Monthly Archives: October 2016

Hakuna Matata: Lion King, the musical

Posted on October 27, 2016 | 3 comments

I have to admit I am not a big fan of musicals and neither is my husband. When I start to think about musicals, my mind drifts away but The Lion King musical was a different story.

I am sure most of you have heard how amazing The Lion King, the musical is.  The show tells the tale of Disney’s “The Lion King” through acrobatics, dance, music and puppetry. Based on the 1994 animated film, the musical follows the adventures of Simba, a lion cub, as he struggles to accept the responsibility of adulthood and his destined role of King.

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The musical debuted July 8, 1997, in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Orpheum Theatre, and was an instant success before premiering on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theater on October 15, 1997 in previews with the official opening on November 13, 1997. It was Broadway’s fourth longest-running show in history and the highest grossing Broadway production of all time, having grossed more than $1 billion.

Since its success, the musical has been produced in many countries and everyone who has watched it has raved about it. It had come to Sydney several times before, but unfortunately, we had missed the opportunity to go and watch it.

In order to quench our curiosity, hubby and I decided to go and watch the musical at Capitol Theatre, Sydney this time. The tickets were not cheap but from what I had heard it was worth every penny.

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We did some research beforehand and bought an aisle seat and the one next to it and it was a great idea. A few times during the show people dressed as elephants, giraffes, birds and other animals walk/danced past us and it is a joy to see them up close.

I have to admit, The Lion King is the ultimate live theatre experience, provoking the full range, an abundance of spine tingles, goose bumps, laughter and tears. It has dazzling visual delight, with hundreds of masks, puppets, state-of-the-art lighting and more than 700 costumes creating the enchanting backdrop of the Serengeti Plains.

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It was amazing to enjoy songs like ‘Circle Of Life’, ‘Hakuna Matata’, ‘Endless Night’ and many more which capture both the pain and joy of the characters. When we finished the show, I was still in awe of the colourful characters, heart-warming story and catchy songs.

Showing great respect to the source and setting, The Lion King has created a world of rituals, traditions and social hierarchy in which the animals and the land are connected as one.

If you every get the opportunity, do not forget to grab the ticket be part of the history of amazing musical. Like me, you may still be humming ‘Hakuna Matata’ even after many days :).

 “Hakuna Matata!
What a wonderful phrase”
“Hakuna Matata!

 Have you  watched any musical? Please share your experience.

Take care everyone,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

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Child care visit

Posted on October 24, 2016 | 7 comments

From the day Chhori was born, every parent around us has suggested putting Chhori on the waiting list for childcare. From their experience it can take more than a year to get a place. As I had to come back to work from my maternity leave, we put down Chhori’s name in two different childcare centres when she was around a few months old thinking she will have to go to child care when she is one, which is when I came back to work.

chhori

But lucky for us, my parents decided that they would come and look after Chhori and we were lucky to have them around. But unfortunately like every good thing in life, their stay in Australia will come to an end in a few months’ time which means we need to put Chhori in childcare 5 days a week while we are at work.

Happy 35th Anniversary Dad & Mum (5)

So it was time for us to do childcare visits to determine which childcare we want to send her to. We got offers from two different childcares so we decided to visit them on the same day and we took Chhori with us.

We met with the teachers in both the child care centres where they showed us around the rooms she would be in and also the play area and the toys they have. They also showed us their process for doing things and updating us about her as well as what kind of food is given to her while she will be there.

Chhori (2)

At the first childcare Chhori saw a drawing table with crayons and paper so she insisted that she wanted to draw. The teacher was kind enough so she was allowed her to draw while we had a chat with the teacher. Once we finish our tour, it was time for us to leave but Chhori refused to go wanting to draw some more.

We distracted her and finally we were out.

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At the second childcare, as we were doing the tour, she spotted a few kids and a teacher playing with blocks. She straight away went and started playing with them. We did the rest of the tour without her but I was so surprised that she didn’t seem to care at all that we were not around her. I am sure she didn’t even look for us until we finished everything and went to get her to go home.

No matter what we said she didn’t want to go home so we had to pick her up against her will and leave. She was crying when we left.

