Characters surrounding Candy
Hi all, how are you all doing? It’s near the end of 2020, but the pandemic is far from over. 🙁 I was ready to publish a couple of days ago but since many of my readers are from the United States, I decided to wait till the next U.S President is officially announced. I can hardly believe, as of this very moment, the winner can only be projected, not declared. 😒 Anyway, it’s great to hear that Kamala Harris makes history! Her achievements mean a lot to many people nowadays.
I know it’s been a long while since I last updated my blog, mainly because I’ve been having issues with one of my eyes, thus making it necessary to take frequent breaks from work during the day and limit my screen time in the evenings. I believe I’ve finally found the root cause now, and my eye is gradually getting better. 🙏🏻 Many thanks for your patience and continued support! 💐 In this post, my focus is to address two questions asked in the comments section of the previous posts and share two pictures from Candy Candy Encyclopedia.
The first question was about the sandwich scene in Candy Candy Final Story (CCFS). If I’m not mistaken, the word “sandwich” never appears in the novel (please kindly correct me if I’m wrong) but Candy mentioned “sharing everything” in two places, as far as I know.
In her 30s, Candy recalled the reason why she started living together with Albert. In the manga, the amnesiac patient left Room 0 of his own volition but in CCFS he got expelled. Despite being fired by the hospital, she determined to stay by his side till his recovery. She never believed the rumours about him getting involved with the Mafia, so when he suggested “Let’s share everything”, she promised him (約束していた).
Literally, Albert said “anything” (なんでも), which is usually translated to “everything / whatever” in English. He used the volitional form of the verb “to share (partake) (分かち合う)“, which is like an invitation from the speaker to do something together. Candy added that he meant つらいことも、うれしいこともーーー。That is, he invited her to share all her pains and joys with him.
While she could share anything with him and expected him to do the same, he did not do his part, apparently. Thus, she was confused and upset at his sudden disappearance, if not let down. He even left her a lump sum of cash with a note “I’m sorry to have troubled you.” (迷惑をかけた).
The other place in CCFS Candy mentioned about “sharing everything” was in her letter to Albert (in the Epilogue). With nostalgia, she recalled the happy days living together with him in the House of Magnolia:
あの不安でも穏やかだったマグノリヤ荘での毎日を思い出します。(I remember the anxious yet peaceful days in the House of Magnolia.)
二人ともお財布はからっぽ。でも、楽しかった……。(Despite empty wallets, we were happy…)
なんでも分かち合おうーーーそう言ってくれたアルバートさんの言葉、忘れません。(Let’s share everything — Albert-san’s words to me, I will not forget.)
As I mentioned before, the adjective “穏やか” (peaceful) Candy used to describe the good old days in the apartment is exactly the one used in Nagita sensei’s interview of Candy’s three loves when referring to Candy’s destined love with Albert. In contrast to some fans’ remark about that being boring, Candy was undoubtedly fond of those times. 😉
The other question was about the timing of Albert’s arrival at the Chicago hospital where Candy worked. Sorry I have forgotten what exactly was unclear to some of you, but I’ll explain what I have understood primarily from Patty’s letter to Candy prior to her departure of London. In CCFS, Annie and the Cornwell brothers returned to America before the war started because the situation in Europe was very tense. When Candy received letters from Archie and Stear, she was working at Mary Jane nursing school (she started pursuing her dream in early spring, as indicated in her letter to Captain Niven). Soon after that, Candy relocated to Chicago, as shown in Patty’s letter.
Patty began by saying the date of her departure had finally been decided. She used いよいよ, which means “at last, finally, etc.” Although she didn’t want to leave her parents behind, they wanted her to go. She also mentioned England had declared war at last. She used ついに, which means “at last, in the end, etc.” We all know that England joined the Allies on August 4 and was officially at war with Germany and Austria-Hungary.
Patty honestly said Stear had urged her to come in his letter, and she wanted to be by his side. Above all, Candy was also in Chicago, so Patty was truly looking forward to their reunion. Yet, she brought up the sad topic about Albert having lost all his memory. In Stear’s letter, he had written about Albert, including what had happened to him in Italy and how the hospital staff had maltreated the suspicious patient, etc. Thus, I have reasons to believe Albert arrived at the hospital in Chicago in summer 1914, before August. What do you think?
Next, let me share two interesting posts from Candy Candy Encyclopedia (thanks to Candy Albert for sharing and Mariella for giving me her permission to use her materials 🥰 on her Facebook Page, Albert y Candy Manga Color). The first post is about Prince on the Hill.
My friend Candy Albert has kindly shared the Spanish translation with us. I think someone else has translated the Japanese text for her. 🙂
El Príncipe de la Colina
Este es un príncipe agradable y simpático que conocí en Pony Hill (La colina de Pony) cuando tenía 6 años de edad. Lo vi una vez y no sabía su nombre, pero fue mi primer amor. Vestía como un noble, estaba vestido con un traje típico escocés, con su gaita.
Amablemente me consoló, cuando estaba llorando en la colina de Pony, y dijo: “Tu sonrisa es más linda”
Fue un evento de ensueño, pero siempre mantuve la esperanza que volvería a encontrarme con él nuevamente.
A decir verdad, él siempre se mantuvo cuidándome por mucho tiempo.
Below is my humble attempt to translate the Japanese text to English:
Prince on the Hill
When I was six years old, I met a very, very charming prince on Pony’s Hill. Though I met him only once and did not know his name, he was my first love.
- Wearing the Scottish ethnic garment and carrying a bagpipe, he was dressed like a nobleman.
- When I was crying on top of Pony’s Hill, he gently comforted me, telling me, “You’re prettier when you smile.”
- Although the incident was like a dream, I believed one day I would certainly see him again.
- In fact, he had been watching over me all along.
- Of course he’s got 100 points, the perfect score! 💯
Overall, Candy was listing reasons when describing her Prince on the Hill, like why he was her first love (初恋), particularly points 2 and 4. The last point ended with emphasis too. Note that 初恋 is a term composed of two Chinese characters, “first / beginning” and “love / romance”. The word 恋 is used in Nagita sensei’s interview about Candy’s adolescent love with Terry as well.
In addition, Candy said her prince was very, very charming / good-looking / handsome, which is exactly the same as the first few words on the right hand side of the following manga image (where she inwardly admired Granduncle William’s handsome and youthful appearance). Back to the post from CC encyclopedia, Candy also said すてきな twice in a row, which serves to emphasize her point. This adjective is often translated to “nice, lovely, splendid”, and in CCFS I’ve seen it associated with some male characters like her prince, Anthony, Archie and Terry. When Anthony first asked her about her mysterious prince, she immediately told Anthony that her prince was すてき！
The other post is about Albert-san, and please click the link to see the translation in Spanish. The top left corner of the following image shows some text in a black triangle, which says “the male characters surrounding Candy”. Again, below is my translation from Japanese:
Albert-san
He likes animals and nature. He is a gentle but strong man, having taught me many things. In fact, he was Prince on the Hill.
