Dear January 14th,

 

Today was my one day of freedom this week!

Meaning quality alone time~ yay~

It was nice and comfy.

My little sister was taking online classes this morning so I needed to plan an escape!

I searched for a nice place to sit and read my book.

I rode my bike to this library nearby.

There was a cute little cafe on the first floor.

It looked like it was being managed by this kyushoku obachan looking lady.

They had coffee float and yummy looking teishoku!

I walked down the stairs to the library.

There were old people and students studying at the tables.

I looked for a nice isolated place to sit.

As I was walking around, I started to wonder if they had any English books.

I didn't see any so I asked the lady at the front desk.

She led me to the children's book section to show me the only English books they had.

I was looking at them, and I noticed some of the books were in GERMAN.

I chuckled a little and proceeded to look for a seat. 

Once I sat down, I remembered that I had an unread postcard from iris.

I pulled it out of my small folder and started reading.

It was a thank you message for the cute mask I had sent her the other day.

We have matching masks with cute shooting stars on the top right and bottom left corners.

I had brought my letter papers so I wrote to her a response. 

After I was done writing, I started reading my book.

Today I learned that English power is and was very strong, and...

people's last name's like Baker, Cooper, and Smith came from hereditary occupational categories.

Bakers baked, Coopers made barrels, and Smiths forged metals.

I chuckled at that a little too. 

After some reading, I started getting thirsty.

I was like, yes! I can go upstairs and get a coffee float!

So I walked up the stairs feeling all giddy.

THEN,

It was closed...

Closed at 4:30 pm.

So sad...

Oh well.

I decided to explore the area outside to see if I could find any hidden little cafes.

I walked across the bridge above the river.

Every time I saw a small narrow path, I walked through it to see what's on the other side.

Since I live in the residential area closer to the suburbs,

the small paths in the crevasses of the neighborhood are not maintained.

So the nature runs wild through them and you can see the little cracks in the cement. 

It almost creates this mysterious and enchanting atmosphere.

And then! I encountered a Kodomo Shokudo!

I've heard of these before on TV and in movies, but I've never seen one in real life before!

It's a place where they serve food to children for free! 

For adults, there's a 200 yen entrance fee.

I heard that these places are very nice for children with neglective parents. 

And they can make friends with the other kids there too.

While I was walking past it, I saw some kids playing in the yard. 

It looked like they were having fun.

I wanted to walk in but I was too shy.

A BIG GIRL walking into a children's diner.

I didn't have the guts to.

Maybe I can come with iris next time.

After that, I walked around a little more and found the long staircase I saw on my last walk.

It went high up to the bridge that crosses over the highway next to it.

I was like wow! I didn't know this path was connected to this place!

I got excited because you can get a nice view of the city from up there.

It was also the perfect time to see the sunset! 

I hiked up the steep staircase and there it was.

The beautiful orange and blue gradient of the sky. 

Sadly, the sky wasn't clear enough to see the sunset.

But the silhouette of the long mountains and Mt. Fuji in the back was worth it.

I should've taken a picture but it was too breathtaking that I forgot.

After exploring that area for a bit, I decided to go look for a cafe again.

I walked down the staircase and walked through the narrow pathways.

I finally found a very cozy looking cafe!

There were nice big comfy chairs and the interior gave off the wooden retro vibes.

I got the desert set and had their iced coffee with cheesecake!

Their iced coffee was so yummy! It was so maroyaka and barely had the sour-bitter aftertaste.

I nibbled and sipped on them while I read my book. 

Oh no, the picture came out blurry.

So, it was talking about the Soviet census of 1937 and how it was executed.

It didn't go too well...

In the highlighted text it says, "Stalin's response was to have those who organized the census arrested and sent to Siberia or shot."

I almost reacted out loud when I read that line. 

I didn't expect Stalin to be this over the top! 

Now I can see why there are people who enjoy learning about the crazy things that happened in the past.

It reminded me of Kevin and my brother.

I tried my best to hold in my laughter.

I know this is not a laughing matter but it was just so CRAZY. 

I wanted to let out a big BRUH. 

Anyway, I got hungry after reading that chapter so I ordered dinner too!

Oh my goodness! It was so yummy!! I really wanted to react out loud!

I kept trying my best to hold it all in. 

Hnnnnnnnnnng!!! It was sooooo sooooo goooood! 

Today was sooooo satisfying.

I'm a happy gal :)

I ended the day by sealing the letter I wrote in the library and went on a small night walk to the post box.

The end~

So... I actually wrote the last two lines before I went to the post box.

I forgot to put the stamp on the envelope...

Had to walk back to put the stamp on XD

Oh wow, it looks so bright in the picture. Even though it was night time.

Our streets are very well lit.

Superior infrastructure :)))

jkjk

I even forgot to write the return address. 

Oh well.

I'll just have to pray it gets to iris safely.

ttfn~