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 Sept.
2002 - A long busy period of study was over. We felt relaxed as if a
heavy load was lifted off. Our summer vacation had started. Every year our
family makes a trip to
Karachi,
Pakistan,
during this period, as we visit our grandmother and pass our festive time
merrymaking with her and other relatives in
Pakistan.
This year she herself had come here a week before the vacation started, so
we decided to stay back and enjoy the summer holidays in Kingdom.
My grandmother has always been a great company to all of us. My sisters
Amna and Fatima, my brother Ahmed and myself made lots of fun and amusement,
throughout her one month stay with us. During the last week my aunt, uncle
and their two sweet little daughters, Jayesha and Jovaria gave us a surprise
visit from Africa
which greatly added to our pleasure.
After a week, passing exciting and joyful days, they all left for
Pakistan
and we missed their company very much. Once again we felt too lonely so our
parents brought us some books on Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling series from
Jarir Book Stores. I along with my brother greatly enjoyed the magical and
amazing world of Harry Potter. While reading I was so absorbed, I felt that
a film or movie of all the characters was passing on the screen of my
memory. These books proved to be a good friends of loneliness. The writer
maintained suspense throughout, and one couldn’t just stop it as he would
like to know further what would happen next. This curiosity kept us getting
excited, going on reading the book until it finished.
My brother had another exciting option during the vacation. He used to go to
Crown
Plaza
almost daily to enjoy swimming and take part in other healthy exercises. For
us sisters my father brought some English movies (e.g. ‘Mission to Mars’ and
‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’).
Occasionally, at evenings, we went to seaside and enjoyed the swings and
walking along seaside. Often we went to supermarkets and play land centers
such as Al-Hamra and Jamjoom. We, moreover, made a few trips to Makkah and
Madina.
On the 23rd of July we went to Chuckey Cheese to rejoice and
celebrate our brother’s birthday. That day we had great fun taking some
rides and playing other computer games. The rest of the August, until 22nd
of the month passed very slowly. While my mother, who is a teacher, did the
housekeeping work, I baby sited my youngest sister, Fatima, which is an
incredible pastime.
Then on 22nd of August the big day arrived. The Saudi Gazette
reporter called to tell that my brother, Syed Ahmed Raza, has topped and
secured first position in the IGCSE at Pakistan International School
(English Section) with 6A*’s and 4A’s. My mother burst into tears of
happiness and started thanking Almighty Allah. I as well got truly thrilled
and my joys knew no bound.
At evening we went to Marhaba Restaurant to enjoy a feast. This was the best
day for the whole family. Soon after on 27th August my birthday
arrived. At evening we celebrated the birthday. The other day we had a
dinner at Crown
Plaza
which was arranged by the manager of the
Crown
Plaza
in the honor of my brother. That day it was the seafood night of the week
end. We enjoyed the variety of tasteful seafood, fruits, and sweets. Thus,
the vacation that I thought would be the worst turned out to be the best
and unforgettable.
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