COLDS in the COLD

Yes, my throat is as painful as inflamed!... and it's right in the middle of the cold season.

Here in Japan, it is not that easy to get sick, especially if you are alone. I am still fortunate to live with 2 other priests. Someday, I may find myself living in a faraway parish. So, I'm taking this time as a training.

Because it's the middle of winter, catching a cold is almost as equal to becoming bankrupt! You do not feel like getting out of your room, more so, your own thick "futon". Yet, you just have to get up, dress up, get out and go to the nearest hospital and have yourself checked. Self-medication is also a probability, but with the insurance system here, I'd rather just go to the hospital and avail of it!

And so I went to the hospital this morning. The new system of the Shizuoka City Hospital is really awesome. You just have this hospital card that you register for -- and I did that months ago. Then, you go to the doctor or department the veteran nurse at the counter tells you with a number that was assigned to you for the day through your hospital card. While waiting outside the E.N.T. department, there's a plasma screen that flashes your assigned number so that you'll know how many are still before you. The doctor checks you, asks you questions, prescribes you medicines while typing on the computer. You get out with a polite bow and thank you... and off you go the cashier. The cashier tells you how much you'll pay and tells you to go to the pharmacy window beside it. The receipt you receive has a number that is flashed on a screen. Once you see your number, you go the window and receive your medicine... all packed up with your name, card number and directions. Technology does have it all!

But through it all, all you just desire is to go back to your warm room... and rest....

And after some rest, you just come to discover you have some time for your blog!