Random stuff this week

So for lack of a catchy title, bear with that as a name. Although the contents of this post will be exactly as stated in the name. SO. What's happened this week so far?

1. Karachiites might know a Facebook group by the name of KarachiTips. Recently, this showed up on their page.

I applied, of course. And a few days ago, I found an email from them saying I am now a part of their group. Like all good news, I had checked this right before I was going to sleep. I didn't sleep so early that day after that. The internet addict that I am, I've actually joined plenty of groups online before. And honestly, KarachiTips Blog Team has been the most fun group I've been so far. The people there are awesome (of course.). It's been bucket-loads of fun so far. Meetup is tomorrow, which I'll hopefully *crosses fingers* be able to attend. Anyways, more on this later.

2. I won a book giveaway! Thanks to The Nocturnal Library. Thanks Maja and Lisa for hosting awesome international giveaways! :D

Currently reading: 

Little Women
I first read a manga which is kind of a spin off of this. So I got interested in this. It's okay so far, hasn't really touched me so far in the book yet.

Just finished: 

Pride and Prejudice
This was like the 10th or 15th time I'm reading this. I still love it just as much. Elizabeth and Darcy ♥.

Currently watching: 

The Big Bang Theory
Onto Season 03. Sheldon remains awesome as ever.

Movies to watch:

Breakfast at Tiffany's, Shawshank Redemption, Heathers, The Pianist. Hopefully in this following week...

Recently watched: 

Hangover 2
Not as good as the first movie, but good enough for a few laughs.

Song for the week:

Closing Time - Semisonic



"I know who I want to take me home."

Some random facts about me + RTW #108: How far would you go?

Let's start with some obvious ones...

1. I confess, I am a social network addict. As you can see by the buttons on the side ~>

2. Apparently, I read 450-500 Words Per Minute. According to some test whose link I have now lost.

3. I barely ever talk unless someone else makes the first step. Those socially awkward penguin memes? They all apply to me.

4. I've read the whole Harry Potter series around 20 times, give or take a few.

5. I scanlate. If you've read manga online, you probably know what that is. Here's my group. Apply if you're interested in Photoshop. We love people who love Photoshop ;)

Enough random facts for now, let's keep some more for later.

RTW #108: How Far Would You Go?


Road Trip Wednesday is a "Blog Carnival," where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

How Far Would You go to Get Published?

Okay, so first of all...I'm not aiming to be an author. I may be in the minority for that, because I've seen loads of fellow bloggers who write, and aim to be published. Me - I got interested in writing a few years ago, simply because I was good at English. I told my parents I wanted to be a writer, that idea got slammed down fast enough. The real reason I wanted to be an author? I love staying at home. I loved the idea of being able to work from home. And then I found Photoshop. Graphic designing, I'm quite interested in. Sadly, that idea was slammed down as well, though I still have a tiny bit of hope for it.

Anyways, onto the real topic. How far? Sometimes authors have to bend a bit to break into the publishing world. There are trends going on, popular genres, so what will you do?

Me...there's one thing I like to consider whenever I write. Would I read it? I like very little of the popular books nowadays, it's like, Why The Hype? I prefer issues. REAL issues. Not deciding which species of monsters I like more (*ahem* Vampires, werewolves...etc.); So no, in my opinion, I don't think I'd ever go even until first base. Writing is my hobby, I write when I feel like it, and I want to enjoy it. I don't want to think about how I'll have to add in this type of story-line, or that type of story-line so the readers will like it more. When I start writing, I just either keep going or I stop. I don't exactly think much along the way.

That's it for today...and in other news...

My review got published at Reality Romanticized, in the November '11 issue. Yayz!

Top Ten Tuesday

So...another meme!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It was created because of their love of lists, and I myself love lists as well. Everyone is welcome to join in, and don't worry if you can't think of 10 - just do as many as you can. And of course, be sure to link back to TBATB (and leave me a link here too!) on your post!

