Haj

This picture is from one of my mates who went to Haj ( something that every muslim intends to undetake in their lifetime).This is the view from top. Apparently no cameras are allowed in there but my mate being my mate likes to bend some rules....no wonder i m mates with this person.

Me again

in front of the wishing well in Rome!!!I will tell you lot if my wish ever comes true!!

Meet Indheep

in Florence(italy) during our trip.Yes, sunset again..just thought it would be a very nice picture..even though you can't see Indi very clearly.Indheep is a great person to travel with, good laugh, real chilled and relexed person.

Me in Capri Again

Hey, I thought that a picture taken here will rock.. and it does...woh!I think I should be a professional photographer!!

Holi in Holland

This was during the Hindu festival of Holi, where people played with colours and water.It was the first time that I did this and it was great.I made random friends for that day and followed whatever everyone else was doing.Yes, there is pictures of me and my mates soaked in colours but I dare not put them here as I may be mistaken for a GHOST!!!!If you ever get a chance, take part in it as it is really fun.

Wishing well

in Rome.Apparently,your wishes come true!! Yeah rite!!

Check it out

Indian restaurantin Amsterdam! No, I did not eat here... who knows what is in the food!!

Unique-Amsterdam

Yes, I thought this was kool pose so I secretly took a picture.

Me in Capri-Italy

It was lovely place but we got there when it was rainy and dark.We had to take a ferry from Naples and as the weather was so bad,we were stuck in Capri as there were no ferries way back so we were stuck here with none of our stuff!!We had to stay in this hostel which one of the italian guys suggested (my new friend for that day) and the land lady was crazy as anything!!Thought we might be kidnapped by her!!
Capri is real beautiful,well worth a visit in summer.

Inside the Gurudawara in Amsterdam

Yes, it is beautiful.The time I visited, there was work still goin on the Gurudawara site.It was lovely to just sit there and listen to paath(prayer).The people were really nice there.

Outside the New Gurudawara in Amsterdam

This is the outside of the new Amsterdam gurudawara..it is bit track from central Amsterdam.I had great fun that day trying to get to the gurudawara as I went to the old location of the gurudawara first which was shut so I had to look out for indian people to ask for the new location. As I had a backpack, a sikh shopkeeper asked me if i was from india?I thought it was funny..

Element of Nature

In Amsterdam! Yes, I am random and I love taking random pictures!

Coffee

Check out the BABA coffeeshop in Amsterdam! Yes, I am a big fan of COFFEE!!

Types of Turban

This I took from the Sikh temple in Amsterdam.I must admit that I never saw so many different ways to tie turban until I came to UK.

Inside Sikh Gurudawara in Dublin

Yes,it is beautiful.For those who have never been inside a sikh temple, people-usually the priest (giani in sikh) sits and recites the Sikh holy scripture-Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee(SGGS).SGGS is under that white piece of cloth.

I had the pleasure of spending the evening of St Patricks Day and listening to evening prayers and having dinner with 4 other sikhs.It was amazing as it was 5 of us ..including me. In sikhism,5 is quite special as when a sikh is baptised, there are 5 people who baptise you.Baptisim in sikh is called (AMRIT SANCHAR) and a baptised sikh (called Amritdhari in sikhism) has to maintain 5k's (Kanga-(wooden comb),Kara(iron bangle-woren in hand),Kirpan(small sword),Kesh(hair) and Kachera(undergarments like boxer shorts)

Outside of Gurudawara-Dublin

Might sound sad but I do make an effort to visit Gurudawara (Sikh temple)in every country I land my feet on.This is outside snapshot of the sikh temple of Dublin.Yeah,I did track on my own in bus!It was St Particks Day 2005!

Some more sunsets

Canal-Amsterdam

Baba Cafe in Amsterdam

Oh yes!! We all know what this is famous for!!

Creative...hmmm

yes,those are my lovely eyes...no, i am not drunk but I was sick and tired!

Arty View

yes, your eyes might not see it but I think this is arty!Taken in London on 26th Dec 2004.

Another view

My favourite passtime

watching the sunset and seeing water at the same time.This is something that I never get to see in UK.This is in Ireland,I managed to see this last year on my trip there.I have had seen few sunsets at beach before but each time it just seems and feels like a new experience.
Yes,ideally I would like to have a house that overlooks a beach or a nice lake and has a bacony so that I can see the sunset but REALITY is that I can't afford it but hey atleast I get to see these lovely sunsets once in a while huh!

Life

Life.. is unpredictable. So many things come and go, happinesses, sadnesses,laughter and tears.I was having a real off day,as I had so many things going on in my head.I had some very lovely emails from some very sweet people and I met for a coffee with one of my best mates.Talking to him was great but I think still I was in random thoughts.After that I had a yoga class after which I was back to planet earth!

