laurainlimbo | an update on my malady... and a much postponed PHOTO post!

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an update on my malady... and a much postponed PHOTO post!

I can't remember when I've had a virus that hung on as desperately as this one is. I've now been sick for 8 days, and though I'm able to get up and walk around, and I still don't have a fever, I feel like death warmed over. I went to work Thursday even though my body was telling me to stay home and rest - and as a result, I ended up feeling much worse that night. So I called my supervisor asking him if I could just teach my classes Friday morning and go home before lunch. He suggested I just stay home for the whole day - so I stayed home all day Friday and rested. Saturday morning I thought I was starting to feel better, but I think it was just an illusion. Still I stayed home all day yesterday and all day today, with the exception of going out to the grocery store for about 30 minutes this morning. I've done nothing but sleep and watch movies (I finally watched that adorable movie Up ) and episodes of Supernatural (from Season 3) and True Blood (I re-watched the first two episodes from season 1)... Yet, even with all that resting, this nasty cold virus won't relent. Thankfully my nose congestion has cleared up a bit - so that I can actually breathe through my nose. But now the virus has moved into my lungs, and I've got that heavy feeling in my chest. And every once in awhile, I get a tickle in my throat, which starts me on a coughing spasm that won't let up for about 3 minutes. Then that causes me to have a headache - from all the coughing! Can someone please tell this virus I don't want to play anymore? I'm not having fun!

I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to teach this week unless I start to feel a whole lot better by tomorrow morning. I've been taking vitamins, and a handful of medications given to me by the doctor I saw Wednesday. But this thing seems determined NOT to let go! Still I felt bad enough missing work Friday - so I'm planning to go tomorrow and see how things go. Sadly I still have lessons to plan for this week, so I can't really relax much tonight. But I'll try to get to bed early...

so, sadly that's all that's been going on in my life for the last week. Hopefully, once I feel better, I can get out and about again. Though with this consistent rain, there's not much to do anyway. Today was at least a bit cooler, and there was a mist covering the whole area this morning that made everything look quite mysterious - and that kind of mist causes such a stillness. It's eerily quiet during this kind of weather. But who's complaining about quiet? certainly not me...

here's a couple of pics of the mist we had a couple weeks ago - today's mist was even heavier than this,

But before I bore you to tears with weather reports and more thoughts on my love/hate relationship with Japan... I'll leave you with some pictures that I took two weeks ago at the local Gion Matsuri in Yoshiwara, very near my home. It's a street festival - they close off the street to traffic and have floats and food and other stuff. Here's a little description I found on a Shizuoka guide online: Yoshiwara Gion Matsuri (Fuji City) Early June
Yoshiwara Gion Matsuri -- "Gion Matsuri is an event originated in Gion, Kyoto to quieten down evil spirits that cause disease and disaster and it spread out all over the country. The gorgeous and dynamic festival features a parade of Mikoshi (portable shrine) carried by children and youngsters and 21 decorated floats pulled around the area."

Here’s some of the food I thought was worth photographing (but not all worth eating!):

Some pretty candy:

Fish on a stick!

The soba and tempura I ate in a little restaurant – we waited more than 3o minutes for them to make it. It was so yummy! Sorry the pic’s a little blurry:

Yakisoba!

We went into a famous fruit shop on the main street – and I was amazed at the prices on the fruit – it’s so expensive here! 3,500 yen (about $40) for a watermelon! Outrageous!:

They were also selling yadokari (hermit crabs) and turtles!

So that's it for now. I'm off to finish a few things for my lessons. Wish me luck getting through a week of classes... luck and a little hand sanitizer is what I need!

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I really hope you feel better soon. It must be getting you down now!

Great pics! That street festival looks really busy and colourful.

And fun food! Fish on a stick? Ew!

And please don't tell me they eat the hermit crabs and turtles...

well these particular turtles and crabs are being sold as pets. so I can tell you that at least they aren't being sold as food. I don't think anyone eats turtles, though the hermit crabs could be eaten somewhere in Japan - who knows!

I am tired of being sick for sure. and the heat doesn't help!

the festival was fun - I hope to go to the one in Fuji next month.

Phew! I did wonder...

I am sorry the cold is staying so long. I hope it goes away soon. ::hugs:: feel better darling.
The street festival looks really really fun :) The pictures are all cool

thanks - feeling a bit better but still wishing that my congestion would go away! it's a terrible virus.

glad you enjoyed the pics!!

*hugs*

That's very misty out, alright. All the gray, wet days would get anyone down. Put on lots of lights. Hang in there!

I'm sorry to hear you're still feeling so crappy. booooo. Maybe you should see a doctor (again?) if it's not better by the end of the week. Sure hope it clears up though, sooner than later!

That is one expensive watermelon! whoa. I liked the picture of the candies...my youngest daughter would love that Pikachu lollipop! The fish on the stick?? not so much!

Hey, that reminds me, I've meant to ask you--have you seen the documentary "The Cove?" It's out on dvd now. It's about dolphin killing in Japan. Really a sad thing. I heard that this film was banned in Japan. Anyway, we found it a very interesting film.

Hang in there, Laura...thinking of you! *hugs*

well it's not just gray and rainy days - in fact I love rain, when it's cool weather outside. But this rainy season is warm, and sometimes hot, and very muggy. humidity is not my friend!

I am feeling a bit better but still wish I was 100 percent energetic. the humidity really drains me. I hate this season so much.

aren't the candies so pretty? I wanted to buy lots of stuff, but I refrained. I need to keep from buying unnecessary things.

no I haven't seen that documentary. I don't see movies these days unless I download them or buy them. I have no movie theaters nearby, no time to watch movies, and no DVD stores nearby either. it's ok though. I do want to see The Cove because I'm curious - but I'm kind of mad about the whole thing and how it's making Japan look bad. sure they shouldn't be killing dolphins, but not everyone in this country agrees with the killing and eating of dolphins. I'd say it's probably a minority, but the ones in power make the decisions. like any country really.

thanks! I hope you're doing well too!
*hugs*

I feel your pain. I've had colds that just would. not. go. away. Even worse, I've had bad cases of laryngitis that would not go away. One particularly nasty one lasted a week, And that is the kiss of death when you're trying to teach a class. When that happens, my doctor usually gives up and prescribes me an antibiotic, which usually does the trick.

Get some rest, and I hope you feel better soon!

Edited 2010-06-27 15:06 (UTC)

yes, it's really hard to continue working when I am still not 100 percent over this virus. I still have terrible nasal congestion, and I'm blowing my nose all day long. I think I took some antibiotics, but right now I need some strong antihistamine or decongestant I think. maybe I need to go to the drugstore and see what they have.

thanks!

What I found sad is that they don't sell Sudafed in Japan because it can be used to make Crystal Meth. In fact, people who bring it into the country can get deported. It's a shame because Sudafed was the only thing that used to work for me.

Of course, now I can't very much of it, if at all, because my body doesn't handle stimulants very well.

oh yes, you're right about the Sudafed. though I can't take it personally - it makes me very jittery and nauseous. I remember buying it for my husband in the chicago area and having to sign some kind of form to register that I was buying it. we had some Contac - I think that's what it's called - the other day and it really works to clear my sinuses, but still makes me a bit jittery. I don't like strong medicine, hence I suffer more. *sigh*

I don't like strong medicines either. Nowadays, whenever I get a cold, I take Benadryl and/or use a neti pot. The Benadryl thing only works when I'm at home though. I can't drive while I'm on it because it makes me sleepy.

Ummm... the turtles are meant to be pets, right? RIGHT?!?!?!

::cry::

yes, the turtles are sold as pets. and the hermit crabs too.
no worries!!
*hugs*

I'm so sorry you're still sick! Hope this virus goes away soon!

thanks - me too! I'm feeling much better but still have congestion!

$40 for a watermelon??? O_O Wowwwww! Thanks so much for all of the pictures! :D

So very sorry that you're still feeling so bad, hon! I know what it's like when you just can NOT seem to get well and it really begins to take a toll on you emotionally as well as just physically. :(

Here's hoping that you're going to finally get over this thing and feel so much better soon! *many hugs* ♥♥♥!!!

I'm glad you enjoyed the pics. It's super frustrating to be sick for a long time and still feel like I have no energy. that's a lot due to the hot and humid weather though.

*hugs* I hope you're doing well these days too!

i'm so jealous of the mist!

hope you feel better soon. viruses suck. :(

yes the mist is really cool! and yesterday it cooled things off a bit having mist and rain. when the sun shines, it's really hot!

thanks - viruses are horrible and this one is really strong and doesn't want to let go!

