There are many plants in Arizona that are rarely seen in Japan.
I looked up some of the plants I often see in my neighborhood.
1. White Nerium Oleander
【Type】
- Asterids
【Arizona Blooming time】
- Spring, Summer, Fall
【Feature】
- The leaves are oblong and pointed at both ends. Slightly thin and hard. The flowers open flat and divide into five petals. Do not eat or burn because it contains powerful toxic components (such as cardiac glycoside oleandrin).
【Flower language】
- Dangerous love, vigilance, alert enemy, peace of mind
【Talk to myself】
- It's toxic!? I see this plant everywhere, is it okay?
【Reference site】
2. Yellow Lantana
【Type】
- Lamiales
【Arizona Blooming time】
- Summer, Fall
【Feature】
- Lantana has various colors. Umbel consisting of many florets (flowers radiate from one point). Similar to hydrangea, but a completely different species from hydrangea, small overall and flashy in flower color.
【Flower language】
- Change of mind, agreement, cooperation, strictness
【Talk to myself】
- The blue ones were blooming on the roadside of my home town. I thought they are hydrangea.
【Reference site】
3. Bougainvillea Torch Glow
【Type】
- Caryophyllales
【Arizona Blooming time】
- All year
【Feature】
- The color of the flowers varies from red to white, and there are also pink, magenta, purple, orange, and yellow. To be exact, the color parts are the leaves called bracts. The actual flower is the three small white areas in the center.
【Flower language】
- Passion, charm, I can see you only
【Talk to myself】
- The small white one in the middle is the real flower...!! Many bougainvilleas are planted in Okinawa and I have it my parents house too. The color was similar, but I didn't think they are bougainvillea because of different shape.
【Reference site】
In the End
Although they look little different, it turned out that they are common plant to be seen in Japan. I'll try to research more.
These sites are collection of plants commonly found in Arizona.
Hey great work and analysis. since most are blooming all year round then they must be indigenous right?
Hi Ricky, thank you for your comment. No they are not indigenous.
Nerium oleander is from Northwest Africa and India area, Lantana and Bougainvillea are from South American Continent.
I checked the price of the flight from Phoenix to Tokyo. (Specified in November)
Because of COVID-19, it is almost half the price cheaper than usual!!
Hawaiian Airlines offers it for $670.
Price for Okinawa. About $1,000. So cheap.
About two weeks after I came to Arizona last year,
I was thinking,
Something is missing...
But I don't know what I'm missing...
What is this strange feeling..?
I noticed it when we were driving on that weekend.
"Oh, there is no ocean...! There is no ocean in Arizona ...!"
Since Arizona is inland, there is no ocean.
I should have known it, but when I realized it clearly, I was surprised and missed.
Since Japan is an island country, the ocean is nearby no matter where you live.
Even in Tokyo, I could see the ocean from the Shinagawa company in the direction of Odaiba.
In my home town in Okinawa, I could see the ocean from anywhere like my house and school.
Summer is over this year. It was my first summer that without seeing the ocean.
I sometimes wonder if we lived on Mars it would be like living in Arizona.
I love Arizona.
If I have to complain, it will be no ocean.
I want to go to the ocean next year.
End
[Additional]
-
It's sunny almost every day.
-
It's hot in summer, but there's no problem because we're inside the building. As it is desert area, it does not cause unpleasant heat and humidity. Also it doesn't get too cold in winter.
-
It's prospering moderately, but prices, taxes and rents are not too high like California.
-
Since the landscape is protected by law, the cityscape is unified and beautiful. (Building color, height, outside lights, etc.)
-
The cactus is cute.
Hi Aya, my question is, how do u lile the summers
Last weekend, we had a dinner on the birthday of my grandmother and mother-in-law.
At my grandmother's dinner, we had ham, German potatoes (which my german grandmother's father often made), baked beans, and peas salad.
German potatoes and baked beans were very good.
We gave her flower, card and meal gift card.
On my mother-in-law's birthday, we had pot roast and dessert salad.
The meat was so good it almost melted and the gravy was perfect. (We still can't make gravy delicious.) The vegetables were also tender, sweet and delicious.
