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If you can eat, you can cook..

I have always been amazed over people or in this case guys saying that "Naa man I don't like to cook" or "No I can't cook and why should I when mum or my wife does"...

But let's get down to the nittygritty of this whole scene.

You can spoon up the food from the plate and pick up the glass of water and drink it, but you don't have the energy to make the food you are eating or pour the water into the glass that you are drinking from?

That's kind of hmm lazy if you ask me. And why am I saying that? Am I being the advocate of "Get all guys to cook" campaign? Naa not at all..

I used to live in England before, all on my own. It was a tough few years, considering the fact that I either had to eat out or make something myself. I opted for making more and more things myself. Yah sometimes the rice did turn out to be mountains of white stuff stuck together but after a while managed to make them totally separate hehe

All it required was a drive to the local market, and a few bags of groceries on the way back. Then onto the shared kitchen with an idea of what I am to make. Most of the times I would call mum in Norway to guide me through the process of making Pulao (brown rice) or Aalo Gobi (Potatoes and Cauliflower). To just say the least I can say that those few years I spent in England were one of the best learning experiences of my entire few years I have been on this earth.

Being away from family was not so much fun but the fact that I had to work my way through with only 100 pounds in my pocket to earning 35 000 pounds a year gave me the sense of being confident enough to not think about petty things like few of my lovely fellow male friends would say "Cooking is for girls" and things they are grown up with which might not be their fault because their parents or lovely mothers "teach them" to be that way.

Why am I blaming the mothers? well here is the reason. It's ok to allow your mother to make the food once in a while, but does it mean that when you are capable of walking, talking, earning, selling, driving, etc etc you are too silly or lazy to be adding "cooking" into that list as well? Or is it that if you start cooking you will grow a ponytail and your friends will call you a "lady" instead?

I can very proudly say that maybe the values my mum injected in me helped me be what I am today. I don't feel that girls should be the only ones cooking in the kitchen neither do I feel bad when I want to help washing up the dishes after a long day at work.. why would I?

So to get deep down to why some guys don't like to cook or help along at home, below is a list of what I feel are the reasons.. you can add them in your comments too:-

• The guy since childhood has been given everything on the plate
• He has not been taught the feeling that it's alright for you to help along
• He has been "taught" that kitchen is only for girls
• He has friends who are anti-cooking or have silly ideas that women are below them
• When the mother is away or no more, the guy continues same "thinking" with his wife
  that now she will be feeding him as if he is a little baby

I remember when I was 6 that I used to help mum wash up the dishes at home in Pakistan and then continued to do so in Norway. Dad was quite helpful in that sense, since he loves cooking himself as well. So i would say all in all at this moment i can make a few things myself for me and my brothers at home (Since my parents are now in Saudi Arabia for a few weeks)

Just a few of the things I learnt:-

• Paratha
  
• Zarda (Sweet rice)
• Pulao (Brown rice)
• Aalo Gobi (Potatoes and Cauliflower)
• Bhindis (Ladyfingers)
• Biryani
• And a few other things that I saw mum make

But despite knowing how tough it is to be making something new for you every single day, don't you as a guy (or a girl that doesn't cook) think that it's time to start respecting the females in your house who make it a HOME. Who spend hours and hours in the kitchen making something for you so you don't starve because as I see it, some guys are still big babies. So maybe its time to grow out of that cocoon, remove the diaper and start being a MAN. And a man is not a man unless he realizes that the true value and respects the other gender like he wishes to be respected himself.

Search around for small and simple recipes. What's the worst you would do? Burn the food? Well practice makes perfect and I am sure you will do well .. so what ya say? Wanna make something today?

A life so temporary so fragile..

Just one of those random thoughts that strike my mind sometimes. I am reposting an article I wrote a while back.

Why do some people forget that they are just in this world on a temporary basis, after this life nothing they possess will stay with them or go with them where they are going.

Their grand parents are no more, some have lost their parents, their friends, their brothers, sisters, close friends.. and yet still don’t realize that what they have as in a house, a car, money possessions and everything around them is all going to stay right here.

And yes hmm there are no pockets on a kaffan (The white cloth covering the expired person)

What is our purpose in this world? Is it to earn as much money as possible? Well is it?

Lets assume it is..

We earn all the money, buy a massive house, a wonderful car and work in a big company showing the world that we are happy.

But are we? Are we really happy from deep inside? Who are we fooling?

