I got a package!

0.o Now November is my most popular month (851 views)! Thanks to my most popular day - not sure what it was about November 1st, but I had 97 views!

I miss my Oneechan. :( I let myself get distracted with being sick and missing my family for Thanksgiving and neglected to see her this week. She left for the Philippines yesterday. :c Luckily she said she'll be back in February! I can't wait to see her again! :)

T5B: 1) My package from my wonderful mum (and family) came today!! Thank you SOOOO much!! 2) I got to message Jerod. 3) I got lots done today and still had some relaxation time. 4) I ate some beef jerky today for the first time in .. more than 8 months! (Again, thanks mom!!) 5) I have mascara and deodorant now! :D!!

basal temp: 35.89

Morning:
- got to sleep in a little, hallelujah (only slept 7 hours though :/)
- played some games on my phone
- showered
- did laundry
- ate

Notes: I'm sooo productive! ;)

Afternoon:
- thought about how grateful I am for Jerod <3
- did another load of laundry
- got my groceries
- ran into Gen (one of the students from Zenrinkan) at the grocery store - he withdrew from the class :/ awww!
- put away my groceries
- read a little bit
- made (well modified) two worksheets to make them what the teachers wanted

Evening:
- did some reading
- watched a little Gintama
- my package arrived! :D
- opened my package and played with my foods and toys!
- messaged Jerod
- read a couple Conference talks

Notes: Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday! (Wish there were two or three during the weekend! But three weeks until Christmas/Winter Vacation! I can do this!!!) Other note: for some reason, the past few days my ovaries/uterus (something in there) has been particularly painful. :/ And the Lunabell makes my basal temp haywire! ~ I'll take a picture later tonight of my chart and post it tomorrow. XOXO, A

This is my favorite picture I took today (and the last two)

Sith Lordette

Ready to go get groceries!

Chocolate potato chips - had to get them - these are LITERALLY chocolate chips, hehehe

two face!

Cuz I'm Mrs Bright Eyes!

 

There was NO cheese :( That's why I got the thing in the first place awww (sad sound)

American Thanksgiving Day (Nov 29 here)

T5B: 1) I got to send a skype message to my family. 2) I was able to skype with Jerod. 3) My lessons went really great. 4) I'm almost ready for next week (lesson plan wise). 5) Four of my classes will be gone so I have an easier week scheduled, thank goodness.

basal temp: 36.24

Morning:
- snow, noooo!
- exhausted
1st-2nd - prepped, corrected compositions
3rd - taught elem, went great!
4th - did some more prep

Notes: My kids were so cute today! They loved my dice game, and I'm so glad! Some of those compositions were heartrending. Sheesh, my poor students! :/

Afternoon:
5th - taught 3A&3B (M & S - ha), went really well
- found out the day I have training, CS is doing their English compositions
- went to the bank/post office
- went to city hall
- went to the eye care place
- went to some conbinis (been looking for Jump and everyone is sold out :/)

Notes: I got SO much done! I need to finish two worksheets tomorrow though. :/ Oh well.

Evening:
- was able to skype Jerod!
- read
- watched some Gintama
- saw a spider, tried to kill it, it disappeared
(- took me FOREVER to fall asleep ^)

Notes: Happy Thanksgiving in America! (Sorry I forgot to post this yesterday!) XOXO, A

My sleep graph (efficiency should be over 85 - that's "enough" sleep)

Snow!!

All bundled up - my long john garments, shirt and pants, sweater, hoodie, water proof coat, scarf, and ear muffs :D

Jerod x2!

Thanksgiving (clever title, applause!)

T5B: 1) My lessons went really well today! 2) One of my classes was cancelled so I had a lighter load. 3) I got to message Jerod more today. 4) I had Thanksgiving in Japan! 5) I am (tentatively) ready for tomorrow! I have my materials and my plan - I just don't FEEL ready. I was told TODAY about a change in the lesson plan for the one lesson I actually had ready. :/ *sigh*

basal temp: 36.41

Morning:
- woke up exhausted :/
1st - taught 1.5, went very well
2nd - taught 1.1, went very well
3rd-4th - worked on my lesson plans for tomorrow, corrected worksheets

Afternoon:
- lunch was good (and I got to eat it on time AND I was starving!)
5th - taught 2.2, went very well
- the other classes were cancelled, so cleaning time then more prep time
- hit a wall in my prep and killed time for a bit til I left (SOOOO exhausted)

Notes: DAH! One kid mimicked me today ... but it was so wrong when he did it! Made me blush which made me frustrated because it increases the chance that it will happen again! On a better note, one girl, M, told me she is going to bring me a present from Kyoto (they have a class trip next week). I said, "Honto!? (Really!?)" She replied in the affirmative and I thanked her. I don't know if she actually will (as some of my students at Walden told me they got me a Christmas gift but they never materialized - no biggie), but I thought it was very sweet that she thinks of me. :) If nothing else, she likes me enough to TELL me she'll get me a present. She's a cute girl! :)

