Hangout at Dubai Mall

In my first post in this blog, I had mentioned, that I love hanging out with friends. And nothing has changed in the past one year. I still love hanging out with friends. But the sad thing is, I don't get the chance to go for any. There will be some problem and we will have to cancel the whole thing at the last minute.

Of course, we can't go on any working days. And as we all live in different corners of Dubai, going out on a working day, is not an option. Friday is a holiday for everyone. So, naturally, we will have our own programs with our family. So, no Fridays. Saturday, I have keyboard classes in the morning, and on Saturday evening, everyone will be busy completing their home-works for the next week at school. Sad life, huh?
 Another reason for why our hangouts gets cancelled is, sacrifices. If one girl says that she can't come, the other says, "If she is not coming, then even I am not coming.". And the next person says "If you are not coming then I am also not going.". And another one says, "If they are not coming, I don't want to come.". And finally, the last person says, "If all of you are not coming, what is the point of me going alone?". You see what I mean...?

(Left to Right) Me, Maryam, Azzah, Megha

Usually, when I make last minute plans, it doesn't work out well. But this time, for the first time in my history, the last minute plan did work out. Maryam, Azzah, Megha and I decided to meet up at Azzah's place, have lunch and then go to Dubai Mall. Everything worked out perfectly alright. Of course, as usual, we fooled around the place. The best part, was eating "Burj Al Emlaq" from Baskin Robbins. We didn't have place to sit. So we stood on the way and ate the whole thing. It was a mess with all the Ice Cream in our fingers. But if there is no mess, there is no fun (Yeah...I made that up myself). I guess, if I wasn't so good at remembering  ways, it would have been more fun. It was Maryam's and Megha's first time in metro, and they thoroughly enjoyed it.

It was a fun day! I just wished that there were more people with us and the time went slow.
I also hope that we can have more hangouts soon. 

Where is Justice..?

When the whole world celebrated the coming of a New Year... One place remained silent.
When the whole world enjoyed the fireworks and lights... One place remained in the dark.
When the whole world was happy and laughed... Some people cried and remained sad.

Some of you must have guessed already. Yes. Delhi remained silent, remained in the dark and cried. Wept for the girl who became the victim of extreme cruelty. I am sure, all of you would have heard of that girl. She was a 23 year old girl. She was raped in a moving bus by 6 men. It's unbelievable how inhumane people can get!! She battled for her life for 13 days. She was sent to a hospital in Singapore for better treatment. She wanted to live... But she lost the battle.
I was totally devastated after hearing the news, even though I did not show it out. I let my feelings stay inside me. But maybe no. I should let it out. I have been watching many talk shows about this incident and many said they wanted these rapists to be hanged. Well, I say no. They shouldn't be hanged. They should be made to suffer. Suffer so much that they should wish to die. But, they shouldn't die. They should live with the regret for doing such a cruel thing, behind the bars for the rest of their lives.
I have always loved my country and always wanted to work for my country and live in my country after I get a job. But after hearing this news, I feel like I will be deliberately pushing myself into danger. I hate to say that, but that is the truth.
What I am thinking is, why not make the laws more strict..? I used to think, why in Saudi Arabia, they have very strict laws... Now, if someone asks me that, I would say, cause they knew the consequences if the case was otherwise. Did it cost a life for people to finally raise their voices? This is not the first time it's happening in India. There has been a hundred cases similar to this (but not as cruel). Isn't it just too late now..? But I am glad people raised their voices now... it can save many lives, at least that's was I hope and wish.

What I have noticed is, long back, there was an incident similar to this, but people were around, but people just watched what was happening to that girl. It's shameful, but it's true. Here is something I heard, and I totally agree to it : "The day people starts to react and act, things will change.". The attitude of people should change. When one sees things happening that are unacceptable in the society, of course, no one would encourage it... but no one will go and stop it. Maybe because they are scared. But you take a step forward, and people will follow you. Keep it in mind. Otherwise, what do they mean by saying "Be the change you want to see in the world"...? In the Indian Pledge, we say "All Indians are my brothers and sisters". Would you let you sisters to go through atrocities like this..? Won't you go protect her?
And girls, all around the world, should be taught to protect themselves. Of course, not all can go for Karate classes... but carrying a pepper spray with you, or knowing some kind of defense moves can save you. And I have read in many places, that if someone comes to attack you, scream! Scream on the peak of your voice... that helps too.

Here is a Malayalam Poem I came across in one of those TV shows. Its presumed that it is written by Mundur Ravunni. Mundur Ravunni is one of my close relatives. He was a person who fought against social injustices and inequalities. He was a very brave person.

 കൈ  കെട്ടി  നില്‍ക്കുക  ഭരണപ്രമത്തതെ  

മേയട്ടെ  രാക്ഷസക്കൂട്ടങ്ങള്‍  പിന്നേയും 

പെണ്‍മക്കളൊക്കെ  നശിക്കട്ടവരുടെ 

മാനം  കവര്‍ന്നാലും 

പ്രാണന്‍  തുലഞ്ഞാലും 

കാണല്ലെ,  കേള്‍ക്കല്ലേ , കൈവിരല്‍  ചൂണ്ടല്ലെ 

ഇളകാതിരിക്കുക   സിംഹാസനങ്ങളില്‍ 

If I translate it straight away, you won't understand. So let me explain it to you. The concept of the poem is actually criticizing the people on power. And their passiveness even after repeated atrocities against women . In Malayalam, its a well written poem showing the strong criticism. 

