My stance on ‘awards’ is still a bit shaky. I admire those who get them, but when it comes to me, I never feel quite worthy of them. That’s just me. But that doesn’t take away the huge respect and admiration I have for people who nominate me, who in this case happens to be ‘A writer from the east’ from The Human Lens. She is an extremely conscientious writer who focuses on human rights and gender issues. It’s not often that you get to meet such honest writers who believe in the power of the written word as much as action itself. That’s why she is an inspiration and I wish her all the best.

And yes, there are always rules: If you choose to accept the award:

1. Provide the link to the person who nominated you.
2. Add the reward logo.
3. Answer the questions your nominator has asked
4. Nominate 7 other bloggers and let them know via comments.
5. Ask your nominees 10 questions.

Here are my answers to the questions put forward by A writer from the East:

Lets start with, do you drink coffee or tea and why?

Tea and coffee are late bloomers in my life. I drank coffee occasionally in my 20’s. It was sort of like a special concoction worthy of special moments. Tea I hated. Now almost a decade later, I love tea and coffee both. I am not a caffeine addict per se, but yes, I have become a typical tea-drinker like most south-asian Pakistani women. But no, I can’t drink tea the first thing in the morning, before breakfast. I am not that lost a case. Yet.

What’s your favorite color and why?

My five-year old son just asked me this question a day ago. I replied by saying I have many. He said, no. I have to answer with just one favourite. Since he isn’t here to read this, I’ll just give an offhand, easy reply. I have grown to love ALL colors. It has less to do with my taste in style and more with my belief that it’s not my place to disregard any colour. God being the ultimate artist gave us all of His colours to use and appreciate. Who am I to go around pointing out colours I don’t like? (Now that is the really annoying reply I saved my son from.)

What ambitions you seek in this world?

I have never been a money-oriented-go-getter-ambitious person.  No offence to those who are, but for me the corporate world was a big NO, so I quietly stepped away. The world of writing, though equally cut-throat and competitive is still my kind of place. I hope to make a difference with my words. I want my words to mean something to my readers. And eventually if along the way, I collect some material success (another very relative term), I won’t mind it one bit;).

What inspires you to blog?

That sweet, ache in the pit of my stomach. That feeling of hysterical urgency deep within my heart. That need to WRITE inspires me.

How do you select topics to blog upon?

It could be anything really. An ongoing incident (social, political, moral etc.) in any part of the globe. A personal dilemma. An inquisitive query. Someone I came across, or an incident from the past that stuck to me. Everything in this world can be an inspiration, if you learn to look past the obvious.

Do you think blogging as social media is constructive for engaging with people?

Oh yes!  It’s an intriguing and colorful fruit salad out there.

Have you received solidarity and support for writing what you write?

I guess every time a blogger takes out the time to read something I wrote, I feel the support. That is usually enough.

When faced with opposition, what’s your reaction?

It depends on the type of opposition. But if you mean opposition in the way I write or think, well I try to brush it off without much thought unless of course it’s constructive. We all have a right to write. And think. So I am working on being more accepting of others.

Any humanitarian campaigns which you support/or would love to support?

There is a LOT to be done back home. I have not officially joined any campaign but I occasionally write about matters that beg attention and make my blood bubble. I would love to work on a more practical level in the coming years. In education, women’s rights, child labor etc.

What’s your future calling?

Well only God knows the answer to that. My present calling so far is to write. To hone my craft. And from there I hope to gain more ground and to do more tangible work.

These were some of my ramblings to some very thoughtful questions.

Now, some remarkable writers who I feel should be fellow sisters in this award.

http://livelytwist.wordpress.com

http://creosomnium.org 

http://souderssoundsoff.wordpress.com

http://mostlytruestoriesofkrenaep.com/

http://anawnimiss.wordpress.com/

https://emphadiate.wordpress.com

http://happinessandfood.wordpress.com

Yes, this post does have an end. Finally, here are my questions for the nominees:

1. Your most important ‘health’ rule?
2. A day at the library or a skydiving resort?
3. A bad habit you finally let go of?
4. What place does writing have in your life?
5. If you could go back 10 years and tell yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?
6. Describe life in one sentence.
7. What gets you going every single day.
8. Your most favourite word of the English language.
9. One thing about humanity that makes you sick.
10. What was the biggest surprise of your life?