Day One

Today has just been an amazing day. My dad and I got on the road to Palm Desert around 8:30am and made great time (an hour and 45 minutes), got all settled into the condo and went out to take care of a few things.

First was getting a new operating system for my mom's OLD iBook. It was running a really old version of Mac X and wasn't compatible with anything on the entire internet, so we thought we could upgrade it with the newest software. After picking that up at Mac Gallery, we headed over to Trader Joe's for a nice stock-up trip, then my dad dropped me off for sign-in and orientation and went back to deal with the computer.

I ran into almost all the yogis that know here after meeting a few new ones in line for sign-in. Basically we waited in line to give our name, get our lunch voucher, our Anatomy coloring book and BYTT binder. After that I had some time to kill, so I sat and read a little bit of the binder while giving Max the update.

The yoga room/tent is massive. It's the biggest one they have had yet. There are about 13 million heaters outside this thing. It's insane. It can fit 700 people and since we're 2 hours from L.A. it is feasible that we could have that many people here with visiting teachers, students and trainees. What?

At 3pm we sat in the auditorium outside the yoga room for a lovely introduction to Rajashree, the staff, Jim Kallett and Lynn Whitlow. Everyone's message was so wonderfully positive. Rajashree started off by telling us that as nervous as we are about how we will make it through, they all feel the same thing. To take it EASY, drink lots of water, enjoy our experience and ride the ups and down of this journey. Everyone always mentions how lovely Rajashree is and she didn't disappoint. She is graceful and delightful. We were told to be back at 10am tomorrow (no am yoga class), so it's a pretty easy first day.

After the orientation was over, I called my dad to pick me up and he tells me that the computer still isn't working. Crushed, I call the store where we bought the OS and they tell me to bring the computer to see if they can figure out why it isn't working. When we arrive and I plunk down the ancient G3 the salesperson looks at me with utter dismay and says that we'll just have to get our money back. This is my lowest low. The reason I need a computer is to keep in touch with Sadie via Skype so she doesn't forget who I am (kidding. sort of) and seeing my dillema this angel of a man decides to LOAN me a BRAND NEW iMac for the duration of my stay. Did I mention it is BRAND NEW?

Like everything else in preparation for this training, I am shown, once again, that I am completely taken care of, that this dream of mine is completely supported by the forces of the universe and that all I have to do is to show up for this amazing journey, stay present (thank you Lynn) and enjoy every moment.