ONE MONTH!!!

WOW!! I have been away from Butte, Montana for a month today. I cannot believe that I have been gone for a month. My classes are starting to get interesting, in fact I have my first exam on monday for psychology. I will let you know how it goes. I am happy to report that I got an 88 on my first speech for my Freshman Seminar on Globalization. Considering that this school is known for how hard the grading is, I was very happy with that score :] I am starting to get a hold on my philosophy class and of course my American Government and Politics class is just enjoyable. If you can believe it, I spent five hours in the library today studying and doing homework for next week. I was joking with my Mom earlier today about how I think I have studied more in just one weekend here than for my entire high school career.
One thing that has not changed since leaving Butte is my obsession with Christmas Music. Even during the summer I was listening to it, in fact as I am writing this blog I am listening to it. I cannot wait for the snow and the winter season. I am really excited. I am excited for Mom's Chicken Noodle Soup and Asia Garden's and of course ALL OF YOU!!! I am going to be home on December 16th and I won't leave until January 19th. So you have me for more than a month. MISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS YOU ALLL SO MUCH!!!

Ten things I am going to do when I get to Butte:

1. Probably start crying when I see all of you at the airport!!
2. Eat so much Asia Garden's that I puke!
3. Watch The Jay Leno Show with Grandma Betty!
4. Take a Hot Tub with the Treo!
5. Go skiing hopefully!
6. Watch Home Alone 1 and 2 with Dad!
7. Hang out with Kaitie Lou for hours and hours!
8. Drink Egg Nog and eat Gram Betty's pumpkin chocolate chip cookies!!
9. Hang out at the Shop with Mom!
10. Drive Sophie around and find ridiculous Butte things to do!

I am so blessed

Alot of times when I am sitting here in my room I am thinking about all of you that I have left home. It is really hard for me to look at pictures at times because I know that Butte is my "safe zone." But everyone who knows me, knows that I don't ever usually do anything that is safe. In fact, I always feel like I put to much on my self and push deadlines and usually everything ends up working out. My life here is starting to straighten out. It wierd not hearing Mederios and Johna yelling at each other or not having the convenience of a McKenzie Cobb Salad right down the road. I am here to educate myself. It is hard to realize that after living almost 18 years in Butte Montana to leave it, give it up cold turkey. Sometimes the weather here is just wierd and the humidity is just well interesting, but then I remember that before long I will be home in time for you all to spoil me which you already do with the daily phone calls, and the weekly packages (Gram Betty). Sometimes I just can't believe how blessed I am.
For those of you who haven't heard, I think for the past few days that I have had a virus which has made life really hard for me. Not having my Mom to call the doctors or my Gram to come and check in with me. The one thing that might be the hardest thing about moving out here is the fact that I have to face Crumb's Disease all by my lonesome self. Even though you all are just a phone call away you seem a whole lot further when my tummy hurts. Today is a good day though, I got some pepto which has helped the tummy and now I am ready to face philosophy class. Which should be interesting to say the least.
Next Monday could be a very important day in life of Danielle Babb because I have to discuss some treatment options with the Crumb's specialist. All of my doctors really want me to start biologics, the ones that I am considering are Humira and Cimzia. The thing is that I am not sure if I am ready mentally to start a drug that could potentially be a life long drug regime. On the other hand, what if I go into remission (yayayayayyayayayayayya) and I could go back to living a semi ordinary life? These questions way on my heart everyday, every minute and every hour. If there is one thing that you can do for me, you can pray. Pray for me and for my decisions to make sure that I can live the life that I want.

10 reasons why I am so Blessed:

1. I have a Grandma that sends me Crohn's approved food :). I love and miss you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much Grandma. I miss our talks and your food but mostly just having you so close to me. I can't wait to see you. I love you!
2. Little sisters. Mederios, Johna and Annie who I adore. I miss you all. I can't wait to see you because I know that you will give me lots and lots of hugs. I miss taking you to dinner at Asia's and Perkins. I miss hearing about your problems and trying to help you find a solution. I miss watching movies on the internet and TV. I love you!
3. I am blessed because my parents believe in me. Which is something that I believe a lot of people have problems with. I know that whatever choices that I make that my parents will support me 100%. Which makes me feel loved.
4. I get phone calls and emails everyday from everyone back home. I love listening to your messages or reading them. It reminds me of how much I love and miss you as well.
5. Amber and Kelly. My treo. I love them. Amber and I usually talk on facebook every other hour it seems like and keep each other up to date on what is going on in the college realm. Kelly just got her computer this weekend (finally) so we have been keeping up to date via phone calls and random internet conversation. I miss you both sooo much.
6. I am blessed that my parents have good health insurance. That lets me explore different options without worrying how to pay for it. I am very blessed.
7. Tracy and Katie Lou. I miss you soooo much. I basically lived at your house during the summer and I definitley miss you both soo much. I love you and can't wait to talk about your Junior year. ohhhhhhh. I also can't wait just to see you because you both just make my day brighter.
8. Riann and Ellen. I have had the opportunity to talk to you both since I have left and I have had some pretty epic conversations. Loved them. I also love that you both have been soooooooo supportive of every decision I have made and some good advice.
9. My Mom. She has been my rock and my foundation in helping me with this disease. She is more than words can even begin to explain. I seriously do not know what I would do without her. She is always there when I need her most and always willing to do whatever I need to make sure that I am comfortable. I love you and miss you!
10. My Dad. I talk to my dad every night. He usually calls me around five (Mountain Time) which is 7 (my time). He lets me know that he is thinking about me and I am thinking about him too. We talk about what is going on with school and Butte. I love talking to him it is really nice and enjoy it. Looking forward to hearing from you tonight. Love you and miss you.

