Marvelous Retreat

Who would imagine that Penryn (should not be mispronounced as Palin), a town of population 2000, could be so much fun? Well, it’s a very sleepy town, until more than a dozen energetic, loud, fun, and sober gaysian shows up this weekend when we invaded one of their guest house in the middle of nowhere. What a fantabulous weekend! Loaded to a big giant rental van, I joined about dozen others arrived a huge house in Penryn on Friday night, for an API Wellness Center retreat. This is the second retreat I participated with API Wellness Center and it exceeds my expectation on so many levels. I thoroughly enjoy the rewarding experience and I will cherish the friendships developed during the trip. After the treat, I feel that I am fully recharged with invigorating, inspiring, and loving energy, even though I am also physically exhausted due to lack of sleep. It’s a very big house—it has five (or six?) bedrooms, three and half bathrooms, a big Jacuzzi and a small swimming pool in the back yard, a yoga studio, a gym, and many other stuff that my one bedroom apartment in San Francisco doesn’t have. However, the pampering facility is not the highlight of the retreat. I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to reflect my past, to think about my future, to share my thought with others, and to absorb the nurturing from peers. From time to time, the conversation can become emotional and powerful, but most the time, it’s filled with laughter and some distinct giggles from gaysians. No booze is allowed during the retreat, but who needs booze when you are surrounded by so many fun people and endless laughter? Fine, I have to admit that I wish I could have a glass of wine when I stare at the moon in the hot tub. I did drink a lot coffee and tea though. http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf I became a big fan of the game mafia and we played and "killed" again and again, before I hit the hot tub after it passed 1am in the morning. I will never forget the innocent look from my two roommates during the retreat, Maveric and William, sitting on the same couch with me while they were actually the two "mafias" who kill off the entire town. I am also glad that my third roommate, BeyonSoy, finally treat me as her friend, even though all these years I have thought she was my friend. Ha ha… On our way back to the City, the gang stopped by a Thai Buddhist Temple and a monk tired a wristband on my right wrist and blessed me. I think my wish will come true, with all the good energy floating around me recently. During my trip to North Carolina last week, I was informed that I was promoted. That really motivates me. I should go to bed now so I can catch some good sleep and get more work done next week. I only slept in my bed one day after I flew back last Wednesday. I am sure my bed misses me a lot. Life is wonderful.