Pakistan Zindabad!!!

It's August 14th - That means two things: 1. It's Pakistan's Independence Day and 2. It's my dad's birthday! He was born on the exact same day Pakistan received her independence: 

August 14, 1947

This weekend will be cause for double celebration :)

Jashn-e-azadi mubarak!

Quaid-e-azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's Speech:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3tVWwFcmr0

Vital Sign's Dil Dil Pakistan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nun_AarKJlA

DIL DIL PAKISTAN

JAAN JAAN PAKISTAN

Hassan Jehangir's Hawa Hawa ay Hawa (in honor of Pakistan Days past):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuZxbeh75qI&feature=related

Fireflies and Rain.

Strange how you can relax in good company and feel so alone, and be by yourself yet not be lonely one bit.

----

It's pouring out tonight. I woke up late this morning. Even though it was busy at work today, I still don't feel sleepy. Mama made hot chocolate with halal marshmellows after she came home from bhabi's; we sat on the swing out on the patio, mugs in hand, and chatted until she started yawning. Just as she was about to doze off, I gently nudged her and told her to go to bed. Kissing my forehead and telling me to not stay up too late, she gathered up the mugs. I smiled. Mothers worry so much. I think it comforts them to fuss. 

Promising to head in soon, I watched her go inside, then turned my attention to the dark, rainy night. I noticed fireflies glowing through the downpour. How pretty they looked in the dark wet night. I remember when we were young, my brothers and I would catch them and put them in clear glass jars. We'd make holes in the metal tops so they wouldn't suffocate, and feed them flower petals. 

Absentmindedly curling a lock of hair around my fingers, I tried not to think of how many poor fireflies we'd unwittingly killed. 

Through the screen door, I heard my cellphone ring but ignored it. It rang twice again, then fell silent. Far off in the distance a siren wailed.

Watching rain fall is hypnotic. If you observe closely enough, you'll notice each individual drop elongated by the pull of gravity as it rushes headlong towards earth. It's rhythmic pitter-pattering cadence soothes as it mesmerizes. 

Contentedly lost in thought, I don't know how much time elapsed before my brother opened the screen door.

Dumbo, it's late why are still out here. Come inside.

Jolted from my reverie, I chuckled. 

Dumbo, it's late why are you still out here. Come inside, I mimicked. 

Slowly rising from the swing, I stifled a yawn. I playfully ducked at him with the paper and made my way inside to sleep.

DJ KHALED - So Hood remix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw4W_3PSDXQ

I'm so Holligrove, New Orleans

Lilweezyana

home sweet home depot

you will need a hammer

it go down like Frasier

I ain't talking Kelsey grammer

...I'm so hood. 

IV Poles and Elevator Rides

On my way to the cafeteria for my lunch break, I met a little patient on the elevator. She was maybe six or seven years old, frail, and alarmingly pale. Her enormous blue eyes peered curiously from underneath an oversized Orioles baseball cap that partially concealed a small head bald from bouts of chemotherapy.  

Her too large, standard-issue hospital gown hung loosely on her thin frame, it's narrow straps wrapped twice around her little body in order to prevent it from coming loose. Feet clad snugly in rubber-soled socks, she was perched precariously atop a wheeled IV pole. Two drips hanging from it's metal arms were connected by clear plastic tubing to veins in her forearm. One small hand tightly grasped the IV pole and the other hand clung to her mother's arm, who was steering it.  

As I got on the elevator, she gazed at me curiously. 

Exchanging smiles with the mom, I exclaimed, 'Well, hello there! That pole ride looks like fun!'  

She lowered her gaze shyly and leaned towards her mother. 

I pressed the button for the main floor, proceeded to check my phone for missed calls and texts, then looked out the glass elevators to the indoor fountain and wood and glass lobby visible seven stories below. 

'Today's my birthday,' a small voice piped up.

I looked away from the pretty view. 'Is that right? Well, a very happy birthday to you!' Then, smiling, I  asked, 'Did you wish for anything special?'

She remained silent. Just as I thought perhaps she hadn't heard my question, she looked up hesitantly. 

'I wished to see my daddy. He's in heaven God called him'

I remained quiet. What do you say to that? Some people always know the right thing to say, but words often fail me.

The elevator doors opened on the next floor below, but no one got on. 

After a few seconds I finally replied, 'God must've loved him very much.'

