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."

Happy 55th Birthday Dad

I love my Dad. So, in honor of his 55th birthday I would like to take some time and share a few reasons why I love him.

My Dad taught me how to shoot a gun. It’s not so much that I know how to shoot it’s the fact that he has always encouraged his daughters to do anything they want whether it be a “manly” task or “feminine task”. I’m pretty sure the question of gender never interred his mind. Much to the detriment of my Mom’s nerves I am constantly encouraged to drive a motorcycle or to do donuts in the snow.

My Dad wears crazy Hawaiian shirts in the summer.
I love that I can purchase my dad any sort of clothing and just because my Mom, my Sister, or myself say it looks nice he will wear it. By the way I think my Dad always dresses nice.
Growing up my house was dominated by women. Although my Dad can somewhat hold his own there are times when he gives in. He will sit down and watch a girly movie with us, he will go to the mall and shop all day with us, and when asked he will tell us that what we have on looks nice. I assumed all men did this until I went away to college.

My Dad loves being a Grandpa
I myself was amazed at how much I could love my nephew and it’s great to see how much Dad loves little Shawn. 

Although Shawn’s arrival was my Dad’s first official “Grandpa” role I have always admired the way that my Dad takes in the misfits. Whether it be constantly taking in stray dogs or befriending the crazy person in the grocery store parking lot my Dad has very few boundaries to his friendliness.
He genuinely wants to know about people and their lives. Not only does this make him a great social worker but a great friend as well.

My Dad loves music
I’m pretty sure that my dad can sing just about every song written in the 60’s and 70’s. Growing up there was something wrong if you were NOT singing in the car. If I need to get my Dad motivated all it takes is a little CCR and he is just about willing to do anything.

I’m pretty sure that I got my affinity for music from my Dad…but unlike him I do restrain myself from singing along to the elevator music played in grocery stores.

As previously stated these are only a few reasons why I love my Dad but what I love most of all is that he has been a good example of the Fathers love. The bible constantly talks s about the “Fathers love” and there are some that have no earthly knowledge of what that means. I do. 

To me it has always been a constant unconditional love pushing me on towards adventure and truth. A love that compels me to love my Heavenly Father even more. What more could a daughter ask for.

I love you Dad and wish you a very Happy 55th Birthday!


"Guess Ive got that old travlin bone, cause this feelin wont leave me alone.
But I wont, wont be losin my way, no, no
long as I can see the light.
Put a candle in the window, cause I feel Ive got to move.
Though Im going, going, Ill be coming home soon,
Long as I can see the light."
-CCR

going a little crazy

Update on the power…or lack of power that is.

If you are a facebook friend of mine you will see that I have recently been complaining about lack of power here in Nepal. Let me try to give you a brief explanation based on info gathered from the lcoals.

Nepal’s electricity is hydropower. During rainy season this is great and we have a plethora of electricity. During the winter when there is no rain this is a different story. Currently there is not enough power to keep the whole city of Kathmandu going so we are forced to adapt to a load shedding schedule. Starting today we will be without electricity for 16 hrs a day and most likely this will increase to 18hrs in a few weeks. We are given two 4hour blocks of electricity. For example the power came on this morning at 8am and we are expecting it to shut of around 12. It will probably be off for eight hours and then come on again for another four and so it goes for the rest of the week.

A friend recently asked when this would all be over and no one really knows. Most likely it will be towards the end of March or April…or when the rain comes.

So how does one function in Nepal, in the winter, without electricity for the majority of the day? Here are a few things that keep me going…

Smart wool socks that go up to the knees and warm fuzzy slippers.

WSU lap blanket…thank you Fiona Grant

Hot water thermos …this thing will keep water hot for days!

Two down comforters…I’m so glad I made that IKEA purchase before moving here

Candles, Flash light or head lamp…and a lighter

Inverter…three large batteries that can keep my house going for a few hours


Plenty of gas tanks to keep the shower hot, the oven going, and the heater running if there is a spare tank.

Hot water bottles…guaranteed to keep your toesies warm at night


It is amazing how one adjust to life without power. You learn to charge your phone, computer, etc whenever you have the chance. Candle light dinners no longer hold romance it is just a way of life. You constantly search out sunshine and sit in it. You tend to go to bed early when the power goes out and reading under the covers is the warmest place for you and your book.

Now you have a small glimpse into how I cope.

to be known

One of my favorite things about living in Nepal is the way that people here know you or at least know your name. For example when I walk into my favorite restaraunt the employees all say “Namaste Jesika” (ok, so they have some problems with the pronunciation of my name)

When I lived in Nepal four years ago my roommate and I started a habit of going to the beauty salon every other Thursday. Due to our regular appointments the ladies at the salon got to know us very well and I would say that we even became friends.

Since returning to Nepal I had yet to visit the salon. My delay was for various reasons but mainly it being that I was afraid that they would not remember me.

Once I finally worked up the courage to make an appointment I arrived to the warmest welcome. It was hugs all around and questions about family and well-being. Needless to say it was a sweet reunion…that is until they found out that I had been in Nepal five months before visiting them.

I love that the ladies who work at the store know me, that the Internet guy starts putting in my account info as I approach the door, and that the girls at the salon recognize my voice and poor Nepali accent on the phone.

I believe that when God made us he made us to crave relationship and put within us a craving to be known. Of course that craving to be known can only truly be filled by God. I also believe that God can be shown by us getting to know those around us. So next time your at the local store or favorite restaurant make a point to know the employees name. Introduce yourself and see that in time you may get to know each other.

saying goodbye to Sumitra and her family when I left Nepal 4yrs ago