Today was my second attempt at surfing. I caught some waves this time, but they were rough. Couldn't stand up, so it was basically a really good boogie board adventure. It took a lot out of me. I have to get it down before the month is over and I move on. My arms and neck hurt, but it is a good soreness. I think there's some ocean water still rattling around in my sinuses and belly. The first great lesson I have learned from surfing; don't panic when you get stuck under a wave, it will make everything worse.
I feel like I really did something today.
Right now I am sitting on my second story hillside deck watching the sun set. This is what I have done almost every twilight. Its perfect. Last night I saw some huge fountain fireworks exploding above the hills. I could see the silhouettes of the palms in front of them. Gorgeous. The sky is perfect right now. Everything for me has really slowed down. I didn't realize how much stress I was carrying with me until I started unloading it here.
I taught English to some 5th graders at the local school today. It was my second day. I love it. My group is very sweet. I have this really hyper little guy named Kevin who is all about picking up trash around the school just so he can get the plastic gloves they give out. One of the girls, Esperanza, is really eager to learn about anything we talk about. It makes me really happy. I wish I had more time here for them. Their favorite part of the day is when we sing "Yellow Submarine" together at the end. Adorable. They're pretty good at it.
Tomorrow I am getting a three hour massage from this North American couple who include Matrix Energetics into their practice. Supposedly, they can rearrange my molecules through slight touch and a two point mental focus. It has something to do with quantum physics, a subject I know almost nothing about. I am looking forward to the experience. Maybe they can erase my old belly-bumping wrist injury! They think I will be able to use this technique in my nursing practice. I'm all about it if it works.
I have been practicing Tibetan Kunlun meditation with a group led by a man who says he is in contact with extra terrestrial life. Don't worry, if he tells me to drink the Koolaid, I'm out, but I really enjoy it. He's really cool, not overly eccentric, and I am open to new schools of thought. Modern science doesn't know it all. It is hard for me to quiet my brain and it is super helpful to have someone help guide me. Some of the movements really do feel intense if I concentrate on them and nothing else (big fan of the water movements). I am really happy I have found a way to meditate. My brain is very analytical and hyper-active in general. Sometimes, I just need it to shut the Hell up for a minute. James is helping me cover that.
The jungles around here have a bunch of trails cut into them. I have been going on long solitary hikes. I feel so much more healthful than I have felt in...I can't even remember. They are beautiful. Very hilly with ocean views.
And the people here are really sweet. Everyone seems more alive and interested in everyone else. The town is so small that I run into the people I have become friends with without having to try. Cell phones and email are not necessary. Everyone should live like this. I will be sad to leave, but I am definitely coming back.
A theme that keeps coming up here is that I don't have to be in complete control of every detail of my life to get the best out of it. The old cliché, everything happens for a reason, has been making itself more and more apparent recently. Having an open mind, listening to my intuition, and appreciating spontaneity have led me to some awesome experiences in the last couple of months. I feel like I am growing more now. I like to think it all started with the house fire last year and snowballed. It is amazing. I am really excited about all of the tomorrows in my future.
And the rest of my blogs, I promise, will be a little less earthy/granola, and a little more audience friendly.
