I thought I had appendicitis

My lower right abdomen has been pretty tender the past couple of days and I was talking to some friends about it and they thought it might be the beginnings of appendicitis. All I knew about appendicitis is that you have to have your appendix removed.

What does your appendix do anyways?

But if it's such a big deal that you have to have something removed, I figured I'd look up on it. So I did. On Wickapedia. And it basically said if you ignore it, your appendix explodes and the poison it releases kills you. "So," I thought to myself, "this might be one of those times where a call to the health center could be beneficial." I finally got myself talking to a nurse and she said that what I was describing could be appendicitis but it might not be, but that it's always better to be safe than dead. I agreed. So over to the urgent care of the student heath center I went, with Jacey, for moral support. The doctor decided, after some poking around, that I should go to the lab and take a urine test and a blood test, neither of which I have ever done before, so that was pretty exciting. When the blood extractor guy found out I had never had blood taken before, he leaned back and told the lab receptionist lady, "hey we have a virgin here!" ah... BYU jokes, they're always so clever. Anyways, since I had never had it done before, he was explaining everything and had me feel my "rippling veins," (always a good sign when you know they won't have to go searching) and then I sat and watched as he sucked it all out. I really can't understand why that's so hard for some people, but there you have it. At least I know I don't have a phobia of needles or my own blood. Then Jacey and I went back to the urgent care waiting room and about half an hour later the doctor called me back in. He sat explaining what I didn't have for about 10 minutes and then took another 15 on what I did have which is some other kind of -itis. He prescribed some kind of anti-inflammatory that I should take with food and where I can't lay down for half an hour afterwards.

So we were there for about 2 1/2 hours... I missed my volleyball class, which stinks. That's one of the few classes I actually enjoy going to... psh. Whatever. But at least I'm not going to die from the poison of a ruptured appendix. That's always a good thing.

I love Christmas time

Can I just say this is the happiest season of the year... But before I get into it, I have this theory going... When Heavenly Father saw what Provo was going to look like at the end of winter semester, he knew the poor college students would need something, ANYTHING, to look forward to in order to avoid the inevitable death following (or proceeding, or during, depending on the results of) finals. Now, I know that Christmas has been celebrated on Christmas for a long time... maybe like 2000 years or so, but I think the "season" of joyfullness is incorporated for the sake of Provo people's sanity.

So I've decided that I'm going to list my favorite things, because if I list them, it's easier to remember to be grateful for them, right? And what better place to make lists than on a trusty blog.

1) I love that I've spent the entire weekend cutting out paper snowflakes. And then we framed them in our living room.






2) I love that I found THE perfect gift for my S.I.L. Liz for a VERY reasonable price at Big Lots that goes along with the 3 other things I had going for her. I'm so excited to hear about her reaction. I'm kind of sad she and my brother won't be at our house with the rest of the family, but her brother is getting married, (maybe?) and will be spending time with her side. Also, that's another thing; drawing names for Christmas presents is a whole lot less fun. Andrea (my oldest sister) and I were talking about it, and we both love giving gifts that we think people would like, but it's just not practical with so many people and so many of us being students. (aka, really poor) But still! I really think Liz will like what I've gotten for her.

3)Christmas music is my favorite!! I don't think anything can bring the spirit or make me as happy as music can. And my roommates are the same way... there is ALWAYS music playing in our apartment, often coming from all 3 bedrooms. And we all love singing. The ward music...person(?) asked our apartment to prepare a musical number for the ward Christmas program. We're going to be singing a song called "If this child were born today" which is an arrangement with "The first noel" and "away in a manger" incorporated in it. Hannah and Natalie are singing the soprano part, Jacey and Sarah alto, Casey tenor but an octave up, and Me bass an octave up. oh man, it's awesome.

4)I love that even though it's freezing outside, people are so warm and friendly. Everyone is more open and cheerful during the Christmas season. Our parking lot is completely in the shade of our building and when it snowed on saturday, it didn't have a chance to melt before it froze into a solid slat of ice. I've gotten my car stuck while attempting to back into my spot twice, and both times, someone was there and helped push my car while I backed it in. How nice is that? And how often would someone just walk on past on any other freezing cold day after Christmas?
A view of our parking lot from our front window.


5)I love that I can drink hot chocolate whenever and however often I want. And it doesn't matter if I put on a couple pounds because I'm bundled up in about a thousand layers of clothes anyways. :)

6) I love that there are decorations up everywhere. People string up lights and wreathes and Christmas trees are all over the place. I can't even begin to tell you how many snowmen I've counted. It just makes me happy...

well I have to be off to my mission prep class now, it starts in 15 minutes. I hope you all love Christmas as much as I do though... I'd be sad for you if you didn't.