"RISE ABOVE"

Recently, I participated in shooTED, a photography competition arranged by TEDxKarachi and judged by Khaula Jamil, Founder of Humans of Karachi.

I made it to the top ten winners of shooTED and my picture got posted on the Human of Karachi's page. I would love if you all can visit, read, like and share the picture/story.

https://www.facebook.com/humansofkhi/photos/pb.378098815586606.-2207520000.1412100560./795910977138719/?type=3&theater

This is what I shared about my beautiful mother:

"Rise Above" For me, these two words means to step ahead from the boundaries and
limitations your life brings in front of you. Rise Above, has been the
motto my mom has always taught me. My mom, the lady in my picture.

Growing up under deaf and mute parents, I have experienced a different way
of living; a more positive and unique upbringing. Pictured lady, is my
mom. She is one of the four daughters my grandmother gave birth to, who
are deaf and mute. My mom has been an inspiration in my life. Ignoring the
fact, that she did not have two of her senses, she became a part of this
competitive world, without any hesitation. She is educated, got her
computer skills degree and Mashallah, has a prestigious job at a bank. My
mother has taught my brother and I, to never step back from competition,
because they always turn out to be a moral in your life. She taught us to
face our weaknesses, to understand how to make it power.

She is the secretary of The Deaf and Mute Organization of our community.
She is a role model for so many young deaf and mute people, who at times
don't realize how precious they are to this world. In the following
picture, she is welcoming all the deaf and mute people of our organization
to our recent 14th August celebration. My brother and I were part of the
managing team, because that's what my mom pushes us forward for. To not
only restrict our help/teaching to our parents but benefit other deaf and
mute people of our society.

Nothing is more valuable to my mom than those precious lives and their
betterment. To give them an opportunity to 'step out of restrictions and
RISE ABOVE'. And I wish to carry out this work.

No matter what God has blessed you with, if used positively in your own
favor, can turn out to be the best blessing/talent, a life to be
remembered.

My Twin is Finally At'thaara.

I have written thousand words for you, every time a new memory, a new reason to be thankful for having you in my life. Sadaf, to all those good times and your importance in my life these are 

50+1 Things I love about YOU.

1.      A beautiful creature, inside and out.

2.      We have the same story, and we know how to be proud about it.

3.      You know how to face challenges. I learnt this from you.

4.       Prettiest smile.

5.       You are my cousin from two relations.

6.       I remember the night I cried in California, just for you. I was mad; I don’t ever want you to keep secrets from me. But, now, I understand your part of deal. I still Love you.

7.       Surrounded by a big brother all the time, you gave me the sisterly affection. Thanks for spoiling my ass.

8.       We can fool anyone by switching names; Twin or Nah?

9.       You talk a lot and I listen nothing, I hate when you do the same. But,  you actually listen and give the best suggestions ever.

10.   You know all my YES friends, but you always confuse them together. I love how you always are, ‘oh so Khattak and Janjuiee are two different people’ or ‘I gotta skype your friends’ or ‘Mahrosh, Peshawar wale?’  I don’t blame you, I talk to fast.

11.    Remember when we were younger, and I used to cry about, Fareeha, Hira, and you teaming up against me; I still never hated you and told people that you are my best cousin.

12.   When you joined my school, teachers used to hate me, thinking I am Sadaf 2.0. They were not wrong.

13.   All our inside jokes/talks, those others will never understand.

14.   Speaking ‘F’ language, because people understand Sign Language, nowadays. It’s very important to judge every one, whenever we are together. :D

15.   You missed school, the day I was leaving for America. You are very much WELCOME.

16.   All those plans to walk every day, eat less, and do ZUMBA.

17.   We NEVER followed any of those plans.

18.   Now that I have gained more weight, Thanks for sharing all your clothes.

19.   Dang, how can I forget the night stays? My only source for…. (You Know What)

20.   You can COOOOOOK! Man, I will marry food, one day.

21.   Annoying you by using my phones and sharing inside YES jokes, which you will never understand.

22.   You still manage to laugh, after telling me not to talk about YES anymore. I love you for that.

23.   It is beautiful outside and I chose to write about YOU.

24.   26th of July: I will have my kid that day… Just saying.

25.    I can share my good days/bad days with you, just to remind, how blessed I am.

26.   I still love your clothes/tshirts over mine. Got my eyes on them <3

27.   When things are not fair, you are the only one I can complain to. Not that, you make everything better; such a loser.

28.   We trust each other, blindfold. I know you will tell me when things are not working out; I do the same.

29.   People need to know, you are TWO years older than me, apparently deserved to be called, Sadaf Apa.

30.   I am writing all this for you.

31.   We share all our friends, or they just become mutual. God, dang, they love us both.

32.   It’s not people think you look younger. We both look 21. Period.

33.   I envy how I can’t look gorgeous without glasses, while you manage to look the best, both ways.

34.   All those times, I tell you, I think that guy is HOT, and you are like, ‘you can easily get him’.

35.   Haw, boosting my confidence since 1998.

36.   We are never wrong. Thanks for seeing the other side of stories, where I am always right.

37.   You are going to University next year, to be my personal nurse. How can I not love you for that?

38.   It is hard for you to read a book with full attention. TFioS was another case. Mutual interests.

39.   You are probably, not wanting to read the rest of the list. Figuring it too much reading and bore.

40.   When I die…

41.   You still go ahead and read it, because you love ME, more than I do myself.

42.    You are going to be my maid of honor. I will be your kid’s nanny.

43.   I die; you will be the strongest one among the crowd.

44.   Remember Dakku Daddy? We gotta love our brothers.

45.   You stalk me. At least once every day. Thank you, I need some stalkers in my life.

46.   I will fight with the world for you, and still be a pain in your ass.

47.   WE NEED TO PARTY. WE NEED TO MEETUP. WE NEED TO HAVE A SLEEPOVER. YOU NEED TO COOK FOR ME. THEN WE WILL ZUMBA. YOU WILL STILL EAT LESS. WHILE I WILL EAT THE REST OF YOUR FOOD.

48.   I can curse you out, slap you on your face and be the typical me. WHILE YOU STAY NICE. I wish.

49.   Thanks for giving me a shoulder to cry on, hugs that I always need, and talks that works like medicine.

50.   Last statement was indeed, much of a buttering, telling you I deserve a big TREAT. Okay?

+

51.   Life is fair. I got you in it.

 

I LOVE YOU, SADAF NOTTA.