I am starting a series of posts on learning Nepal Bhasa called Nepal Bhasa Bites.
Nepal Bhasa, also known as Newari, is the language of the Newar people, the indigenous inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. The language has a rich history and deep cultural significance, reflecting the heritage and identity of the Newar community.
I cherished learning this language from my grandmother during my childhood. However, after moving to Australia, my proficiency in Nepal Bhasa has waned over the years due to a lack of practice. I’ve decided to compile some Nepal Bhasa resources here for anyone interested.
If you spot any mistakes, please don’t hesitate to correct me. I greatly value your feedback and suggestions.
I can’t believe it has already been 13 years since we got married! It feels like just yesterday. Please read Our Story to learn more about us.
When I first met him in high school, I never imagined that one day he would be my husband and the wonderful father to our amazing daughter.
If you have been following my blog, you know that AS and I are different in so many ways. We are complete opposites; we see things differently, do things differently, and think differently. There are times when he drives me crazy and vice versa, but when we come together, something just clicks. We make each other laugh, and we both know how to bring out the best in each other.
To my dear husband,
Thirteen years ago today, we became husband and wife. We didn’t know where we were heading back then, but we knew for sure that we belonged together. And now, over a decade later, I can say with absolute certainty that the past thirteen years have been the most magical of my entire life.
They say that life is beautiful when you are surrounded by amazing people. I couldn’t agree more, because I have been lucky enough to have a wonderful man by my side on this incredible journey.
So today, I’d like to say a massive thank you for being an amazing, wonderful, handsome, and all-around awesome husband. You make my life so much better. You support me, make me laugh, make me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world, and make me believe in myself. Together, I know we can get through anything!
Our lives have changed so much now that we are parents, but every day has been an adventure that I wouldn’t trade for the world. You are a great friend, husband, and my rock.
I love watching you play with our kids so patiently. I love it when you tell them stories and put them to bed. You are everything I could wish for in my life.
Thank you for believing in me and for helping me believe in myself. You are a phenomenal dad and an even better husband. I am looking forward to so many more anniversaries with you.
All the words in the world couldn’t even begin to describe how deeply I am in love with you. You are not only my love, but my soul. I love you more than words can say.
I am glad we have made it this far, and I am sure we will go even further as we continue this journey we started together years ago. Happy 13th Anniversary!
I have a delightful and unique tradition when it comes to celebrating my kids’ birthdays: I celebrate them three times! Yes, you read that right—three times. And honestly, I feel like I have no other choice!
First up is their actual birth date. They get so excited about it that I can’t bear to skip a celebration. Their eyes light up with joy, and it’s such a heartwarming sight. So, we always do something special, even if it’s just a small family gathering.
Next, we throw a big birthday bash on the weekend. This is when friends and family join in on the fun. There are games, laughter, and of course, lots of cake. The house is filled with happy chaos, and it’s wonderful to see my kids revelling in all the attention and fun.
Lastly, we celebrate their Tithi birthday. Since we follow the Nepali calendar, our birthdays don’t always match up with the Gregorian calendar. The Tithi birthday is determined by the positions of the sun, moon, and planets. For this celebration, we embrace our cultural roots and have a traditional Nepali celebration with puja and sagun.
This year, for Chhora’s Tithi birthday, I wore a kurta and we performed a traditional puja. Chhora, who has been eagerly anticipating turning five, was thrilled to be a part of this beautiful tradition. We decorated the house, set up the puja area, and once everything was ready, Chhora sat down, eyes wide with curiosity and excitement.
I started with a puja for Lord Ganesh, followed by a special puja for Chhora. I explained each step to him as we went along. He listened intently, followed all the instructions, and didn’t complain or fidget even once! I was so proud of his patience and interest.
After the puja, Chhora received sagun and gifts, his face lighting up with happiness. He could hardly wait to dig into the cupcakes we had prepared. His joy was infectious, and it made all the effort worthwhile.
I truly hope that by celebrating in this way, we’re instilling a deep appreciation of our culture and traditions in our children. I want them to understand their roots and recognize how amazing and rich the Nepali culture is. Seeing Chhora so engaged and excited gives me hope that we’re on the right track!
We celebrated Chhora’s birthday with a few friends and family over the weekend. He was super excited because he got the Power Ranger decorations he had wished for. Kids are so easy to please, and the smile and excitement on his face made everything we did worth it.
The day started early, with us running around to prepare for the party. We had nuggets, fruits, chips, and fairy bread for the kids, and biryani with raita, salad, cheese and crackers, chips, and dips for the adults.
The house was filled with the delicious aroma of food and the vibrant colors of Power Ranger decorations. Chhora loved all the attention and had an amazing time with his friends. We played fun games like charades, running with balloons, and had a piñata. The laughter and joy that filled the air were contagious.
The highlight of the day was cutting the homemade Power Ranger cake. Chhora’s eyes lit up as he saw the cake, and his excitement was absolutely heartwarming. Watching him blow out the candles while everyone sang “Happy Birthday” was a precious moment.
Seeing Chhora so happy and enjoying every minute of his special day made all the effort and planning worthwhile. It was a fantastic day filled with laughter, joy, and wonderful memories.
Do you celebrate your kids’ birthdays with a theme? If so, what themes have you tried?
There’s a little quirk about me: ever since I was a kid, whenever I spot an eyelash fall on someone’s face, I scoop it up and initiate the eyelash wish ritual. You know the drill – close your eyes, blow the lash away, and make a wish. It’s a tradition I’ve carried into adulthood, and now, even with my own kiddos. The other day, as I was cruising along with Chhori in the car, I caught sight of an eyelash perched on her cheek. Naturally, I seized the moment and prompted her to close her eyes, make a wish, and blow it away. And guess what? She did!
After it was done, I couldn’t resist asking her what she wished for. At first, she hesitated, but then she spilled the beans – she wished for a million bucks. Classic, right? But here’s the kicker: her reasoning melted my heart. She wanted to buy food so I wouldn’t have to work as much. Talk about being considerate!
Of course, I had to play it cool and not get all emotional. So, I casually mentioned that a million dollars is a pretty hefty sum and asked if she had any other wishes. And you know what she said? She wanted to jet off to Japan with the family, flying business class no less!
Now, Japan has been on her mind for a while, and even though we’ve been there before, she doesn’t remember much. Looks like I’ll have to start planning that Japan trip soon!
Do you have any quirky traditions like our eyelash wishes? I’d love to hear your stories!
nepaliaustralian 