Rabia was once asked, "How did you attain that which you have attained?"
"By often praying, 'I take refuge in You, O God, from everything that distracts me from You, and from every obstacle that prevents me from reaching You.'"
Rabi´a al-Adawiyya, translation by Andrew Harvey and Eryk Hanut - 'Perfume of the Desert'
~~
In love, nothing exists between heart and heart.
Speech is born out of longing,
True description from the real taste.
The one who tastes, knows;
the one who explains, lies.
How can you describe the true form of Something
In whose presence you are blotted out?
And in whose being you still exist?
And who lives as a sign for your journey?
~~
I have two ways of loving You:
A selfish one
And another way that is worthy of You.
In my selfish love, I remember You and You alone.
In that other love, You lift the veil
And let me feast my eyes on Your Living Face.
Rabi´a al-Adawiyya. Doorkeeper of the heart:versions of Rabia. Trans. Charles Upton
~~
The source of my suffering and loneliness is deep in my heart.
This is a disease no doctor can cure.
Only Union with the Friend can cure it.
Rabi´a al-Adawiyya, translation by Andrew Harvey and Eryk Hanut - 'Perfume of the Desert'
~~
I have made You the Companion of my heart.
But my body is available to those who desire its company,
And my body is friendly toward its guest,
But the Beloved of my heart is the guest of my soul. >
Rabi´a al-Adawiyya translation by Andrew Harvey and Eryk Hanut - 'Perfume of the Desert'
~~
Brothers, my peace is in my aloneness.
My Beloved is alone with me there, always.
I have found nothing in all the worlds
That could match His love,
This love that harrows the sands of my desert.
If I come to die of desire
And my Beloved is still not satisfied,
I would live in eternal despair.
To abandon all that He has fashioned
And hold in the palm of my hand
Certain proof that He loves me---
That is the name and the goal of my search.
Rabi´a al-Adawiyya, translation by Andrew Harvey and Eryk Hanut - 'Perfume of the Desert'
~~
O Lord,
If tomorrow on Judgment Day
You send me to Hell,
I will tell such a secret
That Hell will race from me
Until it is a thousand years away.
O Lord,
Whatever share of this world
You could give to me,
Give it to Your enemies;
Whatever share of the next world
You want to give to me,
Give it to Your friends.
You are enough for me.
O Lord,
If I worship You
From fear of Hell, burn me in Hell.
O Lord,
If I worship You
From hope of Paradise, bar me from its gates.
But if I worship You for Yourself alone
Then grace me forever the splendor of Your Face.
Rabi´a al-Adawiyya, translation by Andrew Harvey and Eryk Hanut - 'Perfume of the Desert'
Monday, 31 May 2010
Wisdom...
Should you not gain your wants, my soul, then be not grieved;
But hasten to that banquet which your Lord’s bequeathed.
And when a thing for which you ask is slow to come,
Then know that often through delay are gifts received.
Find solace in privation and respect its due,
For only by contentment is the heart relieved.
And know that when the trials of life have rendered you
Despairing of all hope, and of all joy bereaved,
Then shake yourself and rouse yourself from heedlessness,
And make pure hope a meadow that you never leave.
Your Maker’s gifts take subtle and uncounted forms.
How fine the fabric of the world His hands have weaved.
The journey done, they came to the water of life,
And all the caravan drank deep, their thirst relieved.
Far be it from the host to leave them thirsty there,
His spring pours forth all generosity received.
My Lord, my trust in all Your purposes is strong,
That trust is now my shield; I’m safe, and undeceived.
All those who hope for grace from You will feel Your rain;
Too generous are You to leave my branch unleaved.
May blessings rest upon the loved one, Muhammad,
Who’s been my means to high degrees since I believed.
He is my fortress and my handhold, so my soul,
Hold fast, and travel to a joy still unconceived.
~ Shaykh Ali bin Husayn al-Habshi
But hasten to that banquet which your Lord’s bequeathed.
And when a thing for which you ask is slow to come,
Then know that often through delay are gifts received.
Find solace in privation and respect its due,
For only by contentment is the heart relieved.
And know that when the trials of life have rendered you
Despairing of all hope, and of all joy bereaved,
Then shake yourself and rouse yourself from heedlessness,
And make pure hope a meadow that you never leave.
Your Maker’s gifts take subtle and uncounted forms.
How fine the fabric of the world His hands have weaved.
The journey done, they came to the water of life,
And all the caravan drank deep, their thirst relieved.
Far be it from the host to leave them thirsty there,
His spring pours forth all generosity received.
My Lord, my trust in all Your purposes is strong,
That trust is now my shield; I’m safe, and undeceived.
All those who hope for grace from You will feel Your rain;
Too generous are You to leave my branch unleaved.
May blessings rest upon the loved one, Muhammad,
Who’s been my means to high degrees since I believed.
He is my fortress and my handhold, so my soul,
Hold fast, and travel to a joy still unconceived.
~ Shaykh Ali bin Husayn al-Habshi
Quote of the day...
Buiness philosopher Jim Rohn:"We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons."
Sunday, 30 May 2010
Song of the day: Sham-e-firaq by Abida Parveen
Lyrics
Sham-e-firaq aab na pooch, aai aur aa ke Tul gai
dil tha ke phir bhehal gaya, jaaN thee ke phir sanbhal gai
bazm-e-Khayal maiN tere husn ki shama jal gai
dard ka chaand bujh gaya, hijr ki raat Dhal gai
jab tujhey yaad kar liya subha mehak mehak uThee
jab tera ghum jaga liya raat machal machal gai
dil se to her muamla kar ke chale thai saaf hum
kehney maiN onkey samney baat badal badal gai
aaKhir-e-shab ke humsafar "faiz" najaney kya hoey
reh gai kis jaga saba, subha kidhar nikal gai
English Translation:
Ask no more (about) the night of separation; it came, and passed
The heart got diverted again; life found its feet again
in the salon of (my) thoughts, the candle of your beauty was lighted
the moon-of-pain extinguished itself, the night of separation slipped away
whenever you were remembered, the mornings became fragrant
when your pain was awakened, the nights grew restless
in the heart i had sorted out all the issues before setting out
(however) while recounting before her, (my) words changed themselves
who knows where the fellow-travellers of the end-of-the-night went, Faiz?
at which spot did the breeze get left behind? and which way did the dawn walk off?
Courtesy: http://www.desipad.com/literature-poetry/63678-sham-e-firaq-aab-na-pooch-faiz-ahmed-faiz-english-translation.html
Ideologically Confused as a Nation...
A very enlightening article...Brilliantly written...Absolutely true...Must read for everyone:
http://blog.dawn.com/2010/05/29/frayed-ends-of-sanity/
http://blog.dawn.com/2010/05/29/frayed-ends-of-sanity/
Saturday, 29 May 2010
Quote of the day...
Quote from the famous Islamic Scholar: Al-Hasan Al-Basree. 'The roots of evil are three: Arrogance, Envy, and Greed. Arrogance prevented Satan from bowing, Envy led Cane to kill Abel, and Greed took Adam out of Paradise'
Friday, 28 May 2010
Verily God is with those who patiently persevere...
