Sunday November 28, 2010
Malibu, California
Sun, Blue Skies and Crisp Weather
I really am thankful for what I have. I really am. But this Thanksgiving week which was supposed to be special because it was my first one in the US in 3 years, turned out to be very stressful.
I am very busy at work so had not planned on taking any time off especially since I was in Japan the week before. All was fine when I arrived back to the US last Saturday, spent most of Sunday doing laundry, unpacking etc and then BAM! Got hit with the worst stomach flu ever! Or maybe I'm getting old so I just can't tolerate these viruses anymore. Anyhow, it happened at the WORST time as I thought I was just recovering from the very bad cold I caught in Oaxaca.
So most of Sunday night, all of Monday and some of Tuesday morning was spent in bed or in the bathroom. I really thought I was poisoned as it was so violent! I was somewhat functional on Tuesday so was able to at least let folks from work know why I went missing on Monday. Then just when I thought I recovered, ended up in the emergency room. First, Tuesday afternoon because I had a choking sensation and then late Wednesday because I started to seeing light flashes in my left eye. Turns out both were due to complications from the flu. My throat was so swollen that they had to give me steroids so that I could breathe normally. The light flashes were from a viscous layer in my eyeball dislodging because of the pressure from throwing up. The eye problem was a bit scary cuz they thought my retina detached. Anyhow, all is fine now with me and my appetite has come back like a vengeance.
Since my plans to cook a small Thanksgiving dinner for me and the dogs went into the wastebasket, I ordered a turkey and all the trimming from PC Greens instead. Everything arrived on Wednesday. Wednesday was also the day I noticed Skipper not acting like himself. However, his nose was working fine so he actually got energetic and more like himself when the turkey arrived. Because the dogs were so excited and I was a bad mother in that did not take them to the park for walks, I decided to have an early Thanksgiving dinner. Everything was heated up on Wednesday and the dogs and I had quite a good meal.
I'm glad I did that as Skipper started going downhill on Thursday. And of course, Dr. Graulich (Skipper's vet) office was closed. I debated whether to take him to the emergency room, but since he was not in pain, just very very lethargic, I waited to see how he does. Well, he did not get better on Friday, just worse, so took him in first thing in the AM. Because his condition was very bad, Dr. Graulich who was on holiday, came in to see him. Basically, after hours in the hospital, we found that he has fluid in his abdomen, a tumor on his kidney, swollen liver and inflamed heart. I was told that his time might have come. However, since he still has the will to get up, eat and does try and walk the park, Dr. Graulich is going to analyze the blood tests and see if we can give him medication to make him more comfortable. So the next week or so is going to be tough.
I'm happy to report though on Saturday, he made a bit of a recovery. So I'm hoping, there is some medication that can be given to him so he can enjoy the last days before going over the rainbow more comfortably.
And enough of depressing stuff. I did manage to get caught up on movies and did manage to get out. The movies I saw were:
- Chloe: A film by one of my favorite directors Atom Egoyan. I love the way he shoots movies. It is so clean and crisp. I liked the movie and the acting is phenomenal. As Egoyan is Canadian all his movies take place in Canada. This movie in Toronto.
- 2012: Love John Cusack, but stupid movie. However, good movie to watch when you are so sick that your brain doesn't work properly
- Babies: Fun, cute movie and doesn't require much thinking so good to see when sick
- Horsemen with Dennis Quaid: Gross thriller and disappointing. Saw while sick which was not a good idea
- The Girl who Played with Fire: Fabulous movie. I hear they are making an American version of The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo. I'm sorry but its going to be tough to compete as the Swedish version is so dark, edgy and the acting super. The Swedish actress who plays Lisbeth is so good. I have not read the second book but read the first book. I have to say the movie is better than the book
- I am Love: A crazy Italian movie but worth seeing because it takes place in Italy, Tilda Swindon is amazing and Marisa Berenson looks fab in the movie.
I also felt guilty for not spending much time with Yuki-chan so took her to some long walks. Christmas season has officially arrived in Malibu so took Yuki-chan for walks around Malibu and enjoy the decorations. Also, I finally started an exercise program and went to my first pilates class in Venice. It was good to get those muscles working again.
Well, I think I'm going to have my first glass of wine now since Japan as I have a very very busy work week ahead of me and also take care of Skipper. In the meantime, here are some pics I took this weekend.
View of Point Dume, Malibu: I live in Pt. Dume. The skies were very clear this weekend because we had wind and rain. Very chilly though for Southern California. Lows were in the 40s!
Whale Watching from the park I take the dogs for a walk every morning. Pierce Brosnan donated the funds for this whale watching station in honor of his first Cassie who passed away from ovarian cancer.
View of Pepperdine University against a blue, blue sky
Took Yuki-chan for a walk along the Malibu Colony which is usually filled with birds. No birds today as a storm is coming through again I hear.
But then we found 100s of birds taking a nap on roofs of homes
Skipper the day after the emergency visit: The day before he could not walk at all, he was very slow but loves this park and walked 1/4 of the way on his own
Yuki-chan trying to encourage him
A very bad photo of me with Skipper and Yuki. It was taken this AM around 630am (Nov.28, 2010). It was 43F outside so had to bundle up with my emergency old jackets, hats, etc that I keep in the trunk of my car. I look like a homeless old lady!
Yuki and I checked out the holiday decorations at Malibu Country Mart after I got my holiday time AM drink - Winter Dream Tea Soy Latte, from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
The Christmas tree with more bird sightings!
But unlike Japan, most shops were decorated with the Peace sign for this holiday season. After all, America is still fighting 2 wars.
Channukah candles have started appearing also for the holidays
And the famous manger with baby Jesus. Billy, my nephew, liked to come here to say "hi" to baby Jesus when he was a little boy.
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