- Whether he was dressed slightly dirty or properly, he looks good at any rate.
- When I’m troubled, he will appear from somewhere to help me. He was incredible.
- To me, he is my brother and my lover, a man like God. He’s the best man.
- His true identity is Granduncle William. He’s adopted me, always watching over me.
- He is Prince on the Hill. Of course he’s got 100 points! 💯
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Candy adored Albert, both his appearance and his personality. It was a pleasant surprise to read she directly said he was her lover/sweetheart (恋人). Remember I mentioned before that brother-sister-romance is a common trope used in Asian romantic stories? In Chinese it’s called 兄妹情.
Overall, the nuance is lost when translating. For example, in point 1, Candy was literally saying that Albert was becoming a sama (さま). This honorific is well known as the formal form of san (さん). Sometimes people (especially the female ones) use さま when referring to someone they love or adore (like a celebrity or a movie star).
In point 3, Candy described Albert as 不思議, which can mean “amazing, marvelous, mysterious, wonder, strange, etc.”. In CCFS she said he gave her a marvelous sense of security, where she used the same adjective.
In points 4 and 5. Candy used the ending particle たの, which indicates emotion and admiration when she said Albert had always been watching over her. In point 5, the sentence “Albert is Prince on the Hill”, is followed by だもの, which indicates reason and infers some protest. It’s like she was saying this reason is a good enough to make him perfect. After all, 100 points 💯 means he’s got full marks. 🙂
If I have made any mistake or if there is anything unclear, please kindly let me know. Thank you for reading my post. Hope to hear from you soon! 🥰
Hi there!
I’m happy to hear that your eyesight is alright after all. It’s quite a common problem for those of us who work on a computer everyday. I guess it’s something we can’t avoid since computers are indispensable at work and home.
Changing the topic a bit, I’ve read some bits and pieces of this encyclopedia on social media. It’s quite interesting how Albert had always been the focal point for Candy and he became even more important to her as she gradually became an adult. Albert continues to remain the most important person in Candy’s life in the 2010 novel as well. In fact, Albert’s character is even more elevated and well-developed in the novel than in the anime and manga put together. The author gives her readers a clear indication that the relationship between Candy and Albert transcends friendship. It’s telling that Candy admits to herself in Section 3 of the novel that Albert is more than just a friend or brother to her but someone far more special. She even worries whether Albert feels the same way about her or not. Those who say this is just friendship don’t know what they’re talking about. The novel speaks for itself and the evidence is there for anyone interested to read.
Wish you all the best!
Hi Christine, how are you doing?
Yes I agree it’s a common problem to many of us, especially those who use computer for many hours everyday like me.
About Albert and Candy’s relationship in CCFS, I completely agree with you. Those fans who insist Albert is a father figure or merely a brother really should brush up their reading comprehension skills lol 😅
Best wishes to you too! 🤗
The problem with some of those fans is that they’re too persistent in imposing their opinions on others. Their attempt is self-defeatist and futile because no one with logic and intelligence takes them seriously. Unless the author herself decides one day to reveal who anohito is, everything else is based on conjecture. It’s also foolish to try to insist that Albert is a father-figure because that ludicrous claim has been repeatedly debunked in the novel itself where Candy clearly states that she has no adoptive parents. Albert was simply Candy’s guardian until she reached adulthood where she could take care of herself. Plain and simple.
That’s precisely the case and I’ll add that even the editor of the Spanish translation of the CCFS (Arechi Manga) along with the professional translators have clarified that Albert should not be regarded as a father but a tutor or guardian. Besides, it’s impossible for a young man who is single and in his early 20s to adopt a woman who is only a decade younger than him. That’s how the law works.
Well said, @Myra. Though the laws might not be as strict back then, biologically he couldn’t possibly be her father either. 😂
It was impossible even back then for a single male in his youth to adopt a woman who’s only 10-11 years younger than him. Societies were even more religious back then and the directors at Pony’s Home were also very religious.
And as you’ve mentioned, it’s also biologically impossible for Albert to be a father to a woman who is only a decade younger than him. Boys do not become fathers when they’re ten years old. lol
Exactly!
You’re absolutely right, @Myra. 👍 People back then were way more conservative and religious. There was no way a bachelor could legally adopt a teenage girl.
It’s extremely difficult for someone who is single to adopt a child in our modern times too. In some countries, it’s strictly prohibited. In most countries, nonetheless, it continues to remain a bureaucratic nightmare which in most cases will prove to be of no avail. There are specific legal and financial standards in order to adopt a child and in no way could a young unmarried man in his early 20s adopt a young woman who is only 10 to 11 years younger than him. The fact that some fans fail to comprehend this is baffling and it proves that ignorance has no limits.
So true, @Myra, but probably not entirely due to ignorance though. Some fans would rather take fallacies or faulty reasoning than accept the brutal truth that it’s unlikely Candy and Terry would reunite.
Exactly, @Christine. The only time Candy addressed Albert as father was to tease him or gauge his interest (perhaps even to provoke him to respond). 😉
Candy got her way because Albert eventually got triggered by her incessant and “merciless” teasing. Candy wasn’t planning on stopping any time soon because in her letter to George, she explained how much she enjoyed trolling the life out of Albert. Only a self-deceiving fool would ever believe that Candy and Albert ever had a father-daughter relationship. Who ever heard of a boy becoming a father at the age of ten? Arguably, this may also explain why Keiko Nagita decided to specify Candy and Albert’s age in the novel.
You are all right and your points have also been corroborated by the editors and translators of the Spanish version, all of whom have explained again and again that there is absolutely no father and daughter relationship between Candy and Albert. Instead, the translators of the official Spanish version have elucidated that Albert was nothing else but a mentor who protected Candy until she grew up to become an adult who could look after her own self. You can find all this information on the official Arechi Manga channel on YouTube.
Yeah, I’ve watched their YT vids and Miralles as well as the two main translators have made their point loud and clear that Albert is definitely not a father-figure. They also added that Albert could be considered as a suitor to Candy. This point was stressed more by the editor.
Yes @Christine. Glad to hear that. The professional translators and the editor are supposed to be unbiased, but if some people are in denial, they just won’t listen.
