How to spend this summer?

[Muhammad Asad]

In the summer time...

Yes, summer's back. Get ready to sweat! Now, now no need to get freaked out by the heat; work it to your advantage. How? Well, read on...

Of long days and short nights ...

As we all know the summer solstice marks the first day of the season of summer and happens to be the longest day of the year, in the sense that the length of time elapsed between sunrise and sunset on this day is a maximum for the year.

When the Earth rotates about its axis; tilted at 23.5 degrees, this tilt and the sun's radiation result in the Earth's seasons. As the Earth rotates on it's tilted axis around the sun, different parts of the Earth receive higher and lower levels of radiant energy. This creates the seasons.

In Pakistan, because of our strategic geographic location, our summers are comparatively hotter with little or no rain. But again this isn't true for all the country, all summer long. It starts getting excruciatingly hot from May and lasts all June but July brings some rain and lots of clouds, meaning cool weather. So basically we get a good blend of summer - from excruciating heat to wonderful rains and the cool summers that follow the rains.



The heat is on!

The holidays start out in the heat but as the summer continues, the weather gets better but the holidays don't seem interesting anymore. Why? Because we hardly plan for summer vacations. We are just so excited that the exams are gonna be over soon and that we can stay up late and sleep all day long, that we forget that summer is looooong and we can't possibly keep doing the same thing all summer long. So knowing your predicament very well, we have come with all the interesting things that await you this summer. We have compiled suggestions about what to do, recommendations and information for you about things to do this summer. So here's to a slammin' summer!



Sports in summer

Well the Pakistani cricket team is in West Indies nowadays, and basically that's the only cricket they'll play until the English come to Pakistan in October. But our hockey team will be very busy this summer; playing in Malaysia for the Azlan Cup and then the Junior World Cup is also this summer. Then in August the eight-nation tournament is taking place in Amsterdam. So hockey-wise this summer holds a lot of promise.

Karachi will host the Asian Junior championship in June and then in July, the Pakistan Open Squash championship is taking place. So for the Pakistani teams, it will be a busy summer. But what about you?

Find out about local sports camps and register. Those in Karachi can engage in a lot of water sports. The National Sailing Centre has very interesting packages for the water creatures. And all of you up-country, please don't be sad, the blue-bottles on Karachi beaches can get very nasty! So you don't need water to have fun.



Entertainment in summer

A lot of concerts will be happening all over the country this summer as a lot of bands are releasing their albums in the upcoming months. And new albums mean lotsa launches and groovy concerts as your favourite bands tour the country. Aamir Zaki is releasing his second album after ten years, this summer and its aptly titled the 'Ten year eclipse'. Imagine ten long years! By the time this appears in print most of you would have seen the video of his single 'Bhula daina'.

Noori and Fuzon will also be releasing their sophomore album, which we are really looking forward to as it's been a long time since their last album. Noori fans beware; apparently the second album is a bit experimental.

There are also a lot of new videos in the pipeline by bands and artists like Aaroh (Farooq's), Ali Zafar, Malkoo, Sajjad Ali and Jal. That's something to look forward to isn't it?

On the western front American Idol Anastacia is coming out with her debut album, so is Audioslave and Kelly Osbourne (Sleep in the Nothing). And a big treat for all Backstreet Boys fans; even they are regrouping for an album to be released this summer. Then there will also be the groovy OSTs of 'Charlie & the chocolate factory', 'Fantastic four' and 'War of the worlds'.

And since we did an entire cover on summer movies, we will not bore you by repeating what you already know! But what we will recommend is some stuff from Bollywood. 'Paheli' with Sharukh Khan and Rani Mukherjee and 'Bunty and Bubbly' with Abhishek, Amitabh and Rani Mukherjee again are two movies which are expected to be summer hits.



Books in summer

The hot books this summer are as varied as the shades of the sea, but book sellers agree that Nicole Krauss' 'The History of Love' is at the top of the sand pile - after 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,' that is (Duh!).

Written from the perspective of an aging Jewish man, 'The History of Love' also involves the misadventures of a 14-year-old girl named Alma Singer. It is being lauded by authors and booksellers alike as witty and original, with all the page-turning elements of a good summer read.

