October 19, 2010 - The Adventures continue

I need to start this blog where I ended the last one. Jacob. He is doing just fine and back to basketball and running around. The first middle school dance? Well, Jacob told me that it was fun and that everyone just danced together. The story from a couple of kids here in our apartment building? In their words, "Jacob was very popular. All the girls wanted to dance with him." Maybe it is the blond hair and blue eyes! He does stick out in a crowd! :) Uh-oh. I hope he doesn't read this blog entry!

Last week, I had my first adventure to the doctor. My symptoms started on Wednesday and by Thursday morning, I was miserable. I had aching sinuses, stuffy nose, sneezing, ... my nose even hurt to touch! This usually means I have my annual sinus infection. I checked with a friend on where to go. Then, I asked the front reception to call the doctor to ask about hours. As with the orthopedic, there are no appointments. You sign in. They can tell you about how long you will wait. You can stay to wait or come back by that time. So, I found that the doctor was only open 9am-11:45am. At this point, it was 10:30 and they thought the wait would be about an hour. I rushed over (just about 2.5 blocks!) to sign in (after taking my shoes off at the door, of course). Only one of the receptionists spoke a little English. I waited for a while and then decided to go buy groceries during that waiting time. Once I returned, the doctor called my name immediately. He was Japanese, but he did speak a little English. The clinic was very small, and the back area looked more like a small emergency room rather that a doctor's office. There were a couple of beds and curtains to separate them. We sat at what looked like a counter. He asked me my symptoms and if I had a fever. He looked in my throat, and then prescribed antibiotics. That was it. No check for temperature, blood pressure, weight ... nothing! I had to hope that I was good at my own diagnosis! I went back out to waiting area. They called me up to check out of the office and gave me my medicine there as well. Fortunately, the antibiotics did work, and I feel great!

My next adventure was on Friday when I went for my first haircut in Japan. Imai-san has owned his own salon here for 12 years, and he speaks very good English. Upon arrival, someone took my bag and led me over to a chair. Imai-san came out and we talked about what I wanted with my hair. Next, a woman walked me over to the sink. I sat down. She put a towel over my legs (to keep me warm) and then reclined my seat. She put one of those eye covers on ... you know, like on the airplane. The pure enjoyment began. She washed my hair for such a long time. The water was perfect - not too hot or too cold. She massaged my head, washed, and washed ... I literally almost fell asleep! The great thing here, too, is that they wash your hair to start the appointment and then again after you have cut and color, so I got to do it again! Wow! I can hardly wait to go back. :) The surprise was that the cost was actually very much in line with what I pay in Cincinnati. Bonus for me. (The boys' haircuts are much more expensive here.)

Phillip arrived back home on Saturday evening after 12 days in Cincinnati and St. Louis. He managed to attend all Procter and Gamble meetings and dinners, see several friends in Cincinnati, go to St.Louis to see his brothers and friends, have dinner with his mom, go to Columbia to see the Missouri Tigers play, and go to a Bengals game. Whew. We played and stayed up late on Saturday night. On Sunday afternoon, Jessica and Dad took a 3 hour nap together. Much needed and very sweet. We are very happy to have Dad home again.

Peace and Love,

Tina