That’s right, @Sarah. Not only that, Albert’s confession took place when Candy was an adult. I think this was one of the major changes from the manga story.
Albert’s character is by far better appreciated in the novel as Keiko Naagita develops his character even more by making it more intricate and mysterious.
Hello @Ms Puddle and @Sarah,
I also consider Albert’s character to have received a significant upgrade in the novel as he appears to be more humane and less of an “angelic” or “ideal” figure. On the other hand, Terry’s character has received a serious downgrade in comparison to the anime but also the manga. I would have expected the author to maintain the anime approach where Terry seems to be a much more compassionate character whose violent streak is not directed against Candy but against other guys his age like Archie.Terry was also far more dynamic in the anime and his presence was ubiquitous. In the novel, however, Terry is hardly ever mentioned after the end of Section II where he leaves for the USA. Needless to mention that he’s lamentably passive in the entire predicament following Susanna’s tragic accident. It’s indisputable that Albert is far more appreciated in the novel as the author has generously provided so much depth and significance to his character.
Well said, @Anita. I don’t have anything to add except that Terry seemed unimportant in the story after he had left Candy’s life. Even Archie, Patty and Annie had letters shown in section 3. Isn’t this kinda odd?
These are all valid points. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Myra.
I agree with you, Ms Puddle. However, I don’t find it odd that Terry ceases to be in the forefront after the end of Section II. This is the author’s way of denoting that Terry was a phase in Candy’s adolescence. During her adulthood, Candy had overcome Terry and was clearly falling deeply in love with Albert. This is the reason why the focal point of the Epilogue is Candy and Albert.
Well said, @Christine. Whoever came up with the father-daughter theory have totally missed the point of the story.
On the other hand, Candy eventually stopped teasing Albert not long after his confession. It was only in her letter after her birthday party that she brought up the question about calling him “father”. Possibly she was quite disappointed he couldn’t spend much time with her even though she had come to Chicago.
Some of those fans are regurgitating that ridiculous father-daughter claim because it’s all they got. They are well-aware that Albert is far better than Terry in all aspects (looks, education, character, height, intelligence), therefore, they’re desperately searching for a way to eliminate him from being a potential suitor to Candy as Terry is. Yet, the author has already debunked their frantic claims so it doesn’t really matter what they feel or believe. What matters is what the author wants and that is leaving an ambiguous ending which could fit either Terry or Albert.
I couldn’t have said it better, @Christine, although I think both Terry and Albert are very good looking, perhaps in different ways. If I remember correctly, Terry might have broken the rules in school but he had good grades? I probably have to check the novel again. 😅
Also, Terry might have anger management or mental issues, but I have the impression that he had improved a lot as he grew older.
Nevertheless, even though the identity of Anohito has remained a mystery, to me it can’t be more obvious 😉
As already admitted by Terry (to himself, of-course), those good grades as well as his “perfect” score when it came to behavior was due to the loads of cash his rich dad was tossing at the head of school and her admin team. Had any other less privileged student broken school protocol the way Terry did, he or she would have been suspended from that school in the blink of an eye. Even after Eliza’s trap, Candy was the one who received the harshest punishment by getting suspended whereas Terry didn’t even get a slap on the wrist.
To make it clear, Terry was not slow on the uptake for sure but he was neither an academic mind nor an intellectual. He dropped out of school in his teens.
Candy actually had a far higher education than Terry because she managed to complete nursing school. Apparently, Albert, Archie, Patty and George are the most educated in this novel-all of whom have acquired higher university education. Stear would have been one of them too but he died way before his prime falling heroically in battle.
Not too many actors in the past had higher education. Most of them were school drop-outs like Terry. Many fine actors in recorded history never had any academic education anyway. It’s nowadays where the younger actors want to acquire university education, especially in Europe.
That said, graduating from university back then in the early 1900s was a big deal as not too many people could ever manage to achieve it. The characters of the novel you’ve stated (Patty/Archie/George/Albert/Stear) were acutely intelligent and university was the best place for them to thrive.
I agree with you that Stear would have also attended university if he had returned from war. He would have probably studied engineering, physics and/or mathematics.
I agree with you, @Myra. Perhaps Susanna was a dropout too as she might be the same age as Terry and yet she was already working. 😉
There’s not much background info for Susanna, unfortunately. Readers don’t even get to know whether she’s North American or British. If I correctly recall, the CC Encyclopedia (Companion) lists her as being British. This info is based on TOEI though.
Yet, Terry treats Susanna like a ‘princess’ and he even calls her as such in the manga. Nonetheless, there is no further information about Terry’s mindset in the novel after he abandons Candy at St Paul’s in London. Most of these key characters including Terry and Albert remain obscure when it comes to their upbringing and background. One would have expected some form of character development in the novel since this could have been a great opportunity for the author to elaborate a bit but this never happens. These characters remain shrouded in a thick veil of mystery until the end of this story.
I agree with both of you but I will add that Albert’s character has benefited the most from this novel. Albert’s complex character has been developed the most, especially in contrast to the manga and anime. The author has done a fine job in creating his character and it’s by far one of the best in this novel.
Ironically, Terry’s character is ‘truncated’ in the novel in stark contrast to the manga & anime where he’s virtually ubiquitous. Terry’s role and significance are limited within the narrative of Section 2 of the CCFS and that’s it. He’s mentioned sporadically, thereafter.
On the other hand, Albert’s character is far more significant in the novel and he gains in momentum in Section 3 and, ultimately, the Epilogue.
I was told some Terry fans didn’t like CCFS that much, @Myra, which is not very surprising. I’ll quote this entire thread of comments and replies. Thank you! 🤗
I couldn’t agree with you more. If the author wanted anohito to be Terry, she would have devoted a lot of space in her narrative after the second section. Instead, she places Terry in the past tense (and in Candy’s adolescent past) and furthers the relationship between Candy and Albert. Instead of giving character develop to Terry, the author provides depth concerning Albert’s character in tandem with clarifying the intimacy between Candy and Albert during their adulthood. This is clearly what the author wants and everything else is just wishful thinking and empty rhetoric.
My sentiments exactly, @Christine. I’ll quote this entire thread of comments and replies, as I mentioned in my reply to Myra.
Meant to say character development..
Exactly! The purpose of the final sections of a novel and especially the epilogue is not only to prepare a closure for the story but also to emphasise the important characters of the narrative. In the case of the CCFS, the focus is on Candy and Albert. Keiko Nagita had already specified in her interview in Paris the previous year that she had placed Candy and Albert’s correspondence in the epilogue in order to provide emphasis.
