The Pakistani Spectator

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?
I was born and raised in Los Angeles and worked in “Corporate America” for about 20 years.  My boyfriend’s work moved him to China so I quit my job and began a new life chapter as a first-time expat.  I wanted to start a site as a journal of my experience for myself and for my family back home. I blog here.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?
I do feel I continue to grow.  As I feel more confident, I become more open and expressive and take more chances with my humor.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?
I’ve only been blogging a short time but I’ve had a student thank me because they were able to use an entry to help them with a school paper.  Another reader emailed me for travel suggestions in China.  I love the way it connects me to people from all over the world.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?
Email, email, email.

If you had to describe life as a blogger in a Twitter message (140 characters) what would you say?
I’m not a twitterer.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?
That’s a great question that I don’t have a good answer for.   For me, I am always searching and hoping for unbiased, factual information.  There is so much out there that is just…wrong.  It’s discouraging.

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?
I think they must be because many governments seem to be very frightened of them.

What do you think sets Your site apart from others?
To be honest, I’m such a novice probably not that much accept that it is 100% me and my thoughts.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
My ability to be flexible.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
I tend to be a pretty happy person in general, I come from a large, very loving and supportive family. When I was 20 yrs. old, my father passed away from cancer and that would have to be my some of my darkest days.

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?
My list is so much longer.  However,
I know and love Italy well, but would like to get to know Sicily.
Turkey, for it’s culture, food, beautiful cities and beaches.
An adventure in the Himilayas

What is your favorite book and why?
Any Jane Austen story.  I am a true girly girl deep inside.  And I’ve reread David Sideris’, “When You are Engulfed in Flames” several times, everytime I need a pick-me-up.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
A smile, warmth.

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

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
I really need to find that out!  (on-site advertising would be a start I guess)

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?
My little blogging site takes me forever and a day, so no, that is not what I’m experiencing.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?
I think they can play a role through their writing but just like anything else, you have to keep the narcissism out of it.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?
I honestly do not have a top 5 but I do have a tendancy to visit blogs that are humorous much more often.

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?
A recent entry about a girl in Shanghai wanting to have plastic surgery to look like Jessica Alba.  She wanted to gain confidence and get her boyfriend back.

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?
That it is in one hell of a mess.  That the Pakistani people have suffered a great deal.   That until there is a collective movement for real change, to move forward and not live in the past, it will never be better.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?
Yes, usually their sense of humor

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?
The things we take for granted.

What is the future of blogging?
There will just be a lot more of it.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
Not much, I think I’m just a bit more reflective…could be my age too.

What are your future plans?
Take each day as it comes.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
I just hope and pray that one day soon the Pakistani people can live in peace and harmony.