Missing dates in the calendar.

 Somebody thought the calendar didn't print some numbers by mistake, so they wrote it to help me out.

I liked this song, even without understanding its language.

I heard this song as background music on different reels. I liked it before I understood its language. Later, I learned it's in French. Listen to this song first.

Then I learned the story behind the song. Listen to this.

Now listen to the English translation

Biography 332: Sleeping issues.

 Once upon a time, I didn't have any problem sleeping. It's not that I could sleep anywhere, like in a chair or a new place. But if I had a good sleeping environment, I didn't have any trouble sleeping. After dinner, sometimes I wanted to watch TV, sometimes my parents let me, and sometimes not. But when I went to my bed, I could sleep.

Now things have changed. Sometimes I can manage to get to bed on time, but most of the time I can't sleep. I try to relax, but nothing works. Then I have to get up and start working without sleep. Again, I try at bedtime, but nothing works. Sometimes, after a few days, I can. I have accepted my new condition. I don't always have to be perfect. I might have some trouble in my life.

Wanting someone and loving someone aren't the same.

 Wanting someone and loving someone aren't the same. When you want someone, you want them for yourself. You want to be physically and mentally benefited, to have kids with them, to have a good life because you expect they will help or provide that to you, etc. You don't consider what they might want, what their likes are, what their expectations are, or what will make them happy.

Let me give you an example. You may like or want chicken to eat. You will feed them properly and keep them in a good place so that one day you will eat them. You don't make a house for them to give them comfort or happiness, and you don't let them live the way they want to live, open and free to go anywhere they want. You may protect them from outside danger, but not for their sake; you do so for your own benefit.

Now think about what you think of your partner. Do you want them or do you love them? Be honest!

Kid's plate for cooking

 

It's my nature to prepare all the ingredients before I start cooking and keep them nearby. Here, I was using a kid's plate to keep ingredients for different curries.

Biography 331: Removed the phone number

 When I get angry at someone, I decide I won't communicate with that person anymore. After a while, my anger goes down, and I start thinking, what's the point? Everybody has problems. I can just ignore the issue and keep communicating. When I start communicating again, that person does the same thing to me again, and make me think I shouldn't have changed my mind and let them hurt me again.

When I was in school, we had a landline only. I used to keep a phone book and write all my classmates' phone numbers in it. If I decided not to call a person again for any reason, I used to cut the phone number out and mark it so dark that I couldn't figure it out again.

Because I knew I would change my mind after some time, I tried to recover the phone number and call that person again. I really tried, but because I had marked it as dark, I couldn't. I was thinking, why did I do that? I couldn't call that person anymore.

But I was right the first time. So I always try to follow my first decision. I know that if I change it, I might regret it more.

Myths believed by doctors.

 There are some myths that all doctors believe. One is that when a mother brings her child with a problem, there is actually no problem, and mom is worrying for nothing. I have seen this myth followed by doctors everywhere.

My suggestion is that you can believe anything you want. But as a doctor, if mom is saying something, please check it out and make sure there is no problem before declaring it.

I have seen many people suffer only because of this myth. Doctors didn't check properly because Mom was the one who pointed out the problem.

A book fair in a school

 

In Bangladesh, February is the month of the Book Fair. This book fair was arranged in a school for small kids. Kids enjoyed it a lot. Parents also didn't hesitate to buy the books their kids liked.

 

Ramadan Mubarak

 February 2026. Have a great Ramadan. Let's maintain the peace in life. Let's be happy.

Biography 330: Over phone calls.

 In my student life, I used to talk over phone for hours. It wasn't one-sided. People who talked with me also liked to keep the conversation going. Unless anyone showed annoyance, I kept going with this phone-a-friend conversation.

I liked phone calls because, when I speak in person, I don't just hear what they are saying; I see how they are reacting, what they are doing, and how much interest they show in my speaking. So, obviously, I shortened my sentences and completed the conversation. I don't want to annoy anyone, because I don't like to be annoyed, either.

Now that I am older, I like to talk over video calls too. I want to be sure how the person is reacting during the conversation, so I can decide what to say and what not to say.

In my work life, I have had good conversations with my clients and colleagues. As a volunteer, I have worked on a phone-a-friend project, where I contacted lonely senior people during the COVID-19 pandemic and talked with them. While talking with them, I have found that I have benefited by learning many things from them. They just had someone to talk to.

Taken a selfie with a webcam

I took this selfie using a webcam. I was wearing my home dress and no makeup. I think green suits me.

Let go

 When you have too much stress, you have no choice but to figure out how to let go of it all. I am learning that too. The most effective effort is to let go. Just let go of everything. It could be people, money, pride, status, a job, or anything else. Stop worrying about them. Be prepared to accept losing everything. I found this very helpful in recovering from stressful situations. When you have nothing, you don't have anything to worry about. So if you want to lose your burdens, just let go. Who or what wants to stay will stay.

