It's strep

After my internship yesterday I went to one of those Walgreens take care clinics because I can only use my student health insurance on campus and knew I wouldn't make it there in time so it was cheaper to go to Walgreens instead of urgent care.

The lady took one look at my throat and said from the looks of my tonsils she knew without a doubt it was strep. She swabbed me and set the timer for five minutes but it didn't even take the full five minutes for the test to turn positive.

I have never, ever had strep. Never. She gave me a presciption for penicillin (which was free at Meijer!) and some lanicane rinse to help with the pain. By the time I had left the clinic, my energy level was gone and I was finally starting to feel sick.

I went to Meijer to have my prescriptions filled and bought things like soup, popsicles, and ice cream that would feel good on my throat. However, I ended up not eating last night. I came home, put on pajamas, took the first dose of penicillin and passed out on the couch until ten. When I woke up, I took the second dose and went to bed where I proceeded to pretty much sleep until 2:30 this afternoon.

I woke up a couple times throughout the night and finally took some tylenol at about four this morning. I had gone to bed with a 102 degree fever and the tylenol helped to break it so I slept comfortably for the rest of the night.

I couldn't believe it when I woke up at the clock said 2:30. I still feel exhausted so hopefully that will help me to sleep tonight because I have to go back to work tomorrow. I have a note from the clinic excusing me from work tomorrow if I need it but I can't afford to take tomorrow off. Really, I'll be playing it by ear and seeing how I feel later tonight before I decide what to do.

Alright, I'm off to try and eat and get some homework done.

Strep?

So I'm pretty sure I may have strep. If it's not strep, then there's something going on. I woke up Sunday morning with a pretty bad sore throat that only went away after taking some tylenol for the pain.

Yesterday, it got worse to the point that it hurt so bad I thought I was going to be sick. I took tylenol every four hours yesterday which helped, along with drinking plenty of water. Last night, I went and bought some throat spray, which was the only way I was able to get some sleep last night.

However, I didn't sleep much (or well) at all. I was up every two hours drinking water and using the spray. This morning I took three ibuprofen and used the spray and I'm still miserable. I'm skipping class this afternoon and going to urgent care to get it looked at. Something is wrong but I'm not sure what. I've never had strep before, even though my sister gets it every six months like clockwork.

All I know is I'm pretty miserable. I think at some point I must have had a fever because when I woke up at 7:45, I was sweating like crazy and I had been up two hours prior to that to take tylenol. I don't know. I don't know what's wrong with me. :-/

On a more positive note, Vince got his birthday present last night and he loved it! He had been eyeing the Toy Story movie on dvd at Wal-mart when I was in Athens so I bought it for him and then my sister and I created a whole Toy Story themed package, complete with a fleece blanket, Toy Story fruit snacks, a Toy Story card, and a can of Arizona Iced Tea. I also wrote him a letter telling him how much our friendship means to me, which he told me he loved and was going to keep forever. haha

Ok, I'm off to choke down my lunch (which it hurts to eat) and then wrap up my day here at my internship so I can go to the doctor. Boo.

Athens!

Last weekend I went to Athens to celebrate Vince's birthday a week early since I knew I had Savannah's birthday party and a baby-sitting job this weekend. It was the first time in a year I've been to Athens and spending the weekend on campus makes me realize how big of a spot there still is in my heart for Athens and OU and how much I truly do miss it. I know I'm meant to be in Cincinnati for now but it doesn't mean that OU won't always hold a big spot in my heart.

Friday night the original plan was to go out for ice cream and just hang out and instead I ended up going out with the boys to a local bar where I proceeded to have a little too much to drink. What started as me having one drink turned into two drinks and two shots later. I was pretty funny that night and kept asking Mike and Vince if the room was spinning. lol It took me about two hours and about four bottles of water before I sobered up and could drive back to my hotel where I was staying off campus.

That night was the first time ever I've been drunk and it surprisingly wasn't as bad as I expected. I didn't have a hangover on Saturday and in fact, I got up and went for a run Saturday morning. It's sad that I was gone after two drinks and two shots but that's okay. I'm not usually much of a drinker but this quarter has kicked my butt and it felt good to let go and enjoy myself for one night. Had I not sobered up I would have stayed in the dorms with Vince but typically I bounce back pretty quickly after I drink.

I also apparently drunk text a couple of people, along with calling Denise and Mike from Denver. I don't remember much of that but it's okay. It makes for a fun story. haha

Saturday I went for a run and then Vince and I just hung out on campus. We had lunch from Bagel Street Deli and sat out on College Green and just talked while eating. We eventually wandered the International Street Fair and then headed back to the dorms where he did laundry and we did a couple hours worth of homework before I took him to Ruby Tuesday for dinner for his birthday.

After dinner we dropped my book bag and stuff off at my hotel room and just laid on my bed and talked about everything from politics to religion to abortion. It was nice to be able to have a conversation like the one we had where I didn't have to hold back what I thought because I was afraid of someone jumping down my throat and telling me I was wrong for what I thought and believed in.

