Summer, Summer, Summertime

I did my 4th of July meditation retreat and it was such a wonderful day. That night, instead of celebrating the independence of my country, I celebrated HH Dalai Lama's birthday with several hundred Tibetans in a church community hall in Oakland. It turned into a huge dance party, with various music, including Michael Jackson, Bollywood hits and some "traditional" Tibetan songs that were mixed with techno. haha. I broke it down! Yay!

Sunday, after morning meditation at the temple, I went to another birthday party for HH. This one was a big picnic outside by Berkeley Marina. Kersten and I hung out and spoke Tibetan with people, ate food and watched all the games they were playing (i.e. musical chairs).

I've been dog sitting for a golden retriever and did another research study (electrodes on my head while I watch commercials and press buttons), so I've finally had a little income.

I also went to a dinner at a Tibetan family's house the other night, where I took this photo of Pema & Kersten:

These photos were from a few weeks ago, but I thought they were cute.

I had never had a "young coconut" drink, but it was tasty!

My friend, Thubten & his young coconut.

Me & my young coconut.

This weekend I think I'll lay low and work on school work. I'm trying not to leave things to the last minute (an old habit of mine). The weather here is unbelievable and I've been enjoying riding my bike everyday (and everywhere) in it!