Down Poison

There has been a recent outbreak of the mumps in the Alberta region. So much so that it has become an epidemic within the university scene. Mumps is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads easily from person-to-person through coughing, sneezing, and direct contact with the saliva of an infected person. In most cases, individuals will recover from mumps within one to two weeks. Mumps, considered to be a childhood disease, can have serious complications if contracted as an adult, including swelling of the testes that could result in sterility, encephalitis, meningitis, and deafness.

Symptoms may include headache, fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain when chewing or swallowing, and pain and swelling of glands under the ears or on either side of the face. Swelling often begins on one side of the face, but can affect both sides of the face.

I got my mumps shot a couple of weeks just after classes ended. I tried to get my Mumps, Measles and Rubella as they like to call it, once before that. I went on one of the last days to get the shot because I was busy with the end of classes and projects, essays and finals to deal with but I thought it was necessary as I do not want any of the illnesses associated with the mumps (or the mumps itself for the matter).

So I went to the Ed Building, which was only one of two sites where shots were being given to only be told after waiting for half and hour in a very cramped hallway only three feet away from the beginning of the line, that I and the rest of my 75 closest friends would have to go downstairs because the "Peace Officer" (not even a flippin' Police Officer!) was worried about the safety of everyone. Like the good little girl that I am, I walked down the four flights of stairs and then proceeded to wait another forty-five minutes only have have the wrong end of the line go up the four flights of stairs so they could be vaccinated first. After this happened, I left in disgust and because I needed to go to a funeral.

The second time I went I still had to wait for an hour in the Ed. Building but Capital health had the foresight to bring in 40 nurses this time instead of 15 like before. This second time was still pretty crappy and I did get this weird rash that was itchy but made my arm go numb if I touched it. I guess I'm vaccinated for life though. Great. Thanks for wasting my time Capital Health especially during a pretty important time during the semester.

OK. I'm watching Superbad right now and I can't concentrate right now. I don't recommend it. So far, its vulgar and disgusting and I've only been watching it for five minutes. However, its kind of like Martha Stuart or the Teletubbies, you just have to watch.

Birth Date/Friendship Update

It's my birthday! Yay! I just thought I should tell everyone. I'll tell you about the swag I scored later.

Here's what I really wanted to say. Apparently you can't see the shoes I'm talking about in my latest post so I decided instead of modifying the previous post with a different picture I'd just post an update.






Here are the cursed shoes. I've been thinking about it and I still might keep them. We'll see. But they still hurt my feet and my back! I also realize that they very well worn for only having had them for five months. That's what you get for buying cheap I guess.

The Simple Story

The Christmas season hasn't sneaked up on me this year. Perhaps it is because for the first time in three years, I am not staying at school for exorbitant amounts of time and perhaps I've been a little more intentional about keeping up with what is going on in the world. I also may have been tipped off by the Christmas music and Christmas trees that where up in the stores before Halloween had gone and passed.

With the start of Advent occurring this past Sunday, it marks the official start of Christmas in the church. Like the exams that I am waiting to write, Advent is a period of waiting and watching. Waiting in darkness for the Christ-child to come. We wait by putting up Christmas decorations, trees, lights, ornaments. My parents have an Advent calendar with a book that they used to read every night at supper, telling us what each day meant. When E and I got older we used to read from the book once or twice a week or whenever everyone was home for supper. We have since lost that tradition. Maybe its because we all have our own lives now. My dad quite frequently has to work at night, my brother doesn't live in the city anymore and my mom and I perhaps don't have the time either. We're always running around to different activities or she is teaching piano or too tired from working. I think that this has not stopped E and I from remember what my parents have instilled in us. To watch and wait.


* This is a picture of me and my friend Beans. Its not her real name. We just call her that. Ask her about sometime if you meet her. It's a funny story. Anyways, the shoes I am wearing in this picture are the offenders that have been causing me grief and pain all semester. My back and my feet hurt whenever I wear them and now I have to go to the physio. to fix all of it. They're going in the garbage now. I refuse to give them to the Goodwill so someone else can be subjected to their pain.*


Yesterday was the last day of classes of my first semester at the U of A. It feels good. Like a well-fitting, comfortable shoe. To mark the occasion my friend A and I went out for lunch yesterday. It just so happens that we went to the same restaurant we went to the first day of the semester. It also just so happens to be one of my favorite restaurants in Edmonton. The Highlevel Diner opened on December 5th, 1982. I may not have been born yet but my family has sort of a long history with the place. My mom and her very good friend D go there for coffee monthly and it was also the place that my family went for supper after my great-uncles funeral around Christmas time many years ago. I perhaps didn't appreciate the Highlevel Diner as much then because of the "weird" food they had. However, my tastes have changed. They offered champagne for the occasion.

Yesterday just made me remember the celebrations that will be happening all month. My family celebrates three birthdays and Christmas this month. I think we are prone to forgetting about Advent because of it. Perhaps these are all signs. Signs of God who is busy, who is making preparations. Signs that God is bringing light to the world.