Paternal Instinct

Had my first experience with 'auto-response' paternal instinct today. Faiz, Mao and I were playing outside, or rather, Faiz was abusing Mao and I was trying to teach him how to respect fellow living things (not successful so far).

Either Faiz or Mao stumbled upon a nest of hornets, and one latched itself to Faiz's ear. I flicked it off and held flailing-Faiz tight as I pulled out the sting from his ear lobe. Meanwhile two hornets had stung me and their stings are probably still under my skin (yes, they are throbbing and hurting). But at the time it didn't seem like a concern and all I could think of was to get Faiz in, and the sting out.

Selfless sacrifice must be evolutionaly-embedded . Never really thought about it before.

Good news is that Faiz is not allergic to bee stings.

Puss-in-the-bed

So I've given up on keeping Mao off the bed; at least while I'm bed-ridden. He's comforting company. Sorry Sundas, but the only solution is frequent laundry. Will be more strict when I'm better.

And no, Faiz pictures have not been replaced by kitty pictures. It's just that Faiz is in school and I am alone with Mao at home all day. And Shuli, for the record, Faiz is much much MUCH cuter. ;p



Mao likes to stretch out on the window sill too. Anywhere he can be lazy is his favorite place.

Iftaar at MickeyDo

The excuse was to get Faiz some fries. What we really had was a craving.

Broke-back man's best friend

I'm flat on my back and recovering from a rather painful lower-back sprain. Mao is my constant companion and refuses to leave my side. Never-mind that he's always asleep.

New baby in the house

Rolly Polly is the newest addition to the household. We haven't re-named him yet. 'Rustam' and 'Chukoo' were popular suggestions. The current favorite is 'Mao', or 'Chairman Mao' (long story, can only be told in person!).

First day was a little uncertain for Mao, but he's settled right in now, and goes off to sleep (which he does most of the time) anywhere he wants. He and Faiz get along very well, and it seems that they team up looking for mischief. One causes trouble, and the other looks on. Maybe we should rename them both Calvin and Hobbes.

Click on pic above for album.

Home Again

Mehvesh and Faiz finally made it back to Princeton after a hot, sweltering Lahori summer. It was not all wasted, because Faiz discovered mein-mein (mango), which is of course the most important discovery of his life.

The first day back called for a celebratory bike ride, followed by a splash in the Woody-Woo fountain (pics below). Other exciting events include Babur and Sarah's wedding, and first day at UNOW (nursery school). Mehvesh and I snuck away for a ride through Mercer Country Park during the latter.

BBQ @ Princeton

We had a BBQ to kick off the Fall semester, and kick off Sadiq into marital bliss. Click on the pic below for the album.

Ghutti: prayer from Tasha Khala

Dearest Faiz,

I strongly beleive that the person who gives ghutti to a new born gives the baby a bit more than just a taste of honey. My Nana gave me ghutti and with that he gave me a lot of patience, strength of will and character, wit (which is the most important for me), the power to think and he gave me love, unconditional, never ending love. These all characteristics sound very simple and you might think that everyone is like that. But my dear these characteristics are hard to find in yourself. its hard to be strong at times and its hard to be patient at times.

When i was giving you the ghutti. I felt under pressure because i knew i was giving you more than just a taste of honey. So I sent you a prayer with the ghutti. My prayer:

May Allah give you all that is good in me but not the bad in me
all the patience but without the urge of giving up
all the strength but no weaknesses
all the wit but no sarcasm
power to think but not too much
and love lots and lots of love...so much that you'll know no matter what you do ill always be on your side
I pray for you to be loved by everyone
to see the good in people but to never be deceived
to make your parents and grandparents proud but be not a victim of pride
to have all that the joys and naimats in life and hereafter and to always count your blessings

Well I have loads of more prayers for you. So you should know that this khala of yours shall always be praying for you. She'll cry when you pass your first grade, and when you graduate, when u get your first job, when you get married, when you have your first baby...but ill cry because ill be happy looking at the amazing person you will be

And ill cry before you whenever you are hurt and ill take away all your sorrows and tell you that 'this too shall pass'

So darling Faiz make your Khala proud cause in that taste of honey I gave you the best of me :)

Love you forever
Tash