Biography 303: My Boro Khala (Aunt) - Cooking

My Boro Khala is a great cook. People really enjoy her homemade food very much. In our home, sometimes she cooked one or two dishes, and everybody liked them.

My older sister loved her Daal. She used to tell my mom, "You can't make delicious daal. I like the daal that Boro Khala made."

In our home, she was a guest, so whenever she went to the kitchen to make something, I always accompanied her to help. I had no idea about cooking, but I didn't want to leave her alone there. One day, she asked me to put oil in a pan, and I had no idea how much to add. I asked her, and she said, "Just add some." Not knowing better, I started pouring oil drop by drop and kept asking if that was enough. She came over, took the oil bottle from my hand, and poured about a cup into the pan. I knew I wasn't helping much, but I stayed with her until she finished her work in the kitchen.

I thought nobody noticed this. Then one day I heard my Boro Khala telling others, "Whenever I go to the kitchen, Shimul always come with me to help."

Security Services in Ontario

 I have some experience working as a concierge. It helped me develop my communication skills across different age groups and handle various incidents, as well as provide security services, including CC Camera observation and others.

No suggestion for anyone

 I used to offer advice on how to succeed in life or maintain a healthy lifestyle. At present, my financial and physical state prevent me from discussing these topics. I don't advise anyone to do anything that might lead to success or to eat certain foods for good health. 

Because my condition doesn't prove that I have sufficient knowledge about these matters. Sometimes, when I start saying something and then immediately stop myself, I realize I shouldn't suggest anything. What have I achieved that I could recommend to others? 

No suggestions for anyone.

Biography 302: My Boro Khala (Aunt) - Rickshaw

 We used to go to the "Bangladesh Shishu Academy" twice a week. We mean four sisters. My mom used to take us to the academy. Later, my older sister was responsible for the rest of the three sisters. It wasn't near our house, so we had to go there in a rickshaw. It was about 30 30-minute journey.

In a rickshaw, it was challenging to accommodate five people on the passenger seat. Ideally, it is for two people. But we were kids, so somehow my mom managed it. She couldn't send the small kids to another rickshaw for safety purposes.

One day, our Boro Khala was with us. She came to stay at her sister's for a couple of days. She took the responsibility to take us to the Academy. I didn't know how we were going to manage. With mom, we can stand or sit wherever we want, but what will we do with Boro Khala?

Khala was always calm, and she always found a solution for any situation. She asked me to take a seat in the passenger area. How will the three of us sit? She said, 'It's ok, it will be tight, so there will be less chance of falling from the rickshaw.'

I liked the way she made things easy with her polite voice, and we managed to visit the Academy without any problem.

First Aid, CPR & AED certificate of achievement

 

Learn to accept failure

 Train yourself to accept failures, rejections, and accept NO in any part of life. When you become used to winning and achieving everything, it will be very hard for you if you're denied something simple. 

Some people don't ask for help or anything from anyone because they know they can't handle hearing NO. It hurts them so much that they've decided to live independently without asking anyone for anything. 

Have faith in Allah; whatever happens, accept it and move on. Learn to accept failure.

Biography 301: My Boro Khala (Aunt)

 I like my older aunt (my mother's oldest sister) very much. I have never seen her speak angrily or use slang with anyone. In my childhood, she visited our house several times and sometimes stayed overnight. I liked her very much. I called her Boro Khala (older aunt). 

She is the eldest daughter of our grandparents. Both my mom and Boro Khala said their father liked Boro Khala the most of all his children. Whenever she asked for something, their dad always brought it without question. Boro Khala said she enjoyed sewing and doing other work on clothes. Whenever she needed things like thread or needles, our grandfather used to buy them for her immediately. She didn't have to share this privilege with any other children. 

My mom said that, in her youth, Boro Khala was one of the most beautiful women in town. She looked like the famous actress "Suchorita Sen." My uncle once saw her on the street and fell in love instantly. He then sent her a proposal. My uncle's family was very wealthy and well-known, so everyone was happy with this marriage. Later, my uncle helped my grandparents in many ways.

