Lessons Learned

I have recently begun taking my life lessons seriously, evaluating my mistakes and trying to make steps to correct future behaviors. That might seem like a stiff and uptight wayt ot start a post, but it is a short post so I wanted to get it off of my chest.

This weekend I got a chance to go down to Tokyo and make a few connections. I met with my contact with the Anglican office in Japan, then got a chance to speak at St. Alban's about ARI. I had some trouble with my speaking in church but rallied after the service and got to make some good connections about ARI. Despite botching my speech I was treated to a great lunch with my new friend Tomoko. After lunch I headed to a natural farmer's gathering at my friends and former roomate Yamato's house. There was a speaker from Osaka, his talk was all in Japanese but I enjoyed watching his enthusiasm and our friend Maria did a great job translating for the two English speakers. On Monday I headed home with the participants who had been in Tokyo for a home stay program, I even got to drive the van. All in all a great weekend was had by all. More to come later.

Peace and love
Mike

Lazarus

Well I made it back from the dead. I spent the last 10 days with my head on a pillow wondering if I would ever feel good again. I had caught the crud that was going around the dorm. We are still debating about its vector but the best I can tell it came down through Steven and then passed through Yukiko to Edo at which point it split to Mahanaz and Leander (my roomate). Around the time Leander was getting better I had been reflecting on my immunity to said crud at which point I got a tickle at the back f my throat and knew I was doomed. It took me out right before it got to Mahanaz's roomate Ven Van. After that it went down the hall to Kina and I have lost track of it. The crud was manifested in a wretched cough, headache, congestion, and occassional fever. You can spot it in a victom when they are shuffling listlessly through the halls, eyes heavy and demeanor blunted. In general the patient will have slept too much but remained tired. The tell tale sign is the cough. After a week I went to the doctors and he perscribed a whopping arsenal of pills (7 pills 3 times a day for 3 days) and though some of the infection is still present my general health and life outlook is greatly improved. I will keep you all informed if there is another outbreak, be vigilant in your homes and drink plenty of water. Get some good food, visit some friends and take care of yourselves out there, life is a full contact sport with a 0% survival rate.


Peace and Love

Mike