This week's topic is~

Top Ten Childhood Favorites:


1. Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

I adore Shel Silverstein's poems and had an amazing school that made us read this book in Grade 1. (Thank you, school)

2. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I loooved this series in Grade 3. These were very interesting stories, about the pioneer times. I *think* I was learning about pioneers those days, or maybe this book just got me interested. This is the type of book I would recommend to younger girls these days.

3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Who HASN'T watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? It came on tv sooo many times when I was a kid (OOMPA LOOMPAS FTW!). The new Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (while still good) has got nothing on the old movie. Anywho, I read the book sometime in Grade 4 or so? And it really is great, I loved the descriptions of the inside of the factory, 'twas quite fascinating :D

4. Goosebumps by R.L. Stine

GOOSEBUMPS ♥. Ok, so I never got any goosebumps while reading this series, but they're still awesomeee. And just a liiiittle bit creepy if you're a kid, and never-ever predictable. I guess my demands for unpredictableness come from reading this series. Awesome series.

5. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

The Boxcar Children is a great adventure series. It's an incredibly long series though, despite reading over 30 books in it, that's not even halfway in D; It's a fun read for kids interested in mysteries though, or those who have many siblings ;) (I am one of both~)

6. Superfudge by Judy Blume

Superfuuuudge to the rescue! My 5th Grade year mostly consisted of me reading and rereading Superfudge. It's superfun! Judy Blume's children books are just great, Fudge is one of the most annoying brothers you will read about. :D

7. The Babysitters Club by Ann M. Martin

*sigh* This was one of the bestest series of my childhood. The Babysitters Club taught me so much. I miss Kristy, Mary Ann, Stacy, Claudia, and Dawn. :( This series actually made me WANT to babysit. 

8. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Tucktucktucktuck. <3 So I read this in Grade 6. I remember almost crying, but not, because I was reading this during break in class. It's a beautiful story, and I really need to watch it's movie/reread it.

9. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Where do I start with this! Ella Enchanted is a MUST-READ for fairy-tale lovers out there. Ella's such a great character, and there are OGRES in this!

10. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Last but definitely not least, HARRY-FREAKING-POTTER! I'm not even going to say anything about this, just, everyone, read the series. Awesome, amazing, fantastic...no words that can do it justice. I plan to read it to my kids, whenever I have 'em. They have got to be HP fans or I'll disown them. 

That is it for today, until next time!

A-Z Questionnaire

So one thing you all might not know about me. I love talking about myself. If I actually talked more, then I'd reveal all those gossipy, juicy family secrets which stay in my stomach (I blame it on the secrets whenever I lose weight). So, ANYWAYS, I'm doing a questionnaire to get it allll out. Me gots this from here.

Age: 17 going on 18. Can't wait till February (My birthday, of course)!

Bed Size: Medium? Not big enough for me and my sister though... (No bed is big enough for my sister, she lies ALL OVER the place)

Chore that you hate: All of them? Unless that chore consists of anything Internet/Laptop-related.

Dogs: Scary. I've always been scared of them. When I was 5, this dog stepped into the elevator with my family and I went onto my dad's shoulders because I was so scared. Frankly, my parents and the rest of my family are scared as well, so that was one scary moment in our lives. And the dog was big. I think it was a German Shepherd?

Essential Start to your Day: TEA. I'm unwilling to do any work without it, whether I get it at 10 am, or 3 pm, or 7 pm.

Favorite Colors: Umm...black and purple. I don't particularly care though as long as something looks appealing.

Gold or Silver: Silver.

Height: 5'1", much to my despair.

Instruments you play: The recorder! Does that count? And I learned how to play the keyboard in Grade 6...hopefully I remember?

Job Title: Drop-out? Procrastinator? The Daughter Who Does Not Work? Any of those would work.

Kids: Um, no, thank you. Not right now.

Lives: Karachiiii, Pakistan. The City of Lights (and load-shedding and poverty, and yadayadayada)

Overnight hospital stays: Don't think so, aside from the time I was born.

