Not much choice

I have been interested in doing some management degree from long time. Soon after my 2nd degree I had thought about this too but put on hold for couple of years. Couple of weeks ago I started to explore the possibilities around Icelandic academic institutions. They all offer the courses such as MBA, MPM however neither of the program offers in English. But, yet international Universities such as the University of Iceland should offer more choices and flexible time table for students. Sadly they do not have range of choices for those who like to study as part-time basis. Next the University of Reykjavik - a private institution, who offer course i.e MBA in English but their tuition fees are ridiculously expensive. It cost 650.000 KR(5150 British pound) per semester and they haven´t mentioned how many semester it involves. here is what they said about the fees.

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Tution fees for MBA Class of 2009 Tuition fees are 650.000 IKR per semester. This covers the cost of all seminars, books, and other teaching materials.
For the international seminars the tuition fees are 3000 Euros each. This covers the cost of teaching, materials, travel and accommodation.
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Not even that the year I came to Iceland I was interested doing Master degree in communication in the University of Iceland. It was not available either. It is sometime disappointing and discouraging not having such choice and flexibility for those who wanted to do something they are interested in. On the other hand perhaps I should blame myself not adopting local language quickly - well in two years. The University of Iceland is a international university and should offer range of courses in various degree and diverse manner. That will enable students stop forced to go to sky rocketing tuition fees university and even aboard. It seems I will have to find some alternatives to fulfill my interest somewhere else or perhaps distance learning - which I don´t really prefer.

Quite & Snow

Haven´t been updating much as you all know the obvious reason - Christmas time. Right in the Christmas Reykjavik been covered by full of snow. City seemed very quite, people celebrating Christmas with their families. Heavy snow fall at the Christmas time added extra joyful too - as people often called white Christmas. Since the Christmas eve the strong wind and freezing cold has also followed. Today, it was -8 degree outside - Very cold "not very nice" !

We also went to park other day with Helgi to play in the snow. Playing in snow is something different and with family makes even more joyful. However, to be honest in -8 cold moving snow off from my car this morning was not enjoyable.

Post not delivering

It might be wrong if I say none of the post are delivering however many of the letters and cards that I posted never been delivered. Earlier in September I had posted cards from Denmark to Nepal, UK and Iceland addresses. I am still very surprised that my post still yet to deliver to Nepal and UK address. I am not in favor to say postal service in Denmark is bad. Normally regular posts should deliver from Europe to Europe within a week and Europe to Asia (Nepal) should reached say about three to four weeks. But it seem to me those posts will never be delivered. Last year (march) I was in London and did post some papers and card to Nepal in regular post, that has´t delivered yet too. I am not sure which side to blame either postal service in destination or the place where I sent from. It is rather frustrating sometime people don´t get the post even for a year. God knows where those posts are held.

My sister in England sent some letters and pack in regular post to Iceland (my home address) on 1st week of November that has´t arrived too. There is no information about the post on my name when asked to post office at my town. Since my post been vanishing I started posting registered mail - cost twice or three times than regular post but at least are delivering.

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It seemed that only regular (ordinary post) are not delivering. During the Christmas I sent all registered - outstanding results. All delivered in time.

Childhood Mates starts blogging

Most of my childhood friends are living and working outside Nepal now. Many of them haven´t been touch for years. Sushil (a Medical Researcher)- who works and live in Thailand - created blog for all of our childhood mates from the town called Ratopul, to share, discuss and be in touch. This will certainly enable all of our oldies guys who are aboard feel that we are in same town with years of memories. I have been thinking of doing something like long ago but remained busy.

Here is the link. http://ratopoolzombies.blogspot.com. I also created mailing list for Ratopul guys please join or send me your email address.

Winter Strated!!!!

Its late in November but Icy cold, strong cold wind, Snow and freezing weather has started bit early than last year. Weather in Iceland is unpredictable and hostile. Asia mountain is the highest mountain you can see from Reykjavik area which is 1000 Meter, 7848 meter less higher than Mt. everest. But you can see that mountain is covered by snow. Perhaps reminder of Christmas.

