The Killers Are Coming!

THE KILLERS ARE COMING TO COLUMBUS ON MAY 5--THE DAY BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY!

I JUST BOUGHT TICKETS! I'M SO SO SO PUMPED!

Snow days have lost their luster

I hate to admit it...but snow days in high school were much more exciting than snow days in college.

Back in high school, a snow day meant that I would not have to wake up at 6:30 in the morning. I could sleep until noon, only to be awoken by the smell of Mom and Dad making bacon and pancakes. I have so many good memories from snow days in high school. I remember, the morning after a bad snow storm last year, all of my friends and I lost a massive snow ball fight to some vicious ten-year-olds. Or the time, on an unexpected snow day during the Pasta for Pennies campaign last February, our entire class banded together--shoveling driveways and such--to raise a whopping $1,000.

In college, it's different. If I had had classes today, I would have woken up at eleven and I would only have had two classes. There is no Mom and Dad...no pancakes, eggs or bacon (unless I want to risk food poisoning by trusting the cafeteria downstairs). I have no snow pants, no snow boots, no heavy duty gloves ideal for snowball-making, and no sled! I mean, there aren't even hills in this city!

I shouldn't be complaining since my three hour Chemistry lab was canceled today, and my roommate Kelly and I have been enjoying a lovely Top Chef marathon. But I think snow days may have finally lost their luster for me.

My 100th post!

I have no appetite and I'm still very feverish after a night of tossing and turning and sweating. What a great way to celebrate my 100th post!

It did make me feel better to visit my favorite site, One Sentence, to get a nice chuckle. Although it makes my head ache to laugh.

Two good stories I read today:

"Shortly after a palliative care nurse suggested Preparation H as a treatment for my weeping induced under-eye bags, my mother, who was dying of cancer, opened her eyes and left me with these parting words of wisdom to sustain me after she died: "Whatever you do, Petunia, do NOT put ass cream on your face."

"After just purchasing a used couch and attempting to pick it up, it's hard to believe the seller when he says the bottle of KY that fell out isn't theirs."

I love one sentence stories! Happy 100!

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)

I'm sending in my application today to a summer camp for kids with Muscular Dystrophy. I'm really excited and I hope I get the volunteer position...which is why I'm already applying in January!

I think this kind of experience will truly open my eyes--since I've never worked with children who are so very, very ill before. I want to know that I can handle it.

I've also applied to work at Cincinnati Children's Hospital in the summer, as well...so I hope to hear back about that fairly soon.

Wish me luck!

Inauguration Day 2009

My Sociology teacher released the entire lecture hall early today to watch President Obama's Inauguration at noon.

What was most unbelievable to me was the tremendous crowd--it gave me goosebumps when the news cameras scanned over the entire mall.

I'll never forget what I've witnessed today--a throng of over two million people, representive of every race and religion and background, rallying around our first African-American president. Pretty cool.

Delta Delta Delta ∆∆∆

I am now a Tri-Delta pledge--aka a "Baby Delta!"

Today my temporary "big" sister, Amy, pulled me aside to tell me that she had looked me up after the final Preference Round yesterday, "When I saw that you had an older sister in Alpha Gamma Delta and that their philanthropy was juvenile diabetes, I thought 'We lost her for sure.' But when they read your name off of the list of pledges this morning, I got so excited. I even, like, stood up shouting and I kind of teared up. I had to call my Mom to tell her I'd gotten you! I'm so glad that you're here."

I decided against joining Sarah's sorority because I don't always want to be following in her footsteps. In Alpha Gamma Delta, since my sister is a member, I am what is considered a "legacy," which means I would have automatically been accepted. But I wanted to know that I had done this all on my own...so I made Tri-Delta my first choice. In this way, I know I will become much more independent. My sister is really happy with my decision, too!

Although I was disapponted to turn away from raising money for my own disease, I think it will be really cool to raise money for a new cause--St. Judes Children's Hospital.

I could not be happier with my new sorority. YAY!

The "Bobby" Question

Just a glimpse into the nursing school application I've been stressing over. Here is the third essay question I must answer in 350 words:

"Bobby is an 8-year-old boy with hemophilia. He has developed early acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) from a previous blood transfusion, but he does not know that he has AIDS. His parents have chosen not to tell Bobby that he has AIDS, and do not want any health care provider to tell him either. His parents have gone to great lengths to make certain that Bobby's AIDS diagnosis has been treated and followed under the guise of needing tests or treatments for his hemophilia. In the last year, Bobby has been hospitalized twice for pneumonia and responded well to treatment. Imagine yourself as being his nurse and that you were involved during his last 2 hospitalizations. Bobby is knowledgeable and understands his treatment for hemophilia. He has talked to other kids with hemophilia who have not had any problems with pneumonia. He asks you at his third admission to the hospital for pneumonia if he can talk to you for a few minutes. He says he cannot talk to his parents about this because they will not talk to him. He asks you if he has AIDS.

