Monthly Archives: January 2014

2013 in retrospect

I meant to do this post a bit earlier but suddenly realised that it is the second week of January now. Indeed, time flies. In the blink of an eye, the curtain comes down on the year 2013 and 2014 is already here. So It is now time to look back and reflect on the year 2013.

I am always amazed when I look back a year in my life, sometimes it seemed to go so slow and others seemed too fast.

I started 2013 with my family in Kathmandu and it was a great start of my year. It was so much fun in Nepal spending time with my parents, in laws and traveling the country.

nepal

For the first time in my life, I did paragliding and loved it. I will do it again if I get a chance. The whole January was just awesome with the celebration of my nephew’s pasni. That reminds me; he is one and half years now. It seems like just yesterday when I announced in this blog about his arrival.

PARTY PASNI (14)

Coming back to Sydney after an amazing time in Kathmandu was hard but then I really do love living in Sydney. It is such an amazing place and with AS beside me, life has been great.

Forster

I started writing about Our Story and I promise I will continue about it soon. Thank you so much for all the comments and support from all of you. If you haven’t read it, please click here.

our story (2)

I had an awesome time going around Australia from Forster, Coffs Harbour, Nelson Bay and Port Stephens to Ulladulla and Batesman Bay. Holidays are always fun and anywhere in Australia, we have so many nice beaches that it makes it even better.

ulludulla (2)

In 2013, I got to see one of my all-time favorite singers Bryan Adams in concert and it was one of the greatest feeling I have had. I just love all his songs and him too.

Bryan Adams Live in concert (22)

I also got lucky this year and got a chance to wear a dress designed by my favourite designer Prabal Gurung. Even though it was not from the expensive line he does, I got to wear something which he had designed and took time to create. I hope in the coming years, I will be wearing one of his expensive collections too.

Prabal Gurung Dresses

My blog was nominated for the Best Australian Blog 2013 People’s Choice award and it was a great honor. Even though I didn’t win, I was happy to have the honor to be nominated.

I discovered the Game of Thrones series (thank god for internet) this year and I am eagerly waiting for season 4 to come out. If you haven’t already watched it, please do so and I guarantee you, you will be hooked like me.

road accident

Unfortunately, I had my car accident in May but I am glad that it was just the car which was damaged; I am fit, fine, and perfectly normal and I thank god for that every day.

aria (3)

We celebrated our second wedding anniversary this year and seems like life is going to be awesome with my dear hubby who I love so much. I still feel like I got married just yesterday, is it normal?

rudri puja (8)

The biggest achievements for us in 2013 is definitely buying our own place and calling it our home; which we achieved with hard work. I am very happy that even so far away from Nepal we managed to do all the puja and rituals and make our home a safe place to live in. I am over the moon that I got my own walk in wardrobe and it is still the heart of the house for me. The wardrobe has been updated from the last post and it looks great.

walk in robe

I also started a Guest post for my blog and thank you everyone who contributed. I will be very happy to post your work so if you are interested please click here so my readers can read your experience and opinions.

C momo (1)

I also I tried and tested lots of recipes last year and you can always click here to get some inspiration if you are running out of dinner ideas for tonight.

myoga

I am also more into healthy food and exercise and hope I can continue this throughout winter this year to make sure I keep fit.

with my dashing hubby

with my dashing hubby

If you haven’t heard enough of my hubby yet, please click here to read more about his witty sense of humour and mischievous behaviours.

Dashain ko Nakatey (3)

Our Dashain and Tihar were great as every year and please read more about Nepali festivals here.

tihar

On top of writing for +977 magazine, I started to write for Dreams online magazine and you can read all of my published articles here.

 plus977

The end of year was crazy busy for us but it was all worth it when AS surprised me with a great gift for my birthday. Thank you baby!

I have to say cruising is one of the best ways to holiday and I will definitely do that any day again. It was a great pleasure to discover New Caledonia this way. How often can you say that you celebrated your hubby’s birthday or Christmas in the middle of Pacific Ocean?

New Caledonia (11)

Of course, I started NEPALIAUSTRALIAN’s Blog Award and I am so glad that so many people supported it. Once again a big congratulation to all the winners and I plan to do that for 2014 as well.

nepaliaustralian_bestblog.JPG

Looking back, it was one hell of a year and I am ready and pumped to welcome 2014 with big a smile. Yes bring in 2014. I am going to make this a better and more memorable year and wish all the best to all of you for 2014 as well.

Thank you each of you for making my life better.Hope to have your company in 2014 as well.

