Coffee Rants # 3

When it gets cold outside only then I realize that I do not own a single pair of full sleeves shirt so then I spend my day wearing a blanket. Simply because I am too lazy to open the suitcases and take out my winter clothes.

When the weekend arrives at our house, all we do is collapse on the sofa, eat a bunch of junk food, watch the pending T.V shows and just unwind from the crazy week. And what is funny is that all us three older siblings are home on a Friday night while the youngest who is 7 is out with his friend.

So today I decided to bear that laziness and make plans for the weekend because usually my plans include inviting Aysha over and doing all of the above with her which does not even count. Its not my fault, if you take into account the horrendous traffic, waiting in lines and more bad traffic when all you can do is roam the malls in the end. Anyways, my weekend plans got cancelled. I mean, my friends are exactly like me, if not worse. They will also consider the traffic, both outside and inside and then make their plans. :)

On the plus side, Abbu is finally coming home. I love him and its fun to get him out of the house but only for the first few days. After that its like an egg cracked on the floor and you trying to clean that mess.

Can I just say how unbelievable confusing Double Book Keeping is. At first, its so easy but as you dive in the topic, it hits you that this is not a field of Tulips to roll in. You have to pluck them one by one with hands. I am studying Trial Balances these days and its eating my mind. Differentiating and deciding what goes in Credit or Debit is confusing. And I have a problem of asking about logic behind everything, so now my professor is like, just do it. Think about the logic later.

I got a treat from Aysha this weekend and trust me, free food is the best. Especially when you have a best friend paying for it. Its been a lazy but productive weekend and now its time to dive in my books all over again. :D

Tell me if lazy weekends are not the best weekends ever.

Adieu !

S

Coffee Rants # 2

The best thing about not being in school anymore is that when the clouds decide to have mercy on you and shower themselves, you get to ditch your class and go Salsa in the rain.

Every year, that one day would come when it would rain in Qatar and we would be sitting in class studying Orbital hybridization. We would beg our teacher to let us go out and enjoy the weather but that day rarely came when the teachers were generous enough to understand our melancholy. Instead we would sit there looking longingly out of the window, listening to the drip drip of water calling us towards itself while the teacher went on and on and on about formation of Blastula. Once it rained in our half hour break and to say that the school went crazy would be understating the obvious. It was a little like giving free Ice Cream to a bunch of 5 year olds.

Today, however, I went crazy. Yes. We are that crazy people who dance (its like watching clowns hop around)  in the Winter rains while a little afraid of being struck by lightning. Although I have always wanted to get some sort of super power. So there I was playing football in rain while shivering to the core. And just having the time of my life. Have you ever attempted to drink rain water ? I did and ended up choking.

And then came the water fight. A sane person would think that why would you have water fights in rain. But its a tradition in my family. When we lived in Pakistan, after the rain, everybody would get their water guns and hunt down every damn bottle in the house. Then came the die hard decision of making teams. And cheating your own team. It was just another thing to have that kind of fun with all your cousins and all you had to fear were your mothers kicking your butts.

So right now, I am sitting here, drinking coffee, while going down the memory lane and being thankful for all those wonderful times and the beautiful weather outside. For us thunderstorms are a sign of good weather. And I know that by now, all the roads of Qatar are going to be submerged in water, the only time I appreciate Land Cruisers.

I hope everyone has a day as amazing as mine. Drink loads of coffee and be thankful for the life you lead.

Adieu !

S

.....

Coffee Rants # 1

Okay. So this is one of those things when you are in between a state. That state being equivalent of between being drunk and drugged. I am a coffee person. Especially when its that time of the year. Yes. When you have to cram your head with all of the studying nonsense at once. Not that I am complaining. Because I can see myself doing what I am studying three years from now. Inshallah !
Anyway, so last night due to extensive studying planning, I ended up enjoying a huge mug of Caramel Chai Latte which I so regret right now. It was 1 am at night.

I studied till like 4:30 and then prayed Fajr. That was it. But then I was like, OMG ! The weather is so perfect, I should remain awake and enjoy the sunrise. If you live in the Middle East, you would know what a blessing it is to have rain shower upon us like a flower blooming in a dessert. I ended up sleeping. Yes. But for 1 hour. 1 hour. That is it. And then I was awake. I had missed the sun rise and now I am sitting here regretting that coffee.

I am assuming that this how you feel after indulging in a bottle of Bourbon. I speak from watching too much of Vampire Diaries. I feel like my mind is awake and my body is in the rest mood. And I do not know what to do.

