Lauren Helen Graham

The Post Office [Off-Topic] #21

First of all I have to bring this on... It's so funny. Every single time this OT thread ends and there is no title (it actually is the same for every thread without a title suggestion), I'm the last one being on and the one who ALWAYS needs to open them. I swear, the next time I'll disappear until the new one is open

Summer break is fantastic. It's the same here, just the summer break isn't as long as in the US as far as I know.

You what?????? I'm so jealous, really. It's a dream of mine to once go to New Zealand. Besides of the learning, how was the country? Did you get to see some of it?

I'm fine actually. Although my life is crazy... I think you know that I and my boyfriend built a house in 2017 and that we moved in the same year at the end in November. I still love it and the big garden.
Besides I started a new job in April and I have to do another degree for the job which means school for two years (I started last November) while working still. It's heavy and very stressful but I'll manage
And last but not least, they finally diagnosed what disease I've been suffering from for 7 years now You can't really do anything but at least I know it's no cancer or stuff like lupus. Which is actually good although it would be a lot better if I was healthy

a fine mess

But your titles are so good. Especially this one. Love it, Kris!

NEW ZEALAND WAS SO WORTH IT. I want to go back again next summer. My professor asked me if I want to, and I told her OF COURSE. The people were incredible. So nice and chill. We spent 2 weeks in NZ, from Wellington to Kaikoura to Christchurch. Loved all the places!!! We saw and swam with dolphins in Kaikoura.



Australia was great also, but not as memorable and the people were different from the ones we encountered in NZ. Not less nice or anything, just not as overly friendly as New Zealanders.

And this was Manly Beach in AUS.



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That's great, Kris. I'm happy to hear you're still loving the house and have a big garden. Are you planting anything, besides flowers? Oh wow, another degree. That must be difficult with work, school, and that illness. I'm also getting a new specialty. I am getting a certification in Educational Diagnostician. To test kiddos for Special Education and determine eligibility and what area of disability. What disease, if you don't mind me asking? I'm glad to hear that you got some answers though but sad that there isn't anything you can do about it. Hate that for you, because suffering is horrible. I'm sorry.

Lauren Helen Graham

Cece I'm happy that you love the title so much I always think of what's special right now or what time of the year it is or what we talked about and I always come up with something.

Aww, that's so great to hear. So it's really worth it saving money and a lot of time to go there one day, huh? I'll definitely keep it on my agenda.
And when you went there, did you have to pay for the trip on your own or how did it work? I'm just curious and I know it's a lot closer to the US than to Germany but still it's for sure expensive to travel there.

The dolphin swimming

Oh yes, we're planting a lot of foods, vegetables (potatoes, beans, onions, tomatoes, zucchinis, kohlrabi, salat) and fruits (several berries, cherries, plums) and a lot of herbs I really love it.

I don't mind taking about my illness and I'm actually suffering two defects in the immune system.
I've got a genetic defect in a gene called NOD-2 which mostly fights bacteria. Because of the defect it doesn't work too well and that's why I always suffered such bad bacterial infections like pneumonia, pleurisy and so on. At the same time the genetic defect prevents my immune system to slow down as soon as the infection is gone/fought but instead it overdrives and causes my blood cells to be killed. That's why my blood work gets so bad in days after an infection.
The second is a so called complement deficiency disorders.
And both together make me about one in a million or even more rare...
I swear, Cece, there are really bad days regarding my disease but most of the time I'm okay with it and I'm doing okay. I'm doing a lot better than I would suffering cancer or the systemic lupus. At least as far as I can trust what I'm doctors are telling me

a fine mess

I paid on my own, yes. It was a "course" I had to sign up for with my university. Along with tuition, the "course" was a little over $4,000. That didn't include the plane ticket though, which we had to book and pay for out of pocket as well. That was around $1,600. The tuition cost did include housing and transportation, as well as some meals. Most meals were on our own though. The experience was worth it. If I go next year, it should be cheaper to not pay the tuition for the class and booking my hostels on my own. Since transportation was on big buses, they should be able to fit me on, just one more person.

Oh, that's awesome! I don't have a green thumb so won't be doing any planting, but that's amazing!!! My mom wants to plant fruit trees in our backyard.

From posts I've seen about it in the past, it sounded like something wrong with your immune system. Oh wow, that's horrible. So you have to make sure your surrounding is really clean and bacteria-free, which is definitely hard. I always say I'm more prone to getting sick because I work in a school with lots of kids, but sounds like you have it 100 times worse. That's interesting though that your immune system doesn't slow down after an infection, but makes sense since it malfunctions and doesn't work like it is supposed to. It may be better than cancer, but still can imagine it isn't easy. And you're more prone to getting sick. And some bacterial infections can get pretty bad. Not sure it is much better than cancer depending on the infection and how severe it is. I love your positive outlook on it and hope you continue to 'fight' it. Doctors told you they can't do anything about it? It must be hard to accept that reality. I'll be praying for ya! You bring a new definition to being 'one of a kind', hehe.

