the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day

Today was one of the most humiliating days of my life.

I'll recount it in the most extreme detail possible for the full effect.

This morning I walked to class with Hillary, as usual. The weather was kind of miserable, but other than that everything was fine. I sit down in my Human Behaviors class and wait for it to start. About 15 minutes into lecture I started feeling really anxious. I couldn't get comfortable, so I kept moving around, trying to stretch my legs and such. Then I get ridiculously warm. So I shed my rain jacket. Still not better. At this point I realize I feel really bad and am starting to get a little lightheaded. I decide to get up and leave to get some water and sit down. Hindsight: standing up was THE WORST decision I could have made. I take about two steps and then completely black out. I hit the ground and then wake up with 20 terrified classmates staring at me, my professor is calling 911, someone running to get me some water, and some other person is making sure I'm responsive. Awkward. I hardly know these people. Luckily, this was a social work class (so most people are pretty compassionate) and I had this professor before.

Long story short, a policeman, three firemen, and two paramedics arrive at the classroom to check me out. I moved out into the hallway, and after checking my blood pressure, blood sugar, and other vital signs, I'm given the choice of going to the hospital. HECK NO. I do NOT want to be wheeled out on the gurney they brought up for me. I told them I would go to the med clinic for further tests. As if this is not embarrassing enough, the policeman tells me to get in the car for him to drive me back to the dorm. So I ride in the back of the marked police car from Haley Center back to the dorm. Thankfully, Kaitlynn was in the room when I got back and immediately jumped in the car to drive me to the med clinic.

I arrive at the med clinic and literally had the shortest waiting time ever. (Note to self: passing out puts you at the top of their priority list.) After going through exactly what happened in excruciatingly personal detail several times, I am informed they are going to run plenty of tests on me to make sure everything is okay. They wheel the EKG cart into my room and after I strip down, they hook me up and check out my heart. Turns out it was doing its job just like it was supposed to. I walk down to the lab to give blood (second time that day) and start crying in the middle of it. The nurse couldn't find my vein in one arm, so she had to switch to the other one, and I finally just broke down about what a terrible day it had been. I'm not anemic, I don't have mono, and my white blood cell count was perfectly normal. I was poked, prodded, and everything else they could have done. Basically, nothing is wrong with me and there is no apparent reason for my fainting spell. The doctor excused me from class for two days and prescribed plenty of rest and fluids.

I guess the whole situation is kind of humorous now, but it was extremely embarrassing at the time. It was humbling for sure and made me appreciate even more my sweet friends who dropped everything they were doing to take care of me.

life is beauty full

First 24 hours back in Auburn, and I'm already crafting. This hangs in the empty space above my TV. Maybe having this little reminder will make this semester's long nights of reading more bearable. Although, having to move everything out at the end of this semester is going to be quite unfortunate.

sit and stay awhile

Remember the chair I said I was going to refinish? Well, I finally completed it over Christmas break! It has the perfect little spot in my dorm room. On another note, I am so glad to be back in Auburn. AND no class on Monday! Now, I just wish some more of my favorites would come back soon!

obsession of the moment...

Bikes. Which is kind of ironic considering 1) I'm the most uncoordinated person ever 2) I don't think I've ridden a bike in quite a few years 3) I'm pretty sure my parents got rid of my bike because of point number two.

Who says there have to be rules for obsessions?

one two three four five six seven eight

My Life in Lists #12

Top 15 books on my reading list (that aren't required for classes). My goal is to have finished them all by next year. We shall see...

1. There Are No Children Here Alex Kotlowitz

2. The Company They Kept: Writers on Unforgettable Friendships Robert B. Silvers and Barbara Epstein

3. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Maya Angelou

4. A Man Called Intrepid William Stevenson

5. 1984 George Orwell

6. Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe

7. Brave New World Aldous Huxley

8. Jayber Crowe Wendell Barry

9. The Art of Racing in the Rain Garth Stein

10. The Gurnsey Literary and Potato Peel Society Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

11. The Help Kathryn Stockett

12. Emma Jane Austen

13. My Uncle Oswald Roald Dahl

14. The Importance of Being Earnest Oscar Wilde

15. The Wit and Wisdom of Ronald Reagan James C. Humes

Also, does making this list count as a goal for 2011? I feel an immense amount of pressure to make goals, but I don't have any except my goal to make goals for 2012. Does the word goal sound weird now?

