Total Views

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

The UK Life - Weekends Fly Away

Linthorpe Road

One thing is worth noticing that weekdays pass crawling and weekend just flies away, haha that's what has happened this time around at least. Maybe that's because there was no such activity for me to do.

Friday was the first day and it was the Eid day as well, at least according to what my aunt told me. To be very honest I had no idea what so ever on how to spend the day so I thought it will be a good idea if instead of staying home all day I go to the university and study a little. That's what I did and well it was a satisfying feeling even though I had no clue what I was studying.

The stop at which I went with my friend for Shawarma, I thought it will be a good idea if I try and go there myself and try it and in a way give myself an Eid lunch. The shawara was delicious I ordered one extra naan and finally there was proper roti going in my stomach, can't even tell you what a good feeling it was.

There were two exciting things on the weekend though, Liverpool's football match which they won and my day was made, the second one was Pakistan's T20 match which we lost and my mood was spoiled. I paid my rent for this month though, 4 days late but I did. Just to make up for my mood after Pakistan's loss I went out and bought another Shawarma couldn't make my mood any better but well the tummy was satisfied.

It is Monday and Eid in Pakistan and really it was such a sad feeling knowing you are away from home and family and that you wont be able to eat all those delicious foods on Eid especially the barbecue, I woke up a little late and my destination was University, spent around 3 hours in the lab and then came back and planned to do some shopping.

The thing that bothers me is the way people shop here, so mannered and planned. I went in there to buy things but couldn't really force myself to stay in the line for minutes and wait for my turn so I went out, the moment I went out I got a call from a friend that he has talked to someone about my job and that I should go and meet them, so I did. They asked me to come on Wednesday for a trial day, told me I should not ask for vacations. Hopefully this time nothing will go wrong and I will InshaAllah start working and it will be a successful stint there for me, I really want to work but then there is something that is holding me back.

Really cold outside though, it has been raining since morning and I have been trying my best to keep myself warm.

After that I actually did go for shopping, bought somethings which hopefully will be enough for me to spend the week without dying in hunger.

Monday, October 27, 2014

The UK Life - Pakistani Friends

Oxford University

University day! It was that good old feeling that I have missed for so long now. Woke up earlier than expected, but could not sleep again so I just stayed in the bed.

You know that weird habit of checking your phone again and again during your sleep or as soon as you wake up? That's what I am suffering from these days and it is an annoying habit to say the least.

I did not have breakfast today as the University started early the first lecture was really boring, the professor wasn't even in the mood of teaching as well. It was an introductory lecture anyways, but the signs of a tough few weeks were obvious as the courses are really tough.

There was a break of one hour so Mohammed and me went out to see the place, he told me he has been here for almost 6 years now due to the situation of Libya and knows the place really well. He wanted to have lunch but I was avoiding it as I had no money even though I was extremely hungry. He wanted to have Shawarma so we went to this restaurant which was full of people even when it wasn't even proper day, the Shawarma looked delicious, he ordered tea for me and you can easily imagine how does it feel when a hungry person has shawarma in front of him and he is drinking tea.

The next lecture was lab based so we were given time to look at the software and to play around with it, it looks like I will be able to do it, I mean to get an idea of it but I could easily tell all the other students are far more experienced at it. I was extremely tired and hungry but Mohammed wanted me to come with him so he could introduce me with his other Pakistani friends.

I went to his place and there was no one at the house, he wanted me to stay as his roommates will come anytime so I sat and talked with him for about one hour on the political situation and the situation of Muslims, the best and the worst part is that we all have the same problems and beliefs but we are so divided.

The first person who came, he was from Lahore and was a really nice guy, we three sat and chatted for another hour I really wanted to go but they both would not let me go as they wanted me to meet another guy who was running PTI in the area. It was around 7 PM in the evening when he came and we both talked and talked and talked about the PTI and elections. He told me about all the work he has done for PTI here and asked me to join PTI here in the UK. Another guy from Pakistan came around he was also from Pakistan and we kept talking, it was almost 9 PM when I forcefully left their place, thankfully the last guy was with me so it was easier for me to find my way back home. 

Perhaps it was the first day here in the UK when I felt really happy, mostly because I finally was able to make some Pakistani friends here, It will be too early to call them friends though, but they seem nice people. 

