tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76393972024-03-13T17:33:55.371+00:00(:Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger685125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-53559973447272852672009-09-17T15:50:00.002+01:002009-09-17T15:53:41.639+01:00okay, i know- lack of posts.<br /><br />but living without internet makes things pretty hard.<br />i steal sarinah/adam's laptops whenever i can<br />and check emails but that's about it,<br />and the great thing is facebook is no longer an addiction!<br /><br />whee.<br /><br />i'm going to visit cas this weekend-<br />SUPER excited, it's going to be crazy<br />because we've talked about this for so long<br />and i'm taking a 7 hour journey (rail and sail)<br />to get there which is pretty exciting,<br />and i never thought it was long until my dad<br />told me it was halfway to malaysia- which is sadly true.<br /><br />but i just can't abide flying at the moment,<br />i need a break from flying so much!<br />):Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-7342250928361614612009-09-02T07:44:00.003+01:002009-09-02T07:53:23.530+01:00okay.<br /><br />i super need an update.<br /><br />and since my laptop STILL isnt connecting to<br />the Internet, i've had to borrow adam/sarinah's<br />just for important emails and stuff.<br /><br />and i'm not really planning to fix it though,<br />i realised i've been spending waaaay too much time<br />doing nothing on the Internet and i'm not<br />going to do that this year!<br /><br />i started 3rd year yesterday.<br /><br />big step huh- i feel like i just left!<br />and it's only been two weeks and Nepal<br />already seems like a lifetime away ):<br /><br />i'm so excited about this new year though,<br />it's going to be so busy with everything i want to do,<br />and i have a feeling that this year's going to be<br />totally different and i really want to somehow<br />make a different this year and not waste it.<br /><br />and cas is coming too!<br />which i'm excited about- really hoping<br />to fly down next week sometime,<br />it's just really nice knowing that she's so much nearer.<br /><br />so that's about it for now-<br />i have to get changed for class!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-58236468026125501042009-08-25T19:33:00.000+01:002009-08-25T19:35:07.181+01:00sigh.<br /><br />i have no internet and since my laptop<br />is so crap im thinking of buying a new one<br />but i have absolutely no extra money<br />and i'm finding a job but it's so difficult!<br /><br />sigh ):<br /><br />my friends are awesome though.<br /><br />came back on fri and spent the whole weekend<br />up in the north coast near the beach<br />just relaxing and lots of NI sightseeing!<br /><br />and now im back in belfast being<br />cooked a steak dinner by natalie-<br />im loving being back (:<br /><br />money troubles- sigh.<br /><br />on the upside, cas is coming soon<br />and im prolly flying over to see her yay!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-65675470130172039202009-08-22T10:56:00.002+01:002009-08-22T11:00:59.436+01:00im back.<br /><br />after a horrific flight involving terrible<br />food i ate the day before- it was not good.<br />recuperated in London<br />(thank God for great public toilets!)<br />and was back in Belfast yday and already<br />had a get together so i got to see everyone<br />once i came back!! (:<br /><br />so yes- i'm spending this weekend with the housemates<br />and finally getting a summer holiday!<br />(:<br /><br />photos and updates soon.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-34864076641398378142009-08-18T14:11:00.002+01:002009-08-18T14:13:28.179+01:00my last day in Nepal! <div><br /></div><div>it was really quite sad today, </div><div>i got a LOT of cards and they were very sweet.</div><div><br /></div><div>im really going to miss nepal but</div><div>im super looking forward to flying back also!</div><div><br /></div><div>and the bad thing is,</div><div>i feel absolutely horrible now-</div><div>i think i'm having a fever/the start of stomach upsets or something-</div><div>very bad timing ):</div><div><br /></div><div>pray!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-47356455244321116572009-08-16T11:01:00.002+01:002009-08-16T11:08:30.457+01:00<div>this morning, i checked my fb account</div><div>and i got tagged in an AWESOME photo!</div><div><br /></div><div>which is 15 years old ):</div><div><br /></div><div>guess which one i am!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeOK4jtfwFectNN21_ULfG5XZBuO-SVy_aDRXmXtC6QMMD3SYy7O2mTweF8T6DdMFJtOTSpTQzrWlEuzWbTwc5c86lzdEfCFqmF_qagtTX5QRUFR5D62EvyOKfeKY3NXxOwI/s1600-h/kindergarten.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeOK4jtfwFectNN21_ULfG5XZBuO-SVy_aDRXmXtC6QMMD3SYy7O2mTweF8T6DdMFJtOTSpTQzrWlEuzWbTwc5c86lzdEfCFqmF_qagtTX5QRUFR5D62EvyOKfeKY3NXxOwI/s320/kindergarten.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370500052584346610" /></a><br /><div>(yes, i was the tallest even then)<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>and loads of people were tagged and </div><div>everyone seems to remember one another</div><div>but i have no recollection of kindergarten at all!