Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
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A Nosy Neighbour
Story of every household…
Bini Dahal
I love staying at home and rarely go out. So, neighbours around do not see me quite often. They think that I stay at home all day busy studying. Yes, as a student, it is my responsibility to study but speculating that studying is my best pastime is a bit overboard. Like every neighborhood has this nosy neighbour who dearly cares for your grades more than your parents, I too have one and more.
One day, I was coming back home from school. While unlocking my house’s main door, my neighbour aunty, who was returning back after grocery shopping, stopped right in front of me and started her interrogations. “So, Bini, what GPA did you score in your exam?” When I replied, she commented, “So that is B+….” I corrected her saying that it was an A grade. But her face said it all. She was feeling so satisfied to find that the so-called “studious neighbour” had scored lower than her son, who was two years younger than me. I was not very surprised by her demeanor because if she wanted, she could go as far as comparing a 1st grader’s mark sheet to that of a Kindergarten student’s.
We are living in such a society where simply a printed sheet of paper defines a person. And truth be told, I too am working hard to get the same acknowledgement from the society. While trying to do so, I have hurt many friends around me and I am not hiding this. They call me selfish and well I am for my own reasons. But isn’t everyone being selfish in their own way?
Sometimes I ask myself why marks are so important. My own mind replies it for me: for a better future. But I don’t know if it is the answer I want to hear. As a “ I am not that interested in social media person”, when my mother shows her Facebook newsfeed full of congratulatory messages to SEE toppers along with their GPAs, I feel like, “ Ok maybe this is the end of the world”. If scoring meant conquering the world, people like me may get a nickname like “losers”?
What we really need is a complete change in our thinking. Scoring more may sometimes not help you in any way. You may get into a good college, but practically speaking, you might not have the right kind of creativity. My mother always reminds me that I will only be able to become successful when my scores earned from hard work come in term with my creativity and skills. So, each day I am trying my best to change my ways and ideas—trying to develop new skills for my own development. And I would like to ask every introvert like me to do so, too.
Let’s not be buried into our books but come out to experience the new challenges of the world. And most importantly, to all of the nosy neighbours, please stop speculating about me like I am some kind of mysterious character. I am studying for myself; my grades are for my own satisfaction and not some scandal making topic for you. I am not interested to know your children’s grades, so please don’t waste your energy on interrogating me about my scores. Because, I will not be telling you any time soon!
K-drama Fanatic
When K-dramas became my companion for life!!
Bini Dahal
Most people might say I am wasting my time on some “dreamy” stuff but as an avid drama lover, I would like to tell you that it is always up to you on how you take up things. For me from dramas, I have learnt about Korean culture, lifestyle, a bit of language and a lot on people and their lives.
I don’t exactly remember when I became a complete Korean drama (K-drama) fan but I clearly recall watching one (my first) in Grade 5 called “Boys over Flowers” without knowing it was Korean. Funny thing was, I chose this drama over “Harry Potter” as at that time I found most of the scenes in the J.K.Rowling’s novel-based series, a bit scary for my over-imagining mind. During 8th grade, feeling bored I ended up searching the drama (forgot the title; only remembered the protagonist’s name) and watched the whole 25 episode without even blinking an eye.
Since then, I started watching a lot of dramas (have lost count of how many)and still watch them. For people like me who don’t understand the language, English translations are best. In the beginning I used to wait for dramas to be translated on websites (Yes! There are websites providing full translations). But now days, I don’t wait for subtitles. Rather I watch them “raw” and feel all happy and excited even when I get the faintest idea of what is happening.
I have never been stuck over something for too long but dramas feel like my long-lost friend. I am a homebody and I must say that most of my times are spent on watching dramas of different genres. Everything is perfect: the plot, attire and the cast. While watching dramas, I developed a new interest of learning Korean language and though I am still a beginner, I can write, read and understand many words. Most people might say I am wasting my time on some “dreamy” stuff but as an avid drama lover, I would like to tell you that it is always up to you on how you take up things. For me from dramas, I have learnt about Korean culture, lifestyle, a bit of language and a lot on people and their lives.
K-dramas today have become an addiction for many people around the world. This directly or indirectly has raised South Korea’s popularity and I am intrigued by this fact. Through dramas, indirect promotion of different products such as make-up, electronic gadgets, automobiles, clothing brands and even food and beverage brands are done. These promotions help increase sales within and beyond the country. In a 2017 drama, “My Name Is Gangnam Beauty”, a perfume “Atelier cologne” was shown. Many people searched for this perfume online and it was mainly because of the drama.
Many friends recommend me American television series which are quite popular among youngsters today. I tried watching few but they didn’t really catch my attention and again I went back to watching K-dramas. I get scolding from my parents for watching too many Korean dramas. And I defend myself and my dramas, saying that they have helped me understand many issues without even travelling to that part of the world. Dramas can act as a virtual teacher for someone who is interested in social and cultural diversity. Truthfully speaking, I am an introvert and I need time to get adjusted in a conversation with a stranger. But if I ever meet someone with similar interest as me I can go on and on for hours and people around me get surprised by my sudden extroverted manner. I think dramas have helped me find my potential nature and I am more comfortable to share my knowledge and my views on different aspects. In a group talk, whenever I move forward to express my ideas, my friends cut me off beforehand and say “it must be something Korean”. And throughout the whole talk I completely refrain from even spelling a single word starting from ‘K’.
Published on The Rising Nepal.
Introduce Yourself (Example Post)
This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.
You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.
Why do this?
- Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
- Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.
The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.
To help you get started, here are a few questions:
- Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
- What topics do you think you’ll write about?
- Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
- If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?
You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.
Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.
When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.
Bini's Writings 