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♫

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

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.

I just filled up an interview thing for a Flickr group. Desi female Photographers. Thinking to write that down here as well. So here you go

Q1: When or how did you discover your interest in photography?
I was always interested in photography. I was the one in the family who was most keen on taking picture from this angle to that. And all that posing that goes in group photos and portraits. But it wasn’t until 2006 when I joined Flickr and bought my first digital camera that it became sort of a passion for me.

Now I find delight in taking a picture ^_^

Q2: How desi are you? How are you defining desi-ness?
OK .. this one’s pretty difficult to answer. Its easy to say yeah I am but defining it … does desiness can lead to paindoo-ness as well

Well I think yeah … I am a desi from toe to top and in heart and soul =) Simple at heart where ooohs-and-aaahs don’t reach thunderously.
Q3: What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
Things and places. And usually people I don’t know. It’s exactly like a painter friend of mine, upon our insistence to make our portrait, would always say I know you people so much that every try I gave to paint your faces went in vain. I couldn’t put your souls in those. So probably that’s why it hard to picture people you know.
I believe in variety. Cant stick to a thing. Though the way I photograph things can be same but not the subjects. World is beautiful around and Allah has blessed us with so many niceties, Alhamdolillah. Diversity automatically seeps in.

Q4: Whose photostream do you visit most often, and why?
Lots of people. But a few who are my usual check outs are:
Colors of My Dreams (Nahal): I usually love almost everything that she posts. Her pictures and descriptions truly intrigue me.

Rabuu Jee: I am a fan of her retro works and the unusual angles she finds.

Amna Hakeem: Her coverage of events is wonderful … the details she catch are always fab to see. I’d have loved to have her shoot my wedding. Sigh. Never mind.

V1nz, Fizza Imam: I love their PS skills. Wonderful captures become illustrative at their hands.

Doc Kazi: he’s got such huge resources of olden pics related to Pakistan and beyond. You’ll always be amazed when you’ll open his stream…

Selinstix: the beautiful tones you’ll find in his pictures.

These are just few of those …. Mind you there’s a long long list. If not all in one go I do give a look at 10s of photographers in my contacts (if not all). There’s a huge world of creativity around

Q5: What are your inspirations for photography?
Anything that can be macro-ed Lights .. shadows .. colors … glittering things … lots of stuff.

Q6: What are your weapons of choice? (your gear, that you “shoot” with)
Shooting with a Nikon’s point-n-shoot at the moment. Planning to buy a DSLR for quite few months. Thanks to my laziness haven’t bought one yet .. soon Inshah Allah.

Q7: One photo you’ve always wanted to take:
One. There are lots of photos I so want to take. I’d love playing with shadows and silhouettes. And want to take up at least one wedding shoot.

Q8: Have you “studied” photography?
Not really. But thankfully Internet’s home to such massive information that if needed one can always find new things and angles to photography in here.

But yeah I’d love to at least do a few courses in photography. The quicker a good teacher can show you how-to’s … nothing else can.

Q9: Where do you aspire to be with photography in the future (near and far)?
I seriously do want to take up photography as part of my career. If not full-time at least part-time. Lets see what life has planned.

Q10: Besides photography, what other passions do you have?
I love writing. But somehow photography has side-lined that passion. Cooking’s becoming one too slowly. And I’ve usually got dozens of ways to decorate interiors of home with family warmth.

I believe in having not one but lots of passions in life. They keep the clock ticking smoothly.

______

And pray a lot this Ramadhan. Specially for Pakistan. May Allah shower his bounties of bliss on our dear homeland. Much much needed. Inshah Allah. And pray for me us too. It sounds weird to say me after getting married Okay yeah .. aik bongi ki ijazat tu hoti hay naa

The picture does sound like “In memory of”.., no?

I guess I’ll be away of this world for some time… until we meet again.

Adios.

ps: I’m getting bored of blogging =(

*_*

Meetup with friends can be so revitalizing.

Chit-chats over cup of cappuccinos can give you an instant refreshing boost. This was our last meetup @ GA after my marriage and departure from Islamabad.

I’m glad that we made it to this place… refreshed our memories.

Until we meet again. You two’ll always remain fresh in my heart and mind

I ♥ u and a.