A Flicker of Light

The year was 2013, the date May 11.

It was Election Day in Pakistan and I had never felt more helpless.

Like many of my countrymen, I too had had enough of the country’s leaders and could only see Pakistan moving towards an impending doom. Of course I wanted to do something about it; and even though I acted like there was no hope left I secretly hoped for Imran Khan to win, because to me it meant for Pakistan to (finally) win.

Just like the ’92 Cricket World Cup, I hoped the Captain would once again bring victory to my country. A country which is very dear to me and a country that will always be home to me.

Alas, I was only 15 back then. And no matter how much I wanted to go cast a vote for Pakistan, all I could do was encourage the adults around me to go vote for their homeland instead.

The results were announced, effectively crushing all my hopes like a bug. There was no victory. There was no new beginning. The light at the end of the tunnel was cut off, just like everything else would be in the next 5 years.

The year, 2018. The date, July 25.

It’s Election Day in Pakistan.

And I’m 20.

From some hidden corner of my heart, the hope rises again.

I go vote. I go vote for my Captain, I go vote for my fellow citizens. I go vote for Pakistan.

And we win.

Weekly Photo Challenge

A Face in the Crowd

It’s amazing how a single photo taken in a single moment, can capture so many different things.

Even when a crowd gathers at a single location you will notice how no two persons will ever be doing the exact same thing. And that is what makes life so wonderfully unpredictable (at most times!).

Captured below at Karachi’s Hawkes bay beach, you see Karachiites from all sorts of backgrounds putting aside their differences and rivalries; enjoying an ordinary Sunday morning along the seashore.

Hawke’s bay beach, Karachi

How many different activities can you spot?

Back To School

Monday night officially marked the end of my three-month-long summer break.

It is now the beginning of my second year in university and so I may not be able to post as much as I did in the last few months. On the contrary though, I might find a lot of topics to talk about so who knows? I just might show up again before either of us expects me to(!)

Even though I am still just a Sophomore, there are a few things I would like to share with all those starting universities/colleges this year. Here are a few tips that helped me and I hope you guys can benefit from them as well.

1. Being Open-minded

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You are entering a place where everything and everyone is unfamiliar to you; however, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Step out of your comfort zone. Be the first one to strike up a conversation with a student, a professor, the staff – there is so much you can learn just by exchanging a few words with them.

2. Less Procrastination

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Do not put off any assignments till later, even if the submission date is several weeks away. It will only take a few days for you to have a huge messy pile of incomplete tasks if you don’t at least start with it.
3. Stay on a Budget

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Once you make friends and start having study groups for pretty much all your courses, there will be lots of hanging out in different cafes/diners etc. Due to this, your bank account may get a little upset. Fix a reasonable amount that you are comfortable spending on a day-to-day basis. Or set aside an adequate sum which you can use as a weekly (or monthly) allowance, and try not to cross the limit.

4. Be a Team Player

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Some (or most) of your projects will be assigned to a group – rather than on an individual basis. This is the best opportunity for you to learn about responsibilities, to develop social skills, leadership qualities, being organized, and bringing your “A” game to the table. No matter how much your team members might irritate you at times, choosing to rise above it and helping them is what will distinguish you from the rest of your fellow students.
5. Never Give Up

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No matter how many times you fall back down, be sure to get back up. Whether you have failed a course, a relationship, or a friendship – try again. Learn from your mistakes, ask your professors or class fellows for help when needed, and don’t place limits to what you can do or what you can be.

Most importantly though, relish the time you have and try as many new things as you can (legal ones of course!), because at the end of the day it is not your GPA that matters, you do.

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Until next time!

Happy reading 🙂

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Letter B

This week, Cee’s Foto Challenge is all about posting colours that start with the letter b. My contribution will take you through different provinces of Pakistan, in each picture.

Blue Grey water during sunset at Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi (Sindh)
Blue Green water in Satpara Lake, Skardu (Gilgit-Baltistan)
Brick Red walls of the Lahore Fort (Punjab)

“There are no lines in nature, only areas of colour, one against another.”

– Edouard Manet

Hiking We Will Go

“Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.”

One of my favourite trails to hike on is located in Bhurban’s Pearl Continental Hotel.

You witness various kinds of species in their natural habitat, breathe in fresh air as you move along, exert yourself to tredge higher, accomplish what you set out to do, and lastly – savour the experience.

Hiking Trail, Bhurban

Cee’s Which Way Photo Challenge – August 18, 2017

Stranger Among Friends

I was a stranger among friends
A thorn in the way
Never felt more out of place
Than when expected to stay

I was a broken piece of mirror
Couldn’t see my own reflection
The fears that came to haunt me
Hid quickly behind a distraction

I was the supposed happy child
The one that got her way
Or did they just tell themselves that
So they could have their way?

I was an outsider looking in
Seeking a place to belong
Perhaps by searching too hard
Is how things got so wrong

I was an almost melted candle
Extinguishing the light as I floated
They expected me to rebuild myself
But alas;

I only,

was.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/solitary/

Power (Of) Walking

Recently, my cousin (who lives 8 minutes away by walk) and I started a new early morning routine which much to our surprise has helped us in more ways than one.

Before I begin with how it has helped us, let me recount to you how exactly it goes about.

Each day my alarm goes off at the outrageous hour of 6:15 am, making me question why I thought setting it up was a good idea. I text/call my cousin to make sure she’s awake before going to get ready for a new day’s session.

We both leave our homes at the same time and meet at a middle ground which happens to be, well, a ground. From here we start our “power walking”, pushing ourselves to achieve the goal we set out prior to the walk. We try to keep the bantering between us to a minimum because not only does it waste energy we can’t afford to lose, it also slows us down.

My average speed for the past week has been 5 km/h while we covered a distance of 3.20 to 3.60 kilometres everyday. The duration of just our session is 30 minutes which excludes the time it takes for us to meet in the middle and coming back home.

I have been keeping track of my time, speed, distance, calories and countless other factors using Samsung Health – having a record keeps you on track while also giving you a sense of achievement. It also shows that on average, I burn 128-140 calories every morning.

Most people readily assume that the only purpose of doing any kind of workout is to lose weight. In my case, however, the purpose is to build a healthy stamina, avoid lazing around, and to stay active at all times.

Even though this is only the end of our second week, I have already started feeling much more brisk than ever before. This is how power walking has helped me:

1. I no longer get tired easily.
2. My body has started adapting to a more operative way of living.
3. A few minutes into the workout, I no longer have shortness of breath.
4. Being on my feet for too long doesn’t bother me as easily as it used to.
5. My water intake has increased;
6. Reducing my caffeine intake.
7. I burn excess calories.
8. My mood throughout the day (almost) stays positive.
9. While I’m walking, I sort through the things to do list in my head.
10. I can eat a second helping of chocolate cake without feeling guilty!

When I got ready and went downstairs today, my sister too was waiting to join us for the walk! 

In the upcoming week, I will try to maintain a new record with greater distance, faster speed and longer time. Wish me luck!