A prelude to perfection...

Winter Wagon?

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 01:52:00 +0000

Well, been a long long time since I updated my blog. I apologize to those who wait for new materials on my blog. I want to thank you for your support and encouragement that keeps me going, be it one post a month (wink!) Here are some snaps I took during my winter vacation in Florida. I promise I will update more snaps from my memory card soon. Enjoy these pictures till then!

[Yup, they claim to be the world's most famous beach! Well, they let us drive by the beach- so I wasn't complaining ;) ]

[People did anything and everything to make sure they captured their vacation moments. I enjoyed taking their pictures ;)]

[Well, all I can say is- he was too excited to be in the water! And, that's our brother :D ]

[I have done this once, and absolutely loved it. This time, I wished it was me in that picture. ]

Well, I hope you enjoyed going through the pictures. Some more coming up, I promise!

2012: From My Eye

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:47:00 +0000

Now that 2012 is here

Of human existence is that I fear

Will we live? How can I trust?

Console a moment, by next a volcano burst.

For few second the nature howls

Takes with no mercy, millions of souls

20-12 "the end", that all say

Alike Tsunami will hit the coast and bay

Ambiguous question that has all make us think

It might not be a lie, but do we really live or die?

Orbit will collapse, meteorite will hit

In black hole or galactic center is where the earth will fit

(Image via Google Images)

Of all our rudeness that nature tolerates

One gloomy morning, earthquake perforates

Screams of Katrina still unforgotten, Haiti wakes on cry

Even in the monsoon of east, the land stays dry

Is 2012 just a date?

Is it a fear or human fate?

Whatever is predicted or have been told

Hope, prayer and togetherness is to hold.

BY: Aava Sharma

A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:25:00 +0000

We all know that Jonathan Swift is one of the legendary authors who is capable of making his stories stick in his reader's head. Swift not only masters the skill of story-telling, but he also uses his literary power to evoke the political, social and economic situation of the society. “A Modest Proposal” is one of the most famous satires in the English literature that speaks the voice of the poor parents and street children of Ireland. He evokes the perception of the rich towards the poor and begging children of the street. Swift indirectly extends his satires towards colonization and demoralization of Irish by the English Men. Rich people always want the poor to remain under their shoes and never want the poor to rise above their poverty.

Swift uses his statistical information to support his modest proposal to improve the economy and social life style of the nation of Ireland. His proposal is to decrease the number of the poor population and use those poor and begging children of the street to build the economy of nation. He wants to implement his proposal of buying and selling of the meat of one year children to the market. His statistical support beyond the point that one baby could be sold for eight shillings in the market is astounding. To feed the same children for the whole year will cost two shillings where a mother could save six shillings from one child.

(Image via Google Images)

He enhances his proposal by indicating that the meat of one year child is nutritious, delicious, and tasty where the wealthy can refine their dish with new recipe. He includes that the flesh of young boy is very tasty than that of beef. It not only creates new recipe for the wealthy people’s dish, it will decrease the population of the poor and street beggars; mainly, it will enhance the economy of the community. The number of the thieves and drugs involvement will be decreased as well.

Swift imposes his idea not to support his proposal, but to provoke the irresponsibility of the nation towards its people to save the identity of various religious and economically impaired groups. He provokes the idea with disagreement towards the nation’s rules and policy to create several eyes to look after the single nation’s people living together. Although the whole proposal sounds disgusting and unusual, it protests the suppression and aristocracy of ruler of the nation. Swift clearly indicates that poor and economically impaired people are also human beings and they should not be treated different from wealthy people.

Click here to read "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift.

Death of Love (Sonnet 61, Michael Drayton)

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:23:00 +0000

Humans are emotional beings; they need their supporters during good times and bad times while they shed tears when they are not able to cope with the pain caused by a circumstance. Similarly, when it comes to love, there is no exception; they need their beloved to be with them in ups and downs of their lives. Similarly, Michael Drayton in his “Sonnet 61” unveils the emotions of a distraught lover whose dreams of being with his lover forever have shattered. He talks about his painful emotions after parting with his loved one, as the parting caused turbulence in his sentiments. Drayton successfully depicts the rambling sentiments of a lover who seeks to rationalize his decision of departing with the love of his life.

Here, the lover exhibits a tendency of justifying his decisions and acts, where he seeks approval of their decisions within himself by explaining that he didn’t have a choice. Subsequently, Drayton opens his sonnet with the lover’s first step towards justifying his departure with his lover. He has decided to end his relationship with his lover, and he is asking his lover to help him end it amiably with a kiss as they have no other choice when he says, “Since there’s no help…part” (Drayton, line1).

Subsequently, he tells himself that he made the right decision, since he was bounded by the relationship and he was the only one giving in the relationship. He feels that his relationship drained him, instead of making him happy; thus, getting rid of this binding thread was the right act as they both can pick their ways and seek their happiness somewhere else. He further elaborates that he is pleased with this parting, and he couldn’t have been happier since he is finally free when he quotes, “That thus so cleanly…free” (Drayton, line4).

However, no matter how much he tries, the lover knows that it is not possible to completely forget his beloved, whom he once loved with all his heart. Although the lover talks about their friendly break-up, he knows that his heart will not give up loving her. He talks about not acting surprised or guilty when they meet as strangers in future; however, his actual emotions for his lover is revealed in line 9 where he says, “Now, at the last gasp…breath.” He discloses that he still loves her, and this breakup would only kill their innocent love giving the readers a hint that their separation is not voluntary. He reminds himself of the passion they shared and the trust they held for each other, the eagerness and yearning for each other that held them together. He knows that they will no longer exist as he decides to end their zealous relationship when he quotes, “When, his pulse failing…lies” (Drayton, line10). He grieves for the death of his affection; he feels bad for his love— that they are giving up on the love they shared and nurtured together. Nonetheless, even though he faintly hopes that they could somehow get back together, he does not want to fool his heart by giving it false hope. His dying thread of hope for his love is elaborated in his quote “From death to life thou…recover” (Drayton, line14).

Drayton unequivocally exhibits the lover’s emotion in his tragic words where he knows is giving up on his love he hoped would remain with him till death. He tries to vindicate his decision at the beginning of the poem and slowly realizes that he still loves his beloved and would hope to get back together someday. Drayton brilliantly pictures emotions of a wrecked man and his progressing thoughts in an undesirable situation where the lover seeks to reason his decision and not feel guilty about it. Nonetheless, he has to face his inevitable sentiments wandering everywhere, while he is confused whether or not he should have broken up with his lover despite being in a relationship full of love and passion. He realizes that no matter how much attempts to tell himself that he did the right thing, he knows that it is not easy to let go of the love of his life.

Start...Scratch?

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:22:00 +0000

Hmm, what a day- WHAT A DAY! I yelled from the top of my lungs kicking my car door. Well, I did curse everyone a bit in my head for being opportunists, for using me for their advantage, and not letting me live my life. I wish I’d said “You all suck!” while leaving my office gate. Oops, ex-office! Can I call it an ex? For now, let me call whatever names I want to. Yep, I’m fuming inside out, carrying my family pictures, stationery, and a few report files I was support to present on. I was one of those who were let go from our jobs while I had my hopes up of getting promoted.

Just three weeks ago, my boss called me inside his office and asked me how I liked working for him. He stated that he was impressed with my work, and thus would like to see me growing in the company. I loved my work as a junior financial analyst; good salary, good benefits, compensation and health insurance- what more could I have asked for? Had been working there since last five years; well, sometimes, times were rough and me and my team had to work countless nights to keep our company going even in a rough economy. I had my job, that’s all I was thankful for- increasing stress, declining family time, and decreasing social life were all part of the job, and yet I didn't complain. I knew I was working my way to the top, and without hard-work, it would not be possible.

