“Da Wetter” or “Die Mold Die” or Even "Hospital, Ho!"
The weather (天気) has taken a significant turn for the worse, thanks to the start of “tsuyu” (monsoon season). The above picture is taken from my balcony. According to popular opinion (or possibly some official weather people), it started on May 5th. I won’t bother whining about it, since it’s going to get worse before it gets better, but I didn’t realize it was going to be this intense. I got my bleach on (see left) to fight the mold that’s already setting up shop in our apartment, especially in the bathroom.
I ended up in the ER this week thanks to the monsoon, my asthma and a severe productive cough. Two hours, one IV drip, one bronchitis diagnosis and three prescriptions later, I am back home enjoying the comfort of my futon/bed. At length. But I do NOT have pneumonia, for which I am grateful. Apparently monsoon season is Okinawa’s cough and cold season. Most of the patients were coughing, and so was the doctor. Almost everyone was wearing surgical masks, myself included.
All the above hospitality was provided by the Japanese National Health System for the grand total of $13.80. I must say I am quite impressed. The hospital facilities, staff, doctor and nurses all receive an “A” rating on all scales I can think of based on my recent experience. I am also appreciative of my school; they sent an English-speaking staff member with me to the hospital.
I ended up in the ER this week thanks to the monsoon, my asthma and a severe productive cough. Two hours, one IV drip, one bronchitis diagnosis and three prescriptions later, I am back home enjoying the comfort of my futon/bed. At length. But I do NOT have pneumonia, for which I am grateful. Apparently monsoon season is Okinawa’s cough and cold season. Most of the patients were coughing, and so was the doctor. Almost everyone was wearing surgical masks, myself included.
All the above hospitality was provided by the Japanese National Health System for the grand total of $13.80. I must say I am quite impressed. The hospital facilities, staff, doctor and nurses all receive an “A” rating on all scales I can think of based on my recent experience. I am also appreciative of my school; they sent an English-speaking staff member with me to the hospital.
Work it Out, Kids, Work it Out
I am still having a daily argument with my neck/shoulders, especially on my right side. Those muscles super get tight when I use a computer too much, or get stressed, or write too much, or sit/lay in weird positions too much. Yeah, I’m pretty much screwed. My neck/shoulder muscles are still holding on to huge amounts of tension, despite various hot baths, massages and other tricks.
I’m currently using the technique from Day Two of the Burnout Recovery Guide pretty much all day every day. I had this muscle tension under good control when I had more options for maintaining good posture, but my current situation makes that difficult, so it’s back to the basics for me! If you have no idea what I'm talking about, go to Burnout Recovery Guide and check it out. Tip: Day Two is available in the free sample, so you don't have to buy anything to see what I'm talking about.
Another technique I am using to confront my physical, mental and emotional stress level is to continue to meditate daily. I have had a daily mindfulness practice for years, but have not had time for meditation until recently. The recent free Oprah and Deepak 21-day meditation challenge is over, so I bought the previous series’ to be able to continue doing a meditation session or two every day, since it helps me relax. I have meditated about twelve times in the past week with Oprah and Deepak, and it is quite calming and stress-busting.
I’m currently using the technique from Day Two of the Burnout Recovery Guide pretty much all day every day. I had this muscle tension under good control when I had more options for maintaining good posture, but my current situation makes that difficult, so it’s back to the basics for me! If you have no idea what I'm talking about, go to Burnout Recovery Guide and check it out. Tip: Day Two is available in the free sample, so you don't have to buy anything to see what I'm talking about.
Another technique I am using to confront my physical, mental and emotional stress level is to continue to meditate daily. I have had a daily mindfulness practice for years, but have not had time for meditation until recently. The recent free Oprah and Deepak 21-day meditation challenge is over, so I bought the previous series’ to be able to continue doing a meditation session or two every day, since it helps me relax. I have meditated about twelve times in the past week with Oprah and Deepak, and it is quite calming and stress-busting.
Mad Cooking Skillz
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My roommate has gotten busier, and I’ve gone from “cleaning fairy” to “cleaning fairy and fend for yourself cooking.” Suddenly, I am much more interested in learning how and what she cooks, so I’ve started paying keen attention when she is home and cooking.
I don’t actually have any particular “mad skillz” yet, but I’m proud to be an American cooking Asian fusion cuisine using Japanese vegetables I don't recognize and Vietnamese spices and sauces that I also don't recognize. Our kitchen and a closeup of our sauce rack are featured in the pictures above. I’ve made quite a few of my own meals now, even though I know most of the vegetable and spice names only in Vietnamese. Except cilantro. I recognized the cilantro. Yum.
I don’t actually have any particular “mad skillz” yet, but I’m proud to be an American cooking Asian fusion cuisine using Japanese vegetables I don't recognize and Vietnamese spices and sauces that I also don't recognize. Our kitchen and a closeup of our sauce rack are featured in the pictures above. I’ve made quite a few of my own meals now, even though I know most of the vegetable and spice names only in Vietnamese. Except cilantro. I recognized the cilantro. Yum.
Imagination Lays the Tracks for the Reality Train to Follow (Caroline Casey)
I love imagining things, and my memorization of new Kanji usually includes pictures, words and stories. I spent 25 hours studying Kanji this week, and am now up to recognizing a little over 600 characters. My Google searches while learning new Kanji tend to be pretty, umm, eclectic. Sometimes you can tell when I am on a streak of learning about a certain Kanji type, such as “sheep” in #24-30 below, but often they seem completely, bafflingly and amusingly random.
Below is my unedited Google search history for four hours of memorizing new Kanji. I added occasional comments in square brackets.
Below is my unedited Google search history for four hours of memorizing new Kanji. I added occasional comments in square brackets.
- Hey Mr DJ [Rihanna]
- Disney Robin Hood Rabbit Boy [Skippy]
- Vietnam Currency [Dong]
- Prefecture
- Horse Chestnut
- Anne Frank Tree [a famous horse chestnut tree]
- e e cummings no punctuation
- Safe and Sane
- Eat Pray Love India Ashram
- Firefly Joss Whedon
- Flea Circus Real
- Ringling Brothers
- STD Insect [utter FAIL, but boy did I learn a few things...]
- Silkworm
- Naga Queen
- Saturday Night Fever
- St Patrick Snakes Story
- Bubbles the Clown
- Spirited Away Stink Monster
- Henwyn the Pig [The Black Cauldron]
- Menudo Stew Philippines
- Tea Party Talk Show Host
- Alex Jones Infowars
- How Beautiful Are the Sheep [complete FAIL]
- How Beautiful Are the Feet [oh yeah, now I got it right...]
- New Zealand Ocean
- Wicked Talking Sheep Gregory Maguire
- Arrogant Quote I Can Play Any Instrument
- Lambert the Sheepish Lion
- Merino Wool Sheep Shearing
- Vegetarian Turkey Quotes
- Shall We Gather At the River
- Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree
- Tofurky
- Fantasia Pegasus
Namaste,
Sam
Sam
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