2011 Hadassah Ksiensk Distinguished Service Award
Tina Merali is an extraordinary teacher but far from being your typical Canadian. She was born in a small town a few hours from Beirut the capital of Lebanon and lost her father while still an infant.
She was taken to boarding school while aged only three so her mother could work and provide for the family.
Yet At only 15 Merali was whisked off to Calgary from Lebanon where a marriage was arranged in 1980 with a cousin here whom she had never met. The marriage however failed to work and less than two years later they divorced. Merali was left all on her own in Canada without a home, a family and friends and worse; with a murky status in regard to her continued stay in Canada.
She got a job as a babysitter for a Lebanese family in exchange for room and boarding, she also negotiated a visa to remain in Canada as the civil war in Lebanon meant her return would put her in danger. Her babysitting career led her to another family from family from Iran and while doing this job she enrolled in Henry Wisewood High School.
With this sort of history it is expected to wonder what kind of inspiration Merali would be to her students. That is history indeed because Tina’s determination to succeed has led her to impeccable personal success as well as guiding students in her care to set high standards for themselves.
And this support is necessary in Merali’s job as her centre caters for the students’ needs in education, integration, and linking student mentors with their peers says Deborah Sydorchuk from the Calgary Assessment Centre.
Merali has since been a Spanish language, ESL teacher as well as youth counselor and currently works in the administration side of things as the Coordinator of the Wellness Centre at Forest Lawn High School.
It is obvious through all her work that Merali believes in the ultimate freedom of individuals to make decisions that determine their life and lifestyle. And in her job at the Wellness Centre she has cultivated lasting and respectful relationships among 25 services providers to the centre she deals with as well as the students that are the benefactors of those services.
This is evidenced in one particular endorsement of Merali for the 2011 Hadassah Ksienski Distinguished Service Award from Anastasia Kochie a student of Forest Lawn.
“I’m a ‘girl’ but born in the wrong gender, I knew when I was 7 years old. I was scarred of dressing up as a girl. I feared what people were going to do to me in public. I’m so happy seeing Mrs. Merali because she always making me feel safe and confortable in school.
I have lots of friends who went to her asking for help. IN 2009 I have some problem with my family and I had to move out. I didn’t know where to live I was only 16 at the time and Mrs. Merali helped me to find a place to live as well as encouraging me to come to school everyday.
Mrs. Merali is not a teacher to me, she is an awesome sweet mom and I would love to meet you and tell you all how awesome she is who have always helping people and work her butt off to make Forest Lawan High School a better place for everyone to study.”
Merali is married to Taj Merali and they have three children.
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Brijendra K. Sood
Community Service Award
Brijendra Sood is an 84-year-old certified master magician who plays golf and-at a moments notice; is available to perform at community events. However, his nomination for the Community Service Award is for much more accomplishments than magic.
He is a practicing physician, one held in high regard across the country and his son is the famous character Muslim Archie Bunker in the CBC series Little Mosque on the Prairie. Dr. Sood is also a shining star on the mosaic of Canada.
He was born in Kenya and his was the first Indian family to emigrate from East Africa to Canada in 1964, he settled first in Manitoba moving on to Banff and finally finding a home in Calgary since 1974.
From his time in Banff, the Stoney First Nations Chief named Walking Bufalo admitted Sood into the North American tribe as a blood brother. Sood’s status was elevated to honorary Chief Rainbow in 1967.
The recognition that Sood received from the First Nations was a testament to his dedication to the medical profession as well a unique binding instinct to the communities in which he has worked and lived. Throughout his success ridden life’s work he has worked on almost all continents.
In Alberta he is fondly remembered as the first “Flying Doctor” before Air Ambulance Services started in the province. He flew missions to the Arctic to treat injured and sick technicians there in the early stages of oil drilling in the mid 70s.
A bulk of his medical career has been spent with St. John’s Ambulance Brigade to whom he is still employed but his efforts have been recognized across the country. In 2003 he was awarded the prestigious Order Of Canada medal for his merits and service in the medical profession.
Sood is also a gift to the Indian community in Calgary. When his family settled here there almost no other Indians.
However, with the influx of East African Indians to Canada chased away from Uganda by President Iddi Amin Dada-made famous in Oscar winning movie: The Last King of Scotland-,.
Sood founded the India Canada Society. To date the society represents 40,000 East Indians in Calgary. It also led to the establishment of a Hindu temple in the city which caters for the spiritual needs of 15,000 people.
Because of his experience and willingness to share it, Sood is a regular feature on television talks on health issues relevant to East Indian communities.
