Shahi Shaadi

is Geo's name for Prince William's marriage to Kate Middleton :-P

I must confess, I'm one of those who eagerly followed the live screening of the royal wedding even though I'm supposed to be working. Kate looked lovely... The dress was simple and chic and I liked how it was totally unostentatious (if that's even a word) and relatively conservative... no deep necklines or bare shoulders for the Princess :)

Prince Harry was wearing too may layers... or it may just have been a bullet-proof jacket under his coat (he looked puffy) but I think he's more of a blazer and khakis kinda guy...

It's interesting how Eastern brides wear bright colors (reds and pinks) while our men are more somber in beige, white and grey and it's totally reversed in the West with the Prince in bright red military attire and the bride in virginal white...

Westminster Abbey is awe-inspiring as always... I think I'd like to renew my vows there if I get a chance (just have to convince Mr. F :p) if inshalah we make it through the next several years without arguing over sofa and curtain fabric :P

Idealism Lost

Back when I was young, naive and idealistic, I would have done the following:

One seeing a stray kitten with a badly hurt paw mewing piteously, I would clean its wound and take it to the vet or at the very least give it some milk to ease the last few hours of its life in this world...

Now, cynical Gaia simply walks away thinking:

Some other cats will probably attack it and it won't be able to defend itself... it'll probably die anyway... why prolong it's life? Better to let it die quickly and naturally....

To Lahore and back...

I traveled on Air Blue for the first time. It's definitely more organized than PIA but it's like comparing your old college t-shirt (faded and worn, yet, soft and comfortable) with your new formal shirt (stiff and smart but needs to be broken in). The service was slow and the snack wasn't too exciting (and yes, I am one of those people who enjoys PIA food :"P).

Lahore was pleasantly cool when I landed on Friday evening. I think the humidity in Karachi makes it seem warmer than it actually is... we didn't need to use the airconditioner in Lahore but the electricity went every two hours!

Went to Veranda Bistro for dinner. It's a relatively new diner in Gulberg and I ordered spinach ravioli with basil and ricotta but it wasn't anything to write home about... dessert was decent but rather pricey.

Taught my nephew Electricity and Magnetism and surprisingly I remembered 95% of what I'd learned back in school... I guess being the nerd paid off :) (and it actually makes me happy!). We also did Layers of the Earth in Geography and studied some Islamiat (which is now called "Islamic Studies").

Our flight back home was delayed 3 hours! Back at work now and totally don't feel like working :-(

I think I'm ready for a proper vacation...

Moving

Inshallah, we (Gaia and husband) will soon be moving to a new home. The last nine months in our two-bedroom flat have been memorable :). I'll miss being able to walk to work, come home for lunch and climb three flights of stairs every day.

The neighbors have been absolutely amazing! I'll definitely miss Aunty M (who sends me red velvet cake with cream cheese icing), the chowkidars who guide me when I'm trying to reverse in the parking lot and the multitude of maimed and injured stray cats who keep the area mouse-free...

Soon, we'll pack the knick-knacks into boxes and call in the movers for the heavy items. I'm looking forward to the move though... the apartment always felt like it was more Mr. F's than mine since he'd bought all the furniture and everything was already in place before I moved in... The new place will definitely be more feminine and Gaia-ish :-p

But the move comes at a price... we'll both have to wake up half and hour earlier to get to work on time and reach home half and hour later...

Black on Black

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephanie-gertler/vanishing-in-new-york-cit_b_842453.html

The City of Superlatives

http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20110404-abu-dhabi-the-city-of-superlatives

On Babies

My brother-in-law and his wife just had a beautiful baby girl :). Mashalah, she is adorable (they sent us pictures within hours of her birth thanks to digital technology).

Sadly, Mr. F's family doesn't celebrate the birth of daughter... there's no mithai distribution, no gushing praise for the mom, no excited telephone calls to extended family and friends :( When it's a boy, they go all out and exchange lavish gifts and host a large dinner for the baby... It's pretty sad in this day and age especially among the educated classes. I'm not quite sure what it will take to change this mindset but I hope my daughter (if and when I have one inshalah :)) will be welcomed in a way similar to her male counterparts.

Also, MIL dearest mentioned (none too casually) that my nephews and nieces are now hoping for a cousin from their Chachi (Gaia)... How does one respond, politely?

When should a woman act like a man?

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/04/05/when.to.act.like.man/index.html?hpt=Mid

Fun Things to do in Karachi

I'm a Karachiite born and bred. I love the fast-paced city life, the traffic, the chaos, the mishmash of people and cultures but sometimes, I yearn for my life abroad. The peace, the security, the independence, the opportunity to travel and explore...

This month, I plan to be a tourist in my city and here's my list of touristy things to do:

- Visit the Mohatta Palace Museum (been meaning to do this for ages!)

- Walk around the Benazir Bhutto Park

- Go to Frere Hall (I went to see Sadeqain's horses in 8th grade; haven't been back since)

- Slide down the marble slides in Hill Park (haven't done that in 18 years!)

- Visit Mumtaz Mahal at Karachi Zoo (FYI: this is a woman with a wolf's body... enough to give you nightmares if you're around 5 and have a moderately active imagination. My dad used to take me as a kid and she'd ask for bakhsheesh... creepy!)

- Drink Pakola (it's been a while :))

- Shop at Empress Market (never been)

- Visit the Somiani Caves

Your lymph glands are slightly swollen, you have a slight pain in your jaw. You go to the doctor thinking it's a virus, a sore throat, mumps at worse. The doctor prescribes some medicine but advises you to get a biopsy done, just because. It's positive for malignancy...

You're young, healthy and active, happily married with things look good career-wise... Why me, you ask? Why now?

Dear N, I'm sorry I can't be there with you physically but I'm thinking about you constantly and admiring your strength (Mashalah). You've accomplished so much, so soon, I've always looked up to you... Be strong.

Lots of pyar and duas. God Bless!