The dessert salad coconut and orange pine were also great.
As a gift, we gave her houseplant and card.
Later, I had a birthday party meeting at Zoom with my relatives who live far away.
The grandchildren of the university students were doing great. I thought they were all good children who made time for her.
End
In the previous article, I wrote about the process of pregnancy and examination for 5 months. (Pregnancy and Checkup Process (first half))
This time I will summarize the cost for 5 months.
First examination
[Wednesday, June 3]: 6th week
・ Physical measurement, urinalysis, inquiry (nurse, doctor)
＜Cost＞
Inspection: $ 196
Insurance: $ -77.46
Out-of-pocket: $ 118.54
Second examination
[Friday, June 5]: 6th week
・ Ultra sound examination only (technician)
＜Cost＞
Inspection: $ 185
Insurance: $ -64.86
Out-of-pocket: $ 120.14
Third examination
[Wednesday, July 15]: 12th week
・ Physical measurement, urinalysis, interview (doctor) & heart sound confirmation
・ Confirmation of whether to perform a blood test & receive test clinic information and test kit
＜Cost＞
・ No charge (Because it was just a simple examination?)
Fourth examination
[Wednesday, August 19]: 17th week
・ Ultra sound (technician), body measurement, urinalysis, inquiry (nurse, doctor)
＜Cost＞
Inspection: $ 230
Insurance: $ - 80.38
Out-of-pocket: $ 149.62
Total
＜Cost＞
Inspection: $ 611
Insurance: $ -222.7
Out-of-pocket: $ 388.3
(Separately) Blood test
[Thursday, July 16]: 12th week
・ Blood test at another test clinic
＜Cost＞
Inspection: $ 2,000
Insurance: $ -1,502
Out-of-pocket: $ 498
Summary
The out-of-pocket cost was $400 for the medical examination and $500 for the blood test, for a total of about $900.
In the United States, costs are so different by state and person(which insurance you are in), so it's difficult to compare whether I'm high or low.
According to online information, the average out-of-pocket cost is $1,000 to $2,500 or $ 4,500. (Insurance included)
I assume it will be around $4,000.
That's all summary of the examination costs for the first five months.
[Additional]
Insurance plan: High Deductible
- Determine the amount of pay by yourself, and the insurance company will cover the amount exceeding the limit (Out-of-pocket maximum).
Reason for choosing High Deductible:
-
The regular plan costs $ 350 a month, which is high cost. (It seems that the basic charge has increased since I became dependent.)
-
Since we rarely go to the hospital, we decided that it would be better to set the annual limit to $ 4,000 with High Deductible and to fund medical expenses from salary, rather than throwing away $ 350 every month.
How to save our medical expenses:
- We deduct fixed amount from salary as medical expenses every month (It is nice that we can deduct it before tax.)
Benefits of this plan:
-
If you don't go to the hospital, you can save money. (For young people who do not go to the hospital, this is better than throwing away a high amount money every month.)
-
If you exceed the fixed amount, the insurance company will cover it, so it's safe.
-
By the way, the insurance company also seems to have the advantage of reducing payment costs, such as decreasing of going to hospitals too many times or expensive hospitals.
About the future:
-
Since the out-of-pocket maximum limit will be exceeded soon, if the baby is born within the year, the insurance company will cover most of it. Since the baby is scheduled to give birth in January next year, the out-of-pocket maximum limit will be reset and we will have to pay in full.
-
The plan change period will come in October next month. We’re thinking to change plan and consult with the insurance company.
Insurance reference site:
Five months have passed since I found out that I was pregnant in May of this year. It is the 6th month now(21st week).
In this article, I would like to summarize the flow of pregnancy and screening for the last 5 months.
Pregnancy revealed
[Saturday, May 16]
-
My period was delayed, so I tested it with a commercially available pregnancy test. It was positive.
-
There may be product bugs, so I checked again later.
(※1) It was positive. My husband and I were surprised.
Clinic & Doctor Search, Reservation
[Monday, May 18]
-
We searched for a clinic and doctor to get a proper examination.
