It ain't over yet! (Still in Dubai)

  Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Thursday, May 3, 2007

Maybe you're wondering why I haven't posted in a while.  Actually, probably not, because I skip days all the time.

Maybe you also think I have returned to Cincinnati at this point, because I originally posted May Third as my return date.  But you are wrong my friend; oh, you are wrong.

Due to an odd series of events, I am now going to be staying in Dubai indefinately--I fought British Airways tooth and nail to get my ticket changed; they wouldn't do it, which is just as well because at the last possible minute I discovered that I can in fact extend my stay at AUD.

My thanks go out to our Vice President who has always been so kind and accomodating towards me...and apparently towards a lot of other people if his record of humanitarian aid is any indicator.  But really.  My extension is kind of a weird exception due to a glitch in the system that is not liable to be repeated--so don't start getting any ideas about whether or not YOU can pull this off, too!

Anyhow, it was lucky that the extension came through for me, because the next day I was just floored with Salmonella.  Even if I'd wanted to come home at that point, I wouldn't have been able to pack up and leave.  I started off feeling kinda queasy when I first woke up, which surprised me, because I always wake up starving.  Things didn't get much better after that and by midday I had a raging fever and had to run sit on the toilet every hour, on the hour.  Needless to say, I missed my last exam.

The fever went away by the end of the day, but it hurt really badly!  Really really badly!  And it's left me with a screwed up digestive system and a swollen spleen.  The lesson is: never, ever get Salmonella!  I'm serious!  Don't eat raw eggs and stuff--it's not worth the risk!  I really mean it!  You will be groaning and lying in a pool of your own filth (and unable to care about this) for the next 24 hours, the way I was.

Me not feeling so good (that's why it's green)

Between bad eggs and non-refundable tickets...let's hear it for those non-existent lawyers!