Enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of first-time parenthood. Progress on the vegetable garden and other ramblings of a gaijin in Japan’s least populous prefecture.
What little motivation I had was sapped by a lingering cold. Beginning to get the better of it, I harvested the rest of the sweet potatoes. Later in the day, my wife brought back some sushi. After eating it, we both took Kento for an evening walk. I was just about to heat up my cup sake when I thought I best take to the toilet. By my second hurried appointment, I was having to debate which way to face first. I felt dreadful. It was suggested I go to hospital as I might be infected with Anisakis; a parasitic nematode. After another hour of it, I relented and at half ten my wife drove me to the San-in Rosa hospital. Incidentally, over here you check the local newspaper to find which hospital to visit, since they rotate the aliments they treat.
Upon arrival, we had our insurance details taken and joined the back of the queue. I am glad I didn’t have to queue for the only toilet as I was still going both ends and quite explosively too. After sometime, I was then examined and soon found myself prone and on a drip, but not before getting an injection in the arse. There I lay for a good hour and a half thinking about the toilet. Towards the end of my course, I did take to my feet to relieve myself. Sadly, it was another toilet with an empty soap dispenser. Just before two we set off home.
I didn’t get a good explanation of my malady, although the word taichyo was mentioned a few times; something to do with being run down and getting ill. Whilst I was being treated, a father there said both himself and his son had the same sushi. His son took a turn for the worst though, having had a cold. It could be there is higher bacteria count in the fish this time of year. Having a weakened immune system gives rise to the chance of food poisoning. Although over that, I am yet to shake off the cold.
Celia from purple podded peas has tagged me with the Fantastic Four Meme. The idea is five areas with four points in each. These are not in chronological/preferential order. Apologies for skimping on the detail, but this weather is pushing unbearable.
Four jobs I’ve had in my life:
- Risk Management Consultant: Formulation of strategies to manage clients exposure to energy risk.
- Brewer: Moreover, the jobs that come with it.
- Commercial Analyst: Financial appraisal of sustainable energy projects.
- Assistant Entomologist/Crop Physiologist: My work experience whilst at school. I’ve never counted so many aphids.
Four places I have lived:
- Suffolk, England.
- Suffolk, England.
- Suffolk, England.
- Tottori-ken, Japan: We are still here.
Four places I have been on holiday:
- New Zealand: Ten months touring around in a van. I met my wife Ritsue over there.
- Yucatan Peninsula: Guatemala pipped Mexico as my favourite.
- Réunion Island: I think about there often.
- Poland: The first backpacking adventure. Mostly spent in the Tatras.
Four of my favourite foods:
- Pies: Double shortcrust or else.
- Real ale: Sadly over here keg is king.
- Curry.
- Japanese food: There are a few notable exceptions.
Four places I would rather be right now:
- In the garden.
- Down the pub.
- Somewhere a little less humid.
- Anywhere but a city.
The following four are:
The Bon Festival held since the weekend has ended. It is a time where families unite to venerate their ancestors. Graves (haka) are cleaned and at some point, a local Bon dance (bon odori) is performed.
After a tiff with the Nemesis, we went down the road to the gathering. It was one of those times where I was questioning my reason. Is the Japan escapade the better picking for the three of us?
I couldn’t get any decent shots or really capture the atmosphere of the event, but it hit the spot.
Most of the families from the immediate neighbourhood congregated and danced around a Taiko drum in the centre. It serves as a celebration and reminder of the sacrifices made. Bamboo sticks were handed around, and it seemed a little like Morris dance, without partners and bells. After a few dances, including Tanko Bushi where the motions of coal mining played out, everybody sat down talked and drunk the free beer – fruit juice for the children.
It was a hot start to the day, so we decided to go to the nearby Minatoyama Park. The common sits at the foot of the city castle ruins and has a great many Sakura trees. It is coming to the end of the blossoming period and as we walked the petals drifted beside us.
After an unhurried meander, my wife went for a nap whilst I carried Kento up the hill and around the ramparts for a hazy view of the city - most of which is out of shot.
About a week ago, my wife Ritsue, caught a cold and within a couple of days so had I. By now, already dogged by hay fever, I haven’t been in the best of spirits (perhaps wallowing). Yesterday, Kento also fell victim and was taken to be checked out. After a good sleep, it is a boost to see that both he and Ritsue appear to have recovered.
Usually, if I am below par, I prefer to wait and see and not rush off to the doctor. Since it was getting worse, for a number of reasons I made the trip.
The examination was brief, mouth open and a quick flash of the torch (a Maglite). As I was on my last legs I thought perhaps a temperature check, in case of flu.
His findings were unsurprising, I had a sore throat. A real Sherlock Holmes I thought. I was however, presented with a cocktail of drugs.
A little unclear as to what each one does, but recall one is to stop your nose running, another to stop it sneezing, one to stop the pain of a sore throat.
Similar to the last cold, I have kept myself away from everybody. I would have liked to have put the time to better use. Reading was impossible for any length of reasonable time as I couldn’t concentrate or focus. A good example of the latter is when I tried to spruce myself up with a shave; I neglected to notice my beard trimmer was set at the closest setting. Although more youthful in appearance, I know how Samson must of felt.
So over the past week, despite sore sides, I watched my Peter Sellers Pink Panther DVD’s and drunk a lot of Rum.
To coincide with the conclusion of my first year in Japan were usual bureaucratic flaming hoops. Although a cause of anxiety and bother, I suppose on reflection it wasn’t too bad. The officers at the immigration department were helpful as always. Having arranged most of the paperwork on my arrival, the renewal of my Alien card at the local city office took an hour.
With that done (at least for a few years), I can see about renewing my passport so I can leave.
Following the Five Things Meme, five things you may not know about me.
- I am a mixed-hander, right footed with a dominant left eye and generally cack-handed. (Like anything I undertake it is a case of swings and roundabouts. Whilst writing this I managed to pour beer into my slipper having missed my mouth. I tossed Kento’s hat across the room like 007 and it landed squarely on his head).
- My interest in Japan began at an early age whilst practising karate. Sadly I stopped training after nine years.
- I met my wife in New Zealand whilst there for a year. She had just arrived and was posted to the same shared dormitory. I’ll stop short of the cliché.
- After many years, I am still unsure of career to follow. Perhaps it is because to me it seems unnatural to focus on a specific area. That aside, above all, I’ll settle for being a Dad.
- I have an aversion to these sorts of questionnaires (but flattered for the tag).
Apologies to the following…
http://www.bastish.net
http://carletongarden.blogspot.com
http://huswyf.livejournal.com
http://nishikatamama.blogspot.com
http://subvertingoverconsumption.wordpress.com
Plans for the New Year are, first and foremost to stay with my family in Europe for a few months. Secure in the least a reasonable income. The garden will have to take a backseat. Although I expect to be away in the spring, there will still be opportunities throughout the rest of the year in which to exploit the vegetable garden. I would like to grow more from seed and understand more about the individual varieties available here.
In part, perhaps it is a case of seeing what comes up?
Over the last couple of weeks, I have been completing a questionnaire to give an impression into life as an expat. Seemed to have dragged my heels, but I wanted to give an honest opinion without reiterating the obvious. The article can be viewed here: Expat Interviews
Seem to have had the same sort of start to the month as October. Been feeling pretty crappy, perhaps, due in part to the dreary weather. Yesterday was bad, but hopefully have purged all my symptoms. Imbued somewhat, after several bourbon & cocoa tonics, I hope to catch-up on what I had already neglected to do.
I still have the carrots to thin out, forecast is looking favourable early next week.
