Awake.In:::DreamSpace:::

It was around 4:30pm... I was on my way to the off site parking of the 2011 NKT International Fall Festival and I made it... to the parking lot...  The Mini-C was making a very scary grinding noise and the red battery and CEL icons went on...

This is not what I planned on...  the Mini breaking down was not part of my weekend itinerary.  OK.  I'm in the middle of almost nowhere in Port Jervis, NY, but I'm not alone.  There are people guiding traffic to parking spots, buses taking people to the festival, and my ATT iPhone HAS service!  OK Trudy, Don't Panic!  You are attending a Buddhist Festival... here is your chance to practice patience and acceptance!

Pop the trunk, read the decal with Mini Service Road Side Assistance, dial, talk to representative, and soon a tow truck will be dispactched.  Great, the car is going to be towed to the nearest BMW/Mini service area, which happens to be in White Plains, NY.  3-Way conversation ensues with said dealership/service...  they close at 7p, car keys can be dropped in overnight bin, they will call me in the morning.  A car rental wasn't working out due to logistics... that's ok... there is bus service to and from the Festival, so I can still enjoy!  Tow truck took hours to find me and I missed the Friday introduction, but I did get to chat with many nice people in the parking lot.  After the tow truck finally arrived, Vern the driver dropped me back at the hotel.  Yea!

Just got a call from my teacher in Merrick, there is room in his car for me, so I have a ride to and from the Festival and a ride home back to Long Island on Sunday.  Yea! 

Thank you my BFF Carol for your support in telling me to enjoy the weekend, don't worry, I'll pick you up on Sunday...  Everything worked out and I have a ride back to LI...  Thank you David!  For teaching me that when the car breaks down, it is the car's problem, not mine!  See... I listen and it stuck in my mind... whoa...  I was mindful... SWEET!

OK, Carol, as you know, the car is in White Plains...  not as scenic as a  drive upstate NY is...  I'm sure we will find an apple orchard and farm stands!  

So, there you go, I woke up this morning planning on my first day at the Festival... I didn't make it, but I defintely practiced patience and acceptance... perhaps that was what today was supposed to be all about for me.