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That got both us wondering if we made a mistake by not sending her to the childcare sooner. As I have previously mentioned, she is very social and loves people but seeing her enjoying childcare so much, now we hope she will have an easy transition to go to childcare part time in January and full time from March.

I will definitely share our experience next year. Please do share your own childcare experience with your kids. Is it normal for kids to not want to go home?

Take care everyone,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

7 Comments

Posted in Being Mum, Our daughter

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Gender of the child should not limit the choice of toys

Posted on October 23, 2016 | 15 comments

As a society, especially in the western world, we are so driven by the unwritten rule of the society that we don’t even stop to think before following it.

I was surprised and annoyed when one of my friends commented that Chhori has boy’s toys like cars, trucks and buses.

But this is not the first time I have heard such comments. When Chhori was a baby, I had her dress in onesies which was had blue stripes and someone commented on Facebook, “How cute is the baby boy”. I don’t know this person (friend of my friend) but just by the colour of the clothes Chhori was wearing, she judged the gender of the child.

I have to admit, Chhori’s wardrobe is full of pink outfits but she also has blue dresses.

In the same way she has dolls but she also has cars and trucks. She actually plays with cars and trucks more than dolls at this stage.

Chhori (1)

She may turn out to be a girly girl in the future but I still want her to make her own decision on what toys she wants to play with, not just dolls and dress ups. It is my job to try to expose her to a wide range of toys, games and activities so she doesn’t get ideas that certain interests are only suitable for males or females.

I think it is not appropriate to tell children what their interests should be. If they are never offered the chance, a child may never find out if they enjoy a certain toy or style of play.

Do you agree with me? Please share your opinion about gender division of colour, toys and games for children.

Take care everyone,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

15 Comments

Posted in Being Mum

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Goldstar shoes – Made in Nepal

Posted on October 20, 2016 | 16 comments

I remember when I was really young, my dad used to go to the gym and he used to wear Goldstar brand shoes. It was a brand which was made in Nepal and it has reputation for lasting long.

But since I have come to Australia, I haven’t seen the brand much until recently.

First I saw the comeback of the shoes in my Facebook with Nepali celebrities wearing them. It has changed completely from what I remember; from traditional dark conservative style to new modern colourful shoes.

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I read that now Goldstar exports premium quality shoes to India and other countries at an affordable price. It is also available online and via Facebook and Instagram.

One of my friends was getting a few pairs of Goldstar shoe for himself and his wife so I decided that I would get a pair as well.

Finally it has arrived here and I love it.

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I love the colour and style. The finishing could still be better for competition in international market but it is still a great product starting from Rs 500 (AUD8). How can one go wrong with that price? It is really comfortable and I hope it will last long.

If you are going to Nepal do check different range of Goldstar. I am sure you will find your style from their huge range and support a product made in Nepal.

Take care everyone,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

16 Comments

Posted in Nepal

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Accident and lucky escape

Posted on October 19, 2016 | 13 comments

I want to believe that we are very relaxed parents especially at our own place as we know the house is baby proof.

Chhori has learned the climbing skill so she keeps on discovering new things to climb on but our place is mostly safe so we let her play without being very worried.

Last week, we went to visit one of our friends. We have been to this friend’s house multiple times and Chhori loves to explore their living room. She was climbing on a coffee table early in the evening.

Anyway we were all watching a movie and Chhori was playing nearby.

Suddenly, she decided that she would climb their shoe rack. Unfortunately, the shoe rack is the one from Ikea which was recommended to be hooked to the wall but it wasn’t.

We were really luck that AS was just near her and caught the rack so it didn’t fall on her. All of us were shocked for a while but Chhori was as cool as a banana. She didn’t scream or cry but was just surprise when I screamed when I saw what was happening. Within a minute, she stared to play with other things in the room as if nothing had happened.

But for us, we learned a good lesson to be near her all the time when we are out and about. As she is getting older, she has become more curious so we need to be very careful and watch what she is doing all the time.

I am more worried about our visit to Nepal. I can’t even imagine how things will work out there.

Do share your own experience and if you know how could we can prevent things like this happening in future.

Take care everyone,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

13 Comments

Posted in Being Mum, Our daughter

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