Ourselves maybe?

So if we are fooling ourselves, isn’t it time that we stop right here, right now and wake up? This “waking up” is at least in our hands for the time being, but how many times do we forget to thank God when we wake up in the morning. Because just like all those we have lost in this world, who have left us nothing but a proof after proof that “you are coming where i am going”.

But why do some people forget that? Haven’t they seen their loved ones lowered into the darkest of the darkest parts of a graveyard? When they walk back home and sleep on the cozy lovely soft pillow don’t they realize that their loved one, their parents, their friends are at this very moment lying in the darkest part of the grave, amongst insects and other things that used to make them cringe.. things that which they saw in their kitchen they used to smack right there so they could have a clean house.. what now? Why can’t they realize that everyone is going to be reaching that place one day, without having any control over the date.

It’s like a plane journey, the only difference is that this journey will be a one way journey. Our luggage is our good deeds and prayers we have gathered by helping each other in this world, and the best part is the excess baggage is allowed.. but yes only of good deeds. If one has done bad deeds in this world, then expecting a good seat up there is kind of foolish.

But who has the chance to fix their life? Those that have already entered that grave or those of us who are lucky enough to be given a chance after chance, each second of the day? Why do most people still act like they are as dead as the dead themselves? Dead from inside…

I have seen people who see beggars and just the look on their face shows that if they even give them a single penny they will go bankrupt. But what do they lack? I must say that they might be suffering from amnesia. They forget their loved one they have just lowered into the grave a few days ago, they also forget that they only had a white cloth on their body. They also forget that their loved one didn’t have the car keys on them, or the keys to the safe, or the pin code to their credit card…

But yes!! They do remember and keep on doing what their loved one did.. to look at those unfortunate and laugh on them, they kind of keep the legacy going. But what kind of a lesson does one have to go through to truly realize that it’s time to wake up?

Does anyone know how we can wake each other up? Does anyone know any trick that I might not have heard of to keep each and every single thing I have managed to collect so that I can take it with me to the grave??

But yes, maybe I do know one truth. Something that no one can take away from me. That truth is hmm that the luggage I will take with me, is going to be the prayers from all those people who i could help in my lifetime by giving them time, by giving them support when they needed it, and by giving them money when even i didn’t have that much for myself.

I won’t forget where I am, and I won’t forget where I am going hmm I just pray and hope everyone else joins in and sees it. Not tomorrow, not after that. But NOW. Because no one knows where our next step will take us, no one knows how our words like swords go through the very core of someone’s heart.. I won’t forget that.. and I am sure you won’t either..

If we can help each other by helping those in need, no one can be luckier than us. If we can do it, if we can make time for it, its nothing short of a chance from God testing us, ke.. I give you the tools I provide you the platform, I give you the strength but are you going to use it to promote hatred and make the world just look at how to pleasure from life OR will you help those who have a right to smile and want to live but can not because you are too busy enjoying your life.. forgetting that they too are my people.

No, I am not going to do that.. I will definitely do all I can to change lives.

But still hmmm I sometimes wonder. Why do some people forget this…

The dreams we see..

What are dreams? Are they telling us something or are they just the product of our own imagination? Are dreams guiding us into doing things we wouldn't be able to think about if we were wide awake?

I mean there are times when our dreams can scare the daylights out of us, while other dreams can make us feel on top of cloud 9, not wanting to come down at all at any cost. But BANG the alarm clock turns on and pushes us back into our cozy wrap. But can we really control our dreams?

I read it somewhere that it's possible to do so. You just require the right amount of control over your mind. And you can dream almost about anything. But isn't that going to spoil the fun of "having dreams" you think? I mean look at this, it's just like this. See watching dreams as watching TV. You wouldn't want to KNOW whats going to happen and who the cast will be?

Even if you "program" yourself to be able to have the "cast" of people you want in your dream, still I guess dreams should just be left as they are. Because there is a good reason we have them. But there are obviously people who never have as many dreams as they want to. Does that mean they accomplished all their desires, and their body thinks they don't need them? Naa it's not that, its just different person to person, everyone kind of has them, some remember them and some don't.

I personally believe dreams have a very strong connection to who we are and where we are going. Ofcourse if i dream about jumping off mountains and flying in the sky it wouldn't mean I would take out my Superman costume and jump off from the highest building in Norway. There are dreams that can guide us in some way or the other, you will know when you see one.

