Happy New Year 2013

Another year passed (2012), some stories became old, and some took a new twist. I don’t have any new plan for this New Year… I am going to follow my old plan. And to do this, I have to take some new steps. Like have to admit my son to a school etc. Nothing new, nothing special, just as usual life, but very hard to continue in properly and see the success. I hope this year people will be more alert on their behaviour to a woman (some recent story really shaken me up). From the bottom of my heart I am wishing Happy New Year to you all.

Salad in breakfast

I made this in my breakfast. This is a tomato, capsicum, onion and salt salad. Look very beautiful, but very tasteless food. I keep eating and could complete eating at afternoon this amount of it. My son (4 years old) helped me by eating 2 piece of tomato. For first time he liked tomato.

Shafeen’s first tour in Dhaka Zoo

Me and Shafeen, Shafeen fall in sleep.

Last Friday (December 28, 2012) my elder sister asked me, would I like to go to Dhaka Zoo (at Mirpur 1)? Shafeen said YES! Tameem (my elder sister’s son) told him many stories about animals and zoo. Like, they can ride on elephant and horse, can see many animal etc. My son became very excited.

At 9am we start from home. We took foot over bridge on KamalapurRailway Station. Children were very to see the trains. It was very cold all over the day. I thought when we start walking we won’t need any sweater, but every moment we are feeling its getting more cold. Whole day we felt the same weather.

Then we took a bus “Shokolpo” to the Zoo. It was Friday, so we didn’t face any traffic jam, though whenever but stops in any stoppage my son asking me, are we there? My sister Sharmin replied, we have to go to the last stoppage to reach the Zoo.

We cut ticket and get inside. Children didn’t want to miss to ride on the elephant so we look at the map and decide to go to the elephant’s place first. It was at the end of the Zoo. We look at other cages on the way to the elephant. Those animals that can fly or climb up can get rid of the cold concrete floor, but others don’t have choice, I really felt bad for those animals.

Shafeen (my 4 years old son) enjoyed a lot. Even after reaching home he wanted to go back there. I said OK, I will put you in a cage and stay there. Then he changed his mind.

My suggestion for the visitors is take plenty of food and beverage with you, don’t even think to buy from inside because they will bill triple and even more which you didn’t order. They will just put it on your table, whether you take or not will bill in your account. And you can take a big cloth to sit and enjoy. For children you can take ball, racket or anything to play.

We found horse to ride. Shafeen first was very afraid to ride on it, but after riding he didn’t want to get down. We had to buy ticket for other round. Both Tameem and Shafeen touch the horse and they were very happy that the horse didn’t get angry. We waited for the elephant too, but horse guy informed us that for last two months they didn’t bring out the elephant.

Shafeen wanted to play with the dust too, but his cruel mother again didn’t let him do. So, he decided to walk with his aunt and bro but mother. His mother also disturbed him a lot to wear the cap because of cold weather.

One thing really surprises me. We didn’t see any coldweather bird in the lake. The lake was empty. What happen? Isn’t it time to come our migratory guest birds? Did we pollute the lake too much that they didn’t come? Or we eat them all! Allah knows.

We get back home again with bus, this time, we took bus to firmgait first. Then Firmgait to Malibugh circle. In bus Shafeen fall in sleep. I felt really difficult to change bus with a sleeping boy. But we enjoyed every moment.

2 Suns on your head

In Bangladesh, there is a saying, if you have 2 Suns on your head; you are going to get married twice. Shafeen has two. How many do you have?

Mini gets together by Deborah

This picture is from an old day’s celebration, probably our monthly lunch together. From left you can see Tipu bro, Emran, me and Deborah. It was taken at August, 2006.

Yesterday we (ex-colleagues) had a mini get together and had really some very good moments. All credits goes to Deborah. She came in Bangladesh for few days (will stay till January 19, 2013) and wanted to meet with all of her friends and well wishers. So, she asked all of her ex-colleagues (most of) who are in Bangladesh right now to “Gloriajean’s” at December 27.

First I thought this is not a very good idea. It’s better to meet individually at home or other place. Because there are many internal clash going on between many people, if one shows another won’t come. But I decided to go; I wanted to meet with her, and who ever join there. And I am happy that I didn't miss that.

I decided to go at 5pm and wanted to stay one hour then will return, because I had to come back alone, and I really afraid to go out at night (after some incidence). I knew, if I took a rickshaw it may take 45 minutes, but I took 15 minutes in hand because of traffic jam. But Allah helped me; I was there at 4:45pm. I called Deborah, because no one was there. That’s OK, before Tipu bro show up, I spend my time by watching people and their activity. I asked a waiter to arrange a table for 10 to 12 people; he replied it will take time, so please wait. I found a corner with a comfortable sofa and enjoyed my own time.

