What a week! In the last six days I have:

• self diagnosed an ear infection, had my diagnosis confirmed, and been put on antibiotics
• self diagnosed the beginning of another infection, got medication, and headed it off at the pass by eating a lot of yogurt
• had some sort of food poisoning and the associated excruciating abdominal cramping
• PMS (enough said)

All these things have added up to very much wanting my mom here to give me soup and crackers and 7up stirred with a fork so the bubbles are gone. On the other hand, I’ve felt very grown up in that every time I’ve figured out what was wrong and what I needed to do to fix it. Three cheers for being in touch with my body!

On a series of very good notes, the following things have happened:

• All the professors that I contacted gave me permission to conduct my study.
• After some back-and-forth, the IRB approved my study.
• I drank Guinness with a table full of friends on St Patrick’s day.
• I made carrot cake!
• I have a kitten-cat staying with me for 10 days.
• My pilgrim’s passport arrived today.
• I received a fantastic email regarding a plan that may rescue my financial future.