sorry for being MIA

...but i've had a valid excuse!!

my first month of living in japan has been pretty good, with the exception of me picking up a case of colitis that derailed me for an entire week. it was pretty crazy, with my entire family getting sick. i lost track of how many times i puked and even crapped a pair of pants. i discovered that it actually is possible to lose three kilograms (almost seven pounds) in one night, although i wouldn't recommend it to anyone under any circumstance, ever. ever.

however, i can attest to how convenient it is to have national health care (yes, one of those perks i get for being a citizen), as well as how convenient it is to live in a big overcrowded city where the doctor's office is literally around the corner. to illustrate, it's closer for me to get to his office than it was for me to get to the mailbox at my house in mountain view.

anyways, at least i survived to tell the story. lots of other things have been going on, from parties to tv shows to even getting a job. i'll try to get around to posting pictures and interesting news over the next couple days. hope everyone back home is healthy!!