My tribe lovelies! It's been too long since I've connected with you. The last nine months of monastic life at Green Gulch Zen Center has kept me very quiet, busy and tired. I've been working my ass off in the kitchen and sitting my ass off in the zendo. Intensive self-study and living so closely with others has brought many joys and many sorrows. I so appreciate the dharma as a magnificent magnifying glass and know that I've changed and grown greatly in these months here.

But, no, serious monastic life is just not for me; I have absolutely no desire to become a Zen priest. Instead I long to sing and dance again! To dress up, drink wine, have a bedroom of my own, sleep in past 4:30am, work for a wage, maybe even date a good man once in awhile! (Ah, such a hedonist I am.)

My quest for spiritual resonance will continue, just not at Green Gulch. I'll be leaving here at the end of January with no destination and no plans. So, I reach out and am open to feedback, ideas, inspiration from you! Please let me know if you are aware of any interesting jobs or living situations. I'll probably want to stay in the Western U.S. (my family's still in Ashland and SF) but my mind is open.

Thank you! Many fat blessings for 2008!