Evening:
- cleaned a couple last minute things
- had Thanksgiving with the elders and sisters :)

Notes: Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! XOXO, A

Me last night

The wkst I made today

Sisters Hyodou, McGreevy, and Gass

Elders Norawong and Hakaraia

Elder Hakaraia's Comp (can't remember his name) and Elder Temanahamou

Sister Mataoa and Elder "Mo"

A day I'm criticized for not being Japanese

T5B: 1) I got to message Jerod more than usual today (today - well Tuesday) is his day off. 2) My classes went pretty well (even the one in which I was observed though it seemed to be doomed and I was so nervous). 3) I found out I have been scored almost perfectly by the teachers here. :D 4) I have a pretty easy week next week because four of my classes will be gone. 5) I got more sleep!

basal temp: 35.74

Morning:
- I was nervous getting ready and so panicky on the bus
1st - taught a class, went super well (1.2)
- FINALLY got my SLP for Friday
2nd - corrected worksheets, prepped
3rd - taught 1.3, went super awesomely well
4th - taught 3.7 and was observed

Notes: So, the criticism. All I received seemed to be criticism. :/ It was pretty demoralizing. And all it centered around me not being Japanese. "You didn't understand the students." Well, I did my best! I don't speak very much Japanese. :( "You didn't know what the students wanted/needed." Once again, I don't speak Japanese. She spoke about how AMAZING the JTE was (and he really is) but I felt like it was a really unfair comparison. If they're saying things in Japanese - things they want to know, or don't understand, HELLO. OF COURSE that's why he was able to respond to those needs. I'm doing the best I can with the tools I have. I just felt like a lot of the criticism I received was just a comparison to a teacher who speaks Japanese versus me, who doesn't. I was REALLY hurt when I was told, "If you want to become a good teacher..." I AM a good teacher. Scratch that, I'm a GREAT teacher. If your definition of a "good teacher" is one who speaks Japanese, that's a really wide net and no, I'm not in it. It was a mostly frustrating experience for me. Also, I was talked to through my lunch, so I didn't get to eat until late. -- Oh and get this: I was told that the teachers had given me almost perfect scores. Let's talk about that. These people see me EVERYDAY. So why can't we talk about my non perfect areas from their perspective rather than this one off? THAT would have helped me. It also made me feel vindicated. "Oh you think I'm a crappy teacher? What do the teachers who teach with me 1-4 times a week think? They think I'm almost perfect? Then we're done here!"-- Also I was told, "I think if you ask the JTE, they will say the lesson was very bad." So, with my trepidation, I swallowed my pride and asked. What did he say? "It was perfect! Very well done!" HA! AND AAARRRGGGGHHH!

Afternoon:
- got an earful about not being Japanese during lunch time (as I said)
5th - taught 2.3, went very well
6th-7th - finally ate lunch, corrected worksheets, tried to plan for Friday
- cleaning time
- the bus was REALLY late - I started to worry it wasn't coming and also I was really cold!

Notes: So that lesson that I taught 2.3? The exact same lesson that went so abysmally poorly yesterday. The culture of the class makes such a huge difference! I was dreading teaching that lesson, but glad it was to 2.3, and it went really well and really smoothly. :) What champs!

Evening:
- got home
- cleaned a LITTLE bit, but not all I intended :/ (oh well!)
- made dinner
- spent time chatting with Jerod
- read a little bit

Notes: Love you all! Happy Wednesday - what a weird day to work... I don't think I've ever worked the day before Thanksgiving before... well maybe once. But tomorrow will be the first Thanksgiving I've ever worked. And it's not a thing here at all. Christmas isn't either but they have some "nods" to it, as it were. But NO Thanksgiving. My mom would be so sad! So I am working, but I also get to have a Thanksgiving dinner with the missionaries. YAY! I'm looking forward to that. XOXO, A

My champ class

T5B: 1) I made it throught the morning without falling asleep at my desk. (I briefly, but seriously, considered going to the women's locker room to take a nap/finish my night's sleep.) 2) I made two worksheets. 3) I taught two new lessons today and both went well. 4) I have been incredibly blessed when it comes to making lessons. I am given bare bones ("Do a lesson on 'What's this?'") and my Heavenly Father has constantly given me inspiration on what to do. It takes a little time and struggling at my desk, but other than when I first started out and didn't know my student's level of English that well, my lessons have gone really well. And the parts that didn't work, I was blessed to find a better way or the JTE would suggest a better way to do it. :) 5) I have learned a lot from my students. (Today I learned a new word: hokuhoku. It means steaming hot, or fresh-baked. :D)

basal temp: 36.22

Morning:
- my alarm brought me out of REM sleep so I've felt super exhausted all day
- I vowed to be in bed EXTRA early tonight because I was so tired I almost threw up
- the bus was PACKED (we couldn't even leave the bus stop for a bit because the driver couldn't shut the door!)
1st-2nd - I blocked out my worksheets.
3rd - taught 2.5, went very well (new lesson!)
4th - I made the worksheets I planned out, worksheet correction