</div><div><br /></div><div>and boy, do my classmates have awesome memories,</div><div>cause one remembers having a crush on me</div><div>and i apparently kissed another.</div><div><br /></div><div>and i've always thought i was a really </div><div>goodytwoshoes kinda girl when i was younger!</div><div><br /></div><div>my love life has really gone downhill huh.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-7140448517740236772009-08-15T16:23:00.002+01:002009-08-15T16:47:31.157+01:00i am having a terrible time deciding<div>which of my stuff to keep and which to give away.</div><div>):</div><div><br /></div><div>i keep looking at these clothes that i will probably</div><div>never wear again and a small voice keeps going</div><div>'but- i might want to wear that someday </div><div>when the sun finally comes out in belfast!'</div><div><br /></div><div>did my last sightseeing thing today at Bhaktapur,</div><div>this ancient city where people still live in </div><div>houses built hundreds of years ago</div><div>(it's a UNESCO heritage site)</div><div>and it was really like stepping into a different world,</div><div>cause saturday is their washing day (as in clothes AND body)</div><div>so everyone was out doing things the old fashioned way</div><div>in their really old beautiful houses,</div><div>it really felt like i stepped back in time!</div><div><br /></div><div>the only terrible thing was that on the way back</div><div>it started raining crazily and the road back home</div><div>is basically a two-way mud path, </div><div>it was like driving in a mud pit!</div><div>(not that i know how that actually feels like)</div><div><br /></div><div>almost got knocked over by a bus,</div><div>and i had a terribly awkward conversation</div><div>with this slimy Nepali guy- they are awfully staightforward!</div><div><br /></div><div>that's one thing i won't be missing </div><div>(the men here striking up a conversation-</div><div>i get too distrustful and give monosyllabic answers)<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>plus the stares ):</div><div>i really hate the stares.</div><div><br /></div><div>when i wear my normal western clothes</div><div>and get on a bus- everyone turns around and</div><div>proceeds to spend their whole journey looking</div><div>at me- and not with a nice expression,</div><div>i feel like the monkey at the zoo all the time.</div><div><br /></div><div>and the worst thing is when i finally get to </div><div>blend in wearing my kurtasuruwal and</div><div>i have to open my mouth to talk to the bus conductor-</div><div>then my disguise shatters and the stares are worse than ever!</div><div><br /></div><div>my last Sunday tomorrow!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-11719618559014054412009-08-14T16:25:00.002+01:002009-08-14T16:41:38.962+01:00man this is depressing.<div><br /></div><div>im writing notes to my older classes-</div><div>you know, as a goodbye gift kinda thing</div><div>and i've been reflecting over the past two months</div><div>and it's getting quite emotional<br />):</div><div><br /></div><div>i dont like to think that i'd probably</div><div>never see these awesome kids again.</div><div>it's like last summer all over again-</div><div>except i'll never get to hear from them</div><div>cause they can't get email and sending letters</div><div>to the UK is probably too expensive.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>argh.</div><div><br /></div><div>i had the loveliest day yesterday,</div><div>it was a public holiday so i decided to bring</div><div>the older ones for a roadtrip to this giant park</div><div>and i've decided i'm never going to be one of </div><div>those parents who volunteer to chaperone their </div><div>children's school trips.</div><div><br /></div><div>it was REALLY difficult getting everyone to stick together,</div><div>and there were only 10 of them!</div><div>even then, there was only one boy and he was</div><div>running all over the place going crazy (:</div><div><br /></div><div>but it was really nice cause so many of them</div><div>haven't really been out of Koteshwor,</div><div>which is really busy and dirty and muddy</div><div>and on the way there, they just kept going</div><div>'miss look at this! look at that tree!</div><div>look at this river!'</div><div>it was a lot of fun, but also quite sad.</div><div><br /></div><div>i mean, i dont know how i can help.</div><div><br /></div><div>yeah, i'm spending some of my time with these kids,</div><div>but how do i help beyond that?</div><div>how do i make sure they continue to go to school</div><div>and not have to dropout because their parents</div><div>can't afford to pay for school anymore?</div><div>how do i help in ensuring they grow up to</div><div>have a good life with equal opportunities as everyone else?</div><div><br /></div><div>i'm in a very messed up state of mind right now.</div><div>):</div><div><br /></div><div>only 4 days left.</div><div>i'm going to really miss this crazy place.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-19524375891359305832009-08-10T13:52:00.001+01:002009-08-10T13:56:50.546+01:00i was wrong.