At 5:30 pm Tipu bro came. We met with each other after a long time. We spend time by knowing each other’s current status and about our surroundings. I guess after 10/15 minutes Deborah came. I got her message after that. Sorry, Deborah I didn’t replied because on that moment we were all busy with chitchat. Then Tazeen, Saira, Moin and Mrs Moin came. We enjoyed coffee together. Thanks for the coffee Deborah, I never had such a worse cappuccino, but because of you and others company everything goes perfect.

We took some pictures, I should have collect from others camera through Bluetooth, but forgot. I have my ones but I can’t upload those for some technical problem. I will fix that problem soon, hopefully.

Feminine style

Shafeen

Shafeen (my 4 years old boy) don’t like girly things. If he knows once, girls do so, he won’t try it again. In the picture you can see my elder sister (Sharmin) gave dot mark on Shafeen’s leg. Shafeen liked the decoration. But once he gets to know it’s something feminine, he never wanted it again.

Kitchen hand gloves can be very helpful in winter

Shafeen playing with water, here Shafeen 3 years and 9 months old.

For 2 weeks I had suffered with cold and tonsil problem. I started taking antibiotic. I saw no result after 3 days of taking antibiotic. Whenever I touch water (cold) in kitchen cough increased. But I had to clean dishes, wash vegetables, meat, fish or rice. Then I found a solution. I start using hand gloves.  Once I bought it for emergency cases. Because when I cut my hand I couldn't put band aid or any other bandages, because when it got wet, it comes out. So, on those days I had to use gloves. Now it worked in winter. After using gloves I recovered within 2 days (with antibiotic).

I also found these gloves are more hygienic. Because you do only kitchen work with these. So, it’s more germs free. It protects your nails and keeps your hands clean. It is also helpful not to get color from turmeric and many more facilities. I suggest all who works in kitchen should use hand gloves.

It has negative sides too. It is difficult to keep wearing gloves and does the entire kitchen work, when you are not use to. I don’t know whether I can wear it in summer or not. With cloves, it is little difficult to cut vegetables in mini piece, because a knife can cut the gloves too. You also had to take extra care when you are working with fire. It’s plastic, so you know.

Despite all these negative things, I really found gloves are very useful in kitchen work.

When Shafeen started eating by himself

Shafeen was 1 year and 6 months old. He started eating by himself. His uncle gifted him this Doremon plate. He didn’t know about Doremon on those days. Now (he is now 4 years old) understands and feels great to eat with that plate. But still I use to feed him, otherwise me messes up the room, which I had to clean up.

For the first time, my son let me go outside alone

Shafeen took this picture by himself.

After my son’s birth, there are very few places, where I went without him. He also made me promise that I can’t go anywhere without him. Yesterday suddenly he changed his mind. I wanted to go outside; I asked my son (Shafeen, 4 years old) will you go with me. I knew he will say yes, and will start jumping. But he said, NO. I will stay home alone and will play. Just open my moto1 game (I had to change the graphic settings). That will be enough. I again asked, are you sure? Yes, he said. “I don’t have any problem, I can stay alone”. Hmm, my son has grown up. He is now letting me go out without him!

I thought I will ask someone to stay at home from my mother’s house; I just can’t let him stay alone. By this time my elder sister came, she said she will sleep at her room. I requested her to keep her room’s door open. That’s it. My son will stay by himself… just for emergency keep your door open for him. She agrees.

While I was getting ready, my mom came to take care of her rood/baranda garden. She saw the situation and told me, she will take Shafeen with her home, so no worry. When I was at the door, suddenly Shafeen run towards me. He didn’t say anything just looking at me. I know what he wants; he wanted me to ask him to come with me. No dear, if anyone wants to leave me once, I never let them come back to me again. So, no mercy for my son too and he knew it. So, finally he asked me, will you bring me a toy where ever you go. I replied, I will buy it from the small shop at the door, will it be ok? He gave me a smile and said YES. Then I went alone to Shantinagar Meena Bazar.

Pillow cover

Sharmin (my elder sister) and Shafeen with a flower hat (cushion cover)

Shafeen likes hat. No matter what he founds he tries to use it as a hat. In the picture he was wearing a pillow cover as his hat. My youngest sister Shekha presented this pillow to him as he likes flower very much. And you can see how he makes it useful. He was only 1 year and 5 months old. In background you can see my elder sister Sharmin.

How to have some more space to take breath

In our country we like to meet people, especially with relative or friends. So, we don’t bother whether we have enough recreational places or not. We like visit other houses (friends or family) and enjoy time with each other. Nothing wrong with it. But sometimes we also look for some place where we can enjoy time with company (who ever you want to take with or alone) and enjoy a new beautiful place. Sometimes we only need to see other things to get relax. I have heard from many villagers that they want to come to Dhaka to see the zoo and airport (to view how airplane gets up and down). Zoo is available but not the second one. We all know that.

