A brief update...

Sorry that it has been a while since there was a post. A lot has happened in the short two weeks since our last update. Here is a quick overview: Jeff got back safely to MN and is rooming with Dave (this could be trouble!). He is doing well and I miss him tons! It is a little odd living by myself. However, this past week it was kind of nice to have the quiet atmosphere. The weekend that Jeff left I attending a conference of the first-year experience in San Francisco. It was great fun and I got to hang out with Jen (a co-worker from NDSU)! I also presented a poster session on the progression of residential learning communities. On top of this, I also got the questions and had a week to complete my master comps. I guess all of the stress added up and I got shingles! It is not very fun. It started out as bumps on my forehead, which turned into blisters. I also developed blisters on my eyelid, the bridge of my nose, and my scalp. It is a pretty painful and uncomfortable experience. I have been getting headaches everyday and pretty much have them under control. I am on medication for the rest of it and the blisters are starting to scab over and the itchiness is horrible. I found that sleeping with mittens on is the best way for me to not scratch my forehead during the night! I am continuing to get better and am looking forward to putting this all behind me. I am hoping that it is within the next week or so because I leave for Boston for another conference at the beginning of March!

Sorry for not posting pictures. I know that I have a random selection to post and I will get to it someday. Right now I am just trying to do what is necessary and nothing else - destressing my life so to say! I hope that all is going well with everyone.