When I got to the shala this morning I only had to wait about ten minutes and was on my mat in no time. I dedicated my practice to my daddy today! Do it alot but recently been dedicating to other special people in my life - It's really amazing for me in many ways - I mean dedicating my practice to others. I truly feel as though I'm exerting the energy and focus and devotion during my practice in order to connect or help or heal or somehow benefit the person I dedicate it to. Since my father is deceased, I always feel a far different energy when I dedicate my practice to him - it is as though his presence is right there with me. I needed him today. I love you daddy.

When I did arrive at the shala I couldn't help but smile becasue Guruji was up and about walking through the shala (something I've not seen him do since I arrived several weeks ago). He was right next to the door - he went up to a yogi doing backbends and tried to give him his dropbacks. The guy kept shaking his head no and waited (with Guruji just standing there not seeming to understand) for Sharath to come over and give his dropbacks. It kinda made me sad - regardless of how much help Guruji could be doing dropbacks - I'd of let him give them to me - for crying out loud you will likely never get one from Guruji again!!!!! Made me sad inside.

My spot, lucky me, was right next to the main door of the shala today. Not that I mind at all but you have lots of other people waiting to enter sitting right outside the door - literally inches from you just staring away as you practice. And Guruji, for the first 15 or so minutes of my practice, was standing right next to me inside the door. When he decided to walk back to the office I was in Downdog - and as he passed me he stepped on my left hand (I had to smile inside as he did - how often does that happen :)

Right as started second series, Sharath came up to me and said, "Tomorrow you come 5am!" I said, "Ok," and resumed my practice. But man did I feel rather indifferent about it. Now, I am grateful for the time slot b/c there are still a good deal of people here and I could have remained where I am - to begin when the shala opens is a magical thing - so I am grateful. However, the thought of getting up at 3:30am again is not so exciting....You see, when you start at 5am that means you need to be there by 4:45am shala time (which is really 4:35am real time) - and I have a fifteen minute walk from Tina's (which means I have to leave Tina's house at 4:20am real time). And I need some time to really wake up, shower, get ready and what not in the mornings. So it shall be...

Jake, Maggie and I went to the Mysore Zoo this afternoon. It was interesting - enjoyed walking around looking at the animals (and of course I got lots of pictures I'll upload for you all tomorrow)....However, I must say that I felt more like an exhibit than the animals. There were VERY FEW WOMEN at the Zoo in general - and Maggie and I were the only foreign women at all. We were stared at by everyone around (which is quite normal you must understand - but this was different) - for the duration of the three hours we spent there we were followed by hoards of Indian boys. If we went one way several groups followed - we'd turn and go another- they would follow...It was really uncomfortable to say the least....But that sometimes happens, especially here. Today I 'experienced' what it feels like to have your clothes ripped off with someone elses eyes, over and over and over and over again - that sure is what it felt like...I told Jake and Maggie that it would be a different story altogether if we had a blonde female companion with us (Maggie and I both have dark brown hair) - and the Indian boys can't get enough of Blondes....