Good reads
Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present
Nick Trenton
Self Help | Nonfiction | Psychology
Stop Overthinking is a book that understands what you’ve been through, the exhausting situation you’ve put yourself into, and how you lose your mind in the trap of anxiety and stress. Acclaimed author Nick Trenton will walk you through the obstacles with detailed and proven techniques to help you rewire your brain, control your thoughts, and change your mental habits. What’s more, the book will provide scientific approaches to completely change the way you think and feel about yourself by ending vicious thought patterns.
Too Late
Colleen Hoover
Romance | New Adult | Dark | Thriller
This is a psychological suspense novel of obsession and dangerous love. Sloan will go through hell and back for those she loves. And she does just that, every single day. Caught up with the alluring Asa Jackson, a notorious drug trafficker, Sloan has finally found a lifeline to cling to, even if it means compromising her morals. But as Sloan becomes emotionally and economically reliant on him, he in turn develops a disturbing obsession with her—one that becomes increasingly dangerous with each passing day.
War of Lanka (Book 4: Ram Chandra Series)
Amish Tripathi
Mythology | Fantasy | Historical Fiction
The first three books of the second-fastest-selling book series in Indian publishing history—the Ram Chandra Series—explore the individual journeys of Ram, Sita, and Raavan. In the epic fourth book of the series, their narrative strands crash into one another and explode in a slaughterous war. Will Ram defeat the ruthless and fiendish Raavan, constrained as he is by the laws of Dharma? Will Lanka burn to a cinder or fight back like a cornered tiger? And will the terrible costs of war be worth the victory?
We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies
Tsering Yangzom Lama
Historical Fiction | Asian Literature
In the wake of China’s invasion of Tibet throughout the 1950s, Lhamo and her younger sister, Tenkyi, arrive at a refugee camp in Nepal. They survived the dangerous journey across the Himalayas, but their parents didn’t. As Lhamo tries to rebuild her life, hope arrives in the form of a young man named Samphel and his uncle. Breathtaking in its scope and powerful in its intimacy, the book is a gorgeously written meditation on colonization, displacement, and the lengths we will go to remain connected to our families and ancestral lands.
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What do you do when you are stressed?
In today’s competitive world, all of us are pushing ourselves beyond our limits, be it at work or in our personal lives. It can be stressful. And we often look for ways to put our minds at ease. Anushka Nepal from ApEx talked to three artists to find out about what they do when they are stressed.
Sushant Ghimire, Singer
There are usually two types of stress that I usually go through. One is just being stressed out after a hectic day or some personal issue. In that case, I just sleep. I like to give myself some rest, take a long nap, and then I feel better. Another one is when I get burnt out from work and need a long break. When that happens, I visit my hometown in Sunsari. I don’t do anything else but spend time with my family. I find that quite rejuvenating.
Bipin Maharjan, Tattoo artist
Being around nature helps me feel better. I try taking a day or two off from work and plan bike rides or hiking—anything that will help me experience nature. The distance depends on my mood though. I might plan a short or a long trip depending on what I want to do that day. Since I might only have a day for myself, I don’t usually go trekking. I choose destinations for which I can head out in the morning and be back by the evening. Besides that, I love to paint.
Samaira Shrestha, Model and theater artist
I like to start my day with some positive affirmations. Every morning, I read some statements out loud. It helps me feel good about myself. But when I’m extremely stressed, just affirmations aren’t enough. So I go to the gym. Working out is one of my coping mechanisms. I try to surround myself with people who create a positive and jolly environment around me. I spend time with my family and that helps too. They’re quite a funny bunch and make me laugh more than anyone else I know. Besides that, I meditate. That helps me put my mind at ease.
