Be Oblivious, Most People Are, When They Jog Too! September 29, 2009

I went for my regular jog, today, as a part of my post partum weight loss plan. Then I found myself getting conscious about my fat and didn’t do the jog because when fat people jog or run they shake and the world shakes with them. With every time I passed someone I thought, “will this person be laughing at me?” That got me to wondering what goes on in the minds of my fellow fitness freaks as they walk and jog their fat away. Then somewhere in the tunes, I got lost in trains of thought about -

My favorite type of music is Rock. Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams. Just then I realized “The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me”; “Take A Look Around”; “Bad Medicine”; “Don’t Speak”; Represent Cuba (by Orishas) – are some of my favorite favorite songs and certainly mood uplifting. And that my Favorite Pass time is thinking about my labor and the first time I held my baby and the first time I fed her and how it felt and the tiny little thing that she was and how much she has matured in the past 6 months. Oh in the past 6 months, I found that post partum weight loss WAS INDEED not a myth contrary to what the ‘old fat ladies’ said (They once told me I’d be fat after pregnancy and it’d remain. HELLO! I’ve lost 19 pounds already. Do I hear you muffle your “I told you so?”)  Then I thought of good dance moves to this Orishas song, one of those songs that makes me feel 16! And then I thought of me in my previous slim body and that brought to mind my Zahra dancing and smiling.

I realized I was smiling.

Again I was blessed with a Happy Realization. If I was lost in my thought, maybe others are too. And there are other fat women and men trying to work it off.. And may be some were, but not every one was LOL’ing at me!

Welcoming myself to this new world of oblivion.

Updates. September 10, 2009

On the darker side of my life, I’m yet not free from a nightmare. And I’m afraid it shall last with me as long as I live. Meanwhile, I will continue to verbally emote.

On the brighter side of my beautiful life, I’m learning patience. Something I wasn’t born with. I get my lessons at 4 am., at my meal times, at her feeding time, at our playing time, my computer time, my cooking time… and my husband has fun watch me learn. Everyone is having fun just by the idea that I’m learning patience. Mom says, “Now you know!!! And just so you know more… she is exactly like you.” Every now and then I get a, “Enjoyed getting attention all the time? Now enjoy giving it.” (Barbie hogs attention all day long and until she sleeps at night. Thank God, she figured out ‘night’ means sleeping 8 hours.)

Yet on the brighter side of my life, I’m looking forward to winter in UAE and enjoying motherhood and being a wife after having become a mother. Some may wonder what the difference is, but many things do change after a child enters coupledom. I’m enjoying online computer games like Farmville and Mob Wars watching Sex and the City (got all 6 seasons). I’m back to blogging, which feels awesome. And yeah, I’m losing weight….

Size 14 is over with, now, I’m a size 12!!!

P.S.: Every rose has a thorn.

Missing the blogosphere. September 9, 2009

Writing that little poem made me feel good and stronger. How I miss the blogosphere. A few days ago I thought I had a block. I felt unable to express. And then sometimes I’d feel, “what’s there to express?”

Now I’ve refound how writing my journal makes me a little more happy, a little less stressed!

Hope I find the time to start following those blogs I once did and resume writing mine.

These past few months since I returned home, life has been all about Zahra. She has become our world. It’s amazing how one tiny little human has twisted us all around and we still say, “I’m having fun.”

My baby has started to giggle and roll and eat pureed foods… It’s fun cooking her meals..(The tremendous thought and care a mother puts into her baby’s food, I say!) She sometimes keeps me up at night and still manages to open shop at 10 am sharp in the morning – while I’m still half asleep. My hubby too, is having his share of diaper changing and sleepless nights, and some tiring days. He’s helping to get her to sleep and feed her…. She makes us run about the place and yeah it’s tiring, but, we still love her madly and yeah, “We’re having fun with our Barbie!”

Changed the Name March 9, 2009

Was getting really bored with this Maverick business. Everyone in the world knows I’m non – conformist, I defy traditions, and can’t accept supposed truths without logical explanation, that I still don’t know the meaning of “blind faith” etc etc

and alot of my people, family, friends think – this one’s a tough nut! Or plainly putting it – that I’m a pain in the ass!

Sometimes my radical thoughts get to people. They think I’m to hard to figure out and they don’t have the time. So they leave me alone. Not that I’m complaining.

Most of them think I’m a wierdo. A misfit. (Ok I do agree with the misfit part – if that is what it makes a person who is not always ready to accept crap rules and regulations by the society. By crap, I mean illogical and unnecessary. Mind you, everyone has their own Point of View. So what I think is crap may mean greatly to another – so please spare me the “u self righteous ….” kind of commentary)

So anyway, I’m 15 days to go …. and waiting for baby. Thought of changing my blog name into something that reflects my feelings 80% of the time.

Welcome to continue reading: I’m a Mom & So Life IS a PARTY!

