taking shape nicely

things are taking shape nicely as I get closer to taking off for India. When I was reading the South India Lonely Planet book last night, looking at all the details of little neighborhoods inside of the state of Kerala I felt like I was riding along in a boat in the backwaters. I always remember this thing they said at the Berkeley Psychic Institute when I took a class there about how our spirit leaves our body all the time and often gets to the place we are going before our body does. this happens with vacation all the time. You actually start feeling like you are on vacation but your butt is still in the office chair. I can relate. and conversely, when it is time ot come home, often times we forget to enjoy those last days or moments of splendor often worrying about our to-do list when we return.
Well, last night in reading the guide I was getting totally excited about traipsing around and stepping down on Indian soil.

I've considered staying here another month so I can have a few hundred dollars more before leaving, but I could do that until I'm 50 - on some level, no amount of money is ever enough. Whatever I have at the end of January is what I am going with. And it's not that far off..something like 125 days until I take off on the plane..I did a little advent calendar so I could count backwards until I get there.
For some reason I arbitrarily chose 2/18 as a departure date. And traveling during those months Feb - Aug in South India is supposedly the reverse of what is suggested. Wouldn't be the first time I was doing things opposite of what is advised. What's hte worstthat can happen, a monsoon? I will be with what is.

Kerala seems to be the place I will spend the most time. Amma is there. will be there except when on tour in may and june in the states. the sivananda ashram is there and I may do their Teacher training. it seems like a place where I can do a lot of exploring and learning. and it's just one tiny little piece of India. no wonder people say you need to spend a TON of time there..why do they only issue 6 month tourist visas then? i wonder for how long i have to leave before returning..i wonder if I will "make it" six months there. I wonder when I decided six months would be a good amount of time. i think i will run out of money before then.

ok back to floating along in a boat in the backwaters of Kerala.. there's nothing to worry about daughter.

I haven't stepped foot in a Starbucks or other house of ill-repute since i said I wasn't going to drink caffeine. I realized I meant no espresso drinks or coffee, and have since allowed tea into the diet - which feels fine to me. I'm not insane like I was on cappuccinos.