Fangirl49

Love catching up on your posts.

Lauren Helen Graham

Marilyn, it's been tons of stuff we posted, right? I'm sorry, Cece and I are on a flow. How are you doing? Are you extremely busy lately? I was just wondering because you're not around as much as you normally are.

Cece, wow, that is really expensive I didn't expect that but it makes sense, especially with the tuition Glad though that you'll try to go again next year, that you'll save the money and just do it. That's fantastic!

And hey, I don't have the greenest thump either but so far all that we are planting is growing fine and we ate a lot of berries and veggies already

About my disease, yes, one of these infections at some point actually could be lethal for me... But that's something I need to live with. Same with the fact, that I have to see a doctor as soon as I realize I'm getting sick and that I have to stay at home until I'm fully recovered (which means mostly three to four weeks per infection). Somehow I'm still lucky because I get about two a year, so considering my condition that is pretty good and I'm less sick as a lot of colleagues of mine. I hope it stays that way.
But I'm lucky that I just work in an office... Your job would be my death, everything with children or babies or working in a hospital and stuff like that wouldn't work out for me anymore. I'm just lucky with the job I chose.
You know, during the last seven years, there were some really hard times for me with dealing with a disease, with not being able to live like I used to, but I've made peace with most of it. I've got a fantastic boyfriend and awesome friends who get it and who are so careful, too. I'm lucky, really. Although I'm sometimes so frustrated and scared when I actually get sick But that's really small moments, nothing serious or to worry about.

a fine mess

I am known to talk a lot. Also, Kris and I haven't talked in a long time so the long posts are natural.

We shall see. I might save that money to go to San Diego Comic-Con next year instead of traveling to Australia and New Zealand. I am big into going to comic conventions lately. We have two in Dallas, one in the spring and one in the fall. I haven't been to any fall ones, but have been to the spring one twice now. There was even one when I was in Sydney, Australia and I went to it. I met Stephen Amell, Robbie Amell, and Italia Ricci and they asked why I flew all this way to see them because they're in the US a lot. So I explained about my study abroad program. It just worked out, because they were there while I was there!!! I also met Elijah Wood.

Oh, two infections a year isn't that bad I guess, but I suppose they are worse than a simple cold or flu. It's wonderful you have a dependable doctor to go to right when an infection happens to keep things in check (well, I am guessing the doctor is good seeing that you're doing well). I'm glad you made peace with it and know how to manage it the best you can. That's really half the battle. You sound like a strong person, to go through something like that and keep pushing through with so much positivity. That's awesome you have such a big support system. If you ever need anything or there is something I can help with, let me know. I can imagine it isn't cheap to go to the doctor every time there is an infection, unless you have good insurance and they pay for it.

For me, it puts things in perspective when I hear people going through something tough and makes me feel bad for complaining about anything in the past because life is good.

Lauren Helen Graham

It's a lot of catching up that's necessary

SDCC It's one of my dreams to once attend but I only will if there's a show that I love sooo much that I'll be that crazy to travel there. This show I had with TBL but they have never again been there.
It's so cool that you met all these people! And Italia Ricci and Robbie are expecting their first child, right? So awesome.

It's really hard to describe how annoying an infection is for me... When I have 'just' a cold, I feel like I'm having a flu. And when I had the real flu this spring, I though I was dying although I got the flu shot in autumn... It could have been my end if I hadn't gotten the shot.
My doctors are all so great, really. I'm so lucky because not everyone has.
Aww, and thanks for your offer to help, Cece You're an angel.
You know, the German health system is really good in comparison to those of other countries. It's all payed for by my insurance. It's for everybody. So no worry. Sometimes I have to pay 5 or 10 euro but that's it.

And hey, explain about whatever you want whenever you want. Be lucky that you can explain about these little things because that means you're actually doing good in comparison to others. Everybody has the right to complain

a fine mess

They are expecting their first kid!

Yeah, that makes sense. It intensifies for you because of your illness. That is the scary part. Are you sure nothing can be done though? Maybe in the next decade or so because technology is always advancing. Gene mutation is possible right now for eggs/sperm. And it sounds possibly easier to alter than say an extra chromosome or missing DNA. I really don’t know what I am even talking about and if I sound totally crazy. Just frustrated for you and it’s not fair. I know sometimes you just have to accept the hand you are dealt but whatever you need, let me know! I’ll even fly out and donate something if it will help. I’m not going to accept nothing can be done. Even cancer, you have chemotherapy and radiation! Let me talk to your doctor personally.

