Category Archives: Celebrations

Our Story: The Engagement – Part 15

Posted on August 2, 2013 | 22 comments

This is a continuation of my previous post. Please read the previous posts here, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 , Part 6 , Part 7 ,Part 8 ,Part 9 , Part 10 , Part 11 , Part 12 ,Part 13 and Part 14.

If marriages are made in heaven, it is literally so in the Hindu system because of the belief that all major events of life are influenced by heavenly bodies; that is, by the stars, planets, moons and so on. A simple task of fixing the marriage date, for example, calls for a consultation with an astrologer and he decides on an auspicious date, or Subha Sahit, after gauging the influences of the celestial bodies on the bride and groom based on the dates and times of their birth.

So, for our engagement, fixing the date became a long and tedious process because there were so many things to be considered. First of all, it was our birth chart. Astrological compatibility consideration is not only a mere ancestral practice but is a way to get the knowledge regarding the nature, features, love and the social communication features of the people. Unless and until compatibility is found between the two persons, they can’t hold a life-long relationship happily. Since it is a very difficult task to get an accurate knowledge of a person’s nature etc. before a marriage (or a long-term relationship), Astrology can definitely help the two lives a great deal.

The other main factor was I was leaving for Sydney at the end of January and the dates had to be before I left.

We somewhat already knew what the astrologer would tell our family about AS and my horoscope compatibility. AS had a flatmate who was good with astrology so before he came back to Nepal, he asked him to see how compatible we were; as we knew it would matter to our family.

Lucky for us, it came back 27.5 out of 36 points. It stated that

The score of compatibility points is much above the mean. This speaks of only good in all respects pertaining to married life. Marriage between the prospective pair is highly recommended. Only the very best in all the respects could be taken as destined. Normally a match with 18 or more points is considered good.

It was a relief for both of us and when our parents did the same thing in Nepal, they were happy with the result as well.

Finally, a date was decided, few days before I was to leave. As always, it was meant to be a small ceremony between few close family and friends but it turned out to be a function for around 150 people. Initially, we were planning to have the ceremony at my house, but with 150 people, it was not possible so a venue was arranged.

When the big day came, I was tired and excited at the same time because there was so much to be done in leading up to the day. I had to shop for the outfit I was going to wear that day. Then I also had to shop for outfit AS’s family was giving me. My MIL thought, it will be best if I buy those stuff myself so I would wear them in the future. That was really nice of her.

I was preparing for the engagement and going to Sydney at the same time. I didn’t have many days after the ceremony so I was trying to do as much as possible before hand.

The day before the engagement, I went to the party venue with some of my good friends to decorate the place. I wanted to do a feature wall and decorate it so that it would look like an engagement venue. So we printed out our names including Happy Engagement in colourful papers along with lots of hearts and stars. It took ages to cut them and then stick them on the wall but the effort was worth it as the place looked nice after the decoration. I was really grateful that I had AS and a bunch of my friends to help me.

engagement (1)

On the morning of the engagement, I work up early. I already had my aunts and cousins at my place.  After a shower, we had breakfast and it was time to get ready for the occasion.

I had bought a red sari for the day and my mum had made sure that all the jewellery was ready for the day. I put on my sari, chura, jewelleries and my cousins did my hair and makeup. I was dressed in red sari with golden work. Had my hair and make-up done like a Nepali bridal. I was feeling as if  it was my wedding, not an engagement, as there was so much fuss at my house.

engagement (2)

Finally, everyone was ready and we headed towards the party venue. Many of my relatives were already there and the party was going on full swing. People were enjoying their entrée and drinks.

 After what seemed like ages, AS and his family finally arrived at the venue. AS was dressed in a dark blue suit and I swear he looked so handsome. My dad welcomed him at the gate with tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt and vermillion) and garland and brought him to sit next to me on a sofa.

engagement (3)

When I saw him with his family that day, my heart was melting because everything around me was so real and we are making our relationship official now.

engagement (4)

The groom’s side followed the tradition and brought trays and trays of sweets, fruits and gifts for me. A few days ago, we had ordered a big cake as well so it was also ready.

