1ヵ月半ぶりに短いけどちょっと散歩にも行けるようになりました。
She was able to go out for a walk, though very short, first time in 8 weeks.
April 14, 2016
Dog Update
ユキ、なんとか山を越えて快方にむかってるみたい？
1ヵ月半ぶりに短いけどちょっと散歩にも行けるようになりました。
I hope she has turned the corner for improvement.
She was able to go out for a walk, though very short, first time in 8 weeks.
1ヵ月半ぶりに短いけどちょっと散歩にも行けるようになりました。
She was able to go out for a walk, though very short, first time in 8 weeks.
April 10, 2016
I Have a Teenager
ライチ、13歳になりました。ティーネイジャー！この調子で二十歳まで頑張ってもらいたいものです。
Our little one has turned 13 years old. I had never thought I would have a teenager. I would love to see her turn 20.
April 9, 2016
Collapsed Trachea
ユキの咳が続くばかりかひどくなる一方な上、立ち上がるのもやっとな状態になり、先週の日曜日にまたしても獣医さんに行ってきました。
そしてレントゲンにはっきりくっきり写ったのは虚脱気管。気管が狭くなってるのです。
バレーフィーバーと関係があるかないかは別として、このつぶれたストローのように狭くなった気管がひどくなる咳の原因なのでした。
これまで飲んでいた非ステロイド系坑炎症剤をやめて、1週間後に副腎皮質ステロイドを始めましょう、と言われて帰ってきました。(非ステロイドと副腎皮質ステロイドを混ぜるとお腹に良くないらしい）
ところが、家に帰ってきてから今度はユキ、首が痛いみたいでヒーヒーしちゃって、右に頭を向けられないのでずっと左回りで、夜もあまり寝られず、朝はドッグフードに見向きもせず、普段なら喜んで直上ジャンプになるホットドッグにも見向きもせず。
急遽獣医さんに電話して、午後の予約を入れてもらいました。
急いで仕事に行って、半休とってお昼にあがって、二日連続獣医さん。
でもなんか朝のうちに首が痛いのは直っちゃったみたい(笑）
なんか、多分、レントゲン撮ってる時に首ひねっちゃったのかな。
ちょうど、日曜に撮ったレントゲンの検査報告が放射線科医から戻ってきて、それもぎっしり１ページ強に渡る結果報告で、獣医さんも「いや～、電話で伝えるには長すぎるから、ちょうど予約が入ってよかったよ」だって。そりゃ獣医さんは治療費の心配しなくていいから、気軽にそう言えるわよね。
結果：
１．虚脱気管。
２．肺に水。
３．足のリンパ腺炎症。
なんかもう、なんだよね。診断結果、多すぎ。獣医さんもびっくりしてました。
そんなわけで、具合悪すぎるので1週間待たずに副腎皮質ステロイド療法決行。
副腎皮質ステロイドの効果は抜群で、翌日には咳がすっかり止まったし、元気も出てきたけど、ここ2日ほどまたユキの目から生気がなくなってて、ちょっと心配。
早く良くなってまた散歩に行ける日が来るといいんだけど。
What now, 5 visits to the vet in 2 months. I wish they had a frequent customer reward.
The dog's cough had gotten worse and we took her back to the vet last Sunday. After yet another set of x-rays, we found that she has a collapsed trachea. The narrowed trachea was the culprit of causing her coughs.
Since she was on NSAID, the vet prescribed Prednisone, but told us to wait for a week (because it is apparently not good for stomach to mix NSAID and corticosteroid).
However, she started yelping after we got home, and looks like something was wrong with her neck. On Monday morning, she could not turn her head to right and circling to her left. She did not even touch the dog food. That concerned me. Even though she had been pretty badly ill for the past month, she always had appetite. I tried to give her some hot dogs, which she would usually go crazy, and she did not touch it either. That concerned me gravely. So I had to call the vet to make an appointment right away.
The earliest appointment they had was 1 pm, so I went to work, took a half day off, and came back home and took her to the vet. The good thing was, her neck had gotten better by then. So I just overreacted and wasted my half day and had to spend another vet bill.
The good thing was that the vet had gotten the radiology report back from the radiologist (the vet takes the x-rays and view them on the sport but also send the images to some certified radiologist for review as well). It was a very thick, single-spaced, overflowing to the second page report. (I read people's radiology reports daily and this report was crazy long compared to human radiology report)
The impression:
1. Collapsed trachea.
2. Fluid in lung.
3. Lymphanopathy in hind legs.
Great. Yeah. On top of Valley Fever.
So the vet told us that we are behind the game and needed to up the ante, and we decided to begin the Prednisone right away.
Pred worked its miracle. The coughing stopped almost overnight, and she was able to get up (though still having issues with the hind legs). She has become well enough that she whines now when we take the other dog for a walk and she has to stay home (she had been too frail to even whine before).
She did perk up but she has been doing not so well again for the past couple of days. We'll see.
I hope she will get better soon so that we can go for a walk again.
