Mejo mama

 

Mejo Mama (uncle, mother's brother) and my mom. I took this picture at Litu bro's (uncle's older son) house in Bangladesh. I think this is the last time I met with him.

Biography 316: Dola Apa was talking about...

 One day, my Boro Khalu (uncle), Boro Khala (aunt), and Dola Apa (cousin) came to visit our house at noon. We had lunch together. During that time, I heard Dola Apa had some medical issues; I didn't know exactly what those were.

After lunch, everybody was enjoying tea at our dining table. Suddenly, Dola apa said, "I know what my disease is. You guys think I don't know about it, that is wrong." The way she said it made me smile. I looked at the uncle's face; he had a poker face. Couldn't guess what was going on. Nobody said anything to Dola apa. Uncle just said, "I see." Someone changed the topic, so nobody said anything more about it.

Later, I heard she had a tumour on her leg, which was cancer. She died in the hospital. Uncle is also no longer with us. Now, I understand how painful that moment was.

I asked my older sister if she knew about the cancer. My sister said, as far as she knew, she didn't.

2% DNA difference

World’s loneliest gorilla, Bua Noi, spending her 41st Christmas ALONE, still trapped in a mall cage for shoppers to gawp at.

 Gorillas are the animals most similar to humans. I heard we share only 2% DNA difference between humans and gorillas. But how are we behaving towards them?

Song Hindi: Tere dil pe haq mera hai (I have right upon your heart)

 I didn't watch the movie, I just listened to the song, and I liked it very much. So, here I am sharing it with you. Lyrics and English translation are provided in this video.

Tere dil pe haq mera hai (Lyrics/English Translation)

Movie: Ek deewane ki deewaniyat

Lyrics:

Hindi Lyrics - English Translation

Tere dil pe haq mera hai - I have a right on your heart

Tu sanam beshaq mera - You, my belove,d are surely mine

Phir lakeerein ho ya na ho - Whether it is written in destiny or not

Tu mera hai, tu mera hai - You are mine, you are mine

Joh tu aag hai, haan toh phir mujhe jalne ka shauk hai - If you are fire, then yes, I would love to burn

Jalne ka shauk hai - I would love to burn

Marne se kahin zyada haan tujhe khone ka khauff hai - I am far more afraid of losing you than of dying

Khone ka khauff hai - I am so scared of losing you

Tu chahiye mujhe, chahe kahe isse mera junoon ya phir tu zid meri - I want you, call it my passion or simply my stubbornness.

Tu hi armaan, tu hi sach hai - You are my desire, you are the truth

Keh rahi deewaniyat hai - This is what my madness is saying

Main yeh dil pe likh chuka hoon - I have already written this on my heart

Tu mera hai, tu mera hai  - You are mine, you are mine

Tere aage zindagi ki khaakh jitni ahmiyat hai - My life means nothing in front of you

Faisla main kar chuka hoon - I have already made my decision

Tu mera main bhi hoon bas tera - You are mine and I am simply yours

Paane ki tujhko hasrat liye hi raaton ko main jaagta hoon - I stay awake in the nights with the longing to attain you

Kyun jane phir bhi dushman teri do aankhon ko main lagta hoon - Yet somehow I look like an enemy to your two eyes

Kahe na chahe tu mujhe - Whether you say it to me or not

Karunga tujhe ishq main  - I will be in love with you

Mujhe yeh parwah nahi joh bhi ho mera anjaam har haal mein - No matter what, I do not care about my outcome

Tu chahiye mujhe, joh bhi saza mile - I want you, and I am ready to bear any punishment

Parwah hai phir kise anjaam ki - Why should I care about my outcome then

Tu hi armaan, tu hi sach hai - You are my desire, you are the truth

Keh rahi deewaniyat hai - This is what my madness is saying

Main yeh dil pe likh chuka hoon - I have already written this on my heart

Tu mera hai, tu mera hai - You are mine, you are mine

Tere aage zindagi ki khaakh jitni ahmiyat hai - My life means nothing in front of you

Faisla main kar chuka hoon - I have already made my decision

Tu mera main bhi hoon bas tera - You are mine and I am simply yours

[Source: https://www.filmyquotes.com/songs/4359 ]

Enjoying food at a restaurant.

 Enjoying food at a restaurant in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Biography 315: Interviews in my life.

 I shouldn't be scared of any interview. Whatever is meant to happen, it happens. I did very well in those interviews, where I didn't get scared at all because I knew they wouldn't select me. So, I just be myself.

Before the interview, the interviewer may say, "Just be yourself." But actually, they just want to get to know you better. They will judge everything they observe. They will speak to you as if their life is filled with happiness only because you have shown up for the interview. They are your best friend.

Never fall into this trap. They just want you to feel free to share everything about yourself so they can understand your negative side, too, and reject you.

The interview process is almost the same everywhere, and the questions are similar. Only a few new questions will be added by the interviewer.

I have given my first interview after passing grade 10. I didn't want to go alone, so I took my cousin Titu with me. When they called me into the room, I walked inside. I didn't know Titu would come with me too and sit beside me. But I didn't want to say anything in front of the company owner.

The owner was looking for a part-time teacher for his coaching company. He had other organizations, too. However, the salary they offered was very low. I told him it wouldn't cover my rickshaw fare to and from my home. Deep inside, I knew that if someone else got this opportunity, they would have accepted and made the journey by bus.

