Please, send all questions to the ask box; if you need help come into the clinic immediately.
((This is a roleplay blog for HM Masterlist. I must state I am not a doctor in real life and in no way should any of my medical advice be taken seriously. This is a blog made for the sole purpose of portraying Jin, a fictional doctor in Harvest Moon, Tree of Tranquility. Thank you for visiting.))
Jin walked to the Harvest Goddess’ pond after hours, after the moon had risen. He hadn’t been able to attend the festivities because of his busy work day; he had become absorbed in his current studies, to the point he forgot that time was passing. With a small smile as he approached the pond, he placed a small basket of herbs from his tiny garden at home on the surface, and it floated there.
“Thank you.”
Then he turned without expecting a response and walked away.
((For some reason I couldn’t send an ask/submit. Sorry!))
comradekuruna replied to your post: What’s this I hear about a flu epidemic? The peak…
So, that is true, Doctor? … I suppose I best listen and get a shot in that case..
Oh, no no! There’s no flu epidemic. I just read it somewhere and wondered where this rumor started. But the flu shots to protect you from certain strains of the flu do help.
What’s this I hear about a flu epidemic? The peak of flu season has passed as we near the end of the month. To prevent yourself from catching the flu or colds, please remember to wash your hands.
- Dr. Jin
What an amazing person. Karen couldn’t believe how wise he was, even if he was a doctor, she hadn’t realized the wisdom he held. It actually made her feel even more motivated to keep going, to keep trying to bring prosperity and happiness back to her family. If Jin could use such a tragedy and make something good out of it, surely she could do the same, if she just didn’t give up.
“I think… That she must be very proud of you, wherever she may be.” Karen said finally, breaking her own silence and looking over at him with a sad smile painted on her face. She wasn’t the most spiritual person, but she also believed her grandma was watching over her, and waiting to see the family vineyard get returned to its former glory. She’d always felt that way. “You took something so sad, and you used to to better yourself, and better the world. I’m sure your happiness is what is most important to her.”
Looking back out at the water herself, she silently nodded her head in agreement, also hoping that everything had happened the way it was meant to. That she would also be able to reach her dreams someday. “Listening to your story.. I feel even more motivated to keep fighting. It hasn’t been easy… Shouldering my Father’s burden mostly on my own… But I definitely won’t give up!”
“I’m glad,” Jin said with a smile, looking over at Blondie. There was a moment where he felt like he should say something, but he didn’t know what to say so he kept quiet as he reached over and pet Blondie’s head. Then he looked at Karen and said, “I think I might head back home now…I don’t know if it’s a good thing to have a puppy like her out at this hour, it’s pretty cold tonight…” He worried slightly. Jin was a complusive worrier, which was his worst trait by far.
“I also have to go home and do the dishes…haha, I put it off this morning because I was late for work. Not that anyone is there to complain about the dishes piling up…but it was fantastic meeting you, Karen.”
“Well…” Jin hesitated, not wanting to indulge in his story at first. Not many people in his own town knew about why he went into medicine. But since Karen had shared her own dreams and how she hadn’t quite accomplished what she wanted to; but instead found other interests and dreams, he wanted to share his own story as well.
“I was engaged at one time when I was young…and she fell ill, and passed away before we could get married. I vowed to myself I’d try to cure every person who came to me sick after that, and do everything I could to help them. And so I went into medicine…but it doesn’t take away that initial shock.” He smiled sadly, but it was more of a happy smile of thinking of memories instead of a sad one of disappointment at his own incapability to heal his fiancee.
“But that was a long time ago, I’ve been here for awhile. And after I studied medicine, I found I really loved it, and I love helping people.”
For a moment, Karen thought that Jin might not want to answer her, and she thought about telling him not to bother. However, when he started to tell his story, a sympathetic look came to her face. It was so tragic that life had turned out in such a way for the young doctor, and she was amazed that so much sadness had befallen him at such a young age. “Jin… I’m so sorry to hear that… I can’t imagine how that must have felt…” she had never been in love herself, not really, so the idea wasn’t easy for her to completely understand. However, she knew how much it hurt just having someone she liked leave town, so this.. It just seemed so horrible. And even more so, she was impressed that he had managed to do something positive. She herself would have become an even worse drinker than she already was, and it made her feel slightly guilty for turning to booze the way she had.
Looking up at him with a sad smile, she said, “Jin.. You’re really amazing… I mean, being able to go through such a tragedy and doing something so.. Good…Because of it.” shaking her head, she smiled all the more, “I’m really impressed.”