そしてレントゲンにはっきりくっきり写ったのは虚脱気管。気管が狭くなってるのです。
バレーフィーバーと関係があるかないかは別として、このつぶれたストローのように狭くなった気管がひどくなる咳の原因なのでした。
これまで飲んでいた非ステロイド系坑炎症剤をやめて、1週間後に副腎皮質ステロイドを始めましょう、と言われて帰ってきました。(非ステロイドと副腎皮質ステロイドを混ぜるとお腹に良くないらしい）
ところが、家に帰ってきてから今度はユキ、首が痛いみたいでヒーヒーしちゃって、右に頭を向けられないのでずっと左回りで、夜もあまり寝られず、朝はドッグフードに見向きもせず、普段なら喜んで直上ジャンプになるホットドッグにも見向きもせず。
急遽獣医さんに電話して、午後の予約を入れてもらいました。
急いで仕事に行って、半休とってお昼にあがって、二日連続獣医さん。
でもなんか朝のうちに首が痛いのは直っちゃったみたい(笑）
なんか、多分、レントゲン撮ってる時に首ひねっちゃったのかな。
ちょうど、日曜に撮ったレントゲンの検査報告が放射線科医から戻ってきて、それもぎっしり１ページ強に渡る結果報告で、獣医さんも「いや～、電話で伝えるには長すぎるから、ちょうど予約が入ってよかったよ」だって。そりゃ獣医さんは治療費の心配しなくていいから、気軽にそう言えるわよね。
結果：
１．虚脱気管。
２．肺に水。
３．足のリンパ腺炎症。
なんかもう、なんだよね。診断結果、多すぎ。獣医さんもびっくりしてました。
そんなわけで、具合悪すぎるので1週間待たずに副腎皮質ステロイド療法決行。
副腎皮質ステロイドの効果は抜群で、翌日には咳がすっかり止まったし、元気も出てきたけど、ここ2日ほどまたユキの目から生気がなくなってて、ちょっと心配。
早く良くなってまた散歩に行ける日が来るといいんだけど。
The dog's cough had gotten worse and we took her back to the vet last Sunday. After yet another set of x-rays, we found that she has a collapsed trachea. The narrowed trachea was the culprit of causing her coughs.
Since she was on NSAID, the vet prescribed Prednisone, but told us to wait for a week (because it is apparently not good for stomach to mix NSAID and corticosteroid).
However, she started yelping after we got home, and looks like something was wrong with her neck. On Monday morning, she could not turn her head to right and circling to her left. She did not even touch the dog food. That concerned me. Even though she had been pretty badly ill for the past month, she always had appetite. I tried to give her some hot dogs, which she would usually go crazy, and she did not touch it either. That concerned me gravely. So I had to call the vet to make an appointment right away.
The earliest appointment they had was 1 pm, so I went to work, took a half day off, and came back home and took her to the vet. The good thing was, her neck had gotten better by then. So I just overreacted and wasted my half day and had to spend another vet bill.
The good thing was that the vet had gotten the radiology report back from the radiologist (the vet takes the x-rays and view them on the sport but also send the images to some certified radiologist for review as well). It was a very thick, single-spaced, overflowing to the second page report. (I read people's radiology reports daily and this report was crazy long compared to human radiology report)
The impression:
1. Collapsed trachea.
2. Fluid in lung.
3. Lymphanopathy in hind legs.
Great. Yeah. On top of Valley Fever.
So the vet told us that we are behind the game and needed to up the ante, and we decided to begin the Prednisone right away.
Pred worked its miracle. The coughing stopped almost overnight, and she was able to get up (though still having issues with the hind legs). She has become well enough that she whines now when we take the other dog for a walk and she has to stay home (she had been too frail to even whine before).
She did perk up but she has been doing not so well again for the past couple of days. We'll see.
I hope she will get better soon so that we can go for a walk again.
April 4, 2016
The Return of the King
｢二つの塔」に続いて、「指輪物語」最終巻の「王の帰還」を読みました。
これで「指輪物語」完読！
ファンタジーだから、半世紀前に書かれていても、あまり古さを感じないのがいいな。
Finally finished The Return of the King. Now I have read the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy. Yey.
You know what, I have to say it's a shame that Sam is written almost like a simple servant to Frodo. I think Sam is the true hero in the fulfillment of the quest. He is the one who helps Frodo's morale and he is the one who rescues Frodo. But at the end, all credits go to Frodo, who was "the ring bearer." So I am glad to know that Sam became the mayor many many times afterwards.
I also enjoyed reading the appendices, like Arwen and Aragorn story and family trees etc.
The movie definitely helped picturize the world of Middle Earth for me.
My next book is Overdressed.
これで「指輪物語」完読！
ファンタジーだから、半世紀前に書かれていても、あまり古さを感じないのがいいな。
You know what, I have to say it's a shame that Sam is written almost like a simple servant to Frodo. I think Sam is the true hero in the fulfillment of the quest. He is the one who helps Frodo's morale and he is the one who rescues Frodo. But at the end, all credits go to Frodo, who was "the ring bearer." So I am glad to know that Sam became the mayor many many times afterwards.
I also enjoyed reading the appendices, like Arwen and Aragorn story and family trees etc.
The movie definitely helped picturize the world of Middle Earth for me.
My next book is Overdressed.