(Image via Google Images)

I had earned the recognition twice as the employee of the month; I even heard it from the CEO “Employees like you are the pillars of our company!” What an achievement! Well, I was doing my part, and they were doing theirs. I had to make sure the company improves on my part, while they had to assure that they make their part of shares continually. While we worked endlessly to keep our jobs, they were working continuously to make sure they keep theirs- thus, the merger with an emerging company with completely different fundamentals. None of the frontline employees knew-not even those who were told that they will be promoted soon.

Three weeks later, I was told to collect all my belongings and exit the company’s gate. They said they regretted the decision and that they were bounded by the rough times. I was thanked for my performance and contribution with best wishes. Ha! I wish I could have said, “Thank you for rewarding me with betrayal!” Well, I couldn’t- I was still trying to register the news in my head. I wished it was easier to shed tears, but no- I was a freaking man! I was not supposed to exhibit my disappointment or sorrow, and my job had taught me to master that pretense.

I come home distressed and disappointed- Why me? Why? What had I done wrong? I asked all the questions on my mind. No answer. Aggravation! My fury rises when I see my messy house, unwashed dishes in the sink, scattered papers, highlighters, and pencils I used to prepare for my presentation, laundry waiting to be done, and most of all, hunger- I hadn’t eaten anything since morning. I dropped the box from my hand, and slid down to sit on the floor- the mess added to my disappointment in my ruined life. 35, single, and jobless- messed up with nothing to look forward to. What a life! I realized that I lost my youth trying to reach the top—left the girl that loved me, moved to a big city to seek better opportunities, and hadn’t seen my family in years. I worked days and nights, even holidays to keep myself on the top of the charts. What for? Everything was ruined, everything!

I sat there hopelessly for hours staring at my parents’ picture. Suddenly, something struck me- a divine feeling that asked me to get my a** off the floor and start straightening the mess I had around me. I had everything scattered on the floor, with a broken frame of my certificate of appreciation from my work. I realized that nothing is over-it’s just a break, a bump that I am meant to pass. I had all my resources--it was all there surrounding me- pencil, highlighter, eraser and a paper. All these years I worked was not for them; it was for me, my growth and knowledge, and I was the one that learned the most from those experiences. All I had to do was put them to use with a new beginning. I rose up, cleared all the junks, organized my files and started staring at the clear paper. I had the best opportunity of my life- to begin something of my own.

Donate A Caption...

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 06:13:00 +0000

This picture was taken about a month ago. I watched the seagull fly towards its home after the day's work, and envied it throughout the evening. During the mesmerizing process, I lost my ability to justify an appropriate caption. Please donate your ideas to fill the caption below.

(?)

My Dream Story

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 04:24:00 +0000

“Good night, Susan.” “Good night, Jailor,” I replied.

The cell door closes and I hear jailor steps diminishing sounding goodnight. I take a couple of steps into space. I glance up at the window and think to myself, “this isn’t a life, it’s just an existence.”

Being in prison makes me feel as though I’m being buried alive. I am a puppet with people pulling strings so that I eat, sleep and wake when they want me to.

I lie on my bed as night falls and think the same thoughts over and over again. My head is full of the people I love: my parents, my sister, my fiancée, and my friends.

Every day I live the same routine and nothing changes except the people.Pesters depart for other prison facilities, or get released where others arrive. It’s a continually revolving door. As it’s duration of mandatory routine, every empty vessel is to be fraught.

Nonetheless, prison has changed me. When I committed my crimes, I was a lost young boy, but now I am found; I know the Susan within myself. And, jail has turned from a negative experience into a positive one. I have taken control of myself, and changed my ways. I really want to escape this timid fate.

(Courtesy: Google Images)

When I was first incarcerated, I was timid and full of young, reckless blood. Days were same, nights were storm. Shoving against the crowd, really left me messed up. I really wanted to have some faith. Sooner, the better.

Walking around the prison yard, I would notice my fellow prisoners reading books and writing letters to friends and family, and it upset me because I couldn’t do the same.

I chided the day when I was forced to take a step towards knowledge. But then,I decided not to waste my time inside and instead, take advantage of all the resources available in the jail. I started to learn and they were baby steps; but, I was determined to fulfill my goal. One day, I would read and write properly, and help other illiterates like me to learn.

Today, five years later, after a lot of persistence, scrabbles and hard work, I have achieved my goal. I’ve also just completed a course as a reading mentor and am helping others who were just like me to read and write. They are so grateful for my help, and I’m so grateful to be able to give something back.

Someone once told me that “knowledge is power and is no weight to carry around” and I now know that to be true.

My journey of 1000 miles started with one step. I am now enjoying every moment of my success. Learning to read and write at a higher level has given me the inner strength to present myself in a more positive manner. I am also able to have better conversations with my family and friends.

And the day I’ve dreamed about has come true: I now enjoy my cup of coffee with a book in my other hand. Learning to read and write has changed my life and this article is my first piece of “proper” writing, but it won’t be my last.

Writing has helped me express my feelings and I’m even writing poetry. This is “White as Snow:”

So many haters in one place

Trading war stories and pleading their case,

I sit here and try to be kind

People think I am out of my mind,

What I’m doing is changing my ways

Letting my thoughts be as white as snow,

It’s time from my life I can never get back

By the time I get out, people will think I’ve cracked

I know my “sorry” can never fix all the pain

But, I shall not cease to pray for the sunshine after rain,

Thinking for the prosperity of people

Like to shine as white as snow.

By:Susan Timalsina

Know About Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:36:00 +0000

Our body is formed with millions of cells, and each cells function is our bodily function. Chunk of cells form tissues, and groups of tissues form organs of the body. Each cell of the body means to grow, work, repress and die; this process continues throughout life to keep the human body functioning, safe, and healthy. However, the fact that cells can function as designed all the time is questionable. It might malfunction at times, resulting in abnormal growth. As several abnormal cells group for long time, it follows the same pattern of cell growth, this time creating a bulk of non-functioning or abnormal cells known as tumor.

A type of tumor-Benign tumor is not life threatening, as it stays at one place of the body and not spread around; however, it is not sure if it remains at the same part if its origination. It might invade other tissues of the body and spread to the other part, which results in another form of tumor known as malignant tumor. Malignant tumor, once starts dispersing, is known as cancer; this transfer of the tumor cells to the other part of the body is called metastases. The initial symptom of the malignant tumor is the swelling of the nearby lymph node. Research has not yet found out whether it remains at the same place, or if it can invade any other part of the body. When the cancer starts to transfer from one part to another, it is very tough to get rid of it completely till the date, with the present medication procedures.

(Courtesy: http://www.learn-free-medical-transcription.blogspot.com)

There are hundreds and thousands of definitions of cancer that we could come across. Evidences lack to accurately spot about where and how the fatal disease started. Many researchers claim their own theories about its origination and gradual impact to the human body. Nonetheless, not a single explanation could break the ice, or put the pieces of the puzzle together to fit any of the claims. Many vast and complicated research and trials have been conducted since decades; however, none of them proved to be effective to cure the disease as well as provide enough care to the patients. Several procedure and methods have been proposed and practiced that can elongate the expectancy of life for several years without removal of disease. From high doses medication to very powerful radiation therapies are being used just to avoid the cancer cell to spread around the body. These therapies seem to be working to avoid the spread, but severe impact left by such aggressive radiation and drug doses have been sidelined. The following treatment methods are currently in use, as approved by FDA (Food and Drug Administration):

· Surgery
· Chemotherapy
· Radiation Therapy
· Anti neo-peptone (Approved by FDA, but not popular; claims to have drastically lesser side-effects than other treatments)
· Targeted Therapy
· Immunotherapy
· Hyperthermia
· Bone marrow and Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant
· Photodynamic Therapy
· Laser in Cancer Treatment
· Blood Product Donation and Transfusion
· Hormone Placement Therapy

These are the most common treatment procedures currently in use for cancer treatment. Each treatment depends on the nature of the tumor, and the infection caused to the body. These medications are created under high dosed drugs and highly sensitive radiations such as beta radiation which are extremely dangerous to the human body. Each therapy has at least two or more extremely painful side effects. Most common side effects are loss of hair, infertility, loss of hearing, reduced responsiveness, nausea and vomiting, and several other sensitive effects. These medications should be followed for several months to years in routinely. After starting these therapies, a cancer patient may or may not be able to resume his/her normal life, as these therapies only aim to elongate the survival days. We still lack the complete cure to cancer.

