Now almost at the end of the project, I reached Beirut, Lebanon this December. With Germany, Egypt, Jordan, Korea, Morocco, Tunisia, UAE, Pakistan & Russia implemented, it is already quite an impressive resume. Isn't it, head-hunters?
Beirut also known as the Paris of the middle east and it did not disappoint at all. Though much of it was destroyed in the local tensions, they have done a great job in reviving it in the recent years. Great weather, we saw the sun, some heavy rain and while we were leaving it, snow on the mountains as well.
I think that's the biggest attraction for tourists. In about a 90 minute drive you could go from the beach against the Mediterranean Sea to the Ski Slopes on the mountains. Just an amazing work of creation by The Greatest Creator.
We went to the Harriri Mosque which was sponsored by the recently assassinated good guy president. Beautifully constructed and wonderfully hand-painted ceiling inside. Harriri's burial ground along with his companions was next to the mosque where we paid homage also.
Next trip was to the mountains to Moussa Palace which is more of a Museum. They had preserved the life in this region many years ago in form of Wax sculptures. Quite interesting. They had also preserved some guns from the very old war times. Very informative and interesting how artillery has developed over period of time.
After that we went to the President's Summer Palace which is also depicted mainly as a museum as well. The President comes and stays there in the summers. Also a huge ground exists where all the great concerts happen with celebrities coming from around the world. Again a beautiful place holding history from hundreds of years. It was amazing to see royalty exist through the saunas and the other grandeur of construction. The saunas had huge platforms with sunlight poring through the ceiling. With taps and baths built where possibly the masseurs of the time took care of the kings and rulers.
Next place to visit was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. Jeita Girotto. Nominated as one of the seven wonders of the world, didn't make it. I keep wondering why. These are caverns with thousands of years of ice and snow frozen to create an amazing display of the beauty of Nature. The Lebanese Government had done a good job preserving this as well. There were no flash photography allowed inside. But, I was told that sometimes they get orchestras in and conduct concerts. I could only imagine what a wonderful experience that would be. Sounds of music echoing the caverns. There were 2 levels. One was on the upper level where it was a view walking on foot. Then on the lower level there was icy cold water on which boats moved. We were inside a huge mountain made hollow with caverns and icicles frozen through time.
Next place was Byblos. Ancient ruins from the Ottoman empire and the amazing view of creativity and how they managed their defence. It was actually a fort by the sea connected to the fort on land. It was quite interesting to understand life so many years ago. There was a great display of fossils found in the region as well as in the mountains. Its the latter that impressed me in particular. Seeing sea-life fossils found in the mountains indicates how high the water level was and how the truth of the whole world flooding in some time in the past holds good.
Lebanese food was an experience every time we were taken out by one of our colleagues. They order a whole list of appetizers of Hommos, Fatoush, Tabouleh, Vine Leaves, etc.You enjoy that and you feel you are done, you couldn't have more. But then you realize that was just the appetizer. The main course contains bar-be-cued stuff. The thing I observed was on none of the meals, you finish stuff. It was kinda customary to leave something on every dish. It was wasted which I didn't like but had to go with the flow. It was kinda bad hosting by the host if something got finished it seems. They order at least 3 times more than what would be eaten.
Tried Sheesha for the very first time. I think it would be the very last time also. Injurious to health and anyway, I didn't understand the charm of mindless smoke swallowing and blowing.
It was an eventful trip, probably the most where we got out and looked around compared to the other places. This of course thanks to our colleagues who didn't let us spend time stuck in the hotel.
Russia - Spacibo!!!
The project travel started in winter, Feb'10 when I went to Germany. Since, with the year going on seasons changing, the weather turned hotter from Egypt to Jordan and then to Korea, Morocco & Tunisia. UAE & Pakistan were towards end of the summer in October and we are pretty much done the round circle with Russia in November.
Russia was minus 4 degrees when I landed in Moscow and it was snowing. Pretty extreme change from UAE anyway which I left at around 40 degrees. With around 18 days ahead of me, it was expected to be challenging. Russia did not disappoint on the UTP challenge-o-meter. I would rate it close to right up there with the complex ones.
Lots of interesting specifics about the country with its local regulations, statutory requirements and holding onto the identity as a superpower it once was and is on route to becoming again pretty soon. It is already part of the fastest growing BRIC economies as coined by Goldman Sachs and it was reflective of that with Moscow. Extreme weather and traffic was probably the only thing against them otherwise, great transport system involving, metro, underground trains and trams within the city. The economy booming, people educated and doing well.
Russia may seem like alien land for a lot of countries around the world but the smart investors have already reached there setting up their oil & gas explorations, textiles, food service, retails businesses etc. Not to be underestimated at all.
They have some political issues but in these times which country doesn't. at the end of the day, its the people who take the economy forward and the mission showed in almost every person I met or saw regardless of which level they were working at. There was a sense of purpose in the public eye.
Language was an issue as most people speak Russian and only Russian. Luckily our colleagues were not so bad and they understood English. They took us around on the few free days we had during the stay there.
We went to Kremlin, Red Square and it was a great place to see. Historical in its own presence and beautiful buildings as well. See this one as an example.
Walked around the city on the day and quite tiring every day. The hotel was close to the office at a 10 minute walk and it was a good activity to do considering the extra fat I have put on somehow recently.
On another day, our host, the finance manager took us around the old city of Moscow on foot and was quite interesting to see some old buildings still be preserved by the government.
On route, I noticed an odd sculpture of someone who gave the first impression of some old muslim scholar or something. Going close, I found out he was Ali-Shir Nava'i. A mystic who might have travelled in the region of Uzbekistan and left such an impression that they had a sculpture of his. Found this quite interesting.
She also took us down into the underground and the stations were a work of a art. The 2 or 3 stations we stopped to look around were a story in themselves. One station was decorated and designed as an emblem of Ukraine reflecting various elements of their history. Another one was fully dedicated to the struggle of the past and the value of each profession in the society. A pianist, a field worker, an artist all painted on the pillars.
One of the stations had a strange sculpture of a guard representing the soldiers on the Russian border along with a dog. Strangely the whole sculpture was in black other than the Dog's nose which was shining in Gold. I was told to observe for a while and soon enough I realize that Russians share the element of superstition. I noticed almost 1 of 10 people coming out from the train, rubbing their hand on the Dog's nose apparently for good luck. One of the by-passers even spoke to the dog and another sent out a prayer as well for him. That dog protects them from the evil it seems. Quite interesting.
Went searching for some souvenirs and bought a matryoshka doll for my kids. A nice shawl for my wife, lovely material and some nice Russian chocolates. They make some good ones. I also couldn't help but buy myself a small soldier from the times of the revolution. It was one thing I wanted to take back for myself. It stands on my office desk as a symbol of my personal struggle and the soldier guarding the walls of my home. I'll probably take a picture and add to this post some day.
The implementation went smooth which was an icing on the cake. Despite the language barrier, there was a breakthrough and we actually had a nice casual chitchat feedback session on the last day with the whole team. It was an amazing personal achievement considering I had come pretty nervous to Russia.
The way back was quite interesting as well some intellectual religious/ political discussion with a passenger travelling together with me.
Learnt a bit of Russian as well and used wisely where required. Spacibo means Thank You. That's where Russia was Russia... Spacibo!!!
Russia was minus 4 degrees when I landed in Moscow and it was snowing. Pretty extreme change from UAE anyway which I left at around 40 degrees. With around 18 days ahead of me, it was expected to be challenging. Russia did not disappoint on the UTP challenge-o-meter. I would rate it close to right up there with the complex ones.
Lots of interesting specifics about the country with its local regulations, statutory requirements and holding onto the identity as a superpower it once was and is on route to becoming again pretty soon. It is already part of the fastest growing BRIC economies as coined by Goldman Sachs and it was reflective of that with Moscow. Extreme weather and traffic was probably the only thing against them otherwise, great transport system involving, metro, underground trains and trams within the city. The economy booming, people educated and doing well.
Russia may seem like alien land for a lot of countries around the world but the smart investors have already reached there setting up their oil & gas explorations, textiles, food service, retails businesses etc. Not to be underestimated at all.
They have some political issues but in these times which country doesn't. at the end of the day, its the people who take the economy forward and the mission showed in almost every person I met or saw regardless of which level they were working at. There was a sense of purpose in the public eye.
Language was an issue as most people speak Russian and only Russian. Luckily our colleagues were not so bad and they understood English. They took us around on the few free days we had during the stay there.
We went to Kremlin, Red Square and it was a great place to see. Historical in its own presence and beautiful buildings as well. See this one as an example.
Walked around the city on the day and quite tiring every day. The hotel was close to the office at a 10 minute walk and it was a good activity to do considering the extra fat I have put on somehow recently.
On another day, our host, the finance manager took us around the old city of Moscow on foot and was quite interesting to see some old buildings still be preserved by the government.
On route, I noticed an odd sculpture of someone who gave the first impression of some old muslim scholar or something. Going close, I found out he was Ali-Shir Nava'i. A mystic who might have travelled in the region of Uzbekistan and left such an impression that they had a sculpture of his. Found this quite interesting.
She also took us down into the underground and the stations were a work of a art. The 2 or 3 stations we stopped to look around were a story in themselves. One station was decorated and designed as an emblem of Ukraine reflecting various elements of their history. Another one was fully dedicated to the struggle of the past and the value of each profession in the society. A pianist, a field worker, an artist all painted on the pillars.
One of the stations had a strange sculpture of a guard representing the soldiers on the Russian border along with a dog. Strangely the whole sculpture was in black other than the Dog's nose which was shining in Gold. I was told to observe for a while and soon enough I realize that Russians share the element of superstition. I noticed almost 1 of 10 people coming out from the train, rubbing their hand on the Dog's nose apparently for good luck. One of the by-passers even spoke to the dog and another sent out a prayer as well for him. That dog protects them from the evil it seems. Quite interesting.
Went searching for some souvenirs and bought a matryoshka doll for my kids. A nice shawl for my wife, lovely material and some nice Russian chocolates. They make some good ones. I also couldn't help but buy myself a small soldier from the times of the revolution. It was one thing I wanted to take back for myself. It stands on my office desk as a symbol of my personal struggle and the soldier guarding the walls of my home. I'll probably take a picture and add to this post some day.
The implementation went smooth which was an icing on the cake. Despite the language barrier, there was a breakthrough and we actually had a nice casual chitchat feedback session on the last day with the whole team. It was an amazing personal achievement considering I had come pretty nervous to Russia.
The way back was quite interesting as well some intellectual religious/ political discussion with a passenger travelling together with me.
Learnt a bit of Russian as well and used wisely where required. Spacibo means Thank You. That's where Russia was Russia... Spacibo!!!
UAE or Pakistan - Home or Home?
With the project taking me into UAE for October, it became quite interesting.
After travelling to Germany, Egypt, Jordan, Korea, Morocco & Tunisia, UAE was a good time to be close the family as well as get the work done.
There was travel involved but only just like it everyday. Travelling from my Sharjah home to Sheikh Zayed Road. That's right. There was no air-travel involved in October. Somebody had to implement UAE also right, so I was the chosen one.
However, it was not boring at all. Implementing the hub of the organization was the biggest challenge to date. There was extreme pressure of enormous volumes of transactions, multiple office locations, sales locations etc. Needless to say, it was majorly tiring mentally trying to manage expectations of some really senior people in the organization.
This month was also the implementation for Pakistan for which another team was chosen. I had been slightly surprised why I wasn't chosen for that as I was the only Pakistani in the team but obviously that could have been one of the reasons.
Anyway, things dont always go as planned. One of the team members going to Pakistan had visa issues and an ad-hoc decision was taken for me to move out from UAE implementation and go to Pakistan. I didn't mind that at all. 2 big stations in one month, just the challenge I needed. First 10 days of UAE implementation and then a switch to do last ten days in Pakistan.
My family accompanied me for a short vacation home while I maintained my project mode. But it was good as I got to meet family and relatives in Karachi while getting the opportunity to go to Lahore & Islamabad as well to train some staff there.
A very eventful month to say the least where it really stretched me. We had a workshop in UAE as well which required some time dedication for a few days. Tight schedule, on-time delivery expectations has defined this project from day 1. This has however also given opportunity to explore and prove some time management skills.
The good thing about this month was, even with the ad-hoc change in plan, it was still home both ways for me. Pakistan which is home and UAE, home away from home.
After travelling to Germany, Egypt, Jordan, Korea, Morocco & Tunisia, UAE was a good time to be close the family as well as get the work done.
There was travel involved but only just like it everyday. Travelling from my Sharjah home to Sheikh Zayed Road. That's right. There was no air-travel involved in October. Somebody had to implement UAE also right, so I was the chosen one.
However, it was not boring at all. Implementing the hub of the organization was the biggest challenge to date. There was extreme pressure of enormous volumes of transactions, multiple office locations, sales locations etc. Needless to say, it was majorly tiring mentally trying to manage expectations of some really senior people in the organization.
This month was also the implementation for Pakistan for which another team was chosen. I had been slightly surprised why I wasn't chosen for that as I was the only Pakistani in the team but obviously that could have been one of the reasons.
Anyway, things dont always go as planned. One of the team members going to Pakistan had visa issues and an ad-hoc decision was taken for me to move out from UAE implementation and go to Pakistan. I didn't mind that at all. 2 big stations in one month, just the challenge I needed. First 10 days of UAE implementation and then a switch to do last ten days in Pakistan.
My family accompanied me for a short vacation home while I maintained my project mode. But it was good as I got to meet family and relatives in Karachi while getting the opportunity to go to Lahore & Islamabad as well to train some staff there.
A very eventful month to say the least where it really stretched me. We had a workshop in UAE as well which required some time dedication for a few days. Tight schedule, on-time delivery expectations has defined this project from day 1. This has however also given opportunity to explore and prove some time management skills.
The good thing about this month was, even with the ad-hoc change in plan, it was still home both ways for me. Pakistan which is home and UAE, home away from home.
Tunisia - Europe or Africa?
The project took me to Tunisia in September. Its been the most challenging place work-wise compared to Germany, Egypt, Jordan, Korea or Morocco. However, that's what makes this whole year interesting. I had entered into my comfort zone, not for long. Tunis reminded me that its not over until its over.
As for the city, well, it is nice and peaceful. Not a lot of high-rise buildings even though are now building some. I think we didnt see anything higher than 3 floors on the average. It is a Muslim country and it was Ramadan but only by the name. I could see people not fasting and not really praying. In fact, they didn't even go for Friday prayers. I might be generalizing it but I am speaking for all the Muslims in office at least.
Anyway, the culture was missing. I couldn't find much unique about the culture. The people gave the impression of Europeans with their way of dressing and looking and spoke Arabic. Some people spoke French as well.
This country links to Italy after the Mediterranean but its influences are from the French colony it was. There are also some ruins from the time the Romans ruled which they have made into nice tourist sites. It was a mixed ambiance with a bit of Italy, France and a bit of Middle East as well. However, I couldn't really label it an African country even though it is geographically.
On one of the days we went to Hammamet, a city at around 50 min drive from Tunis. This city seemed like the fun-land outside the city. Tunis is very different from this one. This one had casinos, markets, joy rides and well basically a happening place. The tourists were enjoying here getting alcohol openly and there was also a dock where there were some expensive boats. A local told us that lots of Europeans settle for their retirement life here. Buy a yacht, keep going across the Mediterranean whenever required. That kinda life.