There is no right or wrong answers in this dilemma. You should write a logical essay that shows your critical thinking about your decision to tell or not to tell Bobby of his diagnosis of AIDS. In your essay, discuss the following points: 1) do you tell Bobby about his diagnosis of AIDS or not; 2) what are the issues and points of conflict; 3) who are the interested parties; 4) what are the consequences; and 5) what are your obligations?"

I've wrestled with both sides - to tell the truth or not to tell the truth - and I have decided I am not going to tell Bobby the truth about his AIDS. That sounds tough...but I have to respect the request made by Bobby's parents. I will encourage Bobby's parents to admit to him that he has AIDS - because, for an eight-year-old, Bobby seems to be a very perceptive and mature kid...telling from his own research into the matter. Perhaps he is entirely capable of handling the diagnosis - better than his parents believe.

I've become so wrapped up in this question that I have to keep reminding myself: Bobby is not real! There is no eight-year-old putting you on the spot, asking you blatantly whether or not he has AIDS. Relax!

"Give me my kidney back"

Are you serious?

I don't understand this at all...How a husband could give the wife he loves his own kidney and, later, while on the verge of divorce, he could demand she give it back (or that he receive $1.5 million dollars)! Chill out. Why is the matter of organs even being discussed? Just, wow.

I've missed you, Bed

I just finished up my first weekend of sorority rush. It started on Saturday from nine to six and ended today (again from nine to six). We met all fourteen sororities briefly yesterday, narrowed our choices down to ten, then visited each house today. Next Saturday, I will visit my top six choices...and finally, make bids on my top three.

Man, oh man. This weekend was a lot of fun but I'm exhausted -- my feet are beat from the combination of consecutive nine hour days baring the elements (sleet, ice, freezing rain, snow) and high heels.

Tomorrow, from nine to 12, I start my new volunteer position at the Medical Center -- this quarter, I'm in Ambulatory (same-day) Surgery. I'm looking forward to my involvement in many a colonoscopy. Super. Immediately after volunteering, I will truck over to my Organic Chem class where I will be taking my first quiz.

I've never appreciated my bed more in my entire life. I'm going to go use it now.

P.S. I, personally, think that it is a miracle I've stayed away from coffee for this long. My plan is to never start drinking it -- I rely on Diet Coke when the day is particularly rough. Let's see how far I make it...

February 1

Less than a month until I submit my application to the Ohio State School of Nursing. Oh, Jesus.

Type 1 Dia-badass

Nothing cheers up a sad girl more than hanging out with a few of her diabetic friends. And planning elaborate pranks on our campers...seven months in advance. Or laughing for ten minutes straight about the time at diabetes camp Rashod had to ride the white horse named Confederate. Is it August yet?

Define Dancing

Ms. Huey and I dropped Adam off at the airport in Columbus today.

When we arrived I thought we would be saying our goodbyes at the drop-off entrance until the woman at the check-in counter asked me unexpectedly, "Would you like to go to the gate with him?" She handed me a pass that would allow me through security and upon seeing the masses of servicemen and women holding hands with girlfriends/wives/boyfriends/husbands at each of the gates, I realized this must be customary. Everyone recognizes you as an Army girlfriend (or wife) and, when you're in the airport at the end of the holidays, you can literally see the pity in their eyes. A young man came up to thank Adam for his service and as he turned to smile politely at me, I could see it. I saw it in the eyes of the burly, pepper-bearded man who spoke of his nephew in the Marines returning from Iraq. Poor girl.

Once we reached the gate I buried my face in Adam's chest, half shielding myself so that no one could see my puffy eyes and half taking in every ounce of that last hug. Neither of us, however, were ready for goodbye yet...so we dragged our feet back to the security checkpoint. I glanced out of a window, hoping to see a huge flight-delaying blizzard building on the horizon. But it never came...and finally it was time to go.

During the car ride back, Ms. Huey kept encouraging me to simply say a prayer. And, for the first time in years and years and years, I actually closed my eyes and whispered to someone. First I apologized for secretly wishing that, on the way to the airport, we might be in an almost harmless but hindering car accident. After that, I judged it was slightly more appropriate to say any sort of a prayer. It did feel kind of nice.

I did not want to see the last two weeks come to an end. I was so unbelievably happy I can't even describe it. Now I'm...I don't know. Empty, I guess. To make myself feel a little better, I've listened to the song "Define Dancing" from the Wall-E soundtrack over a billion times. It's the song that plays during my favorite scene in the movie - when Wall-E and Eve finally "kiss."

Unfortunately, it's becoming kind of tricky to type when I can't control my freaking tear ducts...so I'll write more later.