I did hear the news of Gakhar Plaza burning, but didn't remain glued to the idiot box the whole day. I had to go out to take care of some errands with my mother and sister. So we got ready and went out for our necessary shopping. The initial plan was to go to Islamabad and then to Saddar. We still had plans to go to Saddar that day too, in spite of the fact that Gakhar Plaza was on fire. We were hoping that the fire would be controlled and things would not get out of hand.
First we went to Super Market, Islamabad to get some stuff. Then late afternoon we returned from there. We used Murree Road (yes i know it is now called Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Road but can't seem to call it that, at least not yet) to get into Pindi as that would have been the shorter route to Saddar. As we approached Saddar we saw a couple of ambulances coming from that direction. We instantly thought that those must have been coming from the fire incident place. We prayed that people carried by the ambulances would be fine after a little treatment at the hospital. But this sight could still not budge our intention of going to Saddar. We kept going forward.
We forcibly moved ahead slowly as there was a lot of traffic on the road. Still adamant to get to Saddar we kept moving. Only when we reached near KFC and saw the sea of cars on the other side of the road (and on our side of the road too) that we changed our plans. From Ministry of Defense building we moved left and headed home.
And thank God that we did not attempt to get into Saddar or it would have surely been a disaster for us.
Thursday 25 December 2008
Gakhar Plaza: The Plaza on Fire
I heard it only on Saturday morning but Gakhar Plaza was on fire since the previous night on Friday. The news channels said that one of the shops caught fire due to short circuiting and from there the fire spread. The fire brigades were there, trying to extinguish the fire, but their efforts were not paying off much. The fire was continuously spreading.
At that time i was thinking that why are these fire brigades not able to extinguish the fire. The Gakhar plaza was not even as tall as Mariott (the hotel that recently got burned down in Islamabad). It only had around 5 floors. Then why was the water not reaching the burning areas? The fire men were trying their best, but then why were they not successfull?
I kept wondering and waiting for more news to show up on news channels.
PS: I thanked God that no casualties were reported till that time.
At that time i was thinking that why are these fire brigades not able to extinguish the fire. The Gakhar plaza was not even as tall as Mariott (the hotel that recently got burned down in Islamabad). It only had around 5 floors. Then why was the water not reaching the burning areas? The fire men were trying their best, but then why were they not successfull?
I kept wondering and waiting for more news to show up on news channels.
PS: I thanked God that no casualties were reported till that time.
Friday 19 December 2008
Holiday! Rejuvenate!
Took two days leave from work, Wednesday and Thursday. It seemed like an act of rebellion so i gladly went ahead with it. ;-) Doing something for oneself is always refreshing and pleasing. I didn't do anything fruitful or positive during these two days (though i did have to do my laundry, and still didn't do it). Just relaxed (yes i traveled but it was stress-less). Rejuvenated i returned to work only to have another pair of holidays coming my way (that is the weekend). Woo hoo! :-D
I sometimes do miss the school/college days just because of the holidays. I think everybody should take a break from work from time to time to have relaxing days off. I really believe this:
Doing holiday does rejuvenate!
;-)
I sometimes do miss the school/college days just because of the holidays. I think everybody should take a break from work from time to time to have relaxing days off. I really believe this:
Doing holiday does rejuvenate!
;-)
To Lahore & Back
Went to Lahore Tuesday night and returned back within 24 hours. Suffered 10 hours of inter-city travel on the motorway. Had to bear the heat of Lahore. Roamed aimlessly in Ichra and then Liberty. Unwillingly gulped down a Subway sandwich.
But you know what! It was all fun! I am all set to do it once again and soon. ;-)
But you know what! It was all fun! I am all set to do it once again and soon. ;-)
Wednesday 10 December 2008
December 09: International Anti Corruption Day
On Eid day i came to know that such a day as 'International Anti Corruption Day' is also observed. And it is observed on December 09 of every year. I came to know of this through the banners that were put on Islamabad Highway from Faizabad till Zero Point.
While going towards Islamabad, on seeing these banners, i at once tried to take a picture. I failed. Then on my way back i tried again. Still failed to take a picture from the moving car. Since the highway was almost empty, my sister suggested to stop the car, turn on the indicators, and then take a picture. So i took her advice. But just as i was about to shoot, i saw a fast moving vehicle approaching me from behind. I made it quick, hit the button to take the picture and hurried forward.
I thought that in my haste i would have succeeded in blurring the picture. But turned out that the picture was absolutely fine. *Phew* My endeavours paid off and i got a picture of the banner. As soon as i got home, i put the picture up on Islamabad Metblogs. (Felt like a real journalist at that time.)
Note: I am hoping that we are not just busy in putting up anti corruption banners, taking their pictures and discussing this on different forums but are also doing something for its eradication. It is a hard thing to do, as the disease has spread far and wide. But we can't give up on it without trying. I can start with my own self. I believe that if everyone does that then it will be a big little step towards erasing corruption from our country. May Allah give us strength and patience to go the whole way. :-)
While going towards Islamabad, on seeing these banners, i at once tried to take a picture. I failed. Then on my way back i tried again. Still failed to take a picture from the moving car. Since the highway was almost empty, my sister suggested to stop the car, turn on the indicators, and then take a picture. So i took her advice. But just as i was about to shoot, i saw a fast moving vehicle approaching me from behind. I made it quick, hit the button to take the picture and hurried forward.
I thought that in my haste i would have succeeded in blurring the picture. But turned out that the picture was absolutely fine. *Phew* My endeavours paid off and i got a picture of the banner. As soon as i got home, i put the picture up on Islamabad Metblogs. (Felt like a real journalist at that time.)
Note: I am hoping that we are not just busy in putting up anti corruption banners, taking their pictures and discussing this on different forums but are also doing something for its eradication. It is a hard thing to do, as the disease has spread far and wide. But we can't give up on it without trying. I can start with my own self. I believe that if everyone does that then it will be a big little step towards erasing corruption from our country. May Allah give us strength and patience to go the whole way. :-)
Tuesday 9 December 2008
Eid ul Azha 2008: Eid Day
Today was Eid ul Azha. It was a holiday from work but otherwise a really busy day. It started off with my waking up and having 'dodh savayyan' in the breakfast. Then we all got ready to go to my grandmother's place. When we reached there, the goats were already slaughtered and the butcher was making final pieces out of the meat. This was a setback for me as i had missed seeing the whole 'qurbani' activity that i had been doing all my life. I did manage to capture one of the 'siri' (goat's head) on my camera.
After that it was a hopping ride from one relatives' place to another's. We hopped three times, had goodies to eat there apart from the regular chit chat, and then headed back to my grandmother's house. There after having dinner i felt so sleepy that i dosed off on the bed, wrapped in my father's shawl. Thank God the shawl was warm, otherwise i would have turned into an icicle. ;-)
I was waken up 20 minutes later to tell me that it was time to leave. I jumped out of bed and tried opening my eyes. Only when i succeeded, i moved towards the car to drive it. On our way back we stopped over at an Aunt's place.
with my mother. I got my sister in the passenger seat and sped towards the From there we set out to reach home. My father left the place a couple of minutes earlier, alongdestination. Without realising it much, i got into a race with my dad. :-D hehe Going here, zig-zaging there and finding my way through the little river of vehicles, i reached home first. And my dad didn't even try to win. I wonder if he had tried, would that have been a tough competition.
I relaxed for a while and played a bit on the Internet. While i was doing do my eldest Aunt arrived with her family. They stayed for a while and left. After that we also got ready to reach my Uncle's place for dinner. It was as usual fun to have almost the whole extended family together under one roof.
Food was great. The company was good too. And i also got the desired motivation from my guitarist cousin to do the same. I just wish the motivation lasts a long time.
Now we are home. I am in front of the PC. I am dead tired and sleepy but i had to turn on the PC and "login". So i did that. Now i guess i better run off before my sleepy head bangs on the keyboard.
Hope you all had a great Eid day too. May you see many more fulfilling, wonderful and blessed Eids. :-)
After that it was a hopping ride from one relatives' place to another's. We hopped three times, had goodies to eat there apart from the regular chit chat, and then headed back to my grandmother's house. There after having dinner i felt so sleepy that i dosed off on the bed, wrapped in my father's shawl. Thank God the shawl was warm, otherwise i would have turned into an icicle. ;-)
I was waken up 20 minutes later to tell me that it was time to leave. I jumped out of bed and tried opening my eyes. Only when i succeeded, i moved towards the car to drive it. On our way back we stopped over at an Aunt's place.
with my mother. I got my sister in the passenger seat and sped towards the From there we set out to reach home. My father left the place a couple of minutes earlier, alongdestination. Without realising it much, i got into a race with my dad. :-D hehe Going here, zig-zaging there and finding my way through the little river of vehicles, i reached home first. And my dad didn't even try to win. I wonder if he had tried, would that have been a tough competition.
I relaxed for a while and played a bit on the Internet. While i was doing do my eldest Aunt arrived with her family. They stayed for a while and left. After that we also got ready to reach my Uncle's place for dinner. It was as usual fun to have almost the whole extended family together under one roof.
Food was great. The company was good too. And i also got the desired motivation from my guitarist cousin to do the same. I just wish the motivation lasts a long time.
Now we are home. I am in front of the PC. I am dead tired and sleepy but i had to turn on the PC and "login". So i did that. Now i guess i better run off before my sleepy head bangs on the keyboard.
Hope you all had a great Eid day too. May you see many more fulfilling, wonderful and blessed Eids. :-)
Eid ul Azha 2008
Today was Eid day. Eid ul Azha. The Eid which is not about eidee but about 'qurbani' of animals. It is little about bangles & mehandi. It is more about the even distribution of the meat shares to the needy. It is not about 'killing' animals but it is about the great act of sacrifice that is being performed in the background.
It is about caring for the not-so-fortunate-financially family members and the poor. It is about unity and about sharing. It is about self sacrifice. It is about following a Sunnah of the great prophets, Hazrat Ibraheem (AS) and Mohammad (SAWW). It is about bowing ones's head down to the will & order of Allah.
I feel among the fortunate ones that were alive to participate in this glorious act of exaltation.
It is about caring for the not-so-fortunate-financially family members and the poor. It is about unity and about sharing. It is about self sacrifice. It is about following a Sunnah of the great prophets, Hazrat Ibraheem (AS) and Mohammad (SAWW). It is about bowing ones's head down to the will & order of Allah.
I feel among the fortunate ones that were alive to participate in this glorious act of exaltation.
Thursday 4 December 2008
Stressed Out!
These days i am really really REALLY stressed out. There is a lot going on. Lots of work in office. Lots of 'fighting' going on with the boss. Lots of things bugging me. Lots of tasks assigned to myself at home too that i am unable to complete. Lots of boredom. Lots of everything not-so-good. All of this leads to mood swings, rash behaviors and pangs of extreme rage. This also leads to de-motivation in several things in my life. My "sunshines" help and do cheer me up but i want a solution to all this. I am disoriented these days and can't seem to figure where to start and how to begin knocking out the stress factors. I don't like this feeling and want to be rid of this as soon as possible.
I just made up my mind on run-time. I am not going to pick and choose the stress causing factors to start making amends to get rid of them. I am just going to pick up a gun and start shooting at whatever comes in my way. *shoot shoot zap shoot kapow zap zap* I can already feel the stress levels descending. >:-) heh heh heee
I just made up my mind on run-time. I am not going to pick and choose the stress causing factors to start making amends to get rid of them. I am just going to pick up a gun and start shooting at whatever comes in my way. *shoot shoot zap shoot kapow zap zap* I can already feel the stress levels descending. >:-) heh heh heee
Please Stay Forever, You Are My Sunshine!
