Please Note. This journal is meant to be informative, I am not looking to share a sob story, or obtain pity! :)

So, some of you have known that I've dealt with some severe health issues this past academic semester. From having the flu, which turned into pneumonia 3.5 weeks ago, to having a severe allergic reaction to Maxalt (a migraine medication) last week, to having bronchitis leading pneumonia as I write this, I have had to deal with a lot of stress over the past weeks.

I have missed about 5 of every class this semester. That's 25 classes total, worth 18 credits, equal to over 50 hours of learning wasted.

Some of you know, but I don't mind sharing that I have a hereditary autoimmune disorder called CVID ( common variable immuno deficiency ). Coupled with severe asthmatic problems and living in this dirty city of Philadelphia, well, I get sick really easy. Let semester alone I had walking pneumonia for 4 weeks.

Anyway, I have been severely stressing over the amount of class I have missed because just missing three is grounds for failure in each. I have dumped my problems on to my friends and on to those who follow me on twitter. I just wish to apologize for that, but I appreciate your support, kind words, and continued friendship. It means a lot to me. Really it does. Your support has fueled me through these tough weeks and helped me to formulate proper decisions with my future.

So, I have met with the Dean of Students at my university, who was so amazing in helping me with this issue. He is offering his support, and is willing to work with my professors so that I do not suffer ill grades.

I also met with my academic adviser today. He happens to be my design 8 professor, and someone I used to think was terrifying. He's strict, to the book, and has an abrasive facade. I am so shocked that he isn't mad at me for missing 34 hours of his one class! I had a nice chat with him, and he said other teachers have been in contact saying they're not worried about me failing because I seem to know the content. He has helped me create a achievable deadline for assignments missed, and directed me how to get back on track with his classes semester group project. It's quite... I don't know, but this guy, he's awesome now. Professor Chung, you will certainly never read this, but I really appreciate your help, motivation and understanding.

So the bottom line. You all know my passion for photography. This is what kills me. I have made the decision, with encouragement from my family and the professor herself, to withdraw from Architecture Photography, a film based course I found absolutely fascinating. It's a shame to have to leave, but this allows me a more stress free semester to recover my health, and opens up new hours to focus on my core classes and not an optional elective.

So as of today, I am no longer enrolled in this class, and the professor was extremely sad to see me go, but happy I am making a decision to improve my health.

If any of you actually read all of this, well, thank you! I'm smiling right now because I am no longer worried about my classes, no longer worried about failing my 4th year of architecture school.