By: Bisho Banjara

Not This Time

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 05:59:00 +0000

I asked you

To hold on to the thread

Of hope,

Though I knew darkness hovered everywhere.

Like every other time, I would have

Crossed my fingers and closed my eyes,

Hoping this storm would go away;

But for a strange reason, I did not.

Not this time.

I would have waited, certainly

On the river bank and on the pavement;

By the side of the shore or into the deep woods,

Praying to the highest powers to let me,

Be with you and endure the pain of your disloyalty;

Unquestionably, I would have forgiven you

For hurting my trust and innocence; I would

Rather have lived believing the sweet lie. But, somehow

Tolerance parted its way from my soul and

Forgiving divinity condensed;

I would have believed you all my life,

Just, not this time.

Sure, I am bewildered and perplexed

About how the love of my life could just let go,

Of the love I relied on, the bond that we built

And detailed meticulously;

The beat of the heart I believed was for me,

Never knew me at all.

Oh, well! the castle of my dreams just collapsed,

And yet I have not panicked

The feeling of betrayal is gushing throughout my veins,

Yet I have not fallen down;

A corner of my heart is still yelling at me,

Asking me to give up this weak feeling of not accepting you

And standing still- of collecting the shattered pieces of hopes,

And building a new vision for life- something worthwhile.

Any other time, I would have listened to thee-

Oh my sentimental heart!

Excuse me, just not this time.

After Reading Araby

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +0000

As grown-ups, we all have something that we miss from our childhood- whether it is an event, token, or a friend. Nonetheless, every adult realizes that the world of adults is entirely different from the fantasies about adulthood from the perception of a child. The understanding about the real world does not come easy-there is always an incident that acts as an epiphany in people’s lives during the process of growing up. Although the loss of innocence triggered by that event is tough to accept at the beginning, it acts as the first step towards adulthood. Similarly, James Joyce’s short story “Araby” is about the epiphany of a young boy who discovers that the world he imagines to be so perfect along with his beloved, is not perfect after all.

(Image Courtesy: Martin's Doodles)

The narrator is a young boy who lives in quiet North Richmond Street with his uncle and aunt. He describes the mundane lives of his surrounding without much interest; however, his playtimes are the only events that keep him busy in his neighborhood. He explains his playtimes during the harsh winter when he says, “The cold air stung us and we played till our bodies glowed.” As much as he likes his playtimes, another fact that makes his life interesting is his infatuation with Magan’s sister. He is so in love with her that he says, “Her image accompanied me even in places the most hostile to romance.”

Nonetheless, he is not able to express his eternal love for her whenever he meets her; in fact, he is not able to reply her properly when she finally talks to him about Araby. Upon hearing her interest in the bazaar, he discovers that his only way to impress his love is by making his voyage to Araby. Therefore, his heroic trip to Araby becomes very important for him in order to bring a gift for his beloved and win over her heart.

James Joyce meticulously accounts for the entrance of adulthood in the narrator’s life through his trip to Araby. Joyce introduces the beginning of his adulthood as his uncle’s late arrival, as his first obstacle on the day of his trip. When he finally reaches Araby, he finds it as amusing as he had imagined from the outside; nonetheless, the unwelcoming tone of the lady when she asks him if he intended to buy anything destroys the colorful world of Araby in his mind. He realizes that he is no longer the hero of his journey, and Araby is not the destination that led him to his lover’s heart. His expresses his understanding about his insignificance in the bazaar when he says, “I lingered before her stall, though I knew my stay was useless.”

I liked how Joyce presented the journey of a boy towards adulthood with a touch of reality. The narrator’s perfect image of his voyage to Araby and his beloved is destroyed when he realizes that life is not as smooth as his fantasies. I was intrigued by Joyce’s writing style when he introduced the boy’s first reaction to his epiphany as anguish; he understands that his beloved lady as well as his craze for her is insignificant. The narrator’s realization is further elaborated in the quote, “Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity….and anger.”

If I were the protagonist of the story, I would elaborate more about my thoughts and feelings towards the

world I thought I knew and the one I came across at the end. I would share my story including my

expectations from people in my life, while I explored life on my own. On the other hand, to add a conflict, I

would have explained about my dreams of my life and what profession I would like myself to be engaged in

while the reality at the end of story would make me realize about the harsh reality of life.

After All, Your Parents are...

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 17:59:00 +0000

The first time we met, he asked me what I did. What answer would I have given? I was barely 18- just finished high school, what more would you expect? I was a teenager in the process of adding wings to my future; well, at least I knew I had to fly away from my nest in order to get to know the real world. He said he realized that, and mocked me for my decision- why do you think the world is so far from your house? Just step outside your home, the world itself surrounds you- you just have to realize that every time you step into a new place, you encounter a different world. I simply wanted to say that I did not need your opinion about my decision and it depended on what you consider the world to be, but I didn’t- for the first time, I decided not to retaliate against someone judging me. I wish I hadn’t, after all it was my choice and I did not need someone out of my league criticizing me for what I wanted to do.

The next time we met, he wanted to know more about me- Where was I from? What school did I go to? What was my field of study? What did I want out of my life? Who were my parents and what did they do? I answered every question except what my parents did- why did he need to know about my parents? It’s not like we were meeting to decide whether or not we wanted to be in an arranged marriage, nor would the answer yield any interest landing on his side. I reluctantly answered that my parents were the simplest beings in Nepal; just like the average parents- my dad works for salary and my mom takes care of the house and their children. Right after my response, another query with a smirk was thrown at me (one more time)- So…you mean your mother does nothing and just stays at home and your father works a simple job for salary? But…you blog which majority of girls your age are not aware of (this was in 2007) and you know what you want for your future- in fact, you are a building a path to land there. I thought your parents were some PhD holders, who taught you all that you knew!

All of a sudden, my heart started beating faster and my veins rushed in carrying a stream of anger with blood- it was an insult to my parent’s upbringing of their daughter in a form of compliment. In my head, I had the answer ready to flow out- so, you mean that parents like mine should not have their children educated and updated with the latest happenings? They should have been highly educated just to make sure that their daughter knows what she wants out of her life? They ought to have a degree to let their daughter have the freedom of posting her perceptions on a blog? You call yourself educated; realize how constricted your mind is! Even today, I wish I had said that. I’d would have said it again (probably modestly) have I had a chance. Yes, even today!

I never brought up that incident during our further talks, but it always haunted my mind. Why are we so constricted that we bind ourselves within the box that checks what is wrong and right in our mind? Why is the reformist ray of light buried in darkness of the alley of our judgments? Forgive me if I insulted anybody, it’s just a perception after all- I could not help but write about it.

When I recall that incident, I still think why do we have such a premature conception about the status of parents who raise their children to be accomplished? A woman who sells roasted maize on street dreams of her son being a professional someday, or man who carries heavy load of bricks on his head for construction wishes to educate his children. If we find the parents wishing their children to hold a remarkable position, we look at them in disbelief as we foresee their future on streets as well. What is wrong with their dreams? Why is it so difficult for us to accept the fact that they work hard in order to see their dreams come true? Why don’t we think that their children realize how hard their parents have worked to send them to school and to be able to stand with their heads held high in the society? Take a look at our President Ram Varan Yadav, he himself tells his story that he used to read and write riding on the back of a buffalo while taking the cattle to graze on field. Is it still difficult to accept that he is the president of the youngest republic of the world, or that his parents were not PhD/degree holders? Additionally, follow the example of Abraham Lincoln (his parents were not degree holders) worked his way up to become the first President to declare liberation of slaves from their masters. Well, did his parents being farmers stop his Presidency? In fact, he is revered as a significant reformist, and one of the greatest role-models for the world.

