being sikh.

I have become friends with a rather interesting girl. We have become good study partners and time-wasting buddies. Once or twice a week we go for a Tim's run then hunker down in the library for a serious study session. We are also lab partners! So over the past few weeks, we've gotten to know each other.

She is interesting because she wears a turban. Until today, we had never talked about our differences. I though it might be rude if I leaned over in the middle of Micro and whispered, "Excuse me friend, but why is there a turban on your head?" So I waited until time came. And today it was! The talk of Thanksgiving brought us to discuss observed holidays, backgrounds, and religious beliefs. She told me she is Punjab, and a Sikh. Then the conversation started! We talked about her native language (Punjab), her beliefs as a Sikh, and her 'Bible' - a name I don't have a hope of pronouncing!! And I'm amazed at how we became friends despite the obvious differences between us. She is required to wear her turban at all times, keeping her hair up and out of sight. This practice goes with the '5 K's' of Sikhism: keeping uncut hair, carrying a small comb, also carrying a small dagger, wearing an iron bracelet around the wrist, and wearing a special undergarment. I've only seen noticed her tied-up hair, comb, and iron bracelet... if she actually carries her kirpan (dagger), I'd love to see where she hides it!

I did some Googling on the significance of her turban. From what I understand, it's worn to set a Sikh apart from other people. The idea is to get noticed! I guess it's important to be able to identify a Sikh from other people - to stand out for what you believe in. There are other factors for the turban, such as preventing temptation/keeping oneself pure, etc., but I must admit - she must be very confident in her faith because I know she is not oblivious to the looks she gets.

Besides our differences, Aman and I get along so so well. I know we'll have lots more to talk about in the future. And plus, I'm really hoping she eats curry... wouldn't that be sweet?!

Have a goodnight,

D.