Challenge #1

“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” – Oprah Winfrey. I love to do many things; this can be learning new things and expanding my views about certain aspects of a subject or playing sports, although only some sports come to my advantage, which I enjoy doing. These can be baseball, hockey, badminton, tennis, rugby and cricket. I have been playing these sports since the age of approximately nine or ten. I love these sports because I know them very well, each and every element, and playing smart and strong is the only way to win.

  The thing that love about sports is that it gets my mind working and thinking better, it keeps me fit and healthy and through these sports I have made countless amounts of friends. The thing that I adore about learning new things is that, it increases my overall knowledge; it provides me with something to talk about when I am with a teacher or with a parent, it is a great conversation starter. Lastly it gives me the opportunity to show colleges and universities which I, in the future, will apply for, a good understanding of each and every topic, therefore I know every subject.  

 My overall passion that surpasses all the others is sports. Looking at my physique, it would strike people that I do not like sports and don’t enjoy playing and participating in them.  “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. Although the veracity is that sports are fantastic and even when I am bored, I will pick up a ball or grab a racket of some sort and start playing, its extraordinary that the amount of times I have been bored is at a smaller level compared the amount of times I have gone out to a club and started playing a sport with cousins, family members or my brother. I actually am planning to try out for numerous SIASAs such as SIASA basketball, badminton, and cricket.

 From sports I clean out and forget all my worries and my stress decrease while I play, therefore when I am done playing, I go home with a refreshed mind and energized body. This then helps me study better as well. 

Challenge #2

Lahore is a monumental city with a vast overwhelming history about how it got to be.  Each and every corner situated in Lahore is a new adventure leading to an innovative story with compelling characters

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My knowledge does not surpass to what it should be of Lahore, even though I was born in Lahore, I lived in the U.K for practically 12 or lesser years. I love that place for its vast space and recreational time and its people, but it wasn't me, it’s not who I am, it’s what I was manipulated into.  

I love Lahore, it is by far the most superlative place I have lived in, Lahore is my home, I cannot hate me home, this is what describes me, but to a better extent. Lahore is the best place for many reasons, one being what my parents call the “bargaining method”; it is very easy to lower the price of a good even when the price is fixed. I myself use this method to fix the prices and they agree to my demands, most of the time, if not they kick me out of the shop, it’s quite funny actually.

The extravagant restaurants in Lahore dazzle my mind with a buzz, with the western restaurants located around populated areas and then home desi food and desi restaurants located on the outskirts of traffic jams and deep within Lahore, to the heart of the city.

I am jaw dropped at how little space there is in Lahore, but what rejuvenates me is the thought of how that space is used. I see people on the streets playing football, cricket, badminton, many sports and they utilize these sports into the space that they have. It’s something I am proud of.

Most of all, I adore that when you’re in Lahore it is never hard or never too late to make friends; they will always be knocking at your door. These friends that you make here and now, will be with you forever, begging to help you in any way, willing to do the tedious of things that will please you.

Although on the other hand, I also have a few dislikes towards Lahore, but I cannot hate this city, it’s my home and I don’t hate my home. There always be as there has been in the near past the horrific traffic that Lahore is known for. Every car in the city that will belt the horn at you when the traffic lights hit green, I have never seen this in west, the reasons for this are unknown to me but I do know that people in Lahore need to be more considerate about other people.

In actual fact there is one thing which infuriates me; this is that people in Lahore do not give way to those crossing the street. They jolt past like irritating maniacs and deport their politeness. I myself have to keep telling my driver or whoever it may be driving the car to give way to the people crossing the road or waiting patiently on the side-walks and tell him to wait kindly in respect.

Poverty is largely increasing issue in Lahore that has been nurturing its self from birth. I see it every single day of my life; it’s not what I want to see. I know that one man practically founded Pakistan and with it inside the city of Lahore, in this way of poverty we are destroying the terms and values of which this man created this nation, it is never too late to go back and correct out wrongs, do it before it is late.

                This community has suffered a lot, I believe that I could give way to people when they are crossing the road, it’s a small thing but it counts.  I could also talk politely to people at traffic lights and tell them to wait patiently for me to start. I could also talk to family members about helping those in poverty and provide them with food and shelter. It could be a system just as the one in Nectar in a Sieve, in the temple. I know that some of my family members have already worked closely with people to help those in poverty but much more could be done.