We went to Wal-mart and goofed off for a bit before getting the movie Daybreakers from Red Box, which was the worst two hours of my life. I don't recommend it at all! After the movie was over we went for a night walk around campus and ended up at Emeriti Park, which was my favorite place to go on campus to think and do homework. It never fails that I choose somewhere near water to do my best thinking since I do that here at home too. haha

Sunday I had brunch at the Coffee Cup with my old resident director and boss Cathy which was so fun. It was so great to be able to catch up and talk about old times and what we've been up to since I worked for her. I jokingly told her I used to be afraid of her when I worked for her (which was partly true!) but have since come to appreciate her. I have never had a boss as amazing as her and I miss working for her. It's so great to know that she ended up being a friend as well as a boss.

After brunch Vince and I went shopping so I could get some new OU t-shirts and then we went back to Emeriti Park so I could get some daytime pictures. We wandered back up to College Green where I knew it was getting close to the time for me to leave. The hardest part of visiting Athens for me is always leaving. So much of my heart is still there and it makes me wish that I hadn't wished away so much of my college years. I never knew how much Athens and OU would end up impacting me and how it would leave such a big hole in my heart that could never be filled. I love my program at UC, but UC will never be OU. Never. My four and a half years at OU were some of the best of my life and I will forever cherish those memories.

It was a much needed and relaxing weekend. I hadn't felt that good since getting home from Denver and now I'm counting down the days to my Florida vacation. I feel like this has been the longest and hardest quarter of my life and I can't wait to be able to breathe again.

I now leave you with pictures!

Mike and I at Red Brick!

Vince and I at Red Brick!

Mike and I hanging out in Bromley! :-)

Emeriti Park...by far my favorite place at OU

Vince and I at Emeriti Park :-)

Lunch time blogging

Today has been a moderate day at my internship. The morning was so slow that for the first two hours I did homework and research, which is nice for me because it means I have more time for coffee with Tym after class tonight since my homework is already done! The morning picked up around 10 and I've been going ever since. I met with two individual students and then my junior high transition group. I just finished lunch but the kids are all at lunch til 1 so I have the next 45 minutes to twiddle my thumbs to meet with my next student.

This weekend was so fun. I left for Youngstown on Friday right after work. I was afraid I was going to end up driving in rain because there were massive storms moving in but I actually beat the system by 10 minutes. About two hours out from town, it started lightning and it picked up in intensity as I drove. I lucked out and made it before the brunt of the storm moved in, which was good because hail and tornado warnings had come with it so I was glad I didn't get caught driving in it.

Saturday was Diana's bridal shower. I still can't believe she's getting married in like six weeks! I'm thinking about cutting my family vacation short by two days so I can make it back to Youngstown for her wedding. She and I have been friends for 18 years (who can say that at our young ages?!?) and it would devestate me if she couldn't come to my wedding someday so I really want to try and make it to hers.

The shower was beautiful. I didn't know anyone but her mom inroduced me to some people from her church and I ended up having people to talk to. We played some games and ate great food (the cake was the best!) and of course I took pictures which are on facebook.

After the shower I headed over to visit my aunt and uncle and spent three hours there. Who happened to call while I was there? Oh my dad did. Luckily they were smart and didn't answer. Had they done so, I would have walked out. I haven't had contact with the man in years and don't intend to start anytime soon. Actually, I did find out while I was over their house that he conveniently had been in Colorado the same time that I had been for spring break. Coincidence? I think not! He has no family in Colorado and had no reason to go out there. I asked Mike about it last night to see if they had known and he said that my aunt had told him it had something to do with work but that the story didn't sound right, which in her world usually means she's making it up so part of me almost thinks he was ou there to try and find me but that's an entry for another day. Ask me if you really want to know.

Saturday night we had girls night out. Lauren, Denise, and I went to dinner at O'Charley's and then met up with Monica to go bowling, which was fun. Monica helped me to discover the wonders of Lee Dewyze from American Idol and we just had fun laughing and goofing off. We ended the night with food at Bdubs and caught up on each other's lives.

Saturday night made me realize how truly blessed I am with their friendships. Denise and I of course have been best friends since high school and Lauren and Monica are my college best friends. It doesn't matter how long it's been or how many miles separate us. We will always be the best of friends and will pick up right where we left off. I love those girls with my heart and soul and I am so lucky to be able to call them my friends.

Sunday I drove home early and got in around 1 to spend Mother's Day with my family. We went to my sister's for dinner and then I went shopping to get my mom her gift (nothing like waiting til the last minute!). Then I just hung out and relaxed in a bubble bath to start the week.

Last night I had a blast from the past. One of my old junior high friends from St. Matthias (who is actually three years younger than me) added me as a friend on facebook and then messaged me last night. We talked on IM for a bit and then our conversation got kind of extensive for IM's so we exchanged phone numbers and he ended up calling me while I was talking to Mike. After I ended my phone call with Mike, I called Kurt back and we talked for two and a half hours on the phone. We got disconnected around 2 and I text him and was like "I have to sleep!" so our conversation ended there.

