Crazy Life

Wow, hello world. So much has happened in the three weeks that I last put a post up here, I hardly even know where or how to begin. Well, I guess the easy one first--we elected a new president! Whew! Looks like I'll be coming back from Australia after all. It was sort of nice to be at the Ashram for the time leading up to the final election day. We were not totally removed and there were shuttles to the poles all day and people were talking about it, but none of the mass media drama from the last weeks of the campaign made it through and it was nice to not have it totally dominating life. I hope our country made a wise decision. It does feel funny to have the election debate and drama of the last two years sort of over. Life does just go on.

Well, other than new leadership of the country on the horizon, another major change has jumped into my life, or more than anything, materialized and moved in like it had always been there. His name is Noah. He and I started the LYT program at the Ashram on the same day, and, as I am on this independent adventure I'll call my life, with plans, goals and desires all my own (not to mention the fact that dating is "prohibited" in the LYT program) I thought nothing of the cute Canadian hanging around all the time--at least for a little while. And then all of a sudden it was like he had always been hanging around. The whole experience has been totally unreal and there are plenty of moments where I feel like I must be dreaming or am an actress in a movie, but it is real; he makes me so happy and, as cliche as it sounds, I sort of don't remember not knowing him and we have totally fallen for one another. (Needless to say, this is a total curve ball! They always say you find it when you aren't looking for it and least expect it...) I could go on and on, but there is really no need. The point is, he's not going anywhere too soon and will, I imagine be a recurring character in my blog from now on.

Whoa, Martha, back-up (I know that's what some of you are thinking). Is this really the Martha I know? Didn't you just meet? What does all this mean? What's the deal, what now, what about your plans, what about traveling, what about you?! No worries, anyone who asked me to change my dreams at this point wouldn't be for me...I am still leaving this coming weekend for New Zealand and will be there the 25th of November (I still have no clue what I'll be doing, but I know it always works out, I've got a good start on some ideas). Noah is leaving this weekend to go back home to London, Ontario where he plans to work like crazy (he's a commercial house painter) and then plans to come meet me in Australia the first part of February. From there, we'll head to Thailand/SE Asia together, and from there...who knows-the whole world will be waiting for us and I can't wait to see where life takes us! I know it sounds totally crazy (and it is) and that this plan is, in many ways, easier said than done, but, as he says, "I've never felt so good about being crazy before." Hope crazy works out!

Other than meeting Noah, Yogaville turned out to be a totally worthwhile experience . My last post gives the gist of what it was all about there and, as with most things, there is more to be said, but that catches the main essence. It is a special little bubble of stability and security full of people with open hearts and, for the most part, open minds. I met some very special people there and imagine I will be back someday, even if for a short visit. Everything about my experience or the place was not of course perfect, because it never can be, but I signed up for the program looking/hoping for certain things and ended up getting everything I wasn't expecting but I think it was all just what I needed. I did a lot less yoga overall than I was anticipating, but spent much more time and effort on mediation than I envisioned. I had so many interesting conversations on random topics and cherished how much time I was allowed to just be--both on my own and with Noah, simply getting to know one another, and by proxy, myself better. Fall was beautiful and it is just the last 5 days or so that things have finally cooled off and started behaving more like a winter season (still no snow, only a couple more days and I've made it scott free!). It is beautiful countryside out here.

If you hadn't gathered, I am no longer at Yogaville. Noah and I left nearly a week earlier than we were scheduled to and have rented a great little log cabin about 6 miles from Charlottesville for the week (like, I said, crazy). We also rented a car and have been basically hanging out. The time together has already been so valuable; although we are still living in a bit of a dream world, it has been important to be around one another in an environment outside of Yogaville before I leave to fly halfway around the world. I have been able to see my friend Laura Carr again (who is in med-school at UVA in Charlottesville) and that has been beyond fabulous. Noah and I actually stayed at her house last Friday night and having her-and even her roommates-meet Noah has been really good. Everything is really working out the way it feels like it is supposed to, at least for now. I am getting a little nervous for my impending travel, but mostly find myself extremely excited for everything and am excited to be leaving for New Zealand to discover what adventures wait for me there.

I think that about does it for now. Life is crazy wonderful. In tribute toYogaville, the classic ending for nearly every event (or sometimes even the beginning).

May the entire universe be filled with peace and joy, love and light.
May the light of truth overcome all darkness.
Victory to that light.
Victory.