Take care everyone,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

WAF (Wife acceptance factor)

AS has been talking about buying an expensive surround sound system for a while now. We haven’t really gone to the store to get one yet but I know that we will have different opinions already. He will love something more expensive as by default it will be better but I can’t justify a very expensive sound system. I really don’t need a cinema experience at home. To be honest I will be very happy with whatever setup we currently have.

Anyway, we always have this kind of difference when it comes to technology. Even though I love technology, I can’t justify buying the most expensive ones. This morning AS sent me an email at work with a link to wiki of WAF (Wife acceptance factor).

I really didn’t know what it was but this is how wiki defines it:

Wife Acceptance Factor, Wife Approval Factor, or Wife Appeal Factor(WAF), are design elements that increase the likelihood a wife will approve the purchase of expensive consumer electronics products such as high-fidelity loudspeakers, home theater systems and personal computers. Stylish, compact, unobtrusive forms and appealing colors are commonly considered WAF. The term is a tongue-in-cheek play on electronics jargon such as “form factor” and “power factor” and derives from the gender stereotype that men are predisposed to appreciate gadgetry and performance criteria whereas women must be wooed by visual and aesthetic factors

If you want to know more here is the link.

I kind of understand how it came about as in most marriage, each other’s opinion matters but that doesn’t apply to men only, what about HAF (Husband acceptance factor).

So I emailed him back asking,” What about Husband acceptance factor?”

His answer was  “No such thing! 😀 Husbands have no choice in the matter 😛

In some way I was happy to see his reply but at the same time he and I both know that it is not true. Tell me if I am wrong but we girls are very thoughtful beings and ask the approval of husband/partners when buying dresses, bags, shoes, curtains, flowers, decorations and the list is very long. AS was surprised sometimes that I called him to check his opinion even when I am thinking to buy something at $5. I will definitely consider these actions as Husband Acceptance Factor.

Do you agree with my opinion? If there is a Wife Acceptance Factor on wiki, we need to have Husband Acceptance Factor as well because it does exist.

Please share you experience in Husband (partner)  Acceptance Factor.

Take care everyone,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise

When I was doing the research for our holiday, everyone’s review talked about the new ride called Green Thunder on Carnival. Everyone was saying thing that the Green Thunder slide is the highlight of the water park so I had already decided that I have to try it. I was scared but at the same time, I knew it was going to be fun.

So on one of the sea days, I and AS got water ready and went to the water park at the top of the ship. I was intimidated and scared thinking of the floor dropping out from under me at the start of the ride but I decided to do it first to take the fear out of me.

AS stayed on the bottom so he could take some photos and I walked the long stairs to the top. There was a short queue and in no time it was my turn.

Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (12)

I climbed into the green capsule, crossed my feet and arms as I prepared to plunder Carnival Spirit’s Green Thunder, the fastest and steepest water slide at sea.

Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (17)

I was standing as high as any passenger can go on the ship. Then the countdown began and the floor just fell away; I felt like I was falling from the sky for a few second.

Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (7) Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (4) Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (28)

Then when I looked around I could see the sea through the green tube and I was on the edge of the ship with nothing between me and the ocean except a centimetre’s worth of green tubing and some flowing water. According to the experts, I was travelling at 65km/h.

My scream hurtled with me down the green tube as did a I free fall. And in a few seconds, I was at the end of the slide. It was an adrenaline rush that pushed me to do more rides but I had to make sure AS had his turn as well. It is a surreal experience and very similar to the experience we had at water world and wet and wild before.

Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (26) Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (10)

He did the same process and this time I was capturing the moments for him. He was down in a few seconds as well and that was when we just got started.

Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (16)

Unfortunately, Green Thunder stopped operation after a while as it was a bit windy so we went around the water park to find the other ride.

There is a smaller version of green thunder called Twister. It is not as steep and scary as Green Thunder but still fun so I decided to go on it as well.

Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (19)

After the monster one, it was a piece of cake but I went on it a couple of times as well as it was so much fun.

Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (2) Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (8)

Then we walked around the kids area where there is a mini-slide and “splash zone” which comprises of a giant splash bucket that once full drenches everyone in its path below and some water fountains.

Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (1)

Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (13)

Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (21)

We took a few photos before both of were chilled because of the strong wind.

Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (9) Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (23)Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (22) Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (11) Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (6)Water Park and Green Thunder on board Carnival Cruise (27)

As much as it was fun to be on slides, once we were out of water, it was too cold. We didn’t want to catch a cold so decided to go back to our room for a hot shower.

Both AS and I really enjoyed our time in the water park and we will recommend everyone to enjoy that area at least once if anyone is going on the same cruise.

More about our trip soon.

Take care everyone,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

What next?

