Thoughts on Health and Homesickness

First off:
I am healthy
I am not homesick

Everyone else in my group seems to be ill. Tom had pneumonia and has stayed in for a few days, about three kids have gone to the doctor/hospital, people keep missing lectures, classes, and tours to sleep. Half the group seemed to be missing for today's lecture. No swine flu, thought it has made it to China, causing us to be banned from a few places we were supposed to visit.

The rapidness that this flu is spreading with is incredible. I am watching globalization occur in real time. Chris talked to us today about SARS a few years ago and how they didn't deal with it well, so they are taking precautions for swine. We heard announcements on a loud speaker today telling the students that China had been exposed. I have my mask (thanks mom).
I hope this doesn't affect my after China travel plans. If so, I can just stay in China and go hug pandas with some friends that are going, but because we came to China early enough, we can prove that we are not infected and all should be well, according to Chris.

We constantly share germs here-we always eat off lazy susans that stick our chopsticks in the same dish. My immune system is awesome, luckily, and the worst symptom I have is a dry nose and runny eyes due to the pollen. I don't want to have to visit a Chinese hospital while I am here unless it is for an educational tour. I need to sleep more-I am exhausted and exhaustion often leads to illness.
If you are a believer, feel free to send a a message up to the big man upstairs for my health. If like me you are not, just send me some tissues, nasal spray (which I can't get here!) and eye drops.




I am not homesick either. My dad was nice enough to let me see my house on video chat.

H