Masks, Musicals and Manilla

I had some reverse culture shock this morning while shopping. The lady in front of me had a mask on. A common sight in Japan. Not common here. In fact someone told me that they daren't wear a mask because you get shunned like you have the plague. I didn't say a thing to the lady in front of me, but obviously she was feeling pretty self conscious. She volunteered, "Don't worry, I don't have IT." ('IT' being Swine Flu.) She continued, "I've been sick for so long that I'm just trying to avoid picking up any more bugs." I wonder if Swine Flu has been more rampant here just because of the anti-mask culture. On a lighter note. I've just bought my husband's birthday/our anniversary present. Tickets to Les Miserables (how to I put that proper bit over the 'e', I wonder?). I'm happy. I've seen it once before, but he hasn't. It is a marvellous production and I'm so pleased with myself for having figured out a way to celebrate his birthday. I'm leaving for Manilla on his birthday for a week - leaving him in the middle of school holidays with the boys. Pretty bad timing, but not much I could do about it! Why am I going to Manilla? Tune in next time...suffice to say, it is a bit of a career change.