The Only White Girl on the Train

And I keep forgetting it's me.

But enough of that!
Shane and Brukty left me with a sleeping baby, so I have to get this done before Justice wakes up and wants attention.

Remember the warm toilets? Well the water for the bidet is warm too. And you can change the water pressure. The trajectory for the bidet changes depending on if you press the regular bidet or woman bidet button. These toilets are crazy!Shane described using the bidet perfectly: At first, it's a surprised "Oh!" But it soon turns to a pleasant "Ooooohhhh..." Don't get the wrong idea though. It's still weird.

Enough potty talk. On to the real stuff- Last night, when I was headed back to Vika's around 11:30, I got on the wrong train. I wasn't too sleepy then, so it wasn't so bad, but by the time that I had figured it out and got on the right one, the sleep started to hit me. I almost missed my exit, but I woke up jsut in time to get off at Kamagome, though on the far end of the station. Not thinking, I took the nearest exit. Oops. I didn't recognize anything of course, and couldn't for the life of me figure out where I had put Vika's business card. So I wandered until I recognized something, managed to find the part of the station I normally exit, and then proceeded to walk back to Vika's, impressing myself that I could remember where it was. Until I took a wrong turn of course. Now, I got the right street off of the main street, which is still impressive. But I didn't, however, get the right street off of that one. I thought it was the first turn, not the second. And when I couldn't find it, I just kept walking. Until I dead ended at a temple. A temple at night is astounding. It's eerie and beautiful, and I was so tempted to wander the gardens. But I figured Vika was worried. It was pretty late, and I had no phone or way of even telling time. So time to back track! I decided to try the second street, just in case, and lo and behold, there it was. I sure felt silly. I was so exhausted I fell straight to sleep. It was about 12:30 am by then.

And today, in between the documentaries, bidets, and warm toilets, I stumbled upon a market. A market of Japanese rastas, of all things. There was a guy perfoming with a digeridoo right next to this great vegan stand [[ I had the noodle soup- amazing!]] that had tacos and a hemp burger. In fact, I think everything there was made with hemp. Their sign was half Japanese, half English, but they had no idea what I meant when I said "Noodles."

Uh-oh, I hear the groggy snifflings of a young child waking up-
Till nixt time,

The.Ambler.

Connections.

I've been ambling through my various friendships recently and have realized something:

I don't have to be around someone for very long to form a deep connection of the spirit and heart.

In fact, I usually am not.
I usually have brief encounters in which I instantly fall in love with a soul, form an attachment, and then continue to adore and deepen our love from afar.

What I love is that many of these relationships continue to prosper, despite the distance, and some of my favorite people are of these. Well, all of them.
Of course, because of my natural instinct to love, I have a tendency to consider everyone my favorite person, at least for a moment.

But my top favorites?

The ones that when I think about, make me instantly smile.
The ones that when I have any contact with, bring about a childlike giddiness to my heart.
The ones that I would bend over backwards to visit.
The ones that make my voice change pitch because I am that excited to talk to.
The ones that when I met, I felt an instant connection with.
The ones that I just want to hug.

They are my closest friends, whether I speak with them on a regular basis, or at odd intervals in the passing months.
There is always that sense that they belong in my life; that they have always been there, and always will be.
They are the ones that I met once and knew would be in my life forever.
They are the ones who, though far away, are near all the time.
They are the ones always in my heart.

I don't know if they even know who they are, or the place they have in my heart. But for months now, though not recorded, my ambling has gone out to them.

There’s a miracle of friendship that dwells within the heart
And you don’t know how it happens or where it gets its start
But the happiness it brings you always gives a special lift
And you realize that friendship
is God’s most perfect gift.
.Anonymous.

Hugs.

A warm, enveloping embrace.

A simple gesture that can make your day.

A means of sharing joy.

A way to show your love.

A mutual acceptance of each other's meaning in your lives.

A a soundless greeting that says more than words ever could.

A hug.
Enough said.

Things that can change your day.

I ambled about my heart today and found a sort of sadness which I could not place. It put me in a funk.
And then Awa, my roommate from Ethiopia, started talking to me, and in my sudden joy at her presence in my life, I realized that I had missed her.

It's funny that one person can change the course of your entire day. It can be the most awful day you have ever experienced, but in a quick exchange with someone you care for, it can take a drastic turn for the better, and vice versa.

A shared smile, a wink, a kind word from a stranger.
A hug from a friend.