How crazy though! I have not spoken to Kurt before last night since I left St. Matthias after 8th grade. It was so funny how the years just melted away. We never ran out of things to talk about and we had each other cracking up so much that he couldn't breathe and I had tears streaming down my face. It was so fun to reconnect with someone that I was friends with (though not even close friends-more like acquaintances!) back in junior high through facebook of all places. I think it was the funnest phone call I have had in forever and I actually can't wait for another one, this time on a weekend though!

This weekend I'm headed to Athens for the weekend to celebrate Vince's birthday which will be fun. I haven't been to Athens in a year so I can't wait to bask in the amazingness that is Ohio University and Athens. I love love love southeast Ohio in the spring and can't wait for long walks across campus and sitting in the Front Room on Saturday doing homework. Ahhhh I can't wait!

On that note, I am off to find something to occupy my time with until I can meet with my next student. It's only Tuesday but I already can't stop smiling which means it's going to be a great week!

Could I really be getting sick again??

I'm currently sitting at my internship waiting for the students to finish lunch so I can meet with one of my students individually and then finish up my last two group sessions for the day. After my groups I'm going home sick instead of going to class.

I woke up in the middle of the night last night to use the bathroom and my throat felt scratchy. I didn't think anything of it because I'm already on an antibiotic for a sinus infection. This morning, I woke up with hot flashes and almost felt like I was running a fever. I shook it off and figured I was fine but as the morning went on, I started feeling light headed and my stomach was queasy.

I just finished lunch and it's taking everything in me right now to hold it down. I think I'm going to go home and sleep it off instead of going to class and infecting everyone else. My guess is that I finally caught whatever's been floating around work, even though I'm already on an antibiotic.

I have to be here tomorrow so my theory is to go home and rest as much as I can so that it doesn't affect my hours tomorrow. I'm just hoping I can survive through the day tomorrow. :-/

Two more hours to go....I can make it. I hope.

Flying Pig!

This morning I skipped out of my regular church service after Sunday school and headed downtown to watch Denise cross the finish line at the Flying Pig Marathon! I've seen her through her training for the last few months and was so excited to see her meet her goal of 26.2 miles this morning.

The other night while at the gym for her last short run, she kept coming up with reasons why I didn't need to be there. I told her that rain or shine I would be at the finish line waiting for her. And at the finish line I was. It rained on or off for the hour it took for her to cross the finish line after I got there but I didn't even mind being chilled to the bone. It was so exciting to watch Denise as she hit her goal of 26.2 miles today!

I got to the finish line downtown just in time to watch my aunt Terri cross it with my cousin Brooke running her in! Terri finished in five hours and five minutes or something close to that. Denise was behind her by an hour and came in at six hours and ten minutes. It was so exhilerating to watch them meet their goals today!

Had it not been for my knee issues that set me back in the fall, I would have been running the half marathon today. Next year, though, no excuses. I will be out there coming down the home stretch of the half marathon. I want this so badly. I want to be able to say that I did it! I'm getting ready to head out to Barnes and Noble in a bit to pick up this marathon training book that I've fallen in love with on Amazon and starting tomorrow, my training is in full swing for next year. I can not wait to say that I met this goal. Denise has been such an inspiration for me as I've watched her train for the last few months that I can't wait to run this myself.

I'll end with a picture of Denise and I at the finish line this afternoon. What a great morning!

133 days...!!

I just booked my flight, my rental car, and my hotel near the Indianapolis Airport for the night before my flight which means my trip to Denver in September is now a reality! I know for awhile I really went back and forth on whether or not I was going. Okay, I knew I was going but part of me was almost scared about making it a reality, especially in the terms of knowing I'm going out with a new eye towards moving there.

*shrugs* Whatever. The trip is booked so it's official! Work has known about this for a month so I even have the time off of work. I know I'm going to remind them again in like July but that's okay.

I am so psyched for this trip. I know I'm headed to Florida in exactly six weeks with my family and Megan, but in my eyes, that's a vacation and Denver is my future. Does that make sense? To me it does anyway. It's midnight so I'm not really sure how much sense I make tonight. haha

Random side note: I just got done watching My Sister's Keeper and I am so ticked that they changed the ending from the book. I know movies do that all the time but to change it so drastically is just not cool. I am also annoyed that I intended to watch Premonition tonight but Netflix sent me the wrong dvd (after already sending me a broken one so this one was supposed to be it's replacement) so I am now waiting on a new one. End side note.

I have no real plans for the weekend. Tym and I are going for coffee tomorrow evening but other than that, I just have to go pay my Target bill and get my oil changed which means I'll probably do a good chunk of homework and some prep work for my internship for the week.

Sunday my friend Denise from church is running in the Flying Pig marathon so rain or shine I'm going to be at the finish line waiting for her. I didn't see her through all of this training to not be there when she finishes! Plus I know next year she'll be there for me as I finish the half marathon. :-)

Alright, it's bedtime for this sleepy girl. Have a good weekend all!