LA Times Article on Gentrification

I was interviewed for an article in the LA Times about the gentrification of my neighborhood, Historic Filipinotown. 

For the last few months, Noel Alumit, a writer in Historic Filipinotown, has been adopting plants from Craigslist users, moved by the plaintive note in their appeals.

I’ve been evicted, their posts begin. I’ve lived here for 2 decades and my landlord is selling my building. Please give my plants a good home.

“I guess I feel like I’m being helpful by taking their trees,” Alumit said.

On Retreat with Bhikkhu Bodhi

I was reading The Noble Eightfold Path, which was the first discourse of the Buddha.  I'd read various translations of it, but the one by Bhikkhu Bodhi is my favorite.  I've read his translation at least three times.  I was reading it again when a notice popped up on Facebook that Bhikkhu Bodhi himself would be leading a retreat on the Eightfold Path in La Puente at Lankarama Temple.  Well, I just couldn't believe my karma!

It was a five day retreat filled with meditation, dhamma instruction, pali chanting, blessings and offerings.  It was a great way to start the year.