I decided to change the look of my blog again. The choices before me are anything but barren, so I select a theme called “Chaotic Soul” because it illustrates how I feel sometimes (%
Welcome.
Still in shock..
•14 January, 2008 • Leave a CommentI’m still incredibly disturbed by Benazir’s assassination. Regardless of political platform or view, no one deserves to be assassinated. On top of that, how can someone assassinate a woman? There is definitely tragedy in this affair.
When I first read about Benazir’s assassination, I felt like crying. In fact, I may have shed a few tears. I met her on two occasions and remember her to be a very personable and friendly woman. While I may not agree with her political view, I still admired and respected her.
The first time I met her was in Abbottabad, when she inaugurated the first women’s police station in the area. I met her for the second time in Ottawa after a talk she had given at the NAC. We were invited for the cocktail party after the function and had a chat and some photos taken with her. She was looking forward to return to Pakistan and to see the PPP take power again.
I still admire her, but I am completely disheartened by the way the PPP has selected it’s next leader. I find it difficult see a party who doesn’t democratically elect it’s leader to be democratically elected by its nation. It is true; the PPP is a family party – formed by the Bhuttos. It is a dynasty. It is not the Pakistan People’s Party, but the Bhutto Family Party.
I’m frightened when I think of what all of this means for Pakistan in the times ahead. It doesn’t seem like it will ever be like the place many of us have come to know for so long. Only Time will be the judge.
Right-Brained-edness
•25 November, 2007 • Leave a CommentI did a few tests online to figure out whether I am right-brained or left-brained (clearly, I have time). I rarely believe in these tests but somehow I believe this one. I went to this link, The Right Brain vs Left Brain test, and stared a long time at the dancing girl. I see her going clockwise. It says that if you stare long enough and concentrate hard, she will go anti clockwise. I tried and tried, but she is still going clockwise – I dont understand how you can just turn this on or off depending on how hard or long you concentrate.
From the link above, here are the differences between left- and right-brained people:
| LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS uses logic detail oriented facts rule words and language present and past math and science can comprehend knowing acknowledges order/pattern perception knows object name reality based forms strategies practical safe |
RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS uses feeling “big picture” oriented imagination rules symbols and images present and future philosophy & religion can “get it” (i.e. meaning) believes appreciates spatial perception knows object function fantasy based presents possibilities impetuous risk taking |
Another test rendered the following:
| You Are 35% Left Brained, 65% Right Brained |
 The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you’re left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet.The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you’re right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports. |
Are You Right or Left Brained?
What are you?
After hearing about it for so long, I’ve finally joined Facebook.
This is silly. I should be preparing for my trip, but thanks to the gazillion and one invitations (okay, so I’m slightly exaggerating) I’ve recently received to join Facebook, I have now wasted a couple of hours trying to figure out how the darn thing works.
My generation is too old for this.
Got Visa?
•8 December, 2006 • 1 CommentAlhamdolillah, we got our visas today. Now it has really hit me that I will be going for Hajj this year, inshaAllah.
My father called me while I was at work to give me the news. I nearly cried. I skipped to my manager’s office to confirm my holiday dates. Everyone at the office was aware of my condition – being on edge waiting for the visa. For the past couple of weeks they have been asking me – “so, did you hear anything yet?” – from my colleagues to the director. They have been so supportive of this whole waiting game and are anxious to hear about my experiences when I return. They are not Muslim and are curious to see what kind of person I will come back as and if it will change me (being the spiritually cleansing journey that it is). I have tried to make my rounds with those who I immediately work with to explain where I am going and why. I cleared the little debts I owed.. you know, like the random coffee/tea or lunch that someone got when I forgot my wallet. I think they really appreciated that. They have even planned to have a “pre-Hajj” lunch for me… It is nice because they don’t say.. “before your vacation,” or “before your time off”, rather they say “before Hajj”. Great people. I am blessed.
