Shellen Out

Those nuns are a gossipy lot! A few days ago, I told one of them that my dad passed away, and today another one came up and wished me well on getting over my grief (her dad had died a few years ago, too). Still, sweet ladies... they all wished me a "blessed year ahead" before they left. If they have any sort of pull with heaven at all, I've got a great year coming.

I also found out that I got the best room in the entire monastery. I feel sort of guilty about it, really. Some of the other private retreatants were complaining about their bedrooms at breakfast, and I found out that they were sharing bathrooms between rooms; they were in hotter upstairs rooms that faced the parking lot, and they only had twin beds.

Even in my building (which I apparently shared with the nuns), every other room but mine has two twin beds... I got the only full. But then I guess I didn't exactly choose the monastic life. Plus I am here for a week.

My big question is, when I leave, do I tip the monastery maid? She's not a nun... just a sweet hispanic lady who would probably appreciate a little recognition. I'm just not sure if she'd see it as an insult or not. Hmm... maybe I'll put $10 or $15 in the donation box.