There come times in your life when you feel really blue. The times when you are sad with tears bucketing up behind your eyes. The times when you are trying hard to remain as normal and strong as possible in front of the world, but inside you are hurting and breaking. You feel like cutting off from the whole world and packing yourself in an out-of-reach cocoon. You even shed a tear or two while keeping things hidden from the rest.
In times like these there are some people who act like rain drops in the dessert sun. They are the sunshine in rainy days and rays of hope in days of despair. A look at them would start making your day better. And getting a chance to talk to them would result in a complete transformation. All of a sudden your heavy heart would start feeling light, your mood would turn better, tears would evaporate as if they never existed and the inverted curve of the lips would become upright.
I am so thankful to Allah that He has given me such people who make my day and even make it better. They successfully cheer me up whenever i need cheering up and make me feel good about my life. I am not going to thank them for their 'services' because they are my pals and i own them. :-) They bring 'Technicolor' to my life, without which things would just have remained grey.
I would just like to say to them, "It's so good to have you around." I should perhaps call out and say to them, "Please stay forever and ever as you are my sunshine!" :-)
This post is dedicated to my dearest pals. :-)
In times like these there are some people who act like rain drops in the dessert sun. They are the sunshine in rainy days and rays of hope in days of despair. A look at them would start making your day better. And getting a chance to talk to them would result in a complete transformation. All of a sudden your heavy heart would start feeling light, your mood would turn better, tears would evaporate as if they never existed and the inverted curve of the lips would become upright.
I am so thankful to Allah that He has given me such people who make my day and even make it better. They successfully cheer me up whenever i need cheering up and make me feel good about my life. I am not going to thank them for their 'services' because they are my pals and i own them. :-) They bring 'Technicolor' to my life, without which things would just have remained grey.
I would just like to say to them, "It's so good to have you around." I should perhaps call out and say to them, "Please stay forever and ever as you are my sunshine!" :-)
This post is dedicated to my dearest pals. :-)
COD 4 Song
I have spent nearly 2 hours, trying to find one of the songs that plays at during the credits of COD 4 but have failed. Can anyone help me with that? :-P Does anyone even know what COD 4 is or is it so that all of you are thinking of 'cod fish' or 'cod liver oil'? ;-) hehe
Tuesday 2 December 2008
Anyone?
Here's one empty billboard. Anyone wants to advertise anything?
Here's one clean slate. Anyone wants to write anything?
Here's one big elevated space. Anyone wants to express anything?
Here's a huge canvas in the sky. Anyone wants to paint anything?
Here's one clean slate. Anyone wants to write anything?
Here's one big elevated space. Anyone wants to express anything?
Here's a huge canvas in the sky. Anyone wants to paint anything?
Empty BillboardMonday 1 December 2008
Pockets & Pockets
The dress that i wear everyday is shalwar qameez. And when this dress is for a female that doesn't have any pockets. Men's shalwar qameez dress has at least two pockets in the shirt. I always envy them that they have pockets on them to keep stuff in.
Today i was not wearing shalwar qameez. I was wearing my jeans. Not only this but i was wearing my denim jacket as well. Now the combination of both made my hands full with pockets. There was an abundance of pockets everywhere (on me *giggles*). Many were in my jeans many in my jacket. There were so many pockets that i was overwhelmed to have them all. I guess having all these pockets on me in one day, really quenched my thirst for wanting one every day, in an instant.
Note: Out of the zillion pockets that i had, only one contained something worthwhile. It contained a yummy Ding Dong bubble. Woo Hoo! ;-)
Disclaimer: I am not responsible if after reading this post you become obsessed with pockets, see/hear/smell pockets, want to check your pockets, feel like pickpocketing and even think yourself to be a 'packet in a pocket'. ;-)
Today i was not wearing shalwar qameez. I was wearing my jeans. Not only this but i was wearing my denim jacket as well. Now the combination of both made my hands full with pockets. There was an abundance of pockets everywhere (on me *giggles*). Many were in my jeans many in my jacket. There were so many pockets that i was overwhelmed to have them all. I guess having all these pockets on me in one day, really quenched my thirst for wanting one every day, in an instant.
Note: Out of the zillion pockets that i had, only one contained something worthwhile. It contained a yummy Ding Dong bubble. Woo Hoo! ;-)
Disclaimer: I am not responsible if after reading this post you become obsessed with pockets, see/hear/smell pockets, want to check your pockets, feel like pickpocketing and even think yourself to be a 'packet in a pocket'. ;-)
Sunday 30 November 2008
Eid ul Azha 2008: Big Fat Goat
First i heard the 'Baa' and today i saw the very first 'bakra' near Eid ul Azha time. It was a huge goat. It was so big i had to nudge my Ammi and show it to her as well. Seemed like a nicely fed and nourished animal. I wonder how much meat would it produce after getting slaughtered on eid day. >:-) heh heh heee
Eid ul Azha 2008: The First 'Baa' of the Bakra!
Eid ul Azha is about to grace us with its presence. The moon has been sighted and the day has been specified. The preparations for it would have also started quite some time ago. There was a continuous buzz everywhere that when would the eid holidays be. Amidst all this hustle and bustle i had completely forgotten that this eid involves slaughtering of 'bakras' (among other four legged creatures). But last night when i was coming home i heard a loud 'Baa' when we entered through the gates of Askari 3. That sound suddenly rung a bell that this eid is all about bakras. That was the very first 'Baa' that i heard around Eid ul Azha this year. I am sure i will be hearing more but i guess i will keep on remembering this first one for quite some time. :-)
Fun Busy Weekends
Including the last weekend with this one is making me feel that i am having some fun and busy weekends.
Last week on Friday i had some work at home so called my office to inform my late arrival. But as the day passed i started getting second thoughts. My evil instincts kicked in and i made a second call in the afternoon to get the whole day off. Yuppie! It was fun taking a day off like this.
Then on Saturday/Sunday me and my sister were home alone. My parents had gone to Lahore to attend a wedding. My cousin F came to join us too as her parents (my Khala and Khaloo) had also gone to Lahore to the same wedding. ;-) hehe But we all did behave like good little girls and did not indulge in mischief.
We went out to the market last Saturday, first to the Chaklala one and then to Saddar. Returning from there we went to Cinepax to see Death Race. Then after the movies we went in Papasallis to have a yummy pizza meal. After all this fun time we returned home.
The next day on Sunday, while i was acting like an elder and making breakfast, i got a call from my pal MM. She so innocently asked if we could go to the movies that i couldn't say no. Besides i had been planning to meet up with her for a long time and that sounded like a great opportunity. I accepted immediately. Then that afternoon i went to see the Indian movie Dostaana in Cinepax. When the show ended i dropped MM home. Not only this, i stayed at her place for a few hours (having the yummy treats she brought for me) before heading back home.
Sunday night i stayed up till late hours, trying to finish that 'task' assigned to me by Ibn e Batuta. (I never got to finish it anyway.) So naturally i slept late too. Monday morning when i woke up i just couldn't open my eyes. The eyelids were so heavy i could hardly open those a millimeter. Once again my evil thoughts kicked in and i planned to take yet another day off from work. But then i suddenly realised that taking a day off would mean chopping off of 4 holidays instead of 2 from my leave balance. So i decided to go but to go very late. And i implemented that thought by reaching my office around 3 in the afternoon. :-D hehe
This weekend isn't as busy as the last one but i am having fun doing fun things. Yesterday i installed a game on my PC. My friend was kind enough to give on-phone training to me on how to play. I can understand his level of frustration when he was telling me what to do & how to do it and i was informing him that my keyboard keys are not working. :-D HAHAHA (I am getting a new keyboard and mouse today or at most tomorrow). 'We' played for an hour and a half and then called it quits as i was quite handicapped at playing due to my broken keyboard.
Sunday has just begun and i am not sure what would be in the agenda for today. I have some documentation to work on though, which is not fun stuff. I guess i can count it in the stuff that keeps me busy. :-D
All i hope now is that i find enough time from all these 'activities' do do my chores and most importantly do my laundry. I would not be able to survive another week without it. ;-) Happy weekend to you all! Have lots of fun. :-)
Last week on Friday i had some work at home so called my office to inform my late arrival. But as the day passed i started getting second thoughts. My evil instincts kicked in and i made a second call in the afternoon to get the whole day off. Yuppie! It was fun taking a day off like this.
Then on Saturday/Sunday me and my sister were home alone. My parents had gone to Lahore to attend a wedding. My cousin F came to join us too as her parents (my Khala and Khaloo) had also gone to Lahore to the same wedding. ;-) hehe But we all did behave like good little girls and did not indulge in mischief.
We went out to the market last Saturday, first to the Chaklala one and then to Saddar. Returning from there we went to Cinepax to see Death Race. Then after the movies we went in Papasallis to have a yummy pizza meal. After all this fun time we returned home.
The next day on Sunday, while i was acting like an elder and making breakfast, i got a call from my pal MM. She so innocently asked if we could go to the movies that i couldn't say no. Besides i had been planning to meet up with her for a long time and that sounded like a great opportunity. I accepted immediately. Then that afternoon i went to see the Indian movie Dostaana in Cinepax. When the show ended i dropped MM home. Not only this, i stayed at her place for a few hours (having the yummy treats she brought for me) before heading back home.
Sunday night i stayed up till late hours, trying to finish that 'task' assigned to me by Ibn e Batuta. (I never got to finish it anyway.) So naturally i slept late too. Monday morning when i woke up i just couldn't open my eyes. The eyelids were so heavy i could hardly open those a millimeter. Once again my evil thoughts kicked in and i planned to take yet another day off from work. But then i suddenly realised that taking a day off would mean chopping off of 4 holidays instead of 2 from my leave balance. So i decided to go but to go very late. And i implemented that thought by reaching my office around 3 in the afternoon. :-D hehe
This weekend isn't as busy as the last one but i am having fun doing fun things. Yesterday i installed a game on my PC. My friend was kind enough to give on-phone training to me on how to play. I can understand his level of frustration when he was telling me what to do & how to do it and i was informing him that my keyboard keys are not working. :-D HAHAHA (I am getting a new keyboard and mouse today or at most tomorrow). 'We' played for an hour and a half and then called it quits as i was quite handicapped at playing due to my broken keyboard.
Sunday has just begun and i am not sure what would be in the agenda for today. I have some documentation to work on though, which is not fun stuff. I guess i can count it in the stuff that keeps me busy. :-D
All i hope now is that i find enough time from all these 'activities' do do my chores and most importantly do my laundry. I would not be able to survive another week without it. ;-) Happy weekend to you all! Have lots of fun. :-)
Saturday 22 November 2008
Not Good Enough!
I wonder how impatient can a human being be. And how moody and how greedy. It's like nothing is good enough after a while.
I used to get 2 at most 3 hits on my blog in a day. That was enough for a while but then i wanted more. I started getting 10-12 hits per average in a day. That made me happy, but now even that is not good enough. I want more. I used to write on just one blog. I wanted to do more. Now i am contributing to three (and not even doing a marvelous job) but i want to extend distribution of my typed text to farther and wider areas of the www. (Talk about greed!)
I was happy with my salary when i joined my company. But then one day i found myself a part of a race and that salary was no more good enough. I wanted more and since then every year i have been wanting more and more and MORE! Will there be an end to it? I'm afraid not. I not only want more salary, but more different kinds of work/tasks too. And the work has to be interesting as well as challenging. (I am saying this as if it is not my boss who has hired me but vice versa and have appointed him to 'dazzle' me from time to time with a variety of work! Talk about wishes!)
