Ok, a quick post just to explain. I am adding a new section to my blog - please see the new 'Sections' links on the right! It is my travel/review blog and it shall comprise of several things. Firstly, it will cover my reviews of sights, hotels, restaurants, experiences etc etc etc. Basically, I contribute to trip advisor so I figured I should also use it for my own site and to help out my readers! Secondly, it will cover stories of my travels (at least once I work out how to make a decent blog where things are archived to various places).
Finally and most importantly, it will include an unusual hobby of mine...I like to write small guides to places. Basically, when I am travelling somewhere I will collect various pieces of information from the guide books, newspapers and websites and draw it all together. I also include things such as customs and language as well. It is just something I started and enjoy and I hope it will be useful for you all! I will also expand onto reviews of other things and other items but this is where I will start!
Anyways, this is just to let you know what is going on :) and since this is an unusual post, here is a picture I saw from George Takei's facebook page. If you don't already, follow him. He is pretty brilliant! Plus it has a dinosaur in it!
Hmm still no date yet with Ellen Page.We need to work harder with this!Ask everyone you know and by six degrees of separation, we might actually get one of my life goals achieved!If the internet wasn’t created to do this, I don’t know why it was created in the first place.Anyway, this is a blog of two parts today.The first is job related and the second is a new life goal (one that is infinitely easier than getting the aforementioned date).Before I talk about these things, I have two quick points to make
Goats are unusually calm and collected when bus surfing
I saw a Death Note T-shirt and now I want one!
Moving on!Working in admissions of a college, I have done a lot of things:I have spoken to potential students in the college and at education fairs; I have written reports based on our figures; I have answered every potential questions from parents that is conceivable; I have given tours of your facilities; I have attended staff meetings and educations fairs.I have done a lot of things but there is one thing that has stood out in my mind as the most enjoyable.
This is the part when I can tell a potential student “Congratulations, you have been unconditionally accepted into your course”.Through the entire application process, this is the part where I can actually change that person’s life, hopefully for the better.It might seem silly but it is true.Since we actually deal with all applications on a face to face basis, the admissions department at the TBC get to know all the various students quite well.Due to our application process, they come to the department multiple times e.g.to ask questions; to fill out the application form; for the entrance test.Basically they come in numerous times and it is the admissions department that is with the student at each step and I can honestly say that it is a genuine pleasure to see them reach their end goal: entrance to the college.
I can remember the first time that I was able to tell a student that they were now fully enrolled.The person’s face (who shall not be named) lit up like it was Christmas.It was then I realised that all the work I did, leading up to this point, was completely worth it.I realise that I won’t always enjoy every aspect of my work, that is just fact but I at least know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that every now and again, I can make someone smile.
And now for the second part of my blog! Yay!I want to live in Japan.I do and for many, many reasons e.g. food, anime, films, culture etc.I have my reasons and in the future I would like to live there (several years in the future most likely).I think one of the main reasons though is for the experience.From my own research that I have done, living in Japan seems to be quite unlike living anywhere else in the world.I mean, they have hand-crank powered vending machines!However, having never visited there, this is all speculation on what I research.
That said, I like to think I am slightly rational and I do intend to visit Japan before I move there, to ensure that I would like to live there (quite rich coming from the guy who move to Nepal with a 3 year work contract, despite never having visited before).Chances are, I will either go at the end of this year (depending on various factors) or if not this year, I will go next year for definite.Who knows, maybe this is my most achievable life goal yet.
Pick of the week
So, time to end the suspense and reveal my picks of the week!
Death Note - Ok, I recommend a lot of anime these days but all for good reason. Death note is an especially well written and dark anime. First of all, the premise is that a young man finds a book in which, if he writes the name of somebody in it, they will die. He then uses this to start killing criminals etc. However, he then attracts the attention of a genius detective. This is the story simplified but if I go into any more detail, it will start to ruin it.
I know what you're thinking. He writes names in a book? How can that be interesting? That is what I first thought but is incredibly well done. The tension created by the writers is unbelievable and they deal with each character in a unique way, creating characters that you can get behind but at the same time, making you wonder who you should actually be supporting. Add to this more twists and turns than a slinky on acid and incredibly clever plot devices that drive the dark themes forward, you will actually be on your edge of your seat, if not pressed up against your screens. Even if you aren't a fan of anime but want a tense thriller, watch this.
Hmm music for the week? First of all, in keeping with the deathnote theme of today: The first is Death Note - Low Of Solipsism.
