Monthly Archives: August 2014

Our Story : My next trip – Part 23

This is a continuation of my previous posts. Please read the previous posts here.

I was so excited and happy with the news of AS’s visa that I started counting days to his arrival. Our family and friends were very happy for us as well as they knew how much we missed each other.

I was already dreaming what I was going to do when he got here. I would love to get our own place and start our new life together.

But things were not meant to go according to plan and here is how one of our conversations went.

Me: (All excited) I am so happy baby.

AS: I know and me too.

Me: So when are you going to book the ticket.

AS: I talked to my work and they have asked me to work till the end of the month.

Me: But that is 3 weeks away.

AS: I know but I have to stay so they can give me a good recommendation for the future. I can’t just pack and leave.

Me: Can’t they let you go before that? Come on I have been waiting for so long and I can’t wait any longer.

AS: Come on baby, I know you want me there and I want me there too but I have to finish my obligations here before I leave.

Me: I am sure you can work it out.

AS: I have talked to my boss and this is the best option.

Me: Then I am not happy 😦

AS: Come on dear, just few weeks more and I will be there.

Me: I have been patient for so long and you still want me to wait for a whole month, I can’t.

AS: Listen to me please, we will be fine. Now you know I am coming, start planning what to do when I get there. Then the time will pass quickly.

Me: No, I want you here next week.

AS: You know that it is not possible.

Me: Then make it happen.

AS tried his best to calm me down and finally I gave in. OK so he was coming finally and I could wait a few more weeks.

Then after a few days I had the following talk with him.

Me: Hey when are you planning to book the ticket?

AS: Soon. Once everything is sorted out here, I need to go to Kathmandu and then I will come to Sydney.

Me: I didn’t realise that you are going to Kathmandu too.

AS: I have to see my family and sort everything and I will be there soon baby. Just count the days.

Me: I am sure you are not going to Kathmandu just for a few days so tell me what date you plan to be here.

AS: You are not angry with me.

Me: Me being angry is not going to solve the problem so tell me the date so I know for sure how long it’s going to be. (I was trying to be an understanding girlfriend and I did want him to spend some time with his family but at the same time it was getting harder for me. It had been 4 months since I saw him last)

AS: I am thinking end of September or early October

Me: OK that’s cool.

We talked everyday as he finalised his life in India and pack his bags to come to Sydney. I knew it was a big move for him as he was leaving everything he knew behind for me and I wanted to make the transition as smooth as possible.

I was doing my best to give him all the information about here so he wouldn’t get a shock when he comes here.

Then while we were talking one day, we came up with a brilliant plan. As he couldn’t come to Sydney so soon so I decided to go and meet him in India for few weeks. I had some holiday accumulated and I had never been to Bangalore before so it was the perfect excuse. I had been to many parts of India before so I kind of knew what to expect but at the same time Bangalore seemed more exciting as AS was there.

As we talked more AS was able to take his last week off from work, so that was when I decided to fly. The way it planned out was, I would fly from Sydney to spend some time with him for 2 weeks and after that, he would go to Nepal. He would spend a few weeks there with his family and would the fly to Sydney.

It looked like a perfect plan and I would be able to bring some stuff of his with me too.

I was really excited when we made the plan and immediately booked the ticket and looked forward for my next holiday with AS.

Next post will be my trip to Bangalore and surroundings. Again, there will be the airport and a holiday.

As I mentioned before, our love story will not be complete without airports :).

Until the next post take care,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

Go to Part 24

Our Story : Visa process and long wait – Part 22

This is a continuation of my previous posts. Please read the previous posts here.

I was really sad when our holiday to Thailand came to an end. We had had an amazing time together and it was so much fun spending every second together doing things we loved.

The last day, at the hotel, we were busy packing. I couldn’t believe that I had come with an empty suitcase and now there were so many stuffs that AS was having a hard time trying to fit all of them in. It was probably a good we were busy otherwise I would have become too emotional and the impending separation would have been harder.

We took a cab to the airport and checked in. Luckily, we didn’t have any problems with my luggage even though it was 8 kg over the limit. My flight was departing first so we went to the gate where my flight was.