Later at evening one of my mates called me and just few seconds within the call, he recited this to me ( from Sri Guru Granth Sahib(SGGS)-sikh holy scripture)..which I thought was real sweet.It is amazing that we get so caught up in life and we try to be the problem solvers when sometimes,just have to let things flow as they are.Sometimes, it just shocks me as to how much is in SGGS which I hardly contemplate on).I do wish I could just live my life in accordance with this,this is one of my motives for this year...

Quote from SGGS page 1429 (as recited by one of my amazing mates)

chintaa taa kee keejee-ai jo anhonee ho-ay.
People become anxious, when something unexpected happens.

ih maarag sansaar ko naanak thir nahee ko-ay. ||51||
This is the way of the world, O Nanak; nothing is stable or permanent.

Musical instrument and BEER!!!

This was one of the ads that was in a underground station. A classical indian instrument and good old BEER next to it. Talk about being creative advertising!!I have to admit that the underground stations in UK have some amazing and some crazy adverts.

Me posing

This picture was taken after I pampered myself at Spa etc.No, I have not used FAKE TAN (for record!!!), I m natually tanned!!

Poppins....

Meet the famous Mary Poppins but to few of us..it is "Massi Poppins".Rumta, our dear friend took few of us to this grand musical and we all had a fab time.I was the only one who could not sing anything...you know how musical I m now!Now, we have our own exclusive group "The Poppins Crew"(except few) who are meeting up this friday for "spoon full of sugar.."

The crew consists of :

Head of the Crew-Rumta (Umta)
Amanjot-(arMoNdswOrTn MaSsIve)
Manmeet-(ArRoW RtiSt)
Manpreet(oCoNuT 4m AyEs)
Harkiran (AlYsilAn)
Rishi (rAaG-a-MuFfIn)
Me-(KIwi4m Iji)
and a honouory memeber-Virendar from Debenhams)

Meet the Amazing...

Rumta Sio aka Ravinderpal Singh on left with a kid and a helper at his Dallas Sikh Camp.Rumta is currently in New York working with the Sikh Youths and undertaking empowerment projects.He has been away from UK for a month and it seems ages!!
Rumta is an amazing character and the more said about him always seems little!

Today my day has been topped up and bit emotional as I got a call from this beloved of mine at 4.58 a.m and it was so nice to chat to him.Crazy as I was thinking about him just yestersday evening!

It seemed like I have not spoken to him in ages but it has been only a week. I think I was too used to hearing from Rumta while he was in UK.It used to be crazy as sometimes after my gym classes I would have voicemails and it would be Rumta..singing indian songs or just bare jokez as Rumta would say!!Rumta has a fab voice and when he sings,it just melts your heart!! Rumta was also one person that I could rely on for unlimited text messages and at any time of the day.Nights when you can't sleep,I knew one person that would be awake... Rumta!!I m not trying to write a life story here but just made me realise that we just take things for granted.. you think things will just keep on flowing in life as usual and don't appreciate the moments of fun,laughter,anger,fight we have with others until we are far apart.Every moment in life is amazing and make sure you enjoy time spent with individuals as you never know what tomorrow brings and where we all will be.

Anyway,enjoy yourselves and take care and Rumta..you are missed and thanks for your call and lots of love!!

The Cool Chicks

Manpreet on left and Sub!Manpreet was the one who fell more than me!! hooray! and Sub was just the cool chick skating! Manpreet is kool and is someone as crazy as me, a good laugh and Subji..looks quite but believe me..she ain't.

Meet the Hero of Skating!!

Gav..or Gurvindar Singh from Birhimgham..place in UK!!Gav was the dude on the skating rink!!He could do all the fancy twists n turns that I can only dream of!Gav is always good laugh and a good mate of mine.Have had loads of crazy missions and adventures with Gav!Gav pretending to look innocent-far from it mate!

I am innocent!!

I think I was tired and someone sneeked a shot!Not fair!Next to me is subji laughing away.. my kool buddy..

Randeep with the famous flower

Goodness! Randeep aka Randy..smelling the flower! Randeep really wanted a picture smelling this flower!!Look at the contentment on his face!

The Famous Flower

Ok,can't remember who was the one who put this flower in my lovely pink hat!!I m just trying to take it out!!

Contemplating!!

This is Sunny(Darmindar)...kool dude, studies in Cardiff,the youngest of all from the skating crew!!Sunny was really in deep thought here.

Part 2-Restaurant Venture

These are the xmas coke bottles.. ahh..they have xmas cokez..never knew that!!

Hmm...help please

Me being helped by the pro skater ..indi!!

Ice Skating At Cardinal Place with Cool Crew

From Left-Kirsty (another New Zealander,Manpreet,Jasjot,Randeep,Me,Subji,Indi and in front is Gav.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee

This is the sikh holy scripture and is in all the sikh temples(known as gurudawara).This is the living guru of the sikhs and contains 1430 pages.

'Hukamnama'-on 5th Jan 06

This was the hukamnama from Darbar Sahib(Amritsar) on the 5th Jan 06, on the day of prakash divas of Guru Gobind Singh Jee.


