another starbucks quote...

"It takes two seconds to tell the truth and it costs nothing. A lie takes time and it costs everything."

13 Days till Kenya...

So, as many of you already know. I will be travelling to Kenya in less than 2 weeks with my mom, dad and lots of other people. It will be my first time going to Africa, and I am nervous, excited and also unsure of what to expect. I know that it will be an awesome experience going to the Smagaam there, and just experiencing the Gurdwara in Kericho. We will also hopefully be able to visit around to other places of Kenya such as Mombasa and Makindo. My mom grew up in Kenya and it will be really cool to see where she grew up. There is so much history and culture there, and I think it will be a really awesome experience. Below are some articles about the country of Kenya.

Kericho

This is tea country! Kenya is the world's third largest producer of tea after India and Sri Lanka and Kericho is in the heart of Kenya's tea plantations. There are rolling hills carpeted in neat, bright green tea bushes as far as you can see. The climate here is perfect for tea with rain falling almost every afternoon. Kericho - named after Ole Kericho, a Maasai chief who was killed in battle by the Gusii in the 18th century - has a village green, war memorial and Holy Trinity Church. Make sure you pop into the charming Tea Hotel for a cuppa. Built in the 1950’s by Brooke Bond tea company it has an old world air. The hotel can also organise a tour of a tea plantation and trout fishing in a nearby river. (http://www.go2africa.com/kenya/lake-victoria/kericho/)

I am also curious to see which animals we will get to see. We may be able to go on a Safari, which I think would be really awesome. I have always seen the animals in Africa on the Discovery Channel or Animal Planet, but to see them in real life I think will be totally different.

to be continued....

Chachaji and Chachiji Visit- Part 4 (Wascana Park)

Friday was the last day that Chachaji and Chachaji were here, so we thought we would do a wee bit of sight seeing. Wishing we had more time, and as I had to go to work in the evening we were only able to go to Wascana Park. The weather was absolutley gorgeeeeeoussss, so that was really good. Here a few pictures and videos of the sights from the park. Enjoy!

The baby duckies with their mama
Chachaji, Chachiji and Mom by the water
Mom (looking off somehwere), Chachaji and Chachiji just before leaving the park next to my beast car; you can also see a bit of the parliment in the background

Here is us walking from the parliment building towards the lake. You can see on the right hand side the flowers that the city has put in. They are so nice to look at, and by the end of the summer they are full and colorful.

Chachaji and Chachaji Visit- Part 3 (Walk outside)

We have been so lucky this week that while Chachaji and Chachiji have been here, the weather ahs been sooo nice and warm that we have been able to go for walks in the evening after dinner. I happened to take my camera with me yesterday, beacuse yes I am such a geek lol...So here are some videos and pictures, enjoy and hope everyone has a great day!! =)

As we were walking, the sun was going down, and it looked so nice, so I took some pictures as we walked down the street....ahhh how nice the summer sun is.



Us walking down the street....un huh un huh



Here we are on the way home. As you can see there is the school across the street from my house. This was my school for 9 years. *tear*...ok moment over, lol. It was nice to just walk by and remember all the good times I had there.

Here we are coming home from our walk, Papaji and Chachaji were enjoying a walk of their own in the backyard.

The Garden

Here are some pictures of our garden. My mom and I have put in lots of plants and flowers, and now that summer is away and going, the flowers are coming out beautifully.

Chachaji and Chachiji's Visit to Regina- Part 2 (The BBQ)

Last night we had our famous BBQ as it was very warm out yesterday. It got to about 27 degrees I believe, although being around the BBQ all evening made it feel even warmer. I love having BBQ's in the sumertime. The food is always amazing and it is just a great way to be outdoors and enjoy the summer heat.

Mom and Chachiji
Mom the BBQ Queen
Mom and Chachiji
Chachaji, Mom, Papaji, and Chachiji
Papaji
Chachaji
Me
CHEERS!!
yum yum foooooodChachiji

This video is after we had eaten all the yummy food, and we were just chilling in the heat

Sikhi- Part 2 (Amrit Sanchar and the Khalsa)

The other day, we were all sitting and eating roti and we began talking about amrit. The meaning of it, different places people have taken it, and how it makes a person. We also said that it is not right to force someone to take amrit, and it is better that they are prepared and ready for it. Another thing that we talked about was how there are some places that think of the rules of amrit as more guidelines. To me, that is not right. Amrit is there for those who want to become Amritdhari and follow the teachings of the gurur 100%. It is not meant for you to choose which teachings to follow and which to not. For example, some say it is ok to have meat such as eggs and fish, as long as you dont eat meat itself. To me that does not make any sense at all. The guru said that we should not eat any type of meat or animal product, if eggs and fish are not that, then what are they? Many people who eat eggs and fish say it is for health reasons. There are many different ways to get the nutrition that eggs and fish give, without eating them. I'm sorry if I have said something wrong. Below is an article from a website that I found.