Biography 329: Web Development business

 When I started my web development business, I desperately needed a laptop. At that time in Bangladesh, laptops were the most expensive items to buy. I used to work on a desktop, then put all files on a floppy disc, later on a CD, and after that used a pen drive to show them to clients. I really wanted to work on a laptop so I could display them directly. Anyway, I worked on some projects and earned money.

In this business, my role was to communicate with the client when they expressed interest in working with me. First, I provided a project proposal with a flow diagram and discussed with the client whether they wanted to make any changes. Then I assured them that we would keep the design changes without any extra fee unless they liked them and gave the green light to start. Then I handled the programming, and my work partner handled the design. We combined our work and then presented it to the client. 

Before starting the work, I always took 50% of the project money once the client agreed to the flow chart. I have seen that those who have no problem giving me the money at the start of the work pay in full. But people who don't want to pay first actually don't pay at the end.

I have asked my freelance marketing team to bring a successful project. If they do, I will pay 30% of the project money to them. Very few were successful in that work. It's not always their problem; sometimes the problem was on my end.

But my tendency was always to give priority to my business partner. I know I am by nature a leader. So I controlled myself not to overpower my business partner's opinions. Later, I found that my decisions were actually better. When I listened to them, I actually lost money, and I finally stopped the business.

Shopping Mall

 This picture was taken at Bashundhora City Shopping Center. It is not the only luxury shopping mall in Dhaka, but I liked it because of its well-maintained facilities. That's why I have been there many times for different reasons, such as eating, watching a movie, buying things, meeting up, or celebrating something.

Ramadan Planning for Ladies

 Ramadan planning. Ladies, our plan is different from that of men and children. Let's try to figure out whether we can pray Taraweeh salat in Masjeed? If yes, do we have to go alone or take someone with us? In that case, we need to talk with them and make a good plan. If not possible in Masjid, then at home? If at home, then when will be the suitable time? Can we pray Tahajjud salat? How are we going to manage time? Make time before serving seheri food. Every day, are we going to recite the Quran? If yes, then when? Make a plan for a time so that we can always keep that time free from other work.

Now let's plan the food. For every Iftar meal, make one special dish. The rest should be fruits, Sarbat/Sarbet, and whatever is available at home. For Sehery, keep the regular meal. For a Bangladeshi family, that means rice, daal, veg, and protein.

And don't forget to plan for sleep. It's very important. Plan when you can get some sleep and stick to that time, whether you can sleep or not. At least take a rest on the bed.

Biography 328: Controlling weight

 People who are in good health have no idea how far a person will go to lose weight. 

Since my teenage years, I have been trying to control my food intake and started exercising. I have tried many methods I found online, were suggested by friends and family, and were suggested by doctors and nutritionists. I have tried keto, among others. All of them work at first, but my body finds a way to adapt and I start gaining weight.

My doctor gave me Ozempic to lose weight. After controlling my food intake and doing some light exercise, I was still gaining weight. I tried for months, but my weight kept going up. So the doctor stopped it. I am still having trouble with my weight. I didn't stop trying. I will keep trying. But that doesn't mean I will be disheartened. I am still overweight. From my perspective, maybe it is me. If I have to live with that, I will.

Dhaka, Bangladesh.

 This is a semi-commercial/mixed commercial area in Kakrail, Dhaka, Bangladesh. I think the picture is about 15 years old. I took it from a hospital room. It was a difficult night to sleep, so I was looking outside and watching this scene.

Bus stoppage in the snow

In the winter, Toronto always gets some snow. But because of the warm weather, it melted soon. This year, 2026, was different. Due to climate change, winter became colder, longer, and brought lots of snow.

The City of Toronto did a much better job this year. Still, there is plenty of room to improve. They must clear bus stoppages as a priority, and the area must be cleaned properly so there won't be any blockages to getting on the bus or the sidewalk. There should be enough salt to prevent melted snow from making the area slippery.

Biography 327: If you get burnt

 When working in the kitchen, it's obvious that you will burn your hand sometimes. At that time, I was very new to the kitchen, and one day I burnt my hand. It was my parent's house. So after burning, I stopped working completely and tried to take care of my hand. But I couldn't find any way to make it feel better. For hours, I felt burning in my skin. I had to put my hand in a bowl of cold water. When I took my hand out of the water, it started burning again. Even though the water was at normal temperature, I had to change it to stay calm.

As I couldn't find a way, people who learned about my problem started giving me suggestions. One said to put potatoes on it, another suggested toothpaste (just to clear, never do this; toothpaste will do more harm), put salt in the water, spray spirit (you can spray deodorant or perfume), put Vaseline/gel (again, this is harmful), etc.

