Shoes and Zen

Well, actually, it wasn't that long at all. It was just really busy at work, busier then I like it to be. I'm getting better about my attitude during rushed and stressful situations, adjusting to it more, but it can still be overwhelming.
I'm thinking about applying for a student position at the university. There is one position that I've had my eye on for quite some time and now I think I will finally fill out the application tomorrow.

I just found out that the guy teaching my Zen Buddhism class is actually the head priest of the Soto Zen community here.
Cool.
I was looking at the website, and I think I may drag myself to a few of the early morning zazen sessions. My current goal is to do two a week during this semester. If I think I can handle more, I will, if it becomes too much, I'll ease up on it. They also have a few evening ones as well :) I never was much of an early bird.

My friend Lara isn't doing well at the moment, shes jobless, broke, and soon, homeless. I offered her my couch until she can get back on her feet. I adore the woman, she's one of the biggest dorks and always makes me smile. I hope life picks up for her.

I found some awesome shoes that I'm going to buy with tomorrow's paycheck. I love shoes, though I'm not one of insanely shoe-obsessed women. I have a pair of well-worn Burkinstocks, my shoes I wear to work, a pair of sneakers for working out it, two pairs of heels, and a pair of knee-high boots. The pair I'm buying tomorrow are comfy all-black converse. I always feel short when I wear all-stars because they have absolutely no heel, but they're so damn comfortable that I don't care. I'm also going to pick up a few more long sleeved t-shirts and some camis while they're still on sale. Huzzah for sales, the salvation of broke college students everywhere. I was going to pick up a bike lock this week too, but there's no rush, so next week's pay can easily cover it.

I want to get into something of a routine this semester. Aside from work, class, and study time, I'm going to try to make it to a few zazen sessions a week, and maybe even yoga at the studio, but if I can't do that, there's always yoga videos until I can afford to go back. And the college gym is free for me, so I might as well use it. I find myself yearning to get involved in life. I'll feel better once I'm in class and learning. I can't wait, even if this semester's classes aren't the most exciting, they will lead to more exciting classes.

As The Summer Fades Away.

School starts in three weeks for me, so I've been reading like crazy, trying to enjoy the precious last few moments of free time before diving back into my studies. I bought "Confessions of A Crap Artist" by Phillip K Dick, and Hesse's "Siddartha". I'm still working my way through the Dante Valentine series, which is pretty nifty.

I haven't gotten as much reading done lately, but I have the next few days off, and tend to remedy this.

I decided over the summer I want to learn some basic Japanese and go to Japan in a few years to experience it. I feel so uncomfortable going to countries where I don't know the language, where I get in line behind all the other tourists, and feel as if there is a wall between me and the local culture. I loved going to France because I knew enough French to explore the streets, ask for directions, order a meal, shop in the stores, etc. I hated Italy because I didn't even know how to say hello, so I just followed the tourist groups everywhere, saw all the sights that the tourists are obliged to see, that are set up and preserved for the tourists, and I feel like I missed out on a great deal of culture.
So when I go to Japan, I want to go to Japan, I want to experience it. I want to get lost and eat at little local holes in the walls and crash at cheap motels and hostels, laugh with everyone around me, local and tourist alike.So I looked at the Japanese offerings at the University. It's a popular language to learn here, so the program is pretty good. I can't take any Japanese classes this fall because of my work schedule, but this spring I should be able to figure something out. As I was looking at the course listings, I found out that the Japanese department is offering a Zen Buddhism class, and only had one spot left.
How nifty is that? It is only one credit, and doesn't collide with my work schedule. I was giddy for the rest of the day.