A Quick Update

OK, I have been saying for weeks that I will be updating this blog. So here goes: 1. Kai came down with "ringo-byo"(literally, apple sickness) in early July. I googled it to learn more amount this mysterious sickness which I have never heard of. It is known in the English-speaking world as "slapped-cheek" disease and "the fifth disease". Still never heard of it before. All it did to Kai was give him very rosy cheeks, like apples. Oh, and if he is exposed to the sun, his skin will be very itchy. It did not keep him away from school as once you show signs of the disease, you are no longer infectious. But infect he did, as Taiga got it next. 2. Two weeks back, Taiga came down with mumps. Was absolutely miserable. He got his revenge back on Kai. Kai came down with mumps yesterday. Absolutely miserable (but still manages to play Wii or Playstation all day). 3. Kai's mumps caught me by surprised. I thought he has been immunised. I know we are late doing his immunisations but we rushed to catch up earlier this year and the doc told us in April that he is up-to-date. 4. Tomo went to Tohoku over the long weekend in July to volunteer to clean up the area. That will be a separate blog post with photos. Hopefully up soon. 5. After the earthquake, some expats permanently left Japan. Those that did not permanently leave in the immediate aftermath, are looking to leave now. They are all hoping to be working at new jobs outside of Japan by January next year. I am going to have quite a few friends leaving. Sigh. And everyone wants to go to Singapore! The irony of it for me.