An ending and a begining

So, this day marks the end of another year. Nothing news, this happens every year :P. However, things never remain the same, at the end of each year, I just think about how things have changed- circumstances were totally different when I wished Happy New Year to my friends last year. There were a few people who aren't there anymore, some of them 'appeared to be' so important that there was no concept of leaving them, breaking up with them was simply not an option! It happened anyway, and nothing changed, life went on smoothly.
Then there was a particular mindset that I had, it hasn't changed completely though, but a lot of ideas have evolved. Certain things have moved from 'not to do list; to 'must to do list'.
Last year, I used to think differently about people and many of them are now have a different image.
In short,e as life moves on a lot of changes take place and end of the year is the best time to think about it it gives you a very clear idea of how things have changed.
Happy New Year!

Same stories... Everywhere...

A few years back, I used to think that I am a unique being and whatever is happening in my life has never happened to anyone any time. This was perhaps because of the fact that I was never too close to anybody, or, being too young to express properly, people around me were quite inexpressive. So, everyone kept his experiences, feelings, emotions to himself and I continued to think that I am really unique, with no similarity with anyone.
Anyways, after remaining in my own shell for a long time, I slowly realized that things are not how I suppose them to be, they are totally the other way round.
I realized that same stories are there everywhere. Everyone goes through more or less the same experiences, same situations and same circumstances, one time or another.
Every individual is unique in some ways, true, but there are a number of aspects that all of them share.
Whenever I talk to my best friends (whom I can share each and every thing with), I realize that they feel the same things that I feel sometimes, they react in the same way, turns in their in life are very similar to mine.
And it is not ONLY about those two people, whenever I talk to anybody and someone shares his/ her experiences with me, I feel like I am hearing about my own self, with just a little variations.
So, what I have concluded is: we all are the same. It is our own attitude and our thinking that creates the difference, otherwise life treats us all in the same manner (obviously not in all aspects, but in some, it does) ...

Abide by laws (If others allow you to)

Living in a country like ours, it is not easy being a law abiding citizen. Whenever you try to be a good citizen and do what you should do (not what most of the people are doing), you immediately recieve lots of comments and 'advices' from 'well wishers' and critics around you, telling you that this is not the ways things are done.
Take the example of traffic rules. Everybody knows that you are supposed to stop your car as soon as the signal turns red, and stop it before the zebra crossing, not right on it. However if you try doing so, every car that joins the line after you will generously blow horn to let you know that you are a fool, you 'ought to' move ahead and go as far as you can go on the road.
Similar situation arises when the signal turns Yellow- people start blowing horns reminding you that one is not here to stay, you should move and let others go too, no need to wait for a few seconds till the light turns green.
And if you 'dare' to stop for a red signal when the road is empty, you are sure to get stunned looks from drivers of all the cars that swift pass you, with expressions clearly questioning you mental health.
Obviously, this does not end here. The list goes on and on- including cars blowing horns and forcing you to move ahead when you are there at a turning on road, and waiting for traffic to slow down.
Same goes for all the other matters. As soon as you start looking for a dustbin to throw garbage, someone will always be there to tell you: Throw it right here. You can't be silly enough to carry it with you!
Or try making a queue at a canteen, try telling people that people in a bus that those who want to get off should be allowed to do so first, then others can get in- and you'll know what is meant by 'if you are allowed to'

Karachi University, Exams and the inevitable delay

Just a few days back all of my class mates (including me of course) were mourning over the fact that it is all over, we wont be able to live this all again, most of us will never even get a chance to see each other one more time, we would now be Ex- KU students, wishing it would never end and we continue with the same routine, the same friendship and same people.
And yet, soon after the exams started, majority can't wait to get done with the exams and leave KU forever. However, there prayers have already been answered and exams have been postponed till God knows when. Now there is no way out other than remaining in touch with all the friends, enjoy the feel of being a KU student and going through all the discussions we have been since the beginning of University life, no matter how much one despises it now :D
This is our eighth semester, and there has been not a single semester in which exams went according to schedule and ended on the due date. Every time, there was a different reason but the result remained same- exams being postponed.
This time, in fact, I was secretly waiting for exams to be delayed for two reasons:
1: It saved the tradition
2: It gave us some extra time for completion of our Final Assignment (Magazine Production) that is due around 10 days after exams.
Therefore I am alright with this interval, I wish though all this violence had not taken place at campus and there were some other peaceful reasons for this.
No one has the idea of how long all this would continue, but this sure will be, along with lots of others, memory of a lifetime. We will forever keep telling others Hmare to har semester ma exams postpone hoe hain! :P

I want you to know, but I won't say it out!

