August 11th, 2010

August 11th, 2010

‘The CIE results will be published tomorrow’.

All my fellows who appeared for their IGCSE or O/A level exams in this May/June session would certainly find the above line very much chill-causing; and for some it’d be just psychologically tormenting.

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Today, every time anybody spoke of Umm.. lets just call it the dooms day, it gave me goose bumps. The day just didn’t seem to pass, and I didn't even feel like eating anything at all. However, then, my friends and I decided to put our minds off this result syndrome and do something actually :-p[and fun]. So we hit LAZER-TAG[Awesome!]. It did help though, but then again, tomorrow it’s happening! and there is nothing we
can do about it. :-\

Anyway, below are some status updates I received from some of my Facebook friends, who are going through the same trauma.

And then there were some interesting ones:

Err.. What?

Oh God! Please! [Make me :-p] pass this time, I’ll work really hard next year. Promise!

United Youth Conference 2010 - A Review

The UYC ’10 Islamabad was a very wonderful experience for me, and I am sure for everybody else who attended it too. It comprised of 3 sessions, and by the end of the 3rd and the last day, the renewed motivation among the participants to bring a change in their lives as well as inspire others could clearly be seen.

The lectures by Nadeem Chauhan, -a renowned motivational speaker- were really thought provoking and informative. On the first day, he talked about the importance of split-second, long and short term decision making, and about how we can use our positive energies to have a positive impact on our lives. Also, we did a few exercises with him in the following sessions. Then, Waleed Anwer and Adeel were great too. Waleed [with his walking-back&forth-while-speaking style] told us about faith and how it can help us thinking about and achieving things beyond the norms and known standards of practicality. Moreover, he talked about the need of tolerance, acceptance of others as equals inspite of any apparent physical/mental disabilities, and better ways to interact with others.

Also, how can I ever forget to mention the most inspiring oration by Umer Saleem, who spoke about the obstacles he went through in the pursuit of his passion i.e. auto racing. He emphasized that everyone should follow their passions, learn from life and not just school. He has also organized some 4x4 rallies in Baluchistan and Sindh, and so is the pioneer to ever organize any legal racing event in Pakistan.  Besides that, he talked about the universality of things, alluding to the point that everything in their entirety consists of atoms as the smallest denomination. 

The creativity session with Adeel Ahmad was one of the important parts of the event too.[shakka!] On the 3rd day, we were given some lemons and  were asked to come up with an idea of a product, containing those lemons and then market it, like an entrepreneur. For that we were divided into teams. The teams were judged on the basis of feasibility of the product and the presentation by the team. And then last but definitely not the least, the wooden slabs we had to break with our bare hands. It seems like a big deal but as it turned out it wasn’t that hard, almost everybody managed to break them. The wooden slabs were visualized as barriers/obstacles in life and then breaking the slabs symbolized that we can deal with such barriers or limiting factors in our life too.
Thereby, we vowed to work as a unit towards a prosperous nation where we could all live together as one regardless of ethnic or social structures of society and help eradicate all problems like poverty, terrorism and corruption, out of our beloved country! Pakistan Zindabad!

I am Legend --

Neville[Will Smith], describing the the politically-motivated assassination attempt on Bob Marley and his wife, which took place shortly before the Smile Jamaica Concert on December 5, 1976. "One day he was scheduled to perform at a peace rally, and a gunman came to his house and shot him down.
Two days later, he walked out on that stage and sang, "recalls the protagonist." Somebody asked him, 'Why?' He said,'The people who are trying to make this world worse are not taking a day off. How can I?'

[Courtesy: http://web.bobmarley.com]

A Farewell Letter

Before Che left for Congo on a secret mission to help the rebel forces, in the spring of 1965. He wrote the following farewell letter to his parents [Gerassi 1968].


Dear Parents:

Once again I feel below my heels the ribs of Rosinante [Don Quixote's scrawny horse]. I return to the road with my shield on my arm.

Almost ten years ago, I wrote you another farewell letter. As I remember, I lamented not being a better soldier and a better doctor. The latter doesn't interest me any longer. As a soldier I am not so bad.

Nothing in essence has changed, except that I am much more conscious, and my Marxism has taken root and become pure. I believe in the armed struggle as the only solution for those who fight to free themselves, and I am consistent with my beliefs. Many will call me an adventurer, and that I am; only one of a different kind - one of those who risks his skin to prove his beliefs.

It could be that this may be the end. Not that I look for it, but it is within the logical calculus of probabilities. If it is so, I send you a last embrace. I have loved you very much, only I have not known how to express my love. I am extremely rigid in my actions and I believe that at times you did not understand me. It was not easy to understand me. On the other hand, I ask only that you believe in me today.

Now, a will that I have polished with the delight of an artist will sustain my pair of flaccid legs and tired lungs. I will do it!
Remember from time to time this little condottiere[Italian term for the captain of a band of soldiers of fortune] of the twentieth century. A kiss to Celia, to Roberto, Juan Martin and Pototin, to Beatriz, to everyone. A large embrace from your obstinate and prodigal son.


Ernesto