I took United 853 from San Francisco to Narita, Tokyo on May 28, 2009. It was an usual 11-hour flight with lots of empty seats. I used to think it's hella long, but I got used to it by now. I was sitting in an aisle seat sleeping, eating and reading. I didn't even listen to music. What they served––I don't really call it food––didn't suffice for my hunger and boredom, so I ate some bread that Kala and I got the day before with white wine. What kept me entertained was a novel I bought with Kala's recommendation: Genesis of Shannara: Armageddon's Children by Terry Brooks. I haven't finished it yet, but it really helps me forget where I am, the place I already left behind.

Sitting next to me were three college students form Puerto Rico. They seemed really excited to visit Japan, and they knew some Japanese. I didn't rally talk with them during the flight, but I ran into them at Narita airport before flying into Osaka. I hung out with them since then, and when they couldn't find the person who was supposed to pick them up at Kansai airport, I stayed a little and helped them find a way to contact the coordinator of the exchange/visit program they were in. I told them my name, and they said they would find me on facebook later.

I stayed at a cheap hotel in Osaka that night because it was too late to get back to my hometown; I arrived at my parents' house the day after. I'm already disliking being here––I grew out of this house, and I don't belong here anymore.

Today, a health official called me and told me that there was someone who was infected with the flu within two meters of my seat on United 853. Now I have to record my body temp twice a day and report it every day. What's more, I'm not supposed to go out until June 5, a week later from the arrival date. Though I've gone out yesterday and it's not legally binding, I don't feel so encouraged to go out now. Most of my friends work with children, so I guess I shouldn't see them either? Great, my three-week stay is now ruined for a week because of this stupid policy that the naive and xenophobic Japanese government has employed.

I mean, I WILL go out if I want to. I just can't go too far away or out for more than a day. Would I feel bad? No, because maybe they should learn a lesson on what it means to be so overly sensitive about some foreign diseases and its presumed carriers. It was late for them to contact me anyway.

Good thing, I'm not locked up in a hotel room. Not that this place is better than a hotel, but I can sneak out. I was planning a trip to leave here and go somewhere as soon as possible, but I have to postpone it until the 5th. Now I'm just regretting ever visiting back here this time. I can't wait to go home.