Scurrilous Sam

I wish I had a pet squirrel named Sam who could talk. He would often be coarse and vulgar, and I'd call him Scurrilous Sam, and we'd tour the country (not this one, that one over there with the English) going from nightclub to nightclub, spreading joy.

This post is for two people: one who is named dan and the other who got bored of the previous post.

Today I looked into grad schools in London on Claire's recommendation. Apparently I got too discouraged by her initial description of LSE. She thinks I'd get more out of it than she did (nevermind that she got the highest mark you could possibly get!). The good thing about England is I've always wanted to live there and I think the schools are cheaper than American schools. The bad thing is it's rainy and there are too many English people.

Also I went to the doctor today. I was feeling sharp shooting pains in my left lung, that emanated from the centre and went through my torso and arms. Alarmed, I corresponded with Veronica, who told me to go to the doctor. Already leaning in this direction, I was galvanized and took off for my school and translation services to be supplied by my lovely tantosha. Small spat ensued (of course) and then we were on our way. The doctors (a husband-wife team in a tiny clinic) were friendly and spoke English. Also she gave birth to her son in Toronto, of all things. Mr. Doctor told me I had a benign neuralgia, and not to worry. That just means it's some random nerve pain that is insignificant. Or is it perhaps over-laden with signification? It's just such a relief to be able to see an English-speaking doctor. I had saved up many medical questions and I think I overwhelmed them a little, but they were very gracious and even gave me some compresses for my shoulder which has been painful of late. I hope to go back soon!

On the Claire visit tip, she's gone. I'm sad, and was ever so glad that she came and visited. Yesterday she insisted on going through the sketchy part of Osaka that alternated strip clubs with pricy good restaurants, but I'm glad she did because I would have taken us to a mall and how lame a last Japanese meal would that have been. Instead our Japanese meal was Korean, and bulgogi, which is their version of yakiniku. I think Claire has now tried every food that Japan has to offer. She really did have a foodish trip, and I'm inspired to do the same next time I travel to a weird place. Japan is definitely a weird place. At the Korean joint there was a matronly matron who helpfully helped us cook our meal. We didn't know what the hell we were doing with the lettuce leaves and the grill and meat, but she did it for us, hovering over us. There were garlic chunks and miso paste and cabbage salad and those go on the meat, and it is wrapped in a lettuce leaf. Then you eat it in one or two bites and it's delicious!