My Random Thoughts

Usually when I post I have a specific thought in mind...but tonight, I think I'm just going to fill this blank space with whatever thoughts come to mind...most of them should deal with the implant, but occasionally a random thought might get in there!

- When I yawn with an implant, I can still hear just as well as if I weren't yawning. I think when you yawn, it forces your ear canal shut or something, which blocks the sound...which was the case with my hearing aids. However, since my implant bypasses the ear canal and goes straight to the cochlea, nothing is getting shut down and my hearing is completely unaffected!
- I just graduated to being able to wear headphones and listen to music on my computer...through my implanted ear! The sound isn't perfect, but I've heard the Red Hot Chili Peppers SO much in the last few years of my life, that I figured my brain could fill in anything that is less than perfect...yeah!
- Clemson football will win at LEAST 8 games this year in the regular season...I hope and expect them to win more, but I am predicting at least 8 for now. Mark my words.
- I'm slowly getting more comfortable with having that big device behind my ear! No longer do I worry about whether or not people in a restaurant are in view of my implant, nor do I really care what people think when they pass me in the car on the left side...you may think this is a silly fear to have, but I doubt anyone reading this can truly say they have not once worried about what others might think of them! Besides, like I said, I'm gettin over this one!
- Surprisingly, I am not too scared about going back to school, even with an implant untested in a school environment. I think it's a combination of family, Clemson, and friends who have gotten me to this point of confidence in such a short amount of time!
- I thought having to change batteries for my implant once every two days was going to be a pain in the butt, but it hasn't been so far!
- There is a girl, a Clemson Girl, who makes me smile everytime I see her or talk to her! :)
- Since I started wearing my implant, on June 29th, I have gone through 10 battery packs. Each battery pack has six batteries, and each time I must change batteries, I use three batteries at a time. Therefore, I have already used 60 batteries, in a little under a month and a half. At this rate, I could go through 720 batteries a year. I would recommend all of you investing in powerOne battieries...I'm keeping them in business! j/k!!
- It's kind of cool to know magnetic objects can be stuck to my head...might come in handy someday!
- How impressive is it that my implant can withstand the 100% humidity of Charleston, SC like a champ! Having spent years completely frustrated with my hearing aids being absolute wimps when it comes to the slightest drop of sweat, it is quite refreshing to wear my implant with complete confidence that it can withstand the sweat and humidity.
- I couldn't have chosen a better time to get an implant...the technology of the Cochlear Freedom is unbelievably advanced, more than I ever could imagine possible!
- I wonder how many of you tried to yawn after you read my first random observation to see what the heck I was talkin about! :)
- The positives of having an implant have already begun to outweigh any of the negatives...meaning that my decision to get an implant has already proved to be a worthwhile one!
- It is wicked cool to stand in the bathroom at night and hear the clock on my wall ticking away the seconds...I can't believe that I've missed it for 18 years!
- On the same token, I always thought wind chimes were stupid, until I heard them for the first time the other day.
- Nothing beats a Charleston sunset over the harbor...except maybe a Charleston sunrise at the beach.
- Moe's is good eatin. So is Mac's in Clemson! Having just said that, I will have to contemplate any hidden meanings beneath the fact that two of my favorite places to eat are named after people with three letter names that start with M.
- I need a new hat...I've worn the same Hyperlite hat for nearly four years, and if you've seen it, you know it's probably time for me to get a new one.
- Speaking of hats, one of my fears before getting an implant was not being able to wear a hat due to the location of the magnet. While the magnet is in the way like I feared, I can wear adjustable hats and adjust them so they are loose enough to fit over the magnet. I actually like doing this, because it makes me feel like the magnet is more secure. Unfortunately, even XL fitted hats are uncomfortable, so as long as I have an adjustable band, I'm good to go!
- My family means the world to me. They always have, but there's something about going to school, and then having a chance to come home to them for the summer that gives you a refreshing reminder at how much they mean to you.
- Finally, life is good!

That's all for now, y'all! Hope you've had an awesome summer, whether it's been spent workin, at school, or just being lazy, like me!