The Five Thieves: Ego

Dear journal

After daddy took all my stuff, I called him and he told me I could have all my stuff back if I got a job. Of course I got a job, I’m awesome! I work at Aritzia in Pacific Centre and I’m so good at my job. I wear all my in season Aritizia clothes and I’m practically a mannequin when I’m there. I’m so good at displaying how to properly wear their clothes! So many people buy what I’m wearing!

I’m the best at folding! And I’m the best at saying hi to customers. And I’m also the best at telling people what not to wear. I’m going to be running the store by the end of the year because I have so many good ideas. I can’t wait!

xoxo

Bimbo Barbie

Vaisakhi Day!

It is a day that marks both the New Year and the anniversary of the establishment of Khalsa in 1699. The Sikh community in BC celebrate by hosting parades in Vancouver and Surrey. This year, the Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade occurred on April 13, 2013 and the Surrey Vaisakhi Parade and Celebration occurred on April 20, 2013. The parade in Vancouver had about 50,000 people spectators and the parade in Surrey had 80,000 to 200,000. The parade is Surrey is considered one of the largest Vaisakhi parades outside of India. Everyone, Sikh or non-Sikh, are invited to celebrate Vaisakhi Day. The celebrations in Vancouver and Surrey also offer free food that is prepared by local residents and businesses, live music and rides. Make sure to mark your calendars for Vaisakhi Day on April 14, 2014, and be on the lookout for information on the parades.

The Five Thieves: Worldly Attachment

Dear journal :(

I went to use my American Express Platinum at the Apple Store in Pacific Centre and my card was declined! I so wanted the iPad Mini to go with my new iPad, but I couldn’t get it. I tried all my other cards, but they all declined too! I got home to find that my new Porsche Cayman was gone from my garage with a note from my daddy saying to call him. I called, and he had my stuff taken away to pay for my bills because I’m “spending too much”. I mean come on, I went through a breakup, what does he expect?

I went into my house and my LG 3D TV, my Nintendo Wii, my Bowflex… all my stuff was gone! All of these notes were taped to where everything used to be. Every one of them said “call dad”. What does he think I’m going to be able to do without all my stuff? Doesn’t he realize that all my stuff makes me happy??

:(

…

Bimbo Barbie

(veggie) Food for Thought

I wasn’t really a fan of veggie dishes until I met my vegetarian friend. She can’t eat meat (not even eggs) and seafood not because she doesn’t like how they taste, but because her religion forbids eating non-veggie foods. I always think that vegetarian dishes taste bland, do not have different textures and not that sophisticated, unless made by those chefs you see in Food Network! Boy, was I so wrong. A score of spices (half of those I couldn’t even pronounce and I was never introduced before) mixed with one main ingredient – yes, that makes a big difference (think potato turned into a veggie samosa and plain naan dipped into dal and other sauces)! Although my food journey with my Sikh friend started backwards as I got to know deserts first before the main veggie dishes, I was glad I have expanded my knowledge of vegetarian dishes. To that, I think that her being a Sikh has played its part very well.

I had the chance to witness a Sikh wedding ceremony, Anand Karaj, this summer. I was excited not only because it’ll be my first time to see one and I get to wear Sikh’s traditional dress – Salvar kameez – minus the Kirpan (coz only baptized Sikhs carry that!) but also I was told that since it will be held in the Gurdwara, ONLY vegetarian dishes will be served. Okay, I didn’t come just for the food, but I want to see the wedding. Family and friends gathered to witness the ceremony, but it was not that long compared to our traditional Catholic wedding ceremony. The thing that stood most to me was when the bride and groom were doing the four wedding rounds. As the bride and groom were making the four wedding rounds, the four hymns of Laav were sung. Each of the four Laav has a special significance and describes the marriage of the soul-bride to the divine husband. All throughout the wedding, my Sikh friend nicely explained to us - very curious and slightly incognito party crashers - what was happening.

Sikh Wedding (I wasn't able to take a picture, but the one where we went to looked like this)

Yes, I became good friends not only with my Sikh friend, but also with eggplants, spinach, potatoes, chickpeas, lentils whom I never bother to give a second look before (my pescetarian sister always asks me to try her veggie food. Now, she knows who to ask when she can’t find her food). Except for the extra five pounds showing on the scale, I was happy that my learning how to eat veggie foods has brought the curiosity out of me – to learn about another religion, Sikhism.