Came back home, made myself an omelet drank two glasses of water and now I am writing this article half sleep half satisfied.  

The UK Life - No Job for Me

Auto CAD Labs

No lecture today but I had to go for my job, I woke up early even though I slept late, just because I didn't want to be late on the first day of work. I went McDonald's at 9AM but there was no one I could meet, I went back at 10 AM there was no one I could meet, I went back at 11 AM and finally there was someone I could meet. I told him I want to start work from today and he told me they have hired someone else as my timings don't match the timings they want, he told me he will help me find another part time job I didn't say much except thanks and came back really sad.

At the same time I decided I won't be worrying about work for now and will just concentrate on studying, and maybe it was this motivation that I went to the university on the day off and practiced the software and studied for two hours. I came back and had lunch, called back home and tried sleeping early again, but you know how it has been here, could not sleep early again.

Life is tough here yes, but maybe I am making too much fuss of little simple problems, should give it some time and hopefully things will get a little better. 

Saturday, October 25, 2014

The UK Life - Finally, University

Classfellows

There was no doubt and I could tell I was feeling nervous about my university, my eyes were dark red when I went to wash my face so it were clear signs that I couldn't sleep much. Made breakfast and got ready quickly, reached the university at around 9:45 and quickly had go for my attendance. Attendance system here is interesting, you have to scan your card on the scanner at the reception desk, even during the lectures the professor keeps a mini scanner where we scan our cards for attendance. My first lecture was at the 10th floor and I had to climb so many steps to reach the room and unfortunately the lecture had already started, but .. the professor could not come due to the traffic jam. There were several students in the class all of them had a coffee mug or something to eat in their hands, well nice way to study isn't it haha. I was finding it really weird as I was the only one taking notes of the lecture and others were staring at me like I am an alien. The first lecture was separated as the professor came late but trust me it was one of the most boring lecture I have ever attended.

Mohammed my classmate and Libyan friend was out there waiting for me, we went to the cafe where he had another mug of coffee while I just sat there and saw people, our next lecture was without a gap so we went to the lab the professor teaching here was a Pakistani which was such a big relief for me, though he is a British Pakistani but still you know, Pakistani is Pakistani. One thing I have noticed about all the professors here is that they are so so friendly and have such good sense of humor. Well we have bee taught a new software NX and it was really tough, I will have to really struggle hard for it, oh and I had a cupcake to eat thanks to Mohammed. He wanted me to meet another Pakistani friend of his who supports PTI but I was too tired for it. He said he should be given a Pakistani visa as most of his life he has been living with Pakistanis and knows so much about Pakistan.

I came back and made lunch and after that all I have done is to sit and lay down and sit and lay down and try to sleep, I am writing this quickly as hopefully tomorrow if all goes right InshaAllah I will start working too so life will get busy, good night.

The UK Life - Skills test Result

Self Cooking

I had a day off on Monday but had to collect the result of my skills test from the University in the afternoon, I called Vishak and asked him when he will be free so we could go and pick up our results together. Most of my day was spent reading about the different courses I was gonna study and getting used to some of the online learning techniques. More of a person who likes book in hand instead of reading from the internet or a pdf fine, but well anyways looks like I will have to get used to this stuff. Well I went to take the result and to my surprise I had the highest marks among all the international student, the course was optional for me now but Vishak forced me to take up the course as he will get bored so I did, in any case if will improve my skills, well hopefully. There was nothing much to do later at night so I tried sleeping early. Oh and btw this was the first day when I actually made my breakfast and lunch myself. Talking about sleeping early, so well I could not sleep early, tried so much to sleep early but this exercise was fruitless and wasted my two hours, finally slept though, a little nervous about my first day tomorrow, let's hope it will be a good day. 

Thursday, October 23, 2014

The UK Life - The Sun is Shining

Sunshine in London

Friday we just had one session from 10 AM to 1 PM with a lunch at the end. I felt like I have been isolating myself and not going out much so I decided to skip the university and go out and try things that I have been avoiding. So I went to the Town center and spent almost two hours looking at things around, on how do people buy them and what are the prices of the things. It was the first day that the sun was out so I went to the nearby park and sat there in the sunshine for about one hour. I also went out bought a shawarma and then a pepsi bottle can and came back to the apartment and gave myself a good tasty and well deserved treat. Got really emotional at the end of the day though, suddenly started missing home and family. These are tough times really, will write about them separately.

