after a truly dull weekend where i exchanged exactly one word w/another human being (that word being "hello", the human being the man who delivered my gas stove -- i ran into him while taking a walk), i had a rather busy monday.
i started by going to the gym for the House Dance class; my friend Amami was taking it as well so that was fun. She is friends w/the class intstructor, and oh my god is he a nice specimen. his class was nearly the death of me and i reeled out of there ashen and gasping. he came and sat w/A and i while we were stretching/cooling down, and told us all about his adventures in NYC. apparently he went there to study dance, had no money, lived in Central Park, was shot in the leg in Harlem, and lived to tell about it. he is an aspiring writer as well. do we see a lil' mini-crush coming on? i think we do.
he mentioned several times that he wants to learn english, so i'm thinking of suggesting a lesson-exchange--me teach you english, you teach me dance kind of thing.

10 things that cheered me up this week:

1. aromatherapy stretching (today was grapefruit-scented)
2. jazz dance (it kicked my ass but the instructor was yummy)
3. reading Seabiscuit (except that the ending was hella-depressing)
4. package from home containing gorgeous sweaters and Victoria Secret goodies
5. posh French restaurant food
6. playing Heavier Things on repeat (i luurve this cd to death)
7. rearranging my room until it was perfect
8. finding this month's theme song (The First Cut is the Deepest)
9. meeting a pretty white cat w/an orange tail in my backyard
10. cigarettes, and yet more cigarettes

i am so tired. whatever happened to fun, that thing i used to have?
why do i feel like i'm always grinning and bearing it, instead of just grinning?

i was planning on going to the gym yesterday; thought i would try the "power yoga" class. but went to the wharf and watched hawks circling overhead instead, then to chinatown in search of those medicine ball thingies. at night i tried this italian restaurant i've heard good things about. the food was amazing, and I was almost cheerful. how sad is it that getting good tiramisu is the happiest thing thats happened to me lately?

i'm feeling a bit homesick for California lately. i haven't missed the US since i came here 2 and 1/2 years ago, but lately i find myself longing for things like brown paper grocery bags, oatmeal, big kitchens, big everything.
i miss the pastel shades of sunlight and sunday morning breakfasts at greasy diners.
i miss being able to wear anything i want. there is like an unspoken law against cleavage in this country. people are completely comfortable bathing in public, but god forbid you show a little boob action.
today has been a red cowboy boots kind of day. took my sketchbook and crayons out for a walk and looked for inspiration. i want to drive far, far away.