I love and miss you all more than you can imagine! Thank you for being so supportive and loving throughout my life and journey thus far. See you in 96 days!

Wait...What?

The past two days have been very interesting to say the least. Before I start in why they were interesting I would like to let everyone know that I am settling in quite well. Now that is out in the open, I was talking to my Mom three days ago and telling her how lucky that I was that I got the roommate that I did. It’s true, if there is was one thing that I made the transition from home to college easier, it was having a roommate that definitely didn’t get on my nerves. In fact, Erin and I really had a good run. We didn’t bother one another; we could talk about anything (her older sister even has Crumb’s like me). So what I am saying is that we were a match made in heaven.
Two days ago, we had just got back from dinner and I was going to take a nap before I started my homework. So I went to shut off my computer and get under the covers and Erin told me that she had to tell me something. She said that her Dad was on his way to come and get her. I thought that maybe there had been a death in the family or something of that nature. So I asked her why he was coming and when she would be back. She then proceeded to tell me that she was going to take a year off, that she had thought about it and that was the best decision at this point in time. So my nap became something that was unimportant. I immediately asked her if it was me, did she not feel welcome, etc? She told me that if anything leaving me was one of things that she didn’t want to do (I agree, she was one of my only friends at two days ago).
I woke up the next day, yesterday, and told her I was going to my ten o’clock class and that I wanted to see her before she left. I went to my two back to back classes and got lunch from Brooks to go and off back to the dorm. When I got back to Ravine 306 it looked empty on her side, in fact the only thing left was Erin, her computer and few breakable things that her Dad was not allowed to touch. Her Dad came up for her luggage which was by the door, told me he was sorry about all of this. He told me I could keep the fridge, the fan and the “skinny” mirror though, which was the only plus of Erin leaving, which isn’t even a plus because these things would still be here if she was. Anyway, she left and told me that if I was ever in Chicago to give her a call, I would have told her the same about Montana but she will never come there. So she left and here I am.
I told my RA, Megan (love her, she is super nice), about it when she got back from class and she told me that I will probably be alone for the first semester and then we will see for spring semester. So this opportunity has done a few things. I have made more friends with people because I am not just spending all my time with Erin. In fact, I have three new friends Tarryn, Lisa and Jenna. We went to dinner tonight and I foresee some road trips and girl talk for sure. Tarryn already invited me back to wherever she is from; it is by Erie and has a lot of wineries. I am excited because I am starting to click and fit into a group here, thankfully! Until a later date, hugs and kisses.

10 things that I have become OBSESSED with since I have been at Allegheny

1. The raspberry iced tea fountain drink dispenser. I cannot get enough of this delicious concoction. It is so delicious, that I just noticed today that I haven't had pop in over a week and I can definitley attribute this to the fountain drink dispenser in Brooks.
2. Cool Blue Gatorade. Almost every night for the past week, I have walked down to McKinley's and bought a Cool Blue Gatorade. In fact, last night, I went to get one and they were all gone, I must be sucking them dry. So I got a purple frost one, it was good but not as delicious. I didn't go tonight, I need to let them stock up before I binge again.
3. I loved watching TV on DVD when I was home, but college just gives me opportunities every day to watch an episode of my favorite shows (Gossip Girl Seasons 1 and 2, Flight of the Conchords Season 1 and 2 and the OC). Gotta love it!
4. Chicken Noodle Soup. When I got here, adjusting to the food was eh, interesting. I am used to making what I want or having something that I know I will like for all of my meals. Even though I miss my Mom's DELICIOUS chicken noodle soup, everyday Brooks has chicken noodle soup, which is healthier than most college kids diets, right?
5. Baby Corn with Ranch. Hey for those of you who are ranch fanatics, Allegheny has good ol' Butte delicious ranch. What is even better is that they have those canned baby corns that Silver Bow has in there salad bar. So every day I usually have baby corns with ranch. Yummy!
6. Ice Cream. Even though I have to limit my consumption of ice cream because of the Crumb's, I absolutley love the ice cream at Brooks. In fact, it is the only reason that I trek across campus for a meal. The have a ice cream freezer kinda like a mini baskin robbins where you can see inside to decide which one you would like. My favorites are Cotton Candy (they ran out today) and Spumoni.
7. Showering. I love taking showers alot here. I just like having the convienance to shower whenever I want. One day I even showered three time. What can I say, I like being clean.
8. Naps. OMG! College makes me happy mostly because it allows me to have one or more naps per day. I love it and so does the Crumb's :)
9. Laundry. Even though I have only done three loads. I love it. I love it. I love it. I can do my laundry when I want, how I want, etc. It smells, feels and makes me happy.
10. Checking my mail. Both email and snail mail, so send me stuff. Whether it be a handwritten letter or a little treat. Check in on me and let me know that you miss me.

My Address is :

Danielle Babb
Allegheny College
520 North Main Street
Box 269
Meadville, Pa 16335