GIVE-AWAYS, MORNINGS AND AN IMPROVED FOOT

Ruther's friend and neighbor (here in Japan) is resigning from the company very soon. She's going to be migrating to Australia and will be leaving Japan in the middle of the month. Yesterday, she dropped a lot of stuff for us since she said she wouldn't be needing them anymore and therefore, won't be bringing them home. She gave us a lot of kitchen supplies: spices, white wine, coffee, creamer, peanut butter, Milo, butter, even some baking equipment. She also gave me some make-up, an unopened box of facial cotton, a hair dryer (it was 110V so naturally she thought it would be better to leave it here), her cute pink parasol and other rain umbrellas. I can't remember the other things but I was definitely happy with the give-aways. I was going to buy some spices for the pantry but because of all the stuff given to us, I don't think I'll be going to the grocery anytime soon. :)

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Mornings in Japan (during the summer) is a lot different from mornings in the Philippines. I noticed this the other day when I opened the window and found the air immediately stifling, humid and uncomfortable. Mornings in the Philippines is like a friend gently shaking you awake, or a lover slowly kissing you good morning. When you open your eyes in the morning you feel the cool morning chill, the quiet atmosphere, the gentle morning rays of the sun coming through your bedroom window. I especially love looking out the window at the mango tree where birds flit to and fro, chirping and just going about their business. The cool air is simply perfect for a cup of hot, delicious coffee or a glass of warm taho. It usually starts to get warm by noon but here, it's only 9am and you're sweating bullets. Ruther complained the other day that he hasn't even reached the office yet and he's already perspiring. No wonder people bring fans with them all the time here. Anyway, here's hoping the mornings here will vastly improve in the next month.

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Ruther's sprained foot is improving nicely. It's less swollen and he hardly limps now. I am definitely glad about that. I'm still thinking about whether he should be playing basketball this Saturday but I would rather he didn't. Well, we could always go out and sightsee instead of go to the gym this weekend. I think that would be a better idea.

We'll see.