My first Sunday morning of waking with no homework due, no deadlines to meet, and I am up and at-em still at 7 a.m. So, now what? I could go to the gym, but what fun would that be? I could go to the pool, but I'd fry before I made the trot. So, I decide I'm going to make breakfast, do some shop therapy, and then visit one or both of the previously mentioned hang-outs, time permitting. Then, I remember I'm getting my wisdom teeth out in 48 hours. It's been planned all summer, but I've been pre-occupied, and well, haven't paid much attention to the fact I'll be "put under" for the first time since my hand surgery. Holy moly. Why hadn't this occurred to be earlier?
When I was 6, I remember being prepped for what I thought was a pizza party. Really, Bri? At 4 a.m., in TSRHC, you think it's a pizza party? OH, I misunderstood...you're giving me a pizza flavored mask that in no way, shape, or form, tastes like pizza, to put me to sleep for the next 6 hours. That's what I get for being 6 and naive. So as I am being wheeled into this huge, white, freezing cold room, I am hooked up to all kinds of machines and sniffing rubber pizza and watching the doctors fizzle away into failrytale land. All I remember is the nurse asking me if I could still see her...and then, I was a goner! Needless to say, my Sister was in the same operating room...with a longer hand surgery under way at the same time. I'm sure my parents were just a bundle of joy that day!
Recovery was gross, painful, and long. I will spare you of the wonderful details that followed as they weird me out, myself. But, the week long stay in TSRHC was a ton of fun...along with the fact Sam and Pa brought me food everyday because I refused hospital grub. If you haven't figured it out by now, I was pretty rotten to say the least.
Now, 20 years later, I am flashing back to these memories and beginning to feel like this will be nothing compared to hand surgery, but enough to make me anxious. Yes, I know, it's teeth. They aren't breaking any of my fingers, taking ligaments from other parts of my body, or re-configuring any bones, BUT somewhere, there is someone who wishes they had the chance to under-go an orthopedic procedure to better their lives and I am happy to say I lived through all of them and well, it's pretty awesome!
So, now I will suck it up, ignore the fact I will be in la-la land in less than 48 hours, and embrace the opporunity I have been given to share these oh-so-weird stories!
P.S.- I forgot to mention...how much do teeth go for these days? I need to write the "tooth-Mother" a note in advance and leave it in the basement, so she doesn't try to come in my room. (Yes, that's another hang-up. I'm terrified of the tooth-Mother...seriously!)
Love to All,
Brianna
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Survival of the fittest...or not so much!
Well, I am happy to say, I survived another round of summer school. 5 pounds, disgruntled people who had to be around me, no sleep, a face that looks like I went to combat and lost, and 1 massage later, I would like to say it was a piece of cake, but I just ate one, and well let me assure you, it was anything but.
8 weeks ago, or so, I informed you all I would be harping on another grueling round of summer classes. I also was super nervous because 3 of the 4 were senior level courses, but Stats cut me no slack, either. The Associate Dean of the Business school personally emailed me a week before classes began, asking me to unload one or two of my courses...that I was carrying too "tough" of a workload for a summer semester. I assured her 4 senior level classes was not only do-able, but I would pass with flying colors. (No, I didn't word it like that, but you get the point) So, with a week to torment myself on if I'm doing the right thing, I start reading the books. Forget break, forget life, all I'm worried about is I have to face this woman if for some god-foresaken reason I fail one (or more) of these courses. If you know me, I would rather someone pluck my hair out one-at-a-time than swallow my pride and admit I was wrong.
Anyway, fast-forward until tonight, when I have taken my last final, and pretty confident I have not only passed every class, but have made B+ or better in each of the 4 classes. No, I am not bragging. In fact, I am pretty upset I didn't clutch all 4 A's, but at some point I have to let it go.
If you're wondering why I am blogging about finals when this should be second nature to me by now...it's because this is my last summer in college, and I am starting to feel like I have accomplished something alot of people have a fear of, or don't have the opportunity to do. I had to prepare and deliver a 30 minute presentation this semester. Look, I can talk all day about a whole lot of nothing, but ask me to tell it to a class of people glaring at me and I crumble like a cookie...instantly. I fretted for about 6 of the 8 weeks until I realized I have to suck it up and do what I gotta do to get it done (thanks, Brooke). I felt like the elephant in the room had to perform a solo act. I not only sucked it up, but we went 40 minutes strong! I'm stared at everywhere I go, so why be nervous about speaking? Because there is a sense of self-consciousness with people of physical differences that will never go away, regardless if you get to hide behind the podium or if you're on the soccer field. But, when you are able to get past the point of nervousness, it's a wonderful feeling because you aren't sure if they are interested in what you are say or just why the hell you only have 2 fingers?!?!? It's quite magical. I assure you if you ever encounter someone with a physical difference of any kind, if you listen to what they say rather than why they are the way they are, you will walk away a much more knowledgable person!
I hope to expand on this topic and many more that have come up within the past week from a few of my blogger friends in the next week, but for now, I am enjoying a great big bowl of cake and ice cream!
Love to All,
Brianna
8 weeks ago, or so, I informed you all I would be harping on another grueling round of summer classes. I also was super nervous because 3 of the 4 were senior level courses, but Stats cut me no slack, either. The Associate Dean of the Business school personally emailed me a week before classes began, asking me to unload one or two of my courses...that I was carrying too "tough" of a workload for a summer semester. I assured her 4 senior level classes was not only do-able, but I would pass with flying colors. (No, I didn't word it like that, but you get the point) So, with a week to torment myself on if I'm doing the right thing, I start reading the books. Forget break, forget life, all I'm worried about is I have to face this woman if for some god-foresaken reason I fail one (or more) of these courses. If you know me, I would rather someone pluck my hair out one-at-a-time than swallow my pride and admit I was wrong.
Anyway, fast-forward until tonight, when I have taken my last final, and pretty confident I have not only passed every class, but have made B+ or better in each of the 4 classes. No, I am not bragging. In fact, I am pretty upset I didn't clutch all 4 A's, but at some point I have to let it go.
If you're wondering why I am blogging about finals when this should be second nature to me by now...it's because this is my last summer in college, and I am starting to feel like I have accomplished something alot of people have a fear of, or don't have the opportunity to do. I had to prepare and deliver a 30 minute presentation this semester. Look, I can talk all day about a whole lot of nothing, but ask me to tell it to a class of people glaring at me and I crumble like a cookie...instantly. I fretted for about 6 of the 8 weeks until I realized I have to suck it up and do what I gotta do to get it done (thanks, Brooke). I felt like the elephant in the room had to perform a solo act. I not only sucked it up, but we went 40 minutes strong! I'm stared at everywhere I go, so why be nervous about speaking? Because there is a sense of self-consciousness with people of physical differences that will never go away, regardless if you get to hide behind the podium or if you're on the soccer field. But, when you are able to get past the point of nervousness, it's a wonderful feeling because you aren't sure if they are interested in what you are say or just why the hell you only have 2 fingers?!?!? It's quite magical. I assure you if you ever encounter someone with a physical difference of any kind, if you listen to what they say rather than why they are the way they are, you will walk away a much more knowledgable person!
I hope to expand on this topic and many more that have come up within the past week from a few of my blogger friends in the next week, but for now, I am enjoying a great big bowl of cake and ice cream!
Love to All,
Brianna
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