'Hukamnama' is a Persian word meaning a royal decree. In the Sikh context this is considered the Guru's words of wisdom for the day. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is opened randomly to any page and the shabad on that page becomes the day's Hukam (command). This practice dates back to the time when Sri Guru Granth Sahib was first installed in the Golden Temple in 1604.


WADAHANS, FOURTH MEHL:
Without the Guru, I am  without the Guru, I am totally dishonored. The Life of the world, the Life of the world, the Great Giver has led me to meet and merge with the Guru. Meeting the True Guru, I have merged into the Naam, the Name of the Lord. I chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, and meditate on it. I was seeking and searching for Him, for the Lord, my best friend; I found Him within the home of my own being. I see the One Lord, and I know the One Lord; I realize the Lord within my soul. Without the Guru, I am  without the Guru, I am totally dishonored. || 1 || Those who have found the True Guru, the True Guru  the Lord God unites them in His Union. Their feet, their feet, I adore; I fall at their feet. O Lord, Har, Har, I adore the feet of those who meditate on the True Guru, and the Almighty Lord God. You are the Great Giver, the Inner-knower, the Searcher of hearts; please, reward my faith, O Lord King. Meeting the Gursikhs, my faith is rewarded; night and day, I sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord. Those who have found the True Guru, the True Guru  the Lord God unites them in His Union. || 2 || I am a sacrifice, I am a sacrifice to the Gursikhs, my dear friends. They chant the Lords Name, the Lords Name; the Beloved Naam, the Name of the Lord, is my only Support. The Name of the Lord, Har, Har, is the companion of my breath of life; without it, I cannot live for an instant or a moment. The Lord, Har, Har, the Giver of peace, grants His Grace, and the Gurmukhs drink in the Ambrosial Nectar. The Lord blesses them with faith, and unites them in His Union; the Lord Himself adorns them. I am a sacrifice, I am a sacrifice to the Gursikhs, my dear friends. || 3 || The Lord Himself, the Lord Himself  He is the Immaculate Almighty Lord God. The Lord Himself, the Lord Himself, unites us with Himself; that which He does, comes to pass. Whatever is pleasing to the Lord God, that alone comes to pass; nothing else can be done. Even by all sorts of clever tricks, He cannot be obtained; all have grown weary of practicing cleverness. By Gurus Grace, servant Nanak beholds Him; without the Lord, I have no other at all. The Lord Himself, the Lord Himself  He is the Immaculate Almighty Lord God. || 4 || 2 ||

Happy Gurpurb to all

Today is Prakash Divas (birthday) of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji( the 10th Guru of the Sikhs).Guru Jee was born in Patna(india)to Mata Gujri Jee, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Jee(the 9th Guru).

Me being ignorant person I am, forgot it was gurpurb but lucky I was reminded by the emails sent to me by my lovely mates.May waheguru bless them!!

The Girls

Anita, Sunita at Anita's engagement party in Malaysia.

Anita's engagement party

Anita, Taran and family at Anita's engagement do in Malaysia. Another party and wedding that I missed out on!

Oh...so cute

Sunita, her mum, Anita (the bride to be) on their shopping trip in india and the lovely doggy!!

Nice view -Langkwai

Hmmm.. very nice.I wish we have some of these nice scenary in England!!

Sunita and Ilias in Langkawi

Meet Sunita, one of my best mates from New Zealand. Amazing person,alwaya a good laugh.Sunita and Ilias enjoying themselves in langkawi.

Fish

Fish in sarovar(pool of nectar) in Amritsar. Sarovar is like a large swimming place where people dip themselves in water as it is believed to have healing properties.This was the place where the sick husband of Rajni (daughter of a king)was healed.

This is AMRITSAR (The golden temple) in Punjab-India.

Jamsher Raj

Jamsher Raj

Quote from gurbani ( Sri Guru Granth Sahib)-Sikh Holy Scipture.

This quote was something that I heard at Sikh temple towards the end of 2005 and at beg of 2006. A guide to my year/life!!!


sunhu banantee-aa su-aamee mayray raam.
Listen to my prayer, O my Lord and Master.

kot apraaDh bharay bhee tayray chayray raam.
I am filled with millions of sins, but still, I am Your slave.

dukh haran kirpaa karan mohan kal kalayseh bhanjnaa.
O Destroyer of pain, Bestower of Mercy, Fascinating Lord, Destroyer of sorrow and strife,

saran tayree rakh layho mayree sarab mai niranjanaa.
I have come to Your Sanctuary; please preserve my honor. You are all-pervading, O Immaculate Lord.

sunat paykhat sang sabh kai parabh nayrhoo tay nayray.
He hears and beholds all; God is with us, the nearest of the near.

ardaas naanak sun su-aamee rakh layho ghar kay chayray.
O Lord and Master, hear Nanak's prayer; please save the servants of Your household.