Here is my thought (of course it’s my blog, where I always place my thoughts), when we build any public structure we can give some extra space for visitors. Like we have seen in afternoon, many people go to the flyover and river bridge or beside the bank of the river only to have some time in open air. Why don’t we make little space for that? We can give charge to any company who will be responsible for the visitor’s space, sitting arrangements, food, cleaning, safety and other things. They can ask small charge for that too (like 2 to 10 taka per head). Airport, bus stand and many other places where we can make some space for that. So, urban people can go there with their friends and family and have some good time.

I know everything has some negative side. But we can overcome those too. The negative side could be:

a ) the company may took money and give bad service.

b) If people start taking too much money, poor may not get enter.

c) We all know in our country everywhere people do and fight for chadabazy (demand money without any authority), here this problem may arise too.

But if we could overcome or minimize all problems, we can give the urban people more and different kind of recreational space and they don’t have to live like a cage.

Boys will be boys

Shafeen injured

After 2 days

No matter how hard we try, our kid fall down and get injured. This picture was taken when Shafeen (my 4 years old son) was 1 year and 5 months old and went to the roof with my youngest sister’s family. He enjoyed running and running the whole roof and suddenly fall down. You can see how badly he got injure. It took long time to get recover. But he doesn't care. He always likes that, if he gets pain from anywhere he will do that again, to know why and how this kind of thing happens. What will I do with this boy?

Sunglass point

The picture had been taken before bhabi lost her sunglass.

Few months ago we went to Cox’s bazaar to enjoy the beach ofBay of Bengal. Last day we all go into the water (generally I went everyday) and one bhabi suddenly said she lost her sunglass. She gave all blame to her husband who wanted to get drown her in the sea water and this happen. Her husband’s excuse is if you don’t get drowned in the water then why are you in the sea. Anyway the point is sunglass missing. After sometime I felt something below my leg, first I thought a rock, so, I wanted to pull it out and because I don’t want to cut my leg with it. And then I found it’s a sunglass. I was really happy that finally I found bhabi’s sunglass. I gave it to her and she said it’s not her. It’s for gent, ops, and my happiness gone. Though I didn't take it back from her (why should I). But one thing for sure, we found a sunglass point where people lost their sunglasses.

I thought the sunglass story was finished there, but I had a little more. After leaving the hotel room, I took the responsibility to check the room and handover the keys to the hotel. I found that sunglass is on my coffee table. May be bhabi didn’t take it and returned to me. I gave it to the room boy (of hotel Sea Palace) and said, I found it in the sea, if anyone claim please handover to them.

Poisonous insects in life

In your life, sometimes you may find some insects. They will take every favour from you, and at the end they will bite. No matter how hard you try, you can’t change them. Whenever they come close to you they will try to destroy you and in most cases they will succeed. Because they are very intelligent in their work and very dedicated what they are doing. You can’t be so nasty like them.

One way is to get rid of them is to avoid them physically and mentally. Other way is to attack them with a big brain. You may win (no guaranty) but if you not, they will again fall you down. That’s their nature. When they need you, they will become very best friend of you, and after taking your favour they will be in their real face. As they know how to make friend, they will make others against you. That even your friends won’t believe you but them.

In my life I met 2 insects like this. From one I had got a terrible byte, that didn’t cure totally till now. And I somehow manage to get rid of other by just avoiding.

Moon from my baranda

In October, the Moon's position became very correct for my baranda. Every night, it washed my baranda with its white light. These pictures were taken in 2010. They were taken in Bangladesh.

In Canada, the moon looks much bigger than this. It could be double the size that I have seen in Bangladesh.

Little celebration of victory day of Bangladesh

Shafeen

My mom gave a small flag of Bangladesh to Shafeen (my 4 years old son) to celebrate the victory day. Today, at the victory day, I suggest Shafeen let’s put the flag in the garden with the stick and let it fly in the air. My son took few second to answer, then said, “If I do so then I can’t keep it in my hand and run with it”. I had to agree,” OK keep it with you”. He also made a small tour in our nearby place by holding the flag.

Need to play with water… no matter how tough it is.

Shafeen playing with water, he was 1 year and 5 months old.

Shafeen loves water (me too). But his mom (me) is very strict in touching water, because he easily gets cold. But you know, if Shafeen love something, he will do everything and keep trying to get it until he gets it. So, whenever mom stays busy in other work or sleeping, Shafeen don’t miss that opportunity. Here he is playing with water in the sink with unwashed dishes. Little difficult to rich on it, but Shafeen don’t care.

Battery rickshaw

Yesterday for the first time I ride on a battery rickshaw. When I asked the rickshaw puller, will you go to “Taltola market”; I didn’t notice it’s a battery rickshaw. After fixing the rate rickshaw puller informed me, he can’t use the main road, because this is a battery rickshaw, he had to go through Bashabo area. A battery rickshaw isn’t strong enough to pull the rickshaw up to the main road. Because of this I got know about some new sub lane of Bashabo and without traffic jam reached at the market. I my mind I was thinking about its positive and negative things. Like

Negative things:

1. We are living in a load shedding country. Every now and then electricity goes out. Everywhere people are buying IPS and generator to solve this power problem. In this situation why we need this rickshaw?

2. I could guess, these poor rickshaw pullers are not going to pay the electric bill while recharging their batteries. So, all will go in to the system loss for our electric department, and to solve this problem they will increase the electric bill. So, who pays the bill, will be effected. Who doesn’t, will be always free.

Positive things:

1. By using the battery I have seen the rickshaw puller don’t need give any physical afford to ride. So, they won’t get tired soon and any old or woman (who rides rickshaw) can easily do this job.

2. This is a faster vehicle than the pulling one. I mean it is faster than the pulling rickshaw and slower than any auto engine.

 

Shafeen trying to follow his mom

 

 

Shafeen (my 4 years old son) likes to follow people. Sometimes he like to follow his mom too (mostly he follows his cousins). I use to cover my head when I go outside or any outsider came to home and when I say prayer. So, whatever Shafeen found for him, he is also trying to cover his head. Sometimes like to taste of the hijab by putting the cloth inside his mouth. These pictures have been taken when he was only 1 year and 5 months old.

Can road construction be done in winter season in Bangladesh

Can road construction be done in winter season in Bangladesh, unbelievable? Last Thursday we went to Coopers at Shanti nagar chowrasta. We (me and my son) went there through Shanti Nagar main road and surprise to see that one side of the road has been constructed smoothly… I surprise, in this good weather? Hmm Bangladesh is changing a bit then (or someone may need money before rain, just kidding). Generally all road construction done in this country is in the rainy season. And when rain is over, the road goes back to its previous condition.

I don’t like temporary maintenance of roads too. Because the way the construction company will fix the road, it won’t last after a month. So, again you have to work with the road (if you do so or keep it just like that which generally happens). My suggestion is whatever you do, do it permanently. At least it should go for years.

Shafeen’s spider man

Here Shafeen was 1 year and 5 months old.

Shafeen’s grandfather (maternal) bought this Spider Man from International Trade Fair 2010. Here Shafeen is 1 year and 5 months old. He loves his Spider Man very much. But you know, within few days Spider Man was dead, I mean the toy somehow gets licked, its balloon performance is over. But Shafeen kept it for years, because he loved it very much. One day the cruel mommy (me) through it out (to the dustbin) without notifying the owner (Shafeen).

A village woman life

A marriage life continues on the basis of acceptance. The length of the marriage life depends how much you can accept your partner (both good and bad). In this subcontinent marriage life goes almost for life long. I should say here both (husband and wife) has good power of acceptance. And you have to agree that mostly girls accept and sacrifice their life to keep the marriage life. It’s not because of religion, because, religion stays all over the world. It’s because of our social condition.

Girls not feel safe outside from their home. No matter how much they tortured in their home. They knew it very well, if they go out, whole society will start torturing her both physically and mentally, and then what’s the benefit of leaving the relation? This society will never let you leave in piece.

In villages it’s very common to hear that today that person has beaten up his wife, she is in very tough condition, that family has killed their daughter in law by beating up or by poison. People accept this like news in morning tea. This is happening for generation after generation. But still you won’t hear that a woman has left his husband and living alone. You can’t, your society won’t let you live like that.

Even you will torture other people, if you get chance to torture someone. She could be your brother in law or daughter in law. You also won’t miss your opportunity to make the hell someone one’s life. This is the situation of a woman’s life in this subcontinent.

The son grows up by watching this situation. And he does the same with his wife.

Can’t through out old and broken toys

Shafeen was one year and four months old and trying to take his walker from the top of his small bed.

My son always likes his old, broken toys. If I decided to throw them away, I had to do it without letting him know. Otherwise, he wouldn’t let me do anything.

 Like every child, I bought him a walker, and my mom gave him a small rolling bed. Now he has grown up enough, and for years, we have not used those. But still, he asks me to clean up those things and let him play with them.

About inappropriate words

Shafeen and me

Yesterday Shafeen told me some inappropriate words. So, I told him very politely, “listen son, you will meet many different people, and they will talk in many different ways. You don’t need to copy them all. You should only copy those words which are good. Don’t need to copy any bad word.” Can you imagine what my son replied?

He said, “mother, I may say many inappropriate words, you don’t need to copy those, just be nice as you always.”