Tokyo, Japan -- So, it's been a few full days since I've last written and I hoped to have some stories, and I do... which I'll tell a bit later.
Oh, speaking of which-- my new favorite invention... well.. favorite may not be the word-- but rather- appreciated invention (I found another one that has to do with warmth-- But it doesn't count.) The appreciated invention is the door-touch-opener. They have automatic everything here in Japan, and I'm constantly amazed at the technology they have for everything. But- the door-touch-opener thing is a flat, small rectangular... thing, for lack of better words, that goes on a clear glass door. And when you want to get go in or out, you just barely touch it and it opens the doors. Why is that impressive? Why wouldn't the automatic one be more useful? Because, when it's cold or hot outside, and you have the opposide inside, and you're waiting for someone outside, but you can't see-- well, then it's useful, because you can stand near the door. This came in handy tonight when waiting for the express train while we were in the slightly warmer waiting glass box. Apart from that... well... it was appreciated for a moment.
I kinda like the million vending machines that sell everything... they're pretty convenient.
So, this weekend I gave my testimony at the Brazillian church and then on Sunday at 2 Japanese services and one bilingual services. I had my mom send me "olden day" pics, which the people really liked. A lot of them were touched and they felt more confident, I guess, to talk with me afterward. The Japanese are kinda a shy people.
I went out to lunch with Abbie, the associate pastor's wife, and her daughter and another mom and son, and with Christine for lunch. It was a nice time to chat and talk more about stuff.
Today I slept in, and really needed it. Got up... did some laundry (in a machine) and then we headed to play volleyball again with the Brazillian church. They had a good turn out-- so much that we had 3 teams, besides all the kids.
Afterward, we went to the Oshiro family's house for dinner-- it was a really nice little apartment. I would recommend it as a starting house for a single person-- but not for a family! But here, you learn to make use out of all your space. The food was good and it was nice to be with them. I understand a good portion of Portuguese, but I have to really concentrate on it. But, Christine also did some translation when I wasn't understanding. While there, I also got a back adjustment- since the husband has a degree in massage therapy or something like that. So, hey, why not. He adjusted our backs and we left feeling limber. :)
So, apparently, this was a goodbye party for me. I got 2 things-- a recuerdo from Brasilia and a sweater, which was really kind of them. I was all like, awh... I love Latin culture and then on the way home the pastor told us the party was for me. I was like, oh? really??? Then even more like awhhhh.... I didn't hardly know these people, but I really liked them, even before I knew there was a party for me. Ha!
So the other night when I was coming home from Himeji, the whole country of Japan again got on my train. At every stop, 20 more people crammed in, and I don't know how it worked, but it did. Anyhow, we were all squished in there with no moving room, but there was a little girl of about 1.5 years that I was wondering if her mom would notice if I stole her away with me. The cutest little girl. Anyhow, she was there in her little stroller, undoubtedly the most comfortable person on the train, and there was a businessman of about 30 who, from his very cramped position, was standing there making cute faces at the little girl. With everyone else zoned into their cel phones or ipods, I think i was the only one watching and it made me smile.
Well, I just realized what time it is and I have a long time day tomorrow so I should probably get to bed.
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