Photos from Bangladesh trip

June 9, 2009April 14, 2014 Emma2 Comments

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Above 3 pics taken from a balcony in Mohammedpur (a section of Dhaka)

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Streets of Dhaka- VERY busy and crowded MOST of the day!

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Above 5 pics are of views from a maternal uncle’s house

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Above pics of National Martyrs Memorial in Dhaka- it’s surrounded by walkways, greenery, and little canals of water

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2 pics I took while passing an university campus

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Some apt bldgs in Gulshan- one of the wealthiest areas of Dhaka

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Above 3 pics were taken from a house in Chittagong

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A mosque in a gram (small village) near Chittagong

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A baby taxi (runs on natural gas)

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We saw these guys selling roadside snacks on the way to Cox’s Bazaar; the little boy completed 4th grade, but didn’t advance on (b/c he didn’t want to attend a madrassa school, where no practical skills are learned).

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This young guy goes arounding seeking visitors who want a pony ride in Cox’s Bazaar (beach/vacation town).

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After the storm…

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This house belongs to one of my mom’s aunts.

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Village girls who were curious about us

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Village boys who were eager to take a photo

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The follwing pics are from near the village house my maternal uncles (recently) built in Lukhipur; some Bangladeshis have city apartments AND village houses (for vacation/rental property).

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Isn’t this a NICE view?!

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Back from Bangladesh…

June 6, 2009February 11, 2011 EmmaLeave a comment

Hey readers,

Wow, have I missed writing here!!! I got back to US a few days ago after a 3 1/2 wk trip to Bangladesh (or BD as some teens say). On June 2nd, we (me, Dad, Mom, and lil bro) landed in Dulles, rested for a day, then drove my Mom and lil bro back to Indiana. My lil sis couldn’t go b/c she’s still pretty busy w/ internship and studies (back in AZ).

I’m now at my Mom’s house in suburban Indy, so I have (kinda slow) dial-up connection. I’ll put up some of my BD photos very soon- I have pics on my laptop back in VA.

Best to all,

EMMA.

Some recent movies I saw:

Billu Barber – a realistic/out-of-the box Bollywood film starring (the ALWAYS strong) Imran Khan & Shahrukh Khan; it has cute music!

Body of Lies – a MUST-SEE/smart spy thriller starring DiCaprio, Crowe, and Mark Strong (a TERRIFIC Brit actor!)

Fashion – a pretty decent Bolly film about the ups-and-downs of the modelling business starring Priyanka Chopra; it keeps your attention.

He’s Just Not That Into You – I liked some of the film, BUT it dragged at certain points; the (more realistic) characters I liked were played by Ginnifer Goodwin and Jennifer Connelly.

Last Chance Harvey – who doesn’t like Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson!?

Lost in Austen – a TERRIFIC BBC comedy series (now available in US!)

Madagascar 2 – even more FUN to watch than the 1st movie!

Rush Hour & Rush Hour 2 – it’s cool to see a successful movie franchise w/ several strong minority actors (Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Elizabeth Pena, Zhang Ziyi, etc.)

The Woodlanders – based on Thomas Hardy’s book; starring Rufus Sewell

Some recent iTunes downloads:

Ajab Si – from the Bolly film Om Shanti Om

Dhoom tana – from Om Shanti Om

Om Shanti Om – the title song

Khudaya Khair – from the Bollywood film Billu Barber

Love Mera Hit Hit – from Billu Barber

Maarjani Maarjani Kasame – from Billu Barber; VERY catchy!

Songs by Adam Lambert (on American Idol):

A Change is Gonna Come

Cryin’

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I started TESOL training this week!!!

April 17, 2009July 31, 2009 EmmaLeave a comment

Hey readers,

Keep visting b/c I’m always updating! I want to see more comments, too. I started my TESOL course, and think I’m the only one w/ experience of school teaching/subbing/tutoring in the class. So, I feel pretty confidant! (I need a boost after being down on myself for quite some time.) The other students (a VERY diverese grp!) are interested in going to China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea. Not everyone has decided- we have time. I want to go somewhere to get the most money b/c I need it!

All the best,

EMMA.

Quotes for today:

A man who fears love fears life.

-Father Peter Clifford, Ballykissangel (Series 1, Episode 4)

Peter says this to Ambrose, a young police officer who gets cold feet before his wedding to his long-time girfriend, Niamh.

Let me tell you girls a secret- that took me 30 plus years to find out- men and boys are more afraid of you than you are of them.

-Ramona, The Real Housewives of New York City

Ramona gives a bit of advice to her 13 y.o. daughter Avery and her group of school friends.

Pics for today:

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Movies I watched today:

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

This is a FUN 1954 musical w/ GREAT dance numbers! — A V fun 1954 musical w/ GREAT dance numbers!

13 Going On 30

Matt (Mark Ruffalo) & Jenna (Jennifer Garner) dance at a photo shoot. — Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner dancing

I'd watch ANY movie w/ Mark Ruffalo in it! — I'd watch ANY movie w/ Mark! (I put this pic as my desktop background.)

Recent iTunes Downloads:

– Born to be Wild (Adam Lambert)

– True Colors (Anoop Desai)

– All I Want to Do (Sugarland)

Another NYC Trip…

March 17, 2009February 11, 2011 EmmaLeave a comment

Church across from Columbia U (114th & Bdwy)

Hello readers,

I recently went to NYC for 2 job fairs held at Columbia. On Friday March 6, I stood in line (for some mins!) for the non-profit/ED job fair at Columbia. Last year, we didn’t have to wait in line. There were Columbia undergrads/grads and alumni from several (good) schools present. (I’m an alumnus of Fordham.)

Waiting in line before non-profit job fair

Please God, give me a job!!! LOL… There was a photographer snapping pics of the line; the chubby young (lovey-dovey) couple in front of me turned their heads away. I guess they didn’t want anyone to know they didn’t have jobs. Well, at least they have love!

On Saturday March 7, I went to the charter school career fair (off 120th St). I had gone last year, and thought it wasn’t TOO busy or rushed. We had to go through several doors and hallways to reach the actual fair. (They had us in a pokey little corner of a bldg, b/c hey- who cares about educators?)

This time there were MANY attendees! The fair was held in 2 rooms- one quite small and one long-ish hall (actually a cafeteria). I learned about a FEW new charter schools, but I already knew about most of the orgs and schools there. No one looked pleased- forget looking happy! Their faces were VERY serious. give or take a few young’uns here and there. A few older, experienced teachers (from suburban areas) came to see what was out there. (Maybe they fear layoffs?)

The best part of the trip was seeing many of my NYC friends! I stayed w/ my friend Sadia on Roosevelt Island for most of my trip; we got to know more about each other. Sadia knows how to cook deshi and Thai food- very cool! (She’ll be off to Toronto soon for a new adventure. GOOD LUCK!!!) I got to have a long talk with Rumana on Sunday.

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Sadly, I know of SEVERAL people I know are out of jobs (laid-off or unable to re-enter workforce after some yrs away); they are architects, work in HR, finance, and more.