“Thank you,” He said with a smile, not sure what else to say. He hadn’t told many people about his fiancee; of course Irene knew and the mayor, but he didn’t tell just anyone in town. A certain level of trust had to be established usually, but Karen seemed like one he could trust.
“I’m glad I could help others even in the face of tragedy. Sometimes I think I am still there with her…it’s like time hasn’t passed. But, things do change and time moves forward, never backwards..all I can do is live a life that I would be proud of telling her about when I see her again.”
He was a very spiritual person, despite his seriousness. With a slight sadness in his smile, he directed his gray eyes in a steady gaze towards the water again.
“Sadness should never stop your dreams; it should only strengthen your resolve to reach them. With me, it changed the direction of my dreams, and I think that was meant to happen. Hopefully it is the same with you.”
If you’re craving a late night snack, a banana is a good thing to eat. This is because bananas contain melatonin and serotonin, chemicals that help you sleep. Avoid eating spicy foods or citrus fruits, as these will keep you awake.
- Dr. Jin
“Ahah, I’m afraid you’d be wasting good wine on me if you did,” Jin responded with a cheery smile, glad she didn’t seem bothered by the fact he didn’t drink. He respected everyone’s professions and interests as well, so he didn’t think it was a bad thing to be a vintner - quite the opposite. Selling wine and venturing to new towns most likely was more excitement then he would experience as a doctor in a small town, so it was interesting to think about.
When she mentioned her real dreams, to dance - he smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in it. It was never a good thing to hear that someone’s dreams weren’t going to come to light in the real world; he thought everyone should follow dreams, but things didn’t always happen that way.
“Ah…I see,” He said, for a moment pausing longer than a normal pause usually lasted. “I truthfully didn’t think of being a doctor at first, I was always interested in learning and I thought I wanted to teach for a living. But, things happened, and I think everything does happen for a reason…It’s hard to accept sometimes however.”
A look of surprise crossed the brunette’s face. Truthfully, she had always thought people who became doctors did so because they had a real passion for it, so it was surprising to think that hadn’t been what he’d wanted to do from the start. She supposed a lot could happen as one grew up, though, and he definitely seemed to be well suited to the profession, at least from what she could tell. She could definitely see a calm, patient guy like Jin as a teacher, as well, but he seemed like the type to make a dependable doctor.
“What made you change your mind, if I might ask? I mean, for me, it’s obvious. I don’t want the vineyard to end up in the hands of a stranger… But did something happen to make you fall in love with medicine?”
“Well…” Jin hesitated, not wanting to indulge in his story at first. Not many people in his own town knew about why he went into medicine. But since Karen had shared her own dreams and how she hadn’t quite accomplished what she wanted to; but instead found other interests and dreams, he wanted to share his own story as well.
“I was engaged at one time when I was young…and she fell ill, and passed away before we could get married. I vowed to myself I’d try to cure every person who came to me sick after that, and do everything I could to help them. And so I went into medicine…but it doesn’t take away that initial shock.” He smiled sadly, but it was more of a happy smile of thinking of memories instead of a sad one of disappointment at his own incapability to heal his fiancee.
“But that was a long time ago, I’ve been here for awhile. And after I studied medicine, I found I really loved it, and I love helping people.”
“Oh…” This was what he had been wondering about the minute she mentioned bartending, and it seemed that she indeed was a wine-lover. Jin didn’t mind that she drank, as long as it wasn’t to excess, which naturally worried him. He too on occasion did drink red wine for good health, but it was a taste that he didn’t really appreciate as much as some did. Alcohol never seemed like a good idea to him, and he preferred tea or even coffee if he was feeling tired.
Looking towards the water, he wondered how he should approach the topic - it was obvious he was thinking deeply about his response, as he didn’t want to offend Karen with his aversion to alcohol. “Well, yes, I am drinking tea,” He said with a slight smile, and then added, “Ah, I’m afraid I’m not much of a wine drinker, it just doesn’t settle well with me.” It was the truth, at least. Jin wasn’t one to lie.
“But that’s very interesting; you want to be a vintner? Do you have your own winery and orchard?”
Karen wasn’t sure what made the doctor fall silent, but she truthfully didn’t mind the silence. She found it easy to just sit with people, and she snuggled with Blondie while Jin thought, her emerald eyes staring into the darkening ocean.
When he finally spoke to her again, green eyes returned to his face and she smiled, nodding her head in understanding. It was a shame he wasn’t a fan, really, but she knew a lot of people couldn’t handle alcohol well. “I’ll be sure not to bring you any of my wine to critique in that case.” her tone was light, clearly not bothered by him not being interested in drinking it. Different strokes and all that ,right?
