Today I started treatment for lower back pain I have had since Nate was born. It used to come and go, usually bothering me for a few weeks after each birth but since Kenny's birth 10 months ago, the pain has only gotten worse. I think it's because he had shoulder dystocia and was so big. And he likes me to hold him a lot =)

Since I try to stay away from medication as much as possible, I opted for the traditional treatment that is widely used here. I expected a massage and maybe a little exercise but was surprised when, after the massage they put those little suction cups on my back. It hurt like crazy at first so I called Hetee in from the hall and asked him if it was supposed to feel like that. He said it was and asked me if I wanted him to call the nurse in to take them off. I refused, reasoning that since I'd come this far I might as well go through with it. Well, the first 5 minutes or so seemed like torture but then, round the 6th or 7th minute I felt my lower back adjust itself 2 times and it felt really nice! After I got home I looked it up on the internet and, as it turns out, moxibustion, as it's called, is good for a bunch of things among them being sciatica and lumbago (lower back pain). Anyway, I have 4 days of treatment left and I can put up with the moxibustion if it means I can have 4 more days of glorious hot oil massages. And all of this for the low, low price of $7.00, believe it or not! I love Mongolia.

My back, after the moxibustion treatment

I've been having so much fun getting to know my new cell phone. It's a Sony Ericsson (Walkman series) and it has a camera.


So, here's the afore promised picture of my new do. I took it myself with my phone because I hate asking someone to take my picture. Man, the top of my fridge needs cleaning.

Oh, Katya darling, thank you for the comment you left on my last post. Right now I'm eating peanut butter chips and thinking about you. =)