the sky was soft pink when i awoke a little before six this morning. in a few minutes a ferocious wind out of nowhere, and then big spluttery rain. so now everything smells cool and moist and good — i haven’t been out front yet, but i expect the downpour even managed to wash away that displeasing catshit smell from the manky strays that sit on the stairs, gazing down on you, imperiously.

for two weeks it’s been like, 34 degrees. i’ve been assured this is not normal, but i guess it’s no real consolation to me.

tomorrow morning i get to ride the nice bus (“nice” is the company name!) to kuala lumpur, where grandparents and most extended family members eke out an existence, with my mother and sister. it’s a five hour trip punctuated by a stop at a highway rest pavilion complete with many an eating stall where you can get tasty treats like exotic crackers and tea with condensed milk for not much money at all.

i am very very brown.