Now where was I...? Oh yes! I had just finished reviewing the first half of 2011 and was about to continue with the second half when unforeseen circumstances took the best of my time and I had to cut short (that, and the entry was a bit too much to read). I left the last entry hanging at the part when I returned to Pakistan (albeit, reluctantly) from my wonderful trip to Japan.
The timing couldn't have been any better as I returned to Pakistan five days into the Islamic month of Ramadan (a holy month in which Muslims keep fasts). I came home exactly when the Sehri (opening meal of a fast) was about to start. My joyous parents suggested I not keep a fast that day as I was tired (though not jet-lagged) but I insisted on fasting (partly to fulfil a religious obligation, and partly to brag about my endurance). After the opening meal I unpacked and unravelled all the gifts and presents I bought from the Land of the Rising Sun for my family (aren't I a sweetheart?). For my brother I brought a shiny iPod Touch back-cover (with Batman's emblem emblazoned on it), a new PlayStation 3 video-game (Vanquish), and traditional Japanese underwear (he insisted). For my youngest brother I brought a super-cool ninja mask along with a plastic kunai and shuriken, a wooden katana (small size), and an intricate Japanese 3D jigsaw puzzle. Aside from a few boring things for my parents I also bought large bars of Meiji chocolate for everyone! And boy were they delicious!
That was the month of August for me (I also got my AS-Level exam results). September came and went, showing the occasional seasonal symptoms of winter. October started with my birthday on the fourth! ... But, sadly, the month kept me busy with midterm preparation. My friends, too, were busy with either their midterms or their SAT's due in November/December. I didn't mind the come-and-went birthday. Similarly, November was filled busy schedules (tuitions, group-studies, etc.). I know this seems boring (and the following might scare you) but the studying in those months was actually fun - a kind of fun rarely felt. It felt good to surf through the course books, absorbing waves of knowledge, and then pouring it down on revision questions for your own sake. No teacher to guide me; just me and my books all alone wrestling it out. Midterms followed soon after and as soon as they had finished, the planning and organising of a friend's birthday as well as a party on New Year's Eve began!
On the 23rd of December I went to a popular beach in Karachi known as Hawk's Bay. Unlike Sea View (a beach located in the city), Hawk's Bay was a two-hour drive from my house and was situated in a relatively isolated place - all the better. The beach also has crystal-clear waters and clean sands (save for a few thorns and plastic bags - that's Karachi for you). Dubbed the Beach Party, my friend's birthday party was a blast! With only five guys (including me) and fourteen girls we partied for a good five hours. The hut we rented was two-storied and had a great interior (an unkempt kitchen and a living room of sorts). Everyone spent the first hour inside the hut; getting beach-ready, listening to loud music on the stereo, and trying to puff out O's with smoke-rings. After that we fled for the warmth of the sun and the cool of the sea water. Initially, us guys didn't wish to get wet but the girls took advantage of their greater number and reeled us in like fishing poles. After a long while of splashing in the water (and playing Marco Polo) as well as lying on the hot sand under the sun, we retreated back to our hut and popped some bottles.
The birthday boy treated us all to several bottles of beer and a large bottle of scotch. ^_^ It was hilarious seeing everyone else get drunk (I managed to not overdo it) and it was even funnier when everyone entered the shower room to clean themselves from the sand. The beach party was a hell of a lot of fun and it was a shame that New Year's Eve wasn't half as much fun. Originally we planned to attend a dance party that started at 11PM and lasted all the way till 6AM. It got cancelled only because stags (single men, sometimes even women) weren't allowed. We had dates... only they had permission issues. <_< Instead we ended up going to a diner (just the boys) and feasting till midnight with the final countdown to 2012! :D
And, thus, ended the wonderful year of 2011. A year that brought lots of joys in unexpected places (:P) and different turns for the better. Looking forward to a hopeful new year.
The Prancing Pony - a blog of just about everything
Wednesday 4 January 2012
Monday 2 January 2012
The Year In Review: 2011 (pt1)
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| I remember the year 2011 like it was only yesterday... |
Good riddance 2011, and hello 2012! Although I have to admit last year was one of my most productive and happiest years yet. I'm going to start my new year with a review of the previous year's ups and downs.
2011 started like any other year: gunshots and rounds of ammunition fired at the sky by enthusiastic celebrators of the new year, or perhaps troublemakers (and many other profound names) with no sense of discipline according to my grand-daddio. But who could've guessed that 2011 would be the year of accomplishments for me? Going chronologically, the past year had started off with the reopening of college after a short-lived winter break. Aside from the dreaded first day of school the year began with many students' worst nightmare: result day. Thankfully, however, the results weren't of our final term examinations but of mere midterm exams which hardly anyone takes seriously (including the college itself). But if there are any organic entities existing in this world of ours who would take a midterm result more seriously than someone's dire death its got to be my dear parents. My oh-so-dear parents who would flare up at the sight of a "B" grade (and don't even think about what they do if its any lower).
My results came in and they were surprisingly decent: straight C's in three A-Level GCE subjects (they're mighty tough) and an A in English (an extra subject given simply for tehlulz). My parents know what to expect from me in English so they take any other subject by the collar until I don't perfect it. So, skipping the part where they erupted like Mt. Vesuvius on me after I proudly showed them my above-average midterm results, lets get on with the rest of the year in review!
Like any volcano my parents' anger softens up into tolerance of my existence within mere days (it used to be weeks, and even months, when I was littler). Life went back to the way it should be: college in the morning on weekdays, playing video-games throughout the afternoon, attending any scheduled tuition programs, and finally ending the day with either a film-night or reading a favourite book in the peaceful solace of my humble abode. I make time for my social circles in the weekends: hanging out with a large group of multi-dimensional friends at a popular eatery/gaming zone/cinema; inviting a closer group of a few friends over at my house for dinner/multiplayer video-game sessions/mere conversation; or even spending some intimate time with a certain someone. My life's pretty much an average who-gives-a-shit.
After my Mock Final Examinations ended horribly in March my time was mainly spent on preparing for the actual Final Examinations in May which go all the way till June. I'm sure nobody's interested in reading about exam preparation or even how a student fights his way through the battlefield of academics to finally achieve his/her ultimate goal: freedom (temporary but, hey, gotta' count the blessings in life too). Sadly, however, my summer break started with a breakdown in my preferred video-game console of choice: Sony's black behemoth, the PlayStation 3. Due to overuse, all-night downloads, and frequent power cuts (something of a routine in my city), not to mention tipsy voltage, my PS3 finally died on me to the dreaded Yellow Light of Death (I'm sure any gamer can identify with this not-so-common console failure). I would have proposed a proper funeral but decided not to since the console made for a very expensive-looking decoration piece.
All was not gloomy for my summer break meant one very important thing: a trip to Japan! I had been wanting to visit the Land of the Rising Sun ever since I was a wee-lad. The fondness ("obsession" according to some) sprouted in me after I grew an unstable likeness to Pokemon's animated series. Eventually growing out of the craze (but mostly because Misty was dropped out of the series - WTF!?) my interest in Japan evolved into many other things: culture, history, mythology, anime/manga, video-games, technology, language, and to a certain extent the girls (Yellow Fever, anyone?). Anyway, my dream was finally materialising and I could finally hurl a "Ha! I told you so!" at the faces of all those family members who ever doubted my goal! Reaching out to the Consulate of Japan to make me a tourist visa wasn't an easy feat (being Pakistani, I face various disadvantages in getting visas) and Osama bin Laden's apparent death in Abottabad (some city in north Pakistan) didn't make things any easier! But after some rigorous petrol-burning to and from the Consulate, signing some papers, and giving an interview, I finally got my tourist visa.
I went to live in the city of Sapporo (situated in the island of Hokkaido - north Japan) with a dear friend. I stayed in the country for a month; experiencing its culture, weather, people, lifestyle, and attractions. Also, the locals have a kind of friendliness that defies the norm. I never felt homesick over there but in fact missed it when I returned to Pakistan - my birthplace. I also got to stay in Tokyo for two days and two nights before my departing flight! ^_^ I'd love explaining my entire trip but a subject so wide deserves an entry of its own. Perhaps if I get the time I'll write all about it (with pictures!) later.
And so ends Part One of my review of 2011, a year we all knew and loved. I'll make some time later to post about the second half of last year (August to December) in vivid detail. I wish you all a Happy New Year! May 2012 be a year of solutions and opportunities.
