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Cherry Cross

by Shaheen Rajan

5 ways to find friends in a new city – tried and tested

Posted on 30th August 201930th August 2019 by Shaheen Rajan
5 ways to find friends in a new city – tried and tested
Posted In My Berlin, Personal Essays, RelationshipsTagged In Finding Friends, Friends in Berlin

This is something I know a thing or two about – struggling to make friends in a new city (and eventually doing it). Now, I am not the friendliest person Continue Reading

Cherry Cross

by Shaheen Rajan

About Me:

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I am Shaheen.

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A couple of weeks ago, I met a recently wedded wom A couple of weeks ago, I met a recently wedded woman in one of the small towns in interior Sindh, who's husband I was in business with. He invited me into his home, and introduced me to his wife. Knowing that I was into handicrafts, she took me to her bedroom and showed me clothes from her trousseau that she had embroidered herself, using gold and silver thread. A girl of about 21, who had met me for the first time, and spoke little to no Urdu, allowed me into her personal life and showed me snippets from her wedding. The pride she had, the excitement in her voice, the zest - it was both humbling and enlightening. Often we assume that women in rural parts of Pakistan are somehow ‘underprivileged’. Oppressed even. They do not have access to opportunities and resources that women in cities do, and are often trapped in clutches of stifling traditions and customs. All of it may be true for some, yet they make the best of their situation and find a way to make it work. Find peace and purpose within constraints. I am not justifying their circumstance or choices, most of which are made for them. What I want to focus on is their resilience and choosing to remain productive. Positive. Honing their craft. Creating apparels so beautiful that it would make your heart sing. “For embroidery like this, there is no sketch or stencil. I do it all on my own. If I were to recreate it, it will never be the exact same embroidery” she told me. I will never forget that pride. The sound of her voice. The confidence in it. The experience of meeting artisans and their stories will forever stay with me. I learnt so much, both about craft as well as life. A life very different from my own, with contrasting circumstances and outlook on life. But what we shared was passion for crafts, appreciation for beautiful traditions and handmade treasures, and an unspoken sisterhood. QOTD: Should I share more stories from the trip*? The trip I am referring to is the one I took for @buntemarkhor to meet artisans in interior Sindh. The trip was also while I was off social media. #adayinmylife #berlinblogger #buntemarkhor #pakistanigirlingermany #storytime #writersofinstagram #artisansofpakistan
Raise your hand if your amma also categorically di Raise your hand if your amma also categorically disapproves of all 'bahar ka khana' 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️ So can you imagine my surprise when she approved of chocolate crossaints from @kakesbykarimi? Not only did she approve, she also initiated the request to reorder!! Is she possessed? Should I call jharu wale baba? Okay, they were actually good, yes. Probably the best croissants I have had in Karachi. Flaky on the inside, crispy on the outside, and lots of chocolate filling too (no dhoka here, esp recommended for people with trust issues). A family member got it delivered to our place (yes, they do home deliveries too), and the box included chocolate and rocher tarts, and butter crossaints. Everything was great. Crossaints were the absolute best. Sharing to immortalise Mother India’s seal of approval for something that she didn't cook. Bahar ka khana as they call it 😁 And giving my blessings to Karachi folk(ses) to order away from @kakesbykarimi 🥮 #berlinblogger #kakesbykarimi #motherindiaapproved #crossaint #chocolatecrossaint #buttercrossaint #chocolatetart #karachi #stayhomestaysweet #karachifoodies
What you are going through today will make you str What you are going through today will make you stronger tomorrow. Just keep going. Don't give up. Not just yet. You have what it takes to see this through. I have done about a 100 different things for the first time in the last 3 months. Out of those 100, about 87 were 'what the heck is that?!' kind. Not only did I not know that such a situation/circumstance could block my way, I also had zero inkling on how to get my way out of or conquer it. I am but just a girl trying to do my thing. Why is this all happening to me? Actually, I don't have time to lick my wounds or indulge in self-pity. I have got work to do. And in all this madness, with highs that made my heart so full that I could cry, and lows so terrible that I just wanted to wrap it up and move to Thailand, there is one thing I have come to believe with ALL MY HEART - asking for help saves you so much unwarranted anguish. Family, friends, acquaintances, government organisations, Google..someone, somewhere has the answer. Or an advise that could get you started in the right direction. Or can offer a safe space to voice your thoughts and find your own answers. Say what you are afraid to say, face your insecurities, and then drag out the solution that was hiding under layers of fear. And if you live in Germany, you are blessed to have access to institutional support. I would have never sought it out had I not felt cornered and helpless. Just picking up that phone and sending out that email had me running in the opposite direction. But listen, these institutions WILL help if they can. So seek them out, send that email. What do you have to lose? So, say it with me - I will seek out help if I need it. I will mobilise the power that comes with being part of a system. I got this. #writersofinstagram #powerfultogether #itsokaytoaskforhelp #yougotthis #fridayvibes #doingthejummathing #pakistanigirlingermany #berlinblogger
How to get tested for free for Covid'19 in Berlin: How to get tested for free for Covid'19 in Berlin: As per the latest government regulations, Berliners can now get a rapid test for corona virus once a week free of charge. Details in the pictures (swipe for it). THE DAY OF THE TEST - Arrive at least 5-10 minutes early. There will be clear directions to the information desk. At the desk, you will be asked for the QR code. After scanning it, you will be handed a number and ask to proceed either directly for testing or to join the queue. - The test is standard. A long stick, which resembles a swizzle stick in my head, is inserted into your mouth and pushed to the back of your throat gently for a sample. A few turns and then it's pulled out. Then the same stick is inserted into your nose and it goes wayyyy in. Again a few turns and that's about it. - Neither of the steps are painful. Just uncomfortable. If you don't fret too much, it would be okay. Don't focus too much on where it's going and how deep. Instead, focus on breathing. - Results for the test come in anywhere between 15 minutes to 2 hours, and delivered to you via email. Tadaaaaa..that's about it. Hopefully you are virus free, safe and healthy! Save for later, and share to help the Susan in your life. #covidtestingberlin #berlinblogger #corona #gettested #getvaccinated #staysafe #maintainsocialdistance #iamcoronafree #berlin
Issa NEGATIVE! Hello Berlin 🌟 #quarantineover Issa NEGATIVE! Hello Berlin 🌟 #quarantineover #schnelltest #coronafree #postrraveltest #pcrtest #berlinblogger #pakistanigirlingermany #immaback #plussizeblogger #plussizeblogger_de #froheostern #froheostern2021
A few days ago, on 23rd March, I saw fireworks nea A few days ago, on 23rd March, I saw fireworks near Karachi Expo Centre. I was so uncomfortable at the sight of them because: 1.Just the day before I had seen a few posters around Expo about DALFA Cattle Show from 21 to 23rd March. It was evening, probably 9:30pm, and my first thought was WHAT IF ANIMALS FROM THE EXHIBITION ARE STILL INSIDE?? The show had cattle (like cows) and other animals (like ostriches, birds like parrots, snakes, peacocks, dogs, something akin lama, and many more) on display. Fireworks really upset animals, and cause harm that ranges from anxiety, panic, freezing, paralysis, uncontrolled attempts to escape and hide and tremors to gastrointestinal disorders and loss of hearing. Then there are fumes… The show was scheduled to go until 10pm, so I hope with all my heart that @dalfacattleshow employed special measures to ensure sound proofing for animals (in case they weren’t evacuated before fireworks began). P.S those animals were absolutely stunning!! Such magnificent cows…truly magnificent! 2. It was on the side of a busy road, and sparks were flying wild. Could a wayward spark possibly torch a vehicle? I don’t know, but as I sat in a car and passed it by, it felt like a real possibility. The point of this post is to request authorities and remind civilians to be careful when it comes to fireworks. People who have four-legged family are usually careful about these things; if your neighbours have pets or you live close to a zoo, please please please be considerate for their welfare. They can’t communicate their fear or stop you like a human can, but they feel fear and panic just the same (if not more). Tonight is Shab-e-barat (28.3) and a few will light fireworks. Let’s have this conversation, esp with our young ones, so this civic sense is instilled early. There will be many many more occasions for fireworks in the year ahead; let's be mindful of our four-legged friends while we are at it. And now presenting some really beautiful cows from Dalfa Cattle Show 2021 (swipe to see) #whatshappening #whatsnow #karachievents #writersofinstagram #karachiblogger #berlinblogger #Karachiexpocentre​ #Expocentre​ #Dalfacattleshow​​ #karachiexpo
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