Fight for your rights

The dharnas for the last couple of weeks resulting in the new confessions of election rigging emerging from various quarters reminds me of what an old school friend of mine used to say. She studied with me for just one year -- in class seven -- and hailed from South Africa. Her cousins had been hanged during apartheid and she was mature way beyond her years. When she was leaving I asked her to write in my autograph book as was the norm those days, and she wrote 'Shanaz, in life always remember: Fight for your RIGHTS!' I never really understood what she meant as my sisters and I had grown up in such a protected environ where everything was handed to us on a platter, that the question of having to fight for our rights had never arisen.
In fact, I sailed through the major part of my life without ever having to fight for my rights -- perhaps until I joined the professional world, when it finally dawned on me that every good thing in life doesn't come easy, and it is important to assert oneself in order to get, or at least create an awareness, of what is one's due.
But, coming to the two rallies, and especially that of PTI's -- they have really reinforced the importance of fighting for one's rights. Whether Imran emerges victorious or not after this valiant battle, one thing is for sure. He believed he had been wronged, and he had the courage to fight for his rights -- as did his supporters.I feel our country is better for this entire exercise and our silent majority has also finally woken up from its slumber and learnt to have a voice. This can only bode well for the future.

Weddinged out!

Right from the 1st of August to date we have been up to our necks in weddings of kids of close friends, neighbours and family. Much as we have loved to share in their joy, and enjoyed every minute of it I only wish the weddings had been spaced out and not all packed in the month of August for there is no reprieve even now, and there is at least one wedding occasion every day till the end of the month, that we simply cannot skip. Late nights, early mornings, heavy food ... it's bound to take a toll sooner or later! I suppose we have to thank Ramazan for this heavy load on August, as July, normally a popular month for weddings was virtually eliminated from the wedding calendar this year owing to Ramazan. So, since there's no getting away from it -- as we aren't made of the stock that stubbornly refuses to participate in other people's happiness at the cost of  their own --  I shall not complain but just warn those who bump into me and can't recognise me for all the excess pounds that I will have put on, or the exhaustion written all over my face, not to fret -- for it is me, just weddinged out!

#Vacationing in the Maldives

For those planning a vacation to somewhere where they can relax, swim, read, indulge in sea sports and just be pampered in every which way you please by a friendly and attentive staff willing to give you personalised attention then head for a resort in the Maldives. Having recently returned from one of the best trips my husband and I have taken in a long time, and having stayed in not one but two different island resorts in this archipelago, I can vouch for the fact that this is the destination to head to if you haven't been there already.

Of course, the degree of personalised service varies from resort to resort so depending on your budget -- Maldives is an expensive holiday for people from our part of the world -- carefully study the options on the net before making your choice. We stayed at the Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huraa and didn't regret it for a second. Right from their facilitation centre at Hulemale airport where we were made comfortable with complementary refreshments as we waited for others leaving for the resort to join us, to the picturesque speed boat ride where again complementary water was passed around, to the reception committe at the resort, waiting to greet us with drums beating, to our beautiful accommodation on the ocean, right up to the point that we were waived goodbye by the hotel staff, we were left overwhelmed by the warm hospitality of the resort. The waiters at the restaurants greet you by your name, and every staff member, no matter who it is, has a smile and a greeting for you when they pass you by.

Thoroughly pampered at the Four Seasons, we were disappointed by our next resort, the Sheraton, which was at a decided disadvantage since we were constantly comparing it with its predecessor! Our accommodation was overlooking the beach, which was a nice change from our ocean place as it gave us a different angle to enjoy but it was one of four rooms within a unit and our neighbours, who were pretty noisy, were too close for comfort. The staff was not as efficient either and unlike at the Four Seasons, the resort does not have its own water plant, so one was compelled to buy imported water every time one wanted it when outdoors!

That said, the resort has a lot of greenery and huge ancient trees which add character to the place and give it an exotic look, so it does have its own charm. But as I said, look up options before you finally decide on an island resort. Rest assured that no matter which one you pick, you will have a plethora of sea sports and activities to choose from in this crystal clear, unbelivably turquoise waters, and some of the best massages that the east has  to offer, not to mention great halal food.

My grandkids' fourth birthday today

God has been very kind and merciful. When I recall the agony we went through four years ago on the day that should have brought unadulterated joy to us, and the four months of torture, and test of our patience, courage and faith, I cannot thank God enough that he saw us through this testing time and rewarded us with a pair of the most beautiful twins ever. From little preemies struggling for their lives they are today Mashallah, the light and joy of not only their parents, but also both sets of grandparents, uncles and aunts. I can't believe how adept Abbas is with the ipad and laptop and how easily he can rattle off the most difficult poems thanks to his photographic memory; or for that matter what a pathaki Natalia is, with a query about everything under the sun, and a capacity to understand all explanations. May God grant them a healthy life full of happiness and may they continue to fill ours lives with delight every step of the way.