Time to say goodbye to Facebook :)

I am done with Facebook. Why? Coz I have lost myself. I find it easier telling the world what I am doing, where I am going, who I am with or what I am thinking than living in the here and now, next to people who really matter. At first, I found it convenient. By blasting it online, I didn't have to speak or explain one to one. I am able to reach the masses and help them, so to speak. I felt the love and adoration. I fed on it. It inspired me to continue giving and baring my soul..

There was a time when I was mugged and I posted the news as well as the pictures online. The only person I wanted to hear from was also the only one who didn't bother to call me immediately after, or ask how I am doing once I got back home. Why? Thanks to all the updates I posted and replies to the comments by family and friends, everyone knew that I wasn't going to die tomorrow. Neither does anyone have to come all the way to visit me either, to see how badly my knees looked like, for the pictures were there at their convenience. That is how weird Facebook can affect my chances at being in meaningful relationships. Do you understand what I mean now?

Life before FB was different. Growing up, I had long meaningful chats with my family instead of them reading my updates. I didn't have to share pictures of my adventures alone online, as the ones I love were there to experience it with me. When I needed help, I go straight to the source and I got it. Friends meet, come and see me face to face to find out how I am doing. They sacrificed their time and money to be with me. When I wanted love, I gave my all to one and he ended up making me his wife.

As shallow as it may sound, I started FB as a silent cry for help. I was lonely and I wanted love from anyone and everyone. There were plenty of desirable men out there but not many available ones. So I made Facebook my bestfriend and my lover. I bared my rawness and vulnerabilities to him and in return, he shared the wonders of the universe with me. It became an addiction. A dangerous one. I am a fierce, passionate lover and it was detrimental to my well being for I am naive and I trust easily, therefore I love to share the truth. We were however not alone. The whole world was watching us, judging us and it stopped being genuine anymore. People started using each other online. What's in it for me? was the motto of the day. It became a chore to bare one's thoughts. I became sensitive when someone were to unfriend me without knowing the reason behind it and I felt bad having to unfriend some, whom I knew were stalking me or were of a different wavelength. I started struggling with my conscience. I wanted my privacy back. That made me think.

I used to enjoy birthdays especially celebrating it for others. I am one of those who will always remember your birth dates and how special you are. FB made it impersonal. Convenient yes but meaningful, no. Everyday I'll get a reminder on my wall..Aaahh..today is so and so's birthday. It's time to wish them. You do it and that's it. Social responsibility done! and to the ones who receives it...Oooh..How wonderful! I am blessed. I had more than a 1000 wishes today. I am doing ok then. I am loved..so they think. You think? Maybe that is why, I have never bothered to publish my birthdate for all to see neither am I one that wishes people online for the sake of wishing.

How many of you now, that have good friends who are like family, who would go all the way out to throw you a surprise birthday party or holiday? Not the types where they party on the expense of your money, but the ones who'd spend theirs instead, to show you how much you really mean to them? I have and these are far and few in between. Friends that I have met long before I started FB and the same ones who are not even bothered to be connected through such social sites. Unfortunately, since then, I have lost a number of these good friends in the pursuit of technology.

At first, I was worried about leaving it all behind. What will happen to all my hard work? The bonds that I have created, the reputation that I have made, the information shared that will be lost to me forever? Really? Who am I trying to kid? I am still where I was 3 years ago when I first started Facebook. Alone and empty. It was all an illusion and it is about time I wake up :)




 

Namaste :)

Hola! I am back. I had an amazing experience in Nepal recently. Best place to rewire my brains, rejuvenate my heart and tune up my muscles. 2 whole weeks spent over there trekking the Annapurna Base Camp route with a couple of friends. The fourth member of the group unfortunately couldn't make it at the very last minute.

Plenty of photographs to share, too many stories to mention and some are meant to be forever private. What happens in Nepal, stays in Nepal! Besides, it will be better for you to come over here and experience it for yourselves. No regrets whatsoever! I'll definitely want to come back and trek some other routes if I do get a chance. Not only did I love the food ( ate non stop ) and lifestyle ( haven't felt so relax in a very long time ), I gain plenty of new found friends and insights that will forever enrich my soul. Oh by the way, the live band at Club Amsterdam in Pokhara was super duper awesome!

Time stood still while I was in the land of the Sherpas and Gurkhas. This is also the land where Siddharta Ghautama was born. The view along the way was mesmerizing. I huffed and puffed and yet everytime I reach a pit stop for the night I felt like as if I can go on forever. I did not want to miss a thing. Too many things to see, too little time to cover it all. Not only are the Nepalese wonderful hosts ( I had a wonderful guide named Deep and his two nephews, Kebin and Amar as our porters ) but even the tourists are just as nice.

Everyone is in such a relaxed and happy mood that it makes me feel so welcome and wanting to be just as friendly as well. Where else in the world can you see people from all walks of life, whatever your nationality, greeting each other throughout the trek with a single common word ~ NAMASTE. Hearing that when my energy's depleting and when it is accompanied by a smile on their face, puts a spring into my step and gets my feet moving. It is like a little cheer that boosts you forward.

Not a single worry to cloud my mind. Other than hoping to avoid AMS ( altitude mountain sickness ) and the fact that I missed my baby, I went fully prepared, mentally and physically to embrace the experience ahead with a childlike wonderment and enthusiasm that only a silly girl like me is capable of. My fellow trekkers Ravi & Mark were awesome companions. I came home fulfilled, recharged and ready to rumble!

Here are some of the pictures that I took along the way. It was an adventure of a lifetime and I am glad that I got to enjoy every moment of it to the max. Needless to say, we made it to base camp safely and back :)

                                             A butterfly I met along the journey

                                                  You see a horse. I see a unicorn

                  I made sure I asked this fellow permission before I used its master's toilet

They won't stop for you. Get out of the way or you'll get hit. FYI ~ Mark calls me a plodder after these animals, for the way I trek. He means it in the sweetest way of course..

                                                 Wild flowers to keep me going

                        I love dogs. I have dozens of photos of them throughout my trek

                  Ahh! Don't forget to stop and smell the roses. I did and will always do

                   The first morning that I woke up on my trek, I was greeted by this scene.

I was so excited when I saw my first puppy. It was the one and only along the trek.

Plenty of waterfalls to keep me invigorated

The colour purple. Reminds me of my Barney bolster that my son had promise to take care of, on my behalf. He sleeps with it whenever I am away.

Plenty of bunga tahi ayam ( bunga pagar ) to keep me wondering why can't they give it a better name..Marigold sounds much classier

                                      The chicken and cocks are all so huge over here

Bumped into these mountain goats when I was on my way down to soak in the hot springs at Jhinu. I grabbed a cute little kid and gave it a kiss! Who cares, we were both just as smelly..

A helicopter rescue during the day at Deurali. That same night, I heard my neighbour vomiting. It was scary. Plenty of rescues going on from that point onwards.

                              My alone time.. Hot Chocolate to welcome me to base camp, yeay!

                                             Jasmin was here..Hell yeah! I did it :)