Back again

Three months is such a long long vacation time for students though they don't seem to be satisfied on first day of studies. Second term started today and seeing the faces of the students reminded me my own student life. They were sitting with blank faces unless the ice was broken by some discussion about vacation and then about the movies they watched. Any how, let's hope for the best in the days to come.

The Lost Paradise

It was not unexpected reaction after a careless address of a "responsible" person, but I'm really amazed to see how quick a magic wand can extinguish burning flames. While talking to some the friends and other people in Karachi, I came to the conclusion that people believe in unconfirmed news (specially those which match their mindset). They think more on ethnic basis than on merit. Commenting on different news items also depends upon mindset. Conspiracy theories are very common and overall people are confused even they talk about civil war in such a normal way that shows their ignorance about at least the long lasting effects, if not the meaning. I wish people could think with their own mind and not with the taboos they have been living with for quite some time. I wish the change could also come with the same speed with which the burning flames turn into flowers. I dream of a happy and peaceful future after passing the road of dialogue and tolerance. I dream of the same paradise which we had lost after tasting the forbidden fruit of hatred. Do we have the will to get the lost paradise back??

One month with many lessons

The month of June came and went. my visit to my hometown Quetta taught me many new things. Firstly, the love of family is more precious than any other thing. Mother, brothers and sisters gave me the love that I can never forget.
Secondly, parents, even after their death, do pray for their children. For one of my biggest problems, I requested baba on his grave and the same evening problem resolved. Is it a coincidence that it was resolved through one of his friends?
Thirdly, some apparently innocent people may prove to be your worst enemies. If you are not careful, they may play many tricks to deceive you.
And the last but not the least is, if you have faith in Allah and your intention is clear, then no matter how much time it takes, but your problems and worries will be over.

BU ADAM BENIM BABAM (this man is my father)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AERizSDvPdk 
(A very famous Turkish song which is sung in remembrance of late father. 1st death anniversary of my father is coming this month. Missing him too much. I love you baba. I love you too much)

Bu adam benim babam, sekiz köşe kasketiyle )
This man is my father, with his octagonal cab
2 Omuzunda sakosuyla hey )
with a traditional coat on his shoulders hey

Cebinde yok parası, bafradır cıgarası
Doesn’t have any money in his pocket, smokes bafra* cigarettes
Yüreğindedir yarası
In his heart there is a wound
Altı çocuk büyütmüş, bir işci maaşıyla
He raised six children on a minimum wage
Bu adam benim babam hey
This man is my father hey

Ağlama benim babam, ağlama naçar babam
Don’t cry my father, don’t cry my powerless father
Kara gün geçer babam hey
Difficult days will be over father
Bir kapıyı kapayan, gene açar babam
If a door closes another opens father
Ağlama benim babam hey
Don’t cry my father hey

Ağlama mazlum babam, ağlama naçar babam
Don’t cry my modest father, don’t cry my powerless father
Kara gün geçer babam hey
Difficult days will be over father
Bir kapıyı kapayan, gene açar babam
If a door closes another opens father
Allah büyük babam hey
The God is great father hey**

Bu adam benim babam, derdi dağlardan büyük ) 2
This man is my father, his problems are greater than the mountains
Çaresiz beli bükük hey )
He has no way out, he is hopeless hey

Bir gün olsun gülmemiş, rahat nedir bilmemiş
He never had a smile, never knew what comfort means
Gözyaşını silmemiş
He couldn’t wipe off his tears
Bir lokma ekmek için, kimseye eğilmemiş
He never sacrificed his pride for a piece of bread
Bu adam benim babam hey
This is my father hey

Ağlama arslan babam, dert etme naçar babam
Don’t cry my lion*** father, don’t worry my powerless father
Kara gün geçer babam hey
Difficult days will be over my father hey
Bir kapıyı kapayan, gene açar babam
If a door closes another opens father
Allah büyüktür babam hey
The God is great father hey

Şiir (the poem)
Benim babam mert adamdı, mangal gibi yüreği
My father was a brave man, his heart is like a rock
Yufka gibi kalbi vardı, hayatım boyunca ona özendim
yet it was tender like a pastry, all my life I idealized him
Fedakârdı bir dikili ağacı olmadı belki
He was selfless, and thus didn’t even have a tree of his own
Ama kendisi, onuruyla yaşayan koskoca bir çınardı
But he himself was like a well-rooted plane-tree with loads of pride
Üstümde ki kol kanat, sırtımı yasladığım dağ gibiydi
He was like the wings of mine, like the mountain I leaned on
Ben babamın oğluyum, tepeden tırnağa anadoluyum
I am the son of my father, from tip to toe I am the Anatolia....