In these mad times, when men commit heinous acts of terrorism in the name of religion by murdering innocent men and children while they are praying, it is difficult to make sense of anything and hopelessness, despair all but take over one's senses. The only thing that one can do is to turn to God and seek His Guidance and His help in gaining patience and sabar. Verily, to God we belong and to Him is our return. That is the only absolute, certain reality.May God grant patience and strength to the loved ones of the those who lost their lives today. Ameen
Verses from the Holy Quran
"Seek Allah's help with patient perseverance and prayer. It is indeed hard except for those who are humble." -the Holy Quran (2:45)
"Oh you who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer, for God is with those who patiently persevere."- the Holy Quran (2:153)
Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives, and the fruits of your toil. But give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Those who say, when afflicted with calamity, 'To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return.' They are those on whom descend blessings from their Lord, and mercy. They are the ones who receive guidance." - the Holy Quran (2:155-157)
"And We shall try you until We test those among you who strive their utmost and persevere in patience; and We shall try your reported (mettle)-the Holy Quran (47:31)
"On no soul does Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray:) “Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which You did lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith.”- the Holy Quran (2:286)
"Oh you who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy. Vie in such perseverance, strengthen each other, and be pious, that you may prosper." - the Holy Quran(3:200)
"And be steadfast in patience, for verily Allah will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish." - the Holy Quran(11:115)
"Be patient, for your patience is with the help of Allah." -the Holy Quran(16:127)
"Patiently, then, persevere - for the Promise of Allah is true, and ask forgiveness for your faults, and celebrate the praises of your Lord in the evening and in the morning." - the Holy Quran (40:55)
"No one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint, none but persons of the greatest good fortune." -the Holy Quran (41:35)
"Verily man is in loss, except such as have faith, and do righteous deeds, and join together in the mutual enjoining of truth, and of patience and constancy." - the Holy Quran(103:2-3)
Verses from the Holy Quran
"Seek Allah's help with patient perseverance and prayer. It is indeed hard except for those who are humble." -the Holy Quran (2:45)
"Oh you who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer, for God is with those who patiently persevere."- the Holy Quran (2:153)
Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives, and the fruits of your toil. But give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Those who say, when afflicted with calamity, 'To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return.' They are those on whom descend blessings from their Lord, and mercy. They are the ones who receive guidance." - the Holy Quran (2:155-157)
"And We shall try you until We test those among you who strive their utmost and persevere in patience; and We shall try your reported (mettle)-the Holy Quran (47:31)
"On no soul does Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray:) “Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which You did lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith.”- the Holy Quran (2:286)
"Oh you who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy. Vie in such perseverance, strengthen each other, and be pious, that you may prosper." - the Holy Quran(3:200)
"And be steadfast in patience, for verily Allah will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish." - the Holy Quran(11:115)
"Be patient, for your patience is with the help of Allah." -the Holy Quran(16:127)
"Patiently, then, persevere - for the Promise of Allah is true, and ask forgiveness for your faults, and celebrate the praises of your Lord in the evening and in the morning." - the Holy Quran (40:55)
"No one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint, none but persons of the greatest good fortune." -the Holy Quran (41:35)
"Verily man is in loss, except such as have faith, and do righteous deeds, and join together in the mutual enjoining of truth, and of patience and constancy." - the Holy Quran(103:2-3)
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Poem by Douglas Richards...
"Always keep your goodness
and never lose your love.
For then, Son, you'll be rewarded with success
in ways you never dreamed of."
"You can be head and shoulders above the crowd.
You don't have to be a giant to be strong.
Walk tall and proud. All You have to be...
is someone people look up to,"
"In the course of time, you will be reminded
that hard work gets goods results and keeping
healthy is essential. Know when to work your mind
and let your body relax, and know when doing just
the opposite makes most sense. Being able
to handle whatever life brings your way
is not a matter of coincidences."
"You've already got a good idea of what is expected
of you and wished for you. One of the best things
you can accomplish on life's pathway is to be a
walking example of the golden rule. Don't let
anyone fool you into thinking that it is worthless;
it is one of the most valuable things you can do."
"You've got so many possibilities ahead!
Don't be too quick to limit your choices of what to do,
because you might limit your chances of unimagined joys
that are just waiting for you."
" You've got a wonderful sense of
humor and a good outlook on life.
Let those qualities help to see you
through when you're deciding where to
go and you're not sure what to do"
"You've got a big heart. Keep it filled with happiness.
You've got a fascinating mind. Keep finding new ways to grow.
Keep yearning. Keep learning. Keep trying. Keep smiling.
And keep remembering that a parent's love goes with you...
every where you go."
and never lose your love.
For then, Son, you'll be rewarded with success
in ways you never dreamed of."
"You can be head and shoulders above the crowd.
You don't have to be a giant to be strong.
Walk tall and proud. All You have to be...
is someone people look up to,"
"In the course of time, you will be reminded
that hard work gets goods results and keeping
healthy is essential. Know when to work your mind
and let your body relax, and know when doing just
the opposite makes most sense. Being able
to handle whatever life brings your way
is not a matter of coincidences."
"You've already got a good idea of what is expected
of you and wished for you. One of the best things
you can accomplish on life's pathway is to be a
walking example of the golden rule. Don't let
anyone fool you into thinking that it is worthless;
it is one of the most valuable things you can do."
"You've got so many possibilities ahead!
Don't be too quick to limit your choices of what to do,
because you might limit your chances of unimagined joys
that are just waiting for you."
" You've got a wonderful sense of
humor and a good outlook on life.
Let those qualities help to see you
through when you're deciding where to
go and you're not sure what to do"
"You've got a big heart. Keep it filled with happiness.
You've got a fascinating mind. Keep finding new ways to grow.
Keep yearning. Keep learning. Keep trying. Keep smiling.
And keep remembering that a parent's love goes with you...
every where you go."
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Medicine needs a lot of spine...
Saw this in a blog somewhere...Thought it would be useful for all the drs out there who might come across this blog:
Medicine needs a lot of Spine. The practice of medicine requires:-
Humility: Recognition of one's own weaknesses, and to accept ones faults.
Graciousness: to Allah to allow us to deal with the best of His Creations.
Courage:- to stand up against wrong decisions, clinical or otherwise, even if made by those stronger than us.
Sincerity: The intention to acquire knowledge for its stated purpose, so that it may not become a garland of fire in the HereAfter
Source: http://kemkellogs.blogspot.com/2010/05/alumnus-speaks-his-mind.html
Medicine needs a lot of Spine. The practice of medicine requires:-
Humility: Recognition of one's own weaknesses, and to accept ones faults.
Graciousness: to Allah to allow us to deal with the best of His Creations.
Courage:- to stand up against wrong decisions, clinical or otherwise, even if made by those stronger than us.
