Procrastination

So it's November and only 13 more days, 2 tests and 1 assignment until my BTech year is over! It has been one helluva ride, very similar to that of a rollercoaster with its many exhilirating ups and disappointing downs. BUT I've survived, I may be limping here and there but I'm walking with my head high...

Although there's just one small problem, that little limp, called procrastination! Have you ever felt so close to the end that almost nothing matters anymore, nothing driving you? Almost like you've been walking in the Sahara for months and you finally spot the oasis, but you can't take another step...Well, that's how I feel! I can taste the freedom, the relief, the hard-work all coming to an end, BUT I just can't move fast enough to get there. I've sort of given up, ok not entirely but enough not to worry anymore. It's a dangerous feeling I tell you.

I've procrastinated and distracted myself with all the things I want to do and love. For example, I've just spent weeks buying seedlings and compost to start a vegetable garden. Every afternoon I'm in the garden preparing my veggie box and potting soil, or I'm out at Stodels picking the best seedlings just to avoid having to sit down and do my work!

Another big distraction is baking; in the next 2 weeks, I have the last 3 items for BTech due, however it just so happens that there's a baby shower, 3 birthdays (my mom's included) and Eid. What do you think I'll choose?? I can't get away from the plastic icing and piping bag, not to mention trying new designs for a cupcake!

Internally, it's quite frustrating as I'd like to just get my work over and done with...but I don't have the motivation..maybe it's because I'm subconciously scared that my studies are almost done so it's a way of dragging it out. I don't know! I just need to get my bum ONto the seat (not off, else I'll be baking or gardening again) and work.

Let's hope the next 2 weeks fly by (for the baking or studying I'm not too sure), I know then this dilemma will be over!!

Who am I?

Recently, we attended an interesting blogging workshop presented by Sheena Gates and were asked to describe who we are.

Well, let’s start with the physical me. I’m just about 1.5m tall (or short), have brown eyes and reddish brown hair (which more often than not you will not see as I wear a scarf). I wear a scarf because I am Muslim and am required to do so. Mind you this is no form of oppression and I have found the beauty in wearing my headscarf.

I can be seen to be very quiet or reserved, but make no mistake as dynamite comes in small packages. I love deep-thinking and often think I’m odd because of it, but in retrospect as the saying goes “I was born to stand out”. Whether I’m an outcast or seen as strange, I frankly don’t care. I live my life to enjoy it and not to impress. So I have my own sense of style (however plain that may be) and love being different.

Besides being different, I love being unpredictable. I have a secret need for speed and cannot wait to own a Honda CBR Fireblade; the roar of that engine has my heart racing. I also enjoy photography and seem to have a nack in taking beautiful images, if I may say so myself. I often assist my father in his wedding photography business. I am too, a slight feminist, especially for Muslim women; as I believe that the image of a Muslim woman as has unfortunately been misrepresented world-wide. I truly believe that I can be the voice to these women and share the beauty of what Islam is al about.

That, in a nutshell, is who I am.

How do you step from the top of a 100-foot pole?

Jump. I’m imagining a tall, thin wooden pole with a platform barely the size of an A4.

We can plan and strategise on how to get down. We can bend down slowly, grip each side of the pole and ease our way down until the bottom or we can tie a rope to the top of the pole and try a wall-climbing approach down. Whatever we strategise, there is one thing that remains constant, the goal to get down.

So why play it safe, you only have one chance. Jump and take a risk, an adventure where the outcome is unpredictable. You could land safely and continue on your daily life or you could break a leg and have a story to tell. Either way you walk (or limp) away knowing you tried something other than the norm. You found adventure and felt the adrenalin rush.

Life is quite like the 100-foot pole. So “Carpe Diem” - Seize the moment and grab all opportunities with both hands, make the most of it and importantly enjoy it because you only have one chance.

Is Shakespeare that difficult?

"Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
   If this be error and upon me proved,
   I never writ, nor no man ever loved."

