LIFE AS IT IS

 

The Daily Star   I tell my friends and family all the time that I may be physically present in the US, but in my heart and head, I live in Dhaka, most days and nights. Ask around, and you will see that I am not the only one who feels this way. It is quite a common emotion among us, non-resident Bangladeshis.  I get homesick in all seasons of the year. For instance, it is winter time now and friends and family who live in Bangladesh are posting photos of cold season festivities, from fairs to pitha utshob. The photos of winter foods and festivals on social media are pushing me deeper into nostalgia. No matter how much I wish, I cannot return home at this time to be part of all the merrymaking, so I find my own ways to comfort my homesick heart.  Two places in the US that feel closest to home are Jamaica and Jackson Heights in Queens, New York City (NYC). These are the two neighbourhoods where Bangladeshis from all over America come to experience the country they have left ...

  Growing up in the '80s and '90s, we never discussed money at home. My parents never discussed it with us, so I never knew how much a kilogram of rice or a dozen eggs cost. I also did not know how much we paid for rent or utility bills. I did not know how much our family earned and how much we spent each month. Of course, we do not want to sit with our children with a spreadsheet and give them a headache, but it is important to discuss money management with children as they get older. This knowledge will help them make more informed financial decisions as adults.  The Daily Star link Discussing money is often considered taboo, not only in Bangladesh but also in many other parts of the world. However, financial literacy is crucial to our financial well-being, which is closely linked to our physical and psychological well-being. I have seen people, friends, and family make poor financial decisions and sink into debt. I have seen how credit cards resulted in excessive spending a...

  Summer on America’s East Coast is incomplete without trips to the beach. For those who reside on the eastern seaboard, the nearest beach is always driving distance away, making beach vacation a favourite activity during the hot summer days. As someone who loves the ocean, sand, and salty air, trips to the beach are always rejuvenating. For the past decade, Rehoboth Beach in Delaware has been my top pick. As a Delaware resident, I am not being partial; I have been to other Atlantic coast beaches but none have matched Rehoboth’s vibrancy! Often called the nation’s summer capital , Rehoboth Beach is in close proximity to major cities like Washington, D.C., Philadelphia , and Baltimore . What sets Rehoboth Beach apart from other beaches on the East Coast is its vibrant energy. People of all ages flock here during the summer months to enjoy its pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear water, a one-mile-long boardwalk , and numerous eateries, shops, and arcades. The entire area buzz...

  Long-haul flights can be daunting, but the idea of flying the world’s longest commercial flight can be especially daunting, even for some seasoned flyers. As an expatriate Bangladeshi living in the US, I am no stranger to long-haul flights. Even so, I was somewhat skeptical about surviving Singapore Airlines ’   SQ 23 , which takes off from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York and lands at Changi Airport, Singapore , making it the world’s longest passenger flight; a total of 19 hours from gate to gate. We drove 2.5 hours from Delaware to New York, then took an Uber to JFK after parking our car. After checking in and clearing airport security, we finally had some time to relax. Our business class tickets gave us access to the Air India lounge , where I thought their furniture could use an upgrade. The food, however, turned out to be surprisingly delicious.  As we waited for our flight to start boarding, I felt that a long drive and a lengthy security c...

    Spring, perhaps the most awaited season of the year, is about to grace this region of the world with its presence. I know spring is about to arrive in Delaware because after a series of unusually frigid mornings, which lasted from December through February, cheerful chirping of red-breasted robins, blue jays, and chickadees has now filled the morning air. In contrast to spring mornings, winter mornings are so hushed and uneventful that one may even question if birds exist in this land at all. To me, birdsongs are the harbinger of spring.  With the first sight of a bluejay perched on the backyard fence or a cardinal dancing on a leafless cherry branch, I know that my wait for spring is almost over, for I’ve learned from past experiences that an increase in bird activity signifies the approach of spring!  In this part of the world, during spring, nature comes alive with an abundance of activity. Everywhere I look, I witness signs of life. I witness new life in the ...

  প্রিয় ঋতু কি কেউ জিজ্ঞেস করলে বিভ্রান্ত হয়ে পড়বো। কোনটা প্রিয় ঋতু? সবগুলোই যে প্রিয়! আমার বর্তমান ঠিকানা যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের দ্বিতীয় ক্ষুদ্রতম অঙ্গরাজ্য ডেলওয়্যার।এই ডেলওয়্যারে প্রতিটা মৌসুম ভিন্নতা নিয়ে আসে। যেহেতু এখানে প্রতিটা ঋতুর একটা   স্বতন্ত্র অস্তিত্ব  আছে তাই তাদের প্রতি আমার পৃথক পৃথক ভালোবাসা জন্মে গেছে। প্রতিটা ঋতুই নিয়ে আসে অনন্য আমেজ, প্রকৃতি সাজে অনুপম সাজে। সেই সাজ  যেন অন্য ঋতুগুলোর চেয়ে একেবারে ভিন্ন। এই যেমন এখন গুটিগুটি পায়ে এসেছে ঋতুরানী বসন্ত: আকাশে-বাতাসে ঝঙ্কৃত হচ্ছে তার আগমনী সুর, আমি সেই সুর শুনতে পাই।  সবগুলো ঋতু প্রিয় হলেও নিজেকে শীতকালের বড় ভক্ত বলে দাবী করতে পারিনা। গ্রীষ্মপ্রধান দেশে যার জন্ম এবং বেড়ে ওঠা, তার পক্ষে ঠান্ডা আবহাওয়াতে মানিয়ে নেওয়া কার্যত কষ্টকর, বিশেষত সেই শীতকাল যদি চার-পাঁচ মাস স্থায়ী হয়। তাই শীতকাল বিদায় নিয়ে যখন বসন্তকাল আবির্ভূত হয় তখন এক একদিন জানলা দিয়ে বাইরে তাকিয়ে ভাবি, "এত্ত সুন্দর একটা দিন দেখার সৌভাগ্য হলো আমার!" শোবার ঘরের জানলা দিয়ে প্রভাতের বাসন্তী রঙের রোদ এসে ভাসিয়ে দেয় কাঠে...