My 25 Things

Everything that we plan, does not end up the way we want. This is exactly what I feared today. And exactly what I got. After spending a sleepless night tossing in bed, with fascinating thoughts in my mind about what I will wear on our gorgeous hang-out, I was heavily disappointed. Sneaking out of the class quietly, was one hell of a task. But search of a gratifying luncheon, was unexpectedly a more difficult one. From finding plastic in Sheroo's Mufuletta to a strand of hair in the parmesan-cheese stuffed chicken, we had it all wrong. Maybe we got up from the wrong side of our beds today. Nothing went in synchrony with our superb planning.

But never mind. This is part of life- to expect the unexpected. Whilst, we were trying to locate Eclipse in F-10/2 (when it was actually situated in F-10/3) my mind was cluttered with the most random thoughts. Thoughts that have been nagging my conscience since long. And by 'random', I mean RANDOM, which have no good explanation. And till the time I wont pen it down, I know they will hide somewhere deep in my think-tank, and I would never get rid of them. So here is the list of MY 25 Things.

1. I fancy Christmases more than Eids.

2. I am not a fan of chocolate. That is, I neither like nor hate it.

3. I am utterly in love with the English language. I don't mind reading any script as long as it is in English, irrespective of the fact what subject is it on.

4. I lapse into major depression when I eat high-cal food.

5. I want a flawless skin with a glorious complexion, though my skin is fairly good right now too.

6. I am a perfectionist by nature.

7. I do NOT have a best friend.

8. My definition of home is a deluxe living. I can NOT survive in austere surroundings.

9. Estee Lauder has the most breathtaking fragrances ever, that make up my ultimate favourites.

10. I am a big Foodie!! I believe in fashionable cooking. And nigella lawson is my idol cook.

11. I don't like gifts.

12. But I can never say 'no' to sweet smelling exotic flowers and a fancy tin of Danish butter cookies.

13. I have to have 7-hours of sleep even on the night before an exam. No compromise on my beauty sleep.

14. I get high after listening to good English classics.

15. I love my mom to bits. And cannot imagine myself anywhere on earth without her.

16. I am madly in love with Paris. And want to vacation there once every year.

17. Despite all the picturesque destinations on this planet, I will always choose to live in Clifton, by the Arabian sea. Because thats my 'home'.

18. I don't like to text, but then I detest those, who don't reply back.

19. I amend my wish-list every week!

20. I have been doing yoga for one year and now I am geared up to take it to the next level- Hard-core yoga.

21. I usually do not like the people in my social circle, or the people I hangout with.

22. I want to become an acclaimed English writer one day.

23. I am very optimistic to life in general.

24. I am heavily pampered by my mom. -_-

25. I seldom get bored, but when I do, I love to spend time with my Oxford dictionary.

Merry Holidays

Its a matter of immense bliss, to be blessed by an unusually long weekend, after a stretch of tiresome busy weeks. And to double the pleasure, this ones perfectly timed, since no assessment is scheduled in the near future. Regardless of the fact what the holidays were granted for, I am enjoying myself to the max!

On my list of things-to-do, I had to fulfill my religious duties, which were on pending for so long. Since the days are thankfully short nowadays, therefore, I thought of this time as a perfect oppurtunity to complete my fasts. This would also help me shed off extra pounds, provided I eat in moderation. Which did not happen yesterday, since I fed on some unnecessary bites, right before retiring to bed. Today, I am hoping to treat myself with every delectable in the kitchen, but again in minute portions. For this, I am going to design my meal in a Cajun layout, to rest assure that I have taken all the nutrients.

Discovery of some new episodes from Nigella, has made my holiday sensational. She has entertained me all the way with her chic cooking, and seed terrific party ideas in my mind for my girlfriends. I have, once again, fallen madly in love with leisurely cooking. And now I wish to host a spectacular feast in vogue. As we speak, I am receiving texts from Manto, who is fancying my mom's pizza bash, due tomorrow. How about if I invite her over? I am sure she would be overwhelmed.

Its been long now since I have rinsed the oil on my head, which must have sprout up a few roots by now. I must leave to take a warm bath in this bittingly cold weather, henceforth, I'll log in soon. Until then, Ciao!

Why Is Everything With You So Complicated?

