Do you think buying greeting cards is a waste of money and paper?

Posted on April 17, 2013 | 24 comments

Every Christmas, millions of people all around the world post greeting card to their loved ones spending millions of dollars. I always feel that people spend so much looking for really good greeting cards, spending lots of time and energy…

Like every one of you, I do buy greeting cards for occasions like Birthdays, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Thank You Notes, Sympathy Cards, Get Well Cards, Thinking of You cards and so on. A few weeks ago it was my brother’s birthday so I went and bought a card for him which cost me $4.95. Today I again went and bought a card for my SIL and spent $6.00. I spend more for SIL as there were less cards to choose from that said SIL in it.

I was just wondering while I was buying these cards, is it really worth it to spend money on these cards which will be read once and thrown away in most cases. If you walk to the greeting card section of a supermarket or bookshop, there are more types of greeting cards for sale than there are days in a month.

Growing up, I used to collect all the cards I got for my birthdays and other occasions and I still have them in a box at my mum’s place but these days, I don’t feel too sentimental about these cards unless it is from my husband or my parents. I have never read any card more than once. If I really like the card, I take a photo of it and that is about it.

Looking around me, I see that most of the people also do the same. Especially for young children as they can’t even read yet everyone always buys them birthday cards. Normally they are interested in gifts rather than the cards so are we simply wasting our money on these cards?

These days I started to feel that buying greeting cards are a waste of hard earned money, for ultimately it will either be torn up in the long run, or go into some bag in a corner of your house.

I love the idea of making my own cards. A personalized note or letter with a meaningful message really goes further than a store-bought card. The sentiments in handwritten cards are far more intimate than generic Hallmark Greetings sentiments and the messages are far more specifically intended for the recipient.

But you really can’t make a personalised card to everyone so I think in this day and age e-cards are a good alternative for the people who use email. It is free and you can make it personal as well. One can choose a nice card and send it via the net and no postman, no courier, no cost. I love the animated silly ones which brings a smile. It also reduces paper waste.

I really want to head to this direction but sometimes I feel compelled to buy the card for someone because they have bought me one on my birthday or anniversary. The cost of greeting cards has increased steadily over the years and the money could be better spent in buying other stuff for the person. I know it’s the thought that counts but giving them gifts without a card makes me a bit uncomfortable. I really don’t want to upset anyone.

So I have decided to buy a card when I have to and my option would be then to buy the cards made and promoted by the organisations like the UNICEF or WORLD VISION.

Personally I used to look forward to one when I was younger but not so much anymore. I prefer something more practical these days. I think e-card/emails or even mms/sms or Facebook post would do the trick to convey the message.

What are you thoughts on greeting cards, do you still feel compelled to purchase pre-printed greeting cards?

Till next post, take care.

M from nepaliaustralia

 XOXO

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* Gautam Buddha * Arranged marriage: My perspective * Our Story : The Beginning – Part 1

 

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Prabal Gurung for Target: Ruffle Dress in Sulphur

Posted on April 16, 2013 | 14 comments

I couldn’t wait till spring to wear my Prabal Gurung dresses so today I wore the Ruffle Dress in Sulphur to work. (It’s autumn here now so it would be a long wait till spring 🙂 )

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I noticed that the dress is a bit brighter than I expected. As my skin is brown, it tends to make me look a shade darker.  I am very happy with the quality of the dress though. It is super lightweight and very fluid. For a target dress, it is just very good. The length of the dress is a bit longer than my normal dresses but that may be because I am not very tall. Absolutely no see through issues.

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I wore the dress with a black blazer and was very happy to see it go so well.

I wore my black max shoes and big black ring.

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I am sure I can wear this dress more this season with a black belt, black stocking and black boots.

Can’t wait to style my other Prabal Gurung collections.

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Till next post, take care!

M from nepaliaustralia

 XOXO

You may also like :

*Over the moon to get the Prabal Gurung parcel *Prabal Gurung : A Fashion designer from Nepal

*Aastha Pokharel representing Nepal on Asia’s Next Top Model

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Childhood dream leads climber up Everest — twice in one week

Posted on April 15, 2013 | 4 comments

Many climbers dream of reaching the peak of the world’s highest mountain at least once in their lifetime.

Chhurim Sherpa has done it twice — in one week.

