The Tibetan Monk

A couple of years ago when I was working at the Dunlop Art Gallery, I had the honor of meeting and working with a Tibetan monk named Lobsang Sampten.
He was doing a sand mandela at the Dunlop as well as leading a two day retreat at a place outside of Regina.
I went on the retreat and brought my mom as a mother's day present for her.

It was a Tibetan Buddhist retreat and when we first arrived, we were told it would be as close to a silent retreat as possible (meaning you talk only when you ABSOLUTELY have to). We were also told it would get up everyday at 7:00am and that we would meditate almost all of the day.
I actually didn't think I would be able to go through with it. I had never meditated, let alone gotten up at 7:00am before. I couldn't imagine going to bed early and not going out for two whole nights.
But, needless to say, it was one of the best experiences of my life. It will sound cheesy to anyone who has never met a Tibetan monk.
Lobsang was one of the sweetest, most loving people I had ever met. Something about his eyes and smile completely melted away every cynical and sarcastic tendency I have within me.
Lobsang was an example to me in his patience and acceptance. He had opinions and like just as everyone else does, but he always gave a feeling of acceptance to everyone around him.

The retreat was great and the sand mandela he did at the gallery was beautiful and inspring to the people who came to see it.
Another reason why the Dunlop Art Gallery should not close.
How many people in Regina would have been able to meet a Tibetan monk and see a sand mandela being created if it wasn't for the gallery... the closing makes me furious.

A little history

My mom recently left my dad because of his drinking.
25 years, down the drain.
Soon after, he became homeless.
Alhough we were relatively poor all my life, I never truly thought any of us would end up on the street.
But my dad did.
There was nothing any of us could do - we'd been trying our whole lives.
We had to wait for him to realize he was worth it.
To see that he had things to live for (never knew what he had until it was gone)
Now he lives in a group home for recovering addicts.
He has been sober for 4 months.
I couldn't be prouder or love him more.
Homeless or not.

People are strange

I like people who surprise me, who are nothing like what they seem to be. People who think outside themselves.
People who are what they seem, are like a bad movie - boring and predictable.
The funny thing about people who go to a lot of trouble acting as if they don't take anything seriously, are usually busy taking themselves and their act very seriously. If you turn the tables on them and try not to take them seriously, they become confused. What about me and my act...
And one final rant about - people.
I am VERY annoyed by people who say things they don't mean. If you aren't sincere about offering help, then shut the hell up.

Shots on Goal

Last night I really wanted to go out, but the hockey game was on and the husband wanted to watch it. I am tired of hockey so I said I would watch it if we did a shot everytime someone scored a goal.

The drinking made the game spin by and then we went for a drunken bike ride in the park. Yes, he fixed my bike and yes it is amazing!
I guess we weren't all that drunk, but the shots make you feel less in control. My hands wouldn't do what my head wanted.

We were supposed to BBQ yesterday, but of course it rained... we have one of those really small bbq's so it doesn't take much rain. It's looking better for today, but we'll see.

I can't wait for the next hockey game now, so many more shots to do.

I keep dreaming about babies and puppies and basically anything not fully grown yet. What does that mean? I know I want a puppy, I don't know if I want a baby or anything else un-grown. Just the puppy.
I already have a husband, so that's enough child care... ha, ha.
Now that is funny.
I need more coffee. Always more coffee.