14. 9:15 – 9:30: PART II

I can’t believe it…  It’s happening…  I unlock the door to my villa and step in.  I want to jump up and down with excitement, but I know I don’t have time to waste.  I need to focus.  What should I do first?  I need to pack, eat dinner and get ready to go to their villa.  What am I going to wear?  Wait, what’s that?  I walk over to my writing desk and see RK’s business card as well as a note from the resort confirming my departure information in the morning.  I set the departure information down and stare at RK’s business card.  I read the handwritten note on the front of it, which includes RK’s villa number and our appointment time… 9:15 -9:30.  I look at my watch.  It’s 7:45…  Not much time…  I put on some uplifting music and start packing, although I quickly feel overwhelmed with the process and have trouble focusing.  Switch gears…  What am I going to wear?   I walk over to my closet and poke around.  Yoga clothes and photography clothes…  Ugh…  Wait…  I bought a new silk dress in Ubud…  Thank goodness for shopping in Ubud…  It will be nice to be dressed up…   I find the dress buried in my purchases and iron it.  Then I select jewelry as I dance around to the rhythms of Ganga Giri — tunes I don’t know but am happy I purchased a couple days ago.  I take a shower outside in the garden and let the hot water run down my back as I look up to the stars and see the Big Dipper.  It always comforts me to see this familiar site so far away from home.  Right now, I feel really far away.  I want to call my best friend and tell her what’s happening, but there’s no time.  I step back inside and dry off.  My journey through India and the guru I met there who told me I would write two books flash through my mind.  Then I see the wise man in Beijing who just told me I would write a book.  I feel my stomach turning into a knot.  It’s crazy how this is unfolding…  Then I think about how I ran out into the water to meet RK and his wife, which was totally crazy.  I apply a little makeup and put on the last of my scented body cream.  Shoes, what about shoes?  I knew I should have brought cuter sandals…  I walk back over to my closet and decide on one of two pairs, trying to ignore the pile of packing I have to do when I get back.  I’m not going to sleep much tonight, but who cares?  As long as my camera gear is safely packed, I’ll be alright.  I get out my journal and laptop.  Should I bring these?  I don’t have my manuscript with me…  I can show him my website and some of my blog posts from Morocco.  But is it good enough to show him?  This is a book we’re talking about…  Ugh, I feel sick to my stomach.  I wish I were further along in my process and a better writer.  What time is it anyway?  I look at my watch.  9:05.  I put on my dress, slip into my sandals and say a little prayer of gratitude.  Then I ask God for guidance to help me accept whatever RK tells me.  I lock my villa door behind me and start walking across the resort.  The air has cooled a little bit and there’s a nice breeze that soothes my slightly sunburned skin.  I see the numbers getting smaller on the villas as the villas get bigger.  Wow, these are magnificent…  And I thought mine was impressive…  I repeat their villa number in my head and realize that I’m really close.  Then I think I see it.  There is a villa directly in front of me that has candles burning on the steps leading up to the door.  Flowers surround each candle.  It looks very warm and inviting.  I look at the villa number and see that this is it.  I take a deep breath and step forward to ring the bell.  My cheeks get warm and my fingers tremble.  I hear footsteps walking toward the door, and then it opens.  “Hello,” I say. “Hello, Lisa,” RK says.  “Welcome.  Please come in…”