Electrical Plugs and Family

One of my electrical sockets looked like it had a black eye. Several months before, I had placed a DC output plug into the unsuspecting socket and returned to find the innocent electrical outlet with its left prong hole browned from burning.

Luckily, like a good American, I covered the ugly scar with a cheap makeover. Thank Home Depot for supplying people who charred electrical sockets.

Looking at what I have now, my trip to Japan is proving to be very pricey, even with only paying for half of a thousand dollar flight and spending money for the time in Japan.

Just preparing my room is taking its toll on my financial status. I've lived with my mother and younger brother since I came to California, and we've always met the short end of the monetary stick. My father skimped on the child support and my mother had to start from scratch in careers. I don't even remember how my mom managed to bring us up one rough year that only made $10,000 in one year, and feed all of us and keep a roof above our heads. The situation isn't the same, but this recession has hit us hard. I don't factor in food whenever I budget. It's not like I've never starved before. I'll make it somehow.

So, this trip has to be my focus point and I have to throw everything into it because then, the money wouldn't matter. It's funny how people say, money doesn't matter, but we really can't find much happiness if money is the only thing to get us what we need. I don't honestly believe that happiness stems from dollars, but still, as capitalistic as this country it is, it's only natural to strive to get as much as possible.

Although, I wouldn't use it as a way to say, "Hey, I'm more successful than you because I have more zeros behind a number."

I guess the most fun I have is with my family, especially my brothers. My older brother always embellishes his stories that are outrageous and funny. My younger brother's humor is more subtle but it's still roll-on-the-floor funny.

I wonder if I'll get to enjoy that sense of family with my Japanese host family. I'm paired with the oldest Japanese student, who is 20, and she has a younger brother. I don't know if she'll like any of my gifts, but hopefully, everything works out.