Afternoon:
- I was trying not to fall asleep (again - crappy fight!) at lunch
5th - taught 2.4, went very poorly
6th - taught 1.6, went super amazingly well!
- got home safely (and wet)

Notes: 2.4 talked over me, they didn't listen to my instructions, they copied each other's papers... AARGH! I was so frustrated and the JTE was wandering around in the back not helping. :/ So far it's been every other week that they work with me. Sheesh. Come to think of it, I have their attention and most of their cooperation for my original lessons. The lessons that I've been given to teach (and they have been very specific and stressful because they aren't my style but I've TRIED to adapt) have gone very poorly with this class. Hmm. Anyway, I was worried about 1.6 because they are one of my toughest classes. Man they were CHAMPS today. They all participated, and they had a blast (as did I). Coming from the other class I was almost in tears so I was worried about the smelling weakness thing, but they were awesome. And I am very, very grateful to them for that. It made a huge difference in my day.

Evening:
- made rice, cooked some pork (for lunches)
- did my dishes
- swept my place (for Thanksgiving on Thursday)
- ate dinner
- got to message Jerod for a bit
- read a little
- got a call from my head teacher

Notes: Today was EXHAUSTING. However, other than that one class, it was a good day. :) I hope you all have a good Tuesday as well. I plan on getting to bed early (YAHOO!) and getting some good sleep. XOXO, A

a cake given to me by Oikawa-sensei

A girl's bag on the bus! I wonder if that's her name or it's a show or brand. Either way, NOD!! Check it out!! (If I see bags like that for sale, I'll find out how much they are. :D)

Ratted Out

T5B: 1) My lessons went well today. 2) I got two worksheets made. 3) I got my chore done today. 4) My bus rides were nice. 5) I was in time for the morning meeting.

basal temp: 35.84

Old stories: I told one student how I had been in Sansa and did Taiko. He said he had too. I told him if he didn't believe me (because some of the students seem to act like, "Ya nod and humor her") I could show him a video of me later. He didn't understand so we asked Kanamori-sensei to translate. She comes back with, "He says, 'I believe you!'" LOL Made it sound like I had threatened him. "Believe me or you'll be forced to watch this video!" "UNCLE!! You win!" -- One day as I was helping with cleaning time last week, I picked up a piece of paper and tried to throw it in this garbage bag one of the students was taking out. I completely missed. "Ah! Gomen!" I said. The VP freaked and started saying something about good to me excitedly. So either he was saying (I'm assuming) that my pronunciation was good (the Japanese use nasal n's like the French so thank goodness for that advantage), or he was saying I used "Gomen" correctly. I know I've used it incorrectly before. :/ Oops. -- One more: I got an email yesterday from my boss. Oh man. He told us that it's coming to the end of the year. The schools all have these huge parties. He told us, "If you get invited to the Bounenkai please remember do not show up at work with a hangover. It is not okay to miss work because you drank too much." (essentially) I laughed pretty hard at the pictures that put in my head. No worries here.

Morning:
- got ready
- actually made it on time for the morning meeting
- made two worksheets

Afternoon:
- lunch was pretty good, had to eat fast though
5th - taught, went REALLY well (2.3)
6th - some more prep and worksheet correction
7th - taught a class, went well (1.4)
- helped with cleaning time, went home in the pitch black

Evening:
- ate a fast dinner, went to tutoring, got stood up!
- got a call from the office - ratted out!
- went home, did my chore to get ready for Thursday
- printed worksheets
- did a little reading
- messaged Jerod

Notes: (My talk with Jerod went really well, btw.) The call from the office I got? Tsukasa said that she is observing me this week (oh, ok). ALSO she said she was going to come last week. I was told that she was advised not to come because we had a conference. Well, Hashimoto-sensei, and God bless him for doing this, told her I looked very depressed and not to come. I WAS depressed and I'm glad I wasn't observed last week. Last week was awful. I'm not too thrilled about the class they're observing, BUT I'm glad it's this week rather than last week. And I'm glad I got some warning! LOL Anyway, I was ratted out but it's ok. Hope you all have a good beginning to the week as well. -- Oh! And my chore? I moved my desk and all the stuff around it to the foot of my bed because this Thursday the missionaries and I are having Thanksgiving! YAY! Love you all! XOXO, A

My super awesome brother! Elder Budge! Love and miss him so much!!

