Ms SEPTEMBER 22, 2013
ISSUE NO. 66
Designers’ Guild
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Telecommuting: Work online!
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inside mother superior— Autumn activities for your children
domestic goddess —
Potato paradise
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Section In-Charge: Batool Zehra Sub-Editor: Amna Hashmi
Our very own Edward Cullen
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the buzz
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013
broadening horizons by working online Are you sick of staying home and want to earn some good money? Ms.T explores the world of online employment and what it could do for you.
by Iram Moazzam
It is a lazy Sunday evening in mid-September and most people I know are relishing the day off — except me. I am busy slogging away at my laptop to get this article completed before tonight’s big dinner. But I’m not complaining. I am perched on a comfy lawn chair, overlooking my lush green garden where my children are engaged in a game of tag and the only disturbance around me is the occasional hum of a car passing by. Not a bad place to work, is it? My commute of less than 20 seconds serves well for a freelance writer like me; I can stop and resume my work as I please, without the additional troubles of commuting, office politics and deadlines etc bogging me down. And I love it. I often wonder why other housewives who wish to keep busy and earn some money don’t work from home, especially in today’s world where a number of small jobs and employment opportunities are available online. I know plenty of women who feel that their everyday ghareloo chores are not enough — they want to do something more! Anum Aleem, a stayat-home mother from Karachi says, “I constantly wonder how I can give my husband a hand in making ends meet, but it is unacceptable in my family for women to work outside.” Keeping these social and religious norms in mind, telecommuting (working from home) online appears to be the perfect solution to their dilemma! I believe it is a good time for Pakistani women to look into the concept of working from home and so here I am. Read on to see how telecommuting can help you.
The benefits of working from home: Working from within the comforts of your home brings with itself many perks which make it easy to balance your personal and professional lives. The flexible timings and professional autonomy top the list of course but for me, it is simply a great feeling not having to wake up to the dreaded alarm every morning only to wonder, “Mein aaj kiya pehnoon?” The distance between your home and office, the stressful traffic jams and scorching heat are practically non-existent when you are telecommuting. In fact, my own
There is a plethora of scams online and the safest way would be to approach an employer who is well-known or has hired someone you know before. This way you can be sure that you and your money are in safe hands experience suggests that you can live much better, spend more time with your children and be much more productive without the worry of a costly and tiring morning commute. One can save a lot of money which would otherwise be spent on transportation or hiring a nanny/day-care to look after your children while you are away at work. Office politics, overtime work and distractions can all be avoided when you work from home and yet you can work closely with colleagues thanks to technological advancements and social media. These benefits have encouraged some men to opt for telecommuting too! “I chose writing over an office job as it paid me a good amount which I could earn without wasting time and money on travel every day,” says Ali Shan, a Lahore-based academic writer.
What are the options? Although the software industry has been the pioneer of net-based employment, the past few years have seen a rise of home-based jobs in different fields of work. Based on my research, some of the most common online jobs include: • Medical, academic, creative and SEO-based writing: If you are blessed with good writing skills, a career as a writer may be your true calling. There is almost always a great demand for writers for websites, blogs, newspapers, magazines, novels and even some big corporations etc. Faiezah Shahid of Peshawar works as a part-time medical writer, earning
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THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013
about Rs60,000 per month. “I couldn’t work outside my home after marriage,” she says. “I wanted to stay near my family so I took up medical writing and really enjoy it.” This type of writing is gaining popularity amongst homemakers; all that one needs is an awareness of budding projects and a passion for writing. • Medical or legal transcription: This form of work entails converting oral recordings into words or legal documents for filing purposes. • Online surveys and advertisements: In the competitive corporate world of today, firms often invest in online marketing by hiring external help to conduct research surveys, filling in forms and posting advertisements onto their website. And they pay a good amount for it too! • Data entry: Put your speedy typing skills to use and become a data entry specialist, converting written documents into soft copies from your home. Data entry is relatively easier and less hectic than others and what’s more, it is almost always in demand.
How much can I earn online? Your renumeration depends largely upon the type of job you choose, how much of it you actually get done and the firm that employs you. Jobs of freelance writing generally pay better than conducting surveys or data entry but of course, are harder to do and come by. In the
I constantly wonder how I can give my husband a hand in making ends meet but it is unacceptable in my family for women to work outside!
Pre-requisites for online jobs: • A strong internet connection. • A UPS to back your computer up during times of load shedding. • Sound computer proficiency. • Time, patience and a will to make it work.
US for instance, most legal transcribers earn between $20,000 to $60,000 per annum (About. com). Personally, I believe that the quality of your work determines your success rate as well. Many popular academic writers earn a handsome sixfigure salary per month.
