A slipped disc (not mine)

Hmmm. I thought it interesting yesterday that some people knew exactly what I was talking about when I spoke of plasters and some people didn't... In Japanese these are called shippu. In English it translates as poultice or compress or plaster. They are jellylike sheets that are cool to the touch and become cooler after they are applied to the skin. I suppose they must have menthol or something in them and they do have an aroma but not too unusually strong. No one in my American family has ever heard of them but here in Japan I have them overflowing from my drawers! I've never thought too highly of these plasters because it seems like they don't go to the cause of the pain and only give temporary relief but right now they are better than nothing...

Since I'm down and out with a sore back how about a story about when Tetsu was the one with the slipped disc. Tetsu and I had been married for about a month. We lived in an apartment and one day he was pulling weeds during the regulation neighborhood cleanup day. Suddenly he came crawling back into the apartment. Literally crawling! He didn't get farther than the hallway and I didn't know what had happened or what to do.

"I think I've slipped a disc." Right there, that was beyond my Japanese vocabulary. I was still trying to get used to words like "My husband..." and "I'm married..."

There was a medical dictionary in the next room (of course that I didn't know about) and Tetsu instructed me to bring it to him. But I couldn't read the characters on the book spines and ended up bringing him armloads of books for him to choose from. I finally got him the right book and he determined that yes, he probably had a slipped disc. Now what to do...

In the end I brought him the telephone (thankfully it had a long cord) and he called the ambulance himself. He was probably thinking that with this new non-Japanese speaking/reading/writing/nor comprehending wife that his life was in danger!

"I need an ambulance. Yes, well, it's for me. Well, I know that normally people don't call an ambulance for themselves but I do need one and my wife doesn't know how to call you."

As it turned out I didn't know how to do much of anything. We got to the hospital but I couldn't check Tetsu in because I couldn't write his name (nor MY name) in Japanese. I hadn't memorized the characters yet. I couldn't even give the nurses our address because I hadn't lived there long enough to learn it yet.

Poor Tetsu was in the hospital about week and I vowed to at least learn how to write our names!

Doctor visit

I am hanging in there with my bad back. Thank you for asking BrendaLou. I don't like to dwell on aches and pains but I thought a post on Japanese clinics might be of interest so bear with me today.

I rarely have to go to the doctors. Over the years I've always been in good health so my visits are few and far between. But yesterday I decided to go to the doctor. First thing to decide is which doctor to go to... We have orthopedists and chiropractors. There are acupuncturists and Chinese pressure point doctors as well as bone setters. I don't really understand the differences so just figuring out where to go is such a pain that I'd rather just wait things out.

Bone setters often deal with dislocations and sport injuries. I've taken Takumi and Leiya to bone setters before with fair results. I've never been to a chiropractor in Japan. I've never been to an acupuncturist either but I have some American friends who swear by them! Unfortunately they recommend someone in a different prefecture so that was out and I wasn't adventuresome enough to try some place with a billboard on the street yesterday. Instead I went to a local orthopedist.

Doctors in Japan usually have their own small clinic/hospitals. They can be quite well equipped and well staffed but not particularly private. When I arrived at 8:15 in the morning there were already about 15 people waiting on benches in the waiting room. (And I'd chosen this doctor because Tetsu said he'd heard there was less waiting there then other clinics!) Most hospitals don't have an appointment system. You just come and sign in and wait your turn. Sometimes you can wait for most of the morning! Yesterday most of the people in the waiting room were older people.

"Where were you yesterday?" "My goodness, you are late this morning aren't you?" "I really don't want to get put on the machine today. That is painful!"

It sounded like going to this doctor was a regular event for these people and a couple of ladies were giving each other neck massages right there in the waiting room. I think most of them went directly to the physical therapy room because they didn't seem interested in seeing the doctor at all.

This hospital is private and fairly new, so it seemed fresh and clean and very pleasant. (Some of the older hospitals are dark and drab and slightly grimy...) There was the usual entrance hall where patients take their shoes off and change into hospital slippers; the usual benches facing a large TV attached to a wall. I read a book until I was called into the corridor in front of the examining room. One room (one doctor) with a short curtain dividing the doctor from the waiting patients (about 6 of us lined up on another bench). As each of us got called in, the rest of us could listen to the doctor's questions and watch the slippers under the curtain as the patient stood or climbed on the examining table etc.

My turn came and I put my handbag and book in a laundry basket and then sat in front of the doctor on a stool as he asked me questions and recorded my answers in his computer. I don't think he looked at me once! Nor I him... It was more interesting to see what he found important to type into his computer. I was asked to stand and bend over and lean back and then he did a little maneuvering of my legs on the examining table and finally I was sent back out to the corridor to wait a turn in the x-ray room.

