Been months since I updated the blog. Life in London takes a U-turn in winters. AT least I don’t feel like going out much. Its chilly and its cold. But thankfully we do get some fair share of sun too from time to time .. though the winter sun is nothing in comparison of Pakistani winter sun.
Winters can get nostalgic; winters can get depressive. But they are sometimes amazing too and can be eventful. Luckily had a few family visits in past 1 month so it wasn’t that bad. Had an amazing first anniversary of our wedding (time flies time flies’) and another bright year was added in my age making me visiting its afternoon now. If it makes sense.And my love for roaming around Edgware Road is still increasing. Feels like home when you see paths bustling with people, black-haired, enjoying themselves even late at night. Nothing like this you’ll witness any place else in England. Oh Wilmslow Road in Manchester can be a runner-up in this race.
Had a few visits across England and some more to follow. At last attended a wedding and I love doing make-up now. Got to meet some interesting characters in here. At large, people who have spent a few years in Pakistan are much much better in their mannerism than the ones born-and-bred here. Final Verdict! This makes me think I don’t want to raise my children here ending up like these desis. Let’s wait and see how Allah makes the larger plan.
A picturesque tale to follow…
Colors of Winter ツ
❄ Three Cheers ❄
When 2010 approached ….
♥ Memoir to Friendship ♥
Heard the news of weddings of two very nice and close-to-heart siblings of my BFF .. and I’m so happy for them … May Allah bless them with a lovely future and a truly blessed life Inshah Allah … I won’t be there to attend the ceremonies but my prayers are with them always ♥
Last but not the least … its nostalgic in the best possible way when you start relating to songs … life’s one interesting thing… listen to this … I always loved the sweet tones of it… ♫here♫
I have been thinking to write about Life in London (or lets say UK) for quite some time. Now that winters are almost here and you hardly want to get out from the comfy of your room’s coziness, I thought to give it a hit. It’s been over 7 months since I’m living in this land of cold. Cold hearts. Not the weather.
When in Pakistan, you will find lots of people around you going totally excited at the name of anywhere off-Pakistan. Not India, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka obviously. Well sorry to disappoint you, its nothing fancy.
جو سکھ اپنے چوبارے …. او نہ بلخ نہ بخارے
(Jo sukh apnay chobaray – O na Balkh Na Bukharay)
How true. But its not bad either. Considering the situation back in Pakistan, everyone wants to run out for the safety of their families and themselves, i.e., if one can.
When I landed on Heathrow, happy sun of going winters greeted me with a smile. And also a delighted husband. The weather was almost the same that I left back in Islamabad. The part of London where we live looks very similar to F-7 & F-6 areas of Islamabad. So thankfully, I had no problems in adjusting. I was at home from the moment I stepped out of plane. The roads were wide here (not in London city at all). Trees of beautiful cherry blossoms were flower loaded.
After two three days, when I was done with all the dishes I knew to make i.e., Chicken Karahi, Dal Chawal & Yummylicious Pasta, I started panicking what to cook next. Aloo anday was my first dish - thats what hubby dear suggested, otherwise it was a dish of laughter more for me before. It went fine. And till now I think I can cook almost everything. Tried Haleem. Made mouth-watering Biryani just yesterday. Beef shashlik. Chicken Roast. Chicken Tikkas. Manchurian. Chikar Cholay. Kheer. Firni. Pineapple delight. And the usual stuff … daal, vegies et al.
Cooking is one of those popularly over-rated things, from back home, that you will find everyone wary about. From mothers to daughters. From in-laws to out-laws.Honestly, if you like doing what you do its not difficult at all. Becomes more of fun. An appreciator around would be a lovely addition of course. I say after doing a number of dawats 
Talking of people, I found all sorts here. Friendly. Too Friendly. And Snobs. I take time to befriend someone but its only after arriving here that I know, its the most difficult task for me. You can get acquainted but you can’t be friends all of a sudden. Aunties are nice and fine. Girls here of my age (or a few years plus minus) are not my type. There interests and talk is totally opposite to something of my interest.
Finally, I conjured up enough energy to write something. I dont want to bore you with a never-ending tale. The second episode about people and places: desis and goray will follow shortly.
Yesterday, I saw PIA’s plane in air going over me. The triggering point behind this post. I never thought sight of PIA’s plane would make me happy.It did. That’s what happen when you are in Pardes.
ps: now I always need a picture to start a tale. Without it, words won’t pour out. And apologies for not a regular visitor of your blogs … a bit slow on this side of life.
pps: now off for my haazri to each and every blog so that you start coming here too 
November 6th,2009
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میں کس کے ہاتھ پے اپنا لہو تلاش کروں
تمام شہر نے پہنے ہوئے ہیں دستانے
20-10-2009:
This shot makes me rethink my pessimism. Light can’t be shut down. It makes its path through dark always.
