A bit more in depth details of how it goes around here!

Well I spoke to soon about the sanding and staining...that was my job all morning yesterday...Hated! I had to re-do my mani last night. Today I was on house keeping...so that means lots of toilet scrubbing....Yuck! Let me tell you I will never dread cleaning my own home again.

Something interesting took place the other day. I was in a conversation when the word "God" came up and one of the residents here said "that is such an awful word". I nearly choked. I had to count down from 100 to keep my mouth shut.
However, the next day I got my oppurtunity when I was alone with that person to let them know my feelings about her harsh judgement. I believe I was tactful and respectful in doing so. Funny how here I am in this ZEN community and lo and behold...the judgement is even far and wide enough to include "God".

Okay I thought I would let you know a bit more about how things go around here.... first upon waking you make a dash for the bathroom as at least 10 or so people are sharing it on any given day. You can only use it for about 5 minutes cause everyone is rushng to get to zazen (meditation). Next is the sitting. One hour with lots of ceremony. LIke for example you must enter the Zendo, (temple) left foot first. And you are not supposed to wear nail polish in the zendo either, but I do. End of that story.
Then when you approach your mat you bow to it, the turn clockwise and bow again then you finally sit. When the bell rings that is it...no moving. Then 20 minutes later you hear a bell you stand and then you walk very very slowly for the next 20 minutes in a very specific pattern. Then you hear another bell and you return to your mat, bow and then sit again for another 20 minutes.
When you hear the next bell you stand, bow, and leave the temple in a very specific way,
Next is soeji (cleaning of the temple) until 8:20. Again done very specificly. Finally breakfast, in silence, then clean up and then four hours of my work assignment...usually housekeeping. Next is the 12:20 sit which is 40 min facing the wall, no walking. Which I have to leave for right now...so I will post again later.