Sincerity: The intention to acquire knowledge for its stated purpose, so that it may not become a garland of fire in the HereAfter
Source: http://kemkellogs.blogspot.com/2010/05/alumnus-speaks-his-mind.html
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Hope for His Mercy more than fearing His Wrath
Excerpt from a talk by Shaikh Hamza Yusuf on Divine Love:
According to a beautiful hadith, the Prophet, God bless and grant him peace, said that on the Last Day, when the last two souls are brought forth before God, they are both condemned to hell. As the angels escort them to their final fiery abode, one of them wistfully looks back. Thereupon, God commands the angels to bring him back and asks the man why he turned back. The man replies, “I was expecting something else from you.” God responds, commanding the angels, “Take him to My Garden.”
http://www.sandalaproductions.com/Blog/10-a-reflection-on-divine-love.aspx
According to a beautiful hadith, the Prophet, God bless and grant him peace, said that on the Last Day, when the last two souls are brought forth before God, they are both condemned to hell. As the angels escort them to their final fiery abode, one of them wistfully looks back. Thereupon, God commands the angels to bring him back and asks the man why he turned back. The man replies, “I was expecting something else from you.” God responds, commanding the angels, “Take him to My Garden.”
http://www.sandalaproductions.com/Blog/10-a-reflection-on-divine-love.aspx
Monday, 24 May 2010
Song of the day...
| Sonu Nigam - Baawri Piya Ki .mp3 | ||
 | ||
 | Found at bee mp3 search engine |  |
Lyrics (with English Translation)
Bavari piya ki
I am crazy for my beloved
Bavari piya ki
Ooo bavari piya ki
Kase kahe jake peer jiyaki
how do I say to him the pain of my heart
Bavari piya ki
Piyu rang man ki chunar rangai
I am coloured in colour of my darling
Piyu rang man ki chunar rangai
Piyu piyu ratha ke piyu main samai
uttering his name I am submerged in him
Ban gaye chhaya
I have become shadow
Ban gaye chhaya
Chhal baliya ki
even the harsh skin of some tree (talking of her erratic beloved)
Bavari piya ki
Bavari piya ki
Itha utha dekhe panth nihare
I see here and there, waiting for him
Itha utha dekhe panth nihare
Har din palchhin naam pukare..
every day, every moment my eyes call out to him
Sud nahin bisare
there is no news
Sud nahin bisare
Man basiya ki
of the one who occupies my heart
Bavari piya ki
Bavari piya ki
Kase kahe jake peer jiyaki
Bavari piya ki
Another 3rd person translation of the lyrics:
baavari piya ki – 6
Crazy for her lover
kaase kahe jaake peer jiyaaki
How can she tell of the pain in her heart
baavari piyaa ki – 2
Crazy for her lover
piyu rang man ki chunar rangaai – 2
Her lover coloured her with a colourful cloth
piyu piyu rath ke piyu mein samaai
She said her lovers name and immersed in him
ban gayi chhaayaa – 2
She has become a shadow
chhal baliyaa ki
Of her erratic beloved
baavari piyaa ki – 4
Crazy for her lover
itha utha dekhe panth nihaare – 2
She looked here and there for the traveller
har din palchhin naam pukaare
Everyday she would call out his name
sud nahin bisare – 3
Senseless was
man basiyaa ki
The heart of the darling
baavari piyaa ki – 4
Crazy for her lover
kaase kahe jake peer jiyaaki
How can she tell him of pain in her heart
baavari piyaa ki – 6
Crazy for her lover
Coke Studio Season 3 set to air from June 6...
Can't wait anymore for coke studio once more...Its that time of the year again and this time round its gonna be bigger and better with new additions including Tina Sani, Abida Parveen, Arif Lohar, Aunty disco project, Mauj etc teaming up with all time favourites of Noori, Zeb Haniya, Rahat Fateh Ali et al...Read this article for further details:
http://www.mastikorner.com/2010/05/17/coke-studio-season-3-harder-better-faster-stronger/
http://www.mastikorner.com/2010/05/17/coke-studio-season-3-harder-better-faster-stronger/
Shayari...
Kash mae ik azad panchi hota
Onchi parwazain bharta rehta
Na fiqar zamanay ki na gham kisi bat ka
Mae azad fizaon mae urta rehta
Din ko danay ki talash karta
Raat mae sakoon say soya karta
Ik uran jo bharta mae saweray
To pal bhar mae dunia par cha jata
Onchi parwazain bharta rehta
Na fiqar zamanay ki na gham kisi bat ka
Mae azad fizaon mae urta rehta
Din ko danay ki talash karta
Raat mae sakoon say soya karta
Ik uran jo bharta mae saweray
To pal bhar mae dunia par cha jata
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Song of the day: Far-away by Nickleback
| Nickelback - Far Away .mp3 | ||
| | ||
| Found at bee mp3 search engine | |
Lyrics
This time, This place
Misused, Mistakes
Too long, Too late
Who was I to make you wait
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know,
you know, you know
[CHORUS]
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore
On my knees, I'll ask
Last chance for one last dance
'Cause with you, I'd withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I'd give it all
I'd give for us
Give anything but I won't give up
'Cause you know,
you know, you know
[CHORUS]
So far away
Been far away for far too long
So far away
Been far away for far too long
But you know, you know, you know
I wanted
I wanted you to stay
'Cause I needed
I need to hear you say
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I forgive you
For being away for far too long
So keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Quotes of the day...
~Don't love the Heart that hurts you and don't hurt the Heart that loves you.
~The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.
~The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.
Quote of the day...
Copied this off from a friends fb status:
"I don't like what you are doing, but I respect who you are......because maybe who you are tomorrow, is better than who I am today" - Professor Tariq Ramadan
"I don't like what you are doing, but I respect who you are......because maybe who you are tomorrow, is better than who I am today" - Professor Tariq Ramadan
Saturday, 22 May 2010
Music Album of the night ;)
Fusion of east and west by the Late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Michael Brook in this wonderful album...Enjoy!
| Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Michael Brook - Longing .mp3 | ||
| | ||
| Found at bee mp3 search engine | |
| Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Michael Brook - My Comfort Remains .mp3 | ||
| | ||
| Found at bee mp3 search engine | |
| Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Michael Brook - Crest .mp3 | ||
| | ||
| Found at bee mp3 search engine | |
| Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Michael Brook - Intoxicated .mp3 | ||
| | ||
| Found at bee mp3 search engine | |
| Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Michael Brook - Lament .mp3 | ||
| | ||
| Found at bee mp3 search engine | |
| Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Michael Brook - Night Song .mp3 | ||
| | ||
| Found at bee mp3 search engine | |
| Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Michael Brook - Sweet Pain .mp3 | ||
| | ||
| Found at bee mp3 search engine | |
Friday, 21 May 2010
Apnaface...
Got this in a forwarded mail....Thought it was hilarious! Pakis attempt to get a desi version of Fb :)
On the ban...
I did not have the time to write about the ban, which I by the way strongly oppose...I found this note on facebook written by Mr. Adnan Ali...I agree with his views:
My name is Adnan Ali and this is why I will not sign off or boycott Facebook on May 20, 2010.
As you know someone has created a page on Facebook to collaborate the “Draw Muhammad Day”, NauzibAllah , Astaghfar, shame on the antagonist and participants.
