Welcoming new family members

I have transcended from grass to grace, from weakness to strength, from nothing to something and that my friend is the power of Golden Gate family.

Almost 8 years back I was sitting right in that chair confused and perplexed if my decision to study in this college would make me content or repent in the future. And now I can say that’s the best decision ever made in the history of mankind obviously after the one where my mom decided to give birth to me.

Anyways jokes aside I am really happy that I chose this college among all.

Back then I was a distinction holder. त्यो distinction लेखेको report card समात्दा लागेकोथियो कि सारा संसार नै जित्याथ्ये.  Hey but the story doesn’t end here, suddenly the width of my books increased. My single biology book was as big as my social studies, Nepali , E.P.H and English book combined.

Mummy ले पकाको मासु भातमा छाला  हुँदा रिसाउने मान्छे म भ्यागुता र गड्यौलाको केमिकलले गनाएकोत्वचासँग खेल्दै थिए। Distinction को फुइ लाउने म जब grade 11 को 1st term मा fail भये बल्लतेतिबेला आफ्नो औकात  थाहा भयो।

Two years passed my +2 life came to an end but so did my journey with science. I made my mind to get a break up with Science and be in relationship with Humanities. I chose GoldenGate College once again to pursue my bachelors in social work. 

सब आफन्तहरुले नजा भनेकै थिए। बच्चामा के बन्छेस भन्दा मैले पनि डक्टर बन्छु भन्या हो 

But after two years I realized science wasn’t made for me. I am damn sure that Mbappe is among us. Though they didn’t play that well this world cup I am sure that a Christiano and a Messi is among us but I am also sure that the Mbappe, the Messi and the Ronaldo will die because he will be forced to study science.  Oprah Winfrey an individual who choose the “पत्रु profession” of journalism has property worth 3 kharab. Even if we add all of our properties and multiply it by 10 it would still not be 3 kharab.

But to a war torn Syrian victim who has been fighting with life and death would find medicine to be the most respectable job because ultimately when you are in death bed you need a doctor to save you. To a person who has to sleep endless nights under open sky, to a person who has to walk for three days to grab a vehicle an engineer would be the most respectable job.

See each and every profession has an importance of its own whether you are a doctor, an engineer, a scientist or even a menial worker. Make sure you step to the right platform.

By now I have worked for Maiti Nepal, UN, US Embassy, Chinese Embassy and many more organizations. I have traveled throughout the world and that has been possible because the college brought world to my feet. I know it may seem an exaggeration but that’s the truth indeed. It brought me close to the source of knowledge; it assured me that if I studied well I could excel, it taught me to create my own identity rather than being a duplicate of someone else.

I do not stand in a position to give you all advises, as I believe each individual has their own path and they have to trod their own way. But there are three things I want to leave you with:

    You only get life once thus make sure you do what you want to. Love what you do and do what you are passionate about. If science is your subject pursue it wholeheartedly.

    Life मा सबै भन्दा ठुलो risk भनेको risk नलिनु हो. You didn’t bring good marks in SEE but you really want to study Science. Take the risk. Prove that you are tougher than the problems.  After a month you believe that biology is not your section, go to physical group take that risk. This is the age of making mistakes, falling and rising again and developing skills.  Risks are challenging, but that’s what helps you to challenge the challenges.

Nepal still lacks visionary and skillful people. We still need ample of doctors so that no one would have to go to foreign countries for treatment; we still need ample of engineers so we don’t have to bring experts from other countries.  Thus be skilled, aim for good marks but don’t make that marks determine your identity.

As Baba Ranchoddas Chaanchad says “Kaabil bano kaabil, kamyabi toh saali jhak maarke peeche aayegi”

Thank you one and all. 

Dear Dad

Dear dad, 

It’s been like a month that I have been missing you and mom more than ever. At times when I am left alone I remember you and mom all of a sudden, I get reminded of the shaft of wind I felt in Seattle; in your home in our home. I miss waking up to the warm pancakes and coffee. I miss the pleasure of being carefree and getting pampered. I miss me being lazy and sleeping in your mustang yet getting woken up with “Gosh you snore a lot” (hey that’s so not true). I miss our craziness in Leavenworth. Every time I wear the hoodie you gave me, I miss you more. 

We hadn’t spent much time together but every time I see pictures of you, mom and Ayden all the memories come gushing in. Maybe it is because you were completely different from the conventional American parents I had imagined of or the media had portrayed as. I had imagined an individualistic family to welcome me but I got parents whom I could hug and share my problems with. I got a dad who said that I could bring my boyfriend in his home if I wanted to run away and he would get me married (I laugh every time I remember that)

When mom bought food for her going to be son in law, when you drove the homeless guy back to his place, when mom was so worried about Mia’s condition and you were complaining about the vet, when your tables were filled with books on parenting and when you were so worried about Ayden I could find no difference in between you and other South Asian parents. At the end when it came to speaking language of love both worlds reacted similarly.

I still remember you had asked me when I was playing with Mia and Ayden “Would you cry if I died?” I had said yes I would and you had smiled. I meant that at that point too and I mean that today as well. Thank you for making me a part of your family.

At this point of time I so wish I was besides you. I really mean it. Nevertheless, you both will rock as grandparents. Ayden is hell of a lucky boy that he has you two besides.

Lots of love,
Your daughter.