<div><br /></div><div>setting papers isn't the hard part-</div><div>marking them is!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>the worst thing is that the teacher lost</div><div>ALL my answers so i have no idea what the</div><div>right answers are- i'm very crabby at the minute ):</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>grrrr.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-25458347576527098532009-08-10T11:53:00.002+01:002009-08-10T11:59:28.777+01:00im back in Nepal!<div><br /></div><div>i really dont understand why my luggage is almost</div><div>double the weight of what i brought back</div><div>and i haven't really gone shopping at all!</div><div>):</div><div><br /></div><div>yeah- it was NOT fun lugging all that to school</div><div>and then all the way back home, but i made it!</div><div><br /></div><div>i almost didn't make it back cause the line was so</div><div>incredibly long at KLIA but thankfully this airportman</div><div>told me to go to this particular counter and </div><div>i jumped like 80 people in the queue! (sorry!)</div><div><br /></div><div>and because there were only 4 women on the flight,</div><div>i got my own row again, it was brilliant!</div><div><br /></div><div>i think most of the people on the flight were</div><div>Nepalis going home after working in KL,</div><div>the perceived 'land of opportunities' or something</div><div>cause everyone brought home a TV</div><div>(which was better than ours at home)<br /></div><div>and it really looked like our flight was going to</div><div>a Hell's Angels convention or something cause</div><div>half of the flight were wearing leather jackets</div><div>and leather boots- in this weather!</div><div><br /></div><div>another 10 days in Nepal, then back to UK-</div><div>i am so very excited to start uni again (:</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-16184993544031174672009-08-05T04:31:00.002+01:002009-08-05T04:37:48.965+01:00so, i got my flight postponed to Monday.<br /><br />not just cause i flippin love home<br />but also cause theres been a strike and there's nothing<br />much i can do back in Kathmandu anyway.<br /><br />i love home *sigh*<br />its like finally having a summer holiday<br />and it's amazing, i've been spending days<br />lying at home rereading all the harrypotters<br />(and have now moved on to narnia,<br />but it really isn't as exciting as HP)<br />and eating eating eating (:<br /><br />got my durians yesterday which<br />i am really happy about since i haven't gotten<br />to eat durians for 2 years so i can't wait<br />to have durian breath for days!! :D<br /><br />i've also been in shopping malls quite a bit<br />cause i've realised- there really isn't anything<br />much to do in msia other than BE in shopping malls!<br />and i met this fella yesterday who knew my name<br />and everything- i have no idea who he is!<br />so i had to play along and nod emphatically<br />and reminisce over school times ):<br /><br />im returning to belfast in two weeks time,<br />HOW QUICK IS THAT?!!<br />im not ready to start 3rd year medicine ):<br /><br />okay gotta go buy some chopsticks<br />for the Belfast house now whee!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-10831064131478166102009-07-31T07:20:00.007+01:002009-07-31T07:49:26.501+01:00okay, PHOTOS!!<br /><br />since i'm sitting at home pretty much<br />doing nothing anyway, i thought i should<br />put up some photos to let you see some<br />of the amazing things i've been talking about!<br />(:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcHjRg8kpsdkDnDqezqCFe7M6Qe5XiBFw9GuLQXCUBqWtO-fu26urkgqjjTJglYAm6rIg56Ge05wR0f6oSFxMKtGQkmipOAfon-8vFLBxnLRcrifFkXZsQ_GUXkJedZBPgnA/s1600-h/CIMG1809.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcHjRg8kpsdkDnDqezqCFe7M6Qe5XiBFw9GuLQXCUBqWtO-fu26urkgqjjTJglYAm6rIg56Ge05wR0f6oSFxMKtGQkmipOAfon-8vFLBxnLRcrifFkXZsQ_GUXkJedZBPgnA/s320/CIMG1809.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364508678942360290" border="0" /></a><br />with Season, Mabita and Nikita,<br />girls from my youngest class and me in my<br />first kurta suruwal!! (:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtL6f0dQ1xV_QR13lQRcqdYgZixBpVSs99gRD_vFomfouC9S50JuGND8iPofpaNQis3Rf3qNGdvhUNnrmPhv8U1SET_LVg3a4IAwZrNkJmFvNBhjn25jUq03HyWrwR9dsFrU/s1600-h/CIMG1823.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtL6f0dQ1xV_QR13lQRcqdYgZixBpVSs99gRD_vFomfouC9S50JuGND8iPofpaNQis3Rf3qNGdvhUNnrmPhv8U1SET_LVg3a4IAwZrNkJmFvNBhjn25jUq03HyWrwR9dsFrU/s320/CIMG1823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364507371072185346" border="0" /></a><br />here i am, having a balloon blowing competition<br />with some of the guys from the Prayer Tower<br />(it's also a home for handicapped people)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCwxqiZCH9NxlAr3EnMHSY0YIiWH2-Vmats6VhRF6O3PxGzEWUdYFx7iT3hoQN285aojKSomjoLGtby8gvDyC1zegrZSUdIIAf98l4oixpkxECMm2Om2I_Vwt72NlQw5qirA/s1600-h/CIMG1898.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCwxqiZCH9NxlAr3EnMHSY0YIiWH2-Vmats6VhRF6O3PxGzEWUdYFx7iT3hoQN285aojKSomjoLGtby8gvDyC1zegrZSUdIIAf98l4oixpkxECMm2Om2I_Vwt72NlQw5qirA/s320/CIMG1898.