Overwhelming Awesome (with some sadness)

T5B: 1) I got to message Jerod today. 2) I got to read. 3) I got to watch AMERICAN TELEVISION!! 4) I have coconut candies from the US (Tara's package got here). 5) I cleaned a bunch today and my place looks pretty great (other than the laundry hanging up and I didn't sweep).

basal temp: 35.95

Morning:
- woke up way too early :/
- got up and showered
- doorbell rang right as I was getting dressed (eep!)
- package from Tara arrived! :D (with DVDs and candy!)
- cleaned my bathroom
- cleaned my kitchen (other than the floor)
- discovered Donut passed away :C
- started a load of laundry

Notes: Poor Donut. I think he was suffering so I'm glad he doesn't have to suffer in the cold anymore. I still cried though. Poor little guy.

Afternoon:
- after I started that load, I went to the grocery store
- FOUND GROUND BEEF!
- when I got back the laundry finished, I hung it up and started the second load
- made an AMAZING burger
- played a little guitar
- did some reading
- watched some American TV (which is great because I didn't have to rely on subtitles and I can look away without pausing - GLORIOUS!)

Notes: --

Evening:
- got to message Jerod
- made some dinner
- watched some more TV (and played games - I can't get over not having to watch the screen)
- wrote this :D

Notes: Man today was so productive and so awesome ... well most of it. Poor little Donut. I was asking around about a tank heater but I didn't get any information in time. :c In any case... now I'm the only living thing (I hope) in my apartment. Almost halfway through December though. I can do this! Also in one week my winter break/Christmas break starts. Oh I don't know if I mentioned it, but I decided against going to the year end party for Morioka Minami. I was very grateful to be invited, however it was going to cost me $80, it was across town, there would be a lot of drinking, and I still don't know THAT MUCH Japanese. So I feel torn about missing an event I won't ever see - but I feel like I would end up disillusioned and upset and freezing in the dark walking the forty minutes home alone. :/ So I'm hoping I made the right decision there. Anyway, happy Saturday! I'm looking forward to choir practice. We're practing a BEAUTIFUL arrangement of Silent Night and will be singing it on my Maman's birthday. :) (December 22) Love to you all, XOXO, A

The katsu sauce I put on my burger (sorry my pictures got messed up - this should be at the bottom :/)

Notice that it says the Japanese use sardines as FERTILIZER - so you people who think you're so sophisticated eating it.... ;) Sardines, anchovies.... EW

YAY return of pepper popcorn!! I wanted to buy a hundred bags - but I only got two. :/ Also I forgot to tell you - those sour plum chips were AWESOME.

I found ground beef!! That kanji (牛) is "cow." Go me!! It was a TINY package but it was enough for a burger!

My burger with katsu sauce and on an English muffin. It was INCREDIBLE! Those little slivers you see on the cheese are cooked fresh garlic (did my mom's style - salt, pepper, onion, garlic). SOOO good!