MY TRAVEL DIARIES, PERSONAL STORIES

Blue Nile Ethiopian Kitchen

71 Comments

Hey everyone! I hope y’all are going great!

I am back again with my sightseeing shenanigans and reviews on restaurants and eating joints!

Braving the frigid cold weather and stony rains (it was 43°F/6°C in Memphis, this Saturday), Me and my Huz finally decided to do something different this weekend, other than just whiling away our time on Netflix watching Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes! Our exploration got us to a “small wonder” called – Blue Nile Ethiopian Kitchen – a “haven” for lip-smacking Ethiopian food!

Brain child of Ermyias Shiberou, who is originally from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Blue Nile Ethiopian Kitchen promises to be authentic to the T and in all honesty it does deliver to the promise! Starting just as a humble food truck (called Stickem), to graduating to a regular “brick-and-mortar” restaurant in 2015, it is a place to devour unique and flavorful food, the inspiration for all of which comes from his Mother. From using re-purposed materials and railings, to the colorful folk art mural painted by local artist Gina Sposto that catches your eyes as soon as you walk in, BNEK – is a perfect little place to have some good time and enjoy genuinity.
Currently functioning out of Madison in the heart of Midtown, this place is quite famous among the locals and tourists alike, offering food that pleases both, the gut and the heart!

Food/Drinks ordered – We ordered the VEGETARIAN PLATTER which was served with INJERA (the Ethiopian flatbread) and washed down with “hot” spicy TEA.

iScriblr_bluenile_Ethiopiankitchen
VEGETARIAN PLATTER – which included mesir wat (savory stew – spicy lentils and mild split peas), shiro wat (ground chickpea stew), beet salad, house salad, potatoes and carrots, cabbage and greens, served with Injera (Ethiopian flatbread)!
Continue Reading

MY TRAVEL DIARIES, PERSONAL STORIES

Norling Restaurant : Highway on My Plate, McLeodganj

76 Comments

Hey Everyone! Tashi Delek!

It’s time for the much awaited “travelling updates” and stories of my recent voyaging! Hope you all are as excited about it, as me?

I begin my “virtual tour” of our 20 days and 6 cities trip to India by talking about FOOD! (Yup, once a foodie, always a foodie!)
Well, we kick started our journey by parking our taste buds at a “small wonder” called Norling Restaurant located in McLeodGanj, which is a quaint-little suburb in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Also known as “Little Lhasa” or “Dhasa” (a short form of Dharamshala used mainly by Tibetans) – it is the headquarters of The Tibetan government-in-exile and official residence for His Holiness Dalai Lama. Known worldwide as a destination for ecotourism, meditation and spiritual studies McLeodGanj for sure is more than what meets the eye! It’s a foodies’ paradise too!

Known as one of the BEST places to devour authentic Tibetan food in entire India, as recommended in the “renowned” TV program Highway On My Plate, Norling Restaurant, hence seemed just fitting to be at and explore. Located in the corner of the downtown market, it’s a nice “cozy” place to try out Tibetan cuisine. Nothing upscale or fancy – just plain, simple “delicious” food!

Food/Drinks ordered –  A bowl of THUPKA, a Chicken THENTUK NGOPA or ” Tso-Menphen”, a single TINGMO, and spinach MOMOS washed down with KOMBUCHA SYMBIOTIC DRINK in Hibiscus and Mint Rosemary flavors.

iScriblr_norling_mcLeodganj
Delectable “THUPKA!” aka “fully loaded” Tibetan noodle soup.
Continue Reading

PERSONAL STORIES

Back To Blogging

134 Comments

Hey Everyone! I hope y’all are doing wonderful! HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Look who’s back! *dabs like a boss*
YES folks, iScriblr is up and running (though in all honesty, I’m still wreathing under massive “vacation-aftermath!” LOL!)
Ah, the last few weeks have been amazingly blissful and superbly exciting; and even though I’ve had the BEST time of my life, it feels good to be back home!
Can’t wait to share with y’all my “Wedding Shenanigans” and “Travel Memoirs”! But then, you’ll have to wait for a few days before you get an “all-access” pass to my travel diaries – since there is a lot to collate and loads of pictures to sort from!

