World Traveler: July 26 - A day without time

First, happy birthday to Jerod!!!

Second, sorry everyone! Insect count: 1 small flying bug

Top 5 blessings: 1) I survived the heat. 2) The office has finally turned on their a/c for the summer months. 3) I got to see friends I haven't seen in a while (Allie, Tom, Shawn). 4) I got to meet new Interac people (Kevin, Nick). 5) I was able to ride my bike to the grocery store. (Also, I got popcorn.)

Yesterday (sorry I didn't write last night) was like a day without time. My day, first of all, started at 3 am. I was woken up by thunder and lightning. It was really cool and I wanted to put in my contacts and really see the storm but I was so exhausted I just stayed in bed. The thunder was so loud and close that I jumped several times. THEN there was an earthquake. It was weird because at first I thought it was just the really loud thunder pushing on my eardrums and affecting my inner ear. Nope, earthquake. So the night was cool, but I did NOT sleep well. When I woke up, it felt like I had a million things to do in the space of a minute! First, Shawn arrived and used my apartment as a parking spot (so he could park for free). Since he was running late I told him to go ahead and take my bike. Doh. I mean, I'm glad I helped him, but I remembered when he left that I needed my bike to run errands. ~ Also this morning I went to put out my trash but it was too late (they had already come by) and this old grandma starts yelling at me. Ya, I have NO IDEA what she's saying. So Shawn translated and I wasn't allowed to and they already came by and take back my trash. Crappy way to start a morning for me. Woman, I don't know you. You can give me your information in a pleasant tone and GO AWAY. In any case, I still had to go to the office. So I geared myself up (as yesterday was humid and hot) and walked there. By the time I got to the office, I felt really icky. I was overheated and underhydrated. I signed my paperwork and then stayed to cool down in the office before I left. There was some drama (with a fender bender) and the new people were going to introduce themselves and were really stressed out. The new guy, when he came back, brought me a coffee. Without even thinking, I turned it down. I feel badly now because he bought it for me. :/ I told him and Tsukasa though (since he speaks very little English) that I can't drink caffeine. And really, it does more damage than help. I get jittery and recently every time I take some (for my cramps) it gives me really awful tension headaches or migraines. So I'm off caffeine for forever, or until I get stupid and forget how painful it is and try it again. LOL Hopefully forever.

Once I felt cool enough to go home it was past lunch time. I walked at a briskish pace - as I wanted to get home quickly but not overexert and overheat myself. First half I was telling myself, "I got this! I can do this!" Then suddenly I was like, "I can't breathe! Why is the air trying to drown my lungs!? Why is the heat pounding me into the ground!?" But I made it home and quickly cooled myself down. At that point I was in very bad condition. Underfed and underhydrated. DAH! So I made the quickest lunch possible and sat down to cool down and eat. That helped me feel a lot better (of course). Then I suddenly realized I had a tutoring session! I had completely forgotten. (In the meantime I was catching up on emails, msging, doing some planning) It was almost dinner time so I made myself dinner but then left it on my desk to eat after tutoring. I met Mina and we had a good time. We talked about Japanese and then about French. :) It was great. Then I went back, ate my dinner, and then it was time to go to Bryan's farewell party. Bruce and Shawn were also going. Bruce took his bike and I walked with Shawn (and my bike so I could ride home). I stepped into the bar, met a few new people from Interac, made sure I talked to everyone I knew, then I took off. I rode my bike to the grocery store (as I hadn't felt up to walking) and then got some groceries. After I got home, I just vegged. I was so tired and had overexerted myself in the heat during the day that I just felt completely drained. I didn't even remember I hadn't written in my blog until after midnight (after I was already in bed trying to sleep). So I apologize if I worried anyone. Yesterday was just hot and arduous for me. (Today is better! It's rainy and overcast!)

Sorry if I worried anyone with the lack of a post or promise of one! XOXO, A

There's all this really cool stuff in Japan! This is right by the bridge to go to the office :)

This is just on a corner - it's so cool how the Japanese just take little spaces like this to remind you of the beauty of Japan and nature.

This is what you see if you turn around from that little park above (I walked a little to the right first)

Anyone want to get their nails done in Japan? *gags*

This is City Hall (that little park area is to the left and around the corner ~ oh it's also where that girl and I crashed into each other on our bikes ~ in any case, Sansa!!