tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50126240056326133702024-03-14T09:31:09.084+05:00The Silver LinesBushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-13805718670078976132016-07-19T15:52:00.000+05:002016-07-19T15:52:06.533+05:00Decay<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The silence that prevails after the rhapsody stays in
residual notes that linger on forever. They never fade away, unlike the
cacophonous din of decaying souls.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-81029398218029365072015-08-26T19:03:00.001+05:002015-08-28T15:34:35.728+05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Frenzied, chaotic, these movements of love<br />
They move on, on and on<br />
Wildly, in circles, forever in circles<br />
Twisting from beginning till end,<br />
Forever, in mad turns<br />
Adoration in praise<br />
Lost in the depth<br />
Found on the surface<br />
A never-ending spiral<br />
<br />
Twist, turn and a fling of the arms<br />
like wings on a flight<br />
of self projected love,<br />
a journey of a thousand days<br />
mapped in a single night<br />
<br />
<br />
---------------<br />
<br />
<br />
In reverence of the age old classic of this beautiful poetry:<br />
<br />
Ye Joh Halka Halka Saroor Hai<br />
YeTeri Nazar Ka Qasoor Hai<br />
Ke Sharab Peena Sikha Diya<br />
Tairay Pyar Nai, Teri Chaah Nai<br />
Teri Behki Behki Nigaah Nai<br />
Mujhay Ik Sharabi Bana Diya…<br />
<br />
Tera Pyar Hai Meri Zindagi<br />
Tera Pyar Hai Meri Bandagi<br />
Tera Pyar Hai Bas Meri Zindagi,<br />
Tera Pyar Hai Bas Meri Zindagi<br />
Na Namaz Aati Hai Mujhko,<br />
Na Wazoo Aata Hai<br />
Sajda Kar Leta Hoon,<br />
Jab Saamnay Tu Aata Hai<br />
Bus Meri Zindagi Tera Pyar Hai.... </div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-80363767926566250912015-02-24T09:46:00.002+05:002015-02-24T09:46:55.867+05:00Sci-Fi Dreams<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dreams about sci-fi are the best. A few nights ago, a dream
caught me completely by surprise. It was the best feeling I had in a long time.
There were flashes of light everywhere and a bright white moon was spinning
wildly on. The spaceship I was on was twisting and turning and I was amazed by
the kaleidoscopic view around me. The view around me was all encompassing and
it brought me nearer and closer to the universe’s beauty. There was so much to
see and so much to love I was caught unawares by the magic. I was spinning on
and on. Endlessly into the core of the biggest mysteries of this vast universe. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-47436998407226652232014-10-10T18:41:00.001+05:002014-10-10T18:41:04.271+05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There are worlds within worlds in my love's eyes<br />
They swim and dance with the light<br />
And collide like star crossed lovers in the night<br />
When in the darkness all is pitch black<br />
They shine bright and strong in my world.<br />
<br />
I look into my love's eyes and see my own<br />
Reflected back, they are true orbs of beauty<br />
Peering at me with their crystal gaze<br />
Warm and deep like a secret held safe.<br />
<br />
They twinkle like the night stars<br />
Shimmery, silvery and searing<br />
in their heat. When I look into them<br />
All else melts away, forever into nothingness</div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-56511804035147305622014-09-19T12:37:00.003+05:002014-10-02T17:35:23.607+05:00chemical network<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's amazing what you can do with your body. It's a perfect example of mind over matter. You can control how you work your body, how you make it look and feel, and that in turn controls the way you feel about yourself. So, the process is from outward towards inward.<br />
<br />
Since I'm feeling quite positive, I am going to write about all that stuff that you makes you happy and leaves you smiling, no matter what has happened before, and it is basically quite necessary to keep your balance.<br />
<br />
Surrounding yourself with only the good things, one can immediately feel the change. You can actually deceive yourself into thinking that you're happy by feeling happy. It's a good thing. You need to deceive yourself from time to time.<br />
<br />
What is our body but just a mass of mostly water and chemicals and neurotransmitters and electrical signals pulsing through an intense network of blood and nerves and sinew and muscle and bone. When you allow your body to change with the outside environment and let it change you and accept the season of change as it comes, only then can you truly accept the tides of times as they sweep through the current of history.<br />
<br />
So let love carry you forward as the cool winds of mountainous plains and push you forward and lift you upward to a higher plain of new living. Start fresh today!<br />
<br /></div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-24601796371843560192014-09-15T17:48:00.001+05:002014-09-15T20:32:55.220+05:00post reflections<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Deepest. Truest. Oldest. Eternal.<br />
<br />
Beauty demands to be seen. To be appreciated. To be absorbed. To be lived.<br />
<br />
Pain demands to be felt. To be forgotten. To cease to exist.<br />
<br />
The world spins around like a wheel ever turning on its axis, while you sit and wait for the shadows to lengthen across the backyard, watching as the sun goes down, another universe has already started somewhere and worlds within worlds spin madly on and on...<br />
<br />
Seasons change and green changes to brown before it disappears forever into the earth.<br />
<br />
Hear yourself in the million reflections ricocheting off the puddles of life.<br />
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Out, beyond yourself, deeper and further than the deepest, farthest realms of your self, beyond the softest embrace and the most enchanting secrets of the universe, lies a world completely unfiltered and devoid of materialistic gains and the soul lies bare and compact in its entirety.<br />
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The truth is shrouded within layers of love and the promise of a sky brimming with rain clouds, ever floating and wavering over dry, parched lands that have never seen it melt.<br />
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Ants creep up over the wall outside and creeping vines encase the wall and all the secrets within, sealing with a loving promise. An understood promise of trust and the oldest companionship witnessed by man.<br />
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Nature in all its most cruel and bewitching beauty gives man everything he has ever deeply yearned for and is everything he needs to live a life of promise and deepest gratitude and satisfaction.</div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-8172442656146946822014-05-04T20:33:00.001+05:002014-05-04T20:33:28.419+05:00t i m e l e s s<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The moment that time has forgot. The Oneness and Unity of all things have melted into the nothingness of winter soil. Nothing springs from it except the dust that has scattered around like moths around the everlasting flame in the darkness. Out beyond the light and sun, meadows of green fields beckon and sway with gentle folds intermittently into one another like ocean waves always calling out to each other and gently crashing against one another. Books scatter with their pages fluttering around like free birds that can never be held captive to time nor man. My heart swells with pride to see their free, happy trajectory as I scan through the pages and run my fingers across the many lines of words that are as open roads for a hungry traveler set out on a long forgotten journey.<br />
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With the flicker of a flame distances shorten and the world becomes whole again. Cracks cease to exist and make everything as it was before. Setting aside the books and their fluttering pages for a while, I become lost in the ethereal beauty of the tiny branching cracks now filling up with light like tiny membranes around a thin translucent cover of a dream. With quickening breath, my hand traces the cracks one by one, until all have been illuminated by the omnipresent light and then they quickly dissipate.<br />