But it was still an OK place to visit. Nice people, friendly. Its a booming economy with industry coming into the picture. Exporting some fruits and minerals and they have found reserves of Oil and Gas as well. The UAE giants are investing in the real estate as I could see some famous names on mammoth projects over many acres. Sports city, health city, that kinda thing. It would be different in a few years.
The best thing I liked about the country was the their focus on education. It is mandatory for everybody to get educated until the age of 16. Government supported good public schools, that is something that builds nations. I think Tunisia is in the right direction just considering that.
It was not the most ideal planned way back. The flight got cancelled cos of a part malfunction and we had to wait for another 12 hours flying early next morning. The airline took good care of us, got us transferred to a hotel and nice dinner to go with that. Enjoyed some Tunisian cuisine, which by the way was delicious. I don't know the name of dishes but it was a nice mix of vegetable and meaty dishes. Good lamb & veal and good peas and potatoes. Nice fruit juice to go with that.
I would probably go there again to visit the historic places which I couldn't really find time to go and see because of this being a work trip but I put my marker on the stuff so its easy to find next time.
As for the city, well, it is nice and peaceful. Not a lot of high-rise buildings even though are now building some. I think we didnt see anything higher than 3 floors on the average. It is a Muslim country and it was Ramadan but only by the name. I could see people not fasting and not really praying. In fact, they didn't even go for Friday prayers. I might be generalizing it but I am speaking for all the Muslims in office at least.
Anyway, the culture was missing. I couldn't find much unique about the culture. The people gave the impression of Europeans with their way of dressing and looking and spoke Arabic. Some people spoke French as well.
This country links to Italy after the Mediterranean but its influences are from the French colony it was. There are also some ruins from the time the Romans ruled which they have made into nice tourist sites. It was a mixed ambiance with a bit of Italy, France and a bit of Middle East as well. However, I couldn't really label it an African country even though it is geographically.
On one of the days we went to Hammamet, a city at around 50 min drive from Tunis. This city seemed like the fun-land outside the city. Tunis is very different from this one. This one had casinos, markets, joy rides and well basically a happening place. The tourists were enjoying here getting alcohol openly and there was also a dock where there were some expensive boats. A local told us that lots of Europeans settle for their retirement life here. Buy a yacht, keep going across the Mediterranean whenever required. That kinda life.
But it was still an OK place to visit. Nice people, friendly. Its a booming economy with industry coming into the picture. Exporting some fruits and minerals and they have found reserves of Oil and Gas as well. The UAE giants are investing in the real estate as I could see some famous names on mammoth projects over many acres. Sports city, health city, that kinda thing. It would be different in a few years.
The best thing I liked about the country was the their focus on education. It is mandatory for everybody to get educated until the age of 16. Government supported good public schools, that is something that builds nations. I think Tunisia is in the right direction just considering that.
It was not the most ideal planned way back. The flight got cancelled cos of a part malfunction and we had to wait for another 12 hours flying early next morning. The airline took good care of us, got us transferred to a hotel and nice dinner to go with that. Enjoyed some Tunisian cuisine, which by the way was delicious. I don't know the name of dishes but it was a nice mix of vegetable and meaty dishes. Good lamb & veal and good peas and potatoes. Nice fruit juice to go with that.
I would probably go there again to visit the historic places which I couldn't really find time to go and see because of this being a work trip but I put my marker on the stuff so its easy to find next time.
Conspiracy Guaranteed
I have been always been interested in conspiracy theories. From the young age of watching such movies which brings the thrill and rush of blood and twists and turns has always enthralled me to the shocking realities of life today.
I never would've thought that it could come out of that TV box and into reality. Conspiracy theories are all around us and evidently making our lives thrilling. We have been brainwashed to believe what we see on TV and when looking at the big picture that the media is controlled by people who show us what they want to show us and we believe it, we should be labelled as quite stupid.
With the advent of media and its growth to Internet and social networking, the whole thing has just got out of hand. Watch the headlines on any news channel, pick up a newspaper, see a twitter feed, follow facebook for a while, all I see is something going wrong in Muslim countries in the fray. Why is it that out of the 192 countries in the world (number from members of United Nations) only majority Muslim countries make the news and that too for all the wrong reasons. Isn't there problems in countries like US/ UK/ European Countries/Far East? I can assure you there are bigger problems but the image of Muslim countries is what these people are after.
The only thing important enough is to keep mentioning it. Reminding ourselves about it. This is to ensure we don't get carried away with what we see and hear. If one keeps the big picture in mind, it is very easy to stay focused on the goal and task ahead.
This is a continued test of our faith. The conspirators will keep throwing things at us, hoping we will fail. Fall down, lose hope. I actually heard a very close family member who asked, why should I get close to Allah? People who are not close are more successful. I was surprised and yet not so surprised.
The meaning of success itself has been changed. The perception is different. Success is money, fame, happiness in life, contentment in life, things that I have, things that I want and I get... with my hard work, my efforts, my skill, my talent, my achievements due to my good work and my relationships and my contacts....
It all sounds...so right doesn't it?
Did you notice that the perception of success contains a lot of "I" who did it all by "himself" and limited to "This Life". This is exactly what they want us to think and they have been successful in their mission. Take God out of our lives and make us falsely believe that it is us who control our lives and success or failure is all due to our efforts and not God's will.
Observe a day an average person lives. How many times in the day does God or religion come in? Prayers are actually a diversion from the "life" that I am living. When the optimum way of living preached to us was life around prayers and remembrance of Allah and not the other way around. Where did that go? Oh right, that is not how successful people are made.
Riba (interest & interest on interest) has been categorized as the termite that keeps eating into you. It is the most hated element in the eyes of God, right up there with adultery, fornication, consuming alcohol, gambling. Every thing condemned by religion is the most popular thing to do these days.
Interest is now so common that its not even a point of discussion. It is understood to get money out of your money in the bank. It is understood that since you need the car, you ll go and get a car loan and pay interest. It is understood that with the continuously inflating value of property the only way possible to own a house is by taking a loan and pay interest. In this day and age of competition the best universities are so expensive that the only way to get into them and afford them is to take a student loan and pay on interest. It is just the "right" way and rather the only way possible to get all these worldly things.
Think out of the box. It is mentioned by Allah in the Quran that whoever asked for success in life, he was granted that. Whoever asked for success in life and the hereafter, he was granted that. So its all about asking for the right things isnt it? What are we asking in our prayers?
Increased wealth? Peace in the world? Fulfilling of responsibilites of family? Good fate of my daughter, my sister? Happiness in marriage? Job success? General Success in life?
While the above are OK to ask for also, where are the prayers for a Successful here-after? Even our prayers have now become focused with things that end with death. We have made the trade of the after-life which is going to last forever with these few 70 to 80 to 100 years.
When we pray, do we truly believe that it is going to happen since we are asking God? Do we have the blind faith that I will get what I want only if I ask The Right Source?
Everything happening around us is set with a master plan that the conspirators have made up. Their plan has been in motion since the day man was put into this world. They have gone stronger with time as indicated to us as well that it will happen. It is all happening as per the script already written and told to us. What the conspirators don't know that the plan doesn't get fulfilled at the end that they have planned. There is another Master Plan, a superset of their plan. This one by The Greatest Planner of all, Himself. There is going to be more and much more after that. But do we believe in that? Ask yourself, do you really believe there is life after death? Has your faith weakened? Is it just something that you read and you don't really believe in it?
The stage is being set my friends. As mentioned in the Holy Quran and told by Our Beloved Prophet (S.A.W). The signs of the end of times are showing. We are losing our grip on the world. Its time to repent and come back to the basics. Go back to the matrix. Get close to your faith. For the times are near when our Prophet (S.A.W) said, it would be the greatest test of our faiths and extremism will not prevail. A person who is one step behind will be better. It is better to be one step behind but don't let the passion die. The fire within has to be keep burning.
Then wait for the Azaan (call) and when it comes, say Labbaik and join the force. The force which will be a comeback, an "in-your-face" to all the conspiracies of the world. The force that will be an answer to all the questions that the conspirators pose on us today. Questions around corruption, terrorism. The answer will be given but not now. Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But only when the time comes. Just ensure you are ready and on the right side of the battlefield. Jihad (Holy War) is our destiny as that is also a form of prayer with death in the way of religion with the truest faith and no worldly reasons, is the key to heaven.
I never would've thought that it could come out of that TV box and into reality. Conspiracy theories are all around us and evidently making our lives thrilling. We have been brainwashed to believe what we see on TV and when looking at the big picture that the media is controlled by people who show us what they want to show us and we believe it, we should be labelled as quite stupid.
With the advent of media and its growth to Internet and social networking, the whole thing has just got out of hand. Watch the headlines on any news channel, pick up a newspaper, see a twitter feed, follow facebook for a while, all I see is something going wrong in Muslim countries in the fray. Why is it that out of the 192 countries in the world (number from members of United Nations) only majority Muslim countries make the news and that too for all the wrong reasons. Isn't there problems in countries like US/ UK/ European Countries/Far East? I can assure you there are bigger problems but the image of Muslim countries is what these people are after.
There is a conspiracy around it. There is an hidden agenda. We all know about it. We don't want to talk about it. Its understandable.
The only thing important enough is to keep mentioning it. Reminding ourselves about it. This is to ensure we don't get carried away with what we see and hear. If one keeps the big picture in mind, it is very easy to stay focused on the goal and task ahead.
This is a continued test of our faith. The conspirators will keep throwing things at us, hoping we will fail. Fall down, lose hope. I actually heard a very close family member who asked, why should I get close to Allah? People who are not close are more successful. I was surprised and yet not so surprised.
The meaning of success itself has been changed. The perception is different. Success is money, fame, happiness in life, contentment in life, things that I have, things that I want and I get... with my hard work, my efforts, my skill, my talent, my achievements due to my good work and my relationships and my contacts....
It all sounds...so right doesn't it?
Did you notice that the perception of success contains a lot of "I" who did it all by "himself" and limited to "This Life". This is exactly what they want us to think and they have been successful in their mission. Take God out of our lives and make us falsely believe that it is us who control our lives and success or failure is all due to our efforts and not God's will.
Observe a day an average person lives. How many times in the day does God or religion come in? Prayers are actually a diversion from the "life" that I am living. When the optimum way of living preached to us was life around prayers and remembrance of Allah and not the other way around. Where did that go? Oh right, that is not how successful people are made.
Riba (interest & interest on interest) has been categorized as the termite that keeps eating into you. It is the most hated element in the eyes of God, right up there with adultery, fornication, consuming alcohol, gambling. Every thing condemned by religion is the most popular thing to do these days.
Interest is now so common that its not even a point of discussion. It is understood to get money out of your money in the bank. It is understood that since you need the car, you ll go and get a car loan and pay interest. It is understood that with the continuously inflating value of property the only way possible to own a house is by taking a loan and pay interest. In this day and age of competition the best universities are so expensive that the only way to get into them and afford them is to take a student loan and pay on interest. It is just the "right" way and rather the only way possible to get all these worldly things.
Think out of the box. It is mentioned by Allah in the Quran that whoever asked for success in life, he was granted that. Whoever asked for success in life and the hereafter, he was granted that. So its all about asking for the right things isnt it? What are we asking in our prayers?
Increased wealth? Peace in the world? Fulfilling of responsibilites of family? Good fate of my daughter, my sister? Happiness in marriage? Job success? General Success in life?
While the above are OK to ask for also, where are the prayers for a Successful here-after? Even our prayers have now become focused with things that end with death. We have made the trade of the after-life which is going to last forever with these few 70 to 80 to 100 years.
When we pray, do we truly believe that it is going to happen since we are asking God? Do we have the blind faith that I will get what I want only if I ask The Right Source?
Its a conspiracy... every thing is a conspiracy... I am surprised at how everything has to be a conspiracy for us to come out of our routine life and take notice...
Everything happening around us is set with a master plan that the conspirators have made up. Their plan has been in motion since the day man was put into this world. They have gone stronger with time as indicated to us as well that it will happen. It is all happening as per the script already written and told to us. What the conspirators don't know that the plan doesn't get fulfilled at the end that they have planned. There is another Master Plan, a superset of their plan. This one by The Greatest Planner of all, Himself. There is going to be more and much more after that. But do we believe in that? Ask yourself, do you really believe there is life after death? Has your faith weakened? Is it just something that you read and you don't really believe in it?
Would you be doing the things that you do, would you be living your life the way you are doing now, if you truly truly believed in the fact that this life is the exam and the results are in the hereafter?
The stage is being set my friends. As mentioned in the Holy Quran and told by Our Beloved Prophet (S.A.W). The signs of the end of times are showing. We are losing our grip on the world. Its time to repent and come back to the basics. Go back to the matrix. Get close to your faith. For the times are near when our Prophet (S.A.W) said, it would be the greatest test of our faiths and extremism will not prevail. A person who is one step behind will be better. It is better to be one step behind but don't let the passion die. The fire within has to be keep burning.
Then wait for the Azaan (call) and when it comes, say Labbaik and join the force. The force which will be a comeback, an "in-your-face" to all the conspiracies of the world. The force that will be an answer to all the questions that the conspirators pose on us today. Questions around corruption, terrorism. The answer will be given but not now. Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But only when the time comes. Just ensure you are ready and on the right side of the battlefield. Jihad (Holy War) is our destiny as that is also a form of prayer with death in the way of religion with the truest faith and no worldly reasons, is the key to heaven.
The Reality of Me (The Human)
Actually, I decided to update this post a little more for more completeness. Just the poetry (that follows below) doesn't justify what led me to it. I was inspired by a good friend who brought to notice this first Ayat from Surah Al-Insaan.
Allah asks us...
The explanation of the above is basically towards the fact that we as humans can so easily flaunt ourselves with pride. With the small achievements in life, we feel, we are kings and in control of whatever we want to do. Pride (Ghuroor) is one of the most disastrous things that a human could develop. As that leads to other big sins and eventually away from Allah.
Allah reminds us by asking that question. There was a long time before Man when there was No Man. There were other creations like Jinn, Angels, maybe others we don't even know. However, in the infinite time that only Allah knows, man is not even worth mentionable.
So, then Man was built from sand, or clay to be more specific as mentioned in the Holy Quran, this Surah explains the reality of me (the human). Surah-e-Insaan further explains how what we are when we are born and we forget who we were as we grow up. Easily fooled that what we are doing is based on our own strengths and talent and not by Allah's will.
Lot of thought depth led from that single Ayat. I think that is the beauty of The Holy Quran. Every Ayat has so much too ponder over.
Got inspired and with inspiration comes out a little Shayari (poetry)...
Kabhi Kehta Hay Khaak ka Zarra hoon mein...
Kabhi Kehta Hay Dunya mein Ashraf-ul-Makhlooqaat...
Koi yeh mujhay bata dey "Kyon" aur "Kya" hoon mein...
Jo Uss nay chaha tha ... Woh tou na bana hoon mein...
Samajh kee baat yeh hay ~Umar... Mitti say bana hoon mein....
Aur Mitti hee mein ja mila hoon mein...
Translation
Some where He says I am a grain of sand [1]
Some where He says I am the highest of all His creations
Can somebody tell me "Why" and "What" I am
What He wanted... I have certainly not become...
The thing to understand ~Umar is... I have been made from Sand...
And I have gone and mixed with the Sand [2]
[1] - "Grain of Sand" - The smallest particle possible as in of minimal (close to zero) value in this world
[2] - "Mixed with Sand" is used in the context of getting Ruswa (disgraced, insulted, humiliated, defamed) in life
Allah asks us...
The explanation of the above is basically towards the fact that we as humans can so easily flaunt ourselves with pride. With the small achievements in life, we feel, we are kings and in control of whatever we want to do. Pride (Ghuroor) is one of the most disastrous things that a human could develop. As that leads to other big sins and eventually away from Allah.
