~

I have scrubbed the floors and bathroom and outside stairs with bleach. I think I must have murdered about 10,000 insects. There seem to be more spiders around now, some are approaching my very closely, probably to see the perpetrator who killed their families.  I feel a little guilty but I don’t like sharing my home with so many of them. I am bigger therefore they must leave.

I have lost some weight as I have been so ill. As I became ill from local food my body is rejecting similar types of foods, which is the only food I can get here at the moment, so I’m starving really. The monks bring me so much for breakfast and lunch, they want me to eat more, but I cannot stomach it. I tell them not to bring me so much as I will surely waste it, and as it is donated food I feel rather terrible. It is really lovely food and when I am well I will eat it but right now it’s hard to tell them that all I want is some vegemite on toast or a pizza. I’m sure if I asked them they would try to find what I need but I don’t want to bother them. It’s only one more day anyway, as tomorrow I will go downtown to stock up on some snacks and try to find some more western food that my stomach will accept for now. In any case, I’m sure I will survive!

I have now discovered how to greet with monks with respect. And the word for monk is “oozing”. I am trying to remember how to say “Mingala nanat kinba oozing” which means ‘Good morning monks’ so I can say it with a prayer-like stance before I begin a lesson, to show respect. Although I’m pretty sure I can get away with not greeting them properly at the moment, they do not hold it against me. 

My sleeping patterns are all out of whack. I couldn’t sleep until about 3 or 4 am last night so I planned my first 3 lessons for this coming Tuesday. I get my breakfast served to me (first class service) every morning at 6.30am, so sometimes it is difficult as I have only had a few hours’ sleep. I’m sure though in time, my sleeping patterns will regulate to the same as theirs.

Sumana asked me last night about my future plans. I told him I do not intend to marry or have children. He was shocked and asked who would look after me when I am old. He offered to shave off my hair so I could become a nun. I will consider it.

While I am writing this is am paranoid one of those spiders will come and bite me.