Well, while I was driving to my work other day temperature meter along the way showed -7 degree. My beers were frozen at my balcony. Pict Attached: Back in my town (Kathmandu), temperature can go maximum 25-29 degree and minimum -1 which is adjustable and nice compare to -7.

My friend Valberg in Australia - writes 30 degree in his area, http://valberg.name. My family Elin and Helgi are in Florida at the moment they also witnessed 25-29 degree temperature down there. I am certain they are enjoying the hot weather but 30 degree is bit too much. Highest temperature in Iceland never go more than 17 degree during June and July. Well last year it went down to -15 degree, hope that won´t happen this year.

My car´s Number plate stolen

First my bike was stolen then now car number plate. Both of them in two month time. Our old car had been broken for a while - as we have another new car and live close by the town we just parked at our parking place and decided not to fix this time. Yesterday I got a phone call from our local police station telling me someone actually has stolen number plate from the back of the car and used for their own car. Although this car had been broken down for quite long time, it had passed all the yearly inspection before broken down. Whoever took the number plate was useful for their own car -perhaps their car did not pass the yearly inspection. Now your parking area is not safe anymore.

I have to go to police station today to make report about this. Hopefully I will get my number plate back. And Thanks to local police they found out very quickly.

Elin, Helgi and family members on holiday -"Florida"

I should have joined with them on holiday in Florida but some reason I could not go. They will be away for complete two weeks in 30-40 degree sunshine. It was about -4 degree cold outside yesterday and day before here in Iceland. Lucky them.

Palli cleaned up his Desk

One may think why I am writing about my friend´s working desk - the question itself is another question to me!!

I wish, I had old picture of my dear colleague-friend palli´s desk. It was not really bad though but looked like professor´s desk(indeed good to have hundreds of books around along with some coffee cups), you can think of old professor or the scientist´t desk (like Einstein). Perhaps am missing that environment or simply do not recognize as a Palli´s desk. Anyway, it has changed enormously. Pict attached.

Visit to My Old School- After 15 years

Memories are important in life - as one says "Life is full of memories". And this memory depends in individuals. There are lots of memories in my mind, writing them all here might take another 4-5 month if I at least try to summarize. I am certainly not going to do that- however, some memories which make you sentimental will certainly be wroth putting them down. One of those events of mine was visiting my school after fifteen years recently. The school I had spent those early beautiful 13 years, the school who taught me from A, B, C to Trigonometry, Newton’s laws of motion, computers, add, subtract, divide, discipline and you name it. I acquired all those knowledge from the same school which is located in my local town. School was opened under remembrance of Martyrs´ during 2007 BS (Nepalese calender,57 years ago) when people demanded for democracy in Nepal. It was established in 2025 BS( Nepalese calender, 39 years ago) and named "Martyrs Memorial Boarding High School".

When I started there were very few boarding schools across Kathmandu Valley, and this was one of them. At the time my school was one of the best family owned -run private school. Our principal we called her "Madam", Gauri Rana Joshi - a dedicated woman, always working towards betterment of school services and provide quality educations. I admire this woman until today. Off course my attachments to this school been so strong as I had spent 8-9 hours a day in those 13 years. I have enormous number of good, bad, sad and happy event with this school. In those glorious years at school I also meet many friends. Some continued their study until they graduate some left early. Those who continued from the beginning until class ten I had an opportunity to spend my time with them and became bosom. I still keep in touch with at least few of them today. These friends I called them "Friends" which cannot be forgotten. Although I spent another seven years in the University in England and had meet many friends but only handful of University’s friends are in touch today. Perhaps we were mixture people from around the globe. But yet this was another and different memory.

