Spring of Sweden

Finally spring is here! From many days I was reading in newspapers that spring is around the corner but although tried I could not find THAT corner. Since I moved to Sweden I now came to know that definition of spring varies from country to country or maybe only I think like that. However, I am not glad to tell I don’t heart the spring of Sweden as I do of my country. I have to live with this fact that it will not be THAT cold but still cold. I don’t have to wear THOSE fluffy warm jackets but still jackets will be on. May be I am just being skeptical. Nonetheless, at least I am out of those dark days and ultra dark nights. Here is to Sweden, to spring and to colors, cheers!

Life is short, buy colorful dresses, eat ice-cream and enjoy the spring !

Later,
Ikra

It's been a while..

It's been a while since I said 'Hello' to my place. Since I got some emails lately asking me if I quit writing or I am dead or caught in some accident and what not :) So, to all of you out there - No I am not dead, I am not caught in any accident either. I am just investing myself fully in my work and language school. Moreover, the winter blues cast a spell on me and I could not make anything possible in terms of writing. For my lovely followers I must tell I do read your blogs if not everyday then some days at least. I don't leave any comments but yes I love all of you.

 

Isn't February month of love? Love what you have and don't take things for granted!

Xo Xo,

Ikra

If you're going to do something, strive to do it better than anyone else

I have been damn busy with my work these days and for the same reason couldn't update my blog in a while. I have read all the latest posts of my lovely followers till yesterday and commented too, I hope on everyone's post. I will try to read rest during this weekend. I've been looking forward to this weekend more because I am a little tired. I will catch some needed sleep :)

Beside this story of tiredness I have a little good news to share with you guys. I completed 1 year at my work, yay yay. I was little nervous when I started working in my company. For me it was a new country, new language and new culture. But with every passing day I was gaining the confidence, was trying to put in my best at work. I am still learning new things every passing day but at the same time I am so happy for all I have accomplished during this year. I must say my colleagues helped me a lot and they are always supportive to me. Got beautiful flowers plant at work on completing 1 year and almost got tears in my eyes :)

I hope all of you have a nice and relaxing weekend. Must take the last bits of summer before its gone.

Smiles (:

Ikra

Celebrating 65th Independence Day

If our country is worth dying for in time of war, let us resolve that it is worth living for in time of peace - Happy Independence Day

Yes, my country is celebrating it's 65th independence day. No matter which country I live in, my heart still pounds for my very own country. Long live Pakistan !

Much love,

I K R A

All the way into Autumn

Hello lovelies around the world. Today while coming to work I felt this autumn chill in the breeze. Can't believe that summers are near to over. We hardly had few sunny days and looks like we are already stepping into autumn. I am really not ready for autumn which will be followed by cold sheer winters. On the other hand we have to accept change and have to accept it with smiling face. If we accept hard things with smile then they don't look much tough, do you agree? I will go on a long walk near the sea and will say thanks to the summer for blessing us with warm days :)

Are there anythings you want to do before summer is over? Share it with me as I love to listen your voices. Have a nice weekend ahead!

Until next,

I K R A

Smile and you might change a life

So I am touching my space after many days. Yes, I have been extremely busy with the work now days and when I am back to home I don't feel like writing. Today I read something and could not stop myself writing about this. Yes, it's NATIONAL SMILE WEEK. Oh yeah, as I read it is celebrated during the 2nd week of August. At first I thought why we are having days and weeks for certain things. Smile day, friendship day, mother's day, father's day and list goes on and on. Because we can make every day a smile day, mother's day, friendship day etc. We will discuss this issue later some day but today let's smile baby :)

Smile more often because we are having a short life, too short to worry about everything else and not smiling. It takes nothing of you to pass a smile to some stranger but who knows it might be the only sunshine of his day. Just imagine how you feel when someone smiles at you, aren't you happy in that moment no matter how worried you are for something else in your life? And for all the girls out there smile more often and you won't need much makeup ;) I would love to listen what makes you smile (:

"Let us make one point, that we meet each other with a smile, when it is difficult to smile. Smile at each other, make time for each other in your family"

~ Mother Teresa

Smile

Xo Xo

A Haiku : August shine

Don't remind August beauty of July

For every month has attractions of its own

Look ahead and absorb the essence

Its been a long time since I wrote a haiku. You can check other haiku's on my blog. I think it's a nice way to express your words freely. Anyone of you having haiku series on your blog? If yes kindly link up in comments and I will check back. Friday is here and what else is best on earth other than Friday :) I am having no major plans and I am planning to spend a lazy weekend watching few movies. I wish you all a very nice and relaxing weekend. 

