Weekend 17 july

JUly 17, 2016

Hey Weekenders!

CONTENTS 06. Around Town...

One party at a time!

38. Here Comes the Bride Maria B’s presents her opulent bridal collection 2016.

44. Weekend Scouts

Our hot new talent this week is Lahore based artist, Zainab Chaudhry.

47. 90’s Kids

Have a blast from silly little memories of your past!

50. The Reading Room

An insight into John Green’s novel, ‘Looking for Alaska’.

52. 7 Days with QYT

Qasim Yar Tiwana’s unstoppable social calendar.

54. The Makeup Edit

Look radiant and glowing with Hira Khan’s favourite highlighters.

57. Hey, It’s OK

Cut the guilt-trip short, all your embarrassments and bad habits are OK with us!

58. Oh, Burn

New!

New!

How to get the hour-glass figure.

60. Hot Date

In conversation with a real life Super Woman, MMA fighter Anam Shahid.

64. Travel & Cake

Take a wonderful trip to Seville, Spain with Manal A. Khan.

68. Lights, Camera, Popcorn, Binge!

Top 10 Chick Flicks to watch this summer.

70. Love Struck

Weekend’s editors’ picks!

Chairperson/Publishing Editor: Rameeza Majid Nizami Editor The Nation: Salim Bokhari Editor-at-Large: Amal Khan Managing Editor: Shazay Salahuddin Features Editor: Nur Zehra Qadri Contributing Editor: Minahil Batool Shirazi Sub Editor: Rana Faizan Hussain Karachi Correspondent: Farah Vayani Fashion Correspondent: Fatima Ameer Creative Head: Faiz-ur-Rehman Creative Team: Faisal Fazal, Talat Mahfooz, Zeeshan Arif, Shoaib Qadir Photographer: M. Basharat Irshad GM Marketing: Bilal Mahmood For Advertising: Kherzan Zaidi - 0321 8976730, Ata-ur-Rehman - 0332 2427473, Khalid Sheikh - 0345 5130728

We mourn the loss of Abdul Sattar Edhi this week, the finest of humanitarians and Pakistani who made it his life’s work and passion to help others. We can only hope and pray that his legacy lives on for years to come.

In our issue this week Manal Khan shows us around Seville, Spain, we sit down for a chat with the impressive MMA fighter Anam Shahid who is making a name for herself in a mostly male-dominated arena, we take a trip down memory lane to the ‘90s with Minahil Sherazi who recounts the best of the era and shares her guilty habits in our new‘Hey It’s OK’ feature. MUA Hira Khan Shahraiz shows us how to perfect that elusive glow and in Weekend Scouts we feature the immensely talented Lahore-based artist, Zainab Chaudhry. There’s still plenty more where that came from so start flippin’ the pages already because you will certainly not be bored this Sunday.

Happy Weekending ya’ll!

Sincerely, Team Weekend.

weekend | around town

Eman & Amal

Wedding Bells Muneeb & Anush

Amber Sajid & Shazia Ammar

Mehreen Zafar & Sharmin Khan

Noor Jahan

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Muniba & Chanda

The bride’s family organised a music night to celebrate the forthcoming wedding of Anush and Muneeb.

Eman, Momin & Shirin

Abdullah Mehreen Arshad

Shafaq Muzamil & Rabia

weekend | around town

Ainnie

Rabia, Musa Gilani & Maheen Gilani

Zeest

Fatima Kali

Anum

Ayyna

Asifa

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Natasha Kamal

Asma Waqar

Sadia

Rabia

weekend | around town

Hoor Hanif

What’s In Your Bag? Farnaz & Sana

Samar Shahid & Sana Obaid Tata

Saniya, Bunto Kazmi & Shazia Shahzada

Ayesha Dedhi & Sehar Saeed

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Zubaida Aapa

Nina Neri presented exclusive preview of its handbags at Bunto Kazmi’s studio in Karachi.

Amna Ahmed

Anum Ayub, Hoor Hanif, Samar Shahid, Mishaal Naveed & Sana Hasan

weekend | around town

Shahraiz Malik & Hira Khan Shahraiz

Summer Sonnet Sadia Tariq exhibited her latest Semi-formal collection ‘A Summer Sonnet’, at the PFDC Fashion Active in Lahore. The PR was done by InstaGlam Communications.

Sadia & Fatima

Maida

Ammara Hikmat

Dr. Amal Saeed

Mashaal Azmat

Minahil Qasim

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Malaieka Khan

Aaliya & Rubina

Anika

Anush Ammar

weekend | around town

Across The Border Meesha Shafi, Sanya Dhir & Shakil Zindani

Jalal & Fawad

Umair, Rizwan & Fahad

Fatima Fazli & Zarmina Masud Khan

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Ali Zafar & Ayesha Fazli

Diva’ni launched their coffee table book ‘A Queen’s Ransom’ with screening of the movie ‘Sultan’ in Lahore.

The event PR was managed by Lotus.

Nabeel & Anushaye

Aden Rehan & Sehyr Anis

Kamiar Rokni & Rehan Bashir

weekend | around town

Erum Ahmed & Sanya Dhir

Mehek Saeed

Fatin Gondal

Babar Sardar & Rima Farid

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Mr. & Mrs. Surinder Dhir

Jaffar Ali

Rubia Moghees

Momina Sibtain

Mehrbano Sethi

weekend | around town

Maheen Kardar

New in TAO-n!

Noman Javed & Ahsan Kapadia

Misha Rehman & Sehr Anys

Fahad Hussayn & Muhammad

HSY & Mira Sethi

Saad Kureshi & Zainab Cheema

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Maryam & Emmad Irfani

Pan Asian restaurant TAO opened its doors in Lahore. The PR of the event was by VERVE.

Shoaib Shafi, Faraz Manan, Momina & Nael

weekend | around town

Mr & Mrs Saleem Sheikh

Rachel

Ahmer, Natty, Rima & Imtisal

Noman Gillani, Mehrbano Sethi & Kamiar Rokni

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Tony & Sara Mahmood

Zara Shahjahan

Farhad, Lubna, Khalid & Bilal Mukhtar

Madiha Qaiser & Sadaf Mallik

weekend | around town

Azra & Mariyam

Kiddie Party!

Mauj Masti, a new brand of clothing for kids launched at Nishat Hotel in Lahore.

Amir Mazhar & Hur Hassan

Mariam & Ahmad

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Amna & Adeel

Zonia Ahmar & Fauzia Kanju

Mariam, Dr Raheela, Bushra & Zara

Ramsha & Mahnoor

Madiha & Samia

weekend | around town

Zulfiqar Jalil & Aurangzeb

Shershah & Elsa

Anna Ali

Madiha, Hifsa & Zyina

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Umer Sohail & Afshan Umer

Kids at the launch

Samar & Arrian

Tajwar & Zainab

weekend | around town

A Little Birdie Told Me Andy Birds launched its flagship store in Lahore. The event was managed by Troika Events and PR.

Haseeb, Zeeshan & Momin

Meekal Zulfiqar

Anwaar

Kherzan Zaidi

Reema Khan

Meera

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Farzeen Malik

Ayesha Sana, Aamir Mazhar & Rima Farid

Amina Naeem

Noman Ejaz

weekend | around town

Shazia, Rehan, Taha with Team Andy Birds

Hammad Abbas & Humaira Asghar

Sharjeel Baig

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Resham & Shazia

Saleem Sheikh with his daughter

Alishba, Fatima & Shazma

Munib Nawaz with family

weekend | around town

Ali

Holy Feast!

Bilal Mukhtar & Alyzeh

Marium & Nimrah Khokar

Anam, Rubab & Seher

Shahzay & Ramshay

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Vanessa & Abdullah

Din Industries hosted an Iftar at Cosa Nostra for a preview of their SNM Lawn Collection Volume 2. The Event was managed by Bilal Mukhtar Events & PR.

Saneela

Amber Liaqat

Kherzan, Anum & Eman

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Arooj

Salma & Khalid

Murtaza

Farhad & Lubna

Moiz

Fatima

Jaza Malik

weekend | around town

Starstruck!

Mehwish Hayat

The cast and crew of the upcoming movie Actor-In-Law met the media for the trailer launch of their movie in Karachi.

The event was handled by Starlinks PR and Events.

