oil

Good day. Quiet day. It rained practically all day, which is unusual. Even better, I did not have to go out in it, which is also a little unusual.

The cat, however, is out of sorts. I don't know if she doesn't like the rain, or the fact that the house is cooler than usual. But she curled up and moped and dozed most of the day. I tried to play with her, but she doesn't seem to be in the mood. Except, when I was making supper she jumped stubbornly and repeatedly up onto the counter. Definitely not her normal self.

I made good progress this morning, exercising, answering e-mails, designing a map for Mr.'s Bible class. We did go out for breakfast (before the rain) and got groceries. For supper tonight I made chicken corn soup; a recipe from Mr.'s mom. It's a little intimidating making something she has made forever. But I seem to have pulled it off.

This afternoon I had my half day with God. I tried it at home again. I always fall asleep. But after a short nap (Who can blame me? Mr. and the cat were both sleeping and it was drippy and gray and cool. There was no other option, really.) I got in a few good hours of study. I still long for that feeling of connection. I prayed for the last half hour or so, which had a pretty intimate feeling about it.

So, I don't know if all this exercise is changing my body at all (except for the progressively achy knee) but I actually feel different about myself when I look in the mirror. Crazy, huh? I don't think my clothes fit any differently, but I feel better about myself simply because I'm making good choices. I'm putting in the work. Hopefully I will see actual physical results soon, but it's amazing to note the difference in perception.

 Yesterday I was in a pretty good mood. I looked around and saw people, and they actually looked nice to me. I tried to catch some photos of them from the back of a speeding moto, but no luck. I was heading to a massage, and was anticipating a bit of relaxation.

Unfortunately, I made a guy lose face almost immediately upon arriving at the spa. :-( It's a new place, giving 30% discounts, so it's pretty affordable. My friend and I chose a back and shoulder massage, and they showed us into a room. There were pajama type clothes to change into. However, I asked if the massage we had chosen included oil or not, because we wouldn't wear the pajamas if they were going to use oil. The guy answered, "Do you want oil, because you can have it if you want." Now, this type of deference is not unusual, but it really bugs me. I tried to explain I didn't have any preconceived ideas, I just wanted to know what they normally do. He kept saying I could have oil if I wanted.

Then I was ticked, and said, "Just tell me what you normally do!" He said they don't use oil for a back and shoulder massage. I said OK and he left us to change. Then, in a bit, another guy walked in with a cell phone. It was the manager. She said, "Sorry my employee doesn't speak English. We DO use oil for the back and shoulder massage." I tried to tell her I was speaking in the local language, but then realized. The guy just didn't know the answer to my question. That's why he was so evasive. So, I was a pushy jerk and didn't even intend to be.

Bummer. I wasn't even in a bad mood. :-(

The massage, by the way, was very good. I had some particularly tight muscles in my back from exercising. I told the masseuse to give me a good, hard massage. Regretted it only a few times, when she dug in with her elbows right on the sore muscles. I almost jumped off the table. However, I think it helped. I think. Maybe next time I'll go for a more relaxing one.