Muslims on Facebook are outraged by this act of blasphemy and due to our immense respect and love for our Prophet Muhammad PBUH, have been reporting the page in the Racist / Hate Speech category. I have done so myself. Apparently Facebook has not acted upon what we Muslims think are its own rules and policies about user generated content on Facebook.
Since then, there has been a growing demand by the Muslims on Facebook to boycott the platform and it has been rumored that Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has been asked by the Pakistan government to block Facebook or the disputed Page’s URL. [Update: ProPakistani.pk is reporting that PTA has indeed blocked the Page URL.]
I will not be supporting any such boycott by Muslim users of Facebook, nor shall I support any block or ban by the PTA. Here is why:
1. Boycotts are the easy way out. Boycotts achieve little and they are just a self satisfaction tool.
2. If the 2,359,620 Pakistanis choose to delete their accounts on Facebook, it is going to make no economic or social difference on Facebook.
3. This is a media war. Muslims have always been prone to emotional discourse which provides immense pleasure to our enemies. Moreover, boycotts are going to leave the social media space open for those who hold wrong beliefs about our Prophet PBUH.
4. Why should PTA ban this page in Pakistan? It does not have jurisdiction over other countries. So, PTA is stopping Muslims in Pakistan from accessing this page? How does that make sense? Why are Muslims in Pakistanis visiting this page in the first place? I think that no Muslim worth his salt would visit such pages and therefore PTA can stay away from banning the internet.
5. Allowing government interruption and censure on the internet will lead to precedence. Which sites will be next? Local sites where the government is criticized for politics and policy? This is a wrong and dangerous step and we should not in any case accept government censure of the internet in Pakistan.
6. Boycotting something like this will only give it more life. Imagine all the status messages that have the link of the page. We are actually spreading this virus rather than burying it. Add to this, other pages and groups created by Muslims which highlight the content of the blasphemous page. This is ridiculous behavior.
7. Our emotional outbursts are only going to be picked up by mainstream media and then everyone can join and laugh at our activities.
8. For most of us so called aggrieved people, we disrespect, ridicule and deny the teachings of Prophet Muhammad PBUH when we do not offer prayers, do not fast, lie, steal, bribe or accept bribes, engage in immoral activities etc. So I do not consider that being a Muslim gives us any moral high ground in this situation. As Muslim youth, we are the least educated in Islam. A majority has not opened the Quran or read a Tafseer in ages. A little introspection never hurts.
Here is what I would do if I was so inclined to do so:
1. Instead of promoting the blasphemous content by adding the link to my status message and creating groups and pages that showcase this content, I would sit and contemplate why this is happening.
2. Have no confusion; this is another organized attack just like the original cartoons. They know how we will react to such outrageous behavior. They know that we will boil our blood in emotional outrage and then destroy our own properties, kill our own citizens and provide another body blow to our weak economy.
3. As a reply, I would create a Facebook Group or Page to praise the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, highlight his teachings, his achievements, and his famous sayings, how he taught us to treat the poor and the children and the women. How the Prophet Muhammad PBUH urged caution and care and taught rules even for war.
4. I would ask people to record 1 minute videos about why they love Prophet Muhammad PBUH and recite their favorite Hadeeth.
5. I would narrate how Islam teaches respect for all Prophets of Allah and our faith is incomplete without believing in the Prophets of Allah.
6. I would encourage western and non-muslim scholars to visit the page and add their comments about this issue.
7. I would hope and encourage all Muslims to join this page rather than having small silos of their own. In fact, unity is the only solution here.
I am confident that my solution is better than emotional outbursts and impotent activities like boycotts and governments bans of websites.
My name is Adnan Ali and this is why I will not sign off or boycott Facebook on May 20, 2010.
As you know someone has created a page on Facebook to collaborate the “Draw Muhammad Day”, NauzibAllah , Astaghfar, shame on the antagonist and participants.
Muslims on Facebook are outraged by this act of blasphemy and due to our immense respect and love for our Prophet Muhammad PBUH, have been reporting the page in the Racist / Hate Speech category. I have done so myself. Apparently Facebook has not acted upon what we Muslims think are its own rules and policies about user generated content on Facebook.
Since then, there has been a growing demand by the Muslims on Facebook to boycott the platform and it has been rumored that Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has been asked by the Pakistan government to block Facebook or the disputed Page’s URL. [Update: ProPakistani.pk is reporting that PTA has indeed blocked the Page URL.]
I will not be supporting any such boycott by Muslim users of Facebook, nor shall I support any block or ban by the PTA. Here is why:
1. Boycotts are the easy way out. Boycotts achieve little and they are just a self satisfaction tool.
2. If the 2,359,620 Pakistanis choose to delete their accounts on Facebook, it is going to make no economic or social difference on Facebook.
3. This is a media war. Muslims have always been prone to emotional discourse which provides immense pleasure to our enemies. Moreover, boycotts are going to leave the social media space open for those who hold wrong beliefs about our Prophet PBUH.
4. Why should PTA ban this page in Pakistan? It does not have jurisdiction over other countries. So, PTA is stopping Muslims in Pakistan from accessing this page? How does that make sense? Why are Muslims in Pakistanis visiting this page in the first place? I think that no Muslim worth his salt would visit such pages and therefore PTA can stay away from banning the internet.
5. Allowing government interruption and censure on the internet will lead to precedence. Which sites will be next? Local sites where the government is criticized for politics and policy? This is a wrong and dangerous step and we should not in any case accept government censure of the internet in Pakistan.
6. Boycotting something like this will only give it more life. Imagine all the status messages that have the link of the page. We are actually spreading this virus rather than burying it. Add to this, other pages and groups created by Muslims which highlight the content of the blasphemous page. This is ridiculous behavior.
7. Our emotional outbursts are only going to be picked up by mainstream media and then everyone can join and laugh at our activities.
8. For most of us so called aggrieved people, we disrespect, ridicule and deny the teachings of Prophet Muhammad PBUH when we do not offer prayers, do not fast, lie, steal, bribe or accept bribes, engage in immoral activities etc. So I do not consider that being a Muslim gives us any moral high ground in this situation. As Muslim youth, we are the least educated in Islam. A majority has not opened the Quran or read a Tafseer in ages. A little introspection never hurts.
Here is what I would do if I was so inclined to do so:
1. Instead of promoting the blasphemous content by adding the link to my status message and creating groups and pages that showcase this content, I would sit and contemplate why this is happening.
2. Have no confusion; this is another organized attack just like the original cartoons. They know how we will react to such outrageous behavior. They know that we will boil our blood in emotional outrage and then destroy our own properties, kill our own citizens and provide another body blow to our weak economy.
3. As a reply, I would create a Facebook Group or Page to praise the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, highlight his teachings, his achievements, and his famous sayings, how he taught us to treat the poor and the children and the women. How the Prophet Muhammad PBUH urged caution and care and taught rules even for war.
4. I would ask people to record 1 minute videos about why they love Prophet Muhammad PBUH and recite their favorite Hadeeth.
5. I would narrate how Islam teaches respect for all Prophets of Allah and our faith is incomplete without believing in the Prophets of Allah.
