Different people this time, and with less consequential results, but which made me think about things all over again. That really scared me. It felt like how it was when I got the news that time, much milder of course.

I don't like hearing such news, they remind me of what happened to you. :(

Oh I'm also practising how to pout at the moment.

If you haven't already heard me whine about it - I miss boston.

Or rather, I miss my time in boston.

I'm missing the people there, the ones that enveloped me with kindness and readily befriended me with no qualms - we were simply people who crossed path.

I miss the me in boston. Somehow, a new place brought out something which I like, some self confidence, some loveliness in me. In a very twarted way, it makes sense, that you do not expect others to love what you yourself cannot love. If I'm being too philosophical for you, it simply translate that others can only love you when you learn to love yourself first.

And then I left Boston and brought the better me back where I am now.

And then I managed to lose it again. :(

I miss Boston.

There's a new addition to my life.

I am becoming very good at cooking. :) I'm not even scared of touching chicken anymore.

Hehe. This is called 敷衍了事.

Will post more after I managed to collect all photos taken. :)

Today, a little brother contacted me.
-~-

I still remember the people who took such great care of me when I was alone, aged 16, in a foreign country, ignorant of the local customs and language, unaccomstamed to the food (Dhal Bhat) and weather. The language barrier did not stop us from developing wonderful relationships, that of mother and daughter, and siblings alike. I still remember how delicious Ah Ma's Aloo and Nann were, and how she was worried I was surviving on just potatoes and bread (I gave up having Dhal Bhat everyday pretty soon). And the wonderful Chai she made, and which I so unsuccessfully tried to brew myself (she had generously gave me a packet of the tea leaves she uses before I left).

And I still remember the day I was first introduced to the famliy, and how tickled they were when I used the same Nepali sentence to introduce myself again and again to the many members of this family. And how excited they were when they helped me dress myself in a Sari to attend a wedding. The day me and the kids brought food to those working in the rice fields, me carrying the kettle while they carried heavy buckets of rice and vegetables. The time the boys killed a cockroach for me just so I can use the shower. Did I mention the day I forgot to turn the tap off and used up their supply of hot water? And not one word of frustration from this people. They just laughed kindly. And how the girls helped me with my laundry, after seeing obvious remains of mud in the laundry load I had declared as washed and clean.

Years has passed since I left this family, and yet I still get the odd emails and messages telling me that they miss me, urging me to visit them.
Such beautiful people and with such kind hearts.

-~-

I told the little brother, now a find handsome young lad (you such see all those flirty messages he get on his photo album), the next time I go back to Nepal, it would be to attend one of their wedding. Which I believe would be pretty soon.

My American-Boston experience ranges from the Red Sox games, the Popeye chicken I sneaked out to get one afternoon Boss was not around, to the chinese takeaway which comes in those little white boxes you see in the movies.

My fellow Minado buffet patrons. Well, not quite.

Junie B. Jones! I really want the entire set.

My lunch today.

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This is a post I wanted to put up for a long time, and never got around doing it till now.

-~-

The wedding speech I wrote for them -

"Hello. For those who doesn’t know me, I’m Junie, Hilary’s sister. I trust everyone is enjoying their dinner, but I’ve been asked to do a speech so please bear with me while I ramble on for the next few minutes. Before I start, can I just say that Hilary, you look absolutely gorgeous tonight. And Siong Seng, you don’t look too bad yourself.

I remember I first met Siong Seng at a family gathering. Likewise, it was the first time he met the entire family. And it was during this first meeting that I concluded that my sister – has weird taste. Throughout the evening, Siong Seng was just sitting in a corner keeping quiet. I tried talking to him, he just gave me short answers. Not exactly the best conversationalist. I tried joking with him, he just gave me weird looks, not understanding my jokes at all. After a while, I gave up and decided that we simply just weren’t on the same wavelength.

However, that was years ago. When I went to Edinburgh for my studies, I had the pleasure to get to know them as a couple. I would go over to my sister’s flat for dinner with her and Siong Seng. And although conversation was dry, food was bad, and most of the time I had to wash the plates, I really enjoyed their company. Most importantly I got to know Siong Seng much better. He would bring me out for dinner, help me with my work, advice me when I’m in trouble and basically look out for me. Like a big brother. He won me over after a couple of dinner treats. Siong Seng is a brilliant guy and is loyal, sincere, humble, intelligent, considerate, good-looking, trustworthy… (at which point I looked and Siong Seng and told him his handwriting is really bad). In any case, he’s the perfect man for my sister, just the right brother for me and Keith, the ideal son for my parents and the best new addition to our family. And that’s Siong Seng for you.

There’s nothing more I can add to what everybody here must already know about my sister. Doesn’t go anywhere beyond the looks to be honest. On a serious note, I am most grateful to have such a beautiful and lovely sister. Hilary, it was nice growing up with someone like you - someone who is my best friend, someone I can trust to care for me, protect me and love me as I am.

And here I propose a toast to Siong Seng and Hilary.

Remember, to the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.

My greatest wish for the two of you is that through the years your love for each other will so deepen and grow, that years from now you will look back on this day, your wedding day, as the day you loved each other the least. May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.

Siong Seng, welcome to the family. Please take care of my sister. She’s very precious. Hilary, please be nice to him, he pays the mortgage.

Thank you".

The fortune cookie said
'His heart was yours from the moment you first met'

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Sexy lips - my new wallpaper. I had the hand wallpaper for a long time, and I decided it's time to create a new one.

Mad weekend. So the itinary was as follows -
Thur 19 July 2345 Boston -> Fri 20 July 0630 Montreal
Fri 20 July 2100 Montreal -> Sat 21 July 0330 Toronto
Sun 22 July 1100 Toronto -> Niagara Falls -> Mon 23 July 0330 Boston
Mon 23 July 0900 -> Back to work :(
Needless to say, I'm knackered.

Food I sampled during the trip.

Montreal

Strange little place, but lovely nonetheless. It's weird that this is Canada we are talking about, but still this place retains so much Frence influece. We were just fortunate to catch a glimpse of the 'Just for Laughs' festival.

Toronto

Toronto is such a wonderful place. Cheap food which is authentic. The chinatown here is fantastic. A city well equipped with lovely shops, beautiful architectures and a diversity that rivels that of London and New York, but manages to exude some sort of order and tranquility unlike many great cities in the world. I might just see myself living here if opportunities arises.

Hehe... of course, the fact that I was staying at Hilton's probably helped encourage my liking the city.

It was great fun meeting up with Victor and his friends. We went to Panorama, this lounge which has a fantastic view of the skyline of Toronto.
We played games (this thumb and guessing game) and whoever who lost each round had to do a dare. So the dares included having to do 10 jumping jacks, staring at the wall for 2 min, high-fiving everyone at the bar, giving a random person massage for 30s, going up to 10 people and shaking their hand while saying 'Welcome to Panorama'. You get the gist. It was crazy but so much fun.