Recovery

Today's prompt: Write about a time you recovered from something...or recovered something.


Almost exactly a year ago, I was admitted to the hospital for emergency surgery.  Over the course of a few days I had grown an abscess the size of a softball on my lower abdomen that had attached to a lymph node, but it wasn't positive that's what it was until they got in there to take it out.  It caused a terrible infection, I was in a lot of pain and was just all around miserable.  I spent a few days in the hospital and was sent home.


It is surprising to me how many people undergo surgery when it isn't essential.  This experience was one of the most frightening and the recovery was quite long.  Not only does it affect you physically, but being on so many pain medications and your body trying to mend itself quickly seems to add a lot of emotional strain.  I did not feel myself for at least a month, and this was considered a fairly routine surgery.


However, Erik was the most wonderful person throughout all of this.  Because the abscess had to drain, they left the wound open and it had to be packed with gauze everyday.  We hadn't been together long, but he stepped up to the challenge of doctoring me (as disgusting as that nasty gaping wound was).  That was when I knew how great he was.


So while surgery may be a terrible experience, it does have it's bright moments.

Math

Today's Prompt: Come up with a mathematical formula to express something you know/believe.


December - Finals = A wonderful month


It has been a very long, intense semester.  I am not (or thought I wasn't) a Science buff, but changed my major to a "soft science."  I took on Anatomy and Chemistry along with two food/nutrition classes and (thankfully) one very nice Human Development class which consists mainly of in class assignments and take-home tests.  I am up to my ears in the cells, tissues, chemical equations and the chemical make-up of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.  


One benefit was the realization that I am capable of doing whatever necessary to learn material.  Nothing is too hard as long as you put the work in.  And boy, have I put work in.  My life has consisted of little else but studying and assignments.  Being social is being at work.  But it has been an excellent lesson in dedication.  I love what I am studying and cannot wait to get out into the work field and change people's lives.


And in exactly two weeks, it will all be over--For a few weeks, at least. 

I will not be a Christmas crazy-pants. I will not be a Christmas crazy pants. I will not be..

As we are now past the Thanksgiving holiday and moving head-long into Christmas, I have allowed myself to pull out the tree, hang up the lights and start crafting other decorations, cookies and enjoy the peppermint schnapps.

Christmas is a fun time to listen to pretty music and eat way too much.  To enjoy family and friends at various holiday parties.  To love life.

But why in the world is it now?  Why do we put so much into the Christmas holiday?  Money, time, effort, even emotions are put into this holiday bank and we often end up depositing way more than we have.  The goal is usually to enjoy ourselves and spend time with people we care about, but in the end we can end up feeling more empty, stressed out and lonely than we did in the beginning.

What we must remember is to celebrate in simplicity.  Do so within your means.  I am no Scrooge.  I enjoy Christmas as much as the next person.  But it is so important to really treasure each and every moment you spend during the holiday season.  We must remind ourselves of the real reasons we do what we do and learn how to make it more meaningful instead of just about stuff.  Paring down the activities, the shopping and cooking will not be the end of the world.  Your friends will not hate you for giving them a handmade card with a special recipe inside.  It truly is the thought that counts.

As cliche as it sounds, remember the spirit of Christmas.

Turkey

Today's prompt: Turkey

What exactly does a vegetarian do for Thanksgiving (or any holiday, for that matter)?  I refuse to give in to this Tofurkey business.  If you're going to have a pretend turkey, just go ahead and eat the real one.  I cannot even imagine the taste of that tofu-based fake poultry.  No thanks.

I like to dig in to squash, mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce.  Pretty much absolutely everything but turkey.  While some may find this a mortal sin, I certainly do not miss the gigantic bird.  Waking up at 5a.m. to get that darn thing in the oven doesn't fit with my sleep schedule.  It's a holiday.  Sleep should not be interrupted by early morning cooking.

And to be honest, I never cared for the taste anyway.

Another odd holiday

I have experienced some interesting holidays, to say the least.  When my family moved to Twin Falls, we were destined to enjoy most festivities on our own.  For Thanksgiving, however, we did choose to make the trek back to Washington.  What an adventure that was.  On the drive back we experienced freezing fog, freezing roads and a whole lot of snow.  Eventually we stopped 1.5 hours from home to wait the storm out until morning.

There have been several Christmases on my own, a birthday abroad and several exciting New Years adventures (without regards to the one very intense Halloween).  So this year when the Pacific Northwest was hit with a lovely snowstorm, I shouldn't have been the least bit surprised.  Erik and I have stayed home, celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday on our own with a visit or two with a few friends.

I am most thankful that I am not alone.