This boy was shivering so much today, I went and asked him if he was alright, he told me yes he was dancing/moving on the music. That’s how my Saturday started, it was the most boring day perhaps as I just sat in my room, watched a cricket match and then the Liverpool vs Everton football match which ended in 1-1 draw and made me sad, I went out again and bought another shawarma, and right now I am writing this article so you know, most of the day in front of the laptop doing work. Oh and also setting up my new sim.

The UK Life - A Weird Day

Student Group Work

Thursday was a busier day we had induction lectures from 9 am to 4 pm so most of my day was spent at University, the first induction lecture was an interesting one, we were made to play a weird card game the aim of the game was to help us find our qualities and negative points and believe you me, the game really worked, I belonged to the green group after all sorts of the analysis that was done on us, it was fun.  They asked us to make 4 groups. Red, Yellow. Blue. Green depending on the color we like. I went to the Green. Sadly I was the only one in the Green group. So the people who were undecided were asked to join the groups randomly. So the Chinese aunty* (with due respect but she was 30) came running to my group saying oh I don't know about the color but this guy's funny. The activity started and we had to write down the points about organizing an event, we just had two minutes. Whenever I started writing she held my hand and stopped me from writing saying lets talk. I was like hey? It is an activity and we are in a group... we don't have much time. She was like who cares? This is waste of time. I pinched her hand so she let go of my hand and then moved to the next table :)

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

The UK Life - Induction Lectures

International Student Welcome

Wednesday was official welcome from our department of Science and Engineering, we gathered in a big room we were given presentations on the courses and the department, we also got our timetables and the course outlines as well, it was an hour long session then we were taken to the main hall where the dean gave us a lecture of about one hour, he personally asked me how I was liking England and if I was having any problems here, to be honest people here are really nice and friendly. I made one Chinese friend she was the only one in her course and wanted to change her course, I forgot to ask her name and after that could not find her anywhere among the same looking Chinese girls which was rather embarrassing. There was also another Libyan guy who turned out to be my class fellow, by the looks of it he was really nice as well, he asked me if I support Imran Khan, I told him yes I do, he told me then we can be friends as Imran Khan is the only person who is sincere to Pakistan, I somehow felt really proud and ashamed at the same time. After the events we had a buffet in which we were served variety of foods and that too halal, I was eating most of the dishes for the first time in my life but I was really hungry. One interesting thing that had happened was that whenever someone asked me what’s my name? I told them it’s Raafay, and they were like, oh itsRaafay, what a nice name. It happened with me almost three times, don’t know if I am dumb or they are stupid.


The UK Life - First proper University Day.

Teesside International Ambassador Scheme


On Tuesday I had a International Student Skills test, the Ambassador scheme was after that. I had lunch early and went to university; actually I was really looking forward to going to the university today as I had been doing nothing for the past few days. I went to the wrong room as expected but the good thing that happened was that Vishak was there, we were finally able to find the room where we had our test, the test started and though it was a little technical I thought I did well enough, they told us if we secured 80+ marks we won’t have to take an additional course, if less than it, we will have to take the skills course, I had made up my mind that I will take the course anyways. The result will be out next week let’s see what it is. After the test Vishak told me he likes a girl from my class and that I should go and talk to her, I refused initially but then had to go when he insisted. She looked like a Pakistani so I asked her in Urdu if she was from Pakistan, he replied me back in Italian that she was from Italy. I got a call from home so I attended it, but Vishak took me after that girl just to see where she lives, it was raining and it was really cold but I had to go with him just to act like a good friend but it was really awkward, I told him he should talk to her and don’t be afraid. We went to the ambassador scheme launching ceremony, the aim of this was to give us international student one person who would guide us through our starting days at uni and to settle in our lives in the new city. I signed up for the group of Emma as she had asked me to, in my group there were 10 people, I was the only one from Pakistan/USA, there were three Chinese girls and two guys, there was one Indian guy, two Libyan guys one of them was Waled, and one girl from Finland, Venessa who was extremely pretty. We sat in a group and had a chit chat, we were served with cupcakes and drinks, there was a session where we had to introduce ourselves to one another. I told them that I love Cricket and like watching Football and that I support Liverpool, Emma instantly said that her friend’s boyfriend’s ex girlfriend also supports Liverpool so we both can be really good friends. We all added each other on facebook and made a whatsapp group, the girl from Finland, Venessa turned out to be my roommate at the university. It was a really fun one hour or two and though I felt really alien and uncomfortable I liked it as well.

Monday, October 20, 2014

The UK Life - Non Ending Job Search

Acklam Road, Middlesbrough

Sunday was a free day for me, except for the movie event that was in the evening. It was overcast again and I woke up a little late and had breakfast, my aunt had cooked me enough food to last for a week by the looks of it. I had nothing to do so I went out again to look at some other places around, there was a park nearby, two actually so I told myself that I will won’t be having any excuses for not jogging. I remembered that I had asked someone for part time job  so thanks to the Google maps I started my journey, thankfully it was a straight road where I had to go and reached there in 30 minutes, It was a shop that were selling goods and they told me that my work will be to load and unload the goods when they come, and fill in the places of the things that are being sold, they also told me that I will have to work from 6AM in the morning to 2PM in the afternoon and that they will decide my pay after about 2 weeks, I really could not say yes to them as the timings didn't really match my university, by the time I came back It was too late to go to the movie and my legs were hurting but just with the thoughts of gelling in the with the people I went to the university, but guess what happened? I could not find the place where the movie was being shown so I had to come back again, it was late by now so I got in to the bed and slept early again.

On the Monday morning I really didn't know if there was any event planned for today or not but still I took a bath in such a cold weather and went to the university, they told me there was no event for today and that I will have a test for Study skills tomorrow and that our department orientation will start from Wednesday. I was kinda annoyed that I had to wake up early morning for nothing but I was happy that I had a free day for myself again. The owner of the place took me with him to show me the city, we also had to buy a microwave, I had paid them the rent and the advance because I really wanted to get settled at one place now. I finally got internet now so most of my day was spend replying people and checking my emails and replying them so there was nothing much to do and time flew quickly. The guy from the work called me and asked me I should tell him if I want to work or they could hire someone else and that I am wasting their time I told them to do what they think is better as I can’t commit as I don’t even know my timetable yet. 

Sunday, October 19, 2014

The UK Life - Orientation and Kitkat.

London South Bank University

It must be about 8 AM when I woke up, the orientation ceremony for the international students was at 9AM so I had to rush quickly, took a bath and got ready for the university. As much as I act strong, that walk from the apartment to the university was a nervous one. The ceremony was at the Student Union’s building and my word what a beautiful building it was, I was among the first people who reached there, we were given a file with so many documents and pages which had all sorts of information about the university and stuff, had to sign the attendance sheet and then sat on a table. One guy came and sat with me, his name was Vishak and he was from Mauritius, we talked for a little bit, he was the son of some minister back in his country. We were taken to the other building where we were given introductory lectures about the university and the city itself, some safety issues and what we were supposed to do in the first few weeks. After that we were taken back to the student union where we had to get registered with a doctor, police, get an appointment from a bank for a bank account, and there were all sorts of other stalls there too, I took an appointment with Barclays Bank though, thankfully I didn’t have to get registered with the police and didn’t have to have a TB test, but I got registered with a doctor instantly. I wandered in the building for about 30 minutes just looking around, then a girl came and sat with me asked me if I have registered for the International Ambassador Scheme, she asked me to sign up in her group as only lucky people will be in her group, haha. Well I told her IF I register, I will sign up with her. There were different tickets being sold for different events but I didn’t feel like buying any ticket what so ever. We were served with lunch, I was really confused as I didn’t know if there was halal food or not, they asked us if we wanted to have the egg burger lunch box or tuna burger lunch box and I preferred the  egg burger one, guess what? It had a kitkat so for the first time in my life I was able to taste Kitkat. Vishak wanted to go back home so we left the building, it was raining outside and the weather was absolutely beautiful. I came back and went out for a walk just to get to know the place and enjoyed a lot. There were many halal shops around.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

The UK Life - Bad beginning?

