As it is the first day of March, let the St. Patrick's Day festivities commence! For anyone in and around the Tokyo area, here are a few upcoming events to help you ring in St. Patrick's Day.
On this extremely snowy morning, here are a few of my thoughts, dreams, sights and sounds.
What I'm Seeing...
What I'm Drinking...
What I'm Eating...
What I'm Saying...
What I'm Reading...
What I'm Hearing...
What I'm Feeling...
What I'm Dreaming...
The Perfect Latte.
An Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese.
Tan Lines.
What I'm Pondering...
-I can't believe it's still snowing.
-Is each snowflake REALLY unique?
-My bike ride home is going to suck.
-I wonder if this afternoon will be my last dr visit.
-I need to go to the store.
-I don't want to go to Japanese tonight.
-I wonder what's for lunch.
-What should I do after school?
-Snowman?
-Snow angel?
-Crap, I didn't do my dishes last night.
-I can't believe some of the teachers still smoke.
-I wonder how the student's tests are going.
-Where are the cough drops I bought last month?
-This email from a mother to her blogger daughter. On thisblog.
"It seems to me that being authentic is being brave enough or just candid enough to be honest about what you are experiencing or who you are, whether it is popular are not. A person gives a gift to other people when they say, 'This is what happened to me or this is how I truly feel, no matter what the popular belief is about what Ishould feel.' Whenever you are honest, you are speaking for a thousand silent people who don't have the voice to say what they really feel or are really experiencing. So, if you ever talk about [the thing you went through], you will touch a million hearts. Because you are speaking for more than just yourself. You are never alone in what you are feeling. I love you."
When I was home last week resting my boil, by the end of the day I was getting kind of bored. I had done dishes, cleaned a bit, and logged quite a few hours of TV. I started looking around my house for things to do. I saw my scratch off travel map sitting in the corner, still in its packaging. I received it from a friend for Christmas and was clearly saving it for something special...not sure what, so I decided to break it out and enjoy it. I'm sucker for hands on things, or things where you can track your progress. I'm also in love with this map so I thought I would take a few pics and show you my latest activity.
The World...Pre-Scratch.
The World...Post-Scratch.
Yes, I'm from Los Angeles; No, I've never been to Mexico. I've decided that one day at Papas and Beer in Ensenada, on my junior year Spring Break booze cruise, doesn't count.
I chilled with Adele as I found and scratched the 11 countries I've visited. Disappointingly, I realized how small they all were. I hung my map up and instantly, mentally altered the next few countries I want to visit. Originally, Greece and Slovenia were next on my list. But they're small. Screw that, they just got bummed for Russia and Antarctica!
My wall needed more, so I found a set of frames I'd purchased at IKEA and added a few of my favorite postcards. Arranging them on my wall beneath my map.
I have to say, I'm thoroughly enjoying the little make over to my bedroom.
Mapped,
Kate
[The Latest]
Must Read: Sincerely Hana Blog...just click, it's an amazingly simple concept that makes for great photos.
Yesterday, I was playing around with my blog when I looked under the stats tab and noticed that Across the Sea has reached a little mile stone of its own...10,000 hits!
YAY!
Here are a few other Across the Sea stats for you.
Number of Months Old.
Number of Countries Viewed.
Number of Comments.
Number of Posts.
Number of Official Followers.
I just wanted to thank you all so much for reading, it really means a lot!
I have debated whether or not to post about this, but it has been such a big part of my life the past few days that I feel like I should. If for no other reason than to reread it in a few months and remember the story and how far I've come.
Last December, right before I went home for Christmas, I got my first boil. Gross and slightly embarrassing, I knew nothing about what they were or how I'd acquired one. It was right where my leg met my butt, and over the course of a few days began to cause agonizing pain. I could barely walk, I winced the entire 15 minute bike ride to school, and standing and sitting came to be the most difficult part of my day. I would have gone to the doctor sooner, but being that I'm over here, I wasn't exactly sure where to go nor did I have the vocabulary to get things accomplished. Long story short, Kim and her amazing Japanese came with me, Keima wrote out in my issue in detail, and I made a list of vocab I needed. The visit went smoothly. I got 3 pills, and was set to leave for the US 2 days later, where I would have it looked at there. I did, and it drained, and we were golden.
Then I came back to Japan and some how acquired two new boils in my armpit. Every time I get one, since I'm now becoming a connoisseur, there is always a day where I am just out of commission. One night where I just cry from pain and frustration. Then continue to add hot compresses or whatever, willing it to mature, drain, and re-leave the pressure. The pain will continue for about a week as it slowly drains, though is bearable by then.
Vocabulary.
Last Sunday I got the pleasure of having 2 next to each other at the top of my right armpit. An already painful addition to my body, the sensitive location only magnified the pain. Then there was a rash down my arm, tender to my elbow, I decided I should probably go to the doctor. I did, this time all by myself. I was hoping to get some antibiotics like last time, which worked great, and go home. Instead the doctor decided to lance, as in cut, it.
"I think maybeee I should cut it," the doctor said as he manhandled my sore.
Without being rude, I mentally willed him to change his mind.
"Really? We cant just wait a few days and see if it drains?"
"No. I should cut it today."
"Ok.(Damn)Are you going to numb it first?"