Vancouver Sangat

Vancouver Sangat, a Sikh community charity group, has started a food service program for the needy in downtown Vancouver (Main & Hastings) since December of last year. The next food serve date will be on December 15.

The program not only has set an example by encouraging others to get involved – promoting cultural diversity - , but also coincides with one of Sikhism’s basic beliefs. “Sikhism teaches service to others. The primary task in life should be to help the poor, needy, and oppressed. The Sikhs have a long heritage of speaking out against injustice and for standing up for the defenseless.”

As the Sikh population increases, I believe there will be more events and programs providing service to others in the future.

The Five Thieves: Greed

Dear journal

I’ve been feeling so bummed lately. That whole thing with Hutch put me in such a bad mood, so I went shopping!! :) I hit up Alberni for my Tiffany fix and then swung over to Escada for their fall 2013 collection. Dessna dress in plum, pure virgin wool… just a slightly different hue than last year’s totally justifies the purchase. I had lunch at Coast, then a quick cab ride to Robson. On the way, I may have stopped at Coach on Burrard for the new Madison gathered twist leather satchel in vermillion. It will match perfectly with the Escada plum! The sea foam green from this summer is so passé.

On Robson, I made my monthly visit to Aritzia for my Citizens of Humanity jeans. I haven’t worn the last pair I bought, but I know I need another! I saw the Mackage leather jacket that Marina wore to Bar None. It’s ugly as all hell (biker-chick much?) so I bought it so I could wear it next weekend. I’ll show her how to pull off leather with silver zippers and chains!

xoxo

Bimbo Barbie

The Five Thieves: Anger

Dear journal :(

I can’t believe what bad luck I have! I found Hutch’s Mercedes outside Marina’s place on Broadway. That lying bastard! He called, broke off our date, because his mom was at VGH getting liposuction and she needed a ride home to her “villa” in Shaughnessy. I got so mad seeing his car there; he knows how much I hate her ever since she ruined my 3^rd 25^th birthday party (I mean, really, who turns 25 just once??) at Joe Fortes. She walked into the private seating area like she owned the place, demanded a private table, and said I was lucky she made an appearance. I hate her, I hate her, I hate her!... What was he even doing there??

I don’t know what came over me, but I took my rolled-up Lululemon yoga mat and smashed the windows in his car. Namaste to that!

:(

Bimbo Barbie

White by Birth, Sikh by Choice!

Sword-carrying Sikhs roaming the Indian cities are a normal sight; but white people wearing turbans definitely are not. The strangeness lies in the fact that they are non-Indians who converted to Sikhism.

Below are some photos and videos of non-Indian Sikhs:

 Sardar Martin (Jarnail) Singh

Martin Singh, son of Eric and Shirley Hill, was raised on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia. Martin Singh’s mother’s side of the family has been living on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia for the last 200 years. Martin was interested in both politics and religion while growing up. He is now quite active in the New Democratic Party. 

Read more: http://www.unp.me/f15/maritime-sikh-society-1415/#ixzz2bbu74HOS

 Cornelis Harjinder Singh Heule: Man in Blue

Cornelis Harjinder Singh Heule was born in 1947 in Roermond in the Netherlands as Cornelis Heule. He is known as Harjinder Singh, names given to him when he became an initiated Sikh in 1996. 

Check out these two videos (there are a lot more!) on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woxJfpon01I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlZHN2AAMjI

Some facts on Sikhism in Canada

The World Sikh Organization of Canada and Norman Buchignani, a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Lethbridge, points out some facts about Sikhism in Canada. Some of these facts are:

• In 1867, Canada’s first Prime Minister Sir John A. MacDonald wrote: “War will come someday between England and the United States and India can do us a yeoman’s service by sending an army of Sikhs …”.
  
• Canadian Sikhs are one of Canada's largest non-Christian religious groups forming Canada's largest South Asian ethnic group.
• More than half of all Sikhs live in Asia and approximately 17% live in North America.
• Census figures suggest that there were 278 410 Sikhs in Canada in 2001 (almost double the 1991 population estimate of 145 000).
• Today there are approximately 500,000 Sikhs in Canada.
• Sikhs accounted for approximately 5% of the 1.8 million new immigrants who came to Canada during the 1990s.
• Canada’s 2011 Census showed Punjabi to be the most spoken immigrant language in the country.
  