Middlesbrough

Bus arrived at the station around 5 PM , I knew the tough phase of life is about to begin, and guess what? It took only two minutes for it to begin.


My bag must be around 40kg heavy, what happened was the worst and the wheels of the bag were displaced and I had to drag the bag on the road, not even knowing where to go. I started walking on the one side of the road keeping track of the location via Google maps and after 10 minutes I circled around and came back to the exact same position from where I had started walking. Not knowing what to do, I tried calling the person where I was gonna live but he didn't pick up my calls, after a walk of about  5 minutes with the bag again (which was making way too much noise and everyone was noticing me) finally I saw a taxi and took a sigh of relief. My apartment was only 2 minutes away from the bus station and the taxi driver charged me 5 pounds. I reached the apartment, the bag was too heavy for me to lift but I just had to lift it over almost 50 stairs, then met with the owner who was running his own shop under the apartment and came back to sleep as I was really tired.

The UK Life - New Beginning within new Beginning.

Leeds, UK

Dear Diary! A new chapter in my life is about to begin. London has been wonderful but now I life is gonna get tough. University is about to start, I am on my way to the University right now in the bus, thankfully the accommodation has been arranged, it is not the best place to live but it is cheap, for now I plan to live in a place and in a way that I have to spend less. Money really does matter here.

My aunt did her best to make me feel at home, cooking all the foods from fast to desi to snacks to stuff I can make myself. From teaching me how to cook to telling me how to do things around here she has been of a lot of help. Isn't that rich yes but she didn't even let me spend a single pence during my week long stay with her.

I am also looking for part time jobs here, am in touch with a couple of people about it lets see what happens here, one thing I know is that once I start earning a little life will get a little easier. My aim is not to ask my parents for any help, and hopefully it will be this way.

I am really nervous, been a while I studied properly, for all the problems in my life studies had to take a back seat but now it all starts again, I am the nervous type yes and I will stay this way until everything gets settled. Once I attend he orientation session I am sure things will get a little clear, hopefully my timetable won’t be that tough and there won’t be any long tiring days. Another thing I am really looking forward is to find some Pakistani people around and be friends with them.

For all what people said and told me about London, I am in love with it. There is no doubt about it, London for me is the best city in the world. Not only is it different from any other city in the world, it is really different from the rest of England itself.

I have been to many places, but nothing has touched my heart the way London has. The people are just so nice I really can’t believe it. The buildings, the markets, the way everyone behaves, the manners, the places to visit, the streets worth walking along is just mesmerizing.

Hopefully things will work out soon and I will have an enjoyable time here, looking forward to learning new things and observing and knowing more people.


Goodbye for now.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

The UK Life - Defining London

Life in London

Confession: I am in Love with London.

London can be described with so many things; it is a city with busy life and busy people. You will see people walking on the roads, footpaths, in the buses and trains either using cellphone or reading newspapers. They are all busy, yes but very polite and ever ready to help you. Life is same as we have been told, earphones plugged, fast food in one hand and cellphone in the other or a shopping bag or school bag with them. Most of the people prefer to walk, the buses and the trains are readily available. Buses are the cheapest mode of travel while trains and taxis are costly. London is all fashion, everything you wear and everything you buy, everything you do is fashion. You will see people in shorts to trousers, tops to t shirts, jeans to dress pants everything. Must say there is a huge difference in the people of UK and USA or Pakistan. So polite, they use the word sorry and thanks a lot, always have a smile on their face. Like the other day I was in the bus and a girl outside was walking, I was looking at her unintentionally and all she did was pass a smile, had it been Pakistan I would have been called names, had it been USA I would have been regarded as a fresher. Best thing I find about these people is that they care about each other a lot, esp their kids. It isn't like we used to hear that kids and parents don’t worry about each other, they do and perhaps more than we people do. Safe to say the worst people here are the rich* Pakistanis, who are so full of themselves as if they are from another planet. 

