WARNING: Avoid Stress. Or Else...

I am back in the Frozen Tundra! I have made it through the first week and a half of school, but just barely. 

(I know it's a little gross, but I have to warn you) 

(Haha! Savannah's mom gave her this sticker)

  

   Coming back to school was really stressful. I didn't think I was that stressed until one day I woke up with a shooting pain in my back. It then proceeded to move to my hip and eventually down my leg. It felt like I pulled some kind of muscle in my hip and I tried taking it easy for a couple of days. On Tuesday the portion of my back that had started to hurt started to itch. My leg started to break out in little red bumps. At first I thought it was some kind of rash, but then I thought maybe it was hives. My back and my leg started to really hurt so I finally went to the Health Center on Friday hoping they could give me some kind of explanation.

Doctor: "You have Shingles."

Me: "Oh, ew, that's disgusting!"

Doctor: ...Blank stare...

  Haha! That is exactly how my conversation went. I was in shock. The doctor gave me a prescription and sent me off, but not before telling me that my rash would bubble up, blister, pop, and then crust over. "You'll have some scarring too." Okay, EW!! I am a walking disease! I went straight home and looked up Shingles on WebMD.com. The first thing that I read was that it was adult chickenpox and that usually people 50 years or older get it. Haha! I told my family and the first thing that they thought was that 1. I didn't clean my clothes. 2. I was rubbing my body on gym equipment and not showering. Thanks Family. Haha. I am a clean person. Shingles is the dormant chickenpox virus that becomes active if you have a weak immune system or if you are stressed. So, my warning to all: take time to relax or else you'll get Shingles.

Okay, on to some better subjects. Besides the pain from Shingles, my life is fantastic!

Highlights:

• Roommates that are amazing!

 Hailey Warwood and Kaylee Duke

Me (I was really excited!)

Savannah Thorpe

Karen (can't spell her last name :\ )

This is us enjoying the Amazing Australian tradition, TimTam Slams. This was first introduced to me by the Amazing Sandberg Family.

• The Biggest Winner Competition

  On campus this semester the Fitness Activities group is having a competition called The Biggest Winner. It is based off the T.V. show The Biggest Loser. I have volunteered to be a personal trainer. I have a partner and a team of six individuals. I honestly don't know what I am doing. All I know is that I love these people and I want to help them reduce their risk of disease, motivate them to establish a healthy lifestyle, and increase their confidence so they can do everything they want to. There will be more coming as the program starts to pick up. 

•  School

   I go to the best school. I am truly blessed. The Gospel is integrated into all aspects of my education. Each of my classes are so interesting. I love to learn. There is power in working for an education. "Good books are as friends, willing to give to us if we are willing to make a little effort." -President Hinckley The Lord also blesses you greatly when you are trying to stretch yourself. He never lets you down.

That's pretty much my life right now. Everyday is filled with tender mercies of the Lord.

Oh, last night my mom called me and guess what? I received a package from Jordan! Apparently it got kind of mangled in the mail, but I think it is okay. My mom is going to forward it to me, but because it's a holiday tomorrow I don't think I'll get it for a while. It was amazing to hear from him though. His testimony strengthens my faith and adds an extra measure of the spirit in my life. His friendship blesses my life.

Okay, almost done, just one more thing...

 (Dropping Jamie off at the MTC)

This amazing man is coming home in SIX weeks! Where has the time gone? I am so excited to have my brother closer to me and be able to communicate with him more directly and more often.

All right, this is too long. I just had so many things to write. It's definitely time for bed now. Good night, Sleep tight, Don't let the bed bugs bite!