Here's reality of public transportation and shopping: toilet paper, it doesn't just appear. Yes I took it on the train. Why? Because I stopped to buy hairspray, and you can't beat 8 rolls for 198 yen. I was in good company, several other (ok, age 50 and up) ladies had brought their toilet paper shopping on the train too. My poor mom will read this and would probably prefer to FedEx toilet paper to me than have me take pictures of my toilet paper while waiting at the platform...sorry!
Next, cockroaches. First one I've seen thus far, not bad. They are as common as spiders in the states. I used to get teary-eyed and run away but where do I run to now? I run and stomp on it with my slipper. It was huge. It was disgusting. I wanted to do anything but that, but even less than that did I want to live with it around me when I sleep on the floor!! Even squished, it was still moving, ugh then the worst part, how to pick it up? Old chopsticks.
There is a taiyaki (traditional Japanese fish shaped sweet red bean cake) right by the station by my work. (The following is foodie logic from my brother) If all they sell is taiyaki (150-180 yen each) and they can maintain that location they must be good... plus they had a limited edition seasonal kind, which, like most Japanese people, I cannot pass up! But I don't feel like it is doing the taiyaki justice to post it with toilet paper and a cockroach so I will wait and do a separate food post sometime.
Work is still going well! Day 5 tomorrow and 2 more people starting next week so I won't be the newest for long. It is easy to get caught up in worrying about keeping people happy and what people will think, but in all situations I remember that my work is for the Lord, and "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3) I will keep doing the best I can do, and God has put my mind at ease because He is ultimately my "boss."