April 3, 2016
Shishito Survived the Winter
しし唐、冬を越えて今年2年目でもちゃんと実をつけております。
Our Shishito Pepper plant has survived the winter and growing fruit.
April 2, 2016
Suns v. Wizards
バスケットのNBAの試合のチケットをもらったので、人生初のNBA観戦に行ってきました。
フェニックスサンズ対ワシントンウィザーズ。
コート真ん中のとてもいい席で試合を堪能できました。
Went to my very first NBA game. Very good seat, too (tickets were given to me).
Suns lost, but had a very good shrimp taco (though the service was TERRIBLE) earlier for dinner, and overall, it was a nice outing.
フェニックスサンズ対ワシントンウィザーズ。
コート真ん中のとてもいい席で試合を堪能できました。
Suns lost, but had a very good shrimp taco (though the service was TERRIBLE) earlier for dinner, and overall, it was a nice outing.
March 23, 2016
A Little Bit of Japan in L.A.
ロサンゼルス旅行でちょっと日本気分を味わいました。
ダウンタウンのリトルトーキョー内には日本のスーパーもあったよ。おしょうゆ・めんつゆコーナーがとても充実していた。
のどが渇いたので、カルピス買っちゃった。ライチ味。こちらではカルピスの「ピス」がおしっこを連想させるため、「カルピコ」と名称チェンジで売られています。
そしてもっとも行きたかったのは紀伊国屋。本屋ではオットがビミョーにつまんなさそうにするのであまりゆっくりはできません。かなり無言のプレッシャーを背中に感じるのよ。
でも目当ての「聖☆おにいさん」を大人買い。日本では一冊580円ぐらい？だけど、こちらでは1冊10ドルぐらい（泣）なので、たった7冊でもかなりな大人買いよ。
日本の洋裁の本も買ってみた。そろそろまた裁縫し始めないとね。
While we were in Los Angeles, I enjoyed a little bit of Japan there.
We stopped by Kinokuniya (a book store) and bought some Japanese comic books called Saint Young Men. I had bought volumes 1 through 4 when I was in Japan a couple of years ago, and wanted to buy more. It's a story about Jesus and Buddha sharing an apartment in Tokyo while vacationing on Earth. If you want to know Japanese religiosity, this book is a great example.
I also bought my very first Japanese sewing book. It is Simple Chic/Dress Up Dress Down by Machiko Kayaki. I usually do not like Japanese sewing fashion because they are all like a pillowcase dress, but this one has many basic styles that I can totally see myself wearing.
I know, I have to go back to my sewing room soon.
ダウンタウンのリトルトーキョー内には日本のスーパーもあったよ。おしょうゆ・めんつゆコーナーがとても充実していた。
でも目当ての「聖☆おにいさん」を大人買い。日本では一冊580円ぐらい？だけど、こちらでは1冊10ドルぐらい（泣）なので、たった7冊でもかなりな大人買いよ。
日本の洋裁の本も買ってみた。そろそろまた裁縫し始めないとね。
We stopped by Kinokuniya (a book store) and bought some Japanese comic books called Saint Young Men. I had bought volumes 1 through 4 when I was in Japan a couple of years ago, and wanted to buy more. It's a story about Jesus and Buddha sharing an apartment in Tokyo while vacationing on Earth. If you want to know Japanese religiosity, this book is a great example.
I know, I have to go back to my sewing room soon.
March 20, 2016
Spring Break and Harry Potter
春休みに、ロサンゼルス旅行に行ってきた。ちょっと私たち、結構頑張って毎日働いてるから、休みも必要よね、ということで。有給消化しないといけないのもあるが。具合が悪いユキには申し訳ないけど、ユキが具合悪くなる前にチケット買っちゃってたし。
三泊四日なので飛行機で預け荷物にしなくていい程度の荷物で、以前作った旅行カバンの出番が初めてやってきました！
使ってみての感想：ショルダーストラップにも肩が痛くならないようなパッドつけておけばよかったな。
ちなみに今回の旅行のメインイベントはロスのユニバーサルスタジオでした。
とても楽しんだけど、最近の乗り物は皆３Dの乗り物ばかりで、ジェットコースターが好きな私としてはちょっとがっかりなばかりです。
4月から正式に始まるハリーポッターの乗り物に乗るには時期を逃したな、と思ったら、運よくお試しで乗り物やってる日だった！ハリポタなパーカーまで買っちゃった。
あぁ、明日からまた仕事頑張るぞ。
We had a short visit to Los Angeles for our spring break.
Since it was a 4-day trip and I could get away with a carry-on luggage, I was finally able to use my weekend duffel bag I made last year. Here are my thoughts on the bag: definitely need a shoulder pad for the shoulder strap, and need to stitch down the D ring on the bag where the shoulder straps are hooked since the D rings are loose in the tab and they rotate around. Other than that, it was a perfect size for this short trip.
Our main thing in the trip was to go to the Universal Studio. We were lucky that the Harry Potter was open (which is not officially open until April) so we totally had fun in Hogsmead. I even bought a Griffindor hoodie. Yup, tried the butterbeer, too.