I tried almost everything. I found that spraying spirits works like magic. The next helpful idea was to add salt to the water. It helps reduce the pain. The rest of the suggestions didn't work at all.

Decoration with light.

Bangladesh's national fish is Hilsha. I guess somebody made that with lights.

 Street lighting decoration in Bangladesh isn't very new. People used to decorate with lighting when they had a marriage ceremony at home. It was a bit expensive. Then the government used to decorate the cities with lights on Independence Day or Victory Day. Then on Eid days and other occasions. With time, this has become an art.

When you assume

 When you assume something, especially if it's negative, don't share it with anyone. Others may believe it and start having negative feelings. By the time you have the right information, it will be too late to stop the negative consequences. In most cases, you can't fix it anymore. This is very wrong.

Biography 326: Food for my parents

 My parents never asked me anything. Though I have started earning before my MSc results come out. I was use to take money and treats from my parents. However, I have bought food a few times for my family, I mean for my parents and siblings. I found they became very happy. I felt good. At least someone appreciates my efforts.

Gifts

 

Gifts from a kid's birthday

Gifts from a kid's birthday

I like gifts. I like to have them for every occasion, like birthdays, Eid, or any other celebration. That's why I try to give gifts to others, because that's one way to show my liking for them. Even if I sometimes get a gift I may never use, I still like having something.

You can't take the land with you

 

‘You are not going to take any treaty land,’ says AFN national chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak on Alberta’s separation from Canada.

Stay good, even on social media

 When social media first started, I actually found it good. We can connect with our friends, families, and other people too if we like their thoughts. Then a huge population joined social media. They found that they could reach anyone they couldn't in real life. Their mindset is that they can abuse anyone they like because some people laugh at them and give them support. These kinds of people have no civic sense, no humanity in mind. They might not do this much in the physical world because they might face consequences, but on social media they can hide behind a fake ID or a virtual image. 

So, the social media platform that was very strong became very dirty. Some good things are still going on, and some good groups and people are still there. But it has lost its safety and goodness.

Preparation for the birthday

 I used to prepare a complete meal on my birthday. Every time, I tried to make something new on my menu. Then I enjoyed the food with my family members. These days, I don't have that strength, but I still try to make something. I just don't invite anyone because I never know whether I will be able to make something or not, or whether that food will turn out tasty.

Biography 325: Because I am following the rule.

 My father has given me a ride many times on his bike or motorcycle. I always felt he drove very carefully and smoothly. He started driving a car in Saudi Arabia. Again, I have noticed he drives carefully. I think he has had only 2 accidents in his life, and in both, he was not at fault.

I have started driving in Canada. From the very beginning, I drive carefully and smoothly. In this country, when it is written Max 50k, people drive at 60k. Police consider up to 10k/20k. I always drive 50k in that situation. I feel the rules are made for safety, and everybody should maintain them. So I always see other drivers get angry. They pass my car, giving me an angry look. Not because I am breaking any rule, but because I am following the rule.

Winter Storm

 My phone is giving me big alerts about the upcoming winter storm. I was wondering what I can do about it. My main concern is hydro power. If we have electricity, hopefully we will survive well, because our house might be warm then. But if we don't have power, we will be in an extremely cold situation within a few minutes. We can't stay like that. We have to go to a shelter. Here is another issue: if we get 30-50 cm of snow, no vehicle can rescue us. All will get stuck in the snow. So how can we go out, or can anything come to rescue us? If the storm wipes out the house, the situation will be much worse. I hope we won't fall into that situation.

May Allah protect us, always.

Local Temporary Shaheed Minar

 In Bangladesh, people build many local temporary Shaheed Minars to honour those who gave their lives to keep Bangla as the national language. I was watching one of our local Shaheed Minars. Photo credit goes to my brother-in-law, Ashique.

Biography 324: My father was cooking in the kitchen.

 I was studying at our local school. Our school was very close to our house. One day, during the lunch break (we used to call it tiffin break), I came home with some of my classmates. On that day, my mom wasn't at home. She went to Faridpur to her parents' house.

Generally, when my mom isn't available, my father used to cook. He used to cook very basic Bangladeshi food, like rice, chicken/beef/mutton curry, and daal (maybe). No vegetables, because he didn't like them. His curry was great. We used to say it was better than our mom's. Mom never felt happy about that.

When we came to the house, my dad was cooking in the kitchen. He was wearing a white lungi. He felt a little awkward in front of our classmates. Later, he told me, "When your mom wasn't present at the house, why did you bring your friends home?"

