2nd Birthday with Pictures

Today was my baby sister's birthday. Not gonna mention how old she is. Let's just say that she's 5 years younger than me. Anyway. As usual... We got the nice cake, we got an extra large Pizza (yeah we get pizza for birthdays) and took some pictures. Normally we aren't use to taking birthday pictures. It's not like we never took pictures on any event. It's just one of those things that we don`t do because everyone forgets to print them out. It doesn`t really cost much but no one finds the time for it. It`s not because it's not that important of an event; It always is. Another big reason is because no one actually remembers to take any pictures. So yeah... This is the 2nd birthday in a row were we were taking pictures.

Most families do it without thinking. It's a tradition that has sort of become a habit. It`s a superb way to preserve some memories and give everyone the chance to look back at the old days and remember the good times. Every one has excepted this into their lives and it's because people have established a tradition that we now see so many digital cameras available in the market. Initially we had that same thing. We were use to take snaps of almost every event and almost every time. But then slowly and slowly it started to fade. Things got a bit rough in the family and we stopped doing things the way were use to.

It took a long time before we started celebrating birthdays together and took a while before we actually started to enjoy it. I wouldnt dare say that it's perfect right now but atleast we're getting there. I'm hopeful that in the next couple of years it will all change and work out for the best. Hopefully sooner than later.

Most people claim that they don't like the idea spending time with the family on holidays, thanksgivings, Christmas, Easters, Halloween, what have you.. I'm never surprised to hear that and I understand what it means to them. There  comes a point in everyone's life when people really don't care for the family not because everyone in the family is cruel evil monsters that have crawled out of hell to torment the rest of the earth till eternity especially them. No... that's not the reason... it's because people stop caring about each others for one reason or another and then they trying to justify how things are and should be. I mean come on, do I really need to explain how families are and what happens when everyone's gathered at one place after a while and then all hell breaks lose when some idiot decides to start the one conversation that everyone wasn't planning on having.

In my family, I know for a fact that if everyone gathered at one place, there will be hell on earth for us because someone will start something. Now, I've been working on this family for years and I'm hoping that things would change with us. I'm glad to say that, to some degree, it's finally paying off.

Like I said, this would be the 2nd birthday in a row with pictures. To some that might not be a great deal but to me that is a huge deal. I`m not posting those pictures here but they will be part of my family album. I`m hoping that it`s just the beginning and that we're on a good start. Well... we gotta start somewhere...

Good Advice: One Thing At A Time

I think I`m going to have to buy me a Rowing Machine. Yeah yeah I know. You`re probably wondering what good would that do. Well... It`s known to be one of the most effective machines when it comes to burning fat. Yeah.. That`s right. I want to burn off those extra calories that I`ve been consuming every day and mostly, it`s turning into fat because I don`t really exercise as much as I`d love to.

Now I`ve been checking out the prices on this things and man oh man... these things are freakin`expensive. I mean just put the words into google`s search engine and you`ll find out what I mean. A decent one would normally cost somewhere from 600 dollars to a whopping $3000. Now that`s one heck of a price for a machine that`s not going to show me Avatar in 3D on a very large screen.

I haven`t checked out Ebay or Kijiji yet but after checking out the prices on regular websites, I`m contemplating whether it would be a good idea to  just getting a second hand machine. Only problem so far with that idea is what guarantee do I have that it`s not going to be a busted on. Honestly, none what so ever. But it would be cheaper. Some of my friends are saying that cheaper could become expensive if I need to get the damn thing fixed from someone after already paying through the nose for it. And some are suggesting that I should just buy a brand new one but something reasonable (They think I`ll give up on it after maybe a week or so).

So far I`m concerned, my mind tells me that I should buy something brand new. At least I can get it fixed under warranty if there in fact is something wrong with it. And if it comes out perfect and with no defects, then I guess I got a long term partner who`s going to help me out big time.