Right on, @Anita. Although the author has refused to reveal who Anohito is, to me he just can’t be Terry. Anyway, I’ll quote this entire thread of comments and replies in my new post. Thanks 😊
You’re right @Christine and @Anita. It would be nonsensical-if not ludicrous-to devote the final sections of a novel to specific characters (in this case it’s Candy and Albert) unless those characters were crucial and instrumental to the story.
Terry stops being relevant in Candy’s present after he leaves her at St Paul’s and heads for the US.
However, Albert becomes increasingly relevant and indispensable in Candy’s present life and she wants him to be in her life as such in the future as well. Candy stresses this intention even more when she writes to Albert that she wants to see him again and return her diary to him just as he had returned his badge to her.
It’s great that all the 3 official translations have not deviated from the original 2010 CCFS which centres on the brewing romance between two Candy and Albert in section 3 and of-course in the epilogue. Despite the hysteria of a handful of desperate fans, the editorial teams of these 3 translations didn’t bend a knee to their whims but remained professional and above all, truthful to the actual text as written by Keiko Nagita.😉
Yes, @Christine. I’m so glad the translators and editors have been professional, unlike the Italian manga publisher who altered the story ending by adding their own stuff decades ago.
I’m also pleased that the editors and translators involved in the Italian, French and Spanish versions of Candy’s story didn’t deviate at all from the original text. Needless to mention that the structure of this story is straight-forward: Section 1 is about Candy’s first love who is Anthony; Section 2 moves into Candy’s infatuation with Terry; and Section 3 onward solidifies the relationship between Candy and Albert, which from a friendship evolves into an adult intimacy based on reciprocal love and respect.
Well said, @Anita!! Each section is devoted to a stage of Candy’s life, in which she fell in love with a young man. The manga’s ending essentially tells us that Albert was the first one Candy met and the one she returned to. 😍
It seems that Candy had some insecurities on whether Albert felt the same way about her and she even expressed those concerns in the novel (Section III). She found him ‘exasperating’ because he kept silent regarding his feelings for her. Therefore, it appears that Candy had finally found a way to get a response from Albert and her ploy worked.😉
Hi @Irana93, interestingly Candy used the present tense when she exclaimed Albert was exasperating 😉 The sentences prior to that were all written in past tense.
Hello!
Sorry to hear about your health issue. Are you feeling better now? How are you coping with COVID-19?
I’m currently working via my own home again due to the spike in the COVID-19 cases and fatalities. People are resorting to mass and hysterical shopping again and that further exacerbates the situation. We need to stay calm and focus on what the scientific experts have to say such as wearing protective masks and maintaining social distancing along with strict hygiene. These are simple yet crucial habits which can literally save so many lives.
Hope you and your loved ones are fine.
Take Care!
P.S. I really enjoyed your analysis of this CC-related book. Does it consist of a single volume or is it a multi-volume series?
Good question, @Michelle! I’ve always assumed it’s a single volume but now that you ask, I’m not sure anymore. Let me check 😅
You take care too!
P.S. I’ll remove your duplicate comment in the pending queue 😉
OK. Thanks!
Hi Michelle! I’m getting better but not recovered yet. I still have to be careful and remember to take breaks to let my eyes rest.
How are you doing? As I told others, I’m still working from home. I know what you mean by hysterical shopping. 🙁 I recently found that toilet papers, alcohol wipes and stuff are sold out in many places too.
About wearing masks, I can hardly believe many people are against it. It’s about protecting ourselves and others around us, but some people keep talking about their rights or bringing up conspiracy theories. Sometimes I can’t help but wonder how many of these protestors or their loved ones have contracted the virus already… Sigh.
It’s crazy, isn’t it? We’re in the 21st century and there are still so many people whose minds are stuck in the stone ages. Those morons are more eager to believe every conspiracy theory lunatic on the internet but they’re suspicious of established and distinguished scientists. Unfortunately, these people are not a minority and the elections in the United States has shown that we’re a divided humanity. If all those prominent figures of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment stole a glimpse of our present day, they would be completely baffled with the unlimited stupidity of those conspiracy theory followers.
Agreed. It’s incredible and scary at the same time how a bunch of opportunistic grifters can wreak such havoc when it comes to spreading fake news. What’s even scarier is that there are so many dumb people willing to believe their crap.
I couldn’t have said it better, @Michelle! The anti-maskers or those who believe the pandemic is a hoax are not a minority at all. The fact that they always bring up their rights to do whatever they want is frightening, as though they couldn’t care less about the people living in their neighborhood or the healthcare workers who have been fighting non-stop since early this year. 🙁
The blatant disregard those anti-maskers have for health and safety is mind-boggling to say the least. They’re putting their own lives as well as the lives of others at risk. They’re playing Russian roulette with their lives but all they’re doing is regurgitating nonsensical conspiracy theories they happen to breeze through the internet. What’s even more worrisome is such idiots tend to vote for clowns such as the orange one in the US. Fortunately, he’s out and hopefully common sense will re-enter the White House.
I can’t agree with you more, @Michelle. Sigh…
Pleased to know that you’re doing fine-Ms Puddle. I had assumed that you’ve been very busy because you hadn’t posted for a while. Nice to have you back!😀
I’ve heard about this encyclopedia-companion but I didn’t know much about its content. Based on what’s been circulating online, it seems to be quite interesting. It’s a pity that it’s so hard to find and it’s only available in its original language.
Thank you for being so kinds as to translate this book for everyone interested. Looking forward to more info about it.
Hello @Irana93, it’s nice to hear from you again 🤗 , especially when a lot of countries are struggling with second or third waves these days. 😦
Yes, I’ve heard of the encyclopedia too but do not own a copy myself. I’ve seen snippets here and there in different fan pages though. If I find anything interesting again I’ll share it here with my translation. 😘
Thanks for letting me know, Ms Puddle. I’ve searched online regarding this encyclopedia and it can be found on Amazon and eBay but the stock is limited. It’s quite pricey but that would make sense since it’s vintage material.
Based on my findings so far, this encyclopedia is only available in Japanese.
I suppose so, @Irana93, and it’s only one big volume, right?
I think so.. I haven’t seen it differently anywhere else.
Yes @Irana93 I heard that it’s not cheap. Glad that we can at least check the CC fan pages if we want to know more. 😉
You’re right about that. There are several CC fan pages on Facebook which are worth reading.
Hi Ms Puddle!
Your new post is very well-written and astute. Not that I’m surprised because your work is always of good quality. Even though you support Albert as being anohito, you always focus on presenting all the available arguments and interpretations on the table whether they support your own perspectives or not. You definitely have my respect when it comes to your unbiased analysis and I’m sure many people within the CC community agree with me on that.
