
So she assigned me the task to try and remember and write as many songs as I could during my journey. I had no option but to say yes. So while packing my clothes and shoes, I packed a writing pad and a pencil as well. I also picked up an old cassette of "shadi" songs form the pile so that I could get a few songs from it.
Armed with all the "song writing" stuff, I set off. When I had settled in my "final" seat and the coach had travelled half an hour, I decided it was time to start the assignment.
I took out the writing pad and pen. Then I put the cassette in my walkman, put the earphones in my ear and pressed the "Play" button. I was expecting to hear some music but instead I heard a "click" and the cassette stopped. I tried again and again to play it but it didn't budge. I even changed the cells in the walkman and tried to rewind the cassette with my finger, but nothing worked.
So finally after about 30 minutes I gave up.
Then I tried to rely on my mind, but turned out that that too was not in full working order [as always]. ;-)
At the end all I could do was to make a list of the names of the songs and write a couple of incomplete ones. I did feel bad that I couldn't remember more. But at the same time I wanted to kill Asma for not assigning me this task a few days ago. She had to do it at the last minute. :-P
But anyways, everything turned out well. We managed to sing some broken songs for a while with the "dholkee". And then our conventional music was first replaced by the modern sound system and then by the loud "bhangra" drums which the "larkay walay" (boy's family) had brought with them.
It turned out well, so I guess it was all quite well.
So she assigned me the task to try and remember and write as many songs as I could during my journey. I had no option but to say yes. So while packing my clothes and shoes, I packed a writing pad and a pencil as well. I also picked up an old cassette of "shadi" songs form the pile so that I could get a few songs from it.
Armed with all the "song writing" stuff, I set off. When I had settled in my "final" seat and the coach had travelled half an hour, I decided it was time to start the assignment.
I took out the writing pad and pen. Then I put the cassette in my walkman, put the earphones in my ear and pressed the "Play" button. I was expecting to hear some music but instead I heard a "click" and the cassette stopped. I tried again and again to play it but it didn't budge. I even changed the cells in the walkman and tried to rewind the cassette with my finger, but nothing worked.
So finally after about 30 minutes I gave up.
Then I tried to rely on my mind, but turned out that that too was not in full working order [as always]. ;-)
At the end all I could do was to make a list of the names of the songs and write a couple of incomplete ones. I did feel bad that I couldn't remember more. But at the same time I wanted to kill Asma for not assigning me this task a few days ago. She had to do it at the last minute. :-P
But anyways, everything turned out well. We managed to sing some broken songs for a while with the "dholkee". And then our conventional music was first replaced by the modern sound system and then by the loud "bhangra" drums which the "larkay walay" (boy's family) had brought with them.
It turned out well, so I guess it was all quite well.
....then a coincidence
That's not all. The story goes on.
I was going to Lahore to attend my friend Asma's wedding. There in Lahore another friend Munazza [she is the Monazza with a U] was supposed to pick me up from the stop.
When Munazza came and I got in the car, I saw the same lady from Daewoo bus inside. Turned out she was Asma's aunt and had also come from Pindi to attend her wedding.
So is it a strange small world or what! ;-)
I was going to Lahore to attend my friend Asma's wedding. There in Lahore another friend Munazza [she is the Monazza with a U] was supposed to pick me up from the stop.
When Munazza came and I got in the car, I saw the same lady from Daewoo bus inside. Turned out she was Asma's aunt and had also come from Pindi to attend her wedding.
So is it a strange small world or what! ;-)
Story of the Jumble
Well the story of the jumble goes like this.
Last week on Wednesday I called my mother from the office to make a booking. She did and was told that the seat number would be 9. Then on Friday we went to the stop. My mother bought the ticket and gave it to me. Assuming that the seat number would be 9, I didn’t bother to even glance at the ticket. I mounted the "Daewoo", showed my ticket and advanced towards the number 9 seat.
I had been sitting on it for about 5 minutes when I had an urge to look at the ticket, and so I did. When I did, there it was, a number 8 making faces at me, before my eyes. I was shocked for a while but then got up, found my seat and sat there. [Turned out to me later that 8 was the window seat on which I was supposed to sit, but seeing another girl on it and assuming only odd numbers are window seats, I sat on number 7 instead.]