There has been a lot of Protest going on, in Delhi. Many women and men together protesting for women's safety. Even when strikes and protests are going on, similar cases keeps on piling up. How come men lost their fear and their respect towards women? It's time they stopped demanding for women and girls. People like this should be entirely deleted from this world. That is the final solution I can find. And when girls fight for women empowerment, they are in danger. In danger if being killed. The recent case, is of this girl of my age, named Malala. She fought for Education rights for Women, through her blog, and she was shot in the head. She is very lucky she survived. Let's hope, no one is next on the list.
There has been developments in the field of rights of women in India. True. Like, demolition of Sati System and bringing women in the politics field. But, when can a girl, walk alone feeling free and safe at anytime through the streets of India..?
All women is asking for, is the same rights of men. All women is asking for, is her being able to walk through the streets feeling safe and be safe. All women is asking for, is justice. Let the story of this girl, India's Daughter, be a lesson for everyone. All I can do is pray for the soul of this girl. She will live forever on our hearts. I haven't seen her, I don't know her... But I feel she is there, out somewhere... watching all this happening.
And asking "Where is Justice?"

Adieu 2012... Hello 2013!

Today,
It's a fresh new start.. isn't it..?
A new year... 2013. I kind of feel making resolutions are completely useless...unless you are so determined to follow it. But in my case, it is useless. So this year, No resolution. That can be my resolution.
The most exciting 10 seconds of my life is that 10 seconds countdown before the fireworks. This is we did not have a countdown as such. But, the Fireworks, were BRILLIANT!!

 I guess, the picture said it all. And I got to witness it!! Yeah... I saw it and saw it really close..!
If you were in Dubai, and you did not see this, you missed it like anything!! It's a loss!!
Try to find it in the internet. You will be able to see the video. I have no words to explain it!! I was watching it in the TV today, and I realized, from far, it would have looked like some kind of Alien invasion in Burj Khalifa. And at the end the whole building just blasts!! Let's hope it never happens, though. The crowd was just so HUGE! So many people walking together and howling like crazy!
Of course, I really enjoyed the fireworks but when it was over, the environmentalist, inside me knocked on my head and said "Dude! Look at the Pollution!!". I shooed her away. It happens only once a year, after all!

I am glad 2012 is over. I don't know why. I enjoy new things...whatever it is. Maybe, that's the reason.
But 2012, was a good year. I had good times... REALLY good moments..! I wish it all just repeats...
Only the good moments, duh!

I don't know what to say. I am just saying...

WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR...!!

Almost There!

I am not fully recovered from Chicken Pox. But I am almost there!
Maybe 3 or 4 days more. But I feel normal. I guess I will be dusting my books today after more than 10 days. Trust me... those days when I was sick feels like heaven. Because, I had nothing to do. Just lie down in my bed and read. No chores. I kind of miss it. Anyone would.
It reminds me of a comic story I read. It was in a 'Betty and Veronica' book. Betty broke her leg and even she feels the same after she recovers from it. She has to run many errands for her Mom. She has to clean up her room... Lots of chores.
But, yeah, every good thing has an end.

I have these marks in my face after the poxes dried. But unlike the 'Pimple-conscious' teenage girls, I went out to a Mall yesterday. Oh yes, I did! Actually, I am in the starting stages of being a pimple-conscious girl and I didn't want to 'show-off' my marks. But I forced myself. Because, we were planning to go for a movie.
So, yesterday night, I saw the movie 'Life of Pi'.

I am kind of confused after the movie, actually. That is because, I found two endings for the movie. One, what I thought that happened and another, what Papa said that happened.
The movie is of this Indian boy, who is following 3 religions, named Piscine Patel. He changes his name to Pi because his school mates make fun of his name and call him 'Pissing Patel'. LOL!
He is named after a French swimming pool, you see. His family has to move to Canada because of some government issues and they set of to Canada in a Japanese boat. The boat sinks due to a storm. But Pi survives and he is isolated in the middle of an ocean, in the deepest point of earth in a small boat with a Zebra, a Orangutan, a Hyena and a Bengali tiger named Richard Parker. The hyena, zebra and the orangutan dies. And only Richard Parker and Pi lives. Then its full of adventure, starvation, fantasy.
I feel, there is a lot of fantasy... thing you can't believe. I mean what do you think of a carnivorous island and water that turns acidic during the night. And sparkling whale?!

But the movie is good. The animation and stuff, its cool. This is the second movie that made me scream in the theater. Yeah... I screamed when the tiger jumped to the screen. The first time I screamed was when a snake jumped onto the screen in the movie Harry Potter- Deathly Hallows.
 I am looking forward in reading the book of Pi. I did read from another blog, of a tween, that the book is really inspirational. She has written a lot about the book, including a poem from the book. I guess its worth reading. You could also give it a try!