* a very cheap brand of cigarette
** in Turkish 'hey' doesnt mean 'hello' like it does in English, it means 'come on' but in this song it expresses the singers grief.
*** lion: means as brave and authoritative as a lion. Its a common expression..

Confusion! Confusion and Confusion

 

“Sometimes I'm confused by what I think is really obvious. But what I think is really obvious obviously isn't obvious.." 

Who did it? How they could do that? Did we know everything or what we knew was nothing? How is it possible? What about defence system? Will it be repeated? What next? What next?

Many questions but no answers. Oscar Wilde said, "Questions are never indiscreet, answers sometimes are." 

 

Do we have any answers? Am waiting. You should also wait. 

Graduation Night

29th May 2011 may be very important day for Kate, William and all those who love royal family of Britain. For those who love PAKTURK it was fun, colours, emotions and much more make it an evening to remember for long long time. It was Graduation Ceremony of our students from F.Sc and Cambridge Section. Hard work of those responsible ones paid back in the shape of applause from the audience. It is not possible to satisfy 100 % people I know but??? I don't know what to say. May be I have been doing the same sort of criticism on others' work in the past. May be it is all due to that "unhappy riches" symptom which has been making troubles for quite some time. Whatever it is, it proves the point that "It is very easy to criticize. but very difficult to work". Don't you think so?

Another thing that is not understandable is double standards. If one thing is OK on one occasion, how can it be wrong on another? Do you have any answer?? 

We love you Team Pakistan

30th March 2011, the date people were desperately waiting for. Mother of all clashes; Pak-India Cricket Match and that too in the biggest ever cricket tournament World Cup 2011. Knock out stage; do or die. The pressure was crushing for the players, management and for the die hard fans. India won the match or Pakistan lost it. It is a debate. One thing is for certain that better team won the match.

If we look at the mistakes, yes there are many but most of all our fielding. They say we should learn from mistakes then why we could not learn from our wicket keeper's mistakes. Misbah's extra cautious inning also create many questions. I have no doubts about Yunus's integrity but this Akmal???

Any how, hats off to Afridi. You did it man. You promised us to reach Semi Final and we reached there. Though for few days but you gave us the spirit of Pakistani nationalism. So many green shirts and flag painted faces. National songs and chants. Great. I love to see it every day.

You did not lose Team Pakistan you won our hearts. We love you.

World Cup Cricket "From 1992 to 2011"

It reminds me the match between Pakistan and West Indies back in 1992 world Cup. Pakistan was defeated by 10 wickets in that match. How helpless and hurt we felt. Performance today proves once again unpredictability of our team. Now two more matches and we will be the World Champions. (InshaAllah)

Thoughts.......

So many things to talk about. Too many things to think about. Attack on Libya, Karachi problems, Pakistan in Quarter Finals and my own busy schedule. What we call busy? Haha... These days I think that lots of things are to be done. But? Where to start with? What to do first?   

I think one should set his priorities. From most important to least important. Yes I am trying to guide you but what about myself? Shall I ever be able to avoid last minute emergency style work?

What it could be?

Is it really fever or something else? Last night I couldn't sleep for many hours. I was broken into sweat and every single time when I tried to close my eyes, dreams, dreams, hundreds of them. What these dreams are telling me? What could be the meaning of all this? I don't know. I don't know.

I Love Teaching English

 

Teaching English may not be my first love, but I am sure it is the last one. Teaching English to learners from 5 to 75 age groups is indeed a great experience. I wish to die while teaching. 

We learn from mistakes

Once again it was proved that we should not be over confident in any of the things. No problem, every thing is planned, every one know his role and every thing will be OK. These kind of remarks can never be a guarantee of success.

Another important fact is the one about having unity of leadership. The same task, if given to more than one person, may backfire some times. Job description should be crystal clear and at the same time it is mandatory upon those who are assigned some task to fulfill the same in letter and spirit.

Consultation and its importance is another lesson to be learnt and understood. To get blessings of consultation, we need to follow the collective decisions and should not make personal changes without approval of the same consultation group.

Any how, all is well that ends well but people never forget and forgive such mistakes.

Month of March

You remain busy the whole year, but month of March, O, my God. It's too busy and hectic. I just want to relax, want to watch some cool movies, enjoy evening at a calm lake. Any how, work has its own taste. 11 days of this month passed but still work load is not decreasing at all. What to do?? From where to start and where to finish? 

WELCOME TO SUHAIL ELT

I have been thinking for quite some time to start a blog through which my family, friends and near and dear ones may get latest information about me and my activities. I would love to share my experience and tips for ELT for English language teachers. I wish to see you following my blog and sharing your ideas with me on my email: suhail_aziz@hotmail.com.

Thanks for visiting.