6. I would encourage western and non-muslim scholars to visit the page and add their comments about this issue.
7. I would hope and encourage all Muslims to join this page rather than having small silos of their own. In fact, unity is the only solution here.
I am confident that my solution is better than emotional outbursts and impotent activities like boycotts and governments bans of websites.
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Bans, bans, bans!!!
From facebook to youtube to sheesha smoking, they're banning everything in Pakistan!!!
http://blog.dawn.com/2010/05/20/face-ing-the-b/
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/03-pakistan-blocks-youtube-over-blasphemous-material-ss-01
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/letters-to-the-editor/banning-shisha-smoking-050
http://blog.dawn.com/2010/05/20/face-ing-the-b/
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/03-pakistan-blocks-youtube-over-blasphemous-material-ss-01
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/letters-to-the-editor/banning-shisha-smoking-050
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Facebook banned in Pakistan :S...
Are we playing into the very hands of the people that create such hate-enticing pages...Isn't that what they actually wanted? Would banning facebook actually stop such groups/pages from springing up again or will it just act as a catalyst? Knee-jerk reactions always tend to lack depth of thought...
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/03-lhc-orders-block-of-facebook-over-caricatures-ss-02
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/03-lhc-orders-block-of-facebook-over-caricatures-ss-02
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Men lie...six times a day, twice as often as women :S
Lol...Yea, as the song by aqualung would say: "Its easier to lie" ;)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1213171/Men-lie-times-day-twice-women-study-finds.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1213171/Men-lie-times-day-twice-women-study-finds.html
Cure for insomnia...
I read this somewhere..So I thought I'd share espcially coz it involves honey and some warm stuff :P ;)
"one spoon of honey and a hot shower is an excellent cure for insomnia. followed preferably by reading a boring book in bed and trying to slow down your breathing"
"one spoon of honey and a hot shower is an excellent cure for insomnia. followed preferably by reading a boring book in bed and trying to slow down your breathing"
Monday, 17 May 2010
Geeky, raunchy quotations..
" ...its about those moments when you can feel the perfection of creation,the beauty of physics,the wonder of mathematics,the relation of action and reaction, and that is the kinda perfection i wanna be connected to.." - BattleStar Galactica
-The World is , most figuratively , an Orgy . Where everybody is essentially trying to fuck everybody else; be it legally,financially,emotionally, materialy, academically or for that matter literally.
-The World is , most figuratively , an Orgy . Where everybody is essentially trying to fuck everybody else; be it legally,financially,emotionally, materialy, academically or for that matter literally.
Another amazing cricket article: To Pakistani fans
The article is an year old and was probably written before last years world cup final which Pakistan won eventually, however, it still holds true...
http://blog.dawn.com/2009/06/20/to-pakistani-fans/
http://blog.dawn.com/2009/06/20/to-pakistani-fans/
Sunday, 16 May 2010
Blues....
Lyrics of Yad karna by Vital Signs
mar bhi jaoon tau mat rona
beeti hoee batoon ko
jagi hoe ratoon ko
yaad karna
yaad karna aur jee lena
tum meray naam ko
kabhi apney naam se
bicharney na dena
meray qadmoon ki chaap
ghar ke darwazay se
nikalney na dena
mujhe marne na dena
apni pakain tum na bhigona
mat rona
beeti hoe batoon ko
jagi hoe ratoon ko
yaad karna
yaad karna aur jee lena
main apni awaaz
aur apney saaray geet
tumhain day jaoon ga
meri sab cheezon ko
yoonhe rehnay dena
jaise shaam hote he
main laut ke aaon ga
mujhe kho kar bhi
kabhi na khona
mat rona
beeti hoe batoon ko
jagi hoe ratoon ko
yaad karna
yaad karna aur jee lena
mar bhi jaoon tau mat rona
beeti hoe batoon ko
jagi hoe ratoon ko
yaad karnaaa...aaaaaa..aaaaaaaa.aaa
jee lena
mat rona
Saturday, 15 May 2010
This is the shizzle...
As my sister would say, and yes she said it, this is the shizzle these days :)
Friday, 14 May 2010
People are people...great song by Amir Zaki
Lyrics
Freedom is a word
Make those understand
Something they have learned
never know never see
If don't grow old in their land
Bloods wept and tears
Have made their king smile
We cannot know the fears
Just by going there breaking moons and stars
People are people where ever they are
Ruled by conditions bright out dark
If we're the friends we claim to be
Let's change the conditions
Before they change even me
Power is the name
It's a millionaire game
The players have learned
New ways today
But the rules stay the same
To play upon your guilt and break the dreams you've built
Give you a name with some new way but could see the Prophecies
Prevail
People are people where ever they are
Ruled by conditions bright out dark
If we're the friends we claim to be
Let's change the conditions
Before they change even me
People are people where ever they are
Ruled by conditions brought out dark
If we're the friends we claim to be
Let's change the conditions
Before they change even me
People are people where ever they are
Ruled by conditions bright out dark
If we're the friends we claim to be
Let's change the conditions
Before they change even me
People are people where ever they are
Ruled by conditions bright out dark
If we're the friends we claim to be
Let's change the conditions
Before they change even me
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Quote of the day...
Relationships-of all kinds-are like sand held in your hand. Held loosely, with an open hand, the sand remains where it is. The minute you close your hand and squeeze tightly to hold on, the sand trickles through your fingers. You may hold onto some of it, but most will be spilled. A relationship is like that. Held loosely, with respect and freedom for the other person, it is likely to remain intact. But hold too tightly, too possessively, and the relationship slips away and is lost.
Sunday, 9 May 2010
Lovey dovey..
"A relationship is like a rose,
How long it lasts, no one knows;
Love can erase an awful past,
Love can be yours, you'll see at last;
To feel that love, it makes you sigh,
To have it leave, you'd rather die;
You hope you've found that special rose,
'Cause you love and care for the one you chose."
-Rob Cella
Two halves have little choice but to join;
And yes, they do make a whole
but two wholes when they coincide...
That is beauty.
That is love.
-Peter McWilliams
He drew a circle that shut me out--
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in.
-Edwin Markham
Love doesn't just sit there like a stone; it has to be made, like bread, remade all the time, made new.
-Ursula K. LeGuin
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage."
-Lao-Tzu
"The supreme happiness in life is the conviction that we are loved -- loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves."
-Victor Hugo
"Love can sometimes be magic. But magic can sometimes...just be an illusion."
-Javan
"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul."
-Judy Garlan
How long it lasts, no one knows;
Love can erase an awful past,
Love can be yours, you'll see at last;
To feel that love, it makes you sigh,
To have it leave, you'd rather die;
You hope you've found that special rose,
'Cause you love and care for the one you chose."
-Rob Cella
Two halves have little choice but to join;
And yes, they do make a whole
but two wholes when they coincide...
That is beauty.
That is love.
-Peter McWilliams
He drew a circle that shut me out--
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in.
-Edwin Markham
Love doesn't just sit there like a stone; it has to be made, like bread, remade all the time, made new.
