I recently moved into my new apartment. It is just down stairs from where I had been living so it was not much of a move.

Some of my friends that have asked for pictures of the new apartment have yet to see them for the main reason being that setting up a new apartment has been a point of contention and frustraition. It turns out that I am not good at setting up a new home. Here are a few examples…

*The toaster I purchased will not fit into any outlet in the entire house
*My TV either plays back ground music or voices but not both nor does it have a hook up for cable.
*I ordered a bed over a month ago and it has yet to be completed
*I’ve ordered a mattress and am not sure if it will fit
*The kitchen table is uneven..it inconvinetly slopes down

I have yet to purchase a TV stand, chairs to go with the gimpy table, knives, coffee table and furniture for the guest bedroom.

Things add up quickly and I miss second hand shops and yard sales.

I now understand why newleyweds register…sestting up a home is expensive.

When my home is more complete I will be sure to take pictures and have some sort of follow up post

....as I reviewed my post before publishing it I realized it was a little negative so let me take a moment and play the positive game.

*I have a water purifier
*great paint on the walls
*a super comfy red couch
*hot water heater for my shower
*pretty curtains for my bedroom

Thoughts on Valentines Day

I remember when Valentines Day was a big deal. You would make your little heart shaped “mail box” and the next day bring a Valentine for everyone in your class. Either it be home made or store bought you were guaranteed at least 20 valentines. (sigh) those were the days.

As you progress in age the number of Valentines received dwindles down until you have just one valentine…your hearts true Valentine. (insert gag)

These days, as a single girl, I work hard at enjoying this day because I truly love/hate the concept. I love the idea of showing love. When I am in the states I love that my dad sends me flowers for Valentines Day. This year he was not able to ship flowers to Nepal but I truly appreciated the e-mail he sent. I loved that my friends and I would pick the least romantic place in town to eat at and spend the evening laughing.

What I hate…now I’m going to be “real” here so hold on.
I hate that deep down I secretly hoped that I would have a “valentine.” I found myself hoping that I would open an e-mail, facebook message, or letter revealing that there is indeed a special someone wanting to “be mine”. I even started feeling a little melancholy over the reality that on Feb 14, 2009 there was absolutely no single male wanting to be my valentine.

With this melancholy feeling I slapped on a pink sweater and a smile and headed out to a night with the girls.
As we finished up dinner the power went out thus causing us to sit around by candlelight. Kati got out the guitar and we started singing.

“Your love is extravagant.
Your friendship it is intimate.
No greater love have I ever known you consider me a friend
….capture my heart again”

I was singing a love song to my savior. My heart soared, and in that moment my “want” for a valentine was pushed aside. I have more than a valentine…I have a Savior, Lover, Friend.

I will continue to have affection for Valentines Day. I plan on celebrating it next year. This year I am grateful that God allowed me an intimate moment with Him.

Wedding Video

I have known Ymona (Didi) since 2004 when she was my houskeeper the first time I lived in Nepal. Since then she has cleaned house for many a single girl and guy who have come to live in work in Nepal. Now that I am back I love having her in my home again. Not just because she cleans but because she is a welcome presence.

The two times a week that she comes to my home is often the only two times that I will be hugged by a friend, a woman who cares. Needless to say she has become more of an “auntie” than a housekeeper. So when she invited myself and four other friends to her daughter’s wedding we were all excited at the opportunity to go.

Weddings in Nepal are a big deal. They are an ALL day event. The actual wedding ceremony is short and not viewed by many. The important thing is the party. I tried to capture our 12 hour journey in this 4min video. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into a Nepali wedding.

Love Marriage

 

As we were saying our goodbyes to our friend Ymona, the mother of the bride, the small room we were in suddenly came to a halt as the bride ran in crying. All Day she had been happy, excited, and doing her duty but as the night drew to an end the reality of it all hit her. This twenty three year old girl who had lived her entire life with her mother would soon be saying goodbye.

No longer would she share a room with her mother but now she would share a room with her new husband, a man she has only seen in person twice and talk to on the phone…essentially a stranger.

I was sobered by this moment. All the Aunties in the room took their turns hugging the bride, giving her encouraging words to try to make her stop crying. I froze with discomfort. I have no idea what the bride was feeling nor do I ever have to experience such emotions. I am American. I will have a “love marriage."