I was a happy and content girl, busy with my routine life. But then i got corrupted and what i had didn't seem enough. I started wanting more of everything (even without actually striving for it). And i am still on that band wagon of 'not good enough' and 'i want more'. (I just sounded like Princess Ariel from the Disney animation The Little Mermaid *giggles*).
Well i think it is a good thing to want better in life. But one must never get stuck in the infinite loop of 'wanting more'. As they say, one should stop from time to time and smell the roses (maybe even photograph them). It would be exhilarating experience. :-)
I used to get 2 at most 3 hits on my blog in a day. That was enough for a while but then i wanted more. I started getting 10-12 hits per average in a day. That made me happy, but now even that is not good enough. I want more. I used to write on just one blog. I wanted to do more. Now i am contributing to three (and not even doing a marvelous job) but i want to extend distribution of my typed text to farther and wider areas of the www. (Talk about greed!)
I was happy with my salary when i joined my company. But then one day i found myself a part of a race and that salary was no more good enough. I wanted more and since then every year i have been wanting more and more and MORE! Will there be an end to it? I'm afraid not. I not only want more salary, but more different kinds of work/tasks too. And the work has to be interesting as well as challenging. (I am saying this as if it is not my boss who has hired me but vice versa and have appointed him to 'dazzle' me from time to time with a variety of work! Talk about wishes!)
I was a happy and content girl, busy with my routine life. But then i got corrupted and what i had didn't seem enough. I started wanting more of everything (even without actually striving for it). And i am still on that band wagon of 'not good enough' and 'i want more'. (I just sounded like Princess Ariel from the Disney animation The Little Mermaid *giggles*).
Well i think it is a good thing to want better in life. But one must never get stuck in the infinite loop of 'wanting more'. As they say, one should stop from time to time and smell the roses (maybe even photograph them). It would be exhilarating experience. :-)
Friday 21 November 2008
Simple Joys
I was home the whole day. Worked on some pending tasks. Also kept hovering around Facebook, Orkut, Blogger, sitemeter, Islamabad Metblogs, Yahoo Mail, Hotmail, Gmail and not to forget the messengers. I kind of lazed around all day. Just a little while ago, so late at night, something deep inside me said with an air of sadness, "Alas, one full day of the weekend is over. Now just one more day left and have to go to the office after that." Thinking that 1 out of the 2 days of weekend was over, cast a blanket of gloom all over me.
But then something pulled that gloom blanket and shoved it away. It was nothing other than a realisation that none of the 2 days of my weekend were lost. I suddenly remembered that today was Friday and I had taken the day off. So i could consider this day as an added bonus for my weekend. Woo hoo! This thought has made me so happy thay have even forgotten the spellings of 'gloom'. :-) hehe
Such simple joys make life rich. At least they make mine rich. May i never forget to notice and enjoy the joys of small, simple things happening around me in life. :-)
But then something pulled that gloom blanket and shoved it away. It was nothing other than a realisation that none of the 2 days of my weekend were lost. I suddenly remembered that today was Friday and I had taken the day off. So i could consider this day as an added bonus for my weekend. Woo hoo! This thought has made me so happy thay have even forgotten the spellings of 'gloom'. :-) hehe
Such simple joys make life rich. At least they make mine rich. May i never forget to notice and enjoy the joys of small, simple things happening around me in life. :-)
Saturday 15 November 2008
To The Movies and Back
Tonight i went to Cinepax with my sister to (finally) see The Dark Knight. We had been postponing our trip due to one reason or the other. Today we got a chance and availed it. ;-) We reached there in the nick of time, and managed to get the tickets, get security clearence (checking of purse), reach the screen hall and seat ourselves almost on time. Taking eatables inside is not allowed there, even if it is something as tiny as a toffee or a bubble gum. But i managed to sneak not one but four bubble gums inside. Two in my mouth and two in the pocket of my jacket. ;-)
All through the movie i kept chewing the gum and making big (and bigger) bubbles. Every few bubbles i would nudge my sister and show her my master piece in the dark. I was making bubbles much bigger than a tennis ball (and smaller than a football), which was fun. There was this huge bubble i made and it burst really quickly. That was not the only thing it did. It actually burst all over my face and even my glasses came into the line of fire. I quickly removed the gum from my face but it took me a good few minutes to remove all traces from my glasses. :-D hehe And then, much to the disgust of my sister, i put the whole thing in my mouth again and continuted with the bubbles. ;-)
The movie was not so bad either. And i was having fun making bubbles. So the overall experience was good. I ad fun. I have already chosen the next oen to see at Cinepax. >:-) *evil/mischievous laugh*
All through the movie i kept chewing the gum and making big (and bigger) bubbles. Every few bubbles i would nudge my sister and show her my master piece in the dark. I was making bubbles much bigger than a tennis ball (and smaller than a football), which was fun. There was this huge bubble i made and it burst really quickly. That was not the only thing it did. It actually burst all over my face and even my glasses came into the line of fire. I quickly removed the gum from my face but it took me a good few minutes to remove all traces from my glasses. :-D hehe And then, much to the disgust of my sister, i put the whole thing in my mouth again and continuted with the bubbles. ;-)
The movie was not so bad either. And i was having fun making bubbles. So the overall experience was good. I ad fun. I have already chosen the next oen to see at Cinepax. >:-) *evil/mischievous laugh*
Wednesday 12 November 2008
my JKF-117A Nighthawk
Hey! Take a look at my JKF-117A Nighthawk. This is my first attempt at making it. I am hoping to get better with practice. Tell me what do you think. ;-)
JKF-117A Nighthawk - View 001
JKF-117A Nighthawk - View 002
JKF-117A Nighthawk - View 003
Self Observation: In this last image, my fighter plane looks more like a bird. :-D hehe
JKF-117A Nighthawk - View 001
JKF-117A Nighthawk - View 002
JKF-117A Nighthawk - View 003Self Observation: In this last image, my fighter plane looks more like a bird. :-D hehe
React!
I have just added the 'Reactions' feature to my blog posts. This feature is offered by blogger.com and allows readers to 'react' to posts. So feel free and 'react'. ;-)
Sunday 9 November 2008
That's all from the 'Trance' News Room till the next time in 'Trance'!
Well i just decided to discontinue the 'Trance News' series on my blog. Yes there are still things left that i would like to talk about, but talking in a chronological order about stuff is getting too complex to handle. I think i will eventually write about everything, but not like this. Also i think it must be hard for you guys to follow, living in this date reading about the past. ;-)
So i am going to be generous and will start afresh with new stuff going on around me. Stay tuned! (If you want to, that is) ;-)
So i am going to be generous and will start afresh with new stuff going on around me. Stay tuned! (If you want to, that is) ;-)
Sunday 2 November 2008
Trance News: Arrival of Ibn e Batuta
While all this was going on, Ibn e Batuta arrived from Norway. Her (my sister's) real name is different but i have been calling her Ibn e Batuta lately as she has been travelling a lot, and that too across countries and continents. She had arrived on Sunday. I had previously planned to take days off from work in her honour (and to be able to spend some time with her). But turned out the one and only day i took off during her one week visit was due to my cough. [Sorry Ibn e Batuta ;-) hehe] And i guess i also disturbed the hell out of her with the sound of my coughing, day in and day out.
Despite all this, i think we managed to spend a little quality time together. But she will have to confirm the fact. ;-) She was here for a measly week and left the following Saturday. These days she is planning for her next trip to Pakistan. All the best to you dear sis. ;-)
Despite all this, i think we managed to spend a little quality time together. But she will have to confirm the fact. ;-) She was here for a measly week and left the following Saturday. These days she is planning for her next trip to Pakistan. All the best to you dear sis. ;-)
Saturday 1 November 2008
Trance News: A Whole New World (Read Office)
On Tuesday, October 7, 2008, i finally landed in office after my five Eid holidays and one sick leave. It was like a whole new world. The office on the 2nd floor was neat (unlike the clutter clad, messy look we left before leaving for holidays). It looked roomier. Everybody was sitting in a new position (as compared with the seating arrangement in the old office). I had my own new place too. Directions to there would be at the end of the hall, beside the pillar, in front of a dedicated window (through which sunlight kept bugging me and the heat kept roasting me till i got it covered up with paper hehe).
There were some other changes as well. 3 new people had joined the company, one being in my QA team. Another thing i noticed was that another team member of mine was not present. I inquired about him and was told that there was no news of him. He left a day before the Eid holidays and so this Tuesday was his 8th consecutive leave day. I got a bit worried about the well being and put HR to the task of finding about him. (I also had other doubts in mind but i dismissed those, thinking that if there was anything else going on, my QA guy would come to me to discuss.)
There was a funny new thing as well. All air-conditioners were in place but they could not be turned on due to some last minute wiring and tweaking. The central cooling of the building was also not working. So to beat the heat, 5-6 old fashioned pedestal fans had been arranged for. They were standing tall throughout the hall, providing their breeze to different bunches of people. (The fans sure did look funny! Not because they were fans but because they looked ancient. Literally!)
Its been a long time since that first day in the 'whole new office' that i have forgotten some details from in between. I will keep on adding stuff as i remember. ;-)
Oh and not to forget, i as not 100% well that day either. Spending the time, morning till night, there was not an easy task. I had taken my 'bori' (sack) of medicines with me that included the joshandas, Strepsils and vitamin c tablets. ;-) I was taking goodies out of that, frm time to time, to consume.
That's what my whole new world (read office) looked like on my first day in it.
There were some other changes as well. 3 new people had joined the company, one being in my QA team. Another thing i noticed was that another team member of mine was not present. I inquired about him and was told that there was no news of him. He left a day before the Eid holidays and so this Tuesday was his 8th consecutive leave day. I got a bit worried about the well being and put HR to the task of finding about him. (I also had other doubts in mind but i dismissed those, thinking that if there was anything else going on, my QA guy would come to me to discuss.)
There was a funny new thing as well. All air-conditioners were in place but they could not be turned on due to some last minute wiring and tweaking. The central cooling of the building was also not working. So to beat the heat, 5-6 old fashioned pedestal fans had been arranged for. They were standing tall throughout the hall, providing their breeze to different bunches of people. (The fans sure did look funny! Not because they were fans but because they looked ancient. Literally!)
Its been a long time since that first day in the 'whole new office' that i have forgotten some details from in between. I will keep on adding stuff as i remember. ;-)
Oh and not to forget, i as not 100% well that day either. Spending the time, morning till night, there was not an easy task. I had taken my 'bori' (sack) of medicines with me that included the joshandas, Strepsils and vitamin c tablets. ;-) I was taking goodies out of that, frm time to time, to consume.
That's what my whole new world (read office) looked like on my first day in it.
Friday 31 October 2008
Trance News: It Was Hard to Take the Day Off
All five of my Eid holidays were spent coughing and coughing and coughing some more. It was an inexplainably nasty cough. I took anti-biotics all 5 days but the medicine failed to budge the intensity of the cough. In all this juddering and jostling the five days holiday was over but i was in no position to go out of the house. I was restricted as i never knew when a sever pang of cough would attack and leave me helpless. ;-)
I was told by my family (Mum, Dad & Sisters) to take the following Monday off (the holidays were from Wednesday to Sunday of the previous week). I was very hesitant about it. The words of my Operations Manager and HR person were echoing in my mind. They had said that if somebody took the Monday off then instead of one, six holidays would be cut from the leave balance. Not having many leaves in store, i didn't want my satchel to get empty all too soon and all at once. ;-)
But then i had to do what i had to do. I didn't have much choice. So i called up my Operations Manager and told him about my sickness. I assured him that i will try to be there on Tuesday, but at the same time told him that I couldn't make a commitment due to my unpredictable medical condition. He seemed very much reluctant and hesitant to say 'yes' to my plea but he did.
