Japan Diaries 4: Week 118
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Week 118: January 29 – February 2, 2024
Day 819: January 29, 2024
Monday – Rumoi
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| Rumoi High School 1.29.24 |
It’s the start of another work week. It is a snowy day but it’s not as cold as the past days. For today’s school visit, I’m back reporting to my main school – Rumoi High School.
Here’s my workload today:
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| Class with Matsuda-sensei |
1st period – L3 P2 School Uniforms @ 1-56 of Matsuda-sensei
2nd period – Future Plans @ 3rd year of Sengoku-sensei
5th period – L3 P2 School Uniforms @ 1-56 of Matsuda-sensei
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| Rumoi English Club |
After classes, we had the English Chat Club. We watched the film Mission Impossible and we did a movie quiz activity after that.
When I got home, my wife and I talked about protecting our health since we all felt a bit sick. We decided to change our lifestyle and diet. For a start, we decided to sleep earlier than usual as it has been normal for us to sleep at around midnight.
Day 820: January 30, 2024
Tuesday – Rumoi
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| Rumoi High School 1.30.24 |
I woke up feeling refreshed as I slept at around 9 PM last night and woke up at around 6:40 AM today. I’m heading back to Rumoi High School for today's visit school. It’s another opportunity to meet my students and JTEs.
Here’s my workload for today:
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| Class with Matsuda-sensei |
3rd period – Future Plans @ 3rd year of Sengoku-sensei
4th period – L10 P1 SDGs – Take Action @ 1-34 of Matsuda-sensei
5th period – L10 P1 SDGs – Take Action @ 1-56 of Matsuda-sensei
Day 821: January 31, 2024
Wednesday – Rumoi (Sick Day 1)
Today is a beautiful day, but unfortunately, my family and I are all experiencing a fever. Concerned about our children, Ella and Kai, my wife and I decided to take them to Rumoi Municipal Hospital for a check-up. The hospital was bustling with activity, and after consulting with the pediatrician, our fears were confirmed – both Ella and Kai tested positive for COVID-19. Thankfully, there were medications available.
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| My family and I went to the hospital so that Ella and Kai could get a check-up |
Realizing I had similar symptoms, I wanted to get tested as well. However, when I reached the registration desk, the nurse informed me that the next check-up slot would be available tomorrow. I immediately informed my supervisors about my situation via LINE.
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| Kai was infected with COVID but he was still all smiles |
Shortly after, I received a message from my JTE at Obira Special Needs High School, stating that my visit there tomorrow was canceled due to an expected blizzard. My supervisor at Rumoi High School also messaged me, acknowledging my intention to take another leave for the following day.
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| Dinner for tonight: Sinigang |
Returning home, a somber atmosphere enveloped the house as the realization set in that we were likely all infected. Refusing to accept it until confirmed by a doctor, I resolved to go back to the hospital the next day for my check-up.
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| Movie night: The Greatest Night in Pop & 65 |
To restore a sense of normalcy, we decided to watch the 2024 Netflix documentary "The Greatest Night in Pop" and the 2023 sci-fi/action film "65" before ending the day.
Day 822: February 1, 2024
Thursday – Rumoi (Sick Day 2) x Ella’s Birthday
My scheduled visit to Obira Special Needs High School was canceled today due to inclement weather. I also requested additional leave to undergo a health check as I've been feeling unwell. Similarly, my daughter was advised to stay home due to the bad weather, and she's expected to be absent from school until Monday due to the ongoing virus situation.
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| We woke up early to greet Ella with a "Happy Birthday" |
Interestingly, the unexpected break from work and school turned out to be a blessing for the family, as today happens to be Ella's birthday. Despite this, I left home early to reach Rumoi Municipal Hospital, only to find a considerable crowd already waiting for check-ups.
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| Driving to Rumoi Municipal Hospital |
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| Rumoi Municipal Hospital |
Starting with blood and urine tests as a returning patient from last week's examination, I learned from the doctor that I have a bacterial infection and might also have COVID-19. He recommended a few days off for recovery and scheduled another check-up for next Tuesday.
Happy birthday, Ella!
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| Caldereta |
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| Buttered garlic shrimp |
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| Caldereta |
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| Calamari |
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| Baked Spaghetti |
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Upon returning home, I was surprised to find that my wife, despite also being unwell, had prepared a feast of baked spaghetti, caldereta, calamari, and buttered garlic shrimp. After a brief rest and capturing photos of the delicious spread with the birthday celebrant, we enjoyed a delightful family feast.
To wrap up the day, my family and I watched episodes 9 and 10 of the Korean drama series "Marry My Husband" before calling it a night.
Day 823: February 2, 2024
Friday – Rumoi (Sick Day 3)
It’s a chilly day in Rumoi City, marking the third day of my sick leave. I am grateful for the additional day to recover and catch up on much-needed sleep, especially considering the difficulty I had falling asleep last night due to the persistent fear of death that loomed in my mind.
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| Video call with my mom |
Following breakfast, my family and I engaged in a lengthy video call with my parents. Observing them, I realized the considerable time I've been away, noticing the aging that had occurred since our last in-person meeting. This sudden realization heightened my sense of how much I missed them, fueling my excitement for our upcoming vacation in the Philippines during the upcoming summer break.
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| Movie Night: "Justice League Crisis On Infinite Earths - Part 1" and "In the Land of Saints and Sinners" |
Being home and having ample time, we indulged in watching several episodes of the Korean series "The Bequeathed" on Netflix, along with episodes 1011 to 1013 of Detective Conan. Post lunch, we immersed ourselves in a film binge, including the 2024 cartoon "Justice League Crisis On Infinite Earths – Part 1" and Liam Neeson’s "In the Land of Saints and Sinners."
Despite the unexpected and unwelcome three-day break due to illness, I managed to assist my Japanese Teacher of English (JTEs) at Rumoi High School earlier in the week before falling ill. I earnestly pray for a complete recovery by next week.
Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 118
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Japan Diaries 4: Week 119
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 119
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