Pet Peeves: Too many to name here.

Quote from a movie: "You are not special. You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake. You're the same decaying organic matter as everything else." - Fight Club

Right or Left-handed: Right.

Siblings: One younger sister, two younger brothers. An annoying bunch altogether, really.

Time you wake up: It varies from 11 am to 2 pm. Mostly 1 pm though, with my mom shouting at me.

Underwear: I...am not going to answer that.

Vegetable you hate: Uhm...I wouldn't know, I generally don't try vegetables aside from the ones used in food at home.

What makes you run late: Internet!

X-rays you've had: Don't think I've had any.

Yummy food that you make: Butter Chicken! Pizza! Lasagna! ...and ehm...Biryani? It's been over a year since I made that though.

Zoo animal: Pandaaaaaaa!

RTW: Best book of the month

Road Trip Wednesday is a "Blog Carnival," where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This week's topic:

What's the best book you read in November?

Can I choose more than one? I read 3 books in November that I really enjoyed, all for different purposes.

The images link to my reviews. I'd recommend all 3 :)

Stay tuned for a review of Froi of the Exiles soon. 

Brr, cold!

December is coming! That usually means winter break, cuddling up with a book/movie with hot chocolate [insert your choice of warm drink], no? Sadly, not so for me. Classes have just started, so busy me trying to figure out the complicated world of Maths. But then again, I am a world-class procrastinator, so you should definitely expect less than that from me.

On schedule for this week:

Finish reading: 

Froi of the Exiles (Lumatere #2) by Melina Marchetta (a goddess, might I add?)


I'm finding this to be better than Finnikin, much to my pleasure. Finnikin was a good read, but Melina Marchetta just seems to get better with every single book she writes, and has the ability to touch people's heart. Froi is on this week's list of books for me to finish up. Might take my time with this though, seeing as I'm enjoying the pacing of the story so far, and I want to take my time savoring each bit of the story as I go.


Saving June by Hannah Harrington


Haven't read much of this so far, so can't say. Have read reviews saying this is better than Amy & Roger's Epic Detour which I found short of my expectations, so I look forward to it still.

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Have been reading this for a month, yet am 3/4s into book. Still, that's 600 pages in. Have I mentioned how I detest lengthy books? No? Well, you'll hear me mention this whenever I pick one up. Still, story is interesting so far. Show is good as well, although is that much nudity really necessary?

Finish watching:


Have Breakfast at Tiffany's to-watch for this week. Have heard it mentioned too many times in books/movies for me to not watch it. A few decades late in watching, yes, but blame my generation. Also, really like the song, Breakfast at Tiffany's, despite the annoyance of constantly repeating lyrics...

The Big Bang Theory Season 02. Season 01 just started airing on tv here, but am too impatient to wait for Season 02 to air. I like Sheldon's character.

Family:

If you're Muslim, then you know that our New Year has started. If you're Shia, you know it's Muharram, and what does that mean? Time to bring out all the black clothes! (To non-muslims: No, we're not gothic, we're in mourning of our ancestors). As for that, many majlises (gatherings) to attend, much to hear, much to learn...and then there's all that food. *ahem* But don't forget to listen as well! (Especially to all that gossip *cough* I am so going to hell)

That's it for today, folks, see you all next time!

PS: If you're actually reading this, I love you! *blows kiss*

Welcome!

'tis the week I started A2 classes. Maths. Calculus. Horrifying.

'tis also the week I give attention to my blog. Coincidence? Not really. Procrastination would be the correct word. (:

So this is a welcome to you all who read this, I'm honored, TRULY.

Note to self: Remember to update blog along with all other social networks. Remember to forget Maths homework instead, you lovely brain.

Anywho *pushes all the weirdness aside*, WELCOME! I hope you enjoy your stay at the freaky, creepy, and strangely amusing world of Hira, the insomniac, book reviewer, movie/tv show watcher, food monster, image appreciator, and stalker.

PS: Blog layout will change soon, whenever I get into a designing mood.