Though I enjoyed the Universal very much, I have to say I was very disappointed at the recent trend of 3D rides. One, I do not like wearing the 3D glasses, because I have to wear them over my regular glasses, and two, I think it's lazy for the builders to rely do much on 3D visual effects.
At least I enjoyed the "Flight of the Hippogriff" ride (a proper, though very short, roller coaster in a Hippogriff shaped basket), and rode it twice. And the "Mummy" ride (roller coaster in pitch-blackness) was properly scary.
使ってみての感想：ショルダーストラップにも肩が痛くならないようなパッドつけておけばよかったな。
ちなみに今回の旅行のメインイベントはロスのユニバーサルスタジオでした。
とても楽しんだけど、最近の乗り物は皆３Dの乗り物ばかりで、ジェットコースターが好きな私としてはちょっとがっかりなばかりです。
4月から正式に始まるハリーポッターの乗り物に乗るには時期を逃したな、と思ったら、運よくお試しで乗り物やってる日だった！ハリポタなパーカーまで買っちゃった。
あぁ、明日からまた仕事頑張るぞ。
Since it was a 4-day trip and I could get away with a carry-on luggage, I was finally able to use my weekend duffel bag I made last year. Here are my thoughts on the bag: definitely need a shoulder pad for the shoulder strap, and need to stitch down the D ring on the bag where the shoulder straps are hooked since the D rings are loose in the tab and they rotate around. Other than that, it was a perfect size for this short trip.
Our main thing in the trip was to go to the Universal Studio. We were lucky that the Harry Potter was open (which is not officially open until April) so we totally had fun in Hogsmead. I even bought a Griffindor hoodie. Yup, tried the butterbeer, too.
Though I enjoyed the Universal very much, I have to say I was very disappointed at the recent trend of 3D rides. One, I do not like wearing the 3D glasses, because I have to wear them over my regular glasses, and two, I think it's lazy for the builders to rely do much on 3D visual effects.
At least I enjoyed the "Flight of the Hippogriff" ride (a proper, though very short, roller coaster in a Hippogriff shaped basket), and rode it twice. And the "Mummy" ride (roller coaster in pitch-blackness) was properly scary.
March 9, 2016
Valley Fever
先日の血液検査の結果がやっと返ってきて、ユキ、やっぱりバレーフィーバーだって。
いや、具合が悪い原因がはっきりわかってよかったわよ。
日曜に獣医さんに行って、夜から薬のみ初めて、月曜の夜にはびっくりするぐらい具合回復してたので感染してるんだとは思ったし。
感染症といっても、伝染はしないし、砂漠地帯では4匹に1匹はかかるっていわれるぐらい良くある感染症なのであまり心配はしてないんだけど、まだ足腰が弱ってるのがちょっと気になるわ。
ライチのときは6ヶ月ぐらい薬のみ続けたけど、ユキは症状もちょっと重いし、足腰にもきてるから、長くなるかなぁ。
So it has been confirmed by blood test that our hyena dog has Valley Fever.
We went to the vet on Sunday and started on medication that night and by Monday night, she was MUCH better, so we knew it must have been Valley Fever. We are kind of glad that now we know why she has been sick.
Valley Fever in this desert region is pretty common in dogs; it is said that 1 in 4 dogs here get valley fever. Our other dog was on medication for 6 months when she had it and she's been doing good since so hopefully this one can shake off the disease soon, too.
One concern, though, is the price hike on medication. Fluconazole (Diflucan) is the most common anti-fungal medication and its price has hiked up as much as 10 times in the last few years. One-month's supply of Fluconazole can easily be $150.
I called 5 different pharmacies and researched what's available online. Walgreens was the most expensive: whopping $12.89 per tablet. Just 1 tablet! (and she will need 2 tablets a day). We may have to get compounded version, which is much cheaper.
At least she is reacting pretty well on the medication and she's not pathetically sick like she was last week so I'm grateful for that.
いや、具合が悪い原因がはっきりわかってよかったわよ。
日曜に獣医さんに行って、夜から薬のみ初めて、月曜の夜にはびっくりするぐらい具合回復してたので感染してるんだとは思ったし。
感染症といっても、伝染はしないし、砂漠地帯では4匹に1匹はかかるっていわれるぐらい良くある感染症なのであまり心配はしてないんだけど、まだ足腰が弱ってるのがちょっと気になるわ。
ライチのときは6ヶ月ぐらい薬のみ続けたけど、ユキは症状もちょっと重いし、足腰にもきてるから、長くなるかなぁ。
We went to the vet on Sunday and started on medication that night and by Monday night, she was MUCH better, so we knew it must have been Valley Fever. We are kind of glad that now we know why she has been sick.
Valley Fever in this desert region is pretty common in dogs; it is said that 1 in 4 dogs here get valley fever. Our other dog was on medication for 6 months when she had it and she's been doing good since so hopefully this one can shake off the disease soon, too.
One concern, though, is the price hike on medication. Fluconazole (Diflucan) is the most common anti-fungal medication and its price has hiked up as much as 10 times in the last few years. One-month's supply of Fluconazole can easily be $150.
I called 5 different pharmacies and researched what's available online. Walgreens was the most expensive: whopping $12.89 per tablet. Just 1 tablet! (and she will need 2 tablets a day). We may have to get compounded version, which is much cheaper.