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On a hill somewhere among the clouds, a little stone house beckons me and waits for time eternal. Like notes played in true moments, everything reveals itself in tiny reflections around the glistening dew. Rain falls. More clouds gather. Fire crackles through the stone house. God and Time are One. Hanging those notes by the string of music, the storm rages on and the wild forest becomes still.</div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-6098662448740000582014-03-31T12:14:00.001+05:002014-04-01T13:11:35.054+05:00Pakistan - a nation of grumblers?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Before you get me wrong, I am not complaining (read grumbling), merely stating an observation, which might very well turn out to be a fact, if my hypothesis turns out to be correct, which I'm hoping by the end of this article, to attempt to find out.<br />
<br />
So, are we a nation of grumblers? Who is a grumbler? And what is grumbling anyway? Well, the <a href="http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/american_english/grumble">Oxford Dictionary</a> defines a grumbler as a person who complains or protests about something in a bad-tempered but typically muted way. And 'to grumble' according to <u><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/grumble?s=t">dictionary.com</a></u> means to murmur or mutter in discontent; complain sullenly or to utter low, indistinct sounds; growl. While you picture a grumbler with this description, let me tell you something. Almost all nations have a distinct quality about them, whether it be the way they talk, the food they eat, the way they dress, or the way they celebrate. To give you an example, no Italian will be able to talk without a good flourish of the hands and almost all Italian conversations will be dusted with a fair amount of gestures and sign language, that are as much a part of the actual words they are speaking. You just cannot separate the two. With a grumbler living in Pakistan, grumbling is not an act of choice, it is a way of life, of celebrating life even. For a Pakistani grumbler, grumbling ensures that he is in fact living, breathing and existing and going about their daily business of working/grumbling.<br />
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Now, there are many different types of grumblers. It is important to classify your grumblers so you can navigate between the different classifications and steer your way across them on your day to day business. You may come across the Occasional Grumbler, with an average grumble of about 4 to 5 grumbles a week. A young sapling. Not too affected by the grumblesomeness (yes, it's a word in my dictionary) of the Pakistani life.<br />
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Next, there are the Constant Grumblers, who in their own opinion are the champions of all grumblers (which in fact, they are not, they are succeeded by the Absolute Grumblers). The average number of grumbles these grumblers make is anything between a 100 and 500. And that's all in a day's work. The Constant Grumblers find it a personal mission in life to grumble about anything under the sun, or the moon, and you find all conversations with them centred around a big, juicy grumble. With this big, juicy grumble, they are also in possession of a big, juicy, grumbly expression that drips with a huge, grumbly, disdainful passivity. The grumbles are always coupled with this big juicy expression. It is often mistaken for a trademark of the Constant Grumblers. You name a topic, and they will find a reason to grumble about it, be it the weather, the news, their food, their work, their family/spouse/children/girlfriend/boyfriend, their pets, the government, the cricket match we just lost, the <i>bijli</i> crisis, the <i>kaam wali</i>, the <i>sabzi wala</i>, their body, their health, their hair, their skin, other people's food, work, family, pets etc. You get the picture.<br />
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Of course, the Constant Grumblers and the Occasional Grumblers are nothing when compared to the Absolute Grumblers. At best, I think it would be safe to not make an estimate, in case this is being read by one. Now, here is a grumbler worth a considerable amount of mettle. The Absolute Grumblers don't talk, they grumble. They don't smile, live, breath, move, they grumble instead. Grumbling was most probably invented, patented and packaged by them in the old days, and they are the rightful owners of the Department of Grumbling, passed down to them through the generations by forefathers bearing huge bellies, who dealt in shady businesses of grumbling in dark alleys, wearing dark suits, circles of thick smoke swirling about them. Ok, well maybe not the dark alleys and suits, that would make it sound right out of a Marlon Brando Godfather movie. But, you know, they take their family business very seriously and there's simply no messing around with them. In fact, I'm going to let you in on a little secret, the Absolute Grumblers never state it out, or even insinuate it in any way, but if you don't join in and grumble with them about something or the other, they will stampede you with the overbearing burden of their grumbling and won't stop until you admit defeat in the face of this towering adversary of grumbling. It is not an easy feat, there is a very tricky way of getting out alive, and you must do so carefully with a lot of planning in advance, in fact, I have little doubt that you will make out alive after all the grumbling business with the Absolute Grumbler. The trick is to put in your two pence of grumbling, but only in a way that doesn't threaten or (God forbid), attempt to antagonize or intimidate the level of grumbling of the Absolute Grumbler. Think of the Alpha male Wolf and his puppies. You must join in the howl, but your ears must be laid flat against your head, and your howl must be several octaves and pitches lower than your Alpha leader. And whatever you do, DO NOT try to mimic the Absolute Grumbler's grumble or their style, you must be creative and think of another topic to grumble about, preferably something the Absolute Grumbler hasn't grumbled about in the past week, for they are equipped with a very good memory too! And that is the reason, why I think it is so difficult to make out alive after you have had the misfortune of meeting and grumbling together with an Absolute Grumbler.<br />
<br />
Quite simply, the best way to make out alive, is to just avert your gaze, divert your step, and quickly run in the opposite direction as soon as you make out an Absolute Grumbler, which takes a lot of time and experience and in my case, a lot of near defeats with Absolute Grumblers. If luck is on your side, you'll find it easy to distinguish and make out the type of grumbler coming towards you and take the necessary steps/precaution.<br />
<br />
Happy Grumbling!</div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-61370197162560699352014-03-10T14:22:00.000+05:002014-03-10T14:22:02.825+05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Moinuddin Khwaja nayya karo par...</div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-24097595877093875492013-02-04T22:29:00.000+05:002013-02-04T22:57:50.764+05:00Mission: weight loss! Destination: unknown!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So you know how they say a little bit of spring cleaning is good for the house? Well, the same goes for the bodies! The weather's changing, and pretty soon, we'll all be shedding all those heavy layers of wool and knitwear, and that means revising your wardrobe before the new season. Recently going through my pictures taken at a party, I was shocked to see how the long, usually elegant sari failed miserably to look elegant on me, partly because maybe I was not wearing it the right way and partly because - I looked fat! With a sigh and a heavy heart, I realized how the recent years had taken their toll on me and my body, and oh how I missed my old photogenic self! That was the turning point. That's it! I thought, no more junk food, no more eating to my heart's content, no more sodas (not that I had many before to begin with) and no more fatty food! Hello exercise! and healthy eating :) <br />
