these days

These days I remember that trek we made to Kiritpur. A journey I never dreamt about or ever wanted, but had to fulfill. Everyday, people get lost in various matters and issues that sometimes create animosity. I think once you stand facing that river with your father's ashes in your hand & you look at your siblings and your widowed young mother, that's when you realize that life, God, and spirit are much larger than you ever thought. You can never return from such a journey without being changed forever.

~N

When you miss them the most...

We have so many days to celebrate. We have so many occassions, so many moments that we take for granted and sometimes we celebrate them, sometimes we choose not too, and at times we even make the mistake of forgetting.

But some moments, some occassions, are so meaningful that we only truly realize their worth when the manner in which we remember them have changed forever.

February 10th marks my parents wedding anniversary. Today marks 31 years of marriage, only my father is no longer with us to celebrate it.

It's been 3 1/2 years now since he passed. The world, your mind, common-sense, tells you to move on; to put the pain behind you and move forward with your life. However, how can you rationalize this to your heart when it aches to see your parents smile at one another again the way they used too. How do you rationalize this to your mind when it remembers the years of cakes and laughter on a day when we got together to celebrate the day they were married.

A wedding day isn't just an ordinary day. It's a union that begins the journey of not one person, not two people, but many. It's the beginning of a journey that will impact the lives of countless people either we're aware of that or not. It's an impact that contributes to the continual evolution of our civilization.

I know these days not everyone gets "married" - hey I'm not that old fashioned. But, I think you know me well enough by now to get what I mean.

Today, well tonight - as I'm writing this at 2am, since I can't sleep - I'm just feeling the impact of this day that has snuck up on us again.

Since his passing, we continue to move forward as much as possible. You begin to accept what's happened and live with it. But some days, honestly, you just turn to that empty chair and wish he was still there. Some days, you open his closet and just wish he still adorned those clothes. Some days, you open up something as minor as the home telephone book and see his handwriting and just wish...

Some days you just plain wish...well you wish you had "a wish" - how else can I put that?

I have the strongest mother in the world. Even in his death, our mother breathes life into him and his memories.

February 10th is my parent's wedding anniversary & it will always be a celebration. It will be a celebration of the life, journey and love that I have grown to admire and that has guided me to become the person I am today.

Take a moment and think about the precious moments and people in your life. Never take anything for granted. Every smile, every breath, every ray of light is a gift.


-N
N.

Back from the Mother Land

Those of you following me on Twitter and Facebook, already know that yes I have returned from India. The trip was incredible as always, and very "entertaining".

Each time I go back to India I always notice that it's developed ten times as much as the last time I was there. This time around I kept getting one thought: "India is experiencing an industrial revolution now combined with a rapid western influx of technology and culture."

But there's one thing that I must credit India and Indians with -- no matter how rapidly they continue to develop and progress, no matter how much they incorporate what we would term "western culture" -- India always ALWAYS maintains it's own culture. Take McDonald's for example, or any fast food restaurant in India. The menu at each of these places is reflective of the country. My chosen order at McDonald's was always the McAloo Tikki. Want to know what that is -- google it. I'm sure you'll find loads on it, or better yet try it out when you visit India. The way India manages to hold onto it's identity while incorporating western businesses and tech, is commendable and I give them complete credit for that.

A country that is going to dominate, a country that is fast becoming a super-power, can only be a super-power if it is unique and can mold the rest of the world to follow it. Britain did that, America did that, now China and India are doing that. They are fast becoming dominating countries without losing their identities. THIS , ladies & gentleman, is what makes India a force to be reckoned with and what validates the claim that India may very well be a future super-power to replace the ones we see today. Hmmmmm....

The flight: simply put Jet Airways needs to offer some food other than just Indian food. How can they expect you to eat a samosa for breakfast????? A SAMOSA THAT'S BEEN PACKED FOR GOD KNOWS HOW LONG! LOL. Would it really hurt to have a few sandwiches?

Delhi: a complete makeover following the Commonwealth Games. Kudos to India for the incredible new airport. Makes travelling a whole lot easier and enjoyable.

Punjab: I always have a sensitive spot in my heart for Punjab. The fields, the fresh air, the atmosphere...maybe it's the knowledge of knowing that my grandparents, ancestors, my father...all grew up, played, and lived ontop of that soil, in those fields, breathed that air. Something that needs to be discussed and I will do so on a later day properly is the water crisis in Punjab. I want to highlight the Save Panjab campaign with you all and will be doing so in the coming months.

I don't think I can put into words what Punjab means to me. It may surprise you that I will cut off on that topic here. Punjab to me...is priceless and leaves me speechless. Instead below is a photo that still catches my breath; an image I saw every day and I lived to see it every day while I was there.A certain Canadian MP was there in Punjab at the same time. I did not meet this MP in person while I was there, but I saw plenty of her on TV chatting and spending time with the infamous Mr. Badal. Yes you've got it right, the current Chief Minister of Punjab, leader of the Akali Dal party. The Akali Dal Party...refer to some history books on why this is "irksome"...

A person's personal conviction and devotion to human rights should stand above all else, including popularity. Why am I saying this? I don't know...why am I saying this?

Let's turn to ENTERTAINMENT -- I have to admit leading up to my trip to India, I was sooo caught up with work, wedding planning, family, etc. that I had not been able to pay attention to my passion for films. While in India I caught up :) Yes I came back addicted to "Dabangg" and all of you loyal fans on Facebook keep reminding me of this addiction! lol. Thanks for that! You all know you love it too, okay!

I'm going to do a proper movie review of Dabangg in the coming days, even though it's quite old by now. I'll leave my comments on Sonakshi Sinha, Salman Khan and the film until then. Sit tight!

Sheila? Jawani? What? what about Sheila's Jawani?? ;) If you have no clue what I'm talking about...then you're more out of the loop than I am! Google it!

The iPad has arrived in India. Makes no diff to me since I still don't have one :(

My Kobo e-reader turned a lot of heads in the pind.

OMG the pind -- best experience, taking a cold bath in freezing temperatures. Apparently there were some records set this year in India. It's never been so cold. Riding on the back of a scooter was an experience I made sure I had this time around. And yes I held on for dear life as I kept thinking I'd fall off and I covered my face with a scarf with only my eyes free. Not a good idea. Makes a girl's eyes more prominent and well...brings a lot of attention :s

I posted some pics on facebook: www.facebook.com/authorNavKGill - check those out.

I have a lot to write about but I gotta run right now. Next post will cover Egypt. We've got loads to discuss!

Today's official SNOW DAY has come to an end. I'm through with shoveling, being dumped on with snow from my mom's attempt of using a snow blower, and getting paint all over me as I built a fighter jet for my nephew - short story: I'm exhausted!

till next time -- keep up to date on what's happening in this world. We are at a critical point on many fronts.

Stay in touch with me through Facebook & Twitter (www.twitter.com/NavKGill). There's a lot of updating needed. More interviews coming. I'm going to be doing some more PR in the coming weeks and months.

Now that I'm back, we need to continue the push of "Under the Moonlit Sky" here in North America. The response has been great around the world, but I really want to take it as far as possible. My ultimate goal is to see this book in film. Will that happen? God only knows, but it's a dream I'll always carry.

Peace out!

:)

N.