Covid-19 vaccines that I have received.

 I have received the COVID-19 vaccine first in Saskatchewan and then five times in Ontario. Total six times.

Coffee

 Whenever I buy anything, I try to get the cheapest option. This includes coffee as well. I bought the coffee with the lowest price, and I can't tell any difference from other brands. My taste buds aren't bad; I think I just don't have specific coffee taste buds. To me, all coffees taste the same.

Biography 300: resume

 When I first created my resume, it only included my educational background. Later, when I was attempting to switch jobs, I updated my resume to include all my work experience, which made it quite lengthy. Currently, I have a resume with Canadian work experience that spans three pages. Still, I feel I haven't expressed myself enough. However, in Canada, the ideal resume is typically one page.

Passport-sized picture at home

 

I was trying to take a passport-sized picture at home.

Transparency

 We all know that successful group work depends on good communication. I will say there is one thing more important than communication: transparency. Be transparent. When you do something or make a decision, inform your group why and what you have decided before asking for input. Describe your actions clearly without leaving questions. Keep your group updated on your work status. This transparency builds trust among group members, and everyone will understand the progress of the group work. So, when a group leader makes a decision, other members will understand the task easily, leaving little room for misunderstanding.

It is also a great tool to maintain a healthy relationship, too. When your family member knows where you have been and why, before they ask any questions, there is no room for not trusting each other. Moreover, if you fall into any trouble, your family members will know where they can find you and send help.

Biography 299: My passport-sized picture in Grade 10

I am in grade 10

 It is very difficult to take a good picture of me. I somehow manage to take a selfie, but others don't know how to make me look a little better. In most cases, they took very bad pictures of me. So, I told everyone, don't take my picture.

In Bangladesh, we need to register for the SSC exam (grade 10). I tried to give my picture, which I had taken in grade 8. On those days (at grade 10), I had just started wearing hijab. Our school headmistress asked me to take a new picture with a hijab. Later, I heard she asked my classmates and class teachers what happened to me. Why I suddenly started wearing hijab. Did my boy hurt me? Or anything else? She directly asked me too. I answered the truth, and I assumed she didn't believe me.

Then, I took a passport-size picture at Mugda Para photo studio. But that didn't look good. Then I went to a Bashabo photo studio. That didn't come well at all. All the time, my father was with me. Next, my dad took me to an Arambaag studio. They took a very good picture of me. I have used that picture even after the completion of my master's degree to get a job. In Bangladesh, people need to include a picture with their resume. In Canada, never add a picture with your job application.

Certificate, Control the Bleed

 

Climate Crisis in Movies

 People watch movies for entertainment. But with a good story, they also learn many things. Like history, politics, social problems, mental issues, etc.

I think it's time to raise awareness about the climate crisis. People need to be more aware of pollution and the destruction of the environment. A good way to educate people is a movie. Story writers should bring it into focus in the movie.

Biography 298: A father's prediction

 After completing SSC (Grade 10), Dola apa (cousin) and her family (my mom's older sister Dola apa's mom and her family) came to our home, and we enjoyed lunch together. My mom asked Dola apa how her exam went. She said that in the morning, her dad wrote on her hand, "Tina tuina second class (somehow will make it second class)." We all laughed. Later, we heard she got a Second class. Here I must mention that she was suffering from cancer at that time, but she still passed the exam.

Now, Dola apa and uncle are no longer with us. May Allah keep them in peace.

Basic handcuffing

 

How to avoid negative people

 There is a saying, "If you feel any negative vibe from anyone, ignore them. Choose your inner peace." 

Nothing wrong with this saying. But if I try to do so, I would have to live on this earth alone because everybody I knew had hurt or irritated me at one point. 

In Bangla, there is a proverb, "Thog bachhte gaon ujar." (To skip the fraud, we had to remove everyone in the village.)

Biography 297: E-card to everybody

 When I was in my first job, I first heard about Valentine's Day. One of our trainers, Anurag sir (from India), told us that you can say 'Happy Valentine's Day' to anyone, such as friends, parents, siblings, or colleagues. It's not only for the lovebirds. He and the other two trainers (Ashutosh and Mathew sir, India) also sent all of us a Happy Valentine's Day card. 

The culture started in our office. I used to send all of them electronic greeting cards on birthdays, Valentine's Day, Eid day, and so on. Later, we moved to different countries and jobs, but we always had some bonding with each other. One day, as usual, I sent a Valentine's Day card to everyone. 

One of my friends from the UK asked, "Do you have anything on your mind, because you sent me a Valentine's Day e-card?" I'm surprised. What happened? I told him I sent this to everybody; I thought it was some kind of connection that was bonding all of the colleagues together, as always. After that, I stopped sending any e-cards to anybody. I don't want any misunderstandings.

A newcomer's diary in Canada.

I may not be lucky enough to enjoy these winter holidays. One of my colleagues is going to home hometown (Vietnam) to get married. So, I must work for extra hours, including holidays, to cover her work. But you know, everything has some positive sides. This situation may give me some extra money.

What I understood from the last two months, without Canadian working experience, is that recruiters are not interested in me. So, I should start with voluntary work to gain some learning experience. If you see any voluntary work, such as an administrative, clerical, or data entry job, please let me know.

Marriage between cousins

 Marriage between cousins is permitted in Islam, but it's not compulsory. 

My mother came from a medical background. Even before she finished her education, she didn't like the idea of marrying cousins. Although we were young when she shared her thoughts, they also influenced our perspective. 

We see cousins as if they are our own brothers and sisters. We are never hesitant to talk to them or to stay in contact. On their part, they felt the same way. 

If any relative ever mentions this type of marriage to my mom, she immediately dismisses the idea, which never even comes up for us to consider. 

I understand that in some families or countries, this has become a required practice. They believe their girls should stay within the family. It is a terrible custom; in the name of religion, we shouldn't support such marriages. If anyone falls in love with someone, then that is a different situation.

Biography 296: For the first time, I felt free

 I have heard many negative thoughts about the Burqa (A long, loose garment covering the whole body from head to feet, worn in public by many Muslim women). Most of them had thoughts that it felt too warm, difficult to breathe, had trouble seeing, and struggled to walk, among other issues. All comments came from those who never wear it.

After getting the Burqa from the tailor, I have started wearing it, and I love it. Let me explain why...

- My Burqa was made with light weighted dark colored cloth. It never felt heavy.

- In warm weather, it actually protects me from direct sunlight, and I feel better.

- In winter, it blocks the wind, which would make me feel cold.

- After wearing a Burqa, I suddenly felt invisible. I can see everyone, and nobody can see me. This was the best part of wearing a Burqa. Now I can walk, go out, do shopping or anything, nobody (men) looks at my body with a dirty impression, no one says physically intimidating words, no disturbance at all. For the first time in my life, I felt a sense of freedom. Now I can be like a human without worrying about men's bad intentions.

- I could get ready to go out within 1 minute; usually, I took 1 hour. Because no matter what I am wearing at home, I could just add the gown/Burqa to it and go out.

- No need to put on makeup or make my hair, no need to buy new dresses or jewelry. I know, many girls won't like it. But I felt truly free from thinking of those things. It saved my time and money.

- As I was wearing a Burqa over my dress, outside my home, it helped keep my dress clean, so I didn't have to wash more clothes. I just regularly clean (1 gown) my Burqa. As it was made of lightweight cloth, it would dry very quickly.

The only problem was that people don't like the Burqa. Worldwide, there is a common misconception that the Burqa is a symbol of oppression. Every woman should have the freedom to wear dresses as they likes. If they prefer to cover up, no one should bother them; if they keep their body open, people shouldn't disturb them. Let women decide what they want to wear. People can feel free to wear their own clothes.

Citizen of two countries.

 It's a great feeling when you become a citizen of a new country, Canada. I now hold dual citizenship in Bangladesh and Canada.

Cityzenship Certificate

Oath of Citizenship

A letter from the former Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau

Difficult to prove.

 It's difficult for a real person to prove themselves. That's why lie wins. Because they simply lie and create their own fabricated evidence.