Week... 789 in Japan

Okay, so it feels like week 789 in Japan. I've been here FOREVER. I only have one more really hot summer in Japan. So hot... I just remember being wet all the time. But this time I have control over the AC unit. Ha ha.

Okay, as for the highlights this week...

Friday night/Saturday morning at 2 am I felt my first earthquake.

Talk about a freaky feeling. Have any of you ever felt an earthquake before? I sleep on my stomach (it's just comfortable, okay?!) and when I woke up I felt like I was swinging from head to toe. It probably lasted a total of 10 seconds, but for creepy! At least I don't have to worry about a giant tidal wave coming my way. We are totally surrounded by mountains on all sides. It would take the entire Pacific Ocean in one giant tidal wave directed exactly at Saijo to make it over the mountains. Anyway, my little tiny 10 second earthquake just kinda put into perspective the GIANT EARTHQUAKE THAT IS EFFECTING THE WORLD. Sorry for the all caps. I can't figure out bold on this computer, but I wanted the effect. But of course a giant earthquake in Japan is going to mess up the weather all over the world. I'm not blaming El Nino, but the earthquake. Yep. Did they ever figure out exactly what is causing the flooding in America? What made this year different? Anyway, through all these natural disasters you kinda wonder where in the world you can be safe. Well, nowhere by the fault lines because of earthquakes, nowhere with trees because of forest fires, definitely not next to a giant active volcano (I don't know what the people down in Kagoshima are thinking), so you would think Kansas, of all places, with the most boring freeway that is super straight, would be safe. But there is flooding there. Well, if nowhere is safe, then you might as well live next to a giant active volcano. At least it looks pretty.

Other fun thing this week was a ward activity where we played softball. We had the invitation with a map, and the real map, and we still walked around for 30 minutes. Ha ha. My companion felt bad because I gave her map duty for the day. For the most part I can read a map, but some people just don't have that gift. I thought I would give her the practice and learn... well, I'll have to give her another chance another time. But we got there after calling someone, and softball was fun. Hey, guess what? I totally hit the ball. 3 times!

That seemed like a success to me, okay? And I wore sunscreen, so I didn't turn pink like one of the Elders did.
I'm good on sunscreen for the summer, maybe. I have the really good stuff (Neutrogena Sports Face) for my face, the other American stuff with the blue lid for my arm and feet, and the milky Japanese stuff for re-application (because it's the smallest bottle).

But mom, do you have room to mail me another bottle of Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash?  I think I need to start taking care of my teeth soon. Dad, could you get a job that could cover my dental care? I have a feeling I might have a few cavities when I get home. Japanese people definitely do NOT care about teeth. At all. I've seen some of the ugliest smiles in my life here in Japan.

Mom, do NOT go down to Provo again, okay? I got a letter this week from Meg, my freshman year roommate, asking to be roommates again.

I've seen the house and it's really nice. She and I will be in the back of this house, with our own bathroom and kitchen, then we share the living room with 4 other girls that have their own bathroom and kitchen. I saw the apartment before I left. Her current roommate got engaged and has to sell her contract. The back part of the house was recently torn down and then rebuilt. It is $250 a month, plus utilities. I forgot the letter with the address on it, but it's on the south east side of campus, a little south of Campus Plaza. It's not quite where I'd like to be, but I'll have a bike and its close to the bus stop. And I'll be next door to Amber, another friend of mine, who got married before I left, and is currently pregnant. Her baby is due at the end of this month. Maybe I can babysit! :) As for that bike, I think I can find one of Craig's List before classes start.

Anyway, Meg should be contacting you, dad, with the details. She is currently working the summer in Italy as a nanny, taking care of 2 little kids and teaching them English. How cool is that? She comes back to American the day before me. We became closer friends after Freshman year, so I'm excited. Only she could handle a roommate with post-mission problems.

Nishiyama Shimai received the gift of the holy ghost. She is preparing to go to the temple for baptisms for her ancestors in a few weeks. Yep, she's fine. The moment she got confirmed as a member, she asked the bishop for the little green book that Japanese people use to pay tithing. She couldn't wait to start paying tithing. Yep, I'm not worried about her. Liu Shimai is going to get baptized on the 19th (Sunday). She came to church with her year and a half old son, Seiyu-kun. He was LOUD. I think he was tired and wasn't having a good day. He SCREAMED like a little kid throwing a fit at the check-out line at a supermarket because his mom wouldn't buy him a Kit Kat. Liu felt kinda embarrassed and left after Sacrament Meeting.

Ha ha. Little does she know that ever other mom in that church has gone through the similar things to keep their children quite at that age. How did you two keep 3 kids quite during sacrament? Oh, that's right, we were all naughty children that would talk and stuff. Ha ha. It's impossible, right? Well, Liu doesn't quite know that yet. And putting Seiyu-kun in nursery 2 weeks ago was impossible, so he just squirmed in her lap. Ha ha.

Well, sorry, but I didn't take any pictures this week! Sorry sorry sorry! I'll be sure to take some this week as we have Zone Conference. Elder Aoyagi is touring the Fukuoka Mission. He comes tomorrow. Oh, he is a person that is in the middle page of the conference edition of the Ensign, below the 12 apostles. He is also interviewing all the senior companions before Zone Conference. >_<

Okay, well, until next week!