<br />
This is really very good, believe me. I've been feeling positive about everything since then. Having a really good breakfast, keeping myself hydrated, eating fresh fruit, and going for walks in the park with my mum. That is one thing that I really like. I simply cannot stress more upon the virtues of working out, in any way you can, for weight loss. The walks energized and revitalized me and all those feel good endorphins really gave me that extra kick! P.S. Going to parks has another advantage, you can take swings and have a go at them like nobody's business and boy, was that a fun experience! It really brought back all those childhood memories and I remember feeling overwhelmed that day just by swinging and tilting my head back to watch as the sun and the clouds swayed in my vision...<br />
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So that is what I have been upto, and reading books and watching films that I'd been itching to get back to since I was busy with my thesis for the past year, oh and a little bit of cooking too :) Here's what I start my day with: a gorgeous soft boiled egg with a golden runny yolk that runs like liquid gold with a toasted slice of brown bread and black coffee. I season the egg generously with salt and pepper, and sometimes spread a thin layer of garlic mayonnaise that my mum makes, it is so divine!<br />
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And here is what I made for lunch the other day:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEist3RzQsHKLA3nWtUiMeUkaael6o871aMwkRpi5bCl99rAaSWcLjcSfJDOiH3eJX_ahq_m17kW5bq9WgqB_4r3jeFLuwPsxG4HQOp75jvMBex44vUNzLpLU8cfDadosSeS6jL2Z0qHBMdF/s1600/IMG_0823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEist3RzQsHKLA3nWtUiMeUkaael6o871aMwkRpi5bCl99rAaSWcLjcSfJDOiH3eJX_ahq_m17kW5bq9WgqB_4r3jeFLuwPsxG4HQOp75jvMBex44vUNzLpLU8cfDadosSeS6jL2Z0qHBMdF/s400/IMG_0823.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<b>Hot and garlicky Fusilli with stir fried veggies</b></div>
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For the veggies I used an aubergine, 1 tomato, 1 green pepper, 3 small potatoes and 2 cups of green beans. Cut in fairly big chunks. Boiled the potatoes separately. Then in a pan I fried some chili flakes in olive oil, added some chopped garlic and added the veggies by turns so that they were coated with the garlicky spicy oil. Boiled and readied the pasta in the meanwhile. Added seasoning to the veggies, which was just some salt and pepper, oregano and rosemary and small sloshes of Worchestershire sauce and oyster sauce. Then all that remained to be done was dunk the veggies in the pasta and mix and serve onto plates! :) It was so much fun making this and I really enjoyed the vegetables. More on food later.<br />
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Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-50483885354817555042012-11-30T05:38:00.000+05:002012-11-30T05:38:12.006+05:00The unsung heroes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Often in life, when we feel as if we are
completely alone – we are in fact surrounded and protected by our guardian
angels. They are the unsung heroes – ferocious in their protectiveness and
loyal in their love. They are our friends – true and eternal. They are our
inner voices – the ones who guide us, but whom we often choose to ignore. They
fight with our inner demons – they calm us down after a storm, they placate us,
bring us down to earth, reason with us and soothe our fears. They are our
biggest supporters, our biggest fighters, our constant friends and companions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">When you realize the cunningness and
ugliness of the world, and when you see someone who is the opposite of
everything the world wants you to become; when you see their beauty and
humanity, you know you never want to become anything – except like that person
– they are your hope, a shining beacon of light, a respite from the darkness
within and around you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The unsung heroes may be unsung by the
world, but you must remember them. They must remain alive and constant in your
heart. Never forget that there is another way. Never do anything that does not
involve passion. Never give up. Never stop believing in yourself. Never give up
dreaming big. Never stop loving. Never stop living. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">We are here on earth for a short period of
time. Never should you lose hope. Remember the unsung heroes and keep their
lessons alive in your heart and mind. You should make your stay on earth as
pleasurable for others and for yourself as much as you possibly can. </span></div>
</div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-82267662405425117852012-11-30T05:31:00.002+05:002012-11-30T05:31:20.771+05:00An odd wish list<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is said that people can be read by their
faces-</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">If so, then you know</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’m loud and crazy and a little bit kind</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">My life’s been a journey – of travels and
colours,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">And photos and books and lots and lots of
cartoons.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I wanted to be a relic hunter,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">a poet, a writer, a swimmer, a teacher</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">the fastest horseback rider.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I wanted to be a lawyer, a fighter,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">a singer, a dancer,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">the world’s best baker.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I wanted to be a hairdresser, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">a painter, a doctor,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">a museum curator.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I wanted to be a slim figure-skater,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">a librarian, a hunter,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">the biggest stamp and coin collector.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I wanted to be a crime scene investigator,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">a spy, an actor,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">the most cold blooded vampire.</span></div>
</div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-49900279342987873592012-11-24T22:25:00.000+05:002012-11-26T06:11:38.710+05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Perhaps we are too quick to judge. Too quick to judge people, situations, events, life in general. We make our own assumptions and draw our conclusions based on what we observe, what we learn and our experiences. That is not necessarily a bad thing, except that sometimes, our own judgement may turn out to be false. For we conclude and synthesize with limited perception into the reality of the situation. There are many layers upon layers of material that need to be studied in detail, if we are ever to reach the truth. And those layers have to be carefully peeled off to get to the crux of the matter. It is often not easy, and often tedious, and indeed, perhaps the reason why people tire of this process, and make judgement quickly, without going through the whole process mentioned before. That is an error we all make. That is both dangerous and detrimental to our learning and growing as human beings, as free thinking individuals living in a society with diversity, cultural richness, and history.<br />
<br />
It makes me sad to think of so many people we might never meet in our life, or never fully understand or appreciate the ones we do, just because of our prejudices and poor judgement. The moments when we could've come across beautiful people and shared wonderful stories and made true connections with them. Truly enlightening moments that could've changed our lives, only if we had let ourselves the opportunity to go forward and grab them, and not be scared, but grasp that moment with both hands and hang on to it as if your life depended on it.<br />