I hope your eyesight is getting better and I’d suggest you take it easy as much as possible. Health is so important and this turbulent year of 2020 has proven to be a wake-up call for all humanity when it comes to health and well-being. Certain pharmaceutical companies have announced that a vaccine will be available within the next few months.
I’ll post some of my thoughts about the CCFS soon because I’ve got some questions regarding translation and the original text.
Thank you for being so considerate and answering our questions.
You’re welcome, Gabriella! Please feel free ☺️
Thank you so much for your continued support and highly encouraging words, @Gabriella! 🤗
Yes we should all take good care of ourselves. Our HR department just offered a series of lunch-and-learns about health and well-being, and I did learn about recognizing bad habits and ways to improve 😅
Even when a vaccine is available I’m not sure if I want to try right away… Let’s wait and see. 🤔
Most people are wary of the new vaccines because they don’t want to become guinea-pigs. On the other hand, the threat of this lethal virus is looming. Irrespective of the vaccines and how effective they’ll prove to be, people will have to continue to wear masks and maintain social distancing for a considerable period of time which could mean even a couple of more years.
I agree with you, Gabriella. It’s highly likely we will continue wearing masks and practice social distancing for at least another year.
My friends and I are still debating about whether to try the vaccines when they first become available. Well… we will see. 🤔
My family, friends and I are also concerned about the vaccine and its side-effects. Vaccines to become effective and safe take such a long time. Yet, this virus is so dangerous that we’re going to enter this experimental phase since we don’t have much of a choice. I presume that governments are going to prioritize the vulnerable members of society when it comes to accessibility to the vaccine.
I know what you mean, Gabriella. That’s why I said we are still debating… There are pros and cons. 🤔
That’s the reason why I think many people will refrain from using that vaccine until there is further research into it.
Dear Ms Puddle,
I’m delighted to know that your eye health has improved. You are most fortunate to be a Canadian citizen where public healthcare constitutes such a high and honorable priority. I’m sure you’re in good hands when it comes to the proper and credible ophthalmologists in your commendable Canadian healthcare system. Proper and quality healthcare is a human right and I anticipate that the 46th president elect of the United States will also take that into effect and continue the legacy of Obama and Obamacare.
Putting politics aside albeit such an important aspect of our lives, I agree with your analysis and interpretation regarding the possible dates concerning Candy’s career as nurse in tandem with the outbreak of WWI. Having very little material to work with from the novel itself, I consider that you’ve offered the most accurate estimate to date. It’s intriguing how Candy and Albert’s concerns for equal access to healthcare for all men and women regardless of income continue to be great concerns for our modern times. Never before has equal access to healthcare been more important as our crucial times amidst this global pandemic.
I’m looking forward to continuing our discussions and I wish you all the best with your health.
Interestingly enough, I was also impressed on how Nagita had approached the issue of healthcare-for-all via the correspondence between Candy and Albert in the Epilogue. If I correctly recall, Candy had expounded on that topic in Section 3 too where she mentioned that Room Zero ceased to exist after Albert revealed his identity as WAA. Presumably, he donated a generous sum of money to the hospital on the condition that all patients would be treated as equal. Albert was a social justice warrior of his time and if he lived in our times, it’s most certain that he would have been a progressive liberal. Albert’s respect for human rights irrespective of social or financial background speaks volumes of his admirable character.
Hi @Anita, how are you? My relative in London tries his best to stay home as much as possible. Like me, he’s still working from home.
I can’t agree with you more, particularly about Albert’s character. Besides being a progressive liberal, he would most definitely be a philanthropist. 👍
I’m fine and feeling blessed given everything that’s been happening worldwide. My colleagues and I have resumed working at home so we’re grateful to have a managerial team which is responsible and empathetic.
As for Albert, with that awesome beard of his during his early 20s, he would have definitely looked like a hipster. lol
Glad to hear that you and your colleagues can resume working from home these days, @Anita! 👍
About Albert’s beard, do you think it was a disguise? 😉
Good question.. Who knows? The novel doesn’t really provide any significant description or clarification.🤷
That’s the problem with this book as whole, unfortunately, as it relies too much on conjecture and very little on clear-cut textual facts since everything is so vague and ambiguous.
That’s true, Anita.
I suspect back then Albert did not grow his beard but used a disguise. Based on the manga images and Candy’s repeated claims that Albert looked younger than his age in CCFS, it’s likely he had been keeping a clean-shaven face ever since their unexpected reunion in London, even after spending a long time in Africa. 😉
Even fresh-faced and very youthful men like Albert could grow a beard albeit not as bushy and thick as other men who are more hirsute. With a beard, Albert would look like a Viking given his blonde hair and impressively tall stature.
Yes, @Anita. Having lived together for so long, I’m sure Candy had seen short coarse hair growing on Albert’s chin from time to time. He couldn’t possibly keep his face shaven all the time lol. When he was in room 0, his face was likely covered with the stubble too.
Interestingly enough, Candy found Albert stunning even when he was in repose at the hospital. In the anime, Stear and Candy are swooning over Albert’s beauty and in the manga Candy even more. In the CCFS, Candy keeps on going on and on about Albert’s beautiful physique, especially his eyes, blonde hair beautiful smile and voice. It’s so hilarious that certain fans continue to fool themselves that there was nothing romantic between Candy and Albert. LOL
Right on, Anita! If I remember correctly, Candy was secretly “admiring” Albert (in repose) and said he was すてき — the same adjective she used to describe her prince, which I have explained in length in this post. 😉
That’s very interesting. It seems that Albert kept on inspiring Candy with both his looks and his character. Some fans believe that it was Terry’s constant disregard for Candy which led her into the arms of Albert but I disagree. Based on the story itself, Candy and Albert were bound to fall in love with each other irrespective of Terry. I don’t consider Terry responsible because this intimacy between Candy and Albert was going to happen regardless. Their bond is just way too strong for anyone or anything to affect or thwart it.
My sentiments exactly, @Anita. As Candy mentioned and later confirmed by Albert himself, they were tied by an invisible thread.
I double checked my manga version, Candy said something along this line, “So the real hair color is blonde. Compared to the brown hair
I almost forgot to tell you that in the Spanish translation the Prince of the Hill is described to be of a towering height with bright blonde strands of hair falling gently onto his forehead. Candy was also mesmerized by his voice as well as smile which appeared to have a light of its own. In brief, this is how the Spanish translation describes Albert in his adolescence. I don’t recall any mention of his height in the Italian and French versions though. Keiko Nagita did specify, nonetheless, that readers should imagine all her characters as already portrayed by Yumiko Igarashi. That said, Albert is portrayed by Igarashi as having a towering height and he is the tallest of all the characters in the story. Is there any mention of Albert’s height in the original text or was this simply an addition made by the Spanish translators?