We need to rebuild our perceptions, if it still is tough to tackle with this fact. Let’s be creative, not derisive of those who think big and dream big.

What? A Presentation?

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 01:35:00 +0000

Mrs. Dharmashila Chapagain represented Nepal in the 2011 United Nations High Level Meeting on AIDS- New York Convention held in June 8-10. She is the current Minister for Health and Population of Nepal, and she is presenting her speech on the facts of the fatal disease. She looks really serious during her speech- not for the fact that she is serious about the disease, but for the fact that she is struggling to pronounce those heavy words she might have never came across in her life. Let's watch the video and her "serious" effort to impress/address "Mr. President."

(Video via UN multimedia webcast)

Please share about how you felt about her presentation as the representative from Nepal.

Ancient world Re Modern Life

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Fri, 27 May 2011 00:42:00 +0000

The sophomore literature course with Professor Noyes in spring 2011 has been one of the remarkable journeys of my life. Before the first day of class, I was anxious about the piles of papers I would have to submit during the course progress. Nonetheless, as we went through the ancient texts and related those texts to our personal lives, I realized that this class was actually helping me explore myself. Sitting through those presentations and the understanding the relations created by our peers in the class, and how they were able to actually visualize those texts with modern day society gave me an insight about how my classmates were able to link their lives with the ancient texts and personalities. When I had to present with my group on Metamorphoses, the part I was assigned (Tiresias and Juno) helped me realize that our negative qualities like jealousy, anger, envy, etc. is not unique or necessarily evil for those qualities were actually portrayed as the other side of ancient gods’ behavior. Before my presentation, I tried to disown my negative qualities and redundantly resisted between the desire of being a person with all good qualities and avoiding the inevitable dark side. Nonetheless, the understanding that I am not the only person with negative human qualities, and I will not be scorned for who I am made me realize that I should just let it flow and move on with my life.

Going through the comments on my response papers has given me an insight about myself- I write about life and events of life that I have faced in the past, and what I am going through in present. I have actually used those papers to pour myself and my perception regarding life as a whole, and how I thought my life was different from others; I wrote about my contemplations regarding the nostalgic moments spent with my family whom I thought were the only people who I could get along with. I actually saw my characteristics matching with characters of the ancient world; Juno’s envy, Tiresias’s anger, Zeus’s attempts to be just, Apollo’s blind love for his supporters, and Achilles’s need of his mother’s love and support walked me through my characteristics and made me understand that I am not an isolated soul with inadaptable features. I realized that if I had to just explain those texts without being able to relate them to myself, I would have not have had the opportunity of understanding myself better. From start to finish, I have progressed to express myself in a better way and at the end of those responses; I was able to write explicitly about experiences of my personal life as well as my close relatives.

(I knew I could have fallen down, but I wanted to taste the freedom of flying)

I have certain dreams and a visionary career path for myself. I let school top the priority of my life and not desire for all the fun that people say college students should have during their college years. Fine, if I can work hard and build a path to success, I will give up today’s fun for my career’s success- it is okay even if I fail and not be able to pursue my career. Nonetheless, I do not intend to let someone tell me what to do and what not to. I chose a path for myself, and I carry the responsibility to accept the accountability of its consequences. Nope, not even they try to convince me with entire resources gathered from the globe- this is my life, and I have only one opportunity to live it the way I want to. Call it obstinate, rigid or hard headed, your choice; but I see it as a determination. Regarding my determination, I am an Achilles; Achilles knew that his death was fated soon after Hektor’s death, yet he killed Hektor anyway. Likewise, if someone tells me I’m not fated to succeed in my career path I’ve set for myself, I will still pursue my career path even if it means that I will fail in future- I know I will gain the lesson to rise again. Failing does not mean that a person is incapable; it just means that we have to stand stronger the next time—in fact, failure teaches you where not to slip along the path. Instead of fearing failure, rise again and start over- you will overcome the fear of failing and learn not to give up. If I compare myself to an ancient figure regarding determination, I am an Achilles.

Man Against Mount Everest 1952 [Documentary]

noreply@blogger.com (Aakar Anil) — Tue, 17 May 2011 03:56:00 +0000

Here is the footage of Swiss climbers trying to reach the summit of Mt. Everest during 1952. Mt. Everest has been a dream for all the climbers. In this video you can see a rare view of Kathmandu and life during 50's.

Watch : Man Against Mount Everest 1952

जिन्दगीको अनेक रूप

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 22:24:00 +0000

''नानी ए नानी। बुवालाई अफिस जान ढिलो भाईसक्यो छिटो गर'' आमाले भनेपछि हतार -हतार ड्रेस लगाएर बुवासंग स्कुल जान भनि कोठा बाट निस्की ११ बर्षे छोरी। आफ्नो भाई अघिनै बुवा सँग घर बाहिर निक्लिसकेको थियो उस्को।''बाइ मम्मी '' हात हल्लाउदै बुवा सँग मक्ख पर्दै दुई सन्तति स्कुल तिर भोलिको उज्जल भबिष्यको लागि तयार हुन जादैछन्।''सुन्नुस्. त, भरे आउँदा चोकमा ओर्लेर सब्जी लिएर आउनुस् है,म जादिन थुप्रो लुगा धुनु छ आज।''हरेक गृहणिकोo आफ्नो श्रीमान हिडिसकेपछिको सानो सन्देश हो यो।''ल ल''भन्दै जागिर धाउन हिडें बुवा चाहिँ। मध्यम स्तर परिवारको दिन्चर्या यसरीनै सुरु हुन्छ हरेक घरमा।

बाटोमा बुवाको हात समातेर चल्दै उफ्फ्रदै ती दुई सन्तति स्कुल पुग्छन्। गेट्मा बुवाले दुबैलाइ छोडेर ''राम्रो सँग पढ्नु है ? अनी आज बेलुका तिमीहरुलाई एउटा सर्प्राइस छ .. ज्ञानी भएर पद्नु।'' यति भन्ने बित्तिकै दुबैको मनमा एक खुशी र उत्सुख्तापन झझल्किन्छ। दुबैले आफ्नो बुवालाई माया गरेर आफ्नो क्लास तिर बढ्छन्, अनी बुवा चै सदाझै परीश्रम् गर्न आफ्नो अफिस तिर बढ्नु हुन्छ।

दिउसो को १२ बज्यो र भाईसँग खाजा खाने इच्छा आफ्नो भाईलाई खोज्न स्कुलको चौरितिर जादा, अलि पर उब्भिएको छ एउटा उसको राम्रो मान्छे। जसलाई उस्ले सधैं मुस्कान दिएर सम्बोदन गरेकी हुन्छे। हो त्यो रमेश नै हो। रमेश त्यहि स्कुलमा पढ्छ ऊ भन्दा एक कक्षामाथि। आकर्षणका करणले दुबै मुसुक्क हासी आँखा भुइ तिर झुकाउदछन्। लाजले ऊ रातो निलो हुन्छे अनी फेरी भाईलाई खोज्न हिड्छे। ३ बज्यो स्कूल छुट्टी,आज कुनै बदमासी गरेका छैनन दुबैले, किन कि आज बुवाले एउटा सर्प्राइस दिने रे।यहि कुरा गर्दै गेटसम्म नपुग्दै दुबैको आँखा ठुला ठुला हुन पुग्छन्। हासो अनी खुशीको सिमा नै हुँदैन। उनी हरुको प्यारो काका दिनेश् जो केइ बर्ष देखी बिदेशिएका थिए, आज अचानक उनैलाई देख्दा दुबै साह्रै रमाउछन्। शायद बुवाको सर्प्राइस त्यहि पो हो कि?