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364506919303495394" border="0" /></a><br />view of Phewa lake in Pokhara.<br />its amazing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9NZRAlsPKBJ_uZzsBNGxufDgRDWxMXmdrxZUDXjy09IScOUbLUtqCsPci6Z9p3sNRm-YoXD43B4NC63N0uARbGbJBkM2ySOJX-xFUVV3rrA3dJsuUOH21A3snhlu0lYS11o/s1600-h/CIMG1909.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9NZRAlsPKBJ_uZzsBNGxufDgRDWxMXmdrxZUDXjy09IScOUbLUtqCsPci6Z9p3sNRm-YoXD43B4NC63N0uARbGbJBkM2ySOJX-xFUVV3rrA3dJsuUOH21A3snhlu0lYS11o/s320/CIMG1909.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364506641362604338" border="0" /></a><br />what i saw at 5.30am from the roof of the<br />house we were living in at Pokhara-<br />see the Himalayas and the eagle?!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMungsB_efEBw3Z8zQNRgr5BoEkpik7ziVshPZGtFQhOYC8HrNMR-dhaBufNoOyEWXZm43SLhbDWO9WVM8R58gOAoN8IMtSm3XD0p1ByolildEO9pDs-X_GWT_HFoaMcNNGAs/s1600-h/CIMG2015.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMungsB_efEBw3Z8zQNRgr5BoEkpik7ziVshPZGtFQhOYC8HrNMR-dhaBufNoOyEWXZm43SLhbDWO9WVM8R58gOAoN8IMtSm3XD0p1ByolildEO9pDs-X_GWT_HFoaMcNNGAs/s320/CIMG2015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364506235235837746" border="0" /></a><br />night i came to malaysia-<br />i suspect this is the culprit meal that<br />disabled me for 6 days, it was good though.<br />with my headmaster's family, he fosters these 4 girls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLPEq1AOFJTQOK19RKSoBkSflZZFs6v4X9SPZUm9t6dB5Y10rP67WLwTXv1IfNIVV7l011aCTHHhwWOfJrGEItlwPZzzM7AmOQ_Xfl2NFuczbFZG3cMo2gqfFt0v4JHSmG0I/s1600-h/CIMG1624.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLPEq1AOFJTQOK19RKSoBkSflZZFs6v4X9SPZUm9t6dB5Y10rP67WLwTXv1IfNIVV7l011aCTHHhwWOfJrGEItlwPZzzM7AmOQ_Xfl2NFuczbFZG3cMo2gqfFt0v4JHSmG0I/s320/CIMG1624.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364505699270070882" border="0" /></a><br />and lastly, im ending this with a super heart<br />wrenching cute photo- eeeeeek (:<br />some of the boys from the nursery class,<br />where i spend all of my free periods/break time.<br /><br />SO CUTE!!<br /><br />(:Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-60792755789978132432009-07-30T09:25:00.002+01:002009-07-30T09:31:27.888+01:00phew i finally feel okay.<br /><br />it's been six days of pain but on the upside,<br />i get to lie in and read harry potter all day (:<br /><br />i really haven't been doing much,<br />but in typical sammie fashion,<br />i've been going to lots of shopping malls<br />(and haven't actually done any shopping at all!)<br />and it finally feels like its the summer holidays<br />cause im actually getting a break so yay!<br /><br />went to my old high school today for the<br />parent teacher day and both the teachers<br />responsible for alyssa's class taught me<br />in form 2 and none of them recognised me!<br /><br />it feels surreal that i've left CHS now<br />for 4 years already- i'm not sure if i like it.<br /><br />apparently the clouds finally broke over nepal,<br />monsoon has truly arrived and it's water and mud<br />everywhere- im not sure if im looking fwd to that!<br />and theres been a week long strike called,<br />so all the exams the school is running is canceled anyway,<br />which is crap cause that means<br />even after i get back i dont have anything<br />to do and its too late for me to change my<br />flight plans now!! ):<br /><br />arrrgh.<br />)):<br /><br />gonna go meet cherru now,<br />my super awesome oldest friend- can't wait!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-20744777941399881572009-07-26T10:40:00.002+01:002009-07-26T10:53:54.361+01:00oh i feel so bad.<br /><br /><br />i've been having the runs for 24 hours now,<br />having to run to the bathroom on instant notice<br />urgently really isn't fun at all!<br />):<br /><br />but on the flip side, i'm at home home<br />so it's great!!<br /><br />the flight was good, there were only 6 females<br />on the flight and i was the only malaysian on<br />the plane so that was quite something!<br /><br />i was at the headmaster's house before as well,<br />and since he lives like 2km away from the airport<br />he took me over on the motorbike, with my luggage and everything,<br />i must've been a sight!<br /><br />but anyway yes i got home safely and<br />as i stepped inside KLIA, maybe it's cause<br />i haven't seen anything like in in 6 weeks-<br />i was just blown away by how clean and gleaming<br />the airport was, how rich everything looked.<br /><br />it took quite awhile getting used to the roads as well,<br />no honking and no buses!! (:<br />but it's just weird seeing just such abundance again.<br /><br />but yeah- started getting the runs and having that<br />while watching 2 movies in a row really isn't much fun-<br />thank goodness for clean public toilets here!<br />(trust me- they're clean compared to Nepal!!)<br /><br />being home is awesome.