2011 started like any other year: gunshots and rounds of ammunition fired at the sky by enthusiastic celebrators of the new year, or perhaps troublemakers (and many other profound names) with no sense of discipline according to my grand-daddio. But who could've guessed that 2011 would be the year of accomplishments for me? Going chronologically, the past year had started off with the reopening of college after a short-lived winter break. Aside from the dreaded first day of school the year began with many students' worst nightmare: result day. Thankfully, however, the results weren't of our final term examinations but of mere midterm exams which hardly anyone takes seriously (including the college itself). But if there are any organic entities existing in this world of ours who would take a midterm result more seriously than someone's dire death its got to be my dear parents. My oh-so-dear parents who would flare up at the sight of a "B" grade (and don't even think about what they do if its any lower).
My results came in and they were surprisingly decent: straight C's in three A-Level GCE subjects (they're mighty tough) and an A in English (an extra subject given simply for tehlulz). My parents know what to expect from me in English so they take any other subject by the collar until I don't perfect it. So, skipping the part where they erupted like Mt. Vesuvius on me after I proudly showed them my above-average midterm results, lets get on with the rest of the year in review!
Like any volcano my parents' anger softens up into tolerance of my existence within mere days (it used to be weeks, and even months, when I was littler). Life went back to the way it should be: college in the morning on weekdays, playing video-games throughout the afternoon, attending any scheduled tuition programs, and finally ending the day with either a film-night or reading a favourite book in the peaceful solace of my humble abode. I make time for my social circles in the weekends: hanging out with a large group of multi-dimensional friends at a popular eatery/gaming zone/cinema; inviting a closer group of a few friends over at my house for dinner/multiplayer video-game sessions/mere conversation; or even spending some intimate time with a certain someone. My life's pretty much an average who-gives-a-shit.
After my Mock Final Examinations ended horribly in March my time was mainly spent on preparing for the actual Final Examinations in May which go all the way till June. I'm sure nobody's interested in reading about exam preparation or even how a student fights his way through the battlefield of academics to finally achieve his/her ultimate goal: freedom (temporary but, hey, gotta' count the blessings in life too). Sadly, however, my summer break started with a breakdown in my preferred video-game console of choice: Sony's black behemoth, the PlayStation 3. Due to overuse, all-night downloads, and frequent power cuts (something of a routine in my city), not to mention tipsy voltage, my PS3 finally died on me to the dreaded Yellow Light of Death (I'm sure any gamer can identify with this not-so-common console failure). I would have proposed a proper funeral but decided not to since the console made for a very expensive-looking decoration piece.
All was not gloomy for my summer break meant one very important thing: a trip to Japan! I had been wanting to visit the Land of the Rising Sun ever since I was a wee-lad. The fondness ("obsession" according to some) sprouted in me after I grew an unstable likeness to Pokemon's animated series. Eventually growing out of the craze (but mostly because Misty was dropped out of the series - WTF!?) my interest in Japan evolved into many other things: culture, history, mythology, anime/manga, video-games, technology, language, and to a certain extent the girls (Yellow Fever, anyone?). Anyway, my dream was finally materialising and I could finally hurl a "Ha! I told you so!" at the faces of all those family members who ever doubted my goal! Reaching out to the Consulate of Japan to make me a tourist visa wasn't an easy feat (being Pakistani, I face various disadvantages in getting visas) and Osama bin Laden's apparent death in Abottabad (some city in north Pakistan) didn't make things any easier! But after some rigorous petrol-burning to and from the Consulate, signing some papers, and giving an interview, I finally got my tourist visa.
I went to live in the city of Sapporo (situated in the island of Hokkaido - north Japan) with a dear friend. I stayed in the country for a month; experiencing its culture, weather, people, lifestyle, and attractions. Also, the locals have a kind of friendliness that defies the norm. I never felt homesick over there but in fact missed it when I returned to Pakistan - my birthplace. I also got to stay in Tokyo for two days and two nights before my departing flight! ^_^ I'd love explaining my entire trip but a subject so wide deserves an entry of its own. Perhaps if I get the time I'll write all about it (with pictures!) later.
And so ends Part One of my review of 2011, a year we all knew and loved. I'll make some time later to post about the second half of last year (August to December) in vivid detail. I wish you all a Happy New Year! May 2012 be a year of solutions and opportunities.
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