Sat Karm Kaur in India

Miri Piri Academy

2007-04-29T02:43:00.000-07:00

For those of you who haven't seen it, here's a video about our school made by Guru Darshan Kaur, who taught photography at our school for one semester and now lives in Dharamsala:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h4sYEpQY5g

Yay.

So... there are 3 weeks of school left! Oh how the time has flown by. We 10th graders have Board Exams in a week, for two weeks, and then we're HOME. I have to say I can't wait!! but I am gonna miss MPA. Hopefully, I will come back next year. Anyway.. not much else to say and I don't have a lot of time left. Catch you all later.

Sat Karm Kaur

my work

2007-03-27T22:20:00.000-07:00

Here's one of my essays written in English class that Ms Bentley posted on the Student Work Blog. ( http://mpa-studentwork.blogspot.com )

My Family

Welcome to the Bissett family. We’re big, loud, and pure Aussie pride. I’m the only Canadian on my mum’s side, but that doesn’t stop my heritage from coming out.

I live in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, with my mum and my cat. We live in an apartment complex off of Commercial Drive, a spunky area in the Downtown East Side of Vancouver. The area is very multicultural, inhabited primarily by Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Canadian families. My mum moved out of her parents’ house in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, when she was 22 to begin traveling around the world, and moved to Vancouver permanently when she learnt she was pregnant with me!

Neither of my parents are Sikh. My father is Christian (his dad was a priest), and while my mother does Kundalini Yoga she doesn’t follow a religion. When she was a child, she went to a Catholic all girls’ school, and my Nana brought my mum and her 9 other siblings up as Catholics, although they were never baptized. These days, the Bissetts aren’t very religious, but we all remember our spirituality and beliefs.

My entire family (on my mum’s side), aside from me, are from Australia. I’ve been to Australia twice, where I visited the twenty-something Bissetts inhabiting Geelong. The central meeting point is my Nana and Papa’s house, which my Pap designed and built himself in his earlier years. My family is a classic Australia family. All our pictures together are at a barbeque (or ‘barbie’), the men usually holding beer cans, and cricket is mandatory at every family gathering.

My father’s side is a touchy and generally unknown subject. I was born as a surprise to my dad, who wasn’t even there when I was born. I never knew this man very well. I’ve had a few encounters with him which weren’t the most pleasurable moments of my life. Nevertheless, I have faith that he will be able to change and I will perhaps be able to have a relationship with him.

My family is very complex but at the same time ridiculously similar. We come from many different worlds but we all have our “biscuit-brain” reputations to be recognized by. Some would say that I’ve had a tough upbringing but I’m grateful for what I’ve got.

Rishikesh... spring break!

2007-03-25T02:58:00.000-07:00

Wow... so I haven't been here in a while. Just leaving a brief overview here about my spring break so you know how I'm doing.

We took a 7 hour train ride from Amritsar to Hardwar, followed by an hour long bus ride to get into Rishikesh. The day after our arrival we were greeted by torrents of rain. Nevertheless, we weren't discouraged, and set off into town for a day of good food and great rain. The rest of the week remained generally sunny, just our luck.

The highlights of the trip were most definitely white-water rafting and swimming in the Ganga. The constant good Italian food wasn't bad either.

Anyway... now we're back at school with 40 day seva, exams, and home on our minds. 2 months left. I can't wait to see you all!

long time no see...

2006-12-07T00:43:00.000-08:00

Well, I guess I haven't written you guys in a while.

Christmas spirit is beginning to flood through the halls of Miri Piri Academy. Dharamatma Kaur started making wreaths out of the trimmings from the bushes surrounding the girl's dorm, all the germans have been singing german Christmas carrols, and the signup sheets are posted in the hallway for the girl's stocking exchange. There are 25 days (and counting) of the year left and everyone's getting pumped up for Winter Break, parents comming, exams (cough,cough), DHARAMSALA!! Yes, it has been 7 years since MPA has been to Dharamsala and I am soooooo excited to go! It's going to be a blast. But I can't let the excitement get to my head because we still have Midterms (the day after Christmas, I might add).

Well... what else to day. Not much. The weather's been getting colder and now that 40 day sadhana is over we've started doing yoga in the mornings. Not particularly favoured by anyone, but, eh, we can live. The first half of the day here is always ridiculously foggy and cold. Then it gets nice and sunny in the afternoon.

Anyway... not much else to say, and we're in study hall and the bell is about to ring... I'll hopefully update again soon.