<br /><br />i have so much to get used to again,<br />but im SO thankful for the free flow of oranges<br />and great times with the siblings :DUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-16102899442409693382009-07-24T12:43:00.001+01:002009-07-24T12:45:13.165+01:00everything seems to be against me flying tonight.<div><br /></div><div>one, i've said that i'm lactose intolerant</div><div>for the past year cause i just dont want </div><div>to explain that i abhor anything dairy</div><div>(except chocolate and yoghurt etc)</div><div>but yesterday when i gorged myself on </div><div>this beautiful piece of chocolate cheesecake</div><div>it's apparently too much lactose for my body</div><div>cause i do not feel great ):</div><div><br /></div><div>two, there's a transport bandh today!!!</div><div>>:(</div><div><br /></div><div>but even if im puking my heart out</div><div>and have to walk to the airport</div><div>I AM GETTING ON THAT PLANE!!!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-69911288911042432652009-07-23T12:09:00.002+01:002009-07-23T12:25:45.519+01:00malaysians are everywhere!!<div><br /></div><div>i found out today when i went knocking</div><div>on my neighbour's door that i live next to a </div><div>malaysian missionary here in kathmandu.</div><div>it was nice hearing all the 'la's' again,</div><div>but not as nice as tomorrow..</div><div><br /></div><div>WHEN I FLY HOME!!!</div><div>:D :D :D</div><div><br /></div><div>woohoo!</div><div><br /></div><div>also, i've seen quite amazing things in the past week.</div><div>first the Himalayas, and then yesterday was</div><div>the solar eclipse- which happens once in 78 years!</div><div>and i woke up, still lying on my bed</div><div>wondering why on earth it was so dark outside</div><div>and then two words came into my head-</div><div>solar eclipse!</div><div>i jumped up immediately and ran outside,</div><div>and i saw this perfect round thing blocking the sun,</div><div>which was pretty cool but it really wasn't</div><div>as amazing as i thought it would've been-</div><div>from the photos i've seen before i thought that</div><div>it would've been total darkness but no.</div><div><br /></div><div>and me being the very smart person i am,</div><div>ignored all the warnings about looking at it </div><div>directly without any special equipment and</div><div>stared at the eclipse for 5 minutes</div><div>and paid the price for half an hour later</div><div>cause all i could see were black spots-</div><div>serves me right!</div><div><br /></div><div>another thing- maybe cause i've lived here</div><div>for almost 6 weeks now, i've somehow changed</div><div>to look really Nepali or something cause</div><div>everyone is talking to me in Nepali!</div><div><br /></div><div>it's really funny cause i was with this </div><div>English woman who speaks Nepali really well</div><div>and she was trying to tell the bus driver something</div><div>but he just ignored her and kept on asking me</div><div>what I wanted- poor woman!</div><div><br /></div><div>but i am disgustingly tan- i love it!</div><div><br /></div><div>okay, more news from me when i reach home</div><div>(:</div><div><br /></div><div>p/s pray for things to go well please,</div><div>i dont think i could take it if the airline</div><div>suddenly decides to cancel the flight!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-77770563483255988232009-07-20T12:15:00.002+01:002009-07-20T12:39:26.530+01:00ohmylife.<div><br /></div><div>i must be the sweatiest person ALIVE right now!!</div><div><br /></div><div>just came back from the hottest place in the world</div><div>(okay, maybe i exaggerate too much!)- Pokhara</div><div>which is really beautiful, but it somehow feels like</div><div>it's 100 metres from the sun, cause yes-</div><div>it's THAT hot ):</div><div><br /></div><div>but yeah it was great to breathe in clean air</div><div>and not hear any honks for a few days,</div><div>but it took 9 hours to get back cause there</div><div>were accidents along the way and everyone</div><div>is always so nosy about things like these!</div><div><br /></div><div>and thank goodness, those 9 hours were</div><div>made enjoyable by the amazing sights around,</div><div>imagine lush green mountains everywhere and</div><div>you're driving down in the bus overlooking fields</div><div>and fields of emerald green- i was quite disappointed</div><div>that the bus didn't stop for any photo taking!</div><div><br /></div><div>but the highlight of the trip was definitely</div><div>seeing the amazing peaks of the Himalayas.</div><div><br /></div><div>seriously- WOW.</div><div><br /></div><div>i got woken up at 5.30am on Saturday telling</div><div>me to look out my window and even without glasses,</div><div>my mouth just dropped!</div><div><br /></div><div>Pokhara is surrounded by mountains already,</div><div>but cause it's quite cloudy at this time of the year</div><div>we didn't really know where to look and didn't</div><div>see anything amazing anyway, but in the morning</div><div>when the sky is all clear... wow.</div><div><br /></div><div>honestly, behind the mountains surrounding us were</div><div>these large majestic snow-capped mountains</div><div>which were shrouded in wisps of clouds so it</div><div>looked quite mystical and surreal,</div><div>and then there were eagles just soaring around them,</div><div>honestly it was FLIPPIN amazing!