Swine Flu

It's my first day staying home, or house arrested, whatever you want to call it. My doctor said I have to rest/not go out for 2 days after my fever is gone. It's only my first day and I think I'll have at least 2 or 3 more days like this. I'm bored out of my mind. So far I've watched Japanese movies/dramas, checked my email like every minute, window shopped online, dreamed about shopping in Ginza when I feel better, drank tons of water and Aquarious, checked my temperature every hour, and thought to myself how the f*ck did I get the swine flu in Japan?!

Since I'm so bored, I want to educate you all on the symptoms I had and how it felt before I went to the hospital. It all started with a cough. Not the normal petty cough, but the "I just smoked a fatty" or "smoker's cough". I had that cough for a day or two and thought I was just catching a cold so I took some over the counter medicine and sucked on some cough drops. Then yesterday morning, I woke up with the same cough and I felt like I had a fever, not to mention my body felt like I ran a marathon the day before and I was aching from head to toe. I took my temperature at 9am and it was 99.1 or something like that. Since it wasn't that high, I decided to go back to sleep and try to sleep it out, but at the same time, I was like, "I have a fever, my body aches, I have a cough... this is definitely the flu." So before I went to sleep again I checked online what the symptoms of the flu was and to no surprise, it was all the symptoms I had. I finally went back to sleep after telling myself I'm OK and it's not the damn flu. I woke up at around noon and took my temperature again and it was 100.6 and this time I woke up feeling shittier than before. I can't really remember what happened between noon and 2pm, but I woke up at 2pm and took my final temperature before going to the hospital and it was 101.8 and I so I thought, "It's time."

I could hardly walk to the hospital, if anything I looked like those 80 year old Japanese grandmas who's back is so hunched they become 3'5''. I was surprised that I could speak to the nurses and doctor in Japanese and tell them my symptoms and answer their questions. Anyway, the funny grandpa doctor took my flu test and it came out positive and he said, "あ〜やっぱりインフルエンザだ！” or "Ah, after all its the flu (influenza)!" He even tried to speak English to me, which made me laugh, but I couldn't laugh and all that I could do was cough instead.

So here I am, the day after, with a slight fever, the same nagging cough and a sore body. I haven't eaten anything real for the past 2 days and I don't feel like eating anything so I almost force myself to eat some yogurt or jelly (jello like foods) because I need to eat something small with my medicine.

I just researched online how many people in Japan have the swine flu and since May, about 11 million people have reported positive. And about 100 of those 11 million people with the swine flu have died, including someone in their 20s! I honestly thought the swine flu was such a joke and that I would NEVER get it in my life because I am young and healthy -- I thought the swine flu hit children and the elderly. Apparently I was so wrong and I am not god-like after all. I almost laughed at people who wore masks everywhere (on the train, shopping, at school), but now here I am a mask wearing, influenza sickened person who looks like I've been homeless for a week. (see picture)

久しぶりだね！

久しぶりです！ (It's been a while!)

I have another blog that I update more often... but I write all in Japanese, as a practice to be able to speak and write better, so thats why I haven't updated this blog as often.

Anyway, my trip home last month was great. I got to see people I wanted to see and I got to do things that I wanted to do, although one week in Hawaii is definitely too short. There's nothing like Hawaii. And I can say that with confidence, after living in Los Angeles for 5 years and Japan for 6 months, and having traveled to many places. Hawaii is truly the best place to live. BUT, as I stay strong to that opinion, I also feel strongly that one must go out and experience life outside of Hawaii to truly understand the beauty and happiness of the islands. Without living away from the islands, you can't appreciate what Hawaii has to offer. Thus, my want to go away to LA for college and now live in Japan. I know what Hawaii has to offer and I will return one day, but for now I want to spread my wings and experience things that I could never do or see being isolated on the tiny island of Oahu. I enjoyed my 5 years in LA and I'm enjoying every day here in Japan as well. I have no regrets and I'm happy for my decisions.

I didn't intend on writing an essay about Hawaii, but something inside of me told me to explain why I decided to move to Japan. Many people have asked me why I'm living here and why I'm not living in paradise instead. And each time, I explain what I just wrote and some people understand, and some people don't. I get bored of things fast -- my hair, my nail color, cameras, fashion, music, etc -- and living in Hawaii this year from February to July was to routine for me. I need change. I need excitement. I need challenges. Although change, excitement and challenges enhances my anxiety disorder, I just keep on fighting and trying my hardest at life's battles. I am so proud of my achievements and failures. My parents and family have given me so much - they have made my roots strong with education, values, morals and belief - and that is why I am able to do what I do today.

I will endure my first Christmas AND New Years away from Hawaii and my family and friends this year. I am, of course, sad and have wishes to be at home in the sun with good food and good company, but for once I feel like I can be alone and try something new. I actually want to experience this holiday season in a different city, or country for that matter. For 22 years I have had Christmas in Hawaii, and for 21 years I have rung in the New Year there too (last year I was in LA). For my 23rd year of life, I want to be the first one in my family to say, "Happy 2010!", 19 hours before Hawaii rings in the new year. For some reason, this year I am strong!