Strange events sometimes occur, that almost rip my heart into pieces. They aren't always that serious alright, might not be intentional as well, but they make me wonder what is it that matters? What should be done to show your near and dear ones feel that you really care? What is the criterion basically? No answer found.
The problem with me is that I make friends with a very few people, and then I ACTUALLY consider them my friends, and expect them to behave them in the same way.If I care and I show it, I want it to be shown from the other side too. If I am being good, I expect goodness, if I try my best not to hurt, I want the same attitude in return.
However, this usually does not happen. No matter how much you know a person or how much you trust him/ her, you always have something new to observe.
The incident that prompted me to write this blog was as simple as anything, just my friend did something that I least expected, perhaps without realizing how much I have got hurt, but the fact is, it killed me inside.
To add to the already worst situation, I failed to say it out. I tried to tell how bad I feel about it, but words simply refused to convey my feelings. Then the so-called ego came to play its part, and told me to keep my mouth shut when nobody is going to get the meaning of what I say.
I knew we would end up in a fight if I express my feelings, I knew I cannot explain them. Still, I badly wanted my friend to know what is wrong with me, why I ain't responding in the way I usually do, why I am not enjoying the jokes, why I am not happy when nothing seems to be wrong. I just want this fact to be realized, not told.
Alright I do realize everyone has his/ her own limitations, not everybody think in the same way. What is so disastrous and heart-breaking for me might be extremely plain and simple for others. However, the longing of this story to be known remain, without me telling it. *sigh* I wonder if this is my non-expressive attitude or what, but I just wish that either people become more understanding, or the wish to have understanding people around dies out. Yes, this is the last thing I wish for every time I confront such situation...

Four long year have finally passed (rather flown away)

By Hira Malik

So, this week marks the end of four year long journey started in January 2007.  There were around 50 students, all from different backgrounds, having different aims were there after getting many dreams shattered, but all of them were united under the same head- department of Mass Communication, BS first batch. 

It took us some time to get acquainted with each other, as is the case with any new batch mates. The first day was the usual- trying to make friends, being polite, showing etiquette and asking each other about their academic background. There were confusions and uncertainties. A very few students were there by choice, others (including me) were there merely by choice. Therefore there was more to do then making friends- we had to adjust in the new environment that we never wished to be in.

The early uneasy phase passed away quickly and soon three were best friends and groups and pals ready to die for each other.

Time started to go by its normal pace. It wasn’t late when studies became something of secondary importance- first being friends and the tafreeh at university.

Comfort scale grew gradually, and soon it was time when everyone was a friend! No matter your bestie is there or not, you are not going to be alone as long as other students are present. We were all Friends by that time.

There were always things to grab our attention whenever we started getting bore. There were gossips and hot news that always gained everybody’s attention and spread like fire of jungle.

A very few outings were planned and executed during these times alright, but all of them were full of excitement and fun.

I all these years, there came many ups and downs too. There were hookups and breakups, fights and reconciliations. There were all the experiences that one has to experience (or witness) in life.

It would not be wrong to say that this journey is an unforgettable, remarkable and irreplaceable one! No matter where we go, no matter how many friends we make and how good we feel being with them, this charm and familiarity can never ever be replaced. I wish it could remain as it is, with nobody going anywhere and no changes being made. However, I know this is just an immature wish, from the part of me that still lives in fantasy. The truth is- the beauty of everything is in the fact that it is meant to end one day. It is the feel of moving ahead and leaving everything behind that has united us all and has made us nostalgic. We came together to be parted one day.

Anyways, the golden memories of these times will always and always remain in my heart. Now I actually understand what they mean by: ‘University is a place where you enter with fears and leave with tears.’

 Love all my class mates. Love Mass Communication. Love Karachi University!

27 Nov 2010- BS First Batch, Mass Communication.

The feel of what they might feel !

By Hira Malik

Today the electrician working at my place came downstairs to ask something about the new accessories we have bought for our home. It was just then that the idea stuck me- how these people must have felt working with things they know they'll never get!
I mean, it seems pretty impossible that they'll ever be able to buy all such products for there own homes- in times when basic amenities of life are going out of reach of common citizen, how one even think about these 'luxuries'?
And at the same time it seems simply out of question that they don't feel bad about it, about not being able to get them for themselves and there family members.
This thought just made me recall all the excitement we had while buying all those products, the thrill and the joy, all the plannings that where would this be placed, where would that be, how the relatives and friends would love it and how much we ourselves enjoy living with all those things of our own choice.
Don't all others deserve the same excitement and thrill? Don't they have right of living in better homes and enjoying all these good things in life.
I might be wrong in assessing the situation or in making judgment, but felt really sorry for these people. The worst was, I felt totally helpless in this situation. There is nothing I can do for them, or maybe I lack courage and guidance to move ahead and do something.
It is useless to end up saying 'I hope one day things will improve and ... '. I know such ONE DAY will never come. Something practical has to be done, but what is it, I know not ...!