Last Tuesday.

DECEMBER 2

Wake up at midday for the first time in a long time. But after yesterday’s full on day, I well and truly deserved that sleep in. I didn’t realise that Michael and Mike had a housemate until I saw her going out the door as I was having breakfast. Her name is Dixie and she is a very lovely and chatty lady. I think she’s quite chatty because she is not used to having company and when she saw me it was like “Wow, someone to talk to”! She runs her own business and is an all rounder. In all senses of the word. She is a computer whiz - she has her own business in writing, designing and maintaining web pages as well as side forays in her art as a photographer as well as writer of fiction - mainly werewolf stories, illustrator of books, editor…you name it, she does it. As a result she spends most of her time in her area downstairs during the day, working til sometimes 2 or 3am while Michael and Mike are at work.

It was snowing and Dixie invited me out to walk around the block (The blocks are huge here too). I didn’t realise how unprepared I was for that walk. Yes, I had my gloves, but wasn’t quite as rugged up. The weather is deceptive. The sun could be out but it will still be freezing - sometimes below 0. The boys get home around 6pm, so we all had dinner followed by some grocery shopping. First stop was a place called World Market (or Costco as they are more commonly referred to). It is a grocery/souveneir/antiques shop with all different foods and artesian pieces from around the world: wines, tables, bags, chocolates - absolutely everything. Michael and I went nuts when we saw the newly stocked Japanese section - everything you could get at the 99 yen shop you can get here (not at the same price, but still nice enough to walk along memory lane!) Michael got some Pocky and I got those boxes of chocolate coated almonds - the one from Meiji that you could get from either 99 yen shop or 7/11 - as a last resort! I remember Dawn telling me how much she missed those and how she hadn’t had any since leaving Sendai. At least I have part of her Christmas gifts for her! Michael also bought me some Vegemite. YUMMY

Next stop was a grocery store that was meant to be closing at 9pm - and we got there at 8:50. We were able to stay for as long as we liked, so it was no problem. As Michael was looking for parking, I had a chuckle because he parks in exactly the same way that Dawn does (and I guess like most ppl too, but they both have the same luck when it comes to car spaces). They start at the front working their way towards the back, so they don’t have to walk as much. They both always manage to find that perfect space closest to the door so they don’t have to walk that much: out the car door, walk straight into the shop and you’re indoors in less than 10 seconds. I was laughing to myself before telling Michael. He then said, “Dawn and I have a lot in common, that’s why we get along so well. We were both in the navy and we both love men”. Michael, Mike and I were PISSING ourselves laughing. And I’m sure Dixie would have too if she knew Dawn! After a successful night of shopping, we ate ice cream (in 0 degrees! YAY!), watched some TV before going to bed.