(Image via Google Images)

समय बितेर सुर्यले पनि बिदा माग्ने बेला भैसक्यो। तर खै बुवाको अत्तोपत्तो छैन । आमाको मनमा हुरी बतास चल्छ । ''बा सब्जी लिन पो ढिला गर्नु भयो कि ?गाडी पो भेटिएन कि?'' यस्ता अनेक थरिको प्रश्न हरु आमाको मनमा नाचिरहेका थिए । ''दाई आउने बेला भएन भाउजु''? देवरले कोठा बाट नै सोधे बाहिर बाटो हेरेर बसेकी भाउजुलाई। ''हेर्नु न खै आज किन ढिला गर्नु भयो। अब त आउनु पर्ने हो ?'', ''अब काठमाडौंको ट्राफिक त्यहि हो नि भाउजु ; दाइ आउँदै हुनु हुन्छ होला। '' भन्दै आतिएकी भाउजुलाई सम्झाउछ दिनेश्। हुन त उसलाई पनि दाइ लाई देख्न नपाएर रिङ्गटा लगिसकेको थियो। तर अब ति कलिला बच्चाहरुको अघि देखाउनु हुँदैन थियो। त्यहि भन्दै ति दुई बालाखा सँग फेरी उस्ले ल्याएको videogame सँग खेल्न थाल्छ। हेर्दा हेर्दै रातिको ९ बज्यो। अब त प्रतिक्षाको सिमा नै रहेन आमाको। ''ये बाबु हजुरको दाइ लाई फोन गर्नु न खै त आउनु भएन ।'' आतिइन आमा ,अनी त्यहि कारणले रोइन पनि। ''ह्या भाउजु किन आतिनु भएको केहि कामले गर्दा रोकिनु भयो होला। फोन को नेटवर्क त्यहि हो के टिप्नु र? पख्नु म फोन गरिहाल्छु नि।" भन्दै दिनेश गरुंगो मुटु लिएर दाइको नम्बर डाएल गर्न थालयो। फोनमा एक महिला बोल्छे। ''तपाइले डाएल् गर्नु भएको नम्बरमा अहिले सम्पर्क हुन सकेन केइ समयमा पुन प्रयास गर्नु होला''। दिनेश्लाई त्यो मोबाईल फाल्दिनु जस्तै लाग्यो अब । बल्ल बल्ल एउटा अर्कै बरिष्ठले उठाउनु भयो । ''हेल्लो ,दाइ म दिनेश ''। दिनेश अत्तिएर बोल्छ ।

'''हजुर को हो ? यो फोन मालिक हजुर को पर्नु भयो ?'' अचम्मको प्रश्न आयो अर्को तर्फ बाट । दिनेश्को खुट्टाले ठाउँ छोड्यो ।''म वहाँको भाई तपाईं को बोल्नु भएको । दाइ कहाँ हुनुहुन्छ ?'' दिनेश्ले अलि पर आएर सोध्यो । जवाफ आयो । हेर्नुस् तपाईंको दाइलाई मैले NewRoad मा भेटेको वहाँको एक्सिडेन्ट भएर अहिले hospital मा हुनुहुन्छ । वहाँको फोनको चार्ज छैन तेसैले मैले मेरोमा यो सिम राखे वहाँको घर बाट फोन आउछ कि भनेर। तपाइ छिट्टै BIR HOSPITAL मा आउनु त!'' यति सुनेपछी दिनेश कामेर भुइमै थचक्क बस्यो। आफूलाई सम्हाल्न कोसिस् गर्‍यो अनी केहि छिनमा भाउजुलाई सुटुक्क बोलयो। अनि सबै कुरा सम्झाएर बिस्तारी भन्यो। आमाको होस उड्यो, "लौन के भयो यस्तो " भनेर डाको छोड्न थलिन्। अनि रुदै hospital जाने तयारी गरिन्।आफ्नो baneshworma बस्ने बहिनिलाई फोन गरेर बोलाइन अनी ती बच्चालाई हेरेर बस्न भनिन्, अनी सबै ब्रितान्त सुनाइन्। देवर भाउजु ट्याक्सीमा चढेर छिटो भन्दा छिटो hospital पुगे।

बेहोस् अवस्थामा थिए बुवा। भगवान सरि त्यो अन्जान मान्छेलाई मुरी मुरी धन्यवाद दिएर आफ्नु श्रीमानको खुट्टा छेउमा सुक सुक गर्दै बसिन्। देवर डाक्टर सँग सर सल्लाह गर्न र दाइको अवस्था बुझ्न गए। ''हेर्नुस् वहाँको अवस्था ज्यादै कम्जोर छ तेसैले तपाईं हरुले वहाँ ICU मा भर्ना गर्नु पर्छ'' भने सेतो कोट ढल्काएका त्यस hospital का एक डाक्टरले। बुवालाई छिटो भन्दा छिटो ICU मा भर्ना गरे देवर ले।

करिब् ४ दिन सम्म बच्चाहरु न स्कुल जान मान्थे न केहि खान । ती सानीमालाई हैरान भएको थियो बच्चालाई कसरी सम्झाउने भनेर । दुबै बच्चा भन्छन बुवाको सर्प्राइस हेर्ने अनी मात्र खाने । बिचरा के थाहा उनीहरुलाई बुवा कुन हालमा छन ।आज ५ चौ दिन । बिहानै BIR HOSPITAL मा एक तिखो आवज सुनियो । शायद कोइ महिलाको रोएको आवज ।यो आवाज उनै आमाको थियो । बुवाले ICU मै आफ्नु प्राण त्यागे। बिचारी ती आमा बिहान् सब्जी लिएर आउनु भनेको दिन घरको कामको धपेडिले उनले राम्रोसँग बुवालाई हेरेकी पनि थिइनन । ढोकामा चुरा फुटाउदै छाती पिट्दै अनेक गुनासो गरिन। ३ बर्ष पछि पाएको छुट्टी दाइ भाउजु सँग बिताउने दिनेश्को रहर भाउजुको आंशुमा बगेर गयो। दिनेश पनि अर्को तिर फर्केर रुन थालयो। बुवा आमा त सानै छदा गए, अब दाइले नि छोड्दा उस्ले आफुलाई टुहुरो महसुस गर्‍यो। कठै ती बालाखा! अब के जवाफ दियोस् दिनेशले उनीहरुलाई? जसोतसो गरी भाउजुकी बहिनिलाई खबर गर्‍यो। अब त उता पनि डाको सुरु भयो।

बुवाको सर्प्राइस हेर्न खोजेका ती कलीला आँखामा न आंशु थिए न गम्भीरता। मात्र बुवालाई सेतो कपडाले बेरेको एक झल्को हेरे र सानीमाले भित्र लगेर लुकाइन ती टुहुराहरुलाई । बुवाको अन्तिम संस्कार गरियो, अब खरानीबाहेक केहि रहेन बुवाको निशानी। देवर भाउजु घरमा किरिया गर्न आए । ढोकामा नपुग्दै नानीले सोधि'' uncle बुवाको सर्प्राइस येहि मामुले लगाको सेतो सारी हो ?'' शब्द बिहिन भएर हेरेको हेरेकै भयो दिनेश।

By: Nisha Shahi

My Golden Diary

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 02:58:00 +0000

March 15, 2000:

Thank you so much mommy, for I have this diary now. As soon as I saw this diary in the stationary shop, I wanted this for myself. It was expensive and I’m just in class 5- so I was afraid that mom won’t let me buy it. After asking her for several times, she finally bought it for me as my birthday gift in advance. I love my diary and it is golden in color. Once when my grandmother told me the story of the girl with golden hair, I asked her if I had similar hair too. She replied no, and told me that I had a golden smile; at the moment, I thought it was funny even though I did not understand what she meant. But now, I can say that I really have something golden, and it is my diary.

