Summer's Just Round The Corner

It's a Saturday morning, and I'm snuggled up in my cozy bed. I wake up leisurely, at my own time, without a single care in the world. I pull on my most comfortable pair of capris, and a loose T-shirt. I dig into my drawers, trying to find that cap I misplaced yesterday. Finally, I conjure the cap from my blanket. Yes, it's odd. I slap on some SP-14 sunscreen, put on my running shoes, and I am ready. Ready for the first day of my summer vacation.



Yes, summer vacation. Admit it, we all love to think about it. Just imagine, you're sitting outside, soaking up the sun, with a cold glass of lemonade in your hand. You're finally reading that book that you've always wanted to, but never got time to.



You don't have to wake up early for school, no boring old classes, and some of us are very relieved for we escape our teacher's irksome lectures. Now, some of us, alright, a lot of us, get holiday homework over these breaks. But, you see, you have the whole summer vacation to complete it, so you don't even have to worry.



Even if you have a lot of homework, here's some advice. Finish all of your homework on the first couple of days of vacation. That way, you will be completely rid of tension and you can over-relax (though I doubt that word even exists).

Even though it might be super hot, summer is the best time to be outdoors. It's the perfect time to play and learn lots of sports. You can even get a part-time job! :-)

The smell of summer is pretty special. It smells like fresh breeze, ice cream, and lemonade. It smells like the whole world is at peace. There is a smell like that. It smells of sunscreen, new clothes, and sometimes chlorine.

I think that every time we run, our legs tell a new story. Every drop of sweat is a way of remembering the times you had. Every gulp of water you take, reminds you of the hard play you did. Every ray of sun that bounces off a car, is a new born smile. It's ready to be taken, captured in yourself, and spread on, like a disease. Every summer is a unique experience that will always be remembered.

So, remember, summer's just round the corner, so get ready to tell a new story every day.

The Truth About Being A Kid

After being a kid for 12 years, I've learned a lot. So, here's the truth about being a kid from my experiences.

Some people get very excited before they become teens. They say that they'll get to stay up later, and do things that they never could before. The way I see it, being a kid, you get to do things that you will never do AGAIN. Again, and before. Two very small differences but they mean a lot.

Sure, you might be excited when your parents finally allow you to stay up late finally watching a PG-13 movie. But, inside, you are still used to being a kid. The next day at school, after lunch, you run to the playground where you love to play on the swings. Surprised, you see none of your friends are here. Later, you go up to them and ask them why they didn't come. Coolly, they reply, that the playground is for KIDS. Reality check, you aren't a kid anymore. You might say who cares, and go back to what you like to do. But soon, you'll realize that it is time to be grown up. Your days of childhood are officially OVER.

Another example : It's snack time and you line up to get some nice hot cocoa, the one that you love. Unfortunately when you get there, your lunch lady tells you, that the cocoa is only for the KIDS! You get TEA. Another big rip-off you think. And you thought being a teenager had advantages.

I think you have the best time of your life when you are a kid. People have much lower expectations from you, you are always treated special, and you can have as much fun as you want. Parents, don't you think back at the days when you were kids, and wish you had them back? You get to play so much, barely any pressure of studies, afternoon naps, and everyone loves to be with you. You don't have muh to worry about and you don't get shouted at that often.

I'm speaking from a kid's point of view. I don't know how it is to be a teen yet, but I'll say one thing. To those of you who are still kids, enjoy your childhood WHILE IT LASTS! You are never going to get this time again. You can do teen stuff later in life, but you can't relive the joy in being a kid. SO GO OUT THERE AND LIVE YOUR CHILDHOOD!!!

-Rooport

The Untrue Ode to Khichdi

Khichdi, oh khichdi, your bright yellow hue,
When I see post-its, I think of you.
You are so easy to digest,
You give my tummy needed rest.
You are so warm and soft inside,
With carrots and beans you swell with pride.
You truly have much glory and fame,
But, to me, you will always be the same.
A bowl of mush I eat when I'm ill,
I think it's time the truth I spill.
I'm sick of you,
I want you no more.
To eat you everyday,
Is a BORE!
So ends my ode to khichdi, so untrue,
May the peas and forks be with you.

My First Experience In A Gurudwara

Last July, I visited a gurudwara for the first time in my life. It was truly a unique experience.

The gurudwara I visited is called Paonta Sahib. Paonta Sahib is about a 2 hours drive from Dehradun. For those of you who don't know, a gurudwara is a religious place or temple for Sikhs. Most gurudwaras are given 'Sahib' at the end for respect.

Here are a few interesting things I noticed about gurudwaras during my visit:

1. All gurudwaras are painted white.
2. Both men and women must cover their hair before entering the gurudwara(to show respect I think.)
3. There is a man in the gurudwara who sits opposite the Sikh's holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib. This man is the Granthi. He has a mini broom called the Chaur and he sweeps of all the dust and bugs that fall on the book.
4. Usually, there are men who give people prasad. Some people leave their offerings with these men.
5. The book sits on a big stand shaped like a coffin and is put under a cloth.
6. There are usually people singing bhajans or songs of praise and playing the tabla and other instruments as well.
7. In most gurudwaras, you have something called langar. Its a free meal served in the morning, afternoon, and evening. You can have as much as you want and the food is pretty good. The people who make and serve the food are called Karsewa's. They work voluntarily and they aren't even paid.
8. The proper way to pray in a gurudwara is stand up and pray then kneel down and touch your head to the floor, and pray.
Now I come to Sikhism itself:
1. Guru Gobind Singh, the last guru, told all Sikhs to take five vows starting with the letter 'K'.
Vow 1. Kaccha (Underwear) They wear special, long and striped underwear.
Vow 2. Kanga (Comb) They keep a miniature comb in their hair.
Vow 3. Kadha (Bangle) They wear a religious silver bangle on their writst, usually given to them at birth.
Vow 4. Karpan (A miniature sword that Sikhs carry)
Vow 5. Kese (Vow of growing hair and not cutting it)
As I walked out of the gurudwara I read this sign. Here's what it said.

DO YOU KNOW?
The finest word: Waheguru
The finest book: Guru Granth Sahib
The finest poem: Shabad
Best act: Sewa
Visiting the gurudwara was an experience that humbled me. I saw all those people working together and I learnt that sewa makes one feel good and it satisfies you. Doing good deeds benefits everyone.

Hope you enjoyed this one.

Till the next,

Rupal

Life Without You

This is a poem for my special Mom and Dad. Thanks for taking such good care of me while I've been sick. It really means a lot to me.

Life without you seems pretty bizarre,
Up in the sky, there are no more stars,

No life in the flowers,
No buzz in the bees,
No breeze in the wind,
No leaves on the trees.

No lights in the city,
No sun in the sky,
No smiles on the faces,
Of the passerbys.

Life without you,
As you can see,
Clearly means,
No life for me.

-Rupal(the great):-)
COPYRIGHT