BENAZIR BHUTTO 1953 - 2007
Beautiful woman in ugly politics has been killed... I am shocked and angry, and sad. However, her legacy will live on in Pakistani people who hold democratic principles close to their hearts.
I strongly condemn this horrendous act and my condolences to the people of Pakistan.
She was a great woman and a great politician of our time.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Sorry...
LONDON, United Kingdom
October 10, 2007 (Wednesday)
Dear readers!
I got your messages and would like to apologize that I have not written anything in my blog. Just a quick note to inform that I am fine and enjoying my life in The Big Smoke.
I will write a brief entry on what has happened between the last entry and today.
Best,
~ζ
October 10, 2007 (Wednesday)
Dear readers!
I got your messages and would like to apologize that I have not written anything in my blog. Just a quick note to inform that I am fine and enjoying my life in The Big Smoke.
I will write a brief entry on what has happened between the last entry and today.
Best,
~ζ
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Tears of Sadness
LONDON, United Kingdom
July 25, 2007 (Wednesday)
I had a restless sleep and woke up with huge pain. In the evening I slowly made my way home.
As I entered the apartment, I suddenly burst in tears – tears of sadness. It was not just crying over a chick-flick movie or victims of natural disasters. These were real tears of sorrow. I did not know whom to trouble and have a comforting chat. It simply did not appeal to me to bother others in the late evening on a weekday.
I texted Will, my best friend, and got a nice reply. My Korean friend and I talked, which helped a bit. I hate crying in front of people but this time I could not help. Tears started rolling in my eyes and pouring down my face in front of my Korean friend. Sometimes a mere word of encouragement is enough and means more than anything else. Then phone rang. It was a call from Scandinavia. The conversation was very brief and agreement to talk tomorrow was reached.
I truly hope that tomorrow will be better with more joy. I have to encourage and rely on myself. There is a little time left and then everything will be fine. I just need to be patient and keep trying. I have learned throughout my life that patience is a virtue. I was rewarded not once for being patient and doing my best. Hopefully, my reward will not take long to claim. I have a busy day tomorrow and, at least, that will keep my mind occupied.
With patience,
~ζ
July 25, 2007 (Wednesday)
I had a restless sleep and woke up with huge pain. In the evening I slowly made my way home.
As I entered the apartment, I suddenly burst in tears – tears of sadness. It was not just crying over a chick-flick movie or victims of natural disasters. These were real tears of sorrow. I did not know whom to trouble and have a comforting chat. It simply did not appeal to me to bother others in the late evening on a weekday.
I texted Will, my best friend, and got a nice reply. My Korean friend and I talked, which helped a bit. I hate crying in front of people but this time I could not help. Tears started rolling in my eyes and pouring down my face in front of my Korean friend. Sometimes a mere word of encouragement is enough and means more than anything else. Then phone rang. It was a call from Scandinavia. The conversation was very brief and agreement to talk tomorrow was reached.
I truly hope that tomorrow will be better with more joy. I have to encourage and rely on myself. There is a little time left and then everything will be fine. I just need to be patient and keep trying. I have learned throughout my life that patience is a virtue. I was rewarded not once for being patient and doing my best. Hopefully, my reward will not take long to claim. I have a busy day tomorrow and, at least, that will keep my mind occupied.
With patience,
~ζ
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Smirting and Hot Human Rights Activist
LONDON, United Kingdom
July 23, 2007 (Tuesday)
It all started in Dublin, Ireland, in 2004 when the smoking ban was introduced. Smirting is basically flirting while smoking; it is one of these words like fragmeration from fragmentation and integration. Anyway, I have noticed that so many people are outside bars, cafés and pubs smoking and having fun.
People are using cigarettes as a tool for social networking. Asking for a lighter or a spare cigarette is one of the few pick-up lines. I was smirting with Nathan couple of weeks ago. Here is reminder of that:
"...I was desperate to get home when a hot stud approached me. It was Nathan, American-born half-Norwegian and half-Chinese from Los Angeles. One cigarette turned into many more and we were making out in his hotel suite on the Piccadilly..."
In essence, you have about three minutes to sell yourself during that smoke date, so to say. It is a smoker to smoker pulling and, in a way, the smoking ban turned into a bonus activity for singletons of the capital. The street life livened up and people are chatting with each other rather than acting indecisive indoors.
