OOC:: Pakistan Application

Oct 20, 2010 12:54

OOC;

Name: Rosie
Age: 19
Experience: Turkey c:

|| Contact ||
Email: marth_heart_heart@hotmail.com
AIM: marth_heart_heart@hotmail.com
MSN: marth_heart_heart@hotmail.com (which is the most used)

IC;

Nation: The Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Name: Padmini Kumar
Nickname(s): She is more often referred to as Padma (Hindu for "lotus", as opposed to Padmini, which is "Full of lotuses") for short. Please feel free to indulge her with more odd and creative nicknames, as she finds them amusing.
Age: 19
Date of birth: August 12, 1991
Hometown: Delhi, India
Occupation: She works part-time as a hostess and masseuse at the Tatiana Baths, pampering women only; Padmini is also planning to join Liberty University for the winter semester and major in Medical Sciences.
Residence: Lakewood
Family: A certain Indian sibling (who she denies blood relation to). Her mother and father reside in England currently. She refers more to her aunt and uncle as parents.

First impression: "Oh, hijab... I assume she's quie-- did she just cuss?"

Ten True Facts

١.  Padma does not regard herself as an Indian, despite that being where her blood rests. Even though her home was originally in Delhi, her own heart always lied further west, in Pakistan. She didn't spend much time in India regardless because she was sent away to stay with her aunt and uncle at a young age: two Pakistani relatives whom she regards much more as parents nowadays. It wasn't that she was a mistake, but shortly after Padma was born, her family had a bit of a financial crisis and were forced to hand her off to her mother's sister for what they thought would be a short while.

٢.  She's spent a majority of her life in Pakistan, and because of this, she mainly identifies herself as a Pakistani as opposed to Indian. That said, it's not like she doesn't know or spend much time with her parents and siblings, but she's really not interested in seeing them. Family is important and all, but she finds the Indian culture of her immediate family -- one she's been away from for way too long -- strange and peculiar, with their Gods and ways of worship. Clearly, the things one doesn't understand are things not worth learning about, and being the stubborn girl she is, Padma wont take the time to appreciate her Indian ancestors, nor will they take time to understand her views. As such, her relationship with her family is a tender subject.

٣.  She is a proud muslim, if not a very feminist one. Padma loves hijab, but she doesn't wear one often enough herself. When she does take the time to tie one around her head, it is usually not as typically "proper" since she allows the hair of her forehead peak out. She loves playing with the colors of her hijab like any sort of accessory, such as going from dark green one day to silky and bright colors the next, but for it to clash with her clothes would just be suicide as she takes pride in how she looks. She really likes shopping as a pastime, and clothes are just one of those things that never grow old. Just a few rules, however: modest things that cover her arms and feet, and shoes that keep her heels hidden. She likes to dress nice, especially if it will make her look like a mature young lady (something she tries very hard to be and more often fails).

* Hijab isn't required in Pakistan like it is in Saudi Arabia and Iran, and really, not many as many Pakistani women wear it anyway (or much of South Asia for that matter). It's treated more as an identity piece, similar to an accessory, though while still showing pride in their religion. She does take pride in being a muslim, but only on rare occasions, such as to mosque, will she wear it. Dupatta is more often used as head covering.

** Also, just of note; Pakistani women have a lot better of a status than women from most other Middle Eastern/Muslim countries, despite what media says. They can do anything a man can do.

٤.  Padma aspires to be a doctor in the future. It isn't because she has a particular interest in it, nor does she care about diagnostics and giving shots, etc. Really, it's simply something that has been presented for a lot of her life; an aunt and uncle that are both doctors, for example. It's hard to ignore the fat income, and she does believe that such an occupation would keep her from having to deal more with her parents and siblings if it means she'll be at the hospital most of the time. Oddly, she finds things such as oozing green boils fascinating.