The UK Life - Finding Accommodation

Victoria Bus Station

A really cold day, overcast weather and we had to go out at around 7 am to catch the bus. But before that we had to take a District line train to Victoria station, we had two bags with us so it was a really long and tiring walk and train trip. The bus was on time and there was no ticket, all we had to do was to show the text message we received while booking. The motor way blocked and the bus driver was unaware of that so we were stuck in traffic and it turned out to be one horrible journey, we reached the destination two hours late in the evening. Thankfully the Bed and Breakfast we had booked was of a Pakistani who came to pick us up, he showed us the room which was by no means worth living and he was really embarrassed about it, so he made up to us by taking us to the places we had to visit. We saw the room which was okayish, and for the time being we will be livng there just outside the city but near the university, that’s the only plus and the minus point at the same time. We came back and slept early as we had to travel again tomorrow.

In hope that the roads will be opened and the bus will arrive on time we went back to my room to leave all the luggage we had brought with us, we had no clue of the surroundings so Google maps helped us a lot, you know what gprs was working without internet, strange but true eh! It helped to a limit only and we were lost soon, we asked a guy to tell us where the terminal was and not only did he guide us, he walked with us all the way to the terminal, confirmed from the authorities and then came back and told us this is the exact bus terminal we are looking for! It was so nice, people are really helpful here. We reached the bus terminal one our early but our bus was not showing in the schedule, we sat and sat at the terminal there was no one to get any kind information, our bus came two hours late, again. It was one tiring long journey back to the train station, from the train station to home. We had barbecue for dinner, and you do know it is my favorite so my mood was a little better.  My cellphone was finally working a little so I was able to use the internet for sometime on the terminal. I slept early as I was really tired.

I Am The Murderer of John Elenoi

Murderer

Written By: Fatima Haron

Sitting forlorn in a creaky wheelchair, Sandra Elenoi made an attempt to lift her grey, guilt-filled eyes, but for some reason, she could not.  The forty-one-year-old lifted her left hand from the arm of the wheelchair to scratch her right-hand knuckles.  She had long, dirty nails, which, when rubbed harshly against her skin, caused a few starches to appear on her right hand.  She saw some sort of a scab forming and scratched it hard to remove it.  As she did so, a few drops of blood started to flow out.  Watching those horrific red drops pour out of her skin, she started screaming and banging her right hand on the wheelchair in order to remove from her hand what she feared most, blood.

After two hours or so, Sandra woke to find herself in her cell bed, with her right hand bandaged and her left hand cuffed to her bed.  She tugged wildly to relieve her hand, but after a fifteen-minute struggle to do so, she gave up and started humming lullabies to herself.  She tried getting up, but whenever she did so, she would fall back due to the short chain which bound her to her bed.  Confused and angry, she started to laugh, but with every laugh, came two to three minutes of moaning and sobbing.  Most of the people present at the asylum thought she was just being her usual crazy self, but Amy Elenoi knew that the real reason behind her mother’s bizarre behavior was too heart-breaking to be shared with another living soul.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

The UK Life - Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum

Today we had to visit the National History Museum. The morning breakfast was extremely heavy. We went out walking and I topped up my oyster and bought my sim card. We traveled by bus today, it was a long ride, the bus broke down in between but another bus was waiting for us already so there was no delay. It was the first time when I was properly able to see the city, London is really one of the best cities in the world but in a different way. Oh and yes I was able to see people play cricket as well, white kit, red new ball and lush green outfield even for a club match, it felt so good. We reached the museum in the afternoon, the entry was free so we sat outside and had Pizza, the moment I entered the Museum it was another world, Dinosaurs, Whales, Animals, insects, what not. It wasn’t just statues and animal skins there but there was so much to do and learn, Games, audios, video documentaries, activities, visuals, there was a section where you could draw the animals, there was a section for brilliant paintings… In short it was a worthwhile experience. We came back by bus and most of my time was spent setting up the sim but I failed. I went out for a walk again in the evening and bought a scratch card. Walking was so easy here, there is so much to see that you don’t even realize how much time has passed.

There was no exceptional activity today so I woke up a little late. I went out for a walk early morning and bought a mineral water bottle. It was cold outside and I was just wearing an upper. It was cold but still everyone was awake in the morning started the day early. I will write properly about life in London sometime later but must say I have been really impressed. I went out for an extended walk today as I felt over eating and less exercise was showing its signs. Don’t wanna get fat yuno haha. I booked a room for tomorrow as we had to travel the next day so find a proper accommodation for me. I was forced to eat meat today and you have no idea what a torture it was. I had no wifi and gprs so all I had to do was to sit and watch tv and eat, just that. 