A dream can either show you a solution to something, or give you lots to think about. Sometimes you would wish you never had that dream, and sometimes you wish you never woke up from the dream at all. Those of you who forget your dreams, get into the habit of writing your dreams. It can be a fun experience, because it doesn't take long before you will forget it all.

Ok now me back to dreaming of reaching the sky with my feet firm on the ground. Think that's one thing that I can do without dreaming :)

What is this love all about anyway?

Love is an amazing feeling isn't it. Well I am asking those who have ever been in love or still are holding on to the most precious feeling in the world, that makes you be on top of the world by just trying to make your loved one smile :)

What is love some say. Is it love when you love someone because they love you? Is love when you love someone because you want them in your life and don't want them to be ever away from you? Or is love something that is pure as the air in the highest mountains, or deeper than the deepest of oceans.

Is love something that makes you feel stronger than you have even been before? Or does it make you weaker than the weakest of people you know. Has love really gotten the magic in it that makes the world seem its on your feet? Or is love something that makes you wary of who you are.

If you ask me I would say that Love is just a word. A word that each and everyone of us sees differently. I see it as first priority in anything I do when I am thinking of that special someone who makes my world so beautiful, for others it can be a second priority. It is a word that in my dictionary is the only word that makes me feel alive. Too Bollywoodish you may say but let me explain :)

We as human beings are creatures who tend to go towards those that tell us they love us and like us as who we are. But not forgetting the fact that there are people out there who might be saying things but when the time comes might leave you into a ditch where you would never imagine them being. So I would say that when you start having feelings for someone based not on lust you will see a totally different personality of the other individual.

When I look at people on trains, on the road, on the plane. I start thinking. And that too very deeply, and it always amazes me even more and more when i get into that thinking phase of looking at couples and wondering. "I wonder what he feels for the girl he is holding the hand of" or "They seem kind of stiff is this love or just a relation without any feelings". I mean during those few seconds of "reading people" I learn so much and then thank God for what I have, and that is a heart which when feels for someone, it never backs off. Is that good or bad, that's between me and God.

My advice would be to all those that feel love is not for them. Love is for everyone. All you need to do is open up and be honest with yourself, because that's the ONLY way you will be honest with the other person who you are involved with. Maybe it's kind of wierd, but I have the thinking that when you open your heart to someone and tell them that you love them you keep that "love" alive until the day you die.. If you have said you love someone and then backed off by the fear of the world, ask yourself one thing... Are you being fair to the very meaning of what Love stands for...

This topic we discussed on our liveshow on CrazeFM few days ago, not surprised at all that the world is full of people who have no respect for the word love, but claim to have lots of self respect. Sorry to say, it goes hand in hand.

Airports and the restrictions

Ohhh yes finally back in Norway. Was kind of missing it, had a fun time in London learning a few things about the products and projects I will be working on. I believe it's just about time that I start managing projects since that's what I love doing, making sure things work and so on rather than just doing only design related stuff.

I dunno how many of you agree but don't you think that airport securities have just gone too paranoid. Yes I know they should be a bit strict but to the extent of blocking anyone from carrying anything liquidish just because one nut said that they will blow up something with a liquid bomb, that's too much and stops lots of others from carrying things they need desperately. Well I was stopped because I had a lotion and hair spray (which I don't even use, i bought it only to get the sum to be 5 pounds because the shop won't give out money unless its that amount). Both those things were taken out, and the lady was quite kind in explaining why she has to do it. Didn't seem she was too keen on it though, as she was not happy with the rule being applied. She said a few tons of liquid is thrown every single day. I took the plane from Stansted, England btw.


I was wondering while going through the metal detectors, what would happen to a poor fellow who's pants are completely supported by his metal belt? And other issues such as people having "private" things in their bags that are searched in front of dozens of others peeping over your shoulder... Think there should be some form for privacy.

Not at work today, was feeling really unwell. And since a few very dear friends are not well will be sitting and praying that God shows a miracle and gets them to be proper soon. If you believe in prayers, despite your faith please do spare a moment to pray for a few dear friends who are going through major surgeries right now.. God bless them and all with good health.

A short visit to London

Alright then. Just got to London this morning, with no sleep at all while waiting to wake up for the plane it was absolutely kind of a nightmare. So when I finally got on the plane due to the contact lenses I had I couldn't sleep. Yes I know could have taken them off, but didn't bother.