Allah reminds us by asking that question. There was a long time before Man when there was No Man. There were other creations like Jinn, Angels, maybe others we don't even know. However, in the infinite time that only Allah knows, man is not even worth mentionable.
So, then Man was built from sand, or clay to be more specific as mentioned in the Holy Quran, this Surah explains the reality of me (the human). Surah-e-Insaan further explains how what we are when we are born and we forget who we were as we grow up. Easily fooled that what we are doing is based on our own strengths and talent and not by Allah's will.
Lot of thought depth led from that single Ayat. I think that is the beauty of The Holy Quran. Every Ayat has so much too ponder over.
Got inspired and with inspiration comes out a little Shayari (poetry)...
Kabhi Kehta Hay Khaak ka Zarra hoon mein...
Kabhi Kehta Hay Dunya mein Ashraf-ul-Makhlooqaat...
Koi yeh mujhay bata dey "Kyon" aur "Kya" hoon mein...
Jo Uss nay chaha tha ... Woh tou na bana hoon mein...
Samajh kee baat yeh hay ~Umar... Mitti say bana hoon mein....
Aur Mitti hee mein ja mila hoon mein...
Translation
Some where He says I am a grain of sand [1]
Some where He says I am the highest of all His creations
Can somebody tell me "Why" and "What" I am
What He wanted... I have certainly not become...
The thing to understand ~Umar is... I have been made from Sand...
And I have gone and mixed with the Sand [2]
[1] - "Grain of Sand" - The smallest particle possible as in of minimal (close to zero) value in this world
[2] - "Mixed with Sand" is used in the context of getting Ruswa (disgraced, insulted, humiliated, defamed) in life
Cynical Independence from the Cynical Expat
There are different types of inspiration I seek at different times. Sometimes it is religious, spiritual which I get from getting closer to God, Sufism. At other times, it is inspiration to do well at work. Strangely but true, that you need that as well to keep going. My family, my responsibilities and my plans for the future repeated to me and I get back on track. Then there is another form which is Patriotic inspiration.
With the devastating things happening in Pakistan in the recent past, I have been feeling distant from my roots. I wasn’t feeling the sense of ownership that I should feel. This is not a comfortable feeling for someone who has been brought up with feeling of “Shahadat” (martyrdom) deep in his veins. I have grown up watching the right things, listening to the right things, speaking to the right people to know that the ultimate death is martyrdom. Leave sacrificing my time, my material wealth, I wasn’t even feeling bad for seeing the floods in the country. I was simply feeling cut-off from the reality. I knew I needed to get back to my roots and do some thinking and planning. I can’t be called normal if I don’t stop this now as it would only get worse and eventually put me at a difficult distance to come back from.
With the planned annual leave available, I wanted to plan it in a way that I spent time in my homeland on the Independence Day celebrations. Find some inspiration to do something about the mess.
14th August 1947 was when Pakistan got independence. We became an independent state, in a position to plan out the future of the country in our own way. This year, 63 years down the line, we are not even close to our potential. I have been getting a series of strange confusing dreams and thoughts. Hopefully, they fit together and then they will be unveiled at the right time. But they were related to doing some good for the Muslim world, starting from my own country. Let’s see how these random thoughts come together and materialize if at all in the future.
There were many hurdles on achieving a simple trip, interestingly from different facets, family, work, personal interests. Just planning a trip to be there when the Pakistan Flag is the most selling item on the day had its hurdles.
Anyway, my will prevailed and we did land at Karachi on 13th August, all set for an enjoyable Independence Day the next day. The landing brought back the Goosebumps I always feel just by the thought that I am touching ground to my soil. My place. It is Home. I’ll be honest; I don’t have a permanent home in Pakistan. I lived in a rented place pretty much all my life when I was here and on my visits, I stay with relatives but nothing of my own. But, it is still home and you feel it every time you come back with the country welcoming you with open arms. I was happy to feel those Goosebumps; it confirmed to me that I still got love and attachment to my home soil. This was a great assurance for my perceived goals and the things I want to do.
However, as a true expatriate, I felt a sense of insecurity as soon as I stepped out of the Airport towards the car park. I watched my baggage with hawk eyes. I kept a special eye on the bag that had the valuables. I mean, it is just sad and strange to compare how I don’t do that at this stringent level in the different places I have visited recently around the world. In my home country, around my own people, I felt more insecure.
Insecurity is a psychological feeling. It is all in the head and completely dependent on the individual. The mind is tuned by the media and what we see in the news which becomes grapevine and spreads like wildfire. If me as a Pakistani, felt this way after coming back after long time, I don’t blame the people who have not been here at all to build a negative opinion about my country. The media does ensure to portray Pakistan as hell on earth.
Okay, so this is not an Ostrich approach. I am not in denial. There are genuine issues here, agreed. Political instability, economic concerns, poverty, education, security... but it is no different than many other places in the world. Many experts are saying that America is now the worst place to live in the world. Your savings are gone, you are down in debt, and the economy is on its way down. However that is not the image it has right now. Take India; while the economic boom is clearly evident from the media reports, there are other issues worse than Pakistan related to poverty, secular issues, religious issues etc. Take the Far East, Korea, Russia, and Europe, take any country. Every country has its own major challenges however if one spends some time on any major news channels for a day, the result at the end would be that that its all going wrong in Pakistan and every other place in the world is somehow “manageable”.
Let me tell you friends. The issues in Pakistan are no different than any other place and yes they are manageable as well. I have seen how people come together to help each other and every problem has a solution which is being put into action. The sad part is, it requires a natural calamity to bring us together. We still got our passions and energy within us. We need stimulus and that’s all. I’ll tell you when something can be labeled as “unmanageable”. When people don’t have the passion in them to stand up for something they believe in. I think, we as a nation are far off from that.
All people around the world know about the Pakistan Floods that initiated from North West and has trickled down the river Indus through Punjab and is currently in Sindh causing devastation to millions along the way. What the international media is not able to show is how independent social organizations, school children, college university students have come together to gather relief funds and have been able to take it to the regions for supporting the people there. There is some good stuff going on here and yet the world doesn’t see that. I ask, why? All the bad news, so called terrorism, devastation, plane crashes, economic situation become a highlight reel but the good stuff about the country is not shown. Anyway, there is no need to ponder over that, as we pretty much know already. The media is a huge propaganda and it’s on a different mission altogether. I won’t even go there. But I’ll tell you its no worries, we will prevail as we are meant to as a nation.
The cynic in me has been my worst enemy. I hate the cynic in me. I don’t trust anybody anymore. I ask why? It is just straight forward brainwash. I have never been robbed or put in a firing line or even had a near encounter with terror. Yet I feel fear and insecure. Am I the lucky one? I wouldn’t think so. I think the majority of the people here would say the same. However, the minority that has been through it and the media has shown it building a red, bold, circle around it to ensure fear is maintained would say, I wouldn’t know as I have not been through it. I am not trying to shy away from the truth but it is not as bad as it is pictured. If we could put a percentage to crime and the ratio of it with the population, I am sure that the number calculated would give us a place far away from the top in the list of countries. We are a peaceful nation and it’s a peaceful country. We are not the most peaceful/safest agreed because of a little confused minority but we are not the most terrorized country either as depicted. However, the media has brainwashed the world as well as us as Pakistanis to think that… and sigh… built the cynic in me.
I land in Karachi and my cheap phone comes out, my PDA stays in my bag until I am on the flight back to UAE in fear of getting robbed. I watch over my luggage, my family with eagle eyes. I am in constant lookout for any strange people around us. Is anybody following us? I don’t leave valuables in the car. I don’t trust people. I hate myself when I observe the cynic that has become a monster inside me.
On the morning of Independence Day, the cable TV went off. This is the time when I was trying to switch it on, looking for Patriotic inspiration dialogue, songs, and speeches. All stuff that could revive my sleeping patriotism. Seeing the cable just be switched off due to some technical issue, gave me the cynical thought that even this is planned as well. They are controlling the media and showing whatever they want the public to see. Why should the public see something that brings them together, lets just kill the cable. An off day at home, and people doing nothing but worrying about what’s going on around the city. It would have been great to listen to some inspirational stuff being shown around the channels and get the spirit of Patriotism back. On the other hand the people were left with thoughts of whether it is safe to go out? Is it safe to help the people? Aaaarrgh!! I hate the cynic that has created within us.
It is an internal war I am at, trying to find inspiration of turning my passion and love for my country into actions which definitely speak louder than this stupid blog post which does nothing other than me venting out my thoughts. Did it do any good for anybody? No. Just a blabber-post forgotten on the next day it was posted.
There are so many things that I want to do. It’s a big picture in front of me but to get there I need some grooming. I need to prepare for the responsibility in whatever way possible. I need maturity, I need knowledge. I need to build management qualities. I observe my life behind me and I see how I have experienced the right things to be ready for the big task that is coming up in the near future. I am sure if you review your past, my fellow countrymen, you might feel the same as well.
Enemies of my country!!! Stop me now while I am just a bud, just a kid, otherwise prepare to regret in the coming times. I plan to blossom and prove my worth and live my destiny. May Allah be with me. Aameen.
My Countrymen!!! Put it all together. Kill the cynic in you. Be the salesman. Be the ambassador. Be the leader. We are born to lead. Find the right inspiration. Put your passion to work.
With the devastating things happening in Pakistan in the recent past, I have been feeling distant from my roots. I wasn’t feeling the sense of ownership that I should feel. This is not a comfortable feeling for someone who has been brought up with feeling of “Shahadat” (martyrdom) deep in his veins. I have grown up watching the right things, listening to the right things, speaking to the right people to know that the ultimate death is martyrdom. Leave sacrificing my time, my material wealth, I wasn’t even feeling bad for seeing the floods in the country. I was simply feeling cut-off from the reality. I knew I needed to get back to my roots and do some thinking and planning. I can’t be called normal if I don’t stop this now as it would only get worse and eventually put me at a difficult distance to come back from.
With the planned annual leave available, I wanted to plan it in a way that I spent time in my homeland on the Independence Day celebrations. Find some inspiration to do something about the mess.
14th August 1947 was when Pakistan got independence. We became an independent state, in a position to plan out the future of the country in our own way. This year, 63 years down the line, we are not even close to our potential. I have been getting a series of strange confusing dreams and thoughts. Hopefully, they fit together and then they will be unveiled at the right time. But they were related to doing some good for the Muslim world, starting from my own country. Let’s see how these random thoughts come together and materialize if at all in the future.
There were many hurdles on achieving a simple trip, interestingly from different facets, family, work, personal interests. Just planning a trip to be there when the Pakistan Flag is the most selling item on the day had its hurdles.
Amazing, how the negative energy tries to fight anything positive that one wants to do.
Anyway, my will prevailed and we did land at Karachi on 13th August, all set for an enjoyable Independence Day the next day. The landing brought back the Goosebumps I always feel just by the thought that I am touching ground to my soil. My place. It is Home. I’ll be honest; I don’t have a permanent home in Pakistan. I lived in a rented place pretty much all my life when I was here and on my visits, I stay with relatives but nothing of my own. But, it is still home and you feel it every time you come back with the country welcoming you with open arms. I was happy to feel those Goosebumps; it confirmed to me that I still got love and attachment to my home soil. This was a great assurance for my perceived goals and the things I want to do.
However, as a true expatriate, I felt a sense of insecurity as soon as I stepped out of the Airport towards the car park. I watched my baggage with hawk eyes. I kept a special eye on the bag that had the valuables. I mean, it is just sad and strange to compare how I don’t do that at this stringent level in the different places I have visited recently around the world. In my home country, around my own people, I felt more insecure.
Insecurity is a psychological feeling. It is all in the head and completely dependent on the individual. The mind is tuned by the media and what we see in the news which becomes grapevine and spreads like wildfire. If me as a Pakistani, felt this way after coming back after long time, I don’t blame the people who have not been here at all to build a negative opinion about my country. The media does ensure to portray Pakistan as hell on earth.
Okay, so this is not an Ostrich approach. I am not in denial. There are genuine issues here, agreed. Political instability, economic concerns, poverty, education, security... but it is no different than many other places in the world. Many experts are saying that America is now the worst place to live in the world. Your savings are gone, you are down in debt, and the economy is on its way down. However that is not the image it has right now. Take India; while the economic boom is clearly evident from the media reports, there are other issues worse than Pakistan related to poverty, secular issues, religious issues etc. Take the Far East, Korea, Russia, and Europe, take any country. Every country has its own major challenges however if one spends some time on any major news channels for a day, the result at the end would be that that its all going wrong in Pakistan and every other place in the world is somehow “manageable”.
Let me tell you friends. The issues in Pakistan are no different than any other place and yes they are manageable as well. I have seen how people come together to help each other and every problem has a solution which is being put into action. The sad part is, it requires a natural calamity to bring us together. We still got our passions and energy within us. We need stimulus and that’s all. I’ll tell you when something can be labeled as “unmanageable”. When people don’t have the passion in them to stand up for something they believe in. I think, we as a nation are far off from that.
We are just a little disappointed and disheartened with the series of leaderships that we have had since independence but that doesn’t mean we are dead meat. We are just saving ourselves to put it all together when the time is right.
All people around the world know about the Pakistan Floods that initiated from North West and has trickled down the river Indus through Punjab and is currently in Sindh causing devastation to millions along the way. What the international media is not able to show is how independent social organizations, school children, college university students have come together to gather relief funds and have been able to take it to the regions for supporting the people there. There is some good stuff going on here and yet the world doesn’t see that. I ask, why? All the bad news, so called terrorism, devastation, plane crashes, economic situation become a highlight reel but the good stuff about the country is not shown. Anyway, there is no need to ponder over that, as we pretty much know already. The media is a huge propaganda and it’s on a different mission altogether. I won’t even go there. But I’ll tell you its no worries, we will prevail as we are meant to as a nation.
The cynic in me has been my worst enemy. I hate the cynic in me. I don’t trust anybody anymore. I ask why? It is just straight forward brainwash. I have never been robbed or put in a firing line or even had a near encounter with terror. Yet I feel fear and insecure. Am I the lucky one? I wouldn’t think so. I think the majority of the people here would say the same. However, the minority that has been through it and the media has shown it building a red, bold, circle around it to ensure fear is maintained would say, I wouldn’t know as I have not been through it. I am not trying to shy away from the truth but it is not as bad as it is pictured. If we could put a percentage to crime and the ratio of it with the population, I am sure that the number calculated would give us a place far away from the top in the list of countries. We are a peaceful nation and it’s a peaceful country. We are not the most peaceful/safest agreed because of a little confused minority but we are not the most terrorized country either as depicted. However, the media has brainwashed the world as well as us as Pakistanis to think that… and sigh… built the cynic in me.
I land in Karachi and my cheap phone comes out, my PDA stays in my bag until I am on the flight back to UAE in fear of getting robbed. I watch over my luggage, my family with eagle eyes. I am in constant lookout for any strange people around us. Is anybody following us? I don’t leave valuables in the car. I don’t trust people. I hate myself when I observe the cynic that has become a monster inside me.
On the morning of Independence Day, the cable TV went off. This is the time when I was trying to switch it on, looking for Patriotic inspiration dialogue, songs, and speeches. All stuff that could revive my sleeping patriotism. Seeing the cable just be switched off due to some technical issue, gave me the cynical thought that even this is planned as well. They are controlling the media and showing whatever they want the public to see. Why should the public see something that brings them together, lets just kill the cable. An off day at home, and people doing nothing but worrying about what’s going on around the city. It would have been great to listen to some inspirational stuff being shown around the channels and get the spirit of Patriotism back. On the other hand the people were left with thoughts of whether it is safe to go out? Is it safe to help the people? Aaaarrgh!! I hate the cynic that has created within us.
