Seattle Mandir Workday

Last weekend, Suzanne and I flew to Seattle for Ananda Seattle's new mandir workday. On the way to the Sacto airport, we had Devi with us and she suggested that we eat at Latitudes Restaurant in Auburn. We all know that she is a wise woman and this suggestion was no exception. If you haven't eaten there yet, make sure to plan to stop there whenever you are in the vicinity, it will enrich your travel.

Saturday (22nd) was the big work day. Teri gave everyone their work assignments. Seattle was having one of their record high temperature days (I believe it was 95F that day). I was feeling guilty because I got to work indoors soldering LXR connectors to a bundle of wires for the mandir's sound system. While other people were digging, hauling dirt and trash, laying tiles or wood flooring, I was indoors all day sitting next to a fan which was sucking away the rosin and lead fumes.

The mandir is going to look beautiful, you can already feel it. Can't wait to see the finished product.

I took only a few pictures that day. But others took a lot more. You can see them here and here.

Sudarshan's birthday hike

A group of us from Ananda Village and a few other friends drove to the high Sierras for a beautiful day-hike near and aorund Long Lake to celebrate our dear friend Sudarshan's upcoming birthday. It was a gorgeous day - plenty of sunshine but not hot - filled with stories, laughter and sharing with gurubais. A few of us took a detour and climbed the 7818ft Mt. Elwell. It was like being on top of the world, with 360 degree views of remote valleys, towns and mountains. The pictures pretty much tell the story.

Happiest Country on Earth

The tiny South Pacific Ocean country of Vanuatu (population 200,000) is the happiest country on Earth, according to a study published measuring people's wellbeing and their impact on the environment.

"Don't tell too many people, please," said Marke Lowen of Vanuatu Online, the republic's online newspaper.

"People are generally happy here because they are very satisfied with very little," he told The Guardian.

"This is not a consumer-driven society. Life here is about community and family and goodwill to other people. It's a place where you don't worry too much."

Sounds good to me. See the full article here.

Ananda in the News

Ananda Village was featured in our local newspaper, the Union, with a very nice article.

DUI checkpoint

This one is so funny, I had to post it in my blog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22odFV8U1r4