About Me — Haisum Haroon
Syncing My Soul: Navigating Code, Keys, and the Quest for Meaning
Hey, everyone!
I’m Haisum, and it’s currently 10 AM here as I sit down to write this. A small victory just made my day — my Data Structures exam, originally set for this evening, has been postponed! Haha. With the weight of that stress melted away, I figured now’s the perfect time to share a bit about myself. I’ll let my thoughts spill freely and write what truly flows since my mind feels crystal clear right now. Let’s go on a little journey together.
I was born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan. I’m currently pursuing a major in Computer Science and just began my new semester a month ago. I’ve been hooked on the subject since I was a kid. I vividly recall my first project: building a cane with ultrasonic sensors to guide the visually impaired. It was a small step, but one that set me on a path that only grew stronger over the years. Fast forward to today, and I’m laser-focused on security and privacy — fields that feel more critical than ever in our AI-driven world. While studying, I’m likely buried in code for penetration testing or lost in a book about computer networks.
I am also a musician by night. I’ve been playing the piano for about eight years. Music often lingers in my background like a faithful companion. The keys of my piano aren’t much different from the lines of code I write — both require precision, creativity, and a touch of improvisation when things go off-script. The first song I ever played was River Flows in You by Yiruma, which made me fall madly in love with the instrument. Nowadays, I compose my own music, weaving together classical melodies and pop rhythms. My current obsession? Practicing the hauntingly beautiful theme from Oppenheimer. It really calms me down. If you’d like to hear my compositions and covers, check out my Instagram music page, @_pianoia_, where I share snippets of my performances and my journey as a musician.
But my interests don’t stop at the keyboard, whether mechanical or musical. I’m an explorer at heart. Growing up in a city like Lahore, rich in history, my perspective of the world has broadened greatly. Walking through the Lahore Fort or the Badshahi Mosque, both steeped in centuries of history, has shown me how much life has reshaped and shifted. It is eye-opening to be in places that have witnessed so much, from the Mughal era to today’s bustling streets. Even beyond Lahore, I’ve visited Mohenjo Daro, a city of the Indus Valley Civilization over 4,500 years old. There’s something strange and humbling about standing in the midst of such ancient ruins, imagining the lives that once thrived there. These places remind me how much the world around us changes, but also how some things — like the pursuit of knowledge and beauty — remain timeless.
And of course, I can’t talk about Lahore without mentioning the food. There’s something about the heat of a spicy karahi paired with naan at a local spot that nothing quite matches. But, here’s my confession: I’m on a bit of a fitness journey right now, so I’m watching what I eat 🙃.
Even with all these passions, I often find myself deep in thought, caught in existential spirals. Though, I’ve learned to embrace it. Life is fleeting so I try to make every moment count. In a world that sometimes feels fragmented, I hold kindness and empathy close. Whether it’s local initiatives or simply lending an ear to a friend in need, I find fulfillment in nurturing community. I’ve learned that the smallest gestures can have the biggest impact; a smile or a listening ear can change someone’s day. Still, I often ponder my own identity. Who am I in the quiet moments? I’ve realized that my understanding of self is intertwined with the bonds I build. I find pieces of myself in conversations, in the laughter that spills over the dinner table and shared meals, or in the stories exchanged with a stranger. The most important thing I value in life is relationships — whether it’s with family, friends, or even my cats. It’s a humbling realization that we are not singular beings but rather a mosaic of experiences, shaped by the people we encounter and the moments we share. This is one of the reasons why I started writing on Medium. I find that the essence of who I am is written not just in my own story, but in the connections I forge with others. It’s in these shared moments that I truly discover my own heartbeat.
