Mezbauddin Mahtab's Blog, page 14
December 6, 2016
Western Canada Diaries - 16. Route 99 to Whistler
[ Continued from Part 15 - The Dinosaurs of Drumheller ]
This was one of our scariest days on the trip.
There's a few ways to drive from Calgary to Vancouver. You can drive west to Revelstoke, and then take the highway south to Kelowna, then 97c west before catching highway 5 all the way to Vancouver. Or you can continue from Revelstoke to Kamloops, before catching highway 5 south. Either of these is scenic, beautiful, AND SANE.
We chose the INSANE route. You see, I didn't know it wa...
This was one of our scariest days on the trip.
There's a few ways to drive from Calgary to Vancouver. You can drive west to Revelstoke, and then take the highway south to Kelowna, then 97c west before catching highway 5 all the way to Vancouver. Or you can continue from Revelstoke to Kamloops, before catching highway 5 south. Either of these is scenic, beautiful, AND SANE.
We chose the INSANE route. You see, I didn't know it wa...
November 14, 2016
AfD - The News That Could Occur Next Year in Germany
In a stunning upset, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has been declared the victor in the national elections, carving out a clear majority in the Bundestag.
The victory makes Frauke Petry, the spokesperson of the AfD, next in line for the Chancellery. The unexpected result also questions the very existence of EU, as Ms Petry repeatedly denigrated the institution during the campaign, and promised to take Germany out of EU if it meant, in her words, "subsidizing the lazy people of Greec...
The victory makes Frauke Petry, the spokesperson of the AfD, next in line for the Chancellery. The unexpected result also questions the very existence of EU, as Ms Petry repeatedly denigrated the institution during the campaign, and promised to take Germany out of EU if it meant, in her words, "subsidizing the lazy people of Greec...
November 10, 2016
Why American Muslims Should Leave USA Right Now
My American Muslim friends and family.
Before I start, I want to tell you a little reality. It's something you can ask any Canadian, especially those who were immigrants to the Great White North, and they will verify this.
We often go the United States for little trips. Disneyland, shopping, tourism, work, visiting friends and family, and so on. The Americans are (usually) very nice and we have no complaints.
But ...
On the way back, as soon as our car crosses the 49th parallel back to Canada, we...
Before I start, I want to tell you a little reality. It's something you can ask any Canadian, especially those who were immigrants to the Great White North, and they will verify this.
We often go the United States for little trips. Disneyland, shopping, tourism, work, visiting friends and family, and so on. The Americans are (usually) very nice and we have no complaints.
But ...
On the way back, as soon as our car crosses the 49th parallel back to Canada, we...
November 9, 2016
Ten Thoughts on the Historic US Election
So America has done it. Elected Donald Trump as President.
(Picture courtesy: Rolling Stone)
Some thoughts (a postmortem, if you will).
1. The racists have won.
There is no way to sugar coat it. The man ran on a racist platform, and was endorsed by the KKK, and won.
2. White people have nothing to fear.
Notice all the talks of losing Democrats about coming together, healing, congratulating the President and wishing him well. They are all white. People of color remember what Trump said about...
(Picture courtesy: Rolling Stone) Some thoughts (a postmortem, if you will).
1. The racists have won.
There is no way to sugar coat it. The man ran on a racist platform, and was endorsed by the KKK, and won.
2. White people have nothing to fear.
Notice all the talks of losing Democrats about coming together, healing, congratulating the President and wishing him well. They are all white. People of color remember what Trump said about...
November 2, 2016
Should You Go For an MBA Today?
Should I get an MBA?
As a double major MBA alumni from one of Canada's top universities, as well as a class rep, I get asked this question a lot, especially by prospective immigrants from Bangladesh. It's often looked at as a quick way to get Permanent Residency (and eventual citizenship) in Canada. It's relatively easier to get into an MBA program in a Canadian university as a foreigner, it's quick (2 years) and job prospects seem promising.
First thing I would advise you is to...
As a double major MBA alumni from one of Canada's top universities, as well as a class rep, I get asked this question a lot, especially by prospective immigrants from Bangladesh. It's often looked at as a quick way to get Permanent Residency (and eventual citizenship) in Canada. It's relatively easier to get into an MBA program in a Canadian university as a foreigner, it's quick (2 years) and job prospects seem promising.
First thing I would advise you is to...
