My Internet is Horrid

Jan 21, 2016

I have been trying to load a single tab on my computer for about 30 minutes now. Thankfully, the mobile version is a bit faster. I have Comcast, and I hate them. Sadly, they are my only internet option since we got “disqualified for service” by CenturyLink. Comcast works on a shared loop, so several houses use the same internet (essentially) meaning it slows at peak times. The amount of school aged people that we could potentially share with is staggering. That’s why, at 4pm, I’m dealing with speeds like this:

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For those of you who don’t know, this is dirt slow. Like, smoke signals would be more efficient right now. Unfortunately, I really need to do stuff online… So I wait. And wait. Hopefully I’ll still be 25 when stuff finally loads.

My Last First Day – complete

Jan 20, 2016

Yesterday, I mentioned how having my last first day of school is a complete mixed bag of feelings. Well, I realized that because I was talking to Dan about it Monday night and ended up in a giant puddle of tears. It’s very complex.

First, I am THRILLED I’m going to be done! I have been in college since August 2008, with only one calendar year off, and in school since I was 5 (20 years now). While I do love to learn, I have grown to really hate school. At the same time, however, school is familiar and safe and it’s going to be really weird not going anymore. I’m not big on rigid schedules, and now my health isn’t either. School definitely requires a rigid schedule. college_textbooks-480x280 I also can’t stand homework. I know, I know, nobody likes homework. But I loathe it. I have an almost impossible time sitting down to make myself do it. If there is ANYTHING (including cleaning) that I can do instead of homework, it’ll get done. Dan will just say “I need to study” then sit down and do it; while I say “I need to study” and then the house becomes spotless and then the photos on the computer get organized and then my closet is organized by color and then I’ll maybe do the studying I need. I cannot stand homework. Instead of a “graduation party” I’m going to be having a “no more homework” party. Seriously.

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My Last First Day – part 0.5

Jan 19, 2016

Today marked my last first day of class! While I’m very excited to be almost done with school, there is a crazy mixed bag of feelings.

I’m exhausted, however, so I’ll have to explore those feelings in a different post. Sorry. I don’t do well with the waking up at six in the morning thing (my classes start at eight).

“I was raised without religion” – from Scary Mommy

Jan 18, 2016

Thanks to my friend Ashley (too many friends named Ashley, haha, this one has two kids), I discovered the blog site Scary Mommy. No, I’m not a mom… not yet. However, I want to be a mom more than I want to be anything else. It’s been that way forever, but it wasn’t ever an acceptable response to the “what do you want to be when you grow up?” question… it still isn’t, but I’m finally not afraid to admit it. I get the feeling everyone feels like I’m betraying the work everyone is doing for women’s equality… but I view it completely the other way. I’m 100% for working women, more power to them. I’m 100% for working men, congratulations. I’m 100% for stay at home women, more power to them. I’m 100% for stay at home men, more power to them too. I’m 100% for equal rights for every single person on the planet with no exceptions (well, there are a few exceptions where I think that someone loses their humanity, but it’s a similar method to creating a horcrux). Anyway, the reason I love Scary Mommy, is because they are 100% for everyone too. They give equal voice to all sides of motherhood, and attempt to stop the “parent shaming” that is rampant in society today.

I read an excellent article on Scary Mommy today. The article is called: “I Was Raised Without Religion – And I’m Glad.”

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Albuterol Jitterbug

Jan 16, 2016

Because of my asthma, I always have had a rescue inhaler… Since I was about five. Thankfully, I don’t have to use it often anymore. Throughout school I had to use it quite often because my asthma is mostly exercise induced and we had to do a weekly mile (two in high school) in physical education. I also got sick a lot in school, and illnesses love to settle in the lungs if you have asthma.

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Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes – Recipe

Jan 15, 2016

I got this recipe from my mom. I’m not sure if she created it, or if it was passed down from her family, but now it is my recipe too! These have always been my favorite sweet potatoes, and a dish I look forward to every holiday meal. The following recipe is specifically from my adventure with the purple sweet potato, so it has a few extra steps. I’ll put the orange sweet potato changes at the bottom of the post.

