The Virtual Reality - Facebook

I feel terribly guilty for not being able to update my blog for quite some time now. The last few days had been really busy days for me and more often than not, I had been bombarded with lots of adhoc activities so much so that I’m always worn out when I reach home as a result of which I’m just too lazy to get myself working on even planning to write new posts, let alone actually posting them. However, I did keep myself updated on my Facebook page, thanks to the frequent alerts that I get on the Facebook application on my iPhone.

Pictures of The Pink City

My friend and myself flew back to New Delhi this morning after an eventful three days visit of the colourful city of Jaipur. Besides the businesses that we had to attend to, we took the opportunity to spend considerable time in exploring the invincible forts, magnificent palaces and the serene scenes of Jaipur. The city displays diversity in forms of its culture, customs, costumes, cuisine, dialects and rustic music. The place is a juxtaposition of color in bustling bazaars, in wide ranging costumes of its people and the irresistible gamut of art and handicraft souvenirs.

Scenes of Travel by Air

My colleague and myself came to Jaipur last evening after connecting to the Jet Airways flight from New Delhi. The capital city of Rajesthan, Jaipur is known globally as Pink City and is recognized as one of the ten most beautiful cities of India. My Indian friends associate Jaipur as the epitome of a vibrant and colourful living traditions in India, attracting lovers of art, history and architecture.

Glimpses of The Great Prayer Ceremony

The Great Prayer Ceremony (Moenlam Chenmo) has begun at Samtse, Southern Bhutan from 22/10/2012. This is the second time that such a prayer ceremony is being conducted in Samtse since it was initiated in the previous year.

 

His Holiness the Je Khenpo is presiding over the ceremony. The ceremony will conclude on 28/10/2012.

 

The following are some glimpses of the Great Prayer Ceremony.

 

Ceremonial Reception of HH the Je Khenpo getting ready

Pictorial Journey of MTB Group

Our Mountain Trail Biking (MTB) Group celebrated our anniversary in recognition of the completion of one year of dedicated mountain biking the day before yesterday (Saturday, 6th October 2012). It was not a grand celebration.. in fact, it would not be qualified to be called a celebration at all to an outsider, because, all that we did was ride together into the jungles and shared our simple refreshments after cutting a pancake!

Writing About Writings

My original diary book of the college days

A batchmate and a very good friend of mine Drukpa commented in Facebook that my earlier post on “All About Shoes” was dynamic and moved very fast because of the sincerity with which I had narrated the story.

All About Shoes

Few weeks back, I was getting ready to visit the Capital City of Thimphu the next day to attend to one of my appointments at my department headquarters. Since my proposed stay at Thimphu was only for a period of three days, I didn’t think it was necessary to pack so many clothes or shoes in my luggage other than the basic essentials which included an extra gho and a few shirts. I decided that I would go with only one pair of office shoes and that too, worn on my feet! My natural concern wherever I go is to travel light and arrive at my destination with whatever clothes that I pack in a fairly pristine state. In any case, I am frugal when it comes to clothing and I generally tend to stick to a limited wardrobe and has never attached much importance to the necessary element that goes towards making a classy man, ie, clothing.

My Unwritten Story

Just a few days back, I undertook major repairs and maintenance of my rented bungalow and its surrounding areas. The entire parking lot which was once black topped was now full of loose pebbles and overgrown grasses thus requiring a major facelift. I had the entire area dug up and then filled with fresh soils, sand and gravels to prepare them for fresh black topping. We had the Road-Roller machine employed from the stage of making the ground even till the entire black topping work was done.

iPhone 5 - Anyone?

Amidst much speculation, rumours and gossip among the Apple lovers (including me!), the highly-anticipated sixth-generation iPhone 5 has been finally launched in San Francisco yesterday (September 12, 2012. Wednesday).

 

Photo Courtesy : Zeenews



Kuzuzangpo Memey!

This is the picture of Memey, the perpetually jolly, pot bellied man who lives all alone in his small hut. He is the caretaker of a small bridge just above his hut.

 

Pictures Speaks

True Friends

The words that are heard loud and clear between true friends’ hearts are "I'll be there... whether you need me or not." This small boy and a stray dog do not let status and parental background stand in their way of friendship. They are friends who communicates without a single word being uttered and who understands each other’s feelings without having to ask the other. You don’t have to go around the world looking for exemplary friends. True friendships are found in the ordinary world of innocence right before you in small packages.

 

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

My imaginations are running wild which is why I can’t seem to get the desired inspiration to focus and complete writing on any particular topic. Most of the time, I start dabbing on my iPhone whatever comes to my mind and hope that an apple will somehow fall on my head and then lead me to the discovery of counter arguments against Newton’s theory of gravitational force! But then, it is a fine Saturday morning and I am lying on my bed typing with my two thumbs on the iPhone and there is no way an apple would fall on my head unless ofcourse, someone gets one and hit it on purpose! The weekend has arrived. Like an impish school boy longing for off-days, I should be happy now. But I am not!