Earlier this year(September 2007) I tried to gather all my school time friends during holiday in Nepal. Wishing to spend some time, talking oldies events and share things from last fifteen years. I could not gather as many as I wished because many of them now settled outside Nepal. But few of them I managed and was very delighted to meet despite their busy schedule. We decided to meet at Durbar Square (Kathmandu) restaurant. I was the first person to be in time at the venue followed by Mamata, Rajan, Niru, Lava, Anju. Everyone was delighted to see each other. I had a feeling that now we are matured but interestingly our oldies talks began by Lava. Everyone was waiting for listen 15 years interval stories. It was simply fantastic. As soon Lava finished everyone says - oh my god ! yes it was clearly 15 years ago since we graduate from school. Now, Rajan - works at National Bank of Nepal as a Researcher, Niru - Fashion designer, Lava -Software Architect, Anju- works for some private company, Mamta - involves in music and myself - work as a System Engineer. So, it was great to know about how they are doing in their field. We spent good couple of hours. Soon after this I purposed all of them to visit our school - everyone accepted and scheduled to visit our beloved school on next week

For me, I was very much excited to visit school and talk with school kid and so on. Everyone came in precise time at school. Few things I realized immediately when entering to school. Security has been improved and decoration of reception has changed. It is understandable of this change in 15 years time - assumed they have also adopted with time. In school I was delighted to see two teachers who are still there namely Luitel sir and Sova miss as we called them back in our school time. They recognize us instantally and I can see the happiness in their face that we went to see them. it is normal that most of their students do not return to the school to visit them - that’s obvious. We wanted to walk around to the classes we studied and speak to the current students about our experiences of the school. Rajan and I gave short talk to the eight grade student. Luitel sir now a principal of the school took us around the classes; Lava became sentimental and stopped to see the situation of school and the classes. We realized that school now is in very difficult and poor situation. We been told that school traded too many people since we left. Past shareholder of the school had put this school in huge dept and in poor condition - as we heard. But I took some picture where we studied eight grades. When we were in class Ten - school recorded 1500 students but now they have very little number about 100. This is indeed very sad for the school. School has gone in worse condition. They could not compete with other private schools across capital etc

Anyway, as we pass through the playing ground Lava and I tried few shorts (basketball) as we played in the same place 15 years ago. Lava could not score as he did not before too. Picture attached. Sadly Lava lost the Bike helmet. We will remember this event in years to come - he agreed. We spent quite good time at the school. Our oldies teacher offered some soft drinks and shared experiences individually. I asked to the Teacher "How you feel when your students come to see you like this?" He just smiled and replied - just sweet and fantastic. He has probably taught hundreds of students like us, some may have done well in their career and some may not. But his response to all of them was quite positive and proud of his students. He said jokingly - I wasn’t married at the time you were graduating but now have few kids and no hair, you see. Now it’s your time. It was just great time to gather like this and everyone enjoyed enormously.

After visiting school I felt we should be helping if we can and bring all together from my batch. Created mailing list batch2049@googlegroups.com for all to join and get in touch. Hoping this will enable us to discuss the matter. Please join in this group if you can. Nevertheless some schools that were in prime time 15 years ago do not exists anymore but this school still exists and serving for the community´s children. Most importantly those students whoever will spend time (well several years in this school) will certainly remember and perhaps write memories like me today.

Thanks to all my beloved friends from school.

First Time to Dentist

I never went to the Dentist in last 29 years. Never had any problem with my teeth. But earlier this year I had an opportunity to go to Dentist for comparatively with no cost. I grabbed that opportunity not because I had problems in my teeth but just to clean up. When I told dentist that I never been to check up before - they were very surprised. One of the senior Prof. in fact was very interested to do some test of my teeth. He took some sample for research - as he said. Anyway I went all those initial process such as taking picture of my teeth and putting some stuff (don’t remember that medicine name now).

As this was going to be done from final year dental student - they divide their job in different phase. Initial process was just the brief inspection and taking pictures etc. I was re-registered for another (final) process of teeth cleaning week later. Next week I went Læknigarður to clean up my teeth for first time and further inspection. Dentist showed my last week report and that surprised them enormously. They only found two holes in my teeth - isn’t it good? And said it’s very minor! They keep asking about my diet back in Nepal, England and Iceland. My replied to them was obvious because nothing has been changed in my diet except the different water -off course. They actually fixed my both hole and cleaned up my untouched teeth from last 29 years. It was bit uncomfortable that day but was fine by the end of the week. Most importantly I did not have to pay as much as when you go to the regular check-up, pretty nice!!