<br />
Imagine yourself sitting in a bus that is moving across at a steady pace to your destination, and you are sitting across people who are going to their own destinations. And for the briefest moment, you are sharing eachother's paths to your respective destinations. The people in the bus are just like you; travelers on a journey, who get hurt just like you, who live and breath just like you do, who believe and trust and have faith in things, just like you do, who have trouble sleeping at night because of the monsters inside their head, just like you do, who love and are special in their own way and who are waiting for a moment to brighten up their lives, just like you do... and in those few moments that you are in the bus with them, your journey is intertwined with them. Whatever happens to them, happens to you. Whatever they feel, you feel too. I find it pleasantly amusing how such complete strangers can be so like one another. And who knows, you might discover a great treasure in your shared journey.<br />
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Similarly, life is also like a bus journey, only we get to choose our fellow passengers. But the question is, do we give everyone the equal opportunity to be our companions. Or do we let our prejudice and poor judgement get in the way? Are we ready to embrace life with an open heart and an even more open mind? Take a leap of faith and grab fate's hands? Make your own destiny and shed any fear you might have? That kind of confidence is not easy to build and certainly takes a brave person to take that bold step and dance with eyes that are wide shut...</div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-33834598652373263172012-11-18T21:53:00.001+05:002012-11-18T21:53:57.846+05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Isn't it enough that we set ourselves in tight little boxes, constraining our own selves, stopping us from moving forward, from growing, from thinking, from being, from simply existing, that we allow others to control us as well? How often do you allow yourself to be at the mercy of someone else's dictate, follow someone else's rules, be the shiny, new carbon copy of somebody else's idea of life, thrust on you? Isn't it pathetic that people allow themselves to be controlled this way by others?<br />
<br />
What I find amazing, is that in this day and age, women are finding it absolutely a given fact, that they have to follow someone else's rules and principles. What's even more shocking is that they make no effort to change the way they live their lives, except by the dictates of someone else. This is not a sexist ramble mutilating the male sex, nor even a tirade on the miserable condition women set themselves in, but rather a personal insight into matters that strictly need to be addressed more seriously by everyone, the men and the women, equally.<br />
<br />
What is completely warped about this whole situation is, that women don't understand what their freedom means. Their fear of, I don't know, standing up for themselves, maybe? lets them think that even thinking about such an idea would be taboo. But my question is, if a bird lived in constant fear of flying, would it ever learn to fly? Or would it ever feel the wonder of the open sky or feel the wind beneath its wings? The idea of protection and saving 'honour' in Pakistani society has become synonymous with male domination and I'm continually being forced to reinforce the idea of an innate need to control women within men. In a largely patriarchal society such as ours, matters are not helping, if anything, things are worsening. If so called, educated, bright minds can continue to treat their daughters, sisters, wives, etc. this way, it leaves little to the imagination how the rest would be faring.<br />
<br />
I think people really need to wake up and smell the coffee, because it is not just about elders controlling their young, or the men protecting the 'honour' of their women, it is about basic human rights. If you're allowing yourself to become a puppet and let someone hold the strings, then it is your fault, entirely! and what's more, you don't know what you're missing. You're allowing yourself to fall into a habit, into an endless dark tunnel with no light at the end. And men need to stop worrying and being so controlling, and especially stop abusing the rights of others around them-the fundamental right of choosing for oneself what one wishes. Stop dreaming and start living!</div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-32784549624521908392012-10-09T17:12:00.001+05:002012-10-23T21:09:45.302+05:00On the nature of happiness...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">For hundreds of years, man has questioned
what has made him truly happy. Where does this happiness come from? Where does
it lead to? How long does it last, if at all? And how often does it last? The quintessential
nature of happiness has eluded and mystified man in all ages, of all times. And
yet, it is for this very thing that man has been in pursuit of ever since he understood himself and the world around him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">While it may be true, that man often finds
some level of happiness in something or the other, in whatever he does,
whatever he achieves, obtains, enjoys, relishes and relives, a classification
of happiness becomes necessary in order to better understand this mysterious
thing called human happiness. For indeed, has human happiness evolved over
time? Was the happiness that the early philosophers, such as Aristotle and
Epicurious, talked about different from what the modern man conceives of as happiness? Or are
the teachings and lessons advocated by Buddha and the early Sufis still being
practiced and observed today? To answer this question, we need to find out what
makes people happy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">While the answers may vary or coincide in
some cases, it may be found that people do tend to find happiness in one way or
another. Are they satisfied with their level of happiness or their life in
general, that is another question. For once the happiness wears off, it changes
into a kind of satisfaction, a contentment if you will, and often that changes
into fear of losing that source of satisfaction or happiness. It is for this
very reason that the early philosophers said: ‘that which is a source of
happiness, becomes a source of unhappiness for you’. That unhappiness may be
interlinked with a sense of fear of losing the source of that happiness, an
insecurity, or anxiety giving birth to a whole other set of
negative emotions, such as anger, jealousy, hatred, envy etc. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">When we are talking about the classification
of happiness into types, we may broadly divide them as such: that which people
derive from objects, things, materials around them, even people and events and that
which the early philosophers and Sufis called the true happiness, a state in
which man is free from every want, every need. Man may grow attached to certain
things, certain people, and this sense of attachment becomes a source of worry
for him too; the danger of losing, the danger of harm, the danger of corruption
of that which he holds dear. When man is not attached to anything in
particular, he may find a kind of peacefulness or bliss which the early sages
talked about.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">To be happy in every state, in every kind
of situation, may be the idealist utopian mantra of the new age, but why is it that people are
finding it so hard to believe and achieve? Some people think it is because man has not
reconciled himself with the present. He ties himself very strongly to the past
or holds a lot of fear for the future, never living in the present. When in
reality, he carries both with him at the same time, wherever he goes. For what
is the past and what is future, if it is not in the mind? And if it is in the
mind, then that means, man always carries his past and his future with him. But
when man truly lives in the present, he realizes the beauty of the moment, he
