About Asif

In the name of Allah (God), The Beneficient, the Most Merciful

I first would like to start off with the best of greetings, peace be with you all and also thank you for taking the time out to check out my writing venture, PhilAsify 101.

My name is Asif Balouch and I'm just your average run-of-the-mill 20-something Muslim-American that, like everyone else, is scratchin' and survivin' in this world and just trying to make sense of everything. My commentaries range from the spiritual to the absurd and everything in between. I didn't want to have a specific niche for this blog--as most successful blogs do, where an expert in some field writes to help and inform. I just try to pull stuff from my everyday life, my ongoing study of my craft and the world around me and my observations as a young professional in America and put pen to paper (or in this case, fingers to keyboard) to share with you my insight.



Background of a PhilAsifer

I'm a first-generation Muslim American of Pakistani descent. My parents emigrated to America with the hopes and dreams of having their future children place their mark in the land of opportunity. A cliche story I know, but admirable nevertheless. I, along with my 4 siblings, were born and raised in Houston, Texas, a city known for its ethnic diversity. We were all brought up in the American public school system (dun dun dun!) where we had to deal with issues of fitting in and balancing our culture and faith while mixing with the society we lived in. Because of of parents' financial difficulties, we had to move a lot in my childhood which resulted in my experience with many different type of communities ranging from suburban middle to upper class all the way to the urban ghetto areas of Houston. Despite the influences and pressures of being a part of the US Public school system, I did manage to maintain good grades and conduct and took my education seriously.

In 2010, I graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a BA in Communications and a minor in creative writing. I have also developed a media/video production background with a focus in pre-production (screenwriting). At a young age, I always loved to tell stories and entertain people of all ages, be it my younger brothers, my friends or adults so it was only natural that my calling in life was to be a writer. Unfortunately for me, a combination of laziness and lack of focus caused me to slip away from my writing, leaving behind what I have been told by college professors and the like, "untapped literary potential". In my time withdrawn from my craft, I have proclaimed myself as "Asif - the writer who doesn't write"
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The Purpose of PhilAsify 101

Essentially, this blog is an honest and somewhat desperate attempt to snap out of my productivity hibernation and do like Hollywood screenwriter and instructor Dov Simens has popularly said in his screenwriting course, "Move your fingers!". Most of the content on this blog is just going to be in regards to personal development and my thoughts at the time on various subjects, so there will be something for everyone on here. Being a Muslim that strives to uphold his faith to the best of his ability, some blogs would cover Islamic topics but are not limited to that because I will give my own personal commentaries and insight on everything from productivity, politics, the media industry, sports, and just thoughts on life in general coming from a young Muslim American trying to live and stay sane in this crazy world.

Whether this blog reaches millions with the help of Allah Almighty or a handful, my first intention of PhilAsify 101 is to use the craft that I believe God blessed me with, to write. These postings essentially are to make sure that I don't stop doing what I love and that is to write to both entertain and enlighten. If I am able to do that and gather a following because of it, it'll be a bonus. So please sit back and enjoy the ride as I hit you with some of my PhilAsify in the coming days, weeks, months and years, InshaAllah (God willing).



Connect with the PhilAsifer

You can connect with me at the following:

Twitter - @PhilAsify101
Facebook - PhilAsify101

Email- Asif.Balouch87@gmail.com

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