I and hubby were talking about life in general. I am glad that we were both in similar space in our life right now. We said we both are happy with our life and where we are in life right now. We both are doing what we planned with our life.

10 years ago both of us had one goal, which was to finish our study and get a job. Then we had aim and we both worked toward that and it was a great when we finally reached there. Then it was a phase where we looked for a partner and with god’s blessing found each other. At that phase as well we had an aim and goal and we were working towards it. We reached the goal, got married and now are living happily together.

Last few years have been great together trying to fulfill our dreams like traveling the world and buying our dream home. Traveling will never be done for us as I still want to see Africa, South America and heaps of countries that are still on our list but still we are happy the way we have traveled so much. The house is here to stay so no more thinking about it now. We are mortgage owners now and hope one day soon we will be home owners as well but we can’t do a lot about it right now.

That made us think – “What next?” Life has been kind of same with job and home lately. Every time we talk about this with anyone, the only answer seems to be a BABY. As we were talking we also realised that it does seem to be the logical answer to our question. To have little people in our life who will be a part of us.

As I have mentioned many times before I love babies and my cute nephew is 18 months now and is as cute as ever but still I have doubts about myself if I can handle a child.

my nephew

I know when I have a baby, the baby will be a part of us and naturally I will love him/ her will all my hearts. But when do you really decided if you are going to have a baby. Is it normal to have a phase in every couple’s life where having a baby seems like the natural next step in life. Is it normal to have so many questions regarding the baby before even planning it?

To all of you with a child, I would love to know what made you decide to have a baby when you had yours.

For me, it seems like a scary decision to bring another human being into this world when you are so confused about it. I know almost all my friends have a baby now and they seemed to love it. Everyone I see has this motherly gene in them and they seem so natural with kids. Will I be the same or will I struggle?

As you guys know, both our parents are very far from us in Kathmandu, Nepal. They both will do their best to be with us when we have baby but for some reason, if they are not here, will that be very hard to manage on our own? I have heard so many mums going into depression when they are left alone with the baby for long, how to avoid it?

I know for some people these questions might look silly but definitely I want answers to this question before AS and I sit down to talk about our baby plan. Any suggestions will be surely of great help.

Thanks everyone.

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

NEPALIAUSTRALIAN’s Blog Award 2013 WINNERS Announced

The moment you have all been waiting for is here. The votes are in and a huge thanks to all bloggers and voters who participated. I am thrilled by the way everyone came together to celebrate and support the talented individuals who spend so many hours behind the scenes creating the blogs we all love to read.

Without further delay, I am more than pleased to announce the winners of the NEPALIAUSTRALIAN’s Blog Award 2013. Good luck to everyone who has been nominated.

Drum roll………

Best Blog for 2013

nepaliaustralian_bestblog.JPGhttp://www.playamart.wordpress.com

Best Photo Blog 2013

nepaliaustralian_bestphototbloghttp://www.veggiezest.com

Best Food Blog 2013

nepaliaustralian_bestphotoblog.JPGhttp://www.foodpleasureandhealth.com

Best Travel Blog 2013

nepaliaustralian_bestravelblog.JPGhttp://www.alisonanddon.wordpress.com

Best Fashion Blog 2013

nepaliaustralian_bestfashionblog.JPG (2)http://www.astairwaytofashion.com

Best Personal Blog 2013

nepaliaustralian_bestpersonalblog.JPGhttp://www.madh-mama.blogspot.com

Best Blog Design 2013

nepaliaustralian_bestblogdesign.JPGhttp://www.designlifekids.com

Most Diverse Blog 2013

nepaliaustralian_mostdiverseblog.JPGhttp://www.siciliangodmother.wordpress.com

Best New Blog 2013

nepaliaustralian_bestnewblog.JPGhttp://www.ngimaphotos.wordpress.com

Best Blog Post of the Year 2013

nepaliaustralian_bestphototpost.JPGhttp://tashsn.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/what-is-real-happiness/

Most Educational Blog Post 2013

nepaliaustralian_mosteducationalposthttp://www.chaiacupoflife.com/home-remedy-for-cough

Most Witty Blog Post 2013

nepaliaustralian_mostwittyposthttp://theroofsofkathmandu.wordpress.com/2013/10/19/anything-is-possible-in-kathmandu/

Best Photo Blog Post 2013

nepaliaustralian_bestphotopost

http://sochbichaar.wordpress.com/2013/08/22/the-lost-community-bhishtis/

Best Fashion Blog Post 2013

nepaliaustralian_bestfashionposthttp://llly78.wordpress.com/2013/11/23/boldly-beautiful-2/

Big Congratulation to all the winners, do not forget to leave your acceptance speech 🙂 and thank you everyone.