can realize his potential, be anything, become anything, be at peace with
himself, and understand the nature of his happiness, which the
early mystics and philosophers talked about; that which you seek, is inside
you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">On that note, I leave you with a little
Rumi.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Do not look
back,</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">No one knows how
the world ever began.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Do not fear the
future, Nothing lasts forever.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">If you dwell on the
past or future,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">You will miss the
moment.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">~ Rumi</span></span></i></span></div>
</div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-87206157911007226302012-09-08T20:12:00.000+05:002012-09-08T20:12:17.344+05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Like an arm draped over love's sweet bow<br />
And thunder across vast plains promising of rain<br />
Enchant me, sweep me away, take me away with you<br />
<br />
Let me fly away with you over distant lands<br />
And float like a lover's dream over mountains tall and proud<br />
Enthrall me, surprise me, take me away with you<br />
<br />
Light away the darkness and kiss your sorrow goodbye<br />
And with magic in my heart and the twinkle in your eye<br />
Enrapture me, beguile me, take me away with you<br />
<br />
Look deep into love's eyes and know there is no tomorrow<br />
And no place so distant that we shall not reach my love<br />
Entrance me, bewitch me, take me away with you<br />
<br />
Leap across, stumble in the dark, tread softly on your feet<br />
And indeed love always finds its way in every way and every day<br />
Entice me, delight me, take me away with you</div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-43900160679377900562012-08-29T13:23:00.000+05:002012-08-29T13:23:12.057+05:00Small cities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Small cities<br />
with your big people<br />
and big hearts<br />
how generous and quaint are your ways<br />
<br />
I smile as I recall<br />
those bygone days<br />
in those chilly cities<br />
where pine trees soar<br />
in cloudy skies<br />
giving off their sticky sweet scent<br />
the fragrance I love so much<br />
<br />
and that wonderful birdsong<br />
that accompanies you wherever you go<br />
in small cities<br />
with big people<br />
and big hearts<br />
<br />
how delightful that waft of smoke<br />
that rises from your houses<br />
as meals are prepared over fires<br />
after a long day's work<br />
I catch a whiff and smile<br />
in small cities<br />
with big people<br />
and big hearts<br />
<br />
and how cheerful those early morning monkeys<br />
that climb onto the aluminum roofs<br />
hungry for a bite of fruit<br />
from my hand<br />
I shall miss and savour each memory<br />
of those small cities<br />
with big people<br />
and big hearts</div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-24706043321075439842012-08-26T18:49:00.000+05:002012-08-27T18:07:57.650+05:00Two poems<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Run away home, little bird, run away home<br />
with a tuft of grass tucked between your beak<br />
run away home.<br />
<br />
Fly away home, little bird, fly away home<br />
I watched you as you sat perched on the railing<br />
from the kitchen window<br />
the sun blazing through the afternoon sky<br />
fly away home, little one, fly away home<br />
<br />
The clouds were aflame with the sun's fiery glow<br />
as you hopped away with your treasure in your beak<br />
no doubt in a hurry to fix your little nest before the air chills<br />
so run away home, little bird, fly away home<br />
ere the hour grows longer and the shadows disappear<br />
<br />
______________________________<br />
<br />
Things fall apart and fall together again<br />
like little pieces of blocks they fall away again<br />
I watch as they float around me<br />
little pieces of a puzzle that is my life<br />
I sit and question the stars when all is quiet<br />
and watch as the moon moves silently, darkly on its orbit<br />
<br />
An unknown feeling, silently, so silently<br />
it creeps up my whole being until I am bereft<br />
of everything that I call mine<br />
taking over the tiniest moment in the present<br />
and stretching it on till forever<br />
<br />
The darkest shadows call out from the silent night<br />
deafening in their beauty and relentless in their power<br />
They seem to know me, and I know them<br />
their secret is hidden in the curve of the moon<br />
and the light that shines darkly from it's pale face.</div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-44217268964395980722012-08-16T20:48:00.000+05:002012-08-16T20:48:01.350+05:00Worlds within a room<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Every room has a story. Sights and sounds. Feel and taste. Colours and shapes. Smells and mysteries. Every room is a wonder in itself. Just waiting for you to explore it. The moment you hold the doorknob and turn it, you are preparing yourself to enter a new world. And the moment you push the open the door with your other hand, you are instantly transported into an adventure. From that moment to this moment. From there to here. From then to now. From the past to the future. And that room becomes your world then. It is as if, every room before it never existed in the eye of your mind. You only see what you see, you only breathe what you breathe, and you only taste what you taste.<br />
<br />
Perhaps there are windows in this room, or perhaps there are none. Perhaps there are books in bookshelves, or perhaps there are pictures and paintings. Perhaps you have been in this room before, or perhaps it is your first time. But whatever may be the case, you want to store this memory of this particular room in your mind, exactly as it is, so that you may be able to recall it later. You want to remember it the way you are experiencing it in this moment.<br />
<br />
And in this moment anything can happen. You can ride the carpet in the room and imagine it is flying far, far above land and sea to a place where there is only music and love and peace. You can take on enchanted journeys with fairies and kings, dragons and beasts, to dark forests and grand castles, deserts that stretch on forever and seas that never end. You can be a pirate or a sailor, a warrior or a king, a magician or a peasant, a beggar or a dancer. You can dine on lavish, luxurious feasts in gold trays, or nibble at some bread from an earthen bowl. You can be young and lean and strong or you could be old and charming and wise. There is a world of possibility just waiting for you to grab at it and love life with the full force of your entire being, as everything in this world that ever existed deserves to be loved. Or you could just sit quietly, on the floor, with your legs folded, calm and peaceful and still as a mouse. You could close your eyes and dream away.<br />
<br />
Years may pass. Seasons may come ago. The trees outside may grow taller. The paint may peel and fall off, the metal may rust, the wood may lose it's shine and lustre. And you could plan your whole life in this room. You can fall in love, go the moon and back, see the autumn leaves fall and watch as the flowers bloom to take their place in spring and look outside the window to see the sun shining eternally with it's golden glow. And at night when you brush your hair and stare at your reflection in the mirror in the dark, do not be surprised to find a stranger lurking in the depths of the shadows. They are your own. And you have been prepared for another day beginning tomorrow, where your only strength and comfort will be this room. </div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-74227824667888514952012-08-12T15:18:00.001+05:002012-08-12T15:18:36.815+05:00Impressionism - a movement as a result of different scientific discoveries<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
An essay by Bushra Azeem<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Impressionism was a 19<sup>th</sup> century
