Breathing

Relief! Today was my final exam in Intensive Japanese (three hours, five days a week since I’ve been here!) so now I will get to be in a regular Japanese class which will meet for two hours three times a week. To celebrate, we got to go to a restaurant called Speakeasy that serves American-style breakfast: Eggs, sausage, hash browns, French toast, and hard boiled eggs. I even got to drink cranberry juice, which was a welcome treat. The center even paid for us, as long as we ordered in Japanese! “Go-ban seto to caranuberi jusu o kudasai.” (I hope that’s right, or else my teachers will be a little disappointed). After that, we went to a shopping area where we asked for prices and the time. Following that, we went to a grocery store and asked the workers to show us where certain products were. Finally, we had to get directions to different streets and landmarks from people on the street. It was really fun. And on the way home, I found a fude, or brush, with which to do sumi-e at one of the 100 yen stores. I spent the rest of the day at the center getting some information together. When I came home I took a really long bath and shower that lasted for several hours but was way overdue. I had Triscuits and granola with soy milk for dinner because I haven’t had a chance to go shopping for any meat recently. But! I did find a shelving unit that I just need to clean, but then I will have a place to store all of my foods. I am REALLY excited about it. Plus, since it was abandoned behind one of the dorms, it is free as long as I put it back at the end of the semester. I did decide today, however, that when I get back to the states I’m going to invest in a better everyday book bag. Mine holds a lot, but it has a horrible support system, and yesterday when Taka was showing us shiatsu, he commented that I have a large amount of tension in my shoulders. Plus, a book bag is a great way to carry groceries so that you don’t have to weigh down your arms nor do you have to waste paper and plastic bags. Yet I am not sure I really see me going to Food Lion and putting all of my groceries in my book bag at the cash register. It might seem a little strange.

I spent a large part of tonight napping. But I really do need to clean my room and do laundry. I believe that I will make that a TOP priority for the weekend. Plus, I need to get some incense or Febreeze so that my room doesn’t constantly smell like dirty laundry and whatever was the last thing I cooked in my toaster oven. I hope it starts getting nicer soon. Most people choose to air dry their clothes because it’s expensive to use the dryer, but it’s been so rainy recently, I am not sure that I could effectively dry my clothes outside.

Music of the day: Saul Williams
Major purchase: sumi-e brush
Food: a pastry made with a sweet bean filling
Meditation/ inspiration/ thought of the day: Looking forward is fun, but accomplishes little.
Top priority: Laundry, cleaning room, and groceries for the weekend