Well then came London, phew. Came here after ages and felt a bit wierd because nothing had changed, the weather still the same although I for a second thought we been tricked and we still in Norway because the weather was so amazingly like what I left in Oslo this morning.

Sitting right now at an Internet cafe trying to get the radio to work, logs show its the immense traffic that's causing it. Maybe time for another boost in the server, but will wait until the funds come in, but from where?

Got another meeting tomorrow with a bit of training session for our new clients for the company I work for. It's quite fun working as a Project Manager, but yes some tweaks here and there in the paperwork and I am happy to take the position forward.

On my way to Oslo tomorrow so around this time I will be driving my car back home, while parents being in Saudi Arabia it will be the house me and my bro..

Why nothing is impossible..

Actually I am a firm believer of the fact that nothing is impossible. And so true it is, that when you give your 100% to any cause you are fighting for or your heart's desire wishes for you to happen, everything around you definitely starts working along with you. It's just how nature works.

But shall we leave everything to the nature and just WANT to do something without even doing it? Well naa it doesn't work like that you see. In order for you to get something done, you simply have to do it. Lots of people want to have things done, want a new job, a new car, a new something something BUT they don't want to do anything in order to achieve what they desire. They are suffering from what we all know as "laziness".

But does laziness ever do anyone any good apart from making the person bloated like a potato and totally motionless? Laziness is something that needs to be the first thing out of your mind and your surroundings. If you have lazy friends, for God's sake get away from them (unless you are so lazy you can't move or walk away from them). But yes, it's very important that in order for you to be getting what you want to achieve that you also make it possible for things around you to lead you to success.

You can never be successful unless you feel that you already are, unless you feel that you are worth it and unless you feel and KNOW that you are better than the silly old negative dumbness that's lying somewhere hidden inside you that pops up everytime you want to do something so bad but can't.

Come on try it, write down the things you always wanted to do. Who knows about tomorrow. Go on a trip, fly over to your favorite destination, go meet someone you always wanted to say hello to, and the most loveliest thing of them all.. say sorry to someone you have hurt. And believe me, even that is not impossible :) Come on try it..

When do we question God

Don't you sometimes think that things are getting way out of hand and there is only one that can help you in this and that is God? But isn't it such that when you are going through tough times it's God who puts you through them, right? So how is that then. If we are in a tough test from God, we turn to him for help and leave everything in his hands. But what about those unlucky individuals who start questioning God for the pain and suffering he has put them through, I mean ok you are going through tough times but do you have any idea that millions of people from around the world might be going through worse situations than you can ever imagine?

I know someone who tends to fight all odds despite docs telling her she won't make it, she made it through each test, each surgery each point where others would have broken down, holding onto the love she cherishes so much. So to stay strong it seems, that hope has to be alive and with you all the time.

Then there is another person who is fighting death again and again and each time comes out stronger than before, with only smiles on her face.

When God puts those kind of tests upon those people he is not only making them stronger but also everyone connected to them. Do you not think that I have elevated my sense of faith and optimism since I came across those two and many more in similar situations? You bet I have..

All we can do when we go through situations like these is to just fight it through. I know its easier said than done, but I have been there done that. So out of experience I can say that God is the best kind of teacher ever. He gives you a test but also gives you all the help you need to pass it with flying colors.

So all of you who are sad or depressed, remember when God closes a door he opens up a window.. look for the window, it could be some very lovely friends waiting to share your pain. And remember those that take time to share your pain are the true diamonds, cherish them.

The hijaab and the misconceptions

Since my little sister wears hijaab (covers her head) according to the religion Islam. I was looking at some newspapers onlines and was like wow, this group is so much targetted for wearing a scarf on their head, for believing in themselves, being proud and despite all that the misconception that all that cover their head are forced to do so.

The thought became so strong that I just had to do something about it. I registered a domain www.IamScarfed.com and set out on the mission to create a network for sisters around the world who cover their head and have no proper recognition. On this network the thought is to put as much information to inspire more to follow what they can be proud of, and backup those that do already.

The goal is simple but very tough, but not impossible. And that is to get as many people as we can via the website to get a clearer picture that those that wear a scarf on their head due to their religion are proud and also successful in anything they do. A scarf doesn't stop one from doing things one wants to, it just is a part of their lives.. a very important part.

The site is at www.IamScarfed.com