Gurpreet Kaur

Today I was actually looking into the type of career job I wish to go into after completing my degree (BSc (Hons) Computing). For the past three weeks University of Portsmouth had undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate students’ graduating on the Guildhall steps, finally completing their degrees. It was brilliant to see all the students graduating with all their families there beside them extremely proud of their children and most of all supporting them.

Read more…

Since the past few days the weather has been extremely brilliant with the sun finally out, I decided to watch my brother (19) get out the paddling pool in the garden for the siblings (little sister who is 8 and little brother who is 7).

Me and my brother use to have the paddling pool when we were their age. It took us firstly a whole hour pumping the paddling pool up. I was quite amazed at the fact the paddling pool still was the same from being packed away for a good 8/9 years. We were actully thinking of throwing it away since we thought we wouldnt have to use it any more. But hey, it come in handy. ! I was actually quite concerned about where they were going to put the pool in the garden. Since we had the pool out 8/9 years ago we didnt have the extra extension built at the end of the garden giving us a much spacious area to place the pool in. And now the garden space was limited and the pool is quite big. But we managed to fit it in perfectly just opposite the kitchen.

Read more…

A few days ago I went onto a website which my friend, Varinder Singh had recommended, http://hundredpushups.com/ , it’s a training program online to accomplish 100 push ups in a period of 6 weeks (MY GAWSH, IT DOES SOUND LIKE A CHALLENGE AND A HALF) for me anyways, haha. But since I haven’t got much to do over the summer holidays anyway, might as well have a go.

On Thursday (17th July 2008) I started whats called the “Initial Test”, where you count how many proper push ups you can do until you literally drop dead… I only managed 3 proper push ups (shocking I actually managed 1). Making me think now if I barely managed 3 how the hell will I manage 100. But taking into account on the same day my brother made me do chin ups too (Another damn challenge). Instead of chin ups I ended up treating the bar like some monkey bar and just swinging off it. Couldn’t even do half a chin up at first but then managed just 1. Well it’s something I suppose.

Since I done the chin ups before the initial test, it may have been the reason to why i dropped dead within 3 push ups, since my arms were dying from the chin ups. So now I’ve decided to re-take the Initial Test again as soon as my arms and shoulders have recovered from the build up of lactic acid the chin up bar caused…

…What a day it was yesterday !5.00 am - 11.30 am; We woke up to prepare the Langar for the day. The Langar was; Saag (Mustard Leaves/Spinach), Teende/Teendoo, Maha Mohat, Khataa Dhahi with Pakoriyaa, Kheer, Karah, Salad and Parshadhe (Chappati’s), which all was done by 11.30am. (Good Timing) As Guru Granth Sahib Ji Were meant to come by 12.00 noon. As the furniture was moved a night before, we just had to put down white sheets on the carpet and set up Guru Ji’s place where they would be.

11.45 am - 12.00noon; My brother and dad went to get the 5 Gyani’s from the Gurdwara, along with Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Since we saw car parking space outside our house, before Dad went he told me to move my car in the space so the Gurdwara Van which was going to bring the Guru Granth Sahib Ji could park.

12.00 noon; Guru Ji Arrived. I went to move the car further down the road so Gurdwara van could park.

12.15; Guru Ji’s Palki was set up inside in front room. Gurvir brought in Guru Granth Sahib Ji. What an atmosphere it was :D. As soon as Guru Ji settled in the Palki, the Jaikara was shouted out and Ardas performed followed after by the Hukamnama.

By this time close family and friends all arrived and JapJi Sahib Paaht was done. Felt so calm and peaceful. Once Japji Sahib Paaht was done the Gyani’s read 3 shabads after. Then Ardas was performed again, along with the Langar being ready to distribute, then followed by Hukamnama, The Hukam that was taken out was amazing.

Once Ardas was complete, the Langar was ready (after the Bhog). The Panj Sikh (5 Sikhs) were the first to have Langar. We all waited untill they finished before distributing the Langar to the rest of the Sangat that arrived.

After they finished their Langar, Ardas was performed again and Guru Ji Were ready to take Their Leave. This moment was the most beautiful moment BUT depresing at the same time. As Guru Ji left, it felt like a part of yourself is leaving and you suddenly begin to feel all left alone again.

The whole day was totaly awesome, very tiring, but worth it.

Today is my brothers 19th birthday. Mum and Dad always try to do a Langar/Satsangh/Akhandpaht on all our birthdays to thank Guru Ji. This year for my brother’s 19th birthday we decided to do a Langar at home. It has been quite a while since Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji came home :D, and found that this was the perfect opportunity.

We have been preparing since Thursday (10th July 2008), cleaning the house up, washing the curtains, washing the windows, washing the front and rear garden, bleaching and washing the rubbish bins, along with mum making us scrub the carpet clean. But then again it’s all worth it after all Guru Ji is coming.

I just finished packing the “Mithayi” (Indian Sweets) in boxes. Which mum, me and dad all made together last night. It turned out to look realy good. We just have to wait and see what happens later on today. - Picures attached below

We haven’t invited many people because we wanted the Langar to be just a small gathering really, with close family and just close friends from the neighbourhood. Main idea was to bring Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji home and gather “Panj Sikh” (5 Sikhs) and prepare Langar for them.

10 hours left ….

…OK It’s 1.30 am I should really get to sleep, since we have to wake up early tomorrow morning.

Good Night !! - Will update later on today.