</div><div><br /></div><div>i took as many photos as possible,</div><div>but photos never do justice ):</div><div>and we toyed with the idea of paragliding over</div><div>the Himalayas as well, then decided that</div><div>it was too cloudy- so looks like I've to come back to</div><div>Nepal to do that!</div><div><br /></div><div>i almost considered trekking but same to my senses!</div><div><br /></div><div>and boy, during this weekend we met plenty of</div><div>weirdos- a guy who claimed to be one of the founding</div><div>fathers of Hare Krishna and was telling us all about it,</div><div>this Dutch fella who told us he was going down to</div><div>Pokhara to 'find some sistas' >.<</div><div><br /></div><div>and everyone seems to like talking about religion,</div><div>which was quite hard for me cause i'm terrible</div><div>at talking about Christianity- and it was hard</div><div>to debate without sounding offensive but yet</div><div>stand my ground you know??</div><div><br /></div><div>ok my head is spinning, i hvnt had food all day</div><div>+gotta go take a shower- more tomorrow!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-76142077014893881732009-07-16T17:53:00.002+01:002009-07-16T18:00:47.813+01:00i'm taking a 7 hour journey bus ride tomorrow!<div><br /></div><div>apparently the roads are crazy windy</div><div>and knowing the reckless bus drivers here,</div><div>it should make for an interesting trip!</div><div><br /></div><div>i really don't think i'll ever complain</div><div>about Adam's driving again after this summer,</div><div>cause the all the bus drivers here seem to</div><div>have a secret passion for car racing or something,</div><div>because they are ridiculous at manoevering (sp?!)</div><div>their giant clunky buses- overtaking everyone</div><div>and always narrowly missing the poor</div><div>motorcyclists ):</div><div><br /></div><div>but yes- i'm going to Pokhara,</div><div>which is where you can see all the mountains</div><div>(did you know that 8/10 of the highest peaks</div><div>in the world are in Nepal?!!)</div><div>so i'll be able to see the Annapurna range</div><div>if the weather's great but sadly not Everest!</div><div><br /></div><div>can't wait to breathe clean air again yay!</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-80133342420864463142009-07-15T16:20:00.003+01:002009-07-15T16:33:36.286+01:00so i'm sitting here with mountains of work!<div><br /></div><div>i have a stack of Science exercise books to mark,</div><div>one more Health exam paper to write up,</div><div>lesson plans for tomorrow to prepare,</div><div>and also i'll be doing assembly tomorrow!</div><div><br /></div><div>teaching is real hard work!</div><div>):</div><div><br /></div><div>but i'm glad to say that it's not a burden</div><div>or anything at all, because surprisingly-</div><div>i'm really enjoying teaching kids!</div><div><br /></div><div>it's definitely a real lesson in patience</div><div>and the ability to be calm no matter what.</div><div>i was talking to the headmaster the other day</div><div>about how some kids will not stop talking</div><div>in my classes and he was telling me about</div><div>some of these kids' backgrounds and </div><div>it's really shocking ):</div><div><br /></div><div>so i'm happy that the worst thing they're</div><div>doing is making too much noise in class,</div><div>which to be honest- was my problem when</div><div>i was a kid as well (which is probably still my problem now!)</div><div><br /></div><div>but yeah- there's this boy in one of my classes</div><div>who's from a rough background and is</div><div>really brilliant but is always a bit spaced out</div><div>during class time and it was his birthday today</div><div>and the really cute thing was when i walked into</div><div>class today and he jumped up and pressed</div><div>a few sweets into my hand and gave me this</div><div>giant smile- apparently that's what they do on</div><div>their birthdays here! (:</div><div><br /></div><div>and that small gesture just meant so much,</div><div>knowing what his family life is like ):</div><div><br /></div><div>so i went home and bought him a Mars bar!</div><div><br /></div><div>and these kids really have no idea what they're</div><div>talking about most of the time cause the stuff</div><div>in their books are just ridiculous!</div><div><br /></div><div>today we were having a General Knowledge</div><div>class and it was filling in the blanks and my</div><div>13 year olds made me laugh so hard cause</div><div>they insisted that Marco Polo served the</div><div>famous Mongol Emperor, Victoria.</div><div><br /></div><div>(okay, maybe you had to be there..)</div><div><br /></div><div>let's hope teaching continues to go well</div><div>for the next month! (:</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-12595775376250730902009-07-15T12:03:00.002+01:002009-07-15T12:06:05.612+01:00here's the photo i promised you!<div><br /></div><div>here's some proof that I'm actually in Nepal!