Valentine’s Day Fever – Politicorous February 14, 2009

Reporting From the Land of The Proud KamaSutra & its Practice.: I’ll start out by eating my laughter, which if not swallowed may just cause me to empty my now-ever-full bladder on my chair.

Read this article on Sify.Com

It’s called: V-Day couple oblige Bajrang Dal, get married!

Supposedly, some Hindu right wing groups in India (Like Bajrang Dal) think that celebrating Valentine’s Day is against Indian Culture. (Laughing Out Aloud on a Dangerous Decibel Level! – Oh YEAH? And what do couples, mainly unmarried ones – on Valentines Day do? Kiss? F***? Like lip locks are alien to us Indians! Bah!)

Anyway, these activists thought of meting out a unique sort of punishment.

The Bajrang Dal dudes/goons decided to punish those found displaying their love by marrying them off!! So suppose these goons land up in a park and they find a couple kissing – POOF! And they’re married.

“It was by and large a subdued Valentine’s Day across the state as the threat of rightwing Hindu groups to marry off lovers seen together kept young couples away from celebrations in public.”

AND

“Police said they would take action only if the couple or their relatives lodged a complaint that they were forcibly married. In Nizamabad town, Bajrang Dal activists married off a couple found displaying their love in a park.”

…………are just some of the statements on this report that can be found here.

Ridiculous Politicorous Entertainment!

Pakistan Preparing for War December 25, 2008

Supposedly, Pakistan is preparing for war. 

Our poilitical analysts and critics assume this is a move “just to show” the Pakistani poulation that the Power of the Army has risen from it’s fall when General Musharraf was impeached. “Just to show” the population that they could sustain attacks from India. “Just to Show” they are not weak.

Why would any government protect terrorists, and the radical fanatic groups who cause upheaval in the world and lend a loving, peaceful religion a bad name? 

Why would a government go to war, risking the safety and lives of so many innocent people, to protect those same terrorists who are responsible for several assasinations, decapitations, bombings, and other activities to terrorise public in their own country?

All people are born with a right to live without fear. And it is the duty of the government to protect. But it doesn’t seem true anymore considering the situation. 

What is war if not a dreadful bloody movement in which no one wins and no one loses but those who have lost their beloved, their sense of peace, their land, their homes?

Hopefully, India will have a better outlook on the subject of War. And a better manner of dealing with the same.

A Smile. December 22, 2008

I’ve been barking this to so many people who insist on frowning their way through the day. One pearl of wisdom my mom gave me through my life. I thought she was being idealistic but it’s so true. 

My hubby lovingly calls it a ‘fan following’, those many people who do so much to help me even when I don’t ask. Those people who call to wish me on my special days.  And it’s all because of a small smile. 

“So smile and say please. The world will be at your feet.” 

Right Here Right Now. December 22, 2008

The on going world recession and economic meltdown in UAE has churned out a completely new approach in the residents who have invested years of their lives in this place and are now at risk of being thrown out on their asses due to downsizing. 

The people are hell bent on enjoying themselves before they lose their jobs and have to leave. And why not? I’ve seen this attitude mostly amongst civil engineers. i.e. my husband’s circle. There are two things on their mind. Saving cash. Enjoying UAE.

They believe that if they’re going to be one of the numerous people losing their jobs, they’d rather live it up, enjoy the pleasure rides UAE has to offer. The autodrome, swimming in the sea, fast bikes and adventure, golf and shooting, the wining and the dining, the water sports and desert sports, visiting the finest discos and hotels….

We also have our list. My list is limited to swimming as much as possible. So DH takes me to Wild Wadi every month and we also go swimming in the sea. Yeah, it is recommended by doctors and at 7 months of pregnancy, it feels great to float freely in the water. It’s also the only form of exercise which makes me happy. DH’s list consists of Ice Skating, Shooting, Racing, (and one more thing I can’t recollect). We’ve already gone Ice Skating. He skated. I spectated.

Expats saddled by heavy credit card bills and loans are being throttled by the banks and their own fear of losing it all. Those who are free of plastic money and loans for their fancy cars or heavy maintenance living are living for the day. 

Seemingly DH has kept his banks quite happy through the last 5 years of his existance in this country. He keeps getting loan offers. Banks offering him insured loans. Even if he loses his job. Though, the situation is so pathetic here. The moment he mentions he’s a civil engineer employed with a renowned Real Estate Developer, the voice on the other side says, “Sorry sir!” and the line goes dead.

DH burst out laughing from one of those calls yesterday. We pondered over the messy situations some of our acquaintences are in and we finally thanked God for giving us just adequately to survive this politically influenced economic mess peacefully.

The 100 Unfortunate Categories in UAE December 4, 2008

HO! HO! HO! HO! HO! HO! 

Okay, its not Christmas yet. I’m just LOL-ing. Many sane people in UAE are. I should have been writing about this before but my brother in law was more important and I had to take care of him while he was there.

How ridiculous is this – The ‘No License to 100 categories’ Rule.