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Goodbye, Alan Rickman

Jan 14, 2016

The wound in my heart has been torn back open – the one left by Harry Potter. Alan Rickman, aka Severus Snape, has died from cancer at the age of 69. Now, I realize he was so much more than Snape, he was an absolutely fantastic actor. However, I am part of the Harry Potter generation. I used to think that phrase was making fun of people my age, but it isn’t. The first book in the series was released (in the US) when I was 8 years old. The last movie came out when I was 21. That is 13 years of my life spent waiting for the next Harry Potter installment. When I turn 26 in March, that will mean I spent half of my life waiting for Harry Potter. So, yes, for me, Alan Rickman will always be Snape. That, and they couldn’t have cast a more perfect actor if they had tried. Because he is Snape, hearing the news of his death felt like the hole that will never heal left at the close of Harry Potter (it’s not a bad one, it’s just that much of a part of who I am) was made raw again and had salt poured on it. I have always thought that he would be a fantastic person to know.

Alan Rickman always struck me as a very warm and cheerful soul, with a great depth of feeling. The depth of his acting definitely proves the depth of his emotions; he couldn’t have done what he did without being an incredibly empathetic soul. I always wished I could meet him… My impression could best be described as the stereotypical “perfect father/grandfather” type of person: cheerful, warm, loving, stern when necessary, willing to do anything for the people he loves. This idea was reinforced when I heard about his wife: they were together for 50 years, but only married for one. I imagine that when he was diagnosed with cancer, he wanted to make sure she would be taken care of legally if he happened to lose the battle. That’s just the kind of thing I would imagine he would want to take care of first.

And yes, he is not just Snape. He plays a great role in Love Actually, though a role you are supposed to hate in a way. I also loved him as Marvin in Hitchhiker’s Guide and the blue caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland (the Tim Burton one). He was fantastically creepy as Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd. However, anytime I see him in anything, I just go “OMG! It’s Snape!” and I’m okay with that. What I’m not okay with, is that this wonderful and talented soul had to leave so early.

R.I.P Alan Rickman

How I Know I’m Sick This Time

Jan 14, 2016

Fever, check. It’s been bouncing between 99 and 101 (though, the 101 was shortly after finishing tea, so I think that was my dysautonomia not letting my body stay consistent) today.

Dehydration, check. My lips are as cracked as a typical “desert floor” photograph. I’ve been doing nothing but drinking fluids for two days, or so it feels.

Head full to bursting, check. Nose is also trying to escape… If it wasn’t for the fact it’s attached to my face it’d be on the opposite side of the world by now.

Gnarly cough, check. I haven’t coughed like this since I was a kid. Very tempted to send a sound clip to my parents just to be sure I don’t need to go to the doc ASAP… They should recognize this cough. By the way, Robitussin (cough syrup) isn’t stopping it.

Inability to sleep, check. I took Tylenol PM, but I can’t breathe thru my nose and I can’t stop coughing… It’s really hard to sleep, even with drugs, thru coughing fits and a thoroughly plugged nose.

As It Turns Out

Jan 13, 2016

I am very sick. I wasn’t entirely sure for a few days, thought it might just be allergies and dry air that were making my throat hurt. But now, completely positive. I have developed a nasty cough, one I used to get as a kid a lot. It’s horrible and painful. Plus the fatigue is thru the roof and my nose is trying to escape. Not to bad on the pain front, however, so that’s a plus. Just the major pain of my throat and the arm thing.

Oh well. Hopefully I can get better before school starts next week… Hopefully without the aid of my nebulizer.

Jan 12, 2016

I wanted to share a few photos from our trip to Beaver Creek with the in-laws 🙂 The people that went were: Becky (my mother-in-law), Shelby (sister-in-law), Jimmy (Shelby’s boyfriend), Dave (brother-in-law), Claire (Dave’s roommate), Dan, and myself. We got up there Saturday afternoon, and just hung out at the condo and had a nice dinner. Sunday (Jan 3) we went ice skating, then went tubing at Vail. Monday we went skiing. Tuesday we checked out about 10 and drove home!