I Wish Our Nation Was More Like the Japanese...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13598607

:)

Something's Changed

So I'm planning a weekend trip to visit some friends in Dubai but for some strange, inexplicable reason, I'm feeling really guilty... for leaving Mr. F behind and going on a vacation alone (even if it's only for 3 days...)

Before I got married, I wouldn't think twice about it... my parents have always been comfortable with the idea and I know my friends will take care of everything... but I feel this massive sense of responsibility toward my husband (although he's pretty good at taking care of himself :)).

The trip's in the "planning" stage and I'm already feeling this way... "_"

I'm trying really hard to stay away from newspapers, radio and television... I'd rather live in denial than succumb to depression :-o.

Most Pakistanis are probably aware of the terrorist attacks on Pakistan's Naval Base. It was bizarre... everyone was at work whining about Monday mornings while a full-scale battle was raging on a few miles away...

Work is rather flat these days, there isn't much to do... I think my supervisor's tired of me going up to him to ask him to give me work every day :-P

Mr. F's moved to a new floor in the same building... I part from him every morning in the elevator and he comes home around 9... I guess that's normal for most corporations, but it'll take me a while to get used to... *sigh*

Tuesdays

So the past week was quite eventful... Alhamdulilah, the curtains are finally up and the new place is beginning to feel like home :").

We attended a valima (wedding party from the groom's side) in North Nazimabad on Sunday evening but the dinner was more like a scavenger hunt (people were quite literally pushing others aside, heaping their plates with food and then running back to their seat lest someone try to steal kulfi off their plate). I was serenely watching the madness until a six-year old nearly spilled his seven-up on me :-P

Mr. F moved to his new office yesterday. I was rather busy all day so I didn't really miss him too much... but he stopped by my cubicle twice and left me a note with toffees (awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww).

We need to buy side tables, another sofa and a new dinner set and inshalah we'll be ready to entertain...

When Mr. F and I are out in company, people (usually aunties, at times, uncles too) often ask me what I cook for my husband (*note, people assume that I cook for my husband and that I have a repertoire of recipes under my belt :-P).

I shrug and smile and nod towards the husband and say (quite truthfully) that my husband is a better chef than I am and that we have a cook/housekeeper since we both work full-time. This response is usually met with raised eyebrows and comments about "the way to your husband's heart is through his stomach"

funny...

Not

Thankfully, dear Mr. F understands that his wife works the same number of hours that he does and does not expect a five course meal during the weeknights. On weekends, I do try to pamper him and make his favorite dishes/dessert :)

Also, my teenage sister has a school formal this weekend and I need to take her shopping for a modest (non-trashy) yet fun (not old-fashioned) outfit. We've combed all the big stores but I haven't been able to find anything :(

Any suggestions? It has to be in Karachi..

Another Weekend Goes By...

We have finally shifted to our new house... except, it doesn't quite feel like home yet... We're waiting for curtains, a phone line, cable, internet and new furniture. Hopefully, inshalah, everything will be in place by the end of the week.

It's funny how the absence of technology gives you so much extra time to just focus on each other... On most weekends, Mr. F and I usually are sprawled in front of the tv or on facebook :p. Sans UPS, we even managed a couple of candle-lit dinners :-)

We attended an aunty-dinner on Saturday. This is where aunties dress up and brag about their childrens' accomplishments to the other aunties. The ultimate accomplishment is your kid getting into Karachi Grammar School...

Some aunties paid Rs. 18,000/month on tuitions for the entrance test only to be disappointed when the admissions were announced.

Not having any school-going kids yet, I am usually not able to contribute much to these conversation and so, I look on with a slightly amused, yet interested expression on my face... as if I'm eagerly storing these gems of wisdom for a time when I'll be in these aunties' shoes.

Fiasco at the UK Visa Center

So I finally mustered the courage to apply for a UK tourist visa... After several phone calls to the call center, I managed to schedule an appointment for 8:00 am. I prepared all the documents, made copies and booked a car to take me to Fortune Center. I arrived at ten minutes to eight. A few people were already in line and I joined the queue. A lonely security guard manned the counter and we were informed that the staff might be late because of the chaos in the city (there was firing yesterday and the security situation wasn't too great, therefore, public transport wasn't running).

There was nowhere to sit, we remained standing. One lady had brought her child with her... a boy of around 18 (with mental disabilities) who clung to his mother and became increasingly restless as time went by.

The guards were unable to provide any information. We waited for the staff to arrive for almost 45 minutes in the scorching heat before walking away...

I can hear the tinkle of the wind chimes and the gentle splash of the waterfall... Goldfish swim to the surface for a gulp of air and toads hop around the pond... The tiny pocket-lawn is blooming with flowers, cool sea breeze caresses my face... it's good to be home :-)

We spent most of the weekend shuttling between the old house and the new, moving clothes and furniture, cleaning up and settling in. Inshalah I hope our time spent here is tranquil and barkat-wala :-P (some Urdu words, i just can't substitute :")).

Thanks Mr. F for taking care of everything and making it a smooth transition for both of us.

<3