it's been busy around here lately.

after coming back from kalachakra, i didn't have any classes. the dalai lama is coming next week for a big conference and everyone's busy getting ready. my hindi teacher is booking hotel rooms for guests, my tibetan teacher is busy showing bhutanese dignitaries around india, and i honestly have no clue what my philosophy teacher is up to.

but i had a lot of fun with the exchange program folks. the americans said a teary goodbye last thursday, and the australians left for delhi on saturday. they had an extra train ticket (and an extra bed in a swanky delhi hotel), so i tagged along and pretended to be an aussie for a couple of days. it was a much-needed break from the institute, and it was nice to just be able to pick up and leave at a moment's notice.

this month is pretty hectic for me. next week the dalai lama comes, and jojo and i are scheduled to meet with him! i can't believe that i will be meeting the dalai lama for the second time, and this time, it will just be me and jojo with him. that's just amazing. after his holiness leaves, jojo and i will head down to sanchi with jay and nalini, two smith profs doing research down around there. there's a big stupa in sanchi, and a lot of old buddhist relics that should be really amazing to see. when i return, my pal jo will be in varanasi, and then a week later, it's losar (tibetan new year), and i'll head up north with my friend to see her family.

this spring is going to fly by.