The Ephemeral is Eternal

"While studying as a medical student, Wolfgang Laib became dissatisfied with modern science's mechanistic treatment of the human body. He turned to art to explore the universe through its life-giving essences (pollen, milk, rice) and its substantial materials (stone, beeswax, resin)..."

-placard viewed in an exhibit of modern Buddhist-inspired art at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York City

"Osamu Tezuka (1928-89) is the godfather of Japanese manga comics. He originally intended to become a doctor and earned an M.D. before turning to what was then a medium for children. His many masterpieces from that period include the series known in the U.S. as Astro Boy..."

-cover jacket introduction to the author of a comic series about the Buddha

"My animation professor said that he was 'on track' to be a doctor until his mid-20s, then realized he was trying to live someone else's life and went into film. At break, I asked him if he had any advice for someone going through the same thing. He said that he wished he knew how common this abrupt left turn (away from medicine or engineering or law into art and humanities) is actually quite common, especially amongst bright people. He said that it's too easy for smart people to go into medicine because people see that they are smart and just push them towards med school. So basically, he said not to worry too much about what's going to happen next. Many people have gone on from med school to succeed in artistic fields."

-email from my sister, a film production major at USC, dated 1/15/2011

THERE IS A WHOLE WORLD OUT THERE. I'll be leaving for India on February 7th, arriving in Kolkata on February 9th.

On the Cusp of Winter

Time has really flown by since my previous post. I think the thought of the approaching Thanksgiving holiday was what carried me through, but now that the long weekend has passed, the reality of final exams has finally dawned. I guess there's the resting period of winter break to look forward to! Thanksgiving break was a bit of a tease - I got to go home from late Wednesday night until Saturday morning only. I spent two days in California, and it was so, so sweet. I felt so spoiled and taken care of - what a luxury! I'm only half-joking when I say I'm not coming back!

I'm now typing this as a newly-minted 24-year-old. My birthday was on Thanksgiving Day this year, and was drama-free, thankfully! I'm glad life gets better and better as the years pass. That's a good sign, no?

My family, friends, and acquaintances were a bit shocked at the amount of weight I'd lost over the course of the time I'd been in New York. It's more than I lost from my episode of India-induced food poisoning.

Speaking of India, I think of my time there fondly and often and really am longing to be back. I'm reading other Ashtangis' blogs about their experiences in Mysore and wish I could go too. In the mean time, I'm happy I'm in a city with such a huge and passionate and legendary Ashtanga community. It's keeping me sane!