You get an amusing brainwave. Weigh all the possibilties. Plan practically. Work on it. Get the butterflies in your stomach for being an inch away from making it into reality. But all of a sudden, everything comes to a standstill. And all that you had dreamt of, gets arrested in your head only. Nothing of it takes reality and what happens to your feelings, is an inconsiderate matter.

Whats left behind is despair. The confidence you had in yourself, for doing wonders, comes crumbling down. This is my current state of mind. My long woven dream has been torn apart. Not mine exactly, but my mom's. I am devastated because I had braced myself up for a drastic change that was to take place soon in my life. But now I definitely, do not see that happening anymore.

My day took off a pleasant start, since it was Beeya's 21st. I merrily spent the entire day, planning a surprise bash for her, attending an outdoor party, which I never realized was going to be one of its kind. The surprise party turned out to be a bigger surprise for us, the hosts, when an unexpected, unwelcomed guest decided to grace the event with his presence. It was truly an epic performance! But as soon as I was done with Beeya's thank-you hugs and kisses, and got back home, I was awaited by the unpleasant news. It didn't take me long enough to lapse in despondency.

I wish, I gather some degree of humbleness in myself. And pay gratitude to my LORD for giving me the blessings I have been ignoring all this time. By the time I have reached to the conclusion of this writing, I have realized, that dreams or no dreams, He has plans that are more splendorous than our dreams. The difference only being, that we can't envisage His planning.

Thank you Allah. XOXO ♥

The Advent Of Fall

Torrential rains struck the ground at midnight yesterday. Which means that I had to forsake my sweet slumber and start wiping the downpours out of my room. But little did I foresee the transition of the warmth of the day to unbearable chills. I regret unpacking my winter closet last week, so that today it would have been of some use.

After retiring from school for a serene weekend(hopefully), I promptly took out a warm blanket to snug in for the next three days. And after savouring the crunch of praline, I swaddled myself in the cozy blanket in-front of t.v. I glued myself to Star world for three straight hours which aired six dazzling episodes of America's Next Top Model, back to back. It was pure bliss. My Friday couldn't have been any fashionably better. And even after stuffing in a Big Mac, I somehow feel as gorgeous as those slender figures. Now,I am immensely motivated to try out my three hour long hard-core Yoga tomorrow morning. Wish me luck!

Being deprived of the internet facility for over a month, had made me disconnected from the rest of the world. Most importantly, facebook. I thought there would be so much of networking going on, but I was gladly wrong. Nothing changed except for a few profile pictures and statuses about people's sleeping habits. It was fine to lose contact for a while- gave me a good break. Now, I am genuinely happy that I have eventually gotten this amenity back, so I can have an exuberant fall. I get to plan my winter wardrobe in vogue and a few upcoming events in luxe where I can incorporate my décor skills- my true passion. ♥

Catching up on Gossip Girl episodes that I missed in my severe disconnection, has been a visual treat tonight. Serena, Blair, Lily, all looked divine in their own signature styles. And this gives me enormous pleasure. On the other hand, Shobhaa De waits for me to entertain me with her writings. All I am looking forward to are the updates on Fatima Bhutto's.

Write you next time, from a sun-room that will then be colder than this. Until then Ciao ♥

Festivities

All you sexy people out there, the sun has finally decided upon showing out of its hiding! Goodbye to the shadows of clouds and say hello to the gleaming sun. I am feeling ecstatic for a change since the infinite series of horrendous examination is now a history and the birthday season is just around the corner. Starting off with Khadeeja's birthday two days from now, then a couple of aquaintances and most importantly Shireen's. I have enough chances this month- not to forget eid, to celebrate by dressing up to the nines. And the amount of pleasure merely thinking about these upcoming events, is enough to suffice all formalities needed for me to smile.

Of all the innumerable things of the world, what brings me joy, is dressing up. I might sound like a twelve-year old here, but its a fact. Soft pompodours, elaborate eye make-up, light rouge on supple cheeks, pale glossy pouts, elegant multi-layered necklaces on the chic dresses paired with stunning high-heeled platforms. *Drools*. This is enough to satisfy my appetite for plush living. And this is all I am looking forward to in this month. Its such a relief to get out of your ugly shell and anticipate something pretty. For my life, had been made hell lately by the ugliness that accompanies the exams.

