Garrett’s mom sent us a care package with all the fixens. Beef jerky, chips, candy…. And MAC AND CHEESE!!! I love Mac and Cheese! I think it’s the best invention created by man. We don’t need fancy things or running water. We just need some Macaroni pasta, some cheese powder and a solid cardboard box with step-by-step directions in English! Thank you Kraft and thanks Garrett’s mom for sending us such magnificent pieces of salvation.

Today was amazingly eventful day, especially because I am sick and didn’t expect to do anything. After sleeping for about 13 hours (since I only have Nyquil, I seem to put myself to sleep a lot), I woke up feeling a little better and determined. I had made an appointment to get my hair highlighted earlier in the week, before I knew how sick I would be, I wrangled myself out of bed and pretended to care about how I looked, determined to make my appointment.

About 4 people (with blonde hair) had recommended a place to me in Pudong (which is one side of the river, I am on the other side, Puxi) so I determined it was worth the trip over to have a good-looking head of hair. Garrett was also in desperate need for a haircut, so he tagged along hoping they could squeeze him in. Once we got there he scheduled an appointment for later in the afternoon. (His hair cut would be the equivalent of about 20 dollars, which isn’t bad but Garrett found it outrages since he usually just cuts his own hair in the bathroom.) Sick, and congested we fought the rain and Garrett and I headed out to Pudong.

I had been warned by some of the recommenders that there were TWO places with similar names in the same shopping complex. One was 81 West Salon and the other was 88 Salon. One was cheap and great with blondes; the other was expensive and catered to Expats. Of course I got the names confused and ended up at the wrong place. I went to 81 West Salon and got a great high light from a guy who spoke no English. Don’t get me wrong they did a GREAT job but the other place would have been about 200 RMB cheaper. Figures. Nevertheless, I still paid way less then I would of at Vidal Sassoon or at most places in the States.

It wasn’t until after, when I was walking around with my new mane killing time until Garrett’s appointment that I came across Salon 88 and realized my mistake. It was then that Garrett and I approached the counter to inquire about their prices. Garrett discovered that he could get his haircut for 100% less at this place and that they could see him NOW. So he took refuge in the black and metal chair and got his her cut. AND BOY did they do a GREAT job! For about 50 RMB (like 8 dollars) he got the best haircut I have ever seen him have.  He looks HOT!! AMAZING.

After we cancelled his other appointment and took a sigh of relief that we weren’t going to have to kill another three hours waiting for it. We headed home looking like two well-groomed individuals.

For the first time since moving to China, I am sick. My throat, my head, my nose are all functioning in the exact way I don’t want them to. For instance, my nose is running a marathon (but I have not trained for this marathon), my head is dancing to techno music (but I hate techno music) and my throat has invited all the cats from the neighborhood to take down the wallpaper (I am a dog person). All in all I feel not so hot.

Normally at home, I would call Kaiser or go to Walgreen’s and get the remedies de jour. But here I don’t have those luxuries what I do have are: about a half a dozen Cough-eeze cough drops we brought from home (I’ve already finished those), some Nyquil we brought from home (which does me no good during the day), tissues, water, some Chloraseptic we brought from home, and of course Garrett (who has turned into quite the handy butler during this time). My list of supplies isn’t bad but it isn’t enough. You see I feel a certain level of impending doom.

I wonder are my symptoms just signs of a severe sickness I contracted while adventuring through Shanghai? Or do I just have a cold and I am being ridiculous?

I’ve always heard about people here dying from Sars, the Bird Flu, or some other disease we westerners didn’t have to deal with before. I worry about my resistance to the above-mentioned diseases and any others that fill the air. (I will tell you right now; if I die because Big Bird gave me this cold I will not be a happy camper! What a way to go, just put on my tomb stone “Chicken Little killed me.”)

It’s probably nothing but I still worry. I mean I don’t know what the lady who gave me this was doing when she got sick… ohh that subway lady!! Curse her.

It all started on a typical commute home after a long day of work. In what I thought was a lucky moment I found a seat and plotted down to listen to my music and play some games on my phone. It was all quite nice until SHE stood in front of me. In her jealous rage she coughed and coughed and coughed. Did she cover her mouth, did she turn her head, did she even say excuse me? NO. She just coughed all over me as if I needed a germ shower.

Now some may say maybe I should have just gotten up and let her have the seat. But to those I say, you obviously don’t use Public Transit to get to and from work! Getting a seat is like finding a pair of black Prada pumps at the Rack in your size you don’t just give it up, EVER. And if for one second one would think that I would give that woman the satisfaction of taking my seat because she is rude. No!! What kind of lesson would I be showing her? That would only perpetuate this behavior! She would think that being disgusting, rude and inconsiderate would win her subway seats, and I will not allow for that!! No way!

I would rather be sick and know that she didn’t have the satisfaction!

But I don’t know if my protest was recognized. I do know that I am sick. And if it’s the bird flu I will not be happy.