Santosh Kumar Yadav: This man is promoting project-based learning at schools
Santosh Kumar Yadav is a civil engineer by profession. But beyond that, he organizes exhibitions for the school students across Nepal. His aim is to give students the much-needed exposure in the fields of arts and science through project-based learning, something he lacked during his school days. Yadav, 25, was born in Siraha district and spent most of his childhood there. After completing his high school, he wanted to study engineering and applied at the Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, in Lalitpur. Yadav was an exceptional student, so he managed to secure a spot in the college acceptance roster. It was during his college days that Yadav realized how little he knew about the subjects he was studying outside of the textbooks. In 2015, the students were asked to take part in a national exhibition, which caught Yadav by surprise. “I had no experience of taking part in extracurricular activities prior to the exhibition. I didn’t even know what the word ‘exhibition’ meant,” says Yadav. Not knowing how exhibitions work, preparing a project with his team was challenging for young Yadav. For him, everything was new and intimidating. He had to learn to conquer his fear of public speaking, conduct extensive research on the project the team was working on, and figure out a way to apply it in practice. “I thought to myself if I had a chance to participate in exhibitions during my school days, I would have been well prepared,” says Yadav. His fear and anxiety was only intensified when he learned that most of his team members knew what they needed to do. Yadav had gone to a school that didn’t have funds and resources to organize science exhibitions and competitions to encourage the students. He says participating in the national exhibition gave him the idea of organizing similar programs at the school level. He started from his own school in the town of Lahan, Siraha. Lahan Science and Arts Fair 2072 four categories: science, social, environment, and art. It was a success. More than 1,000 students visited the exhibition which saw participation from over 20 schools. “The preparation was hard and took nearly three months. It was a huge success which gave us the encouragement to organize a similar exhibition in other schools,” says Yadav. Two years later, Lahan Science and Arts Fair 2074 was held, which saw nearly 7,000 attendees. Another fair was held in Golbazar Municipality of Siraha, which also saw the opening of a public library called ‘Aarambha’. “The purpose for all this was to give students that confidence and leg-up that I lacked when I was going to school,” says Yadav. Within the past seven years, Yadav says he has seen a lot of changes, in students as well as in schools. Following his initiative, many schools have started organizing intra-school exhibitions where students are exposed to project-based learning. Yadav says he feels most satisfied and happy when the students he met during exhibitions contact him to show their appreciation. “Sometimes students call me to let me know that they won the intra-school exhibition because of my feedback. That’s when I feel like I have indeed accomplished something,” says Yadav. He adds the attitude and confidence level of many students have also changed a lot, all because of the exhibitions. “Since the students have to explain their projects, they have gotten better at public speaking. They are no longer shy around strangers,” says Yadav. “Many students are now well aware of how to start a research project, work with a team, come up with new and innovative ideas, as well as learn how to present their ideas in a simple way to the audience.” Yadav believes that these were the skills he needed when he had to take part in the national exhibition. “I had no confidence at that time, I didn’t know how to do my research and give my idea a physical form, and most of all, I had a fear of speaking in public,” he says. Although Yadav could not get the needed exposure, he says that he is happy to see the school students of today getting prepared for the future. “They are getting to experience project-based learning,” he adds. Currently, Yadav works as the head of the Civics Department for Shree Namuna Secondary School in Udayapur district. He plans to organize exhibitions in every part of Nepal. “I have organized exhibitions in Madhesh and Koshi provinces, and Kathmandu. The plan is to take this program in all parts of Nepal,” he says. At the school where Yadav works, he tries to conduct as many extracurricular activities as he can to expose the students to new things, and to nurture their curiosities. “Every student is excited about the exhibitions. I feel satisfied when I see their enthusiasm,” says Yadav, “I know the students from other schools feel the same way. They just need to be given a chance to explore and experiment new ideas and concepts.”
