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It just so happens that when I become so overwhelmed with things to do, I remember why I chose Iowa Western Community College. 

Here is what you need to know: I am involved with 2 on campus jobs.  I am on the Presidential honor roll, the leadership academy, taking 18 credit hours, and am a commuter with a needy chihuahua. 

I was gone in the hospital as you all know, and when I returned you can only imagine the STACK of projects, papers, and assignments I had waiting for me. 

The worst part was…math… friggen math.  How in the world was I ever going to make imaginary square roots equal x in time for a quiz, a test, and catch up on 7 sections?! 

Then, came my answer.  Choose Iowa Western because of the faculty.  There is no other college that would even come close to the dedication they have here. 

Spring break, my math teacher offered to pay for a babysitter for his family, to come into his office to catch me up on all of my makeup work. 

So Thursday of Spring Break, while everybody was travelling around the United States, a dedicated faculty member tutored me for 8, yes 8 consecutive hours.  Long enough for me to fully understand the last two weeks of work and leave having done exceptionally well on a test.  In fact, my grade is now up to an A because of that. 

I don’t know if legally I am allowed to say the name, however, I would highly reccommend you incoming students who struggle in math to sign up for a professor with the initials of D.K. 

I challenge any of you, who are even contemplating this school or currently going to another one- to tell me of better service.  There is simply nothing more impressive about a school than the staff.  The Iowa Western staff is outstanding. 

Thank you. 

What life is really like living with no common sense.  First of all, I had to go down to Kansas City Monday.  I decided it would be hilarious to imitate the noises of all the animals I saw during the 4 hour drive.  My fiance was really patient as I began to make hundreds of “mooo’s”, “neiggghhh’s”, “bark’s”, “cock a doodle dooo’s”, and “meow’s”.  Then after about an hour , asked me to act my age.  Ooops. So, I decided to let his headache subside and sit quietly.However, the bubble gum I was chewing was starting to taste bad.  So I rolled down the window and spit into the wind.  I didn’t have the heart to tell him there is bubble gum lodged in his backseat somewhere.  I looked over at him and said, “Hi honey.” Smiled real wide and hoped he didn’t notice.  Ooops again. We stopped for coffee.  Yay coffee, because my (diagnosing myself now) A.D.D. did not have enough fuel to continue being annoying.  After a cup or two  I thought it would be funny to recreate something my brother use to do on long car trips.  He use to gently bop dad on the forehead while dad was driving and scream, “DEER!”.   I bopped my fiance and screamed, “Pigeon!”.  He slammed on the breaks and we almost side swiped a jeep.  Ooops yet again.   He decided to get out of the car to have a cigar.  While leaning against the car he decided to look in the back seat.   What do you know?  He found my bubblegum.  Oops.  Only another hour until Kansas City.      If I come back alive, I am going to have a big cup of lemonade to celebrate.  That is really what spring break is all about, lemonade and a hot dog from the gas station.   

Oh it is so good to be home!  For those of you who have been reading, I came back from the hospital Friday evening.  My test results showed amazing and improved lung function, which is a rarity at my age for Cystic Fibrosis.  Yay for good results. I spent time with my family this weekend, catching up. 

I am getting back into the swing of college life at about the time most of you are getting in the swing of Spring Break!  There is a ton of makeup work.  I am enjoying my classes still.  However, does anybody know a good math tutor? 

It has been great running into all my old friends!  I am so motivated I even picked up a self-paced course. 

Yesterday morning, I even woke up at 6 am and worked out.  I plan on doing that every morning, now that I feel so well.  I am really going to concentrate the rest of this semester on staying healthy and improving academics. 

Yesterday I took the test that determined how long I will stay at the hospital.  In between breathing tests, I took a break to do an all-time favorite pasttime.  I read my medical charts. 

This time around, in addition to a new floor, I also got a new doctor.  I saw a comment he wrote.  “20 year old, pleasant female, with no signs of lung distress.  Eager to live.”

Ironic.  I’m here, with more tubes in my arm than the back of my television, with no signs of lung distress.  I can’t help but wonder, how many of us are living on the edge with no sign of distress? 

I know college is suppose to be difficult.  It is a job requirement because it weeds out the weak.  But how many of us are living day to day anymore, with no signs or symptoms of that chronic word, distress? 

While we worry about tests (medical or classroom), while we worry about the evenings (parties or nurses), while we try to fix our success rates (life expectancies or good grades), are we just aimlessly living or are we living with purpose?

I encourage you all to look at your lives.  Whether or not there are any visible signs of distress while in school.  This is your chance in life to put your resume at the top of the pile and get the life you’ve been dreaming of.  Are there any hidden symptoms in your own life that you can curb before you are a “middle aged, pleasant person, with no sign of distress?” yet in a difficult situation? 

On a high note, I should be coming home Friday evening!  Thanks for your thoughts, cards, comments, and stories.  No wonder I am no longer in “distress”.