Making Memories » 2009

26 April 2009CE | 02 Jumada al-Ula 1430AH

< cringe >

I’ve just realised that I must sound very patronising every time I talk about Pakistan. Either I go on and on about how much ‘luckier’ I am than everyone else - mawkish bleeding heart, eh? - or my ungovernable acid tongue goes into overdrive. In both cases, I make my new home sound like a dreadful dump that has its general populace wringing their hands in despair.

< /cringe >

So, I won’t promise to be sugar-and-spice-nice all the time :P - honestly, there are too many things to chuckle about (like our water woes). Anyway, as much as I poke fun at this country, it is always done with some measure of affection.

What I will promise is to be fair and showcase some of Pakistan’s charms… one of which is the Etwar Bazaar, where we got some of these here lovely baskets.

Another post for another day in shaa Allah…

Cat: The Chai Files - Pakistan | Time: in the late afternoon | Comments (4)

17 April 2009CE | 22 Rabbi al-Thanni 1430AH

I complain like anything about Pakistan :P

I attack:

its dustiness - “I’ve only JUST mopped and my feet are gritty AGAIN!!!”
the fact that I can’t go out much - why oh why doesn’t Islamabad have the MRT^*?
the drivers - why are they always in a rush? I KNOW they know there’s nothing important they have to get to. My sister-in-law says, “Oh but Bhabhi, they HAVE to rush so they can get home and do nothing.” (She is Pakistani… she can say this, OK?)
the lack of safety - you read the news… you figure this out…

But… and yes, I say this quite grudgingly… it isn’t so bad here. Yes, there is more poverty than your heart can possibly bear sometimes and there are so many conveniences which I’ve grown accustomed to that I’ve had to forego.

Still, I find that this place keeps me grounded. The people I have met are supremely kind, friendly and sincere, so much so I am often ashamed of my cynical ways and acerbic jibes.

Here, I am reminded of how fragile life is, how hard life can be for many people who live and die poor and without hope, how courageous some people are in the face of struggle and most of all, how very very fortunate I am.

The power went out earlier today (load shedding - the first of many). I was about to get very grumpy when I remembered that last winter, we always took out our sewing when the electricity was down. We’ve brought quite a stash from Singapore. (Ignore the fact that I am rubbish at photography OK?) Just seeing the colourful fabrics and threads made our day :) Alhamdulillah for little blessings.

So, I’ll try to keep busy and to remind myself that I really have it good. :)

* MRT - Mass Rapid Transit … the train/subway in Singapore

Cat: Crafty Business, Thankful Thoughts, The Chai Files - Pakistan | Time: terribly early in the morning | Comments (0)

10 April 2009CE | 15 Rabbi al-Thanni 1430AH

Emails are nice, but good old handwritten letters are nicer. And you know what is EVEN better?

Parcels :)

Today, I received a lovely gift from Umm Obaidah. I call it my almost-surprise because while it was not unexpected - we are both participating in a swap organised by Farhana - I was so thrilled when it arrived that it sure felt like a surprise :) Make sense?

Anyway, Umm Obaidah has given me a WONDERFUL book. It is entitled The Invocation of God by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya. He is one of my favourite authors, so I know that I will enjoy reading this.