Of course, the runaway hit of the summer will undoubtedly be 'Harry Potter,' which comes out in July. Scholastic, Inc., the US publisher of JK Rowling's fantasy series, has announced a first printing of 10.8 million copies of 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,' the largest such printing for a hardcover release in USA. The previous record holder was 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,' which came out in 2003 with a first run of 6.8 million. Wow!

Another must is by first-time author, Elizabeth Kostova, called 'The Historian.' The story is about a young girl who discovers her father's dark secret and sets out to find him in Europe when he goes missing. Publishers are hoping the book will replicate the success of another tale about a quest, 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown. It's that same wonderful blend of history and real thrills and is expected to be a hit as its supposed to be a fantastic read.

Da Vinci Code editor Jason Kaufman is taking a chance on first-time novelist John Twelve Hawks and his book, 'The Traveler,' said to be a hybrid of the 'Matrix' and 'Lara Croft' films. But the novel may become equally as popular because of the mystery surrounding the author. Hawks is a recluse who lives 'off the grid,' communicates with his editor using a voice scrambler and refuses all interviews and will not be photographed.

For those who prefer Brit-Literature, Nick Hornby, author of 'About a Boy' and 'High Fidelity,' has 'A Long Way Down,' about four people who come together on New Year's Eve at a London bar famous as the last stop for those ready to end their lives. 'Fight Club' author Chuck Palahniuk has 'Haunted' , which charts the trials of a group of aspiring writers brought together for a three-month writer's retreat in an abandoned theater.

In nonfiction, booksellers recommend '109 East Palace: Robert Oppenheimer and the Secret Society of Los Alamos' (Simon & Schuster), by Jennet Conant; its about the team that built the first atomic bomb.

Sylvester Stallone has written 'Sly Moves', the 'Rocky' actor's guide to staying fit. Other celebrity reads include 'Elvis by the Presleys', written by Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley and other surviving members of the singer's family; Nicole Richie's 'Rock & Royalty', about her life as a pop culture princess and Goldie Hawn's memoirs, 'A Lotus Grows in the Mud'.

Meanwhile, as Peter Benchley's 'Jaws' did decades ago, journalist Susan Casey's 'Devil's Teeth', about great white sharks, is guaranteed to scare people right out of the water.

In paperback, Random House is publishing the new 'Star Wars' book, 'Revenge of the Sith,' by Matthew Stover, in time for the release of the new George Lucas film. The popular 'Shadowdivers,' about finding a submarine, is being released in paperback, as well as 'A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,' by Douglas Adams.

Phew, these books are surely the perfect mix of heavy, serious literature and fun, fluffy stuff.



Health in summer

Being free in summer does not at all mean one just lazes around all day in front of the tele, and once bored of that move on to binge eating. No, no, no! We really don't need to give you a lecture on the merits of exercise and the demerits of being a couch potato, do we?

So get off that bottom and join one of the many yoga and aerobic places that have mushroomed in your neighbourhood. If you don't want to leave the cool confines of your home, then go and grab a CD. Radiocity has released a whole line; from beginner's yoga to belly dancing, you can learn it all by just buying these CDs and doing what the 'gurus' tell you to do.

If the guys think this is too sissy for them, they can always join the gym and flex those muscles. Your moms would be very happy to see you engaging in a healthy activity. Do it for your mom's sake if not yours!

Also watch out for what you eat and drink. Drink lots of fresh juices, don't badger your mom, make 'em yourself. Falsay and Kairi are the hottest summer flavours for juice. Then of course there is nothing like yummy lassi in a hot June afternoon. Not to mention sliced mangoes with cream. Yummm. But please don't get carried away. Watch out for digestion killing bacteria, ie, make sure you don't fall down with a bad tummy. Try to make your own snack and drinks instead of buying from the thelas.



Beauty in summer

Summer is a great time for relaxation, recreation and renewal. If you're like most of Us, you probably take advantage of the longer days and warm weather to enjoy extra time with family and friends. While enjoying the hot, lazy days of summer, keep in mind that different beauty rules apply. Here are a few tips to keep you looking as good as you feel:

Summer Hair Care

* If you spend lots of time outdoors and want to spice up your look naturally, try combing a little lemon juice through your hair. The sun will lighten those strands faster than your locks sans lemon, giving you an attractive sun-streaked look. It's also easier on your budget than getting highlights from salons.