During all this time that i was on phone with him, i felt like a criminal. I felt guilty of committing and offense or breaking a law by asking for leave that day. That was one of the hardest times, taking leave from office. Hope i never have to do it like this ever again.
I was told by my family (Mum, Dad & Sisters) to take the following Monday off (the holidays were from Wednesday to Sunday of the previous week). I was very hesitant about it. The words of my Operations Manager and HR person were echoing in my mind. They had said that if somebody took the Monday off then instead of one, six holidays would be cut from the leave balance. Not having many leaves in store, i didn't want my satchel to get empty all too soon and all at once. ;-)
But then i had to do what i had to do. I didn't have much choice. So i called up my Operations Manager and told him about my sickness. I assured him that i will try to be there on Tuesday, but at the same time told him that I couldn't make a commitment due to my unpredictable medical condition. He seemed very much reluctant and hesitant to say 'yes' to my plea but he did.
During all this time that i was on phone with him, i felt like a criminal. I felt guilty of committing and offense or breaking a law by asking for leave that day. That was one of the hardest times, taking leave from office. Hope i never have to do it like this ever again.
Trance News: Wasted Days Wasted Nights
Since i had got so many holidays for the Eid, i was kind of overwhelmed. I planed of a trillion tasks to do in those 5 days. I made such a brilliant plan in my mind that everything seemed achievable, if done in sequence and the prescribed duration of time. Some of the typical tasks included doing my laundry, cleaning the clutter in my room, vacuuming the carpet, reading up some material, searching for some relevant stuff on the Internet, watching a couple of movies, resting to my hearts content, lazing around in a relaxing mode and sleeping to my hearts desire. [Ok so these are not actually a trillion tasks, but when i was planning these looked likes so ;-) hehe] But i couldn't do even a single one. All i managed to do in these five days was to grow my cough, kill friendly bacteria inside me [antibiotics kill the good bacteria along with the bad ones :'( ] and develop a strange pain at the bottom of my rib cage. Not only this, but i managed to disturb the hell out of my family members during nights and succeeded in making my Mom worried a lot.
My mother felt she couldn't do much to ease my uneasiness/restlessness/pain so got more and more worried. I kept advising her to put some ear plugs in her ears so that she wouldn't hear the cough. Neither she would hear the coughing and nor would she worry. ;-) hehe But she didn't listen. You know mothers.
So this is how my days got wasted and my nights got wasted. But then i kept saying to myself that once i cross this bridge of unexpected illness, i would move like lightening and fill up all my gaps.
Stay tuned for the next posts to find out. ;-) hehe
My mother felt she couldn't do much to ease my uneasiness/restlessness/pain so got more and more worried. I kept advising her to put some ear plugs in her ears so that she wouldn't hear the cough. Neither she would hear the coughing and nor would she worry. ;-) hehe But she didn't listen. You know mothers.
So this is how my days got wasted and my nights got wasted. But then i kept saying to myself that once i cross this bridge of unexpected illness, i would move like lightening and fill up all my gaps.
Stay tuned for the next posts to find out. ;-) hehe
Thursday 30 October 2008
Trance News: Eidee Stuff
I bagged a lot of eidee. >:-) heh heh heeee I felt like a pirate (lady pirate?) who had found a big pile of loot hidden in a treasure chest. And the treasure chest now belonged to her. The pirate didn't even have to fight for it as everybody just handed it over without any hue or cry. Arrrrr!
Well the eidee episode did not end here. This time i not only grabbed the loot from others but distributed a part of wealth amongst the young ones as well. I had already done that in office the day before. On Eid day, i bestowed this pleasure on family, that included my sisters & my cousins. I was actually the oldest one around so ALL the little kids deserved a share in my loot (some of the "little kids" being in their twenties ;-) hehe). I hope they were content with the share they were given. Maybe next year i can raise the eidee rate a bit. ;-)
Well the eidee episode did not end here. This time i not only grabbed the loot from others but distributed a part of wealth amongst the young ones as well. I had already done that in office the day before. On Eid day, i bestowed this pleasure on family, that included my sisters & my cousins. I was actually the oldest one around so ALL the little kids deserved a share in my loot (some of the "little kids" being in their twenties ;-) hehe). I hope they were content with the share they were given. Maybe next year i can raise the eidee rate a bit. ;-)
Trance News: Eid Day
The Eid day was good. Everything about it was fun. The eidee, the sawayyan, the yummy food cooked by my Dadi Jan and the family get togethers. The only thing that was not good was the fact that i was unable to enjoy all this to the full. I couldn't enjoy much because of my 'much hyped' cough. I was keeping quiet and not eating much either to prevent any irritation in my throat (that would in turn cause a cough chain reaction). I was not succeeding much but i kept trying. And that is how the day was spent battling the uncontrollable, irritating, dreadful cough amidst all the Eid festivities. In the end i was pretty beat up, but at least I survived. ;-)
Trance News: Last Roza of Ramzan 2008
On September 30, 2008 (Tuesday) we had the 29th rooza. Till evening there was an air of mystery that whether it is going to be the last one or do we have one more after it. We waited till the aftari time. Right after breaking our fast we all (at home) ran outside to try to spot the crescent. We tried hard to see the moon. Searched high and low on the sky. Looked without glasses and with them. But to no avail. We couldn't spot anything that looked even remotely like a crescent.
We gave up and came inside. Then we tied our hopes with the idiot box. We knew that sooner or later the news would be announced by the Rooat e Hilal. At first they announced a negative of no Eid. But then some time later when everybody has absorbed the shock, they shocked yet again by announcing Eid for the next day.
And that is how the holy month of Ramzan of year 2008 came to an end. :-D hehe
We gave up and came inside. Then we tied our hopes with the idiot box. We knew that sooner or later the news would be announced by the Rooat e Hilal. At first they announced a negative of no Eid. But then some time later when everybody has absorbed the shock, they shocked yet again by announcing Eid for the next day.
And that is how the holy month of Ramzan of year 2008 came to an end. :-D hehe
Trance News: Eidee @ Office
The title might mislead you to believe that we were given Eidee by the office authorities. Well let me set the records straight. Nothing of the sort happened. We were glad that they were allowing at least all those days as holiday on Eid, as declared by the government of Pakistan. ;-) And they were acting like 'Hatim Tai' for allowing us 5 days away from office. (It was a coincidence that the holiday block was meeting our weekend to make the grand holiday total to five.)
I was the eldest among us girls, so i gave away Eidee to the young ones. ;-) Then AP did the same for the ones younger than her. She was so sweet to offer it to me as well but being older, i couldn't take it (my rules). There was a tie between Pilot and Amm T. Pilot was the youngest of us all, Amm T being a couple of months older. Pilot kept insisting and asking for Eidee from Amm T, but Amm T won in the end and got away with not having to give out Eidee to Pilot. ;-) hehe
This little activity was fun too. We kept the traditions alive even in the office environment. It was sweet.
I was the eldest among us girls, so i gave away Eidee to the young ones. ;-) Then AP did the same for the ones younger than her. She was so sweet to offer it to me as well but being older, i couldn't take it (my rules). There was a tie between Pilot and Amm T. Pilot was the youngest of us all, Amm T being a couple of months older. Pilot kept insisting and asking for Eidee from Amm T, but Amm T won in the end and got away with not having to give out Eidee to Pilot. ;-) hehe
This little activity was fun too. We kept the traditions alive even in the office environment. It was sweet.
Wednesday 29 October 2008
Trance News: Girls, Mehandi & Eid Celebrations @ Office
The day before the Eid, we the girls in the office had our own celebration (amidst the shifting of office). I was supposed to bring some 'mehandi' but i had left office so late the previous day that couldn't manage it. But not to worry, we got mehandi. After all we are a whole gang of girls. :-)
Since our computers were disconnected and all packed up, there was not much we could do. So after doing our part in the shifting (of our stuff) we moved to our prayer room to celebrate. Well we chose that room since it had a lot of open space and a carpet. So we could easily move around. We took our places and started off.
We were four, so two started applying mehandi on hands of the other two. I was among the first batch to get my hands painted. I not only enjoyed the feeling of the mehandi slowly touching my hand but also enjoyed the fact that it was turning into a nice flowery pattern. Here is what my hand looked like:
My Mehandi Adorned Hand
One of our pals had to leave as it was time for her ride home. It was bad letting her go away with bare hands (mehandi-less), but we had no choice. She went and we three were left.
Then came my turn to apply mehandi on another friend's hand. I was the worst of us all. Rather they were good and i was the only highly unskilled person who couldn't even make a neat curve, let alone a straight line. But i did my best (as much as i could do). So here is how our hands looked in the end (I am sure you all would spot which one was done by me):
Our Hands
It was a short span of time for us to enjoy. And in that short span too we had to hurry. But this little adventure of ours was fun. It also gave us a head start in the Eid preparations. So here is how girls start Eid celebrations using mehandi in an office. ;-)
Since our computers were disconnected and all packed up, there was not much we could do. So after doing our part in the shifting (of our stuff) we moved to our prayer room to celebrate. Well we chose that room since it had a lot of open space and a carpet. So we could easily move around. We took our places and started off.
We were four, so two started applying mehandi on hands of the other two. I was among the first batch to get my hands painted. I not only enjoyed the feeling of the mehandi slowly touching my hand but also enjoyed the fact that it was turning into a nice flowery pattern. Here is what my hand looked like:
My Mehandi Adorned HandOne of our pals had to leave as it was time for her ride home. It was bad letting her go away with bare hands (mehandi-less), but we had no choice. She went and we three were left.
Then came my turn to apply mehandi on another friend's hand. I was the worst of us all. Rather they were good and i was the only highly unskilled person who couldn't even make a neat curve, let alone a straight line. But i did my best (as much as i could do). So here is how our hands looked in the end (I am sure you all would spot which one was done by me):
Our HandsIt was a short span of time for us to enjoy. And in that short span too we had to hurry. But this little adventure of ours was fun. It also gave us a head start in the Eid preparations. So here is how girls start Eid celebrations using mehandi in an office. ;-)
Monday 20 October 2008
3 Weeks in a Trance
It’s been nearly 3 weeks that I have been acting like a tortoise as far as my online activities are concerned. I was no faster in my offline tasks either, but online I have just been a slug. In these three weeks many things have happened. Like:
- First there was Eid. And I got 5 days off on this occasion.
- I took a day off to try to get better and get rid of my nasty cough (didn’t work).
- My sister came from Norway.
- I started work after Eid in the new company office on a different floor. We had already shifted to the 2nd floor from the third a day before the holidays. But that time the office was not functional and was just a mess.
- I got my 3 fiscal year completion bonus from the company. (Boy did I get rich! hehe)
- A new guy joined my QA team.
- Another guy “ran away” from my QA team.
- My sister left for Norway after a week.
- I interviewed a person who was around 50 years old, for my team. He had 10 years of experience only in QA while the total work experience spread over 30 years. (WOW & Phew!)
- I shortlisted two freshers to join my team as an experiment (No I will not play with their future at all. Rather maybe they will find something great here in my team.).
- I became ‘The Hulk Bee’ on PuzzleBee on Facebook.