I Whip My Hair Back and Forth

In the midst of my newfound love of sewing, I have progressed on to make a headband. The tutorial I found online was kind of confusing (inverted box pleats are difficult to sew), but I finally figured it out.

(Sorry I'm so uncomfortable taking pictures of myself.)

My Name Peggy

I've watched a lot of television this break since I've been out due to wisdom teeth surgery and a bout with strep throat. This is definitely my favorite commercial right now. Happy Time.

100th Post

So, I just realized this is my 100th blog post.

I wanted to do something really clever, witty, or extremely memorable.

But I've got nothing.

Now it's just really uncomfortable.

Sorry I'm so awkward.

But thanks for reading even when I post weird and dumb things.

My not-so-obligatory-yet-still-important "what I learned sophomore year: part one" list

I was going to wait until May to post this, but I learned a whole lot in one semester, so why wait?

1. You know that saying, "Revenge is a dish best served cold?" Oh no, it should be more like, "Revenge is dish that should be served as a corndog." Not quite as catchy, but wayyyy more true.

2. If you're going to whip your hair back and forth, just be careful not to shatter a glass.

3. Check the boxes before taking multiple cold medicines in one night.

4. Just say no to glitter. In any way, shape, or form.

5. Vienna waits for you.

6. True friends are the ones who will pee in their pants from laughter in front of you. And admit it.

7. Always grab your tiger card on the way out for a fire drill. And a bra.

8. Aerosols should always be sprayed outside.

9. "I was afraid it was going to rain" is not a legit excuse for taking jeep doors up the elevator in front of the RA.

10. Always keep a plunger in the guest bathroom.

11. Find the most private bathrooms. And keep them a secret.

12. You're never too old to watch childhood movies. And maybe even cry just a little bit.

13. Lygers DO exist.

14. It's okay to want your life to turn out just like Kathleen Kelly's.

15. Life's too short to eat bad steak.

16. Sometimes it's socially acceptable to make mildly inappropriate comments in class.

17. Never tweet negatively about Paula Deen.

18. Stalking members of the men's swim team is no big deal, as long as you feel good about it.

19. Having a name that fits perfectly on scantrons will never get old.

20. Mentally hashtagging life is a sign that you tweet too much. #totesoutofcontrol

21. Any word worth having in your vocabulary is one that can easily be abbreved.

22. If you're going to shower, at least jazz it up with some bath crayons.

23. Asian night in Tiger Zone will beat you. Every single time.

24. Outdoor concerts are the best kinds of concerts.

25. Live on the sassy side of life.

26. Maple doughnuts are only for people like Buddy the elf.

27. Sometimes you just have to throw away a trash can.

28. Don't eat waffles if you're allergic to them. Or go to a Waffle House.

29. Three turns should do it, I think.

30. Don't be a Connie.

31. 5 hour energy shots taste like chalk. Chase it down with some chocolate milk or something.

32. If you're going to faint at the doctor's office, best go to Urgent Care on South College.

33. Sometimes you just have to cry on your way to class. Life happens.

34. You can't sweet talk your way into the hay field parking the night before a big game. No matter how cute you are.

35. Life's weird.

sew in love

I like to consider myself an avid crafter. Maybe not quite up to connoisseur level, but enthusiastic, no doubt. So WHY I waited so long to learn how to sew is way beyond me. My best guess is that I was afraid I would never again address my "real world" commitments (not that I have many, but school is a big one) once I let loose in the sewing world. I think that is a valid fear. I've been looking up tutorial after tutorial on the hundreds (literally, hundreds) of blogs I've bookmarked. Pump the brakes, I'm out of control. My first project may be simple, and definitely not perfect, but it is for a good cause.

One of my sorority sisters shared this website with us. Her cousin started this cute organization "I'm Sewing Hope" just to show the love of Jesus to people who really need to see it. The first project was pillowcases that went to oncology patients at Children's Hospital of Birmingham. The project that I sewed for is this precious crayon roll going to orphanages in Sub-Saharan Africa. For real, I have NEVER sewn until today. Not even a button. But I did this. So can you. Spread the word. This is a great way to tangibly show people that there is hope, one so much greater than anything in this world.

sorry the photos are janky, I used the camera on my phone because my real camera is still packed away in a suitcase somewhere