To Sati

This heart melting poem was written by Dr Gopi Warrier, Dad's teacher, boss and friend.
His wife recited this at the memorial service they held in Dad's honour on 14th September 2005. I hope he will forgive me for printing it here, but it was too beautiful not to.

To Sati,

Even from
a broken lyre
you produced beautiful music,
whispering the magical words,
'Wahe Guru'.
To the mundane neurologist
it will be a miracle.

That morning
when the phone rang
I knew someone was in danger
I am so sad it had to be you.

But now you smile, at peace
with the grand masters of your tradition.

You gave love and laughter
to all those you held dear
and loyalty for the just cause.

Your children carry
your light and wisdom

Brave soldier,
Rest in peace .


By Gopi Warrier
14th September 2005

Waheguru

heehee!
I like this photo!
The water is soo clear you can see right through to the coral!

The sunset changed colour every minute!

This was taken in Aswan on the way from the Nubian village.

Luggage…what luggage?!

Ah yes, many a traveller has been caught in this nightmarish scenario – the sneaky tendency for luggage to casually evaporate into thin air. The scientific theory behind this random behaviour is so far amongst the “yet to be solved phenomenon” folder. I urge all you chronic travellers to endeavour to challenge the scientific world to come up with a solution.

So here we are, all happy and chirpy that we landed with all appendages intact (note to self: never ever travel with Monarch Airways – lest you want your body alignment reshuffled into the shape of an oak tree). We’re waiting at baggage collection in the surprisingly clean and blissfully warm airport, and we’re waiting at baggage collection in the surprisingly clean and blissfully warm airport and er……well……we’re still waiting at bagga..... im sure you get the picture! While the ever observant Gurcharan ‘Eagle Eye’ Singh is on a sharp lookout for the bright pink ribbon on a black suitcase (hats (pugs / chunnis?!) off to mom for her ingenious pink ribbon idea), the ever docile Preetkamal Kaur sits nonchalantly caressing her aching neck, cooing from her corner at Eagle Eye “have you got em yet?” referring to the evaporated luggage. A solemn look from Eagle Eye is all it takes to set the alarm bells ringing! As the group of tourists around the conveyer belt is reduced to a sliver, lurid images of spending a whole week without the luxuries of clean garments and toiletries taunt my conscious. Has the bag landed in some Siberian airport? Did it daringly jump off the plane and is currently floating somewhere in the med sea? Then, alas! The notorious pink ribbon comes into view! Yes! It is our luggage! Thank the heavens!

Off we go, arm in arm, wearing big happy smiles, dragging a fully laden suitcase, to enjoy a full week of holidaying!

Ahhhaa, little did the naïve couple know, the notorious luggage had other tricks up his sleeve!

To be cont...

Another one of my fav photos!
more to come!

Nubian Village

One of my fav photos.
Love the colours! and the shadows!
But did you notice the cute lil granny sittin in the shadows - i wish she had come out more prominent in the photo - she was such a cutey!

And boy have I got a story for you on this topic!

Chai!

One of my fav drinks! (and one of my fav pics! Gurch took this - he has an eye for good photos!!)
The tea here is yum yum - we used to drink it without milk - not sure why its so tasty - must be all the scarab beetle juice they add! ;o)

This incredibly tall obelisk adorns the entrance to Luxor temple. its sister obelisk now stands in Paris in Place de la Concorde.

Karnak temple - temple of the god Amon Ra.

Durhailay nose!

God Amon Ra with god Gurch!
You can tell they're related - cos they both got cute big nostrils! ;o)

Guess who's back from Egypt?!

What an adventure!!!
Had a BRILLIANT holiday! We are sooo going back!

We got kidnapped, nearly got conned, got escorted by armed police, Gurch got mistaken for Amitab Bachan (?!), I got proposed to...twice! (The first guy offered to buy me for 20 camels – which I think is reasonable)
Yes – I did say it was a brilliant holiday! Surely no holiday is complete without a kidnapping, eh?!

Will have lots n lots of pics and stories of the whole adventure so stay tuned!

Lions in Zion

Waheguru!
Just one look at them puts me in a state of pure anand.

Why does Birmingham have to be so far?????!!!!!

