Home is... where the heart is...!!

I miss home now. In a matter of a few weeks, I'd have been away for almost three months. Now, I cant wait to go back to Toronto and hunt n buy my orange rug or lay out my new blue sheets on our bed or serve in my corelle or grab those green n orange mats/towels from jcpenny or hang out in my balcony with Imo. Imo.. *sigh*.. I miss him!

Holi

Mumbai celebrated Holi yesterday. I loved the vibrancy that danced the streets of Mumbai. Colours everywhere. Mischief.

As far as India goesin general, I think its glory has been grossly over rated. Don't get me wrong, I love the shopping but ive been trying to find the culture and 'sanskaar' (values) we hear about on tv all the time. The culture seems to have been whitewashed. I dont see those traditional sentiments/symbols/values anymore. Even during holi, the celebrations began with bhang drinking and THAT seemed to be the major theme all around. The essence behind the events seem to have been forgotten. Holi used to symbolize the advent of spirng and the colours therein. It was to symbolize love and romanticism. Now its bhang (wine).

I remember watching saree clad, beautiful women on tv in movies. Now even the saree blouses of average indian women are leftover scraps that barely manage to stretch around them. The elegance and grace has gone.

many of the women now dress in western clothes, the whole cultural and colourful image of an indian girl - gone! call me a traditionalist but i had envisioned a very different india!

pak.. riching it!

Over the course of the last few days, Ive been contemplating what the cause behind the current situation in pak might be. A nation, blessed with the wealth of islam, built in the name of islam, dignified with musoleums of many well respected and well educated scholars, nuclear powered, picturisque in the northern areas, enriched with great men like Iqbal and Abdul Qader; its a pity that this nation is struggling in such a miserable state.

To eradicate the problem, we need to find the cause in Pakistan's situation. what is the cause behind the the poverty, the corruption, the beauraucracy etc prevailing so rampantly in pak? Is it us the so-called 'educated' class? Is it the law and policy making politicians? Is it the lack of education - islamic and otherwise?

yest, I was reading the Review dated March 10th. all the articles were pertaining to women's day (mar 8th... me bday!!=) is it a wonder y im such a feminist??) but one truly struck out to me.
http://www.dawn.com/weekly/review/review2.htm there were approx four articles.. but the stories mentioned in this one.. HURT! I couldnt sleep all night. the miseries of this ONE woman, hurt me to the point where i felt numb. Thats just me. I dont even live here. How could an entire nation be so numb to humanity? How can an entire nation be this silent to such barbaric activities?

what can change this situation? education? whom do we educate? where do we begin? Like we said in grade one.. its easy to talk the talk, can you walk the walk? everyone here has the talk.. but rarely do they walk!

I've been brainstorming a few ideas since last night.. soon to follow up!

My wishlist....

Somethings touch you the moment you see them - and you just gotta have it!!! Here's a list of four things ive been eyeing lately...

Thats the Nike yoga tote ive been eyeing for ages. i saw the purple and lilac one in TO and the pink and hot pink one in karachi. i simply LOVE it. its a purrfect mommy bag for maryam as well. ive been in love with this bag ever since ive seen it! The price isnt outrageous either. Its got tons of space and pockets and the purple one goes purrfectly with my nike backpack.

I read this book at KB's and LOVED it. Its amazing. This image is for the VHS... but i wanna have my own copy of the book! I just cant find it anywhere. even amazon is carrying just the vhs *sniff*

These bright towels from JCPenny. Im looking forward to having the orange and lime green ones. ive seen these around at ideas in khi as well and they look amazing on marble sink counters. a trip to buffalo, NY is due!

Im definitely looking forward to a trip to newyork. with all the vacation over the last few months, im stilll not sated. I wana spend some fun time with imo in ny... shopping and all!

Mum-Bai

As feminism goes, i have to admit, mumbai is a woman's haven. I could roam around the streets of mumbai way past midnight and no one would so much as glance at me. women working at call centres, return home at 2 or 3 at night, all alone in rickkshaws etc. i could never ever imagine daring to do so in pakistan!

Mum-bai-ing...

Imran left for dubai on sat morning, whilst eesa and i headed off towards mumbai. its a trip from heaven. Im in Mumbai now. A city much like karachi, yet very different. its very relaxing and comforting being with mum and dad.. yet i miss toronto intensely.

I feel half. From a completely independent personality before marriage, to someone who feels out of place at my own mums place. As jammie mentioned, prior to marriage we fought for our terrains, struggling to have our own room/space, away from our sisters'. Now, even favorite pasttimes like shopping and reading seem unfulfilling. Its not as though we cant live without each other, but living seems lifeless.

Moreso, i miss my casa (home). i miss the feel of it. i love living with mum. but i love my hme too. im twisted inside. i wanna go back to my blue bedroom, my casa flora, my bella vista, my CORELLE!!! i wanna go to ikea. i wanna g t Tim Hortns. i miss the warmth of my bed. i miss TO. i miss my in laws. Last but not the least... I miss u aasiya!