• There are Sikh communities in every Province in Canada.
  
• Today almost half of Canada's Sikh population lives in British Columbia.
  
  
  References:
  Buchignani, N. (2012). Sikhism. Retrieved from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/sikhism
  
  
  World Sikh Organization of Canada. (n.d.). Sikhs in Canada: The Facts. Retrieved from  http://worldsikh.ca/page/sikhs-canada-facts 
  
  
  http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/sikhism in the Departm

Can you guess where the very first Sikh temple in North America was located?

                Through the support of Khalsa Diwan Society, the first Sikh establishment in BC, the very first Sikh temple in North America located in 1866 West 2nd Avenue (yes, in Vancouver!) was built.

                The Second Avenue Gurdwara had became a hub for Vancouver's growing Sikh community from 1908-1970. According to Naveen Girn, a South Asian-Canadian cultural historian, "the gurdwara was the centre for spiritual, political and social life for Indians of all faiths and stood at the forefront of social justice campaigns for immigration reform and regaining the right to vote in 1947".

                 Recently, it was commemorated with a plaque as part of the Vancouver Heritage Foundation Places That Matter project! I couldn't have said it any better than what the people who nominated the site for the award have said. It is, indeed, a "living proof of the living history of other culture in BC history", one that has shaped our city.

 

The first Sikh temple in North America

 

 

The Khalsa Diwan Society, on the other hand, which has greatly helped newly migrated Sikh families in need of communal ground to share their collected experiences, and of assistance and support emotionally and financially, has spread to areas, such as Abbotsford. There, they built the Gur Sikh Gurdwara in 1911 which is the oldest existing Sikh Temple in North America and a National Historic Site Canada - making it the only Sikh temple outside of India and Pakistan that is designated as national historic site.

            The Khalsa Diwan Society of Abbotsford, BC. Parks Canada’s news release in 2002 stated: “The Sikh Temple is the oldest surviving example of the temples which formed the religious, social and political centre of pioneer Canadian Sikh communities. Architecturally, it is an adaptation of traditional Sikh forms to Canadian conditions which nevertheless embodies the fundamental beliefs of Sikhs and their early experience as immigrants in Canada”.



The Five Thieves: Lust

Dear journal :)

Me and my baby had the best date ever last night! Not “my baby” with the shag cut and high-tops from the Zulu on West 4^th that I met at the Starbucks near Vine (Venti Mocha Cookie Crumble, extra chocolate syrup, extra whip, yum!) last week. I’m SO over him! He has been replaced with Hutch, the bodybuilder from Spartacus Gym on The Drive. I met him while getting teppanyaki on Broadway (steak and lobster was to DIE for!). I need to fill my time since Jimmy went off to Toronto for work. We said we would stay together but a girl has needs, ya know? I think I should cut him loose, but what if I get bored one weekend and my guys are busy and I want to go back East? So frustrating…

Where was I? Oh, right, Hutch :) :) We went to Theatre Under The Stars on Beach and then back to his place for drinks and dessert. He has a HUGE… apartment!

I hope my date with Maxim tonight is just as awesome! Thierry Chocolaterie Patisserie Café on Alberni, how could it not??

Tootles!

xoxo

Bimbo Barbie

Khalsa Credit Union - A credit union by Sikhs for the whole community

With the opening of the first branch in Vancouver on April 1, 1986, Khalsa Credit Union (KCU) strives to be the most successful Sikh credit union in Canada. The founders of KCU were presented with some obstacles and challenges, but their faith was never wavered. Their desire for a religious bond credit union serving the financial needs of the Sikh community became a reality. From those early struggles, KCU emerged as stronger and more energized and is a model of efficiency for the credit union system of British Columbia in the present day.

The Credit Union’s first branch was opened in Vancouver, British Columbia followed by a branch in Surrey, British Columbia on October 11,1987 and Abbotsford, British Columbia on January 30,1989. Another Surrey branch, this one in Guildford- now relocated to Newton, opened on September 27,1993 and Victoria, British Columbia on Vancouver Island, became the fifth branch office to open on August 19,1990. From these locations and its Head Office on Scott Road in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, KCU serves both retail and business members throughout the province and is very proud of its real estate holdings.