He has also promoted multiculturalism in the country with his advice to people from East India to identify themselves first as Canadians; “…share their culture with the mainstream community and keep… religion at home.” These views have made him a target by extremists in that cultural segment of the country.
Dr. Sood is married to Narindar and they have three children.
Brijendra Sood is an 84-year-old certified master magician who plays golf and-at a moments notice; is available to perform at community events. However, his nomination for the Community Service Award is for much more accomplishments than magic.
He is a practicing physician, one held in high regard across the country and his son is the famous character Muslim Archie Bunker in the CBC series Little Mosque on the Prairie. Dr. Sood is also a shining star on the mosaic of Canada.
He was born in Kenya and his was the first Indian family to emigrate from East Africa to Canada in 1964, he settled first in Manitoba moving on to Banff and finally finding a home in Calgary since 1974.
From his time in Banff, the Stoney First Nations Chief named Walking Bufalo admitted Sood into the North American tribe as a blood brother. Sood’s status was elevated to honorary Chief Rainbow in 1967.
The recognition that Sood received from the First Nations was a testament to his dedication to the medical profession as well a unique binding instinct to the communities in which he has worked and lived. Throughout his success ridden life’s work he has worked on almost all continents.
In Alberta he is fondly remembered as the first “Flying Doctor” before Air Ambulance Services started in the province. He flew missions to the Arctic to treat injured and sick technicians there in the early stages of oil drilling in the mid 70s.
A bulk of his medical career has been spent with St. John’s Ambulance Brigade to whom he is still employed but his efforts have been recognized across the country. In 2003 he was awarded the prestigious Order Of Canada medal for his merits and service in the medical profession.
Sood is also a gift to the Indian community in Calgary. When his family settled here there almost no other Indians.
However, with the influx of East African Indians to Canada chased away from Uganda by President Iddi Amin Dada-made famous in Oscar winning movie: The Last King of Scotland-,.
Sood founded the India Canada Society. To date the society represents 40,000 East Indians in Calgary. It also led to the establishment of a Hindu temple in the city which caters for the spiritual needs of 15,000 people.
Because of his experience and willingness to share it, Sood is a regular feature on television talks on health issues relevant to East Indian communities.
He has also promoted multiculturalism in the country with his advice to people from East India to identify themselves first as Canadians; “…share their culture with the mainstream community and keep… religion at home.” These views have made him a target by extremists in that cultural segment of the country.
Dr. Sood is married to Narindar and they have three children.
Monday, 14 February 2011
How Soon Is Time?
How soon is time?
To get your number,
To have you closer,
Sit at tables for two,
at weekend,
At diners,
And stand in pair,
on the dance floors,
In our city….
You’re parked like a gift,
Wrapped like a gem
like a perfect package,
The postman in heaven,
knows His codes right.
I’m glad I got your number,
Now I hope to get a ride,
From my this place,
to downtown,
And Into your space.
Tonight is perfect,
Almost feels like a Friday,
at a cocktail party,
And the sun just set just a few ago,
But let it go,
I love your smile in this night,
It is a perfect option/
for sunshine,
I’m glad I have you….
I baked fine tonight,
We’ll eat and laugh,
Talk and listen,
dine and wine
Fight and win.
KAGAME
To get your number,
To have you closer,
Sit at tables for two,
at weekend,
At diners,
And stand in pair,
on the dance floors,
In our city….
You’re parked like a gift,
Wrapped like a gem
like a perfect package,
The postman in heaven,
knows His codes right.
I’m glad I got your number,
Now I hope to get a ride,
From my this place,
to downtown,
And Into your space.
Tonight is perfect,
Almost feels like a Friday,
at a cocktail party,
And the sun just set just a few ago,
But let it go,
I love your smile in this night,
It is a perfect option/
for sunshine,
I’m glad I have you….
I baked fine tonight,
We’ll eat and laugh,
Talk and listen,
dine and wine
Fight and win.
KAGAME
Monday, 31 January 2011
Winter
Coming soon,
TV commercials go on and on,
New movies,
New albums,
Intimate connection ads,
Oversexed girls gyrating on TV,
Asking me to call or text the number on the screen,
Winter is one huge business opportunity to many,
Fall premiers come first,
Holiday season specials,
And the Christmas blockbusters,
While the Oscars are just around the corner.
Winter gets intimate too,
Its gets cold,
So cold it burns,
And I need a cooler,
White covers the land and space,
Just as does cloth cover the body,
Humans become couch potatoes,
And yet The TV does more selling than entertaining,
I get sold condoms,
Beer,
Latest versions,
Of vehicles,
Phones,
Computers,
Kitchenware,
And the play-offs too.