“Well… It isn’t so much a want.. Or, it wasn’t at first.” she chuckled softly, lowering her eyes as she thought of the best way to explain everything. She blushed lightly before she started, “I.. Actually wanted to be a dancer.. A prima ballerina.” Shaking her head, she let out a dry laugh, “But my family has been running a vineyard for generations… I’m the only child, so I’m the one that’s going to inherit it.”
“Ahah, I’m afraid you’d be wasting good wine on me if you did,” Jin responded with a cheery smile, glad she didn’t seem bothered by the fact he didn’t drink. He respected everyone’s professions and interests as well, so he didn’t think it was a bad thing to be a vintner - quite the opposite. Selling wine and venturing to new towns most likely was more excitement then he would experience as a doctor in a small town, so it was interesting to think about.
When she mentioned her real dreams, to dance - he smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in it. It was never a good thing to hear that someone’s dreams weren’t going to come to light in the real world; he thought everyone should follow dreams, but things didn’t always happen that way.
“Ah…I see,” He said, for a moment pausing longer than a normal pause usually lasted. “I truthfully didn’t think of being a doctor at first, I was always interested in learning and I thought I wanted to teach for a living. But, things happened, and I think everything does happen for a reason…It’s hard to accept sometimes however.”
“I’ve always enjoyed living in a small town,” Jin laughed at the mention of the city, because he knew very well what it was like - he did get his training in the city, but came back to the quiet life. Perhaps it was just his type of environment; the quiet made him happy. “And yes, it is a very rewarding job; I love it, don’t get me wrong…It’s tiring but I think the smiles I bring back to people’s faces make it worth the while.”
At the mention of her friends leaving, he frowned, even though he knew it was a common occurrence. People came and went around town, and it wasn’t unusual to see new faces every other month. “I see…yes, I would love a friend. Ah, bartending…” He thought maybe of mentioning his dislike of alcohol, but before he knew it she mentioned sitting next to him. With an embarrassed red blush on his face, he said, “Oh, of course - I should have offered earlier.” He moved a little closer to the edge of the bench on his side, making enough room for both Karen and Blondie.
“I’m sorry, I was just enjoying our conversation so much that I forgot my manners, haha…” It was obviously a nervous laugh, and he put a hand on the back of his neck and rubbed it self-consciously.
“Oh ya? I guess that living in a small town has it’s good points. Things are much quieter, and the people tend to be nicer… And it must be nice that you get to really know the patients here, too.” a look of admiration was on her face as she listened to him and she nodded her head in understanding. He was a very dedicated man, the opposite of her father, really. It was refreshing to Karen. “Being able to make a difference like that, it really must be such a great feeling.. I mean, if I do become a vintner, I’ll make people happy, but not in the same sort of way.”
It made Karen smile all the more, hearing that he was interested in a friendship. A reliable guy like Jin seemed like a good person to make friends with, especially since he was so nice and calm - a person who also could enjoy a quiet night, like herself. “It’s okay! I just realized I might as well sit, instead of standing around. People might think I’m bugging you or something.” she chuckled softly, picking Blondie up and then sitting in her place, setting the excited pup back on her lap.
“Are you drinking tea, by the way?” she asked, seemingly at random, but she’d noticed that he had a drink with him that was obviously not alcoholic. “I can bring some, when I visit - unless you like wine. I make wine at home, so if you like that — Aaahh, But I guess you couldn’t anyways, could you?” she smiled apologetically, realizing that a doctor couldn’t very well be drinking during the day, not when patients were around. “I should try and drink less anyways, I suppose.. Aha…”
“Oh…” This was what he had been wondering about the minute she mentioned bartending, and it seemed that she indeed was a wine-lover. Jin didn’t mind that she drank, as long as it wasn’t to excess, which naturally worried him. He too on occasion did drink red wine for good health, but it was a taste that he didn’t really appreciate as much as some did. Alcohol never seemed like a good idea to him, and he preferred tea or even coffee if he was feeling tired.
Looking towards the water, he wondered how he should approach the topic - it was obvious he was thinking deeply about his response, as he didn’t want to offend Karen with his aversion to alcohol. “Well, yes, I am drinking tea,” He said with a slight smile, and then added, “Ah, I’m afraid I’m not much of a wine drinker, it just doesn’t settle well with me.” It was the truth, at least. Jin wasn’t one to lie.
“But that’s very interesting; you want to be a vintner? Do you have your own winery and orchard?”
