Before more people begin to wonder whether or not I've fallen off the face of the planet, I guess I'd better write an entry. Hopefully, I haven't lost any readership due to my nearly one-month hiatus. My time has been severely limited this semester. I guess that's what I get for taking 15 credits. School is almost out. I just have three more days left (one before the break for Thanksgiving, and two following it). I've already phoned in my schedule for spring and I've dropped back down to 12 hours because that seems to be much more manageable for me. I'll be taking two English classes and one intensive Spanish class that counts for six of my credits.
I made it through mid-terms with all As, despite the onset of a migraine that lasted for an entire weekend. Because several papers were due that following Monday, I sought medical attention. I was given an injection of Imitrex to deal immediately with my symptoms and I was prescribed anti-nausea medicine as well as an anti-depressant known as < ahref="http://www.whatmeds.com/meds/pamelor.html">Pamelor to combat the stress at the root of the problem. I now take one 25 mg capsule of Pamelor every night before going to bed. I have not had a migraine headache since I started on this regimen. This drug has had other positive effects on my life: I sleep more deeply now and I seem to have less difficulty concentrating. I was only given a prescription for a small number of pills with no refills to ensure that I would follow up with a neurologist, which I did earlier this month. The doctor confirmed that my migraines originate from stress and he made me aware of other things that I was doing that increased the likelihood of my getting a headache. Things such as not sleeping, not eating, and eating foods too rich in sugars (such as bananas) contribute to the problem. He determined that staying on Pamelor was in my best interests for several reasons: it was working for me, it won't have any effects if I ever stop taking it, and bipolarity runs in my family (I have never been diagnosed with it, but an aunt on my mother's side of the family was and this medicine works to correct that imbalance). During the months when I am not in class, I am to drop down to smaller dosage, 10 mg. My neurologist was very careful not to put me on more medicine than I need. He did prescribe something for my normal headaches, which I get as often as 2-3 times a week called Butalbital. He informed me that is was more effective than just the OTC Advil I had been using. I did try it recently and it worked like a charm. I need to get a CAT scan (once my insurance takes effect) just to eliminate the possibility that I have a brain deformation that could be causing my migraines. After that, I just need to visit the neurologist yearly for a check up.
Even though the migraine set me back I got the majority of my papers handed in on time, with the exception of my take home mid-term for Chinese Philosophy and Religious Traditions. That was turned in one class late with the instructor's assurance that he would not mark my grade down as a consequence of my being ill. I made a 30 out of a 30 on it. It ended up being 12 pages in length (750 words x 5 essays). My first short English paper on Jhumpa Lahiri's short story "Interpreter of Maladies" (see my October 13th entry for full text) earned me an A- to my surprise (I thought it warranted an unencumbered A). I also wrote a short response paper for English that weekend. I got a check plus on that. in fact, I have gotten check pluses on all of the response papers - except the one where he could decide whether or not to give me a check plus or just a check. That was the "Yellow Wallpaper", if I recall correctly. Because the migraine set me back on time, I had to skip another of the six essay prompts given in my Western Civilization class throughout the semester. Thankfully, we only need complete four of those that saved my butt in that class. I have completed each one that has been assigned since then. I made a 24 out of 25 (96%, still an A) on my second one and I haven't received my third one back just yet. I should know what grade I got on Monday. I still have one more left to go before the final.
I still have a little more left to recap as far as school goes, as well as some assignments to post, but I'm not really in the mood just now. I will say one more thing about it because it relates to the migraine that I had. I was nominated by Dr. Eisner, my English 325 professor, for the English Honors Program. I wrestled with this decision, even though I'm not yet in a position to make it just yet (Honors courses are at the 400 level and usually those are taken as a senior). I felt very pressured, by my teacher, my fellow students, and even Andrew. Finally I decided that I had to just shut them out. I was getting even more stressed and at the time I just said no to it. I may amend my decision at a later time, but only if I feel it is in my best interests to do so. Right now it is just not something I am prepared to handle and it was not one of the original goals that I made for myself I made before starting classes at GMU. So, what are my goals? I could just tell you to read my bio to find out... but I'll make it simpler and just tell you. I eventually want to be invited into Golden Key (the Honors Society for juniors and seniors). Right now I'm still a sophomore, but only just barely (I am 3 credits shy of it because not everything transferred over from Embry-Riddle) and my GPA is 3.918. Only the top 15% of all students are invited into the society and I need to keep my grades up for that to happen. ultimately, I want to keep my 3.9 through graduation and walk with Highest Honors. I don't know if that will possible for me to do, but I am going to continue to give it my all. I never commit myself to anything beyond my capabilities. The way I see it, if I want it, I'll do what ever it takes in order to get it. Taking Honors classes has the potential do bad things to GPA and cause me to miss my original goals. I can't let that happen. So I will reevaluate my decision to not enter Honors at some later point in my college career.
I went for an eye exam last week and I got new glasses!! I still have the black CK frames for everyday wear (they seem to have become part of my identity) with new lenses (my eyes actually got better since the last time, I had a nasty chip in my right lens, and scratches galore), but now I have a pair of Emporio Armani prescription sunglasses with a medium blue tint. Andrew suggested that I get these because bright lights sometimes trigger my migraines. He ended up getting a pair of new sunglasses too, same name brand, but a different frame with polarized lenses.
This picture came out a little blurry, but hopefully you get the idea. in case you can't tell, my new frames are a color similar to my hair and they fade into blue in the center (the same hue as the lenses).
The Buddha modeling my new eyewear. Hey, it's the best I can do since I'm not dressed yet.
Well, I have some guy coming up to my apartment to conduct a safety inspection here in a few minutes, I guess I better get out of my jammies. I'll try to write some more later on this evening.