See you on the other side,

I K R A

August sounds national

Hello all beautiful girls. I hope all of you are having a nice week so far except the fact that everyone like me is waiting for the weekend. Well, that is nothing new because I start waiting for weekend since the start of Monday :D On a side note we have stepped in August. August has always been a little special to me. We have our national Independence Day on 14th August. I quickly checked and figured out that approximately 30 countries celebrate their national independence day in August. Anyone of you is having national Independence Day falling in August?

Some people also call August as the national picnic month. It was definitely news for me. Picnics are fun anytime of the year but they are more fun in summers. It has a little charm of its own. Packing up picnic stuff is amazing and no matter how much time you have at your disposal, you always left in hurry. Checking last minute details and then finding out you forgot few things and quickly packing them. Ahh that sounds exciting. I haven't gone on a picnic in long time but now I am craving for one. It is a nice and relaxing activity. How often do you plan picnics with your friends or family members?

Have a nice day ahead

Much love xx

Monday Blues

Monday is the root of all evil.

I say we take every Monday off.

Just once, I would like to wake up, turn on the news, and hear… Monday has been canceled, go back to sleep.

Why is Monday so far from Friday but Friday so close to Monday?

I hate Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and half of Friday.

They should make Mondays illegal.

Found these awesome quotes on internet. I mean seriously we should change the name of Monday to something else may be Funday or Relaxday :D How was your weekend? For me it was good but it just passed so quickly :-/ I am trying to catch up with work and trying to get over Monday blues. 

Have a nice day,

Xo Xo

Summer is ... eating ice cream

Summer is rushing to ice cream shop, grabbing your favorite scoops on cone and all set for a walk in town

Summers has finally approached us and I can't begin to tell how amazing it is to see sun going down late. I started loving summers when I moved to Sweden. I hella love cold ice cream on hot summer days. If I am out in town then it is the first thing I will grab to satisfy my taste buds. It is fairly acceptable to eat ice cream any time of year but somehow it is more fun to eat in summer. 

I am hoping for some sunshine on weekend as well but you never know weather ;) I will also set my wardrobe because I haven't unpacked bags till now. Have to do grocery and pick up my byc from repair shop. Yeah, my poor byc's front tyre was torn apart. Have a very nice weekend all of you.

See you,

Ikra

I will prepare and some day my chance will come

“Never allow yourself to feel disappointed. You may expect to have a certain thing at a certain time and not get it at that time, and this will appear to you like failure. But if you hold to your faith you will find that the failure is only apparent. Go on in the certain way, and if you do not receive that thing, you will receive something so much better that you will see that the seeming failure was really a great success.”

Courtesy ~ Wallace D Wattle

Later,

Ikra

When everything changes, change everything

I loved the title "when everything changes, change everything". This book is written by Neale Donald Walsch. I read the abstract of book on Amazon and I must confess the writer is powerful with the words, simple things are conveyed in best way. I wonder if someone of you has already read this book? Those who are interested can order a copy from here.

I think we always have to accept change sooner or later. Sometimes we accept it with a smile on our face and sometimes with doubts and fear of unknown. Why fear for the unknown? Why not be in that moment and enjoy what life is offering us? I am of the view that a change always transforms things, sometimes transformation is bright and colored but sometimes it is dark as well. What we have to do is to see the bright side. Whatever comes in our way accept it and give it a new meaning. Move ahead and embrace the beauty of change. Do you agree with me? 