And home delivery is ecstatic,
They talk of
pizzas,
wings
Coffee,
ribs
And aphrodisiacs.
Its winter,
A time when being “strong” is cool,
We dress like zombies,
With Oversized jackets,
Boots,
Hats,
Gloves,
And Coffee to keep all warm.
KAGAME
from Icebox.
TV commercials go on and on,
New movies,
New albums,
Intimate connection ads,
Oversexed girls gyrating on TV,
Asking me to call or text the number on the screen,
Winter is one huge business opportunity to many,
Fall premiers come first,
Holiday season specials,
And the Christmas blockbusters,
While the Oscars are just around the corner.
Winter gets intimate too,
Its gets cold,
So cold it burns,
And I need a cooler,
White covers the land and space,
Just as does cloth cover the body,
Humans become couch potatoes,
And yet The TV does more selling than entertaining,
I get sold condoms,
Beer,
Latest versions,
Of vehicles,
Phones,
Computers,
Kitchenware,
And the play-offs too.
And home delivery is ecstatic,
They talk of
pizzas,
wings
Coffee,
ribs
And aphrodisiacs.
Its winter,
A time when being “strong” is cool,
We dress like zombies,
With Oversized jackets,
Boots,
Hats,
Gloves,
And Coffee to keep all warm.
KAGAME
from Icebox.
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
BUNGA BUNGA
Since we have not had this conversation before I assume that you are typically interested in crime stories. Stories with all the twists of drama, intrigue, hatred, playahating human beings, success, failure, envy, joy, peace, sadness, drama and recovery, sex and happiness.
I know also that you may not have gone ahead to name yourself don or even worship at the altar of the mafia, but perhaps you watched the GodFathers; everyone else seems to have anyway.
So I was watching the news this evening and witnessed the best as far as crime stories come.
BUNGA BUNGA
You may have heard of the story of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, his rise to professional respect in law, politics and women. Recently has is said to have “danced’ WITH Moroccan bellydancer. Note: He has helped launched the career of that curvaceous 17 year old girl.
Anyway, the girl said that she danced with the Prime Minister as well as his Bunga Bunga Club members. Private sessions of course!!
EPIC ENDING
Now the story ends up in parliament, they have had to vote on a vote of confidence whilst his esterwhile allies turned enemies on the attack. While the entire media, MPs, EVERYONE OF note and notofnote seriously believed Berlusconi was out. Wapi>>>>>
(thinkThink of any epic story.
But the drama was enchanting as the results of the parliamentary vote were confusing. The results were announced twice and Belusconi appeared to have lost the vote in the first bulletin from parliament.
Most people predicted a loss to his People’s Freedom Party, which itself is a precursor to his earlier party; Forza Italia. Borrowed from a football chant- were indeed disappointed and to show it they burnt all they could find. Of course some of those immigrants that have been chased around the srteets were amongst the people baying for the blood of Ill Cavaliere. The Knight!!!
.
The protesters who were now in jubilation and merry making because of the first results turned violent and burnt down cars and anything they could find other than their historic buildings Rome when the second result came out.
Watching the television I could not believe my eyes; was it some fantasy story, a movie turned news or pure bullshit?
Berlusconi is of original blue-collar mould from some obscure community near Milan. He made his name into high classes the hard way. He went to school, hustled the streets and turned into a politician.
Old Money
Along the way, he toned a well-muscled body, technology took care of the hairstyle and at 71, and stories of him and a 17-year-old belly dancer are not strange. In fact I’d love to look like Berlusconi if I ever make it to 71. But definitely act like him; although I’d love his success too; to be thrown in the package such that at 74 I am still a mover and shaker of both the sane and insane in equal measures.
Berlusconi is scorned upon by the old money and conservative kind; but he rightly belongs in their quarters and so they have to only be stubborn by not welcoming him among their ranks. In fact to show that he is old money enough, he decided to move his earlier left leaning political affiliations to completely right wing.
Along the way alienating and supporting moves to deport illegal African immigrants and throwing the mostly Ghanaian home care workers in the streets.
New Money
Now that the old money kind is on his side he has to deal with the others, which are the new money. He is a success story of every Tom Harry and Dick who leave their hometown street to search for El Dorado in big cities, some in even bigger countries.
As he did with the nobility, old money and conservative kind, Berlusconi invited himself to the wealth table, successfully transforming a street vendor kiosk to an empire, while also pursuing a career in investing in AC Milan.
Saturday, 4 December 2010
first time I drove a vehicle,
Loud and sudden orders,
The instructor is contrasting,
As he is confusing
Almost interfering,
but I am a student.