Guinness World Records formally recognized the 29-year-old’s achievement , though it’s been almost one year since she completed her historic double climb.

“People have set different kinds of climbing records in Everest,” said Chhurim, sitting on her living room couch directly beneath a string of certificates hung on the wall — the Guinness plaque included. “But no one has climbed twice within a week. So I just climbed with the sole motive of making a world record.”

Chhurim made her initial ascent on May 12 and then, after a two-day rest on her return to base camp, reached the peak again on May 19, 2012.

Since Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary broke barriers by stepping afoot the 8,848-meter peak in 1953, many benchmarks have been set. But for Chhurim, it was Pasang Lhamu Sherpa — the first Nepalese woman to climb Everest (she died during her descent) — who inspired the then fifth grader to sketch a future plan that most girls the same age couldn’t conceive of.

Growing up in Taplejung district in north-eastern Nepal, Chhurim’s early romance with mountaineering blossomed when she saw tourists trekking through her village. She wanted to do the same.

“I wanted to carry a backpack and climb the peak [Mt. Kanchanjunga] I saw from my village,” she said.

But her eyes were set on Everest. She expected herself to achieve the extraordinary.

When she came to Kathmandu to visit her sister in 2010, Chhurim enrolled in a basic mountaineering training course run by the Nepal Mountaineering Association. She said it helped her get the “psychological, physical, and technical training” required to prepare for her the mission.

For the next two years, Chhurim honed her skills in rock climbing and first aid and climbed the Yala Peak (5,520m) — also considered a trekking peak — in Nepal’s Langtang region.

Concerned about the risks and dangers, Chhurim’s parents, however, were wary of her planned Everest ascent.

“She was determined,” said Dandu Sherpa, her proud father. “She was on a quest to do something extraordinary — it was difficult for us to stop her.”

I didn’t really think of anyone during the climb, not even myself.Chhurim Sherpa, mountaineer

While parents and family members kept track of Chhurim throughout her journey, the climber said she detached herself from any emotions.

“The only thing on my mind was to successfully set the record,” Chhurim said. She looked across the couch to her parents, and laughed, “I didn’t really think of anyone during the climb, not even myself.”

On May 12, when she reached 8,848m for the first time with a group of four other climbers, she stood amazed above the “layer of tiny mountain peaks blanketed by circular cloud patterns.” During the 15 minutes she spent on top of the world, Chhurim said she took a moment to thank God, her parents, and then reminded herself that she had to do it all again.

After returning to base camp two days later and resting for another two days, Chhurim made the ascent again on May 17. But this time, she only had Tshering Dhendup, her aid, for company.

It was 33-year-old Dhendup’s third trip to Everest. He recalled the two-day climb with Chhurim as a “memorable experience.”

“She’s fit and firm,” he said, adding that he takes pride in being a part of Chhurim’s record-setting expedition.But for Chhurim, “Everest was exhausting.”

En route to the world’s highest peak, she also traversed the Khumbu Icefall at 5,486m as well as the steepest climb after Camp 3 (7,470m), all while carrying 15 kilograms of her expedition gear that she said seemed to weigh more like 50.

“But I did it — I reached the summit on May 19, stood there for a little longer this time, about 25 minutes, and then headed to base camp in a day and a half,” Chhurim said, describing the journey with such ease as if it were a trek for amateurs.

To date, the total number of people who have successfully climbed Everest from the Nepalese side, according to the Expedition Department at the Ministry of Tourism, stands at 3,842. Of them only 219 are women, out of whom a mere 21 are Nepalese.

“I really want other Nepalese women to get involved in mountaineering,” Chhurim said. “We should have a can-do attitude so that we can move forward and not be left behind simply because we’re women.”

Though soft-spoken and shy, Chhurim was assertive when she talked about the involvement of women in the country’s tourism sector. To her, it’s also of utmost importance for women to become educated.

Though successful in her own right, Chhurim still laments not being able to continue school after eighth grade. There was no high school in her village and her family did not have the money to move to Kathmandu, or the closest town with a school.

“But it isn’t too late,” Chhurim said.

Currently, she is studying English at a local language institute in Kathmandu. She believes that the “international language” will further empower women to move forward in the tourism sector.

It certainly is helping her to work as a tour guide, she added.