Challenges of working from home: It must be noted that there are some downsides to working from home as well. For example, it may be difficult for you to juggle work and home life simultaneously when you are based at home. The line between the two often tends to get blurry at times, such as in big households when a spontaneous family outing may spring up during your work time, causing unexpected interruptions. One must also curtail the urge to start working during family time. But first and foremost, it is imperative that you select the right employer and shield yourself against internet-based fraud. There is a plethora of scams online and the safest way would be to approach an employer who is wellknown or has hired someone you know before. This way you can be sure that you and your money are in safe hands. The example of Irfan Hunjara, a data-entry clerk from Rawalpindi serves as a warning for online fraud. “I started working as a home-based data entry operator for a firm that gave me Rs40,000 the first two months. I was so pleased that I took on additional work for them and earned another Rs60,000!” he says. “But instead of getting paid, my employer simply disappeared at the end of the three months. It was such a waste of my time!”
I couldn’t work outside my home after marriage. I wanted to stay near my family so I took up medical writing and really enjoy it Facing the challenges: Remember that starting a job, whether from home or not, is a big change not just for you but for your family as well — especially if you have young children. So before you begin, call a family meeting and help the others understand why you are working and what it means for them. Communication and trust are the key to success. Once you have started working, establish a daily routine comprising of equal time slots for work, home and family time. “It is important to make a strict schedule before you start an online job as one may get tempted into overwork, resulting in exhaustion, sleep deprivation and unhappy friends and family,” says Ali Shan. “Also, always ask for your payment before moving on to the next project,” he adds. Whatever your situation may be, it is best to be absolutely sure you want to be working before starting it or your productivity will be compromised.
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en vogue
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013
Designers’ Lounge Sana Sarfaraz brings you gorgeous new ensembles by some of the top designers of Pakistan, perfect for the coming fall season
Model : SANA SARFARAZ Designers : MARIYA KASHIF, AYESHA SOMAYA, RABEEYA MOIN , MARIA GHAURI Makeup : N-pro Photography : Umair Bin Nisar Co-ordination : Mohammed Moiz
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013
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mother superior
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013
Funky owls
Fun l l a F r Fo by Mahrukh Abbasi
Add meaning to your fall with these fun-filled family activities for the season
Time to push aside your child’s back-to-school blues with some creative and easy family activities to do this autumn season! While the fall season is rarely seen in Karachi, it is one of the most colourful seasons to look forward to in the Northern parts of Pakistan, such as Islamabad and beyond. But who says that Karachiites can’t make the best of what they get? Whichever city you live in, make this fall fun for your children and yourself with Ms.T’s list of seven cool crafts.
Seasons greetings One of the simplest activities you can do with your little angels is potato stamping. All you need is a few potatoes, a couple of shades of paint and a poster board. Ask your children to make fall greeting cards for their family and friends. To make the cards, cut out poster boards in desired sizes and then split the potatoes in half. Once this is done, carve designs on the insides of the potatoes (you can make flowers, faces or patterns). Have your children dip the potatoes in colour and stamp them on the card. Since the theme is autumn, choose colours like rust, orange, black, brown and yellow.
Children will love these little guys hanging in their rooms. All you need is empty toilet paper rolls, colourful construction paper, some glue, scissors and fishing wire. First cover each roll with construction paper completely and choose one side for the ‘head’ of the owl, pressing an inwards edge there with your thumb. Then press down the parallel edge to match the other and make it stick using glue. You will now see a curve. For the wings, cut a circle out of the remaining construction paper and then cut the circles in half. Two circles as eyes and a triangle for the nose work best. Allow your children to decorate their owls however they want and use a fishing wire to hang them from the ceilings or windowsills.
Family tree Creating g a familyy tree is perhaps the best way to leaves, and what’s more, you can use fallen lea get the grandparents involved too! Invest in a big, white poster to board and some brown and green foam sheets, a stapler and gr black marker. Have the youngsters cut out leaves from the green foam sheet, big enough to gr be written on. The brown sheet b can be used to make a trunk and branches. Give the kids the task of finding out who when from their grandparents and was born whe them staple their leaves. Alternathen help the tively, they ccan paste real dried leaves onto poster and stick pictures of family the white pos members on tthem. Either way, this activity is sure to keep your little ones occupied for a long time.
Autumn Art Ask your children to gather different types of colourful leaves to see how the seasons change. Once the leaves have been collected, give them a sheet of orange, red or yellow construction paper and have them make a leaf collage for you. Put the dried leaves to good use and allow your child’s creativity to flow for a beautiful piece of art work which can go on your refrigerator door until the next season starts!