I have a brother, currently in grade 11, who despises the mere thought of having to sit and read Macbeth. He hasn't done too well with his latest English mark and blames Shakespeare for that; and he received a good shouting at too. He switches off at the sound of me attempting to explain the beauty of the language Shakespeare uses.

So what is it that makes Shakespeare so difficult, because I clearly do not see it? Could it perhaps be the teenage tendency of a rebellious attitude? Or maybe it is this technology age we're living in, where anything in the form of a book is not cool? Could it be that it's not as exciting as Die Hard or Inception? (Which is ironic because most genre themes of action, love and comedy originated from our dear Shakespeare's plays

Please could you tell me because I just don't understand!

We are what we do

I am a photographer. That's who I am, and I am what I do.

Photographers' are known to be free-spirited, imaginative and creative. I love photography because it allows me to explore all of the above. I can explore and imagine the world, or even smaller object, through the lens, creating my perspective of the image I see. My passion for photography allows me to be a completely different person, away from the daily me.

I do however have a preference in the photos I take. I like detail, the organisational trait in me, where any simple object can be defined by a minute aspect. This intricate beadwork in lace on this stunning wedding dress for example.

Raisa Hathey for Riaz Hathey Photography

Then, I enjoy those romantic moments that tell a story, as the saying goes "a picture is worth a thousand words". These images I capture are intended to be breath-taking, allowing the viewer to be in awe or speechless whilst knowing the tale behind it.

Raisa Hathey for Riaz Hathey Photography

Lastly, I utterly love seizing those precious seconds of oblivion, where the object (usually an inanimate object) is completely unaware and soaked up in their thoughts and actions. I try to portray the beauty of natural movement. Often these are the moments that take precedence over any other picture.

Raisa Hathey for Riaz Hathey Photography



Death on Social Media

Is it appropriate to share the death of a loved one on these social networks? Well, we share birthdays, engagements, weddings and every other possible occasion in our lives so why not death?

I was recently thrown into total disbelief when I was invited to a Facebook group called “In loving memory of…” I was invited in the early hours of the morning and did not quite take note of what this group was all about. Now when invited on a FB group, any post/change to the group is emailed to you, so as you can imagine my inbox was flooded emails of confusion, disbelief and condolences.

I then decided to have a look at what was going on. The person said to have died created the group. Confusion ran wild through posts and comments and seemed to cause a lot of stress. Luckily having recognized a “mutual friend” I discovered that it was indeed the person mentioned and who’s profile it was had in actual fact passed on. It was his brother who had created the group almost immediately after his death.

But, is this morally correct, to spread such devastating and heart-breaking news on a means of social networking?  

We are afraid of the wrong things

We are we afraid of being ourselves. We follow trends and find comfort in conforming to the craziest concepts of individuals that we will never meet. We feel the need to “fit in” and behave like those around us. We are scared that if we stand up for who we believe in and express our own personal taste that society will look down and even worse shun us. We are afraid of the wrong things.

I believe that we born for a purpose; one that only we know, subconsciously. But, it can only be discovered through being true to who you are. Many of us follow a belief system that is often a way of life, however that should not be an obstacle in becoming who you truly are, as both can be accommodated. I believe our existence here is that of a deep one. Each one of us feels a pain or rather passion toward something; and it is that exact passion that drives you to explore you.

For myself, I do not know my ultimate purpose on this Earth is yet, but I know that I am getting closer. I know that I am not afraid to stand up and be different, from what I wear to what I say. I also know that my random passions are somehow linked to who I truly am and is a key to why I am here. For example, speaking for those women who cannot speak for themselves; I see myself helping them in ways that I am not yet aware of.

Be not afraid of the “wrong things”, as society might have it. Yet “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those that matter don’t mind and those that mind don’t matter!” ~ Dr Seuss.   

