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Exploring the opportunity to collaborate, discuss, or share my thoughts & ideas with others mostly about Bangladesh, its social, cultural and political issues; world affairs; finance, technology, entertainment, social & professinal networking, humanity, and local community. I think exercise of democracy through freedom of speech, exchanging views and ideas among diversified population is one of many ways to serve the people and ignite others to do the same...Just imagine, a tree can start a forest, a raindrop can begin a sea, a leader can change a nation and obviously together we can change the life ...

Friday, July 31, 2009

KABAB House Adda at Crystal City, VA

‘Coffee house er she-y adda ta aj ar ne-y…’ or ‘Adda-e jibon, adda-e moron…’ the nostalgic & very emotional sweetest sound intensely re-ignited six of our BUET 87 family memories at the VA/DC/MD get together planning cum adda on Fri June 26 evening.

Sajjad (ME), Sanjoy (CE), Romeo (CE), Tipu (EE) including his wife Mukta &16 month old son Areeb, Parvez (ME) including his wife Rimu & 8 year old daughter Emara, and Arif (CE) who drove 100+ miles including his wife Runa, 3+ year old son Abrar & 9 month old daughter Anisha rejuvenated in a rainy evening at Adda in Kabab House, crystal city adjacent to pentagon.

Meeting after nearly decay; it was kind of emotional hug for some of us. After initial introduction, our family members exhibited bondage such a way to be known each other since our BUET life. As usual, Tipu started picking on us but wasting no time utilized our WMD “bhabi ke shob bole debo” theory instantly bold out him. Awaiting kabab & food on the tables, we passionately talked about our left behind BUET life, campus, nirob hotel, cafeteria’s adda and many more fun and sorrow moments including our current org activities. Runa, Rimu & Mukta bhabies were engaged in full swing adda. Emara, Areeb & my son Abrar had been playing & enjoying restlessly. When we finally said good bye at around midnight, my son cried & said at the door “baba, can I play with Emara & Areeb 5 more minutes?” me just smile and walk on the street leaving behind the memories…