At least she is reacting pretty well on the medication and she's not pathetically sick like she was last week so I'm grateful for that.
March 6, 2016
Third Time is a Charm?
いや～、もうユキの具合が良くならないうえに、彼女、咳し始めたのよ。
砂漠気候のこの地域では、バレーフィーバーと呼ばれる真菌感染症にかかる犬が多くて、わかりやすい症状が咳なのです。
ちなみにライチも3年前にかかりました。
咳のほかに、間接が痛くなったりするのもあるので、もしかして靭帯に異常があるわけではなくて、すべて感染症のせい？
そんなわけでこの2週間で3度目の獣医さん訪問となりました。
3回の獣医代で7万円は軽く超えてますよ、どうします？
血液検査の結果が出るのは水曜ぐらい。犬の薬が増えて怖いです。７つのうち二つはライチのてんかんの薬で、あとはユキの痛み止め、抗炎症薬、咳止め、抗生物質、抗真菌薬。
So the dog is still not doing any better, and last night, she started coughing.
In this desert climate, a fungal infection called valley fever is pretty common for dogs, and the most common symptom is coughing.
Our other dog had it 3 years ago.
So we have to re-group our thinking; maybe the joint pain and lethargy she was having was part of valley fever symptoms?
Hence our third visit to the vet in 2 weeks.
After another round of $350, she had a laser therapy for the knee and we will get the titer test result in a few days.
Now, in addition to phenobarbital and potassium bromide for the other dog, our hyena dog will have to take cough tablet, antibiotic, Tramadol, NSAID, and fluconazole.
Need to cook some rice to calm her stomach.
砂漠気候のこの地域では、バレーフィーバーと呼ばれる真菌感染症にかかる犬が多くて、わかりやすい症状が咳なのです。
ちなみにライチも3年前にかかりました。
咳のほかに、間接が痛くなったりするのもあるので、もしかして靭帯に異常があるわけではなくて、すべて感染症のせい？
そんなわけでこの2週間で3度目の獣医さん訪問となりました。
3回の獣医代で7万円は軽く超えてますよ、どうします？
血液検査の結果が出るのは水曜ぐらい。犬の薬が増えて怖いです。７つのうち二つはライチのてんかんの薬で、あとはユキの痛み止め、抗炎症薬、咳止め、抗生物質、抗真菌薬。
In this desert climate, a fungal infection called valley fever is pretty common for dogs, and the most common symptom is coughing.
Our other dog had it 3 years ago.
So we have to re-group our thinking; maybe the joint pain and lethargy she was having was part of valley fever symptoms?
Hence our third visit to the vet in 2 weeks.
After another round of $350, she had a laser therapy for the knee and we will get the titer test result in a few days.
Now, in addition to phenobarbital and potassium bromide for the other dog, our hyena dog will have to take cough tablet, antibiotic, Tramadol, NSAID, and fluconazole.
Need to cook some rice to calm her stomach.
February 29, 2016
Another X-ray
数日様子を見たけど、やっぱりユキの様子がおかしいので、別の獣医さんに連れて行きました。
レントゲン9枚撮って、結果はやっぱり「異常見当たりません」。・・・もうマジで？
レントゲンに移らないような、捻挫系の怪我かな、と思っていたら、翌日獣医さんから電話。
「放射線科医にレントゲンをみてもらったら、左ひざの前十字じん帯損傷の可能性あり」とのこと。
ガクーン。
とりあえず、外科医の予約を入れてみるも、明きがあるのは早くて2週間後でした。
そんなわけで完全休養命令発令中。庭にトイレに出すのも走り出さないように散歩紐つけて行かないといけないし、留守中はベッドなんかに飛び乗ったりできないようにお風呂場に軟禁です。
The dog did not get better after our last vet visit so we took her to a different vet for second opinion. After more x-rays and $250, the vet told us "I don't see anything wrong on the x-rays." Well, so we concluded that it must have been some soft tissue injuries.
The next day, however, we got a call from the vet and was told that when they sent the x-rays to a radiologist, the radiologist's report said possible ACL tear. Oh boy.
The earliest appointment we could make with a surgeon was in 2 weeks. So until then, the dog will be under strict activity restriction. No walk, obviously. We have to leash her to take her out in the yard to make sure she doesn't run. We have to keep her in the bathroom/walk-in closet so that she does not jump on a bed (where she usually spends most of the day while we are gone). She's taking Tramadol and some anti-inflammatory and the medication is making her gag and throw up. Poor girl.
レントゲン9枚撮って、結果はやっぱり「異常見当たりません」。・・・もうマジで？
レントゲンに移らないような、捻挫系の怪我かな、と思っていたら、翌日獣医さんから電話。
「放射線科医にレントゲンをみてもらったら、左ひざの前十字じん帯損傷の可能性あり」とのこと。
ガクーン。
とりあえず、外科医の予約を入れてみるも、明きがあるのは早くて2週間後でした。
そんなわけで完全休養命令発令中。庭にトイレに出すのも走り出さないように散歩紐つけて行かないといけないし、留守中はベッドなんかに飛び乗ったりできないようにお風呂場に軟禁です。
The next day, however, we got a call from the vet and was told that when they sent the x-rays to a radiologist, the radiologist's report said possible ACL tear. Oh boy.
