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