art movement that originated with a group of Paris-based artists whose
independent exhibitions brought them to prominence during the 1870s and 1880s
in spite of harsh opposition from the art community in France. Characteristics of Impressionist paintings
include relatively small, thin, yet visible brush strokes; open composition;
emphasis on accurate depiction of light in its changing qualities; common,
ordinary subject matter; the inclusion of movement as a crucial element of
human perception and experience; and unusual visual angles. Impressionism also
describes art created in this style, but outside of the late 19<sup>th</sup>
century.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">There is no doubt that the Impressionism
movement grew and rose as a result of different scientific discoveries. It was
a time when lots of discoveries and inventions were being made, while a lot had
been already discovered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">In particular, the invention of the light
and the camera gave rise to new and different techniques in art. Among the
preceding art movements, Baroque art in particular, saw artists like Sir Peter
Paul Reubens of Belgium and Rembrandt of Holland making use of both light and
the camera-like compositions. Both artists were greatly impressed with these
two discoveries and it helped to shape the art and paintings they created.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The discovery of the camera and light –
being made of 7 different colours when passed through a prism was revolutionary
for both science and art. The artists in the Impressionism movement formed the
basis of the 20<sup>th</sup> century art and related movements – these
movements in turn gave way to later movie making ad animation, caricatures and
cartoons.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Naturally, an artist is influenced by the
discoveries made in his/her time and it is reflective in their art. The major
artists in the Impressionist movement were certainly no exception and in fact,
gave rise to further scientific discoveries. These artists, namely <b>Edouard Manet, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste
Renoir, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Gustave Caillebotte </b>and <b>George Seurat</b> (Pointillism) paved the
way for modern art by combining the influence of the modern scientific
discoveries at that time, with their artistic expressions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">It is important to note that the
Impressionist art was moving and was largely focused on the artist’s
impressions, quick glances, where details of the paintings were gradually
withering away and strokes by the brush were becoming more popular, i.e. the
dots, dabs and dashes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">George
Seurat</span></b><span lang="EN-GB">’s ‘A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La
Grande Jatte’ was a masterwork which gave rise to Pointillism. In it, Seurat
used a mixture of blue and yellow dots to give the impression of greens,
instead of using solid colours. This entire painting was made by the
application of dots whose colour combined in this way to make the eye perceive
it as a mixture of the different colours. In replacement of solid colours, now
a combination of different colours were used to make shades and hues.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">This painting in particular gave rise to
the modern colour theory and colour photography. Another noteworthy fact about
the Impressionism movement is that it helped to formulate much of modern art,
and video and animation as we know them today.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The Impressionism movement wasn’t entirely
about the application of colour under the influence of scientific discoveries,
as quite a lot of work was done for the artist’s own pleasure along with the
commissioned work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The term ‘Impressionism’ was coined during
the movement’s tenure, unlike the other art movements. It was first used by a
critic, Louis Leroy, who coined the term in a satiric review about Claude
Monet’s work,’ Impression, Sunrise’. This review was published in the Parisian
newspaper ‘Le Charivari’, in which Leroy stated: ‘this is not a painting, this
is an impression’. And it was true in a way. It was Monet’s own personal
impression of the rising sun. And the term, therefore, stuck and gave way to
the movement. The artists exclaimed that yes, they were impressions, very
personal expressions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Claude
Monet</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> was an artist who closely observed the light
and used to sit and watch as the shadows changed and the sun threw different
shades on everything around him. Often, he used to change his canvas after
every 20 to 3 minutes to observe and capture how the light changed and the
shadows lengthened.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Of particular importance, are his:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Haystack series</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Roven Cathedral series</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Water lily series</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB">...as he painted
all three series during different times of day and studied them closely. He was
in a way, photographing these, although he was not imitating photography.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB">The water lily
series, of the garden in which he often painted, made a lot of use of dabs and
dashes. This was a period in Monet’s life, when he had retired to this house
near the garden, spent a lot of time there and grew his favourite plants.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Edgar Degas</span></b><span lang="EN-GB">, on the other
hand is famous for his:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 438.75pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Ballet series</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 438.75pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Keyhole series</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 438.75pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Degas was an
artist who was very inspired by the camera and he painted a lot of ballet
scenes in his paintings. This new form of art, however, did not enjoy any
patronage from the traditional ‘Royal Society of Arts’ – people were not ready
to accept this new style and technique. However, Degas, had unknowingly, set
the groundwork for modern camera composition and dramatic compositions in unlikely
and unusual angles and scenes – such as the backstage of a ballet room, showing
young dancers in preparation for the performance – not the performance itself.
These dramatic composition, making use of the subjects seen in a new pose and
angles, seen in a visual movement, and captured in a dramatic light, are
arguable, just like modern film compositions or photography. His paintings
seemed a lot like camera compositions – moments captured in a split second – as
if the fleeting glance was all it took for him to capture the image in his
brain and then paint it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Moreover, the
paintings in this series show a spontaneous movement in action, by ordinary
subjects –such as the ballet dancers. This is important to note, because ballet
paintings, before, were painted with a lot of grandeur and were shown in a
glamorous light. But Degas, introduced the element of everyday reality, by
showing ordinary scenes related to the ballet – the backstage etc. They had no
approval from the Royal Society of Arts – unlike the other commissioned
artists. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Degas combined
two mediums together – pastels and paints to give the illusion of fabric. Since
he was not committed to one technique only, he was open to experimenting with a
mixture and combination of different mediums to get the desired results.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">His painting
‘Jockeys before the start, with flag-pole’ in particular, has an asymmetrical
composition and looks just like a photograph would if captured at that moment.