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you're welcome - glad you enjoyed the pics.

yes, this virus should be illegal! it's still lingering, giving me congestion and a stuffy nose! and this humidity doesn't help me feel much more energetic!

I remember our Japanese teacher always used to suggest that a melon was a good thing to bring to a party in our practice conversations. Still, I would usually say I was bringing vodka. Also, the word for vodka is easier to remember than the word for melon. But I always liked it when she put up her cartoon drawing of a melon because it looked liked a hand grenade. A hand grenade would not be a good thing to bring to a party, unless it was the beverage.

is there a Japanese word for melon? they always just say Melon and write it out in katakana. Suika is the word for watermelon. But Vodka - isn't that just Vodka too?

hmmm - interesting I've never thought a melon looked much like a hand grenade.

Oh sweetie. *snuggles*

*snuggles you*
thanks for the virtual soccer ball - I meant to post about it but just forgot. my brain is total mush - I blame this virus and the heat and humidity!

how are you? I sure miss you these days!

Mostly shuttling the kids around from one activity to another, keeping them busy, the weather has been good so it's been a lot of good beach days! *huggles you tight* Miss you!

oh I'm so glad to hear your weather is nice these days! ours is horrid as it's the rainy season and all... humidity and rain and heat. yuck! but it's temporary. I hope your kids are doing good and that you're happy!

post some pics of those kids of yours one day will you? I miss seeing them! and of course I'd love to see you too!

*hugs tight*

So sorry you're still sick, that's one hardy virus you've managed to catch, hope you manage to fight it off soon! *hugs*

Great photos! You got a brilliant shot of the hermit crab climbing the ladder, I was also relieved to see your post that the crabs and turtles are pets and not food!

Good luck for the next week of lessons!

I never even thought that so many people would consider the turtles and hermit crabs to be food. but people certainly have this idea that Japanese eat anything that moves - to a certain extent they do, with things in the ocean. But you'd be more likely to find people eating stuff like turtles in a country like China. Japan is pretty civilized about stuff like that. though there are the few who think it's okay to eat dolphin!

anyway - thanks - sorry for the late reply here. no energy at all these days...

take care - and *hugs*

I think it was the juxtaposition between the food stuff and the turtles & crabs that gave us all the worry.

Brits haven't been entirely blameless in the eating of animals that then became extinct, in the past explorers would eat anything they came across, even giant tortoises!!

I get the lack of energy thing, especially in this heat!

*hugs*

haha yea I should have thought of that when I posted pics of horrid "edible" (to Japanese people) stuff and then pics of cute pets.

that's true - Brits eat some stuff i wouldn't touch - LOL!

hope it's cooled off for you!

I think the really weird British food is meat based so I don't touch it either! :D

yea lots of sausages and beef dishes - and do british people eat Steak Tartare - raw beef? sounds horrid! not to mention unhealthy! I mean I can eat raw fish that's prepared correctly but couldn't fathom raw meat of any other kind. oh and I guess it's the Scots who eat Haggis - that is just disgusting! anyway - enough talk of yucky foods! I'll stick to tofu any day:)

My Dad does know what Steak Tartare is but I hadn't heard of it, does sound awful. I never liked the idea of undercooked (rare) beef, even when I ate meat I don't think I ever had a steak undercooked or otherwise.

Yeah, this talk of disgusting food turns my stomach, especially as the haggis wikipedia page leads you to all sorts of other similarly disgusting things :(

I do love tofu! :)

I remember seeing an episode of Mr. Bean - he took himself out for his birthday and ordered Steak Tartare (but of course he didn't say the name of the dish). When it came he was of course unable to eat it, and spent the whole episode trying to get rid of it in napkins and other ways. it was hilarious!
I can't eat steak or burgers at all anymore - I used to love them but we are weaning ourselves off of meat. easy to do in Japan where there's lots of good tofu dishes and lots of fish and seafood.

love your icon! very fitting:)

Mr Bean is hilarious!

Thanks, I made that icon because that moment was just so brilliant and I knew I'd often have a reason to use it!

I love Mr. Bean - and I keep thinking I should get a Mr. Bean icon! I should search...

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an update on my malady... and a much postponed PHOTO post!

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