Fall Recess

This week was a short week at school; so there isn't much to report.  Most of the schools in Utah have a fall recess.  The students get to take a break and the teachers can go to UEA conferences.  For a lot of teachers, the better alternative is using the time to play catch up.  I caught up on sleep, cleaning, and grades.  It has been a crazy year, thus far.  Talking to the other teachers at my school, I get the impression that everyone feels strangely behind this year.  We can't seem to get ahead of the game.  I know that I have been feeling that way.  Every time I think that I will have a chance to catch up on things, something comes up.  Oh well, that's life.  Right?

In other news, it seems like I am FINALLY getting over this cold.  I have been sick for about three weeks.  The first week, I had a low-grade fever, had no energy, and just felt gross.  The second week, I had the typical cold symptoms (coughing, sneezing, etc...).  This last week, I have MAJOR headaches and sinus pressure.  I did everything I could think of to get rid of the headaches.  I missed a day and half of work trying to get rid of the illness.  I took pain killers, used a neti pot, took some remedies recommended by friends (drink cranberry juice and chew ginger--which is so gross), and used medicine specifically for sinus pressure.  Nothing was helping.  I stubbornly refused to go to the doctor.  I did this for three reasons.  First, I am cheap.  Second, I hate going to the doctor.  Third, it seems like every time I go to the doctor they don't find anything.  I figured it would eventually go away on its own.

On Sunday night, I knew that I needed to go to the doctor.  My head hurt so bad that I was in tears.  I got to work on Monday and called my doctor as soon as the office opened.  I got lucky and they had an opening after work that day.  I made it through work and headed to the appointment.  A side note for doctors, you don't weigh people correctly.  I think that the scales are accurate, but the process is not.  I had my clothes and shoes on, and I was carrying a heavy purse and an iPad, when they weighed me.  This added over seven pounds to my actual weight.  How is that at all accurate?  Don't write that number on my chart!

After a little bit of waiting, the doctor finally came in to see me.  She asked me some questions, I told her my story, and she asked a few more questions.  She concluded that I have a sinus infection.  She prescribed antibiotics.  I was told to take three pills a day, for ten days.  I told her that was great, but I really needed something for the headaches.  She told me to take 2 Extra-strength Tylenol and 4 Ibuprofen  every four hours.  Does that sound like a ton of medication to anyone else?  I decided to listen to her advice.  I can feel that all of the medicines are starting to work.  I still have times where the painkillers don't completely disappear; but at least I am starting to feel like I can function again.  I was even able to start exercising again.   I count this as a success.  Hopefully, I will be as good as new very soon!

So, that's it.  I am trying to get grades finished because report cards and parent teacher conferences are coming up soon.  I bought a new bookshelf for my apartment (I don't remember if I blogged about that yet). My parents are going to the Grand Canyon for a week.  Oh, and I did some work on my car.  I got it washed and they did a horrible job.  I tried to get the tires rotated, but the guy told me not to do it until Spring.  I got the oil changed and was told that I was developing a transmission leak.  What these people don't realize is that I have a Dad that used to be a mechanic.  I always talk to him about car problems before I let anyone tell me that I need to fix something.  My Dad said that I would be fine until I got to California for Thanksgiving and that he would look at then.  I think that is everything.  Except for...

My Dad's BIG birthday was this week and I was able to celebrate with him via Skype.  Isn't technology great!?!  Happy birthday, again, Dad!!