C.I.T.Y S.C.E.N.E.S

                                                                                                                                                           

WESTIN

      

view from 72nd floor up

downtown,atlanta

right across the apartment

 

taste of nepal!momos in there oh boy!had been craving it for so long!!

So,its been more than a week that i moved from michigan.And just the next day after my arrival,we went to explore downtown and around the city.Because our apartment is in the main city block,its pretty accessible to go around the city.They say try to experience a new city as much like a local as possible.(It's not always easy but helps when you've got friends who actually live there.)Anyway since i am hoping to stay here for some years,im exploring its streets once in a while whenever possible.

So,looking at my iphone pictures,they arenot that pretty but random snapshotsof my brief excursions on a normal week in the city.There's so much more to share still.So expect more pictures in coming days.I am lazing off these days on this blogging network,blame my laziness but I manage to drop off pictures in my insta.So if you want to stay updated follow me on instagram

 I'l follow you back :) 

Happy Weekend ya'll !

                                                                                  xx,

                                                                                punam

home away from HOME

My my,its been a while hasn’t it?So much happened since the last i wrote in this little corner of internet i can call mine.Its seems impossible to explain everything so i'l cut the tiny-miny details & make it short.So,I'm in USA right now.

It's been exactly a week that I've been here in US and it has been an amazing week for me.The weather here though sometimes gets on my nerves,the sun is mostly shining but the harsh wind takes all the fun & warmth.Being away from home,its the weirdest feeling.Last week i was in Nepal.This time Im typing this blog post in my new bed.An expensive 24 hour flight stands between us.Since the day i left home,Its been like a journey!Meeting new people,going places,shopping,eating more junk foods and more of the orientation stuffs.For someone like who has never been out for a night away from home,moving to a new country was a BIG move.I was merrily waving back at the people back home not knowing when I'd see them the next time.I was a little scared at first imagining all the unfamiliarity but after landing here with my new BIG family of friends,I never had the time to miss home.
Yes,I am enjoying it here but also at times I miss being home.It would have been so much better with my people in it.I was in a playfair yesterday playing games,dancing,having fun & unconsciously i was wishing my bestfriends to be there at that moment.I miss my ladies.I miss my granna.
Below are pictures that will let you guys know what i'v been upto since i came here.There are more to share & upload in coming days.Enjoy!

view from my window

My SQUAD

You Could Be Happy

You could be happy and I won't know

But you weren't happy the day I watched you go

And all the things that I wished I had not said

Are played in loops 'till it's madness in my head

Is it too late to remind you how we were

But not our last days of silence,screaming,blur

Most of what I remember makes me sure

I should have stopped you from walking out the door

You could be happy, I hope you are

You made me happier than I'd been by far

Somehow everything I own smells of you

And for the tiniest moment it's all not true

Do the things that you always wanted to

Without me there to hold you back,don't think, just do

More than anything I want to see you,boy

Take a glorious bite out of the whole world.

FOOD: lazy girl's snack- POTATO CROQUTTES

I know for some of you it may seem inappropriate to see food post in crucial time like this when we still are getting aftershocks everyday & life still in tremor.But I guess its time we try switch out from the “quake mode”& start our lives normally don’t u think?And anyway if your one of those like my grandma who's still not ready to enter home despite how safe the house looks even after that MEGAEARTHQUAKE, this quick make and munch snack might just fill up your hungry tummy!

Today was just like the other days after the earthquake-still aftershocks and everyone too lazy to do anything.Literally it feels like the shake has shaked off the energy out of people,all you want is to sleep or just lie around in a safe place(well thats how i feel). Anyway we aint never too lazy to cook though,especially my mom.She just gets excited when it comes to cooking and whatever recipe you show her,she'l add her own personal touch & make extra tasty!lucky me i know,,but now u may have guessed where all the fat in my body comes from too haha

So getting back to how to make this absolutely easy,quick & deliiiiiicious potato croquttes:

Lets start :

all u need is boiled potatoes-mashed,breadcrumbs and that colourful mixture right there is chopped-onions,green chilles,spring onions & coriander

mix all the chopped items to the mashed potatoes 

add salt,chilli powder and black pepper to taste & mix well.

so,we have 3 steps here before the goodness hits the hot oil:
1.make small balls of the mix
2.coat them with egg wash(here i used 3 eggs)
3.roll them around in breadcrumbs

If you don’t have breadcrumbs,blend some beaten rice or suji and it will work the same as well.

drop the balls in very hot oil & fry until golden brown,if you overfry them,they might crumble to pieces,keep watch!

drain the excess oil & wola they are ready!

We made dipping sauce out of ketchup,little vinegar & chilli paste!

So here you go,easy & quick lazy girl's snack.ENJOY :)

#staystrongnepal #prayfornepal

the major hastag all around

I am writing this post in a post traumatic condition.

Its exactly one week after the GIANT earthquake hit Nepal!And it's the most heart wrenching feeling.The whole week went by in a state of shock,emotionally distressed by the plights of victims,tremors of aftershocks,panicking,terrifying. Last Saturday,I was in my room chilling,lying down recklessly,making plans for our upcoming pokhara trip.Who knew the ground below me had different plans!The seismograph read 7.8 richter scale that afternoon!And this saturday,I'm back home typing this blog post in my bed after spending all these days in the tent.Feels like a nightmare!

With all the tragedy that has stricken our nation,its been a really harsh week for all.You should have seen me the other night...I spent solid couple of hours going through all the photos of destructed heritages I once witnessed.Things wont be the same next time around when I’l be at that place.I'm still kind of in shock at how quickly all the things around me changed since the quake occurred!My grandma was still nervous to return home to sleep the night before yesterday,even the slightest swift movements in the room gives her a scare.

