World Traveler: Finally settled

I did not sleep well at all because of my pain. I ended up getting up earlier than intended but that was ok because I had forgotten to do some origami as thank you's for the ladies taking me shopping. (Those of you who know me well ...) We shopped for two hours. I'm very grateful for their help and now I have everything I need (as far as I know) to live here comfortably. I got a pad (to put under my futon since it's very little protection against the hardwood floor), an oscillating fan, a lamp, a light bulb for the lamp, a blanket (for the winter and for Abbey and Tara to use should they wish when they come - I have 2 blankets now), an iron, and a rug. I feel established now. Some of the things were tough choices and I was trying to stay within a budget. I found almost everything was more expensive than I expected. Still, I made out fairly well and felt very blessed. It was really fun to spend time with those three ladies. :)

After they dropped me off I cleaned and set up my new things and then immediately took to the heating pad. I finished my last book to take back to Aiina and then talked myself into leaving during the hottest part of the day. (I wasn't feeling TOO crampy so I knew I had to jump on that window.) I biked into the center of town and went to the Fesan to get my skirt dropped off to be fixed. (The zipper broke on my black skirt which I had been wearing everyday because it is SO HOT. Ya, great timing skirt! Oh man, I had to pay upfront, which is fine, but it was $35!! :/ Still I have neither the means nor the time to do it myself. Also, I don't have the knowledge (though I could probably blunder through it but I have never actually sewn on a zipper), nor do I have the will as I don't care for sewing. So all in all I spent more today than I expected to spend, but I have faith that the Lord will take care of me. :) After I dropped off my skirt (which will be ready on Jean-Mi's birthday -- June 18th -- wince), I went over to Aiina. I was in pain by then and it was a regular Japanese summer day -- sweltering. I had brought a fan and was constantly fanning myself. I picked out 5 books as quickly as I could and left to get back. By the time I got back to my apartment I was a wreck. Between my cramps and the heat I was violently ill. Luckily I hadn't eaten anything since early in the morning so there was nothing for me to throw up (though my stomach still tried). I turned on my dehumidifier and jumped into the shower and turned the water on cool. Actually it was cool and it still felt like it was burning my skin so I turned it almost on full cold. What a blessing that cold water was! It cooled me quickly and when I got out I was able to enter a cool room and sit down. I got back on the heating pad and grabbed a little food and lots of water. I had recovered fairly shortly and had a pretty good afternoon and evening despite the pain. I'm glad (as the weather forecast says 30C for Monday) that I get to stay home Monday since my short skirt is unavailable. I thought about hemming my long blue skirt but then thought better of it as I will need a long church skirt for the winter. I hope they finish it in record time!

Just recently I made myself some white stew for dinner and I started one of the books I got at Aiina. It's a book I've been meaning to read since junior high school: Crime and Punishment (Dostoevsky). I'm only 30 or so pages in but it's been very interesting so far. (It's easy to mistrust the "classics" when you've only read one that didn't end in an abysmal state of despair.) I hope it is a good book! I'm feeling worried about tomorrow. The Sundays that I have cramps I usually only stay for Sacrament Meeting because of pain and other issues. So I'm worried about getting to church on my bike, being there, and then getting back home in the heat. I hope my body does well! I hope it forgets that it shuts down in the heat and allows me to have a nice Sabbath.

Here are some pictures from today, enjoy and XOXO, A: