Aakash ~ Wedemboyz

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Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) 

The golden temple is often just seen as a place of worship. The golden temple represents the identify and heritage of that Sikh’s a very proud of. It is located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab in India. However, it is much more than that it is a place of full and enriched with history, legends, spirituality and equality. Here race, gender and religion have no meaning. Everyone is seen as a human with a soul gifted by god. The history of the golden temple first started when a Sikh Guru started digging the Amrit Sarovar (pool of water) in 1577 AD. Which was later brick lined on December 15, 1588. 

The architecture of the Golden Temple has just as much value and a significant symbol. There are four entrances leading into the Gurudwara (Golden Temple) signifying that all people of every walk of life are equally valued and welcomed. Inside the Golden Temple there is a hall where 10,000 volunteers cook meals for thousands of pilgrims. 

The golden temple is mostly identified and known around the world for the gold that surrounds the temple. The temple was made of copper and marble in 1809 and in 1830 Maharaja Ranjit Singh replaced it with gold. Which was donated by King Ranjit Singh and Hukum Singh Chimni they also donated marble to decorate the temple. It is known and recognized as the heart of Sikhism. 

Guru Arjan Dev Ji made the decision to build the golden temple at a lower level than the city of Amritsar to highlight humility. The architectural decision surrounding the Golden Temple were all made with a significant symbolism in mind. 

In 1984 under the direction of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi the golden temple was targeted and penetrated by the Indian army. During this attack thousands of people were violently murdered. Several families to this day are suffering from the tragedy they were forced to endure that day. The stories of that day are passed on from generation to generation reminding the youth what their elders fought for and appreciate the sacrifices they made. This is not the only time that the Golden Temple was targeted and damaged. It has been destroyed numerous times by Afghan invaders. 

Gurdwaras all around the world can be easily identified from the distance by tall flagpoles with an orange flag of the Khanda on it. This shrine attracts more than 3 million people a month who come from various countries around the world. The visit is said not be describable in worlds but is often associated with peace and full of serenity.

Life

Every day is a different struggle

Some fight as a force

I fight with my soul

Some see money

Others see family

But no one ever sees the struggle

Of survival

Most think of it as being aloof

Those that can see behind the façade just don’t care enough

They can’t sense the fear of survival

The survival of not just me but my entire family

The fight I wager against those who

Spit on my dreams and aspirations

I fight against power and corruption

I live for my dream and those I support

I wake up every day prepared for another battle 

Another struggle

Another fight

Another win

The particular poem “life” relates to me because of the struggles this character is facing. More often than not I have struggled to get past how others view me. Many people often think I have it all but don’t understand that I have had to work very hard for what I have. They see me behind a film of their own judgements and assumptions. This includes what I do, where I live, and who stands by me but isn’t limited to these three aspects. Being the youngest child I have always been compared to my sister and others but never to myself. Expectations are set regardless of what I want or dream of. Many think I have had it too easy, others think I haven’t got anything. Either way it is the same misconception just from different individuals. 

In the poem “What we have” by Warsan Shire the character is shown carrying around a  sense of continuous loss. Whether it is about her father, brother or men she is continuously mourning them. She is surrounded by a blanket of darkness that haunts her and others like hers past and future. The poem “life” is similar in the sense that there is a sense of loss and continuous struggle. The only difference is that unlike in the poem “What We Have” the character has everything yet the feeling of loss exists. This particular emotion exists due to the inability of being truly understood and accepted . However both consist of hope for the near future and believe that they deserve greatness in their lives. In the poem “Life” the character is fighting for the confidence and growth for himself and his families well being. Most see the face that he puts on for the world but not the internal war raging inside of him. They don’t truly see him for who he is; they see what he shows and not his soul. The similarity between the two poems is the willpower and courage to continue and hope for a better tomorrow regardless of what they deal with. 

1 STAR = I wouldn’t read the book again or even finish the book

2 STAR = I would read the book to the fullest but most likely not pick it up again 

3 STAR = I would read it again and recommend it to people that I think will like it

4 STAR = Read it again and tell everyone I know to read it 

5 STAR = READ IT MANY TIMES AND TELL EVERYONE TO READ IT

Read: 432/432 pages

Rating: 5 stars 

Pages per day: 10

Summary: I found this book at Indigo, the reason I chose it is because I found the cover intriguing. Storm is a part of a series called Elemental by Brigid Kemmerer. It’s a series revolving around four brothers. Each brother possesses control over an element; storm, earth, water, and fire. 