                I know that whilst living in England, my friends who are fellow class mates of mine have asked me questions regarding the topic of terrorism and political instability. This did compel me to feel threatened, gloomy and irritated. I will give two quotes by two great people, “In the case of news, we should always wait for the sacrament of confirmation” – Voltaire, a French enlightened idealist.  “People write negative things, cause they feel that’s what sells. Good news to them, doesn't sell” – Michael Jackson. What I am about to tell you is what I told my peers at that time.

Lahore is a wonderful place to live with magical and monumental people and figures, inspiring adventures and innovative stories. Don’t believe in what the news accumulates about Pakistan, the news is just a manipulative way to sell lies. Of course there is bomb blasts in Pakistan and there are riots, that doesn't mean that they happen every day and it’s not everyone or anyone who are/is doing these bombardments. It’s just a group of people doing what they will stop ghastly things from occurring.  Furthermore with the revealing of Osama Bin Laden, countries are blaming Pakistan to hiding his location and are compelled to say that Pakistan is a terrorist country. Pakistan is a country like any other, of course there is terrorism and political instability but life goes on and people are living their days onwards. Pakistan is a safe country to live in and is a thriving nation to educate in. Only believe what you see with your own two eyes.

Challenge #3

Living in Pakistan, I can see s a lot of what can be done and improved and what should be done. The main things that strike my eyes with silver a bullet are some key terms that you can put together and analyze in your own perception, these words are, poverty, hunger, children, parents, women, joblessness, men, love, care, support and me.

                Very recently our grade 10 class went to an orphanage called SOS: Children’s Village, we met lots of children and a few young adolescents, all of them were very polite, saying hello when I walked past observing their homes and their lives. They were all very well mannered, fun to be around and talk to and great companions. I have never such a spark of fun and happiness in children in many years, therefore it was a great warming feeling, all of them were ready to play as soon as we arrived.

                All of these children made me feel like a toddler again, playing with them, conversing with them and learning new things from them. They showed me where they lived and took to play cricket with them. All of this made me realize that they have a very good system going on, they have people to look after them and care for and nurture them, sometimes from a very young age. I for one love kids, they connect with me very well and I too. I actually met a small young boy named Ahmed, he was one of the cutest and politest boys I have ever seen or talked to in my life. Not to mention, an inspiring and innovating cricketer. I learnt a lot about him, he told me he likes to study and play cricket and when he grows up, he wants to be a professional cricketer such as Shahid Afridi, this is exactly what he told me in his own words. He wants to be the next Shahid Afridi and be better than him, and from my perspective, he has the talent and the mindset, so nothing is stopping him. Furthermore when the boys would come up to me and call me sir and mister, I would keep telling them I am not your and please don’t call me mister, I am your brother.

                This whole trip or life experience made me reflect back at my past and think what I could have done that could have improved me. Moreover it made think how precious life, parents and family are, and how we and possibly I as well have been taking them for granted. This now correlates to my previous post about being thankful. It makes me feel sad and slightly happy at the same time when I think of those children, sad in the way that they have “no” family and makes me think how much I take mine for granted. It make me happy in the sense that they have a family and that family are the children of SOS, it’s better than nothing and I hope that they do not take this for granted.  

                Upon return I was depressed and sad due to the fact that the children have no idea what is ahead of them and what could I do to help them. It strikes in relief, comfort and happiness that there are summer programs where volunteers are permitted to go into SOS: Children’s Village and help out the faculty members and staff. Finally I wish that in the future I work closely to helping those children as my grandmother has been doing in the past.  I hope to be attending SOS again in the future and not for my C.V, but for myself. 

Challenge #4

This year at L.A.S, things have changed a lot, some of them are good but others are terrible, although nevertheless I have learnt so much in these few months so far that I am able to now apply it to myself and my life as of now.

                There are many elements of many subjects that I have learnt; I will only illustrate two things from two different classes. The classes are French and English, I have increased my knowledge and understanding about books and pieces of text and the art of speaking a language.

                In English 10, this year I have learnt numerous things that will help me in the future in College and University. Although by far all of the things that have come to my understanding, I have learnt how to do public speaking, I'm not the best at it, but I try and succeed to my wishes. I have been in L.A.S for 1 year now, and this is my second year in which I have been attempting public speaking. Last year I provided a speech to the class about the dengue epidemic and how it is affecting Pakistan and what it has done to people. Unfortunately I did not get selected to put forward the speech in the TAB; I lost to a fantastic speech fast food and McDonald.   