Then there came this lady and requested the hostess to give her seat number 1. She said she feels sick if sitting at the back. Her seat number was 18. Now, seat 1 was not empty. Neither were 2, 3 or 4. The seats belonged to 4 boys who did not want to send off one amongst them to the back. Also "ladies" were sitting in that area at the back so they would have disliked it too. ;-)
Suddenly my "service provider, social worker" self offered the lady that she could take my seat and I would go and sit at the back. But she was adamant that she wants seat 1.
Then the girl sitting next to me let her voice out and offered to help. The scenario was going to be that the lady would sit in seat 1. This girl would sit with her on seat 2. The boys will take the seats 3, 4, 7 & 8. [Seats 7 & 8 were right behind 2 & 3], and I would go and seat myself at seat 18.
So for the last time [it was just the third ;-)] I picked up my belongings and took the seat 18 as my final sitting place in the "Daewoo".
Last week on Wednesday I called my mother from the office to make a booking. She did and was told that the seat number would be 9. Then on Friday we went to the stop. My mother bought the ticket and gave it to me. Assuming that the seat number would be 9, I didn’t bother to even glance at the ticket. I mounted the "Daewoo", showed my ticket and advanced towards the number 9 seat.
I had been sitting on it for about 5 minutes when I had an urge to look at the ticket, and so I did. When I did, there it was, a number 8 making faces at me, before my eyes. I was shocked for a while but then got up, found my seat and sat there. [Turned out to me later that 8 was the window seat on which I was supposed to sit, but seeing another girl on it and assuming only odd numbers are window seats, I sat on number 7 instead.]
Then there came this lady and requested the hostess to give her seat number 1. She said she feels sick if sitting at the back. Her seat number was 18. Now, seat 1 was not empty. Neither were 2, 3 or 4. The seats belonged to 4 boys who did not want to send off one amongst them to the back. Also "ladies" were sitting in that area at the back so they would have disliked it too. ;-)
Suddenly my "service provider, social worker" self offered the lady that she could take my seat and I would go and sit at the back. But she was adamant that she wants seat 1.
Then the girl sitting next to me let her voice out and offered to help. The scenario was going to be that the lady would sit in seat 1. This girl would sit with her on seat 2. The boys will take the seats 3, 4, 7 & 8. [Seats 7 & 8 were right behind 2 & 3], and I would go and seat myself at seat 18.
So for the last time [it was just the third ;-)] I picked up my belongings and took the seat 18 as my final sitting place in the "Daewoo".
A Jumble of Seats
The seat number was 9 when my mother made the advanced booking for me. It was 8 on my ticket when I bought it at the station. And the seat on which I was sitting throughout the journey was 18.
It's a jumble! Isn't it? ;-)
It's a jumble! Isn't it? ;-)
Tuesday 1 February 2005
Blogging on (a) Notepad
I am back and have lots to tell, but this "limited" time is restraining me to do so. But I will defeat it shortly, I am sure. ;-)
I am so addicted to blogging that even when I don't have an Internet connection I still blog, on Notepad. [I later copy the stuff to my online blog.]
Even the absence of a PC cannot stop me from blogging. I still blog and on a notepad too. But this notepad is a tangible one and not the Windows' one. ;-)
While I was away to Lahore, on my friend's wedding, there came a few hours when I was all alone. Nobody was there to give me company. So in that time I blogged. I was afraid I was going to devour my notepad completely, then and there. But I managed to save a couple of its leaves. [Actually around 1/3 of the notepad ;-)]
It's a longer task to transfer blog material from a paper notepad to the online blog, but hopefully I will do that soon. Wish me luck!
I am so addicted to blogging that even when I don't have an Internet connection I still blog, on Notepad. [I later copy the stuff to my online blog.]
