Rainy, rainy New York City

I'm in Brooklyn and, except for a brief excursion for bagels this morning, I have been inside all day. The rain is pouring, pouring, pouring down. I cannot believe that it has been raining this hard for this long. At least I have a sweet rain jacket (thanks, dad).

Wow, what a tumultuous couple of days in this cold, wet city. I have been sick - and when I say 'sick', I mean really pretty ill. I have been blowing a lot of snot out of my face, trying to cough out the mucus lodged in my chest, and I spent thursday and friday weathering a pretty hot fever. I have had the chest congestion for approximately 4 months and I think I've tried a fair number of potential remedies (that have failed!). I tried: letting it run its course to see if it would go away on its own, abstaining from alcohol or caffeine for almost a month, regular doses of echanacea and vitamin C, rest (maybe I haven't tried this one enough), and, finally, last week I went to a real, live western doctor who prescribed mucinex and an antibiotic. I am arguably sicker than I have been in the past few years.

Have no fear - tomorrow I will go to an acupuncturist and I will get healthy.

I considered changing my flight to later in the week, but this is pretty expensive (at least $300). For some reason, I have a lot of faith that I will be feeling better by the time I board my flight at 7:50pm on Tuesday the 17th.

I will rest. I will drink a lot of fluids. I will try hot and cold compresses. I will, I will, I will get better.

Maybe the cure really is a healthy dose of Mediterranean air.

It's too bad that all I can really think about right now is the sickness brewing inside of me because I really did have a lovely time here in the city with my parents. We went to the Metropolitan, walked the streets of Brooklyn, ate at Counter (a delicious vegetarian restaurant), and had some good coffee talk at the Lodge before they left.

Now I am in Andrew and Gabriel's apartment while the two aforementioned nerds study or read (for fun!). I hope to get a lot of sleep tonight and wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the morn. Even if I don't, I have an appointment with an acupuncturist tomorrow at 5:30pm. I will, I will, I will get better.

Despite all my ailments and complaints, I am still sure that going to Italy on Tuesday is a Good Idea. I am, however, open to the possibility that I may not be well enough to make the journey. I will decide then. Either way, I will make it to Italy soon; this country has done little for the restoration of my health and so I must look elsewhere. Italy sounds good.