I can truly say I am pooped...It's almost 10pm, way past my bedtime, and I am getting my first chance to sit down and blog today - at my new pad!!!

I had a rockin practice this morning - energy was great and body wasn't as stiff as its been the last few days. Yummy!

When I went outside for my daily coconut fix Reinaldo was there - felt like I hadn't seen him in forever...He leaves on Friday - couldn't believe three weeks has already passed so quickly. He asked me if I could do lunch with him tomorrow - 'for sure' - James from L.A. was conversing with us as well and offered to host lunch at his place. So it was settled, we meet at the shala a little after 1pm and I'll get to enjoy a farewell lunch with Reinaldo.

After my little converstaion with Reinaldo and James, I went home to finish packing, shower, eat...Girish arrived around 8:30am to help me shift to me new home ;) Didn't take long to move my things in his rickshaw - but took forever to unpack my stuff - I totally exaggerate - was finished by the time I had to head to my Odissi lesson - but seemed like forever b/c I wanted to make sure I put things in 'their' perfect spot - I know I'm such a dork ;)

Dance was good - had better - but good - think it had to do with the fact that I was already tired by the time I arrived, so it took all I had to make it through.

After dance I came home (to me new casa) and took my second shower of the day - but this time in my new bathroom - let me just tell you how pleasureable it was to take a proper shower, with a shower head and all - the hot water flowed down from above me head as though it was raining from the sky!!! Been over a month since I have enjoyed such a sensation - I was in heaven...No really!

I had Kanadda with Hema this evening, and it was all I could do to muster the energy to walk to her place. But, I must say once I actually got there I found a fifth wind - had yet another lovely lesson with her - continue to learn vocabulary and small small phrases. As I go about my days I realize words or phrases I really could use to communicate better - mainly with Rickshaw drivers...For instance, when I need to go someplace and said driver doesn't know where it is but I do - I tell him in English that I can show him (and yes ALWAYS a him)...Often the driver doesn't really understand what I'm saying - so tonight I asked Hema to tell me how to say that in Kanadda. We didn't get as much done tonight as we have been, in terms of vocab, but she taught me a lot more about the Indian culture and language in general - which I often times find more facinating than working on the language itself - seems to really help me put what I'm learning into context...

Girish met me at Loyal World after my Kanadda lesson and hung out with me as I shopped for groceries - although exhausted, I refused to end the day without getting some foodstuffs for my new place - I mean I simply gotta make my own breakfast tomorrow morning - hello! So I grabbed some things I knew I needed, but as my brain had opted to shut off by that point, I simply couldn't remember all the things I wanted to get - that is until I was on my way home - but of course! So I must return to the market tomorrow - with list in hand - to gather the remaining items. No worries though, have my eggs, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, and cheese for my omelet. Drat, just realized I don't have any oil or butter to cook with....hmmm....

I actually wore a skirt today ;) I know I can't believe it myself...I had four cute inexpensive skirts and tops made here in Mysore - but haven't really worn any of them because I just don't wear skirts. But I did today and I must say I loved it - was comfy, covered, and felt pretty ;) Hope to make a point to do it more often...

Other highlight of my day was Jake reserving our rooms in Banglaore - he and I are gonna travel to Bangalore on Friday and come back Saturday - he's been begging me to go to Bangalore with him for several weeks now so he can get a camera like mine - he wants me to go so I can help him pick out the best one, haggle with price, and I'm sure just keep him company. And I don't mind one bit....He scored a really cheap hotel in the center of the city - and while I do realize cheap means CHEAP - you get what you pay for - I am totally ok with a crappy little room for one night - have no desire to spend money in Banglaore...Will be sure to fill you in on the details ;) We plan to leave around 2pm Friday afternoon and come back sometime late Saturday - can't miss practice Sunday....

Well, off to bed - Krista needs a little beauty sleep....Om Shanti