Glancing at the little girl's mom who was looking at me, I saw tears welled in her eyes though she smiled and maintained her composure. 

Uncertain as to how I could provide some measure of comfort but overwhelmed by a need to somehow do so, I held her gaze in quiet understanding for a couple seconds until the elevator door opened. 

Then we said goodbye and she headed away, wheeling her little girl along with her on the stainless steel, 6' tall pole.

I'd lost my appetite but still slowly headed towards the cafeteria.

It struck me how I complain about insignificant things when people like this young woman endure extraordinarily difficult trials with dignity and strength. 

It's true Allah swt never places a burden on us greater than we can bear; may He give us the strength and patience to endure and persevere..

Garbanzo's Kidney

Sadly, sadly, the sun rose; it rose upon no sadder sight than the man of good abilities and good emotions, but incapable of their directed exercise, incapable of his own help and his own happiness, aware of the blight on him, and resigning himself to let it eat him away.

- C. Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

----

I look forward to my nightly workout routine; it makes me feel energetic even after a day of work. The best part is seeing the results. The exercises become easier; and if prepared the right way, it's really amazing how many tasty food items you discover when you become calorie conscious.. kidney and garbanzo beans for example. I crave both on a regular basis now

But I really miss my rice and pahratay sometimes. Like tonight mama has the house smelling like biryani heaven and the pungent aroma is so tantalizing .. sigh

I just sprayed air freshner in my room, hopefully that'll help curb my craving.

Nine pounds down, eleven to go..

That's what she said.

Let me walk through fields of paper

touching with my wand

dry stems and stunted butterflies.

- D. Levertov

-----

Everyone has a dream. Mine is to write a book. 

I haven't decided yet if it'll be fact or fictional. 

I'm too reserved for it to be entirely autobiographical - plus I have a fanciful imagination.. but, at least in part, I want it to be a reflection of my personal thoughts and experiences.. 

It'll most likely be a mixture of both.

Countless ideas float aimlessly through my mind. I can't wait to jot them down on paper and make sense of them. I think I have a title, though it's subject to change of course.

I may not publish my work. Part of me rebels at having my writing revised, polished, and edited until it barely resembles the original piece in order for it to considered more marketable to a particular audience. 

Guess we'll see...

I know the time isn't right yet, but I can't wait to get started sometimes

Baggage Claim?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3Q8FFckHYY

Keep rockin, and keep knockin

Whether you Louie Vouitonned up or Reebokin

You see that hate that theyre servin on a platter

So what we gonna have - desert or disaster

----

Durable, steel-blue Samsonite garment bag with matching shoulder bag - in mint condition. Selling (on eBay) to the highest bidder, hurry while supplies last.

I'm travelin first class baggage-free, baby :)

G. SAND

Guard well within yourself the treasure of kindness. Learn how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, and how to acquire without cruelty. 

- G. Sand

It's Cliched.

But these are the happiest days of my life. There's no one particular reason.. don't have much of a reply for everyone around me who remarks on it. Can't explain it, just feel it.. not on the surface but inside.. like soul deep.  Feels like I waited a lifetime to experience this. Know it's probably my perspective that's changed more than anything, but I'd swear its contagious. 

Sometimes, part of me wishes I could bottle it in case I need it later.. spray it on like perfume when I feel like I need it. Or spray it on my loved ones and people I care about who I feel need it.

Another part of me wants to possessively guard it. Protect it from anyone or anything that threatens it. I know, silly, right..?   

Then I just laugh at myself, and thank Allah (swt) for the blessings in my life. 

Life is good, Alhamdullilah

NAS - One Mic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQdT3mqdRcU

All I need is one mic, one page, and one pen

~

This is crazy I'm on the right track I'm finally found

You need some soul searching the time is now

Pounds and Ounces.

There's nothing like the feeling you get after an intense workout, when every muscle protests in silent agony as tiny streams of perspiration dribble down your temples and the small of your back. 

Getting off the treadmill, I tuned out the Bhangra  music flashing across the big screen, and - gulping down half a bottle of grape-flavored, ice-cold Propel - collapsed on the family room floor. 

I reveled in the excruciating pain. Every calorie burned off in the past couple weeks was well worth every ounce of discomfort. 

No pain, no gain, right?  Eight pounds down, twelve more to go...

Reflections.

