From America With Love

I got presents!! My daddy sent me a 20 lb box filled with protein (Slim Jims, beef jerky, tuna fish, ham-in-a-can, and beef stew), chocolate (M&Ms and Snickers), and Arab-ness (bulgur wheat and bullion cubes)! There was even a note addressed to Miki to thank her for being so kind to me. When she had gotten a care package from her mother a few weeks ago, I received a personalize note, some towels, and hot chocolate mix. I found out later that Miki had told her mother, "Zaiton has very few things here. It must be very difficult for her." So, taking pity on the poor foreign girl, Miki's mother sent me some items to make my life easier.

I was so happy when it came. I had been checking my mailbox everyday, and the gate keeper would laugh at me when I came back saddened and empty-handed. But one day, I saw a big, red magnet on the outside of my box, which meant that a package had come! I rushed in and gave the magnet to Kagi-san (the gate watcher) and he gave me a very omoi (heavy) box. Apparently, at the post office, my dad had been adding and removing items to get the weight to 20 lbs perfectly. Later, I gave Kagi-san and his wife some Slim Jims, for which Mrs. Kagi was very grateful. In Japanese she told me thank you, and that she hadn't eaten jerky like that in a long time (I suspect since she was last in America).

What else came from America? A festive Halloween lantern, coloring book, and crayons from Grandpa Tom and Grandma Alice!! A week ago, I was in a bit of a panic about my crayon supply, but I think that I'm set for a while, now.

Besides these gifts, my Uncle Paul sent me a housewarming card when I first arrived, so I should probably start sending presents back home to balance out the karma, right?