* It's pretty reasonable to say that being a Doctor is highly respectable in Indian and Pakistani culture. Parents stress on their kids to become professionals in that field, going to great lengths to get them to the necessary school. Pakistan doesn't really need any more doctors, though = A=

٥.  A smart girl, but one that doesn't always show it, Padma is actually quite versed in medical terminology and other sciences. It's something that she only brings up if the need arises. Otherwise, she likes it when other people try to teach her things, and the otherwise chatty girl will simply nod her head with a smile while pretending to be ignorant, if just because she enjoys the sound of other people's voices. There have been cases that she's failed to correct people as they spout false information, just because she was amused by it all, or was having fun. But because of this, people tend to mistake her as a typical young adult who prefers material things over study and brains (which really, is half true).

٦.  This Pakistani is one that some people love, and some people hate. She's patient and polite at times, and subtle at others, but she says what's on her mind if she feels the need to do so. That is, if she thinks that a skirt is too short, she will likely make a quip about it. How one dresses and carries themselves matters to her greatly, particularly when she is a girl that believes women should hold their heads high and demand the same amount of respect as anyone else. Likewise, if she finds a guy cute, she will tease them. Padma is flirtatious by default, and she doesn't shy away from poking fun at people, though it's rare that she will go much further than verbal exchanges and showing interest -- she still shies away from the idea that girls and guys can be "just friends," but it's more of a personal preference than a religious one.

* It's just one of those stereotypes that Pakistani's are more flirty and whatnot than their Indian counterparts xD Though the argument goes either way LOL.

٧.  That said, she is also known to have a bit of a temper when certain subjects are brought up, Indian relatives and religion just being a few, and she can be stubborn when it comes to saying that yes, she is wrong. If one is to get on her bad side, then they will probably stay there until they choose to make the amends. Even though she pretends not to be interested in silly government things, she is actually very opinionated, but she rarely disagrees with what you say upfront. It's more... passive-aggressive, as she prefers off-hand jabs than forward insults. She doesn't fight, but she knows how to defend herself very well if the need arises, and can do it very well. Basically, next to her other relatives, Padma is a bit more open and much less peaceful, and it's always wise to stay on her good side because she's more crafty than her sweet appearance seems.

* Pakistan has been deemed one of the most Dangerous Countries in the world, and being home to a hefty arsenal of nuclear programs. It's a country that is full of political instability and Islamic radicals. My characterization here has been that of a fragile attitude that is easily influenced by outside forces, and one that is sneaky enough to hide important information from other people, to the point that one can't really know what to expect from her and how she will take things.

٨.  Similar to her siblings, Padma has been unwillingly put into an arranged marriage by her parents. It's really just another reason to love her auntie and uncle over the other side of her family, who still seem to think that finding a nice Indian husband would convert her back to her roots. She really hates it, and it's part of her excuse for flying to America; home of the free. Who would choose to stick around though, if they knew they were inevitably going to have to marry a fat, old, sweaty man with sausage fingers? Her Pakistani relatives aren't necessarily against it, but would rather choose an Islamic husband. Really, she would rather just have her own choice in the matter.

* Arranged marriage is still common in Pakistan's culture as a way to bind families and all that, yadda yadda yadda.

٩.  Like most girly-girls, Padma loves sweets and cute things. Take her to a bakery, and her eyes will light up with joy as she picks out square cakes and sweet breads, though they need to be small and bite-size in order to be considered adorable and worth her dollar (can't cook herself though). She also loves animals, particularly big ones such as tigers and elephants, and makes regular trips to the zoo to visit them. That said, she doesn't like all animals... Padma seems to hold a prejudice against creepy crawlies and venomous amphibians; even household pets make her cringe (dogs she especially dislikes). She will gladly stick with small, fluffy rodents and anime creatures, and even birds for that matter. She has her own hairless rat named Jiya.

Padma loves comics and manga* as well, if just for cute art.

* The growing comic industry is more of an Indian thing. She also likes Bollywood, but shhh. Pakistani's are known to enjoy a lot of Indian things when it comes to entertainment like TV and music.

