Laughter, Insulin, and Factor VIII

Norm MacDonald once told his audience that laughter was the best medicine. Unless you're diabetic. Then of course, insulin is the best medicine.

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. And by the state of Denmark, I really mean my food supply. Junior High Niece (JRN) and I have eaten identical foodstuffs for the past two to three days and our stomachs have turned in anguish for just as long. At this point in my stay, I can no longer blame the pain on maladjustment, especially since JRN is also affected. This is something specific and malignant. But we don't know what. And no, I refuse to blame it on the fact that I had Capico Potato Crisps (BBQ flavor) for breakfast for three days in a row. Especially since I didn't have any this morning and my stomach was still in pain. In fact, packaged junk food is the only thing not bothering my stomach these days.

Oh, and my throat's been bothering me for a few days so today, at a cousin's house (a marvelously hospitable cousin, might I add), I asked her for some throat lozenges. She gave me some. Then two white pills that I could not identify. All I know is that it's for colds and would make me sleepy. And then, for good measure, she also gave me some sweet medicinal tea to drink. It was sugary and delicious, but I'm not sure how all three things would react together, or if in fact, I am falling ill or it's only my throat. She almost made me take antibiotics, too, before her husband intervened. Please make sure that I don't fall sick, people. I've been to the hospitals here and I don't want my doctor to be smoking as he's examining me, as I've seen a couple of doctors do.

In other news, my parents expect my life to be interesting whenever I call and are always disappointed when I've nothing much to report. It's always I watched yet some other random relatives play drinking games together or I sat in my aunt's living room for another five hours, not doing anything at all, or hey, when I interviewed my uncle he told me how he lies on budget reports. Stuff like that.