Sunday

T5B: 1) Choir went really well. 2) I got to skype my parents and Nod. 3) I got to message Jerod and Dre. 4) I got a compliment that wasn't a compliment, lol. 5) I received some gifts of food.

basal temp: 36.75

Morning:
- got up, got ready, got pedaling to church
- I cried A LOT at church (didn't mean to)
- some people got in my space, luckily the missionaries "guarded me"
- church was good (the talks were about missionary work and joy)

Notes: This morning was when I got my "compliment." A woman in the ward told me I was getting so thin and look how thin my face was! I said "Thank you!" Ya, she didn't mean it as a compliment. She frowned and told me to take care of myself (the medical "take care" of yourself). Oops.

Afternoon:
- choir practice went really well (we're supposed to sing Dec 8th for the first time)
- I skyped my maman and papa and nod
- I received gifts of food from the Fujimuras (a banana, and some pori corn) and from Shinoki-shimai (chocolate)
- I got a blessing
- the elders rode their bikes with me home (to make sure I got there safely)

Notes: It's funny, the elders told me they were coming with and I said, "I hope you ride fast." They laughed at me and said they did. I told them I wanted to lead and ZOOM! Off we went. When we got to my place they were both breathing hard and said, "You ride FAST!" I laughed and said it was fun and that the sisters hadn't been able to keep up. LOL

Evening:
- I was able to message Jerod
- I watched a couple episodes of Gintama
- ate dinner
- picked up my place a little bit and printed some wksts I forgot to print yesterday

Notes: Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday. XOXO, A

(Oh and PS I'm taking a small sabbatical from fb - I am wanting to avoid the Thanksgiving and Christmas stuff as it will make me too sad.)

Talking to my Papa!

The face that got me labeled "too thin!"

A new kind of corn!

Saturday

basal temp: 36.09

The day was a no-good, horrible, very bad day. Sorry I don't have anything good to report.

XOXO, A

Thank Pod Was!

T5B: 1) My lessons went well today. 2) I got to read today. 3) I accidentally scared A-chan. 4) I got to teach M-chan! 5) I survived the morning (which was rough).

basal temp: 36.25

Old story: When I accidentally left my folder at the church and asked the elders to pick it up for me, I was describing it to Elder Norawong. "It's teal." "It's what!?" "Teal." "What's that?" "... a color." LOL

Morning:
- I didn't sleep enough :/
- I was early to the bus!
1st-2nd - prepped, chatted with Kawai-sensei
3rd - taught a class, went very well (elem)
4th - more prep, cried in the bathroom :/

Notes: I accidentally scared A chan, lol. I was walking behind her this morning and she was going fairly slow. So I got ride behind her and was walking almost in the same steps as her. I did it to make Harada-sensei laugh but then A turned around and screamed. LOL Oops. I scared her. But she laughed. I hope they liked the lesson. I had fun.

Afternoon:
- ate my lunch
5th - taught M, went really well
- got home and discovered $50 missing :c (from my wallet)
- luckily I had some other cash so I was able to go grocery shopping

Notes: M makes me laugh so hard and she laughs at me. I wish I could see her everyday! -- Re: the money: the last time I went in my wallet was last weekend. I had $60 in there (6000 yen). Well, the 5000 yen bill is just gone. I prayed about it. Now I get to have faith.

Evening:
- was able to message Jerod
- read a little bit
- played some word games
- my kidneys are acting up :/

Notes: My evening was nice. It was low stress (which was much needed) so I'm grateful for that. I hope you all have a nice evening. XOXO, A

Oh! (p.s.) My period is shorter! It was only six days long! Considering the longest one I had was 57 days and my normal length is 7-10, 6 is great! :D -- Also my blog title? I was messaging Dre this morning and sent her "Thank goodness." My phone autocorrected to "Thank pod was." ... Ya, ok phone. That makes sense.

(Special request: Mom! It's been a month since you wrote on your blog... PLEASE!! :) I wanna read about my Maman and the amazing things she's doing! XOXO!)

It was REALLY hard to get this picture and it's making me feel icky (jumpy) - I took this from FAR AWAY. This spider is outside of CS and is AS BIG AS MY PALM. I'm not exaggerating. If I were less of a chicken, I'd have put my hand up next to it so you could see. But then I would have had to get a WHOLE lot closer. Eww I gotta stop being by this picture!

