Cold Weather Brings Illnesses

Some weeks just fly by and the last few weeks certainly have for me! With the end of winter we have some varying weather with super warm days and then all of a sudden pouring rain. The flu has been going around and many people are getting sick either physically or mentally it seems. 

I got a really bad cold at the end of July. I had a cough early in the morning and on my home from uni that day I officially decided I was sick. This developed into a really bad cold that lasted about 9 days. The frustrating thing with colds is that even if you do everything you can to get better sometimes you just have to let it run its course. I got plenty of sleep, stayed warm, had tons of vitamin C, and didn't push myself, but my lack of energy and cough took forever to dissipate. Apparently the flu has been going around so I'm glad all I had was a cold.

The third day of my cold I had a rolfing appointment that I didn't want to miss. Running on dayquil medicine I miraculously made it through my appointment. This time the rolfer did something called Gua sha at the end where he basically scrapes the skin with a Chinese spoon. It's painful but helps heal really knotted and sore areas which in my case was my upper back and shoulder area. A couple of days later the whole area was bruised but I did notice that the really bad knots in the area were gone.

The darkest spots were the worst areas

Another interesting occurrence is that my little sister returned home from her LDS mission in Dallas, TX! She was struggling with some health issues and difficult circumstances and was given an honourable release. I know without a doubt the Lord wanted her home even though she just left in February of this year. Many people don't realise or understand how stressful a mission can be and the toll it can take on your mental and physical health! I have no doubt she'll be an awesome ward missionary. To this day I still feel I have done more for missionary work after my mission than I did on my mission.

Sis Serisa Woodruff in Texas

Our adorable bengal cat turned one year old August 9th! He is still an amazing kitty that loves to play and cuddle. We didn't get him any presents since we recently bought him an automatic feeder, but I did just order a bunch of cat toys for him! I left a cat teaser out and he not only destroyed the feather toy but cut the string it was attached to. We need extra durable toys for this guy! Matt and I also decided to give put training the cat to use the toilet. We have worked with him for eight months on this and honestly we have not been very good at training him and so he just hasn't progressed. This week we will get him a new litter box and finally dispense with toilet training! In the end I don't know that training your cat to use a human toilet is worth it. I am also working on clicker and harness training him so some day I can take him on walks.

Around 8 weeks old

Now

We also had to say goodbye to a missionary in our ward that had finished her 18 months and was going home. Sis Church has been in our area for a long time and so we've had her over many times. I also helped register her for college classes since she was unable to do it. I'm hoping she'll do well at school and that we'll keep in touch!

Although I haven't talked about my project much, I have been doing a lot of measurements on my data. At this point I'm just trying to do what needs to be done, but I don't find any real joy in my project any more. In the end I feel that because of all the issues with this project I'm not very proud of what I have accomplished. Nevertheless, I can't do anything more than complete it with what I have been able to obtain and I'll be happy to be done with this research project. If I had another year or two I think I could've come up with something really good but so often you just have to work with what you get!

Shade helping me work

I would also like to mention a little about one of the major events that have occurred recently. Most, if not all, of you have probably heard about Robin William's death by now. It has been confirmed he committed suicide and had been suffering from severe depression. As many people have heard I suffer from depression some have thought of me in relation to this tragic news. I would like to clarify now that I am NOT suicidal! At times when I am really low, it does seem that living with the pain and anxiety is too much for me to handle, but I never completely lose hope. I just finished the chapter regarding suicide in my Feeling Good book and I learned a lot about how those that are suicidal feel completely hopeless - they do not believe things will ever be better in the future and often feel things will only get worse either for them or others around them. When you are suffering from depression your thoughts are so distorted that this is an easy conclusion to have! If you have not suffered from depression you may never understand, but for those that have or are currently suffering understand why suicide can seem like the logical choice. Why do I not have this issue? The answer is simple: I have an unwavering testimony that my Heavenly Father loves me and has a plan for me on this earth. It's impossible for me to completely lose hope in life when I have such a good understanding of why I am here on this earth and what my purpose in life is! I know without a doubt that the Lord will never give me any trial that I cannot handle or survive. My current trials are simply teaching me better coping mechanisms! Additionally, I know that suicide would prevent me from receiving the greatest blessings and peace after this life. I am blessed because I have this knowledge, but I know there are many that don't.

Please be careful that when you or someone you know has depression or may be suicidal that you look to reputable sources or professionals for advice. I have seen a lot of bad advice out there and having personal experience does not make you an expert! I have been using a self-help book that I trust and although I highly recommend it, what works for me may not work for everyone.

Well it's back to work for me! Hopefully I have more interesting events to report next time!