I’m going to keep it with me all the time, I will take it to school in my school bag and not write in front of anybody else- it is my secret and I don’t want to share it with anyone. Nobody checks my schoolbag, so it will be safe; I’m not going to show this to my friends Salina, Arina, or even Rashmi. I will not give any Hajmola to Rashmi and ask her to talk to me again because I have my friend now. I hope Susan (my brother) will not try to find it in my room. Hi diary, thank you for being my friend, and welcome to my world!

A Room with Mirrors

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 06:11:00 +0000

Mirror, mirror all around
I cry, I laugh and let my emotions out,
Nobody listens; yet, everything is reflected back to me
I converse with my heart and
The mirrors deceive me;
There is no “I” imitating “me”
Neither you possess magical powers
Nor the alluring beauty,
Then why, oh why in the earth
Have you chosen me to mirror every deed
Of mine to judge me and let me judge myself?

(Image via Google Images)

Had I known the future, would I ever
Bring you home to invite self-decimation?
Ignorance would have been bliss,
I would not have someone vigilant like a watchdog;
I would live with every human error and
Yet be able to justify myself!
See, what have you done? Every single act of mine
Is a way of you, none of my emotions flow from heart,
Am I a puppet or a zombie?
Now that you judge me-- again.

Time shall move on with lives attached
To its one way track, why can’t you be so?
You shall see everything passing just by, and yet
Show no empathy- what shall I call you?
A friend in loneliness or the creator of adversity?
For I have lost myself to prove to you,
And yet you never utter a word;
You sucked my life out of me,
Shall I accuse you for that?
You’d not be concerned to heal yourself,
Even if I made you fall into pieces;
I hold the strength to shatter you-
And yet, you have managed to break me into fragments
What shall I call you? Oh mirror!

The Pied Piper of Hamelin (Not Exactly)

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 03:19:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I was assigned to complete a model of modified Children's story where I was assigned to creatively alter the tale of "The Pied Piper of of Hamelin." Remember, we read it in English course in middle school? Well, I have tried to modify the direction of the original story. Let me know what direction you think this piece has adapted. Oh yeah, you can tell this story to your children later ! :P

Once upon a time, there was a town called Hamelin in England- it was a small town with honest and hardworking farmers. People of Hamelin loved each other and helped their neighbors to the utmost point. The town also had a king elected by the people to safeguard the community and solve any problem that arose. The king and his court ministers too, were loyal and concerned about the peace and safety of their town. The children played in the park of the palace opened for public use and took part in the games; even the prince enthusiastically shared his toys with the children of commoners and invited them to the palace tours. Overall, Hamelin was the happiest town in the entire neighborhood with minimal disturbances.

However, as the season for harvesting crops arrived, rats driven away from other towns landed in Hamelin; the rats took all over the little town, including the enamored garden of the palace. The whole town was full of rats and their offspring, and gradually their population size increased to the extent that even the cats were afraid to move around Hamelin. The clothes in the closets were scattered into pieces, the houses had infinite holes in them, the park looked black due to overpopulation of the rats, and the farmers soon ran out of grains to feed their family. Furthermore, children were too scared to play outside, and the farmers had no choice rather than to seek for other jobs to support their families. Once, a child tried to play outside when he saw a crowd of rats running towards his home; he screamed, “Look Daddy, they are coming to invade our house!” Tired of seeing rats taking over the town, the farmers decided to have a secret meeting with the king to find a solution to drive the rats away from Hamelin.

While their talk lasted for hours, the king made a promise to the people to find a way to get rid of all the rats permanently as quickly as possible. A commoner suggested torching the holes of the rats; however, his suggestion was ridiculed by other members of the meeting mentioning that the town would be burned down. Shortly, the king made his servants poison the rats, hammer every rat in sight, and even throw stones at them; nonetheless, none of the ways solved the problem, but made the condition worse as the rats grew fatter every day. Seeing that the king was unable to resolve the crisis, the town people started discussing about dethroning the king for his inefficiency. One of the farmers expressed his anger “Our king is of no use, we should throw him out of the palace!” On the other hand, the king was worried about losing his emperorship and determined to find a key to free the people from agony and trouble from the rats. Therefore, he called for a delegation of the wisest men in the entire kingdom who could swipe the “little monsters” away from the peaceful kingdom and declared a huge reward of thousand gold coins if they succeeded.

However the problem persisted, till the day a strange man came to the town. He was tall and white with a long hair; he wore reddish purple overcoat, big leather boots, and a brown pointed hat. A slim flute was tied to his hip belt. He walked gently around the town and smiled at the people passing by. Soft-spoken yet manly, nobody knew where he came from. He finally introduced himself as the Pied Piper and explained that he had a special skill to control all the animals with various melodies he created on his flute. He said, “People of Hamelin, now that the Pied Piper has arrived to free you from the rats, you all will have your peaceful Hamelin back. I just need to have a small talk with your king.”

(The Original SMART Piper Piper with children of Hamelin)

As the whole town of Hamelin was full of talks about the Pied Piper and his skill, the king called him for a meeting in his palace. Strangely, as the Pied Piper walked through the pathway, none of the rats came out of their holes. Witnessing a miracle, the king happily invited the Piper in his personal room to talk about the reward he previously announced. The king increased the amount of reward to fifteen hundred gold coins and asked him to eradicate the whole species of rat from his kingdom. The Pied Piper became so glad with the reward that he began playing his flute from the palace itself; however in his overjoyed mood, he forgot to play the actual tune and played the joyous melody that made every child in the town follow him. While he continued playing his tune, children including the prince walked after him dancing to the joyful music he played—the Pied Piper and the children walked miles away from Hamelin. Finally, when the Pied Piper was tired of playing his flute and sought for water, he was surprised to see children following him instead of the rats. Appalled with his foolishness, the Pied Piper decided to get back to Hamelin and play the right tune to make the rats follow him. As he began to play the tune for the rats, the children were horrified to realize that they were away from their homes, and began to ask the tall man about their parents. Confused and panic-stricken, the Pied Piper asked the children to follow him back to Hamelin while he played the flute. Nonetheless, the children refused stating, “Our parents have told us not to talk to strangers” and initiated searching for familiar ways to their town.

The Pied Piper decided to correct his mistake and returned to Hamelin playing his flute where the parents of the children were searching anxiously for their children all over the place. When the Pied Piper finally arrived, the parents questioned him about where their children were. Unable to answer about the whereabouts of the children, he said that he came back only to drive the rats out of the town and take his reward. A mother of the child shouted, “He took out children away, and how dare he come back to take his reward? Drive him away from here!” Raged with fury, the town folks broke his flute and chased him to a distance.

After throwing the Pied Piper away from the town, the whole town along with the king went in search of their missing children. While the people went way, the fat rats giggled with delight as they witnessed the adversity of the Pied Piper who came to throw them out of the town. After that, the rats freely took over the town and established their regime. Even today, the parents are still searching for their children in the dense forests of England while the town of Hamelin is governed by rats.

P. S: (this story had to use the characters without matching the original story. So, if this does not really make sense or match the story you read or know about, blame it one me :P )

C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-F-I-E-D!

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 22:07:00 +0000

I love traveling- they always fill life within me whenever I run out of life within myself. So, my recent trip to California did provide a refreshment to my mundane and sheep-like routine, while the dream state of the world did have magical moments spread all over its place. I'm sharing some of the snaps I took while roaming around the dream-state's dream city Los Angeles and San Fransisco. Enjoy the virtual trip!

(The sign-board said that it was a waterfall. Do you believe it? :P)

(Entrance to the Los Angeles Universal studios-those who universalized music!)

(The scene behind an Indian Restaurant @Los Angeles- successfully reminded me of Kathmandu)

(The hill-house)

(The Pacific-Shore Pebble-Guards :P)

(Beautiful!)

(Foggy Way Ahead)

(Fog+Snow=Low Visibility!)

(Hollywood Boulevard- Los Angeles)

(View from the air)

(The snow-strides have their laws- Won't go home till we melt! :D)

I hope you enjoyed the trip- more snaps coming up!