Reflection: I really enjoyed this book. It had a lot of instances where the fights between the siblings would remind me about mine. The storyline had me wanting me flipping to the next page. The series has the rest of the brothers’ stories. I am looking forward to finishing the series. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

1 STAR = I wouldn’t read the book again or even finish the book

2 STAR = I would read the book to the fullest but most likely not pick it up again 

3 STAR = I would read it again and recommend it to people that I think will like it

4 STAR = Read it again and tell everyone I know to read it 

5 STAR = READ IT MANY TIMES AND TELL EVERYONE TO READ IT

 Read: 283/391 pages 

Rating :2 stars 

Pages per day: 9

 Summary: I read this book because it was referred to me by a friend. Hush hush by Becca Fitzpatrick is a romance novel about Nora Grey, a high school students life. The following is a brief summary about the novel. Nora’s life was simple before she met Patch Cipriano. Her biology class partner, he was a new kid who seemed nothing but mysterious. Her life was soon to change drastically. She was about to face an ancient battle that could cost her, her life. Would she place her trust with the new boy Patch. He is the only one who seems to know anything going on with her.  

Reflection: While I was reading this book I did notice the pace I was reading was reduced. The reason for this was because I felt like I couldn’t really relate to it or it wasn’t something that was intriguing to me. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who doesn’t like a cringe romance novel.

Friday isn’t just like every other day. It’s the one day in the entire week where I feel like I have freedom to do whatever I want. Throughout this summer I spent about every other Friday with close friends barbecuing and talking. We would spend hours on end talking, laughing and enjoying every minute of our times together. We did anything and everything! Including pulling pranks, stunts and games.

At sunset we would all be sitting around the bonfire in my backyard. Barbecuing to the joys of one another’s company. We would stay sitting outside hours after the sun would go down waiting for my mom to call us in. No matter how much time we spent in each other’s company it always felt as if we didn’t have enough time. Spending time with those close to me gives me a sense of security.  

Although there was chaos around me, I found peace and a way to de-stress just by being home surrounded by those who I care for. Spending time with my friends allowed me to talk endlessly throughout the night about cars, school, sports, and life. A common interest that spikes all of our attention. Many people don’t realize just how valuable the right friends can be. I have been friends with them since grade 3. Not only have I developed and deepened the connection over the years with my friends, but our families are also just as close. My parents have always told my siblings and I that the right friends have a large impact on how our future’s will shape into. I have heard numerous times that the people you hang out influence you greatly.  

Any Friday that was spent without them, I would rely on the sunset. As the sun would go down, I would be inspired to feel as if there was a new beginning coming. Now with winter approaching I can’t rely on the sunset anymore. I have decided to incorporate taking my ATV outside to drift around with my friends on sleds tied behind it. When winter ends the cycle will restart and repeat with the new season.

Hi everyone, my full name is Aakashdeep Minhas and many of you probably know me as Aakash. Today I want to share some lesser known facts about me. I am 17 years old, turning 18 this February. I can’t wait until I turn 18, I don’t know why but I feel like I am going to gain some superior power. Something that I can’t wait for other than turning 18 is getting my own car. I can’t wait until I work on my car to make it really nice and loud. Make it loud so the teachers hear me coming from a mile away. I have a full page in my notes about what I’m going to do to the car, but I still need to accumulate enough money for my dream car. However, I’m anxious about getting a lot of tickets not from speeding but my exhaust and tints. Aside from my car I love playing soccer. I’ve been playing since I was 5 years old as a striker/forward. A lot of my friends I’m closest to I met through soccer. Recently I chose to quit soccer because of the stress/pressure I have from school. Apart from soccer actively, I always look forward to playing basketball once I get home. I try to gather as much as possible to play every other Friday. I have always been an extrovert, though an introvert at first. Once you get to know me it’s getting me to sit still. I love planning and setting up activities to partake with my friends over the weekend. In school I always look forward to creative writing as it is the one class that I can relax in. Math has always been a passion of mine, solving problems makes me more confident in myself. I am nervous about what is in store for me in University. Nonetheless I am excited to meet new people and explore programs. I hope to be a graduate at University of Calgary where both my siblings are. I am always fond of the experiences they share with me.