I tried my best not to cry and make him feel sad. We just talked and he promised that we will keep in touch like before and finally he would be with me in Sydney soon. I knew it is not too long in the future but at the same time those few months before he would be in Sydney were going to be hard ones.

With a heavy heart I bid good-bye to AS and went through the gate to board my plane. That last hug lasted longer than intended and both of us were wordless for a while. I really didn’t want to let him go but they were announcing the last call so I had to board the plane.

I looked at him for the last time before entering the plane. It was really hard. Harder than before, because now I had a taste of our life together and thinking it may not happen again soon was killing me. Nevertheless, I had to go back to Sydney and him to his job.

Thailand (8)

I really can’t remember the first half of the flight because I had millions of things in my mind. As soon as it was allowed, I opened my laptop and looked at the lovely photos we had taken in Thailand. It felt like a dream and I had woken up all alone again.

Back in Sydney, life resumed as normal. I missed him a lot and we talked or sent messages every day and Skyped as much as possible. We spent several hours talking about our lovely holiday in Thailand and planned more holidays for the future.

All I wanted at that stage was for him to be next to me.

At his end, he was preparing papers for the visa. Some of the documents were taking longer than expected delaying the whole process. Eventually everything was done, visa lodged, and everything was out of our hands. We had heard some people had their visa in weeks and some had gone for months and even years. Therefore, we didn’t know what to expect for ours.

I knew in my heart it was not going to be years but at the same time I knew he wouldn’t be in Australia tomorrow. AS used to make light of our situation asking me to enjoy my single life as much as possible before he arrives and controls my life. I definitely preferred that option than what I was in at that time.

I was back at my job and it was good because that kept me busy and gave me less alone time. Otherwise, I might have gone crazy thinking about our situation. I really don’t know how people handle long distance relationships for long periods of time. For us it was not so long and still I was losing my mind. I especially salute the family of soldiers who are posted away from them months on end; on top that they are always worried about their loved getting hurt or worse.

nepal2014 (3)

I kept reminding myself that we were lucky and things had worked out so well for us so far. Rest of the things would be OK as well.

But then I had the days when I was down and I feel bad thinking now that I had unreasonable fights with AS during that period. I knew in my heart he didn’t have any control and he was doing his best but still I had to take my frustration out on someone and he ended up being at the receiving end. Poor AS.

I have to give most of the credit to AS for our long distance relationship’s survival. He was so patient and listened to me no matter what mood I was in. On my bad days, he just tried to show me the light at the end of the tunnel and on good days, he laughed with me. No wonder I love him so much and I feel blessed to know he is in my life. He is one of the greatest blessings from God, and his love is a gift that I open every day anew.

A few months went by just like that. There were definitely some difficulties at that time but we were still surviving with a big hope of being together soon.

Then one evening he called me. I was surprise that he called me as we didn’t have a plan to Skype that day. I was still at work and he had some other things planned but I was so happy to receive a call.

Me: Hello, baby. How are you?

AS: I am good. Are you Ok?

Me: Of course why? I am at work and will be finishing in a few hours. Can’t wait to go home and talk to you.

AS: I know baby. I was thinking of you so decided to call you.

Me: Ohoo so sweet and thank you baby.

AS: By the way I got an email from the immigration department.

Me: AND???!!!

AS: And that’s it.

Me: Come on. That it WHAT???

AS: And they said that I can go to you whenever I want.

I screamed when he told me that forgetting there were people around. I was so happy.

Me: Ohoo that’s such a good news and I am so happy. Did you call home?

AS: I will soon. Just wanted to tell you first.

Me: I am so, so happy baby. Now no more late night Skype and phone calls. Can’t wait for you to be here and hold me.

As: I know and I feel the same. Anyway, go back to work and I will talk to you tonight.

Me: OK love.

When you receive a good news that you have been waiting for, for a while you are thankful and relieved. That was exactly what my reaction was when he told me, relived and thankful. I was so happy thinking he would get here soon and then I would actually see him at the airport–in real life 3D and not Skype; that would be one of the best days of our life. Finally my prayers had been answered and he was going to be here.

