The day where a mom appears

T5B: 1) The elders and my HT are taking very good care of me. 2) I am feeling more hopeful about my situation in spite of the pain being worse today. 3) I had a wonderful dinner. 4) I got to message my BFF. 5) I got to ride my bike in the pouring rain.

Today I woke up early and once again had fallen asleep late the night before. The problem was I got into bed late (not sure why now) but I DID fall asleep right away, so that was nice. Still I awoke quite exhausted and 45 minutes before my alarm was to go off. I got up and started to get ready. When I left my apartment, I got a little ways away and it started to sprinkle (I got video of the dashi for you!). I decided that I didn't want to turn back and be late for church so I pressed on. Since I had put my hair in socks, water would ruin it and I wanted to look nice for church, so I pulled out my umbrella. I have told you all before, it's illegal here to bike with an umbrella. I figured it was because one of your hands would be compromised... so I held the umbrella with my teeth! LOL I biked a pretty long way like that. I got lots of strange looks too! Still, I got to church and wasn't too wet.

Sitting down in Sacrament meeting, Elder Norawong asked me how I was doing and I just started to cry. I was overheated from the ride in the damp heat, I was sick from the motion of my bicycle, I was in pain, I'm so tired, and I just felt overwhelmed. He was very kind to me. I calmed down and the meeting started. The elders (Hakaraia and Norawong) spoke today as well as Brother Shuwa. Elder Hakaraia talked about the atonement. Elder Norawong is my translator so I'm not really sure what he talked about, though he mentioned his mom. Brother Shuwa (my home teacher) always has these deep talks that are hard for Elder Norawong to translate so I made some origami presents as I tried to catch some words and little notes for those who have helped me. Relief Society was really great! Yasue showed up. :D She translated for me - like a wonderful older sister - and then confirmed that I would see her on Wednesday for my MRI. I then got to skype my family and talk to my Maman, Papa, Anjo, Nod, and Josh! :D Madoka does this thing where she loves to see herself and wave at my family and always grabs my phone while I'm trying to talk to everyone. I'm going to have to hide from her next week! LOL

I took a video when I walked outside the church. It was POURING. At first I got my umbrella out, then I thought, "Forget it! That hurt my jaw and I love the rain!" So I enjoyed it (though it was REALLY hard to see). I WAS DRENCHED! Sopping wet. I only had a few dry places on my body when I reached my place (for example my bum, as I was sitting on it). I took a couple pics (as I promised in the video) and then wrung out my clothes and hung them in the bathroom. I found out though that the soup the members had given me leaked all over my bag so I threw it and my wet clothing in the washer to be started later. My home teachers (sheesh Brother Shuwa confirmed with me around, LITERALLY, 20 times that they were coming at 4:00. He kept saying it in Japanese and I kept saying "ok" in Japanese. Then he came out with, "PM, 4!" "Daijobu!") showed up a little while later and were very kind to me. At this point I was so tired I was slap happy. They were asking me about my pain and about how I was planning on paying my hospital bills. And there I sat grinning like an idiot. At one point, Brother Shuwa inadvertently put his hands in such a way that he was signing, "vagina" in ASL. I told the elders and then proceeded to laugh so hard I cried. Every time I tried to stop, I would start laughing all over again. They were pretty uncomfortable and I kept apologizing and saying I knew it was inappropriate but I couldn't STOP! Felt good to laugh like that though. Poor Brother Shuwa must think I'm insane!

Oh something I forgot to mention: I'm teaching French lessons Tuesday evening (1800-2130). I debated about whether or not I should, but I was thinking I've been worrying about money and this is a way for me to make a little extra to help me with my bills. :) So though it's a little stressful (as I have been given NO direction on what to teach except, "I asked them what they wanted to learn and they don't know." ... Thanks dude. Oh well. I'm going to go in with culture, poetry, maybe a couple short stories, music... and then let them choose. We'll just do mini units. What else am I forgetting... oh ya! Oh man.. at the school festival (Aug 31), I accidentally told one of my students I was on my period. DOH! It was at the fitness/body measurement thing. They told me it would take my weight and I, used to people not understanding so I am able to be my open self, said, "Oh it will be off since I'm on my period." DOH! The student to whom I said this, speaks fluent English. Sorry L! I didn't do it on purpose. :/

Oh - so the title for today. Elder Norawong has taken it upon himself to be my mother. He even called himself that several times. He asked if I had food and I told him how I had bought some ramen. Both he and Brother Shuwa were upset. Then Brother Shuwa takes out his wallet and gives me $100. I told him I would only accept it if he allowed me to pay him back later. He said of course and that there was no rush. I'm hoping I won't have to use it. They told me to go shopping today. I told them it was Sunday. Elder Norawong wouldn't leave until I could prove I would have a non ramen dinner. He told me he would be following up as well ("Like a good missionary"). I remembered I had come frozen mixed veggies and showed him that and my little tupperware of rice. He wasn't satisfied until I also showed him my last two little garlic hot dogs. So that's what I had for dinner! I cut up the hotdogs, drained and added my lotus root (it's SO good! -I've had this pack forever), added half the frozen veggies, mirin, and mentsuyuu. I had myself a little fry up. I added just a tiny bit of shoyu to take away from the sweetness of the mirin. At the very end, I added the rice (as it was cold) and mixed it in well. It was DELICIOUS! And my own creation - lol. I was worried I had added to many sauces, but it was yummy. :D Right before I started to make it, Elder Norawong called. I told him I was just about to cook and then he said "Good! I'm your mother! Do what I say!" Then he called back. I answered, "Hi mom!" LOL "It's your mother again." "I know! That's why I said hi mom!" Oh! There's an investigator baptism this Saturday! I'm going to go! I'm so excited. :D Anyway, that was my day. Hope this all made sense. I am EXHAUSTED. Love you! XOXO, A

Video 1: The parade
Video 2: The dashi starts moving and the taiko and chanting/singing starts. This is ... 5 buildings? from my place. This is what has woken me the past two days and I'm sure tomorrow morning too.
Video 3: Outside the church, pouring rain!

I was DRENCHED!!!

The rest of me :D