When I was a kid, we were use to have this thing. Every time when I thought I was gaining a few extra pounds, I would start using it and boom. within a month or two, I would be good and fit with much more stamina for sports and other activities. I kind of miss that about my current lifestyle. So... I guess I`m going to have to think real hard about the choice I`m going to make here. And I`m certain that once I do purchase this machine, I`m looking at a long time commitment to it. It`s not an easy thing to just spend a few grands and not actually use it. The other thing that I have to worry about is the space where I need to put this monster. But I guess I should follow the advise of a good friend, Jag, I should worry about one thing at a time.

Yes... I will be taking before and after pictures of myself. That will definitely be an advantage/disadvantage sort of situation because that will for sure give me an idea of what kind of progress (or lack of) it`s actually making. Within 2 months or so... I`ll have the answers.

It Was An Experience

I finally used Skype. Unfortunately it wasn't to speak to my wife to be. It was with her cousin (Kiran). Kiran is her BFF n for some reason girls can't do without getting an approval from their BFFs about guys. So... I spoke with her.

It wasn't an easy task. I had to, first, fix the webcam on my laptop which was broken for months. I probably killed the warranty on the laptop but at least now I have a working web cam and doesn't blur out the picture or show that stupid black spot right in the center. Second thing I had to do is fix the lighting in my room to make sure its not dark and gloomy. I had to fix a few fixtures and then go and get me a new lamp. Luckily, Walmart has some pretty generic floor lamps at their super stores. I got a decent one and it didn't cost me a fortune.

After I fixed the lighting, I had to play around with the web cam's settings to make sure that it works with the whole thing. And after playing around for about an hour till I got the whole thing to work for me.

And then last but not the least, I had to wait till Kiran came online. It certainly was an experience. But I'm glad it is taken care of and now I can talk to my wife-to-be with out having to spend a fortune in long distance charges.
"Sent wirelessly from Iffi Iftikhar's Blackberry"

When the time comes.

I bought a Blackberry Flip for my girl and for a while I was thinking if I should have given her something else. Its not that its a bad phone. Back in Pakistan this thing is worth Rs. 33,000.00 Its actually more expensive than Blackberry Curve 8520 which can be found in for Rs 22,000.00

Its kinda funny that the same phone is more expensive in Pak then in North America. Anyway. BB Flip might have been a flop in Canada but its certainly not in India or Pakistan. A transition from regular consumer phone to a qwerty keyboard isn't easy as described by one of my good friend Sanna, who just found herself a BB Curve 8520. I guess that's the biggest appeal. They seem to like a non qwerty phone back home.

Now I'm guessing, based on what I've found out in the last couple of days, she's gonna like it. I'm confused thou. Am I assuming she's going like it because its expensive or is it because its a good phone. I guess i'll have to find out when I give it to her.
"Sent wirelessly from Iffi Iftikhar's Blackberry"

Don't Wanna Jinks It.

I've been going through different blogs and what not to get maybe some ideas for the redesign I'm thinking of for my own blog. Looks like it would probably be a better idea for me to come up with something original of my own, considering the fact that nothing I've seen so far kinda speaks to me. I'm gonna have to relearn photoshop I guess. But that's not really a biggie. it's like riding a bike. (did I ever tell you I don't remember how to ride a bike anymore? Did I?)

I'm still going somewhere, in case someone's wondering. I just have to finish off the bathroom project and then I'm off . All I really need is .............. and to finish .................. before I can get ready to ............. and then I'm good to go.

I'll update later on about the plans. Right now I'm keeping everything somewhat secret. Don't wanna jinks it.