Muslim Marriage Bill

What does this mean for me as a young Muslim Woman? Well, I’ve tried researching articles that relate to this specific topic but have unsuccessfully only found ones that date back to 2009. It has since resurfaced as the Bill is days away from being promulgated. In order to really criticise and comment on this topic I would like to know more. I will later again, once I can find the documents, blog and perhaps give a little in-depth understanding. For now however, I would like to explore what this could potentially mean.

I was watching Morning Live this morning when they showed an insert of a woman, fully covered in Niqab (Veil), in a situation that is Un-Islamic to say the least. I do not know her name but will for the sake of this blog call her Sara. She had married a man, who later married another woman.

In Islam Polygamy is allowed, however for specific reasons only; reasons of which again I will fully research and provide insight. I can however soundly say that when in polygamist marriages the husband is required to fully respect each wife and treat them exactly the same. No preference of any kind should be given to any wife at any given time. The husband is compelled to provide equally for the financial, emotional and physical needs of his wives. If he cannot do so then polygamist marriages are not recommended, besides taking into account the initial reasoning.

Going back to Sara; her husband, being married to two women, has not provided for her like mentioned above. He comes and goes as he pleases and threatened to leave her should she stand up against what he is doing. She has attempted approaching Muslim Authorities for advice however sadly not being helped. This is where the Muslim Marriage Bill comes into play. This Bill is meant to then protect women like Sara against the situations they find themselves in, especially if Muslim Authorities fail to do so. In South Africa there are so many Schools of Thoughts within the Muslim Community and it is sad to see that certain unfortunate situations like the one above cannot be solved due to the indifference.

Similarly with this Bill, a number of Muslim Authorities share different views and the current controversy is that the Bill is being pushed without sufficient consultation from all parties, as the Bill would need to coincide with Sharia (Islamic Law).

Coming back to how this affects me, well the only solution I see is that I become more knowledgeable than I currently am on the Quran and that I know what is expected of me, my family, future husband and children because conflicts such as these will continue whilst women like Sara suffer.

Fish Falling from the Sky!

Ah the smell of rain, how refreshing. Tiny little drops of water falling freely onto every imaginable surface. I look up; the skies aren’t too grey so it isn’t that gloomy. I glance back down as I step into the forming puddles wetting my toes through my sandshoes. I love walking in the rain; it gives me a sense of wondering child-like play. Oh and my favourite is dancing in the rain, care-free and knowing that even if you end up soaking wet with the sniffles it was all worth it!

I’m smiling just thinking about the immense beauty of raindrops when I look up again, almost as if to thank the clouds. Suddenly I see something dark and gradually growing bigger as it comes closer! What in the name of heaven is that I ask myself? As I strain my eyes I realise this object is coming straight at me! I jump to avoid this lump of some sort. SPLASH! Into a puddle it landed. I bend down and take a closer look. I cannot believe what I see; a fish! A fish? Falling from the sky? But how?

That’s when it dawned on me...we’re living in an ever-changing world where the impossible becomes the possible, a world where conversations can be held simultaneously across continents, a world where fish fall from the sky!

Politics is a dirty game!

So will this year’s Municipal elections make much of a difference? On tonight’s ETV Prime Time News there were two stories that deeply irritated me. First is that of the Death toll of infants in the Eastern Cape due to lack of hygiene and an increase in HIV and AIDS. Cecilia Makiwane Hospital nurses have reported that they have run out of toilet rolls, soap and cleansing materials. When approaching government authorities, they were told there is no money. Is that not pathetic?? Due to the ignorant attitudes of authorities, sixty infants died in two months. My sympathies go out to the grieving mothers.

The second story that caught my attention was that of Shabir Shaik having assaulted a journalist. Shaik was released on medical parole. Whilst ironically playing golf last week, Shaik saw a journalist documenting the fascinating sight of a man too sick to be in prison but healthy enough to be on a golf course when he decided to launch an attack on the journalist. What strikes me is not the assault but the audacity. Audacity to play golf! As if his life was normal, with no criminal charges and fraudulent activities. The justice system has certainly been taken for a ride.

