A day of discoveries…I discovered that it’s gonna take some time for my body to get used to waking up at 3:30am! It was hard today – used to waking at 4:45am – that extra hour and fifteen minutes really makes a difference – felt it in practice as well. Good practice as always, but body is sore, tired, heavy…

Discovered the fluctuations occurring in my body are partially due to the dance classes. Today was great but I was running low on energy, and boy do I have a lot to learn. When I’m in dance class I feel somewhat retarded ;) so many things to work on and you must separately think about each part of the body (feet, legs, knees, hips, ribs, stomach, arms, hands, fingers, shoulders, chest, back, butt, head, neck, eyes, lips – seriously too much right now – but Sindhu says it will come with time – I believe her.)

Discovered I do indeed have girly desires – like wearing skirts – never do back home! Want to more often – feel pretty when I do ;)

Discovered a new material for making bags (one of the major highlights of my day) I’ve got a friend in Bangalore who knows a good manufacturer there – selected several meters of new material, and inner lining cloth – and will get some sample bags made by manufacturer in Bangalore. If all goes as planned – I’ve made a major breakthrough today! The materials I’ve selected can be purchased in large quantities (takes away the issue of limited quantity due to few sari’s for few bags – i.e. can make much larger quantities of each bag I design…And if this manufacturer is indeed very good – then I can get more bags in a much shorter period of time. Also taking out the middle man – working directly with a quality manufacturer who can give me better making charge, who can also get notions at better rate, as well as textile material – oh how sweet it will be if this works out!

Discovered how wonderfully helpful and caring Sharath is!!! Yesterday Ganesh took me to his bank to see about opening an account. They said I could open an account with them, but I needed to bring them two passport photos, a copy of my passport, and a letter from AYRI that proves I’m studying there. So, I went to see Sharath yesterday afternoon to ask if he’d be willing to write me the letter. I explained my situation and the need to open an account. First he said, “Just have British Airways deposit the money in my account!” He smiled and started laughing. He told me he’d right the letter – then asked what bank I went to. I told him the Mysore State bank right next to the yoga shala. He got a sour look on his face and said that bank was ok. He told me he could help me if I wanted – he called his bank, but wasn’t able to get a hold of his friend there. Told me to come back Thursday and we could sort this out more. I happily agreed. So I came back this afternoon – he called his friend at his bank. Once he got off the phone he said that they would easily open an account for me with a letter from him. Then he told me he was going to his bank Friday anyway, so I could just ride with him and he’d help me open the account (the major highlight of my day ;)

Discovered a new restaurant in Mysore I quite fancy! Girish picked me up from the shala and took me into town – I was STARVING – we stopped at the Green Hotel, but they didn’t start serving dinner til 7pm…When you have to practice at 5am, 7pm is simply too late for dinner. Besides, I was hungry right then…So he took me to a place called Bopy’s – close to the Green Hotel. The restaurant was clean, inviting, and best of all – they were serving dinner! I think I ate a bit too much – but left with a very happy tummy. I will most certainly be back!

I also discovered, or rather am discovering a new passion for life! Feel it growing more and more with each passing day. There are so many things to do, to see, to experience. Each day I wake up with more joy, excitement, energy, and determination – each evening I feel exhausted, but fulfilled and at peace. Who could ask for more than that?