With only two peaks — Mera Peak (6,476m) and Island Peak (6,189m) — to her credit before Everest, she’s since gone on to conquer Mt. Ama Dablam (6,812m) and Kun peak (7,135m) in India.

But she’s not finished with Everest. Chhurim wants to climb the summit again from the Chinese side, as well as ascend Mt. Kanchanjunga, and also the highest peak on every continent.

Her father said he “couldn’t be happier or more proud” to see one of his eight children achieve something no one else has.

For Chhurim, it’s the world record that matters — it’s a testament of her determination to succeed in her mission.

As she held her framed world record certificate to pose for a photograph, Chhurim said, “I have created a name for myself and I have raised my country’s profile. If you’re really determined, you can definitely take yourself to new heights, and that’s what I’ve done.”

Source : cnn.com

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Cheers to Nepali New Year 2070

Posted on April 15, 2013 | 12 comments

As I have mentioned before, Nepal follows a different calendar than the Gregorian calendar so Nepali New Year falls on mid-April instead of 1st of January. Bikram Sambat or Nepali Calendar or Nepali patro is approximately 56 years and 8½ months ahead of the Gregorian calendar. Unlike Gregorian months, the lengths of Nepali months are not predetermined, and change from year to year, varying from 29 days to 32 days. The year 2070 started yesterday as 1st of Baishak, 2070.

In Nepal, people celebrate Nepali New Year in many different ways. Please read this post to learn more about celebration of Nepali New Year in Nepal.

For us, in Australia, this year had been great as the New Year Eve fell on Saturday and New Year on Sunday. First of all I can’t believe its year 2070 as the last Nepali year I remember writing would be year 2056 in Nepal.

New Year (6) New Year (7) New Year (8) New Year (2)

Anyway, we had a great time with my cousins and brothers BBQing and drinking over the weekend. It was a good way to remember Nepal and enjoy ourselves on New Year’s Eve.

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Then yesterday, we went out with our friends for dinner. Have to say it is great to get together and celebrate Nepali New Year even though we are not in Nepal.

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I’m wishing every single one of you a year full of joy, good health, love, success and prosperity.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for riding along this journey with me. I appreciate all the love and support you guys have given me throughout the year and I hope you continue to do so this year too.

Till next time, take care

XOXO

M from nepaliaustralian

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Posted in Kathmandu, Nepal, Nepali Culture

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Our Story: Singapore airport – Part 6

Posted on April 11, 2013 | 12 comments

This is a continuation of my previous post. Please read the previous posts here, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5.

It looks like airports played a big role in our story. Anyway when I landed in Singapore, it was midnight local time and the place was not very busy. I had a hand carry bag, a laptop bag and my own bag so sleeping was not an option. I just started walking around to searching for an internet connection. I found a kiosk where they had a computer with internet connected. The only bad thing was that there was no chair so I had to stand and use the internet and on top of that it would log out after every 15 minutes, how annoying.

Anyway as I had nothing better to, I checked my email, Facebook and decided to write a reply to AS’s last email.

Gud morning
hope u have better sleep tonite
it is 12am in Singapore and I just got here. Will be here for another 8hrs
need to figure out what to  do 🙂
anyway hope ur ticket is working out. I can’t wait to see the surprise gift
u r not online. if u see this mail c if u can come online .
I will be checking it from time to time
take care
M

I was so bored but didn’t know what else to do. So with my trolley and luggage I made a makeshift chair and just surfed the net. There were not many people online for me to chat with. It was an awkward time in Nepal and Australia then.

After 15 minutes I was logged out so I logged in again and SUPRISE SUPRISE, AS was online on gmail.

Me: Hello hello

AS: hi

Me: How are u? Where r u?

AS: I just reached office, saw your mail and came online.

Me: (I was a bit disappointed that he would be too busy to chat with me) Ohoo, its ok then, maybe we chat later during your break.

AS: I can talk for a while so it’s ok. When I have to go I will let you know.

Me: The internet disconnects itself every 15 minutes so if I go offline, wait and I will come online again

AS: Sure no problem. How was your flight?

Me: It was good. Watched a few movies. I am trying to connect the wifi in my laptop it doesn’t seem to be working. Looks like I have to use this computer to chat with you.

AS: Ok. At least we can chat.

Me: That is great coz I am really bored. There is nothing to do here and I have 8 hours to kill.