I have found a family to look after my cute little kitten while I am away. The father has had cats before as a child, but the mother has never had a cat before. At first, this concerned me, but after I saw how she was with my kitty I felt at ease. She is very gentle and mild mannered. Her son (4 years old) fell in love with my kitten, so inshallah everything will go smoothly. I will drop Nimbus off at their place this Sunday.
I’ve also decided to keep a journal on this trip. I won’t be able to blog (not taking my laptop for obvious reasons), but will definitely carry a journal/diary and a pen, of course. This is one journey I do not want to forget. Ever. So will make every effort to hold on to its memory. It’s a long journey. I leave San Jose and arrive in Ottawa via Washington Dulles. I stay for a day at home and then set out to Jeddah via Montreal and Paris.
I can’t wait to set my eyes on the Holy Kaaba again. I’ve prayed for this moment to happen for so long. I feel an overwhelming amount of peace at the thought of entering the City of our Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa salam) again. What a blessing to be in his (saw) presence in Medina with my family.
I still can’t believe it is happening… embarking on the ultimate journey of a lifetime.
Getting Ready for the Journey of a Lifetime…
•3 December, 2006 • 1 CommentInshallah we will be departing next week for Hajj. As such, I have been trying to mentally, physically and spiritually prepare myself for this journey. Not an easy task. This will be the first time that I am embarking on this journey. I feel ill-prepared even though I performed the Little Hajj (Umrah) last year.
I am anxious to return to the City of our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa salam, (Madina) but am nervous about going to Makkah. I long to see the Holy Kaaba again and catch a glimpse of the Black Stone (Hajar Aswad) if possible, but I know that I’ll feel scared/nervous in Makkah. Makkah is a city of strength – of Allah’s Jalal. Madina is a city of mercy – of Allah’s Jamal.
There are so many things left to do and so little time. I keep wondering if I should prepare a will. I don’t have much but I want to ensure that, if something should happen to me, whatever I have goes to the people I love. It is the “sunnah” thing to do, afterall.
I also need to find a place for my little kitty while I am away. I had something set up last week, but today the lady informed me that she is unable to look after Nimbus. I have less than 10 days to figure something else out. The last thing I want to do is to leave her at some animal hotel/kennel and have her put in a cage. Inshallah I will find someone to take her in for the time I am away.
I attended a Hajj workshop last Sunday to learn about the rites and rituals that are necessary and required for Hajj. The Imam also listed items that we should carry along with us. One was a sleeping bag for our overnight stay in Muzdalifa. I have a sleeping bag back in Canada but it is over 10 years old and I don’t think it will be warm enough (it was used for summer camping trips), so decided to buy a new one from the store that the Imam recommended. Away to the store I went today! As I was perusing the various types of sleeping bags the store had, a sales clerk asked if he could help me. I explained the situation – that I was going for Hajj and needed a sleeping bag. I felt rather sheepish for not having had researched what the temperature would be when I am in Saudi before coming to buy the sleeping bag! He curiously asked me, “So this is why so many Muslims are coming in these days and looking at sleeping bags?” “Yup – the local Imam recommended your store so here I am.” “Sweet.” After I gave him a brief overview of what I would be doing on Hajj, he went to the back to gather some suggested items that he felt woudl be helpful for my trip. Upon returning, he said that his manager had the perfect sleeping bag for me! Apparently there have been so many Muslims that had come in for sleeping bags that the manager decided to go online and research the temperature in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season so that he could better advice his growing Muslim clientele… how considerate!
As I was paying for my purchases, the cashier, in efforts to make idle chat, I accuse, asks, “Going camping?” “Nope.” “Vacation?” “Nope.” “You’re funny – you are not going camping or vacationing, what are you doing with the sleeping bag?” “Going for Hajj.” “Ahh.” So, if any of you are ever in the area, do drop by Mel Cottons – very friendly and helpful staff….good for most of your technical Hajj merchandise!
Ouch!
•3 December, 2006 • Leave a Comment
You are a little soul carrying around a corpse. 
