She Writers 2nd Anniversary!

How cool would it be if there was a place for women writers of all backgrounds to come together, share ideas, learn from each other, and grow in the process?

Wouldn’t it be great if aspiring writers could connect with established ones to gain insight on the process of writing and publishing?

How about two women from different religious faiths sharing their stories about their experience growing up?

Well, there’s something out there just like that and it’s called “She Writes”. I joined this network of female authors, publishers, and bloggers almost a year ago (August 2010) and am enjoying the virtual company of my fellow writers.

Here’s a chance for you to not only join She Writes, but also meet some of the lovely ladies face-to-face at a meet-up near you!

She Writes 2nd Anniversary is coming up on June 29th, 2011 and there are meet-ups being held all over the place! To give you an idea, just in Southern California where I live, I know of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties each having their own meet-ups! That gives you a chance to meet your fellow writers without having to travel too far from where you live.

If you see that there is no meet-up near you, you can start your own. It doesn’t take too much planning! Follow these easy steps to celebrate She Writes 2nd Anniversary:

1. Join She Writes, if you haven’t already (Just do it!)

Visit She Writes

2. Click here to visit the Volunteer HQ page, where you can find more information about the She Writes celebration. Read the discussions and posts.

3. Click here to find a meet-up near you or create one of your own.

4. Attend a meet-up, have fun, and make some new connections!

Here’s the info about meet-ups in Orange County:

Nirvana Grill, 303 Broadway Street, Laguna Beach, CA
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 6:00 PM

Java Joe's, 4973 Yorba Ranch Road, Yorba Linda, CA
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 7:00 PM

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Yearning for that ‘little girl’

I used to be obsessed about God. I really thought about Him and called on Him for the littlest of things. I remember that thick, silky curtain that separated the living room from the rest of the house (it was used when guests were over). I used to wrap myself in that curtain and pray. It made me feel like I was invisible from the rest of the world.

I remember I used to pray all the time (no joke). I was hopeful at every moment during the day. I would hide behind those curtains, form a cup with my hands, and ask for things. A doll house. Australia. A pet. America. I wouldn’t quit asking. I wanted to leave Pakistan. My uncles were living in Australia and the U.S. and I wanted so bad to leave and live life in a better place.

“Allah* mian  mujhe kahin bahar janaa hai” (Allah*, I want to go outside, i.e. abroad).

“Allah mere test mein achhe scores deejiye ga” (Allah, please give me good scores on my test)

“Allah please mujhe aaj Papa se ice cream dilwaiye ga” (Allah, please make my dad buy me ice cream today)

So many years later, after having moved to the U.S. at the age of nine, that little-sparkly-eyed-girl has become extinct. A once-upon-a time-species. She is similar to those birds that I talk about during my naturalist meetings. The ones that used to exist, but now are only in the memories of the birders that were enthusiastic about them.

I wonder where she is now.

I know she’s here somewhere. She’s overshadowed by years of so-called “adulthood”. Morose-hood is a better term. We don’t just become adults. We somehow become epitomes of pessimism. Why should we define when childhood ends, and adolescence starts, and when that is overtaken by adulthood? Why can’t we just live as innocent, little, curious creatures? (Yes, I understand that I might not be making any sense).

Now, it feels like a chore to ask God for anything. It makes me sad and frustrated. What happened to that little girl? Where did she fly off to? Will she ever return?

Maybe one day I will go back to being the girl that asked, asked and asked from Someone who gives, gives, and gives. Today I ask God for something –I want that little girl back.

*Allah= literally translates as ‘The God’ in Arabic. It’s unique because it is neither a masculine nor feminine word.

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