Speaking of gruesome filth, I have availed this one-week-break as an opportunity for personal grooming. Experimenting with all the possibilities in my kitchen cabinet, I have atleast succeeded in getting rid of the summer tan. Also I am making sure that kitchen cosmetology is not taken too far. For I have a grueling reality to take care of- my old trusted friend, popularly known as Acne. But I am glad that I am bidding it farewell too soon, as my dermatological medications are annihilating it with a steady success. On the other hand, my hair-fall issues that have been bothering me for quite a while now, are also going down the drain, since I have found my solutions to them. Well here, I am solely responsible for them, because I have deprived my scalp of its nourishment (oiling) for nearly half a decade! Then you expect it not to fall apart?! Absolutely unfair.

With all my heart in the preparations for a month of extravagant celeberations, I have also found solace in baking and cooking. Every day, there is one thing that I either cook or bake. I am genuinely trying to get my baking basics straightened, so that one day I can entertain my bossom pals with fine dining. Yesterday, I baked a pound cake using a recipe from my mum's diary. And to my surprise, it turned out to be way better than any recipe of Nigella's or from the galore of cook books we have. It was the best pound cake I have eaten so far. Soft and light as a feather, perfectly pale with temptingly browned top, sufficiently sweet to stimulate enough taste buds in your mouth to cherish the bite for a long time- my madeira cake was an utter delight. It infused in me a great deal of confidence for the upcoming cooking episodes and now I believe that I can easily venture into italian cooking. Splendid!
For more on my cooking and festive escapades, keep reading my online summer diary.

XOXO

Memories Revisited

So much has changed. So much. Today, I was cleaning up my memory disk and getting rid of some irrelevant shots taken in the past, that were wasting up the sacred memory of my PC. It was then when I bumped into a really old album. Ok, it was nothing that had us from the stone age. Just three years old. But considering the acute changes in life since then, it is certainly vintage.

We have changed physically, emotionally and spiritually. Sometimes circumstances change us and other times the change is from within ourselves. I had nearly forgotten about the existance of my paternal family before I revisited this album. *Sighs* Innumerable moments shared together- of laughter, of feuds, of pleasure, of envy, of trust, of distrust. Regardless of the fact that we all dwell in the same city today, not more than a kilometer away, yet we choose to be indifferent to one another. We have conveniently gotten rid of the intimate bonds we share, that might be an ardous task for some. Had any one of us thirty not cooperated in this separation, we would be sitting today in somebody's lounge, enjoying the silly jocularity of our company. But turns out, that every one of us craved for it equally. As Ali says; Whatever helps you sleep at night. Thus I won't push them to reconcile.

Also it occured to me for the first time in my life, that all us cousins share alot of resemblance, especially the ladies (an absolutely inappropriate word for the kind of girls out there). The only factor that tells each of us apart is the difference in social status. Precisely, because of how we keep ourselves. Some like it shabby, for some elegance is the choice. But no one can be labelled classy- just not the type of grooming for that. I personally worship classy get-ups but am bound to elegance. Maybe I can work my way up for that sometime later in life. Viewing some old photographs of my own, I cannot deny the amount of change that has accompanied with my 14 kg weight loss. Ever heard of EXTREME MAKEOVER? I hope this might help me stand out from the crowd of dopplegangers! *fingers crossed*

Of time when Khadeeja ( my babysister) was dark-circles-free and had a natural rouge on her fair cheeks, life was much more challenging. And that explains my spiritual stability then. My career was undecided and I needed Divine Assistance in order to get through it successfully. But that does not exempt me from the obstacles of life today. Now it has narrowed down to a fewer hardships but they are alot more bleak. Maybe you can account it to the change in attitude, that has gotten ALOT more carefree since then. I haven't forgotten the time when every insignificant issue meant a world to me. Now, I hardly care. There is seldom an issue, that I care too seriously about.

Time flies. And I can see myself going through an album three years from now, present today, past then. God knows how much more malnourished will Khadeeja seem, how much more weight will I lose, will our family reunite, what will be my priorities then, will I be able to succeed in attaining spiritual stability that I am dying for today?

Three years later.

