Category Archives: Personal

Transformation of my social life

Posted on December 14, 2011 | 7 comments

There used to be time when I was young and carefree!!! 

I feel so old now and my social life may be to blame for that. 

Once upon a time not so long ago, I used to look forward to social gatherings and outings. It used to be all about us going out and having fun. All of us were young and most of us were single. Then slowly, everything started to change as one by one all my friends started to get married. 

Then my social events mostly included couples and their wedding parties followed by their anniversary parties and baby showers soon after. 

Now I am going to kid’s party so often. Being recently married, we are not thinking of kids yet but we are surrounded by them. Last Sunday one of my good friend’s daughter turned 3 and there was a BBQ party in a park. It was an afternoon event so when we reached the park, there were lots of kids there with their parents already starting the party. 

There were kids playing on the swings while a few were running around and shouting. Most of the men were around the BBQ while there were ladies who were sitting in the picnic area talking.

 After a brief hello to some people and wishing the little girl a happy birthday, I was left surrounded by lots of woman mostly married with kids while AS was chatting with some guys . 

While hanging out with the mums, I realise that most of the conversation revolved around babies so I had nothing to contribute. 

I used to say things like “ohoo. it is so hard once you have a baby” then every mum had the same answer for my comment “Not at all, it is so much pleasure than pain”. So I started saying “That is so great to have a baby, so much pleasure.” which was an even worst statement as they gave me a look that said, “You don’t know what you are talking about.” So I realised that both of the statements weren’t totally accurate so it was better to keep my mouth shut.

Back to the table, I heard them talking excitedly about how Jonny did in school sports or how Nina has started to walk now. They started amm… and aaaahaaaa…. about each others’ babies and the events surrounding them. All I could do was just smile and nod. 

I was remembering how BBQ used to be before but now that is my social life. I think I will fit in perfectly with all these women when I have my own baby but until then I don’t know how many functions and BBQs I will have to attend where all I will be doing is lots of nodding of my head. 

I absolutely love babies but I guess untill I am a mother myself, I won’t know what to say and when to ammmm.. and aaahhaaa… 

This weekend I have a baby shower, a one year’s birthday party and a wedding to attend. I am really hoping I will have at least a few people in these events who I can relate and talk to.

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Sari

Posted on December 12, 2011 | 9 comments

Wikipedia defines sari as a strip of unstitched cloth, worn by females, ranging from four to nine metres in length that is draped over the body in various styles. But for me sari always signifies Nepal and femineity.

There were times when I needed two people to help me wear a sari but now I can proudly say that I know how to wear a sari without any help. (I may need to try a few times to get it right 🙂 )

Over the years I have been lucky to have occasions to wear my different saris. Here are some of the photos I want to share with you.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Posted in Nepal, Personal

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I see babies everywhere

Posted on November 15, 2011 | 8 comments

I love babies; they are the most special and cutest things in the world. 

Recently, I am seeing babies everywhere. I went out for lunch yesterday and while we were waiting for it, we saw so many parents walking around with their prams.

Then there came 6 new mothers with their new borns in prams and sat next to us. They were happily chatting about their babies and how they are handling sleep deprivation. 

My Nephew

I have a nephew who is cute and naughty at the same time. I see him often but it is amazing to see how much more he had learned every time I visit. He loves Mr. Makers and Thomas- the train. Now he has started speaking full sentences and always surprises us with new words. It is funny he uses the words in wrong places sometimes. The other day, his mum was feeding him and he said “No I am hungry’ and indicated he was full. We all laughed because he thinks if he use ‘NO’ in front of any word it becomes the opposite. He is still learning and to see that is great fun. He is on holiday in US now and I miss him so much. 

My friend S 's daughter

A good friend of mine, S, has a baby girl who is so cute. She is growing up so fast and called me ‘fufu’(aunty) recently. I love the outfits I see her in. Mostly pink, cute dresses and with cute hats or jumpsuits which are just so fabulous. 

Two of my good friends are pregnant right now. Both of them are due in December. One of them is having a baby boy and another is having a baby gal. We are having their baby shower soon 🙂 . 

At one time my facebook was full of wedding photos of my friends and family and right now my facebook is full of photos of recently born. 

I was just wondering is there a season to have a baby or I am just noticing them now. 

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Posted in Emotions, Personal

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Wrong place,Wrong time

Posted on November 12, 2011 | 3 comments

Every time I watch a movie or news where they show the footage of a hold up in progress, I can’t help but remember my own experience a few years ago. I know it has been 2 years now but I still can’t get the incident out of my mind.

It was Monday evening on October 2009, I was working a late shift so my friend, SM, came to pick me up from work. As it was late we decided it would be easier to grab a bite from MacDonald’s on the way home than going to a restaurant. So we parked the car in the car park of MacDonald’s in St Peter’s inSydney

The place was quiet with only a handful of people having dinner. We ordered a burger meal and a wrap. While at the counter to pay the bill, I realised that I had forgotten my wallet at home (luckily I should say after what happened later) so SM paid for me. It was lucky that I was not alone otherwise imagine the embarrassment when I couldn’t pay after my meal was already prepared. We took a table near the door and I put my hand bag on the table as I normally do so that I don’t forget it and leave it behind.