But the kind of turmoil my dear Pakistan is going through makes me foresee only darkness. Two days back, my Alma Matter, Islamic University, was hit by not one but two blasts. Suicide bombers. When I heard the news on a channel, I was in shock. I never considered of all the places, a university; of all the universities this particular university a supposedly victim of such violence ever. Islam is nothing but peace. It is not the reason behind this terrorism at all. Its the fanatic beings who brainwash the naive minds in the name of Islam and use them as their live weapons.
It was utter sorrow when I saw pictures of defaced, blown off and shattered corridors … with blood of aspiring youth spilled around. These were the same corridors once I walked with my friends. Same passages that shared the memory of our tense and pleasant moments. We moved on and new comers came to fill up, with alive and vibrant dreams. But no more. Government came and showed blatant sympathy when probably they care not but themselves.
According to my sources, the number of demises (Shahadats) was around 15 and not the count of 6. Possibility of seriously injured and ones with permanent damages is even more. Oh but government may show some sympathy and pay their families a lac or two.
Problem is this ferocity leads to nowhere.
May Allah bless the departed souls in higher gardens of jannah (heaven) and make their sacrifice profound for the nation and country. May Allah also give sabr to the affected families. Their loss is immeasurable. Amen. When I think about it losing parent for a child is hard but losing a child is harder for a parent. Not expected in the unexpected world. Only we can pray and stay united for the larger cause.
موج بڑھے یا آندھی آئے دیا جلائے ركھنا ہے
گھركی خاطرسودكھ جھیلیں گھر تو آخر اپنا ہے
And just an hour back, another earthquake hits of 6.2 magnitude. Thanks to Allah, was not shallow. May Allah keep everyone in his safety. Amen.
And Truth for peace shall prevail. Inshah Allah.
Oh my …. just 3-4 days back I got my eidii. And then I realized that its supposed to be my first after-shaadi eid 
So it should be a bit glitzy Yay. Lolz.
Got the glitziest jaura hanging now. I had it saved for eid. And yeah I’ve got dozens of them still back in Pakistan so I wont really think of buying another one at least for two years. I’ll miss my dearest U & A. And the deliciously awesome mehndi by U. Oh dear. And the post-namaz going to qabaristan too. And my loveliest dad <3 (may Allah bless him with health and happiness, Amen)
So I hereby tag a few things here my friends. Please leave your link to posts here and do it before eid
1. What are you wearing for eid? for girls: What color is it?
Shalwar Qameez and RED. Well what do you expect
2. How do you intend to spend chand raat? Whats the usual norm?
Probably will find some hulla gulla spot around. I’ll definitely miss going to U’s place and jinnah on chand raats. First timer in london can’t say.
3. How do you spend Eid? Go for namaaz or sleep late?
The main activity is definitely Eid ki namaaz. And all that hustle bustle and getting late things in the morning. I get up around Fajr time and then its teyaari on Eid’s morning 
Sleeping late . No way.
4. What’s the menu on Eid?
Sheer khurma/sawayyan definitely. Chicken roast may be. Havent given it a thought yet
5. Share 5 Eid festivity related pictures of your choice. (you can post ur eid dress, preparations pictures too )
#1 Jalebiyaan & Pheniyaan: Southall London.
#2 I loved this Mehndi Design: Two days after Eid, two years back.
#3 Beautiful Bangles *_*
#4 Shot in Islamabad’s F-10 Markaz last eid.
#5 The London Mosque, Masjid Fazal in London.
And I tag:
Americanising Desi, Siras, Umemooo, Huda, Absar, Raaniya, Rabz, Zeeee, Ubee, Sawj, Qurrat , SK, Supe, Lubz, Hinzz & Ayesha.
Recipe: is so simple.
1. Boil the pasta of your choice.
1. Fry onions nicely diced in 3 tbspoons of oil. After they start turning golden, add ginger garlic paste (I had a lot I love it ), and then after few seconds chopped tomatoes (about 1 cup). Let it get sauted for two mins. Now add the minced meat (about 1-1/2 cup) to it. And on high flame stir it well. Now add salt, red chilly powder, white cumin seeds (zeera) and freshly ground black pepper. After it starts getting goldenish/brownish. Let it simmer down on very slow flame. After about 15-20 minutes, give it a final stirring (also see in the meanwhile lest it gets all burned )
3. Now in a frying pan in 2 tbsp oil, saute’ diced bell pepper/capsicum of assorted colors in it. meanwhile add some soy sauce, chilli sauce and saute it well. Then add onions diced and sliced in cubes, add lots of black pepper. Then some spring onions, some beans, some carrots (shredded). Fry it all on high flame. After that add the minced meat to it.
4. Layer the pasta and the mixture above.
5. Enjoy
.
You are what You Eat
ps: I need to reply to so many comments. Will get back to it soon and gradually.
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