On a side note I am slowly unpacking things. It is difficult with the job but I am hopeful that by this weekend I will finish it up all :) 

Stay tuned,

IKRA

Relocation

Hello to all the beautiful girls out there. I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend at its best; eating at favourite restaurants, having a walk in the town, watching movies or eating ice-cream. Off course, how can I forget ice-cream in summers. Luckily I was also able to see some sunshine and temperature rising to 20, 21. Yes that was awesome indeed. 

On another not too bright side I am moving to another apartment today. Seriously moving from one place to another is the most tiring thing. It isn't just that things need to be adjusted properly in apartment or the clothes needs to be hanged but rather the most important thing is to adjust your own self. I hope I will be able to settle soon. Wish me luck :)

The picture explains how difficult it is to adjust in a new place :) I will see you all soon.

Much Love,

IKRA

Love affair with plants

I love indoor plants. They are just a perfect addition to any home. Don't you think that they give a life to your home? I always feel like they are a symbol of life. Back in my homeland my home does have beautiful indoor plants, flower baskets hanging down from the terrace, and bunch of them lying in the small lawn area. I must admit I miss my home a lot and especially the lively feeling which plants add to it. Other day my sister showed me the beautiful terrace which she decorated. Oh it was awesome, hanging flower baskets does add a glamour to the terrace of your home. I wish to have a big garden and balcony where I can have loads of lovely plants :)

On a side note we are hitting the weekend. Sometimes the whole week just pass so quickly. I am going to spend a lazy weekend :P Are you having any special plans for weekend then share with me.

Have a nice weekend,

I K R A

Summer is ... lying on hammock

Summer is lying on hammock under the palm trees. Reading your favorite book or listening to your favorite tunes, and enjoying the fresh afternoon breeze.

Got this wonderful idea from Tamara's blog. She has an awesome summer series on her blog. While you are here don't forget to check her blog :)

More later,

Iqra

GOD speaks to us via nature

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods;

There is a rapture on the lonely shore;

There is a society, where none intrudes;

By the deep sea, and music in its roar;

I love not man the less, but Nature more...

- Lord Byron

Until next,

Iqra

Rock your weekend

  Throw yourself in water pool, close your eyes and relax

Cool off yourself with refreshing drinks

Wear your favorite accessories with awesome sandals

Munch delish food

 

 Play your favorite playlist and go on a walk in town 

 Take some coffee and cherish yourself with one of the new movies

This past week has been so hectic for me. I hope for most of you it would be same. I would cherish myself with everything which I wrote above except throwing myself in pool as I don't have one ;) Are you having some special plans for this weekend ?

Have a relaxing weekend,

Iqra

Start all over again

Pick yourself up

Take a deep breath

Dust yourself off
And start all over again

Nothing's impossible, I have found
For when my chin is on the ground

I pick myself up,
Dust myself off
And start all over again

Don't lose your confidence
If you slip
Be grateful for a pleasant trip
And pick yourself up,
Dust yourself off
And start all over again 

Found these awesome lyrics from a song "Pick Yourself Up" dated back to 1936. Today, I got a new inspiration :)

Have a nice day,

I Q R A

That happy face ...

Can you imagine the happiness which one gains by sitting IDLE for some time when testing system is down and that too on Monday and that too when you are not the one who is gonna fix that :) Yes, at times that feels like a blessing *I hope my boss doesn't get to read this* hahaha

More Later,

Iqra

 

Feeling super BLAHHHHH

Feeling bad for my space as I could not update it in ages and this is not limited to not updating blog as many corners of my life are being affected. Well, I have been working a lot lately. We had a major release on 4th July. Updated the production systems today and now I am tired down my soul. I should be thankful that I have the got the chance to work with some of the best developers and I tell you the guys are really awesome. Work more than me and feel less tired ;)

Weekend is all set to welcome everyone. I have few small plans which includes doing laundry *A basket full of clothes*. Also I am invited by a friend to take dinner with her, such a nice and kind girl she is. AND sleeping late till my bones hurt.

Even though I get tired, I feel super blaaahh and low sometimes, I miss my family and friends but at the same time I am content with my life. I am happy with this place and people around me. I love my work and take on every day with a new enthusiasm. 

Have a nice and relaxing weekend. I will see you all soon

I Q R A