-
In the case of the United States, you have to find a clinic covered by your insurance company.
-
My husband called the clinic, specified a doctor and made a reservation.
＜In my case＞
- Because I am dependent on my husband, I searched for a clinic from the insurance company that my husband is in.
- Clinic I went to
（Banner Health Center）
First Checkup
[Wednesday, June 3]: 6th week
- Physical measurement, urinalysis, inquiry (Nurse, Doctor)
(※3)
＜With Nurse＞
- Medical history, lifestyle, medical history of relatives, etc.
＜With Doctor＞
- Confirmation of positive urine test results, pregnancy process and precautions, physical condition and anxiety points
Make an appointment for the next ultra sound examination and finished. (I was able to make a reservation in 2 days)
《Time required: less than 1 hour》
Second Checkup
[Friday, June 5]: 6th week
- Ultra sound examination only (technician)
※ In the United States, ultrasound is taken by an ultrasound technician, not a doctor. The qualifications seem to be different.
(Ultra sound photo 1)
It's so small. At this time, I haven't really felt it yet.
Made the next reservation and finished.
《Time required: about 30 minutes》
Third Checkup
[Wednesday, July 15]: 12th week
-
Physical measurement, urinalysis, interview (doctor) & heart sound confirmation
-
Confirmation of whether to perform a blood test & receive test clinic information and test kit
(※4)
(Heart sound video)
I was having hard time with my morning sickness every day, but I was relieved to hear the heartbeat. I realized the baby was trying to live, and thought that I had to do my best. I was deeply moved by various emotions.
Made the next reservation and finished.
《Time required: 2 hours (1 hour was waiting because of previous reservation has been pushed)》
Blood test clinic
[Thursday, July 16]: 12th week
-
To the blood test clinic. (ANY LAB TEST)
-
Give the inspection kit to the reception. Blood sampling only.
《Time required: 10 minutes》
Test cost and confirmation of proceed
[Monday, July 20]: 13th week
- There is a phone call from the inspection clinic. Since the cost is high, they will contact to confirm the cost of the inspection and whether it is okay to carry out the inspection. I confirmed and accepted the amount.
＜Cost＞
Inspection: $ 2,000
Insurance: $ -1,502
Out-of-pocket: $ 498
Results
[Tuesday, July 28]: 14th week
-
There is a phone call from the inspection clinic.
-
There is no problem with the chromosomes and there are no other abnormalities.
-
Gender result.
(※5)
Fourth Checkup
[Wednesday, August 19]: 17th week
- Ultra sound (technician), body measurement, urinalysis, inquiry (Nurse, Doctor)
＜With Nurse＞
- Check regular use of supplements, check sleep / physical condition
＜With Doctor＞
- Confirmation of echo results, physical condition and anxiety points
(※6)
(Ultra sound photo 2)
Last time (two months ago), it was about the size of a bean, but baby was much larger.
Made the next reservation and finished.
《Time required: about 1.5 hours》
That's all for 5 months. I would like to summarize "cost" and "what happened" in another article.
[Additional]
・ Purchase at Target
◎Banner Health Center
（Location: 1435 S Alma School Rd, Chandler, AZ 85286）
◎ What is the point for choosing the clinic?
-
There was a woman doctor
-
Close to home
Woman doctor feels at ease personally. It's easy to go near my house, and feel safer when something happens. About 10 minutes by car. I'm glad I made it close.
◎ What is your impression of the clinic?
- The building is new and clean. The hospital that gives birth is next the clinic. Both doctors and nurses are kind. The reception is also normal. The overall impression is good.
◎ I was worried about the low rating of Google Maps reviews
- Personally, there is no problem so far.
I have been waiting for about 40 minutes once. In my case, there was no problem because the nurse said twice that "the appointment is being pushed and it will take time for the doctor to come". After waiting for about 15 minutes, you should check with your nurse to see if it has been left unattended.
◎ Precautions before Checkup
-
Since there is a urine test, do not pee in advance.
-
Drink two bottles of water before the ultra sound.