Bryan Adams Concert Talks- Negative- Again?

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 23:28:00 +0000

Just came across a discussion regarding the recent concert of Bryan Adams in Nepal. Tweeples discussing about the concert’s positive and negative aspects that would impact Nepal and the tourism year directly or indirectly. Well, I came across a few bloggers and other people who did not support the event organized by JPR. Well, after all a blog is meant to be a personal diary exposed to the web as a whole- we all agree to that. And with total respect to all the dissensions about the event and Bryan Adam’s arrival to Nepal, I’d like to state that if you are dissatisfied about an event or a decision, at least give some convincing reasons to make the other person think about your opinion. And why is it that the discussion is getting even hotter after the event is done? Bryan Adams sang his songs and entertained the crowd, for the first time a concert in Nepal becomes successful without a mess and the masses are actually happy with what happened. We have to be content that we did not behave in a way that could have made Bryan Adams the first and last Western Musician to perform in Nepal. We have that in our Nepali roots, we all throw our opinions after the relevant occasion is over instead of becoming engaged in something productive.

(Tweets regarding Negative Post-discussions about the concert)

I would not have blogged about the concert since I was not present in the crowd; however, it gave me immense pleasure to hear that for the first time an international celebrity makes his way to perform among our people, and praises their love and respect for him. I thought that people took it as a plus-point to enhance our “Tourism Year 2011” as people will hear and talk about Nepal in the global world. The reason that I’m actually writing this is to give total regards to Miss BhumikaG--I watched your monologue posted on YouTube, and I understand your concern about Nepal. I appreciate your thoughts regarding the current situation and the pending development works that need to be completed in our country. I do not know you personally, neither am I trying to outbreak on you; but, as a response to your video I just have a few questions to ask—while you were not present to see the whole procedure of organization to successful completion of the concert, how could you just throw your cliché opinion that Nepal only needs actual works and not events like these? Recall, it is our tourism year, and we are trying to get visitors experience the natural beauty of Nepal which on the other hand would help us raise our economy. You are right- Bryan Adams is not directly going to bring visitors to Nepal, but if he talks about it- people will be curious to know more about Nepal, and chances are that they might spend their vacation in Nepal. On the other hand, what factor do you suggest would actually bring visitors? Or you just think that people should do their own tasks rather than getting involved in organizing events at all?

Adding to my query to you, do you mean that they should have brought Kanye West or Lady Gaga or any happening star rather than Bryan Adams since he’s outdated? I’d rather ask you to browse for the concert videos posted on YouTube and see if they really did a mistake by approaching Bryan Adams—I say, there could have been no better alternative and it's a good thing that he agreed to experiment one of his concert dates. Moreover, Nepali media acting as his PR agents- what do you think they should have done rather than making coverage on the event? I don't think they could afford another blunder after not covering the prestigious news matter regarding the initiation of 3G service in Mount Everest, Nepal. Do you mean that they should just search for some sensational news or just organize a cocktail party and talk about their concerns regarding the political instability? This has always been happening—talks over tea, coffee, lunch and dinner- none of them have actually turned into prolific actions.

Actually, watching your video twice made me compare your ideas and opinions to those of once a famous TV personality- Ravi Lamichhane (he said in The Pawankali Show that he was trying to work online for development of Nepal) Do you realize that to bring basic and infrastructural change in Nepal, you actually have to be there? I couldn’t have respected more of your opinion if you’d stated that you want to go back and use your skills to contribute in developing the area you specify in. Moreover, it is easy to point out flaws of system once you are out of it; you, me and numerous others who live in foreign lands are limited by physical boundaries to become physically involved in any sort of rudimentary progressive task. Nonetheless, we can at least try to help with resources we have (skills and ideas, finance if possible, motivation, etc.) and support and praise positive course of action and dissent with negative ones, instead of picking out something totally irrelevant just to draw attention to ourselves.

I’m not trying to show that I’m the only person concerned about Nepal- I know we all are. However, wouldn’t it be better if we try to actually work on ideas that could help our country rather than criticizing its attempts to build its paces towards the international society? Think carefully about it!

Another Valentine's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 06:42:00 +0000

“Hey what’s your plan for the 14^thFeb?” A text in my cell awaits my answer. I feel like saying “What plan? What’s so special with this 14^th that other months don’t have?” Well these answers are all projections of my mood right now. Do I care if 14^th February of this year does not bring anything special to me? Nope. With every year that brings 14^th February with it, brings my birthday on the next month to make me a year older with accumulation of events, memories and experiences. I’m not a pessimistic person trying to disregard the significance of the “month of love” and using my nuisances to throw the lovers away. It’s just that I haven’t had a great experience with this day specifically- sometimes I wish the Valentine’s Day was moved to some other month and still carried the same importance. Enough said-insane mind!

Moving on with my experiences with the Valentine’s Day during school and high school times—while in school, we used to see our senior dais and didis bunking classes to celebrate their love. At that point, it used to be amusingly amazing that this day actually brought people closer—in fact, we even saw one of our teachers with his girlfriend roaming around Pashupatinath Temple to be with his Valentine on the special day. Being the mischievous kids of grade 4, we told everyone we found that our English teacher who took sick leave on that day was roaming around with his girlfriend. As gross as it could be, he soon left our school leaving the guilt with us even though we did not have any confrontation regarding the fact- or may be, he did not know it was us. I feel stupid when I recall that event now. A separate event where our school’s accountant eloped with a primary teacher and married her on the Valentine’s Day reminds me of its importance to lovers- it sure is a sacred day for them.

Growing up- more Valentine’s Day came up with more intensity (Well I was an adolescent then!) I had friends now who’d gained the expertise in bunking classes and coming up with relevant excuses for both home and school. They sure did have admirers who sent cards and chocolates to them at any day—it did not have to be the Valentine’s Day. I wish I’ve had at least experienced the class-bunking or lying at home—in that sense I did not get to be a real teenager with curiosity of trying everything along the way- thanks to my parents who’d always keep an eye on me. On the other hand, even if I decided to bunk school or go around with friends for at least one Valentine’s Day, what would I answer my dad who would reach school right one time to pick me up? Well, in a way I’m glad he was never late.

High-school did bring some interesting events with its span—while I was in grade 11, the Valentine’s Day of 2006 did become a special day for the valley- it snowed on that 14^th of February. I was at home watching the snowfall while trying to grab some- my cellphone rings letting me know that an SMS has arrived—who could it be texting me instead of spending time with their loved ones? The text reads “Would you be my Valentine? I’m sorry but I have waited for this day since months” It was from one of my friends who used to call me to talk about notes and class lessons. Sure it is the Valentine’s Day where nobody wants to be by themselves, but is it okay to ask someone on the Valentine’s Day not just to be lonely? I never replied.

Teen life over without much malice to accredit for—Valentine’s Day too came along and went. At a point I developed a cynicism regarding this day as the “day of love”- if this day was really the day to love people, we all would be throwing away grudges we hold for each other, we’d be more enthusiastic in helping the needy ones, and we’d at least re-consider if hatred around us was really worth spreading. Call it juvenile or name it a skeptical thought, it did haunt me for years wishing that people would really spread love rather than pretending to. Too skeptical to appeal as it seems now—today I’d rather say, let people enjoy!

Although it has not yet established itself as an important event in my life, I’m amazed to see how this particular day is so sacred for so many people who believe in its specialty. I hope this Valentine’s Day too, shall bring magical moments for its lovers- Happy Valentine’s Day!

Building Paradise

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 03:29:00 +0000

On the base of a heartfelt desire,

To know what heaven feels like

I’m collecting bricks and pebbles to build

The blocks, and a staircase

To the paradise that resides on my mind.

(Image-via Google Images)

Hatred exists on this land, evilness prevails

My land shall have no culprits and,

My people will have no hostility;

Children will play with smiles on their faces,

Women shall stand by the line

Where men do- with dignity;

Whenever tears fall, they shall carry joy,

None of the sorrowful waters shall be invited.