Humayun Saeed & Samina Humayun

Shanaz Ramzi & Zeba Bakhtiar

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Mahira Khan

Kamran, Nabeel, Fiza, Fahad & Sana

Noman Kashif with his wife

Kashif, Tahir, Nabeel Qureshi & SM Shakir

weekend | around town

Uroosa, Mina & Alvina

Kamran Lodhi

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Areesha, Bushra, Fatima & Saneela

Seema & Quratulain

Umama Jafer & Nadeem Jafer

Asif, Asif Kalam, Irfan & Shanaz Ramzi

Naila Khan

Here comesthe bride Maria B’s Bridal Collection 2016

celebrates the modern bride, who deserves to look no less than royalty on her big day. Our pieces are an ode to opulence, created using the finest quality materials, including authentic Swarovski crystal embellishments.

Photography: Ali Hassan Model: Maya Ali Makeup: Shoaib Designer: Maria B

weekend | lifestyle JUly 03, 2016 | 52

What does the word Art mean to you?

Manzoni’s canned shit.

Ask me what artless means to me and I could probably write volumes, but for me Art is anything that draws you in and makes you think. For me Art is merely, or rather purely, an intellectual pursuit.

Weekend Scouts ZAINAB CHAUDHRY Artist City: Lahore

What kind of art do you most identify with and why?

This is probably one of the trickiest questions to answer: to describe your art and put it in a category. Often I am seen as a “traditionalist” because I choose to work with a traditional medium, however this isn’t a definition I necessarily agree with.

I consider my work to be very modern. When one talks about modern art, someone like Jackson Pollock may come to mind. With so much Art being created over the centuries and on such grand scale, the modern painter is burdened with the task of creating something new, and this is essentially what people like Pollock were doing, However, while Pollock’s work may be considered modern art, modernity is not limited to just Jackson Pollock.

The word was coined by Charles Baudelaire, and as he says the modern painter is “the one who knows how to make manifest, in the fashion of the day, the essential, permanent, obsessive relation that our age entertains with death”, this statement is perhaps what I identify with my work the most.

Name a few artists who inspire you.

Gustav Klimt, William Holman Hunt, David Hockney, and Van Gogh to name a few.

weekend | lifestyle

Are there any memorable responses you have received for your work?

Yes, one in particular: that the focal points in most of my paintings were the hands. I hadn’t looked at it that way.

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What is your ultimate goal/dream as an artist?

To do what I can with what I have been given and to share with the world what I have done.

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weekend | lifestyle

There is such a stark difference between your drawings and paintings, even the mood is different, why is that?

Most of my drawings are for my eyes only, drawn from life or from memory, they are just little inside jokes about people and things I find amusing. My paintings are more formal and even a bit alienating perhaps because they will eventually be viewed by someone.

The women in your paintings are sometimes missing a face, why is that?

Giving a face to a painting makes it about someone; I want my paintings to resonate with everyone. In a society where modernity is often confused with sexualising and painting doe-eyed nudes, I prefer to instead paint women in control- and this has little to do with face or body.The women I paint are not victims of any kind; they are in a position of power, which I find is more liberating. My painting of Judith for instance is more reminiscent of David and Goliath than of Judith.

You have a very distinct colour palette, from the painting of your grandfather, to something morbid like Judith, to a landscape. Is this something intentional?

These are the colours I am perhaps subconsciously drawn to. Somehow when I am mixing paint, I am making the same colours, I don’t even realize it.

weekend | lifestyle

Reminiscing About Childhood

You know why people who were born or grew up in the ‘90s don’t stop talking about the ‘90s? Because it was freaking fantastic, that’s why. We reminisce about our childhoods and make pop culture references that are alien to kids of the aughts. From our bright coloured gelly sandals, to ensuring our Tamagotchi pets were fed and alive (we were adulting before we became adults, just sayin’) and to nominating ourselves the prettiest and coolest Spice Girl (some days Mel C would reign supreme, other days it was Posh that stole our hearts) we had it pretty good.

Here are some more reasons why we were so lucky to have grown up in the ‘90s: 1. Playing outside: kids nowadays spend far too much time on their gadgets instead of playing on jungle gyms or in parks or playing tag. Seriously, kids, take it from some people who know, playing outside will never be as much fun as it is when you’re a kid.

