Zenning for Freaks

Peter and I before the Christmas UBC party in our rather messy, 50's inspired family room. The mess is from the twins and their endless fort building that involves removing all cushions from the furniture and piling them on the floor.
The party was the best one I've attended since I started going three years ago. This one had dancing, kareokee and various dancing lessons: Hawaiian, Bollywood, Square etc. I love to dance and I love to sing so I was very happy. Also, my friend from class, Anne-Marie, was there which made it more fun.
Bikram's this AM was exhausting considering I had partied last night. But I made it. There are a few poses which are hard on me--they can cause dizziness, nausea etc. I have learned not to push myself during those poses (the camel, the rabbit) and I am able to enjoy the class more.
I helped with Tabi's class hot lunch today. Some dad (he lives up the street from me) was such a control freak! He refused to let me see the class list because "he had this class"--the guy was clueless as to how to work as a team. No matter how many parents show up to help the class, we all have to cooperate and work as a team. Not him. He was so irritated by my presence that he scrambled to find a new class to take over so he could be Mr. Lunch-Guy :P
This weekend it is ZENNING the house yet again. I must down size and get rid of tons of stuff--we have simply too much and I cannot keep the house karma flowing in a positive way unless I simplify.
The girls are all well--Mist has recovered from her teeth extractions. This weekend the girls and I are going to "Fantastic Mr. Fox." Aside from that I plan on a good mountain run, hike and skating on Sunday. Here's to a good weekend!

ZEN, What's it Good For?

ZEN...what's it good for?

I wish life were as simple as being a Buddhist Monk. But as a woman alive today it is not. The demands are great:

-shop for and cook healthy, organic, and local meals for one's family.

-be in top physical shape

-look gorgeous

-have a stylish wardrobe

-have a beautifully decorated home

-have a clean home and a tidy yard

-have a gorgeous landscaped yard

-have children who are educated in all areas (requires much extra curricular lessons and travel)

-dress children in stylish wardrobes

-groom children to perfection.

-play all sorts of expensive sports

-have a brilliant career that pays good money

-be a great talent in one or two areas

-have a relationship with your lover (this requires time)

-be well educated

-raise a few pets 

-be an eco-warrior in spare time

-try to have a friend or two

-oh, and don't forget to be well read too

-find time to meditate to "balance" this crazy lifestyle

-find time to get together with like souls(spiritual community) to practice one's spiritual quest

-visit dentists and doctors, orthodontists regularly to keep everyone in top shape

-visit children's schools regularly to make sure everyones needs are being met...and this is the tip of the iceberg.

This is why the ZEN of the ZEN are unmarried, childless males who do not have a career other than meditating.  I have much admiration for those who embark on a spiritual/philosophical quest to find enlightenment. But if enlightenment comes from being childless, loverless and no career ambitions other than spirituality--then I guess I am hooped. 

I find it very difficult to find ZEN at this time in my life journey. However, I always like a good challenge. So this is why I am a Buddhist: the philosophy is pure science, and the quest simple: happiness. And even better, to always create good karma. That means that we are free to think the most vile of thoughts, the trick is to never act on them. But instead, act in a manner that is always kind and compassionate. Anyone can do it!

Love & War

Silver and Fernando, a typical interaction. Silver doesn't need legs--the cat never seems to use them! He's the evolutionary step towards a cat like animal that sits in trees all day and never sets a toe on land--a sloth like creature.

 Crisis involving a father of Tab's friend being completely negligent for not feeding my child (Tabs, who was on a play date at his home and then he took them to a movie) a thing or even a drink from after school at 3 until 8 at night. And when his children each bought a popcorn during the movie (Tabs had money but it was a movie night at school and they had to have tickets ahead of time for the food), each refused to give Tabs a kernel, he  was OK with that--he let my little, skinny girl go without food or water all evening! She came home in tears and very hungry. The guy has had a past history of being careless and doing things I have specifically told him I do not want Tabs to do. This is just one more thing. It is hard to know what to do. Tabs really likes her friend and wants to go over there for play dates all of the time. But he is just irresponsible. I had recently taken his daughter to a dance night and paid for her ticket to dance and all her food. This is also the same guy that never showed up to pick up his kid the other night when we had to go to Mistaya's play.

 Now, onto another busy weekend. Just trying to take it easy....

Tabs and Mist full schedules and Peter and I trying to squeeze in some Zen time.

Decided a problem I am having with my latest class is the Wam! BAM! mentality. Choose your topic now! Evaluate this paper Now and have it in to me by noon tomorrow! Pick a team to work on the project with NOW! This has led me to have to make impulse decisions which are not the best for my plan. The plan being that each and every project I do must in some way, directly advance my thesis. Either through learning research skills or research that will help me write my thesis. So this knowledge has focused me and I must back track. The partner I  am working with is on a different personal path, so I will have to tell her my new project idea and see if she is in or out. I will do the projects alone if we can't come to an agreement. My first presentation on "Omnivore's Dilemma" is a done deal--no, it doesn't advance my thesis one little bit and I feel it is a total waste of my graduate time. I would read the book on my own anyway--presenting a review of it to the class---high school stuff in my opinion. Anyway, I have learned that the wam-bam process of selecting topics doesn't suit me and from hence forth, I shall be vigilant to my cause (thesis support).

I have a brilliant architectural plan for adding an entire other story to our existing home. It would make the house huge, yes, but functional too. However, we have always wanted to have lake view property, so perhaps we should wait and build. This will require the possibility of M and J wanting to split a gorgeous property on or near the lake...one can never start planning too early!