Now it looks like I am having regular pain in my teeth and sometimes I feel really uncomfortable when I am eating hard stuff. Don’t know this is because I went to dentist or perhaps my teeth are getting worse. If I would not have gone to the dentist - my tooth have less problem and less pain? This question perhaps has no logic but physiological thought might be true. Or shall I blame to Icelandic water, chocolates and food? Nevertheless, the dentist will perhaps discover two holes in next 29 years, that will even surprised many - I will be more than happy to have four holes in my tooth in the age of 59.

Game called Bandý

I joined Reknistofunn Háskola íslands in late october 2005. Guys had just stared playing so called new game "Bandý". After a week Valberg from software department asked me if I would be interested in playing this game. Because I put much interest on outdoor and indoor games, my replied to him was “YES” instantly. I did not know this game at all. Valberg briefed that they also started recently and explained bits and pieces about the rules. So I imagined this would be pretty much playing Hockey. I agreed with valberg that I will turn up next week session to give a try. Week later we all went to the Gym hall to kick off. I picked up one the "bat" thinking just how I’m going to play this. Valberg seemed team captain and he divide the team in two. Soon I found out that hitting the ball, passing to your friend and make a score (that was the main theme of the game) was the idea of this game in allocated time. I used some technique of my cricket skill - did help a bit of. However did not do well in the game anyway. All guys were telling me - oh! You did well, you are good etc. But deep in my heart I knew I did not play bandý at all, simply I was running all around. They were just making such statement to encourage me playing and continuing to play this game in regular basis.

I stared to exploring about the game. In fact we were playing Floorball. This game comes from Northern Europe and popular in those nations. However, other nations have also started to play. Details on floor ball can be found on this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floorball

Since first attempt, I started acquiring some technique from others and making score too. I did not score as much valberg and siggi did but managed to do couple of them. Although I am reasonably okay player however I am more player than scorer. Now this game has fascinated me and do play in regular basis. I also bought professional stick which helps me for accurate pass and score.

Here is the picture I was trying to score against valberg and Pálli. It is always good trying something new and enjoys playing it. Thanks for Valberg and friends putting on this game. Back in Nepal we do not play such game but it might be interesting to introduce them.

Learning Language!

My native language is "Nepalese" but I learned English from early childhood. It was bit of difficult in the beginning learning English. Nepalese was widely spoken in every corners of my hometown; speaking fluent English was bit of strange and difficult anyway. Although you understood what other people speaking in English but open communication was a real difficult. Presume it was just due to lack of practice. So by the time when I finished my school - I managed to write/speak satisfactory English.

I joined college afterwards where all the course materials were in English and lectures were too so it was kind of mandatory to improve on language side too. After finishing my college I went to University in England. Off course all the course and the teaching medium was in English. In order to join university it was compulsory that you take either IELTS or Cambridge Advance English Course. So I did the second one which enabled me to go to university for degree program. I picked up reasonably okay with all the lectures and all those English slang etc and so on. Because of this English was not that difficult to understand and to speak.

Another challenge of learning language is "Icelandic". I started working in Iceland in late October 2005 and determined to learn Icelandic too. Enrolled couple of classes did pick up bits and pieces. It has been almost 2 and half years in Iceland now I am still learning "the Icelandic". Confidence is something I need to build up on this language. Although my work environment, family environment are native Icelandic and does speak Icelandic all the time, it has been very difficult for me to adopt completely. However, in those couple of years I build up my understanding capacity when people talk. In fact I given up learning Icelandic many times but my inner feeling always push me to learn again - well one day!.

But I meet many people like me who been in Iceland for years and having difficulties adopting language skills. Perhaps they are not putting effort-don’t know. Maybe it is difficult language to learn. Hey I just been here approximately three years I can still confidently say - bless núna.

Lazy in Writing !!

I thought I would be more active in writing blog but been very lazy to do so. You can see some title I initially started and incomplete that proves 100% being so lazy. However lazy might not be the right word to address for this context because on the other hand I was heavily busy with my daily routine i.e my job. So work made me too occupied which leave no time to do something else. And perhaps it made me so "Lazy in Writing".

I will try my best to now onward at least fill some lines in my blog. Many things had happened but its now all too old. Perhaps dumping too old stuff might not be the good idea but anyway I will now start.

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US Visit

My First Blog