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2. Cartoons were good: remember Captain Planet, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Rugrats, The Magic School Bus, Beavis and Butt-Head?

9. We wanted to be the Olsen twins then and we want to be them now.

3. TV Shows were good too: Will Smith was still Fresh Prince, Full House still had the Olsen Twins, Buffy slaying vampires literally meant she slayed them, Friends references made sense the first time round, Thursday nights were for The X Files and hiding under the covers and Fred Savage was still adorable in The Wonder Years.

4. Dial-Up Internet was a test of patience.

5. Tamagotchi pets.

6. Organisational skills meant having Lisa Frank folders, stickers, filofax and stationary—the brighter the better.

weekend | lifestyle

8. Tye Dye was acceptable.

10. The ultimate classroom game— Heads up, 7-Up. 11. VHS tapes and cassettes meant we could only procrastinate for so long (no Netflix to binge-watch on).

12. Goosebumps and Sweet Valley High.

13. The briefcases full of art supplies for all our colouring, painting, drawing emergencies.

14. Spending all our time collecting and reading Archie Comics.

15. The Crystal Maze.

16. Joy land.

17. Crayola crayons/magic markers/

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7. The music is unparalleled: Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, No Doubt, TLC, need we say more?

weekend | lifestyle Fashion

everything they made, we had to have.

18. Polly pockets were everything to us.

19. Disney gave us The Lion King.

20. The mind games of a changed MSN Messenger name.

21. Pakistani music—Vital Signs, Nazia and Zohaib, Strings (see, unparalleled).

22. Passing notes in class.

23. Memorising lyrics from album covers of CDs. 24. The ’92 Cricket World Cup.

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25. WWF

26. Owning a koosh ball was pretty high on the list of priorities.

27. Looking everywhere for platform shoes thanks to the Spice Girls.

28. Jewellery was Yin Yang, rice necklaces and mood rings.

29. Afternoons with friends were spent prank-calling and in fits of giggles.

30. Relationship goals were Zack and Kelly from Saved by the Bell.

31. Floam.

32. The Home Alone movies and a cute Macaulay Culkin.

33. The paper games we played to find out who we would marry.

weekend | books

The Reading Room

JUly 17, 2016 | 50

Book: Looking for Alaska Author: John Green

Among other things, John Green has been accused of trivializing teen depression, suicide, cancer but to me, what is more troubling is why these topics are suddenly so taboo to be discussed in a genre as tame as YA. There are music videos aimed at teens with more ridiculously explicit violence than this book.

But that’s a discussion for another day and for wiser heads than mine.

The one thing that really surprised me while I was reading some of the reviews about this book on Goodreads were how polarized people’s opinion on it was-- from the rants to the raves, people were clearly divided about it.

I can’t say with any certainty which camp I belong to-- I’ve been known to change my opinion on books as I re-read them at different points in my life but I can say this: I did not hate this book. Did it trouble me? Yes. Did it leave me vaguely uneasy? Yes. Would I reread it? Well, I’m reading it again as I type this so, yes.

Setting aside the plot for a moment, John Green’s writing is faultless in this book. There is none of the cheese that stifled plot points in ‘The Fault in Our Stars’. This book is pared down simplicity-- it is the voice of a generation that feels more comfortable with texting about their grief rather than talking to a human

the farthest corner of an undistinguished cluster of galaxies in an ever expanding universe.

Is that too nihilistic?

It is. It is the glorious nihilism of being caught between the furious joy of your childhood and the terror of impending adulthood. Reading ‘Looking for Alaska’, made me relive that time. Now, I remember that feeling well. I know now that John Green does too. In reading his work, I’m forced to acknowledge that you cannot write off your teen years, you cannot disregard another teens experiences, good or bad, as ‘just a phase’.

Ultimately, ‘Looking For Alaska’ aims to be a darker, more philosophical book than the constraints of it’s genre allow. It feels almost like it’s reigned in, like there are places and ideas that the narrative demands be explored but are not. It is for this reason that to me, the story felt incomplete.

As the book concludes with the completion of a long-overdue assignment by Miles, I would only add this to his answer: in the fearful isolation of our own Labyrinths, all we can count on is each other, to let no one go alone and unhonoured, with their story left untold.