* Be sure to deep condition your hair at least once a week, especially if you swim a lot. Hair tends to become dry, dull and brittle if it is soaked and dried too often.

* If you like to swim lengths, try spritzing on some leave-in conditioner under your swim cap to help ward off damage from chlorine and salt water.

Summer Skincare Tips

* If you spend lots of time outside, be sure to use sunscreen with minimum SPF 15.

* Keep oil-absorbing sheets with you, and dab when necessary. Keep the make up simple, with lots of juicy gloss.

* Make sure that you are adequately hydrated - at least eight glasses of water a day and even more when you are outside.

* Nothing is more revolting than skin full of little red mosquito or bug bites, so don't forget the bug spray. You may want to try one of the new two-in-one sunscreen and insect repellants.

* For a quick skin boost in the sun, fill a misting bottle with a little bit of toner and water, and spritz your face and body for a quick cool off. Just remember to close your eyes so you don't risk burning them.



Fashion in summer

This summer is all about colours, especially yellow, green and fuchsia. Lawn is the hottest day fabric as the Pakistani market has exploded with designer lawn. The coolest prints are offered by Rizwan Beyg, Junaid Jamshed - who introduced his new lawn line this summer, Mausummery and Al-Karam as three leading designers, Mehdi, Karma and HSY got together to design their lawn collection.

For evening wear, silk is the big evening fabric along with lace and tulle for high end and couture garments. The colours are the softest of softest pastels with purple and pink still showing big followings.

For shoe predictions in summer 2005 look out for leather flats with hand sewn colorful Swarovski crystals, calf leather mules with kitten heels in pastel colours and colourful all leather slip-ons for daywear, to add casual sophistication to lawn suits. And err guys, just keep on wearing those ugly sandals!



Travel in summer

If the heat of the city is getting to you, there is nothing like getting away to Shugran, Naran and Kaghan. So if you can, then plan a trip to the mountainous north. Try to find those tourist deals as they can be very cheap and adventurous at the same time. What with the roads all prim and proper, the ride there is gorgeous.

We tend to completely forget about the beautiful places in the country one can take a vacation to. Take out your map and hunt down all the places you've never been and visit them. And you know what, in most circumstances you don't even have to leave your own city to visit places you've never been to. How many of you in Karachi have been to Manghopir? Or Hub dam? And those in Lahore and Islamabad, I am sure there are many exotic places near you, which you haven't been to before. Well this summer is your time to explore and learn.



Education in summer

If you want to be extremely, extremely productive in summer, then join the various summer classes that are offered. You can learn to cook, paint, sculpt, karate and god knows whatnot. And if you want to really go all the way then enlist in some computer programming class where you can learn different computer languages and for those like me, even the basic computer programs like Excel. For the life of me I can't understand that sheet.

[mehakta aanchal]

ha'ay ALLAH.....

me inna lamba kaisay parhoon

[Aisi Hi Hon Me]

Originally Posted by mehakta aanchal

ha'ay ALLAH.....

me inna lamba kaisay parhoon

aap summer main yahi parhna na, bohat time hay jk

[Muhammad Asad]

Ok just read the last paragraph.

[Bazigaar]

working

[Muhammad Asad]

Don't take tension read it slowly and steadily and u will win the race.

[chughata]

I would Like to go Hunza, Kaghaan

[Wasi Gujar]

summer main hum mango kahyain gey kioun k winter main nahin kha sektey

[Virdan]

Hamala samal to Trainig pal he gujal jana hay

[Wasi Gujar]

Amir bhai humari duya hai Allah app ko kamyab o kamran karey ,, aameen ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, wasi gujar

[Muhammad Asad]

jee ap to training mein hi mast rahte hain!

[Wasi Gujar]

yaar saal ho giya hai k kehta hi rehta laiken training per jata hi nahin hai ..

[Wasi Gujar]

Originally Posted by Muhammad Asad

jee ap to training mein hi mast rahte hain!

janab abh to is baat ko guzrey mudtaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan ho gaiyan..