</div><div><br /></div><div>this was taken on Sunday in front of the king's palace</div><div>(YES- it's salmon pink urrggh!)</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZFznZovc7B5FiXmXfg38sXEc6tF29ZaiHqNZ4YBPhGZK7WOHXdz5HtmELhp6pmrmyvmMzT3nEDdmL-ZhVReY9HlXRcFfzDxE1YwsgoHpL4slS4pUOx2DLqr-yu_Lk6E4q8I/s1600-h/Palace+museum+july+09+080+(1).jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZFznZovc7B5FiXmXfg38sXEc6tF29ZaiHqNZ4YBPhGZK7WOHXdz5HtmELhp6pmrmyvmMzT3nEDdmL-ZhVReY9HlXRcFfzDxE1YwsgoHpL4slS4pUOx2DLqr-yu_Lk6E4q8I/s320/Palace+museum+july+09+080+(1).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358640988332211010" /></a><br /><br /><div>with some of the guys from the Prayer Tower</div><div>and the white people you see are Interserve people</div><div>who I live with + Jeannette who coordinates us.</div><div><br /></div><div>(:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-19171224759746367572009-07-13T11:31:00.001+01:002009-07-13T11:33:10.413+01:00so.<div><br /></div><div>guess what?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I BOUGHT MY AIRTIX HOME!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>to the bestest place in the world-</div><div>Malayyyyysia (:</div><div><br /></div><div>it's gonna be awesome,</div><div>even though it's less than 2 weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div>i'm gonna be home 25th July so</div><div>SEE YOU THERE!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-1971687779337848102009-07-11T14:25:00.002+01:002009-07-11T14:35:31.430+01:00i had the most awesomest day!<div><br /></div><div>you see, kathmandu is really crazy-</div><div>it's busy, noisy and really polluted</div><div>but the rest of nepal is bathed in green</div><div>and is so peaceful and lovely (:</div><div><br /></div><div>so today we went to this place called</div><div>the Prayer Tower, which is a 24/7 prayer room</div><div>and also a home for mentally/physically </div><div>handicapped people of all ages.</div><div><br /></div><div>the house was built up up up the mountain</div><div>and the views were just breathtaking-</div><div>it was just vast fields of bright green everywhere</div><div>and in the horizon were unending mountains,</div><div>my words don't put justice to it.</div><div><br /></div><div>and we attended their service and</div><div>hung out with them all day-</div><div>i brought balloons, which is always a</div><div>source of fun for people of all ages and</div><div>soon all the kids were jumping up and down</div><div>having so much fun playing (:</div><div><br /></div><div>and what was amazing is that the guy who started</div><div>the place studied in Belfast Bible College!</div><div>seriously, NI is such a small place but</div><div>it seems like they are everywhere!</div><div><br /></div><div>and instead of looking to funds/donations</div><div>like a lot of charities do here, they have planted</div><div>their own hydroponic herbs and vegetables</div><div>so that they are self-sufficient and it's just amazing</div><div>what's going on in that place (:</div><div><br /></div><div>it's been a really tiring week,</div><div>i've just been really tired all the time</div><div>and teaching is getting a bit stressful but</div><div>i'm still enjoying it- i just need a short break!</div><div><br /></div><div>and im 75% coming home.</div><div>just need to reconfirm and book my tickets</div><div>and HELLO MALAYSIA the best country in the world!</div><div>i am super super excited-</div><div>only thing is that mum+cas aren't going to be there</div><div>for 5 days while i'm home! ):</div><div>but hey, i'll take any time i get huh.</div><div><br /></div><div>still setting exam papers and rereading all</div><div>the physics+chem textbooks, </div><div>i'm silently thankful that i've gone thru that</div><div>stage and never have to study them again.</div><div>urgh.</div><div><br /></div><div>and tomorrow i should be helping out</div><div>with bringing the Prayer Tower kids to</div><div>visit the King's Palace- sounds like an awesome day!</div><div>(:</div><div><br /></div><div>i hope you're doing well,</div><div>wherever you are!</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-18027645317563454792009-07-08T16:10:00.002+01:002009-07-08T16:31:53.954+01:00today, i was reminded of how Nepal<div>isn't the most peaceloving happy perfect place.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, there are bandhs (strikes) all the time</div><div>and they can be for anything, the people</div><div>seem to really like their protesting,</div><div>there are bandhs all over the country everyday.</div><div><br /></div><div>so anyway, these are not peaceful protests,</div><div>all the schools/shops have to close because</div><div>there are people who will throw stones/burn</div><div>the place down if they know that it is open for business</div><div>and the really bad ones don't allow any vehicles</div><div>to operate at all- they have some people hired</div><div>at the side of the road armed with stones n stuff</div><div>so if they see a vehicle coming down the road,</div><div>that fella is pretty much dead ):</div><div><br /></div><div>i've heard stories of them burning buses and all that,</div><div>it sounds really violent and incredibly unnecessary.