It is an internal war I am at, trying to find inspiration of turning my passion and love for my country into actions which definitely speak louder than this stupid blog post which does nothing other than me venting out my thoughts. Did it do any good for anybody? No. Just a blabber-post forgotten on the next day it was posted.
There are so many things that I want to do. It’s a big picture in front of me but to get there I need some grooming. I need to prepare for the responsibility in whatever way possible. I need maturity, I need knowledge. I need to build management qualities. I observe my life behind me and I see how I have experienced the right things to be ready for the big task that is coming up in the near future. I am sure if you review your past, my fellow countrymen, you might feel the same as well.
Enemies of my country!!! Stop me now while I am just a bud, just a kid, otherwise prepare to regret in the coming times. I plan to blossom and prove my worth and live my destiny. May Allah be with me. Aameen.
My Countrymen!!! Put it all together. Kill the cynic in you. Be the salesman. Be the ambassador. Be the leader. We are born to lead. Find the right inspiration. Put your passion to work.
This is not how it ends. This is how it begins.
Morocco - Girls, Girls, Girls & ...Phosphate
As I travel, my world travels with me. Absolutely, mindless quote with no philosophy behind it. If you want, I can create some logic or thought behind that. Okay, lets leave it there.
Morocco, is where the project took me next after Korea. From +5 hours from home to now, -3 hours. Quite a time zone switch. Already been here in Casablanca for a week and its the best weather I have seen as yet compared to Germany, Egypt, Jordan or Korea. Warm and cosy but not sweaty. Good breeze. Good beach-type weather. No rain, but nicely balanced cloud cover. Pretty good.
However, when I asked somebody, "What is famous about Morocco?", I got the reply, "Girls." A little surprised, I mean OK fine, there are girls in other countries also. So I ask, "Whats the best export you guys have here?" You won't believe it folks, I got the same reply, "Girls." I got what he was trying to say.
Morocco is the centre-point of girls/women being smuggled to Europe for all the wrong reasons. Its the hub for all Middle Eastern men who want to do what they can't do in Middle East. Hence, it is a centre of attractive and cheap womenfolk available to please men in whatever way required.
I stepped out of my hotel and a taxi driver offered to take us around the city some day probably on the weekend. I asked, "Where will you take us?" He winked. I said, "Whaa..?" He said, "I'll take you to the *wink* right places." I was actually disappointed in how the local folk are selling their country.
Lots of old cars were seen. Mercedes, Renault and Peugeot are common. The taxi works by the meter but sharing taxies is common also. It almost works like public buses. The taxi will stop if his car has space and the passenger can climb in if he is going in the same direction as the people already sitting. The new passenger pays and we pay as well by the meter. Strange but good for the taxi guy.
I sat with one of my colleagues on the first day and asked him similar questions as above. He said well basically its a tourist site. I asked whats to see here, like museums, history etc. I got the same redundant reply, "Girls." I said "Come on man, there has to be something more that runs the economy here. What do they export from here...?". Here's a new flavour to the conversation. "Well you mean other than Girls? They won't accept but there is lots of drugs trading as well..." I am thinking, I have entered Mafia town or something. He goes on like he remembered something, "Oh yeah, they have good phosphate here. That is one of the exports." I said thank God, something legitimate came up.
So it took a lot of conversation to know that Phosphate is one of the good exports otherwise the strategy is quite clear. Girls/Women/Drugs. Supply the world what they want most and get it the hardest. Make it easy for them to get what they want.
Morocco is the gateway to Europe from Africa with connections and lots of history with French, Spanish and Italian People as well. It shows and reflects in the languages spoken here. French and Arabic are the most popular but as we go northwards, Spanish and Italian is common also. The mix of culture reflects clearly as one can see different shades of skin and facial features. I wouldn't be surprised if it is because of the Girls :P.
Discos are popular here and even though it is a Muslim Country, alcohol is available quite openly. We visited the 3rd biggest mosque in the world and attended Maghrib prayers there. They have made it a tourist site and people were visiting it like a park. Maghrib was at 9pm. Only saw that timing for Maghrib when I had been to UK 2 years back. The sun just doesn't set it seems :).
Not too much of an eventful trip travel-wise as yet. It reflects as an old city with old buildings and lot of people. It is a poor country with a high percentage below poverty level. We'll probably go to the beach tomorrow but otherwise it is an OK place, probably not to be visited again.
Morocco, is where the project took me next after Korea. From +5 hours from home to now, -3 hours. Quite a time zone switch. Already been here in Casablanca for a week and its the best weather I have seen as yet compared to Germany, Egypt, Jordan or Korea. Warm and cosy but not sweaty. Good breeze. Good beach-type weather. No rain, but nicely balanced cloud cover. Pretty good.
However, when I asked somebody, "What is famous about Morocco?", I got the reply, "Girls." A little surprised, I mean OK fine, there are girls in other countries also. So I ask, "Whats the best export you guys have here?" You won't believe it folks, I got the same reply, "Girls." I got what he was trying to say.
Morocco is the centre-point of girls/women being smuggled to Europe for all the wrong reasons. Its the hub for all Middle Eastern men who want to do what they can't do in Middle East. Hence, it is a centre of attractive and cheap womenfolk available to please men in whatever way required.
I stepped out of my hotel and a taxi driver offered to take us around the city some day probably on the weekend. I asked, "Where will you take us?" He winked. I said, "Whaa..?" He said, "I'll take you to the *wink* right places." I was actually disappointed in how the local folk are selling their country.
Lots of old cars were seen. Mercedes, Renault and Peugeot are common. The taxi works by the meter but sharing taxies is common also. It almost works like public buses. The taxi will stop if his car has space and the passenger can climb in if he is going in the same direction as the people already sitting. The new passenger pays and we pay as well by the meter. Strange but good for the taxi guy.
I sat with one of my colleagues on the first day and asked him similar questions as above. He said well basically its a tourist site. I asked whats to see here, like museums, history etc. I got the same redundant reply, "Girls." I said "Come on man, there has to be something more that runs the economy here. What do they export from here...?". Here's a new flavour to the conversation. "Well you mean other than Girls? They won't accept but there is lots of drugs trading as well..." I am thinking, I have entered Mafia town or something. He goes on like he remembered something, "Oh yeah, they have good phosphate here. That is one of the exports." I said thank God, something legitimate came up.
So it took a lot of conversation to know that Phosphate is one of the good exports otherwise the strategy is quite clear. Girls/Women/Drugs. Supply the world what they want most and get it the hardest. Make it easy for them to get what they want.
Morocco is the gateway to Europe from Africa with connections and lots of history with French, Spanish and Italian People as well. It shows and reflects in the languages spoken here. French and Arabic are the most popular but as we go northwards, Spanish and Italian is common also. The mix of culture reflects clearly as one can see different shades of skin and facial features. I wouldn't be surprised if it is because of the Girls :P.
Discos are popular here and even though it is a Muslim Country, alcohol is available quite openly. We visited the 3rd biggest mosque in the world and attended Maghrib prayers there. They have made it a tourist site and people were visiting it like a park. Maghrib was at 9pm. Only saw that timing for Maghrib when I had been to UK 2 years back. The sun just doesn't set it seems :).
Not too much of an eventful trip travel-wise as yet. It reflects as an old city with old buildings and lot of people. It is a poor country with a high percentage below poverty level. We'll probably go to the beach tomorrow but otherwise it is an OK place, probably not to be visited again.
Dish#2 – Boussree
Never heard of the word? Boussree. I don't blame you. Its the local name probably known in the not-so-small Memon community of Pakistan. We got it from my maternal grandma and my mother. We have grown up having Boussree for breakfast on the weekends. It was such an important part of my life that my mother ensured that my wife learnt it before proceeding further in our marital life. I am sure the sanctity of the dish is now clear.
So I thought I need to learn this one. So here we are folks, UTP made Boussree today for breakfast.
Firstly, lets get the spelling of the name right. I wanted to create the right spelling so 9 out of 10 people pronounce it correctly. First I thought I should write Bussree. But then thought about 7 out 10 people would read that as School Bus and Ree which is not how its pronounced.
Then I thought I'll make it Boosree and then I thought still about 5 out of 10 people would question the halal nature of the dish due to its easy relation to booze. I would probably need a fatwa issued to assure the audience that the dish is edible and yes indeed halal.
So I finally made it Boussree. Just ensure you don't go Bo-uss-reee. Make it two syllable with no rolling of the tongue to make it Bouss-ree. That's the best I could do. Hope you got it.
Anyway, lets get down to how its made. Its a sweet roti or a sweet roti sandwich. If you know sweet roti or "mithi" roti then just know this one is a two layered roti with sugar sandwiched in the middle and way much softer.
First make the dough. One Buoussree takes 2 small cups of flour and a pinch of salt. Put some water on a ratio. Put a little and feel the flour. The flour talks to you when its thirsty. Don't put too much water or it gets sticky. If you do so by mistake then add more flour. You can't have flour sticky at all.
I didn't have to beat the flour that much like I had to for the pizza. This was much easier however, interestingly, my daughter snuck up and asked, is the dough been bad again? You'll only get this joke if you read the pizza post which I did for last week's cooking.
Leave the flour after its nice and round and it will dry up a bit to get rolled. Then pat a little water on it and punch the dough a little more. Pull out half a lump out so you leave half more for the second layer and start rolling the half lump. Put some dry flour to make sure it doesn't stick to the floor and keep rolling.
The first roll need not be an exact circle as its gonna be done over anyway. Once you have rolled it to an approximate circle or oval or pyjama or basically any shape, read and then apply the secret move.
Now, I ll let you in on the secret move. Put some oil all around and cut one slit from the centre to the edge of the circle. Then roll over the whole thing so it becomes a 3-d Conical figure. Pull out a lump of flour from the pointy side and compress the rest in your hand. This ensures the oil merges into the flour. There is no better way in history known as yet to do this. This has come to us from generations and down to my mother to my wife. Then squeeze using both thumbs, both palms to make it a small circle and roll it again into a circle. Smart eh?
Once its a circle keep it on the side and do the same as mentioned above with the other lump for the second layer. Only on the second layer, when you are done with the secret tip on top, put sugar well balanced all across. This is the same as putting jam on toast only much stickier. You thought jam was sticky. Spread the sugar evenly and when done, bring the first layer that you had rolled and place it nicely on top of it. Its needless to say that both the circles should be 95% the same size.
When you are done with this, you would have a sandwich of 2 rotis with sugar in the middle. Sounds yummy already but here is another important trick that makes this dish what it is. When making a round sandwich ensure the edges are really thin and tight. Start twisting the edges in with just one finger, the index finger. If you try this with any other finger or anything else (don't get creative...), it will not have the effect required. Twist all the way around and the edges should start looking like curlies or macaroni curls.
The frying pan should be made hot for a little while and then put some Ghee in it. Yes this dish is not for diabetic or cholesterol conscious people. Its sweet and oily. Sorry, I should have probably told this earlier. Fry the round sandwiched rotis until they are golden brown. Put more ghee if required depending on how oily you want it. I prefer, not too much though.
Voila, its done. Yes, short and sweet (literally). It usually is better to cook 2 small Bousrees (4 lumps ~ 4 layers) instead of a big Bousree. Cut the circle in 4/6/8 pieces depending on the size and enjoy it. This dish is enjoyed more with milk tea instead of coffee and is more of a breakfast dish.
The same method can be used for cooking Minced Meat Bousree, Aaloo (potato) Bousree or any other filling that you like. Just replace the sugar with any item. Then it could become a lunch or dinner item as well. Ensure to get raita (spicy yogurt) if you want to make this with anything meaty or veggie.
So I thought I need to learn this one. So here we are folks, UTP made Boussree today for breakfast.
Firstly, lets get the spelling of the name right. I wanted to create the right spelling so 9 out of 10 people pronounce it correctly. First I thought I should write Bussree. But then thought about 7 out 10 people would read that as School Bus and Ree which is not how its pronounced.
Then I thought I'll make it Boosree and then I thought still about 5 out of 10 people would question the halal nature of the dish due to its easy relation to booze. I would probably need a fatwa issued to assure the audience that the dish is edible and yes indeed halal.
So I finally made it Boussree. Just ensure you don't go Bo-uss-reee. Make it two syllable with no rolling of the tongue to make it Bouss-ree. That's the best I could do. Hope you got it.
Anyway, lets get down to how its made. Its a sweet roti or a sweet roti sandwich. If you know sweet roti or "mithi" roti then just know this one is a two layered roti with sugar sandwiched in the middle and way much softer.
First make the dough. One Buoussree takes 2 small cups of flour and a pinch of salt. Put some water on a ratio. Put a little and feel the flour. The flour talks to you when its thirsty. Don't put too much water or it gets sticky. If you do so by mistake then add more flour. You can't have flour sticky at all.
I didn't have to beat the flour that much like I had to for the pizza. This was much easier however, interestingly, my daughter snuck up and asked, is the dough been bad again? You'll only get this joke if you read the pizza post which I did for last week's cooking.
Leave the flour after its nice and round and it will dry up a bit to get rolled. Then pat a little water on it and punch the dough a little more. Pull out half a lump out so you leave half more for the second layer and start rolling the half lump. Put some dry flour to make sure it doesn't stick to the floor and keep rolling.
The first roll need not be an exact circle as its gonna be done over anyway. Once you have rolled it to an approximate circle or oval or pyjama or basically any shape, read and then apply the secret move.
Now, I ll let you in on the secret move. Put some oil all around and cut one slit from the centre to the edge of the circle. Then roll over the whole thing so it becomes a 3-d Conical figure. Pull out a lump of flour from the pointy side and compress the rest in your hand. This ensures the oil merges into the flour. There is no better way in history known as yet to do this. This has come to us from generations and down to my mother to my wife. Then squeeze using both thumbs, both palms to make it a small circle and roll it again into a circle. Smart eh?
Once its a circle keep it on the side and do the same as mentioned above with the other lump for the second layer. Only on the second layer, when you are done with the secret tip on top, put sugar well balanced all across. This is the same as putting jam on toast only much stickier. You thought jam was sticky. Spread the sugar evenly and when done, bring the first layer that you had rolled and place it nicely on top of it. Its needless to say that both the circles should be 95% the same size.
When you are done with this, you would have a sandwich of 2 rotis with sugar in the middle. Sounds yummy already but here is another important trick that makes this dish what it is. When making a round sandwich ensure the edges are really thin and tight. Start twisting the edges in with just one finger, the index finger. If you try this with any other finger or anything else (don't get creative...), it will not have the effect required. Twist all the way around and the edges should start looking like curlies or macaroni curls.
The frying pan should be made hot for a little while and then put some Ghee in it. Yes this dish is not for diabetic or cholesterol conscious people. Its sweet and oily. Sorry, I should have probably told this earlier. Fry the round sandwiched rotis until they are golden brown. Put more ghee if required depending on how oily you want it. I prefer, not too much though.
Voila, its done. Yes, short and sweet (literally). It usually is better to cook 2 small Bousrees (4 lumps ~ 4 layers) instead of a big Bousree. Cut the circle in 4/6/8 pieces depending on the size and enjoy it. This dish is enjoyed more with milk tea instead of coffee and is more of a breakfast dish.