Miles, it was good to journey through the Labyrinth with you for a while. I hope you found your Great Perhaps.

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being about it. I’m from the same generation-- I fear for the ones that come after me. I fear for them in their loneliness, their pain, their sorrow because there is no grief like grief denied. And the loneliness of the multitudes makes it easier than ever to deny that grief, to give it no closure.

Miles is an interesting narrator-- he’s vague enough to become anyone you know, (I could picture me as him, in all honesty, same awkward nerd in high school), yet quirky enough to be his own character. Their atomic crew of eclectic electrons (high five, Takumi and the Colonel) is held together by the magnetic pull of Alaska, a girl as familiar to you as your own high school crush.

Alaska, the numinous. Alaska, ‘that which the sea breaks against’. Divided in to two sections of ‘Before’ and ‘After’, ‘Looking For Alaska’ ultimately become more about looking for answers to our mortality, our frail stay on this little ball of dirt orbiting it’s unknown star in a mediocre galaxy in

weekend | books

Favourite lines: That is the fear: I have lost something important, and I cannot find it, and I need it. It is fear like if someone lost his glasses and went to the glasses store and they told him that the world had run out of glasses and he would just have to do without.

weekend | lifestyle

The Makeup Edit

Glow, Not Sparkle!

With so many highlighters trending all over its often tricky to find the right ones that give you an ideal glow and not that cakey sparkle. We all want our skin to look radiant and glowing so here are a few of my favorite highlighters I swear by!

By Hira Khan Shahraiz

Anastasia Beverly Hills Illuminators

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What the first thing that comes to your head when you think of the Kardashians makeup game? A super glowy and radiant face, thank to these ABH highlighters that come in different shades. Definitely on my list!

Becca’s Champagne pop

A beauty! I absolutely love the smoothness to this highlighter gives. If you’re a fan of Jaclyn Hill’s white gold glow game, then this is your pick ladies!

This creamy stick highlighter can do wonders! If you want a more dramatic glow, then go for this one.

Benefit’s High Beam

weekend | lifestyle

Benefit’s Watts Up

For a liquid highlighter this is my best pick ladies.

The way it blends in leaving that smooth tone behind makes you fall in love!

Nar’s Copacabana

RMS Beauty Living Luminizer

If you want to go for something natural that doesn’t show too much but still add a glow then this is your pick ladies,

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Another creamy stick highlighter that gives you a supernatural glow.

LOVES

Guilty of these popular habits?

Don’t fret because hey, it’s ok with us!

weekend | lifestyle

...to carry on eating in the dead of the night even when Ramzan is long over...

...to spend all your time and energy into selecting your perfect outfit but then go with your fail-safe, comfortable one in the end... ...to watch Friends for the nth time and still laugh at every joke... ...to workout and follow it up with a burger and fries...

...to use makeup you should have thrown out years ago... ...if you haven’t started on your summer body till September... ...to order a Happy Meal at McDonalds for yourself... ...if you’re 36 months deep into someone’s Instagram profile... ...if you accidentally double-tap and then undo it... ...if you leave an annoying relative’s friendship request hanging on social media... ...to buy cute gym clothes but never go to the gym...

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Hey it’s ok...

...to cancel plans at the last minute because you don’t want to get out of your bed...

weekend | lifestyle

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BELLY DANCING’S TWIST SHIMMY

JUly 17, 2016 | 58

TRX’S SUSPENDED AB CRUNCHES

Lower the TRX straps six to eight inches off the ground. Lie face down and place both feet, toes first, into the straps. Get into a push uphands flat on the ground position, shoulderwidth apart. Draw your knees towards the chest and straight back out again. Repeat three to six rounds in 45 second intervals.

Stand with your feet hip-width apart and knees slightly bent; maintain this stance throughout the entire movement. Contract the lower abdominals slightly and elongate your lower back so that your tailbone is pointing towards the ground. Twist one hip forward as if you want to rotate around yourself without moving the rest of the body. Switch sides and twist the other hip forward.

