Well here I am in Los Angeles. Never did I think I'd be living in California. It feels too weird. Im an Eastsider of the United States originially from Cleveland Ohio. Going to have to get used to the year round warm weather that's for sure I keep thinking that I may need a winter coat out here which I don't. I am outside now with my computer not wearing a coat and sitting under an umbrella at a table outside the temple. it's where I can only get internet access. Too bad I can't get it in my room :(
Anyways I arrived here last night at 8pm. My dad got a bit lost on the way here due to missing a turn on the highway. It took us nearly an hour to get back to where we were going. When I got here I had to go in the gift shop and ask about the women's ashram. The Mataji in charge new about me coming apparently she had gone to bed super early 6pm. But another nice Indian Mataji had let me in the ashram because they all knew about me comign there so it was approved.
I attended Mangal Aarti this morning. The Deities here are Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarakadish. Im going to try to get a picture of Them at the 6pm Aarti if I can. They are wearing purple and orange today. I still miss my favorite Deities in Toronto Sri Sri Radha Ksiracora Gopinatha They will always be my favorite Deities. but I think Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarakadish may become my second favorite Deities.
I met some nice devotees here. I didn't meet any matajis here that are my age but that is okay. The other matajis here who are older are very nice and open.They all asked me who my guru Maharaj was.:) In a way when they asked me that question I felt a moment of sadness and separation flow over me because I miss my guru Maharaj a lot. He's been so kind and merciful to me. I sent him a little package in the mail. I knew he needed a new bead bag so I got him that for Christmas. I hope I will be able to serve my guru Maharaj properly in separation while Im here for six months.
I met the temple President today and his wife. They are both very nice and the temple president well he's got a great sense of humor on him. Today he asked me if I could help in the kitchen for bit which I did for 2 and a half hours today. I helped to cut up zuchini, carrots, and red bell peppers. He said he'll go over my seva schedule with me on Monday since they are doing a sankiratan book distribution festival this weekend.
I spent the rest of the afternoon walking a bit down on Venice BLVD to mail out Maharaj's package. im going to try to do a little more exploring of the area tomorrow just to get out some. Im curious as to how far the beach is from here. Maybe I can take the bus there and do a light japa walk or something if i can find the beach. I think it's quite a bit of a long way down Venice but it'd be worth it.
So far I do like it here. The prasadam is awesome too not spicey thank goodness. Devotees eat separatly from the restaurant but the prasadam for devotees is still good. The juice we had today was kiwi juice. I gotta try to make that when I come back to Toronto. :D Maybe if I learn what kind of juices they make here I can do it back in Toronto too. AND the best news of all which was nectar to my ears was I MIGHT get to help take care of Tulasi! I was totally ecstatic over that! That is the service I want most and I will beg for it on Monday. I want to see her. They say she is HUGE here too. So now I am curious. They keep her in the garden out back but I have yet to see her.
Anyways, the women's ashram here is very nice. There is a kitchen in the hallway, and in my room I can go directly to the shower and bathroom. I think other matajis have a shower and bathroom too in their rooms to get to, not sure. one other mataji has to share the bathroom with me but that is okay. the showers are very nice. My room is pretty big with an extra bed in it for guests who may come to stay. And I found out that I can even do aarti for my Lord Nrsimahadeva deity they allow you to burn incense here in the ashram rooms which i nice so I will save up for an aarti tray for Him and try to do aartis for my Lord Nrsimahadeva deity. I do have a key to my room to keep it locked up which is good. The ashram is across the street from the temple but that is okay becasue the mornings here are not that cold. it was actually warm outside at 4:15am when i headed over to the temple which is less than a minute walk.
So this is all I have for now. I will have more later this week on what goes on here.
I will try to get pictures up later as well.