Check out this article - slightly lenghthy. Nonetheless, well worth the read.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage=1&cid=1135696358446&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

This is one of Babaji's many traits that I highly revere.
He has broken from the mould and gone forth on an international level - not only to the usual places like Canada, US, Kenya, etc. Not only has he diverged on a geographical scale, he has reached out to the masses and embraced humanity as a whole.
His message is of unity and oneness - regardless of the chosen path, the destination is the same.

Waheguru

Ik Oan Kar

Ik Oan Kar Sat Naam
Ik Oan Kar Sat Naam
Ik Oan Kar Sat Naam
Ik Oan Kar Sat Naam
Ik Oan Kar Sat Naam
Ik Oan Kar Sat Naam
Ik Oan Kar Sat Naam
Ik Oan Kar Sat Naam
Ik Oan Kar Sat Naam
Ik Oan Kar Sat Naam

Guess Who??!

ah choo chweeet!!

Cute Daddy of mine!

Valley of the Kings

Aha - it seems I have managed to score enough brownie points to land me holiday afterall!!!
The lubly jubly hubby's takin me to Egypt - Luxor - valley of the kings!
YIPEEE! :o)

Anyone out there been to Luxor??!
Im in need of advice/tips/anything! Let me know! :o)

Christmas Dinner '04

Dad.....yes.....Dad made this scrumpalicioustastic Christmas dinner in '04.
He set the table.......fished out the posh crystal cutlery………flickering dinner candles..........delicately scented pot pourri……the works!
He just wanted to impress my in-laws!
I think it worked!

speedy gonzalis!

You're too quick mom!

Peek-a-boo!!!

Once again, the master photographer Gurcharan Singh has outdone himself!

Tiny saplings sprouting through the opening - with all their might and all their strong will.....they will grow true and tall.

Don't go mom!
I'll be good.........pwomise!!

Epping forest - Christmas Day '05.
Gurch giving me a lesson on photography - 'ahh........... so this is how to capture a beautiful sunset??!!'
However, the beauty of the photographer is unparalleled! ;o)
(this should earn me some brownie points!!)

harrhipaaaa......oh pind di kurhi de nal bhangra panhaaaaa...........haeeeeeeeee rabaaaaaaaaa!!!!
sweet.......yup! revenge is sweet!!!
Jatteeeeee.............this is for ya! hehehe! ;o)
Himmmiiiiiii.............sorry son, you were part and parcel!!! ;o)

Dhasve patshah Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Sahib sab thhayi hoe sahai

WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH

This is a painting of Guru Ji by an unknown sikh - around 1810

In Guru Gobind Singh Ji's own words:

"Agya bhai Akal ki tabhi chalayo Panth
Sabh Sikhan ko hukam hai Guru manyo Granth
Guru Granth Ji manyo pargat Guran ki deh
Jo Prabhu ko milbo chahe khoj shabad mein le
Raj karega Khalsa aqi rahei na koe
Khwar hoe sabh milange bache sharan jo hoe."

"Under orders of the Immortal Being, the Panth was created. All the Sikhs are enjoined to accept the
Granth as their Guru.
Consider the Guru Granth as embodiment of the Gurus. Those who want to meet God, can find Him
in its hymns. The Khalsa shall rule, and its opponents will be no more, Those separated will unite and
all the devotees shall be saved."

I dont write poems. Never have.
I was almost in a trance when I wrote this - I often do when I think of him.
Just got caught in a moment and I let my insides spill out.
It is certainly far from complete - words will never be enough.
I might edit it later.



You taught me to believe in myself,
You told me I could do anything,

You taught me to love my enemies, to forgive, to forget
You wanted me free from the shackles of kaljug

You taught me how to smile, laugh, be happy
You wanted to instil joy in my life

You taught me to think
You dint want me to be a sheep (!)

You taught me how to swim, do yoga, how to cook the tastiest oats
The list is endless (!)

You taught me to write lists for everything
You wanted me to be organised (!)

You taught me that life is so precious
You did this through example

You taught me to fly
I am flying my beautiful friend, I am flying in your sweet love, I am flying……..

Its 2006!

ham keerae kiram sathigur saranaaee kar dhaeiaa naam paragaas 1
I am a mere insect, a worm. O True Guru, I seek Your Sanctuary. Please be merciful, and bless me with the Light of the Naam, the Name of the Lord.

Hope you all have a fantastic 2006
Guruji - may your light illuminate our souls with pure naam.
Waheguru
Waheguru
Waheguru....