Even the absence of a PC cannot stop me from blogging. I still blog and on a notepad too. But this notepad is a tangible one and not the Windows' one. ;-)
While I was away to Lahore, on my friend's wedding, there came a few hours when I was all alone. Nobody was there to give me company. So in that time I blogged. I was afraid I was going to devour my notepad completely, then and there. But I managed to save a couple of its leaves. [Actually around 1/3 of the notepad ;-)]
It's a longer task to transfer blog material from a paper notepad to the online blog, but hopefully I will do that soon. Wish me luck!
Wednesday 26 January 2005
Race Against Time: Deadline Thursday
Since the beginning of this week I had been racing against the time. Well the thing is I wanted to take leave on Friday and that's how it started.
My boss had plans to call everybody to work on Saturday as well as Sunday. So asking for leave (making it three days away from the office) was a tough task. But I mustered up all my courage and blurted out that I want a one day leave. He first asked me why I wanted it. So I told him that I had to go to Lahore to attend a friend's wedding. Then he said that taking leave is only a problem when work is not done on time. He added that I could take that leave provided I could finish my tasks by Thursday.
So here I am, typing away at the keyboard, trying to complete my "Test Procedures". I am using the word trying since I know that when my boss will take a look at those, he will spot so many errors that naked eye is unable to see. ;-)
I am almost done. But these three days have been really hectic. My fingers try to go numb in the middle of my work and I have to stretch and bend them to prevent them from falling asleep. And then my back starts aching and my wrist starts complaining. (Hey boss, take care of the ergonomics! Please!)
Last but not the least my eyelids start shutting and my mind starts dozing off. I have to jerk myself to prevent me from going into a deep slumber.
I wonder if it is because of the load of work, or because of the continuous work, or is it because of the fact that I am a talkative human who longs for a talkative company, in the office. ;-)
My boss had plans to call everybody to work on Saturday as well as Sunday. So asking for leave (making it three days away from the office) was a tough task. But I mustered up all my courage and blurted out that I want a one day leave. He first asked me why I wanted it. So I told him that I had to go to Lahore to attend a friend's wedding. Then he said that taking leave is only a problem when work is not done on time. He added that I could take that leave provided I could finish my tasks by Thursday.
So here I am, typing away at the keyboard, trying to complete my "Test Procedures". I am using the word trying since I know that when my boss will take a look at those, he will spot so many errors that naked eye is unable to see. ;-)
I am almost done. But these three days have been really hectic. My fingers try to go numb in the middle of my work and I have to stretch and bend them to prevent them from falling asleep. And then my back starts aching and my wrist starts complaining. (Hey boss, take care of the ergonomics! Please!)
Last but not the least my eyelids start shutting and my mind starts dozing off. I have to jerk myself to prevent me from going into a deep slumber.
I wonder if it is because of the load of work, or because of the continuous work, or is it because of the fact that I am a talkative human who longs for a talkative company, in the office. ;-)
Tuesday 25 January 2005
A Misty Moist Morning & Stupid Male Drivers
Today's drive to the office was very tough. I had opened my eyes as much as I could but still the view was blurry. Well it was not that I was going blind (God forbid), but it was because of the fog.
I can term it as a "misty moist" morning. The mist was everywhere. It started from my house and did not end till I was very near my office. On my way there I was quite tense because of the poor visibility. It must have been just 20 to 25 meters. Every time I tried to relax a bit on the road some stupid "male" driver would make a really stupid move, and I would be on my toes again.
On my way I saw two accidents. They were mere car collisions which had completely ruined the bonnets and backs of the cars at the back and in the front, respectively. Nobody was hurt. But that too was a lesson, for me and the others on the road behind the wheels, to go slow in the mist. But oh no! How can the big male ego of the owners of brand new cars especially brand new Corolla's stand that. Go slow? Are you nuts? That's what they would say. And at the same time would keep pressing the paddle, the accelerator off course.
