My favorite Oscar Wilde said ‘memory is the
diary that we all carry about with us’. Another wise man said ‘God gave us
memory so that we might have roses in December.’
It’s already June in my life and spring flowers
should keep blooming in my head till December but given my punctured memory I
don’t think I can remember the color of the rose I picked this morning. I often
meet familiar people on the street, shake hands, pretend to know them and
wonder how I knew them after they are gone. They talk about a fond family
incident I am clueless about.
As if I knew this was coming I never really
trusted my memory, perhaps I never had a good one I could trust. I scribbled
everything all around and one day in June 2006, in Ms. Loh’s class, I began
this blog PaSsu Diary. It was just another classwork. I never thought it would
go on with me for ten years and become my memory keeper.
Talking about so many years I am wondering how
the hell a decade passed with nothing so significant to call as my achievement.
Did I sleepwalk across years? I’m still struggling with the first car loan I
ever took and every month it’s the same old tale of endless compromises.
But then I look at my blog archive and there are
over 620 fragments of stories telling me that I have lived in little moments
for little things. There are over a million hits telling me that the little
things mattered. O’ I shall have roses in December after all.
I think I owe my blog something for its 10th
anniversary and this is where the idea of publishing my blog into a book comes.
But I swear I am having hard time picking the best 100 articles for the book.
If you have been reading my blog I am sure you would have liked some articles.
Please let me know your favourite PaSsu Diary article(s) and help me narrow down
my choices. I hope it has at least 100 articles worth publishing into a book.
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| Draft Book Cover |
Wow, Happy 10th Blog Anniversary dear Passu! You too have finally reached there! And I still remembered how I found your blog until met you in person. I bet you experienced more than that by having this blog for the past ten years :)
ReplyDeleteKeep going and all the best for your book! I think everyone is turning to write a book nowadays than blogging anymore :D Take care and have a wonderful day! :)
Thank you Rima. I am trying to get this published so that I can blog more often, with greater purpose. it's so hard to blog with this thought weighing heavy on me.
DeleteAny suggestions on my articles?
Congratulations. Finally. Blog to Book - been suggesting and pushing you for a while and now you're taking it seriously. Great.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the one about your step-father and how the entire community taught you to hate him. Such a powerful one - that one. I will choose some more and send to you soon.
Thank you Nawang, it's all because of your constant push. Ok, lets include that article about my step-father and you know what, two of us will be making the final call.
DeleteSomewhere you wrote about your brother. I found it touching. and perhaps your articles about our Kings would make a good read too. all the best....
ReplyDeleteYou read my mind. Thank you so much.
DeleteBy the way, what happened to your blogging?
His blog is in hibernation stage....hehe. sorry Kuenzang:)
DeleteDear Passu and Dawa, I am in P/ling.. and to be Honest, I am in the middle of all the shit. One year on, I am still busy cleaning la......I breaks my heart so see my Blog idle for so many months. But then,I have one consolation...my office needs all the time I have...Hopefully, I will come back soon...with all the stories from P/ling, -my encounter with Royal Audit, My Encounter with ACC, My encounter with Indian Business people, My encouner with Bhutanes Business people, My encounter with my own officials.....and the list will go on ,,.....
Deletetill then u guys have a nice time .....
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DeleteKuenzang,i understand your busy schedule. Although your Blog remained idle for quite a long, there was never a day i didn't check it to see if you have posted something. But no worries all these time Passu wrote enough posts on his Blog to entertain me :) Complete all your stuffs and come back soon....Panda is waiting ...LOL
DeleteI am so happy to hear this news from you. Finally, you are really walking the talk, making your blog stories into a blog. What a milestone going to be achieved! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteYes thank you Riku, but won't you help me narrow down my choices?
DeleteI would love to help you and be a small part of your historic achievement. But all of your blog stories are equally good, very very good, and each post inspired me lots. If I were you, I would publish over hundred stories in the book.
DeleteCongratulations to another milestone. You have come a long way and shared so much with the world. Here I am from so far away - Malaysia.
ReplyDeleteI always love to read the blogs from Bhutan. You guys write beautiful English and express so well. Happy Blogging!
You have been one of the most regular readers who constantly motivated me with your comments. Thank you for your kind words.
DeleteAny particular article you like from my blog?
There is so much I love to hear and see about your beautiful & unspoilt country. Are you aware that Bhutan has the world's most expensive visa fees for all foreign visitors? We have to pay like US$250 fee per day! That scared me off and I had to sadly remove it from my bucket lists. I am not kidding and you can read this link here >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Bhutan
DeleteI traveled often to China and Japan because I am an overseas born Chinese who believes my past lives were in Japan. I love historical sites which China has the most which are all very well preserved. So if you could share all the colourful photos of the old temples and ancient buildings in Bhutan besides the type of local food, fruits, costumes, festivals and even scenery, I am sure the whole world would come to read them, just like me. Thank you in advance my friend.
I have read many interesting posts of yours and always remembered these 3 - Traditional Bhutanese Toilet Habits, My Stepfather and Surprise Gift from my Wife.
