Tag Archives: australian

The game everyone talking about (Brazil Vs Germany)

The first semi-final of 2014 world cup was very unusual no matter which team you were supporting. Of course, you guys know that I was rooting for Brazil and it was a huge disappointment.

Me and AS made sure our alarms were set well before we went to sleep last night. Therefore, at 6:00 am this morning, even though it was so cold, we managed to crawl out of bed and went to our lounge to watch one of the most anticipated games of this World Cup.

But to my disappointment and AS’s happiness the goal started to rain down at 11 minutes, 23 minutes,24 minutes, 26 minutes and 29 minutes. I was confused for a while wether the goals were repeat telecast or actual goals.

I could only imagine how happy all the Germany supporters must have been by that time. It was as if the game was over in the first 30 minutes and the poor Brazilian supports who were heartbroken. Even Christ the Redeemer statue must have been crying.

Even though I was supporting Brazil, I have to say that there was not a great teamwork in Brazilian team during the first half. By the time they seemed to get their act together in the second half, it was too late to recover.

Final score, Germany 7, Brazil 1, the only goal that Brazilian scored for the whole game was from Oscar at 90 minutes.

So, Germany has advanced to the final of the World Cup by thumping win over Brazil on their own turf. Toni Kroos and Andre Schuerrle each scored twice, with Miroslav Klose, Thomas Mueller and Sami Khedira adding their dose of pain for the home fans.

Now I am scared to watch the game tomorrow as I know Netherland is a good team and played well this tournament. I am still supporting Argentina and, of course, hope they will go to the final so I can enjoy the final.

Who were you supporting today and who are you planning to support tomorrow? Have your say about the World Cup 2014 games.

You are my whole world!

There was an ad for new movie, Lucy starting Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman on TV. It looks like a good movie and in my to-watch list when it is released. Anyway, while watching the trailer, I realised that it is about controlling the things with the mind so I just started a conversation with AS.

Me: “I wish I have that power in my brain then I could control the world.

AS: “What will you do if you have that power?”

Me: I made a strange voice and said “AS will kiss me now.”

AS followed my wish and kissed me which made me happy.

Me: “Look, I can control the world now 🙂

AS: “Ohoo that means I am your whole world because I am the only one you can control :)”

He is so true, he is my world and I wish we can be happy like this forever in our life.

Sydney winter festival 2014

Like every year, Sydney Winter Festival was held to celebrate the winter but for the first time ever, the Sydney Winter Festival was held at Darling Harbour. The main attractions of the festival were the ice-skating at an outdoor ice skating rink tasting gourmet winter cuisines from food vendors at the Winter Festival Village, relaxation at the Lounge & Beer Garden with traditional winter refreshments including hot chocolate, Glühwein & a selection of premium European beers.Sydney winter festival 2014 (2)

Last weekend, we decided to experience the chills and thrills of snow and ice skating, ice slides and winter activities normally reserved for our northern hemisphere counterparts, and it was all as easy as making the trip to Darling Harbour.

Here are some of the pics from the day.

Sydney winter festival 2014 (1) Sydney winter festival 2014 (3)

Till next time, take care

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

Janku (Pasni for older people)

In Newari culture Janku (also known as Buda Janku or Pasni, different from pasni for baby  ) is a celebration when a person reaches a certain age. If it’s a couple, the date is determined by the age of the husband and the couple will celebrate the Janku together irrespective of the wife’s age at the time. If it is a single person, then it is according to their birth date.

There are five Jankus performed during the lifetime of the person if s/he happens to live to be 106 years old.

The first Janku is when a person is of 77 years, 7 months and 7 days where they are worshipped as an aspect of the sun. This is called BHIMRATHAROHAN where the grandsons carry the person’s chariot on their shoulders and visit temples of god and goddess.

The second Janku is at the age of 83 years, 4 months and 4 days where they are worshipped as an aspect of the moon. This is called CHANDRARATHAROHAN as it is believed that a person has seen 1000 full moons in their life and their prayers are directed towards the moon.

The third Janku is performed at the age of 88 years, 8 months and 8 days, which is called DEVRATHAROHAN and they are worshipped as an aspect of god. This time too the grandsons pull the chariot and visit temples. While entering to home the persons chariot is entered from the window of the house.

The forth Janku is at the age of 99 years, 9 months and 9 days, which is called DIVYARATHAROHAN.

The final one is at the age of 105 years, 8 months and 8 days old, called MAHADIVYARATHAROHAN.

Janku is celebrated at such defined ages for two reasons. “Newari texts mention that the particular ages for the ceremonies mark inauspicious times in a person’s life, times when even the smallest hurdle might pose a serious threat to one’s life. The various rituals are performed in order to please particular deities to help the person overcome those problems”.

Before the invention and availability of modern medicine the average life expectancy of the people was 60 to 65 years and reaching the age of 77 and beyond was like getting a new lease on life. The second reason for a Janku is that after their Janku ,they are considered as god or goddess and the title of Thakali is given the as they are one of the senior members of the community.