With just these two stories in one news bulletin, my faith in South Africa’s democracy and governmental authorities needs to be restored and restored fast if my vote is what they need.  

The Colour of the Wind

The colour of the wind is indeed dependant on the mood of Mother Nature. Just as people and their emotions, wind too through Mother Nature can display emotions.

Take for example Happiness; the colour yellow is usually associated with it. Yellow translated in terms of nature would bring about a warm breeze indicating that Mother Nature is at peace the current state of affairs.  Now should we get sick, green immediately comes to mind. The wind then naturally displays violent mix –matched patterns which seem to torment us. Walking and even standing still seem impossible to do. Mother Nature’s message clearly suggests that somewhere, something is upsetting the natural way of life. This is often the case now; people overlook the weather and wind patterns of today. However these are all messages from the higher powers that things are not what they are meant to be. Lastly if we look at anger, many of us turn red in the face with fury. Wind and Mother Nature too take their anger out on us. It’s sad but true. Cyclones, Tornados and Storms are all an example of this. Mother Nature is outraged at the attitude of Human Beings and their lack of respect towards the natural environment.

Wind is most certainly dependant on the mood of Mother Nature and explicitly demonstrates what it is feeling.

The Spill of Blood….

I read about this young girl some time last year. It was not originally what I wanted to blog about. The title about of this blog is “The Spill of Blood” and was intended for the current turmoil of the East (which I will soon blog about). However I was looking for an article in the Sunday Times (February 20, 2011) that factually outlines the timeline of these dictator leaderships in the East, and as I flipped through newspaper I stumbled across a double-page spread about Jodi Bieber and Bibi Aisha.

Now you may not know very much about these two women, maybe you do. For me, as I mentioned before, this is two of my random passions; women in the East and Photography. Bibi Aisha, an 18 year old Afghanistan girl, left her new household and returned home to her parents after being abused by her husband. After which, as punishment for her actions, she was forcefully held down by her brother-in-law while her husband cut off her ears and nose. And no, this is not a movie or fiction, Aisha is indeed one of many women who are sadly oppressed in Afghanistan.

So who is Jodi Bieber then? Jodi is the photographer who remarkably captured the image of Aisha and as a result won World Press Photo of the Year 2010. Jodi travelled to Afghanistan and through conversation learned more about Aisha and her experience. Some are quite opposed to the publishing of this image, however whatever view you may have, the result of this Time Magazine cover (August 09, 2010) allowed for Aisha to undergo reconstructive surgery for her nose and ears.

What are my views? Well, in a way I feel a sense of sadness as I wish images like these would never NEED to be exposed and that the people displayed are not in these horrific situations. However on the other hand, I quite admire both of these women for their courage; the courage to travel and risk everything you have to expose the world and the courage to share your stories despite the circumstance…..

Watch this space…

If I were the boss?

Ok, so firstly I would need to know where I would be working and what I would be doing in order to be the boss.

I would own, or co-own, an Engineering consultancy; weird I know. The board of directors will include mechanical, electrical, industrial and civil engineers with high profiles and a distinct knowledge of engineering.

The work week will start on a Tuesday for the Engineers, as Monday’s will be used as an administration day for the Human Resources and Finance departments to liaise and discuss the week ahead with regard to various contracts obtained.

The team of Engineers will also use Mondays as a “Think Tank” whereby they discuss the work for the week in a relaxed brainstorming session. Each engineer will have their own team to carry out and deliver for their contracts.

My role in the consultancy would be that of Public Relations of course. Creating a brand, awareness and reputable image so that if I were the boss I can sit back enjoy life while my board of engineers do the work!

Now this may seem to be a completely fictional idea; however when I was in first year, my group of friends were almost entirely made up of engineering students and this was a concept we loved chatting about. Who knows one day maybe I will be the boss…

The dark and dingy corridors of the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court

So I got my first traffic fine, not that it was my fault mind you, and decided that I would have it reduced because I just don’t have R500 laying around. First, I had to go to the police station and sign an affidavit to state that I am a student then off I went to Wynberg Magistrate’s court.

