The man in this photo is not me, but it’s probably a pretty good representation of what I looked like last week.

I’ve managed to make it through 35 and a half years of my life without ever getting the flu.  My streak ended last week.  I was feeling a bit under the weather and had a fever, so I went to the doctor for an exam.  I had a feeling it might be the flu, but I was hoping that it was just a cold or something a little more minor.  I took a flu test.  It was awful!  They stuck a swab deep into my nose and it was so uncomfortable.  15 minutes later, the nurse came out and told me that I had type A influenza.  I didn’t really feel too horrible – the worst part about it was the really bad headache I was experiencing.  For the next week or so, I had to quarantine myself at home.  My head hurt so bad that I couldn’t listen to music or watch TV.  I was so bored.  Finally, when my fever went down and my headache went away, I was able to at least do some small things to occupy my time.  

Every year around this time, the flu is going around and I’ve been lucky to avoid it for this long!  Hopefully this will have been the last time I have to experience it!

みなさん、風邪をひきやすいこの時期を元気に過ごせていますか？

ハローズ生の中にもインフルエンザの為レッスンをお休みした子もいましたが、

予防をしっかりしつつも、風邪をひいてしまったら十分に休みをとってくださいね！

大寒が過ぎたこの季節、我が家では味噌づくりをします。

といっても進めているのは相方のほうです(^^♪　元気な体作りにやはり手作り味噌はかかせませんね！

塩も大豆も自分たちで選べるから、そんなところでこだわりがだせるし子供たちも元気に豆を踏みつけて潰す作業に参加できて食育になっています。

日本の文化を大事にしてそして外国の人たちに伝えられるようになりたいですね。

ちなみに味噌は英語で”fermented soy bean paste” 直訳すると発酵させられた大豆のペーストです。

寒いですね！とうとう雪も降りました。

スキーやスノボに出かけたりも楽しいですが、

暖かいお家でホームパーティも素敵です。

最近フランスのパリでお好み焼きの素晴らしさが

広がっている！とTVでみて、やっぱりね、

と嬉しくなりました。おいしいフランス料理を

食べ慣れている皆さんに受け入れてもらえる日本の

お好み焼きもきっと照れていることでしょう。

お好み焼きの他にぎょうざ、焼きそば、鍋、手巻き、

たこやき色んなパーティが出来ますが、

チーズフォンデュや、チョコフォンデュ、もんじゃ焼き

などもやってみたいと思っています。

みなさんのおすすめはなにかな？？

Before heading to Vietnam, Michael, Sam and I went to the Cup Noodles Museum in Osaka. Sam was ecstatic. I just wanted to eat noodles. Actually, the highlight of the museum was getting to make your own custom cup of noodles. First, you get the styrofoam container which you can decorate with markers. Then, you get your noodles and can pick your broth flavor. I picked chili tomato. After that, you pick four toppings to finish it off. I chose kimchi, pork, garlic, and cheese! Finally, you have your cup sealed with a lid and get to stuff it in an inflated plastic bag. Later that night I ate my noodles. They were delicious. If you like instant ramen, you should try your creative hand making your own at the museum!