However,it still feels nice to be back home.....safe-alive.

Things are still crazy outside home and everyone's trying to make composure.I really cant think of any inspiring lines to share right now but want to heartly thank each and every single human who is donating,volunteering,supporting, leading,aiding.Also,facebooking and tweeting about the earthquake and CHANNELIZING people,organizations up and backing through the chaos my country is facing!All you people are doing mind-boggling jobs!Keep it up!

And right now,I wouldn't really ask for much else...except for quick recovery & peace restoration in the country & people's mind. 

I know we all are deep heartbroken and shattered.But we hold each other hands and will avail.No matter what,we will overcome;we will grow again and bounce back.Eventually we will be blessed.

So in the mean time lets reach out and help where needed,donate what we can and pray.

Grant eternal peace to those who lost their lives.Embrace the children who died in their innocence.Help those who are hurt and cure those who are sick.

Encourage those who suffer the destruction of their homes and properties and to once again stand up and rebuild their future.

Bless all those who extend their helping hands to those in need of food,shelter and clothing,who share their time,talents and resources with others.

Inspire more people to be men and women for their neighbors,convinced that the more they are for others,the taller they stand before you.

Spare us please from other natural disasters and devastations if this be according to Your will and for our own spiritual good and growth.

                                Amen!                                                         

                                        

                                                                                                                                                                            sending hugs to everyone :)

                                                                                

DIY: flower crown

Nothing fancy,nothing complicated!Lets just say this is a sort of reminiscence of my childhood play.A simple flower crown i used to make with my neighborhood kids when we were small.Still now,everytime i see these flowers in the field,I get pretty nostalgic.

cousin sister

And I’m not sure if u guys know the name of this flower,nevermind neither do i.But its plenty found in the open fields & meadows around Kathmandu.I remember when I was a kid,we would take our dogs for a walk in the fields and bring back home these flowers.We would make tiaras,bangles & all sort of bearings a princess would wear.The kind of feeling that made me think of The Princess & Frog Dog haha..That was a long time back and today when my little cousin brought home these flowers,i was back to being a kid again.

So,im guessing you want to make one of this too,right?Its easy-pisy.see below:

beautiful pattern init?

1.Make a little bunch & take a flower or two
2.Place the flower just below the adjacent flowers on top
3.Wrap the stem around the bunch
4.Bring the stem back to the same place after running the stem above the same flower & continue the same.

 

TADA!

You could also try with more colourful & big flowers,just remember cut the stem long if you are making by this version ok?

Talking of which,almost everyone is rocking the flower crowns this spring & It was seen plenty in this years coachella festival in palm springs,CA.I could write a whole post dedicated to the street style in that festival! hmm..looks like i found topic for my next post haha

These two friends rocked flower crowns w/ dreamy makeup looks — & smudgy eye shadow.Now thats what im talking 'bout!

So whether your going for a music festival or a trip for a day or so,,spend some bucks on the flower crowns or get crafty!Tuck it in your hair,wear your summer dress,feel like a princess & definitely be ready for some long glares ;) Who would have thought a mere childhood fantasy would turn to be a fashion staple!

& did i tell u iv been watching Dexter season1 a lot lately,i dont miss an episode!As said a bloody good man w/ a bloody good plan!

Here's to a bloddy long week lol

                                                                        xx,

                                                                   punam

Mom's Chicken Gravy

Its mother’s day & you’v brought her gifts & sweets,well that’s pretty obvious don’t u think?So how bout you cook dinner for her tonight?(here,im specifically trying to point out the boys).Most of the boys i know including my younger brother for them cooking isn’t their forte.I remember once my brother cooked us noodle & though it was salty,my grandma was so happy,she finished it all.

I was cooking meal this morning & while I was preparing this chicken curry I thought I should write a post about this too.I mean who doesnot love chicken curry & rice(yeah I know vegeterians don’t) but Im sure they would too if they tried some of this.

Every family has their own versions of chicken curry.This is my quick & simple version.I call it Mom’s Chicken Gravy because my mom taught me most of the dishes including this one.And those who have no idea of cooking,it may look quite dense but its really easy-pisy,trust me!

Still don’t?see for urselves :

First heat up some vegetable oil,after it gets hot add methi,corainder & jeera seeds.Add chopped onions & let it turn slighty brown,add bay leaves(tejpatta),ginger-garlic paste & turmeric.

Toss the chicken in the pan & close the lid.(Im using 1/2 kilo chicken chunks).Keep checking in every 2 minutes or so,dont let the meat stick in the pan.

The chicken will release some water in some minutes,then take some cardamom(sukmel),cloves(lwang),cinnamon stick(dalchini) crush it & throw in the pan.Also add salt to taste.Cook for some more minutes until the chicken turns slighty brown.

Add chopped tomatoes,chillies & spring onions.Stir.Then add chilli powder,jeera powder,coriander powder(optional),meat masala,pinch of black pepper & add a little water & let the spices cook.

Add more water or chicken stock & let it come to boil.Turn down the heat & let it come to thick consistency,thats what we call gravy.

Turn off the heat,chop some corainder leaves & garnish on top.Serve hot w/ rice!

This portion serves 4-5 people.Your mom will absolutely love it.And dont worry even if u make it slighty salty or doensot turn out perfect,well its the thought that counts.GOOD LUCK!

Here's to all the beautiful moms out there.Happy Mother's Day!

                                                                                  xx,

                                                                                  Punam