The earliest appointment we could make with a surgeon was in 2 weeks. So until then, the dog will be under strict activity restriction. No walk, obviously. We have to leash her to take her out in the yard to make sure she doesn't run. We have to keep her in the bathroom/walk-in closet so that she does not jump on a bed (where she usually spends most of the day while we are gone). She's taking Tramadol and some anti-inflammatory and the medication is making her gag and throw up. Poor girl.
February 24, 2016
Dog and Renewing Residency
ユキの具合が1週間ぐらい悪くて、症状からして犬によくある股関節形成不全かと思って、会社早退してわざわざ夫婦そろって獣医さんに行ったのに、レントゲン撮っても「全く問題なし」でした。
そしてなんだかユキ、もうすっかり元気？
話は変わって。
いわゆるグリーンカードとよばれる、永住者カードの期限が夏に切れるので、更新の申し込みをしました。
期限の切れる6ヶ月前から申し込めるんだけど、申し込んでも新しいカードがくるまで5ヶ月ぐらいかかるらしい。政府の仕事は遅い。
ちなみに申し込み手数料は450ドル。たかっ。
Our dog had been having a difficulty getting up. We suspected hip dysplasia and took her to a vet.
After an x-ray was done, we were told nothing was wrong with her.
After having taken off work early (both myself and the Man of the House) and having spent $120 at the vet, she seems to be doing just fine. Not complaining; better for her to be well than confirming an illness.
But we incidentally found that there might be a BB or something (the bright white dot on her flank of the x-ray) in her. We can't feel it from outside and there is no scar either. Maybe she got shot while she was a stray?
By the way.
My permanent resident card will expire in the summer so I have applied for a renewal. It's kind of oxymoron to say that I have to "renew" my "permanent" residency. Technically, residency is permanent, but the card expires every 10 years. Without a card to prove my permanent residency, however, I would be as undocumented as an illegal immigrant.
The government website says you "may" apply renewal within 6 months of expiration. But the process takes, supposedly, 4 to 5 months, so I take it you "should" start the process right at the 6 months mark. Let's see how long it will take for me.
The application fee was a whopping $450. Ouch. I wonder how much those millions of "undocumented" immigrants are going to have to pay when the government allows a "path to citizenship" in the near future. None?
そしてなんだかユキ、もうすっかり元気？
話は変わって。
いわゆるグリーンカードとよばれる、永住者カードの期限が夏に切れるので、更新の申し込みをしました。
期限の切れる6ヶ月前から申し込めるんだけど、申し込んでも新しいカードがくるまで5ヶ月ぐらいかかるらしい。政府の仕事は遅い。
ちなみに申し込み手数料は450ドル。たかっ。
After an x-ray was done, we were told nothing was wrong with her.
After having taken off work early (both myself and the Man of the House) and having spent $120 at the vet, she seems to be doing just fine. Not complaining; better for her to be well than confirming an illness.
But we incidentally found that there might be a BB or something (the bright white dot on her flank of the x-ray) in her. We can't feel it from outside and there is no scar either. Maybe she got shot while she was a stray?
By the way.
My permanent resident card will expire in the summer so I have applied for a renewal. It's kind of oxymoron to say that I have to "renew" my "permanent" residency. Technically, residency is permanent, but the card expires every 10 years. Without a card to prove my permanent residency, however, I would be as undocumented as an illegal immigrant.
The government website says you "may" apply renewal within 6 months of expiration. But the process takes, supposedly, 4 to 5 months, so I take it you "should" start the process right at the 6 months mark. Let's see how long it will take for me.
The application fee was a whopping $450. Ouch. I wonder how much those millions of "undocumented" immigrants are going to have to pay when the government allows a "path to citizenship" in the near future. None?
February 21, 2016
The Two Towers
「指輪物語」の第2巻、「二つの塔」を読み終えました。
実は3週間の貸し出し期限で読みきれそうになかったので延長しようと思ってたのに、この本に他の人の予約が入っているので延長できず、ものすごく頑張って読み終えました。
ちなみに第3巻は他の人の予約が先に入っているので、私の番が来るのは来月ぐらいかなぁ。
I finished reading The Two Towers.
I was still around 2/3 of the way a few days ago. But my 3-week borrowing time limit at the library was coming up and I could not renew it (because other people are waiting for this book) so I had to try really hard to read the rest in the last 3 days.
I put the third book, The Return of the King on hold but there are 2 more holds on the book so I may not get the book for another several weeks.
So, what's wrong with this situation? Well, so it is said that the Lord of the Rings series is one of the most widely read modern books, right? But my library only has one book each available. Just 1 book for the entire county. We have a million people in this county and there are only 1 book each for each of the trilogy book.
I put Overdressed on hold (the next book for Colette's book club) as well and there are 16 books available. 16! I don't understand my library.