Plan your planting In Autumn, the trees are changing colour and shedding leaves and it is the perfect time for you to plant seeds for an early bloom in spring. Choose an area in your garden that receives maximum sunlight and get your children to plant new trees and flowers there. They will not only love the digging, shovelling and watering the plants, but waiting until spring to see it sprout will also instill a sense of patience in them.
Catch the sun In other parts of the world, the month of October is closely related to big, orange pumpkins and Halloween but it is rare to find the same spirit here in Pakistan. No worries, though, with this fun pumpkin sun-catcher, you don’t have to do too much to bring the magic of fall into your homes. Invest in a black foam sheet, orange crepe paper and a sheet of contact paper. Cut the thin outline of a pumpkin and set it aside. Then take the contact paper and place it downward facing (be careful it’s super sticky). Tear small pieces of the orange crepe paper and stick it onto the contact until it is fully covered. Add another layer of contact paper with the sticky side down this time and tape the black pumpkin outline onto it. After you trim the edges, you will have a goodlooking pumpkin sun-catcher ready. Place it on your child’s window or take it along when heading out with your little one.
domestic goddess 7
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013
Recipe
Cheesy Baked Potato Attention, fellow potato-lovers! This creamy baked potato paste laced with deliciously-rich, cheddar cheese is the answer to all your prayers and oh so easy to prepare. Be sure to forget about your diet while indulging in this magnificent concoction though; the dish isn’t for the faint-hearted or the fitnesscrazy. But I guarantee one thing: it is comfort food at its very best!
Method • Boil the potatoes until they are fully cooked and peel them. • Cut the potatoes into thin slices and place them in the blender. • Add milk and the remaining ingredients to the blender and blend until it becomes a smooth paste. • Pour the mixture in a baking dish and sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese. • Bake the mixture for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top turns a warm golden colour.
Gulnaz Mondegarian is an expert in Iranian cuisine who has co-hosted Food Diaries alongside Zarnak Sidhwa to celebrate Community Food Week
Ingredients:
Potatoes (medium) 3-4
Cheddar cheese (shredded) 1 and ½ cup
Mustard 1 tsp
Black pepper ½ tsp
Chilli powder/ flakes (optional) ½ tsp
Salt to taste
Butter (optional) 2 ounces
Milk 2 cups
Note: Variations of the dish can be achieved by adding shredded chicken pieces, sliced sausages or fish before sealing the top with the cheese.
hottie of the week 8
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013
Status Born
Married Karachi, Pakistan
Birthday
20th April, 1973
Face
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Fakhir Mehmood
Body
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Who is he? He came, he sang and he conquered. That pretty much sums up the life of Fakhir Mehmood, our very own romantic crooner and music genius. Fakhir’s first introduction to the magic of music was at the age of eight when he purchased a small harmonica for the first time. A few years down the line, his fascination for electronic gadgets (He is a qualified electrical engineer on the side) and passion for music lead him to set up his own music studio in Karachi. Here, he experimented and perfected his craft, first as founding member of the famous Awaaz group and then, as a solo artist as well. We can’t thank him enough for the superhits Tere Bina Dil Na Lagge and Mahi Ve. Not only is Fakhir’s soulful voice enough to make us go gaga, his musical genius includes countless awards, outstanding live concerts and a variety of instruments including the keyboard and guitar! Top that off with his chiseled features and gentlemanly attitude and you have some major eye candy.
Talent
85%
Why we love him With his multiple talents, articulate mannerisms and a face that reminds us of Edward Cullen, what’s not to love? As a singer, songwriter, musician, composer, philanthropist and all around family man, Fakhir just seems to have it all and wants to do even more. Good looks and exceptional talent are just a few of Fakhir’s qualities: he is equally caring and always tries his best to use his stardom positively. Over the years, Fakhir has undertaken many charity programmes and served as the UN Goodwill Ambassador for the World Health Organisation, Save the Children and Human Development as well. He is very patriotic and relishes the status of being a cultural ambassador for Pakistan and was even awarded the ‘Influential Asian’ by the Governor of New York in 2011 as part of the Asian Heritage Week.
What you didn’t know about him Fakhir describes himself as self-righteous and upfront to the extent of becoming blunt which can get him into trouble at times! The video for Fakhir’s smash hit Dilruba was shot in Spain and happens to be the most expensive Pakistani music video ever made. Fakhir is proud to have received the presidential ‘Pride of Performance’ award, the highest reward for a musician in Pakistan.
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