Hi Anita, I just quickly checked this scene. When he first appeared, Candy looked up and saw him looking down on her, which makes sense. She was a little girl, and he was a teenager. One of the words she used can also mean height or stature but in this paragraph it means his “back” against the blue sky.
Anita, I think it’s easier to me if you point out which particular passages you refer to. I might answer your questions in a new post, possibly together with your previous question about Albert’s height. 🤗
Another question of mine has to do with the ways in which Albert’s voice is described in the original text. In the Italian, French and Spanish versions, Candy appears to be “mesmerized” and pleasantly “surprised” whenever she hears Albert’s voice. Are these words used in the original text as well? Thanks in advance.
Thank you @Lynn for your kind words. 🤗 Yes we are blessed to have a great healthcare system. It does have its flaws though. Some Canadians, if they have enough money, have chosen to go south for immediate care or more advanced equipment or facilities. However, the pandemic has changed this, because so far our southern neighbour is suffering a lot more.
Glad to hear that you are in agreement with my analysis. ☺️ Equal access to healthcare is important, but sadly it hasn’t been a priority in countries around the world. 🙁
It would make sense for the Southern regions of Canada to suffer more as they’re more densely populated and closer to those states of the USA which are infested with the virus. However, I am impressed with Vancouver when it comes to facilities provided. It’s probably one of the best cities to live in Canada, if not worldwide.
Yes @Lynn Vancouver is blessed with beautiful scenaries and surrounded by mountains. It’s spectacular in summer.
About medical facilities, it can be better but I won’t complain much. I’d say it’s sufficient for most people but not for those who require timely treatments or surgeries.
I had visited Vancouver in late spring several years ago and had a wonderful time. Absolutely love the cafes and restaurants. Canadian pizza is actually far better than Americans want to claim. Had loads of it and yes, I am a foodie! If Archie, Stear and Candy were real people, we would have become buddies with the love of food that we share. I would always have a bit of a chuckle when Candy kept on talking about food because that’s what my pals and I usually do.
That’s nice, @Lynn! Were you here when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom?
Yes it’s interesting Candy and her friends are often talking about foods and confections! Well, they were teenagers back then after all, LOL… so glad to hear you’ve enjoyed your trip in Vancouver. 🤗
I sure did! My friends and I explored the beauties of British Columbia by leaving the city and camping for about a week in the great outdoors. We’re experienced in trekking but we were a tad bit concerned about the bears. Luckily, we didn’t have any unexpected encounters. I was pleasantly surprised, however, with the expanding high quality vineyards and estate wineries in the region.
@Lynn, bears sometimes come to my neighborhood too. I have friends who have taken pictures of bears “hunting” in their backyards. In summer there were sightings of cougars in residential areas, and I’ve personally seen a couple of coyotes before.
A co-worker of mine absolutely loves the great outdoors, and he’s climbed several local mountains already. I’m not a serious hiker and only climbed Mount Seymour with friends once. It was a good experience nevertheless and I still remember the breathtaking views up there! 😍
You’re so lucky so live in such a beautiful place. I could only imagine how stunning the area must be during spring and autumn, especially the latter with all those different colors of falling leaves. I’m a city kid but I would have loved to live in such a natural environment.
Yes, @Lynn. I’m lucky indeed. I once had relatives visiting us from Singapore, and when we were up on a golf course on a mountain, they said the air was sweet. 😉
My partner and I were planning on revisiting Canada as we’ve got many friends in Vancouver but the global pandemic thwarted those plans of ours. Hopefully, we’ll manage to take our most desired trip to Canada when this chaos subsides.
Lynn, our friends and I have to cancel our traveling plans too. Some of them didn’t get any refunds unfortunately. 🙁
That’s so frustrating. There should be a policy protecting consumers’ rights in such cases. My partner and I didn’t face such an issue because we hadn’t prepared for our travel in advance. This is ironic because we usually do but for some reason we just didn’t have the time to prepare beforehand and, in retrospect, I’m glad we didn’t.
Hello Ms Puddle,
Thank you for updating us about the novel and the various publications related to the story of Candice White. I didn’t know that there was an ‘encyclopedia’ published surrounding the anime and manga. Has it been published in any other language apart from Japanese?
Resuming to the dates, I continue to consider that it is virtually impossible to ascertain a definite time-frame regarding this entire narrative because the author has kept everything so vague. Whether she has done so deliberately or inadvertently, is a matter only the author knows herself. The bottom line is that unless the author decides to make clarifications, the readers will continue to be kept in the dark. Nonetheless, I find your explanations convincing as they’re based on a logical trajectory.
Until now, your analysis appears to be the most credible and thank you again for sharing your insight with us.
Kind Regards,
Myra
You’re welcome, Myra! How are you doing?
If I’m not mistaken, the encyclopedia was about the anime version. I don’t know if it had been published in other languages, perhaps not.
I totally agree with you about the confusing timeline, but I’m glad that you found my explanations convincing. 🤗 Thank you for your encouraging feedback! 😘
Hello Ms Puddle,
I guess I’m trying to cope with COVID-19 like everybody else. The holidays are approaching and it’s going to be difficult to maintain social distancing but we really got no other alternative otherwise the consequences will be even more severe than they already are.
With regards to the time-line, this novel is really devoid of any distinctive setting. Apart from those here-and-there mentions of certain countries and the Great War, this novel lacks in specifying time and place. I think you have done whatever is possible in order to reach a logical conclusion and thank you again for taking the time to sort that out for us.
@Myra, like you, my friends and I are experiencing covid fatigue these days. The alarming surging cases in where I live have pushed the government to further restrict social activities.i don’t know what’s going to happen in a couple of weeks, let alone the Christmas season in December. 🙁
About CCFS timeline, we have tried our best, but as you said, there are unknowns and uncertainties. However, at least one thing is clear — Candy in her 30s was well off, living happily with the man she loved, who loved her just as much and cared about her emotional needs.