No More Today

T5B: 1) I got a little sleep. 2) The class with those two kids from last week were better today. 3) I had a class cancelled. 4) I got all my worksheets corrected while at school. 5) I have the worksheets I need for tomorrow.

basal temp: 34.91

Morning:
- found out Teresa passed away yesterday
- found out another friend passed away as well
- cried in the shower
- cried after I got out
- one of my classes was cancelled (mmm)
1st - prepped (cancelled class period)
2nd - taught a class, went well (1.1)
3rd - taught a class, went well (1.5)
4th - went to the women's staff locker room to correct wksts and cry some more

Notes: One kid made me laugh in 1.5. We played bingo with infinitives and he got a bingo. I had brought stickers as the reward. The first one I gave out, the kids laughed at me, but man they tried for them! This one kid who got a bingo put his sticker in the middle of his forehead, lol.

Afternoon:
- ate lunch
5th - taught a class, went much better than expected (2.4)
6th - corrected worksheets
- the bus was really late

Notes: Kanamori-sensei was practically harassing me! She saw me upset and wouldn't leave me alone. I appreciated the thought, but I just wanted to be alone.

Evening:
- I tried to make dinner but the sister missionaries arrived
- I told them I was having a crappy day (just wanted to mourn) and they stayed for TWO HOURS :c
- still haven't had dinner (feel too awful now)
- feeling gross and achy (my sleep continues to worsen)
- cried a bunch more

Notes: Hope you all had a wonderful day. XOXO, A

Does that say "Boo Bee Planning"? Why yes, yes it does.

I'm done with today

One big news item! Today makes, officially: 2/3rds of my stay here! I've got 1/3rd left and home I go! :) (Oh and thank you readers for more than octupling my views compared to my last blog!)

T5B: 1) I made two more worksheets. 2) I had a dream in which I got to say goodbye to Teresa. 3) I had popcorn for dessert after dinner. 4) It rained today. 5) I was able to message Jerod and Dre today.

basal temp: 35.84

Morning:
- got ready, got out the door
1st-2nd - planned out worksheets for next week and Friday
3rd - taught a class, went very well (2.6)
4th - made materials, planned worksheets

Notes: I forgot one story from ... Tuesday! Yesterday! That kid, D, was teasing Kanamori-sensei that he wouldn't get her anything from Kyoto. And I held out my hand and said, "Presento!" (They really use the word.) He looked at me like I was insane. I said, "Kyoto no omiyage!" (A gift from Kyoto) He pretended to hand me something and said, "Kyoto no cup noodle!" LOL (Meaning literally those ramen cups to which you add hot water.) I said "Ok great!" LOL

Afternoon:
5th-7th - made my worksheets and other materials, was able to message Jerod and Dre a little
- cleaning time went well though the VP had to stop me from vacuuming :/ I'm thorough!

Notes: I'm ready for Friday! (well other than printing out the worksheets I made)

Evening:
- messaged Jerod
- ate dinner
- read a little bit
- had popcorn for dessert

Notes: I hope you all had a great day. I am still feeling emotionally beat up. I had two days where my sleep improved but it's been going back downhill. :( I even got in bed early last night and my sleep was just very poor. :/ Not sure what to do about it. Love you all! XOXO, A (Please pray for me tomorrow - I have an overwhelming ~at least feels that way~ day.)

Also sorry I've been down lately. I always worry you will not want to read my blog anymore. :/ Sorry! I'm trying to bounce back. Here is something positive for you: (my post to Teresa's group on fb)

Last night I dreamed that everyone gathered in Texas to see Momma. As Momma opened Kerri's front door (to welcome Kenny's family), I popped up from behind the porch and yelled, "Momma!" We both cried years of joy as we embraced and then I woke up. I thank my Heavenly Father that I was able to say goodbye in my dreams. Momma I write to you with a heart full of love and pain. You will be greatly missed, but I know you go on to a better place. Your unconditional love has been an incredible blessing that I cherish dearly. Please know that Jerod and I will be vigilant for your presence and will teach our children to recognize the sweet spirit of love that accompanies it. I look forward to us all being together again later. All my (and our) love. May you be free of pain and know the presence of our Savior when you are ready. I am sure He, and definitely Roy, are waiting with open arms. We too will look forward to a reuniting embrace. I love you! XOXOXOXOXOXO

Feeling Unreal

T5B: 1) My lessons went well today (and I had a full schedule and cramps so yay)! 2) I got to message Jerod a little bit. 3) I've DECIDED I'm getting to bed early tonight. 4) My cramps are not hurting as much as they have in the past (mmm). 5) I'm having Thanksgiving with the elders and sisters either this week or next. :)

basal temp: 35.68 (forgot and got up)

Morning:
- didn't get enough sleep
- had everything I needed for school (thanks to the Elders!)
- was able to trash some moldy stuff today (felt nice to get it outta here!)
- the bus ride was nice - I listened to Elder Scott's talk from the Sunday session of Conference
1st - prepped like CRAZY for my first two classes (seriously - chicken with its head cut off running around)
2nd - taught a class, went VERY well (1.3)
3rd - taught a class, ran out of time but it went well (2.5)
4th - did more mad prepping since we swapped worksheets (thank goodness I had them ready early!)

