Of Sneezes, Coughs, and Holiday Plans

It was inevitable.  It was as certain to happen as the day turning into the night, the eternal progression of the seasons, and intoxication after a third bottle of soju: I am sick.  My nose is dripping like beer from a broken keg.  My throat feels like I have cleaned it with sandpaper.  I am hacking up phlegm just like any good middle aged man in my adopted country would do. 

I get sick about once a year, and when I do I am usually in for two weeks of discomfort.  As I am hardly ever sick, and hence don't use any of my allotted sick days, I decided that good form would be to use one yesterday.  I spent the day in bed drinking orange juice with my dog, Elvis, while my significant other tried to get me to eat.  I did not have much of an appetite yesterday.

I am back at work today.  I could have taken today off from work as well, and the VP told me as much this morning.  He said that he would have been happy to cover my early morning advanced conversation classes for me.  That was a kind if not eye brow raising offer.  Apparently, Korean culture dictates that it is not kind to blow one's nose in public; yet with my present condition I have neither the speed nor the desire to run to the washroom when the need arises.  All of my blowing, much like that of an uncared musical instrument from the 40s, is receiving a lot of glances of disgust and attention today.  So be it.  I would rather blow my nose than to suck back my own mucus as much of students appear to prefer.

It is certain now.  I will not be attending Christmas in Canada this year.  Due to the time constraints of my significant other, and that of my devotion to our relationship, I shall not be partaking in yuletide festivities this year.  No egg nog.  No stockings hung by the chimney with care.  No turkey.  No etc, etc, etc.  After a brief period of mouring for my preceived loss, I am really starting to embrace the possibilities that now lay before me.  We are planning to travel for Christmas.  The students are receiving swine flu vaccinations at school today, and I spent most of the morning looking at pictures of Guam.  I think that we may have a physical and spiritual successor to Christmas in Canada with Guam.  It looks warm and inviting.  I can envision drinking rye and cokes on the beach.  I can imagine pool side bars.  Turkey be damned, bring on the palm trees!

Unfortunately as lovely as this mental picture is there do seem to be two remaining problems. 

1) The significant other is not sold on the idea of Guam and likes the idea of going to Japan.  I want to go to Japan as well, but Japan will be cold and expensive....and I want to drink rye on the beach.

2) I have not informed my excited parents about my decision not to return to Canada for Christmas.  They will undoubtedly be upset.  They may have the opportunity to see me next summer, when I will return to Canada to go to a friend's wedding.....all of that is still up in the air.

Well that is all that I have to say,
I will now go and drain my nose,

Cheers,
Adam