I waited in a queue just to get into the building after which I was faced with four security guards behind one of those walk-through security gates, like the ones at the airport. A female security approached to “scan” me with that funny-looking bat. Next I had to go to the third floor to have my fine reduced at the “Traffic court”. The elevator was large and cold, filled with these mysterious characters. Up to the third floor I went and entered a foyer area. The entire building, no matter where you went, had this desolate eerie atmosphere. I suppose it’s meant to scare people off from becoming criminal offenders; well it worked I tell you.  I then proceeded to the “Traffic court”, I laughed inside every time I saw that sign, which was a small room filled with benches and what looked like a make-shift Judge’s bench. The room seemed empty even though there were at least ten other “offenders” siting there. We waited anxiously for the prosecutor to call us forward and explain our story. He was a robust old man with glasses that sat on the tip of his nose. Eventually I was called, I told him I’m a student and that I could not afford the fine, so he reduced it to R250 and sent me downstairs again. Coming out the elevator I had no clue where to go, and followed my noise through the dark and dingy corridors of the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court. I ended up at the cashier’s office. There I was told I was in the wrong place and had to be at G7. I found G7, otherwise known as Prisoner’s Friend, on the other side. G7 confused me, what kind of friend would a prisoner need, then it dawned on me. This small room with high ceilings and barricaded cashiers was where bail had to be paid, hence the Prisoner’s Friend. I waited for a while for the cashier to help and in doing so saw a bird fly passed me. At first I thought I was imagining, but then it flew passed again.

Finally I paid my fine and could not wait to get out this place. Never again to I want to roam those dark and dingy corridors of the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.    

Two people come out of a building and into a story...

It’s pouring with rain and the streets are muddy. Cairo grabs Leila’s hand and ran across the street to the bus shelter. With a sigh of relief, Cairo lets her hand go. He had managed to pay all of his bills on time this month. The bank had surprisingly been lenient; perhaps it was because Leila was with. His niece had that affect on people, her soft and gentle eyes pulled on many heart strings. Leila was only three when her parents, Cairo’s sister and husband, were killed. Sierra Leone’s mines are amongst the most dangerous in the world when it comes to diamonds. Cairo couldn’t bear the thought of having to send her away to grand-aunts. He had this connection with Leila; she was just like her mother, his sister. However it was not easy for a twenty year old to work two jobs and look after a six year old girl. Cairo took the role of her provider and lead her through the cold and harsh reality in which they lived.  At last the bus pulled up, but before Cairo could take Leila’s hand she asked very innocently “can we play now?” he turned and smiled, “yes Lola now we can play”.

Mubarak has stepped down, Egypt is free!!

What happens now? What does this newfound freedom mean to Egyptians? Please do not get me wrong, I am in full support of the Egyptian Revolution. I am however concerned about what happens to the future of Egypt. Is it truly democratic freedom?

The country as it stands is free from a dictator but is under no democratic leadership to take forth this revolution. What will the next power-hungry Politian bring to the table? Will there be an overall improvement in the standard of living. Or will the new leadership follow in the tracks of many so-called “Democratic leaders” who are merely puppets of a secret reign. Naturally of course, the citizens of Egypt will need to adjust to the changes that await them, whatever that may be.

Stepping outside the borders of Egypt, what effect will this revolution have on the rest of the World? In December 2009, Cairo had promised the World entry into the Gaza Strip via the Rafa Border. The International Gaza Freedom March, supported by over 1360 peace activists from 43 different countries including our own Judge Sieraaj Desai, was surprisingly turned away from the border on December 29, 2009. First lady Suzanne Mubarak announced that only 100 activists were allowed into Gaza. Now looking forward, with the revolution in mind, will the borders into Gaza Palestine be opened? And what will the effect of this be?

We can only wait with baited breath as to what this revolution has planned for the world...

