The Girls from Corona del Mar by Rufi Thrope

A stunningly beautiful debut blazing with emotions: love, friendship, motherhood, and distance. The author depicted it so beautifully that it won the hearts of many.

The story about two childhood best friends, Lorrie Ann and Mia revolves around the city in New York. Lorrie Ann belonged to a good and loving family. She led an amazing life and is beautiful, thoughtful and calm. On the other hand, Mia had a tough life as a kid and is a bit jealous of her best friend. Narrated by Mia, The Girls From Corona del Mar tracks what she sees and tries to understand about Lorrie Ann’s life as they graduate from high school and part their ways for achieving their goals maintaining the best long distance friendship as they can.

The Girls from Corona del Mar is a mesmerizing story, one that grabs the total attention of the readers which will not allow them to stop even for a moment. Lorrie Ann is a trainwreck, and the astonishing twists and turns her life has taken are shocking and painful to read, and somehow entirely believable. Rufi Thorpe has written something compelling which will surely touch your hearts.

Truly something that moves us to ask ourselves just how well we know those we love, what we owe our children, and who we are without our friends.

Thorpe asks what happens to the people we used to know when we stop knowing them — and what happens to us.

 

 

 

Letter to younger me

 

Dear little me,

I write you today as a 20-year-old. I have some news for you from your future which you don’t have any idea about.

I’m writing this letter fully knowing that nothing can be changed now. But, a lot can be learned.

Life has changed so much and life has changed you so much, it’s not as easy as it used to be.You try so hard to do everything right, and you put so much pressure on yourself and end up confused.

I would love for you to know that you don’t have to be perfect in order to impress others. You are truly enough just as you are. You better don’t try to make people happy, you will try the best you can, still, that’s never going to be enough for people. I would like to remind you that having a strong sense of self is unmatchable.

I would love for you to know that you are beautiful the way you are. Please, don’t change for anyone and don’t try to change anyone. People are going to hurt you anyway, they will criticize you for every little thing you do, they will push you low, just be strong. Stronger than you are now. Because now you have everyone around, there will come a time in your life when there will be none. People you trust the most, people who promise to stay no matter what… Will leave you, alone.

You have to fight your own battles. People will be there but just to clap. Don’t worry, You are stronger than you think and can handle any anything that comes your way. Just have faith in God and stop worrying. I promise you, it’s going to be okay.

With high hopes on you,
Kulsum

Ultimate Travel Bucket list

 

 

Burj Al Arab: It’s been a dream to see this luxurious hotel once in my lifetime.This is definitely a bucket list job.Nice building along the beach and there is an expensive “7-star” hotel inside and restaurants. I went to Dubai in 2007 and the construction was still on.The hotel is spectacular both inside and out.The most beautiful man-made structure I’ve ever seen – hands down.

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Los Angeles: So I’m not telling you anything you don’t know when I tell you that L.A. is huge.Again this place should be everyone’s travel wish list.

  Things to do in LA, California

•        Take a trip down the LA river

•        Paddle board along the Venice canals

•        Hollywood walk of fame

•        Hike to the Hollywood sign

•        Visit the Disneyland

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3.Galle, Sri Lanka: Galle is a city on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It’s known for Galle Fort, the fortified old city founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century.This fort is one hell of a place to visit and stay within its wall for few days.. an astonishing mix of srilanko–dutch space where two cultures blend in harmony. Must see….words won’t do justice.

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Swing at the end of the world, Ecuador: The Swing at the End of the World located at La Casa Del Arbol (The Treehouse) in Baños, Ecuador has solved that problem by hanging a long swing at the height of a steep drop-off with a gorgeous mountain view.

Like many good treasures, the Swing at the End of the World has not gone undiscovered. Visitors report there’s a $1 fee to ride the swing, and a second one has been constructed nearby. Those who’ve visited suggest you can get there by hiking, taking a bus or hiring a taxi from the nearby city of Baños.

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5.Walk the great wall of China: Centuries after its construction, China’s Great Wall remains one of the humankind’s engineering marvels. At over 21,000 km (13,048 mi) in length, the Wall is a trip in and of itself. You won’t tackle the whole thing on this ten-day trip, but you’ll return home with a deeper understanding of the life that goes on around and upon it.

Few Interesting Facts about great wall of China:

• The Great Wall of China is the longest man-made structure in the world.
• The Great Wall of China is 25 feet high in some places and ranges from 15-30 feet wide.
• A section of the Great Wall of China in the Gansu province may disappear in the next 20 years due to erosion.

These 5 places are on the top of my wish list.Is your top choice among them? I hope this selection of travel bucket list ideas has given you food for thought and motivation to satisfy your wanderlust.All additional ideas are most welcome please do share.

A Perfect Day

 

 

 

Reminder

People always say “you dont know what you have until its gone“

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (Choicest blessing upon him) said, “Remember more often the destroyer of pleasures – death.” [At-Tirmidhi Hadith # 2307].

It’s been a year since my brother passed away  and it was the hardest time that I have ever experienced in my life. At 18, I was completely lost, unable to express what had just happened to my family, and refused to allow the process of healing. I still remember: I was bangigng on the coffin and screaming ‘Bhai Bhai get up please…please for the sake of god please get up’. And the saddest part is He didnt!

 

“Indeed those who endure with patience will be rewarded without measure.” 

 

Many of us, at some point in our lives, lost a close relative or a friend. True, we shed tears, we show remorse and we weep – but I ask you what did you learn? How did you reflect it upon yourself ? Have you ever think about it?

 

Allah swt cautions us not to get carried away by the charms of this life because in comparison with the hereafter, this life has quite a finite span.And as we go through facing the life’s challenges as well as its beauties, we have to ensure that we do not deviate ourselves from the sirate mustaqeem (Straight Path). 

 

“Let not then this present life deceive you” (Quran, Surah Fatir: 5).

 

Allah Almighty says, “Every self will taste death. You will be paid your wages in full on the Day of Rising. Anyone who is distanced from the Fire and admitted to the Garden, has triumphed. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of delusion,” (3:185)

 

May allah bless each one of us and ease everything.May He make the best of our deeds the last of our deeds, and the best of our days the day we meet Him.
Allahumma Ameen.

 

You will die

One of the most motivating 3 words in the world you can hear ” you will die”

You will not live forever.The time cannot be earned back, it is limited. Make the most of your life. Enjoy it. Break the rules. Instead of wasting your time, go out and start building your dreams! Every second is a chance to turn your life around.Take chances!Work hard! Don’t hesitate! Don’t make excuses!Dont settle for less! Find your passion!Be true to yourself! Make the most of every opportunity that comes your way. seize the opportunities.

Robert frost once quoted “Life: It goes on” Yes it does! it doesn’t wait for anyone.

Wasted time is worse than wasted money, because wasted time can never be earned back but wasted money can.

Go out help the people, may be small or big. Do some social service.visit an oldage home.Spend some time with the people there. Talk to them.Visit the sick. Visit a slum! Play with the children there and the inner peace you will find is incomparable. lastly love your life! Love yourself!

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