The Path to Shangri-La

In which our Lady creates her own Religion.

          I have two big thoughts to write about, both from a documentary Jon and I watched tonight on Tibetan caves recently ‘found’ in a region named Mustang (moos-tung).  The caves are set in high cliffs, and form a complex and impressive system of interconnecting rooms and levels.  Some are graveyards, others are living spaces, and still more are religious.  One set of caves was a convenient storage space for thousands of sacred texts on the Bon, a religion predating Buddhism.  The texts are highly respected by the locals, not only because of the beauty and history, but because of the idea they represent.  It was incredibly cool to learn about all of this, but my big Ahah! moment came when the film revealed that Tibetans don’t actually have a word for religion.  Instead, the word they use is the equivalent of the word scripture.  Isn’t that intriguing?  And true too.  What is religion without its written precepts? 

          Not to put too much weight on my mostly frivolous writing, but what does that say about journal-writing in general, and specifically my blog?  (No, I do not plan on forming my own religion.  Besides, what would I call it? ... hmm ... How about Tumorism—with a sound doctrine consisting of brain reincarnation? ... The scriptural writings will contain spiritual guidance for the cancerous and non-cancerous alike, with a health code, a guide toward general healing, both physical and spiritual.  It will espouse creativity and positive attitude, combining mind with body in ways metaphysical.  Also, the scripture will lay out the paths toward future uncharted lands, sacred Nirvana-like valleys of shelter for those who have faced the gaping chasm of death.  It will flourish in blogopheres everywhere...)  Ahem.  Aside from such interesting segues, when typing the gritty or especially hum-drum details of life, it can be difficult to remember what a collection of well-turned words can aspire toward, can’t it?  I will say that for me writing is becoming an increasingly important part of my life.  Apparently, brain surgery has literally jogged something loose upstairs.  Thus am I enabled to find my own heavenly paths toward happiness and healing, whether it helps anyone else or not. 

          I’d also like to point out that the documentary also uses Shangri-La in its title.  In the actual film, it was used once, in a tidy little sentence at the end.  Talk about false advertising. 

An Exercise in Confusion

In which Eva sits on a Tree Ornament

          Remember when I listed some of the funny things that Eva (Weva) does?  I mentioned that we sit on “exercise” balls together.  Well, yesterday, Eva found a small (1/2 inch in diameter) ball that had fallen off of one of our older tree ornaments.  She sat on it.  Or tried.  Apparently that small of a target is hard to hit when you’re trying to bend over and look at it at the same time.  From a parental standpoint I am proud and pleased that she knew what that little painted-up thing was for.

Weva (not a mis-spelling)

In which our Heroine delights in her daughter.

Man, being a mom is so worth it.  Here is a much-truncated list of cute things Eva does, along with experiences that are the best thing ever:

1.       My daughter calls herself “Weva” and it is really cute.  If she’s feeling blustery, it is a solid “Beva.”

2.       Every day we “Dance With the Animals.”  This is music video at the end of a Baby Einstein movie.  It involves running in place, hopping, making swimming and flying motions, and crawling.

3.       Every time I say good bye on the phone and hang up, Eva (or should I say Weva) says, “Bye Bye, See ya” in a sing-song voice.  This is confusing when her best friend Celia is over, because see ya sounds just the same as said child’s name. 

4.       When Eva is happy she lets out a low hum as she runs.  Her voice vibrates as she does this, by the way.  She has been doing it since about 6 months, first with just laying on a blanket, and then crawling.  No, wait—I just remembered that she used to do that at the very beginning every time she was happily nursing away.  Hmmm… maybe she’ll never stop? 

5.       Sometimes when Eva attempts to sing, she actually hits the exact notes of the song.  The rest is kind of meandering, of course.  But it is usually discernable.

6.       Jon taught Eva how to wear a superhero cape (dish-towel) and pose like a hero.  It’s great.  Unfortunately it is difficult to get a photo of this.

7.       When I sit on my exercise ball, she sits on hers too.  (One of those cheap balls from Walmart).  Really hard to take a picture of this.

8.       Eva’s laugh is loud “HA HA HA.”  No really, she actually ha-has.

9.       Her favorite words: crack-a (cracker), ti-ga (tiger), a nasally nian-da (panda), and puppy (puppy, puppet, pocket), and woof-woof. 

10.   Eva never goes down on the slide on her bum.  It is always a careful twist to the side while holding onto the top-side part, and then down by belly, feet first.  This is useful as she can hold food in her hand while sliding.  If you sit by her and clap when she goes down, she’ll never stop.   This is also useful for distraction of all kinds.