For those who would like to try smirting, here are few places that could be fun to check out depending on what kind of crowd you like.
Media people usually smirt at The White Horse on Newburgh Street. Gay smirters highly recommend the Rupert Street Bar in Soho. If you are into Australians, New Zealanders or South Africans then The Walkabout in Shepherd's Bush is a good location to flirt while having a fag. For fans of Latin looks, Café Kick on Shoreditch High Street is worth trying. Fashion divas, cinema fans and admirers of architecture are welcome to smirt in Shoreditch House on Ebor Street. If you want to hook up with a City professional, then Le Coq D'Argent in the City is perfect for you. However, you can smirt anywhere as long as there is a potential date and chemistry, and, of course, a cigarette.
Today I have met with Anton. He is a London-based Russian human rights activist. Anton is a very handsome young man with striking dark eyes coupled with intelligence. I guess Mother Russia was generous with some. Our date was somewhat in a Russian-style with laughs, tea and some sweets. He was not too tall but taller than me. It turned out that he had somewhat similar educational and ethnic background as Michael, my former boyfriend in America. Anton's first degree was in Physics and is a Jew. Michael had Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and is Jew as well. Both of them are now in law and human rights. For some reasons, I was always attracted to Jews subconsciously despite I never agreed with Israel's policy towards Palestine.
At some point during our rendezvous I felt like I was on of these reality shows where a bachelor interviews all potential candidates. I thought he was evaluating my looks and me overall. We sat tête-à-tête and I could see some parts of his body. I was satisfied with what I saw. Man, that dark hair, eloquent and flawless Russian speech, his smile and our freedom of press talks were surely checking all the ticks. He was dressed trendy and relaxed; his apartment was very clean and there was a vase full of fresh roses on the table. Matryoshkas, Russian wooden dolls, portraying Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev, Leonid Brezhnev and Mikhail Gorbachev, caught my attention. Anton is a native of Siberia where my ancestors come from. After a nice afternoon, we gave each other a tight hug (melting) and agreed to meet very soon. I cannot wait to our next meeting.
Happy smirting,
~ζ
July 23, 2007 (Tuesday)
It all started in Dublin, Ireland, in 2004 when the smoking ban was introduced. Smirting is basically flirting while smoking; it is one of these words like fragmeration from fragmentation and integration. Anyway, I have noticed that so many people are outside bars, cafés and pubs smoking and having fun.
People are using cigarettes as a tool for social networking. Asking for a lighter or a spare cigarette is one of the few pick-up lines. I was smirting with Nathan couple of weeks ago. Here is reminder of that:
"...I was desperate to get home when a hot stud approached me. It was Nathan, American-born half-Norwegian and half-Chinese from Los Angeles. One cigarette turned into many more and we were making out in his hotel suite on the Piccadilly..."
In essence, you have about three minutes to sell yourself during that smoke date, so to say. It is a smoker to smoker pulling and, in a way, the smoking ban turned into a bonus activity for singletons of the capital. The street life livened up and people are chatting with each other rather than acting indecisive indoors.
For those who would like to try smirting, here are few places that could be fun to check out depending on what kind of crowd you like.
Media people usually smirt at The White Horse on Newburgh Street. Gay smirters highly recommend the Rupert Street Bar in Soho. If you are into Australians, New Zealanders or South Africans then The Walkabout in Shepherd's Bush is a good location to flirt while having a fag. For fans of Latin looks, Café Kick on Shoreditch High Street is worth trying. Fashion divas, cinema fans and admirers of architecture are welcome to smirt in Shoreditch House on Ebor Street. If you want to hook up with a City professional, then Le Coq D'Argent in the City is perfect for you. However, you can smirt anywhere as long as there is a potential date and chemistry, and, of course, a cigarette.
Today I have met with Anton. He is a London-based Russian human rights activist. Anton is a very handsome young man with striking dark eyes coupled with intelligence. I guess Mother Russia was generous with some. Our date was somewhat in a Russian-style with laughs, tea and some sweets. He was not too tall but taller than me. It turned out that he had somewhat similar educational and ethnic background as Michael, my former boyfriend in America. Anton's first degree was in Physics and is a Jew. Michael had Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and is Jew as well. Both of them are now in law and human rights. For some reasons, I was always attracted to Jews subconsciously despite I never agreed with Israel's policy towards Palestine.
