21 January 2008

Dear Family,

Tis another week in the books here in Shimonoseki. I sent my last letter a day before I got y’all’s letter. So it’s crazy that the weather there is nuts! I hope everything is fine! The weather here is very bi-polar. Seriously, day to day, it can be way hot and sunny; the next it can pour and freeze! It’s fun on the bike. I had my first day of fun with my raincoat! Truthfully, my suit was not very happy and I think I’m also going to get some thick socks for my good old feet. It’s definitely an interesting experience being expected to work so much. I never really thought much about getting to work on those rainy nights that I would stay in and read and put a fire on. But, there’s no better work in the world for me!

So yeah! I actually didn’t arrange for absentee voting, unfortunately. And yeah, I got the card! Thanks Dad! I’ve used it and it works! I just can’t figure out the balance. So I don’t know the resources I’m drawing from. Oh well! I got a letter off to Mindy and I think it got there before her birthday! Yes! I am somewhat proud of myself. It was weird thinking that she will be home when my birthday rolls around! Missions are short things, and I keep catching myself thinking about post-mission! I know it’s not a good use of my time, and I am working on it.

In other news, I have been to kaitenzushi 3 times this past week! That’s where they have little plates of sushi on the conveyor belt, and you pick out what you want, and they just count your plates to figure out the cost. It’s very good! I’ve had squid, octopus, tuna, salmon, shrimp, but my favorite so far has been eel! It’s way good! And I’m starting to really like the sinus-clearing effect of wasabi. Also, a less-active sister bought us big things at a good kneel-down restaurant, and it had fugu in it! Sorry Mom, I partook. They had license to make it. It really wasn’t all that special, although I did feel a little tingly. Haha. So this past week, we all went to Kannoon Wharf and had sushi by the ocean. It was supremely awesome. It reminded me a lot of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk with barely any people and clouds overhead.

This week marks the end of my first transfer in Japan. I’m sure the rest will go by much faster than this one did! There’s not much of a chance of my companion transferring, but we will get a new zone leader and maybe new people in my district! It’s exciting. I won’t be the youngest “grean bean” anymore! So yeah. I’m still coping with the language. If I’m not a part of the conversation, I know what’s being said. But the second I am supposed to converse, I have no clue what they say! It’s tough.

Well, I got a Valentine’s Day package from Grandma Buck the other day, and I’ve found I like Dear Elder sugar cookies! Thanks Grandma!!! Well, I bike a lot, knock a lot, and talk with members a lot. Such is life without central heating! Haha. Well, I’ve found that I like cool piano music. My companion just got Jon Schmidt, and we like it. Such ends this part of the Shimonoseki Hogge sage for this week.

Love You All,

Elder Hogge