Update and TCM

So, what am I up to? I've been away for about a week, enjoying my leave from work and having way too much fun. I have a few days back at TCM school this week and then I'm on my long-awaited interstate road trip. I say "long-awaited" because it is a route I have not done before and I've been wanting to do it for a while. Going with the BF of course. We're hoping to do an overseas trip this year and next year so this is supposed to be a cheap getaway, but of course I expect it will be more expensive than going to Bali.

On Friday night we have a rooftop moonlight cinema at TCM school and I'm really looking forward to watching Seven Years in Tibet. I wish I owned bean bags. Cushins and blankets it will be. After that we start the trip.

I'm loving TCM. It's been really good for me to learn something other than biomedicine for a break. So far we've been learning Mandarin including pictographs and calligraphy, the history of China and TCM, and the fundamental philosophies of TCM. I'm loving learning about qi, the five phase elements, yin and yang, and the way the body works in health and illness according to TCM. And wow it's so different from western thinking. And I like different. There's also Kung fu on Fridays. <3

I've also been going to the school clinic and being treated by final year students (under the supervision of an experienced practitioner) for my chronic tonisilitis with acupuncture and herbs. I love preparing the raw herbs but I have pills for this week due to the road trip and we will be camping for most of it (unless I have a tantrum and demand we stay at the Hyatt, much like what happened in Kathmandu post the harsh Tibet trip back in September).

I'm currently reading The Web that has No Weaver by Kaptchuk and recommend that to anyone interested in TCM. The favored textbook is Foundations of Chinese Medicine by Maciocia.

And, yes, I can't wait to get back into western medicine and after my annual leave I will start my own study plan.