For A Noble Cause

Last week, I was pleasantly surprised to see my father-in-law in the live Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) television program for Fund Raising for Wangduephodrang Dzong reconstruction. I was happy that the program coordinator Dawa allotted an entire half an hour for my father-in-law in an exclusive program to recount his life as a monk and a soldier and to express his sentiments and feelings on the national tragedy.

 

The Facebook Account That Was Never Meant To Be

Socializing is a critical component of human nature. No individual can live in an island devoid of relationships with other fellow homo-sapiens. But today, with internet and the innumerable social networks available in the Information Technology world, man DO live on his own island and yet have the world socializing with him!

(Photo courtesy : TkCr.org)

Bikers On Facebook

“We are an alliance of avid mountain bikers dedicated to creating, enhancing and protecting mountain biking. We advocate for trail access, promote responsible mountain biking, maintain sustainable trails and above all, we love riding them! We live in a joyful community deep in connection, caring and celebration. It is the place where we savor life together through memorable biking adventures. We are a symphony of characters that come together and strengthen one another through an atmosphere of FUN, encouragement, adventure and strength through mountain biking for people of all ages. We are the MTB Group!”

...So runs the description on our Mountain Trail Biking (MTB) Group Page on Facebook.

 

Crying Babies

I had the picture of this cute crying baby as my laptop screen saver for quite some time now… and every time I open my laptop and gaze at it, I forget all my worries and a soothing wry smile envelopes all over my face. This baby is the chief factor for my good mood every morning which normally lasts for the entire day. I’m simply loving it!

 

Waste Of Words

I had the opportunity of visiting New Delhi and staying in the famous five star hotel Le Meridien.What caught my eyes was this small tag that was attached to the bathrobe in the hotel.

 

Pigeons In The House

 

We have illegal immigrant pigeons all over the ceiling of our rented bungalow which they have conveniently made it their home too without even having the courtesy of seeking our permission!  Initially, it started with a flock of about seven pigeons. But as days went by, their numbers started increasing rapidly. I later found out that apart from the increase in their family as a result of their immoral activities, they had the audacity to even invite their colleagues and family et al comfortably nesting in other houses also to shift and make homes on our ceiling!

Growing Up In The Village

I was born and brought up as a typical sharchokpa kota in this large village in eastern Bhutan. My parents, like the generations before them, were illiterate farmers. I grew up eating maize kharang and finding great pleasures in simple things of life in the rustic environment, but very much in cohabitation with nature.

The 'Big' Monk

My last two posts in my blog were co-incidentally about children trying to fit into shoes that were too big for them! They caught my eyes and stirred the mischievous part of my nature to humouriously archive them in pictures and in words. These posts were not pre-planned... but came naturally as I went about minding my own business.

The Tiny Security Guard

A colleague was reported sick and bedridden for the last two or three days. Myself and a close circle of friends, decided to visit him in his house to enquire about his health and see for ourselves as to how he was recovering as a gesture of our deep concern in times of distress that is so inherent in our Bhutanese nature. 

Of Momos and Momo-maker

This evening, after a tiresome bike-ride, my riding partner suggested that we reward ourselves with a sumptuous feast of momo. While my friend was innocently enthusiastic about the proposal, ironically, my situation was such that I would rather starve to death than eat momos because, momo is one dish that I have never tasted nor intending to taste in any near future!

Puppy and I

She came into our world barely one month old, along with her brother, both cuddly puppies and offspring of stray parents.



Few days after she arrived.



In the initial period, they fulfilled the desires of our 7 year old boy who was desperate to be seen as owning a puppy in his circle of friends! Although hesitant and not very pleased to have them at our house because of their parental background, our compassionate Buddhist nature and the puppies’ cuddly innocence combined with our son’s persistence won us over and all too soon, we were bathing, grooming and feeding them daily, almost as members of our family. 

My iPhone, My Life!

Electronics and gadgets have always been my weakness. I would do away with milk and have black tea, lessen the edible oil in my curry or sacrifice having meat on my menu based on my budget, but I could sell my kidney just as one boy did somewhere, to possess the latest gadgets. The entry of Steve Jobs and Apple products in the international market heightened my curiosity and then the cravings began!

Today, I am the proud owner of the latest iPhone 4S, having acquired it through future income (loan). However, there is not a single day that I regret having to pay a monthly installment of whatever I can (thank god, the loan was from a dear friend!).

Traditional vs modern

Which dish would sustain our energy more and which is more appetizing?