The family have begun bickering and fighting over petty little things, dragging up past arguments, which really should be left dead and buried in the past ....... that can only mean one thing – a pending family wedding!!!! ARGHHHHH!!!

A few weeks ago at my new couz sis Kikaa, I found out that my couz bro was getting married. Good news, I thought. I am truly pleased for him ...... fast forward a few days my other couz bro [his older bro] announced his intention of marrying and settling down and again I was genuinely happy for him also. Both are marrying Muslim girls BUT not Pakistani’s, which nowadays seems to be the norm for my generation of British cousins. All have married non-Pakistanis has as my own bro.

The engagement party for one of my couz bro is next week and already I have been ‘ordered’ by my beloved nani that I will have to go ...... Everyone knows that I tend to stay away from such occasions.

So, reminder to myself, MUST CANCEL ALL ARRANGED SOCIAL EVENTS FROM MY REALLY “BUSY” LIFE NEXT WEEK!!! Done (“,)

Anyways, every time the topic of marriage arises, it seems to be the catalyst that my so called family needs to ignite family feuds that have, as mentioned previously died down slowly over the months and years, in particular one of my aunts who just loves a good old fight! This time, however it will be very different, as I for one will be staying away from it all. I have no intention of participating or have very little interest in “family politics” .... Been there, brought the T-shirt, worn it, ripped it, burned it over and over and done it ....!!

Also one can guarantee that when the topic of shaadi does crop up, slowly following that will be the this statement

“ ..... When will it be your turn beta? When are you going to find yourself a nice munda.....”

Thought I’d escaped that!! Leave me the fuck alone! When my time comes, it’ll come! My dad was never uttered the M word to me, so who cares? I aint bothered, yet! As I said, when the time comes, everyone will know!

Moving on, not much else has happened. Had the house pretty much to myself this week [and next week] as my dad’s wife & kids have gone to Germany for their hols. It’s been a long time since it was just me and my dad alone at home together, although to be fair, we’re both at work and hardly see each other in the evenings but nevertheless it has been QUIET! Just the way I prefer :)

On the weather front, talk about a storm! Jeez!!! Most of Britain has been flooded. It’s been raining non-stop since yesterday but luckily for us we haven’t been affect by the flood .... just by the storm!

Thursday was an absolute gorgeous day. It was so warm and lovely – trust me to be wearing so many layers of clothing. Come Friday, decided to wear as little as possible .... don’t need a jacket, I thought .... How wrong was I! By the time I made my journey home it was absolutely pissing it down and extremely cold!! Damn weather!! But, would not change it for the world, honestly ........

Not much else to rant about. Been tagged by “Suga n Spice”, so here goes ....

1. Music – I cannot live without my Ipod. I love music of all kinds especially rock. I usually go through phases of listening to only one particular type of music by a certain artist or group for a while and then do a complete U-turn and listen to something totally different. At the mo, I am listening constantly to Nazia Hassan. I LOVE her and her music! RIP

2. Decisions – I’m such a crappy decision maker. I always without a doubt change my mind at the very last second. My mates really hate that about me! Each time we arrange a night out, you can guarantee I will always be the last one to actually commit to that date! What else do you expect from an extremely fickly individual? lol

3. Sleep – You’re asking an Insomniac this? ANY sleep I get is a dream come true. If and when I do nod off, I can wake up if I hear even the slightest of sounds – not a good thing for me. Stay away from me ....

4. Family – My everything and yet annoying at the same time.

5. Religion – I am nothing without Islam. Even though I don’t pray as often as I should but I am proud to be a Muslim.

6. Culture – I see myself more British than Pakistani. Don’t get me wrong … I am proud of the fact I am a Pakistani and I love everything about my culture but sometimes I just “don’t get it”. It has nothing with my upbringing. My parents did their upmost to ensure that my bro and I had the best of both worlds. Granted my Urdu / Punjabi are poor but I can understand it, without much difficulty. I hardly wear shalwaar Kameez’s. Think I only have about a handful!

7. Turn-ons – Eyes ….. My weakness. If a guy has nice eyes than … watch out!!! I also love if a guy makes me feel comfortable and the ability to make me smile – THAT takes a lot!

8. Sucks – Many things, but I don’t want to rant again, so let’s just leave it at that ....

9. Words – Hmmmm .....Well, I need words to get through the day. I work for a bank and believe me I need to have great vocabulary otherwise the corporate managers I deal with each day would eat me alive!

10. Weird – Never ending bouts of worrying about everything and nothing .....