"Oh of course," he said, "though the anesthesia doesn't always work. And the injection itself is quite painful."
Awesome.
I watched as he filled a syringe 90% full. I asked in Japanese if he was going to put it all in. He gave me a reluctant yes. I winced. The thing already hurt from the pressure it was putting on my nerves, so yes, please, by all means, shove more liquid in there.
I watched with terror as the doctor received, blades, scissors, forceps and needles from the nurse and took to my delicate pit. I cried, the entire time. I lifted my head once and saw sooo much blood I let out an audible gasp. The doctor told me in perfectly simple, calm English,
"I think it's better for you not to look."
I laid back down, putting my left hand over my face turning toward the wall. The doctor explained in English that he was taking out the debris, as he called it. I said I understood, and the whole room laughed as I said the word for pus in Japanese. Who knew my Japanese vocabulary would expand medically?!
A nurse came to my feet and held my knees trying to calm me. I tried to focus on her. That was a poor decision. She could see the doctor cut before I felt it and would squeeze my knees in anticipation. Allowing me to know for sure that pain was in store.
Finally, he stuffed the newly enlarged hole with gauze and wrapped my arm. It felt like my arm was on fire. He wrote me a prescription for the 3 pills I'd previously had and set me up with an IV antibiotic before I left. I continued to cry. I could not stop. I tried to take deep breaths, telling myself the worst was for sure over. At least for today. I still had to come back Thursday and Friday.
Drugs.
As the nurses escorted me to the IV room next door, they chuckled telling me in Japanese that I was entering an all Japanese zone, between tears I smiled and told them that was not a problem. One tried to bond with me telling me that she was there in December when I first came in. That was a special moment. She came back and handed me tissues as I tried to calm myself, smiling as I called myself a baby in Japanese. She assured me my tears were validated as she made another cutting motion in the air.
I biked home, lifting my arm off the handle bars in anticipation of bumps in the road. Now semi hungry, all I wanted was Mac and Cheese. Not exactly prevalent in Japan. Kim had just arrived home from Spain hours before so was coincidently home at 1pm on this Wednesday. I went to say hi and ask how Spain was, trying to distract myself from my throbbing arm. Then she asked what happened. As soon as I opened my mouth I cried. Again.
But things were looking up. She amazingly happened to have a box of the ever famous Mac and Cheese, and kindly offered to make it for us for lunch. Full fat. I was all for it. After lunch I was able to take my prescription, one of which being a pain killer. I could feel it kicking in. I took a nap and lost myself in television on my computer.
Flowers from my lovely neighbor Liv.
Battle Wound.
Just a few hours later, I felt SO much better. My arm wasn't on fire and since he took out a ton of debris, the pressure was mostly gone. I was able to do some laundry, and dishes that had been neglected. The teachers at work emailed to check on me. I told them in summary what I had done. Since it was a form of a procedure, I was encouraged to stay home and rest.
Fine by me.
I slept in on the rainy Thursday, then syran wrapped my arm to shower. Called my family, then hopped on my bike to head back to the doctors. I had no idea if more cutting was involved and I mentally prepared myself as I parked my bike and handed over my insurance card. The nurse who had tried to be my buddy the previous day, was thrilled to see me smiling. I watched the tools she handed the doctor, analyzing the damage each could do. I almost leaped off the table for joy when I realized it was just a gauze change. I winced a little as the gauze came out and went back in, but nothing compared to the previous day. I got another antibiotic IV and was pretty much giddy the rest of the visit.
Tick Tock. Bored and so excited there was no more slicing!
Friday I went to work half day, and back to the doctors, which is just across the street. Another gauze change, IV, and hang out sesh with my new nurse friends. This time no gauze went back in the wound. We're making progress!
Before the gauze went back on, I told them that my mom was a nurse and wanted a picture of the opening. Not a total lie, but I did want to send her one. Lucky lady. They said of course that was ok. In the two seconds it took for me to take the pic, I could hear that information traveling throughout the floor, no doubt the entire ward now knows my mother is a nurse.
BFF.
IV Fun.
Since I wasn't in tears and was all smiles this visit, the doctor told me that he once had visited San Francisco, taking BART and visiting UCSF. He then informed me that the word gauze comes from the Gaza Strip in Israel. Random but very cool. I had no idea.
I am all smiles and back to normal now. Having a dinner with a friend tonight and attending a Calvin Harris concert tomorrow night after a morning gauze change.
This past Sunday, Debs, Kris and I set out on a little adventure of our own. Debs had gotten an email about the most beautiful bookstores in the world, and there happened to be one in Tokyo, not far from where we were sipping coffee. We opted for a walk rather than a single stop train trip. Iphone in hand, we arrived 20 minutes later in darling Daikanyama. Walked past tons of cute shops and a surprising amount of Italian restaurants. Then we found Tsutaya.
Being a bookaholic herself, Debs let out a squeal as we walked in. It was validated. To say the place was beautiful would be an understatement.
We looked at books, magazines, maps, photos, pens, stationary, dvds and cds for hours. Finally deciding that we should probably eat dinner and make our way home. We tried to eat in what was essentially a wine bar, in the book store, but it was too crowded. We walked for bit before opting to look in a rustic, Italian looking grocery store where we were pleased to find a reasonably priced restaurant.
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