Sat Nam
Sat Karm Kaur

kabaddi from a couple weeks ago

2006-11-16T21:08:00.000-08:00

I wrote this a couple weeks ago but blogger was down, so here you go...

Today was the kabaddi competition. For those who don't know, kabaddi is a traditional india wrestling type sport. There are two types: square style, which is a style used all over India, and circle style, which is specifically played in Punjab. The differences are that in square style, once you cross the centre line to raid on the other team, you have to hold your breath and say "kabaddi kabaddi kabaddi kabaddi.....", where, with circle style you don't. In square style, you have to touch a certain line before you can go back to your side, and the whole team can tackle you (theres usually 5 or 6 people per team), and in cirle style only the person you tag can tackle you. Square focuses more on teamwork, and circle is more wrestling oriented.
Today we played a square tournament. Each squad (Gold, Silver, Blue and White) has two teams: one of boys and one of girls. They set up two fields so the girls and guys would be playing at alternate times while the other field was being prepped for the next game. Today I had to play because half of our squad was injured from the soccer game the previous day. Traditionally blue house (my squad) is really into all the competitions. All the other squads hate us, because we try so hard and make everything a big deal. I can see why. Then gold house is the lazy squad and silver and white is kind of neutral. First blue played silver, and we won (guys and girls). Then gold played white and won for girls and guys. In the championships white and silver guys played for third and white won, whereas the silver girls won 3rd place. In the finals for 1st place gold boys won and blue girls (aka my squad) won. According to a lot of people I played well today. It was fun, tiring, and I got really dirty because the field is a dirt field.Most of the girls here like circle style better but I think square style is good because it really builds teamwork and is fun to watch.
After kabaddi everyone relaxed for the rest of the day. Anand and I ordered pizza from Dominoes and then I ordered dessert with a bunch of other people from a restaurant called the sweet life. My roommates (Dharma, Saibi, Prabhjot, Tej) and I ordered our carpet, FINALLY (our carpet is really gross and dirty... not to mention PINK), and then Dharma, Saibi, Guru Amar, Simmi and I watched Moulin Rouge. By the end of it, it was time for formation for meditation. And now I'm in the computer lab.This is pretty much an average Saturday. It alternates that every weekend we either have a competition or town leave.
Tomorrow is Gurdwara. It's going to be really relaxed with no kirtan, because part of the gatka squad is going on a Jaloose, and a lot of those people are the people who do kirtan. Sunday is always a day of laziness, where we can just sit back, relax, eat pizza, watch movies and sleep. Dharma, Simmi and I have a lot of movies to catch up on so it's going to be a BUSY day (ehehhe, I kid).Well, I should be off. Kick-in is in a half hour.

Goodnight!

Sat Karm Kaur

halloween! she comes!

2006-10-29T03:47:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update before I get outta the computer lab, due to reason: my eyes feel like they're falling out of their sockets. I've been in charge for 2 hours and I'm about ready to leave. But anyway.

Last night we had our Halloween costume competition/party. I couldn't think of a good costume so I was just in privates the whole time, but some of the costumes were really good. The party was fun too.

But anyway, that's enough. Here are some pictures of Darbar Sahib on Guru Ram Das Ji's Birthday!

Kirtan

The golden temple all lit up!

Fireworks right over my head!

WJKK WJKF!
-Sat Karm Kaur

woop-de-doo

2006-10-08T03:28:00.000-07:00

Well... another weekend coming to an end. It was a 3day weekend as was last weekend. Last Monday was Dusshera, a Hindu holiday, so we had no school. Parampurkh and Naydja took the girls to pizza hut and then to Novelty (a sweet shop) and Wahe Guru Singh and Hari Amrit Singh snuck on the bus, but the staff didn't seem to mind.
Then on Friday was the anniverary of the Siri Singh Sahib's passing. We had a .... well the name is slipping my mind but its basically a Gurdwara to finish the Akhaan Paath that we did in honour of SSS (for those of you who don't know, an Akhaan Paath is a continuous reading of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib out loud... and I read for 1 hour!), and then at 11 we formed in the yoga room to watch a lecture by Siri Singh Sahib from '92! The rest of the day was regular schedule, other than school.
Saturday was meant to be Town Leave but there was a Jaloos in town around GT for Guru Ramdas's Birthday. It was basically us walking around, stopping and forming a circle and people doing gatka. After that we all went to a dhaba (india restaurant place..) on the school! Then at night I had to stand at attention for half an hour... attention is like, military attention? It's used at punishment here for stepping out of line, failing room inspection, being late etc. I only had a half hour because I didn't wear proper uniform to extra-curriculars (mine is Kathak) the other night.
Now it's Sunday... we had gurdwara and nothing else to do today. I might be going to GT tonight for Raag Darbar Sahib... for Guru Ramdas's birthday. It's a HUGE Gurdwara and the best Raag players from all over india come and perform shabds in honour of Guru Ramdas. The only problem is that we get back at 2 am, which means only 3 hours to sleep... ahh.
Oh, I remember something interesting! At the Jaloos, I saw someone who went to Ladies Camp! I feel bad because I don't remember her name... but it was so weird! We were walking and I saw her and though, O M G, I know her ?!?!?!? What?!?! I remember she always wore big glasses... on the Ferry back she was talking to us about how she's a raw foodist and was drinking this fruit and veggie smoothie (Mum do you remember?)

