The Uncensored Household
The things I learn when I’m on the move! Today I learned that there is a World Instant Noodle Association (WINA), can you believe it? I’ve never been a fan of Pot Noodles although Supa Noodles were at the back of my cupboard in my halls of residence …long past the expiry date.
Instant ramen noodles were first invented by a Japanese man in 1958 who experimented on creating a low cost dish after seeing starving war veterans. Many decades later
On a good night we might get eight hours sleep a night. Whatever your pattern, we spend an awful lot of time sleeping and dreaming, however, little undisputed knowledge exists about dreams. Not all of us have regular dreams although I’d be willing to bet that none of us have escaped the dreaded pre-exam anxiety dream.
Do you dream? Do they convey messages? Do you take them seriously? Some of my family seem to receive messages
Desert Island Discs programme on Radio 4 was at the centre of a huge race row as veteran Jewish comedian Jackie Mason implied that racism didn’t exist in today’s society.
He told host Kirsty Young: ‘I wouldn’t say the Jews or the blacks today are suffering from racism…I don’t think it’s such a terrible disadvantage to be black or Jewish today. But because they once were… they are still not comfortable enough with the new situation….They still can’t accept the fact that they are completely accepted everywhere… it’s all in their minds.’
Is it all in our minds???? Or has that is faced now changed?
Indian Summer is a wonderful book that I reviewed back in March. Talented young historian, Alex Von Tunzelmann is the author and in addition to selling movie rights to the book Alex was an insightful and informed guest on BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions. She launched a new book, Red Heat, which is a political and historical thriller about the Cold War set in the Caribbean. You can hear Alex at the Women in History debate at the Hampstead Literary Festival, 13 September.
Alex, I loved your book Indian Summer and have recommended it to all my friends, in particular I admired the way that you can mix historical facts with people’s personalities and give a truly insightful account as to what went on during the years surrounding Partition. Does writing come naturally to you?
This months Hall of Fame was conducted with BBC Asian Network Producer, Baljit Sidhu who currently produces the primetime Sonia Deol Show. Baljit left Leeds University with a degree in English Literature and History of Art in 2001 unclear of which career path to take. However, the events of September 11th made her determined to work in the media and in 2002 started in at BBC Asian Network.
In 2009, my husband was made redundant and spent 15 months unemployed. He went to work in the morning and came home in the afternoon without a job.
This period was one the most difficult time of our married life. I was 4 months pregnant with our second child and we had just bought a house on which we had spent our savings. His redundancy came out of the blue and we very quickly we were part of the statistic affected by the world’s biggest recession.
I recently arrived back in the UK from a long trip to Delhi and as I tried to catch up with the life I left in London, I happened to listen to BBC Radio 4’s profile of Baroness Warsi. While I found it interesting listening, I must convey my various conflicts with regards to the Baroness.
I am not a fan of the Conservatives (or any other political party) but I think it’s great that the Baroness has such a high profile position in British politics, ticking so many minority boxes…woman…Muslim…blah blah. She is also educated, articulate and opinionated – all positive traits. Is she unfairly judged for conveniently ticking all these boxes? Is her appointment as the Chair of the Conservative party affirmative action or did she earn the position? What does a Chairperson do anyway?
I found out about her Muslim bashing dinner party conversation comment only recently and even the weekend papers included readers’ letters in response to Baroness Warsi. It is unhelpful to make sweeping statements but I do find many people still being shocked upon learning that I am a Muslim. I’m just a regular Brit with the same dreams and worries as many other Brits and people around the world of my age. I hope the positive outcome of the comments is that we learn that perhaps we all need to communicate more openly and on a regular basis even if we agree to disagree about certain aspects.
Bubbly
