It seems that a pattern has developed of my Mondays being very stressful. I feel so overwhelmed by everything that has built up over the weekend that I’m close to exploding by the time I get to talk to everyone. Today I did explode. I was in tears due to my sheer lack of ability to talk to my mom and Bryan and everyone else all at once and prepare for class at the same time. I guess we can’t do everything all the time, but I sure do try. I feel like my e-mails and “things to do” list pile up over the weekend as far as it relates to doing things online, since my only Internet source comes from the center.

And my busiest day of class is Monday: two hours of Japanese and three of Behind the Mask. By the time I’m done with the day, I’m close to collapsing in a heap, feeling like I got nothing accomplished. Today though, I didn’t let that happen.

Although I was frustrated early in the day, I realized that there are other ways to communicate with people. I spent most of the night preparing letters and things to send home to my family and some of my friends. It was a good feeling and I got to express a lot of my thoughts and sentiments into personal letters that I know people will have to hold onto when they miss me or are having a bad day and whatnot. By the end of the night, I was covered in ink, smelled like incense, and was exhausted, but I felt really good about it. I had been really productive and fell asleep smiling.