Anyway, we had our meal and were just about to leave the place when two bandits stormed into the store and started shouting. One of them was a skinny guy who was carrying a long machete and the other one was a big guy who was carrying a baseball bat. Both of them had balaclava so we could only see their eyes.

Everyone was a bit confused in the beginning because no expects to be in a hold up when you go to a MacDonald’s for a meal. I and SM looked at each other and stayed seated on our table. They yelled out “keep quiet and sit down”.

There was a lady who was holding a tray of food and was a bit slow going back to the table. The big guy hit the tray with the baseball bat and the food was everywhere. I was so scared at this point thinking he may hit us too. He was less than a foot away from me and shouting. In the mean time, the skinny guy held the machete towards the manager and asked him to take him to the safe where all the money was. Both of them disappeared at the back while the big guy was trying to control rest of the patrons.

There were two entrances to this MacDonald’s. At one entrance there was a getaway car waiting but from the second entrance an Asian looking older man entered. We just looked at him as he didn’t realise that he had walked into a hold up. Poor man, I think he didn’t speak and understand English so when the fat guy asked him to sit down, he just looked at him in confusion. At this point, the guy got angry and took a swing with his baseball bat at this poor man’s head. I thought the old man died but thank god he had a thick skull. He didn’t bleed at all but instantly he had this big lump on his head, the size of an apple. He just dropped to the ground unconscious and a lady rushed to him saying she is a nurse.

The environment got more tense. The fat guy started shouting “Hurry up man!” to the skinny guy at the back and I could see he was getting impatient. Then he saw my bag on the table. He just took it and started emptying it on the floor. Luckily I had my mobile in my pocket and had forgotten the wallet so it had really nothing except a make up bag. As he didn’t find anything, he just threw it on the ground. If you read the news article of the robbery, the lady with the purse is me 😦

The skinny guy came running out with a few bags full of money and both of them ran towards the waiting getaway car.

All this happened in a space of 5-10 minutes but it has scarred me forever. For weeks after this happened, I couldn’t sleep properly.

I think within 5 minutes of the robbers leaving the place, the police and ambulance was there. Police started questioning the witnesses and the poor old man was taken to a hospital.

The next day I saw the news on TV and in the newspapers. We didn’t tell anyone about it then as we didn’t want our parents and family to get worried. I only told one of my close friends and AS when I met him in Nepal later.

Here is the link from the national newspapers running that story.

I always felt Sydney was a safe place and nothing had happened to me (touch wood) until then. But after that incident I am more careful and look around when I am out and about. I am glad I got out of the situation without any harm but I definitely was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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Donate blood, save life

Posted on November 7, 2011 | 8 comments

Did you know 1 in 3 people need blood? But despite this only 1 in 30 people will donate blood.

–         Australian Red Cross Blood Service

The first time I went to donate blood, they weighed me and said “You are underweight to donate blood.” 

It was a bit embarrassing but I couldn’t do anything about it then. 

After a few years, I tried again and yeeepiii, I was eligible to donate blood. 

Since then I have been donating blood nearly every three months if I am in Sydney and AS has been donating blood since he came here. He used to do it before as well but not in a regular basis but now both of us do it regularly. 

 I just got an email and my next donation is next Monday. I am looking forward to it as it feels good that I am doing my small bit to help someone who needs blood to be alive.

For those of you who have never given blood, you should consider it as it is not difficult or even painful. All you have to do is go to a collection location which can be easily found on the Red Cross websites. Make sure you have a good meal and plenty of water before you go. You need to go there with a form of identification and they will give you a questionnaire to fill up. Once you have filled it up, they will interview you regarding your general health, check haemoglobin levels and blood pressure to ensure you are eligible to donate blood.

 Then you lie down on a bed, they will put a needle in the vein (believe me it is not painful, you won’t even feel it) and take out about 470 ml of the blood and all done.

 They even provide snacks after you give blood. Normally it is a piece of fruit, some chocolates and water so once you are done you sit down in the waiting area for 15 minutes, have the snacks, make sure you are ready and fit to go back.

The whole process takes around 60 minutes for the first time and if you donate regularly, it will take around 30 minutes as you don’t have to do the long interviews again when you have a Donor card.

My blood donor card

 Here are the few facts from Red  Cross Australia website 

Who can give blood ?

 Most people are able to give blood if they:

  • are fit, healthy and not suffering from a cold, flu or other illness at the time of donation or in the previous 7 days
  • are aged between 16-70 years (in QLD and WA 16-17 year olds require parental consent)
  • weigh more than 45kg (16-17 year olds need to weigh more than 50kg)
  • are prepared by having plenty of liquid the day before donation, especially in warm weather. In addition, in the 3 hours before donating, please drink at least 3 good-sized glasses of water/juice.
  • eat something in the 3 hours before donating
  • bring ID. Please bring at least one form of photo identification.

 And here are some more interesting facts

  • negative blood is universal and can be given to anyone
  • Platelets have a shelf life of only 5 days
  • 470ml of blood is collected when you donate blood
  • Australia has one of the safest blood supplies in the world
  • Within 24-48 hours of giving blood, your blood volume is completely restored
  • You can donate double platelets- helping twice as many people

Hope you will consider giving blood and save 3 more life. 

 

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