Notes: I'm so frustrated with myself that I ran out of time (well actually I thought I had 5 minutes left but was wrong about the class time table). In 1.3... it was glorious. I could do no wrong. Those students just adore me and I adore them!

Afternoon:
- prepping through some of lunch
- wolfed down my lunch just in time
5th - taught a class, went very well (2.1)
6th - taught a class, went very well (2.2)
7th - corrected a mountain of worksheets

Notes: Oh man, there's this student, D, in 2.2 that CRACKS ME UP. One day he was acting really strange to make his friends laugh so I came up and stood behind him as he kept going. I then surprised him by saying, "Odorimasu ka?" (Are you dancing?) He jumped and shook his head quickly. We both love horror flicks so I feel a sort of kinship with him. Well, he LOVES to tease Kanamori-sensei and she just falls for it every time. LOL Today we were correcting part one together and I gave out chalk and then asked students to write the answers on the board and then give the chalk to someone else. "Daredemo ii" (anyone is good). So D gets the chalk, writes his answer and asks me, "Daredemo ii?" I KNEW what he was thinking. I grinned and said yes. Then of course he says, "The Kanamori!" And runs around the room to where she is sitting. I encouraged her to write the answer and she did so. It was great. Then later in the class period he was pestering her again. When I walked up, he pointed to her and said, "She is crazy!" I wanted him to say the same thing to me (put us in the same category) so I could respond positively to it (since I'm not sure if K-s is bothered by this joker ~truly~ or not). So I said, "What about me?" (Wanting him to call me crazy.) He turns to his friends and starts saying he doesn't know how to say it in English. That had me a little worried about what he wanted to say, lol, but he finally turned to me and said, "You are cute!" I, surprised, said, "Aww! Thank you!" And then walked quickly away since that backfired on me - and didn't want to be seen to linger and potentially be rubbing it in K-s's face. I appreciated it a lot. Maybe we'll get to a point where he will call me crazy and I will enthusiastically thank him. :) So funny when 2.6 told me that they were as crazy as me. It was fun to respond to them. (Sorry I'm being wordy tonight.) -- One more quick story I just remembered. Last week in 1.1, I was walking around and then said something to one boy in the back, he jumped SO HIGH. I felt really badly. I scared him very badly. Oops. That's the .. third? time I've done that. Sorry the students!

Evening:
- got to message Jerod
- ate dinner
- threw  :/
- laid on the heating pad

Notes: Oh man. I was SO excited. Last week was the first week in a LONG time that I didn't throw up and I was just thinking today, "I forgot to write on my blog that I was officially vomit free!" I thought too soon! ARGH! :/ Oh well. At least it was only once. My cramps really are hurting less. Maybe old habits die hard? Or my body is still sick. I've been sneezing A TON lately. It's weird. I don't know if it's an allergy or a cold. I usually don't sneeze for colds but I do for allergies. OH! Also there was a brief snow storm today! Then it turned into rain, then it stopped. It's supposed to snow tonight. All you at home, stay warm and please join with me in praying for peace and love for Teresa's family and friends. Love you all! XOXO, A

-- Oh and the title of my blog is because I've been feeling unreal lately. It's a strange feeling. I feel like I'm someone else's dream. I think I am underslept and overworked atm. Yeesh.

So this appeared by my apartment. It's crazy - usually in Japan they repurpose but suddenly they tear this building down! (To the left is that lot behind my apartment)

AHAHAHA A "succer" game. Yes, soccer DOES suck, IMO. :)

My on the bus - My hair is so crazy! It's getting long but also, it seems to grow dark at the roots and light on the ends because I have not seen that much sun - as shown by my pale face! :) (riding home)

Stressful Morning, Better Day

T5B: 1) I got to message Jerod today. 2) I found out Teresa saw my message and responded positively to it. 3) I was able to make another worksheet (this was a monster one - took a while). 4) I'm just about ready for the next two weeks! Feels great to get ahead! 5) Last night was warmer and my bed was nice! My mattress isn't good anymore (have to get rid of it), but the tatami has some give so I didn't wake up aching everywhere. :) Also just having a bed makes me feel like I have a home. It's weird but it's changed the feeling of my whole place for me.

basal temp: 36.35

2 old stories: So yesterday at church, forgot to tell you, I ended up singing a solo in Relief Society! We had a quiz that the teacher called "Kind of difficult." I made a joke "Kind of!?" Since Sister Mataoa and I were totally lost. Guess who aced the quiz!? She put up the years that the prophets served, and I know the primary song. So I kept giving her the names. Everyone was wowed and I told them it was a song. So then Seiko-shimai starts (I think) asking me to sing. And keeps asking me. So I do. I stopped for a few seconds at the end (where all the new prophets that have been added since I was little came in) but ya, I sang a solo! :) It went well. :) -- Other story: So when I taught M that Halloween lesson, I brought some color by letter. She started coloring when the lesson ended. So I thanked her and left to go to lunch. Near the end of lunch, she shyly came to my desk and asked (in sign) if she could color her paper. I told her it was ok. She made sure she could color the whole thing, and I said yes. :) It just warmed my heart to see her so excited. And she's SO cute!