There have been many challenges I have experienced in the past 6 months here in Japan and I have much more battles to go, but every day I am thankful for life and for the people who have made me who I am today. Don't think that a day goes by and I don't think about you, because I think about you all every day. I may not speak to you or send an email everyday, but I thank you for supporting me and raising me to become who I am, So thank you Mom, Dad, Derek, Grandma, Grandpa, Grandpa Kazunaga, Aunty Bobbie and Uncle Jiro, Randal, Lance, Aunty Lisa and Uncle Allen, Sachi, Kevin, Uncle Ross and Aunty Janet, Chase and of course Jesus Christ -- Thank you all for all your unconditional love.






Now, I'm going to cook dinner, eat, and sleep knowing tomorrow will be a better day!


LOVE.

One Week!

In one week I'll be back home on the beautiful rock called Oahu! 本当に待てないよ！(I seriously can't wait!)

Just thought I make a list of things I want to do, in no particular order:

- beach/surf everyday
- eat shave ice at least 3 times
- go shopping! (clothes in Japan are expensive!)
- walk my dog everyday
- get a haircut at Paul Brown
- get a mani/pedi
- go out with my friends
- cook dinner with my mom
- go fishing with my dad
- sleep in my parents bed with our dog too, yes I'm a 23 year old baby.
- drink POG juice till I get sick of making shishi
- catch up on American TV!!
- RELAX!

I pretty much can't wait to get back into the water and see my parents, dog, family and friends. It just started to get cold in Tokyo so I'm definitely wanting some warm weather! See you all soon! ♥

Happy Birthday Dad!!

パパ、お誕生日おめでとう!!
(Dad, Happy Birthday!!)

Hope you have a great birthday... I'm so blessed to have a loving dad like you! You taught me so much and have given me more than I could have ever needed, and for that I'm so grateful for you! You're the best dad in the world and I'm so glad you're mine! Love you so much!

Can't wait to go to the beach with you and go fishing, cook dinners, play with ChaiChai, and everything else. See you in 12 days!

Happy Birthday Pops!

This one's for you, Mom and Dad.

So after years and years of my dad telling me to "stop cracking my neck", I finally realized I really need to stop. I'm pretty sure I crack my neck every day and have been doing so for many years now; it's almost like second nature to me. I crack my neck without thinking -- it's really like breathing to me.

However, yesterday I cracked my neck and ended up with a painful stiff neck. I thought I slep awkwardly, but I was wrong because when I woke up I can clearly remember that my neck was fine. In the afternoon my neck became sore and I couldn't look up or towards the side. I iced my neck, took a hot shower and massaged the affected areas. This morning when I woke up, it was still painful, but I could move it a little more. It almost feels like the first time my chiropractor adjusted my neck, but 10 times worse.

Thank you mom and dad for always telling me what's right and I'm sorry for not listening to you, but trust me, from today on out I will (try) not crack my neck again! Love you! XOXO.

帰る〜ぜ！

十月十九日から二十七日まで，ハワイに帰るよ！やっと！
(From October 19-27, I'm returning to Hawaii! Finally!)

As my Japanese is getting better, reading and writing becomes easier - so I'm going to be trying to write more in Japanese in my blog.

ANYWAY, I'm finally going home after 4 months in Japan... I can't wait to surf, eat, see family and friends, play in the sun. There's so much I want to do and I'm only home for a week so I'm definitely going to make the most out of it! I want to get myself out of this almost boring routine I have here in Japan (wake up, ride the train, work, ride the train study Japanese, etc.)... but I'm afraid that if I have too much fun and enjoyment in Hawaii, I'm not going to want to return to Japan! やばい！

I'm slowly missing the little things that I love about Hawaii. But, seriously its not the right timing as Japan's just going to get worse from here -- its going to be super cold, bad weather, etc. Nonetheless, I'm going to still try to stay as positive as I can and spread aloha everyday!

PEACE!

I'm not going to worry ( ^_^ )!

From an article I found on yahoo today:

"There is nothing positive about being a worry wart."

Do you worry too much?

Some worrying is good. It warns us of error and helps with decision-making. But if you find yourself worrying all the time, you are robbing yourself of precious energy and happy hours.

When you worry, your body tenses, your mind races and your heart stresses. Focusing on negative future outcomes or past failures is an unhealthy way to spend your time.

Resolve to regain this lost energy. Focus on today and handle things as they occur. Know that what’s happened in the past is water under the bridge. Remember that what may happen in the future is, for the most part, out of your control. Live, happily, in the “here and now.” It’s the only way to thrive!


I feel like I've overcome so much since my panic attacks and days of worrying... but its always a nice reminder to keep on doing what I'm doing and worry as little as possible!

LOVE!