- My blog got 4000 hits (The day I was planning to celebrate and glorify, but missed. Better luck next time when the blog gets 5000 hits ;-) hehe).
- I finally got an acceptance from the Islamabad Metblogs captains to start writing for that blog.
- I attended a wedding and witnessed a fusion of Pakistani and Afghani cultures.
- Our neeli pari (car) got hit yet again from behind by a green number plated car while my sister was driving it to work.
If I think some more, I might remember other “events” as well that happened during all this quiet time. But I shouldn’t bore you anymore. Let me start out with my dramatic depiction of several of these above mentioned items.
- First there was Eid. And I got 5 days off on this occasion.
- I took a day off to try to get better and get rid of my nasty cough (didn’t work).
- My sister came from Norway.
- I started work after Eid in the new company office on a different floor. We had already shifted to the 2nd floor from the third a day before the holidays. But that time the office was not functional and was just a mess.
- I got my 3 fiscal year completion bonus from the company. (Boy did I get rich! hehe)
- A new guy joined my QA team.
- Another guy “ran away” from my QA team.
- My sister left for Norway after a week.
- I interviewed a person who was around 50 years old, for my team. He had 10 years of experience only in QA while the total work experience spread over 30 years. (WOW & Phew!)
- I shortlisted two freshers to join my team as an experiment (No I will not play with their future at all. Rather maybe they will find something great here in my team.).
- I became ‘The Hulk Bee’ on PuzzleBee on Facebook.
- My blog got 4000 hits (The day I was planning to celebrate and glorify, but missed. Better luck next time when the blog gets 5000 hits ;-) hehe).
- I finally got an acceptance from the Islamabad Metblogs captains to start writing for that blog.
- I attended a wedding and witnessed a fusion of Pakistani and Afghani cultures.
- Our neeli pari (car) got hit yet again from behind by a green number plated car while my sister was driving it to work.
If I think some more, I might remember other “events” as well that happened during all this quiet time. But I shouldn’t bore you anymore. Let me start out with my dramatic depiction of several of these above mentioned items.
Happy Birthday Beta, October 2008
Today is the birthday of a dearest pal of mine. So in her honour, i am dedicating this post to her.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Beta :-D
Many Happy returns of the day. May each year that you have in your life be more wonderful than the previous one. May Allah shower His blessings on you always. May He bestow upon you all the goodness of this life and the hereafter.
Lots of love, Aunty. :-D
Monday 13 October 2008
Greetings :-)
Greetings to everybody who has continuously been visiting my blog in my absence. Greetings to those as well who stumbled upon my blog once or twice, by accident, by chance or by will. I was away for almost 2 weeks and had started missing it all. Actually i was attacked by a dreadful cough that has still not spared me, but i am 95% fine now.
8 days long dose of anti-biotics, more than a dozen Strepsils, similar number of vitamin c tablets, a bottle of cough syrup, a few cups of homemade 'qehav' and a few sachets of Johar Joshanda seem to have finally worked. Maybe if i had not missed out on the gargles, as advised by many family members as well as the doctor, i would have gotten better sooner.
But whatever state i may be in right now, i am here. Will take a couple of days to get back in the groove but i am sure i will be able to do it quickly.
Keep visiting you all! ;-)
8 days long dose of anti-biotics, more than a dozen Strepsils, similar number of vitamin c tablets, a bottle of cough syrup, a few cups of homemade 'qehav' and a few sachets of Johar Joshanda seem to have finally worked. Maybe if i had not missed out on the gargles, as advised by many family members as well as the doctor, i would have gotten better sooner.
But whatever state i may be in right now, i am here. Will take a couple of days to get back in the groove but i am sure i will be able to do it quickly.
Keep visiting you all! ;-)
Thursday 2 October 2008
Eid & Unity
There was a really positive side to celebrating Eid ul Fitr on Wednesday, October 01, 2008. It marked the unity among all four provinces of Pakistan. Usually it happens that some provinces celebrate Eid on one day and the rest celebrate it on another. There were small exceptions this time too, but majority started Ramzan together and celebrated Eid on the same day. May this unity keep flourishing. :-)
Emergency Eid
Seems whatever we have been doing lately, we have started doing it in an 'emergency'. Finish the office tasks in emergency. Deliver the final product in emergency. Make preparations for an event or occasion in an emergency. We even have mehandi (henna) that says on its label ‘emergency’.
In this hour of emergency we didn’t even spare the Eid. We had it sort of kind of in an emergency. Everybody was on the lookout of the Shawwal moon right from the ‘aftari’ time on the 29th fast of Ramzan. We couldn’t see anything. Then we all were glued to the screens of the idiot box to see if we might catch a glimpse of the news from any news channel, saying its Eid the next day. All we kept seeing was that the moon was not sighted in any major city of Pakistan. We all waited and waited and waited for good news. But nothing happened.
I for one lost all hope around 10 p.m. and took to PuzzleBee on Facebook. I kept busy for an hour or so. Then suddenly I heard my sister saying that it is Eid the next day. It was unexpected and I didn’t know how to react. At first I was bit annoyed that why was it announced so late. But then I accepted the fact and turned my mind to the ‘festive’ mode. ;-)
I did spend the Eid day with enthusiasm and fervour. Had fun amidst my coughing and sneezing. Had a variety of eatables, both sweet & salty and enjoyed every meal. But I still kept thinking that we are celebrating this Eid in an "emergency". ;-)
In this hour of emergency we didn’t even spare the Eid. We had it sort of kind of in an emergency. Everybody was on the lookout of the Shawwal moon right from the ‘aftari’ time on the 29th fast of Ramzan. We couldn’t see anything. Then we all were glued to the screens of the idiot box to see if we might catch a glimpse of the news from any news channel, saying its Eid the next day. All we kept seeing was that the moon was not sighted in any major city of Pakistan. We all waited and waited and waited for good news. But nothing happened.
I for one lost all hope around 10 p.m. and took to PuzzleBee on Facebook. I kept busy for an hour or so. Then suddenly I heard my sister saying that it is Eid the next day. It was unexpected and I didn’t know how to react. At first I was bit annoyed that why was it announced so late. But then I accepted the fact and turned my mind to the ‘festive’ mode. ;-)
I did spend the Eid day with enthusiasm and fervour. Had fun amidst my coughing and sneezing. Had a variety of eatables, both sweet & salty and enjoyed every meal. But I still kept thinking that we are celebrating this Eid in an "emergency". ;-)
Tuesday 30 September 2008
3rd to 2nd
Usually if someone says that they went from 3rd to 2nd, it would mean an ascent in the position. We went from 3rd to 2nd today. But that was no ascent. It might have been logically but not literally. Literally it was actually a descent. From 3rd floor to the 2nd. ;-)
Hurray we now have a bigger better office!
Hurray we now have a bigger better office!
Help Me Get Rid of the Cough
About a week ago it was my sister whom i caught sneezing and lightly coughing. And then i found her gulping down tablets of what i call 'her wonder medicine' (it was Panadol CF). I made fun of her that how could she get the flu in this weather. I also held her carelessness responsible for this. I boasted of being all fit and fine.
Then after some days i found 'Pilot' complaining of the flu in the office. I jokingly fined her for getting sick at this time of the year. I also told her to be more careful and to take medicine to get better.
Now after a couple more days both my sister and Pilot are absolutely fine. No sneezes no coughs no nothing! And I am down with a bad case of soar throat. I am coughing my guts out which in turn is scratching my throat more and more. My voice is almost completely broken and I sound considerably different from the 'real' me. I am also trying out the wonder medicine, but seems it is not that wonderful after all, as it is having just a little effect on me.
It seems like some kind of magic that has gone wrong and turned upon me. I wonder why. I didn't make fun fun of anybody out of sarcasm. It was all out of love and 'laad'. I really didn't mean any harm. So if any one of the victims thinks they were hurt, then i am sorry. :-P Now please hurry up and forgive me so that i may get rid of this terrible cough.
Then after some days i found 'Pilot' complaining of the flu in the office. I jokingly fined her for getting sick at this time of the year. I also told her to be more careful and to take medicine to get better.
Now after a couple more days both my sister and Pilot are absolutely fine. No sneezes no coughs no nothing! And I am down with a bad case of soar throat. I am coughing my guts out which in turn is scratching my throat more and more. My voice is almost completely broken and I sound considerably different from the 'real' me. I am also trying out the wonder medicine, but seems it is not that wonderful after all, as it is having just a little effect on me.
It seems like some kind of magic that has gone wrong and turned upon me. I wonder why. I didn't make fun fun of anybody out of sarcasm. It was all out of love and 'laad'. I really didn't mean any harm. So if any one of the victims thinks they were hurt, then i am sorry. :-P Now please hurry up and forgive me so that i may get rid of this terrible cough.
Thursday 25 September 2008
Phenomenal Sitemeter Stats
When i reached office in the morning i did the same ritual i do every day. Turned on my PC, as soon as it was on i ran Firefox. Opened sitemeter.com in a tab, opened Yahoo Mail in another and Gmail in another. Then i logged in on my e-mail accounts and returned to the Sitemeter tab. When i did so i couldn't believe my eyes. Usually in the morning i see 4-5 hits on my blog. Sometimes 7-8 but rarely in double figures. But today the hits stats were phenominal. I saw 89 hits, and that was only 9:00 am in the morning.
I was completely baffled and didn't have a clue to as to how it could have happened. I am not a world famous person and i don't write extraordinary stuff. Then howcome my blog was an instant hit overnight and attracted so many visitors. I tried looking at details of my blog visitors. I checked randomly. I found only one thing common in all. They all were Blogger users and had been referred to my blog from the 'Navigation Bar' displayed at the top of all blogger blogs.
I wonder if i was a 'celebrity of the day' for a day or was my blog featured in 'Blogs of Note'. Better still, was my blog URL somehow stuck in the Navigation Bar code and didn't direct users to any other random blog but mine. :-D
This is still a mystery for me. I haven't figured it out yet. But seeing such amazing stats was truely breathtaking. I wish i may reach this level gradually on my own and get genuine readers for my blog.
Here is the screenshot of the Sitemeter screen showing the latest hits:
Phenomenal Sitemeter Stats
I think i will keep looking at this image for a number of days, just to feel the thrill again & again. The thrill that I felt on seeing a similar number today in the morning on my stats page. :-)
I wonder what tomorrow's stats hold for me. ;-) hehe
I was completely baffled and didn't have a clue to as to how it could have happened. I am not a world famous person and i don't write extraordinary stuff. Then howcome my blog was an instant hit overnight and attracted so many visitors. I tried looking at details of my blog visitors. I checked randomly. I found only one thing common in all. They all were Blogger users and had been referred to my blog from the 'Navigation Bar' displayed at the top of all blogger blogs.
I wonder if i was a 'celebrity of the day' for a day or was my blog featured in 'Blogs of Note'. Better still, was my blog URL somehow stuck in the Navigation Bar code and didn't direct users to any other random blog but mine. :-D
This is still a mystery for me. I haven't figured it out yet. But seeing such amazing stats was truely breathtaking. I wish i may reach this level gradually on my own and get genuine readers for my blog.
Here is the screenshot of the Sitemeter screen showing the latest hits:
Phenomenal Sitemeter StatsI think i will keep looking at this image for a number of days, just to feel the thrill again & again. The thrill that I felt on seeing a similar number today in the morning on my stats page. :-)
I wonder what tomorrow's stats hold for me. ;-) hehe
Wednesday 24 September 2008
Why Am I Not Sleeping?