                This year I have bestowed a speech about the YouTube censorship in Pakistan and when it occurred around the world and how it affected the countries that were facing the censorship. Yet I lost again this year to three great speeches.

                Although what I had learned was that do not be frightened to give speeches and when you’re up there, at the podium, make every second count, each second is a path to winning or losing.

                I practised doing my speech to my family and they jaw dropped at the sight of what the speech was about and how our English class had been doing a speech contest involving the whole school and it was an open-ended thing.  

                When the day came to deliver the speech, I marched to the podium, remembering every note that my family had told me to do. I started; each line was like a beautiful painting being created in my perception. The only problems that I had with my speech were a few errors, time constraint, length of my speech and some of the information would have been a little out dated.  

                Now that I know how to deliver a speech and how to write one as well, I will attempt at writing one at the next chance I get. I am gratified to my teacher Ms. Maloney, in giving me the opportunity to deliver a speech, although it could use editing and a reimbursement of language. 

Here is the link to my Storybird on the English class public speaking: 

http://storybird.com/books/the-fight-for-knowledge-ibrahim-vs-public-speaking/

                The second thing that I learnt this year was in French and it was not one thing it was many things that are under the “umbrella” of a topic. I have been taking French for approximately 7 years now and this is not just in L.A.S, but this is in Europe.

                In all my time in a French class, I never got one topic, something that was so difficult in my eyes that it made me feel ignorant, as everything in French is interconnected; therefore if you know one thing, you know how to solve the next.

                This year, with the help of Mr François  my French teacher, I learnt passé compose (past tense), how to use verbs and employ them into the past tense.

                Although this may seem something small, but it meant a lot to me, as I had learnt something which I was never good at and thank god I know it now, because part of French exam is based on the core concept of past tense. 

Challenge #5

                What I do now, affects my future in a positive or a negative way, which is for me to find out when I get to that position. These few years ahead, depend on my future, but for me to have a good future, I need to know what job I want to do and where I want to go to do that job and learn how to do it.

                When I was young boy, I had always admired to be a doctor; I knew what was needed to do this, because my father is a doctor.  The contemplation of becoming a doctor like my father was exciting yet fearsome, as the long wearisome hours of working in one place and discovering new people to analyze with concepts that I would have learnt in college or university.

                Over the years my interception of new courses in schools and perseverance to obtain knowledge grew, so did my familiarity of different jobs. This then widened my views to new jobs that I hope, would sustain and maintain me to be content and comfortable with life and its tedious or blissful challenges ahead

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                There are a few professions that catch my eye, although some may seem in my reach in my eyes, others seem as to achieve them, there needs to be a lot of effort put in, nevertheless, I am willing to do what I can to reach my goals.

                Architecture has always fascinated me, as it beautiful to look and each and every thing is to perfection, much like the Rolls Royce people, owners and builders dictate about their cars.  This is a great profession to get into, and since the age of 10 I have been accompanied by my parents to professions as such as they believe that my mind is built with handmade equipment. Therefore saying that I should be able to draw good blueprints of architecture and employing them in real life.  To achieve this profession, I will have to be able to get a good GPA and go to either MIT or SIC-Arc (Southern California Institute of Architecture).

                There is also business that interests me, as making good as supplying them all around the world, may this from textile mills to fast food restaurants, business acquires knowledge of area, time and location, with the elements that make up business. I would love to do business as it is a great profession and you help others whilst helping yourself. For me to achieve this, I would have to go to London school of business and finance, and from this then I can also go into accounting as that also interests me and links into business and this school very well.

               There is profession that draws my mind to a new level of knowledge, it comes under the "umbrella" of doctorate. This is neurosurgery, since the past 2 years, I have loved the idea of neuroscience, a branch which comes under biology, which is what I am studying as of this year and I love the subject, it is very interesting and forthcoming to me.  For me to get into this profession I would need an excellent GPA, with outstanding SAT scores complemented by an exceptional C.V. The college or university which would back this profession up really well would be Stanford University, division of Neuroscience or Johns Hopkins University, division of Neuroscience. My father had said that if I would want to get into neuroscience, the best university for me would be Johns Hopkins. It would require me work a lot, but I am willing to do that, for it will benefit my future.

