I can laugh about it, because, well, that’s the sanest thing to do. And for once in my life I seem to be getting things done early instead of waiting until the absolute last second. But here’s a snapshot – slightly edited – of my recent (and still ongoing) journey through a bit of UK Academic bureaucracy, trying to renew/extend my student VISA: As per http://www.gold.ac.uk/international/regions/usa/ – I first emailed the international office. Feb 10 (7 days ago) Dear International Office staff,I... Read more

or “random musings from home…” I’m still a bit jet-lagged so I can’t promise anything too thoughtful. But a couple pretty photos, or maybe just one, that I think I can manage. From Seoul, Korea. O’Kim’s Brauhaus. If that alone doesn’t set your appetite ablaze, we actually witnessed one of these “Beer Chicken’s” being served and, just before it goes on the table, it is doused in alcohol and set on fire. Yum. Or something. And yes, it is served in exactly that... Read more

I received this heart-warming short message the other day from one of the students I visited in Burma: Subject: Do you remember me.I live in MYANMAR. Hello Mr.Justin  How are you.Do you remember Myanmar monastery.Do you remember my teacher U ThadWaye.He is a monk.I hope you will reply me.My name is “Sawndan.” You can call me “Moon”.I remember you.Have a nice dream. Bye Bye * names have been altered, just in case. Read more

These were all taken within a span of about 2 blocks in Pacchatti village… I’m not much for words today. Busy as usual. Reading. Planning. The visa for Burma is in and now so are plane tickets. I leave in two days. I’m happy to have things coming together as well as they are – a bit bumpy here and there, but as I’m told over and over, “hey, this is India.” Now off for some great pizza and maybe... Read more

Just some text to pass the time… I woke up early enough this morning, for me at least, at 7:30. Then proceeded to play the “snooze” game for an hour, returning again and again to my pleasant dreams under the warm covers, knowing it would be cold once I emerged from my blanket and mosquito net. Finally though, I did emerge, had a bit of water, and put on the electric kettle for coffee.Turning on the lights, I sat at... Read more

Sujata was the name of the young woman who fed rice milk to the emaciated Siddhartha Gautama, thus ending his years of harsh asceticism and beginning his return to a “middle path.” Today, just across the river from Bodh Gaya, is a village named after this brave young woman (for at the time, Siddhartha was a horrendous sight to see). A few days back, a colleague and I made our way over there and here are a few photos… Some... Read more

… and other bits from year’s end in Bodh Gaya. Bodh Gaya is a boom-town of sorts these days, as new temples and monasteries seem to pop up, renovate, and expand at an unimaginable rate. I’ve heard of people with building knowledge who have seen it all and they just shake their heads… If an earthquake ever hits… Above is detail from a dragon at a new Thai temple being built just south of the MahaBodhi Stupa, called Wat Pa... Read more

Sitting in my trusty internet cafe in Bodh Gaya, sipping a complimentary chai in an ever-so-tiny glass, I find myself breathing just a little bit more easily today. We’re done. Well… Almost. The last bits of paperwork are finding their way to the proper places and some physical moving about is yet to be accomplished, but the signs of a semester behind us are growing in number daily: students are long gone, grading is done, reports filed and cross-checked and printed,... Read more