My greatest adventure
The emotions that overwhelmed me were beyond words. My senses were fully alive, but my mind could scarcely believe what I was witnessing. The panoramic view before me, along with the high-elevation thin air, was completely breathtaking! And though I was so near a state of utter exhaustion, I felt euphoric! Before my gaze lay the Khumbu Glacier, and as I looked upward, I beheld the treacherous Khumbu Icefall, with the majestic summit of Mount Everest looming above it all. It almost seemed surreal that here I stood, taking in the fact that four friends from Ohio had achieved our goal, completed our quest, to make the long, arduous trek through the Himalaya mountains to reach Mt. Everest Base Camp! And what a journey it had been! This journey began over 60 years ago when I was just a small boy, captivated by the conquest of Mt. Everest by the renowned Nepali Sherpa, Tenzing Norgay, and mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary. Their incredible story, along with those of numerous explorers and adventurers, ignited my imagination. Fueled by a sense of adventure, I embarked on a diverse range of experiences, from scuba diving to skydiving, rock climbing to extreme kayaking, backpacking the Grand Canyon and the Appalachian Trail, scaling the highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains, trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and conquering Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Each of these were truly memorable experiences. However, among all the remarkable places I have traveled, my trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal stands out as the most adventurous, culturally enlightening, and visually stunning expedition of my life. The overwhelming sense of awe and achievement upon completing the trek, with the towering peak of the world's highest mountain in sight, is an experience I will forever cherish. Our journey to Nepal began from Cleveland, Ohio, when my friends Dave Green, Bill Edie, Ben Braun, and I embarked on a series of long flights and layovers. The subsequent 36 hours tested our endurance, as we traveled first to New York City, then to Doha, Qatar, before finally reaching our ultimate destination—the capital of Nepal, the sprawling city of Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, we met our ride and were whisked away to our hotel located in the vibrant Thamel district of Kathmandu. It was in this bustling city that we would spend the next two days preparing ourselves for the trek to Mount Everest. Walking through the streets of Thamel and exploring its numerous shops and tourist attractions proved to be a delightful and enlightening experience. The vibrant streets pulsated with life as vendors displayed an array of colorful fruits and vegetables. Skillfully crafted curios adorned the shops, and everywhere we looked, there were items available for purchase for hiking, trekking, and mountain climbing. It was amidst this vibrant atmosphere that we bought some truly unique gifts and souvenirs for our friends and family back home. One of my purchases was a small, soft, and fuzzy Freddie the Yeti, who would accompany us on our trek, riding snugly in my backpack as our official mascot. During our full day in Kathmandu before embarking on the trek, we were incredibly fortunate to have Bishnu Bhattarai as our guide to show us some of the many highlights of the city. Bishnu was quite friendly and engaging and extremely knowledgeable about the many UNESCO World Heritage sites he guided us to, including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bouddhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. Our tour concluded with a visit to Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple due to the playful presence of numerous monkeys. It was so fascinating to learn about the ancient history, the heritage, the traditions, and religions of the people of Nepal. Bishnu and I struck up a great friendship that has continued to this day through email. The first day of our trek with a lot of excitement and a hint of apprehension. Rising at 1:00 am, we eagerly piled into a compact white van, ready for the adventure ahead. The winding journey through the foothills of the Himalayas awaited us as we made our way to the small airstrip at Manthali in Ramechhap. We were about to embark on a flight to ‘one of the most dangerous airports in the world’, high on a mountainside at the village of Lukla. I am not certain whether my adrenaline rush was due to this supposedly scary flight or because of the thought that our quest to reach the foothills of Everest had finally begun. Our guide, Pasang Dawa Sherpa from Ace the Himalaya, greeted us at the hotel that morning and would accompany us throughout the entirety of our trek. Pasang was absolutely amazing. He not only led us with unwavering dedication, but his positivity and encouragement were ever-present. A friendly and humble man, he effortlessly assumed responsibility for every aspect of our journey. In each village we visited along the way, Pasang commanded respect and admiration from all who knew him. Pasang had a great sense of humor and unlimited knowledge of the mountains, the culture, and the history of the Khumbu region we were hiking through. We actually had a short and smooth flight, and a safe landing in