Its 2:00 am and i am wide awake, sitting in front of the computer screen, listening to Celine Dion's 'A New Day Has Come' for the nth time. Am i mad or what? Why am i not sleeping? I have a big day in the morning. A couple of training sessions and several tasks to take care of. Still i am keeping myself awake. I know i will have a lot of trouble waking up in the morning. I have trouble with that in normal circumstances and this is slightly unusual. ;-)
I guess i will just have to forcefully shut the PC down and force myself to sleep. I don't want to have a disastrous, drowsy day ahead. I also don't want to bore you guys with my mindless chatter. So for the betterment of ALL i am submitting to my urge for a shut eye and resisting the temptation to play that Celine Dion song for (n+1)th time.
Good Night! Sweet Dream! Shab Bakhair!
I guess i will just have to forcefully shut the PC down and force myself to sleep. I don't want to have a disastrous, drowsy day ahead. I also don't want to bore you guys with my mindless chatter. So for the betterment of ALL i am submitting to my urge for a shut eye and resisting the temptation to play that Celine Dion song for (n+1)th time.
Good Night! Sweet Dream! Shab Bakhair!
Lovely Monday Storm - September 22, 2008
It was a nice day. Pleasant from the very earliest time in the morning. It was good to be in office just because of the weather. There was practically no sun. The sky was cloudy. It suddenly started getting darker. A sheet of dark coloured clouds capped the sky.
Black Cloudy Cap
It was a magnificent sight. It started to get windy and at the same time a drizzle was felt. The intensity of both the wind and the rain started increasing slowly. And then there was a sudden turn of events where the wind was strong and the rain was heavy. The combination of both presented a lovely sight to the onlookers. (But same cannot be said for the ones who were in direct range of this splatter.)
Cloud Filled Sky
The way the wind was pushing the rain and the way the water droplets were resisting was simply amazing. This little pushing and pulling was giving rise to a light shower that was kissing the nearby spectators. Feeling the tiny droplets on the face was an amazing experience.
It's Raining
We didn't want to leave that scene and go back to the confinement of the four walls. But duty called so we had to leave from there. After enjoying ourselves for a while with this breath taking view and weather, we moved with heavy steps, from the entrance of Green Trust Tower, towards the flight of stairs, that would take us to the third floor.
Black Cloudy CapIt was a magnificent sight. It started to get windy and at the same time a drizzle was felt. The intensity of both the wind and the rain started increasing slowly. And then there was a sudden turn of events where the wind was strong and the rain was heavy. The combination of both presented a lovely sight to the onlookers. (But same cannot be said for the ones who were in direct range of this splatter.)
Cloud Filled SkyThe way the wind was pushing the rain and the way the water droplets were resisting was simply amazing. This little pushing and pulling was giving rise to a light shower that was kissing the nearby spectators. Feeling the tiny droplets on the face was an amazing experience.
It's RainingWe didn't want to leave that scene and go back to the confinement of the four walls. But duty called so we had to leave from there. After enjoying ourselves for a while with this breath taking view and weather, we moved with heavy steps, from the entrance of Green Trust Tower, towards the flight of stairs, that would take us to the third floor.
Late Sitting is Injurious to IT Professionals' Health (Read 'Life')
In the tragic blast in Marriott on Saturday, there were some deaths in the adjacent building of Evacuee Trust (also known as STP 2) as well. Those people lost their lives when the ceiling collapsed on them. They were no other than IT professionals, doing a late sitting in office. This is a sign for the big bosses of the iT industry. It is a clear indication of the following fact:
Late sittings are injurious to IT professionals' health (read 'Life'). ;-) hehe
Late sittings are injurious to IT professionals' health (read 'Life'). ;-) hehe
Sunday 21 September 2008
Is Monazza home?
I live in Rawalpindi and many of my extended family members live either in Rawalpindi or Islamabad. Yesterday when there was news of the Marriott blasts, everybody was calling up everybody to see if all were OK. Everybody who called up my house, after asking about the general well being, asked one and the same question. That question was, 'Is Monazza home and OK?'. (Ya they used my nickname but the question was the same.)
And can anyone guess why was that so? Because Monazza is famous for working late hours and even on Saturdays & Sundays. Thanks to Monazza's boss, her fame has spread far and wide. I actually felt a bad at this reputation of mine. I think i need to do some damage control, if it will work. :-D
And can anyone guess why was that so? Because Monazza is famous for working late hours and even on Saturdays & Sundays. Thanks to Monazza's boss, her fame has spread far and wide. I actually felt a bad at this reputation of mine. I think i need to do some damage control, if it will work. :-D
Saturday 20 September 2008
Marriott Blast - Vulnerable Security
Today our president, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, was supposed to address the nation at 3:00 pm Pakistan Standard Time. He did so too. Due to this event, security of the capital city was beefed up. I was not there but am sure that a lot more security personnel were roaming around and checking up people than usual. I also have a hunch that a lot of hurdles and barriers would have been put on roads, especially the ones leading into the city.
And yet the suicide bomber managed to sneak past the security. Not in a small car but a huge truck. The truck that was laden with explosive material. Did nobody notice or was he an insider? It is a huge mystery.
But this is making me think that is our security system so vulnerable and penetrable. Is it really so weak so as to allow infiltrations. What about the defense of our country? How vulnerable is that?
I better change the subject as scary questions are penetrating and infiltrating my mind!
And yet the suicide bomber managed to sneak past the security. Not in a small car but a huge truck. The truck that was laden with explosive material. Did nobody notice or was he an insider? It is a huge mystery.
But this is making me think that is our security system so vulnerable and penetrable. Is it really so weak so as to allow infiltrations. What about the defense of our country? How vulnerable is that?
I better change the subject as scary questions are penetrating and infiltrating my mind!
Marriott Blast - Fire Fighting
It's been almost 3 hours since the Marriott hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan is ablaze due to an explosion and the fire is still not under control. Vicious flames are eating up the building. It is not known how many human lives are stuck in the building behind the huge fiery columns. May Allah have mercy upon them!
One of the reasons that the fire is still uncontrolled is the inability of the fire trucks to throw water at it with full pressure. The pressure was so low at the beginning that it was not even reaching the 1st floor in the beginning but now the situation has improved a bit. It is a shame that we lose buildings to fire just because our fire fighting equipment is incapable of handling such situations. It is even more shameful and sad to lose precious lives in such incidents just because of lack of water pressure.
Our authorities should do either of the following. Equip our fire fighting teams with up to date gear to enable them to handle serious 'fire' situations, especially in multi-storey buildings. Or forbid construction of buildings that have any more floors than the 'ground floor'.
One of the reasons that the fire is still uncontrolled is the inability of the fire trucks to throw water at it with full pressure. The pressure was so low at the beginning that it was not even reaching the 1st floor in the beginning but now the situation has improved a bit. It is a shame that we lose buildings to fire just because our fire fighting equipment is incapable of handling such situations. It is even more shameful and sad to lose precious lives in such incidents just because of lack of water pressure.
Our authorities should do either of the following. Equip our fire fighting teams with up to date gear to enable them to handle serious 'fire' situations, especially in multi-storey buildings. Or forbid construction of buildings that have any more floors than the 'ground floor'.
Marriott Blast - September 20, 2008
Today there was a blast in Marriott hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan. It happened around 8:00 pm Pakistan Standard Time. The has been reported that the explosion occurred when a truck, laden with 1000 Kg of explosive material, hit the gate of Marriott hotel. A 25 feet deep crater has said to have been made at the place of explosion.
It is about 2 and a half hours after that incident took place. 60 casualties have been reported so far. The building is still ablaze. The firefighters are trying to extinguish the flames but not succeeding too much. Army has been called for rescue operations. A state of emergency has been declared in the whole country.
An unfortunate and shocking event this has been. Extremely unfortunate indeed.
It is about 2 and a half hours after that incident took place. 60 casualties have been reported so far. The building is still ablaze. The firefighters are trying to extinguish the flames but not succeeding too much. Army has been called for rescue operations. A state of emergency has been declared in the whole country.
An unfortunate and shocking event this has been. Extremely unfortunate indeed.
Blasphemous Blogger?
Just a little while ago i tried accessing Blogger using the following URL:
http://blogger.com
Look what i got as a result!
Blasphemous Blogger?
Then i tried it with the 'www' and i got in. I am speechless at this heinous act! Does anyone else have anything to say?
And i have not yet accessed my blog URL. I am wondering if they have done it yet again and blocked the 'blogspot' domain. I really hope they haven't! Let me check and see.
http://blogger.com
Look what i got as a result!
Blasphemous Blogger? Then i tried it with the 'www' and i got in. I am speechless at this heinous act! Does anyone else have anything to say?
And i have not yet accessed my blog URL. I am wondering if they have done it yet again and blocked the 'blogspot' domain. I really hope they haven't! Let me check and see.
Sunday 14 September 2008
Birthday 2008
On September 13, 2008 i celebrated my birthday. It did not turn out to be a blast as i was expecting it to be, but it was ok. I got birthday wishes from all 4 members of my immediate family, and i was content with this handful. The rest of the wishes i received were like icing on my cake. Was glad to get them too. :-)
I had planned to do a lot of things on that day. And i wanted to do everything right. The reason for these plans was maybe to make myself believe that if things go right that day, the rest of the year would be the same. How superstitious of me! But then it was just a passing thought because i did not devote myself to do everything on my list. That day went by like any other ordinary day. And i felt like i do on any other ordinary day.
When i reflected back on my life that i have spent so far (as i do on every birthday), i once again could not see significant achievements. I am the kind of person who finds joy in small things and then i am the person who couldn't find even a tiny significant achievement in the past life. Instead, i found lots of mistakes, shortcomings and a couple of regrets. Not finding achievements is not so very good. But finding the bads has it's advantages. It can enable me to work on correcting my mistakes and to do damage control if at all possible.
Nobody is allowed to believe that i am an ungrateful person or that i am not thankful to Allah for all that i have got. I truly am. But maybe i have set my standards and aims a little bit too high. Maybe i need to learn to aim for less & achieve it than to aim for high & achieve only a part of it.
One thing i realize with each passing year is that time stops for nobody and keeps going on and on. Reflecting on the past is useful to some extent but "now" is the time to live in. As Master Oogway rightly said to Po in Kung Fu Panda:
Yesterday is history
Tomorrow is a mystery
Today is a gift
That is why it is called 'present'
I hope to keep this in mind and live my life accordingly from now on. Happy Birthday to me once again! May i have a wonderful life ahead! May Allah shower His blessings on me (and you all too) always! :-)
I had planned to do a lot of things on that day. And i wanted to do everything right. The reason for these plans was maybe to make myself believe that if things go right that day, the rest of the year would be the same. How superstitious of me! But then it was just a passing thought because i did not devote myself to do everything on my list. That day went by like any other ordinary day. And i felt like i do on any other ordinary day.
When i reflected back on my life that i have spent so far (as i do on every birthday), i once again could not see significant achievements. I am the kind of person who finds joy in small things and then i am the person who couldn't find even a tiny significant achievement in the past life. Instead, i found lots of mistakes, shortcomings and a couple of regrets. Not finding achievements is not so very good. But finding the bads has it's advantages. It can enable me to work on correcting my mistakes and to do damage control if at all possible.
Nobody is allowed to believe that i am an ungrateful person or that i am not thankful to Allah for all that i have got. I truly am. But maybe i have set my standards and aims a little bit too high. Maybe i need to learn to aim for less & achieve it than to aim for high & achieve only a part of it.