First of all we waited for the auspicious time and then the priest started to say few mantras. Then the priest put tika on our forehead and told us that that we should exchange the rings.

engagement (3)

So in front of our families and friends, we exchanged rings and we were officially “ENGAGED”.

engagement (6) engagement (5)

It was followed by the elders putting tika on our forehead and blessing us for a happy life together. It started with our parents followed by his and my relatives.

engagement (4)

At the end, we had so much tika on our forehead that it kept sliding to our nose. Some of our relatives had brought us gifts and flowers too.

engagement (1)

After that we cut the engagement cake, one of the yummiest cakes I have ever eaten; with fresh cream in black forest base. Once we cut the cake, we fed it to each other. As there were too many people around, I took a small bite of the cake and his relatives were encouraging me to have a big slice. It was all so much fun. Then we gave the cake to our parents and then to the rest of the guests.

engagement (6)

After the main ceremony, everyone was buys enjoying the party with the food and dancing. We had photos taken with everyone as well.

engagement (2) engagement (5)

After a few hours, when the party started to come to an end, AS and his family left and we were left with only a few of my close friends and relatives. We didn’t want to stop the party so we continued to party until after midnight and I made sure every one of my relatives were on the dance floor including my parents. It was really fun.

Fun was over for a while after this event because after a few days of the engagement, I left for Australia. I will continue about that in the next post. Take care till then.

XOXO

M from nepaliaustralian

Go to Part 16

You may also like:

*10 Questions from Yatin on my “Our Story “post *Our Story – First date – Part 12 *Our Story – Meeting the Parents – Part 13

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Posted in Celebrations, Marriage, Our Story, Our Wedding, Relationship, Wedding

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Aroma festival at The Rocks

Posted on July 24, 2013 | 16 comments

Every year, there are many street festivals in and around Sydney. Starting with the Aroma festival this year, I know that there will be more in the coming days and our weekends are going to be fun for the next few months.  Last Sunday, me and hubby decided to join thousands of Sydneysider at the annual festival for lovers of coffee, chocolate, tea and spice; the Aroma Festival at The Rocks.

Aroma festival at The Rocks (1)It was a sunny day for a winter afternoon but it was still a bit windy. When we reached Circular Quay we could smell the coffee miles away and there were so many people enjoying the sun and the coffee.

This is the first time that I went to the Aroma Festival at The Rocks because as I told you before I am not a huge coffee drinker but I have heard so many good things about the festival that we decided to go this year. It was said that, this year, there are more stalls, more coffee, and more ground to cover at the festival. The festival is spread out starting from the wharf outside MCA museum, all the way up to Kendall Lane, then stretching all the way down Hickson Road reserve under the Harbour Bridge.

Aroma festival at The Rocks (9)

Everywhere we could see there were families enjoying the festival and every stall had a long queue. Most coffee stands had more than 20-30 people lining up, and food stands had around 20+ so it was hard to decide which stall to queue at.

Aroma festival at The Rocks (8)

After going around for a while we decide to go to a food stall and had our chicken wrap and lamb and rosemary roll as both of us were starving. We had to queue for 10 minutes or so just to get those. We really want to have this big hot dog but there were so many people in the line that we decided to go to the shortest line there.

Aroma festival at The Rocks (3)

The event organiser has even put their creative skills to the test and set up this massive Dame edna mural by using 1000 cups of Grinders coffee in four different colour tones. The mosaic, believed to be a tribute of Dame Edna, is set to break a new Guinness World Record after Aroma’s previous record was ‘pipped’ by a coffee-roasting festival in Hawaii. It is so impressive viewed from the top level platform at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

Aroma festival at The Rocks (2)

For those of you who don’t know Dame Edna, she is a character created and performed by Australian Dadaist performer and comedian Barry Humphries, famous for her lilac-coloured or “wisteria hue” hair and cat eye glasses or “face furniture,” her favourite flower, the gladiolus (“gladdies”) and her boisterous greeting: “Hello, Possums!” As Dame Edna, Humphries has written several books including an autobiography, My Gorgeous Life, appeared in several films and hosted several television shows (on which Humphries has also appeared as himself and other alter-egos).