While I was reading The Two Towers, I also watched the Peter Jackson's movie adaptation of the Fellowship of the Ring (for umpteenth time). We have a 4-DVD box set (and every time I watch, I watch all 4 DVDs, and sometimes watch the movie itself a few times so that I can watch all the different versions of commentaries). What is amazing about this movie is the detail that went into to create the world of Middle Earth.
The box set includes 2 DVDs of all special features. The special features are definitely as good as the movie itself. How I wish I could go to Weta Workshop and and see the props or see the workers design and create the props. I think Peter Jackson should make a museum to showcase all the props from conceptual art drawings to storyboard to masks and costumes and everything.
実は3週間の貸し出し期限で読みきれそうになかったので延長しようと思ってたのに、この本に他の人の予約が入っているので延長できず、ものすごく頑張って読み終えました。
ちなみに第3巻は他の人の予約が先に入っているので、私の番が来るのは来月ぐらいかなぁ。
I was still around 2/3 of the way a few days ago. But my 3-week borrowing time limit at the library was coming up and I could not renew it (because other people are waiting for this book) so I had to try really hard to read the rest in the last 3 days.
I put the third book, The Return of the King on hold but there are 2 more holds on the book so I may not get the book for another several weeks.
So, what's wrong with this situation? Well, so it is said that the Lord of the Rings series is one of the most widely read modern books, right? But my library only has one book each available. Just 1 book for the entire county. We have a million people in this county and there are only 1 book each for each of the trilogy book.
I put Overdressed on hold (the next book for Colette's book club) as well and there are 16 books available. 16! I don't understand my library.
While I was reading The Two Towers, I also watched the Peter Jackson's movie adaptation of the Fellowship of the Ring (for umpteenth time). We have a 4-DVD box set (and every time I watch, I watch all 4 DVDs, and sometimes watch the movie itself a few times so that I can watch all the different versions of commentaries). What is amazing about this movie is the detail that went into to create the world of Middle Earth.
The box set includes 2 DVDs of all special features. The special features are definitely as good as the movie itself. How I wish I could go to Weta Workshop and and see the props or see the workers design and create the props. I think Peter Jackson should make a museum to showcase all the props from conceptual art drawings to storyboard to masks and costumes and everything.
February 14, 2016
Renaissance Festival
うちから1時間半ぐらいのところで2月から3月の週末のみ開催される、ルネッサンスフェスティバルというやつに行ってきました。
日本で言う、時代村なところ。ヨーロッパの中世からルネッサンス期風の小屋がいっぱい建てられて、働く人も皆仮装して、ルネッサンス風（魔法使いや妖精なんかのファンタジーも含む）の衣装や小物やらを売るお店がじゃんじゃんあるところです。
行くの2度目だけど日差しが強い中一日歩きつかれるぐらい満喫しました。
Went to a renaissance festival. Second time in my life.
First of all, it was pretty hot in the sun. I felt sorry for all the workers and visitors in costume laden with layers of garment (not that they are that authentic) and capes and armor. Yup, it is already T-shirt and shorts weather in the desert.
We went to jousting, and all the while heading there, I was talking about the knight that we had last time, how cute he was wearing blue. And we got the same cute knight!!! He looked like a proper hero knight on a white horse.
I actually did a lot of research on sewing patterns for ren faire appropriate costumes. I just did not have time or material or know-how to make a proper costume, but I really wanted to make one.
I thought about a Hobbit, since I have been reading LOTR: needed chopped off trousers, long jacket and vest with optional cape. Way beyond my sewing skill.
I thought about an Elf, with long dress, big sleeves, and belt. Easier to make than any other costumes. Well, I pictured myself in the costume, a stubby middle age Asian with dark bob hair (with bangs!) in Elf costume... Just does not look good, does it, unless I get some ridiculously fake wig to make it ridiculous.
I thought about just using some generic renaissance flavored costume pattern with poofed sleeves and skirt: I did not want to make an undergarment or hoops for the skirt. And I didn't want it to be too Halloween costumey.
I thought about Pride and Prejudice type, high-wasted dress: well, Pride and Prejudice is a bit past Renaissance, isn't it? I didn't want people to call out that I was not in the right time period (not that Hobbit or Elves are in anyway historically correct time period). But you know, Regency or steam punk shouldn't mingle too much with ren faire.
I thought about a wizard, you know, Gandalf like wizard: Too hot to wear woolen robe and cape in the 80 degree weather.
I thought about a generic knight/king costume with sack like tunic, cape, and hood. I thought about putting a Stark sigil (a wolf, from Game of Thrones) on the tunic, but then, Winterfell people usually wear dark colored clothes with lots of layers for cold weather and never the generic knight-like. I thought about Sansa costume, but she doesn't have a signature look, both Sansa and Arya go down south and don't wear Winterfell-like clothes.
I could put Lannister lion stenciled on the sack tunic but who wants to be a Lannister? The only Lannister I want to be is Tyrion, and I did an extensive research on Tyrion costume, and had a good idea: burgundy colored doublet with clasps for closure, a belt, and black pants with boots. I thought I can either make a long doublet, or short doublet with separate thigh guard pieces, wear a black long sleeve T-shirt underneath and black leggins and boots. The issue was that I could not find a good burgundy fabric. I wanted it to be a nice material, that represents Lannister's wealth, and no polyester. I was looking for something brocade with not too obvious patterns, or silk dupioni, or something burgundy with some texture. I just could not find "the one."
