Wednesday, January 30, 2008


For the past 3 days, I have been sick with the flu. It hit me really hard Sunday night and I have been miserable since then. Headache, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, and all around weakness. I didn't go to class on Monday or Tuesday. Last night, I thought I was getting a little bit better, but around eleven, I got really cold all of a sudden. I turned the heater on in my room, but nonetheless, I started shaking because I was so cold. I got really scared, so I tried calling Erin. She didn't answer, so I just sat on the floor, hoping it would just go away.


Okay, before I finish the rest of the story, let me just tell you about my roommate. She's Japanese and speaks good English, but when there's an urgent situation or something that requires a lot of thought or input, she sometimes gets flustered, forgets her English and is unsure of what to say. And for those of you who know me at all, you know that these kinds of situations are a common occurrence in my life. Whenever I've had a bad day or I don't feel well, I try not to bother her because I know that she struggles knowing what to say. She could definitely express what she wants in her own language, but sadly, Japanese is not my first language.


So. . . I'm sitting on the floor of my room, shaking from feeling so cold when the room is about a thousand degrees, and in walks Akiko. She knew something was wrong, so she came and sat by me. I told her how I felt, she asked me if I wanted to go to the hospital, and then she just took my hand, laid her head on mine, and waited. The cold chills went away, she made me some hot tea and told me to get in bed and rest. She was just what I needed.

2 comments:

Robin said...

Sometimes words aren't what we need. Hope you're feeling better.

PS - I approve of your book list so far.

PPS - Nagoya is swell. You should come.

Robin said...

PPPS - Can you update your link to my blog? I'm not posting at blogspot anymore; here's my other address:

www.japanlog.wordpress.com

Thanks.