I guess x-rays are x-rays in any country, and pretty soon I was back in the corridor. Finally another two minute chat with the doctor (I made it a point to look at him and ask a couple questions of my own!) who said my x-rays were fine so he was sending me home with pain killers and plasters.

"Please come back in ten days if you don't feel better."

So what do I think of Japanese hospitals? I miss the friendliness of the nurses and the doctor. In Japan everyone is very businesslike and professional. Conversely, the doctor isn't as absolute and doesn't instill quite as much confidence as the American doctors I've seen. The conversation goes,

"Well, I can't be sure but I don't think..." "Why don't you just wait..." "It might be..."

The hospitals are modern and (recently) try to be decorated pleasantly but not particularly comfortable. The doctor seems hurried (well, he has to be when there are now thirty people in his waiting room, he is the only doctor and it is still only 9:00 in the morning!) but not uncaring. I guess I feel sorry for the poor doctor when I have minimal complaints and there are probably others that need him more so I try to get out as quickly as possible.

For 5 minutes of the doctor's time, two x-rays, and two weeks of pain killers and plasters I paid the equivalent to $24. Social insurance pays the other 60%. I'd say that's a bargain! That is the good thing about health care in Japan. Everyone can afford it!

So I'm home and fine as all things go.

Tetsu is doing all the housework. The cats don't like the smell of the plasters. (Do we even HAVE these in the States? They are staples in Japanese doctors arsenals.) Choco is going without her long afternoon walks again. I am feeling guilty for not doing anything and just eating and watching TV. (I'm also trying to put on binding in a horizontal position. Not too successful!)

Back to my TV. Sorry if I don't go blog visiting again for a while. My back doesn't like my computer chair!

An eating experience

Yesterday three of my students/friends took me out to lunch at a VERY elegant Japanese restaurant! The food was delicious and so beautifully served. Every time I go to a Japanese restaurant that specializes in all the little mouthfuls of food I take out my camera (and so does everyone else by the way!) Each tiny portion is served on just as tiny dishes and some have lids and are tiered. When the waitress brings in a tray and places it in front of you, you think someone has handed you a treasure chest.

"What might be in this lovely blue jewel box of ceramic? Look at this tiny box no larger than a pillbox. What is hidden inside?"



Five sweet beans. Tidbits of fish and chicken and shrimp each prepared in a different way. A slice of eggplant with a sprinkling of sesame seeds. Three slices of different sashimi. A spoonful of seaweed. A bite of melt in your mouth pork. Beside each place there was a small individual stone grill (with a patio light that burned about 5 minutes) and we were instructed on grilling our three slices of beef and slice of pumpkin to our own perfection. Oh, and dipping sauces for the grilling and the sashimi. Let's see, what else? A slice of sweet omelet. One large shellfish. And of course rice and of course miso soup. For dessert there was a small serving of green tea ice cream with a dollop of sweet bean paste and a rice dumpling. And a demitasse serving of coffee.



Really, if you come to Japan you have to approach the art of eating with an open attitude. Eating is not just for nutrition or to fill one's stomach. It is a celebration of the season and an artistic expression reflecting on the waitress, on the chef, on the restaurant. Cool hand towels will be presented to you in the summer months, hot towels in the winter. Iced wheat tea will welcome summer guests, steaming barley tea will be presented to winter guests. In the small alcove, a delicate sprig of flower or tree branch will beckon the outdoor scenery right into the simple elegant room.

The chef's pride in his artistic arrangement of dishes and ingredients is evident everywhere. Colors play an important part. Textures play an important part. One can patronize the same restaurant and order their lunch special and depending on the season, flowers and leaves will be incorporated into the artistry as will different dishware. The chef chooses his dishes carefully to enhance the morsels of food depending on the season and flavors.



You've never eaten seaweed? Try it. It is worth the experience of an unusual texture and it is only a bit. Sashimi? Well, it is a delicacy and different fish have different textures and raw fish has the least fishy smell or taste of any fish. A sweet bean won't hurt you. Different maybe yes. But that is why you are in the Japan anyway, to experience a different culture and to see what other people appreciate.

Eating a Japanese meal is a learning experience for some, an act of appreciation for others. And an elegant feast for many!

Beetles (and a bad back)

I've got a problem today. I think I slipped a disc or something. Anyway I've got a backache down to my toes and am walking and sitting gingerly or not at all. The unfortunate news is that I can't sew (because it hurts to raise my leg to push the foot pedal. This is the first time I've ever wished I had a sewing machine with manual speed control!). The other bad news is I have to go in to the next city in a couple hours. Maybe aspirin will help. The good news is that I'm not teaching any kindergarten classes today. That would have been a bummer. There will be no jumping around and crawling around on the floor for me today! (And no sewing.)

