Archie Picks Veronica!

After all these years, hundreds of editions, decades of waiting...supposedly we have the answer. And it's a surprise, at least to me! Archie has proposed to Veronica.

Probably one of the most famous love triangles in pop-culture seems to be coming to an end, or is it? Reports claim that in the next issue Archie will propose to Veronica, as Betty looks on in tears. After years of being tossed about, stomped on and playing second fiddle to the high-maintenance Veronica, Archie is still choosing her over the quiet, sweet, and understanding Betty.

I must ask if by choosing Veronica, the comic team is deliberately going against conventional norms. Isn't the shy, sweet one supposed to win in the end? Not the abnoxious, rich, popular one?

Also does Archie's proposal mean the end to a comic series that has been running for 7 decades?

I think not.

The controversial upcoming issue is just "The Proposal". We have no clue what the end will be. Betty still may  have something to contribute, or perhaps Archie may be hit with a flash of lightening. In any case I always thought Betty deserved better.

Whatever the case with this "proposal" - I just don't think the fat lady is done her song yet ;)

solomag.ca goes live!

Wednesday  I embarked on an unlikely adventure. I woke up thinking I was going to spend the day in my pajamas, as I had the day off. I figured I would spend it reading "To Kill A Mockingbird" since I seem to be the only one who hasn't read it yet! But as I settled in on my couch, the phone rang and suddenly plans changed.

My sister invited me to join her at a "single woman's online magazine launch" in Toronto. "It'll be good for you," she said. I looked outside my window and watched as the rain pounded the pavement and thought about how difficult it will be to sit through a 45 minute commute into Toronto. My mind started making up countless excuses of why I shouldn't get out of my pajamas and head into town, but with the help of my sister's voice I shut out those excuses and answered with a simple: "Sure, when and where?"

And boy am I glad that I went.

My sister and I walked into a room packed with women who have either found success or are well on their way to finding it in the corporate world. Each one had an amazing story and a bright smile to go along with it. It wasn't difficult for my sister, the hardworking corporate type, to fit in. Rather, I felt some hesitation at first about approaching people and engaging in conversation. Would these women be interested in speaking with an ex-politico type, now law student, and writer? Did I have anything interesting to contribute?

I soon found out that they were interested. 

The launch which was aimed at introducing a new single woman's online magazine turned out to be a pleasant interaction between successful, ambitious and caring women who value the art of networking. The air was polluted with laughter, encouragement and genuine appreciation of one another. I must say, towards the end of the night I almost felt lightheaded from all of the positivity. 

Jacqueline Parker, the Editor of Solomag.ca, has introduced a medium for single women where they can interact and learn about topics that actually are quite relevant to their everyday lives. From travel, lifestyle, careers, relationships, finance and real estate, to a page that teaches singles to "do it solo" -- it's all relevant information.

I've had the privilege to read through every article and although I do not fit into the 35-50 demographic, I found the articles to be quite helpful for my own personal knowledge. I encourage everyone to visit the website and experience what solomag is all about: www.solomag.ca

Congrats to the entire Solomag team on a job well done.

The Clash Continues

A Dera sect leader is shot dead in Vienna, and a train goes up in flames in Jalandhar, Punjab - the riots continue...

The ongoing dispute and distaste between Sikhs and the unpopular Sikh Sect known as the Dera Sach Khand is no secret. The past few years have been marked with loud and sometimes violent protests between both groups. Those who don't know much about the topic may ask, "Well aren't they all Sikhs? So what's the difference?" And this is a good question to ask. The answer however is that there is a fundamental difference. Orthodox Sikhism does not believe in a living Guru. After the Tenth Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Sikhs observe the holy Guru Granth Sahib as the Word of God and as The Guide towards Truth. Dera followers on the other hand believe in living gurus and their practices are a long list of things that orthodox Sikhism has never included. There's no time to get into that yet.

What something is or isn't - I highly doubt that after centuries of it existing it will just up and disappear. Let's face it people - Dera sect isn't going anywhere.

What concerns us now at this time is the violence that is increasing and reaching across the world. Two of the Sect's leaders were shot as they preached in a Temple in Vienna. One was killed and the other has been said to be in stable condition.

The Dera sect followers, upon hearing about this attack, have reacted by rioting in Punjab against Orthodox Sikhs by lighting cars, buses, and even whole trains on fire.

It's getting out of control. 

