I woke up on time this morning - YEAH! The alarm sounded at 3:30am and I was up and at em with lightening speed wish ample time to perform zee usual morning rituals...And man does it make a huge difference in my practice, the morning rituals that is ;) I walked to the shala with neighbor John and we were the first two people to arrive - he thinks I'm a bit odd for getting there so early when the shala is so empty, but I (usually) love mornings and my body always wakes up around 2:30am anyway - so the earlier the better I say!

I had a really wonderful practice this morning - I spent a good five minutes giving thanks for all I have, dedicating my practice to all the people that hold special places in my heart, and gave thanks for my teachers - their guidance, dedication, and inspiration in my life! My physical practice quite literally seemed to fly by - I was in the midst of a gorgeous moving meditation - I remember finishing my opening mantra, and I remember getting up from Shavasana - everything in between is most certainly a bit hazy - and those are the best days!

After practice I made way to the coconut stand for a tasty coconut and a wee little chai. I spent about ten minutes there waiting for the chai to be made - Today I felt really blessed because I had the pleasure of observing 'the coconut gurus' little chai making ritual (Maureen had told me about it but I'd yet to observe first hand) - he performs a beautiful ritual each morning when making his very first batch of chai - seems to be a sort of dedication and thanks....Takes a cup of hot water - lifts it in the air as the chai is brewing, turns around twice, again lifts the cup of water in the air, walks to the street, says a few silent words, and then throws the hot water onto the ground as an offering of sorts...Then he returns to the Chai - he adds in the milk and sugar to the brewing pot, fills the empty cup with milk and sugar and again lifts the cup of milk in the air, silently chants something, turns around twice, lifts the cup in the air again, walks to the street and dumps the contents of the cup onto the ground as an offering to the Gods. I was in a bit of a trance myself as I watched coconut guru - he is such a sweet old man - and today I gained a whole new respect for him. After I finished my chai and coconut, I happily paid him his ten rupees - which he seemed to give thanks for as well - for his first profits of the day. We exchanged friendly goodbyes and I peacefully scooted to the gym to kill another hour while waiting for Sasha to finish her practice....

By the time I reached the shala to meet Sasha she had just finished - loving the 'in sync' timing the two of us seem to have - we really are like two pees in a pod ;) We walked back to my flat to clean up a bit before walking to Tina's for breakfast. When we arrived Tina smiled and laughed at me - she said being mean worked - she pulled the guilt trip on me....I do feel badly I'd only been back for breakfast once in the last three weeks since I moved out - and promised again I'd be sure to come in for breakfast twice per week for sure....It was another lovely breakfast with great company and awesome grub ;) Brad is leaving today so we exchanged contact information and well wishes...

Sasha, Brad and Maureen!

Maureen, Brad, and Me...

Joyce and Me...

Maureen, Sasha and I had prayed to the sun gods to bring out the gorgeous sunshine and keep the rains at bay - and today they most certainly did. After breakfast we quickly came back to my flat to grab our suits, and then made our way to the Southern Star for some good times by the pool. It is really funny that all three of us are such Sun Worshipers (many yogi's think we are a bit off our rockers) - but com'on we are all from Florida - the Sunshine State! These are my girls man - and only they appreciate a good sun tan like I do ;)

Oh la la...

Watch Out!

Those of you who know me know I always multi-task....Look I can read and walk at the same time!!!

The Gorgeous Ms. Maureen

We spent 3 1/2 glorious hours by the pool - back and forth between sleeping, talking, reading, sleeping, talking, reading...The sun was so bright and beautiful today - I was the one who finally threw in the towel and got the troops to round up and head out - I just couldn't take anymore of the suns rays this afternoon - got some great color, much need vitamin D ;), good quality time with Maureen and Sasha, headway on my book, and a lovely nap - on the way back to Gokulam Maureen concurred with me that we had a very successful day at the pool - all in a good days work ;)

Once Sasha and I got back Gokulam we went to the nearby spa to get our 150 rupee pedicures - Sasha really wanted to get one and at less than $4.00 a pop, I was totally down....That ate up over an hour of our day and by the time 'our toes was did up' we didn't have much time before I had to be at Sindhu's house for my dance lesson.....We rushed to Loyal world to grab some foodstuffs to make a hearty breakfast tomorrow and then rushed home to put them away before rushing out the door to Sindhu's....We both enjoy the 20 minute walk to her house so we scurried at the grocery store to get back in time to walk....

I have tons and tons of pictures in this blog entry - all thanks to Mrs. Klein - she wanted to take as many pictures as possible of her trip while she's here - and has made a point to do so today....I think though that I've created another monster b/c she has fallen in love with my camera...Like Jake she doesn't want to release it from her hands, she seems a bit obsessed, and even professed that she will purchase one when she gets home (says it makes taking pictures really enjoyable!) I swear I should get a kick back from Canon for all this free marketing I'm doing for their company....In any event, she wanted to take pictures of me dancing today - so you all can see what it is I do each day with Sindhu (Nicole - these are for you girl - you've been bugging me about pictures forever now - so enjoy!)

Sindhu and I (my dance Guru!)

The combination of an intense yoga practice, a lot of walking, 3 1/2 hours in the sun, and not enough food in zee belly - dance WORE me OUT....I was utterly exhausted when I left Sindhu's house - but happy as can be ;) so love her....

Sasha and I walked back into town to meet Maureen at the coconut stand and spend a few minutes with her before she headed out on her week long trip with her man...She has a hellacious bus ride ahead of her - I was happy to spend a few minutes with her before she left b/c I won't see her for a week - I'll have some Maureen withdrawals for sure....

The coconuts (yes two) that I consumed were so hydrating and energzing - I felt like a million bucks after drinking them....Sasha and I ran a couple small small errands right on the main road before heading back to my flat to eat, shower, and get ready for a night of dancing at High Octane! Thats right people - it's Thursday night Hip Hop night at High Octane.....

Sasha and I arrived right about 9pm - the rest of the gang soon followed...We had a really great time dancing, singing, dancing - and oh yeah dancing....but then again we always do. It was nice to be able to take Sasha out for a night of letting loose - taught her how to "listen to the beat and let the music move you!"

Erin and I Tearing it up!

Little Mrs. Klein

Hey Now!

When 11pm rolled around I was pretty much - no I was TOTALLY outta gas - my body said, "Krista - it is past your bedtime - I am tired - you have worn me out - please take me home - NOW!" I actually stood around the last few minutes we were there and watched everyone else dance - something way out of character for me....But I was exhausted and felt responsbile for making sure all the troops were rounded up and headed out....I was tired, soaked through and through with sweat, thirsty for some fresh water, and in dyer need of my bed....