Khwaari

So, in order to apply for a student visa, I need "good conduct certificates" from three countries! (USA, UAE and Pakistan). For the US, I had to send a fingerprint card all the way to Clarksburg, West Virginia (and hopefully they'll mail it back soon). Prior to this, I'd only heard of West Virginia in a song by John Denver. For the UAE and Pakistan, I had to go to a police station with the required documents and obtain clearance.

Note: I've never been to a police station before, not even for a minor driving incident!

So I went to the criminal headquarters in Kharadar, Karachi. The officers were surprisingly polite and efficient and rolled my fingers on an ink slab. Afterwards, they gave me Surf Excel to wash the ink off my hands :). I didn't see any criminals but there were a couple of addicts sleeping on the floor... and the head officer had to leave in a hurry because there had been a bomb scare somewhere in the city.

So if you're planning to study in another country, allow plenty of time for processing of documents and be prepared for a lot of khwaari :p

Disney Roll :p

I heart this site :)

http://www.retrojunk.com/details_articles/2006/

When I Need A Good Cry...

Saying Goodbye

Goodbyes have always been awkward for me. Usually, I put on the tough-girl act and say a terse, off-hand goodbye (while trying not to burst into tears and resisting the urge to bawl like a baby). The other person usually ends up thinking that they've offended me deeply :p so I follow up with a highly emotional email explaining why I was rude... Some things are just easier expressed when written rather than communicated face to face...

I will inshalah be leaving soon and I want to do it the right way...

I could be cheesy like SRK and come up with bollywood-ish farewells...

But I'd rather be dignified and calm. I bought gifts for my close friends and colleagues and I'll probably send out a mass email to everyone else thanking them for the opportunity to work with them.

I'm definitely older and perhaps a little wiser after my stint in Abu Dhabi :). It's been quite an experience after the Princeton cocoon but I think I'm ready to move on and try something new...

Pigeonholing

They came from a land of scorching deserts, snowcapped mountains, camels and mosques. Now after several miserable years imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay, 13 Muslims from China will try to resettle on the tiny Pacific nation of Palau _ a land of lush beach resorts.

For some reason, it reminded me of Shrek 2:
Fairy Godmother: He endured blistering winds and scorching deserts - he climbed the highest bloody room of the tallest bloody tower - and what does he find? Some gender-confused WOLF telling him that HIS princess is already married!