Some of my favourite books... Canadian edition.

These are some of my books... Well, my favourite is True North Strange and Free.

I bought these books second hand. I personally think books should be loved. It's like book adoption. Books would cry if we don't read them... I value books very much. A bibliophile. The book seller is used to live in Canada. Kelowna to be exact.

And how did I know those facts? When I bought the books, she asked me, Why are all your books Canadian. I smiled. Kinda weird when Asians only care about US. Well, I have deep sentiment towards Canada. It started with my encounter with a kind. friendly Canadian lady when I was 5. (Kind and friendly is apparently not a stereotype... it's truth)

The second time I went to the book fair, the same lady commented on my book, this time, the True North Strange and Free.

"Interesting..." she said.
"Do you mean the title? Well actually, it a play word... you see, the Canadian anthem lyrics is true north strong and free... Yes, quite an interesting title..." I responded.
"You know a lot about Canada... have you been there?" said her.
"No" I replied.
"It's a nice place... I used to live in Kelowna" she said
"Oh, B.C.!"
"You really know a lot about Canada..."

And I wish she gave me some discount for having a good general knowledge...

Another reason why I bought those books... Well, nobody really want to buy books on country that they thought as 'second to US'... Which is kinda sad, because they underestimated Canada. But also a good thing for me not having to fight for it.

Those books are looking a a new place call home. I just don't want them to feel rejected. If only I could buy all.

Well, I am looking forward to pass those books to my nieces or nephews or grandnieces and grandnephews...

And your birthday is nearing,  Canada...

Misconception on Africa...

Last Monday, our lecturer asked us
"Which country is a 3rd world country?"

And a group of students answered
"AFRICAAAAAAAAA"

They are so confident that Africa is a nation, not a continent.

We have a Nigerian classmate. He laughed. In fact, if Trevor Noah were there, he'll make a joke on how silly people are on African knowledge.

So funny, when people imagine Africa as a hot continent. Hot and dry Sahara, hot and humid. Some would deny that there's snow in Africa. Well, you can see one on Mount Kilimajaro... or even the Sahara. Hence, Anggun's song, Snow in Sahara.

If Africa is so hot, why would apples grow in South Africa? Which reminds me of my teen years. A group of South African students were attending the church.

An elder asked them if it's hotter here (the equator) or South Africa?

"South Africa is cool, sometimes we have to wear sweaters. We do grow apples in SA..." Conrad replied

So all people with dark skin tone are from hot country?

No wonder we always think, Africa is very hot... and also South India...

Do media plays a role on spreading hatred?

It's Ramadan.

And one of my favourite show is 'Prophets' Trail'

Very informative. Yes, back in the 90's, it's more towards informative than dividing people of different race and religion.

It used to be aired for the whole of Ramadan. From that TV show, I got to know why the Balkans embrace Islam. Their reason is valid. Because it's a prophecy that there would be another prophet after Jesus. And it's Muhammad. A valid reason because it's stated in the Bible. Although so might call him a false prophet, but who are we to judge a person is the right or false prophet? All that matters is faith. Being faithful to God, doing good. 

Instead of focusing on Muslim communities, the TV show also highlight some of the natives along the Prophet's trail. Like the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian. It's also from this programme that I know the Ethiopian year is different from normal year due to the gap in determining the Annunciation of Jesus.

And it teaches me how Islam is actually related to Christianity. Well, those were the days, when mass media just deliver the facts, instead of feeding hatred.

A TV show this evening is shocking. It's not the same TV show, but in the same slot. They are covering the Muslims in the Philippines. And according to the 'brainless' correspondence, the Christian majority country is oppressing the Muslim. The government does not fund Religious schools and that's oppressing? In fairness, the mission school in Philippines are funded by the Christians which happens to be the majority. They live in poverty because they are oppressed by the government? Baseless accusation. How about the slum dwellers in Manila? Those living on streets, those living on landfill. Are they all Muslim. 

It's like 'You can't see the elephant next to you but you can see germs across the sea'

What about the minorities here? Even the word to refer God is debatable. It like saying that Christian God is less important than the Muslim's, when in fact both religion worship the same God, only with different ideas and style. At least in the Philippines, the Muslim can call their God as what they want...

The media is trying to make things 'sensational' by sowing hatred. Blaming all problems, the misfortunes on the Christians. To please the majority. 

The TV show spoiled my mood. I thought of keeping positive in this holy month of Ramadan. Taking the opportunity to know more about Islam, reducing prejudice. But instead, the plan backfired. Maybe it's karma. 

Anyway, I am only human being. Everyone is. Maybe they just overlooked it. It hurts but... they think that they are always right. 

Indeed, a good month to practice patience. 

p/s Maybe being the minority, maybe I could relate to the Muslim Filipinos better because we experience the same thing... well, both being the minorities. The silver lining behind it.

p/s/s We are still bitter from the fuss from the A-word... which just by saying it could be an uproar TO THE WESTERN and of course the western referred to the cockroaches living in the western part of the country.

Listening to Quirks and Quarks

And it's funny.

I am listening to CBC Radio One.

1st July is near... Molson Beer creative video

This year's campaign

Last year's

And of course the I am Canadian rant

I am looking for Acoustic version of O Canada

Just like the one played in CBC radio.

Yep, I've installed CBC Radio application on my  phone. The beauty of internet radio.

And I got to listen to my favourite radio channel to


...................95.8 Capital FM........................ (the ident... late 90's ident)

It was broadcasted from the neighbouring Sultanate. So it's free.

Counting days... O Canada...

Canada Day is just around the corner.

Here's a beautiful song... Arabic rendition.

And who said I hate the Arabs...