</div><div><br /></div><div>so today we were on a bus as usual to school</div><div>and suddenly the bus did a huge turnabout,</div><div>turns out a bandh was just called and we </div><div>all had to get off the bus and walk our remaining</div><div>journey, which thankfully wasn't too far from the school.</div><div><br /></div><div>but as we got closer to the school there were</div><div>crowds everywhere and we could see a lot of</div><div>burning going on cause and lots of police</div><div>really geared up with their shields and guns.</div><div><br /></div><div>and then suddenly, everyone started running </div><div>towards us and i got really panicked.</div><div>you know how action movies you always see those</div><div>shots when there's a giant monster coming or something</div><div>everyone just runs?</div><div><br /></div><div>it was exactly like that so i was really</div><div>'oh crap, this is not good!!'</div><div>but we took the side roads and nothing</div><div>seemed to happen so i thought it was okay</div><div>and then again, people just started running</div><div>past me and i didn't know what was going on</div><div>so i started running for my life!</div><div><br /></div><div>i was thinking the worst, maybe someone gunning</div><div>people down or worse- i don't know,</div><div>but for the first time in my life </div><div>i was running for dear life- </div><div>and to be honest,</div><div>i would've gotten gunned down if it</div><div>really happened cause i was crap!</div><div><br /></div><div>so i ran and ran- not really sure from what</div><div>but then everything looked normal again</div><div>so i calmed down and everyone seemed to be okay</div><div>and i just hurried to the school just in case.</div><div><br /></div><div>but phew that was a real moment of panic there</div><div>and thank goodness everything was okay!</div><div>(:</div><div><br /></div><div>so yes, Nepal is still a little crazy</div><div>but thankfully these bandhs don't happen</div><div>that seriously too often.</div><div><br /></div><div>pray for peace!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-53091181981063803242009-07-07T16:54:00.002+01:002009-07-07T17:04:18.131+01:00i LOVE my school!<div>honestly it's amazing (:</div><div><br /></div><div>so today was Teacher's Day,</div><div>and it's basically a day dedicated to hardworking</div><div>selfless patient teachers everywhere</div><div>(and i'm technically a teacher for the summer,</div><div>so i got to reap all the benefits!)</div><div><br /></div><div>but anyway the kida had been practising for ages</div><div>and they had this whole lineup for performances</div><div>and just their willingness to sing and dance is amazing!</div><div><br /></div><div>i mean, the school only has about 140 kids</div><div>and there were so many performances that</div><div>each of them performed more than twice!</div><div>and i loved every minute of it.</div><div><br /></div><div>even when out of the blue, they announced</div><div>'now is the time for Miss Samantha to</div><div>come and give us a speech!!!'</div><div><br /></div><div>i really don't deal well with these things,</div><div>it was a terrible shock but i think i managed</div><div>to amuse the kids by speaking some</div><div>Nepali that i've learnt so far so everyone</div><div>laughed at how bad i was- which for me</div><div>is better than a boring speech anyday!</div><div><br /></div><div>but yeah those kids love springing surprises</div><div>on their teachers, there were a lot of spontaneous</div><div>speeches today and all the teachers had to go up </div><div>and dance in front of the kids as well,</div><div>which they really loved.</div><div><br /></div><div>and boy do these Nepali people love dancing!</div><div>once the teachers started they really got into it</div><div>and the kids started getting into it and at one point</div><div>the whole room was just chaos cause all the</div><div>kids starting dancing while the teachers</div><div>were in front doing the same!!</div><div><br /></div><div>it was so much fun (:</div><div><br /></div><div>and i'm really really loving this.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639397.post-13815823164392381202009-07-06T12:36:00.002+01:002009-07-06T12:40:05.995+01:00i've been a teacher for ten days,<div><br /></div><div>and i've just been told i have to set</div><div>exam papers for all 5 of my classes!!!</div><div>):</div><div><br /></div><div>that's 5 different years of science/chem/physics/general knowledge</div><div>papers to set, and most of the classes</div><div>i teach more than one subject!!</div><div><br /></div><div>so that's going to be lots of fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>but i guess there are perks too,</div><div>tomorrow's Teacher's Day- i dont think the</div><div>West celebrates this, it's the teacher's equivalent</div><div>to Father/Mother's Day (:</div><div><br /></div><div>and finally, i'm not a student anymore</div><div>and get to be honoured as a 'real' teacher!</div><div><br /></div><div>woohoo!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0