There were lots of freebies like tea samples, packet of fair trade tea bags, artificial sugar, chocolates but to get most of them, you had to like their Facebook page on the spot. I reckon that is a great way of marketing.

Aroma festival at The Rocks (6)

There were more coffee varieties than I could remember and there were also a lot of talk about Fairtrade and sustainable coffee at the festival to ensure a better deal for producers and workers by investing back in the local community.

Apart from the coffee, chocolate and sweet treats were also a highlight this year with so many varieties to choose from. There were some great looking cupcakes, Tea leaf readings, coffee cup candle workshops etc. along with huge cups with which you could take photos.

Aroma festival at The Rocks (5)

Also for coffee fanatics, there were gadgets on display in a few stalls. From industrial size coffee machines, to a hand held espresso maker, you can try and buy whatever you fancy.

At a few different spots, there were bands playing music and people were enjoying their coffee and music.

Aroma festival at The Rocks (7) Aroma festival at The Rocks (4) We were there for around 2 hours and there were simply so much to try and taste.

Looking forward to welcoming Spring and many more street festivals 🙂

Take care everyone

XOXO

M from nepaliaustralian

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*Sculpture by the Sea *Parramasala *Loy Krathong

16 Comments

Posted in Australia, Celebrations

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Our Story : Meeting the Parents – Part 13

Posted on July 19, 2013 | 20 comments

This is a continuation of my previous post. Please read the previous posts here, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 , Part 6 , Part 7 ,Part 8 ,Part 9 , Part 10 , Part 11 and Part 12.

Once we left the café, we headed towards my home. I told AS not to worry at all as my parents were very cool but I knew that AS and I both were bit nervous. I kind of knew my parents will like him but at the same time I wanted them to love him as well.

It was as a huge milestone in our relationship and it was exciting and promising. After all, it indicated to me that AS felt positive about the future of our relationship together. I knew that it had not been very long ago that we started our relationship but we didn’t have lots of time as both of us were leaving the country in a month’s time.

When we reached home, dad was busy with someone downstairs and mum was in the kitchen, I asked him to wait for them in our living room and went to the kitchen to fetch my mother. Both my parents are not very talkative people so I was a bit worried how the meeting would be.

My mum came to the room and I introduced them. He did Namaste and then they talked for a few minutes. Then my dad arrived as well and my mum left to go to the kitchen as there was a feast being readied for AS. My dad and AS seemed to be getting on well so I was relived. You always want your parents to like your partner as it makes it easy for you to deal with both of them. As I saw AS was comfortable with my dad , I left them for a moment to go to the kitchen and see what my mum was up to.

When I got to the kitchen I saw that she was busy preparing lunch. I told her that we are very full and there is no need for lunch, may be just tea and snacks but she said that it was AS’s first visit so he has to eat some nice food. I knew I was not going to win in this instance so I just gave in.

I asked my mum how she liked AS and she told me that he looked like a nice guy. I took the tea and some snack with me to serve AS and my dad. By then I am sure both of them were feeling comfortable with each other.

AS ate some snacks and had his tea. Then my mum told everyone that lunch was ready so we went upstairs to eat. I couldn’t believe that my mum cooked so many different dishes and AS’s plate seemed to have heaps of every one of them. I felt a bit sorry for AS as I knew both of us were full form our lunch together. So I went and tried to take some things off his plate but my mum caught me in the act and didn’t let me.

My dad and AS sat down for lunch but I decline to eat. My tummy had no room for food and I was bit nervous as well.

To my surprise by the end of lunch AS had finished every item on his plate. And no wonder my mum was so pleased. He even praised my mum’s cooking. But it was not over yet. My mum also served some sweets and knowing AS and his love for sweets, he ate them too.

After lunch, AS stayed for a while and then he had to leave as he had plans at home for the evening. I told him I was sorry that he had to eat so much but he said that he loved it and enjoyed his meal. I accompanied him till the gate of our house and then came back upstairs to hear what my parents thought.