Oh wow, German is amazing about that! Healthcare sucks in the US. I was going to suggest a GoFundMe account to get donations. Still could though because of the illness, I’m sure it interferes with everyday life. When you have to take off long periods of time from work, do you get paid? If I lived closer, I’d offer to bring you meals during that time. The amount of time you have to stay home due to this stinks. And you should be resting the whole time!

Lauren Helen Graham

So funny. She is really really pregnant right now. I saw a picture of Italia just yesterday

It's possible that in a decade or maybe even further in the future there will be something that can be done but for now there is nothing.
Hey, really, don't worry about me. I learned to live with it. It's seven years now since it all started and I'm doing good I'll survive and every time when I'm at home sick for weeks I manage to binge watch a whole series, post like crazy or read if I feel not half dead I'm trying to make the best of it. And OMFG I'd like to introduce you to my doctor

Yeah, Germany is really awesome when it comes to stuff like that. When I am sick at home I'll be paid for six weeks at least for one disease. Since I'm always at home with infections like colds and the flu and so on, I'm always fully paid because every time I get sick a 'new' disease starts for me. So no money loss. And since I'm sick and I've got a disability grade of 30% I even get some tax money back at the end of the year for doctor visits, medication and so on.
Meals actually really is a problem and since I live in such a super small town, you can't even order anything. But I try to keep it small then. And I tend to cook a lot normally and I freeze some food every now and then which I eat when I'm sick

a fine mess

She is hilarious. I love her. She makes being pregnant seem so cute!

That’s good you have an optimistic/positive attitude about it. Well, keep me updated and if you need anything, give me a holler. Don’t hesitate because as much as I help random strangers, I’d gladly help people I know! I do that because I know I’m blessed with a lot so give where I can.

Oh good about Germany and your job! You are so prepared, love it. My co-workers freeze food for the week because teaching can get crazy! I live with my parents so thankful I don’t need to worry about cooking too much. Mom stays home.

Fangirl49

It’s budget time for us here at the county so I am totally swamped at work. Not even getting my lunch hour which is when I usually post. It has been crazy this year with so many people who seem like they don’t understand how to budget. It’s just like a checking account. You can’t sownd more than you bring in. Lol.

So I’m trying to go thru when I can. And enjoying reading about what you both are up to and keeping up with your lives.

Lauren Helen Graham

Marilyn, I totally get that. I was really wondering what's going on but my guess was it was work. When will the budget time be over for your county? I'm just curious for how long it'll be as busy as it is right now for you. Please, stay strong and try to get through it the best you can But just though you know, I miss you like hell

I really love Italia as well. She and Robby are super cute

I'll keep you updated if I need anything... At some point, when an infection strucks me, I might PM you and ask if you can help out at the board

We are really lucky in Germany. And since I actually enjoy cooking and love growing food it's not a problem. During the summer months there is so much stuff I freeze for autumn/winter, it's funny. And there are foods that are prepared really fast and with not a lot afford. Those I tend to as well during the times.
Lucky you with your mom being at home and cooking. I really enjoyed it back at my mom's house as well as long as I lived there. Honestly, when I'm sick she often prepares some stuff for me, too. I'm really well cared for.

a fine mess

Oh yes, do let me know! That’s how I can help from afar. But not just to come by more often to post, I want to know either way to remind you to take it easy. I do intend on checking in with y’all more often but when work gets busy, I may not come as often. Or just need a reminder every now and then! So a PM will be fantastic. Don’t worry about bugging me at all because I like to be bothered! I’m serious. And if I keep up with coming often, I may not even need a PM. Even if I just post in a few threads.

That’s lovely! It’s great you have such a great support system. Oh, you love to cook! Nice. Your boyfriend is lucky to have you! And he sounds like a good one.

Oh Marilyn, sorry to hear it’s a busy time for you at work right now. You shouldn’t be missing lunch though! During the school year, I can relate. Sometimes I miss lunch as well, if we have ARD meetings or I need to assist with a student or behavior.

Fangirl49

We are hoping to get it approved in August 8 so hopefully it will be better then.

We had more budget hearings today. And we have worked really hard to cut budgets and reduce expense because the revenue just isn’t there. So we have had all these hard discussions with departments at the direction of the main county elected officials

And they get in this hearing with the Roads department and just throw me and my coworkers under the bus. And they arbitrarily increase their budget by 10 million dollars. Which means we have to figure out how to fund this. It’s just not fair to favor one department at the expense of everyone else. And then we are left looking like idiots because we have said there is no extra money.

I’m still mad