BUET 87 Batch Get Together - VA/DC/MD at Baltimore





















Well, you remember the song “Tell me lies, oh no no no…tell me the sweet lies”. After long 15 years crossing the steep slope of life accompanying ‘chiriya badhio atee…’ theme, like all of Buet87s, some of the 87s friends & families at Virginia/Washington DC/Maryland areas were eager to hear that even it sweet lies, to revitalize the memories of our past in a form of get together.
So, on Sunday July 26 2009, seven families of us from VA/DC/MD areas namely
Sajjad (Shamsul Abedin – ME/RH, MD), families at BD;
Shaheen (Md. Monjurul Alam – ChE/SH, MD), Raifa Janan Alam (D 5);
Tipu (Tanvirul Islam – EEE/SBH, MD), Mukta Bhabi & Areeb (S 16 MO);
Parvez (Abdullah Parvez -ME/RH, VA), Rimu Bhabi & Imara (D 4);
Jenny (Taslima Akhter – CE/LDH, MD), Chandon Bhai and Nuren (D 10+), Nobel (S 7+) & Nusrah (D 3+);
Imtiaz (Imtiaz Chowdhuri – ChE/AH, MD), Rumana Bhabi & Ayman (S 8+);
Arif (Sheikh Arif Ahmed – CE/SBH, VA), Runa, Abrar (S 3+) & Anisha (D 10 MO), rejuvenated at Baltimore Inner Harbor, MD for celebrating the 21st anniversary of our Buet87 family in the name of GT.
How did we pass the day there? Well, I know it may the most boring reading. But keep patience, relax and let me walk you through the day long journey at the Harbor, which may be worth reading. I would call it GT + Vacation + some flavor of
Sunday was the record breaking hot humid summer (97 degree+), still looks the day pretty packed with tons of excitement, adda, fun, food, activities, ride, and ‘big boo boo boo...boiya’ to the mad friends all around and above all utmost tribute to our lost friends. “We miss you friends, peace be upon you”! I am still amazed watching the up beat energy of this group! There was much to get done before the weekend to be organized (i.e. buet87 foundation banner created around 2 am Sun morning), Kudos to Sajjad for putting this together, but at the end of the day seems excitement outweighed the cost. The MBM (minute by minute) activity will witness some of our fun facts:
Sajjad and I got into the designated harbor location ‘glass shaded open balcony on top of the harbor’ a bit before noon; then gradually Imtiaz, Tipu, Parvez, Jenny, Shaheen including their families showed up by 1:00 – 1:30 pm. Introduction part was blended of surprise, excitement, emotions, either meeting closely for someone first time or seeing after long 15 years. All we looked at our face, grown up, semi-grey hairs, kids, families, responsibilities, accountabilities...
Chandon Bhai (Jenny’s husband buet 87 pass out) started off pointing up with ‘BUET 87 Foundation banner’, what is it? We explained the mission & vision of our org, recent activities and future plan. It looked pretty energetic and motivating being supportive by a buet alumni + ORCA member. As always enjoy the time with buddies; who brings both a long perspective and good out of the infinite energy.
We then had a short photo session followed by our long awaited lunch. There was a big shout “take ample photos, otherwise Vashkar maira felbo”. Everybody picked up their lunch from the variety of menus around the cafeteria/restaurant. I noticed some of us wanted to sit inside the central AC but feeling peer pressure into the enthusiasm around the balcony banner area, sited together in the round table lunch. Interesting thing happen “sounded like hamiloner bashi”, a big flock of birds (see in the pictures) wrap around the kids. Guess what, spreading their own foods to the hundred of birds; kids were making hell of fun. That was astounding watching the innocent bondage!
Then what, walking in big group by the harbor at 100 degree temp, talked about our various walks of journey, refresh unknown lost lies and memories, took pictures, silent watch the kids play around and so on…
Kids can’t wait for their most awaiting fun part ‘Aquarium visit’. Hitting the big lotto, Imtiaz & Chandan bhai managed the last minute ‘dolphin show’ for their kids. Blaming to the closing time, remaining kids kept happy enough just getting them normal visit.
Ice cream socialization was another happy hour for both kids and babies even each 25 cents ice cream cost $4
During the Aquarium visit, nature was kind enough pouring heavy rain with thunderstorm. Interesting observations: saw a black young guy backpacking his infant girl slowly walking and singing on the rain. One white lady shouted, hey – run, your infant is wet and trembling. The N guy replied with mild smile “I am enjoying watching her wet in the rain”
Now, here comes the most fun part especially for the kids – riding water taxi! For Parvez and his family’s failing attempt of getting paddling small boat, we all boarded to the water taxi. Just secs before the departure, noticed Sajjad and Imtiaz missing. Requested the captain to wait a lil, the response was nothing different than our 6# bus driver in Mohakhali-Gulisthan road. So, had to get down all.
Finally, the moment arrives! We all this time successfully get on the water taxi for our last voyage. The way journey designed, had 5 stations (i.e. #2, #4, #7, #11, #16 like island) where we need take a transit in each of the station for the next ride. By the time we arrive in #11, it was almost 8 pm. There we found a clown who decorated our fun loving kids with colorful balloon. That was a moment to enjoy, watching them continuation of fun, play pretending like a clown even their parents looked tired, exhausted. There was another ‘Ice cream – pop sickle’ thrust crunch at the #11 transit island.
The route to #16 was never taken, sad for the kids but happy for the parents. Came back to the origin station at around 8:45 pm
Finally, all of us had to say good bye to our friends and families at around 9 pm.
Tiredness has started catching me now! I had to drive 160+ miles to home with my 3+ & infant and wake up in the morning for the office. Big surprises waited at the parking checkout around 9:30 pm, $22 parking fee?? “God Dammn!!!”, $3 small water bottle each? $3 lil coke each? $4 ice cream each? $29.75 aquarium ticket each? $9 ticket water taxi each? $$ food? $$ fuel cost? “God Dammn!!!” is it worth it? Then I do the math “$$/Benefit = ∞”, then shake up my head & shoulder ups & down – yes, it’s worth it!
Next morning, I wake up early morning heading towards my work. My son, Abrar, 3+, wakes up & jumps (normally, he doesn’t’ know when I leave for office) “baba, let’s go to GT”. Wondering what is GT? Come on baba, “you taught me yesterday get together, you talked about for last few moths”…
That was my day. Definitely a good one and I were able to go off for the long due work backlog feeling like I got a lot accomplished.
I hope every one of us had a great “get together” and wishing remaining of Buet 87 batch mates and families will enjoy far better, far energetic, far accomplished! Post what you do before the GT, and for the GT, here!

Arif – CE/SBH, VA