I now realize that some of the details in my last post were incorrect, but nevertheless life is fabulous here in Elwood. What was it I just read in my numerology? I think it said something about me being overly optimistic, excited, and positive about things at first which sets me up for disappointment. Hmmm, I suppose that is me, always gung ho, idealistically jumping in with both feet, but even so, I can't complain about anything right now except my lack of focus regarding school work. It's Spring Break and I have 4 papers due next week but instead of working I've been doing everything else under the sun, from cleaning, to meditating, to exercising, and being very social. Sometimes I feel like a puppy, so eager to chat with friends, or hear about my flatmate's day when he comes home, since I spend so much time on my own, in my own head. I can't wait to get the semester finished and get back to (non-school) work and such. Anyway, I better get back to my writing. I just wanted to share the couple photos I've taken so far. I'll post more soon, after I get these papers done!! Lots of springtime love to you all!

Oops, posting the pic didn't work...will next time.

Spring Cleaning

"Spring's voluptuous pantings when she breathes Her first sweet kisses, have been dear to me." (Percy Bysse Shelley, Alastor: or the Spirit of Solitude, 1816.)

Spring is trying to show it's timid head. I've put away my wool coat and extra blankets, and brought out the flip-flops and tank-tops, perhaps a bit too confidently. As I sit here writing, the gum trees beyond the veranda sway in a strong wind, against a solidly gray backdrop. Looks as if it might rain, but no fear, this will change quickly. I awoke this morning to blue skies, sun shining through the window and birds singing. It was the first morning in my new home, an older style apartment on the other side of town, two blocks from the beach, in a neighborhood where the tree-lined streets are named after poets. I'm on Shelley St (ergo the bit above) and cross Tennyson, Milton and Byron on way to the train station which is just two stops up from my Dharma center. It means a long commute to campus, but I reckon it's a good trade-off for peace of mind. I'm a bit weary-eyed this morning, I somehow have accumulated enough stuff in my 8 months here to make a move an exhausting process, and after packing, moving and unpacking, I stayed up late chatting with my new flatmate, Dave. I think he'll be great to live with, so open, giving, honest, and accepting that you can't be anything but completely forthright and generous around him. He's seeing a wild Irish woman, Jo, who is similarly free and warm. She does different kinds of healing and I think she's off doing some ritual with Maori shaman at the moment, not sure, but she and I bonded over experiences of India. She got me laughing when she related a story of when she was in Dharamsala and slipped and fell over the embankment at Baghsu. There she was supposedly developing wisdom, clearing her mind of defilements, and yet she couldn't even walk down the street without falling over the cliff! Anyway, I seem to be in a good place with good people and I look forward to exploring the new side of town. I have two more months of class before summer break begins so life is a bit focused on that at the moment, but I can't wait to have the time for a more varied life. I will keep you posted and will post more pics soon.