Happy Spirit :)

I really don't understand how women's minds work (mine included). On my birthday, Mr. F surprised me with flowers, chocolate and Happy Spirit...

I was pleasantly surprised because Mr. F's family doesn't celebrate birthdays and especially not past the age of 10 so he'd made a special effort for me. Next day, I was ill with fever and flu and was generally "down" but went to work and had a normal day, came home and crashed...

Started missing mommy and chicken soup and wanted attention but Mr. F went to sleep! So (and yes, I am a spoiled brat), I threw a tantrum and wept my heart out... Mr. F mumbled something, patted my head and continued sleeping!! For some reason this made me super angry (poor Mr. F who'd done nothing to deserve this...) and I responded with silent treatment and being really loud (think: ringing alarm clock, slamming doors etc.) to get Mr. F to wake up but it didn't work.

I eventually cried myself to sleep (*insert sheepish look here*). Next day was pretty awkward... I'd been bad but couldn't figure out how to make up for it and restore peace. A penitent kiss worked and thankfully, all's well.

Lahore for the Weekend!

Chilly mornings, sunny afternoons, foggy evenings. New family, new friends, good food... I'm falling in love with Lahore :)

Aunty Party

Yesterday, Mr. F and I attended a company dinner at our CEO's house. I was there as "the spouse" :-p

It so happens, whenever I plan ahead for an event (outfit, make-up, hair, jewelry etc.), everything that can possibly go wrong, does. There was no electricity, so I ended up having to go to my parents' house to iron my clothes, didn't have time to dry my sopping wet hair and thanks to violence in the city, the bank closed early so I couldn't get my jewelry :-(

Still, we managed to be there on time. Mr. F sat in the drawing room with the men while I was escorted to the ladies' section... I was easily the youngest person there, everyone else was an aunty with kids in college; some even had grandchildren! They were all sophisticated aunties though... clad in elegant saris and beautiful jewelry :)

After indulging in polite small talk, the aunty I was sitting next to drawled:

"Beta, it's hot today isn't it?"

Gaia: nods in agreement, "Jee, it's very still outside... there's no wind"

Aunty 1: "Thank God, I thought my hormones were acting up again... you know? I thought I was getting hot flashes..."

Gaia: :O :oO

The conversation revolved around kids, family, pampers, college admissions, the moral degradation of society, maasis and cooks and the merits of Nixor vs. KGS vs. CAS...

I feel old!

Only in Pakistan

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/provinces/03-two-brides-in-two-days-for-one-lucky-man-ss-08

Weekend

On Friday evening we went for dinner with a group of Mr. F's friends. Mr. F and I were already pretty exhausted since we'd got back from work rather late but we'd planned to "socialize" and not snooze the weekend away.

Everyone gathered at a common friend's house. They had a baby who had to be put to sleep before we could leave for dinner so the "men" smoked and drank Absolut vodka and Jack Daniels while I thumbed through magazines and pretended to look busy. The only other female was trying to put the baby to sleep in another room. Thankfully, Mr. F does not drink but it was still pretty awkward... and while I'm totally fine when my "western" friends drink, it's quite a shocker when Pakistani-Muslim, Ramadan-fasting, Friday-praying men with hijab-wearing wives and mothers take to the bottle... (yes, I know I have double standards but that's just the way it is... :S).

When the baby finally slept at around 11, we decided to go to The Patio. It's a quaint little place reminiscent of cafes in Islamabad. The aunty who runs the place is also the chef and she came up to the table and explained the menu (Surf n Turf = Shrimp and prawn... lol).

We were served around midnight and I was hard put to keep my eyes open let alone make polite small talk :P. Food was ok... not great and the portions were tiny! Definitely not somewhere I would take family.

I was feeling rather grumpy on the way back so Mr. F offered to get me dessert... Grumpy Gaia + dessert (preferably something with nuts, chocolate and cream) = Happy Gaia.

On Saturday, I did laundry and ironed my work clothes... I find ironing incredibly soothing... or maybe it's just the OCD in me wanting to smooth out all the wrinkles :P

On Sunday, I started making pasta but Mr. F took over and my easy white sauce pasta was transformed into a gourmet dish (with chopped parsley, sautéed mushrooms and the works :)).

Thank you Mr. F... I know I'm not an easy person to live with but you're very very patient.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

Robert Frost