Living on Caffeine and Hope

Over the past 4-5 days, life has become very "strange"...as in, it has taken a major departure from the norm.

I have been meeting so many new people, learning so many new things (about Tibet, Tibetans, even about myself), DOING so much more than usual.

I have had bouts of tears, bouts of insomnia.

I have also had fits of outrageous laughter, and deep meaningful discussions.

I have also fallen madly in love (for those truly interested in the inner turmoil of my emotional life, see http://justreallife.blogspot.com )

I have found a place I feel can become my home, on the other side of the planet from where I was raised.

I have met some of the kindest, most soulful people in the world, people of a nature I never believed possible.

I have found something worthy of doing...helping an oppressed nation, a displaced people living in exile, learn new things, and hopefully gain hope and show them that there are good soulful westerners with their hearts in the right place.

I have been living on caffeine (darjeeling tea and mochas, mostly), rarely eating.

And on hope... for these people to keep their culture, to keep their natural way of being, to find freedom, to stop living in fear.

And hope for myself, as each day brings new developments in inter-personal relationships. The

The weather is turning...colder, cloudier, windier. Winter is on the horizon, hanging over the Himalayas. there has been snow at Triund and above.

I continue to learn Tibetan language...something new every day. I continue to learn and to grow.

I continue to battle mind-boggling hurdles, not negative, but growth-challenging!

Life is good.

Confusing, frustrating, difficult, but good!