◎ Do they have an interpreter?
- A tablet for interpretation is available. Japanese is also supported.
I used it only at the first visit (I told them I wanted to use it at the time of booking). A Japanese person interpret through a video call like Skype. There was no problem even without it from the second time. My husband is by side with me every time. My husband is waiting near the lobby and call with Facetime on my smartphone because he can not enter the in the clinic room because of countermeasures of COVID-19.
◎ Details of the inquiry contents
- Detail is written on this Japanese blog.（ELmama: Life in America）
In recent years, it seems that it is common to have a blood test in the United States even if you are not late-age-pregnancy.
The blood test clinic is in a different location, so I got information about the clinic and called for a reservation. I was able to make a reservation for the next day.
◎ Blood test clinic
- Any Lab Test Now
(Location: 2075 W Warner Rd Suite 2, Chandler, AZ 85224)
◎ Inspection kit
The test kit is provided by the above company. You can also check the results on the site. When I received the test kit box from the obstetrics and gynecology clinic, she said, "If you run out of parts, you can't test, so don't open it and just give it to the person at the blood test clinic." Be careful not to open it and lose the parts.
Fetal DNA can be collected from the mother's blood, and the fetal chromosome can be confirmed, so the sex can also be determined. In the United States, gender announcements tend to be quiz-like questions.
When a person at the clinic asks "Do you want to know your gender?" And answers "Yes",
She asked, "Do you have any prefer? Which do you think?", My husband replied, "I think it's a girl because I heard girl is bad morning sickness.", I replied "anything ok".
Gender was a boy.
As I wrote in the previous article, my husband suspected Corona, so I asked the doctor how to deal with it.
◎ What should I do?
- Wear a mask in the house, separate the bedroom / bathroom / toilet, and sanitize common areas.
◎ What is the effect on the fetus if I get COVID-19?
- Even if a pregnant woman gets COVID-19, it is said that the effect on the fetus is small, so don't worry too much. Spend a regular life and be careful not to weaken your physical strength.
I wrote in my last article that my husband got COVID-19.（My husband got COVID-19）
Physical condition after that
From the day after the day when the fever came out (August 19th (Wed)), my husband's fever dropped and became normal.
His sore throat was healed and physical condition recovered quick.
I had no symptoms such as fever or sore throat.
To be honest, since I live in the same house, I think there is a high possibility that I have it. Some people are asymptomatic.
I thought about taking test just in case, but the person at the examination clinic said, "If you have a fever, please test it" and "Internet info says going to the examination clinic itself is a risk", so I decided not to get test for now.
Test fee
I don't know the test fee because we haven't received the bill yet.
As for internet information, around $100-$150 seems to be a guide.
(In Japan, payments are often made on the spot, but in the United States, payments are generally made the Bill after insurance is confirmed. In Japan, it is standardized to be 30% for self-payment by all nationals, but in the US, the self-payment is depending on the insurance company you are in.)
Two weeks later (September 2nd (Wed)) ~
We have lifted wearing a mask at home. We use same bedroom. (Although he still sleeps on a mat instead of a bed.)
We continue to washing hands, gargle and sanitizing with alcohol.
Symptoms depend on people
My husband was mild, there are actually some people who become seriously ill or dead, so I think the symptoms of COVID-19 really depend on people.
A few months ago, my husband's identical twins cousin, graduate students in Chicago, had COVID-19. One was mild, but the other was severe with inflammation of the lungs and internal organs. (The one is muscular figure, and the other is a slimmer figure than the one.)
People who are physically strong are less serious ill, but who have asthma or chronic illness, or who are weak conditions, are more likely to become heavier ill. (My mother has asthma, so I'm worried. Even a common cold can get worse, so I'm always tell her to be careful now.)
In the end
In the United States, some people starts saying, "It's up to the individual to wear a mask!", and some people don't wear a mask. If there are only strong people around you, you may feel free to set up. It's not necessary to be worried unnecessarily, but I think it's important to be careful not to inflict other people.
In the United States, it seems that the vaccine will be ready for practical use in mid-October. I hope this situation improves.