DeleteHi Passu Sir,Though i didn't get time to view all the post of last one decade but from few that i hav gone through randomly i liked ..'My Daughter turns three.' TASHI DELEK!
ReplyDeleteThank you @Pema Tenzin. You suggestion is noted.
DeleteSo finally the big decision is taking shape!!! Good luck 👍👍👍👍
ReplyDeleteYes Chador, and I need more than luck, give me your suggestions (or you never read my blog)
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DeleteI wudnt be commenting if I have not been reading ur posts!😝😝😝😝
DeleteMy voice goes to: jigme's assembly speech ( that says a lot about ur nature that makes us follow u with reverence); letter to the Singaporean minister ( that did ring loud n clear in the wide world) and all the historical posts.
I can go on with the list 😝😝😝😝😝
Hi Passu sir I am regular visitor to ur blog ... All stories are worth memories but if I am to choose I will go for .. Step dad " adopted sister" letter to thrompon " thank you la with regards
ReplyDeleteYour recommendation of these three articles suggest that you have really read my blog regularly. I am so happy. Thank you.
DeleteFinally it's taking shape. I envision your book as a collection of short stories (blog posts). So happy to hear this Passu. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteThe tattoo story of your's is still fresh in my mind as the ink. So I'd definitely recommend that and the story of your step father would be another vote from me. I think after you choose a certain number of posts, you should do a poll. :P
Congratulations passa sir. If our generation has missed the history of Terton Sherab Mebar in schools, we should find it in your book. I suggest that post to be included la.
ReplyDeleteI would like these few post to be included:
ReplyDelete1) There Are 100 Bars and No Bookstore in Bajothang.
2) Ninzi Becomes Four
3) Being the Change, Beyond Complaining
I suggest them because, Firstly I appreciate your your love for the books. Then some memories about you daughter too because apparently your daughter is the luckiest girl in this world to have a sparky dad like you.
And you always try to find the way out of the mess instead of complaining so it reflects your personality.
I hope to see your diary as a book in the bookstores soon!
@Thinley Jamtsho, your suggestion nailed my list. I was almost done but somehow I have left out two of the three you mentioned. And your justification made my heart swell with joy. I am so happy you are blogging, and I see you grow through that. I wish you luck. Take the light forward.
ReplyDeleteDear Passu,
ReplyDeleteVery nice that you are compiling your Blog articles into a book. One suggestion from my side - please do not alter them in any way. Publish them as they appear in the Blog - don't make corrections to spelling mistakes or grammatical errors, or factual inaccuracies. In other words, remember that you are publishing your articles - NOT re-writing them.
Best of Luck ... and I love that cover!
Thank you aue. But without editing my book will only 'sell my talk' ha ha ha
DeleteHi Passu Sir, first of all I am so glad to hear that u have finally decided to publish your blog articles into a book. That would really immortalize your creative writings. As many have pointed out, all your articles are worth publishing because I have loved every post you publish. Although it won't b fair for me to choose a few from the lot of equally interesting articles, I would go for:
ReplyDelete1. iWitnessed- Wangdue Dzong Fire Images
2. The Fifth of February is Now More Than Just a Date
3. Surprise Gift from my Wife
4. From the Hospital Bed
5. 108 Trees in a Lifetime for Citizenship
6. Being Responsible and Smart on Social Media
And I can go on and on. Among all the qually interesting and worth-publishing articles, these r some of my most favourite posts on your blog. I wish u the best of luck la. I think I should also do the same after a couple of years. LOL
Amrith, thank you so much. This is what I really wanted my readers and friends to do. Your respond touched me deeply, it goes on to show you really read.
Deleteand as for your book, I think you must. You have greater stories to tell.
Passu Sir, u don't have to doubt how constantly do I follow your blog. I hardly miss your posts and I truly enjoy your writing. Your articles have never failed to inspire and motivate me... Keep up the good work la..
ReplyDeleteTo Mr. Khaw Boon Wan, What did you expect? A reply to Mr. Khaw Boon Wan. This is one of my favorite article of all times.
ReplyDeleteI like the cover page and the idea of publishing your articles into book. It sound awesome and great because you have inspired many Bhutanese nationwide. I will be eagerly waiting for your book to hit the market. i know you will have the best selling zone in the market. I want my choice of an article to be published in your book la. Please. All the best. Thanks.
That article will be published. Thanks for the suggestion.
DeleteIt's taking longer than expected but it sure will be hitting the market in 2016. Hope you will take my book to Zhemgang.
I don't know if you are still accepting suggestions, but there is one blog of yours which is extremely close to my heart. Don't remember it's subject, but it had to do with an annual event in bhutan where one goes to find one's soul friend, or something. I can't seem to find it back!! But it is a most lovely concept, which deserves archiving!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Siddharth. I think the article you are talking about is "Dorjipuen, the spiritual siblings...something... Thank for the suggestion. I would have missed that if it weren't for you.
Delete