First day of school report

Yesterday evening I sat in my first class at Lane Community College, nervous. It felt so similar to all the times I’d given speeches or debated. It felt like I should be preparing to teach the class. It’s always weird for me to come back as a student when I know the butterflies of beginning a new class as a professor.

But then I settled in and got really excited to learn. The class was Medical Terminology I, a class I am sure will kick my ass every single day this term. But so, so interesting. And did I mention exciting?

It’s so beautiful here. Even as I type this post I am overlooking forest and leaves changing on deciduous trees.

My classes will be challenging; I’m taking the above-mentioned Medical Terminology I, General Biology, and General Psychology. My focus is to just take classes I need for med school.

The busses run enough to get me where I need to go. But man are they full! Standing room only!

The pain is an issue, as always, but less important than everything I’m doing now.

Oh, how I love this. It is delicious.

Riding on the bus...

I’ve been riding the bus a lot lately. Since I have no car, this and walking, are my main means of transportation. It’s rather empowering and when I get my student ID from Lane, it will be free, free, free!

But it’s another one of those things that’s just really hard on me. I feel every bounce and bump. It’s not pleasant pain-wise. But that’s another thing to just grit my teeth through. And at the end, I am at point B.

I just heard from Principal Life that my benefits are going to be reviewed by September 30. So cross your fingers that it actually gets done and that good things come of it!

A less gruesome offering...

It has occurred to me that the last post might have been a bit gruesome to some of you. That’s a bummer because I find all things nasty about the human body interesting – no fascinating. And this is a good thing for me because it leads me to my update for today…

First, no news on the benefits front. I’m calling almost daily and not reaching anyone and not getting a call back ever. It’s really making me mad. I’m not sure what to do besides be persistent and keep at it.

Second, I’m going to school at Lane Community College in less than a week! I’m all signed up for classes and everything is in order for me to get started. I’m going to continue to work on those medical school pre-requisite classes and taking classes that will help with the MCAT.

I’m so excited! I’m excited to be actually going to a new school and getting to know a new campus and all that goes with it. I can’t wait to get started. I am counting the days!

And the pain is pain. But I’ll manage. I remind myself that if I was taking pain killers I wouldn’t be doing everything I’m doing. And I wouldn’t give that up. I just wouldn’t. I like feeling this alive.

Legends of my falls

I’ve been falling a lot. I just fall randomly. I trip, tip over, you name it. I’ve had a balance problem throughout the duration of this injury, but as I’ve increased my activity lately, the falls have also increased.

But the other night I took a huge fall down my friend’s stairs. I now have some truly epic bruises. I just had to post pictures of them because they are so big. I mean, I have lots of smaller bruises everywhere, but these two are noteworthy. So here are some yucky and interesting (I think) pictures.

My arm



My shin

Some photos finally!

I feel settled in… but new. There are a few boxes to go through, but for the most part, everything is in its place. And I’ve already broken the washer! Thank goodness for apartment maintenance folks.

So here are a few pictures. These are crappy pictures I’ve had to take with my computer’s camera because I have no other way to take them (besides my phone which is worse). If these pictures don’t convey what a nice place this is, that’s too bad, because it really is nice. And there are lots of trees – they are just young.

First, the outside of my apartment.



Now a shot of the living room from the entryway.



The dining area, in which you can still see boxes and piles of things.



Finally, the kitchen, which was a mess, and still is, because I’m making goodies for everyone who helped me move… and curry for me.



So that’s the place in a nutshell. I go to bed very tired at night these days, and feel cut off from my social circle. I need to ride the bus from my house to downtown and know that I can anytime to feel more connected.

But on the other hand, it’s been great being off alone. I crave alone. When I was little I loved the book I Wish I Lived Alone. Only in the end, the little one decided if she lived alone, everyone would be lonely. I disagree!

Moving update

I’ve moved into my new apartment! I’m still working on the whole move in process, and there are still a few things to get from the old place. Moving is… moving! I’m exhausted. But I’ll post pictures soon!

High anxiety!

My benefits are being reviewed right now, I mean even as I type. They could decide to not give them to me and then I can’t live in that apartment. Then I can’t live anywhere! I am so stressed and anxious I can hardly stand it. I fell asleep last night attempting to send lovingkindess to various parts of our world (you yogis will understand). I wish I really could manifest what I wanted, as many of my hippie friends here believe they can…

Rain and reflection... did I mention I found an apartment?

It’s rainy here in Eugene and I’ve been snuggling under my covers throughout the past weekend. I recently found my favorite sheets again that I bought years ago from Macy’s on some great sale and I swear the thread-count in like a million. I’d been going and doing all week. I decided the weekend would be spent doing the least possible.

I finally have an apartment! For a website with more information, including pictures, click on the title of this post.

So now it is all about packing.

Due to some circumstances in my life right now, I will be packing and moving by myself. But not really by myself, because I plan to ask for and receive a lot of help. Imagine that! Me asking for help!

And it doesn’t stop with moving. Where I may be moving will be a bit off the beaten path, so I will have to learn the bus schedule and get familiar with asking for rides when dire circumstances approach. More asking for help.

Asking for help has been such a huge issue for me, as most of you may already know. It’s been a stumbling block, a flat out impossibility. But I’m learning now. It’s another lesson pain has taught me. I’ve been reflecting as I listen to the rain from underneath my covers. But now it’s Labor Day and it’s time to get up and labor.