To up the ante, lift your hands above your head. Do this for two to three minutes.

burn

weekend | lifestyle

THE BEST EXERCISES TO BURN UNWANTED CALORIES AND TRANSFORM INTO MARILYN MONROE’S CLASSIC HOUR-GLASS FIGURE

PILATE TWIST S’ SIDE BEND

er Place your feet togeth four times. Then e sid ft le travelling to the ur times. Then fo do stand in place and d do four alternating stand in your place an to push the torso ms knee lifts. Use your ar comes up. Repeat ee kn e th e down each tim on the right.

KICKBOXING’S SHADOW CRESCENT KICK

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Step back with your right leg turning the foot out 90 degrees.Bend your arms and bring them up loosely to chest level. Bring your right leg up and with your knee bent, swing and straighten it into a forward kick. With a controlled movement bring the leg down and repeat for the three sets of 25 kicks on each leg.

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IFT AND ZUMBA’S KNEE L TWIST and twist,

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weekend | conversation

In Conversation with

Anam Shahid

July 17, 2016 | 60

Anam Shahid, is not the kind of girl you meet every day; we’re talking about a real life Super Woman, who has just about found her flight in Sydney, Australia, training as a Mixed Martial Arts Fighter. With a degree in Architecture and dabbling into several cosmetology courses, she embodies the feminine spirit in an empowering paradox that allows women to embrace and celebrate the incomparable strength and diversity they carry within.

Nur Zehra Qadri: How do you define yourself in a sentence?

Anam Shahid: I’m a very multifunctional person; I can do lots of things at the same time. I’ve got many skills under my wing and I feel I can use them at different points in my life.

NZQ: What does being a fighter mean to you?

AS: It means a lot of discipline and control over myself. People think fighting is about being aggressive or violent but it’s the complete opposite, it teaches you to channel energy and repressed emotions

I can do lots of things at the same time.

in positive way.

NZQ: When and how did your interest in Mixed Martial Arts develop?

AS: I’ve been very athletic my whole life, growing up I played football, badminton and cricket. Eventually a friend of mine, who runs a fitness studio in Lahore called Synergy, introduced me to Mixed Martial Arts. When you’re out of college, in Pakistan particularly, there isn’t a lot of opportunity for you, especially in athletics. This gym was the answer to my dilemma, it made me lose a lot of weight and feel healthier. Also

weekend | conversation

I have learnt the art of mind over power

NZQ: Is there a particular team or fight you’re training with/for?

AS: I train at Shirudo MMA in Sydney. I also work with them as a coach for beginner classes. I’m learning new things every step of the way, especially focusing on Muay Thai these days. I ultimately want to fight here in Sydney at Luna Park, they have these amateur fights here where you train and then they match you up with an opponent.

There is also a reward, it’s not much but definitely a pat on the back.

NZQ: How much time do you spend practicing in a week?

AS: I spend about 6 hours every week.

NZQ: Tell us about your educational background AS: I did my bachelors in Architecture from the National College of Arts in Lahore and then I have dabbled in different things like, hair cutting courses and theatrical makeup courses (I told you I’m multi-functional!).

Currently, I’m studying a course in personal training in Sydney to be an exercise specialist.

NZQ: Do you plan on coming back to Pakistan and put your expertise to use?

AS: Yes. I specially want to do this for the women in our country. In Pakistan, people don’t know how to have fun when you’re

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I enjoy the fact that in any other another sport you’re trying to achieve a score but with MMA you set your personal goals.

MMA is all about competing with yourself, challenging yourself. You never get bored.

I went for one class and I got hooked and I never stopped, it’s been four years!

NZQ: What is your greatest strength as a fighter?

AS: The ability to assess what my opponent is about to do, I feel that gives you a certain advantage over them because then you can prepare your reaction from the action that is carried out. This is important in MMA because you can’t exhaust yourself, you need control and be mindful. I have learnt the art of mind over power but this has also been an ongoing issue for me, one that I’ve overcame trough self-discipline and following the directions of my coaches.

NZQ: What’s your preferred strike/ submission in any fight?

AS: I’ve not done much submissions but I think the strongest move on my part is the jab and the straight punch, which is the same thing basically. I have learnt how to use these moves to keep my opponent at bay. Also, I’m tall in stature and I work that in my favour.