                The profession that nearly my entire family has is doctor. This would be the obvious path to go to, as since my family has an abundance of it, why not have another one in the family.  Although I would leave this for me to decide later as I still have time before I have to pick which profession I have to get into and therefore which university will back it up and support it. 

13 Ways to Screw up you College Interview...

13 Ways to Screw up your College Interview was a wonderful, exciting and humorous play, I could not stop laughing and smiling at each and every scene. 

At arrival I assumed my seat at the top of the TAB and patiently waited for the play to begin by conjuring conversations with my peers. The play was introduced by Ms. Bendick and she also introduced faculty members and some of the parents that may be on the board on the school. The play began with Misha Rafiq’s scene, where she assumed that any question asked to her, she would interpret it in a different way, therefore this was a funny scene.

Out of the entire play, I enjoyed and admired two scenes, which were incredibly portrayed.  The first scene I enjoyed was Raees Saeed’s; his fantastic acting skills drew me towards the stage and made me sit at the edge of my seat, waiting to gabble out my laughter, his character shone through him and his acting emotions, every line allowed me to believe as if he was the character he was playing, although I would have desired it to be longer, nevertheless very well done.

The second one was Zuhair Tauqeer’s, he played the character that had many “bad” childhood experiences, which in reality were mere issues or things which come with growing up and living your life. Every one of his flashbacks to the past were hilarious, his eye contact with the audience and his humorous tone and weeping, were very plausible and excellent. There was a part in his scene where he was crying and hugging the interviewer (Yusuf Khawaja), he also coughed at the interviewer, and I don’t believe that this was intentional, it was due to him being sick and in the stages of recovering, nevertheless he played this into his scene and this is the best thing that an actor can do, make every non intentional which is not in the script, a part of it, therefore implement it in the act and so the audience would never know the difference from the script and what has been added to it. He did a phenomenal job at this and it played very well for the audience as they laughed their socks off.

The scene that made me laugh the most was Salman Asghar’s , way to screw up your college interview. This bizarre and random interview drew me towards the edge of my seat with laughter. The “gorilla” like dance was implemented very well by Salman and the music or song which was played, complemented the dance.

The only thing I didn't like about the play was that the scenes were short, although the play finished within an hour, I would have wanted longer scenes but nevertheless it was a fantastic play and very well choreographed by students and teachers. A job well done, I look forward to the next play. 

It's never too late...

My life in grade 5 was great time, although it could have been much better. I did what any other 10 year old boy did; I played video games, played a minor amount of sports and studied.

I enjoyed playing only a few sports though, only those I was good at, I had no idea how to play any others, I did not like trying out new things and experimenting with life, I still do, to this day. I wish I knew that I should have tried new sports then I actually might have been good at them, such as cricket and hockey and soccer. I have been doing hockey since the age of thirteen now and I think I'm pretty good at it; I would have been much better if only I knew. I did not like experimenting with life, but because I didn't like it, I was forced to experiment, that is why I am here today in Pakistan, I tried and I like the change quite a lot.

I wish I knew how to overcome my fears, such as the fear of heights, at that age it would have helped me a lot.  Since then I have been going on many trips all over the world with my different schools and with families and I would have had to force myself to overcome them, it actually worked but then the effect wears off. I wish I had conquered all my fears and challenges that linger on to this day since grade 5.

I wish I knew that failure is success, only when you learn from it. I was a lazy kid back then, and when a test day came, I would have hoped for the best, without studying for it my grades plummeted and I would say to myself, I will get better at tests without really learning from my mistakes and now, with the help of many great teachers and the support of my parents, my failures are successes.

I wish I knew that pain is worth it. I couldn't really appreciate life until it had knocked my down a few towns, I could not really appreciate happiness until I knew sadness, I wish I knew that the end reward is far greater than the struggle gone through to achieve it, such as, you have to struggle to climb up a mountainside, only then will you appreciate the overwhelming and awe-aspiring view, otherwise it will the same as looking out of a window at your home.

I wish I knew that friends are like brothers and sisters, they are irreplaceable, saying this would mean that I would have more friends that can be, but I all ready do.  I wish I knew that you can’t measure and weigh friendship; everyone is equal in your eyes.

I wish I knew that passion is important, I wish I would have done things that make me happy, instead what others want me to do and what makes everyone happy, except me.

It’s never too late to learn and appreciate the things around you.

Make every moment count.