The Year That Was...

It's that time of the year again!! Another year is coming to a close and many of us are already looking forward to the year that is on the horizon. Most of us have already made our new year resolutions while some will stop and reflect on the time that flew by at break-neck speed. Amidst all the planning to bring in the new year with a bang there hopes, dreams, wishes....expertly woven in the celebrations with people ready to move forward and achieve bigger and better things for themselves. When I look back at the year that was 2011, I also had hopes, dreams and certain wishes that needed to be fulfilled; some by sheer hard work and some left to destiny and although destiny was not completely on my side, I have not let go of that hope, for those unfulfilled dreams have spilled over my new wish list.


As I glance over some of the websites that have devoted themselves to looking at the year past, I can't help but realize that there was a lot that has happened. From revolutions in Egypt that led a dictator to step down to relentless pursuit of Libyans to rid themselves of the terror of Ghadafi. From "Occupy" movements in Washington, New York and Oakland to end of the war in Iraq, this has certainly been the year that belonged to the common man and it is my belief that these types of movements will only strengthen in the years to come.


We also lost a lot in 2011. The first person that comes to mind is Steve Jobs. A man who revolutionized the world not by wars but by simply making the computer a fundamental part of our lives. His contribution to this century is immeasurable and only God knows how far Apple will go in the years ahead. His recent demise also opened our eyes to Steve Jobs, the man who could do anything in the world but was no match for a deadly disease. According to Amazon, Steve Job's biography was the best selling book of 2011 (just thought I'd share that :). Then, there was Osama Bin Laden, The Public Enemy #1. I still remember the breaking news that came on sometime after 10pm that sent shock waves and a sense of relief throughout the world. He was killed by some very skilled and very secret Navy Seals in Pakistan. Now being a Pakistani I was not happy about the location because it meant more negative propaganda by the media about the country and its people. I don't deny that the government of Pakistan is less then perfect but the actions and greed of a few politicians always reflects bad on that country's entire population. In the new year I certainly wish that Islam and Muslims who work very hard to live an ethical life be recognized and the West would finally stop persecuting all Muslims for the actions of a corrupt few.


So what are your new year resolutions? I know that like most women in the world my no.1 will always be to "lose weight", then there are other personal goals but what I wish for the world is tolerance, better understanding, open mindedness, less frivolity(please someone get rid of the Kardashians and Snookie), more charity, acceptance and World Peace!!!


Hopefully we'll achieve all of them in 2012 because beyond that we have nothing to look forward to, or do we?;)


R

Writing for real!!

I have been writing for fun for a very long time and have received quite a few compliments on some of my work but when I read my own work, I find lots of flaws, I compare myself to the authors I read. I marvel at their ability to use metaphors and similes and to make their characters come alive. It's always a challenge for me to describe physical attributes of a person or paint a picture of a room in great detail so I dicided to enroll myself in a creative writing class. I pitted myself against the Journalists and aspiring novelists of this world. Honestly it was a bit intimidating at first because I felt completely out of place. I sat in my corner when they talked about reading the classics like Anna Karenina, Moby Dick and brilliant works of Shakespeare. I was also impressed by their literary backgrounds and their ability to quote famous authors. Now, I also find myself to be an avid reader and have read works of Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Jane Austen and Harper Lee but only as school assignments. Today I read what I like and what I like is not classics but contemporary works that are written in language we speak, about the world we live in; about family, love, life and society. After attending a few classes and completing a few assignments, I have realized that it's not about how much you have read but it's about what you have gotten out of it. Did reading change your life? It certainly changed mine becuase by reading I found my love for writing and after joining this particular class and reading my material out loud it has given me confidence that I can do this. I may not be as good as others yet but no one is saying that I am bad either! R

Mean Girls

Why do people spend so much time and energy in being mean to others. I think that being mean drains your energy becuse you surround yourself with negativity. Doesn't it take more effort to frown than to smile? My recent encounters with certain people have made me wonder, what is it that the other person does not like about me that makes them behave in such an unprofessional way? Maybe it's not about me at all. Maybe this person has her own demons she's dealing with and my entrance in her life is seen as an interruption and a hindrance. Never mind that all I have seen her do all day is gossiping and looking at pictures on Facebook and when I need something that is actually related to work, there is a sigh and the infamous eyeroll. What is the matter with you lady? Why are you being such a bitch? It's not like I am imposing on you. I was placed here by an agreement between your superior and mine and as I don't have any control over the situation, neither do you. So shouldn't we all just try to get along and make the best of the situation?

My opinion is that we should all act like grownups and most importantly professional. We don't have to like each other but a welcoming smile wouldn't hurt. I am not about to make you my Facebook friend or share my deepest darkest secrets with you. All I want is a little courtesy and acknowledgement that the things I need done should be done at the appropriate time.

Anyways,I was just wondering if people can be fundamentally mean where they are rude to everyone they meet or do they pick and choose their target? I think this type of behavior is petty and childish and does not have any room in the workplace.

There, I have let out my frustration and actually feel good about it, tomorrow I will work on facing the person in question and giving her a piece of my mind if the opportunity presents itself.

R

The Verdict!

Unbelievable!!

That was my reaction when I heard that Casey Anthony was found not guilty. I haven't followed this trial in depth but whatever I had seen disgusted me and made me wonder how a mother can go on partying when her child had been missing for 30 days!! Casey Anthony may not have killed her daughter but she certainly was covering something up and that is a crime in itself. She is an immature woman who saw her child as a gross inconvenience to her lifestyle. She is a daughter who would throw her family under the bus to save her own skin. She is a woman who would lie, cheat and betray people in order to get her way. I know that all this does not make her a murderer but how can a mother not know where her 2 year old daughter is every given moment let alone 30 days!!

I firmly believe that this case was not about justice but about her lawyer pulling all the stops in order to win. During the closing argument, the defense talked for 4 hours displaying a mound of charts and graphs and creating reasonable doubt in the jury's minds. That's what won them the case!! I also feel that the prosecutor's arrogance by laughing and thinking that he had this in the bag may have rubbed the jury the wrong way but ultimately the fate of Casey Anthony rested in the hands of 12 people who felt that a month of evidence and testimony did not prove anything.

During the morning news, I saw a journalist saying that since nowadays people watch shows like CSI where every case has a definitive ending based on DNA evidence, this jury did not think prosecution had a case without DNA. So now we have become so stupid that we have to look at TV shows to determine real life cases? Come on people! Life is not a TV show. There are real victims here who are being deprived of justice because we are so caught up on hype and sensationalism.

I am sad that the jury made the decision that they did but I also know that there is a bigger judge and jury that sees everything and doesn't need DNA evidence to give HIS verdict.

R