The same method can be used for cooking Minced Meat Bousree, Aaloo (potato) Bousree or any other filling that you like. Just replace the sugar with any item. Then it could become a lunch or dinner item as well. Ensure to get raita (spicy yogurt) if you want to make this with anything meaty or veggie.
Dish#1 - Pizza, Potato Salad & Garlic Bread
The project begins. Umami Tasting Parsnips - Episode 1.
This last Friday, the project began. My wife decided, it's got to be straight forward and not to complex. Also, something that we could all enjoy. So the menu was set. Chicken and Tomato Pizza, Potato Salad & Garlic Bread. She wanted to squeeze in a chocolate cake as well but I gave her the look. This is the first day lady, and she realized she is getting a little carried away with it. I could see she was hiding her excitement but its this same attitude of hers which keeps pushing us all to do better every next time. Lets Learn Urdu is one of her such example projects, where she keeps stretching the limits for our elder one. She is the woman behind this successful man, for sure.
Anyway, back to the topic. So I got my Chef's Hat ready, my Red shirt and the apron (it still needs a UTP logo) and we got going. I peeled potatoes first and chopped them down and put them in to boil. You need to put half a teaspoon salt in the water for some reason. It helps it get soft and slightly salty.
Then I got to the Pizza dough. Lots of punching and kicking on the dough to make it behave. My wife told me that Italians, the so called maestros of Pizza making, bang the batter while holding from one side, so it stretches. I particularly enjoyed this part, cos I believe that was the only element of violence that I got during the whole episode. My manly ego was satisfied. We put a little olive oil, some normal cooking oil and flour with a small packet of yeast. When the dough was round and plump and had had its share of beating for the day, it was left to swell from the wounds.
While I was kicking the dough's ass, my daughter comes and asks what's going on? Obviously the sound of beating got her distracted from her cartoons. I used this situation to my advantage. This dough has not taken care of her sister and also not been a good girl lately. So it's getting a beating. Then I went bang and bang and I think the message sank in pretty well with few gulps. That reminds me of a story from a Sindhi drama which I will keep for some other day. Its related to pillow beating.
Next came cutting the capsicum and tomatoes for the pizza and also shredding the cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese. All this was done while the potatoes boiled. I checked the softness of the potato and when the knife can go in smoothly through, they are ready to be soaked dry. They were pulled out and left to dry through a steel net.
A little time later, the Pizza dough, started screaming for attention as the wounds were paining and swollen. We were looking at some thick crust to be cooked. A little bit more kicking and punching and the dough was ready to be laid down. I mean, like strolled through the roller and made into a circle. This is where I used one of the tricks used to make it a perfect circle. Wonderfully, even my wife didn't know that one. Moment of pride. See you stretch it and stretch and then you cut a circle around it with a knife. The extra dough at the end is then put in the middle again and rolled further in. This is what they don't show you in cooking shows. They can do their pizza flipping and height reached etc but they don't show you how they make it into a perfect circle.
Anyway, it was rolled over and then a joint effort to place it on the Oven tray. I laid down the Pizza Sauce using my hands and fingers to ensure the sauce reaches where it should. This is something that mayG had done a day earlier. Next time I ll prepare the sauce myself also. Next came the cheddar cheese, boiled chicken pieces (shredded) and on it the capsicum, tomatoes and olives. On top came the mozzarella cheese. It was ready to go in. The oven was heated.
While the oven heated, I whipped the mayonnaise, cream and some seasoning into a thick paste for the potato salad. This was yummy. I almost had it all while whipping.
The oven heated and the pizza went in with a lot of prayers. I got to the Garlic Bread after that. Long french loaf, cut slanted (my touch) needs to be filled with a paste. This paste was made from one Garlic clove, 2 slices of butter and olive oil. A little seasoning. A lot of mashing and when the butter melts, its ready. The french loaf is not cut all the way through and rather left right till the bottom so that the loaf stays together. Then the paste is slid into the cuts. This is a skill that I developed on the job. Once done, its put into an aluminium foil and snuck into the oven.
Final touches on the potato salad where the potatoes were mixed with the paste made earlier with a spoon as the potatoes are too soft to be used with anything else. A little leaf on the top (for the look) and the salad was ready.
After a little while, the Pizza started screaming, let me out and we got it out. A little overdone but still yummy. I couldn't figure out exactly how long we put it but I believe we kept it 2 minutes too long. Anyway, it wasn't as bad as it may sound. This Pizza was filled with stuff on top, soft through the rest and it needs some teeth at the bottom of it. Not the crispy kind but something that you can't melt in but need a bite. I personally liked the touch, I would like to get the same effect again every time.
Anyway, we set the table, Pizza in the middle, Garlic bread on side of it and Potato Salad. A job well done by UTP and appreciated by the wife. I have actually done it folks. The fear is gone now. I can take on any dish that comes next.
It became such a large pizza that we had it for dinner, breakfast next day and also for lunch and dinner the next day. It was approximately 20 inches in diameter and really thick. So that's my plan. Cook something on Friday which lasts through the weekend so its a relaxing Saturday.
Feel free to get in touch with me on any further details cos I couldn't write them all in. Wow!! I did it. I don't believe it.
This last Friday, the project began. My wife decided, it's got to be straight forward and not to complex. Also, something that we could all enjoy. So the menu was set. Chicken and Tomato Pizza, Potato Salad & Garlic Bread. She wanted to squeeze in a chocolate cake as well but I gave her the look. This is the first day lady, and she realized she is getting a little carried away with it. I could see she was hiding her excitement but its this same attitude of hers which keeps pushing us all to do better every next time. Lets Learn Urdu is one of her such example projects, where she keeps stretching the limits for our elder one. She is the woman behind this successful man, for sure.
Anyway, back to the topic. So I got my Chef's Hat ready, my Red shirt and the apron (it still needs a UTP logo) and we got going. I peeled potatoes first and chopped them down and put them in to boil. You need to put half a teaspoon salt in the water for some reason. It helps it get soft and slightly salty.
Then I got to the Pizza dough. Lots of punching and kicking on the dough to make it behave. My wife told me that Italians, the so called maestros of Pizza making, bang the batter while holding from one side, so it stretches. I particularly enjoyed this part, cos I believe that was the only element of violence that I got during the whole episode. My manly ego was satisfied. We put a little olive oil, some normal cooking oil and flour with a small packet of yeast. When the dough was round and plump and had had its share of beating for the day, it was left to swell from the wounds.
While I was kicking the dough's ass, my daughter comes and asks what's going on? Obviously the sound of beating got her distracted from her cartoons. I used this situation to my advantage. This dough has not taken care of her sister and also not been a good girl lately. So it's getting a beating. Then I went bang and bang and I think the message sank in pretty well with few gulps. That reminds me of a story from a Sindhi drama which I will keep for some other day. Its related to pillow beating.
Next came cutting the capsicum and tomatoes for the pizza and also shredding the cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese. All this was done while the potatoes boiled. I checked the softness of the potato and when the knife can go in smoothly through, they are ready to be soaked dry. They were pulled out and left to dry through a steel net.
A little time later, the Pizza dough, started screaming for attention as the wounds were paining and swollen. We were looking at some thick crust to be cooked. A little bit more kicking and punching and the dough was ready to be laid down. I mean, like strolled through the roller and made into a circle. This is where I used one of the tricks used to make it a perfect circle. Wonderfully, even my wife didn't know that one. Moment of pride. See you stretch it and stretch and then you cut a circle around it with a knife. The extra dough at the end is then put in the middle again and rolled further in. This is what they don't show you in cooking shows. They can do their pizza flipping and height reached etc but they don't show you how they make it into a perfect circle.
Anyway, it was rolled over and then a joint effort to place it on the Oven tray. I laid down the Pizza Sauce using my hands and fingers to ensure the sauce reaches where it should. This is something that mayG had done a day earlier. Next time I ll prepare the sauce myself also. Next came the cheddar cheese, boiled chicken pieces (shredded) and on it the capsicum, tomatoes and olives. On top came the mozzarella cheese. It was ready to go in. The oven was heated.
Mozzarella cheese has no real taste. It is just to bring the stretchy cheese effect we see in advertisements. The pizza tastes just as good without it but...Consumer brainwash. Man.
While the oven heated, I whipped the mayonnaise, cream and some seasoning into a thick paste for the potato salad. This was yummy. I almost had it all while whipping.
The oven heated and the pizza went in with a lot of prayers. I got to the Garlic Bread after that. Long french loaf, cut slanted (my touch) needs to be filled with a paste. This paste was made from one Garlic clove, 2 slices of butter and olive oil. A little seasoning. A lot of mashing and when the butter melts, its ready. The french loaf is not cut all the way through and rather left right till the bottom so that the loaf stays together. Then the paste is slid into the cuts. This is a skill that I developed on the job. Once done, its put into an aluminium foil and snuck into the oven.
Final touches on the potato salad where the potatoes were mixed with the paste made earlier with a spoon as the potatoes are too soft to be used with anything else. A little leaf on the top (for the look) and the salad was ready.
After a little while, the Pizza started screaming, let me out and we got it out. A little overdone but still yummy. I couldn't figure out exactly how long we put it but I believe we kept it 2 minutes too long. Anyway, it wasn't as bad as it may sound. This Pizza was filled with stuff on top, soft through the rest and it needs some teeth at the bottom of it. Not the crispy kind but something that you can't melt in but need a bite. I personally liked the touch, I would like to get the same effect again every time.
Anyway, we set the table, Pizza in the middle, Garlic bread on side of it and Potato Salad. A job well done by UTP and appreciated by the wife. I have actually done it folks. The fear is gone now. I can take on any dish that comes next.
It became such a large pizza that we had it for dinner, breakfast next day and also for lunch and dinner the next day. It was approximately 20 inches in diameter and really thick. So that's my plan. Cook something on Friday which lasts through the weekend so its a relaxing Saturday.
Feel free to get in touch with me on any further details cos I couldn't write them all in. Wow!! I did it. I don't believe it.
Umami Tasting Parsnips - The Project
What's the deal with the title, you ask? Well its name of the new category on UTP. I have just initiated a self-project. It may not involve Umami or Parsnips, but its sure involves a lot of tasting and well mainly cooking.
Yes folks, UTP is facing his worst fear. His most hated thing. His punishment for life. His nightmare about hell. I am entering the realm of cooking.
I don't know why I am doing this yet. But I am. I think I was inspired by the movie Julie & Julia and not because of cooking but more with being inspired to blog. However, that has led me to think, what the hell is this cooking thing that women boast about and we men (well most of us) hate?
Considering all the head chefs of pretty much all big cuisines of the world, talk Five-Star, Seven-Star hotels, talk celebrity cooking shows, males dominate this market. Yet the average male at home, prefers to bum around, watch sports and pretty much do anything but go near the cooking area of the house also known as the kitchen.
Well its true cos you got the refrigerator and cabinets with all the food stuff in. What most women would want us to know is that there is a dish washer, the stove and oven is there as well and not to mention the kitchen sink and the garbage bin as well.
Well its a long list so I have decided to at least get one major one under my belt. That is cooking. For people who have known me for a while, they would know this was pretty much the last thing I would have wanted to do on my list. So here's my answer to that. I like to surprise people. Surprises have always worked for my marital relationship. This one is no different.
The day I told my wife, I want to do a cooking project with her help, she was at first in the "Yeah...Yeah..." mode. But when I told her how I had planned it all. One dish every weekend and I do everything on my own. You just guide me. I had my cooking chef hat, a souvenir from Nanta and I need an apron with the UTP logo on it. She suggested I wear the Red shirt I have always had while cooking so it goes with the Red tape on the Chef Hat. I don't mind that. But seeing the plan I had, she knew I meant business and well how I made her fall in love with me again is something that she'll write about. I don't mind being the spotlight at all. But you already know that by now.
This is of course going to lead to a series of Posts as well so I needed a category. I decided its got to be something that abbreviates UTP. I am pretty much obsessed with my initials. So I went across googling for cooking vocabulary for words starting with U, T and P. I wasn't disappointed at all. I actually found a website whose title was "Cookabulary". Now is that perfect or what?
So as the title of my post says. The category is Umami Tasting Parsnips.
I like the name. Umami is the fifth taste that the Japanese have come up with after sweet, sour, salty & bitter. I think I would like the taste if I cooked it, as explained on the website I just linked to above. Parsnips is a root vegetable, something like carrots. But that is not why I selected it. My "rational" reason to select it was because it looks and sounds like a brief version of "partnership". Yup, that's my logic, like it or not.
This is going to be a partnership. A moment of bonding, every week. I look forward to it. I hope to keep this entertaining as we go along for you as well. Wish me Luck.
Yes folks, UTP is facing his worst fear. His most hated thing. His punishment for life. His nightmare about hell. I am entering the realm of cooking.
I don't know why I am doing this yet. But I am. I think I was inspired by the movie Julie & Julia and not because of cooking but more with being inspired to blog. However, that has led me to think, what the hell is this cooking thing that women boast about and we men (well most of us) hate?
Considering all the head chefs of pretty much all big cuisines of the world, talk Five-Star, Seven-Star hotels, talk celebrity cooking shows, males dominate this market. Yet the average male at home, prefers to bum around, watch sports and pretty much do anything but go near the cooking area of the house also known as the kitchen.
The kitchen for most men is where the food is.
Well its true cos you got the refrigerator and cabinets with all the food stuff in. What most women would want us to know is that there is a dish washer, the stove and oven is there as well and not to mention the kitchen sink and the garbage bin as well.
Well its a long list so I have decided to at least get one major one under my belt. That is cooking. For people who have known me for a while, they would know this was pretty much the last thing I would have wanted to do on my list. So here's my answer to that. I like to surprise people. Surprises have always worked for my marital relationship. This one is no different.
The day I told my wife, I want to do a cooking project with her help, she was at first in the "Yeah...Yeah..." mode. But when I told her how I had planned it all. One dish every weekend and I do everything on my own. You just guide me. I had my cooking chef hat, a souvenir from Nanta and I need an apron with the UTP logo on it. She suggested I wear the Red shirt I have always had while cooking so it goes with the Red tape on the Chef Hat. I don't mind that. But seeing the plan I had, she knew I meant business and well how I made her fall in love with me again is something that she'll write about. I don't mind being the spotlight at all. But you already know that by now.
This is of course going to lead to a series of Posts as well so I needed a category. I decided its got to be something that abbreviates UTP. I am pretty much obsessed with my initials. So I went across googling for cooking vocabulary for words starting with U, T and P. I wasn't disappointed at all. I actually found a website whose title was "Cookabulary". Now is that perfect or what?
So as the title of my post says. The category is Umami Tasting Parsnips.
I like the name. Umami is the fifth taste that the Japanese have come up with after sweet, sour, salty & bitter. I think I would like the taste if I cooked it, as explained on the website I just linked to above. Parsnips is a root vegetable, something like carrots. But that is not why I selected it. My "rational" reason to select it was because it looks and sounds like a brief version of "partnership". Yup, that's my logic, like it or not.
This is going to be a partnership. A moment of bonding, every week. I look forward to it. I hope to keep this entertaining as we go along for you as well. Wish me Luck.
Cookin' Nanta!!!
Okay I saved this post right till the my last day in Korea. Now publishing this from the airport on my way back. As I had promised in my last post on my trip to Korea that I am going to dedicate a separate post on Nanta, well folks here it is. Cookin' Nanta was probably one of my best experiences ever.
Nanta stands for making sounds with kitchen utensils. Cookin' Nanta is probably one of the best selling shows in the world and it apparently originated from Korea. So when I was coming here for, I read on multiple websites that even if you don't get to see anything else, I should see this at least.