So, at the end, I succumbed to a 21st century commoner outfit of jeans and cardi. It's funny to think that I would want to wear a costume. Obviously, I wanted to "make" a costume, not just to wear it. But who knows, maybe I have just been a closeted cosplayer?
日本で言う、時代村なところ。ヨーロッパの中世からルネッサンス期風の小屋がいっぱい建てられて、働く人も皆仮装して、ルネッサンス風（魔法使いや妖精なんかのファンタジーも含む）の衣装や小物やらを売るお店がじゃんじゃんあるところです。
行くの2度目だけど日差しが強い中一日歩きつかれるぐらい満喫しました。
First of all, it was pretty hot in the sun. I felt sorry for all the workers and visitors in costume laden with layers of garment (not that they are that authentic) and capes and armor. Yup, it is already T-shirt and shorts weather in the desert.
We went to jousting, and all the while heading there, I was talking about the knight that we had last time, how cute he was wearing blue. And we got the same cute knight!!! He looked like a proper hero knight on a white horse.
I actually did a lot of research on sewing patterns for ren faire appropriate costumes. I just did not have time or material or know-how to make a proper costume, but I really wanted to make one.
I thought about a Hobbit, since I have been reading LOTR: needed chopped off trousers, long jacket and vest with optional cape. Way beyond my sewing skill.
February 6, 2016
The Forgotten Seamstress
指輪物語の2巻、「二つの塔」を読む予定が、ちょっと横道にそれて全く別の小説を読んでしまいました。一日で読みきったから今はちゃんと「二つの塔」に取り掛かっております。
もう毎日仕事で脳みそ沸騰中なので読書以外はする気なしなのね。
So I have joined the book club, virtually.
Collette Pattern has started an online book club and announced the first book a while ago. Like I mentioned last, I needed some push to read broader range of books so I thought it would be a good opportunity to keep up with the book club, not that I would ever participate in online discussion on their website.
So the first book was Liz Trenow's The Forgotten Seamstress. It has a flare of mystery solving aspect to an inter-winding two life stories. Since I was so mentally exhausted from work and wanted to do nothing but reading, I spent a whole day reading it last weekend.
I enjoyed reading it but at the end, it was too Lifetime movie like, and the over dramatic story felt rather cheap.
The book begins with a PhD student interviewing a former mental institution patient in the 70's, and the former patient's telling of her story 50 years ago.
The story, for that interview part, is told as a first-person perspective, basically a transcript of an interview, and I just do not like that style. I read plenty deposition transcripts all the time and it's actually interesting to read because it's a two-way conversation (unless the person stutters too much or use "you know what I mean" or "like" in every single sentence), but this one person talking pages after pages is painful to read.
I tried to read Wold War Z before, which is entirely an oral history of zombie war told by different people, and I spent 3 years reading bit by bit and lost interest. My point is, one person's conversational talk is not pleasant to read if it's too long. Because people just don't talk 5 minutes straight without the other person interjecting some response, unless it's a speech. You tried to be "real" by transcribing the conversational language, but it's just so fake.
In The Forgotten Seamstress, thankfully, also has a second story line, which actually is the main story line, that is written in a normal first person view and set in 2008. That was a relief.
As I mentioned, the story is a bit too much Lifetime movie, so that was unfortunate. But it was fun reading a light novel, I needed it.
もう毎日仕事で脳みそ沸騰中なので読書以外はする気なしなのね。
Collette Pattern has started an online book club and announced the first book a while ago. Like I mentioned last, I needed some push to read broader range of books so I thought it would be a good opportunity to keep up with the book club, not that I would ever participate in online discussion on their website.
So the first book was Liz Trenow's The Forgotten Seamstress. It has a flare of mystery solving aspect to an inter-winding two life stories. Since I was so mentally exhausted from work and wanted to do nothing but reading, I spent a whole day reading it last weekend.
I enjoyed reading it but at the end, it was too Lifetime movie like, and the over dramatic story felt rather cheap.
The book begins with a PhD student interviewing a former mental institution patient in the 70's, and the former patient's telling of her story 50 years ago.
The story, for that interview part, is told as a first-person perspective, basically a transcript of an interview, and I just do not like that style. I read plenty deposition transcripts all the time and it's actually interesting to read because it's a two-way conversation (unless the person stutters too much or use "you know what I mean" or "like" in every single sentence), but this one person talking pages after pages is painful to read.
I tried to read Wold War Z before, which is entirely an oral history of zombie war told by different people, and I spent 3 years reading bit by bit and lost interest. My point is, one person's conversational talk is not pleasant to read if it's too long. Because people just don't talk 5 minutes straight without the other person interjecting some response, unless it's a speech. You tried to be "real" by transcribing the conversational language, but it's just so fake.
In The Forgotten Seamstress, thankfully, also has a second story line, which actually is the main story line, that is written in a normal first person view and set in 2008. That was a relief.
As I mentioned, the story is a bit too much Lifetime movie, so that was unfortunate. But it was fun reading a light novel, I needed it.
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