slowly but surely, the days pass by.

so here are a few things that some of you might not know about because I haven't updated for so long or maybe I haven't seen you for a while either:

-- I have a skin disease called Allopecea. It's a genetic disorder that inhibits hair from growing on certain parts of your body. There are two kinds of Allopecea, Allopecea Areata and Allopecea Totalis. The former is the one I have. The latter makes the person who has it lose all their hair on their body (eye brows, pubes and all). In my case, since I have the former kind, the areas are sporadic and usually small.

I have three patches on my body that do not grow hair as of now. All of them on my head. Two are in my hair and one is a large patch to the left of my goatee. All the hair hair will come back slowly (6-8 months). It started in December with the one on my chin and then slowly the other two appeared. So, I can't crop my hair too short like I usually do cuz it'll expose the ones in my hair. It's just soemthing I am gonna have to deal with for a while. I have to get injection into the patches the head. It's just steroids which tries to speed up the process. The one on my face cannot get an injection as it would leave a cleft where the needle went in. I have to get the injection every month which is no big deal. But, the needle near my naagen really does disconcert me.

I love my hair and keep it in primo shape (yeah yeah), so I was really bummed out at first. But, now that time has passed and I have found out what it is, it feels trivial even if it is kinda embarassing sometimes. I just think of stuff that some other people in this world have to go through and it puts things is perspective again.

-- I have been really missing the Middle East lately and am seriously considering moving to Dubai for a while. I could easily get work there. I'd work for a few years and then come back to do my law degree. It started off as a small thought but it has mushroomed. I am really considering it. I just need to leave Canada for a while.

-- I am also considering going to Pakistan. It's either gonna be during spring break or during the first few weeks of the summer. I just need to go and see my grandmothers. Only my two grandmothers are still alive and they are getting very old. I don't want to miss the chance to see them. Plus, many of my cousins have gotten married and have kids of their own. Many of them will be getting married when I do go. Its about time I went back and showed my face. It'll be 9 years by the time I go. Nine .. that sounds like an eternity. It feels like an eternity too.

-- I spoke to one of my school friends from back in Qatar a few days ago. All these guys were my age. We grew up together for five years in the same classes. They are like my brothers. I haven't spoken to many of them for years because we have just lost touch. Its hard to keep up with someone and carry a friendship on when you live continents apart. You just tend to grow apart after a while and one day you find that you have very little to say because you have missed such a large chunk of that person's life. Your affection for them does not decrease, but you just do not know what to talk about except for the good ol' days.

Anyway, it turns out that a large number of my friends are either getting married or they are married. These are guys my age mind you. It was just surprising when one of my friends said it to me. He himself is getting married this December. I am very happy for them but just can't help thinking that I am eons away from that stage of my life. I don't know whether that is a bad thing or a good thing. Anyway, a hearty congratulations to all my boys that have tied and are planning to tie the knot. I hope you guys are happy and living a good life. I miss you all very very much. One day, maybe, we can all get together again and play a game of football or cricket. Maybe..