We're getting a new president in like two hours oh my god.
Here in India, we have the fantastic opportunity of enduring a two-day long election! It started yesterday and it's still not over and it's really very hard on our nerves. Please get it over with soon? Yeah?
So, I haven't yet blogged about retreat...
It was fantastic. I loved the Buddhist philosophy classes, taught by a cheerful Australian Buddhist nun. I definitely think of Buddhism as a philosophy rather than a religion, so that made it much easier to learn and take in. It made me think about so much and it really changed my perspective on how I see myself, and my relation to other people and the world in general. I don't think I'll become Buddhist though... The more I found out about karma the more I disagreed with it. Same with enlightenment. I would HATE to be enlightened and suddenly have compassion for every sentient being and understand why they're angry or greedy or cruel. Think about, say, watching a movie or reading a book. Wouldn't it be boring to completely sympathize with the bad guy, or go, "Oh, it's just impermanence," when the good guy dies? It would be incredibly inconvenient.
I am mostly kidding. Buddhists, please don't be offended.
So, now I'm with my homestay family, who I absolutely LOVE. The parents and sister all speak excellent conversational English, the grandmother is so sweet, and the three year old brother is a terror (eating out of the sugar bowl, launching himself from shelves, etc) but he's completely in love with me and had to be pried off my leg so I could go to bed. The mom is teaching me how to knit cool stuff, the sister is obsessed with Shakira, and the dad used to be in the Ladakhi military so I'm trying to get good stories from him. Food is great. I get legit pancakes every morning (pancakes are usually hit or miss in India). And apart from the five inch tarantula I found in the bathroom one night, it's been fun.
I have three ISPs- yoga, tibetan massage, and tabla. The yoga classes are fantastic!! Our yogi is this tiny brown man who stands on his hands as often as and with as much ease as on his feet. Massage classes are two hours every night so Tim (who's taking it with me) and I leave totally blissed out. It's great to have at the end of the day. I have not yet started tabla classes, because my teacher's been out of town, but my first lesson is today. I'll tell you about it later!
Go Obama!!!