From my journal📓✒️

  Quite often, I observe a lot of people struggling to achieve something great, something that will change the way they live their normal ordinary lives, something that will change the way others think about them. Usually, the outcomes vary but it always ends up benefitting them in ways they couldn't have imagined.   These days, the idea of success is based on how huge the outcome is in no relevance to the input. Most of us assume that we're only successful if we've achieved what we've been working so hard for but it's not all about the end result. Every step we take towards something we're passionate about, big or small is an achievement. It could be something as little as getting out of bed when you thought you couldn't or as big as accomplishing your monthly or yearly goals.   Often times, it becomes a task to even consider the small failures as something that help build our success story because we're convinced that success has to be this pictur...

  With everything that’s been happening in Kashmir, I sometimes wonder if humanity will ever be restored. It seems like a never ending cycle of hatred and aggression with no sympathy towards human beings whatsoever.   Just because people don’t follow the same religion as you or aren’t of the same nationality such as yourself doesn’t automatically create a barrier between you and them. In my opinion, it should motivate us to stand more strongly for each other especially in times of crises. That’s when you rely on someone the most, when all hopelessness sets in.   If nationality and religion are what you believe sets a difference and makes other peoples lives less valuable, then maybe thinking about them as normal human beings can help set things in perspective. There is so much negativity around us that even the smallest motion towards spreading love and compassion can change everything wrong with the world, more than we think. Sometimes, I wonder if  we have fa...

     Nostalgia hits different when you get the time to look back at all the pictures and videos made in the past. There's something particularly exciting about it...about looking through videos of all the stuff you thought were so important back then when really, it was merely ponderous.    I recently spent a good amount of time sorting through google drive but ended up rewatching every video I've ever made since early year 8. From being taught math by one of the most intimidating teachers to saying yes when she asked me to take a picture of her with the school charts we were asked to decorate, I can't believe I saved all those videos throughout the years.    From making jars of happiness for my sister and cousin as their wedding gifts to forgetting about it the moment I gave it to them, there was this sense of achievement I felt. As if I had done something so incredible when really, it was just a jar with happy notes inside! Or the time...

  I've heard so many misconceptions when it comes to living in Saudi Arabia. From women not having the freedom to go out to not having enough activities to keep us entertained to constantly being asked if riding on camels is a way of transportation, I've come to the conclusion that people only hear what they want to hear. Being as unbiased as I can be, living in Saudi Arabia is way different than what people have made it out to be.   Every place has it's good and not so good sides and focusing on the good side from time to time can automatically make us better people. One of the most common misconceptions people have is the fact that wearing a hijab calls out the country for being "conservative" when really it's a form of modesty that should be respected worldwide. This, however, doesn't prevent us from carrying out our normal day to day activities. Transportation has been made very easy for going to offices, malls, restaurants, schools at any time of t...

  There's something wonderful about traveling, maybe it's the fact that traveling allows a change in perspective, gives the opportunity to learn about that particular place.  Or maybe it's a change from our daily routine which is what everyone needs from time to time.   I love the idea of traveling mainly because it allows me to capture the true essence of life. From the photography of landscapes to admiring the natural beauty, you'll always find my camera roll filled with pictures of nature!   Just recently, I traveled to my homeland Karachi to visit my nephew who's less than a month old! Which meant going bonkers over how adorable his size is, to never leaving his side while trying my best to not completely gobble him up! I've got most of my family in Karachi which is why visiting once a year is common and bubbles the same level of excitement in me every time!   From meeting my extended family to going overboard on mangoes to acting like a touri...

  It's been a while since I last wrote a blog post. That's because I've been occupied with finals and after a long never-ending month, I can finally take some time out to do the one thing that instantly cheers me up...blogging!   I've been meaning to write a post for quite a while but I just couldn't find the time to address all my thoughts into a post mainly because I was too distracted by everything else and this got me thinking how easy it is to replace a hobby with something that we consider way more important. Whether it be taking time out to study or having a job that takes up most of your time.   In my opinion, the only way to figure out what we're really passionate about is if we take time out from our usual regular lives and try experiencing new things. And this can be some very basic stuff, for example, reading books of different genres to figure out which genre interests you the most, maybe learning a new recipe from a cookbook or taking a few dr...

  Graduation...it's something we all look forward to, it's that one day when we finally feel like we're getting somewhere, like we've hit one of the many milestones in life. People say time passes by with a blink of an eye, that's exactly how this year passed by.   I remember the first day of senior year when I walked into my new class and met all my friends, it felt like I was reunited with family because that's what they mean to me. The year was full of "omg this is the last time we'll get to do this together" to "make videos of all the small moments so we can cherish it for a lifetime" to "omg next year, this day we'd probably be in different places" and so many more nostalgic conversations!  From ragging our juniors to getting dressed up for school events and taking pictures the entire day to putting together a bake sale, there's nothing more I could possibly ask for! All those dreadful classes that never seemed...