The Pakistani Spectator

 I’m a stay at home mom of 3 young boys, and I write a lot about them on my site.  I also have some political opinions and hobbies that I like to talk about.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?

Yes, the more you write, the better you become.  It’s important to me because I think the human mind needs to grow and stay active at all stages of life.  One should always be pushing themselves to be better.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?

I think some of my most memorable experiences with blogging have been writing about my sons, my pregnancies and their births in particular.  It has been a wonderful opportunity to meet other moms raising their children, and exchanging stories and ideas.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?

I try to join carnivals, share pictures, and trade comments as often as I can.  It can be difficult with such a limited amount of free time.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?

Definitely the Internet.  Politicians can’t hide anything anymore.  We don’t have to wait for the nightly news to give us what pictures or information they deem valuable.  There’s uncensored information all over the Internet.  It has really changed the way we see our politicians.

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

I hope so.  My hope is that now, more than ever, with information available to anyone who wants to make use of this technology, that people will see it as their personal responsibility to remain informed.

What do you think sets Your site apart from others?

I think I’m not afraid to tell people what I really think, and I’m not afraid to be wrong.  I have a unique mix of the softer side of a woman raising children that she loves; but I’m also a woman with opinions that I realize many people are not in agreement with.  I think more woman should stand up for what they believe, instead of trying to walk a thin line between the opinion of others.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?

Faith.  Time and again I have been saved by nothing but my faith that my life will become what it was intended to be by God, our creator.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

The happiest was the moment I became a mother.  The gloomiest was a time when I thought I might lose my husband.

Do you think [the use of Twitter and other social networking tools by politicians] is bandwagon jumping or what?

I think any politician who makes decisions based on the perception of a popular opinion is not doing their job, which is to be a leader.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?

  Hawaii, I’ve always wanted to visit Maui.  The Galapagos, it would be amazing to see the unique biology living there, and Ireland/UK.

What is your favorite book and why?

For fiction, I love the Harry Potter series.  It’s just good fun.  I can’t pick a favorite book otherwise.  I like to read non-fiction, depending on my interest of the moment.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

How much they talk.  I think it’s important for a person to be economical in their words when first meeting.  I feel put off if someone tries to explain their entire life to me in a breathless 10 minutes.

Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?

No.

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

I’ve no idea, ad revenue, I suppose.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?

I suppose you have to have a lot of time to put into a blog to make it successful and be consistent with your posting.

What are your thoughts on corporate blogs and what do you think the biggest advantages and disadvantages are?

I’m not normally interested.  It’s bad enough I have to watch commercial interrupt my favorite television shows.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?

I think, when it comes to dealing with other culture, we are best served when we don’t make too many assumptions.  The basic needs and desires of the human condition are similar, regardless of what culture you belong to.  I think the Internet in general, and blogs more specifically, can serve to underscore that simple truth by giving us a glimpse into the lives of other people and cultures.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

They are on my short list:  http://www.mydomesticchurch.blogspot.com,  http://www.pensieve.typepad.com, http://www.katesaid.wordpress.com, http://www.ennorath.typepad.com, http://www.mostgladly.typepad.com

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?

I got some angry responses at one time for a post I wrote about my feeling that breastfeeding my children was putting a little bit of justice into the world.  A woman took offense to that statement because she was unable to breastfeed her children.  She missed the point entirely.  I was merely pointing out that we live in a world where many babies are not able to breastfeed because their mothers have left them in daycare, or their mothers are sick with AIDS, or people are misinformed and feel that breastfeeding is not important to a mother and baby.  People will be offended if they choose.

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?

My perception is that Pakistan is a very diverse people.  It’s a part of the world that is too commonly in great conflict, and I suppose that has a hand in shaping its political landscape.  Pakistan is a relatively young country, and I hope they find more stability with passing time.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?

Sadly, no.

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?

I’m not exactly sure, but I would have to say that countries that developed countries at one time or another probably went through very similar struggles to that of currently developing countries.  Some of these issues would be the move of the population from agriculture to the cities; how to get a fair wage for work; how to manage health care; how to manage the environmental impact of development; and what impact development has on the family.  I don’t think any country is ever completely developed, just as no person is ever completely developed.

What is the future of blogging?

I think blogging will continue to grow as a way of communicating.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?

There are times when I have to put it aside because I don’t have to personal time to do it.  For the most part, it is a welcomed creative outlet.

What are your future plans?

It’s just one day at a time.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?

Thanks for reading!  Thanks for giving me an opportunity to think about some of these issues.