As: that’s why I am here…

Me: hehehe so nice of u. thank u thank u

AS: ani airport ma garne kehi chainata? (So there is nothing do at airport?)

Me: nope :(.  That’s why I am talking to u

AS: oho… nothing more interesting to do…

Me: : everything is closed  but I am not comparing:)  come on,  I am just glad to talk with u.   no comparison

AS: la la… maska marnu pardaina (it’s ok… no need to flatter me)

Me: hehhe   hoina.  I luv talking to u 🙂 nabaye ta uti uti k garne ni (otherwise why I should I chat standing)

AS: well and I return the sentiment 100%

Me: timro ticket k hudai cha (what’s going on with your ticket)

AS: problemai cha…(there’s a problem)

Me: so bad. try ur best to spend ur new year eve in Kathmandu

AS: that is what I wanna do too..

Me: did u have breakfast???

AS: yes had b’fast. timi le flight ma dinner gareko ho? (Did u had dinner on flight?)

Me: yes, I did. ani u got only few days at working hoina

AS:ho… (yes)

Me: still bg

AS: a litttle… nothing i can’t handle..

Me: that is gud 😀

AS: but chatting with you is icing on the cake..

Me: D 😀 😀   my 32 teeth r showing

AS: u have 32 teeth?

Me: nope hahaha. Just realise I think 28 only

AS: hahaha. I so so glad even after such a gap we can talk so freely and comfortably

Me: me too why don’t u tell me things that happen with u in last yrs.  i mean things i missed that were  imp

AS: went through college… like a breeze, made some great friends.. new perspectives…

Me: gud to hear that

AS: but am bad at keeping in touch… but am trying to change that..  anyways..

Me: 😀 luving the word trying..  i am sure u r getting better. How was uni?

AS: It was great.

Me: that’s really nice

AS: the best part was..  I told you I visualised… before exams right? And it worked.

Me: I am very happy 4 u

AS: well I pretty much kept that up the rest of the time..

Me: that’s gud.  Do u do that 4 ur future too. I mean, what u want,   where u gonna live.

AS: are those questions?

Me: ya

AS: wait let me get some water…

Me: ok

AS: talking so much is difficult 😉

Me: hehehe

AS: am back

Me: waiting for answer

AS: before coming here I was still not so sure… but slowly the pictures are starting to materialize in my mind…  all of that has one or similar answers… a home … a wife… life go together… I pray that I can make that happen…  I imagine… visualize…

Me: I was making a list as you told me about visualizing.  My list goes like this

  • get a better job
  • fall in luv
  • travel the world
  • get house
  • get married
  • live happily ever after
  • more travel

Now when the list is here what can I do next to make it work

AS: good u have a list.  Now to make it work

Me: I try to be positive.. But it’s not as easy…  still I think I’ve been ok… I’ve done ok…

AS: u did. Don’t think bad of your past… be they happy or sad..

Me: I have always thought of my past as learning experience   if that was not there I won’t b who I am so no regret

AS: yes… Never a failure… always a lesson..

Me: yap def it is  I think I am lot +ve than before   I am learning hard way but trying my bet   I see glass half full

AS: now imagine it as filling up.. With everything u do… and the full glass is the wish, dream that u have…

Me: when I talk to u u make me believe more 🙂

AS: wanna know a secret…

Me: ya

AS: after meeting you here… I think I started opening up more… now I wonder why I was closed up do much..

Me: that’s nice to hear

AS: : life is funny sometimes.. now I’m building bridges… I had neglected so long…

Me: better late than never

AS: yes…

Me: really we been frds for so long and only now we got to know each other  better

AS: true

Me: my school version of u is smiling and frdly guy and I think that is it

AS: but so much has happened… to change us to shape us…

Me: but from LAX airport I got to know so much about u  and last few weeks has been blessing. life has taught us a lot

AS: and I think all of that was for the best… to get us where we are now..

Me: ya

There is so much I want to write but the post is getting long . I promise there will be lot to come in next posts. Take care till then.

P.S.: That day we talked for so long that I have 38 pages of chat. When I was reading through the chat, it still brought a smile on my face. Even though we were not in a relation at that time, it was great to know we were so good friends before we decide to be in a relationship.

Go to Part 7

You may also like:

*Our Story: Back to Sydney – Part 3 *Our Story : LA Airport – Part 2 *Our Story: Good friends again – Part 4

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