MY HEALTH:
Well, back on August 17, 2007 I ended up have some unexpected health problems. I had three grand mal seizures that day. I spent three days in the hospital. It was really bad. I lost my short term memory. I actually forgot I had my tonsils removed a few weeks earlier. My memory still isn't back to normal, but my medication probably is playing a role in that. I found out I had epilepsy, so I have to take an anti-seizure medicine now. Aside from the memory and the problems with the side-effects from the medication, I've gotten a lot better, but it sure took a while. I bit my tongue so bad, I could barely speak for three weeks. I actually scarred my tongue, so it's still a bit sensitive at times. I messed up my back too. That took about the same amount of time as my tongue to start improving. So I was taking Vicodin every three hours for three weeks. It really sucked. That stuff and the seizure medicine made my tired, light headed, and weak all the time. I really hope I never have to go through that again.

NEW ADDITION TO THE FAMILY:
After I had my seizures, my family and I decided to adopt a dog. His name is Buddy and he is a black lab/pittbull mix. He is just about a year old right now, and he is a great dog. We plan to train him as a service dog to help me if I need it in the future. In the meantime, he is just a lot of fun to be around and makes us feel safer in the neighborhood we live in. I will have to add pics of him when I get a chance. Luckily, he gets along great with the cats. He wants to play with them, but they won't have any part of it. Sometimes, Keiko will try and tackle him, but its usually cause she is jealous he is playing with the laser.

CRAZY LITTLE KEIKO:
On the subject of Keiko, she has gotten huge. She is the biggest cat I've had so far. She looks like a small dog. Even though she is already two years old, I am pretty sure she is still growing. Though, it makes sense. We eventually learned she is a Main Coon (though we aren't sure whether she is a pure bred or not, I think she might be though), and apparently they can grow until they are five. So, I guess it's not too surprising she has gotten bigger. She is silly looking sometimes though. She has all this fur sticking out of her toes and her ears. She just looks like this giant ball of fuzz, and her fur is so soft too. She is such a weirdo. She likes to drink from the toilet, take walks on a leash, and will lay so relaxed in your arms, she sometimes looks like she died. She is so adorable.

MY FAMILY:
Also, both of my sisters had new daughters born last year. So, I now have five nieces and a nephew. Given I also have two brothers, and 2 sisters on my mom's side and the same on my father's side (for a total of four brothers and four sisters), I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I have even more nieces and nephews.

My father's side want me to visit them in Egypt. They are hoping to get me out there this summer. Basically, I just need to actually get a new passport and I can pretty much go whenever. I really can't wait. It will be nice to finally meet the rest of my family and I've always wanted to go to Egypt. So,this will just satisfy two dreams at once. Now, I just need to find a way to go to England, Japan, Australia, and Ireland and I will be totally happy.

NEW FRIENDS:
England has taken a jump in my interests recently. I have a friend who lives there and I have been talking to him nearly a year now. Thank god I can call England for free. It makes talking to him so much nicer. I really like him. It's just a shame he lives so far away. Also, his comp isn't working now, so I only get to talk to him when I call him. Given the five hour time difference between us, that's not the easiest way of staying in touch.

Also, I started talking to an old friend from high school again. Seems she got divorced last year and is engaged to a new man now. She is getting married later in the year. I really hope it works out for her this time. This guy strikes me as a better match than the first, but I don't know him really, so I'm just guessing really.

RELATIONSHIPS:
Things with my British friend have sort of pushed me to start looking for a new relationship. Lord knows I could really use one. I've been meeting a few new people now and then. Even if nothing comes of it, I'm fine with that. At least I'm making some new friends and expanding my social circle. I also got a few new clothes, so I can look nice when I go out. I have to say, it was a nice change of pace actually shopping for some skirts and dresses for a change. I think that's the most feminine I've felt in a long time.

RENEWED FOCUS ON HEALTH:
Looking for a relationship and all the health stuff that happened last year, has led me to take a new look at myself and work on improving my health. I've cut out caffeine nearly entirely. I'm taking vitamins now, which I think has helped me to not get sick as often. I'm trying to avoid depriving myself of sleep as much as I used to (though that is a bit of an uphill battle). I did get a new sleep study done, so once I get my new C-PAP, I will hopefully sleep better. Finally, I've decided to try and eat a bit more healthy and to exercise, so I can try and lose some weight. Just started again, but it's been going well so far. I'm actually getting a fair amount of exercise, so I'm feeling pretty good about myself.

THANKS FOR READING:
Well I really ought to get some sleep. So, I'm done for now. If you actually took the time to read this, thank you. I really appreciate it. Hopefully, my rants won't be this long in the future.