Desi-Paki-Brown Thanksgiving

A VERY DESI - PAKI - BROWN THANKSGIVING Thanksgiving is a day for us the ever expanding Paki Desis or what our children label as " brown people " ...to party . It is not just an event where we sit across the table and be thankful to God. It is somewhat one of our many yearly parties where we dress up in our glitzy " Desi outfits" , talk about politics ( Desi and Amreeki), talk about latest fashion trends , update each other about Desi dramas BUT the menu is not our traditional biryani, Karahi chicken or gajar ka halwa; it is a "turkey " cooked with Desi spices and a spicy masala stuffing . Apple pie or chocolate cake replaces Pumpkin pie as we Desis are not fond of eating Kaddoos ( pumpkin). Well we all are certainly grateful for everything and just another reason to have a dinner party .........

Car Chit Chat

CAR CHIT CHAT ......... The best time of my day is the " pick up " and " drop off" time when I pick up my kids from school and drive back home or when I drop them to school in the morning. I consider myself lucky that I got this oppourtunity that I could spend this time with my children.My car chit chat used to be very funny and crazy when my kids were younger I was the first one who got the latest info about school happenings , report card updates and most important of all was playing referee to their " continuous arguments". It was the best place to revise " spelling words " and " multiplication facts". As my children are getting older I don't get too many answers ; I am the one doing most of the talking . Kids tired after a long day simply answer " maybe " , " guess so", " ok".......on the other hand I keep bombarding them with questions like " how did your test go?", " how was lunch ?"............they are brief with their response yet get mad when I am busy answering phone calls ........"talk to us and not your friends" they say ..........Car Chit Chat time is so precious .......... everyone is sitting within few feets of one another rather relaxing / studying in their rooms at home .........

FIRST DAUGHTER TO MADAM AMBASSADOR

FROM FIRST DAUGHTER TO AMBASSADOR Caroline Kennedy the only surviving child of President John F Kennedy arrived in Japan today as the new US Ambassador . "I just was honoured to present my credentials to his majesty and I'm eager to begin my work as ambassador," she said. Kennedy's appointment, which comes days before the 50th anniversary on November 22nd of her father's assassination in Dallas, has drawn significant media attention in Japan, with several national TV networks providing live coverage of her arrival , people lined up across both sides of the street . Caroline Kennedy is a lawyer by profession and author of two books .She is the first female US ambassador appointed to Japan .

Heidelburg Project

HEIDELBURG PROJECT transforming a city through art and creativity The Heidelburg Project is an open air art gallery set in the heart of the city of Detroit ( eastern side). Tyree Guyton, founded the artistic wonderland almost 27 years back with brightly colored discarded objects to create a two block area full of vibrant colors and unique artistry. This project is a demonstration of creativity and a symbol of hope for a torn and tattered city . One could see brightly painted trash cans to unique door mats and one of a kind street signs along the area.

We are sorry , we are ashamed

SORRY WE COULD NOT PROTECT YOU While looking at pictures of the victims and injured of bomb blast at a Peshawar Church I felt extremely sad and deeply ashamed for our Pakistani Christian Community . They have given so much to us and what we have done to them ??? Some of the best schools and colleges in the country are run by Christian Missonaries . I attended the St Joseph's College in Karachi built after the independence of Pakistan by a group of nuns , it's a beautiful building located in Saddar Karachi . I have many Christian and Parsi friends from college days . My sister attended Convent of Jesus and Mary both institutes are still among the finest schools in the country and were built by our Christian brothers and sisters who have been busy promoting education in Pakistan for the last 67 years .Today I am extremely sad and hard broken after I read about church bombing in Peshawar what they get in return , after years of community service ........brutally killed or injured after attack on a church ......a place of worship , our religion teaches us to respect other religions and places of worships .......I am ashamed , I am sorry ......

PEACE THROUGH MUSIC GALA Two different artists from two different countries come together for a great cause — pop singer Shehzad Roy and band Guns N’ Roses will be seen performing together at the Peace through Music Gala in Los Angeles. They will help promoting quality education in various parts of the world.

Mummy" s Girl

MUMMY" S GIRL.......... It's 4:00 am in the morning and I am sitting in the most " messiest" yet the most beautiful pink and purple room of my older daughter Allana . I am not a very emotional person but today I have tears in my eyes and I am sitting on Allana"s bed thinking where did time go ? It's been two days since we dropped her at college yet it seems as if it was two days back when she was born my tiny baby with big black eyes and the most beautiful smile ........she came to this world on a bright Sunday morning on Mothers Day in may.When I looked at her I thought how will I raise her into a confident , smart , hardworking woman ........and most importantly how will I cut her tiny nails ?? I did teach her to walk, talk , sang her ABCs with her , watched Barney and Little Bear , played Barbie ........she made me proud when she was the only kid in preschool who did not cry on the first day of school . Allana had been my shopping buddy and my worst critic she has always helped me buy clothes , shoes and has been very blunt in giving advices " Mummy you have gained weight , wear dark colors"........I remember walking with her in the backyard and playing " four squares" ........It has been my pleasure to sign her report cards with all straight A s and hear great things about her from her teachers ........she was my best buddy when her dad was busy at work ........she helped me with taking care of her brother and sister , at 4 years she was the youngest baby sitter who said " Mummy take a nap on the couch for few minutes I will keep an eye on Bhai "....... She has always enjoyed my cooking yet asked " Mummy what will happen if they stopped making Shaan Masalas " .........I taught her how to drive yet I was more nervous than her when we were sitting in the car .........Once a friend asked her why don't you like medicine like your dad " I like to write like my mom " she replied .....yet she enjoyed finding grammatical mistakes in my blogs " Mummy you are better than 90% Desis but you do have a slight accent but thank God you don't smell like curry ".........it was tough to raise a teenager when I asked why don't you show your temper tantrums to your dad or anyone else , she replied " because I love you the most ".........she taught me how to text , informed me about latest music and we watched Grey" s Anatomy and Bollywood movies together ....... Today sitting in her room this early in the morning I am not sad ......I am happy that I have raised a smart and confident young lady who will inshallah make me and her dad proud of her ..........I do miss her but I am happy that she has selected a college which is only 45 minutes away and where we can still get together for lunch and we will be able to see her on weekends .......unlike me and my brother who came thousands of miles away from our mom. I was very young myself when I gave birth to Allana ........I think its not only her but both of us have learned so much together ........she has transformed into a intelligent , smart young college Freshman ........and me her Mummy into a confident , immigrant woman who is well adjusted in this country and this culture and thank God she does not smell of curry ........ For all those memories , for all the love and for many more good times to come I thank you my baby..... Mummy " s baby .......love you may God always protect you .....