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trying to be fit, they have been put through crazy boot camps and they don’t even know what they’re doing. If it’s not enjoyable, it’s not effective. There’s a massive fitness boom happening in Pakistan, especially with women, I’m already speaking with my friend and we’re starting a very cool and exciting venture, breaking away from the norm. We want to show people how fitness can be fun and take it beyond the idea of just losing weight. I want to teach people in my country whatever I have learnt here and eventually work for Synergy. They’re doing amazing things like running a charity gym in Charar Pind for people who are homeless, especially kids, so they can become self sufficient and learn to defend themselves and not be forced to beg on streets.

NZQ: What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your journey so far, especially as you are breaking genderroles being part of such a sport?

AS: The biggest issue is that men don’t take you seriously! I faced this in Pakistan a lot. When I started at Synergy, I was the only girl there. Other girls used to keep coming and going and not take it seriously.

I’ve noticed, girls in Pakitsan are afraid to get hurt, especially where their face is concerned. They have to take themselves seriously for men to take them seriously.

We want to show people how fitness can be fun and take it beyond the idea of just losing weight.

Girls come in with an attitude that prevents them from being exposed to the power within them. I constantly felt frustrated and kept addressing the possibilities of all they can do. I may lack a certain strength but with hard training I’ve managed to do what any other guy was able to do and that was so rewarding. I want to break this mindset where women are considered frivolous. With MMA there is so much technique involved that it’s becomes less about strength. There’s a branch of MMA called Jiujitsu where you’re taught a smaller opponent can take on a big opponent and break them. Everything is not about brute strength; it’s all in the mind.

NZQ: What is the most memorable thing you have experienced in your journey so far?

AS: I would say there are two things. I fought in Pakistan at LUMS for Synergy and that match was my first win. I was the only person to win from my team and the only girl, all the boys lost. It was a big day for me. Secondly getting a job in Sydney is something I’ll always take pride in. For my interview I had to spar with the coach who was a six foot tall European fighter. I broke my foot in the fight but kept going because I was determined to get that job. I limped all the way back home but I was happy. It was totally worth it! Also, it felt good to be appreciated being a Pakistani. I have to say

weekend | conversation

I can do taaki of the whole house in five minutes tops! All because of squat power!

RapidFire

City: Lahore Food/ Restaurant: Biryani and KFC

TV Show: That 70s Show Movie: Troy

Music: Crap pop music like Brittany Spears

better. Tell us something no one knows about you.

AS: I can do taaki of the whole house in five minutes tops! All because of squat power!

NZQ: What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

AS: I jumped off a cliff into the Pacific Ocean and had no idea what situation would be under the water; Sydney is known to have sharks. I just learnt swimming and dipped directly into the sea.

NZQ: Name one thing on your bucket list.

AS: Go to Thailand to train for a month for Muay Thai NZQ: What is something you will never compromise on?

AS: How I raise my daughter NZQ: What is your ultimate dream/ goal?

AS: To Come back to Pakistan and teach women, children and the elderly how to defend themselves, just like I taught myself!

Book: The Harry Potter Series

Style Icon: Ruby Rose, Meesha Shafi in Pakistan Spirit Animal: Cat

July 17, 2016 | 63

when I started I thought I couldn’t fight, I just wanted to learn, but I have made it this far.

NZQ: Who are some of your heroes?

AS: Muhammad Ali and his inspiring quotes and his speed. Lionel Messi because he’s so amazing, he’s my football hero. There are so many new people I see, who’re doing amazing stuff, like my coach who has so many injuries but he works like a maniac. He works on mobility and helped people who can’t walk, jump off buildings!

Everyone is a hero if they get down to it.

NZQ: If you could fight against anyone in the world who would you pick?

AS: Its every MMA girl’s dream to be arm barred by Ronda Rousey!

NZQ: The best advice you were ever given?

AS: To not be aggressive and to listen.

Channel aggression into something calculated and effective. At home, people always tell me “don’t be jungli, control it!”