No one was able to suppress this sect back in the 14th century or anytime between then and now, so what makes people think that they can do so now? The argument used is that the Dera leaders show grave disrespect towards the holy Guru Granth Sabhib. What the Dera leaders have been preaching and doing - they've been doing for centuries.

However, is violence the only way to stop them from doing this? If the choice is between violence which will undoubtedly include hurting innocents or unsuccessful dialogue, then I say it's better to let God deal with them and judge them. Endangering innocents who stand on the sidelines and have nothing to do with the debate is just plain wrong. Riots are never about one person, nor do they only touch one person or one group. Many innocents are hurt and lives are completely destroyed. So leave it and let the higher beings deal with it. Just focus on your own life and live it as honestly as you can.

Let's not forget what all of us Sikhs were put through 25 years ago.

New additions that become lasting additions to your life

It's been a while since I wrote a personal note. So here it is --

Something's been on my mind lately and I think I need to write about it in order to make sense of it. All my life I've always had this habit of writing even when I have no flipping idea what it is I'm going to say, but to just let it flow as my hands move across the page, or in this case, across the keys of my laptop :p

Lately, I've been trying to absorb a certain phenomena about life. We can even call it a "miracle" depending on how we view it, but in essence it is quite profound. If you've read my blog in the past, especially if you've read some of my most earliest entries, then you know undoubtedly that I've experienced some loss in my life. However, my life has never been boring or absent of adventure, and I've had some truly wonderful experiences. 

One day I started to pay attention to and think about all the new people that I've met during the course of my life. Some have come and gone and have made their mark regardless of how short of stay they had and some were quite insignificant and believe me when I say that I wouldn't be sad if they never showed up again! 

Then there are those new people that have swooped into my life and have given me the feeling that I have been waiting for them all this time. These are the individuals that define the "new addditions that become lasting additions". There is no shared blood, but they are family in every sense of the word. And they have become some of the most important people in my life.

I find it very interesting how life can take people away from you, literally rip them away - as my father was. And then surprisingly just bring in new lasting additions.

If anything, this phenomena just reinforces the argument that we really are pawns in a greater game orchestrated by some superior being, or maybe it's just the dynamics of life. I'm not going to get into an existential debate here, we'll save that for another day.

For the time being, just stop and pay attention to the people that are in your life -- not the blood relatives -- but the ones that could very easily have chosen to walk out of your life or keep a distance. Pay attention to the ones that make or have made a positive decision to remain a part of you for the long run. Pay attention to the ones that make you feel like you were meant to meet and become lasting additions in each other's lives. Those are the ones that we can refer to as life's miracles.

:)

On the eve of turning 26...

Thinking about the years that I've left behind as I hinge on the eve of my 26th Birthday...sorta make me feel like this animated girl to the right ----->

(By the way... I have no idea what that writing means in the picture. Let's just ignore that).

Twenty-six years have gone by and shit...where did they go? I've had some amazing years and some very not-so-amazing years, but every single one has taught me something about myself and especially about life. For that I am grateful. However, I do still feel that a lot of the life lessons I've learned I could have done without, at least for another few years. I guess at the end of the day we all have to walk a certain path in life; uncover certain truths about ourselves and about our existence so that we can become better human beings...

You see! This old age stuff is already catching up with me! I think tomorrow (May 12th) is going to be one gloomy day :(

I used to burst with excitement when May 12th arrived, but somewhere in the past 3 or so years that excitement has vanished. Instead now there is a certain sadness about the youth that is slipping away. The responsibilities of growing up...getting married...my gosh!

I guess we all have to progress with time. Perhaps marriage won't be so bad. Maybe my in-laws won't find my obsession with xbox 360 to be "too" bothersome... maybe they'll even find my Hannah Montana t-shirts cute? Well... as long as I have my console, I suppose I can ready myself for the next phase in my life -- a phase, sadly, that starts with me turning 26.

If this is me at 26...what will become of me when I turn 30?

Some Moments

There are some moments in life that are so immensely powerful that they leave you feeling as if the earth just shook around you. Some moments can tear you down and make you feel like you've lost everything that ever meant something in your life. Some moments leave you feeling like you can't take the next step; the next leap; the next journey.

Then there are those moments that utterly and completely warm your heart. There are moments that bring tears to your eyes, not because you're sad, but because your heart begins to overflow with such wonderful joy that the only thing you can do is cry. There are moments that bring all the meaning back into your life. There are moments that bring serenity, bliss, and absolute happiness.

This past weekend, I felt such happiness. Thanks to those that made it happen.

:)