I quote from the Article in the Gulf News: 

“A total of 86 professions will be denied the right of obtaining driving licences by Sharjah Police.”

Why? You ask.

The Answer you get: “The authority decided to stop issuing driving licences to certain categories of residents, to curb the sharp rise in the number of vehicles.”

You start laughing out aloud. Then you wonder aloud, “yeah? and they think this will do it?”

The moment the humor subsides, you start getting pissed off. You wonder what made you chose to live in a country where the government is so lame brained. Are you that way too? You question. No. You’re just a stupid victim of the great survival instinct which prompts people to travel great lengths, swim seven seas, and earn a good living for the family even if it means putting up with a half assed government.

You rationalize that the problem with the traffic doesn’t cease because of the lack of proper roads linking all the emirates. Especially Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman. 

There are just two roads to Sharjah from Dubai. The Emirates Road, The Ittihad Road. Which the entire population uses. There are only two roads linking Sharjah to Ajman. The Emirates Road and the road via Rolla. And the entire population uses these roads. So what happens here? Traffic. 

How on earth would curbing licenses stop traffic, when the only way to stop it is build better roads, arrange for better transportation in buses, cabs; build bridges. UAE is a very rich country, but greedy too. If they want to recover their cash, they will install a dozen or more Salik Toll Systems on every road possible and the poor public will pay through their noses.

Another thing. The poorer categories like “watchmen, typists, cooks, carpenters, housemaids, tailors, cafeteria waiters, unskilled labourers, gardeners and bakers and others who do not have university degrees” first of all, find it unaffordable to have a license on meager salaries of 2000 – 3000 AED. If they need to have a license, it is sponsored by their company. And then they are given to drive company vehicles, because even a Nissan Sunny costs as much as AED 1000 on rent per month.

The poorer categories mentioned above are now at the mercy of shit to travel from destination to destination. Why? Firstly, bus services suck. Secondly, cabs are fucking expensive to afford on a daily basis. Thirdly, if the cab is affordable by some, then it is hard to haul a cab in the mornings and evenings when cabbies prefer driving off to some safe place for fear of being halted by a passenger who wants to travel inter-emirates. Fourthly, carlifts have been made illegal. Those who do operate have started charging almost AED 1000 to travel to and from Sheikh Zayed Road, daily, 22 days a month. A guy/woman earning 2000 AED paying 1000 AED for a carlift? What’ll she eat? Air? Lastly, due to this recession the projects have been halted. Those projects which were due to be completed in 2010 are now going at snails pace. So people who were waiting for the metro need to wait years more.

You realize from most of your day and evening travels through Dubai and Sharjah and AUH and Ajman, that most of those people who do drive vehicles are professionals with University Degrees, businessmen and women, mothers on their way to drop kids to school… Have you seen a delivery boy with a three tier cake in the right seat speed past you at 6 am? What a joke!

Oh and what about the world class chef from Burj Dubai? He’s on a chef’s visa and earns a five figure salary and has no degree. Will he be entitled to a driving license? 

What about the tailor who has a university degree? What if this person who is a tailor by profession and choice, has educated himself in civil engineering but doesn’t wish to practice it – does he have the right to a license?

More to read regarding the License Issue:

• Obtaining a Driving License
• No driver’s licence for 100 categories of UAE workers
  

PS – Twisted People, these Sheikhs. Maybe they have arteriosclerosis of the brain.

Home. Fear. & Some Hope November 27, 2008

I dream like all expats, to return to my home oneday. But what home? 

We were thinking of buying property in Mumbai as a fall back on. We had even told my parents to look out for us. But what is there to fall back on? 

What kind of life will we give to our children when we cannot have an hours worth of mental piece regarding our safety and theirs? I’m sure we are not the only parents who fear these things. 

I hardly feel secure about retuning to India, if ever, even though I love the country I came from. What should I be patriotic for when our own people go around plotting to kill each other and the innocent have no security and the government is corrupt as hell? 

Why should my family be at stake to pay the price of my patriotism? 

Each day I worry for my parents and brothers and relatives and cousins. Everyday I pray for their life. There is no guarantee of life in a place that does not value life. 

I am so frightened, all I can imagine as my home is a village in some obscure part of the western world where people worry about the color of the grass in their backyard. Where annoyance is looking at the smiling faces of children who have succeeded in messing up their rooms to piss off their parents. Where happiness lies in the simple things in life – not at the thought of ‘just having the kids and husband back home safe’.

But I still have hope that India will be as it was in the time of Rajiv Gandhi, once again. We need young good well educated straight thinking leaders. We need educated people to realize this. Upliftment of the poor and illiterate. (Really like the Jaago Re Tata Tea ad for this)

IF only the Government would be so kind as to pass a law stating the prohibition of voting by all people who are illiterate. And all voters must have a national ID that has automated details of education and the like. Maybe then it’ll be more difficult to sway the poor and illiterate with false promises and a few thousand rupees as bribes to vote.