Archive for the ‘Excerpts from my Life’ Category

Entering through the automated glass door with a bolt of confidence as a regular customer of the 7/11 mini mall, I briskly walked to the stationery section as if I knew I would easily find ‘Super Glue’ tube that I planned to buy to fix my spectacle frame. A picture of glue tube with bold yellow trademark Read more »

If I was at home, butter lamps would be readied night before the auspicious Lord Buddha’s parinirvana day. I would prepare for the ‘saang’ offering, by mixing flour, cereals, foods and garments bits in a bowl, while my wife would melt Dalda vegetable oil for the butter lamps. Read more »

He is still alive and kicking. And I saw him this morning at the Semtokha Mani Dungkhor. He is as healthy as he was then, 13 years ago that he was at the Thimphu Memorial Chorten. Read more »

My birthday’s nearing. The day I was born, the day I first opened my little eyes, its approaching! It is a special day. The day is of a great significance for it was the day I was brought to this world, to see how life is and to face the challenges life put on me. As my birthday near, I wonder whether I should be delighted Read more »

Existence of barbers or professional hair cutters does not feature in any history of Bhutan.  I suppose it is safe to assume that such professions did not exist in Bhutan.  From the time I remember, people cut each other’s hair in the villages.  Mothers cut the hair of their children, though the first haircut of a child was always done by the maternal uncle or a big Read more »

In the middle of night when I was lonely in my room and when everything was silent under shadow of dim light, my phone started ringing. With tensed and nightmare still lingering; I squinted in my watch. It was 1 a.m. Highly dazed, I picked the phone. ”Hello?” “I am looking for you,” woman’s voice Read more »

Strange person from nowhere appeared and bought back all my memory which I once tried to hide somewhere…. Old elderly person, MeyMey from Bumdra… I was in my room, could hear only the voices…long conversation went on,  Appa just permitted someone to stay at our home for a night. I told my sister Read more »

Today, I am 30 and I already feel on top of the world. The feeling is neither sadness nor unhappiness but sheer jubilant excitement, because I have lived the last 30 years of my life and in my own context “in the best possible way”. Read more »

It was a weary climb uphill to my hamlet. The path led through scrubs of thorny boughs overhanging undulating route that abutted against barley field on both sides with copiously grown red crowns nearing harvest. The scorching sun tanned me brick red as I walked staggering forth perspiring all the while, when I heard an abrupt commotion in the field. Read more »

‘Simply Bhutan’ is a unique Project under Youth Development Fund, initiated by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck. It was inaugurated on 26^th August, 2012.  Simply Bhutan, which is also known as a living museum houses demonstration stalls, Souvenir shops, array of Studios and above all a beautiful Read more »

On his recent visit to my place, my dad was shocked to find, or rather not find a phallus outside my house.  He insisted that I should display one, either outside the house or hanging from the door top.  He had an explanation for why my wife was always sick; that evil eyes are on us since we didn’t have a phallus to guard against them. Read more »

I can buy chilies with pride and I can also buy radishes, tomatoes, cabbages or turnips with complete ease. Recently I ran to a shop and asked if they have some underwear. The lady at the counter immediately showed me so many different brands and colored underwear. She showed no sign of embarrassment. But definitely Read more »

Every time I pass by a shop selling baby slippers and shoes, I am reminded of this story. My nephew R was barely three years old when I bought him his first pair of crocs  - a tiny pair of red crocs for a little guy. He must have been so tired of wearing shoes the whole time that his excitement knew no bounds that evening. Read more »

Being parents is not only about procreating.  It involves a lot of other things.  A parent is a mother, father, teacher, friend, nanny, nurse, judge, referee, mentor, critic and a host of other things.  All in one, not necessarily in that chronological order though.  A good half of our lives are spent on parenting our own Read more »

One or two drinks can make you feel relaxed and confident. But if you drink too much, it could be a different story. You could end up slumped on the floor, fighting, vomiting, miserable or just plain boring. I bet almost all of the people drinking alcohol has experience those symptoms. Frankly, I slipped Read more »