So many things left un-noticed So many words unsaid… The Hardworkers on every road side and every footpath who earn their living like this People who have really really old cars and cannot afford going to a service station In the middle of the road and all the huge cars of rich people, some people [...]

I could have probably gotten more pictures but for now these will have to do…

Carrot cake at Central Perk

I could seriously use one of those right now!

Triple layer chocolate cake. I'll do the dieting another time!

Ah! A frothy latte to wash it down with!

Little One is a picky eater! She loved it. Delish.

A Happy Sunny Day! 

- Rawalpindi, 2012.

Life in hindsight is always clearer

photo by me

Our lives up to now, have been a prelude to this moment.
- A Room with a View.

Do you ever wonder what that moment would be for you? Do you think it’s true, that life is a prelude to a certain moment? And what happens after that moment has passed? It sure got me thinking… wednesday morning doldrums.

Borderline: North Korea from Emphas.is on Vimeo.

Tomas Van Houtryve, an award-winning documentary photographer, is creating a book of photographs made in the shadow of North Korea. Van Houtryve’s book, due out this year, has been a long-term, painstaking project. Writes philosopher Tzvetan Todorov in the book’s foreword:

Over the course of seven years, award-winning documentary photographer Tomas van Houtryve secured unprecedented access to North Korea, Cuba, China, Nepal, Vietnam, Laos and Moldova. He discovered a secretive world of revolutionaries, spies, opposition fighters and ordinary workers. His photographs explore the gulf between the high ideals of communism and its complex present day reality.

A mosque in Dubai. Photo by me

The imam’s voice is deep, soulful and penetrating as it touches the recesses of my heart. I am in prayer, in front of my Creator, and for whatever I’m worth, I’m standing there, bowing down and calling out to the One.

It’s been a weird day – come to think of it – it’s a weird day everyday. That’s how life is though, isn’t it? Allah made it so – so that we’d remember Him, ask Him for help and submit to what He wills. As I bow down in Sujood, I know the words I fervently whisper are being heard, that although the other person in the room may not be able to decipher them, the One in the heavens can hear them crystal clear.

He knows I find myself short in pretty much every challenge life throws at me and that He helps me get by, making it appear as though I always had everything under control.

One more time… Allah… yet another time… I call out to You.

My sight is blurred with tears but my perception, astonishing as it sounds, suddenly finds its focus.

Allahu Akbar.

The Eye of the Emirates

The entrance

Fancy a boat ride at the Qanat?

Up close on the Eye

The other side

Time to head home…

Photos by me

So excuse me forgetting but these things I do
You see I’ve forgotten if they’re green or they’re blue
Anyway the thing is what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest eyes I’ve ever seen

Pindi, 2011

Girls have it better.

In my family it is often said that girls have it better. At functions and parties, the girls get to play dress up. At weddings, the girls hold elaborate traditional ceremonies and cute little customs to make the day special for the bride. We put on mehendi, wear bangles, go shopping with the bride, decorate the house with flowers, garlands and dias. We spend the whole night giggling and talking about everything from the importance of watching the Lord of the Rings Trilogy (the extended versions) to enacting funny stories that the other missed. Our moms often wonder what we’re up to, always laughing till we’re in tears. That’s what me and my cousins have. Alhamdulillah  This post goes out to all my crazy lovely girls! 

December, 2011

Now that the wedding is at an end, all I’m left with are the pictures. Here are a few from this weekend.

Wedding nights, grandparents’ prayers & roses.

Pindi, 2011

Gullian won the BEST PHOTOBLOG AWARD at Pakistan Blog Awards! I’m so humbled and couldn’t be more happy! Wueeee! 

Gullian began in July 2011 so it hasn’t been that long since I joined the blogging world. Receiving this award is a great motivator to set higher goals for myself and cross boundaries that I’ve set in my photography. It’s amazing to receive recognition for one’s work and I drive strength from this award to aim higher and achieve more. 

You may wonder what I mean by ‘aim higher’. My simple objective in blogging is to share and talk about my street photography. And the reason I do street photography is because I live in an absolutely amazing place called Pakistan. There is so much diversity and beauty here, it’s unimaginable. I travel around often and am always left speechless at the stunning places and people that I meet or simply see. That’s how Gullian was born. With my deep sown wish to share the beauty lying peacefully in quite little street corners. When I pause to reflect, I think how this must be shared with others. I’ll keep doing street photography and I’ll keep blogging about it.  

I am aware that I hesitate about sharing too much. I hesitate about going too close to strangers on the street when taking a photo. I stand in utter fear at being shooed away. I worry that I may be invading another person’s private space. BUT THAT’S WHAT I WANT TO DO. I want to invade their space to be able to observe how they live. I want to be present when people on the street are living their lives, simply passing their day. I want to be present everywhere and all the time. Ah and then I wish for the invisibility cloak that Harry Potter had.

With new years just around the corner, I’m going to make a resolution. I will lose my fears and inhibitions (or at least try harder than before). I will test my strength and perseverance. I will stand my ground. I will go closer. I will look deeper. I will take more meaningful shots. I will share more stories. I will do better. Insha’allah.

A big thanks to everyone who voted for me and who thought my blog deserved the award! Much love.