Both my parents were extremely pleased with him and my mum was super happy that her future “jwain” (son in law) was so easy to feed unlike me and my brother. They told me to that they were happy with my choice.

I was over the moon when I heard that as I really wanted my family’s approval to take our relation further. That night I slept well but the next day was a different story.

The next morning I woke up, had breakfast and got ready to meet AS’s parents.

I never knew that meeting your partner’s parents could also be so intimidating.  I was wondering what was in store for the future of your relationship together if his parents didn’t like me.  I had so many conflicting thoughts and emotions that were running through my mind. But I tried to put all negative thoughts behind me and started concentrating on the day.

I know first impressions are often lasting impressions, and I absolutely wanted to dress to impress his parents on the big day of introduction. I wanted to look attractive, presentable, and fashionable so I put on my best Kurta suruwal, did my makeup and hair and waited for AS to pick me up. The plan was to meet his parents and then we would leave to do some shopping in the city. I was really scared to spend a very long time with them in case I stuffed things up. It had sounded like a good idea at the time we had decided to meet each other’s parents but in real life most plans don’t work out as expected so I was a little bit nervous.

When I reached AS’s place, I met his mum and dad. Both or his brothers were not home. Both my future in laws made me feel at ease and talked to me as if they had known me forever but I was nervous in answering them. They asked me some basic questions about where I work or what I studied and what are my plans for the future. AS’s mum talked most of the time while his dad listened and made some comments in between. From time to time, I looked at AS when answering question but he was just there smiling at me. I really wanted things to go well that day. While we were talking, suddenly they had some unexpected visitor, AS’s uncle (his dad’s elder brother) and aunt.

I was now more nervous about what to do and say as it was not in our plan. AS’s mum introduced me to them and they started talking to me too. As they had some other plans, they didn’t stay long.

After they left AS’s mum asked me to stay for lunch (morning Bhat dal). I told her that I am full from breakfast but she said that she was not letting me go without eating something as it was my first time to their home. Seriously every mum seemed to have the same agenda, to feed everyone that they can get their hands on. It was sweet of her but it was not going to be an easy time for me.

First of all, I was full from breakfast and second of all I didn’t prefer eating dal bhat in the morning. But I sat down with AS and his dad while mum served us food. The food was yummy but it took a long time to finish what I had on my plate. AS’s mum wanted me to eat more but I kindly refused. I was just glad when I finished what I had on my plate. I really didn’t want to be rude and not finish my meal.

Finally once we finished, AS got ready and we left. I said my good byes and we were off to the city.

Once we were on our own, I asked how he thought I was. He said I looked so nervous that he felt it was funny. I am a talkative person but I lost all my words when I was in his house.

Later AS told me that his parents were happy to meet me and wanted to meet my parents next.

So after a few days, our parents talked on the phone and decided to meet. AS’s parents came over to our place for dinner. We made sure many varieties were prepared and they had a great time with my parents.

After the meeting, both of us were happy as we had taken the next step in our relationship.

We thought the tough time had passed but there was more to come. I will tell you next time. Till then take care.

Please share your Meeting the Parents story. Were you scared?

XOXO

M from nepaliaustralian

Go to Part 14

You may also like:

*10 Questions from Yatin on my “Our Story “post *Our Story: Back to Sydney – Part 3 *Our Story: Good friends again – Part 4

 

20 Comments

Posted in Celebrations, Family, Kathmandu, Marriage, Nepal, Our Story, Relationship

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I didn’t get married because I am weak

Posted on November 2, 2012 | 25 comments

A while back when I was talking to one of my friends, she told me that people get married because they are weak. She said women who are weak and need someone to look after them get married and if you are not weak, there is no need for you to get married.

I have known this friend for over a decade and I have never seen her in a relationship and I realised why that day. But I disagree with her because I am not a weak woman. I didn’t get married because I need help; I am quite capable of looking after myself. I was living life my way for a long time. I got married because I fell in love with this amazing person, the one who understands me and loves me for who I am.