Morning:
- couldn't find my water bottle
- found out I left my folder WITH MY WORKSHEETS at the church
- left the house without my lunch (and late since I was looking for the above things)
- decided to run back and get it anyway and prayed the bus would be late
- called the elders and left them a message asking them to do me a HUGE favor and drop the folder off to me later
- the bus was late (hallelujah that was a MIRACLE today)
- the Raiders won against the cow heads (texans) and the Giants beat the Pack! HAHAHAHA! (both my teams won)
- the elders called later and said they would grab it and drop it off for me
- my gum made me laugh ~ it said, "It is gentle." As though other Japanese gums are violent and vicious! LOL
- prepped

Notes: --

Afternoon:
- made that worksheet, took me a couple hours
- messaged Jerod
- found out I didn't get to go home early again which SUCKED as I had worked my butt off to finish my work early so I had 3.5 hours to WAIT
- killed time til it was time to go

Notes: --

Evening:
- my folder was waiting for me (mmm - the elders are awesome!)
- messaged Jerod
- ate dinner
- ate some popcorn (feels so great to have an appetite for that again!)
- took care of a moldy item (throwing it out tomorrow - had to break it down today)
- played a couple games on my phone

Notes: I was hoping to make it an early night but I was too stubborn to get to bed earlier. :/ I found out from Jerod today that Teresa has taken a turn for the worse and it's been an emotionally rough day. I have had an improvement with my cramps though! They hurt about 10% less! So the seaweed (source of iodine), plus red meat, plus progesterone is helping! YAY! Hope you are all doing well. All my love, XOXO, A

(Emotionally) Hard Day

T5B: 1) I was able to record a message for Teresa. 2) I got to message Jerod. 3) I've made more plans and looked at flights for going home. 4) I got a bed! Free! 5) Church was nice.

basal temp: 34.47 0.o

Morning:
- got ready as quickly as possible
- got to church early, Teresa was asleep :(
- recorded three messages from Teresa because one person kept interrupting me
- cried a lot :/
- Sacrament Meeting was nice (the talks were about Christ and mission work)
- RS was interesting - didn't understand most of it, lol!

Notes: I was SO upset to not be able to see Teresa in person. I hope that she can feel my love through the message I sent. Saying goodbye to a blank screen... to my own face being recorded... it was hard. :(

Afternoon:
- I directed choir! (I feel I did poorly - but they were great!)
- I skyped my maman and papa
- I talked to the elders and sisters about Thanksgiving :)
- I pedaled home fast
- I got a free bed, set it up
- showered
- ate a late lunch

Notes: The choir made me cry! I'm not sure why they made me director... often choirs make me cry! I suppose that's how they will joke they know they've done well. "Did Ann-shimai cry!?" LOL I feel blessed to have the calling but I feel very ... VERY inadequate to do it. The Lord trusts me so much! I felt like an idiot the whole time (like why should they listen to me!?) but I loved it!

Evening:
- messaged Jerod, talked to him about plans for coming home
- read a little bit
- ate dinner
- tried not to dread the week (heavy teaching week)

Notes: I'm basically ready for the week (minus Friday though I am ready for ONE lesson that day) -- OOH! I forgot to tell you! So, on Friday, I was asked to correct M's English composition. She wrote some sentences about me! The one that really touched my heart was "Ann-teacher is my friend." I almost cried. I changed it to, "Miss Ann" and told Kawai-sensei how great I felt about that. I learned how to sign friend and later when I saw M, I told her in sign that we were friends. She was so funny about it. She put her hand on her chest and gasped (like old style debutantes!) and asked to make sure. Then ran and excitedly told Kawai-sensei. :D I love that girl so much! She wrote that my classes were fun too. :D No matter what else happens here, that little girl altered my life. I can only hope that I have had the same impact on my students' lives as they've had on mine. Hope you all have a wonderful week! XOXO, A

bed "before" pictures

I put the frame together, then the slats, then I put on the tatami (there's one on ↑)

Finished product: a bed! (I have since straightened up a little more - and am wearing those socks on the ground - still! YAY!  A bed!!)

Got so much done!

