Rafidah Rahman

Rafidah Rahman is a teeny-tiny Hulk, she's always angry and she's always hungry. A cynical dreamer and a food enthusiast, she's your everyday entertainment.

My journey as a United Nations Volunteer

I am a United Nations Volunteer. Working as a UNV Communications Assistant at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Bangladesh, I am often asked, “How did you end up working in Communications, that too being an Environmental Science graduate?” Well, it all began with a hobby.

Why we need meena again

In the past couple of years, the world has taken a huge paradigm shift. Through globalisation and changing mindsets, a lot is being spoken about today that was considered taboo even a decade ago. Be it feminism, menstrual hygiene, mental health, environmentalism, body positivity or even the drawbacks of the education system.

DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

If there's one thing the world learnt from the untimely death of Chester Bennington and our very own Zaheen Ahmed last year, is that mental health is as important if not more important than physical health.

Why fandoms are important

Being a 90s girl, I'm accustomed to forming mutual bonds with people over books, TV shows, movies, music, and other forms of pop culture from that decade. To be precise, I'm a flagbearer of fandoms. However, one thing I usually notice these days especially from people who consider themselves 'not-too-mainstream' is a sort of disdain for the whole fandom culture. Those of us fanboying/fangirling are labelled as childish, frivolous, or social media attention seekers with nothing better to do.

It's “butter” than the rest

Located on the first floor of FR Tower in Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Butter - The Bakery and Waffle House launched less than a month ago. Its predecessor, the much-loved Yellow Submarine Café had closed down back in 2016.

So You Think You Can Dance in Dhaka?

Matching steps to your favourite beat and swaying like nobody's watching, dancing truly lets you find and lose yourself, all at the same time. Ever since I was a little girl, dance has always held a special place in my heart. I would participate in every dance competition my school had to offer, danced/choreographed in every gaaye holud I was asked to be a part of, and grooved to Macarena, The Ketchup Song, and almost every Bollywood hit like there's no tomorrow.

Tao Town: All the Asian flavours you love

Tao Town is a fusion restaurant with Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean dishes all under one roof. With its Pan-Asian flavours and student-friendly pricing, it has caused quite a stir already.Located at Rangs KB Square on Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi, the restaurant opened on February 21, 2018. It has a large, luminescent setting with table and booth seating arrangements. The casual, well-spaced setting of the place gives it a minimalistic yet chic look.

What Not to Do During Your Thesis

Be prepared for the nightmare awaiting.

Which holud dancer are you?

Gaaye holud (if you refer to it as “body turmeric” or “haldi” I already hate you without even knowing you), in my opinion, is likely to have as many characters as the TV show Game of Thrones. It's obvious you and your friends will relate to this, so tag yourselves.

Why I love soup so much

Soup makes for a quick and easy comfort food, especially when it's chilly outside. Despite being there since ages, it's still somewhat underrated. Below I discuss exactly why it shouldn't be and the reasons behind my eternal love for soup.

Pros and cons of following online recipes

Despite being a foodie and an avid MasterChef Australia fan, I was never really that into cooking. My laziness and lack of aptitude in the subject probably played a part.

What it's like to be from a medical family

It's not always easy living in a family of medical professionals, but it's no less entertaining either. Below, I talk about some key observations I've made about them throughout the years:

How long till the roads are safe for girls?

As we continue to wait for a legal system that protects girls and women from transportation woes, it's important to discuss and undertake effective measures.

JUST NOT THAT INTO DESSERTS

Most people I know have an incurable fascination with desserts and everything sweet. The very thought of Glazed, Butlers' Chocolate Cafe or Shumi's Hot Cake gives them sleepless nights with lethal hanger pangs.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES THAT MAKE NO SENSE AT ALL

Honestly, there are some very practical and relevant motivational posts which we can relate to. But some are unrealistic and nonsensical. These ones paint an image of a false sense of reality amongst the youth.

Saving the Environment as a Career

For some, it's a labour of love, for planet Earth.

Why I can't be a beauty guru

Before anyone assumes that I'm a gawky makeup-hating tomboy, I'd like to clear the air because I absolutely love putting makeup on myself. Maybe not much as most girls, but I'm there.

OUT INTO THE BLUE

Graduating is a tricky place to be in. Although you can't stop gloating about the fact that you're done, leaving behind your friends and carefree days is just plain depressing.

“WHEN ARE YOU GETTING MARRIED?”

The year 2016 was simply the worst for me, all my childhood or college friends just decided to tie the knot in an irrevocable sequence.