-Ursula K. LeGuin
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage."
-Lao-Tzu
"The supreme happiness in life is the conviction that we are loved -- loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves."
-Victor Hugo
"Love can sometimes be magic. But magic can sometimes...just be an illusion."
-Javan
"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul."
-Judy Garlan
Dialogues...
Vincent: Want some bacon?
Jules: No man, I don't eat pork.
Vincent: Are you Jewish?
Jules: Nah, I ain't Jewish, I just don't dig on swine, that's all.
Vincent: Why not?
Jules: Pigs are filthy animals. I don't eat filthy animals.
Vincent: Bacon tastes gooood. Pork chops taste gooood.
Jules: Hey, sewer rat may taste like pumpkin pie, but I'd never know 'cause I wouldn't eat the filthy motherfucker. Pigs sleep and root in shit. That's a filthy animal. I ain't eat nothin' that ain't got enough sense enough to disregard its own feces.
Vincent: How about a dog? Dogs eats its own feces.
Jules: I don't eat dog either.
Vincent: Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal?
Jules: I wouldn't go so far as to call a dog filthy but they're definitely dirty. But, a dog's got personality. Personality goes a long way.
Vincent: Ah, so by that rationale, if a pig had a better personality, he would cease to be a filthy animal. Is that true?
Jules: Well we'd have to be talkin' about one charming motherfuckin' pig. I mean he'd have to be ten times more charmin' than that Arnold on Green Acres, you know what I'm sayin'?
(Pulp Fiction)
Jules: No man, I don't eat pork.
Vincent: Are you Jewish?
Jules: Nah, I ain't Jewish, I just don't dig on swine, that's all.
Vincent: Why not?
Jules: Pigs are filthy animals. I don't eat filthy animals.
Vincent: Bacon tastes gooood. Pork chops taste gooood.
Jules: Hey, sewer rat may taste like pumpkin pie, but I'd never know 'cause I wouldn't eat the filthy motherfucker. Pigs sleep and root in shit. That's a filthy animal. I ain't eat nothin' that ain't got enough sense enough to disregard its own feces.
Vincent: How about a dog? Dogs eats its own feces.
Jules: I don't eat dog either.
Vincent: Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal?
Jules: I wouldn't go so far as to call a dog filthy but they're definitely dirty. But, a dog's got personality. Personality goes a long way.
Vincent: Ah, so by that rationale, if a pig had a better personality, he would cease to be a filthy animal. Is that true?
Jules: Well we'd have to be talkin' about one charming motherfuckin' pig. I mean he'd have to be ten times more charmin' than that Arnold on Green Acres, you know what I'm sayin'?
(Pulp Fiction)
Saturday, 8 May 2010
Quotes of the day...
We spend our whole lives worrying about the future, planning for the future, trying to predicy the future as if figuring it out will cushion the blow. But the future is always changing. The future is the house of our deepest fears and wildest hopes. But one thing is for certain; when it finally reveals itself, the future is never the way we imagined.
It feels like you're the only one in the world who is struggling, who`s frustrated, unsatisfied but that feeling is a lie & if you just hold on, just find the courage for another day. Someone or something will find you & make it all okay. Because we all need a little help sometimes; someone to help us, hear the music in their world, to remind us it wont always be this way. That someone is out there & will find you.
It feels like you're the only one in the world who is struggling, who`s frustrated, unsatisfied but that feeling is a lie & if you just hold on, just find the courage for another day. Someone or something will find you & make it all okay. Because we all need a little help sometimes; someone to help us, hear the music in their world, to remind us it wont always be this way. That someone is out there & will find you.
memon ka bacha
Do not try this at home, especially if the kid is a boy which I highly doubt in this case and if it is a boy, then I think his future ambitions of becoming a daddy would be severely curtailed...
Facebook group....
Can you believe that there is a group called: "Official petition to make Mosquito the national bird of Pakistan" on facebook...Sheesh where do these guys come up with these things...I must confess though that however crazy it might sound but I even miss the mosquitoes and their bites...I don't know but it kinda sorta made you feel loved...Infact they were more like love bites...Akhir koi tau moon lagata tha chahay mosquitoe hee ho :P
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Zindagi sai dartay ho?
zindagii se Darate ho ?
zindagii to tum bhii ho, zindagii to ham bhii hain
aadamii se Darty ho ?
aadamii to tum bhii ho aadamii to ham bhii hain
aadamii zubaaN bhii hai, aadamii bayaaN bhii hai
is se tum nahiin Darate
harf aur maanii ke rishta- haaye- aahan se aadamii hai vaabastaa
aadamii ke daaman se zindagii hai vaabastaa
is se tum nahiin Darate
ankahii se Darate ho
jo abhii aa_ii nahiin us ghaDii se Darate ho
us ghaDii ke aane kii aagahii se Darate ho
pahale bhii to guzare hain
daur naarasaa_ii ke, beriyaa Khudaa_ii ke
phir bhii ye samajhate ho, hech aarzuu-mandii
ye shab-e-zubaaN bandii, hai rah-e- Khudaa-wandii
tum yahii samajhate ho, tum magar ye kyaa jaano
lab agar nahiin hilte, haath jaag uThte hain
haath jaag uThte hain, raah kaa nishaan ban kar
nuur kii zubaaN ban kar
haath bol uThte hain, subah kii azaaN ban kar
roshanii se Darate ho
roshanii to tum bhii ho, roshanii to ham bhii hain
roshanii se Darate ho
shahar kii fasiilon par
dev kaa jo saayaa thaa, paak ho gayaa aaKhir
az_dahaam-e-InsaaN se fard kii navaa aa_ii
zaat kii sadaa aa_ii
raah-e-shauq main jaise, raah_row ka KhooN lapke
ik nayaa junuuN lapke
aadamii chhalak uThe
aadamii haNse dekho, shahar phir base dekho
tum abhii se Darate ho
haaN abhii to tum bhii ho, haaN abhii to ham bhii hain
tum abhii se Darate ho
zindagii se Darate ho ?
zindagii to tum bhii ho, zindagii to ham bhii hain
aadamii se Darty ho ?
aadamii to tum bhii ho aadamii to ham bhii hain
by Noon Meen Rashid (Y)
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Quotes of the day...
"When two people are enamoured by each other, the smallest suggestion, the quickest contact, the slightest glance, mean the world to them. This smile is like the wishful glimpse of a prisoner, after months of isolation in a dark and humid well, when the sun finally shines from a distance through an orifice parallel to his sight."
Bozorg Alavi December 1937
“I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”
Jack London
Bozorg Alavi December 1937
“I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”
Jack London
A lesson in politics...left vs right (diagram)
Click on the picture to get a detailed enlarged verison...
Poem of the day...
The Happy Life
My friend, the things that do attain
The happy life be these, I find:
The riches left, not got with pain,
The fruitful ground; the quiet mind;
The equal friend; no grudge, no strife;
No charge of rule nor governance;
Without disease the healthy life;
The household of continuance;
The mean diet, no dainty fare;
True wisdom joined with simpleness;
The night discharged of all care,
Where wine the wit may not oppress;
The faithful wife, without debate;
Such sleeps as may beguile the night:
Content thyself with thine estate,
Neither wish death, nor fear his might.