The founders of KCU believe that growth for the sake of growth has never been their motto. Instead, their values are deeply rooted in Sikh heritage that motivates them to do the right thing for the members, employees, and the community out of an uncompromising desire.

As a faith based institution, KCU participates in many religious activities including, but not limited to, the annual Vaisakhi parade held in Surrey, Vancouver, and other smaller communities like Abbotsford & Kelowna in British Columbia. Whereas many financial institutions focus on national and international sponsorship activities, effectively ignoring their local markets, KCU has a much deeper connection with its local community where it awards thousands of dollars to worthy recipients through scholarships and bursaries and other incentives every year.

http://www.khalsacreditunion.ca/Home/

Birds of a feather flock together

 

Many of you have probably heard that people who are similar will associate with each other, well this is certainly true for Sikhs according to National Household Survey done in 2011. 30.2% of the people who live around Moberly Park and Ross Park in Vancouver are Sikh (See the green area outlined in the photo above). There are 80,135 Sikhs living in North Surrey which makes up 67.1% of the population in the area. Is it a coincidence that the Sikh Academy is located in the same area in North Surrey?

See what religion is dominant in your area

 

SIKH ACADEMY - learning about other cultures while not forgetting their own

Sikh Academy is  a private school located in Surrey teaching students - from Kindergarten to Grade 7 -  about embracing other cultures while ensuring they are knowledgeable about Sikhism. Coming from a different religious background, this surprises me as I'm only familiar with a few of the private Catholic/Christian schools in Greater Vancouver and didn't know about the Sikh Academy which was established in 2008. I think parents' sending their kids to a Sikh school is a great way for the latter to learn not only about cultural diversity (the school itself is a perfect example - READ: 50% of the school staff is Caucasian!!!), but also, more importantly, the equality of all people which is one of the basic beliefs of Sikhism - Sikhism preaches that people of different races, religions, or sex are all equal in the eyes of God; Sikhism teaches the full equality of men and women.

Watch the news about Sikh Academy posted on BCIT Broadcast News website

Provincial government exempted Sikhs from wearing helmets when driving motorcycles

The turban is a characteristic of conservative Sikhs which has attracted the most public attention. It is the hallmark of their religion and gives them a distinct public identity. As per their religious beliefs, a baptized Sikh is not allowed to wear a cap, hat, or helmet of European style.

Due to a lack of understanding of the Sikh religion and more specifically the Sikh turban, there were certain laws and regulations in place in the Province of British Columbia that prohibited practicing members of the Sikh community from participating in activities. This contravened the rights and freedoms allowed by the Canadian Charter of Rights to all Canadians. One of those practices was the ability to ride a motorcycle. Laws in many provinces in Canada (including British Columbia) required that a helmet was mandatory for a rider which was not practical for a turban wearing member of the Sikh community. Therefore, members of the Sikh community who wear turbans were not able to ride a motorcycle.

It was Mr. Avtar Singh Dhillon who took it upon himself to raise awareness of the Sikh beliefs and the importance of the Sikh turban. Soon after getting his first job in 1971, it was for the first time that Mr. Dhillon was forced to stand up to defend his right to wear a turban when his employer required that he remove his turban and wear a hard hat on job. It took almost 30 years of struggle on Mr. Dhillon's part to maintain the sanctity of the turban and ensure the Sikhs continue to have the right to wear the turban.

Read full story of Mr. Dhillon's struggle against law at http://www.voiceonline.com/one-mans-struggle-for-right-to-wear-turban/

It was on May 11, 1999 that Frances Gordon, Member of the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal, announced that Mr. Avtar Singh Dhillon has been discriminated, because of religion, by The Ministry of Transportation and Highways, and Motor Vehicle Branch. This discrimination is contrary to Section 8 of the Human Rights Code. The Chairperson, thus, ordered the Government of British Columbia to amend the motorcycle helmet law to accommodate the Sikhs wearing the turban.

Consequently an amendment was introduced by the Provincial Government, in the provincial legislature to the Motor Vehicle Act #218 which was accepted by the Parliament on July19, 1999. As a result of this amendment, the Motor Vehicle Act and the BC Safe Riding Guide was amended as follows:

“In British Columbia, all riders and their passengers are required to wear approved motorcycle safety helmets. An exception to this requirement is made for people of the Sikh religion with unshorn hair who wear full turbans.”