Day 1

Officially, this was the first day of my vacation. Had to be the most morning day of the year. I should have gone somewhere. I should have gone to a tropical island and just forget abt my world for a change. Hmmm... I still might.
"Sent wirelessly from Iffi Iftikhar's Blackberry"

Sleepless Yet Again

Yet again I'm up at 5AM and I can't grt my self to fall asleep. Ahh. I don't think I wanna start taking sleeping pills. I'm afraid i'll end up developing a resistance to them and then I won't be able to sleep at all. Damn it! I had changed my habit to getting up early and now I'm gonna bw stuck with this again. I think I need to see my doctor. See what he has to say about that.
"Sent wirelessly from Iffi Iftikhar's Blackberry"

Still Working On The Bathroom

I stayed home today. I tried getting up and going to work but I was way too tired to bother. Even thou I could have gone to work if I had only gotten out of bed when I was suppose to, I think one day isn’t going to make that much of trouble for me at work unless my boss is reading my blog. In that case, hey Jag (saying it awkwardly). 

I think I should start working on today’s agenda. I still have to I have to start cleaning up the bathroom walls. I got to give them a nice scrubbing and make them ready for painting. I’ll have to clean it up good… just to make sure that it’s not going to be a problem when I’m painting those walls. If I just properly scrub the damn things and clean up every nook and cranny I shouldn’t have any problems with paint.

I’m somewhat still unsure as to what color paint I should pick. I’m thinking of Sky Blue but not entirely sure as to which one I should get. There is always a variety of colors to pick from and I want to make sure that don’t end up regretting it. Because if I end up buying the right amount of paint and then turns out that I have to go back and change the buckets. My wife-to-be is suggesting that I should try oil paint for the bathroom walls. Her logic is that the walls are going to grab moisture when someone’s taking a shower in the closed bathroom. It’s going to start ripping up or coming off the walls. And if that happens then I’ll and doing the paint again. I don’t think I want to keep painting the damn walls every 3 months. The amount of work that I’ll have to put in to paint the damn thing is excruciating. I’ll have to take off everything again and that’s not something I’m looking forward to. Wife-to-be is right about this. So now I’m thinking if I should listen to her or should I consult one of the experts at the hardware store. An expert might have a solution that isn’t going to require me spending a great deal of money on paint.

I know that I’ve been talking about it for a few days now but this is definitely a lengthy process. Making a bathroom a perfect one does take a bit of time. Not to mention it adds a great deal of value to the house.

My friend Sanna thinks this is in preparation for the wedding. Well it is. As I have said before, I want to make it a woman friendly bathroom instead of leaving it like a man-cave it is. And that's also the main reason why it's taking me longer than usual to make a decision about the paint. It's the choice of my wife-to-be and she's picky.

Anyway, I’m off to the hardware store.

The Bathroom Reno Project

Working on the bathroom semi remodeling and putting on a new paint is somewhat pain in the ass when you do it all by your self. I thought I would be done by this weekend but it is going to take a bit more time. I'm not certain thou. Will I be done next weekend or am I looking at a month long project. Because the moment I'm done with the bathroom I have to start working on the bedroom and the office. And that's a much bigger project.

I'll post some pix later.

"Sent wirelessly from Iffi Iftikhar's Blackberry"

Starting The Day Right... Yeah Right....

As usual the day, I thought, would start with me getting one solid 8 hour sleep cycle, turned into just another day where I am disturbed and awoken by the loud banging sound on my door with my mom yelling and telling me to pick up my sister from work. As much as I am use to my mom’s complete disregard for my time and my sleep, I still hate the fact that she never ever shows any consideration for others, letting someone sleep in on his freakin’ day off is somewhat of a courtesy don’t you think? It’s not like I haven’t heard a good night sleep.

It’s really fun abruptly waking up 10 minutes before you’re suppose to drive a car, especially when you don’t even get a thank you after wards. I’m done with that by the way. My sister’s home and my sleep cycle is completely ruined (I can’t go back to sleep once I wake up. No matter how tired I am). Now I guess it’s time for me to start the day with a long list of things that I need to do today. That’s just peachy.  

