Why is it that some writers only daydream of publishing a book while others actually publish multiple books, within the same time period? I personally know 5 writers who dreamt of coming out of the quarantine as the next ‘Kafka of Pakistan’ but most of them got too distracted by Netflix and potato chips…
Book Review: Dare To Be You by Shahzad Malik
A few weeks ago, I received a mysterious yet elegant parcel in my mail. Initially, I thought that it was a perfume box but when I opened it, I found a book, a candle, a fragrant letter and a mirror. The letter asked the reader how they felt when they beheld their reflection in the…
How To Make Soul-Comforting Eggplant Lasagna
Ingredients: Olive Oil 3 Eggplants Salt and Pepper For Marinara Sauce Tomatoes Onions Garlic Ginger Oregano Salt and Pepper Red Chilli flakes For Cheese Sauce Happy cow Mozzarella Cheese slices Cheddar Cheese 3 Eggs Method: Cut eggplants lengthwise. Heat olive oil in a saucepan and fry the onions. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the onions.…
Biking My Way To freedom
When I hit 12, I was told that I should not bike outside any more as it would be inappropriate for me to do so. I felt captured and caged because biking was my favourite and perhaps only outdoor activity at that time. Other than being an amazing source of cardio and everything therapeutic such…
How Travelling To Baku Restored My Faith In Humanity
One major reason as to why the travel bug constantly tugs at my heartstrings, even more than the wonderment of places is the diversity of people that I get to meet. It is amazing how social, cultural, geographic, religious and political factors concoct such diversity in human beings, giving them a distinction in disposition, aura,…
Is Women Empowerment Causing More Harm Than Good?
A male friend of mine keeps insisting that both genders must stand against the antiquated ways of our society as him and the young men in his family have all been oppressed into following the elders’ commands against their personal will. Thanks to the dogmatic beliefs of our society that are passed down, generationally. He…
How I Learnt To Actually Fall In Love With Gymming
Anyone who knows me, knows how much I despise doing repetitive and mechanical work. Hence, for those reasons; going to the gym and robotically pushing and pulling weights was usually a torture and a half for me. Yet despite that, I managed to fight against my most basic of instincts by discovering the trick to…
True Mindfulness Includes Knowing What To Give A F*ck About
I recently stumbled across an acquaintance, who always makes it a point to slur a “bullyish” comment whenever you meet him. On the surface, he tries to act “too-cool-for-school” but then hurls a nasty comment with the clear intention of ruining your mood or your day (if you’re ultra-sensitive) So at a social event, he…
How A Transgender Taught Me More About Humanity Than Any Education
A couple of weeks ago, when I left the launch party of a restaurant, a trans-beggar came up to me and said “Katrina, paisay dou naa” in a nasal, overly-accentuated accent, and I burst out laughing. Most of these guys usually have a killer sense of humour and since they make you laugh, I believe…