10 Things I Know About You... Kaisar gets his kicks

Halloween 2011: Don Mario

Victor Mario Kaisar is in his first year of the Broadcast Journalism program. Kaisar said of himself: "I used to be shy, I'm glad that's over. My brother calls me freakishly tall and at times I understand what he means. I love sports, I was a school captain, played on the soccer team and made a lot of people laugh."

1. Why are you here?
I left home, in far-off India, to do the program I'm in and it's been an amazing experience so far.

2. What was your life-changing moment?
I'd say leaving home and living in London all by myself. I do miss home, but living alone, I've learned to be more responsible.

3. What music are you currently listening to?
Coldplay and Green Day are my favourites. I'd listen to classic rock all day with Eminem and some more rap thrown in there as well. And yes, I can't stand Justin Bieber.

4. What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
From my dad: Do whatever you set your heart out to, don't worry about the cost, but do everything with 100 per cent commitment.

5. Who is your role model?
It's hard to say, actually. I played soccer while growing up and used to look up to Oliver Kahn and Edwin van der Sar.

6. Where in the world have you travelled?
Canada, Italy, Austria, England, Singapore and Thailand (lost count of the number of times), Indonesia, Malaysia and tons of places within India.

7. What was your first job?
Would you be shocked if I said I haven't worked once in my life? It isn't part of culture in India to work while in high school and I'd change that if I could.

8. What would your last meal be?
Hey, if it's my last meal, it'd have to be everything. It sounds cliché, I know but, I love eating just about anything. If I can't decide what to order, I usually end up closing my eyes and picking something randomly.

9. What makes you uneasy?
Exams, naturally. It's a good thing my program doesn't have many of them.

10. What is your passion?
In my short time as part of XFM News, I've covered a breaking fire story and spoken to Austin Watson. It was enthralling. I also have a collection of paper towels from various restaurants all across the world. But my biggest passion will always be sports.


Originally Published in the Interrobang: http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.asp?storyID=8224&sectionID=6&issueID=199

PS: I never thought that I'd actually be featured. It feels awesome to see yourself in the paper.

Food à la Canada

Canadian Staple Anyone?

Keeping in mind that this is the heath issue of the Interrobang, I thought I'd write something in tune with the theme. I had initially thought about writing on the health care system in Canada, but given the fact that I've yet to fall sick in Canada (which is a good thing, I might add), I don't have much to say on the system. Therefore, I thought that I would write something on two Canadian 'delicacies' that I've come across a few times during my four months here: poutine and back bacon. I use the word 'delicacies' because I feel that too much of it could turn us all into Homer Simpson!

Poutine was something that I was introduced to by my classmates at Fanshawe College. One Tuesday afternoon during our break, we stopped for lunch. Since everyone went for poutine, so did I. In fact, it surprised all of my classmates who were present that it would be my first-ever plate of poutine. It turned out to be pretty good, to tell you the truth. I've had it on several occasions now. Fried potato with cheese curds and gravy? It certainly makes the Belgian invention that came to be called french fries more interesting. On the flip side, I've overheard people cursing poutine, though I've yet to come up with a suitable reason why they do that. Jarrett Bellini, Video Producer for CNN who covers comedy, has said that "Poutine is going to slowly (and deliciously) kill Canadians one at a time in a long nationwide drum circle of exploding aortas." I wouldn't differ too much from Jarrett's point of view. Death from an exploding aorta due to too much poutine consumption probably wouldn't be all that bad.

Bacon: the name itself makes my mouth water. I've been eating a lot of bacon from my time in India. It seems a little strange, doesn't it? A few of my friends and I used to feel glad that we were Roman Catholic, the reason being that the religion didn't classify any meat as forbidden. This was unlike India's two major religions: Hinduism (which prohibited the consumption of beef as the cow is considered sacred) and Islam (which forbids consumption of pork). It is pretty sad that McDonald's in India does not serve the Big Mac burger. The reason they do so is the alleged ban on beef, but that is diverting from my topic a little too much.

I've always loved bacon. From a young age, bacon and eggs was a staple breakfast of mine. However, my decision to move to Canada introduced me to a different kind of bacon: back bacon. For some reason, it tastes so much better than streaky bacon, which is the prime cut of bacon available in India. I haven't really been able to come to a suitable explanation why back bacon tastes better, but I hope to have an explanation soon.

Food is something I've always loved. Even while on holiday in other countries, my mother and I were always game to sample local delicacies. That is something I'm thankful that my parents instilled in me. To quote newspaper publisher James Stuart Keate, "In any world menu, Canada must be considered the vichyssoise of nations – it's cold, half-French and difficult to stir." Food is something that brings people together, however fattening it may be. I'm glad I can cross poutine and back bacon off my list of foods to try: it does make me a little more Canadian.


Originally written for the Interrobang: http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.asp?storyID=7877&sectionID=2&issueID=192
Image Credit: http://foodbeast.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/bacon_box.jpg