Sinking Hearts And Houses

I wake up at the crack of dawn, after a straight 9 hours of sleep, and stumble my way to the living room first. I removed the crisp gold drapes of the window curtain, and to my chagrin, greeted a yet another cloudy day. I had my fingers crossed for the dawn to break with a cloudless sky, but it was dejectedly all sombre. After washing off my night cream, I rushed to the sun-room and restlessly logged online. And bingo!! He was online as I expected.
The melancholy that took over me after the horrendous exam had not abated even after oversleeping. I had also cut on the prodigious portions of meal in my newly-found depression, that I had been feeding on lately. And to mount my dismay, the weather has been typically monsoon for a while now. Rains have never bothered me (except for the waterlogged streets) but this time their contribution to the floods in the north, has associated terror with them. And this perfectly matched with my mood for the day, i.e glum. When you have innumerable issues to worry about, you simply lack the spirit to make a good conversation with someone. And that is why I chose to be silent with him on e-chats. Otherwise his attempts to brighten my sulkiness would have been a fail. And I did not want to disappoint him any further, as I already have, presumably. The power breakdown was perfectly timed for once, so that he would have seen me gone before he started to talk. Later, I availed myself a perfect spot by the window where I could enjoy the showering rain on my arm with Jane Eyre in my hands. I connected with every word in the text and felt the depth of it, since Jane was in a situation similar to mine. With the background music sponsored by FM 89, time flew by with gratitude.
Now, my stomach growls louder than the thundering clouds. Nevertheless, I won't stop writing because of two reasons: a) Writing gives me an undeniable amount of pleasure as reading does, b) I will probably take 6 hours before I end up with something healthy on my platter. Lets see how long does this series of ceaseless rains go, whether it ends before my pensive days- Ciao♥

Out And About

We skid across the marbled corridor amidst all gazes at us alone and dashed enter the dense darkness of the theater. I had no idea what i was heading to. All I knew was, I was being taken to spend a quality time with my friends. But little did I know, that it featured one of the things from my list of NEVER-TO-DO-THINGS before I expire. Yes watching a Punjabi movie and above all, in a cinema- was one of the last things I would ever do, even if the sky was falling apart!

I peered into the gloom of the theater and it was to my utmost surprise that there were only 16 people seated in an arena meant for 350 people. Among whom, 5 were us. Standing a mile away from my destination, I could easily make out my giggling posse lounging in the uppermost row, who dominated the audience, by their outrageously loud comments and bursts of laughter. This concept of fun sounded absolutely absurd to me until I laid my eyes on the sleazy star-cast of this trashy film. No matter how much I cursed myself at that moment for being there, deep down inside, I knew what was coming. I was just beginning to be fond of our criticism of their cheap production- LIVE in the theater only. And I had never fore seen of what followed it- the craziest session of laughter I have had in a cineplex. From the only pair of boots the heroine had the entire filming season to the most mangy jackets the hero sported in the two-hour long movie, nearly everything was the butt of our jokes, irrespective of the fact how much finance they wasted on capturing the scenic beauty of Australia.

Speaking of Australia, this movie had a huge impact on Sarah and I. Sarah might now be having second thoughts of spending her practical life with a Desi Aussie, after observing the kind of guys available out there! Anyhow, people at school will be finally freed from her wrath that she inflicts upon them by publicizing her passion for Australian gentlemen.Whereas I, might now be giving Australia a thought for settling out there, after being mesmerized by its picturesque scenery.

Shireen, outdid herself at the end, by entertaining the authorities by her mowgli dance at our departure, just at the moment when they were plotting to kick us out of the hall. Their frustration all vented out when they slammed the door hard on Shireen's exit! Qainat's limping gait throughout just gave me an opportunity to envisage how she might have fallen over the ONE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED. I would die to be blessed by a mere glimpse of that scene. Qainat, can I have a recap of that episode, please?

The high calorie intake after the cheap visual treat, was enough to boost our metabolic rates to charge us for the kodak moments, albeit missing Sarah's super-cute face heavily in those pictures. Nevertheless, Zarah was a wonderful substitute for Sarah, who teamed up with me to give some stunning shots, especially against Qainat and Shireen's not-so-good picture moments. =P

Yes, it was so not to happen but I cant thank these wonderful young ladies enough for blessing me with blissful moments every second which we can cherish in the long run.

That time is not far off, when each of us will reminisce of what is present today and will be past tomorrow. I can imagine Zarah coming to a reunion 10 years from now with two toddlers and Sarah with five- And what will be the most entertaining conversation then, would be reminiscing one of the hilarious gatherings we spent together like today.

Love you all- XOXO