I for one was going slow. Why? Well I am not a scarety cat but I am also not stupid so that’s why. Also because I am neither a "male" (a "stupid male" to be exact) and nor am I am owner of a "brand new car". ;-)
PS: Don't get offended my male pals. I know you are not stupid, but many of your kind out there are. ;-)
I can term it as a "misty moist" morning. The mist was everywhere. It started from my house and did not end till I was very near my office. On my way there I was quite tense because of the poor visibility. It must have been just 20 to 25 meters. Every time I tried to relax a bit on the road some stupid "male" driver would make a really stupid move, and I would be on my toes again.
On my way I saw two accidents. They were mere car collisions which had completely ruined the bonnets and backs of the cars at the back and in the front, respectively. Nobody was hurt. But that too was a lesson, for me and the others on the road behind the wheels, to go slow in the mist. But oh no! How can the big male ego of the owners of brand new cars especially brand new Corolla's stand that. Go slow? Are you nuts? That's what they would say. And at the same time would keep pressing the paddle, the accelerator off course.
I for one was going slow. Why? Well I am not a scarety cat but I am also not stupid so that’s why. Also because I am neither a "male" (a "stupid male" to be exact) and nor am I am owner of a "brand new car". ;-)
PS: Don't get offended my male pals. I know you are not stupid, but many of your kind out there are. ;-)
Saturday 22 January 2005
Eid ul Azha: My Experiance this Year
It was Eid yesterday. Eid ul Azha. We went to our Dadi Jan's (grandmother) place to celebrate it. There were three goats to be sacrificed. The butcher deceived us, a bit, by arriving late. Usually he comes around 9 in the morning but yesterday he came about 2 hours late. But thank God he came. ;)
Then the sacrifice started. First it was the white goat, then the black one, and the last one had a brown coat. My sister and I watched the whole process, as usual. (Well I missed it last year when I was in UK, but now that I am back to Pakistan there was no way I was going to miss it.)
One by one the goats were slaughtered, then hung upside down with a rope on a tree, and finally skinned. Then their insides were cleaned out and they were cut into tiny pieces. I have been seeing this process for such a long time, practically all my life, that I have come to believe that if I have to do it all by myself, I will not fail. ;) lol
Then came the stage of distributing the meat. (One part of the whole meat is distributed among the poor, not so financially fortunate people. A second part is distributed among the relatives, friends and acquaintances. The last part is for the person carrying out the sacrifice and his family.) It was put in plates and plastic bags for distribution.
For the first time in my life I was helping out in this. All these years I had just been a spectator, but yesterday my hands were in the meat and I was sorting it. My skin was actually in contact with the raw, uncooked meat. ;-) heheheeee
All this ended around lunch time. By that time I was totally exhausted. I wonder how exhausted my father, mother and grandmother would have been. But even though I was very tired. I had enjoyed every moment of the day, as always. :-)
Then the sacrifice started. First it was the white goat, then the black one, and the last one had a brown coat. My sister and I watched the whole process, as usual. (Well I missed it last year when I was in UK, but now that I am back to Pakistan there was no way I was going to miss it.)
One by one the goats were slaughtered, then hung upside down with a rope on a tree, and finally skinned. Then their insides were cleaned out and they were cut into tiny pieces. I have been seeing this process for such a long time, practically all my life, that I have come to believe that if I have to do it all by myself, I will not fail. ;) lol
Then came the stage of distributing the meat. (One part of the whole meat is distributed among the poor, not so financially fortunate people. A second part is distributed among the relatives, friends and acquaintances. The last part is for the person carrying out the sacrifice and his family.) It was put in plates and plastic bags for distribution.
For the first time in my life I was helping out in this. All these years I had just been a spectator, but yesterday my hands were in the meat and I was sorting it. My skin was actually in contact with the raw, uncooked meat. ;-) heheheeee
All this ended around lunch time. By that time I was totally exhausted. I wonder how exhausted my father, mother and grandmother would have been. But even though I was very tired. I had enjoyed every moment of the day, as always. :-)
Tuesday 18 January 2005
A Human Tsunami & Business Minded Kids
Just like at all weddings the spectacle at this one (the one I attended this weekend) during the dinnertime was worth watching. As soon as it was announced that dinner is served people rushed towards the tables like a big human Tsunami. Then like an army they took over all the bowls and spoons and the serving spoons. They turned into a great wall, penetrating which was a great and skilled task. Their hands worked quickly, like a high-speed robot, trying to fill the bowl not to the brim but even more, with the chicken corn soup. ;-)
Thank God no soup was spilled, at least not on me and Attiya. ;-)
The other item on the menu was a lunch box. The lunch box was a small box containing small tit bits, like a sandwich, a chicken cutlet, a cream roll, a mini pizza and some 'mithaaee'. Now one person was supposed to have one lunch box. But people attacked those too and took as many more as they could.