NZQ: Let’s get to know you a little

weekend | travel

Seville: TRAVEL & CAKE

Hola! I’m Manal, native of Lahore, currently calling Madrid home. I’ve visited many places in Spain and fallen in love with each one of them. I’ll start here with Seville, one of the most photogeniccities you’ll ever see.

the city of glazed tiles, guitars and orange trees

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About Seville

Like most cities in Spain, Seville was founded by the ancient Romans. The Moors or North African Muslims ruled there for about 500 years, leaving their mark on architecture, dance and music. Following the discovery of the Americas, Seville became an important economic centre of the Spanish Empire. Today, it’s the capital of the Andalusia province and Spain’s 4th most populous city.

weekend | travel

Sights

Seville’s old town, the 3rd largest in Europe, is pure architectural eye candy. A few places in particular stand out: l The Alcázar

A gorgeous medieval palace built in the Mudéjar style, a mix of Muslim and Christian techniques.

Recognize it from the Kingdom of Dorne in GoT! l Cathedral of Seville

The largest Gothic cathedral in the world and home to the remains of the notorious Christopher Columbus. The bell tower or “Giralda” used to be a minaret! l

Plaza de España in Maria Luisa Park

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A stunning glazed tiled square in a paradisiacal park, full of fountains, pavilions, ponds and peacocks. You’ve seen it in Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars Episode II!

weekend | travel

Flamenco

Seville is one of the birthplaces of Spain’s iconic dance, a fusion of Middle Eastern, North African, Indian and Spanish gypsy culture.

Catch a ticketed show at a wellknown venue like “Museo del Baile Flamenco” and“La Casa del Flamenco”, or stop by the cavernous “La Carboneria” after dinner for a more spontaneous, local experience.

Food

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Sevillanos, like all Spaniards, love their tapas – platters of bite-sized snacks that you share at the table instead of ordering individual meals.

Tapas joints abound in Seville, and as long as you avoid the touristy places close to the Cathedral or Alcázar, you won’t be disappointed.

Though food in inland Spain tends to be pork and meat-heavy, look out on the menu for these classic Sevillana

veggie tapas: spinach with chickpeas, asparagus with eggs, wild mushroom croquettes, fried eggplant with honey, prawn tortilla, gazpacho, and more!

Festivals

Spain celebrates dozens of public festivals every year. In Seville, the two most spectacular are “Semana Santa” or Easter week, followed by the “Feria de Abril” or April Fair. The whole city gets decked out at festival time, and the atmosphere is electrifying – as are the crowds and prices!

Where to stay

There are tons of charming hostels, hotels and B&BS in the Seville (I’d suggest staying in the Arenal, Santa Cruz or Triana neighbourhoods). If you plan to indulge, no better place than the regal “Hotel Alfonso XIII”.

If you’re looking for character and comfort within budget, go for“Las Casas De Los Mercaderes”.

weekend | lifestyle

TOP 10 OLD SCHOOL CHICK FLICKS TO BINGE ON THIS

SUMMER

Sweet Home Alabama

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2002

Cruel Intentions

1999

01 02 The reinvented New York Socialite finds herself in an uncomfortable situation when she goes back home to divorce her high school husband after seven years of separation.

Two wealthy step-siblings of an elite Manhattan prep school make a wager involving the new headmaster’s daughter before the start of term.

Coyote Ugly

2002

2000

03 04

Father of the Bride

By a twist of fate and mistaken identity, a maid and a political elite are thrown into a magical night of romance.

The Princess Bride

1991

Overprotective parents find themselves struggling to let go of their beloved daughter when she returns home from studying abroad with a ring on her finger.

05

Miss Congeniality

2000

A female FBI who considers herself as ‘one of the guys’ is faced with an unusual challenge when she is told to go undercover at a beauty pageant.

08

1987

While home sick in bed, a young boy’s grandfather reads him a story called The Princess Bride and a fairytale adventure in ensues.

06

Ever After: A Cinderella Story

1998

The real story of Cinderella.

A refreshing new take on the classic fairy tale.

09

Bring It On

2000

A high school cheerleading squad’s plans to win championship 6th year in a row takes an unexpected turn when they discover that all their choreography is stolen.

07

My Date with the

President’s Daughter

1998

A teenager unwittingly falls for the American President’s daughter. When the unlikely pair is interfered by an intrusive Secret Service, the young lovebirds cut loose for a night of mischief.

10

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By a twist of fate and mistaken identity, a maid and a political elite are thrown into a magical night of romance.

weekend | lifestyle

Maid in Manhattan

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Editors’ picks

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e v o L Struck

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