– Epictetus. Greek philosopher
Tell me your Job Title, I’ll tell you what you are…
•26 November, 2006 • 1 CommentIt’s been awhile since I’ve posted something, even longer since I wrote something of my own. A lot has been going on these days and I have been slow to respond to many emails from my dear friends. Sometimes life gets so busy and you have so many things to do that you just can’t do anything at all. Sigh. These days are one of those times.
It’s also been a long time since I’ve had a deep hearty discussion with anyone. After my first Black Friday, I realize how inundated by consumerism I am and feel as though I am drowning in superficiality. I miss spending time with close friends – laughing and yelling at each other for no apparent reason.
I’ve felt this for awhile but am slowly gaining concrete evidence for this belief of mine – a job title can never define who you are. People may ask you what you do for a living, as though that says something about your personality. It doesn’t. It may indicate how much money you make, or a particular interest or passion you may have, or just something that pays the bills you’ve accrued as you really live your life. The skeptic in me would say they just want to know your monetary value given the materialistic society we live in. Anyhow, I maintain that a job title or job function bears absolutely no definition of who you really are.
Suppose you meet someone new at some random place.. you talk to them for a bit and think their personality is quite interesting… maybe this person will be a good friend.. then you wonder “what does this person actually do?”. Maybe something in you will ask them. Their response will be something you completely didn’t expect… blah..i don’t know.. maybe they work in a mortuary or morgue or something. Maybe they are a doctor. Oh my God! if they work in a morgue, do you think they are sadistic and obsessed with death? if they are a doctor, do you think they are compassionate and giving? Obviously, their professions do not reflect their personalities. What if they lose their jobs or decide to make a career change? Does your friendship change? Do you judge your friends by the job titles they temporary have or by the friendship and commonalities that you share? It seems that many people are overly concerned with job titles. I’ve met some ladies who’ve married doctors…when asked what their names are, they are quick to answer “My name is so-and-so and my husband is a doctor.” Umm..what’s the relevance? Does it look like I care to know what your husband does? What happened to the friendships that were based on similar hobbies and past-times? Have I lost you?
Are you surprised?
•25 October, 2006 • Leave a CommentIraqis better off under Saddam, says former weapons inspector
Last Updated: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 | 6:35 AM ET
CBC News
The war in Iraq is a “pure failure” that has left Iraqis in a worse state than when they lived under Saddam Hussein, former United Nations chief weapons inspector Hans Blix said in comments published Wednesday.
“Iraq is a pure failure,” Blix was quoted as saying in the Danish newspaper Politiken.
“If the Americans pull out, there is a risk that they will leave a country in civil war. At the same time it doesn’t seem that the United States can help to stabilize the situation by staying there.”
Blix, in comments that were seen as unusually critical for the diplomat, said the U.S. is facing a situation where neither staying to fight nor pulling its troops out of Iraq are good decisions.
Blix said Iraq would have been better off if the war had not happened.
“Saddam would still have been sitting in office. OK, that is negative and it would not have been joyful for the Iraqi people. But what we have gotten is undoubtedly worse,” he was quoted as saying.
Blix was in charge of a team of UN inspectors who looked for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq before the U.S. and its allies invaded the country in 2003. He had asked for more time to allow the weapons inspectors to do their work, but was criticized by Washington for his request.
After his team left Iraq, a coalition of forces led by the U.S. invaded the country. The U.S. and British military forces found no weapons of mass destruction.
Violence in the country is escalating, meanwhile, with Iraqi civilians, government officials, police officers and often U.S. soldiers killed every day. Bodies are frequently found in Baghdad, bound and tortured. Bombings are common.
According to Iraq Body Count, a website that tracks reported deaths of Iraqi civilians, more than 44,000 Iraqis have died in the war.
With files from the Associated Press
Snow in October?
•22 October, 2006 • 2 CommentsYup.
In Canada it’s a given.
I was expecting leaves to fall on me when I got here, but it’s snowing!!!
Gotta love it.
a literary silhouette 
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