Sonya Syed

Just as I was sitting down to write today’s post I got an update of my dear friend’s sister Sana having a baby girl. So many hearty congratulations to both Sana and Omer and a most loving welcome to their daughter “Meethi.” Children are such a joy and blessing to have, a time when new life enters our life patterns. Everyone in the family suddenly wants to be around the tiniest member, sharing the delight together. Cricket fever is taking its toll on both India and Pakistan and pulses are running high. Even the government has announced a partial holiday for tomorrow; no exams, no university no courts and no work. It appears that an entire country shall come to a standstill for tomorrow’s semi-final. All the news channels are having debates about the strategies, strengths and weaknesses of both teams. Television is bombarded with cricket, at Geo TV they have called on a panel of both Indian and Pakistani cricket players hosted by Mandira Bedi and Kamran Khan respectively. It might so

It is such a bizarre phenomena that Karachites prefer to have their coffee only in winters. I am surprised to know that my favorite coffee brand Maxwell has limited supply and is available during winter season. Everyone can drink tea throughout the year, and I cannot have my coffee. So using this prestigious platform, I register my protest! I have not returned from one grocery store infuriated and without my coffee; this is the same case with several supermarkets in Karachi and they all had the same reply. Few of the stores didn’t have Maxwell ever in their stores. Personally, I have nothing against the Nescafe (a brand which has possessed Karachi) and its owner must be a nice person but I just cannot bear its ultra flat taste. The other “imported” brands which are available are far too strong for my humble soul, and they make feel as if I have just drank a crushed cigar. My father (Abba, may his soul rest in peace - my love to you) bought for me a couple of extra-large family jars o

Chaos that took over my life recently has finally settled, I worried myself sick about managing certain tasks in my life and now without my effort everything is in its place. Situations usually have a way of settling on their own yet we worry about the outcomes. You think with all your brain cells and battle with every obstacle in your way; nevertheless, at times the best solution is to withdraw. There is no point in fighting for something that brings discontent in close relationships; there is no point in proving your point anymore. It is best to leave everything in status quo and let God come up with a peaceful solution for all involved. However, it is vital never ever cease to hope, always keep that ray of faith ignited. Thank goodness, Karachi is done with the Lawn Exhibition war. Every corner you turn on the street there shows up a billboard of a designer claiming to have created a phenomenal piece of fabric that would make you look equally phenomenally. I have to admit that I

I went for the renewal of my national identity card today, I didn’t have a clue that it expired months ago. It appears that although I am living and breathing in this world, yet I am completely oblivious to its requirements. Besides the long line of citizens at NADRA, everything was unexpectedly organized and proper. Once I got my token, it all went smoothly and my picture on the new I.D. card would be far less scary then the one I had on the previous card. During past few months I am fully engrossed in myself and a personal project which I am working on. I am seeing but I don’t have a vision, I am hearing but I am not actually listening; yet life moves on. Japan’s earthquake was and is a devastating experience to endure; nevertheless, the tsunami and ever lasting after shocks of high-prices in Pakistan are far more soul and mind shattering. Away from the moments of my oblivion, I was asked to buy some grocery and as I went to the cooking-oil counter to get a 3-liter oil bottle I s

There was a discussion on TV about the definition of success, there were intellectuals, journalist, lawyer and they all gave their views. However, the best reply came from Dr. Mehdi Hassan who said, “ if a person is deeply satisfied and at peace in his life, even though he does not have the worldly luxuries, then this is Success ”. Someone added that one is successful when he/she is the absolute master of their time and they have the freedom to meet only the people they like to meet. I for one absolutely agree with Dr. Mehdi’s definition, I have heard of and seen several people who apparently have flourishing careers/businesses/practices with money pouring onto them from sky; yet their personal lives, their relationships are a misery. On the other hand, I have also seen spiritual people who are always sick and broke; then this is not even success. So what success is actually, that we all run for throughout our lives. A homemaker/housewife believes that her single friend who has a ca