One thing i realize with each passing year is that time stops for nobody and keeps going on and on. Reflecting on the past is useful to some extent but "now" is the time to live in. As Master Oogway rightly said to Po in Kung Fu Panda:
Yesterday is history
Tomorrow is a mystery
Today is a gift
That is why it is called 'present'
I hope to keep this in mind and live my life accordingly from now on. Happy Birthday to me once again! May i have a wonderful life ahead! May Allah shower His blessings on me (and you all too) always! :-)
Friday 12 September 2008
Yummy Doodh Jalaibee
I know i will be making your mouths water by telling you that i am having "doodh jalaibee" right now. The doodh jalaibee made with the real orange jalaibee (not that dim coloured Garato). I am having this after a really long time and loving every morsel of it. We can't thank Allah enough for all the eatable goodies he has bestowed upon us. May this continuous supply remain intact. :-D
I am now going to finish off my doodh jalaibee bowl. Hope you guys get to have it (and enjoy it) soon too.
I am now going to finish off my doodh jalaibee bowl. Hope you guys get to have it (and enjoy it) soon too.
7th Anniversary of 9/11
Yesterday on September 11, 2008, it was the anniversary of another incident which is most popularly known as 9/11 (read nine eleven). The original incident took place in 2001 when the twin towers of World Trade Center were hit by two airplanes and the buildings collapsed to the ground. Several people were killed in the incident.
Who did that and why was it done is still a mystery. Americans believe those were 'Al Quaida' people, and due to this, hold the whole Muslim community responsible for it. There is one theory that it was a Jewish conspiracy. Some say it was done by outsiders (non US people) while some say that it was an inside job.
This incident changed many lives, the way we can never even imagine. It had many repercussions. The most deadly of them all, in my opinion, is the act of USA to go on a killing spree while legitimizing it in the name of war on terror. The victims of this are Muslims.
I do not know if the things have become any better (all i can see is these getting worse) but i guess that it is high time that innocents are set free from the suffering. They should no longer have to pay for the crimes they never committed. What happened on 9/11 2008 was indeed a sad incident. But can the people and government (and the soon to be elected government) of that "grief stricken" country assure the world, especially the Muslims, that things are any better at this point in time?
Who did that and why was it done is still a mystery. Americans believe those were 'Al Quaida' people, and due to this, hold the whole Muslim community responsible for it. There is one theory that it was a Jewish conspiracy. Some say it was done by outsiders (non US people) while some say that it was an inside job.
This incident changed many lives, the way we can never even imagine. It had many repercussions. The most deadly of them all, in my opinion, is the act of USA to go on a killing spree while legitimizing it in the name of war on terror. The victims of this are Muslims.
I do not know if the things have become any better (all i can see is these getting worse) but i guess that it is high time that innocents are set free from the suffering. They should no longer have to pay for the crimes they never committed. What happened on 9/11 2008 was indeed a sad incident. But can the people and government (and the soon to be elected government) of that "grief stricken" country assure the world, especially the Muslims, that things are any better at this point in time?
Quaid e Azam's 60th Death Anniversary (September 11, 2008)
Yesterday was the 60th dead anniversary of our beloved Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. I had completely forgotten about it. I only realized when i had a glimpse of the main page of the newspaper. Thank God that our newspapers still mark the day by posting news item related to such anniversaries. Otherwise, people like me would remain uninformed on such days.
It is a pity though that such things should slip our minds. Some people would say that it is important to remember the teachings of a great leader instead of remembering his/her birth or death anniversary. While this holds true, it is also true that in this busy age such days provide us with the necessary motivation and inspiration. We may not forget the teachings and sayings throughout the year, but these days only refresh things in our minds.
Once again i am making no resolutions but would really like my mind to work with me and help me remember memorable dates, whether those are birthdays of friends & family or anniversaries like this.
It is a pity though that such things should slip our minds. Some people would say that it is important to remember the teachings of a great leader instead of remembering his/her birth or death anniversary. While this holds true, it is also true that in this busy age such days provide us with the necessary motivation and inspiration. We may not forget the teachings and sayings throughout the year, but these days only refresh things in our minds.
Once again i am making no resolutions but would really like my mind to work with me and help me remember memorable dates, whether those are birthdays of friends & family or anniversaries like this.
Wednesday 10 September 2008
Kitty on a Hot Afternoon #2
I spotted the same cat again one recent afternoon that i had seen some time ago. This time it was lazing under my car to beat the scorching sun. Take a look!
Kitty Under Car
I once again couldn't resist myself from taking a picture. (I know it's a bad picture but as i said i couldn't resist.) So i took out my mobile phone and took a shot at the cat. The cat was wide awake and looking at me. Luckily, it didn't move away and let me finish my errand. When i unlocked my car and sat inside, i actually felt sorry for the kitty that had to move in the hot sun to a different haven.
Kitty Under CarI once again couldn't resist myself from taking a picture. (I know it's a bad picture but as i said i couldn't resist.) So i took out my mobile phone and took a shot at the cat. The cat was wide awake and looking at me. Luckily, it didn't move away and let me finish my errand. When i unlocked my car and sat inside, i actually felt sorry for the kitty that had to move in the hot sun to a different haven.
Sunday 7 September 2008
Pakistan Got a Brand New President - 11th in Line
On September 06, 2008, presidential elections were held in Pakistan. The results were same as speculated as well as feared earlier. We got a brand new president in form of Mr Asif Ali Zardari, the husband of late ex-prime minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto. He is the 11th elected president of Pakistan, disregarding the temporary ones.
First we were suffering at the hands of dictatorship. Now it is feared we will suffer more at the hands of democracy (so called). It is not known what the future holds in store for us and it may never be known.
All i can say at this point in time is that may Allah save us all!
First we were suffering at the hands of dictatorship. Now it is feared we will suffer more at the hands of democracy (so called). It is not known what the future holds in store for us and it may never be known.
All i can say at this point in time is that may Allah save us all!
Earthquakes - Reminder of the Past
This earthquake on Saturday reminded me of a similar much severe and deadly one that occurred in the year 2005. The month was same and the day was same too. Only the date was different, that was October 08, 2005. It was Ramzan then as is now. But this one was merely 5.6 in magnitude while that one was 7.6. This one was not deadly at all, while that previous one claimed around 80,000 lives all over.
That was a Saturday too when i had come to office to finish off some pending work. And this time again i found myself in the same setting. It's strange how history repeats itself. But thank God it changes the parameters every time.
That was a Saturday too when i had come to office to finish off some pending work. And this time again i found myself in the same setting. It's strange how history repeats itself. But thank God it changes the parameters every time.
Earthquakes - September 2008
On Friday morning (September 05, 2008) around 11:00, there was an earthquake in Islamabad. I was in my office, sitting on my seat. Suddenly i felt a judder and i instantly uttered 'zalzala' (earthquake in Urdu). My eyes met a couple of my colleagues' who confirmed my suspicions. The earthquake lasted for a few seconds and no more jolts were felt after that. That earthquake had originated in the Hindu Kush range in Afghanistan and was felt in Peshawar, Abbotabad, Muzaffarabad, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. It was 5.3 in magnitude.
On Saturday morning (September 06, 2008) again around 11:00 there was another earthquake. This was a notch greater than the one we had had the previous day and lasted longer too. First there was a major jolt followed by several smaller tremors. On Friday we had stayed in our seats during the earthquake but on Saturday we moved out of the building. The epicenter was again in the Hindu Kush range in Afghanistan. The magnitude was 5.6.
Thank God both were harmless earthquakes. There was no news of any building/house collapsing or of any human casualties. May Allah keep us safe from such natural calamities.
On Saturday morning (September 06, 2008) again around 11:00 there was another earthquake. This was a notch greater than the one we had had the previous day and lasted longer too. First there was a major jolt followed by several smaller tremors. On Friday we had stayed in our seats during the earthquake but on Saturday we moved out of the building. The epicenter was again in the Hindu Kush range in Afghanistan. The magnitude was 5.6.
Thank God both were harmless earthquakes. There was no news of any building/house collapsing or of any human casualties. May Allah keep us safe from such natural calamities.
Friday 5 September 2008
Kitty On a Hot Afternoon #1
On a hot afternoon a couple of days ago, i found this kitty, happily sleeping, trying to beat the heat in the shades.
Sleeping Kitty
But then as soon as i finished taking one shot, it sensed the disturbance. Thus I became a reason to wake it from its deep slumber. It woke up and stared at me, half angrily and half annoyed, that why in the world did i have to be a cause of disturbance. I had no words to reply. I had indeed troubled a poor old cat.
Once Sleeping, Now Annoyed Kitty
Sleeping KittyBut then as soon as i finished taking one shot, it sensed the disturbance. Thus I became a reason to wake it from its deep slumber. It woke up and stared at me, half angrily and half annoyed, that why in the world did i have to be a cause of disturbance. I had no words to reply. I had indeed troubled a poor old cat.
Once Sleeping, Now Annoyed KittyTuesday 2 September 2008
First Roza 2008
The first roza went well for me. Though it was not without little setbacks and hardships. But every action was followed by a little good as well.
The first thing that happened was the broken down car. It didn't even start on ignition. We had to take the taxi. But we found it quickly and the driver took us to destination on time. So the net effect was good (i think).
Then my boss told me that even though he is satisfied with my work, he is not quite so with my attitude. According to him i was not showing the required amount of enthusiasm in my work. And he did not appreciate it. I told him my problems and reasons why my energy levels were a few notches down. He listened and promised some good things. So that turned out good as well. Though i still need to work on my energy levels in order to get a good boost.
Another setback was related to an online gift order that was not getting through to the destination. I called up the support personnel and they told me that somehow the address they have was incomplete so that is why the order could not be delivered. Listening to this gave me a long face. But there was hope that i could contact them again and get the address corrected. So that ended well too. Now i am in process to get that address fixed. Wish me luck!
One 'bad' thing for which i could not get the neutralizing 'good' was the news of demise of a friend's father. He was sick for quite some time but everybody was hopeful for a full recovery. But today i got the news that he passed away. I felt sad as well as completely helpless because i couldn't be with my friend right away to console her or to provide support. May Allah rest her father's soul in peace.
There were some more episodes. But i guess that's all i have energy for right now. I am off to bed so that i am able to get up on sehri and also keep my eyes open throughout the meal. ;-)
The first thing that happened was the broken down car. It didn't even start on ignition. We had to take the taxi. But we found it quickly and the driver took us to destination on time. So the net effect was good (i think).
Then my boss told me that even though he is satisfied with my work, he is not quite so with my attitude. According to him i was not showing the required amount of enthusiasm in my work. And he did not appreciate it. I told him my problems and reasons why my energy levels were a few notches down. He listened and promised some good things. So that turned out good as well. Though i still need to work on my energy levels in order to get a good boost.
Another setback was related to an online gift order that was not getting through to the destination. I called up the support personnel and they told me that somehow the address they have was incomplete so that is why the order could not be delivered. Listening to this gave me a long face. But there was hope that i could contact them again and get the address corrected. So that ended well too. Now i am in process to get that address fixed. Wish me luck!
One 'bad' thing for which i could not get the neutralizing 'good' was the news of demise of a friend's father. He was sick for quite some time but everybody was hopeful for a full recovery. But today i got the news that he passed away. I felt sad as well as completely helpless because i couldn't be with my friend right away to console her or to provide support. May Allah rest her father's soul in peace.