To see the world in a grain of sand, and heaven in a wildflower

hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and find eternity in an hour. 

(W. Blake)

----

Abbajan called Mama the most beautiful woman in the world tonight; she smiled and blushed prettily. I have to agree he's right. My parents are adorable people. Sometimes I look at them and think to myself how blessed I am to have them in my life. They remind me that God creates people not perfect, just perfect for each other. This epitomizes the concept of love for me. May they have at least an eternity to spend together in each others' presence. 

Any good that exists in me by God's grace is a reflection of their example. 

Charades.

Keep me away from the wisdom that does not cry, 

the philosophy that does not laugh, and 

the greatness that does not bow before children. 

- Gibran

----

False words form on lips, forced smiles come effortlessly. 

How easy it is to metamorphose... shed identities, don masks, and take part in charades for the sake of appearance. How incredibly simple to forgo principles, values, integrity... even sense of self, in attempts to conform or for purposes of self-gratification.

If only for an instant, we were to step outside of ourselves and observe. Would what we witness repulse us, I wonder; would it compel change. 

But perhaps some are reluctant to relinquish a status quo that has been for so long ingrained, that it acceptably reflects  how they define themselves and their existence

Shrug. 

Anyway, I'm getting late for work. Its a beautiful day out 

Qari Waheed Zafar - Allahu

My friend selected this beautiful nasheed to be played instead of an entrance song at her wedding last week; it is one of my favorites

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLN0FUw4-VE

As sub hu bada min talati hii
W- al- laylu dajaa minv wafrati hee
Hai noor-e-sahar chehre say tere
Aur shab ki raunak Zulfoon say.
The light of dawn is from the radiance of Your (PBUH) face
The sparkle of the night is from the glimmer of your (PBUH) blessed Hair.

Allahu Allahu Allahu Allah
Kanz-ul-karami mowl-an-ni amii
Haad-il-umami li shariati hii.

Nimat Ka khazina hain Mawla
Ganjina-yi rehmat ke hai Aqaa
Hadi hai tammam-i ummat ke
Aur rahnuma hai shariat kay.
Our Master (PBUH) is a treasure of grace.
He (PBUH) is a treaure of Mercy
He (PBUH) is the guide of the entire nation,
showing us the way of the Sacred Law.

Allahu Allahu Allahu Allah
Saat-ish-shajaruu nataq-al-hajaruu
Shaqq-al-qamaruu bi ishaaratihii

Ungli ke ishare pair (trees) chale
Eijaz se pathar bol uthe
Aur chand huwa hai dhoo tukre
Angusht ke aik ishare se.
On the command of Your (PBUH) blessed Finger, the trees began to walk
The stones began to speak through Your (PBUH) greatness
The moon split into two
Upon one gesture of your (PBUH) blessed Finger.

Allahu Allahu Allahu Allah
Jibrilu ataa laylata asraa
W-ar-rabbu daaa fii hadrati hii

Jibril-i Amin paigham-i khuda
Lekar aye thay shab-i asra
Allah hane Arsh pay bulvayaa
Kurbat ka sharaf unko bakhsha.
Angel Jibrail (A.S) came with glad tidings from Allah (SWT) on the Night of Ascension
Allah (SWT) invited You (PBUH) to the heavens
And bestowed upon You (PBUH) the honor of intimacy.

Allahu Allahu Allahu Allah
Fa Muhammaduna huwa Sayiduna
Fal iszulana li ijaabetihi
So Mohammad hai apne aqaa
Isi naam se apni izzo baqaa.
Muhammed (PBUH) is our benefactor. He (PBUH) is our leader
This blessed Name [of Muhammed (PBUH)] will preserve our dignity

Allahu Allahu Allahu Allah
As Subhu badaa min talati hii
W- al- laylu dajaa minv wafrati hee

Hai noor e- sahar chehre se teray
Aur shab ki raunak Zulfoon se.
The light of dawn is from the radiance of Your (PBUH) face
The sparkle of the night is from the glimmer of your (PBUH) blessed Hair.

Fondue.

Giving up is the easiest thing in the world; anyone can do it. But to 

hold it together when everyone else would understand 

if you fell apart, that's true strength.

----

I like weddings but I must admit: getting ready is half the fun. 

I broke three churian taking them off tonight. I shouldn't have checked my email before getting ready for bed. And I'm craving chocolate fondue. 

Sigh.