Overused Movie Plots

Courtesy of being a millennial, movies of all eras and genres are just a click away for us. The one thing I am certain about is that movies today lack a certain freshness and that filmmakers today suffer from an acute case of plagiarism.

THE EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER OF POST-GRAD JOB HUNTING

Remember those wonder years when our 11-year-old selves would pray to become college-bound adults? When we thought that graduation at 21, employment at 23 and a grand wedding at 25 would be a piece of cake?

Encouraging the Pioneers of Tomorrow

Toppers from schools across the country were acknowledged for their exceptional results at Cambridge's Outstanding Learner Awards ceremony, held on November 27 at the Westin Dhaka.

CLASSICS THAT SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE

I'm not the biggest fan of classics, since most test my vocabulary and patience from time to time, but yes, a certain few have managed to linger with me over the years.

A STEP TOWARDS STUDYING IN MALAYSIA

Fast Track Educational Services held their yearly flagship Malaysia Education Lead Meet 2016 on November 11, 2016 at Platinum Suites Hotel in Banani, Dhaka.

CONFESSIONS OF A NON-HUGGER

As a plea to all huggers-please learn to recognise our breed. If someone you've hugged turns into ice the second you noose them in your arms, they're probably a non-hugger.

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO HAVE A UNIQUE NAME

If I had a dollar for every time someone mispronounced or spelled my name wrong, I'd be a billionaire by now – no kidding.

A Sweet and Cheesy Delight

Chocolate and cheese are life. This is the motto of Jerry Bees, which, in a very short span of time, has managed to

September 5, 2019
September 5, 2019

My journey as a United Nations Volunteer

I am a United Nations Volunteer. Working as a UNV Communications Assistant at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Bangladesh, I am often asked, “How did you end up working in Communications, that too being an Environmental Science graduate?” Well, it all began with a hobby.

August 30, 2018
August 30, 2018

Why we need meena again

In the past couple of years, the world has taken a huge paradigm shift. Through globalisation and changing mindsets, a lot is being spoken about today that was considered taboo even a decade ago. Be it feminism, menstrual hygiene, mental health, environmentalism, body positivity or even the drawbacks of the education system.

June 7, 2018
June 7, 2018

DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

If there's one thing the world learnt from the untimely death of Chester Bennington and our very own Zaheen Ahmed last year, is that mental health is as important if not more important than physical health.

May 24, 2018
May 24, 2018

Why fandoms are important

Being a 90s girl, I'm accustomed to forming mutual bonds with people over books, TV shows, movies, music, and other forms of pop culture from that decade. To be precise, I'm a flagbearer of fandoms. However, one thing I usually notice these days especially from people who consider themselves 'not-too-mainstream' is a sort of disdain for the whole fandom culture. Those of us fanboying/fangirling are labelled as childish, frivolous, or social media attention seekers with nothing better to do.

May 17, 2018
May 17, 2018

It's “butter” than the rest

Located on the first floor of FR Tower in Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Butter - The Bakery and Waffle House launched less than a month ago. Its predecessor, the much-loved Yellow Submarine Café had closed down back in 2016.

April 19, 2018
April 19, 2018

So You Think You Can Dance in Dhaka?

Matching steps to your favourite beat and swaying like nobody's watching, dancing truly lets you find and lose yourself, all at the same time. Ever since I was a little girl, dance has always held a special place in my heart. I would participate in every dance competition my school had to offer, danced/choreographed in every gaaye holud I was asked to be a part of, and grooved to Macarena, The Ketchup Song, and almost every Bollywood hit like there's no tomorrow.

March 30, 2018
March 30, 2018

Tao Town: All the Asian flavours you love

Tao Town is a fusion restaurant with Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean dishes all under one roof. With its Pan-Asian flavours and student-friendly pricing, it has caused quite a stir already.Located at Rangs KB Square on Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi, the restaurant opened on February 21, 2018. It has a large, luminescent setting with table and booth seating arrangements. The casual, well-spaced setting of the place gives it a minimalistic yet chic look.

March 15, 2018
March 15, 2018

What Not to Do During Your Thesis

Be prepared for the nightmare awaiting.

February 1, 2018
February 1, 2018

Which holud dancer are you?

Gaaye holud (if you refer to it as “body turmeric” or “haldi” I already hate you without even knowing you), in my opinion, is likely to have as many characters as the TV show Game of Thrones. It's obvious you and your friends will relate to this, so tag yourselves.

October 19, 2017
October 19, 2017

Why I love soup so much

Soup makes for a quick and easy comfort food, especially when it's chilly outside. Despite being there since ages, it's still somewhat underrated. Below I discuss exactly why it shouldn't be and the reasons behind my eternal love for soup.