١٠.  She is a spoiled child. Oh so spoiled. Padma doesn't really have any money herself, but she seems to allow other people to take care of her when it comes to finances. Her aunt and uncle, doctors as they were, have always provided for her needs when required. That said, she's always been exceedingly grateful towards their support, and always sends them her blessings when she can. Now that she's no longer under family's wings, issues with cash are bound to happen because she has the worst time just saving a dime.

* Once again mentioning here Pakistan's political instability when it comes to finance, which is much worse off than it's Indian relatives. However, since the character is related to the eleventh largest economy in the world, I've chosen to regard her as a girl who has trouble taking care of money herself, rather than throw her with some poor relatives.

Secret

She does have a reason for holding a prejudice towards canines.

As a little girl, her aunt and uncle owned a black mut, a big dog who loved tousling with her on the floor and licking her all over the face when she came home from school. She loved that thing, but it was prone to biting. And biting it did, the day before it died on the living room floor unexpectedly. The scratch seemed like a small nip the day she got it, and it was something she cried over for hardly a minute before putting on a bandage and moving on. That is, until biopsies came, saying that the cause of their dog's death was rabies. Padma still curses Pakistan's lack of animal care, as even families don't often pay for treatments.

Five shots in the stomach. She remembers it like yesterday, how she was dragged kicking and screaming to the hospital to receive those vaccinations, and every flu-like side effect the days after. It was an awful experience.

Padma doesn't mind the hospital room or it's odd smells, but if a dog comes running at her, she will take off screaming. It isn't something she wants to relive, ever, and just talking about it makes her skin prickle.

* TRUE STORY of one of my mom's Pakistani professors, actually (whose parents were both doctors, might I add) xD Pakistan don't really give much veterinary care to their animals, like shots and all that jazz, so dogs are prone to diseases like rabies. And since there are a lot of muts that just roam the streets with people, it's not hard to imagine how insanitary she views dogs as.

writing sample

Her hijab was pink that day, made of a smooth silk as it hugged her face. The scarf was thin, but it did it's job willing the cold autumn temperatures away as she embarked to what she could only hope would be her future job here in Liberty. Only one thick strand of hair hung in front of her face, loose from the colorful scarf in a way that one would normally find as a tease back home. Padma certainly didn't mind, and she was sure that her employers would feel the same, not bothered by such trivial issues of Sunnis over Shiites and things of modesty. She smiled, lips cherry red from the lipstick she had decided to wear, and cheeks pink from the cold air. Oh this weather; only time could tell when she would be whining to go back to Pakistan. Of course, she complained about the heat of Pakistan while in that country, and there was no winning situation between either.

Cars and taxis buzzed by as the bath house finally came into sight just ahead. A large building full of mysteries that she had yet to discover for herself, though as she idly laced her fingers together, she noticed a chip in her nail. Painted with teal polish, and already cracked. Padma pursed her lips and held her hands in front of her, hiding the flaw that would go unnoticed by anyone else, and as fellow pedestrians walked by with a glance she could only smile mysteriously in return and hope they hadn't seen.

Closer yet. Only two days in Liberty, and it hadn't taken long for news to circulate. This was the same city her older brother had settled with, having cheap apartments and varieties of nationalities. She liked it because it was grand and full of flashy lights, not quite as big as New York, but perfect for one that was looking for a home. Good for someone new to it all. The thought that Rajiv could be anywhere, that she could run into him at any moment, made the girl ill. As if she would know what to say to him, or how to react. It had been years. Years of parents pretending that he didn't exist, and a daughter festering a dislike who's reasons had long been forgotten.

She didn't fight. As a child, she's been told that it isn't ladylike. All she could do was hope that she would never run into her older brother, and save herself from spitting in his face.

She opened the door to the bathhouse finally, lowering her scarf to hang around her shoulders so that the warm air could properly caress her cold cheeks, and lit her face up again with a smile that was known to charm. The job wasn't about to slip though her fingers, for she wouldn't let such happen. This was her job for the taking, and as she ambled inside confidently to properly introduce herself to the girl working at the counter with a peck on each cheek, Padma had successfully rid her thoughts of whatever future she might have here in Liberty and put her mind to the task at present. A job.

!ooc, !application

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