From fellow to a father

Hello buddies……..after a little late. How’s everything going on? I’m fine and father of a baby boy. That I was certainly not when posted the last blog. Hope none would have read that but the blog tracker, Katie. Working under Susan-Katie watch is really an arduous task especially when one is in Washington. In this case it’s me spending exciting time in New York Times bureau. But a day before leaving for Chicago, Katie ‘summoned’ me and asked the reason for being such a passive writer. So this entry is under pressure from her—coerced writing-- and is likely to invite intervention of the rights activists and the defenders of First Amendment. Joking... But also mind it there’s a thin-line difference between fun and fundamental rights.
Regardless my fellowship’s so far gains and ultimate goals; I’m the happiest man on earth for fathering the first baby and want flying back to see my son, a healthy kid who came out this world a bit earlier, two-week before his due date. Born on July 21, my son is on border line of two zodiac signs: Cancer and LEO. I wanted him a LEO but he turned out to be disobedient. Anyway, I don’t know his early arrival is result of a divine intervention or he himself took a suo motto action. Either way, he looks tired and terrified because most of the time he either weeps or sleeps. Certainly he’ll take sometime adjusting in this world.
Coming back to business, my days in Washington are worth remembering. Here I learnt professionally, but also politically. I was lucky enough to have very sweet colleagues that made me feel my stay shorter than it really was. They kept me busy roaming around, granting me opportunity to attend classified and declassified briefings. From a wonderful bureau chief to political editor, from national security chief correspondents to his reporters, spending time with them was full of learning. It became more fascinating after my meeting with Maureen Dowd. More she looks harsh in writing; more polite she is in person. I loved meeting her. She gifted me her book “BUSHWorld” and pledged to send me two movies “Mighty Heart” and “Charlie Wilson’s War”.
My chat with political editor, Richard Stevenson, over the lunch—the most expensive I had had in Washington—was really interesting. Asked his favorite presidential candidate, he said he won’t tell even to his wife. He said he won’t like to compromise his integrity by giving even a slight hint towards his favorite. Breakfast meeting with Dean Baquet was interesting, also historical. We’re breakfasting in Capital Hilton when I received good news: THE EAGLE HAS LANDED (my son whom I yet to give name). One good thing of him (Dean), was that he let me speak most of the time and thus making me comfortable. Andrew calls me a “poor listener” that I’m. So it was good opportunity addressing the ‘office’ of bureau chief. I, however, later realized this unfair and asked him a couple of questions ranging from the reasons behind his leaving LA Times to his present-day experience in NY Times. And his talk was more informative for me.
One of my good colleagues, Mark Mazetti, helped me attend a highprofile invitation-only briefing of Chairman National Intelligence Council and later to that of Director National Intelligence, top spy boss who sees US President six-day a week in morning to update him with happenings around the world. It was really wonderful interaction that helped me understand their approach--right or wrong--towards the world and that how they plan to combat with the present-day problems. Another colleague, Eric Schmitt, gave me a toured to Pentagon and showed me around, including the offices and staffers of Secretary Defense and Chairman Joint Staff. I also went to Capitol Hill along with my NYT friend, David, who briefed me about the Congress working. Being a political reporter, it was really fascinating visit for me but time was insufficient. Therefore I may be going again there a bit later.
I also have had the ‘privilege’ to attend the White House press briefing. It is privilege due to the reason that you have to be the US national for entering there and I was not. But my colleague, Sheryl Stolberge, not only arranged my entry—though I was escorted by a White House staffer---she also got me provided opportunity to ask a question.
Sarah Abruzzese, ever-smiling supervisor in NYT bureau, set up my meetings with a number of experts on South Asia to help me understand their perspective, again a good experience. In short, this visit was more significant for me in a context that it gave me a chance to understand the US perspective towards the world and how their main institutions work.
Last but not least: my hosts. I have the privilege of putting many people in trouble in only one visit. First couple of days, I spent with Alfred Friendly. Guess which one? Let me give you a hint. My host is alive. He had to go to Massachusetts and Susan generously offered me shifting to her apartment that was vacant. So this way, I benefited from Susan-Randy hospitality. Randy is a wonderful guy and a person worth being with. After spending a week with them, my final destination was Sopan’s apartment. I benefited from his hospitality but this place turned out to be a stop-gap arrangement when I decided shifting to some Pakistani friends in Maryland. So when I would go back to their Maryland apartment in evening, I felt as if landed in Pakistan. But my baby is not there. I have to see him sooner than later. I’m racing against the time. Please help me in this.