In the history of the Sikh faith, the initiation ceremony has passed through two distinct phases. From the time of Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the founder up to 1699, charan amrit or "pagpahul" was the custom. Charanamrit and pagpahul meant initiation by water touched by the Master’s toe — the charan and pag both being equivalents of the word ‘foot’. In early Sikhism, the neophytes sipped water poured over the Guru’s toe to be initiated into the fold. Where the Guru was not present, masands or local sangat leaders officiated. A reference to initiation by "charan amrit" occurs in Bhai Gurdas, Varan, I.23, born 12 years after the passing away of Guru Nanak.

The practice continued until 1699 when, at the time of the inauguration of the Khalsa, Guru Gobind Singh introduced "khande di pahul", i.e. pahul by khanda, the double-edged steel sword. This was done at Anandpur at the time of Baisakhi festival on 30 March 1699, in a soul-stirring drama. At the morning assembly of the Sikhs drawn from all four corners of India, Guru Gobind Singh, sword in hand, proclaimed, “My sword wants today a head. Let any one of my Sikhs come forward. Isn’t there a Sikh of mine who would be prepared to sacrifice his life for his Guru?” To five similar calls successively made, five Sikhs offered their heads one after the other. They were Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Mukham Singh, Bhai Sahib Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh and Bhai Himmat Singh. Guru Gobind Singh proceeded to hold the ceremony of initiation to mark their rebirth as new men.

Filling an iron bowl with clean water, he kept stirring it with a two-edged sword (called a Khanda) while reciting over it five of the sacred texts or banis — Japji, Jaap, Savaiyye, Benti Chaupai and Anand Sahib. The Guru’s wife, Mata Jito (also known as Mata Sahib Kaur), poured into the vessel sugar crystals, mingling sweetness with the alchemy of iron. The five Sikhs sat on the ground around the bowl reverently as the holy water was being churned to the recitation of the sacred verses.

With the recitation of the five banis completed, khande di pahul or amrit, the Nectar of Immortality, was ready for administration. Guru Gobind Singh gave the five Sikhs five palmsful each of it to drink. The disciple sat "bir-asan" i.e. in the posture of a warrior with his left knee raised and the right knee touching the ground. Every time the Guru poured the nectar into his palms to drink, he called out aloud, “Bol Vahiguru ji ka Khalsa Vahiguru ji ki Fateh (Utter, Hail the Khalsa who belongs to the Lord; the Lord to whom belongs victory).” The Sikh repeated the blessed utterance. After the five life-giving draughts had been thus administered, the Guru sprinkled the holy liquid into his face gazing intently into his eyes. He then anointed his hair with the nectar. In the same manner, Guru Gobind Singh initiated the other four one by one. At the end, all five of them were given the steel bowl to quaff from it turn by turn the remaining elixir in token of their new fraternal comradeship. Then, following the Guru, they repeated Vahiguru five times as gurmantra and five times recited the Mool Mantra They were given the common surname of Singh, (meaning lion) and enjoined to regard themselves as the khalsa, i.e. the Guru’s own. They were told that their rebirth into this brotherhood meant the annihilation of their family ties (kul nas), of the occupations which had formerly determined their place in society (krit nas), of their earlier beliefs and creeds and of the ritual they observed.

Their worship was to be addressed to none but Akal, the Timeless One. They were ever to keep the five emblems of the Khalsa — kesh or long hair and beard; kangha, a comb tucked into the kesh to keep it tidy in contrast to the recluses who kept it matted in token of their having renounced the world; kara, a steel bracelet to be worn round the wrist of the right hand; kachchha, short breeches; and kirpan, a sword.
In the rehit or code of conduct promulgated for the Sikhs on that day were the four prohibitions, i.e.
1. Cutting or trimming of hair,
2. Fornication or adultery,
3. Halal meat or flesh of animal slaughtered in a slow and painful manner,
4. Use of tobacco

(from: http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Pahul)

Chachaji and Chachiji's visit to Regina- Part 1 (HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!)

Hello hello to everyone. Hope everyone had a lovely jubly weekend. I would like to start by wishing all the dad's and soon to be dad's a very, very happy Father's Day. I got to spend it not only with my dad, but also with my Banth Chacha. We have have been in the wonderful company of Banth Chachaji and Chachiji since Saturday morning. They have come from the good ole England and will be staying with us until this coming Saturday.

