Not a Japan post

I'm working on finishing my Japan blog, but haven't yet got photos edited to perfection and my thoughts organized coherently. No fear; it will come.

Dr. Graham asked me yesterday in church if I would be willing to "lead" (quotation marks mine) the adult Sunday school class in a few weeks to talk about my Japan adventures. I think it will be fun to show photos and things, but I'm unsure as to what I should talk about. I suppose I'll give them a play-by-play and then open it up for questions such as "what does octopus and seaweed taste like?" and "what's it like to use a squat pot?" ("Unpleasant," I'll reply).

On today's docket of activities are
1. mailing a package
and
2. Orientation at Iron Bridge Inn, a nice restaurant and pub near the Outlet Mall.

They will own my soul.

The fact that I have a B.A. in English and am about to start a job waiting tables is a little depressing. I only intend it to be temporary--a means of making money while I wait for a few little Perplexities in Life to get figured out. Ashley, who, if she is your friend, is also your biggest fan--the type that goes shirtless to the games in your life on the 20°F days with your initials painted across her chest and a beer in one hand, and bellows at the fellows on the other team--gave me a rousing pep talk on the matter:

This is Ashley when you score a point for existing.

This is Ashley before even that.

"Hey Abby, what are you up to these days?" she said.
"I'm a waitress," I said. Ashley turned around towards a bookcase and contemplated Plutarch for a moment. She turned back towards me.
    "Hey Abby," she said. "What are you up to these days? What's that? You're working on your freelance writing career and have a job on the side to pay the bills and stay out of debt and people-watch and get fodder for your writing? Wow! That's awesome!"
I shrank into myself a bit and looked like a sheep looks when you catch it existing--startled and vaguely apologetic with a grass spear sticking out of one side of the mouth, and the upper lip caught up on dry teeth.
    "Yeah?" I said.
    "YEAH," Ashley said, and crushed the proverbial empty beer can against her forehead.

So I guess that's what I'm up to.
Wish me luck!