Anyway... here are some pictures of our campus here. I thought you might enjoy.

Oooh, aren't you intrigued! Well guess what?! YOU'LL HAVE TO CLICK THIS LINK TO SEE MORE. BWAHAHAHAH. >> CLICK!!!!

And... now I'm off to do stuff... I LOVE YOU ALL!

schoolfully schoolish

2006-09-24T04:05:00.000-07:00

Well, we finally finished our first week of school! And boy oh boy, it has been long. It's now Sunday, aka the day we have no obligations until 7:45pm. This morning was supposed to be sleep-in, but we woke up at 7 and went to Chheharta Gurdwara, played kirtan and had lungar. Then we came back to the school, and Dharma, Saibi and I watched Pride & Prejudice and ordered pizza. Then I fell asleep for an hour. And here I am!

But really, this is not why I am posting. I am posting because I finally decided to upload pictures! So here they are! There aren't many because... well, I don't know why, but really, who cares. OK. Go.

Behold; the packing process!

Note how I'm sitting IN my suitcase. (that friggin thing broke on me! I finally got it back from the airport and the handle had broken off.)

Buahahaha.

In Guru Amrit and Baldev's room (Guru Amrit laying down, Baldev on the left and Guru Shabd on the right); we were sticking things down Guru Amrit's pants while she was reading and she didn't even notice!

Random shot of Guru Shabd's face (with Guru Amrit in the background) FTW!! This was my first time in a Rishabh.

This is my bed, with some sports uniform and Jolly Ranchers on it.

My face got attacked by a fartbug. It's almost all healed, though!

Uniformmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

GT Photos:

Aaaaaand thatisall. Until next time folks, keep rockin' in the free world!

Sat Nam,
Sat Karm Kaur

WOOHOO

2006-09-07T00:51:00.000-07:00

Well... uberquick entry.. I'm here in India on Town Leave, everythings going well, except the airline lost my bags but they should hopefully be turning up soon. Thank you EVERYONE for all your support... we're going to Anandpur tomorrow... might be fun, but what do I know? Anyway, I should let Baldev on the computer... expect a longer, less rushed entry next time.

I love you all!
Sat Nam and blessings,
SKK(L)

change of plans?

2006-09-02T23:15:00.000-07:00

So... just under 12 hours until my flight leaves. I have to say I'm pretty excited. A little nervous, sad to leave my family and friends, but open to a whole new world of adventures. Yesterday I found out that Saibi is taking her 10th grade year at MPA, her first year as well. I'm *SO* relieved, I thought I was going to be a huuuuge loner. So, hoorayyyy Saibi :)

Tonight we phoned MPA to confirm that I have someone to pick me up at the Amritsar airport. It turns out after dozens of confused phonecalls to the security guy who doesnt speak english, and finally to Mrs. Mona, that there's a huge rainstorm over there and it's not safe for us to be climbing Hemkunt. I'm 1/2 disappointed but 1/2 relieved. Instead we'll be going to Anandpur Sahib on Tuesday morning. So I guess it'll be a little easier on me, jetlag-wise.

I just want to take this moment to thank the whole sangat for coming together and showing your support... I couldn't have done it without you.

Wish me luck!

Aaaaand I'm off!

Sat Nam,
Sat Karm Kaur.

o0o0o0o pretty pictures

2006-09-01T15:22:00.000-07:00

Well... It's I don't know how long, but SOON, until I fly out to India. I'm pretty excited. Dev Atma and I did loads of shopping today at Wal-Mart and Superstore and got the majority of the toiletries and school supplies etc. And soon Dharm is going to take me shopping again for all the clothing I need. After this I'm going to hate shopping, ahhaha. Oh well. Anyway, I'm posting to show you some pictures of the lovely mountain I will be climbing when I get to India.

