Oh boy

Today was rough. I woke up fairly early because my cramps woke me up. Don't they know I wanted to get at least 8 hours of sleep!? I knew that I should get tylenol, but it took me forever just to roll over (for those of you who don't know what my cramps are like, I showed up to the ER because I'd had cramps for 2 weeks straight - turned out the be a kidney stone that was this size: |-----| and I went into surgery that night to get a stent put in so it would pass)! Luckily last night I had enough foresight to put the tylenol and my heating pad by my bed. Eventually I took some tylenol and maneuvered myself onto the heating pad. It was still a really rough morning and I had a surprise visitor (story below). Sheesh. I was in bed and on the heating pad til about 15h30 and even then I didn't feel like I could get up and move around. However, I was sick of feeling grimy. So I got up and got ready. I had planned last night to go grocery shopping today and once I was up and hobbling around I figured, "I'm going out!" I wanted to have my shopping done for a while (that is, I wanted to stock up on some things so I wouldn't have to do much shopping in the near future). So after I got ready, I gathered my things and left before I could change my mind!

It's funny, M-s told me (when she took me to the grocery store Wednesday) "This store is far from your apartment but if you can go to a grocery store, it's more expensive." -*Incredulous look* -"I mean.." -"Cheaper?" -"Yes!" So I think I mentioned that yesterday I had found the route to Maruichi. Ya... it was an 8 minute walk from my place. *rolls eyes* Although in her defense, you have to take a sort of roundabout course with your car because of the one-way streets. In any case, my cramps, blister, and knee made the trip longer, but I got there just fine. I bought a TON of food. Well, it feels like a ton. I was trying to get a month's worth so we'll see if I did it. At the store I also got to use my Japanese. It was intimidating (as I mention below, it's hard to focus when I'm in terrible pain) but I approached a worker and said, "Miso ga .. shitai? Dashi?" -Yesterday I asked Tsukasa how to make miso. She told me that I needed miso paste and dashi (which is a sort of soup stock). I'd found the miso, but I had no idea, with all the kanji, where to find dashi. Also, if I remember correctly "suru" is to do and to make (though I may be confusing it with French or Spanish since they have to do/to make verbs). So I tried to say, "I want to make miso. Dashi?" And I think it would have been correct to say, "Dashi ga doko ni?" or "doko desu ka" but don't quote me on either! In any case, the woman understood me and showed me where to find the miso paste (had some in my cart) and right across the aisle? Dashi! So yay! *chalks up a point* Anyway I limped around, leaning heavily on my basket, grabbing the food on my list (thank goodness I had a list or I wouldn't have gotten everything). Some things are ridiculously expensive, and some things are really cheap. I'm hoping it all kind of balanced out. I spent around the dollar amount that I felt was my cap and now my fridge is pretty full and my cupboards too! It feels good to have enough food that I don't have to dash out or eat out. As soon as I got back I put my food away - I also got these mini sodas for when people stop by. :)

After I did that, I was on a roll (at least, I had willpower going for me) so I cooked myself an early dinner, did dishes, and finished unpacking my suitcases. Of course, I need a few more storage/organization items (bins or drawers) but I will get those later. I feel good about my day and right now it's pouring outside. So though it's cold, I love the rain and I feel blessed to be in good shape (mentally speaking) - well, I did cry today but I haven't been as down as I usually get on my period. *knocks on the floor* :)

Having an early dinner makes this the earliest I have ever started fasting! (Well other than when I did lunch to lunch.) I was informed by Brittany (Chiniquy) that her ward in Osaka has church tomorrow - Fast Sunday - and Conference for them in next week. I'm assuming my ward is the same. And though I won't see Conference right away, I'm actually glad about how it worked out - I'm eager to meet my ward and make connections (mmm). 

Funny moments:

At around 11 am there was a knock at my door. It shocked me. I was on the heating pad, watching a show on youtube, in my pjs. I'd combed my hair but had not washed my face or gotten dressed or anything. I struggled up in a sort of panic. I wasn't expecting anyone and didn't feel like I had time to change. So I hobbled to the door (between my blister, knee, and cramps I'm sure I looked fairly pathetic!), and opened it to find M-s! She brought me the ham and bacon that I got for signing my lease for this apartment. She also brought me the trash schedule in English. I typically don't get embarrassed but I was embarrassed then. I wasn't dressed, I wasn't... I just wasn't in a place to be having company. She asked if I was ok, and I said, "I'm sick." Then the look of horror plus all the people you see wearing masks (and there's a LOT here) hit home. So I hadn't wanted to potentially embarrass HER, but figured it was better that she knew she wasn't going to catch something for me so I corrected myself. "Well, I have my period." Oh man... the look on her face. DAH! What a morning. (I couldn't even trot out any Japanese I was in so much pain. I just feel icky about the whole thing. I wasn't very gracious, I wasn't very polite, I just couldn't focus. I hope she understands. :/ Dang it!)

I thought about my favorite OT verse today: 2 Kings 6:16: "And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." I haven't felt any specific promptings or had any experience yet where I felt the angels promised to be near me and protect me. However, I have faith that they are close to me. I haven't gone postal, so there's one big clue! ;) But truly, I feel more at peace in Japan alone than I ever imagined I would. I'm not perfectly at equilibrium, but I've been very blessed. mmm XOXO, A

I got a picture of the traffic sign M-s ignored to get me to my apartment (I had to crop it to take out the license plates), and a "pizza" menu:

The bottom left window (peeping over the fence) is my bedroom window :D

Pizza! ... ?