Of course, it wasn’t going to be that easy. Otherwise, our life would have been boring.

Stay tuned for the next post.

Take care ,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

Go to Part 23

Golveda Kerau Achar (Tomato and Green Pea’s achar)

Ingredients

  • 4 medium tomatoes chopped
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 cup green peas (I used frozen one)
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon red chilli powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon coriander powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh coriander to garnish

Steps

  • Heat up the pan on high heat and add oil.
  • Add turmeric powder and peas and stir it for a minute or so.

achar (1)

  • Add chopped tomatoes into the pan, stir it and cover it with a lid for 3-5 minutes. Do not forget to stir it in between.
  • Once the tomatoes are mushy in texture, add chilli powder, salt to taste, coriander and cumin powder.

achar (2)

  • Stir well and mash the tomatoes to give it a gravy texture.
  • Add ¼ cup of water and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes on low heat.

achar (3)

  • Place the achar in a bowl and garnish with fresh coriander.

achar (4)

Take care ,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

I am getting old

For the last two weeks or so I have been having some pain in the right side of my back. It stared on the day of my nephew’s birthday and wasn’t too frequent for a week but then suddenly it has been painful all the time for a week now.

I went to the doctor last week to see if he can do anything. He examined me and told me to see if it gets better in time, gave me some painkillers and asked me to put a heat pack on it. I always want a miracle when I visit the doctor and was hugely disappointed when the pain continued even after the visit.

So now I am not able to do a fast walk during my lunch break and I haven’t swum for a week. On top of that I am avoiding high heel shoes and that was a big deal for me.

Anyway looks like my age is catching up with me and for the time being I need to be extra careful with my back.

Hope everyone had a great week.

Take care ,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

Dry fry Nepali style goat curry

I had guests for lunch last weekend. They informed me that they don’t eat chicken and chicken is what I do best. I decided to make goat for them but wanted to do something special. I have never tried the goat like this before but was so proud at the end when the goat curry turned out so good that I didn’t even have a piece left at the end of the day. Even my brother who doesn’t like goat at all ate it and had second helping. AS was really happy and the guests all praised my cooking. My mum will be so proud to know that I am becoming a better cook every day.

Ingredients

  • 1 kg goat with bones cut into 1 inch cubes (pieces with bones can be a bit bigger too)
  • 3 medium onions thinly sliced
  • 2 dry red chilies
  • 2 medium tomatoes diced
  • 2 tablespoons ginger & garlic paste
  • 1 inch cinnamon stick
  • 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
  • 6-8 curry leaves
  • 1 tablespoon red chili powder
  • 3 tablespoons garam masala powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 5 tablespoons oil
  • Fresh coriander to garnish

Method:

  • In a pressure cooker, put cut goat meat cover half the meat with water and add 1 tablespoon of salt.
  • Cook it until the whistle goes off 5-8 times. Let it cool down.
  • The meat is perfect if you can separate the meat from the bone with hand.

goat curry (1)

  • Drain the water and pour the meat into a large bowl with 2 tablespoons ginger & garlic paste, 1 tablespoon red chili powder, 3 tablespoons garam masala powder, 2 table spoon of oil and marinat well and leave it for at least a few hours in the fridge. I left mine overnight and it was just great.

goat curry (2)

  • In a pan, add oil, onion and salt and sauté until onion becomes soft and translucent. Take the onion out of the pan and put it aside.

goat curry (3)

  • In the same pan, add remaining oil, add dry red chillies, cinnamon stick and curry leaves and fry them for a minute.

goat curry (4)

  • Now add the marinated meat and fry until the meat is brown on all the sides. Keep stirring frequently making sure, the meat doesn’t stick to pan and keep frying for 5 to 8 minutes on medium flame.

goat curry (5)

  • Add tomatoes and fry them all together for about 5 minutes or until tomatoes are cooked and mussy.

goat curry (6)

  • Transfer into a serving bowl and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

goat curry (7)

Take care and happy FRIDAY ,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO