Road To Mysore

Last night I spoke to my mom. She reminded me that she turns 71 on July 17 but she still looks like she’s in her sixties. She’s got that Asian thing going for her. I think my mom is the only person in my whole family who understands what I’m going through. I don’t think she agrees with it though. The whole India thing and yoga thing really throws them off. Filipinos dream of going to the US or to Europe. I don’t think going to India is even an option so I expect a lot of the “Why the hell are you going to India look!!!� when I’m there.

I initially wanted to leave on July 15 and be there for her birthday but because of the whole citizenship thing I couldn’t. My older sister and brother will be there though. I love my sister and brother but I think I will enjoy my time in the Philippines more when they’re not there. Growing up in the Philippines, we had our own friends and did our own things. We only got closer when we all moved to the US. My dad once told us that when we’re in the States we will only have each other, so moving here made us closer. I already have my days planned out. When I get home, these are the things I am looking forward to:

1. When you grow up in a country with over 1,700 tropical islands, you know the beaches are to die for. I’m going to have to get a refresher course coz my friends are going to take me scuba diving. I grew up in the island of Cebu and the beaches there are crystal clear. I can’t wait to go island hopping, snorkeling and chilling on a hammock under coconut trees. I love that fact that you can stand in shoulder deep water and still see your feet.

2. Jackfruit, Cebu mangoes, a gazillion varieties of bananas, Ormoc pineapples and all the other fruits I can’t get in LA. Fresh jackfruit is by far my favorite fruit. I normally don’t stop eating it until my stomach aches. I recently heard that there are jackfruits in India so I can stuff myself up for 6 months instead of 1. Cebu mangoes are the best in the world. They’re sweet, yellow and not fibrous like the ones we get here from Mexico. Ormoc pineapples are very sweet and crispy but not as juicy.

3. Hang out with family and friends. My mom had 8 brothers and sisters and my dad had 7. I now have a gazillion cousins, nephews and nieces. I don’t even know some of their names. I’ve also kept in touch with friends from grade school, high school and college. My social schedule is going to be booked.

4. Recently, I’ve been seriously considered going into physical therapy school. My cousin runs the physical therapy center of one of the university hospitals and I plan to hang out with her and observe. Her husband is an orthopedic surgeon so I want to observe a few surgeries too.

5. Not having to cook, clean and do laundry. It’s always nice to have house help.

6. I’ve always wanted to learn how to ride horses so I’m taking lesson while I’m there. I know it’s cheaper there and I have the time.

7. My cousin told me that the massages aren’t very good but there cheap so I’m going to have some.

This morning’s practice was pretty good. My back is feeling much better. I think it’s going to be the last time I’m going to be practicing in Brentwood. Next week I’m going to have to be in bed by 10PM. Since I’m going to have wake up around 5AM to be at Silverlake by 6:30AM. I will have to drop my evening massage shifts so I can be home early. Now that I think about it, it’s amazing how I’ve had to adjust my life and lifestyle so many times just so I can practice yoga. Is this what they mean when they said that yoga changes your life?

I just found out that Noah and Kimberly are out of town and won’t be back until the 8th. Matt Corigliano (Dominic’s son) will be teaching Sunday and Rolf Naujokat will be taking over with Matt assisting until Noah and Kimberly gets back. I’ve heard so many good things about Rolf so I’m really excited. I think his the only certified German ashtangi. Matt has been assisting for the summer and his good too.