From the Sick and Afflicted

There are very few things in life that I hate worse than being sick(((SNEEZE))). It seems no matter my extra precautions, I get sick--or otherwise afflicted--at least three times per year. The last five years, these three times have been near the middle of Fall semester; right after finals, before Christmas; and right after midterms (((SNEEZE))) in Winter semester. My schedule got a little mixed up this year, however, because I took last Winter semester off. So, after a long wait period since my last illness, I have been sick the last few days, which is the reason for my absence. (((SNEEZE)))
Saturday was the first of my sick days. I had a conference to attend in the morning, and after my monumental walk home, I felt icky, sore, and as if my head were full of liquid. (((SNEEZE))) I waited for Ben to get home from work and at 7:30 when he rolled in the door, the liquid had multiplied and sneezing became the newest part of my sickness repatoir. Sunday brought with it a myriad of new ailments: coughing, sniffling, more sneezing(((SNEEZE))) , head pounding, and lack of energy. After a multi-hour nap after church, the sickness had worsened and by then I was suffering from serious voice changes, at which time I no longer sounded like a girl--I had what former roommates and I referred to as "sickness induced male voice," or "SIMV." Monday(((SNEEZE))) came with continuous aggravation of all of the above symptoms and by that time I was so hyped up on cold pills and orange juice, I walked around all day with a blank, gazed look on my face, while holding a sorely wrinkled and mucus filled Kleenex to my never-ending runny nose. It was sure a sight. To no avail, however, because I had a presentation to give in my ethics class. For a future teacher ((( SNEEZE))), or any public speaking profession for that matter, the horrible affects of SIMV is a major downfall, of which I suffered during my presentation. Tuesday proved to be the worst of days and, luckily, I didn't have class so I stayed at home on the couch all day. I donned a pair of super hot red track pants, stained with snot (sorry for that graphic detail) and OJ spills, my greasy hair just barely fitting in a ponytail. Wadded up Kleenex dotted the couch and coffee table like butter on popcorn. Ben got home last night and I craved a Subway, which I believe he took to mean that his ailing wife was in good (((SNEEZE))) enough spirits to shop! This was not the case, however, because five minutes after walking into BestBuy in Idaho Falls, I was ready for another dose of medication, a big glass of OJ, and my comfy couch, which I had called "home" during the day.
Well, it's safe to say that now, on this hump of a day (((SNEEZE))) Wednesday, the sickness is still very much apparent. I'm pretty sure the people in my classes are getting sick of my sickness. By this I mean, they have had it up to their eyeballs (((SNEEZE)))hearing some girl they once thought sat in the back talking like a forty-year old man, listening to my Adams-family honker drip like an old faucet, and hearing me sneeze like it's going out of style.
Just a warning to all of my readers who have been fortunate enough to be ailment-free this fall, please continue to practice the appropriate hygiene steps, such as washing your hands every five seconds and drinking lots when you feel a little tickle in your throat.
(((SNEEZE)))!!