On the table where Attiya and I were sitting, there were sitting some kids. And they indulged in the lunch box looting routine equally. They said to each other, "Let's take 4 each." Then another one said, "I can go and get some more from the next room"
The amazing thing is that they succeeded in making the collection. Whereas me and Attiya ended up sharing a single box. ;-)
That’s not it! The kids were really business minded, so they thought of a business deal then and there. They said, "Now that we have got so many boxes, we can give it to the people who don't have any, in exchange for MONEY" I was thrilled at this. I could not believe my ears.
Now I think that maybe I should go to those kids and take a lesson or two regarding business. ;-)
Thank God no soup was spilled, at least not on me and Attiya. ;-)
The other item on the menu was a lunch box. The lunch box was a small box containing small tit bits, like a sandwich, a chicken cutlet, a cream roll, a mini pizza and some 'mithaaee'. Now one person was supposed to have one lunch box. But people attacked those too and took as many more as they could.
On the table where Attiya and I were sitting, there were sitting some kids. And they indulged in the lunch box looting routine equally. They said to each other, "Let's take 4 each." Then another one said, "I can go and get some more from the next room"
The amazing thing is that they succeeded in making the collection. Whereas me and Attiya ended up sharing a single box. ;-)
That’s not it! The kids were really business minded, so they thought of a business deal then and there. They said, "Now that we have got so many boxes, we can give it to the people who don't have any, in exchange for MONEY" I was thrilled at this. I could not believe my ears.
Now I think that maybe I should go to those kids and take a lesson or two regarding business. ;-)
Had my hands full at the weekend
It's been a couple of days since I last posted here. But the reason was that I was extremely busy. Especially the weekend was really tiring. There are two reasons for that. First I had to WORK (can you believe it!!) on the weekend. Secondly I had to attend my friend's wedding.
My friend (his name is Naveed) had invited me long ago, so I was really looking forward to attending the wedding. But this work-on-the-weekend thing was a last minute call. Friday evening my boss told me that I would have to come tomorrow. I said I will come but will have to go early as I have a wedding to attend. He agreed.
So Saturday morning I came to the office. Both my mother and my father were not pleased at this, but what could I do. After working for about 5 hours, I took leave and headed home.
From there I went to pick my friend Attiya, and then we went to the wedding. Naturally since it was a wedding and as we the Pakistanis are, highly unpunctual people, me and Attiya got stuck there and got very late. We were there well in time (sort of). But the 'Baraat' arrived late, so the 'Nikah' took place late and the food was served late. So finally around 11:15pm when the bride and the groom appeared together and sat on the sofa on the stage, we hurried to them. Said Hi and instantly said Bye and came back.
There at home temperatures were raised and tempers were lost. But everything was under a shell as Attiya was with me. Then my father and mother accompanied me and Attiya so that we could drop her off. It was late so I couldn't have gone alone. We came back and without a word everybody went to bed.
That day I knew that I had to go to the office on Sunday too, as my boss had said and since my work was unfinished. But I didn't open my mouth till Sunday morning. And then when my mother saw me ironing my clothes she asked me where I was going. When I told her, she was again furious. I managed to escape and came to the office. Here again after working for a couple of hours I took leave and the whole cycle of going home, picking up Attiya, going to the 'Walima', getting late in coming back and dropping off Attiya continued.
I was exhausted (because of the marathon of work and a wedding)! I wanted a whole day off to sleep and relax. But.....
I had to get up and go to the office on Monday again!!!!
What a life!