Yesterday, my pastor who lives on the other side of the forest, was out for a walk and he stopped by my house. And guess what a Japanese pastor brings on a house call? (No, not really.) Six beetles! My pastor's grandsons are going to be visiting him this week from Tokyo so he walked around the forest and found beetles for them. Actually I would think the grandsons would like to go looking for the beetles themselves but maybe my pastor just uses that as an excuse and just likes going beetle hunting.

Anyway I was surprised that beetles could be found so easily around here and commented that in all my years of living here I've never found a beetle. Of course I don't go looking for beetles very often though I know the neighborhood kids have found some in the forest because they've brought them to show me (just like my pastor!) BUT! Last night the cats all started making a ruckus because of some noise on the window screen and low and behold when I checked, there was a beetle trying to flap his/her way into my house! I put the poor thing back in the forest before the cats turned him into a cat toy. They were VERY interested!

Okay, I've got to go get ready to go out... It is going to take me a bit longer than usual so I am signing off!

Japanese lesson

How about a Japanese lesson today?

Remember last week when I said that our family takes a long time to make any decisions? Well, Tetsu finally decided to join the swimming center not too far from us. He took the "plunge" and enrolled on Saturday and since then has gone Saturday night, Sunday night and Monday night (yesterday.)

Tetsu is very happy! He expounds on the wonderful benefits of water training. He explains how he is walking around the pool and moving his arms and taking long steps and enjoying the scenery (a small part of the pool is outside, the rest indoors). He discourses about how the center should set up a rewards system so that members might reach their goals with more enthusiasm. He raves about how great this place is and how he looks forward to stopping in after work. He even talked with his convalescent home's doctor, got some advice and then gave me the low down on what is the best swimming schedule for getting and staying in shape. This morning he flexed his muscles and asked me if didn't he look slimmer, more fit.

This is after three days!

I gave a less than enthusiastic response to his new physique (if there is one).

"Tetsu, three days? Can you really expect any great changes in three days? I'm so glad you're enjoying yourself but you know that place has been there 10 years and you always pooh-poohed the amount of training one could get there. Ask me again in a month, and don't give up after three days."

That's the Japanese lesson. In Japanese we have a phrase called "mikka bouzu" which means; "a person with no perseverance; a person who cannot stick to anything." Literally it translates as "a three day Buddhist priest". It has been three days and Tetsu has gone off this morning with his swimming gear over his shoulder so hopefully he'll make it to the fourth!

My wonderful, excited husband. I really should have a better attitude...

Trials

I've added triangles to the batik star quilt and we'll see what it tells me it needs next. Isn't it interesting how the stars appear.

I also started sewing 2" squares together in a trial run for a project for my two girls this week. I've got a nice bin full of already sewn leaders/enders and I thought it would be nice to use those. Can these girls sew the L/E parts together? Can they fit the seams together? Are they going to be able to straight line quilt this?

I need to get my old sewing machine out and see if it still works because I'm going to need a machine each for these girls...

And just for Japanese trivia/news. Today Japan is trying out the jury system for the first time. They've been preparing for this big day for years and today will be the first trial with a public jury. This first jury will be made up of 6 lay members, plus 3 professional judges. Actually the Japanese citizens are not too happy about this change in the judicial system. The general feeling is that it is too much responsibility to put on a mere citizen and no one wants to be involved in life-changing decisions for the accused.

Quilt voices

I got some sewing done yesterday. I started in on the Mexican Stars quilt. Actually I had cut out most of the pieces a few days ago and I sewed them together the day before yesterday. Yesterday I did the finishing touches on the top.

Well. I went ahead and used the rust fabrics just because that was the original plan. Hmm. Okay I guess. I love the pattern but the rusts are kind of bland. Maybe Mexican looking though... Sort of an adobe feel... The curve effect is made last and that was easy to do, too.

Now I have to figure out what to do about quilting. This ALWAYS happens when I am thinking of doing machine quilting. When I do hand quilting I consider different feathers and motifs and draw them in and know exactly what I'm going to be doing for the next month or two. With machine quilting I don't have the slightest idea where to start. Do I want to just fill in the lighter areas? CAN I even make uniform feathers all meandering around. I know with hand quilting that unless I spill a cup of coffee on it I probably won't ruin the quilt but with machine quilting my quilt always is at risk of being ravaged. I imagine a quilt looking up at me and saying,

"Be gentle. Try not to kill me. I'd much rather make friends with your quilting hoop than with your sewing machine."

I'm still considering Mexican quilting designs. (CT, do you have any advice for me?)

Oh well. While I was up in the sewing room and really seeing this quilt in batiks I started cutting into more fabrics. I sort of designed as I went along because most of my batiks are in fat quarters. (The pattern calls for width of fabric). Doubts about how this is going too because it is too lavender and green for me at this point. Maybe some black in there? Some pink or orange? What is this quilt saying to me?

"I can be SOOOO stunning! You need to put something else up there so that I'll really shine!"

I hope I'm not the only one who hears quilt voices...