Designer PR

Designer PR

What is designer PR? Is it PR for celebrities or for those in the design industry? My understanding of designer PR refers to the specialised services within the Public Relations Sphere that include the “going the extra mile” and “to suit your needs” PR. Perhaps then designer PR is for celebrities or those with an Elite status, as designer PR would require an extravagant budget to accommodate the potentially outrageous desires of the client. Designer PR is possibly the “balloons and champagne PR” that many consultancies focus on. I suppose then in that case designer PR would not really be suited for the corporate world, unless of course that specific corporate is considered part of the Elite.

So should designer PR be what we as Public Relations practitioners strive towards? I think not. My personal reaction would be that designer PR is short-lived much like the client itself. Soon the craze diminishes and another concept takes precedence, almost like a new toy. As Public Relations practitioners our arrow should be targeted at the strategic roles of our career. As it is PR is struggling to obtain a seat in the boardroom of managers and directors of corporations. We should be uplifting the career of Public Relations and making it the career of choice above the usual Marketing, Human Resources and Law. We do in any case obtain all of these functions. However this is my perception of Designer PR…

Random Passions

Ok so I’m 21 now, feeling no different though, but would like to think that I am unpredictable. The nature of a human is to judge certain situations, and often enough I am judged by my quiet persona and modest dress. I do however possess random passions that would not suite an "image" like mine.

I have a keen interest in Superbikes; the ones that you would find on MotoGP that roar with speeds of 200km per hour and display the exhilarating power of a 600CC engine. My all-time favourite would have to be the 1300CC Hayabusa. However, I sadly would not be able to sit on one, as it is a machine of great power and is often known as the "Coffin on wheels". More realistically and much sleeker would be the Honda CBR range of beautiful monsters I dream of owning.

Another passion, not so outrageous, is my love for photography. Playing with a Canon 500D and Powershot, shooting extraordinary compositions gives me a sense of tranquillity and peace. The ability to capture precious moments (some not so precious, but worth a thousand words) is an art and world that I cannot bear to be without.

I also have an immense passion for women’s rights' worldwide. I believe in the power of a woman's voice. I have a particular strong feeling for women in the East and Africa. The oppression they are faced with is often far from their belief system, and unfortunately many of them are not willing to stand up and object to the ill-treatment. I would love to travel and explore the world one day and in doing so perhaps visit with the intention of "world peace" as they say. Every woman should be treated with dignity and respect as they are after all the mothers of all nations. My feeling for this specific passion can often lead to lengthy thoughts and discussion; and that would call for a separate blog entirely.

These random passions are primarily what make me who I am. I do possess a few more random passions, but I'll save those for a rainy day:)

I am...

I am affected by global conflict...

As a young adult, it would probably be assumed that social media, technology and freedom would consume my life; however these concepts play but a minimal role. The process of my deep thinking would primarily be pre-occupied by global conflict.

Conflict is not only a term used to describe physical fighting but can also be associated with belief disagreements and incompatibiltity. My attention however is mainly focused on the fighting or disagreement aspect of conflict.

So how am I affected by this global conflict? I use global because, frankly local or rather national conflict within the South African government does not interest me as much. Perhaps it is because it is the country in which I live. I am affected by global conflict because I feel that there is nothing I can do to change the situation at hand, whether it be the current Egyptian protests, Palestinian war or battle for Kashmir. Ironically there is perhaps something I could do to change the various conflicts in South Africa, but again I choose not too. I am, fortunately or unfortunately, affected by the conflict that originates in the Eastern World.

I am affected because as a young Muslim girl I was taught that conflict in the fighting sense is deeply prohobited and that it should only be used as a defense mechanism when either the individual or religion has been put in the line of fire. Therefore the actions taken to intentionally harm another without justifiable reason, no matter their belief system, is condemned according to Islam. This primarily is the reason I am affected by Global conflict, I cannot justify the reasoning behind this conflict, and am thus left questioning.   

I am affected by global conflict.