Henry Howard, earl of Surrey (1517-1547) translation of a sonnet from Roman poet Martial's Epigrams.
My friend, the things that do attain
The happy life be these, I find:
The riches left, not got with pain,
The fruitful ground; the quiet mind;
The equal friend; no grudge, no strife;
No charge of rule nor governance;
Without disease the healthy life;
The household of continuance;
The mean diet, no dainty fare;
True wisdom joined with simpleness;
The night discharged of all care,
Where wine the wit may not oppress;
The faithful wife, without debate;
Such sleeps as may beguile the night:
Content thyself with thine estate,
Neither wish death, nor fear his might.
Henry Howard, earl of Surrey (1517-1547) translation of a sonnet from Roman poet Martial's Epigrams.
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
The book of love...
This is the kindof song that takes you somewhere else, better, a place where love flows as freely and unabated as a river, a place where the terrors and pains of the world are far far away, a songyou want to be stuck in forever...If you think of it deeply, you'll travel to different world, when you listen to it, just close ur eyes and remember all the stories u'v been through in ur life...You feel like all the pain of the world is gone and there is nothing but love and you feel as if you're drifting in a bright bubble of oblivion...Just modified the comments in the thread for this song ;)
Remember me...
Do not shed tears when I have gone but smile instead because I have lived.
Do not shut your eyes and pray to God that I'll come back but open your eyes and see all that I have left behind.
I know your heart will be empty because you cannot see me but still I want you to be full of the love we shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live only for yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of what happened between us yesterday.
You can remember me and grieve that I have gone or you can cherish my memory and let it live on.
You can cry and lose yourself, become distraught and turn your back on the world or you can do what I want - smile, wipe away the tears, learn to love again and go on.
~David Herkins (a popular funeral poem)
Another Variant (She is Gone):
You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
Do not shut your eyes and pray to God that I'll come back but open your eyes and see all that I have left behind.
I know your heart will be empty because you cannot see me but still I want you to be full of the love we shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live only for yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of what happened between us yesterday.
You can remember me and grieve that I have gone or you can cherish my memory and let it live on.
You can cry and lose yourself, become distraught and turn your back on the world or you can do what I want - smile, wipe away the tears, learn to love again and go on.
~David Herkins (a popular funeral poem)
Another Variant (She is Gone):
You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
Quote of the day...
Your simplicity long ended, when you took Persian mistresses and children, and you thickened your holdings with plunder and jewels... Because you have fallen in love with all the things in life that destroy men... do you not see... and you, as well as I, know, that as the year decline and the memories stale and all your great victories fade it will always be remembered, you lef...t your king in Asia .(Alexander to his Army when they refused to go any further after landing in Indo-Pakistan)
Monday, 3 May 2010
You're a desi when...
1. You unwrap Christmas gifts very carefully, so you can save and reuse the wrapping next year.
2. You only buy Christmas cards after Christmas, when they are 50% off.
3. When there is a sale on toilet paper, you buy 100 rolls and store them in your closet or in the bedroom of an adult child who has moved out.
4. You have a vinyl table cloth on your kitchen table.
5. Your stove is covered with aluminum foil
6. Your kitchen has a sticky film of grease over it.
7. You use the dishwasher as a dish rack.
8. You have never used your dishwasher.
9. You eat all meals in the kitchen.
10. You save grocery bags, tin foil, and tin containers.
11. You use grocery bags to hold garbage.
12. You always leave your shoes at the door.
13. You hate to waste food.
14. Even if you're totally full, if someone says they're going to throw away the leftovers on the table, you'll finish them.
15. You have Tupperware in your fridge with three bites of rice or one leftover chicken wing.
16. You don't own any real Tupperware -- only a cupboard full of used, but carefully rinsed, margarine tubs, takeout containers, and jam jars.
17. You have a collection of miniature shampoo bottles that you take every time you stay in a hotel.
18. The condiments in your fridge are either Price-Club/Sam's sized or come in plastic packets, which you save/steal every time you get take-out or go to McDonalds.
19. Ditto paper napkins.
20. You never order room service.
21. You carry a stash of your own food whenever you travel (and travel means any car ride longer than 15 minutes).
22. You own a rice cooker or a pressure cooker.
23. You wash your rice at least 2-3 times before cooking it.
24. You fight over who pays the dinner bill.
25. You majored in engineering, medicine or law.
26. When you go to a dance party, there are a wall of guys surrounding the dance floor trying to look cool.
27. You live with your parents and you are 30 years old. (And they prefer it that way).
28. If you're married and 30 years old, you live in the apartment next door to your parents, or at least in the same neighborhood.
29. You don't use measuring cups.
30. You feel like you've gotten a good deal if you didn't pay tax.
31. Your parents' house is always cold.
32. You reuse teabags.
33. You have a drawer full of old pens, most of which don't write anymore.
34. You always look phone numbers up in the phone book, since calling Information costs 50 cents.
35. You like your meat well done.
36. If you don't live at home, when your parents call, they ask if you've eaten, even if it's midnight.
37. Your parents never go to the movies.
38. Your parents send money to their relatives in foreign countries.
39. Your parents use a clothes line.
40. You know someone who you think can get you a good deal on jewelry or electronics.
41. You never discuss your love life or sex with your parents.
42. Your parents are never happy with your grades.
43. You save your old coke bottle glasses even though you're never going to use them again.
44. You keep used batteries.
45. You keep most of your money in a savings account.
46. You call an older person you never met before "uncle."
47. The first thing uncle asks you is "where are your parents from?"
48. When your parents meet strangers and talk for a few minutes, you discover you're talking to a distant cousin.
49. You've been asked if you are a Hindi, or if you speak Hindu.
50. Your parents buy Sears/Montgomery Ward appliances believing they are the best.
51. No one you're related to is a music major.
52. You avoid motels, especially if there is an acquaintance within a 250 mile radius of your destination.
53. You sleep on their floor.
54. When you type, you put a space between the last word in a sentence and the terminating punctuation mark !
55. Your parents don't realize phone connections to foreign countries have improved in the last two decades, and still scream at the top of their lungs.
56. When our fathers get together, no matter what the topic is, each man is an expert.
57. You have a box of tissue or a towel in your car.
58. You grow your own vegetables.
59. You can't park your car in the garage, because you never throw anything away and keep it there (just in case you need it).
60. You trust only foreign cars (Accord or Camry).
61. You drive 2 hours and spend a whole day to get a complementary cutlery set for listening to a sales pitch on vacation timeshares.