My friend (his name is Naveed) had invited me long ago, so I was really looking forward to attending the wedding. But this work-on-the-weekend thing was a last minute call. Friday evening my boss told me that I would have to come tomorrow. I said I will come but will have to go early as I have a wedding to attend. He agreed.
So Saturday morning I came to the office. Both my mother and my father were not pleased at this, but what could I do. After working for about 5 hours, I took leave and headed home.
From there I went to pick my friend Attiya, and then we went to the wedding. Naturally since it was a wedding and as we the Pakistanis are, highly unpunctual people, me and Attiya got stuck there and got very late. We were there well in time (sort of). But the 'Baraat' arrived late, so the 'Nikah' took place late and the food was served late. So finally around 11:15pm when the bride and the groom appeared together and sat on the sofa on the stage, we hurried to them. Said Hi and instantly said Bye and came back.
There at home temperatures were raised and tempers were lost. But everything was under a shell as Attiya was with me. Then my father and mother accompanied me and Attiya so that we could drop her off. It was late so I couldn't have gone alone. We came back and without a word everybody went to bed.
That day I knew that I had to go to the office on Sunday too, as my boss had said and since my work was unfinished. But I didn't open my mouth till Sunday morning. And then when my mother saw me ironing my clothes she asked me where I was going. When I told her, she was again furious. I managed to escape and came to the office. Here again after working for a couple of hours I took leave and the whole cycle of going home, picking up Attiya, going to the 'Walima', getting late in coming back and dropping off Attiya continued.
I was exhausted (because of the marathon of work and a wedding)! I wanted a whole day off to sleep and relax. But.....
I had to get up and go to the office on Monday again!!!!
What a life!
Thursday 13 January 2005
Doing Donkey's Work
...so it's either a load of donkey's work for me or absolutely no work (there aren't even any flies around here which I can kill during the no-work period). I am calling the so-called "work" as donkey's work because that's what it is. No offense to the people who do this kind of work, but this is just not MY piece of cake.
It’s been more than a month in this job and I have not seen a single line of code. Ok well I have "seen" code but not written a single line of it. Even my ASP 3 book, which I brought from home in the beginning, is gathering dust.
So what exactly is "donkey's work"? What have I been doing all this time? Well I have been making User Guides and Test Plans (Have made no less than three versions of each document.) And I have been testing web applications at random, without a test plan to follow, and logging the errors. Sometimes I even feel that I am doing the testing and error-logging thing on voluntary basis as otherwise I would have more time at my hands to kill.
Ok so I am not happy at my job. I am bored to death. Etc etc. So who isn't? I guess there are just a handful of people who really love their work. I wish I were one of them. I really do. Because sitting idle, trying to kill time, getting bored OR typing hard at the keyboard to feed the hungry MS Word documents is also not my piece of cake. ;-)
PS: Many of you reading this might disagree with my definition of "donkey's work". That was just with reference to my own experiences. You can tell me your own version too. :-)
It’s been more than a month in this job and I have not seen a single line of code. Ok well I have "seen" code but not written a single line of it. Even my ASP 3 book, which I brought from home in the beginning, is gathering dust.
So what exactly is "donkey's work"? What have I been doing all this time? Well I have been making User Guides and Test Plans (Have made no less than three versions of each document.) And I have been testing web applications at random, without a test plan to follow, and logging the errors. Sometimes I even feel that I am doing the testing and error-logging thing on voluntary basis as otherwise I would have more time at my hands to kill.
Ok so I am not happy at my job. I am bored to death. Etc etc. So who isn't? I guess there are just a handful of people who really love their work. I wish I were one of them. I really do. Because sitting idle, trying to kill time, getting bored OR typing hard at the keyboard to feed the hungry MS Word documents is also not my piece of cake. ;-)
PS: Many of you reading this might disagree with my definition of "donkey's work". That was just with reference to my own experiences. You can tell me your own version too. :-)
Wednesday 12 January 2005
Hey Fellow Cabbages!
If you do take a bold step and convert yourself into a cabbage, don't forget to tell me. My cabbagy self would really like to keep in touch with my fellow cabbages. ;-)
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