At some point during our rendezvous I felt like I was on of these reality shows where a bachelor interviews all potential candidates. I thought he was evaluating my looks and me overall. We sat tête-à-tête and I could see some parts of his body. I was satisfied with what I saw. Man, that dark hair, eloquent and flawless Russian speech, his smile and our freedom of press talks were surely checking all the ticks. He was dressed trendy and relaxed; his apartment was very clean and there was a vase full of fresh roses on the table. Matryoshkas, Russian wooden dolls, portraying Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev, Leonid Brezhnev and Mikhail Gorbachev, caught my attention. Anton is a native of Siberia where my ancestors come from. After a nice afternoon, we gave each other a tight hug (melting) and agreed to meet very soon. I cannot wait to our next meeting.
Happy smirting,
~ζ
My First Smoke-Free Day
LONDON, United Kingdom
July 24, 2007 (Tuesday)
I was shocked when I calculated that I spent £1031.13 (€1539 | $2127) in one year on cigarettes only! I smoked about 10 fags of Marlboro Lights or L&M a day and my calculation was based on their prices in London. Apart from the financial side, I have noticed what cigarettes were doing to my health. I have decided to quit smoking and treat myself next year at this time with spare £1031.13 I will save from not buying cigarettes.
Well, hopefully, giving up smoking will improve my health, skin, teeth and finances. I am saying 'No' to tobacco and giving up smirting too. Below are some of benefits of quitting smoking. Well, I have picked up few NHS brochures from a local pharmacist.
The Benefits of Stopping Smoking (Source: NHS)
20 minutes: Immediately after quitting smoking the body will begin to cleanse itself of the tobacco toxins. Blood pressure and pulse rate returns to normal. A circulation improves in hands and feet, making them warmer.
8 hours: Oxygen levels in the blood return to normal and the risk of a heart attack starts to fail.
1 day: Carbon monoxide is eliminated from around the body and the lungs start to clear out mucus and other debris.
2 days: Nicotine is no longer detectable in the body and the ability to taste and smell is improved.
3 days: Breathing becomes easier as the bronchial tubes relax and energy levels increase.
2-12 weeks: Circulation improves throughout the body, making walking easier.
3-9 months: Breathing problems such as coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing improve. Overall, lung function is increased by 5-10%.
5 years: Risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.
10 years: Risk of a lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker. The risk of a heart attack falls to about the same level as someone who has never smoked.
15 years: The risk of getting many of the diseases caused by smoking will be reduced to little more than that of a life-long non-smoker.
I did not smoke a single cigarette today and had no cravings. I hope to continue this way.
'Yes' to a healthier life,
~ζ
July 24, 2007 (Tuesday)
I was shocked when I calculated that I spent £1031.13 (€1539 | $2127) in one year on cigarettes only! I smoked about 10 fags of Marlboro Lights or L&M a day and my calculation was based on their prices in London. Apart from the financial side, I have noticed what cigarettes were doing to my health. I have decided to quit smoking and treat myself next year at this time with spare £1031.13 I will save from not buying cigarettes.
Well, hopefully, giving up smoking will improve my health, skin, teeth and finances. I am saying 'No' to tobacco and giving up smirting too. Below are some of benefits of quitting smoking. Well, I have picked up few NHS brochures from a local pharmacist.
The Benefits of Stopping Smoking (Source: NHS)
20 minutes: Immediately after quitting smoking the body will begin to cleanse itself of the tobacco toxins. Blood pressure and pulse rate returns to normal. A circulation improves in hands and feet, making them warmer.
8 hours: Oxygen levels in the blood return to normal and the risk of a heart attack starts to fail.
1 day: Carbon monoxide is eliminated from around the body and the lungs start to clear out mucus and other debris.
2 days: Nicotine is no longer detectable in the body and the ability to taste and smell is improved.
3 days: Breathing becomes easier as the bronchial tubes relax and energy levels increase.
2-12 weeks: Circulation improves throughout the body, making walking easier.
3-9 months: Breathing problems such as coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing improve. Overall, lung function is increased by 5-10%.
5 years: Risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.
10 years: Risk of a lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker. The risk of a heart attack falls to about the same level as someone who has never smoked.
15 years: The risk of getting many of the diseases caused by smoking will be reduced to little more than that of a life-long non-smoker.
I did not smoke a single cigarette today and had no cravings. I hope to continue this way.
'Yes' to a healthier life,
~ζ
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