Let it live in my dream,

Let my world build itself-

It shall emanate lively bit by bit everyday

With each another brick, I shall rejoice

And give shelter to those in needs;

Let them live with real hopes,

Live as merrily as they would in paradise.

A Stranger Knows Better!

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 02:34:00 +0000

“Seems like a member from the writers club is indulged in hard-work!” he made his first remark when he saw me by the side of window seat trying to scribble in the never filling white-sheet. His comment surely made me laugh, but I also could not resist replying him with a smile- I guess that is why he is the favorite Barista in the Starbucks he works. I answer “Well, I’m trying to kill my time while I wait for my friend to arrive. I’m not a writer, I just like to scratch around and fill whatever I find with my thoughts.” I was glad that at least someone in this strange city found me interesting enough to talk to, or may be just a good service attitude towards a customer- I’m not sure. Arranging the mess around the couch, he said, “Well, write at least. I’ll read it if nobody does. Where do u think was Harry Porter discovered?”

(Image via Google Images)

His magnanimity surely enticed me to continue my work- I’m not a writer, I just write. At least it is a motivation from a stranger who despite knowing nothing about my posts is encouraging me not to halt. How many times would I hear that from people who do not know me at all—keep writing miss, doesn’t matter what u want to write about! Hold on, let me correct this- actually strangers do encourage you till they don’t feel that you might be a competition for them in near future. Had I tried to establish a vendor cart by the side of a street hawker, would he tell me the same? You bet- it’s a big No No!

The next day I chose a different table. It was pouring and I was stuck in the rain- I asked the cashier for another piece of paper, and tried to run some drafts that might potentially turn into a blog post later on. Nope! I’m blank- nothing to waste ink on. I’d rather watch the pour for some time and entertain myself. A cup of coffee is served on my table, by the same employee who’d inspired me to keep moving. “So, what have you been working on?” he asked me with a serious smile. “Nothing, I could not complete what I started with yesterday, and I’m blank today. I don’t have a pattern of writing, it’s all random.” I felt guilty for not taking a suggestion seriously- sure I would have, had he read my writings and knew what to comment on. It is easy to say just go on without knowing what is on the other person’s mind. He answered, “You don’t need a pattern to express yourself; in fact, if you begin searching for a pattern to move on, you will lose your creativity and probably be a sheep who knows just a way to walk on. Try to discover the world of your mind.” He seems knowledgeable about arts, and appears to be creative too- his linguistics explain.

This is a good start- I tell myself. At least, someone is willing to read what I write. He is not trying to be my friend or palpitating on my subjects, neither is he asking me what favor I could do for him. It has been seven months, and he reads every draft I write and gives honest comments. Provided that he had worked before as a music critic as well as a draft critic, he still is very down to earth and carried an amiable personality. He does not ask if I could be able to take him into the news room of the ambitious New York Times, or to leave my friends because they are not so called intellectuals. He does not try to get too personal, or try to pile up his personal anxiety on me. I feel good whenever I talk to him, and I feel better when I get his constructive criticism on what I write. I feel good to have a friend who knows his limits, and falsifies the fact that a girl and a guy can never be friends. Moreover, we both have a similarity of one philosophy despite we belong to utterly different culture and background- we deny elitism and the attitude of so called intellectuals trying to prove that they know better than a bourgeois.

One fact that keeps my mind in peace is that we are friends who criticize or compliment each other’s work without hidden motives. Enough to continue chasing the tip of a pen!

How did Apple Grow in Tech-Field?

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 23:42:00 +0000

“I told my father that I would own a computer someday-- knowing that it was as expensive as a house, I resolved to live in an apartment, but somehow have a computer of my own someday”, says Steve Wozniak in his video of speech to MIT students. To shrink the history of Apple Macintosh in a sentence, we can say that his passion and love for computer designing and programming resulted in invention and development of Apple. While he was in school, transistor radios were the biggest hypes all over; nonetheless, it was not affordable or accessible for general citizens, but only for militia.

About the software development, its requirement and its evolutionary steps, Wozniak’s statement about the difficulty of performance and improvements in operating system, compilers and programs in absence of digital technology elaborates that our generation is fortunate to have access to advanced technology developed by such programmers. At his time of ignorance about the computers and programming, he started developing little computer parts of his own with his high-school close friend Steve Jobs. Together, they shared their technical skills and the enthusiasm of innovation and invested their diligence in their passion- introduction of video games (pong game) using the Hewlett Packet calculator chips using the TV ARPANET (internet-like network on TVs) that could connect the computers of different places via modem. His passion of owning a computer was like a dream come true, that was supported by the introduction of micro processor where he had the terminals, designs and programs ready to be installed. That is when he and Steve started their garage company of selling the 256 byte program computer using 2 RAM chips using the monitor where one could type the data on the memory that would actually show up on the screen. Apple I followed by Apple II as the first color computer that used 0s and 1s interchange to detect color on the screen became the first choice of small businesses and market in a short time. The following video is from his speech in Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley:

When the talk about graphics rises, Wozniak was the first programmer to introduce graphics with high resolution in the computers with sound patterns in an affordable cost. Furthermore, he wrote his program on BASIC (Beginners All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) to develop games software within half an hour that would haven take endless years! Till then, computers supported with keyboard using different processors were in use; however, his Apple II was gaining more popularity every day and his market was scaling upwards. At that point, Wozniak wrote his programs on paper as there was no assembler, and still made it to develop computers as influential and effective medium to boost education and business.

Furthermore, he designed a floppy within two weeks to be exhibited in Las Vegas that proved to be a revolutionary device in the computer world where they actually lacked a storage device. Later, his company introduced Apple III with modified features from Apple II which was a big failure as it could not meet the user requirements and constraints. Nonetheless, the inevitable truth is that although IBM flourished over the market, companies like IBM copied Apple’s unlicensed programs and modified it to understand and meet their user needs. Hence, we see that the whole idea of computers for houses and business in affordable costs with user friendly programs, color monitors, and storage with entertainment was introduced and established as a revolution in computer world by the Apple Company. And today, we know how their first desire of owning a computer has revolutionized the tech-world- as the latest forms of their assiduity- the chants of iPhone 4 and iPad-2 for 2010. The others are on their way! J

The Magic In Letters

noreply@blogger.com (Anjali...) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 02:48:00 +0000

Magic- it is something that we normal people wonder about, understanding that our capacity just does not reach up to its standards. Nonetheless, there is always something that changes a person’s life entirely- just like magic; in fact, that factor (person, event, inspiration, could be anything) becomes the magic behind the change. Likewise, in the worldwide “ This I believe” Competition held by a radio program with the same name during 1950s- thousands of letters from different parts of the world showered their beliefs, a letter from Miss Chameli Waiba from Nepal did make an impact. In fact, her story was so powerful that they aired it on the radio—people heard her belief and applauded her for her courage and confidence. This happened when I was a toddler (1990s)-but fortunately, thanks to my professor who shared about this to our class and was very impressed by her admiration for “alphabets that could change people’s lives.” It certainly made me swell with pride; hope it brings the same effect on you too. I salute you for your understanding, belief and step driven by courage to bring awareness in your community Miss Waiba! Listen to her story in her own words, translated by Ramyata Limbu.

Chameli Waiba is from Makwanpur, where she is actively involved in social works regarding education, building infrastructures, environment conservation, etc. She was married at the age of 15, and did not get the opportunity to go to a school. Later at the age of 21, when she finally got to attend adult literacy classes-it was then she knew about the alphabets that changed her life. The first time I heard her story, I almost broke into tears—her belief and determination did bring a significant change in her life including her village. Her determination makes me believe in dreams and beliefs, as nothing is impossible when the path is paved with resolution.

Further Coverages:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100677646

http://thisibelieve.org/essay/59634/

http://www.prx.org/pieces/35858-this-i-believe-chameli-waiba