My latest absence can be explained by my alarming predisposition for eye infections. I had pinkeye something like three times my freshman spring, and it has returned at least once annually to make me look like a dirtball. Unappreciated, pinkeye.

This time, however, my situation was even worse. Over the course of Tuesday night, I developed a burning sensation in my right eye that got so bad that that I couldn't close it. On Wednesday, it was so swollen that I looked like a muppet. Oddly, I had luck enough that I didn't have to sit through my three-hour seminar, but my individual paper meeting was still awkward. Basically I spent the day apologizing for my appearance and constant sniffling. (Sniffling sounds pretty tame but I can't think of a stronger word for it...)

After an agonizing night I finally went to the health center, who promptly sent me to a doctor, emergency-style. My care had been towed that morning since I am so lucky, although there's no way I could have driven myself anyway, so in my hour of need I turned to Campus Safety for a ride. They heroically informed me that 2:30 was not a good time for a ride due to shift change, so I should call back at 3. This posed a problem, as my appointment was scheduled for 3, a problem to which the gentleman on the line said, "oh well!" The receptionist was good enough to push the appointment back to 3:30, and when I called back after 3, the guy on the other end helpfully asked, "Isn't a little late to be calling about a 3:30 appointment?"

I went back today and got a clean bill of health. I was late and missed my morning appointment, which initially made me hate myself, but then I realized that it was quite serendipitous. The office is in West Hartford Center, so I spent an hour and a half wandering around happily. I bought myself a new blanket (If you know me well, you know I hate sleeping under my comforter. I sleep on top of it, under fleece blanket scraps.) and a holiday-scented candle. Both really enhance the ambiance of my room. Knickknacks make me immeasurably happier.

Also making me happy today: a homemade coupon for gummy worms and ice cream. I can't wait to redeem it tomorrow :)