Taste of Nepal

Taste of Nepal

August 29, 2009

Hanami Restaurant

Queens, New York

2:00pm-5:00pm

I thought a fun way to introduce Nepal to my friends would be with food. We had a lovely afternoon lunch at Hanami. 12 friends including me and Tsering were there. I spoke about Phaplu Community School but mostly this lunch was about the food of Nepal.

We talked about what Nepalese people eat. Lentils, rice, curry, potatoes, spicy pickles, goat, chicken and beef unless your a Hindu. Hindu believes cows are mothers so they do not eat beef.

We sampled chicken momos (dumplings like mandoo). Most people tried dried intestines which has a chewy texture. We had dried beef which was also was chewy.

Tsering talked about customs at the dining table such as eating with your right hand.

This is a typical dish in Nepal Thali.

Served with rice, lentils, green vegetables, and some spicy sauce.

Here's the group photo: minus two friends John and Tom. We ended up talking for 4 hours! Thanks to everyone who came to learn about Nepalese food and culture.

Here is Tsering and me. In college we were often mistaken for each other.

In college we would end up wearing similar clothes or same color shirt even without knowing what each other were wearing. We ended up being like twins.

We say secretly I was born in Nepal and she's my long lost sister.

Goodbye's and reflection on life.

This week was a full of goodbyes. I said goodbye couple times this week. One friend who's going to study in Korea and another for my college roommate's mother who passed away at a young age. I wish I could help to stop the pain for my friend but everything happens for a reason. She knows how much we love her and she's never alone~

Death reminds me of how I want to live my life and how I would want to be remembered. What is the meaning of my life? I know whatever it is, I am heading toward the right direction.

I'm finally getting down to the last weeks of NYC. I am visiting my friends and I have been getting so much support from everyone friends and strangers. Thank you again for giving me encouragement! I feel like I can do anything if I put my mind to it.

Total Donation for this week $85

Listen to Glass Pear-Last Days Of Your Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRvZcM-Y5AU

NYC a world of ciaos and opportunity.

Since starting to prepare to leave NYC, I thought about what I did these past two years. I have done and experienced a lot of new things. I have grown and learned a lot. This city offers many opportunities but it's YOU who has to go after them. I have three weeks until I am moving out of my first apartment that I ever moved into! I have been in NYC for two years! Sept 2007-Sept 2009

My first time I went to New York City was with my parents and second time with my high school for an art class. I grew up in a small town in PA and I always thought living in NYC would be the coolest place to live. I felt I finally made it. wow! I'm in a big city! I always saw New York as a glamours place to live. In movies NYC seemed to be the ideal place to live. There's so many resources and opportunity. The city that never sleeps and where you dreams can come true.

My goal was to go to graduate school and get work experience. There's so much to do in New York! many plays, restaurants, and shopping places etc. It's a great place for entrainment. I had so fun meeting new friends and doing different activities. I love how diverse NYC is and offers many opportunities to learn something new. The more time I spent here I felt I was loosing focus on why I came to New York. Life here seems like a circle. Work life and weekends can become mundane. You know how life can get here. Hectic! I can't see myself settling into this kind of life style. I felt where's the meaning of all of this? I wanted to do something more meaningful.

I tried to keep up with my community service since it has always been part of my life. My first volunteer activity was in 6th grade with my mother at a local nursing home. We filled up the water pitchers together.

I signed up for New York Cares and other organizations while I was here. Even though your life can be crazy busy, there's should be time for others and to give back to your community.

Food for Thought: Do you remember watching the movie Pay it Forward with Kevin Spencey, Helen Hunt and the cute kid Haley Joel Osment.

Pay it forward is the concept of asking that a good turn be repaid by having it done to others instead. So imagine what you can do. http://www.payitforwardfoundation.org/

Compassion: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

Getting the word out

On August 5th, I met with Portia who is a first grade teacher at a charter school. We met up at Barnes and Nobles in Union Square and she told me about her experience as an elementary school teacher. She recommend some books on teaching and gave me useful teaching tips.

I have been busy with researching and also spreading the word about my project. I am still raising funds for the Phaplu Community School! I have been doing small gathering.

On August 6th, Dawa and Pasang Sherpa invited me to come over to talk about my presentation. Thank you for having us over! : )

On August 8th, Mike had me over to his apt to present my project to some of his friends. Thank you Mike for letting me share my experience with your friends. It's always fun to relive my memories about the school to friends!

In total we had raised $400 this week! Thanks to everyone who came to listen and donated~

First Fundraiser

Last night, was the first fundraiser that Tsering and I planned together. Even though the weather was bad, my some of friends made it! : )

I want to first Thank Tsering for her hard work on this project. I appreciate the time and effort that you had put into this event. Without you I couldn't complete my goal! We make awesome team!

Thank you to Mingma for your help on organizing and helping to keep the program moving smoothly.

Dad and Mom. I know you couldn't make it this time but Thank you for you continuing support and love! I love you! Thank you to Rebekah and Deon for coming and supporting me.

Chhoden, Jigme, I'm so glad to have such great accountants!Auntie Dolma,Tenzin, and Yangmu, , Thank you for help on keeping the program going!

Sera your dance was amazing!! you dance so graceful. ~~~
Thank you to all of the volunteers! You girls and Jigme rock!! : )

My first goal was to share my experience with my friends and our second goal was to raise at least $500 for the books for Phaplu Community School in Nepal. We did it!

We raised $1, 130.46!!!
and still the donations are still coming in!!

Due to the weather our start was later but we finished in good time.

~ 6:00 pm-6:45 pm
Welcome guests and dinner

~ 7:00 pm- 7:15 pm
Welcome speech by Tsering Dolma Sherpa

~ 7:20 pm- 7:25 pm
Dance by Nawang Sera Sherpa

~ 7:30 pm – 7: 50 pm
Presentation by Elizabeth Windham

~ 7:50 pm- 8:30 pm
Dessert and contribution

~ 8:35 pm- 9:00 pm
Closing remarks by Elizabeth Windham & Tsering Dolma Sherpa
· Khata (traditional ceremonial scarf that represents purity, goodwill, auspiciousness and compassion)Announce accumulated funds

Lakpa Sherpa and me

For my friends who had attended and that couldn't attend the event:

Tsering's introduction made me want to cry and I almost did~!. I was so touched that so many friends came to support me and I was nervous since I haven't talked in front of many people before for a long time. but I know you all know how much my heart is in this project and for the students of the Phaplu Community School.

I hoped you had a great time learning about Nepal and my experience at the Phaplu Community School. I hope you can now see Nepal through my eyes and see why I want to go back. So next time someone asks you "where is Nepal" you should know the answer.
I am so happy to come back to a great group of friends. Without friends like you I can't imagine my life. Thank you for your donation for the books. Change starts with one school at a time.