I have a weird habit of braiding/plaiting my hair while doing something else as in watching something or even studying. So it ends up in elaborate French Braids, Fish Tails and God knows what.

On the other note, the weather is perfect. I am motivating my mind to go out and work out a little bit. Ooh Dear Blog ! Give me strength to execute this mission of mine.

I HATE people who cannot live their own life and think that it is their duty to butt in other people's life. I do NOT want your advice. I do NOT care about your stupid recipes of Qorme or that I should not go to the beach at night. It is MY life. Please, do not forget that. And while my parents care for what you say. I do NOT. I respect you and maybe like you, but I am not one of those obedient little nice girl to take whatever you say with a smile and a bow.

Adieu !

S

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Book Review: Just One Day by Gayle Foreman

Goodreads's Review:

When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance ofTwelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Published: January 2013
Author: Gayle Foreman
Pages: 368
Genre: Teen Fiction, Contemporary, Young Adult
My Rating: 3.5/5

I saw this book on one of the lists on Broke and Bookish and then I saw it on the e reader and started reading it.

I loved most of the book. I loved that it was so much about travelling and all the places were described in such an amazing way that if I wasn't already dying to go there, I would have been persuaded. But I saw another perspective on travelling. That if its forced than you don't enjoy it. This is ironic considering how much costly it is to travel and if I am forced, I will happily oblige.

Allyson is a girl who is both idealistic and realistic and is not the kind of girl to believe in fairy tales.  But for one day, she stops considering what she believes in and lets go. She explores the world from a different angle. And that day ends up changing her life. If you think about it, no one is stupid enough to leave everything behind and go on a dare devil adventure in search of a one day love that you had. But then its kind of exhilarating at the same time.

I loved loved loved all of the Shakespeare that was incorporating into the story. At first I was like, OMG ! There is no way I will know what they are talking about but surprisingly, I did remember almost 80% of the plays that I have read (in story form) which were in the story.

I did not understand Willem at all. I did get Allyson's struggle with life and her own personality but Willem, I failed to get him. He was given more importance than he should have. Because in a way, Allyson goes back to Paris to find the girl that she was for one day in that city. Willem was just the guy who made that happen. So in searching for Willem, she was searching for herself.

I love open endings but this ending, I did not like at all. I needed something clear cut to wrap my head around. I wanted to see Willem's reaction and hear his story from his mouth.

P.S. Am I the only one who found the name WILLEM both weird and annoying ? As if its a bad pronounciation of William.

...SAP...

Book Review: Revolution 2020 by Chetan Bhagat

Goodread's Review:

Once upon a time, in small-town India, there lived two intelligent boys.
One wanted to use his intelligence to make money.
One wanted to use his intelligence to create a revolution.
The problem was, they both loved the same girl.

Welcome to Revolution 2020. A story about childhood friends Gopal, Raghav and Aarti who struggle to find success and love in Varanasi. However, it isn't easy to achieve this in an unfair society that rewards the corrupt. As Gopal gives in to the system, and Raghav fights it, who will win?

Published: 2011
Author: Chetan Bhagat
Pages: 296
Genre: Contemporary, Asian Literature 
My rating: 4/5

I loved this book. I loved everything about it. The story is being told by a person whose point of view is changed by life itself and he does not do all good things. But somehow when you are reading it and even when he is handing out bribes to get the work done, he becomes the hero. I realized that being the narrative helps the character share their point of view, justifying their actions.

The main theme of the book was grate. I loved how Gopal struggles to fulfill the wishes of his father and become a big man. I also loved how his only goal was to make money. Ordinarily, I would have thought that that is very materialistic. But I was like, he does not have money to eat. He is right to set that goal. Gopal takes things into his own hands and decides that life will not give him anything by doing the right thing, so he decided how to get everything himself. Screw life. And I agree. 

But somehow, in between this great battle of earning money and being with the girl Aarti, he has loved all his life, he loses himself. He loses what made him, him. Raghav makes him realize what he has lost. And he somehow tries to make things right. He gives the most important thing in his life, which I have to say, I could not have done that. 

I loved the controversy between him and Raghav. Gopal is bribing and doing what everyone else does and Raghav wants to change that exact system. I loved how Gopal asks the writer at the end whether he thinks he is a good man. I mean, the man gave up his most priceless thing and still isn't sure of his goodness.

P.S. I LOVE the cover of this book. The colour combination is so awesome. I have been drooling over it since its been in my hands.

...SAP...