T5B: 1) I got so much done! 2) I got to talk to Jerod. 3) I printed my worksheets and choir music. 4) I got some winter gear. 5) I'm starting to make plans for coming home. (Yay!)

basal temp: 36.74

Morning:
- woke up, showered, did dishes
- did some laundry
- went to the mall
- had lunch with my oneechan and the elders

Notes: --

Afternoon:
- my oneechan helped me get a bunch of good stuff that I needed
- she dropped me off (and picked me up)
- I went grocery shopping
- read and laid on the heating pad (CRAMPS)

Notes: --

Evening:
- I ate dinner
- I got to message Jerod
- I read a little more
- I talked to Limor on the phone

Notes: I'm planning on trying to call Teresa before church tomorrow. I hope it works - I hope I can get up in good time and get there in good time. :/ She's loosing lucidity and hospice has her on bed rest with only pain medication right now. :c So I want to be able to take the opportunity to speak with her and tell her how much I love and appreciate her. I got a lot done today but I feel icky between my cramps and being sad. I am praying for peace for myself and for Teresa's family. My love and prayers for all of you as well! XOXO, A

My gift from Kawai-sensei (from yesterday)

My lunch today - Korean beef bowl

Got a new phone charging cord - my other one was really spotty (lost connection)

What's that? I can't hear you through my new ear muffs!

With regular lighting - I got gloves (pink, brown, and white), a scarf (brown), and ear muffs (brown and white) for a really great price! They don't TECHNICALLY match my jacket, but I"m ready for winter and looking so fine!

Made it through the week!

T5B: 1) My lessons went well today. :) 2) Got to message Jerod and Dre and my little brother again today. 3) I got the recipe for Potato Mochi! 4) I'm going to lunch tomorrow with my Oneechan and the elders! I also will pick up some gloves, a scarf, and something for my ears (I'm thinking one of those head bands). 5) I get to sleep in tomorrow! That's the first Saturday in a while!

basal temp: 35.96 (I forgot but I got it after - so Imma count it!)

Morning:
- got up, ready scriptures, got ready
1st-2nd - prepped
3rd - taught a class, went well (we had two girls visiting) (2a1)
4th - tied up some loose ends, prepped a little

Notes: The visiting girls were twins: R & R (:)). They had their parents with them and then a woman whose role I don't know. The woman loved my lesson though. She asked me a couple times if it was ok if she took a picture. :) I said sure. :) (Of the board, me teaching, etc)

Afternoon:
- lunch was good
5th - taught a class, went very well (3a1)
- ride home was pleasant
- went to the bank/post office (one in the same)
- did some reading

Notes: I love all my students but I was especially happy today as I saw one girl who before I had seen crestfallen that I was teaching was excited that I was teaching today! I won her over! YAY!!!

Evening:
- read a little more
- got to message Jerod
- was cold (lol)

Notes: The sun set today at 1620! I'm getting worried as winter solstice is December 21st so there's still a lot more time I can lose off my day! Crazy how two months ago I couldn't keep the sweat off me because it was so stinkin hot and it went straight to freezing! There's one other thing on my mind a lot lately. Teresa is really ill - her third time through chemo destroyed her liver. I see pictures of her on facebook that make me happy because she is smiling and I get to see her but then I get very sad because she is so thin and now she is on bed rest. I feel so powerless and I don't know how to help Jerod. I feel like I have lost more than my fair share of loved ones! My maternal grandmother three years ago, my uncle two years ago, my brother-in-law last year (all these happened in February), my friend last year, my aunt this year, and now my mother-in-law will be lucky to make it to Christmas. I don't know how to stop being sad and I don't know how to help Jerod. I'm so far away. I keenly feel that the whole set up is unfair too. I only got to see Teresa twice and I love her dearly. I wanted to spend a long time getting to know and love my mother-in-law. I also never even got to meet my brother-in-law who passed away. I know they will be waiting for us on the other side. I am grateful for that knowledge. In the meantime, I feel such sorrow at not having had more time with these people. Even my own grandmother who lived a very long time didn't spend much time with us until she was very ill and I feel like I never really got to know her. Please pray for the Williams/Errichiellos/Carlisles. I feel like I should know what to say and I just don't. It makes me feel foolish that I have nothing to give to them. (I know I'm not the Savior - I just feel like there should be some way I could communicate my testimony without being overbearing or weird. I just haven't found it yet. I just keep praying everyone will feel peace.) Well I hope your hearts are less heavy. Wish I could be at home right now to help my mom prepare for her favorite holiday. :) I'll be thinking of you Maman! Love to you all! XOXO, A

Oh! One more thing: I'm so frustrated my little brother didn't make the basketball team! He worked so hard and was told he'd probably make it last year... :c

My Día de los Muertos mask from last week

Up close!