Our classmates were very surprised. On those days, even now, Bangladeshi fathers don't cook. It was all mom's duty. My dad helped my mom cook in Saudi Arabia first. He used to say, "Now I've learned how to cook. When we go back to Bangladesh, I will help you cook. You will never feel alone." That didn't happen, actually. My father only cooked when no one else could. When my older sister grew up, she took responsibility for cooking if my mom wasn't around.

One of my classmates also said she felt my father was Hindu because he was wearing a white lungi.

Not intentionally

 I was very irritated with someone. I told them, "You can write a book called 'How to Irritate Shahana in 101 Ways.'" It seems my words hurt them. They replied, "I don't do it intentionally." But things didn't improve much.

"Shaheed Minar"

At the University of Dhaka, our department was on the opposite side of the "Shaheed Minar". "Shaheed Minar" is a sculpture in remembrance of those who died to keep the Bangla language alive in this world. We call it the language of our mother. The larger sculpture represents the mother, and the smaller ones are her children. The incident occurred on 21st February 1952 in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Every year, the Banglade Academy arranges a book fair throughout the month of February to celebrate this month. People show their respect on February 21st and gather at this "Shaheed Minar".

While we were students at the University of Dhaka, one day I thought we should take some pictures on campus so we could remember this beautiful place. Shumi had a camera, and we took pictures at different places in the University. I think this was one of them. 

Biography 323: Life teaches us to lose

 So many things I thought I could never have, but life turned out in a way that I have them. These situations made me think that maybe I can achieve anything I try.

But life has more to teach me. Now I know, whether I like it or not, whether I want it or not, whatever is meant to happen will happen.

I'd better try to adjust and live with it. It doesn't mean I won't try to make things better. I won't give up. And then whatever I get, I try to live with it happily. In life, we need to learn to lose. If you win every time, you will forget the taste of winning.

Importance of cleanliness.

 Whoever comes to a leadership position should first focus on cleanliness. The position could be a mayor, premier, prime minister/president, house owner, house manager, counsellor, or school team leader.

If you can clean around you, many problems will solve themselves. Mostly, you will feel better, and whoever visits the place will, too. It could be your home, a neighbour's, a city, an airport, a bus station, a country, an office, a restaurant or anything else.

When I visited Halifax for the first time, the first thing I noticed was that the town was cleaner than Toronto. One of my co-passengers said they felt like they had come from Bangladesh to Canada.

Not only will it make you feel better, but it will also reduce illnesses, mental problems, and many other issues.

Bangla Academy Book Fair 2015

 Bangla Academy always arranges a book fair in February. I visited on the first day of spring to check out the Book Fair/Boi Mela.

The road was closed for the fair, and the fair gates were made to celebrate the book fair.

Little flower businessman.

The main gate of the fair/Bangla Academy

For the remembrance of the national poet Nazrul Islam.

Another gate of the Bangla Academy

Small businessmen are selling Pitha (Traditional winter desserts, the main ingredient is rice flour)

Professional photographer Piyar Bhai. Girls are waiting for their turn to take a picture.

Just the opposite side of the Book Fair there is a park Shohrowardy Uddyan

Bought a book for a kid

Biography 322: How to increase the amount of tea.

 I don't remember when I started taking tea. In Bangladesh, parents allow children to drink tea from a very early age. Maybe a 3-year-old child can be allowed to drink tea.

My youngest sister likes to drink tea, but she was very young. So my mom gave her tea in a small cup that wasn't full. She came up with a solid plan. First, she took one or two sips, then poured her tea into my mom's big mug. My mom was surprised. She asked what had happened. My sister said, "Okay, bring my tea back." Even though she had already taken some tea, she took it all back. But my mom didn't fill her cup 100%. So she said, "I don't drink half a cup of tea. It has to be full." My mom filled it, and she drank it. Then she said, "I don't drink just one cup of tea. I take 2 full cups of tea." So my mom had to fill her cup once again.

Toronto is the best city in Canada.

 As far as I have seen, Toronto has the best weather among all Canadian cities. It has all kinds of features, maybe in limited ways, but you won't miss them. For example, it has Lake Ontario, the Blue Mountains, the Badlands, forests, waterfalls, big cities, a green belt, small towns, rain, snow, wind, railways, subways, LRTs, streetcars, airports, jetties, ships, cruises, skyscraper buildings, cottage villages, a capital city, different cultures and living styles, malls, farmers' markets, best universities, best student grants, amusement parks, natural parks, museums, gondola, skiing, racing, different cultural programs, safari park, etc.

Now it has an official Bangla para too, where most Bangladeshi people live. You will see Bangla nameplates on the roadside shops.

That's why once people start living in Toronto, they don't want to go anywhere else. But the city is becoming increasingly expensive. Living costs are becoming unbearable, mostly in housing and groceries. For this reason alone, some people are moving out of the city. 

Now the job crisis has begun. This crisis is worsening.