I just had a stomach lurch. What a delicious feeling!

After yesterday’s intense hibernation (I succeeded in sleeping 18 out of 24 hours and achieving little more than a few pages of homework and re-heating some leftover risotto) I woke this morning feeling rather like a NORMAL person… whatever that is. I sorted my laundry and took a long shower. Showers are wonderful thinking time. In fact, most bathroom activities are incredibly reviving. They combine warmth with a sense of assured security. Even if I never lock the door it feels as if in the bathroom things are safe, and I am highly unlikely to be disturbed. There is something so reassuring about a stream of warm water, steamy air and that reduced, close vision. I am ever so glad to be living in a country without water shortages!

After stripping my bed I trundled out to the laundry only to find it malfunctional. So I heaved my dirties back home and began the much needed cleaning. At the end of this week the threatening sounding renovations begin; and, as such, I have to empty the bathroom, the hall and most of the kitchen. I’ve succeeded in removing nearly all signs of personality from the entrance, including the collage of unusual pictures on the bathroom door. It feels echoey and a little unfriendly out there now. However, hoovering and washing up with all the doors and windows open does wonders for an overworked soul and by lunchtime the place was feeling full of energy again.

Ploughed my way through this weeks mass of Form i Fokus and sent out some enquiries about course books. My first pay cheque flopped though the letter box and things couldn’t get much better. I spent a happy couple of hours typing up some more Trans-Mongolian thoughts while bantering with Burak and Constance about life and cat-ladies. It felt good to just be myself again. There is always something to do - even if some of my comrades believe I spend too much time thinking!

KAOS has been left aside for a couple more days. I dare not touch it before the Koreans arrive. I know it needs time, and some freedom. But I had a wonderful garbage room find, a Finnish version of ‘The Joy of Sex’, filled cover to cover with sensual pencil drawings which are more interesting anatomy studies that I usually find. It would be nice to devote a whole weekend just to drawing. There is canvass to be had at school. Maybe it is time to stretch some.

I have made a mammoth pan of stew, ‘panted’ the cans and bought some fresh milk and bread. My schedule for tomorrow is clear. 101 things to do, and each with a smile on my face. The Koreans arrive just before nine. I have a free hour to read. The only question is - Murder or Turkey?