Monday, October 13, 2014

The UK Life - A Trip to Westminster

London Eye

We had to visit Westminster today so I woke up early! The breakfast was cereal again and I had to eat forcefully once more. We had to travel by train today just so that I can have the ‘ experience ‘ of train ride. The oyster card worked here as well. You know what it is so simple, you don’t have to pay any cash for the bus or train ride, you just buy a card, top it up with cash and just scan the card on the bus and the train stations and travel, no worries and no tension. We picked the Distrit line which had to take us to Westminster, while the other line was the Piccadilly line. We reached the Westminster around 12 am and it was the most unbelievable sight, Big Ben and the parliament on one side, river tames and London eye. I wasn't feeling too excited about anything so didn’t enjoy that much, just took the pics. We passed the aquarium but sadly couldn't go in because we forgot the tokens home, There was a person singing in his beautiful voice and earning, you know way better than begging. There was an African week being celebrated with so many different activities being held, the two I attended were an African band from South Africa singing and playing the music with their mouth and the other was an acrobatic act of a group from Ghana. There were two burgers for me to eat for lunch which I ate readily as I was extremely hungry. We came back in the afternoon and I went out for a walk again in the evening for the same reason, there was a strange feeling looking at people around. 

Sunday, October 12, 2014

The UK Life- Fast Place and Slow me

Double Decker Buses

This is my second day in London and the first proper morning. I was served with toast an eggs and cereal and tea for the breakfast though I didn't feel like eating but was forced to. We went out to visit the markets just to get to know the surroundings.

It was so strange, everyone was walking on the footpaths, shops were all opened early morning and people had started their day already, unlike Pakistan or USA where people wake up late. We visited stores like Marks and Spencer, Boots, Morrisons and so many others I can’t even remember the names. Everything was so simple, people were buying things there was no one to bother them, they lined up properly after buying, paid turn by turn. Everything was so simple. We also went to the library, it was such a big library with so much variety there were even Urdu books there which I never found in Pakistan.

We also went to the TESCO store where I had my first ever buying experience. I also bought my Oyster card and traveled by bus for the first time here, a Double Decker bus. It was a nice experience as well. Most of the youngsters were standing and the ones who were sitting were more than willing to empty their seats for elders. I went out for a walk in the evening just to get to know the place and integrate myself but to be very honest life is so fast here.


Saturday, October 11, 2014

The UK Life - New Beginning

London Street

This also resulted in me waking up early the next morning, I called a few people for accommodation’s help and then went out with her to take a trip of the nearby market. Beautiful this place is, that’s the least I can say. Even a normal street is in a way beautiful than any other place. Must say this place is the most different from anything I have ever experienced in my life.

People keep to their own stuff not bothering anyone else. Oh yes the people here at so outgoing and bold and it really kinda bothers me.

Main aim of the trip was to buy a new local sim but we forgot to do that and came back with vegetables and stuff. Visited so many malls at the same time that my legs hurt now.

The moment I am writing this article I really have no emotions at all, I am just trying to type anything and everything I can remember right now, there is this excitement at the back of my mind maybe but the fears are more dominant.

Hopefully I will settle down early, still have to reach my university and find an accommodation so next few days won’t be that easy.

This completes my 24 hours the new place, MANY MANY more hours to go and hopefully they will be good successful ones.

Friday, October 10, 2014

The UK Life - London it is.

Heathrow Airport London

Fortunately there was no one on the seat beside me so the trip went along very well, I wanted to get a corner seat so I can look outside and think about happy things but that wasn't to be. The lunch and supper was good by chance. The flight went fine, it landed a little late due to the weather but thank God it did.

The moment I came out of the airplane a Sikh was standing outside, as sad as I was still could not hide my smile, the last time I moved away from family the first person I met was a Sikh as well.
It was a long line as usual for me to wait. Fortunately there were other Pakistanis in the flight too so I was able to talk to them instead of staring at others.