I am not an expert on love or marriage and I am not going to say he is my soul mate blah blah blah but I love him from my heart and that is all that matters to me right now. When we decided to get married, it seemed like the right thing to do as we were living in two different continents before that. But even if he had already been in Australia and we had to decide on marriage, I would not have decided against it.

I really believe that I and my husband are a perfect couple. We are like any other couple who have disagreement, who loves, who discuss, who argues but at the end makes up. We are like opposite poles as individuals but together are just perfect. We respect each other and enjoy each other’s company. He is not just my husband but my best friend first.

I would never be this happy if I was thinking like my friends and never gave relationships a chance to prove that it is worth our effort.

And my husband proved to me that believing in him and our relation was the right thing again when he took me for a dinner and movie date for my birthday.

Another birthday celebration

First, he bought me this awesome sapphire necklace that goes perfectly with my sapphire ring he bought last year. I think he is getting better at spoiling me as the years go by :). I am so happy that he does lots of thing to make me happy.

Then we had a lovely dinner. We went to the Vietnamese restaurant near our place . We started with Special Entree Plater which had Spring rolls, Fresh spring rolls, Pork patties skewer, Chicken skewer and fish cake. Forgot to take the photos as we were too hungry :).

It was followed by main. I had Cari Ga – Chicken Curry with rice and my hubby tried Pho noodle soup with chicken. The food was nice and filling. By that time both of us were so stuffed that we decided not to order dessert.

It was followed by a movie that I had been meaning to watch for a while, Taken 2.

Taken 2 movie review

Taken 2 was an ok movie only. Definitely it was nothing like the first one where you had no expectations and it made a surprise $225 million worldwide. The first one was really great as it had some griping elements.

In Taken 2, Liam Neeson looked good despite his age and the movie was good but I think we always expect so much from the sequel that it is easy to get disappointed. I was not bored during the movie but most of it was predictable. I was a bit disappointed as I had high hopes for this movie.

Going back to my original topic, I’ll admit it. I am very romantic at heart and I like the flowers, the chocolates, the walks on the beach, the sweeping off your feet gestures but that doesn’t make me weak. I am a strong woman who knows what she wants and is lucky enough to have a partner who respects me and understands me enough to have a relationship that makes both of us happy. Where I am weak, he has strengths and the opposite is true of my strengths where he is not. We balance each other nicely. I don’t wish to dominate my partner, nor do I want to be dominated.

What is your opinion? Do you agree with my friend or me? 

25 Comments

Posted in Celebrations, Movie Review, Relationship

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And the celebrations for birthday continues…

Posted on October 31, 2012 | 8 comments

Have I told you before that people around me are so nice ? I had two cakes for my birthday already; one, my favourite lemon tart and another at my party but I got two more still. I normally get more than one cake; I remember 3 in the last year. But this year the count went up to four 🙂

I know I get excited like a kid when these things happen but it really makes me happy that there are so many people around me who care about me.

I got a surprised cake at AS’s cousin‘s house. We had invited them for my party but as they had a prior engagement they couldn’t make it.  So when I went to their place for Dashain tika, they surprised me with a cake. It was a chocolate mousse and it just melted in the mouth. It was really nice of them. I also got a card with it.

They also wanted me to have a puppy as well but we can’t keep one as we live in an apartment. Their german shepard had 9 pups recently so I was so tempted when they asked me if I wanted one but we couldn’t. How sad. :(. I took a photo with the pup instead.

Like every year, I got a cake at work as well but this year was extra special as my manager decided to make it a Halloween themed one. It was so much fun as we decorated our office. I also added some decorations that I had from last year birthday party and went with the flow. We had spider webs, scary skeleton, lots of spiders, balloons and much more.

Even the food was really special as my manager baked Halloween themed cupcakes. It was really nice of her.

For the birthday cake, we got profiterole cake and it is one of my favourite cakes too.

Everyone even posed for the camera wearing some silly gear and we had a great time.

Along with the morning tea, we also had Italian lunch where everyone cooked a dish and we shared it all around. As usual, we over catered but all the food were just yummy. Sharing some photos with you all.

 Happy Halloween everyone!!!

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Posted in Celebrations

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