I have given many interviews in Bangladesh. I didn't have much hope, just kept trying. In Canada, the same things happen. When I tried for an entry-level job, I got it immediately. Things changed when I was looking for a better job. I have been living and working in Canada for 10 years. I should get something better. So now, the application and interview process has started. Here, in most cases, they select their already chosen candidate. They must have a corporate reason for conducting interviews without real intentions.

Maybe someday, some organization will feel like working with me. I am a sincere person. Wherever I work, I work sincerely. Every company did well after my joining. I hope to maintain my good record everywhere.

What a day

 First, I got the flu shot. Then I heard I could get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. So, I asked to have that shot as well. They gave it to me.

Now the pain began. I can't use my hand to work. At first, I thought, what a day; I had planned to do so many things. But I can't do any of them. 

Now I am thinking, what a day—no work, just resting and enjoying my time.

Understanding English Grammar

 

Biography 314: To live in the USA

 My Boro Khala (aunt, mom's older sister) asked me to come to the USA. She is living there now. We were in Bangladesh at that time. I said I have heard newcomers have to do odd jobs to survive. I don't want to do that. She replied, Educated people don't need to do odd jobs. Come and enjoy life in the USA.

I didn't feel like living over there, so I just smiled and said no. Khala didn't argue, and I like her attitude this way. I don't like being forced to do anything; nobody does. But people always pressure others to live the way they prescribe.

Bike lane should be alongside the sidewalk.

 I believe that no vehicle should be driven on the road that doesn't exceed 30 km/h or doesn't meet the lowest speed limit of a road. I mean, all kinds of bicycles should have a separate lane with a sidewalk, not with the road. If there is no separate lane, then they might run on the sidewalk, except on community roads.

Because if any conflicts happen with a car, it could be deadly for the cyclist. If the conflict happens on the sidewalk, probably everyone will survive. We don't want conflicts, but we prioritize safety for all.

Roads should be reserved for fast vehicles only, to ensure everyone's safety.

Business English Course from the British Council

 

Biography 313: "Obhinondon" (অভিনন্দন)

 A kid was about three or four years old. His parent organized a birthday party. He doesn't have friends yet, so his parents invited their relatives and friends to be his companions. One of them brought a bouquet of flowers for him. After opening the door, the boy ran to his aunt, expecting a gift. But his aunt bought some flowers. She gave him those flowers, Tuberoses (in Bangla, Rajnigandha).

He took the flowers, threw them on the floor, and, while stamping on them, he was saying, "Obhinondon aanchhe, khelna anbe, chocolate anbe, ta na, obhinondon aanchhe!" (Translation: She brought Greetings/Congratulations, no toys, no chocolates, she brought Greetings/Congratulations). People couldn't understand what to do next. 

Moral of the story: Always think about age when giving a gift.

In the same neighbourhood.

 I think it's good if relatives, siblings, or friends live in the same neighbourhood. Then, whenever you cook something that turns out very well, you can send a sample cup to them just to enjoy together. They sometimes might share something with you, too. If you need to go anywhere, you can ask for a ride if available. You can keep your kids at their house, or they can keep their kids at yours if they need to go somewhere urgently. It's also good for mental health. However, they all need to have good terms with one another. Otherwise, this can be the most tremendous pain in life.

So, when you have good terms with someone, you can make a plan to rent or buy houses in the same neighbourhood.

Phone a Buddy Training

 Here are some things to consider when volunteering as a Phone Buddy:

RESPONSIBILITIES

•          Make regular phone visits to assigned clients
•          Engage in meaningful conversations
•          Try to find topics that interest both the client and the volunteer
•          If the volunteer recognizes or hears that the client needs professional help, they will notify a staff member of the organization.
•          Being punctual- set a time to phone and follow it
•          Keep a record of who was phoned and the length of the conversation
•          Being friendly and respectful
•          Respect personal boundaries- don’t ask personal questions and avoid topics like politics and religion.

 

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

 

•       You will receive the contact details of the client in need, which include their first name, age bracket, phone number and preferred time for you to call.
•          Please remember to respect privacy and confidentiality (nothing that has been spoken can be shared, do not keep notes. Let the clients know.
•          If you have any concerns, please report them to the Organization staff
•          You won’t be a counsellor, just a friendly buddy to chat with
•          Be an active listener and ask questions: ask about their pets, if they enjoy cooking, or if they enjoy gardening. Do they have hobbies?·         Ask how they are getting groceries and if they have enough food. If not, please notify the organization.
• ·         When and how to end a conversation if it is getting too heated: Validate their point of view, ask if they want to continue the conversation, or should we change the topic?
•          Validate their feelings.
•          What to do if the person is not talking, again: ask if they want to continue the conversation.
•          Block individuals if you feel the client is having inappropriate behaviour
•          Set your own boundaries

Generation of boredom.

 When I was a kid, our generation didn't have that flow of information. We didn't have the internet. To know something, we had to go to the library to check books or ask someone who had the knowledge. This generation has no idea how difficult it was for us to just find a recipe.

Nowadays, the new generation is overwhelmed with news. This not only brings them benefits but also some significant negatives. One is that this generation has become less emotional. When something good happens, they react with 'oh, it's nothing, what's next?' If something bad happens, they don't feel much sorrow; they think, 'it's ok, what's next?''

They are feeling less and less. They are neither happy nor unhappy. I don't think this is a good situation. We are human; we don't need to be like robots. We are different from other animals because of our emotions. This generation mostly feels boredom. We need to find its solution before it's too late.