How to get through a cold, the "kawaii" way.

I believe the picture says it all but allow me to elaborate. First, notice my super cute pop art strawberry table which I purchased about a year ago. Second, note my adorable first aid box which replaced my drawers of medical mess, as well as my pretty (yet slightly chipped) mug and coaster which I bought in a fond favourite Japanese shop of mine; DAISO.

Aside from all the materialistic goodness, it is obvious to see that I have not been feeling top notch recently, due to the never-ending winter of Hokkaido. I've had a snotty nose, chesty cough and squinty eyes due a migraine here and there for over a week; all highly attractive assets that make me feel fabulous every morning.

I dragged myself to work on Monday and Tuesday, but waved a white flag and took the day off on Wednesday, as I knew that there was nothing in particular that I was needed for in my schedule. I didn't come down with a fever or a temperature, but that one day's rest did so much more good. I got through it with lots of sleep, herbal teas, cold medicines, throat sprays and nasal sprays (see above) and throat sweets. As well as...

Japanese style thermometer, which you place under your armpit. Yes.

Yuzu (citron) jam tea, which I bought in Korea last year.
...maybe I should check the b.b.d.

Pocky; not a necessity, but more for a personal boost &"energy"
(plus the lace packing was just too pretty I couldn't help buy it,
& I'm a sucker for these "limited time only flavours")

Back to work on Thursday and Friday though, still sniffling and feebly choking. Still have to clear my throat occasionally as well as carry around a pack of tissues constantly, but feeling much better nonetheless. As to the tissues, I love that in Japan you will never be short of them. Thanks to their clever advertising scheme of handing out tissue packs with advert leaflets (mostly for karaoke shops and phone dating services) if you ever forget them or find yourself in a position where you are in need of them, you are most likely to be able to get a pack from someone handing them out in the streets. I already took advantage of this in Sapporo earlier today.

As the school year begins in April and ends in March in Japan, so does the year in terms of jobs. There's been a few newbies at the City Hall where I work out, as well as workers been moved around the departments. It seems to be the system to rotate people in the City Hall....though I wouldn't know the system in the UK to compare. No people have moved in our section, though our section, or rather our office itself has been moved. Friday night after work was spent carting file cabinets, desks and chairs over with the help of other strong, dependable men in our department. Will be interesting to see what the atmosphere of our office will be as of tomorrow in a new room with different workers around us...