Being Sick

In response to my last post, I got an email from a good friend telling me to settle down. He thinks it’s funny to call me Mozart (it’s sort of become my nickname – the guy burned his wick at both ends & died really young because of it), but it’s a good reminder that it’s important to relax once in a while. So, I have admitted defeat (yes, I am sick) and I am staying in this weekend. It really sucks because there is a lot going on. We were supposed to go to the onsen tonight, which was changed to drinks in Sannomiya, but it's still fun. Tomorrow is a soba-making class (Japanese noodles from scratch!), people are going to the beach, and then there’s a big Sayonara party (farewell party) in Kobe for the people leaving, with after-parties to follow. On Sunday, a big group of friends are getting together to play softball and go swimming (it has gotten extremely hot – I am sweating as we speak!), but I was hoping to meet Torbjorn to hang-out and check out a museum. Cancelled, cancelled, cancelled (even though I will probably sneak out to the Sayonara Party anyways). I’m not always very good at just taking-in some R&R, but I’m going to the doctor tomorrow morning. My friend Ben is going to escort me there. I’m a little nervous because it’s my first time at the Japanese clinic (it’s common to go to the hospital for small things here, but – call me American – I’m going to insist on the clinic), so I’m sure I’ll have more to report when that’s done.
East Is East?
In Japan, they use a combination of eastern and western medicines at hospitals and clinics. I actually really like it, but I am still very unfamiliar with eastern medicine, and so not very comfortable with using it. The little survival kit I brought to work today includes some pills from home, in addition to kwon loon oil (magic, I tell you, magic! It’s this amazing all-purpose oil from China) and some random herb powder I got in Thailand that seems to make my nose feel better. A coworker of mine went to the hospital for something like what I have a few weeks ago (it’s going around), and the doc gave her some herbal tea (Chinese medicine) to take. Well, she took it, and ended up having to spend 4 days on bedrest because of the awful rash and reaction the tea gave her. When she told me about what had happened, she showed me the damage; her face and chest were covered with what looked like a blanket (like moss) of swollen, red, rash. She went back to the same doctor and he basically told her Chinese medicine works differently for different people. They gave her different tea, but now it’s been a few weeks and she still can’t be in the sun much because of this awful reaction. Makes me a little nervous. We’ll see what they say tomorrow.
Only in Japan
I should get going and finish the students’ notebooks, but here’s one last thing. On the topic of sickness and Japan, here’s a random little fact I learned this week: Apparently there is a specific “mass” anxiety disorder that is specific to Japan, called たいじ きょふしょ (Taiji Kyofusjo). According to the friend that clued me into this info, it results in anxiety caused by fear that one’s odor, appearance, hygene or facial expressions might be unpleasant or disturbing to others. Yup, kinda interesting.

So on that note, please take it easy and stay healthy so you can enjoy this beautiful summer weather. I'm sure I'll have more soon... from home :-/