For more photos and history on Hemkunt Sahib visit http://www.sikhnet.com/hemkuntsahib

Sat Nam,
Sat Karm Kaur

2006-08-31T22:45:00.000-07:00

Send a khalsa kid to Miri Piri Academy

For $25 dollars a month, for 9 months.

Write 9 post-dated cheques, 25 dollars each, dated the 1st of each month, Sept. 06-May 07. Make payable to MPA BC (Miri Piri Academy of BC). Mail or drop off cheques to:

Yoga West
2662 West 4th Ave
Vancouver, BC
V6K 1P7
Phone #: 604 732 YOGA (9642)

correction & plugs!

2006-08-30T14:56:00.000-07:00

I guess when I think of MPA's tuition, I forget that they pay for everything. The tuition is a LIFE tuition, not just school. The tuition gets you your education, boarding, food, uniform, extra-curricular fees etc (they call it your incidental money), and even spending money! So really, in retrospect, it is not expensive at all. It was my misunderstanding.

I would like to take a moment and thank everyone for their support and generosity. But also to remind you all that we still need donations!

So, if you haven't already seen it, here's a look at the wonnnnnderful school I will be attending, Miri Piri Academy.
Here is the camp I've been going to and serving for 9 years, and really, my inspiration for going on this path; Khalsa Ladies Camp.
A link to the sangat here, our 3HO community, Raj Yog Nivas/Yoga West.

This is definitely shaping up! We have about 3 days to get everything done, Saturday we'll go shopping for supplies and I'm out on Sunday!

Sat Nam,
Sat Karm Kaur

Countdown!

2006-08-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam all!

We need this money by Friday at 5pm at the latest! So please! Find it in you to donate! And believe me, it is VERY good karma.

So far we have 5 donors. At the moment I do not have all the names so if I forget you, please forgive me!

Karta Kaur has donated $100 USD
Dev Atma Kaur - $25/month
Guru Raj Kaur and Hari Singh - $25/month
Fateh Kaur - $25/month
(the other names are slipping my mind... but will be posted shortly)

5 down, 27 to go!

25 dollars a month will send a khalsa kid to MPA

2006-08-29T12:57:00.000-07:00

One thing I've heard countless times from people of all ages is that a child's education is what is most important (other than food, shelter and love of course). The Vancouver public school system doesn't support the spiritual needs of the khalsa children of BC. Which is why we have Miri Piri Academy in Amritsar, India. But the tuition there is expensive; not all families can afford it. If we can get the 3HO community together to help raise money for kids in BC who WANT to attend this school, we can see a brighter future (after all, we are training the leaders of tomorrow).

This is myself, Sat Karm (left) with my friend Siri Wahe Guru (right) at Khalsa Ladies Camp 2005.

We are just an example of people who, for $25/month, can go to Miri Piri Academy and get a Dharmic education.

The great thing is that people my age who go, choose to go. We are not forced. MPA is something I want to do with all my heart. Please help me, and eventually, other khalsa kids, fulfill our dreams.

Sat Nam
SKK

first blog entry?! I THINK SO

2006-08-29T00:18:00.000-07:00

Well. I guess I should introduce myself.
My name is Ruby, or Sat Karm Kaur. I'm 14 and at the moment I live in Vancouver , Canada but will soon hopefully be living in Amritsar, India.
I've created this blog with the hopes of documenting my 9 month stay in India to give everyone a feel of what it'll be like for a n00b to turn into a pro.

Today I went for a TB test. They put a vaccine in my arm and then there was this little white bubble that appeared. It disappeared shortly after and looks like it's fading a lot. I have to go back on Wednesday to get the result.
As well I went for a physical, same old same old.
Jai Hari Kaur gave me her kirpan (she really didn't have to, it was a complete surprise, but I am very greatful and am enjoying it a lot) and a kara. She also helped me around town with all the tasks I had to complete today. THANK YOU LOVELY.
And did other things which I can't quite remember.

I'm not looking forward to making 1000000 phonecalls tomorrow. It's going to be odd talking to my family after what seems like a lifetime and asking them for financial support. I don't know if I can do it. I don't particularly want to contact 3HO Australia either (... I don't even know why I am but JHK seems to have a reason. But I don't know what I'm asking so... woohoo...). I hate phonecalls.

Anyway... I really can't recall what I was planning on writing but I'm exhausted from work and have to get up for sadhana tomorrow so I better get some shuteye!

Sat Nam.