The precision of a machine,
A test of concentration,
The response of the body,
The thrill of beating gravity,
A meeting of God and man,
A battle of wits and nerves,
On the highway,
The ultimate pass code,
To freedom,
As is known in the west.
The car screeches forward,
The mind works,
Is it a thought or action?
The mind asks.
Sight, touch, sense and feel,
Alert.
The first time I drove a car,
“How old are you?”
The instructor asked?
27, far near 28 I answered.
“And you have never driven a car?”
He asked again with disbelief.
Today I hit an electric pole,
Practicing,
Parallel parking,
Shocked;
immediately I asked to go home,
It was scary.
Failed the parallel parking,
New lessons.
Daily news hound for years,
A man about town,
Attending Events and issues,
daily,
Never drove a vehicle.
Walking offers much more freedom,
No rules,
Just raw street smarts,
And mobility on foot is no problem,
No explanation.
1000 dollars today,
To learn driving a vehicle,
and road rules,
Thank God I can afford it,
No, Thank God for this country.
Kagame.
The instructor is contrasting,
As he is confusing
Almost interfering,
but I am a student.
The precision of a machine,
A test of concentration,
The response of the body,
The thrill of beating gravity,
A meeting of God and man,
A battle of wits and nerves,
On the highway,
The ultimate pass code,
To freedom,
As is known in the west.
The car screeches forward,
The mind works,
Is it a thought or action?
The mind asks.
Sight, touch, sense and feel,
Alert.
The first time I drove a car,
“How old are you?”
The instructor asked?
27, far near 28 I answered.
“And you have never driven a car?”
He asked again with disbelief.
Today I hit an electric pole,
Practicing,
Parallel parking,
Shocked;
immediately I asked to go home,
It was scary.
Failed the parallel parking,
New lessons.
Daily news hound for years,
A man about town,
Attending Events and issues,
daily,
Never drove a vehicle.
Walking offers much more freedom,
No rules,
Just raw street smarts,
And mobility on foot is no problem,
No explanation.
1000 dollars today,
To learn driving a vehicle,
and road rules,
Thank God I can afford it,
No, Thank God for this country.
Kagame.
Sunday, 21 November 2010
The first time I met her,
She sat across the table,
With her exotic eyes,
and perhaps the brightest smile,
Like the morning sunshine.
It was A random moment,
A moment of happiness,
drinks and meals on the table,
friends,
new and old Merry,
IT WAS A BLESSING.
Dining and talking,
UP in Nyamirambo in Kigali,
The city of the genocide,
The city of rebirth,
The symbol of failure,
Kigali; that ray of reconciliation,
and STATEMENT OF HOPE,
and of dignity.
At the Indian restaurant,
Down by the corner to Sun City,
In the troughs of the valley,
Where the sun sets,
Amazingly,
Quietly,
daily.
I got her first name,
And gave her CUTE as the second one,
I asked her number,
I saved it under CUTE.
IT was the wrong number,
A lost connection.
But Kigali sets things straight,
And in Kigali there's talk,
Talking up and down,
In the highlands of East Africa,
Words walk.
Across valleys and mountains,
where the People meet.
With the fake telephone number,
she disappeared,
Just like a winning lottery ticket,
Worlds separated us,
But the souls didn't.
Facebook connected us,
Again,
As friends!
In a perfect world,
We would be in a ‘relationship.’
And the world is not perfect,
But friendship can be perfect.
KAGAME.
She sat across the table,
With her exotic eyes,
and perhaps the brightest smile,
Like the morning sunshine.
It was A random moment,
A moment of happiness,
drinks and meals on the table,
friends,
new and old Merry,
IT WAS A BLESSING.
Dining and talking,
UP in Nyamirambo in Kigali,
The city of the genocide,
The city of rebirth,
The symbol of failure,
Kigali; that ray of reconciliation,
and STATEMENT OF HOPE,
and of dignity.
At the Indian restaurant,
Down by the corner to Sun City,
In the troughs of the valley,
Where the sun sets,
Amazingly,
Quietly,
daily.
I got her first name,
And gave her CUTE as the second one,
I asked her number,
I saved it under CUTE.
IT was the wrong number,
A lost connection.
But Kigali sets things straight,
And in Kigali there's talk,
Talking up and down,
In the highlands of East Africa,
Words walk.
Across valleys and mountains,
where the People meet.
With the fake telephone number,
she disappeared,
Just like a winning lottery ticket,
Worlds separated us,
But the souls didn't.
Facebook connected us,
Again,
As friends!
In a perfect world,
We would be in a ‘relationship.’
And the world is not perfect,
But friendship can be perfect.
KAGAME.
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