host mom's house; returning to where it all began

host mom's house, my room, post dinner pre bath - Pleasantly cool day. It was day one of visiting my host mom from last semester and I have fallen in love with her all over again. I swear if she didn't live so far away from campus there is no way I would have chosen to stay in the dorms this semester. If only, if only.

I got up early and arrived at Kouzouji train station in Kasugai city (outskirts of Nagoya). My host mom met me there and we had a nice little reunion. Then we went and had a brunch at a cafe/restaurant. Then we drove to Seto city which was about an hour and a half away. It is far into the mountains and we went to a small village and walked around for a while. I saw a performing monkey, many beautiful craft shops, gorgeous scenery, and much more. We ate at the village and my host mom bought a few snacks for later. We then headed back to her house. We had tea and snacks when we arrived home and started settling me back into my old room. I forgot how much I missed this room (much better than my dorm one). The last time I stayed in this room I was in such a completely different emotional state that it feels as though it was another me that stayed here and this newer me is simply remembering it from a faint dream. Outside of the noise and bustle of the inner city I feel a whole lot calmer here and I find myself wishing against all possibility that I can live here again.

While my host mom and I were still talking in my room she pulled out a chest full of clothes that belonged to her late husband. He died about three years ago from cancer. She asked me if I needed any clothes. Of course most of them were too big or too... old-man-ish. But I did decide to keep two pairs of sweat pants, a sweater, a slicker, and a scarf. I love receiving clothes b/c it means I don't have to buy them. I loathe spending money on anything except food and transportation. :P I thought it was really nice of my host mom to give them to me. We then looked at each other's photos. She had lots from her Italy trip this past June and I had lots period.

We eventually started making dinner together. We made tempura and lots of other dishes to go with it. Everything was delicious. We watched TV after dinner and after doing the dishes. Then I came up here to crank out a blog entry, make my bed, plug in to charge my cell and camera batteries, and otherwise get ready for bath time. I think I will stretch a bit too. After bath time I am going straight to bed b/c today was as exhausting as it was wonderful and refreshing. I really needed this break. I didn't realize how much I needed it until now. Tomorrow we have lots of fun things planned as well.