Posting pictures, updates on trips and other assorted tidbits

Well things are moving along... got my backpack in the mail and I have started to plan out the packing (in an attempt to carry as little as possible). My tickets are purchased I am leaving July 2 and my Chinese visa application is out to the travel agency, so that is taken care of.

There are lots of things left to do, I still need a sleeping bag, a camera, backpacking socks and shoes that are set up to travel with weight, medical supplies, maybe a few syringes, and the rest of my shots. I have already been shot up with practically every vaccination known to man, and several of them require 2 or 3 shots (fun, yes???) I know there are other things to do, but that's what I recall at the moment.

Now on to the feelings...

I posted a few days ago when I was a little bit sad about the whole thing...seems the recurring theme of these last couple months is saying goodbye and letting go of things. I had a few rough days on my trip to Los Angeles...saying goodbye to Ricky and Vanessa and Dustin hit me as we were hugging "Damn I won't see these people for a REALLY long time."

The last day of my trip I went up to the top of the hill near my Mom's house, a spot where you can see into downtown LA (my past) and into the Glendale valley and into Pasadena. I used to take a walk everyday and sit up there and think and meditate...It's the spot. I went up there to write a letter to my Mom thanking her and to say goodbye, and I basically cried for 2 hours. My Mom and I are really close, she is my confidant and one of my best friends and it is hard for me to think that I will be so far away from her and the rest of the people that I love.

Then I came back to Syracuse, got off the plane and made whirlwind friendships with a wonderful group of monks. And you know, it made me kind of sad to say goodbye to them too..maybe it was because of the close proximity of the 2 events. It must be hard for them to travel to so many places and meet so many people only to say goodbye so soon to them.

On the whole I feel really excited about the trip, but I do feel anxiety and sadness, I have to keep it real about that. Fortunately this has all gone so fast I haven't had a real good chance to dwell on it, but the feelings are there. I just have to remember my intention, to be able to benefit as many sentient beings as I possibly can, to keep my samaya to my Lamas, and to truly live up to the ideals of a Mahayana/Bodhisattva practitioner. I feel confident that this is what the trip is all about.

In conclusion....

I have been emailing Joan who organized the monks tour and she has been immensely helpful. Looks like she will be emailing out a notice about this blog and asking if anyone wants to help donate for the camera. Thanks Joan!!!

Also, as you can see I have updated the blog with some pictures from the mandala, so I am happy to see how easy it is to add pictures. I hope to add more soon.

Cheers