Hi, welcome. The officer said.
Thank you, I replied.
You are here to resume university? She asked.
Yes, I replied.
It is your first time here?
Yes, I replied.

I collected my luggage but there was an old Pakistani uncle waiting for his luggage and was extremely worried so he asked me to help him find his luggage, took me 20 minute more but it felt good as long as you stayed with someone from Pakistan.

My Aunt was there to receive me with one of her friend who was also a Pakistani. She brought me a biscuit and a chocolate which she told her son brought from Spain and that she misses her so much and that she was here to see me because everyone young reminded me of her son who doesn’t come home anymore except vacations.

The Taxi that was booked was driven by a Sri Lankan. He told me he completed his MBA here and is now driving taxi because he was able to earn more from driving then completed his degree. Degraded I felt, haha. He wished me luck for my future studies and kept me asking the meaning of “ Kya haal hai “ as some Indians kept asking him the same question again and again.

Aunt’s house was not that big but she lives alone here, she served me with so many things to eat at the same time that I can’t even name the things, gladly I was able to take a pic of the table while she was cleaning it after the dinner.

It was warm at night but still had to take a blanket, slept early so I don’t have to think about all the sad things.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

The UK Life - Goodbyes

Jacksonville Florida Airport

Dear Diary! Life has changed 360 degrees for me all of a sudden.

It was really hard for me, leaving home and everything, I wish I could actually express all my feelings in words but that will be so difficult because all those emotions will come running back. Those goodbyes, that good long hug of mama and her turning back to hide her tears, those phone calls of sister saying goodbyes again and again, that niceness of my brother who usually ends up fighting with me, all those instructions of Papa again and again everyday saying we don’t need to instruct you on how to live your life. Those force downloading of video games by my youngest brother was all their way of saying goodbyes.

All the elders in the family, everyone was anxious to meet me just to say their goodbyes, all the prayers and all the lunch and dinners in the last few days, all that coming to meet me, all those gifts and cash was all their way of saying goodbye.

Kashmir Banega Pakistan


Written By: Sereen Fazilli  


I am a Kashmiri from IOK 
But I love Pakistan,let me say


This is a feeling so true and strong 
With the people of Pak, I share this lovely bond


I love them , honour them and hold them near 
For them I face the Indian bullets without any fear


"Kashmir banega Pakistan" is a slogan in every heart 
Kashmir and Pakistan can never be apart


Hatred for India you will find in every heart here 
Because of the agonies we were forced to bear


Who says Kashmir is India's integral part ? 
Ask us for we know it is not !!


Every soul here is filled with fire 
Because Freedom From Indian is every hearts desire !!


Monday, October 6, 2014

Unable to say Good Bye.


Good Bye

Written By: Hameem Hussain

When she was three 
Was labeled abnormal. 
Unable to feed herself, 
Unable to walk, 
Unable to give my smiles back. 
Disabled, my child. 
I cried a lot that time. 
Secretly went mad. 
But then, there was she, 
My lovely offspring. 
Unable to express her love to me. 
Unable to enjoy her life. 
Unable to make friends. 
Unable to marry a guy one day. 
Along with her wheelchair, 
Her mother and I tried. 
As hard as we could to make our child survive. 
With all of it's ups and downs, 
She's in late 20s now. 
But yesterday, doctors told me
She's gonna die. 
I went to the mosque today, 
Like everyday,
And regardless of what people would say,
In His home I cried, 
Cause she's the one I brought up. 
My eye's sight,
My jewel, my reason of life. 
For she should not die before my eyes. 
And prayed with the depths of my heart.

Two or three days left to live,
barely enough to say goodbye. 
But my child, again,  is unable to say goodbye...

Friday, October 3, 2014

Graveyard songs.

Graveyard

Written By: Hameem Hussain

I know Mum will respect my choice. 
The blue tomb stone would be her choice.

I know Baba will fill the forms.
And bury me as soon it can be done.

I know they will write a pretty couplet, 
Bring me flowers and burst in tears.

I know they will come regularly for some days. 
Talk to me as we used to do in old days.

I know my mama will pardon my mistakes. 
I know my papa will hold within some tears.

But in murky and sunny days, I will be let alone. 
With the whirling winds and graveyard songs.

Translate

Search This Blog