The flag pole in the painting is towards the right side of the painting and so
is the subject. It is important to note that Degas was not trying to imitate
photography.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Pierre-Auguste Renoir</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> was
an artist who believed in traditionalist art but had a natural inclination
towards impressionist art; therefore he combined both beautifully. He often
used subtraction in his paintings. In his painting ‘Le Moulin de la Gelette’ ,
Renoir combined the use of light and composition both. Lights and shadows can
both be seen and the subjects are painted as if caught in a split second of action.
He was also very fond of stripes and contemporary fashion for both women and
men can be seen in his painting ‘La Roge’, which is a scene from the opera
house. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The
Impressionist artists formed the basis of the 20<sup>th</sup> century art and
related movements – these movements in turn gave way to later movie making and
animation, caricatures and cartoons. No other art movement, in my opinion, gave
so much to the modern art or inspired in us to create more and expand and
explore our human capabilities in expression and technique as the Impressionism
movement.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The
Impressionism movement both grew out of and rose as result of different
scientific discoveries, such as light and camera, but also gave birth and set
the groundwork for future scientific discoveries, such as colour printing,
colour theory, camera and photography composition and the study of light. It
was a symbiotic relationship; both needed the other in order to survive and
could not exist without the other. Needless, to say, the Impressionism movement
was a highly important movement that paved the way for modern art and helped to
shape it into what it is today and how it is viewed and critiqued today.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The
Impressionists ignited a revolution with an explosion of colour and
movement. Their vibrant canvases confounded critics, defied conventions and
sparked scandal. A century and a half later, they are among the most revered
and influentional artists of all time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-86464036533392222752012-08-03T14:05:00.000+05:002012-08-03T14:05:21.644+05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
''Recall those days<br />
Look back on all those times<br />
Think of the things we'll never do<br />
There will never be a day when I won't think of you...<br />
<br />
Flowers fade<br />
The fruits of summer fade<br />
They have their seasons, so do we<br />
But please, promise me, that sometimes<br />
you will think of me..''<br />
<br />
- <i>Think of Me, </i>Phantom of the Opera</div>Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-6326521436588352522012-07-23T19:56:00.002+05:002012-08-27T18:18:16.240+05:00Some of my favourite things<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The smell of vanilla lingering on my fingers. The first peeling of an orange in autumn. Or the bite of summer's first ripe, juicy mango. The smell of coffee in the morning. Or in the afternoon. Or at night. Cinnamon wafting with chocolate in the oven. Family photos. The wind scurrying through my hair. Winter's sun falling on my face. Friends. My pillow caressing my head, engulfing me in deep, peaceful sleep after a long, long, LONG day. The first bite of a chocolate. A warm, comforting hug and a kiss. Family. Listening to music on headphones while traveling in a bus. Long road trips. Cinnamon. Bob Marley. Slumber parties with my friends. Cats! and kittens! Cooking in the kitchen. Learning something new. Travelling. Reading. Snuggling in a warm bed with hot chocolate and a good book. Hot tea. Rain. Thunderstorms. The earth as it smells after a rain. Playing with my niece and nephew. My sisters. Photography. Winter. Christopher Pike. Long naps in the afternoon. Marbles. Going out with friends. Opening up the closet to take out clothes for the new season and realizing how much I missed wearing them, or forgotten some had even existed! Movies. Popcorn. Walking. Working. The smell of my hair after a shampoo. Dressing up. High heels. Long nights. Helping someone. Spongebob squarepants. Praying and meditation. Writing. Theatre. Nigella Lawson. Shelling peanuts on a cold, wet winter day. Vampires, vampire books and vampire films. Cluedo, the game. Origami. Playing with clay. Scribbling and doodling. Science! Chocolate fudge cake. Sweet strawberries. Tidying up my room. Memories. Pigging out on huge pizzas with friends or family. The smell of barbecue food. Nigel Slater. Cartoon films from my childhood. Doughnuts. Listening to the sound of rain. Quiet moments by myself. Perfumes. Laughing at a joke, or with someone. Trees. The idea of designing my own house someday, and from time to time thinking, as inspiration strikes, I would want that in my house, or I would like to have a wall painted this way, and hang that there, or put that there. Abida Parveen. A dream kitchen. Fresh fruit. French fries with cheese sauce on a cold, windy day. Cashew nuts. A big, juicy steak. New clothes. Jewellery. The idea of what I would do if I had this and this much money. My college. Art. Meeting new people. Going to art galleries by my self. Archaeology. Bruce Springsteen. Love stories. Sea shells. Coming home after a tiring day to a house smelling of Mummy's biryani cooking. My books. The idea of a perfect bathroom with a bathtub to soak myself and indulge in, some day. Pasta. Colours. Stationary. Paints. Drawing with charcoal on a big sheet of paper. Chicken karahi. The smell of roses. Running my fingers through my hair, lying in bed. Sleeping. Packing for a vacation. Desi writers. The idea of going to Turkey, France, Italy, Egypt or Morocco some day and exploring the places and the local cuisine. Lasagna. Stringy cheese. Animals. 3D movies in cinema. Henna designs. Festivals. Nihari. Bulleh Shah. Books from my childhood. The smell of old books as I open them up, hold them near my face and close my eyes to let the fragrance sweep me away. Writing stories. Making up things in my head. Nat King Cole. A hot, juicy burger when I'm starving. Jazz music. Classical Indian and Pakistani music. Qatlamma with chilled coke. Pancakes, preferably with strawberries or blueberries and whipped cream and maple syrup. Anne Rice. Corn on the cob. Samosas. Parks. Old libraries. Oscar Wilde. Horror films. Mysticism. Chocolate melting on my fingers and in my mouth. Cinnamon rolls. Berry flavoured lip gloss. Getting ready for a party. Making hand made cards. Presents! A breakfast of paratha, aam ka achaar, spicy onion and chili omellete and chai. Wind chimes. Big warm sweaters. Cookies baking in the oven. My mother's hug! Monsoon rains. Sausages. Cold coffee. Nutella. Walnut brownies with ice-cream. Tutti Fruitti frozen yogurt. Marshmallows. Picnics in the outdoors in spring. Snuggling in the bed with the quilt and blankets raised up to my chin. Acting. Making films. History and Philosophy. Crunching into a fresh, juicy apple. Halwa poori. Crunchy sushi. Watching the sunset. Lemonade. Spicy noodles. A Song of Ice and Fire book series. Going out for sheesha with friends. Chocolate Molten Lava cake with ice-cream. Baby powder/lotion. Doing something stupid and then laughing about it later. Singing a song to myself. Coloured paper. Legends and myths.Cream cheese. Scrap-booking. Sidney Sheldon. Thick, soft, woolly scarves.<br />