The second is Raised Fist - Friends and Traitors. An excellent song!
As I type, sat as usual on the roof, there is a wedding going on at the ‘Party Palace’ that is next door to where I live. Congratulations to them! It is fascinating to watch them all mingle together in their traditional suits and dresses: joined together to watch a new couple celebrate the future that they will have together.
Anyway, random paragraph aside, it is once again Sunday! So what’s new? Hmm first of all, the gas for my shower has finally ran out and due to various shortages, it may not be refilled again soon. That is now my heater and my shower out, which translates to cold showers in a cold flat. Plus, my cooking gas must be about to run out as well, so no cooking soon either! Thankfully, I like sandwiches. On top of that, my battery seems to have broken again so my kitchen, bathroom and bedroom light no longer works when the mains electricity is on plus the battery isn’t charging. Ah, the joys of being an ex-pat!
So this weekend has not been the best weekend but let’s ignore the negative shall we and focus on the positive! First of all, I got to experience my first Holi festival in Nepal, a Hindu festival which celebrates the beginning of spring and the escape of Prahlad (a Vishnu devotee) who was carried into a fire by a demoness. A vibrant celebration, people celebrate with bonfires and by throwing scented and coloured powders and water balloons at each other. My friend Roshan and his cousin Rohan came round to my flat to smear the colour of my face, which was a first. So thank you, to the both of you, for including me in the celebrations.
Secondly, I’m coming home in about 6 weeks, and this means that I will be home for my birthday as well! I am genuinely excited about coming home (only for a week sadly) and seeing my friends and family.
These are people I haven’t seen since I left and that for me is too long. They shall be the victims of many of my infamous happy hugs (patent pending). Plus, as an added bonus, I will get to see my uncles (and hopefully aunts/cousins as well) on the Sunday night after I arrive as we are meeting for a roast dinner at the Fenwick Hotels Carvery! This is especially good because I would normally see them over Christmas but didn’t this year, breaking what has been a Christmas tradition since I was born.
To prepare for my week (at least in terms of food), I am going to have to make a list of things that I want to eat when I get home (as well as a list of things to bring back to the UK and Nepal). So far I have:
·Cheddar Cheese
·Home-made Pickled Onions
·Sausages/square sausage
·Donnar, Chips and Cheese or a Hoagie Wrap
·Semi-skimmed milk
·Pickled onion Monster Munch (I have an amusing image that when I fly back, I will have 30kg of monster munch as opposed to anything useful)
·A chippy
·Roast dinner (I realise you may look at roast dinner and think, why can’t you have that? I don’t have an oven sadly)
·Bacon
·Macaroni Cheese
·Irn Bru
·Vanilla Coke
·Steak and Ale Pie
·Sausage roll
*Edit* Jaffa Cakes! I cannot believe I forgot about Jaffa Cakes! Sweet and delicious Jaffa Cakes! they will be consumed!
I may burst when I get back and I am more than likely put back on the weight I have appeared to have lost… as I don’t have scales, I am going by the number of belt notches. This is most likely due to generally eating healthier plus several doses of food poisoning since arriving.
I cordially invite everyone I know in the UK to join me in my week of gluttony and any more suggestions that I have left out are always appreciated! As I am sure you can probably guess, these are things I can’t really get over here, so I will have to make sure to have them when I get home. Electronic is another area of items that I want to pick up when I get home as I am still unsure of the quality of the items I can get here and I could use a new microphone and a set of speaks for my laptop.
To sum up: I am looking forward to a whirlwind week of seeing family and friends; eating lots of food; and buying various items I need.
In that order. It just occurred to me that I was may have touched on this a little last week but oh well, this is what happens when I stray from my original idea. I was going to discuss my previous trip with my dad through France but this then popped into my head and my mouth started watering…
Ok, so I haven't used this site yet but I have listed it for two reasons. The first is that I like the idea of it i.e. being able to order things from America and have them securely delivered to Kathmandu. One thing I have had trouble finding information on is how to get items delivered here. The second is that I would like to ask for information on the site e.g. has anyone in Nepal used it; is it reliable?; etc etc.
Music of the week
Two bands with a common theme but very different style this week! The first is the Mooney Suzuki - Alive and Amplified. This song is so upbeat, it could wake the dead.
The second is Danko Jones - First Date. These guys rock...pure and simple. This is not my favourite song of theirs but it is one of the easiest to find!