Lukla. Upon arrival, we met our Sherpa porters, Sunny and Lhakpa, who were like Superman carrying our extra duffels up the mountains. While our communication was limited as they didn’t speak English, they were kind, friendly and helpful to us. As we strolled along the narrow village streets of Lukla, we left behind the modest shops and dwellings, gradually making our way toward the majestic peaks adorned with glaciers and snow, already looming tall in the near distance. Upon reaching the small village of Phakding, we found shelter for the night in a tea house, which was the designated accommodation for each leg of our trek. These tea houses consisted of modest plywood-walled bedrooms designed for two occupants, as well as a common dining area. The walls were thin, and the nights were bitingly cold, but after a long tiring day,the wooden beds were somewhat comfortable. As the nights grew bitterly cold, the dining room provided some respite with a small round wood stove fueled by dried yak dung, emitting a comforting warmth. In the bedrooms, the only defense against the sub-freezing temperatures came in the form of mummy-style sleeping bags rated for -20 degrees Celsius, layered with blankets for added insulation. The middle of the night trips to the communal hole-in-the-floor toilet became a true test of endurance. The next day, we made a steep climb to Namche Bazaar, renowned as the cultural hub of the Everest region. We have entered the Sagarmatha National Park, home to an impressive collection of the world's tallest peaks, including the majestic Mt Everest. It is also home to animals such as the snow leopard, red panda, and, according to legends, even the elusive Yeti. Alas, the only encounter we had with a Yeti throughout our adventure was with our adorable fuzzy mascot, Freddie the Yeti. On the first few days of our trek we crossed a number of high foot bridges including the Hillary suspension bridge below Namche at over 400 feet above the Dudh Koshi River. A fear of heights is not helpful on this trek. But these bridges are a good way to face your fear! If you come across a yak train, it is a good idea to let them cross before you do! Religion plays a large part in the lives of the Nepali people and here in the mountains, the bridges were lined with colorful prayer flags. Along the trail, we came across numerous prayer wheels and large boulders inscribed with religious writings and symbols. A couple days during our trek were set aside as acclimatization days in which we would hike high up on a mountainside and then descend back to the village we were staying in. These days helped our bodies get a little more accustomed to the extreme elevations we were hiking in. On these extra days, following our acclimatization hikes, we were able to explore the villages, mingling with the Sherpa people, the yaks, and fellow hikers. We could also immerse ourselves in the scenic vistas as well as take in interesting sights such as the large statue of the most famous Sherpa of all, Tenzig Norgay, perched above Namche with Mt. Everest looming in the background. It was a wonderful tribute to an incredible man! The higher we climbed each day, the scenery became even more awe inspiring as we trekked towards Mt. Everest with the peak constantly appearing before us like a beacon drawing us closer with each step. As we hiked through the next week, we passed through the Sherpa villages of Tengboche, then on to Dingboche, and Lobuche, before finally reaching the tiny village of Gorakshep. From here, we would make our final leg of the journey walking the rough, rocky terrain of the Khumbu Glacier to Everest Base Camp. Along the way we would visit such beautiful and reverent places as the renowned Tengboche Monastery and Thukla Pass, site of memorials dedicated to the Sherpas and climbers who have lost their lives in the Himalaya Mountains. Those were highly emotional and memorable experiences. Returning from Everest Base Camp to Gorakshep, we found ourselves waking up in the early hours of the morning, ready to embark on a challenging climb through the frigid darkness and thin air of Kala Patthar Mountain to watch the sunrise casting its golden glow over the towering peaks of the world, including Lhotse, Changtse, Nuptse, and the mighty Mt. Everest. The cold-numbing, heart pounding and breathtaking climb was so worth the gold glow that greeted us with its reflection off of the snow and the ice of the high Himalayas. It was a sight captured by my camera and imprinted into my memory. Back at Gorakshep, we embarked on a helicopter ride, soaring through the high mountain passes and flying over lakes adorned with mesmerizing turquoise hues back to Lukla and then onward to Kathmandu. The helicopter flight itself stood out as one of the true highlights of our entire expedition, providing an exhilarating bird's-eye view of the landscapes we had trekked over the past 10 days. After a day of rest and a little more time to explore the city, we were transported back to Tribhuvan International Airport where we departed Kathmandu for our homes in Ohio. Our trip to Nepal with its unmatched scenery, fascinating history, and amazing people was the greatest adventure of my life. I am so looking forward to my next trip to Nepal to reunite with my friend, Bishnu, and further explore even more of Nepal’s many wonders!