<br />
More will be added to this list soon... I'm sure of it.</div>
Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-57217127658073410432012-07-13T13:21:00.001+05:002012-07-13T13:21:52.383+05:00Red beans, sweet corn and couscous salad<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzDkMSGPUNHQ4pRUi4fhtGQfdDITIdVfCfe059GPge_VPY5Fv8A8n5e8Td7m0_XIO67gh3f4m6umPB4Lgo095ATYqZgqqbZB_RJTDkICTW4hNrasa900fnn2m6Y1iN2CJWr_bVcpdyvG9/s1600/IMG_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzDkMSGPUNHQ4pRUi4fhtGQfdDITIdVfCfe059GPge_VPY5Fv8A8n5e8Td7m0_XIO67gh3f4m6umPB4Lgo095ATYqZgqqbZB_RJTDkICTW4hNrasa900fnn2m6Y1iN2CJWr_bVcpdyvG9/s320/IMG_0271.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />
Middle Eastern cuisine makes a lot of use of beans of different sorts with couscous. So, to give it a Middle Eastern twist, for dinner yesterday, I made a salad in two parts, if you can call it that, since it can go very well with rice, with chicken, as a side dish with any meal, or simply on it's own. Given the high protein value of beans and health benefits of couscous, I could say that this is a very healthy, filling meal and very enjoyable, especially with all the colours and variety of textures.<br />
<br />
I wanted to make a salad with lots of fresh, crunchy vegetables, and use couscous to add another dimension to it. I used tomatoes, cucumber, fresh green coriander, mint leaves, lemon juice, sweet corn and of course the red kidney beans.<br />
<br />
The beans should be given a good time to soak, preferably overnight, or a good solid couple of hours. Then they need to boiled at a high temperature in salted water. To this I added cream, milk, some bbq sauce and the sweet corn and half of the couscous.<br />
<br />
The veggies were chopped up in small chunks, the coriander and mint added to them and squeezed on top with the lemon juice, followed by the remaining half of the couscous.<br />
<br />
Now, here is what you can do, you can combine the two together, i.e. the veggies and the beans or you could pile them separately onto your plate. Either way, it's pretty good, and excellent on top of freshly toasted buttered bread.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-86011269887238775292012-07-12T11:24:00.003+05:002012-07-12T11:24:54.210+05:00Dream<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On a bed of roses<br />
I sit drunk on honey<br />
falling into a dream<br />
of pink petals<br />
and red forests<br />
with a thousand diamonds<br />
shining through a lake.</div>Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5012624005632613370.post-54374521513634592172012-07-11T12:40:00.001+05:002012-07-13T12:09:43.291+05:00Fusilli with spinach and couscous<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
Fusilli with spinach and couscous<br />
<br />
I saw this recipe on tv, and added some variations of my own. A very easy one, and quite good for a summer lunch. I suppose it would be really good with some grilled chicken or some tuna, or even some white sauce, but there is no need to make a thick sauce for this recipe I think, since the fusilli seems quite delicious and refreshing without any sauce to weigh it down.<br />
<br />
3 cups of fusilli pasta<br />
1/2 kg spinach bundle<br />
1 cup of couscous or breadcrumbs<br />
2 cups chicken or beef stock*<br />
1 egg<br />
a couple of garlic cloves<br />
1 tsp crushed nutmeg<br />
dried basil<br />
dried oregano<br />
chili flakes<br />
salt and pepper to taste<br />
parmesan cheese for garnishing<br />
extra virgin olive oil<br />
vegetable oil for frying<br />
<br />
*Omit if using bread crumbs instead of couscous, and use just a half cup of stock for making the sauce.<br />
<br />
Boil the pasta as per the packet instructions in boiling, salted water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and drizzle with the extra virgin olive oil to avoid clumping. Wash the spinach thoroughly to get rid of dirt. Cut the stalks from the spinach leaves and wash again, then drain away all the excess water. In a big pan, cook the spinach without any water just until a little tender, for about 2 minutes. Drain and cool in the fridge or freezer.<br />
<br />
Heat two cups of water in a pan and dissolve ready made chicken stock or use fresh if you like. In a heat proof bowl, layer the couscous evenly. Then pour over1and a 1/2 cups of the hot chicken stock and cover for 20 minutes. Fluff it up with a fork and set aside.<br />
<br />
After the spinach has cooled, blend it in the food processor. Add the couscous, salt and pepper, basil and oregano, and some of the crushed garlic and nutmeg. Finally add the egg and blitz well. Scrape out the mixture, and form cakes or balls and set in the fridge to cool. Meanwhile, heat some vegetable oil in a shallow frying pan and fry the spinach cakes on each side on medium heat for 2 minutes. Take them out on a kitchen towel to absorb the excess oil.<br />
<br />
Reduce the half cup of chicken stock that was left and add some extra virgin olive oil, chili flakes, the rest of the crushed garlic, basil, oregano and salt and pepper to make a sauce. Toss the pasta in the sauce and serve in bowls immediately with the spinach and couscous cakes. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.<br />
<br />
::UPDATE::<br />
<br />
This recipe made a good amount of leftovers, so for lunch yesterday, I made a white sauce with cheese for the fusilli pasta, and guess what? I guess I was wrong about the sauce weighing the pasta down, for it complimented it brilliantly! Browsing through the history and recipes for fusilli pasta, I came to know that it's broad, spirally shape was perfect for dunking in bucket loads of sauce or gravy. So, I made the white sauce and melt some cheddar cheese in it, seasoned it well with salt and white pepper and sprinkled generously with basil and oregano. Dunked the fusilli in the sauce to absorb some of the gorgeous flavours and chopped up some breakfast sausages and together with the spinach and couscous cakes, they made for a fabulous lunch, which I ate in hearty mouthfuls :) </div>Bushra Azeemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667284452551828129noreply@blogger.com0