Few weeks ago, my Ma (maternal grandmother) celebrated her second Janku. I wish I was in Nepal for that as I missed the first one too but I am so glad to see that she has one great grandson with her.

My Ma has four kids, one of them being my mum and all of them are married. She has 10 grand kids and 6 great grand kids but unfortunately all of the grand kids live overseas so it was so rare for a great grand kid to be around during that time.

Luckily my brother, SIL and nephew were visiting Nepal and they were there to celebrate the big occasion.

During each Janku, the person is dressed like a bride or groom and takes seven steps before getting on the Rath (chariot). The sons and grandsons carry them on the chariot take them around town with family and relatives following the procession.

Women shower them with flowers and vermilion powder and when they reach their home they are given Sagun wishing them a long healthy life.

All the relatives and even distant ones visit them to receive their blessings and have a Bhoj (party) after the completion of all the rites and rituals.

Till next time, take care

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

Anniversary celebration @ The Black by Ezard

First of all, thank you everyone for your wonderful wishes. I am excited to report back that we had an awesome day.

I have to admit taking a day off to celebrate the anniversary was a great idea as we were able to stay in bed till 9 am. I was awake before 7 am but it was nice not to worry about the time and spend more time in bed in the cold winter morning. I just cuddled with AS on the bed.

It was even nicer when AS gave me a nice and sweet card. I loved what he wrote on it and you can say I was touched.

To M,

The love of My life,

My past, My present,My future

Always & forever

AS

anniversary card

As you can see my AS is a man of few words but when he writes, he makes it count :). I just loved it.

I can see that as the years have passed, we became more compatible and stronger as a couple. We know each other better and we know what to do to please each other. We fight less and get annoyed less. If we fight, it doesn’t last long like before and we both understand each other a lot better. I have to give most of the credit to AS for sure. He brings out the best in me every day.

Park (3)

We had a lazy breakfast and decided to go out for lunch. Before that, we stopped at a park and spent some time there. It was a windy afternoon but we still had fun in the sun.

Park (1)

Thai was on the menu for lunch and it was nice and filling. I was again thankful that we had a day off as we did not need to rush. We took our time, enjoyed the food and went home to change.

Park (2)

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We had dinner reservation at the restaurant called Black by ezard.

Black by ezard is by Melbourne chef Teage Ezard, at The Star casino. Ezard is the creative force behind the two hat restaurant ezard and Asian street food diner Gingerboy. The venue is cool and slick, a mix of elegant booth seating and leather upholstered seats, fronted by floor-to-ceiling glass windows that look onto Pyrmont Bay.

We were given a table with a window view. We could see the beautiful Sydney city in evening light.BLACK by ezard (7)We ordered drinks first. I had ORANGE – Angostura Bitters, Passionfruit, Carbonated Natural Spring Water mocktail and AS had a beer, Lord Nelson Three Sheets.

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Before our drink, we were served complimentary brioche with butter and volcanic black salt. It was just delicious with chunks of the warm, buttery bun and inky black sea salt.

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My mocktail came shortly with AS’ beer and we both were happy with our choices.

When faced with a dilemma over what to order, the best thing to do is share. So AS and I decided that we are going for three-course meal but would share all the dishes and it was a good decision.

We stared with mushrooms; a warm salad of exotic mushrooms, rocket leaves, brioche crumbs, parmesan and pork hock, crisp fried, nashi pear, radish, yuzu and green chilli caramel.

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To my surprise I loved the mushroom more than pork. It was so tasty and full of flavour. Also the portion size was really good for up class restaurants like this.

It was followed by gnocchi, handmade potato, roasted chestnuts, black cabbage and ocean trout with crispy skin, cauliflower, heirloom carrot, caper and lemon sauce for main.

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The ocean trout looked and tasted great with lots of fanciful accompaniments. Gnocchi was very enjoyable with black cabbage.

By this point, I was stuffed – I was wondering why I had decided on a three course meal as there was more to come.

Of course, I can never skip chocolate dessert when I am with AS so we had chocolate caramel and chocolate custard, peanut butter mouse, wood grilled banana sorbet as well as lemon olive oil and lemon cake, lemon curd, poppy seed cream, frozen yogurt.

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We had mentioned that it was our anniversary during the reservation and we were happy that they remembered this and so in a wonderful show of hospitality, our dessert plates had ‘Happy Anniversary’ piped in melted chocolate.

BLACK by ezard (8)

Desserts tasted wonderful, super rich chocolate and peanut butter mouse and the lemon cake was surprising yummy in every bite. I only left some poppy seed cream behind because I was going to explode if I had another mouthful.

The service, while quite good for a restaurant in general, falls somewhat short of hatted service.

I noticed that every time we go to a hated restaurant, the wait staffs make you feel so special.  There were three of them looking after us making sure everything was perfect. I was telling AS that it must be that great feeling you have when you have you own butler like in Downton Abbey 🙂

Overall, I found Black by ezard an amazing dining experience that is everything you would want and expect from a restaurant of this level with impeccable service. Both of us were happy when we left the restaurant.

After that we went to The Star casino for some fun.

It was such a perfect day for us with amazing food and lovely company.

Till next time, take care

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO