Dear friends,

It has been 13 weeks since my last posting, would you believe? And much has happened but most relevant is the fact that I am now down with Swine flu, after already being taken to hospital by paramedics with symptoms of a heart attack.

No heart problem, as it turns out but I'm flat on my back sucking back Tamiflu now.

Wonderful!

Much ( Read more... )

Richmond was an easy drive through fields, vinyards and the odd radio telescope. The Georgian town is preserved rather like the jams in the Ye Olde lilly shoppe: it's sweet but not very substantial.

( Read more... )

I havn't written for a while but yesterday was worth mentioning.

The last day of term was chock full of chocolate, some tears from a disgruntled colleague and a general excitement at the longest school term had come to an end.

I left early and had a great session at the gym ( I've been going for a month) and all was set for the 5pm taxi to arrive. ( Read more... )

Day ended dramatically with massive lightning storm rolling through the clouds. Then lightning struck and we lost lights for an hour. Imagine 85 screaming girls in the dark! It is not pretty.

Despite the drama the leaders pulled it all together andcwirhin minutes they were all playing games with torches and keeping the troops entertained. One of ( Read more... )

Well, so far so good. Camp going well with no dramas. Yet. Canoeing fun and the weather not too hot. I'm dreading the food but feel slightly easier knowing I've brought tofu, nuts and protein powder.

So far only Grace said. Here's hoping I get to miss out on Christian Discovery sessions.
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Despite tiredness I managed to study and sit this morning before work. Felt quite spacious didn't in the hazy heat to school.

However, tension was not far away. Issues with a parent, ongoing differences with a colleague, the heat and a frantic pace to get everything done has eroded my calm.

Nevertheless, I was excited to have Stephen return from the ( Read more... )

Not a gentle spacious day in the end, though it began well enough; I just couldn't seem to fit into a timetable and send everyone to the right place at the right time.

I felt very tense by about 1 and saw no end in sight. Went round to Kate in the stifling heat and enjoyed a laugh but getting home was tiresome - so fucking hot in my not-so-sensible ( Read more... )

Beginning to run out of batteries today after a late night and demanding day. I feel pummelled by lots of little hammers. Managed to keep my mood if not my mindfulness.

Checked in with Andrew and Shunhavyuha but Andrew set me off with this cannonball approach. I watched my desire to thwart him arise and let it go.

The meditation at the centre was ( Read more... )

Day two was certainly less calm than day one but that was pretty much expected. Sat for 40 minutes and heading off to work. Linda hugged me at the door on the way out. A felt a bit shameful that when she arrived I was not so happy to see her, as I wanted time to myself; but it turned out to be a great partnership. Sad to see her go.

Organised and ( Read more... )

Following from my meeting with Shubhavyuha and Andrew, the three of us are observing an urban retreat which means that to the best of our abilities we are maintaining retreat conditions - so meditating twice a day, observing mental states, avoiding unnecessary distractiosn (goodbye Facebook!) and studying the Dharma.

I have to say that today was ( Read more... )