I agree with you, Ms Puddle, and the novel itself describes Candy’s partner as someone who expresses utmost respect for women and this demonstrated in the ways in which he treats Candy with so much consideration and thoughtfulness. This mystery man, therefore, is either someone who musters Albert’s commendable qualities or is Albert himself.😉
***this is demonstrated***
Can’t agree with you more, @Myra. The fact that he bought Slim’s picture and hung it up for Candy at a special position speaks volumes. Also, out of all male characters, who could really teach her not to judge people by their appearance other than Albert himself? 😉
You’re absolutely right! It’s Albert who was completely in the know-how when it came to the orphanage and its entire structural complex, especially when it came to Pony’s Hill and the chapel-both of which were immensely important to Candy and Albert. That’s the place where they first met and that’s the same place where Albert confessed to Candy that he’s POTH. All textual evidence reveals that Slim’s painting was bought by Albert whilst roaming about at a flea market in London. All these clues point to Albert and to his idiosyncrasy.
Right on, Michelle! Some people even said they can’t really imagine Terry “shopping” in a flea market. 😉
I would also find it rather strange that Terry would stroll around a flea market since he’s neither an adept handyman nor knows anything about DIY, in general. If Terry was in London, he would be visiting theaters and other places which bear cultural and artistic interest. Not that Albert isn’t artistic himself (he’s adept in playing music as well), but he really thrives in DIY and sustain himself independently. Besides, if anyone is in the position to know that orphanage inside-out apart from Candy, it’s definitely Albert. He would recognize that chapel in a blink of an eye.
True. No other male character knew Pony’s Home as much as Albert, @Michelle. You’re absolutely right that Terry would be visiting theaters or cultural centers instead. In Candy’s unsent letter, she mentioned Hamlet would be played in London. Terence Graham might have fans there lol…
Terry would only perform in London for his role as “Hamlet” for only a limited period of time and then he would return to his job in the United States.
I agree with you @Ms Puddle and @Michelle. It would make more sense for Candy and Albert to live in rural England since both of them adore nature so much and Albert has got thriving businesses in the UK.
It would have been detrimental to Terry’s career if he had decided to move to the United Kingdom during the Great Depression. All well-established actors lived affluent lives in the United States and had no intention whatsoever to work for peanuts in London or even worse in rural areas or small towns such as Stratford-upon-Avon where the pay was even more pathetically low for thespians. As for aspiring British actors, they lived in such abject poverty in their own country that they would go to any lengths in order to live and work in the United States.
You’re right, @Michelle. It doesn’t make much sense Terry would be living in the rural areas, unless he changed his career. 😅
Well said @Ms Puddle and @Michelle. From all the characters in the CCFS, Albert appears to be more likely to wander around the city and purchase items at flea markets because he’s also adept at repairing. Stear and Albert had a lot in common when it came to handling machinery, driving vehicles and repairs (although Stear had a stronger proclivity in messing up rather than repairing). In the novel, Albert is portrayed as the one who enjoys driving cars as well as fixing anything possible. Anohito is also portrayed as someone who knows how to drive and he was the one who fixed Candy’s music box (gift from Stear).😉
I totally agree with you, @Myra. In the manga Albert was a handyman who fixed things in the apartment and later repaired one of Stear’s inventions, the swan boat. Even though in CCFS this was never mentioned, Albert had lived alone in the mountain lodge in Lakewood and later isolated himself from the Ardlays when living in Africa. He must have some basic survival skills to lead a rural life. That might be the reason why he was a good cook, at least in the manga or anime. I don’t recall reading about his cooking in CCFS though, or have I missed it without knowing?
I would also like to thank you for translating those significant snippets of information from the “Candy Candy Encyclopedia”. I have been trying to purchase it online but to no avail. Have you bought it? It seems to be a collector’s item as it’s so rare to find. If I’m not mistaken, this volume had been promoted by TOEI back in the 80s-90s.
No I didn’t buy it, Sarah. My friend Mariella has bought a lot of Candy Candy goodies, as you can see on her Facebook page. I might browse her page from time to time to translate some other materials. 😉
Thanks for letting me know @Ms Puddle. I am aware of Mariella’s Facebook page and her amazing content regarding the manga and the novels-old and new.😊
That’s good, Sarah! Hope you enjoy her page and if you find anything interesting please feel free to share 🤗
Mariella’s entire Facebook page is fascinating. She always focuses on providing material she’s carefully looked into. I would also recommend Madel’s Facebook page which centers on the pre-2010 versions of the CCFS. There’s such a wealth of well-researched content on both of their Facebook pages.👍👍
Agreed. Both of those F/B pages you’ve mentioned are amazing and the participation is so active.
Yes @Sarah I’m happy there are high quality fan pages for Candy Candy on Facebook! 👍
Most of those fanpages are in Spanish but that would make sense since the CC fandom is predominately from Latin America.
Like you, I also think a majority of fans are from Latin America, but there are many fans in Asian countries too, as I mentioned before, @Sarah. 🙂
Do Asian fans tend to prefer the anime or the manga? Is the Asian fandom also divided when it comes to the controversial “anohito” topic?
Actually, these are good questions, @Sarah. From what I know, both manga and anime versions are popular. Of course there exist debates about Anohito’s identity too. Yet, I was told that in some Japanese forums Albert fans tend not to argue with the pro-Terry ones. Some are just as hysterical, and they actually translated that daffodils fanfic into Japanese.
Thank you for your reply and information. Tbh, I have no idea why certain fans identify Terry with daffodils since Keiko Nagita has never done so in her novel. Furthermore, not once does Candy ever associate Terry with daffodils as, for example, she had continuously done so with Anthony. Instead, daffodils are mentioned only 2-3 times in the entire story and they are linked to spring and not to anyone, in particular. The bottom-line is that neither Terry nor Albert are linked to or associated with flowery imagery. The only characters directly linked to roses are Anthony and Candy.
I can’t agree with you more, @Sarah. I haven’t read that fanfic so I can only guess. We all know that daffodils are associated with the Greek god Narcissus, who celebrated for his beauty and was arrogant. Don’t you think this reminds us of Terry?
What’s more, daffodils also symbolize rebirth, new beginnings, hope, and even forgiveness. I was told the fanfic begins with that famous brief letter from Terry, which most of his fans believe was sent after Susanna’s death.
Well said @Ms Puddle. Even Keiko Nagita made it perfectly clear in her 2019 interview in Paris that she was inspired by the British Romantic poet, William Wordsworth, when writing about flowers such as daffodils and not by Terry or anyone else in the novel. Some of these fans are going to start claiming that Terry even walks on water and raises the dead.😂
Walks on water and raises the dead??? LOL… @Sarah, let’s hope that his fans won’t go this far. 😉
That’s so true! Based on Terry’s character as delineated in the novel, he wouldn’t be too happy if he knew that his fans desperately try to identify him with a flower. Had it been up to him, he would have preferred something tough and strong such as a stallion or a sports car.😉
Excellent idea, @Christine!! A stallion suits Terry so much more indeed. Remember his first reaction to knowing Anthony’s biggest interest was roses?