Continue Reading

PERSONAL STORIES

Winter Break!

145 Comments

Hey everyone! HAPPY SUNDAY y’all!

Guess what folks! It’s VACATION TIME! Well, finally the “dry travelling spell” has broken and I’m going home (after almost 2 long years!) *happy dance*

Keeping in mind that my presence on blogosphere will be sporadic and I will not be able to post anything for a couple of weeks (since I have a bad habit of not scheduling), and also because I will be so caught up “deriving pleasure from” a BIG FAT INDIAN WEDDING – This post is just to let you all know that I shall be back soon to do the “regular bingeing and commenting!”

Please do not give up on me and keep that LOVE coming! I shall try to look you guys up whenever I get the time! *I promise*

iScriblr_excited

Continue Reading

PERSONAL STORIES, REAL TALK

7 Ways to Be More Confident

76 Comments

Hey Everyone! I hope y’all had a wonderful weekend!

It’s time to kill the “Monday Blues” with some Real Talk and SELF CONFIDENCE!

Self-confidence means being in-sync with your capabilities, powers and self-worth regardless of the situation that you are in. It means that you acknowledge your strengths and believe in yourself to achieve your purpose and go for the challenges that the life throws at you, gallantly. In short, it means, TRUSTING in your worth!
However, sadly enough – we often find ourselves struggling to identify the “piece of courage” to believe in ourselves!
How many times have we belittled ourselves reasoning and doubting our capabilities? How many times have we constrained all our desires, curbed each need and banned ourselves of happiness and pleasure since we do not think that we deserve it? Dismally, almost at every testing occasion that life throws at us! *bitter truth*

iScriblr_self_confidence

Continue Reading

PERSONAL STORIES, REAL TALK

iScriblr Turns One!

241 Comments

Hey everyone! I hope y’all are doing wonderful! Happy NOVEMBER 1st!

Guess what folks! iScriblr turns ONE! *woot woot*
Well, in all honesty my Blog Anniversary was on the 12th of October, but since I was super engrossed with the #octPoWriMo-2018 Challenge, it was better for me to be a little patient with the celebrations! *winks while pouring a glass of champagne*

iScriblr_music

Continue Reading

PERSONAL STORIES, THE AWARDS AND TAGS

Letters From A Great Friend

49 Comments

Hey Everyone! Hope you are doing great!

I’ve got something wonderful to share with y’all – A heart-warming letter written to me by Warren from iWrite… My Love Story! in his weekly Inspirational Friday Post! *happy happy dance*
Well, how often does anyone indulge in such an extraordinary act of kindness? Not many I say! Yes, that’s Warren for you folks – A true messiah of God, spreading compassion and selfless LOVE!

PS – Click here to read the entire post – coz there are 2 more nominees! Trust me, you would not want to miss out on the abundant love and encouragement that his posts exude.

iScriblr_Poem_Warren

Continue Reading

PERSONAL STORIES, POETRY

It’s My Birthday!

319 Comments

iScriblr_birthday

I am thankful of this life,
I am grateful for you,
This heart of mine dances,
It recognizes and appreciates your true value.

"You" have been my forever constant, 
Picking my faith up when it collapsed,
You selflessly guided me,
Channelizing my energies to the right path.

My accomplishments are few,
But my pain a little too many,
Yet this content heart of mine is happy,
Why not, I have you for company!

This life has been a blessing,
It has been one h***l of a joy-ride,
Thank you for your lovin',
In you, my constancy I confide.
Continue Reading

PERSONAL STORIES, TOP-LINERS

The Fascinating Virgo Zodiac

100 Comments

Hey everyone! How are you doin’? *Happy Happy September*

Looks who’s back! *dabs like a boss*
Ah, the last few days have been blissful, fun and exciting, and even though I’ve had the BEST time of my life, it feels good to be back home.

Can’t wait to share with y’all my voyaging stories and “Travel Memoirs”! But then, you’ll have to wait for a few days before you get an “all-access” pass to my travel diaries – since there is a lot to collate and loads of pictures to sort from! Plus, since this is my first post for SEPTEMBER (my birthday month) – I wanted this post to be an ode to all the wonderful VIRGOS out there! WE DESERVE IT!

iScriblr_Virgo

Continue Reading