October 30, 2016
A Memorable Test Win For Bangladesh
October 30, 2016.
A red letter day in the history of Bangladesh cricket.
(As an aside, do people still use the term "red letter day" any more or am I a hangover from an old English medium era?)
Sometimes, you as a fan know, simply know, in your heart that today, your team will succeed against all odds. In 1999, I remember telling my incredulous Pakistani friends that we would defeat them in the World Cup.
Similarly today, I just had a gut feeling. Yes, it wasn't going to be easy, but somewh...
A red letter day in the history of Bangladesh cricket.
(As an aside, do people still use the term "red letter day" any more or am I a hangover from an old English medium era?)
Sometimes, you as a fan know, simply know, in your heart that today, your team will succeed against all odds. In 1999, I remember telling my incredulous Pakistani friends that we would defeat them in the World Cup.
Similarly today, I just had a gut feeling. Yes, it wasn't going to be easy, but somewh...
October 29, 2016
Little Kids Wearing Headscarves
There was an article in the Guardian recently which was entitled This trend of young Muslim girls wearing the hijab is disturbing.
Now I will be the first to admit that I myself find it disturbing when I see six year old girls wearing a full hijab. Six year old girls are not required to wear hijab in Islam. They are not even required to pray. All of these rulings come much later, when they become adults (i.e. puberty). Why objectify young girls by asking them to wear a clothing that is s...
Now I will be the first to admit that I myself find it disturbing when I see six year old girls wearing a full hijab. Six year old girls are not required to wear hijab in Islam. They are not even required to pray. All of these rulings come much later, when they become adults (i.e. puberty). Why objectify young girls by asking them to wear a clothing that is s...
October 26, 2016
Western Canada Diaries - 15. The Dinosaurs of Drumheller
[ Continued from Part 14 - Calgary (Again) ]
Around an hour and half drive north east of Calgary lies the town of Drumheller. The drive to Drumheller is a different drive compared to the Calgary - Banff drives. The road passes through completely flat terrains and farm lands, and almost no mountains.
As you get closer to Drumheller, the topography suddenly changes to badlands and dry lands. This is Drumheller, also known as the Dinosaur Capital of the World, or Dinosaur Valley.
Wh...
Around an hour and half drive north east of Calgary lies the town of Drumheller. The drive to Drumheller is a different drive compared to the Calgary - Banff drives. The road passes through completely flat terrains and farm lands, and almost no mountains.
As you get closer to Drumheller, the topography suddenly changes to badlands and dry lands. This is Drumheller, also known as the Dinosaur Capital of the World, or Dinosaur Valley.
Wh...
October 25, 2016
Western Canada Diaries - 14. Calgary (Again)
[ Continued from Part 13 - Edmonton ]
Returning to Calgary from Edmonton, we had a few days before leaving for Vancouver and Victoria. And you do need a few days to unwind from a Banff / Jasper trip. For one, there's so many pictures to sort and upload!
I had already covered Calgary's Olympic Plaza and a brief introduction to the city, so in this post I want to just talk about a few of the other places in and around Calgary that you can visit. I will also cover Drumheller in the...
Returning to Calgary from Edmonton, we had a few days before leaving for Vancouver and Victoria. And you do need a few days to unwind from a Banff / Jasper trip. For one, there's so many pictures to sort and upload!
I had already covered Calgary's Olympic Plaza and a brief introduction to the city, so in this post I want to just talk about a few of the other places in and around Calgary that you can visit. I will also cover Drumheller in the...
October 24, 2016
Western Canada Diaries - 13. Edmonton
[ Continued from Part 12 - Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure and Skywalk ]
Edmonton.
On the highway from Hinton to Edmonton
It was surreal to think I was walking in the streets of Edmonton, a city just under 3,500 km away from Toronto. I had always wanted to see the West Edmonton Mall, ever since seeing one of my friend's pictures of it on his visit. And here I was, walking in the mall.
An item crossed off the bucket list, as they say.
To be fair, Edmonton isn't exactly a t...
Edmonton.
On the highway from Hinton to EdmontonIt was surreal to think I was walking in the streets of Edmonton, a city just under 3,500 km away from Toronto. I had always wanted to see the West Edmonton Mall, ever since seeing one of my friend's pictures of it on his visit. And here I was, walking in the mall.
An item crossed off the bucket list, as they say.
To be fair, Edmonton isn't exactly a t...
