Buddhist Intention Ceremony

It is upon us; this year of 2009 has snuck up from behind and kicked me square in the buttocks. I was trying earlier today to recall where I was on this day a year ago...and I was disturbed by the fact that I could not remember. I know that I was freshly 21, so I'm sure that had something to do with it.
This year, I am going to change all that...I am going to remember where I am. What I am doing.
Today, the 31st of December I am riding up to LA with my friends Luis, Matt, and Corey to atttend a Buddhist Intention Ceremony held by none other than the spiritual author made famous by his book Dharma Punx, Noah Levine. I am not sure exactly what to expect, other than somehting similar to what I have experienced of Buddhist ceremonies in the past. The ceremonies for Atip's death at the Laotian Bhuddist Temple were small but also one of the most beautiful things I've had the privelage of experienceing. So, I can surmise that this ceremony will be equally as interesting and beautiful.
This ceremony comes to me at a very important time in my life:
I wouldn't say that I am at a cross-roads, but I am at a crucial decision making point in my life where I must choose between hiding behind my comforts of the flesh and stripping them away to discover who I really am. I have chosen the latter. In the next few weeks I will be testing myself and stripping away all that is unnecessary. I have attended two traditional sweat lodges so far and I have two more to go before I take on my vision quest in February. The ceremony that I will be attending today will serve as a crucial opportunity to keep focusing my effforts and thoughts and to recenter myself.
After that, as oxymoronic as it may seem, we will celebrate. We aren't sure exactly to what extent, but, Luis has been invited to DJ for our friend's last minute New Year party. I have not been drinking much lately so I cannot imagine that I will be drinking any more than a few drinks if any at all, but as we all know, I have the tolerance of a hummingbird.
I hope for clarity, wisdom and happiness in this year of 2009.