November

 As with every month, there have been ups and downs!

But I think there were more ups than downs!

Spending a couple of days at Hannah's was nice. When I'm at home, I feel like I should be doing something! This house constantly needs cleaning. At Hannah's, I can wash the dishes, do the laundry and run the vacuum in about half an hour, then I'm free to read or watch videos!

Here, it's a vicious cycle of cleaning, trying to find a place for things, decluttering, rehousing things, and then there is all the mess from the cats! The floors need sweeping two or three times a day, and the carpets have to be vacuumed constantly. Then there are all these ledges that collect dust, even wiping down every other day doesn't seem to help. Then the mountain of dishes, the massive sink that collects bits of food in the corners. I have to fill a pan to rinse the sink properly. I feel that I could be cleaning 24 hours a day, and it still wouldn't be clean. Whenever I wipe surfaces, the cloth is covered in a fine brown dust. At first, I thought it was because of the cats, but I've noticed that even places where the cats haven't been are the same.

It's exhausting and time-consuming! Add to that the vacuum cleaner is broken. It just stopped picking up. I changed the bag and cleaned out the hose part, but it still won't pick up; it just makes an awful noise! Another expense I can't afford!

I'm still trying to fulfil the goals I set for the end of the year. 

My diet had been a bit hit and miss. But I've lost some weight, about 3kgs, since September. I'm going to struggle with Christmas and the New Year. I love the festive foods, the cakes, cookies and other fattening foods. I don't want to deny myself and be miserable, so I need to figure out how to enjoy the foods I love without going overboard! It's going to be a challenge!

I'm reading Wuthering Heights. It's interesting but not an easy read! I'm about halfway through and hope to finish it soon! I want to read "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. Again, I have an idea of the story, I've watched various adaptations of the story, but I have never read the book! My favourite movie of the book is "The Muppets Christmas Carol"

Japanese study has been a bit harder to get into. I need to really set aside some time every day to go through the books I have. That is my determination for the beginning of December!

The highlight of November was the trip to Hita. I really enjoyed myself. Also, I could see how, having lost a bit of weight, I was able to walk more without pain. This has inspired me to keep on my diet, even though I'm worried about the holiday season derailing my hard work!

Beautiful tree in Hita

At the restaurant

Hannah at one of the resting spots

One more month to 2026! I have a couple of things planned for December. There is a place in the city near here that has a lot of temples, called Tera Machi, Temple Town. I'm planning on going with Christopher one afternoon. And of course, Hannah and I are going to see The Phantom of the Opera on Christmas Day.

I hope this last month will be good and productive!