It is really neat hearing all the stories from the old days from both my mom and dad and also chachaji and chachiji. Makes me wish I was around then. It's really interesting hearing stories about Kericho wale Babaji and my Babaji and Nanaji. I really wish I could have met them. I guess I will just have to go with stories and pictures. I mean that's better than nothing, hunna.

This morning, as almost every Sunday at our house, we had Asa Di Vaar. It was nice though, having more people. Below are some pictures and a few short video clips from this morning. I hope you enjoy, and I will be posting more pictures throughout the week. Hope that everyone has an awesome start to their week. =)

Happy Birthday Binda!

I just wanted to wish my crazy old (this actually applies now :P) jija in england a verrrrry happy birthday. Hope you have a rocking day, and may Guruji bless you with love, good healthy, happiness, and anything else that you may want. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sikhi- Part I

Sikhism. It is one of the youngest religions in the world, and yet has such a strong foundation and high beliefs with many millions of followers. It has been around for just over 300 years. For those who don't know, I am a Sikh. The following is an introduction to Sikh beliefs:

Simran and Sewa: These are the foundations of Sikhism. It is the duty of every Sikh to practise Naam Simran daily and engage in Sewa whenever there is a possibility- in Gurdwara; in community centre; old people's homes; care centres; major world disasters, etc

The Three Pillars of Sikhism: Guru Nanak formalised these three important pillars of Sikhism:
Naam Japna: – A Sikh is to engage in a daily practise of meditation and Nitnem by reciting and chanting of God’s Name.

Kirat Karni: - To live honestly and earn by ones physical and mental effort while accepting Gods gifts and blessings. A Sikh has to live as a householders carrying out his or her duties and responsibilities to the full.
Vand Chakna: - The Sikhs are asked to share their wealth within the community and outside by giving Dasvandh and practising charity (Daan). To “Share and consume together”.

Kill the Five Thieves: The Sikh Gurus tell us that our mind and spirit are constantly being attacked by the Five Evils – Kam (Lust), Krodh (Rage), Lobh (Greed), Moh (Attachment) and Ahankar (Ego). A Sikh needs to constantly attack and overcome these five vices; be always vigilant and on guard to tackle these five thieves all the time!

Positive Human Qualities: The Sikh Gurus taught the Sikhs to develop and positive human qualities which lead the soul closer to God and away from evil. These are: Sat (Truth); Daya (Compassion); Santokh (Contenment); Nimrata (Humility); and Pyare (Love).

Sikhs believe in the following:
There is one God: God made everything. God is called Satguru – "True Guru" and Waheguru - "Wonderful Guru". Sikh basic beliefs are summed up in the words of the Mool Mantar, the first hymn written by Guru Nanak and part of Japji Sahib, the first Ban that appears in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib:
There is only one God. Truth is his name. He is the Creator.
He is without fear. He is without hate. He is timeless and without form. He is beyond death, the Enlightened One. He can be known by the grace of the Guru.
(Mool Mantar)

When Sikhs speak of the Guru they are referring to God, the Great Teacher. God, the unknowable, becomes the teacher who reveals God to those who follow. God created everything, so all life is good, but attachment to material things leads to reincarnation and the sufferings of birth and death. The goal of Sikhism is to end the cycle of rebirth and be united with God.
Service and devotion: or Sewa and Simran

Sikhs emphasise two primary aspects of daily life: service and devotion to God. Service means honest work and service to the community - Sewa, in which all are equal regardless of caste, creed, race or gender. Devotion is cultivated by singing devotional hymns and by meditation on the holy name of God - Simran and Naam Japna

There is only One God who is purely spiritual and does not take human form.
All creation is part of God and is an expression of God’s Divine Spirit Naam and His Will Hukam.
All human beings have an immortal soul (atma) which is part of God and is on a journey to reunite with Him (Mukti).

All human beings are equal regardless of race, religion, gender, age or social class.
All people are equal:
You must all live together.
You must be kind are share what you have. (Wand kay Shako)
All people can talk to God.
Lasting happiness can only be found when the soul reunites with God
Service to others (sewa), while remembering God at all times (simran), are essential if the soul is to reunite with God
Live a life of a house-holder and live a truthful life earning a honest living while remembering God (Kirat Karni)

Sikhs must not drink alcohol, smoke or gamble. They have one wife or husband. They must pray every morning. They must read the holy book everyday. The Ten Gurus (teachers) of the Sikh told the people what God wanted; how they should live their lives; and how peace and tranquillity could be obtained.

Sikhs who become Khalsa must wear the 5Ks – Uncut Hair Kesh, Small Comb Kanga, Bangle Kara, Special Shorts Kacha and Sword Kirpan.

(http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Category:Sikh_belief)