How are you? I’m very sorry to read about your issue with your vision. I hope you feel better and wish you a full recovery.
Thank you @Sarah! 🤗 How are you?
My eye is getting better but I still have to restrict my screen time and take frequent breaks. Have you heard of 3-20? Every twenty minutes look somewhere at least 20 meters away for twenty seconds. 👀 I’ve also changed all my desktop settings to use dark themes. Now I’m officially on the dark side lol 😅
No worries.. I’ve been using dark themes all the time and so do most of the people that I know. In fact, it’s also wise to regulate the level of brightness on your computer screen as well as any other screens such as TV, tablet, phone, etc. Do you wear glasses? If so, you could consult with your oculist to incorporate a filter in your glasses which protects you from bright light. I have such a filter in my glasses which I use only for work and when driving at night. This filter is colorless and doesn’t have any adverse effect on your vision.
Yes, @Sarah, I wear prescription eyeglasses too. I used to wear contact lenses but I’ve long stopped due to obvious reasons. I was told I could try again later when my eyes have recovered. 😉
I’ve heard of those filters too and I’m seriously considering now. I do have transition lenses so they turn dark when it’s bright outside. Thanks for your tips though!
So pleased to hear from you again, Ms Puddle!
Your article about the CCFS is insightful and enjoyable to read-as always. Thank you for taking the time to explain and clarify those moot points.
Talk to you again soon and please take good care of yourself.
I’ll add that I totally agree with you with regards to Vice President of the USA, Kamala Harris. It is awesome to see a woman of color in such a prominent position of political power.
Hopefully, this new administration will handle and tackle this lethal global pandemic with far greater responsibility and sensibility (as opposed to the previous administration).
Couldn’t agree with you more @DanielleV! I am also very excited with this news. But most of all, I’m hopeful that Harris&Biden will live up to the expectations and, above all, standards which are such a matter of vital importance in our dire times. They have a strong magnate from the popular vote and from the electoral colleges. Therefore, their duty is to vindicate this otherwise severely divisive and controversial electoral process and outcome.
Exactly, this newly formed government has so much work to do and especially make amends with so many countries worldwide which are also struggling with this deadly virus. The US is anything but united right now and the foreign relations aren’t looking too great either. Let’s hope this will change for the better now that sanity has returned to the White House.
So true, @DanielleV! Sanity is the right word indeed 👍
Totally agree with you, Sarah. In addition to what you said, I hope US and Canada will come to good terms with each other.
I’m quite sure the foreign affairs with Canada and Continental Europe will resume to their positive side given that both President Biden and Vice-President Harris have excellent relations with them. The situation with the UK is a bit grim but even that pathetic excuse of a leader-Boris will have to accept that the orange clown is finally out of office. It’s refreshing to see that people have voted for individuals with character who are calm and not edgy, controversial and contentious as Trump. Sensible people respect those who are visionaries and not puerile pseudo-rebels.
I agree, @Sarah, although back in 2016 Clinton won the popular vote by few million… This time around it’s a different picture, for that it really means something. 👍
For my part, I’ve never agreed with that US electoral college voting system. What should matter is the popular vote as in most democratic countries worldwide. It’s good to know that many members of the US Congress and Senate have been discussing the prospect of abolishing the electoral college system but as usual, the GOP is fervently opposing this.
We have a similar problem in Canada, @Sarah, and being a resident in a province with much less population than the larger provinces, I understand why something like the electoral college voting system is required to ensure some sort of fairness. However, I’m far from being an expert to speak much on this, so I’d better stop now. 😛
Yes, the purpose of the electoral colleges is federal but it’s becoming more and more antiquated in our day and age. If you have a look of the electoral colleges per state, the dissemination continues to be rather unfair. For example, states such as Montana and Wyoming only have 3 electoral colleges each whereas Texas and California have 38 and 55, respectively. Apparently, Montana and Wyoming have a far less dense population than California and Texas but their number of electoral colleges remains pitifully low for today’s standards.
Well said!👏👏👏
Well said, DanielleV! As someone said, Madam Vice President is no longer a fictional character. 👍
I certainly hope to see some changes in how they cope with the pandemic. At least they are not in denial and their campaigns so far have been trying to honor social distancing restrictions.
Thank you very much for your kind words, @DanielleV! So nice to hear from you too!
Yes we should all take care of ourselves. According to my doctor, my eye problem is typical amongst those who have to stare at the screen a lot for work. 🙁 Oh well…
At least the problem is abating and you’re getting better. It may seem a bit strange but following a healthy lifestyle such as getting plenty of exercise and consuming more fruit and vegetables also help. Ample amount of sleep is also very important. I remember my doctor giving me this advice when I was suffering from migraine headaches due to spending too much time on the computer at work. I’ve got astigmatism and that triggers headaches after spending loads of time doing office work.
I’m sorry to hear that you have suffered from migraine headaches before, @DanielleV. 🙁 Glad to hear you know what you can do to reduce the likelihood of it happening again.
Like you, I now do moderate exercise and try to sleep more. Besides, I started taking supplements that are good for my eyes, like Omega 3 fish oils, etc.
Take care, my friend! 🤗
I’ve been considering taking vitamin supplements too even though I’m very health-conscious and exercise on a daily basis. I presume that you take those Omega-3 supplements in capsule form because imbibing the liquid form is unpalatable (aka castor oil..).
@DanielleV, I didn’t really take supplements before either unless I was sick or feeling under the weather. But my doctor said Omega-3 fish oils are great for my eyes so I bought those clear softgels and started taking two on a daily basis.
As for the migraine headaches. they’re also hormonal and as I’m in my 30s, the doctor warned me they will become more frequent. Paracetamol is all I can take to alleviate the pain.
Anyway, the situation isn’t too serious for the time-being and I’m grateful for that.
I’m also glad that you’re feeling much better and I wish you again a full recovery.
Best wishes to you too, @DanielleV. 🤗 A friend of mine has very serious migraine headaches that she had long stopped working full-time. No painkillers could alleviate her pain… The good news is that she decided to try a part-time job lately. The point is, we should never take our health for granted. 🙏
Sorry to hear about your friend. There are so many cases which are similar and it just goes to show-as you have pointed out-that health constitutes a human right which is of vital importance.
Needless to mention that even if a vaccine is eventually available for all humanity, we’ll still need to wear masks and avoid massive gatherings. Life as we’ve known it until now has changed dramatically and perhaps this is going to be the new normal.