So, I have actually managed to spend the majority of a blog discussing food stuff...not sure of that is a new high or a new low. Either way, mission accomplished and I shall be retreating into the shade for a cup of coffee. Have a good week
And so, another lazy Sunday has snuck up on us yet again!It really makes you wonder at how fast time does seem to fly, especially as you get older.When I was young, a single day often felt like a week whereas today, a week, more often than not, feels like a mere day.But I digress (wow, listen to me trying to be all deep and meaningful) as what a Sunday means for me is another blog update!As an added bonus, I have come prepared with a topic!An ex-pat related topic none-the-less!
I wish I could say that I had spent hours and hours mulling over various topics and whittling down vast ideas before deciding on this one…but to be honest, it came to me at lunch…or more accurately: it came to me because of lunch.Let me explain.As I so often do on Saturday, I had spent my morning at the farmers markets, perusing the stalls before having a coffee and a quiet read of my book before heading for a leisurely amble through Thamel.As mentioned before, I often browse the DVD stores during this amble and Saturday was no different.So there I was, ambling and browsing, surrounded by the usual combination of shopkeepers, locals and tourists all dodging taxis and motorbikes when I decide to change things a little.
It had occurred to me on Friday that I had needed to go shopping, so I decided that I would take a walk to the Big Mart supermarket for my shopping needs [an enjoyable walk and outing in itself as it is within a mall].Due to this, I decided I would have some lunch somewhere in Thamel, a place renowned for varied restaurants and good food.Decisions!It was easy that day to decide…in the deepest, darkest corner of my mind, I recalled an item on the menu at the K2 restaurant [a place famous for its steaks…and rightfully so].Eagerly grinning like the goofy blondefool you all know, I rushed to K2 and was given the menu and there it was…THE CHIP BUTTY.Oh yes, the chip butty (for those who don’t know, butty = sandwich/roll)!Those words sent me hurtling back to Scotland in an instant.It was a gateway to Scotland and my past and it was delicious!Thus, my topic arose.
Basically, the main thing most people concentrate on when moving to a new country (myself included) are the new experiences and lifestyle changes that will occur when you move.In my case, I was looking at the sightseeing aspects and the new food aspects.For me, this was great e.g. I love old temples and beautiful scenery plus I get to eat noodle dishes as much as I Iike…which is often.I no longer have veins, I have hollowed out noodles throughout my body.There is, however, another more subtle excitement to be found, one that noticeable after being in the country for a long time…this excitement is the rediscover of old stuff.
By old stuff, I don’t mean temples.No, as I am sure most will have guessed, I mean stuff which you used to be accustomed to before you migrated.It can be anything: a walk along a beach; a certain beer; even a bowl of cornflakes!For me, I first noticed it with the chip butty.It wasn’t something I had often but it was something I was able to get at home easily and it was fun eating it again, perhaps more fun than if I was to have it when I lived in the UK.Then I started looking back at other items I had discovered since I arrived here and realised that simple things brought slightly more joy than they normally would.When I found a packet of Kellogg’s Cornflakes; or had beef for the first time in months; or ate a hob nob.
Another form of this excitement is when you are preparing to head home for a holiday and you start to think about all the things you are going to do and eat.For example, I should be returning home at the end of April and I am excited for various things.Obviously for my friends and families but also for food items e.g. Cheddar cheese; haggis; Chips, cheese and doner meat (or perhaps a hoagie); Scottish Ale; and to even ride the train!This is a slightly different excitement I feel as you are getting these items where they are found whereas the excitement here is that they aren’t normally found in the country you are currently living.
These once simple items brought a little extra joy because they are not as simple nor as easy to get as they used to be.Perhaps they are only found in the largest supermarkets or specialist shops and they are almost always a little more expensive but this all adds to it.Don’t get me wrong, I love living in Nepal and I love the lifestyle here but every now and again, it is nice to be transported home, even briefly, when I have a hob nob with my chai.
Picks of the Week
Hyperbole and a Half - This...is one of the funniest blogs I have ever read in my life. It more often than not ends up with me in tears from laughter and is that much better than this sorry blog! Why are you still reading?? Check it out!
Hmm, as for the song of Sunday, today's song is brought to you by Michael! An example of a genre I didn't know about - Grime! Excellent and worth a listen! Durrty Goodz - Super Hero
Hmm as usual tell everyone you know about this blog! Word of mouth is key! Also, tune in next week when I jump on the technological band wagon and sue a random phone company for patent infringement! Who will it be??? Off inside now, sun has disappeared!
