The day I both dislike and like Japan again

Insect count: 1 small spider that Tara killed (mmm)

top 5 blessings: 1) Tara is not afraid of spiders (at least small ones). 2) I found the girls right away! (Which was a blessing for them too - they even said so.) 3) A lot of the fears I had over the weekend turned out not to be justified (THANK HEAVENS). ~Msged my bff! 4) I got to talk to my Papa and Nod for an hour and half today. 5) My mom is a champ and sent me TONS of popcorn seeds! I almost cried - and lots of Tylenol which I REALLY needed and really appreciate!

Today I woke decidedly disliking Japan. I was over everything and everyone. I just wanted to be left alone forever. My weekend went poorly for a few reasons and the ride to the church was so overheating and overwhelming that I just cried in a church bathroom when I arrived. Church itself was pretty good. D&C was nice because we talked about keeping the Sabbath day holy and I was able to have some good conversation with Elder Saunders. And something funny happened during class. Fujimura-kyoudai asked me what I do on Sundays and I started describing my day. "I go to church..." He cut in at that point and started emphatically saying something. I figured he was teasing me (forgetting that Japan doesn't do sarcasm) but E' Saunders said he said, "Of course! No one mentioned church! How did we forget that you go to church on Sunday!?" LOL In any case, I talked about Sundays at home and Sundays here. Fujimura-k thanked me after the lesson and told me I always say very valuable things (he always appreciates when I share during lessons). I really appreciated him telling me that. ~ Also, at some point in the lesson E' Saunders got a little frustrated and said everyone had gotten off track and was talking about alcohol and non-alcoholic beer. I said, "Is that my cue to bring the lesson back on track? I mean, I don't know what they're saying. (theoretically)" Since Fujimura-k had asked the things we gain from keeping the Sabbath day holy when he looked at me during that discussion I said, "Peace. I have peace during the week and strength to choose and to do the right." E' Saunders had to translate for me, but after he said I got the lesson right back on track. LOL But I really was going to share that. And it was a revelation-wake-up call to me. I realized how much peace I really do gain from attending my meetings. :) - Oh the Elders and Sisters all did a musical number today. They sang Love is Spoken Here in a round. It reminded me of my parents and my brother. Nathanael and I, when we were young, sang that duet together in Sacrament meeting. :)

After the block of meetings I was able to skype, as I mentioned above, with my Papa and with Nod. I usually only get to talk to him for a few minutes to it was really nice to connect with the two of them. I also got to talk to my Maman for a little bit before she fell asleep on the floor. :p They told me some funny stories and Papa told me about the remodel they did (had to do) of the downstairs bathroom. It was just a really pleasant chat. Then off I went back to my place. I did better on the ride home (most of the way is downhill). When I got to my place, I cooled down and I had some lunch. Then I cried and freaked out a bunch, but all is well in the world. ~Pretty sure my period is around the corner. *sigh* Tomorrow will be 3 weeks to the day since my last one. HOWEVER, my last period was an UNPRECEDENTED 6 days long! (I can't remember if I mentioned that before.) Now that THAT part is getting better, I just have to figure out how to put more than 2-3 weeks time between. However, on the flip side, I'm grateful to have it now during the first week of August rather than further in when it's even hotter. Also, we're going to Hokkaido on Tuesday so it will be good to be further North while I'm overheating just because. Well, while my body is trying to survive and is furiously.. ok I'll stop. Sorry, I tend to be very open (overshare). Right before I left church I heard from Abbey and Tara (thank goodness - I was starting to worry). They told me they would be in at 19h30. I told them, come out of the gates and WAIT RIGHT THERE and I will find you. OR go to the doors of Fes"an. I killed time reading until about 18h55. Then I rode my bike down to the station. I was 20 minutes early, but I was happy to be there in plenty of time. I waited in a chair off to the side until it was 19h30 then got up and started watching for them. Sure enough, down the escalator they came and I yelled (uncool for Japan but I was more worried about them wandering off) their names and TADA! Reunited! :D The poor girls didn't get a hotel last night (couldn't find one) and had spent the night mostly awake in the airport. They didn't sleep much on the plane and this morning they walked around Tokyo a bunch and told me (hope they don't mind me telling you) they were chafing badly (it's SO humid here - and hotter in Tokyo). They were BEAT. I felt bad dragging them the 25-30 minute walk to my place. I took two bags on my bike though (I was trying to help). They both took cool showers and pretty much collapsed into bed. They are both sound asleep right now. I offered them dinner but they were too exhausted for it. I'm really happy they are here though. :D Because of the arduous journey, we are putting Hokkaido off for a day so they can recover (which is fine by me). I'm not sure if we will walk around tomorrow or just chill, but ya, it'll be great whatever we do! They exclaimed over Donut and said he was so pretty. :) Agreed. He gets it from me. ;) ~ Oh and it was on the way to the station, seeing the beauty of Japan that made me fall in love with Japan all over again. Hope you all have a wonderful Sabbath. XOXO, A

I got a picture last night of Donut in the light so you could see how pretty he is :)