Let's Jump On The Bed

Today, I will not torture you with my whining. Instead let us get on our bed, jump as high as you can and shout, "I win". I freaking win, life. In case your bed breaks or you go back to sleep like I did, its fine. Its a sign of happiness.

I woke up to a message by my very best friend telling me that she got admission in the university she wanted. I know that sounded really simple but its not if you happen to be a Pakistani and study abroad in a Pakistani school following the Federal Board. Sounds simple. But no. If you are from Karachi, you have to have done your schooling from the Sindh Board to get in some of the universities. Point is, every university has their own weird rules that leaves you in tears at the end of the day.

My friend had to come back last year because of such regulations and the whole year was spent in studying, avoiding activities that she loved. Meanwhile saying to me, Sumaica, there is no way I can get in. People don't get in on merit bases. Its all about bribes and power. Me being the stupid optimist I am, kept saying, M, you will get in. You have to get in. Hard work does not go to waste. Allah will do the best for you.

After saying goodbye to her in June, came the late night chatting and calling that involved me paying the phone bill. I could feel the torture she was going through. I would have ran away and said, no thank you. Take this freaking education system and go to hell. But she did not. She studied. And did God knows what. That idiot gave admission tests knowing she isn't eligible for that college.

Now comes the victory part. She has gotten into every university she has applied to so far. Mashallah ! And I was like, M, what did I say ? Now I await her arrival so I can bake a triple layered Hunger Games chocolate cake and celebrate the biggest victory of this year. So right now I am listening to some song "Chingam Chabake" and dancing on my bed.

Sometimes when times are hard, we tend to believe that nothing good can ever come out of the hard work that we do. But then like planting your country's flag on a mountain's top comes that sweet little victory. And it makes everything worth it.  

...SAP...

Book Review: I've Got Your No by Sophie Kinsella

Goodread's Review:

Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier. She is about to marry her ideal man, Magnus Tavish, but in one afternoon her “happily ever after” begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring in a hotel fire drill but in the panic that follows, her phone is stolen. As she paces shakily around the lobby, she spots an abandoned phone in a trash can. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number for the hotel to contact her when they find her ring. Perfect!
 
Well, perfect except that the phone’s owner, businessman Sam Roxton, doesn’t agree. He wants his phone back and doesn’t appreciate Poppy reading his messages and wading into his personal life.
 
What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other’s lives through emails and text messages. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls, and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents . . . she soon realizes that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life.

Author: Sophie Kinsella
Pages: 433
Published: 212
Genre: Chick Lit, Humour
My Rating: 2/5

I really liked the concept which was a single phone shared by two strangers. It was different and very interesting. And I have to say, it was executed very well. I know, I cannot share a phone with anyone. These days, our phone have become our treasure boxes and instead of holding jewels or money, they hold our life secrets, daily routines and passwords.

I found Poppy very annoying. You do not just pick up a random phone and start using it as your own. And than you do not just start meddling in people's life. But I guess, such people do exist. She was so obsessed over things that do not even matter.

The story itself was not that interesting. Poppy was way too much interested in minor things than the things that really mattered. Although it was interesting to see how two very different people and their worlds sort of connect with each other. It was a disaster in some ways but somehow it worked in the end.

The worst character was Magnus because it was so vague and I knew that he is not going to work out for Poppy. Needless to say, I am very disappointed in Sophie Kinsella. I just wish that she could have done more with the story

...SAP...

Dear Diary

Yesterday, I was studying and I glanced over at Moawiz. He was writing something in a neon green diary. And when I saw what he was writing, I was exhilarated. He was writing a diary. He had written the date at the top and had described his day, all on his own.

I started writing diary when I was in 6th grade. Than I stopped writing. I picked up the pen again in 8th grade when I thought that life was cruel which it really was not. But I guess it was for a 13 year old. Ahhhhh ! The life of a 13 year old.

 Anyway, my diary found me writing in it once again in 9th grade. So my relationship with it is very on and off type. When things seem very hard, I write in my diary. When things are awesome and I cannot contain my happiness, I write it down. And like an everlasting companion, my diary is always there to welcome me with open arms, never complaining for abandoning it. I have to say that I probably have more diaries than I write in. What can I say ? I love diaries. Especially when there is leather, quotes and keys involved.

I am amazed that Moawiz wants to write a diary. Its an amazing habit which contributes to so much when you grow up. I hope that he follows this through. And that someday, I can tell him all about this day.

P.S. Please excuse my horrendous photography. :D

...SAP...