Even though we’ve been in port for over a month now, I’m still settling into a daily routine. Like most people, I’ve rededicated myself to getting in shape, so a daily trip to the gym is a must. I still go to the Lighthouse on Wednesday and Friday, and I’m playing in the band again, so there’s also Thursday night rehearsals. On the 23rd I’m going to start a Japanese college course that meets twice a week in addition to my weekly private Japanese lessons. If I’m not fluent by the time I leave here there’s definitely something wrong. I might also help organize the Lighthouse band when our leader heads out on cruise.
As I slowly settle into my schedule I realize that I’m not really leaving much time for sleep or anything else. I have to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to get ready and eat before getting on the road at 6. Not that I’m that far from base, but after about 6:15 the traffic gets so bad that I’d be late if I left any later.
I really didn’t notice how all of this was getting to me until I started getting the usual winter sore throat. I’ve kept it at bay by taking cat naps and downing orange juice like it’s going out of style, but I have a feeling it’s going to knock me out of commission soon. That’s really the last thing I need. Please keep that in your prayers.
In related news, Japanese houses have NO insulation. I take that back, they may have SOME insulation, but I certainly don’t feel it. Also, I’m not fortunate to have a warmlet (toilet with a seat warmer) so morning constitutionals are very exciting. Bryce (my roomate) and I often watch TV in the tatami (Japanese straw mat) room wearing coats, scarfs, beanies and gloves. Sure, I could run the heaters nonstop, but that would kill the electric bill. In addition there’s this fun little feature that turns off all power to the house if you use too much electricity. You then have to make your way to the breaker in the dark to flip it back on. Last time this happened I was in the shower, mid-rinse.
There are some benefits to a Japanese house - the water is all gas heated, meaning no water heater to run out of hot water. Also, the tub recirculates the water through a heater to keep it nice and toasty.
The microwave is fun too. All the controls are in Japanese. There’s a red button that’s larger than the others that tends to throughly cook food when you press it. We don’t know how it decides how long or at what temperature, but it always seems to work so we don’t question it.
In other news, we’re having sushi making at the Lighthouse part two tomorrow afternoon. Should be fun and you know I’ll have my camera.
I definitely know how that cold feeling is. Mom likes to keep the house a little cooler than most, so the basement is always frigid. One morning, while still in bed, I exhaled and could see my breath. Yeah…
Check your MySpace comments or just go here http://a955.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/12/l_a3349bd9b8e9adc601ef9a66fc14836a.jpg to see my artistic modification of a picture of us. It’s somewhere between “hawt” and “alarmingly hawt”.
I watched most of an iPhone intro/demo video online. Looks pretty cool, man. I’ll be sure to pick one up a year or two after they come out. Haha. I haven’t even picked up a regular-ole iPod yet. I think they were mainly designed for people who are incapable of playing music in their minds to keep them entertained throughout the day; therefore, I am happy in my A.D.D. universe.
Peace and blessings,
-lil Brub
Comment by Ken — January 13, 2007 @ 3:34 am
re. Busy schedules - as much as I hate to be the voice of reason (and heaven forbid, wisdom), it’s amazing how fast time flies when you keep your calendar full. Not to say that you’re looking to make time pass more quickly, you know the alternative would be miserable, especially for someone with as much energy as you have. When you look back & say “where’d all the time go?”, it’ll most likely be to be referring to pleasant memories. Beats the heck out of those “I thought it’d never end…” memories.
re. Letting yourself get run down. Looks like you’re going to have to find creative ways to find time for basic daily biolical functions (eating properly, sleeping enough, playing a little). Thank goodness you got your mom’s creative genes along with my anal retentitve ones so we know you’ll figure out how to juggle everything.
re. Japanese insulation - we’ve been delighted with how toasty it’s been here at the lake during our most recent winter blast (highs in the 20’s, nights in the teens). We’ve been housebound for nearly 72 hours now and cabin fever hasn’t set in yet. Can’t imagine how that would be back in the “Big-O”. Guess it’s this amazing view. One need only scan our breathtaking panorama and you forget that you haven’t been outdoors in days…
It’s nostalgic to hear about your efforts to keep warm. I still vividly recall visiting your Uncle John in his college apartment during a cold snap only to find he and his roommate heating their 1 bedroom apartment by turning on all 4 stove burners full blast, and setting an oscilating fan on the kitchen counter to circulate the warmth. They had to pay their electric bill but gas was included in their rent. You’d think a science major would have been more concerned about carbon monoxide poisoning but, hey, it was the ’70s. We all did reckless things!
Great talking with you Saturday, buddy! Hang in there!
D.O.D.
Comment by Ranzdad — January 15, 2007 @ 9:59 am
Your father and bro said everything i was thinking might be worth noting, and so much better than I! - so…. just know that you are in our prayers every day. We just keep going - when we can get up the hill, that is. We had been icebound (similar to snow-bound) four days, then I went out yesterday to the dentist, and found the main streets clear, but most of the side streets very sneaky. I hope by now Sara is ok and you are feeling better. If you can find cough lozenges with zinc in them, they seem to help. I just had a bout of stomach virus, that knocked the joy out of life for about 4 days, but when it left, it
left. Must go. love, Oma
Comment by Lois Heimsoth — January 17, 2007 @ 11:01 pm