The Image above is of Arches National Park, Utah
WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh !
10/7/2014: I am writing from the cafe on the California Zephyr, heading east from the bay area. The next stop is Reno and the slow ascend up to the Sierras is a good break from the fast pace of the bay. I am going on a 4 day road trip with a friend visiting from Hongkong. The roadtrip is much longer but I will return to the bay to host a friend I have not yet met in person.
The past few weeks have been quite interesting and here are some of the stories that make up life for this Singh.
Roy is an older guy who has a computer data recovery business in the same warehouse as us. He works long hours trying to help people with data that they have lost and he has a way of recovering data that is considered lost. He calls me Swami and evern though I have told him 100 times, that my name is Guri, he just loves calling me Swami. He jokes about how Turban wearing people are all over the place. YES, they are in the bay area.
I usually ask him how he is doing and he usually complains about how his current project/task is difficult. It seems like a recorded message that comes out as a response. Well, a few weeks ago, the usual,
Roy: Swaaaaaaaaaami,
Moi: Rooooooy.
Roy: How is the Turban world?
Moi: Making it better one Turban at a time.
Moi: How are you Roy?
Roy: Life sucks
Moi: I hear ya!
Roy: Did I not tell you?
Moi: About the lawsuit?
Roy: Nooo! I have stage 4 prostate cancer, I start Chemo, next week.
Moi: Wooooh! What does it mean.
Roy: 1-3 years is what I have.
Moi: *speechless look*, I hope you will stay strong and fight on.
Roy: Yes, I am going to fight this but life sucks.
Moi: *nods with hope that he does not suffer*
How come they only find out Cancer in Stage 3 or 4, what happened to finding in Stage 1 or 2?
I feel that our medical system is flawed.
On any given day, the world bombards me with news about birthdays, engagements, marriages, pregnancy, divorce, death of a child, death of a parent, job interview, loss of a job. The emotions are up and down, depends who I am interacting with.
All of us have to go through this, no one is immune from good and bad news. We all will have/have had to deal with the cycle of life.
Coming back to the journey at hand. The Zephyr is weaving through the mountains, The Fir (and perhaps Cedar and Juniper) Trees cover the mountains like a green blanket. We are now at Truckee for a few mins. I love trains and this is a treat.
This journey takes me to New Mexico.
25 years ago, an American family (well, the mother of the house is British born) adopted me for Xmas. My first Xmas in the US and I celebrated it in the mountains in New Mexico. The host family was very kind to me, I had my own room, the place was freeeeeeezing but the areas closer to the one stove were very nice and cozy. Even taking showers in the morning was not something I would look forward to. You take a hot water bath and by the time you dry up, you would freeze.
Anyways, the family was a great host, I had my own Xmas Stocking, which was full of goodies on Xmas morning.
Singles (cassette tapes), wonderful simple meals at home every night, going out and seeing Xmas lights in far away mountains. A Xmas that I will not forget, my first white Xmas and it was with an American family. I am on my way to see the couple who hosted me in 1989, they are much older now, frail and weak. Something that no one can prepare for but I have a feeling that this is the last time I might see them. I did see them in 2009 on another road trip. I will update on the visit in my next newsletter.
Cool Coincidence:
A few weeks ago, I was at the Muni (bus) stop in San Francisco. The muni was running late (as usual) and there were a few people
who were waiting in the misty rain with me.
A guy said "Sorry, if I offend you, but are you Sikh?"
Moi: "Yes I am"
Guy: "Have you heard of the Sikh Captain America?"
Moi: "Yes I have, I happen to know the Sikh behind the shield"
We went ahead and talked for 40 mins about all kinds of things. We are now connected via linkedin.
Yet another friend made through Turbans.
On the business front:
1. We continue to find ways to add more items on the website. More toys for kids.
2. We are working with a major Sikh Apparel company, we might be able to sell their products on our site.
3. Thanks to all of you who provide me with feedback (good or bad).
4. Thanks to all of you who refer us to our friends and family (and we know some of you do help, I am touched)
5. Apparently, 80% of all orders in the last 10 days have been from Canada, I have noooooo idea what is going on there but
I thank anyone and all who are helping us with referrals.
6. Lillie, the lady who is helping us with the mailing is getting better. We are lucky to have her on board.
7. We expect our next shipment in November. Kacheras, F74 are a few things coming in that shipment. We are looking forward to this.
8. We are thinking of branding our Turbans with a small logo (orange heart), will not happen until 2015.
We end with this commitment to our community (you all). If you are in financial trouble and are in a tight spot and don't have money for grocery, please note that you can get food and some supplies from your nearest Gurudwara. We at GoSikh.com can send you $25, which can help with grocery shopping. While we cannot promise you a long term solution, please don't hesitate to ask for help. Oh! and don't buy Turbans from us, if you are in a tough spot.
We continue to practice Vandh Chakna, we are proud of help out and donate a % of our sales to a good cause.
We can do this because of you.
So, it is time to end this newsletter with thanks.
Thank you all for giving us chance to serve you with your Turbans, Patkas, Chunnis, Kurtis or more. You have given us a reason to exist and we continue to serve people from Chile to Finland. Vancouver to Australia and many many cities in the middle.
If you feel that we have done a good job, please please let one or more people know about it. We would love to grow slowly and referral is the best way you can help.
We do have 2 major questions for you, please do reply if you can spare a moment.
1. Should we sell offline?
2. Can we add a newsletter every month, just with offers? This newsletter is sales oriented? Good idea or bad? Is 2 newsletters a bit too much?
All responses will:
- get a coupon code for October, Free Shipping coupon, can be used anytime in October.
- we will donate $1 for each response.
Wish you and your loved ones, our best.
Signing off from the rails to Reno, sending this from Colorado.
Chardi Kala
Guri Singh
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