Runny noses in the rain

It's been raining almost all week.  We had a little reprieve on Wednesday, where we spent most of the day outside.  But otherwise it has been rain, rain, rain.  You'd think we were in Seattle!  There is a typhoon coming.  After it has it's way with Tokyo, the weather is supposed to get nice - although cold. 

With the change in weather, I noticed a large number of runny noses at the community center on Thursday.  This morning, my son woke up with a stuffed up nose.  I'm not really surprised.  I actually fully expect to be sick quite often during this cold and flu season as our bodies are not used to the viruses over here.  The only thing we can do is be as healthy as possible, wash our hands often, and try to strengthen our immune systems. 

But since the runny nose has started dripping, I've broken out all those packs of tissues that are passed out by people on the street.  As you walk around (usually in high traffic areas) there are people handing out packs of tissues with advertisements in them.  At first, I thought this was great.  You can always use a pack of tissues.  But then I started using them.  Oh, my goodness!  They are the worst tissues ever made.  They are so thin and easily blown through.  I admit I've always been a tissue snob, but I just can't deal with these worthless pieces of paper.  And buying boxes of tissues isn't any better.  They are the same quality.  Argh!  This is why I packed boxes of tissues in my shipment from the US.  Unfortunately, the first runny nose has arrived before my shipment has!  And since it isn't due to be delivered until at least next Friday (per the last update), hopefully, the runny nose will have disappeared by then.  But mark my words - if I ever see nice, quality tissues here, I will buy them.  I don't even care if they are ¥1,000 ($9) a box!

Runny noses or not, life goes on.  We are managing to make things work despite being without my dishes (we are eating on paper plates), wearing the same 5 outfits (getting really sick of the same clothes), and sleeping on the hide-a-bed couch (thank goodness we bought a comfy one for our guests!).  I can't wait to get everything from our house in the US - dishes, clothes, bed, toys, tools, and more.  We are making do with what we have.  We're trying not to buy duplicates since we, well, don't want duplicates!  So, this morning I made pancakes for my sick boy.  I had a bit of a chuckle as I mixed the batter with a kid's spoon (because it was either that or chopsticks) in a double boiler insert.  But they turned out just fine despite my lack of tools. 

The highlight of the day?  It was finding the absolute coolest car I have ever laid eyes on.  (If you haven't seen the movie "My Neighbor Totoro", do it!  It's the best!)