There were some more episodes. But i guess that's all i have energy for right now. I am off to bed so that i am able to get up on sehri and also keep my eyes open throughout the meal. ;-)
Monday 1 September 2008
Happy Ramzan 2008
Woo Hoo! The blessed month of Ramzan has started. I tried hard looking for the moon (1st day crescent) but did not succeed. I had lost all hope that Tuesday would be the start of this month. But soon i got the happy news. That was quick of our Rooat e Hilal committee to take a decision and announce the start of this month almost after Maghrib.
I was on my way home when i got the news. Right after hearing this, i started off with texting Ramzan wishes to my pals. Thank God i was in the back seat or my Father would have scolded me ;-) He is already getting annoyed at the tones that ring when i get text replies. hehe
These would be the longest rozas for me ever (so far). Hope i can cope well. Better go to bed as i dont want to miss my sehri on the first roza.
Happy Ramzan to you all! :-)
I was on my way home when i got the news. Right after hearing this, i started off with texting Ramzan wishes to my pals. Thank God i was in the back seat or my Father would have scolded me ;-) He is already getting annoyed at the tones that ring when i get text replies. hehe
These would be the longest rozas for me ever (so far). Hope i can cope well. Better go to bed as i dont want to miss my sehri on the first roza.
Happy Ramzan to you all! :-)
Friday 29 August 2008
Lack of Tolerance
I have noticed yet again that how intolerant people we are turning into. The intolerance is seen everywhere, including the cyberspace. I have recently started visiting the Islamabad blog on 'Metblogs' and couple of times i leave my comments there as well. While putting my own comments there, i read what others have written. And i have come across 'flaming'. One person writes one view point. The other ones who disagree to that either use foul language to describe their views or try to impose their thoughts on others. No two people are the same, so how can the point of views be identical? Why can't we be more tolerant towards others' point of views? Nobody is asking us to start following those, but at least we can give others some breathing space. Now can't we?
Thursday 28 August 2008
Cycle of Life
This is how our life cycle is. There is a time when we are all set to debut in this world. Then starts are ascent and we reach the full bloom. After some time we find ourselves perched on the verge of getting perished. And finally we come face to face with our demise.
Cycle of Life
See how beautifully this has been captured in this one picture. :-)
Cycle of LifeSee how beautifully this has been captured in this one picture. :-)
Saturday 23 August 2008
Tragic Blast in Wah (August 21, 2008)
And just when i thought that Musharraf's resignation would bring a breath of fresh air to the country and my happiness was still in full swing that i heard of the blast in Wah, Pakistan. It was a suicide bomb attack in one of the ordinance factories factories there. It happened on August 21, 2008, some time in the afternoon. So many innocent lives taken (more than 100). So many family heads and bread winners blown away in a matter of seconds, leaving their families unprotected among the fierce human kind. Sources (close acquaintances who live in Wah) told that there were even cases where two or more members of the same family got killed in the blast. So many people injured and left helpless in the merciless world.
Who can do such injustice? Who can show such cruelty? It was a sheer act of terrorism. I hope the suicide bombers or the attack organizers are not seeking rewards from Allah. I wish and pray that they get heavily punished for inflicting such pain on so many innocents. May Allah keep us all safe from the clutches of such heinous offenders.
Who can do such injustice? Who can show such cruelty? It was a sheer act of terrorism. I hope the suicide bombers or the attack organizers are not seeking rewards from Allah. I wish and pray that they get heavily punished for inflicting such pain on so many innocents. May Allah keep us all safe from the clutches of such heinous offenders.
Thursday 21 August 2008
I Need a Coolant! Please!
The cooling in my office is completely busted. My brain is melting and my temperature (as in rage) is rising. I am turning into a monster. Not that I already am not, but I am turning into the worst kind. ;-) I fear of devouring innocent little creatures just because they made a teensy weensy mistake. I am afraid nobody will remain safe, unless they flee away from my sight. Or maybe I should close my own eyes or put on my shades.
I have tried drinking chilled water but that is not helping me much. I am continuing to bubble and boil. I badly need a coolant or else I will wreck havoc all around.
I have tried drinking chilled water but that is not helping me much. I am continuing to bubble and boil. I badly need a coolant or else I will wreck havoc all around.
Tuesday 19 August 2008
I Support Zardari?
So if i am against Musharraf, does it mean i support Zardari? If i am being joyful at seeing Musharraf turned into an EX-President, does that mean i am dreaming to see Zardari in the role of the current one? If i want to see Musharraf held accountable for his actions, does it mean that i have grown an all forgiving attitude towards Zardari? If i would love to see Musharraf prosecuted, would i really wish to see Zardari pardoned?
The answer to all these questions is 'no'. No with a capital N and a capital O. NO! For heaven's sake, no!
The answer to all these questions is 'no'. No with a capital N and a capital O. NO! For heaven's sake, no!
Justice Will Prevail
I felt sad when i heard that a dictator was being bid farewell in the form of a 'guard of honour'. I felt a dash of anguish to see that the elected government did nothing to stop that act. I feel grief to see that there are signs of him getting away with everything he did. I feel dismayed at realizing that he might not have to face any accountability.
Musharraf must be prosecuted in the court of law for at least these two things if not more. First, for being responsible for hundreds and thousands of missing citizens of Pakistan, also known as 'missing persons'. Second, for the massacre of thousands of innocents (men, women and children) in Lal Masjid in July 2007.
I am also not sure about the justice system in our worldly courts. But i am sure that it will prevail in the court of Allah.
Musharraf must be prosecuted in the court of law for at least these two things if not more. First, for being responsible for hundreds and thousands of missing citizens of Pakistan, also known as 'missing persons'. Second, for the massacre of thousands of innocents (men, women and children) in Lal Masjid in July 2007.
I am also not sure about the justice system in our worldly courts. But i am sure that it will prevail in the court of Allah.
Musharraf Resigned
The happiest news of yesterday, August 18, 2008, was that Musharraf resigned. I still don't know what to make of the whole 'resignation' thing, but i know that i am extremely happy he is not the President of Pakistan anymore. Pakistan is free from the clutches of a dictator. Dictatorship is out and democracy has reigned, once again. It's a time to celebrate and rejoice.
Long live democracy! Long Live Pakistan!
Long live democracy! Long Live Pakistan!
Saturday 16 August 2008
Am a V.I.Bee
Oh and did i mention that i am currently a V.I.Bee on PuzzleBee. ;-)
V.I.Bee PuzzleBee Rank
V.I.Bee PuzzleBee RankEmptied the Bookmarks Bag - PuzzleBee
I had bundled up a zillion puzzles in my Bookmarks section in PuzzleBee. I kept finding good ones and kept bookmarking them. The aim was to finish doing them all. But every now and then i would stray away from that section and finish puzzles from elsewhere, like ones done by my pal, from the recent updates and from among the highly rated ones. To be very honest, i was getting bored with my own bookmarked puzzles.
One day i thought to just remove all puzzles from there, without completing them. But then i set out to do them one by one. Page after page i completed puzzles. Easy, medium and hard ones. (Then i bought the Puzzle In Any Difficulty tool and started doing all puzzles in medium difficulty to increase my skill.) And today, finally i managed to compelete the last ones as well.
My Bookmarks bag is now empty. I am resisting myself from filling it rather overloading it again. But i know i will never learn. Besides, many times you come across fun puzzles but time is scarce. So why not bookmark them for later. Here i go again!
One day i thought to just remove all puzzles from there, without completing them. But then i set out to do them one by one. Page after page i completed puzzles. Easy, medium and hard ones. (Then i bought the Puzzle In Any Difficulty tool and started doing all puzzles in medium difficulty to increase my skill.) And today, finally i managed to compelete the last ones as well.
My Bookmarks bag is now empty. I am resisting myself from filling it rather overloading it again. But i know i will never learn. Besides, many times you come across fun puzzles but time is scarce. So why not bookmark them for later. Here i go again!
Thursday 14 August 2008
August 14, Pakistan's Independence Day
Today is August 14, 2008. It will be the same day in the rest of the world but here in Pakistan this date has a significance. 61 years ago Pakistan got its independence on the very same day. We have come a long way since then. Many things achieved and many present in the waiting list. Hope we achieve those soon.
I am not actually celebrating by hoisting the flag on the roof, putting up decorations or lighting candles. If anyone saw me, they wouldn't even think i am celebrating at all. But at heart i am happy and relieved that we have this country. Maybe it is not one of the top countries of the world, and maybe it is not the finest place to live (as considered by many). But at least it is mine. A place i can call homeland. A place that gives me identity.
Since my country has so many problems, it only gives me a chance to correct them and clean up as much mess as i can. I am not making any resolutions, never did and never will. I just hope that i am able to at least put a fraction of my words in action. I know that would make a huge difference.
Happy Independence Day to all us Pakistani people, all around the world! :-)
I am not actually celebrating by hoisting the flag on the roof, putting up decorations or lighting candles. If anyone saw me, they wouldn't even think i am celebrating at all. But at heart i am happy and relieved that we have this country. Maybe it is not one of the top countries of the world, and maybe it is not the finest place to live (as considered by many). But at least it is mine. A place i can call homeland. A place that gives me identity.
Since my country has so many problems, it only gives me a chance to correct them and clean up as much mess as i can. I am not making any resolutions, never did and never will. I just hope that i am able to at least put a fraction of my words in action. I know that would make a huge difference.
Happy Independence Day to all us Pakistani people, all around the world! :-)
Interesting Numbers
Today on August 14, 2008, i saw some interesting figures on my Site Meter blog counter. Take a look:
My Site Meter Statistics
The numbers that are exciting me are 3333; the number of total hits on my blog and 100; the number of visits to my blog in the previous week. Hope to keep seeing 'interesting' numbers on the counter in the coming days.
My Site Meter StatisticsThe numbers that are exciting me are 3333; the number of total hits on my blog and 100; the number of visits to my blog in the previous week. Hope to keep seeing 'interesting' numbers on the counter in the coming days.
Sunday 10 August 2008
Sunday Office Sucks
Today was Sunday. I am sure most of the people were home enjoying while i was toiling at work. And even my boss hadn't asked me to come. It was my very own initiative. I guess they say correct when they say that with seniority comes more responsibility. You do not remain entitled to the occasional tantrums of not wanting to work or not wanting to go to office on a holiday. All this because you are more senior and you not only have to do your own work but get work done from others as well.
It is not all that bad. There are perks involved with seniority. My favorites is more salary. :-D And then you get to be given the title 'manager' that looks impressive from all angles. Your boss listens more to you and your ideas. Even asks for suggestions and approves as well.
Sometimes i think that i have had all these perks from the very beginning (except the more salary bit to which i reach rather gradually each year). The boss has always listened and many a times has agreed to my advice. I confess to enjoying the title of 'Manager' from a very early stage of my career.
But then again, whether responsibility is high or low, i never could get used to showing up in office on a holiday. And going to office on a Sunday is the torture of the highest order. Hope there aren't many such Sunday's in my life when i have to be in office. ;-)
It is not all that bad. There are perks involved with seniority. My favorites is more salary. :-D And then you get to be given the title 'manager' that looks impressive from all angles. Your boss listens more to you and your ideas. Even asks for suggestions and approves as well.
Sometimes i think that i have had all these perks from the very beginning (except the more salary bit to which i reach rather gradually each year). The boss has always listened and many a times has agreed to my advice. I confess to enjoying the title of 'Manager' from a very early stage of my career.
But then again, whether responsibility is high or low, i never could get used to showing up in office on a holiday. And going to office on a Sunday is the torture of the highest order. Hope there aren't many such Sunday's in my life when i have to be in office. ;-)
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