Since I’m up earlier than I had planned, I guess it’s time for me to start working on “Bathroom Project Phase II”. I’m considering replacing the sink, the faucet, the shower head along with the medicine cabinet and then putting a coat of new paint (Not particularly in that order). Maybe I should try using sky blue this time. I’ve heard it gives the illusion of a larger space. Oh well, off to the hardware store to do my shopping. I’ll put up the ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures once I’m done. Which reminds me… where’s my freakin’ camera?!

Inspire Even The Least Interested

A few minutes ago, I was talking to my wife-to-be. We can sometimes talk for hours and not feel the passage of time. One thing is for sure. It is pretty expensive to make calls to Pakistan. But I guess I don't really have a choice but to pay a crazy amount on a monthly bases. Its better than paying the Madman.
Why is it that there isn't any company that can offer an unlimited plan? I mean there is a plan for India n Philippines n even Bangladesh. But nothing for Pakistan. And do you know why that is? Zardari. Mr. President of Pakistan. Thanks to him, the only company that tried was Mobilicity. But then zardari asked for his cut and there you go. The company had to cancel the plan because #Zardari wants to get paid on every single deal that has something to do with Pakistan.

A flood that impacted 20 million Pakistani people. And all the money that has been given to Pakistan as AID is going directly into Zardari's pocket.
Billions of dollars of AID and the victims still had to buy water bottles at a higher price than what you would find at a regular store on any street corner.
And just when the rest of the world stop sending their money for zardari to enjoy, he thought up another way to screw the pooch. Mr. 100% decided to put an extra 300 to 700 rupees on everyone's electric bill. All in the name of AID. Yeah we all know where that money is gonna end up..
There are plenty of things I can write about the man hell bent on sucking the country dry but it would only be read by those who have no power over the circumstances.
My hope is that these atrocities would end someday and we would find a better Pakistan not just for us but for the next generation that is bound to hate the ones that came before us. The ones that let it all happen without taking a stand to make a change.
I thought this regime only effected the ones who lived in Pakistan but its shadow has reached across the borders of its birth place and now takes its toll on those who keep a connection intact with their home land.
This isn't a rant because I can't find a decent plan to make calls to Pakistan so I can talk to my fiancé. This has been boiling up for a long time. I guess the fact that 20 million victims and the populous of an entire country are unwillingly fulfilling the hunger of a madman could inspire even the least interested.
PS. Just in case if you are wondering, I'm definitely not the fan of the so called Pakistani Politics.
"Sent wirelessly from Iffi Iftikhar's Blackberry"

Mostly, its an Effort

I've been trying to figure out how to send my blog update to my friends without emailing it to then individually. So far, I don't have an answer for this puzzle. And yes! I do know mass email is one of the features in pretty much every single email provider on the web. That's not what I'm looking for.. So don't give me that particular idea.

I guess first I need to explain the reason for this need.

I'm restarting something I gave up a while ago. Pretty much all my friends were use to be here on this blog. Reading about what's been happening in my life and pretty much all of them had something to say about it. But... Ever since I stopped blogging (barely any new entry in months) they seem to have disappeared. I'm not gonna say I'm not guilty here but still... I wouldn't want to lose those friends. So.... I'm restarting the blog.

I'm going to leave the old entries here but there will be frequent updates from now on. That's not really a promise... Mostly, its an effort. Let's see if I can find you guys here again.

if you guys are still visiting my blog.. Then let me know... I wouldn't mind some friendly faces.
Respect | Love | Peace

Excitement Comes With A Price Tag.

I've been trying to figure out what I should do to reduce my damn phone bill. And every time I get close enough, something goes wrong.

I'll put more details here once I'm done talking to Bell about my damn cellphone bill.
"Sent wirelessly from Iffi Iftikhar's Blackberry"

Changes made (a little)

I know that its not a lot of things that has been updated but hey... Its a start. And I'm not finished just yet. Give it a few days and this place is gonna start looking much better than it did before.

PS. Thank You Superman for making an appearance on my my humble blog. You can stay here as long as you like.

Regards,

Iffi Iftikhar
"Sent wirelessly from Iffi Iftikhar's Blackberry"