62. You cook in bulk.
63. You have bed sheets on your sofas.
64. When dining out, your parents think $1 is enough of a tip.
65. You recycle Christmas/Birthday gifts.
66. You head to the clearance rack as soon as you walk into a store.
67. You buy clothes from K-mart and put it in a recycled gift box from Macy's before giving it.
68. Your favorite brand name is "IRREGULAR".
69. The few silverware you have is mismatched and plastic.
70. You frequently get honked at by those stupid American drivers who think they know how to drive.
71. You know someone who owns a motel or a convenience store.
72. It's embarrassing if your wedding has less than 600 people.
73. You think an Indian businessman will give you a better deal because he's Indian.
74. You spew forth the virtues of India, but don't want to live there.
75. Your list your daughter as "fair and slim" in the matrimonials no matter what she looks like.
76. Your dad thinks it's perfectly OK to hawk and spit out a loogey on the sidewalk.
77. You use Vicks Vapor Rub.
78. The video tapes you rent are 10th generation copies and have scrolling commercials in the middle of the movie.
79. You've seen the ground while inside the lavatory of a train.
80. You've had to swerve around animals grazing on the road.
81. You've been in a bus where half the people riding are outside the bus.
82. All your Tupperware is stained with food color.
83. You have drinking glasses made of steel, the rim of which can cut your mouth if you're not careful.
84. Experiencing 20 power blackouts in a single day doesn't faze you.
85. You tape Christmas cards on your wall.
86. You have a plastic rug-runner going down your hallway at home.
87. There's a pungent odor of spices as one enters your home.
88. You've never had a tanning salon membership.
89. You call fluorescent lights "tube lights" or a flashlight a "torch."
90. You pronounce "wary" and "very" the same way.
91. You pack a suitcase full of toilet paper when visiting India.
92. You've tied up your luggage with rope to keep it from falling apart.
Source: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2205057075#!/group.php?gid=2205057075&v=info
2. You only buy Christmas cards after Christmas, when they are 50% off.
3. When there is a sale on toilet paper, you buy 100 rolls and store them in your closet or in the bedroom of an adult child who has moved out.
4. You have a vinyl table cloth on your kitchen table.
5. Your stove is covered with aluminum foil
6. Your kitchen has a sticky film of grease over it.
7. You use the dishwasher as a dish rack.
8. You have never used your dishwasher.
9. You eat all meals in the kitchen.
10. You save grocery bags, tin foil, and tin containers.
11. You use grocery bags to hold garbage.
12. You always leave your shoes at the door.
13. You hate to waste food.
14. Even if you're totally full, if someone says they're going to throw away the leftovers on the table, you'll finish them.
15. You have Tupperware in your fridge with three bites of rice or one leftover chicken wing.
16. You don't own any real Tupperware -- only a cupboard full of used, but carefully rinsed, margarine tubs, takeout containers, and jam jars.
17. You have a collection of miniature shampoo bottles that you take every time you stay in a hotel.
18. The condiments in your fridge are either Price-Club/Sam's sized or come in plastic packets, which you save/steal every time you get take-out or go to McDonalds.
19. Ditto paper napkins.
20. You never order room service.
21. You carry a stash of your own food whenever you travel (and travel means any car ride longer than 15 minutes).
22. You own a rice cooker or a pressure cooker.
23. You wash your rice at least 2-3 times before cooking it.
24. You fight over who pays the dinner bill.
25. You majored in engineering, medicine or law.
26. When you go to a dance party, there are a wall of guys surrounding the dance floor trying to look cool.
27. You live with your parents and you are 30 years old. (And they prefer it that way).
28. If you're married and 30 years old, you live in the apartment next door to your parents, or at least in the same neighborhood.
29. You don't use measuring cups.
30. You feel like you've gotten a good deal if you didn't pay tax.
31. Your parents' house is always cold.
32. You reuse teabags.
33. You have a drawer full of old pens, most of which don't write anymore.
34. You always look phone numbers up in the phone book, since calling Information costs 50 cents.
35. You like your meat well done.
36. If you don't live at home, when your parents call, they ask if you've eaten, even if it's midnight.
37. Your parents never go to the movies.
38. Your parents send money to their relatives in foreign countries.
39. Your parents use a clothes line.
40. You know someone who you think can get you a good deal on jewelry or electronics.
41. You never discuss your love life or sex with your parents.
42. Your parents are never happy with your grades.
43. You save your old coke bottle glasses even though you're never going to use them again.
44. You keep used batteries.
45. You keep most of your money in a savings account.
46. You call an older person you never met before "uncle."
47. The first thing uncle asks you is "where are your parents from?"
48. When your parents meet strangers and talk for a few minutes, you discover you're talking to a distant cousin.
49. You've been asked if you are a Hindi, or if you speak Hindu.
50. Your parents buy Sears/Montgomery Ward appliances believing they are the best.
51. No one you're related to is a music major.
52. You avoid motels, especially if there is an acquaintance within a 250 mile radius of your destination.
53. You sleep on their floor.
54. When you type, you put a space between the last word in a sentence and the terminating punctuation mark !
55. Your parents don't realize phone connections to foreign countries have improved in the last two decades, and still scream at the top of their lungs.
56. When our fathers get together, no matter what the topic is, each man is an expert.
57. You have a box of tissue or a towel in your car.
58. You grow your own vegetables.
59. You can't park your car in the garage, because you never throw anything away and keep it there (just in case you need it).
60. You trust only foreign cars (Accord or Camry).
61. You drive 2 hours and spend a whole day to get a complementary cutlery set for listening to a sales pitch on vacation timeshares.
62. You cook in bulk.
63. You have bed sheets on your sofas.
64. When dining out, your parents think $1 is enough of a tip.
65. You recycle Christmas/Birthday gifts.
66. You head to the clearance rack as soon as you walk into a store.
67. You buy clothes from K-mart and put it in a recycled gift box from Macy's before giving it.
68. Your favorite brand name is "IRREGULAR".
69. The few silverware you have is mismatched and plastic.
70. You frequently get honked at by those stupid American drivers who think they know how to drive.
71. You know someone who owns a motel or a convenience store.
72. It's embarrassing if your wedding has less than 600 people.
73. You think an Indian businessman will give you a better deal because he's Indian.
74. You spew forth the virtues of India, but don't want to live there.
75. Your list your daughter as "fair and slim" in the matrimonials no matter what she looks like.
76. Your dad thinks it's perfectly OK to hawk and spit out a loogey on the sidewalk.
77. You use Vicks Vapor Rub.
78. The video tapes you rent are 10th generation copies and have scrolling commercials in the middle of the movie.
79. You've seen the ground while inside the lavatory of a train.
80. You've had to swerve around animals grazing on the road.
81. You've been in a bus where half the people riding are outside the bus.
82. All your Tupperware is stained with food color.
83. You have drinking glasses made of steel, the rim of which can cut your mouth if you're not careful.
84. Experiencing 20 power blackouts in a single day doesn't faze you.
85. You tape Christmas cards on your wall.
86. You have a plastic rug-runner going down your hallway at home.
87. There's a pungent odor of spices as one enters your home.
88. You've never had a tanning salon membership.
89. You call fluorescent lights "tube lights" or a flashlight a "torch."
90. You pronounce "wary" and "very" the same way.
91. You pack a suitcase full of toilet paper when visiting India.
92. You've tied up your luggage with rope to keep it from falling apart.
Source: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2205057075#!/group.php?gid=2205057075&v=info