With a personal recommendation from my wife, I had to make it a point to watch it no matter what. Where I got to enjoy other stuff as well but this was the best. Its a combination of Comedy, Vegetables flying around, Dancing, Music, Kung Fu and yes sounds from kitchen utensils like pots and pans and knifes chopping etc. Very funny. I don't think I have laughed this much in ages. I almost fell over the seat in the middle. It was simply hilarious. Head aching laughing, with no stopping.
They usually make different stories out of it to make it interesting every next time. The one we watched was where the head chef and his 2 assistants had to prepare a meal for a wedding in about 90 minutes. The manager's nephew joins in who has no idea about cooking or anything. So it becomes interesting as they teach him and prepare the stuff at the same time.
I would have been very content just watching the show but as luck would have it, I got involved on the act itself. They had a session in the middle where they had a game where 4 audience members made cakes and rolled them down to stack 'em while the rest of the audience counts how many done. Red team of 2 people vs Blue team of 2 people. I was red team.
So, I don't know what it was that the actors wanted me on stage along with 3 people. It was probably because I was laughing so loud, much louder than the others. 2 Korean girls and 1 boy from the probably the subcontinent as well made the 4-member audience participating people.
So we made music, made cakes, and we made the crowd clapping and counting. What an experience? With the cooking chef hat on my head. I felt sheepishly embarrassed at the beginning. I mean come on. Different country, nobody knows me. But amazingly, the music and the fun of it got me in it and I forgot where I was in a little while. I enjoyed and didn't want to stop at the end.
This is one of the best shows that you could see. Its now going around the world, very popular all around. I am sure you can find it in a city near you. It is a must see at least once before you die.
Sharing a video above and one below. You can probably search more on YouTube as well. But you wont enjoy like I did cos when its live, its happening in front of you. They will crack you up and then you can't stop.
Nanta stands for making sounds with kitchen utensils. Cookin' Nanta is probably one of the best selling shows in the world and it apparently originated from Korea. So when I was coming here for, I read on multiple websites that even if you don't get to see anything else, I should see this at least.
With a personal recommendation from my wife, I had to make it a point to watch it no matter what. Where I got to enjoy other stuff as well but this was the best. Its a combination of Comedy, Vegetables flying around, Dancing, Music, Kung Fu and yes sounds from kitchen utensils like pots and pans and knifes chopping etc. Very funny. I don't think I have laughed this much in ages. I almost fell over the seat in the middle. It was simply hilarious. Head aching laughing, with no stopping.
They usually make different stories out of it to make it interesting every next time. The one we watched was where the head chef and his 2 assistants had to prepare a meal for a wedding in about 90 minutes. The manager's nephew joins in who has no idea about cooking or anything. So it becomes interesting as they teach him and prepare the stuff at the same time.
I would have been very content just watching the show but as luck would have it, I got involved on the act itself. They had a session in the middle where they had a game where 4 audience members made cakes and rolled them down to stack 'em while the rest of the audience counts how many done. Red team of 2 people vs Blue team of 2 people. I was red team.
So, I don't know what it was that the actors wanted me on stage along with 3 people. It was probably because I was laughing so loud, much louder than the others. 2 Korean girls and 1 boy from the probably the subcontinent as well made the 4-member audience participating people.
So we made music, made cakes, and we made the crowd clapping and counting. What an experience? With the cooking chef hat on my head. I felt sheepishly embarrassed at the beginning. I mean come on. Different country, nobody knows me. But amazingly, the music and the fun of it got me in it and I forgot where I was in a little while. I enjoyed and didn't want to stop at the end.
The best thing was there were no language barriers. They didn't need to speak. The whole act was based on just actions, expressions and the common language of comedy which everybody understands. I think that is the success factor of this show.
This is one of the best shows that you could see. Its now going around the world, very popular all around. I am sure you can find it in a city near you. It is a must see at least once before you die.
Sharing a video above and one below. You can probably search more on YouTube as well. But you wont enjoy like I did cos when its live, its happening in front of you. They will crack you up and then you can't stop.
Korea - Work Hard, Party Hard
Leading from the series of Travel posts that I have been doing every month and plan to do them until January cos that's how the project is making me travel. This month, is the month for Korea. Yes, readers, UTP has contaminated the streets of Seoul, South Korea this month.
Seoul is probably the best of the lot that I have visited to date. Its a huge city, big buildings all around, lot of industry and home for technology giants such as Samsung & LG and not to mention Car Makers Hyundai & KIA who by the way are one of the main sponsors for the FIFA World Cup this year as well. Just amazing.
Both North Korea and South Korea qualified for the world cup this year and hence this sponsorship makes a lot of sense. Koreans make good cars and they have a big General Motors Unit here as well by the name of GM Daewoo. You must have heard that name before as well.
People are more crazy about Baseball here than Football (Soccer) though but I was told that when South Korea played a football world cup game, there were 8 lane roads (highways) that were blocked for traffic cos people stepped out and watched the game on huge Screens on buildings while hanging around on the streets. The number of people touched a million when South Korea played the last game. That's amazing isn't it? Imagine the site of so many people on the roads and screaming with oohs and aahs. I would have loved to be part of that, only arrived 2 days late.
Koreans won the Olympic Gold in baseball last Olympics and since then their league has got stronger and much more interest from people as well.
The Korean food is well, different to define it nicely. Lots of seafood and beef around and they use a lot of Garlic in their foods. They eat less but eat healthy with vegetables coming into the diet more and more. I had a problem with halal food so stuck to the breads, veggies and doughnuts around. However, I did have Korean food which was quite interesting. KimChi and Jin Seng are two things that you will hear from Korea. Both are excellent for vitality as I heard from many people and with winks from the old ladies. Indicating, that stuff helps increasing the population of the world.
I wouldn't say its a cosmopolitan city but it has got its western influence in terms of fashion, culture which is nothing different from other countries. However, it is good to know from people that the younger generation is close to its roots and lives up to cultural traditions. Most of the population here is Christian and the next big chunk follow Buddhism with the other being minorities.
Its a city filled with gadgets and technology. Every car has a GPS system and quite an advanced one which tells potential traffic jams and the best route to take etc. I was particularly impressed with the number of power sockets I saw in taxis. GPS, cell phones, satellite trackers, I don't know what not. Quite interesting.
People travel by subway or public buses cos taxis aren't that cheap. Ipods, iphones and a lot of Korean technology products around. Why not? You got 2 world leading brands living here.
Korea is known for its cotton and specially night wear such as pyjamas both ladies and men and more popular for the babies. I'll see if I can get some for my kiddies.
Koreans speak Korean which is completely different from Japanese or Chinese. I had to write this specifically out for my intelligent sister.
Probably the only problem I had was with the language and the food. Otherwise, it is right up there with the big and successful cities of the world. It was amazing to see everything so well managed and organized in such a big city.
Koreans work hard which I could see in front of me but they dont work a minute later than the official timings. Then they party hard all the way into the night and specially on the weekends. Good quality of living defined.
Been here a week, got another to go. Lets see what else I see in the upcoming week. There is NANTA on the cards which deserves a dedicated post. Coming up right after this.
Seoul is probably the best of the lot that I have visited to date. Its a huge city, big buildings all around, lot of industry and home for technology giants such as Samsung & LG and not to mention Car Makers Hyundai & KIA who by the way are one of the main sponsors for the FIFA World Cup this year as well. Just amazing.
Both North Korea and South Korea qualified for the world cup this year and hence this sponsorship makes a lot of sense. Koreans make good cars and they have a big General Motors Unit here as well by the name of GM Daewoo. You must have heard that name before as well.
People are more crazy about Baseball here than Football (Soccer) though but I was told that when South Korea played a football world cup game, there were 8 lane roads (highways) that were blocked for traffic cos people stepped out and watched the game on huge Screens on buildings while hanging around on the streets. The number of people touched a million when South Korea played the last game. That's amazing isn't it? Imagine the site of so many people on the roads and screaming with oohs and aahs. I would have loved to be part of that, only arrived 2 days late.
Koreans won the Olympic Gold in baseball last Olympics and since then their league has got stronger and much more interest from people as well.
The Korean food is well, different to define it nicely. Lots of seafood and beef around and they use a lot of Garlic in their foods. They eat less but eat healthy with vegetables coming into the diet more and more. I had a problem with halal food so stuck to the breads, veggies and doughnuts around. However, I did have Korean food which was quite interesting. KimChi and Jin Seng are two things that you will hear from Korea. Both are excellent for vitality as I heard from many people and with winks from the old ladies. Indicating, that stuff helps increasing the population of the world.
I wouldn't say its a cosmopolitan city but it has got its western influence in terms of fashion, culture which is nothing different from other countries. However, it is good to know from people that the younger generation is close to its roots and lives up to cultural traditions. Most of the population here is Christian and the next big chunk follow Buddhism with the other being minorities.
Its a city filled with gadgets and technology. Every car has a GPS system and quite an advanced one which tells potential traffic jams and the best route to take etc. I was particularly impressed with the number of power sockets I saw in taxis. GPS, cell phones, satellite trackers, I don't know what not. Quite interesting.
People travel by subway or public buses cos taxis aren't that cheap. Ipods, iphones and a lot of Korean technology products around. Why not? You got 2 world leading brands living here.
Korea is known for its cotton and specially night wear such as pyjamas both ladies and men and more popular for the babies. I'll see if I can get some for my kiddies.
Koreans speak Korean which is completely different from Japanese or Chinese. I had to write this specifically out for my intelligent sister.
Probably the only problem I had was with the language and the food. Otherwise, it is right up there with the big and successful cities of the world. It was amazing to see everything so well managed and organized in such a big city.
Koreans work hard which I could see in front of me but they dont work a minute later than the official timings. Then they party hard all the way into the night and specially on the weekends. Good quality of living defined.
Been here a week, got another to go. Lets see what else I see in the upcoming week. There is NANTA on the cards which deserves a dedicated post. Coming up right after this.
As Dead as the Dead Sea
As part of the project I am on, I have been lucky to scream "Frankfurt Helau!!!" and been to the "Land of the Pharoah". Last month I visited Amman, Jordan, the land of Petra and the Dead Sea and not to mention the Baptism Site and the bother with Jerusalem.
Interesting place but quite boring to be honest for me. The project implementation went smooth but I am not going to talk about that. Lets talk about the only place I could go which was the Dead Sea.
The Dead Sea is a site where one should visit once in his life. I am not saying at least once cos that's your choice but visit once. It is a sight. They say its the lowest place on earth and the water is as dead as can be. No waves, lots of salt and full with minerals.
That's what people come here for. Seeing is believing.
This is what you can do in the Dead Sea. Just hang around. Float around. Amazing isn't it. It is so salty that you don't sink you just keep floating.
I didn't go into the water and do that but I saw others. Its true. Lots of women were putting on mud from the dead sea on their skins and faces and legs and it was like quite crazy but apparently that is what is famous for. I brought some of the mud back home, imagine.
The funny thing I noticed was the greetings. Men kiss men and ladies shake hands. Isn't that strange, well that's what middle east is all about. I saw men kissing cheeks and rubbing noses. In other part of the world you would need a parade to support that.
All in all its a hilly city, all built on a slope and roundabouts. The feedback from people was that people somehow live like millionaires with nothing in their pockets. It was quite strange to know that most people are living on credit card debts and living their lives around it. A strange way to live which certainly I can't live like.
Another tick on the passport. Nice calm, cosy place.
Interesting place but quite boring to be honest for me. The project implementation went smooth but I am not going to talk about that. Lets talk about the only place I could go which was the Dead Sea.
The Dead Sea is a site where one should visit once in his life. I am not saying at least once cos that's your choice but visit once. It is a sight. They say its the lowest place on earth and the water is as dead as can be. No waves, lots of salt and full with minerals.
That's what people come here for. Seeing is believing.
This is what you can do in the Dead Sea. Just hang around. Float around. Amazing isn't it. It is so salty that you don't sink you just keep floating.
I didn't go into the water and do that but I saw others. Its true. Lots of women were putting on mud from the dead sea on their skins and faces and legs and it was like quite crazy but apparently that is what is famous for. I brought some of the mud back home, imagine.
The funny thing I noticed was the greetings. Men kiss men and ladies shake hands. Isn't that strange, well that's what middle east is all about. I saw men kissing cheeks and rubbing noses. In other part of the world you would need a parade to support that.
All in all its a hilly city, all built on a slope and roundabouts. The feedback from people was that people somehow live like millionaires with nothing in their pockets. It was quite strange to know that most people are living on credit card debts and living their lives around it. A strange way to live which certainly I can't live like.
Another tick on the passport. Nice calm, cosy place.
Time Passes... We run...
There is one thing that is perpetually ongoing, never stopping, man on a mission, like there is lots to do and not enough..."Time". Its "Time" itself. Time passes as naturally as possible.
Not a second earlier and not a second later. Cruise Control with no breaks.
Time passes... we run... Considering there isn't enough time and there is so much to do and yet we can never beat the time. Its because of the attitude. Time is an expert at passing while we are experts at stopping and questioning things, learning things. Time has only one job at hand. Just keep passing. Mindlessly. No looking around. No losing focus. Just at a target and passing.
We will run, we will walk, we will sleep. We will slow down, we will quicken up. We will wait when its required. Time however will just pass at an exemplary consistency.
In this competition of "Time vs Us", where we keep chasing hoping we'll win some day is just stupid optimism. Time is destined to win this race cos it's been created to do what it is doing. Its pretty much the supreme expert in "passing" by. We got so many other things to do other than this.
At times you may feel that you are winning but that's just an illusion. You may feel that you can beat time but that's just what you feel. Its not how it is. Time knows, you ll give up the chase cos it takes effort for you to stay ahead of time. Time is a natural at this. Once you slow down, time will gain.
It doesn't have to move faster, just because you are temporarily ahead. It doesn't have to compete, it knows its gonna win. You may run all you want and at whatever speed you want. Eventually time will win cos in this game of life, slow and steady wins the race not the fast and furious. Time is as steady as its required.
Time passes... let it pass. Don't try to win, just make every moment count. Now that's where you are good at.
Not a second earlier and not a second later. Cruise Control with no breaks.
Time passes... we run... Considering there isn't enough time and there is so much to do and yet we can never beat the time. Its because of the attitude. Time is an expert at passing while we are experts at stopping and questioning things, learning things. Time has only one job at hand. Just keep passing. Mindlessly. No looking around. No losing focus. Just at a target and passing.
We will run, we will walk, we will sleep. We will slow down, we will quicken up. We will wait when its required. Time however will just pass at an exemplary consistency.
In this competition of "Time vs Us", where we keep chasing hoping we'll win some day is just stupid optimism. Time is destined to win this race cos it's been created to do what it is doing. Its pretty much the supreme expert in "passing" by. We got so many other things to do other than this.
At times you may feel that you are winning but that's just an illusion. You may feel that you can beat time but that's just what you feel. Its not how it is. Time knows, you ll give up the chase cos it takes effort for you to stay ahead of time. Time is a natural at this. Once you slow down, time will gain.
It doesn't have to move faster, just because you are temporarily ahead. It doesn't have to compete, it knows its gonna win. You may run all you want and at whatever speed you want. Eventually time will win cos in this game of life, slow and steady wins the race not the fast and furious. Time is as steady as its required.
Time passes... let it pass. Don't try to win, just make every moment count. Now that's where you are good at.
Right Place ... Right Time ...
I ve heard it a million times. Okay not a million, many times.
Recently, I was just told by someone I respect that I have been lucky to have been at the right place at the right time.
I may not be a Ph.D. on mathematics but I can add those 2 things up to indicate that I am successful. Coming to that deduction, I smiled. But only for a little while. Cos the pessimistic person that I naturally am made me question...Am I really successful?
Okay so I was at the right place at the right time when my wife was thinking..."Maybe I should get married... but where is the guy?" and PLOP!! I had dropped from the sky and on to her feet on my knees.."Will you marry me?"
I didn't actually know where I was at the time but that's how it happened. I have many more versions of that to tell to our younger ones as bedtime stories. I guess I was in the right place at the right time in that case. I couldn't say otherwise even if I wasn't. This blog has an eye being kept by yours truly's wife. So lets leave it that.
On the professional front, I think I have NOT been in the right place at most times cos I may have done lots of good things professionally but not really getting the money's worth for it. So if you say successful means rich as well, this doesn't count. If successful means making a difference to the organization one works for, well yeah ok, I am successful. Why don't organizations understand that money is important too? That is the best form of appreciation and motivation.
What else? I have been lucky, yes. But that's only when I am in an optimistic mood. On a day with pessimism lurking, I have not been that lucky. Its just about perspective in such life evaluations. Like I could have been born in a real rich family and would never have to work to make a living. Why wasn't I there? That was a right time and place to be, isn't it?
One elderly person in the family once told me, one generation earns and the next one spends and the next one earns again and so forth. That was supposed to make me take a different perspective of life. Too bad, it didn't work. In fact I curse myself on some days for not being part of that generation that was supposed to spend what the earlier one earned.
I think being at the right place at the right time is just another one of those coined phrases to try and explain "FATE". Whether you believe in it or not, it's there. Some things just have to happen in a particular way at a particular time. So if something good happens just know that it wasn't you who was there to make it happen. There were forces to ensure that you were there and you did what you were supposed to do to make it happen.
If something bad happens it doesn't mean that you were at the wrong place at the wrong time. It's those same forces that ensured that you were there at the time and did what you were supposed to do. You were still in the right place at the right time but for someone else to have his moment of success.
We humans have been trying to understand life since many years and trying to explain things like luck, fate, and trying to find explanations through astrology, lucky stones, palmistry, fortune cookies etc etc. Its just a simple one if you ask me. Fate. Its all already written whether its in your fate or not for something to happen or not.
Everybody has to do a few things in life which just have to happen in a particular way at a particular time. This is because somebody else's fate is linked with that. Its all a well-written script that just keeps playing and we being the actors keep making our entrance and exit, play our part, say our lines and go and wait for the next scene.
There are 2 ways to digest the above post. From the perspective of optimism or pessimism. Its on you. Everybody has to live this life in a particular way. It's on you how you want to live it.
Inspired by a dialogue from the movie, Men in Black...
In order to be successful, you have to be at the right place at the right time.
Recently, I was just told by someone I respect that I have been lucky to have been at the right place at the right time.
I may not be a Ph.D. on mathematics but I can add those 2 things up to indicate that I am successful. Coming to that deduction, I smiled. But only for a little while. Cos the pessimistic person that I naturally am made me question...Am I really successful?
Okay so I was at the right place at the right time when my wife was thinking..."Maybe I should get married... but where is the guy?" and PLOP!! I had dropped from the sky and on to her feet on my knees.."Will you marry me?"
I didn't actually know where I was at the time but that's how it happened. I have many more versions of that to tell to our younger ones as bedtime stories. I guess I was in the right place at the right time in that case. I couldn't say otherwise even if I wasn't. This blog has an eye being kept by yours truly's wife. So lets leave it that.
On the professional front, I think I have NOT been in the right place at most times cos I may have done lots of good things professionally but not really getting the money's worth for it. So if you say successful means rich as well, this doesn't count. If successful means making a difference to the organization one works for, well yeah ok, I am successful. Why don't organizations understand that money is important too? That is the best form of appreciation and motivation.
What else? I have been lucky, yes. But that's only when I am in an optimistic mood. On a day with pessimism lurking, I have not been that lucky. Its just about perspective in such life evaluations. Like I could have been born in a real rich family and would never have to work to make a living. Why wasn't I there? That was a right time and place to be, isn't it?
One elderly person in the family once told me, one generation earns and the next one spends and the next one earns again and so forth. That was supposed to make me take a different perspective of life. Too bad, it didn't work. In fact I curse myself on some days for not being part of that generation that was supposed to spend what the earlier one earned.
I think being at the right place at the right time is just another one of those coined phrases to try and explain "FATE". Whether you believe in it or not, it's there. Some things just have to happen in a particular way at a particular time. So if something good happens just know that it wasn't you who was there to make it happen. There were forces to ensure that you were there and you did what you were supposed to do to make it happen.
If something bad happens it doesn't mean that you were at the wrong place at the wrong time. It's those same forces that ensured that you were there at the time and did what you were supposed to do. You were still in the right place at the right time but for someone else to have his moment of success.
We humans have been trying to understand life since many years and trying to explain things like luck, fate, and trying to find explanations through astrology, lucky stones, palmistry, fortune cookies etc etc. Its just a simple one if you ask me. Fate. Its all already written whether its in your fate or not for something to happen or not.
Everybody has to do a few things in life which just have to happen in a particular way at a particular time. This is because somebody else's fate is linked with that. Its all a well-written script that just keeps playing and we being the actors keep making our entrance and exit, play our part, say our lines and go and wait for the next scene.
There are 2 ways to digest the above post. From the perspective of optimism or pessimism. Its on you. Everybody has to live this life in a particular way. It's on you how you want to live it.
Inspired by a dialogue from the movie, Men in Black...
The only difference between you and me, I ll make this look good.
Falling feels like Flying
I had a good weekend this last one. Enjoyed a great movie. Crazy Heart. The one that fetched Jeff Bridges his Oscar. The title is from one of the songs from the movie which Jeff Bridges performed.
The story is about Otis 'BAD' Blake, an alcoholic country singer on the other end of his career. Creative genius who can write songs like anything but the drink is killing him and his career, whatever is left of it. Its a fight between his ego and his drink to come through and become the sober person that the world needed. Some great country music
Country music is more about meaningful lyrics and every song is like a story. I have loved country music since I heard some gospels and then the modern form from Shania Twain and Carrie Underwood. But this movie brought me closer to the true country music.
Its a movie about the human spirit being able to do anything it wants to do only if it wants it that bad. All one needs is inspiration and then everything's possible. So that's what we all need, find the drive and the possibilities are endless.
Crazy Heart - The harder the life, the sweeter the song...Beautiful.
Leave you with my favorite song from the movie...
The story is about Otis 'BAD' Blake, an alcoholic country singer on the other end of his career. Creative genius who can write songs like anything but the drink is killing him and his career, whatever is left of it. Its a fight between his ego and his drink to come through and become the sober person that the world needed. Some great country music
Country music is more about meaningful lyrics and every song is like a story. I have loved country music since I heard some gospels and then the modern form from Shania Twain and Carrie Underwood. But this movie brought me closer to the true country music.
Its a movie about the human spirit being able to do anything it wants to do only if it wants it that bad. All one needs is inspiration and then everything's possible. So that's what we all need, find the drive and the possibilities are endless.
Crazy Heart - The harder the life, the sweeter the song...Beautiful.
Leave you with my favorite song from the movie...
I was goin’ where I shouldn’t go
seein’ who I shouldn’t see
doin’ what I shouldn’t do
and bein’ who I shouldn’t be
a little voice told me it’s all wrong
another voice told me it’s alright
I used to think I was strong
but lately I just lost the fight
funny how fallin’ feels like flyin’
for a little while
funny how fallin’ feels like flyin’
for a little while
I got tired of bein’ good
started missing that old feeling free
stop actin’ like I thought I should
and went on back to bein’ me
I never meant to hurt no one
I just had to have my way
if there is such a thing as too much fun
this must be the price you pay
funny how fallin’ feels like flyin’
for a little while
funny how fallin’ feels like flyin’
for a little while
you never see it comin’ till it’s gone
it all happens for a reason
even when it’s wrong
especially when it’s wrong
funny how fallin’ feels like flyin’
for a little while
funny how fallin’ feels like flyin’
for a little while
I was goin’ where I shouldn’t go
seein’ who I shouldn’t see
doin’ what I shouldn’t do
and bein’ who I shouldn’t be
Getting Over the Writer's Block
I have been staring at the "Add New Post" screen for the weekend which will end in a few more hours. I have being wanting to write something but just can't seem to get myself to write. One of my fellow blogger had said once that this is the typical situation called "the writer's block". There is a cure and that is to get the fingers talking without any peer pressure.
This means write out whatever you think without thinking of the "perfect" topic to write on. Sometimes there aren't any topics around and it doesnt have to always make sense when you write. The best thing about writing is that even if you feel you are not making sense, you are. Thats the amazing thing about writing.... and reading for that matter.
The same line could mean different for different people. Hence the most nonsensical piece of writing still has the probability of making sense for someone out there. The probability is freakishly low considering firstly that somebody has to come read this post and secondly he/she needs to make sense out of it. Considering the no. of hits I am getting these days, I wouldn't count on it.
But thats the second point to remember when trying to come out of the writer's block. You dont need to worry about the audience or the reader. You just write for the love of it. I think I realize what I am doing. I am just writing and letting the words just get completed into a phrase and into a sentence to a paragraph and I already have 4 para-blogpost in place. I feel like writing more. Maybe another blog-post after this one.
I think a blogger needs to remind himself consistently that he didn't start blogging for the sake of somebody else. He started writing for himself and we are back in business. So, this one is for myself and for all those fellow bloggers who can just realize from this post, how easy it is to get out of a writer's block.
This means write out whatever you think without thinking of the "perfect" topic to write on. Sometimes there aren't any topics around and it doesnt have to always make sense when you write. The best thing about writing is that even if you feel you are not making sense, you are. Thats the amazing thing about writing.... and reading for that matter.
The same line could mean different for different people. Hence the most nonsensical piece of writing still has the probability of making sense for someone out there. The probability is freakishly low considering firstly that somebody has to come read this post and secondly he/she needs to make sense out of it. Considering the no. of hits I am getting these days, I wouldn't count on it.
But thats the second point to remember when trying to come out of the writer's block. You dont need to worry about the audience or the reader. You just write for the love of it. I think I realize what I am doing. I am just writing and letting the words just get completed into a phrase and into a sentence to a paragraph and I already have 4 para-blogpost in place. I feel like writing more. Maybe another blog-post after this one.
I think a blogger needs to remind himself consistently that he didn't start blogging for the sake of somebody else. He started writing for himself and we are back in business. So, this one is for myself and for all those fellow bloggers who can just realize from this post, how easy it is to get out of a writer's block.
From the Land of the Pharoah
The ongoing project which took me to Frankfurt in February, took me to the land of the Pharaoh this time. Yes readers, it is true. UTP was in Cairo, Egypt these past few weeks and boy it was a trip.
Cairo known for history older than 4000 years and maybe more, owning the wonders of the world in the Great Pyramids of Giza and the River Nile, I was looking forward to this one. While work was the same, hectic and pretty much busy for the whole day, it didn't stop me from roaming around a bit.
On the first outlook, it looks nothing different from Karachi only worse when it comes to traffic. It was an eye-opener cos I couldnt imagine any place with worse traffic than Karachi. I was proven wrong. Cairo has a major infrastructure problem with 2 or 3-lane roads and many more cars compared to that with the increasing population. Wages are low and tipping very common on the streets for pretty much anything you want to get done.
However, that was the only bad thing I could find in Cairo. Its a great city with the atmosphere of history lurking nearby. About an hour from the office, we were standing next to the pyramids. I couldn't fulfill my wish of actually stepping into a pyramid but a little appetizer was the laser show which was based in the vicinity. The story of how the pharaoh wanted immortality and how the pyramids were built etc. Good stuff. However, as I said this was an appetizer. I'll be going back to finish the meal in the future whenever possible.
The other places to go was the Cairo Museum which was also a good idea as we went through the history and how Egypt had evolved over the years. One could see from the monuments kept how ancient civilization matured into sophistication at the time. It was also interesting to see how being ruled by different societies, Greeks, Romans, Muslims etc left a great mixture of culture while holding their history intact.
Our hotel was right next to the Nile which was a treat. Every morning, one could just step out of the balcony and see the great wonder that God had created. The never-ending Nile is a great source of pride for the Egyptians and why not. In the morning it shines the sunlight crossing through the country and in the night with the lights and cruises on it, it holds it peace still swaying with the wind.
We were lucky to be taken on a Nile Cruise by a colleague and it was a treat. Great food and good performances by a Belly Dancer and this crazy Sufi guy who was just turning circles in meditation and performing jugglery at the same time for around 15-20 minutes non-stop. Crazy but unique stuff.
Overall it was a successful trip work-wise so have memories to cherish both work and pleasure-wise. But its a destination I am certainly not done with. Need to go again, this time with no work, only explore and understand their history. Lets see when that happens.
Cairo known for history older than 4000 years and maybe more, owning the wonders of the world in the Great Pyramids of Giza and the River Nile, I was looking forward to this one. While work was the same, hectic and pretty much busy for the whole day, it didn't stop me from roaming around a bit.
On the first outlook, it looks nothing different from Karachi only worse when it comes to traffic. It was an eye-opener cos I couldnt imagine any place with worse traffic than Karachi. I was proven wrong. Cairo has a major infrastructure problem with 2 or 3-lane roads and many more cars compared to that with the increasing population. Wages are low and tipping very common on the streets for pretty much anything you want to get done.
However, that was the only bad thing I could find in Cairo. Its a great city with the atmosphere of history lurking nearby. About an hour from the office, we were standing next to the pyramids. I couldn't fulfill my wish of actually stepping into a pyramid but a little appetizer was the laser show which was based in the vicinity. The story of how the pharaoh wanted immortality and how the pyramids were built etc. Good stuff. However, as I said this was an appetizer. I'll be going back to finish the meal in the future whenever possible.
The other places to go was the Cairo Museum which was also a good idea as we went through the history and how Egypt had evolved over the years. One could see from the monuments kept how ancient civilization matured into sophistication at the time. It was also interesting to see how being ruled by different societies, Greeks, Romans, Muslims etc left a great mixture of culture while holding their history intact.
Our hotel was right next to the Nile which was a treat. Every morning, one could just step out of the balcony and see the great wonder that God had created. The never-ending Nile is a great source of pride for the Egyptians and why not. In the morning it shines the sunlight crossing through the country and in the night with the lights and cruises on it, it holds it peace still swaying with the wind.
We were lucky to be taken on a Nile Cruise by a colleague and it was a treat. Great food and good performances by a Belly Dancer and this crazy Sufi guy who was just turning circles in meditation and performing jugglery at the same time for around 15-20 minutes non-stop. Crazy but unique stuff.
Overall it was a successful trip work-wise so have memories to cherish both work and pleasure-wise. But its a destination I am certainly not done with. Need to go again, this time with no work, only explore and understand their history. Lets see when that happens.
The Feel Good Factor
As we were growing up we were constantly taught about how looking good doesn't matter if you don't feel good inside. It doesn't matter which situation it is feeling good inside will make it happen for you.
It could be a job interview, the first day at a new job, the marriage day, the next big presentation, meeting with a big client, etc. You got to be feeling good inside to be doing good as well. Of course dressing up to look good in such situations is important also but the feel good factor comes from feeling good inside. You got to have your mojo.
Now, I am not too much of a philosopher when it comes to such things (liar!!). My feel good inside thing ends at the vest and underwear. Yes, this is a post about UTP's law of undergarments. I mean when it means to feel good inside is all about wearing the best vest and underwear. The best thing about undergarments is that nobody knows what you are wearing or whether you are wearing them at all and it is really up,close and personal. For some people its a little bit more up and close than personal.
You could be wearing a colorful red underwear with blue polka dots inside but with a perfectly glowing suit with a crispy shirt and tie on top, nobody knows. Accept it or not, on some days you don't feel like wearing it at all. That's the true humans that we really are unfortunately cultured by the modern society.
So that's what I do as well. I got my special set of crispy new vest and underwear which is kept for un khaas dinon kay liay (those special days). Yes, we men have it too. It could be a football match for all you know. You have to do the same things you did the last time your favorite team won and that could mean wearing the same underwear as well you did on that day.
They stay and stay in the cupboard until the special day comes sometimes unwashed to keep the lucky charm it had from last time.
In that sense I do become a little superstitious as well cos everything just has to be right on the special day. Right from shaving that extra little hair on my beard line on the neck to wearing the right sock first and then the left one. I just got this subconscious rituals that sometimes even I don't realize. The vest, the underwear, the lucky shirt, the lucky tie... damn ... as I write here I am surprising myself as well with the list.
The important thing to note is that I am so dependent on this feel good factor that if something out of the above goes wrong, I am that teeny-weeny bit less confident. The feel good factor gives me that extra mental edge, that pumped up feeling which is vital when you are on a mission with the goal in sight.
To make this whole feel good factor thing be special and work, you got to be a little more low-key on the normal days. The larger the gap between the feel bad factor and feel good factor is, the better it works. So on the off days, I ll wear my second choice of shoes, my second choice of pants, the yellow shirts, the older socks with a hole on the toe with the lose elastic that keeps slipping down to the ankles, you know...
So when an important day comes, it has the desired effect. I am not crazy right? Are there more people like me out there?
The good thing is that my wife has responded perfectly to this and it used to be a nice leg-puller for her earlier but it has kinda sunk in now towards realization that I need this. That just makes it a doubly-feel-good factor for me with the wife on board as well with my stupid rituals.
It could be a job interview, the first day at a new job, the marriage day, the next big presentation, meeting with a big client, etc. You got to be feeling good inside to be doing good as well. Of course dressing up to look good in such situations is important also but the feel good factor comes from feeling good inside. You got to have your mojo.
Now, I am not too much of a philosopher when it comes to such things (liar!!). My feel good inside thing ends at the vest and underwear. Yes, this is a post about UTP's law of undergarments. I mean when it means to feel good inside is all about wearing the best vest and underwear. The best thing about undergarments is that nobody knows what you are wearing or whether you are wearing them at all and it is really up,close and personal. For some people its a little bit more up and close than personal.
You could be wearing a colorful red underwear with blue polka dots inside but with a perfectly glowing suit with a crispy shirt and tie on top, nobody knows. Accept it or not, on some days you don't feel like wearing it at all. That's the true humans that we really are unfortunately cultured by the modern society.
So that's what I do as well. I got my special set of crispy new vest and underwear which is kept for un khaas dinon kay liay (those special days). Yes, we men have it too. It could be a football match for all you know. You have to do the same things you did the last time your favorite team won and that could mean wearing the same underwear as well you did on that day.
They stay and stay in the cupboard until the special day comes sometimes unwashed to keep the lucky charm it had from last time.
In that sense I do become a little superstitious as well cos everything just has to be right on the special day. Right from shaving that extra little hair on my beard line on the neck to wearing the right sock first and then the left one. I just got this subconscious rituals that sometimes even I don't realize. The vest, the underwear, the lucky shirt, the lucky tie... damn ... as I write here I am surprising myself as well with the list.
The important thing to note is that I am so dependent on this feel good factor that if something out of the above goes wrong, I am that teeny-weeny bit less confident. The feel good factor gives me that extra mental edge, that pumped up feeling which is vital when you are on a mission with the goal in sight.
To make this whole feel good factor thing be special and work, you got to be a little more low-key on the normal days. The larger the gap between the feel bad factor and feel good factor is, the better it works. So on the off days, I ll wear my second choice of shoes, my second choice of pants, the yellow shirts, the older socks with a hole on the toe with the lose elastic that keeps slipping down to the ankles, you know...
So when an important day comes, it has the desired effect. I am not crazy right? Are there more people like me out there?
The good thing is that my wife has responded perfectly to this and it used to be a nice leg-puller for her earlier but it has kinda sunk in now towards realization that I need this. That just makes it a doubly-feel-good factor for me with the wife on board as well with my stupid rituals.
Frankfurt...Helau!!!
Yes I have been in Frankfurt, Germany since 8th Feb. Considering its 21st today its been quite a long trip. It was a work related trip but I wouldn't say I didn't get time to look around.
It was hectic and tense in the early few days due to the project implementation but as days went by we sort of settled into it all. Leaving tomorrow to go back home and I feel much more relaxed.
It was a good time of the year to visit as we got to see the German winters. Snowfall and close to minus 5 degrees, we don't exactly get that in UAE or in Karachi. This was the first time I saw snowfall so another check mark on the UTP list called "Things to see/do before I die".
We went out on the 2 weekends. The first one, we went for a City Tour. It was cold and dull but we later realized it was the perfect day to go out cos it was the Carnival. Everybody was out on the streets and dancing in open air. First there was a wannabe funny city guide speaking his German-English who took us through the city tour and then we got off in the middle of the city. It was an experience seeing the carnival with bands marching and throwing away sweets to the people on the sides. We turned kids that day and collected lots of sweets.
This weekend it was even better. We planned a trip to the the opera on the Saturday evening. I had always wanted to see an opera. We went to a show which was an Italian Tragedy. I speak with confidence now as I write but only I know how confusing it was on the day. We laughed for the first hour or so as we didn't get a word of the screaming/crying like singing. Of course it was muffled but there was a moment where we were bursting with laughter with people on our sides giving us the looks. I don't blame them cos there was nothing funny at all. People dying and lovers breaking up, it was that kind of an opera. But it was an experience to have for sure. After the first break, we found an American lady who helped us get the story a bit as she understood German as well. It made a lot of sense in the next 2 hours and I would say it met my expectations of what I had in mind for an opera.
Then today we took a full day pass which could be used on trams/trains/buses. That was a good idea and the cheapest to travel around on a Sunday. We went around changing trams and trains and buses and roamed around the small city. Had some coffee and bread wherever possible. They make some good bread here. We have had many days with no lunch and only some bread. Good variety as well.
It all ended with a nice show of Irish Riverdance. It was a treat to say the least. This was yet another thing that I had wished to watch and I got the opportunity. They had brought good variety of Russian, American and Spanish dance fusion with Irish Riverdance. Pretty interesting.
So a good thing to wrap it all off. Good work put in all through and a nice treat to close out the trip.
Head back home tomorrow, to my family which I am missing for quite a few days now. The calendar year has a lot of travel involved so plan to write a post for each trip.
It was hectic and tense in the early few days due to the project implementation but as days went by we sort of settled into it all. Leaving tomorrow to go back home and I feel much more relaxed.
It was a good time of the year to visit as we got to see the German winters. Snowfall and close to minus 5 degrees, we don't exactly get that in UAE or in Karachi. This was the first time I saw snowfall so another check mark on the UTP list called "Things to see/do before I die".
We went out on the 2 weekends. The first one, we went for a City Tour. It was cold and dull but we later realized it was the perfect day to go out cos it was the Carnival. Everybody was out on the streets and dancing in open air. First there was a wannabe funny city guide speaking his German-English who took us through the city tour and then we got off in the middle of the city. It was an experience seeing the carnival with bands marching and throwing away sweets to the people on the sides. We turned kids that day and collected lots of sweets.
This weekend it was even better. We planned a trip to the the opera on the Saturday evening. I had always wanted to see an opera. We went to a show which was an Italian Tragedy. I speak with confidence now as I write but only I know how confusing it was on the day. We laughed for the first hour or so as we didn't get a word of the screaming/crying like singing. Of course it was muffled but there was a moment where we were bursting with laughter with people on our sides giving us the looks. I don't blame them cos there was nothing funny at all. People dying and lovers breaking up, it was that kind of an opera. But it was an experience to have for sure. After the first break, we found an American lady who helped us get the story a bit as she understood German as well. It made a lot of sense in the next 2 hours and I would say it met my expectations of what I had in mind for an opera.
Then today we took a full day pass which could be used on trams/trains/buses. That was a good idea and the cheapest to travel around on a Sunday. We went around changing trams and trains and buses and roamed around the small city. Had some coffee and bread wherever possible. They make some good bread here. We have had many days with no lunch and only some bread. Good variety as well.
It all ended with a nice show of Irish Riverdance. It was a treat to say the least. This was yet another thing that I had wished to watch and I got the opportunity. They had brought good variety of Russian, American and Spanish dance fusion with Irish Riverdance. Pretty interesting.
So a good thing to wrap it all off. Good work put in all through and a nice treat to close out the trip.
Head back home tomorrow, to my family which I am missing for quite a few days now. The calendar year has a lot of travel involved so plan to write a post for each trip.
Bad Deal - Trade in Today for Tomorrow
I have been thinking about this for quite some time now.
The way I have been working this last few months and telling myself its just this year. This year is for the great future. That is what I have been telling my wife also. That is what I am telling myself again and again for last few hours also as my daughter turns 4 in a few hours.
Is it really worth it? I am stuck here in another country while my family is back in homeland. The formalities for travel just wouldn't process faster for us to be together and I be with her for her birthday. Here it comes that thought again... "It's just this year... this year for the future..."
I have been working real hard. Too hard some people say. Its just that I am enjoying it as well as I know there is much to look forward to. But at what cost. Sacrifice of family time. Sacrifice of my daughter's birthday.
I have been thinking. Is this a good deal? If somebody asks me to trade in today for yesterday, I would probably say yes. I have written on this aspect before. But on the other side of it, would I trade in today for a better tomorrow?
I think that is a rhetorical question. I think we already have.
We are always chasing after things. Look at us. Just stop...and look at yourself.
There is always something ahead to chase for. But what about what you worked for this last few days, weeks, years... This was something you wanted to bad. So now that you have got what you worked for, just stop and live a little? Stop to smell the flowers. Admire this beautiful world God created.
Nah. I would rather keep running this rat race right? We are really stupid you know. We don't notice it because we are in majority. Its like if everybody is doing it, that's how it should be.
I am so pissed at myself today. I'll not be around my daughter for her 4th birthday. This goes in history. History repeats itself. I hate myself today. I made a bad deal. Traded in today for tomorrow.
Happy Birthday Caterpillar. Lots of prayers.
The way I have been working this last few months and telling myself its just this year. This year is for the great future. That is what I have been telling my wife also. That is what I am telling myself again and again for last few hours also as my daughter turns 4 in a few hours.
Is it really worth it? I am stuck here in another country while my family is back in homeland. The formalities for travel just wouldn't process faster for us to be together and I be with her for her birthday. Here it comes that thought again... "It's just this year... this year for the future..."
I have been working real hard. Too hard some people say. Its just that I am enjoying it as well as I know there is much to look forward to. But at what cost. Sacrifice of family time. Sacrifice of my daughter's birthday.
I have been thinking. Is this a good deal? If somebody asks me to trade in today for yesterday, I would probably say yes. I have written on this aspect before. But on the other side of it, would I trade in today for a better tomorrow?
I think that is a rhetorical question. I think we already have.
We are always chasing after things. Look at us. Just stop...and look at yourself.
There is always something ahead to chase for. But what about what you worked for this last few days, weeks, years... This was something you wanted to bad. So now that you have got what you worked for, just stop and live a little? Stop to smell the flowers. Admire this beautiful world God created.
Nah. I would rather keep running this rat race right? We are really stupid you know. We don't notice it because we are in majority. Its like if everybody is doing it, that's how it should be.
I am so pissed at myself today. I'll not be around my daughter for her 4th birthday. This goes in history. History repeats itself. I hate myself today. I made a bad deal. Traded in today for tomorrow.
Happy Birthday Caterpillar. Lots of prayers.
Soaps - Now I Get it
I never quite got to understand why were they called Soaps. I am not talking detergent and hand washing stuff here. I am talking the non-stopping, always lasting sagas of what we call a type of TV programs.
It was only recently that somebody told me that they were named Soaps from the Soap Opera concept where these shows seemed they would never end. Stage dramas seemed endless with all the singing or so called singing sounding like crying musicals in the medieval times.
I have managed to stay away from them, well away and had managed to keep my family (read wife) away from them as well until last year. We started getting an Indian channel on Nilesat and if its an Indian Channel its gotta play soap, right?
The desperate housewives that most UAE wives become naturally tend to get glued to anything on TV. In our case with the limited options available on TV, it had to happen sooner or later. Welcome into the house "Jyoti", "Bandini" and what not. OH yeah "Rakhee ka Soyemwar"... heheh... yes SOYEMwar was intentional :). We are already awaiting the beginning of "Rahul BHaiyya Dulhaniya Lay Jayengay..."
When DISH came into Karachi in our younger years, and star plus (now Star World) started, there were 2 shows which always left me confused. "Santa Barbara" & "Bold & The Beautiful". Considering its been about 17-18 years since then and we still get to see the never-ending story and the never-aging people, its pretty crazy. How can they call this entertainment? Does anybody even watch that show anymore?
I think whatever the reason may have been to call these programs Soaps. They are nothing but 30-minute broken into 5 minute drama, 10-minute recap & yet to come and 15 minute advertisements programs
We see so many soap advertisements but they always drive one message. Yes now, I am speaking about the hand-washing and dish-washing stuff. I remember many advertisements indicating how their brand of soap,
Translated to,
Now, I get it. I get those advertisements now and why these programs are called Soaps. Its all coming crystal clear for me now. Its definitely not because they are clean or keep things clean.
It was only recently that somebody told me that they were named Soaps from the Soap Opera concept where these shows seemed they would never end. Stage dramas seemed endless with all the singing or so called singing sounding like crying musicals in the medieval times.
I have managed to stay away from them, well away and had managed to keep my family (read wife) away from them as well until last year. We started getting an Indian channel on Nilesat and if its an Indian Channel its gotta play soap, right?
The desperate housewives that most UAE wives become naturally tend to get glued to anything on TV. In our case with the limited options available on TV, it had to happen sooner or later. Welcome into the house "Jyoti", "Bandini" and what not. OH yeah "Rakhee ka Soyemwar"... heheh... yes SOYEMwar was intentional :). We are already awaiting the beginning of "Rahul BHaiyya Dulhaniya Lay Jayengay..."
When DISH came into Karachi in our younger years, and star plus (now Star World) started, there were 2 shows which always left me confused. "Santa Barbara" & "Bold & The Beautiful". Considering its been about 17-18 years since then and we still get to see the never-ending story and the never-aging people, its pretty crazy. How can they call this entertainment? Does anybody even watch that show anymore?
I think whatever the reason may have been to call these programs Soaps. They are nothing but 30-minute broken into 5 minute drama, 10-minute recap & yet to come and 15 minute advertisements programs
We see so many soap advertisements but they always drive one message. Yes now, I am speaking about the hand-washing and dish-washing stuff. I remember many advertisements indicating how their brand of soap,
"...kabhi nahi ghulta... hamesha chalta hay..."
Translated to,
"Never dissolves... keeps going on forever..."
Now, I get it. I get those advertisements now and why these programs are called Soaps. Its all coming crystal clear for me now. Its definitely not because they are clean or keep things clean.
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