Today was a stressful day. Not negative or positive stress, just stress.

I had my final today in my May mini-mester class, a 3 week long semester with class 4 hours a day 4 days a week requiring about a 100 pages of reading per week night and a few hundred per weekend and a test each Thursday. The class was a senior level Political theory on statesmanship. Basically covering the Lincoln-Douglas (Steven) debates and then Lincoln, Douglass (Frederick), and the abolitionists.

The paper I had to write for the class that Dean, Harriet, and Phil helped me on got an undeserved B. Not just any B, but a slap-in-the-face 89. I e-mailed him about it and said I felt I was being punished for not being a political science major (most in the class were). He told me that he always grades VERY hard and bumps at the end based on attendance, participation and grade improvements all of which I have a 100% in. I am very much a talker in class, surprise right? :)

After my final I had an appointment with [Planned Parenthood](http://plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/aboutus/mission.xml) for my annual and to renew my birth control prescription. I have been using [the patch](http://plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/medicalinfo/birthcontrol/pub-patch-orthoevra.xml) as it is commonly called (ortha evra). It was the best method for me after I had to take a mandatory break from [Depo Provera](http://plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/medicalinfo/birthcontrol/pub-contraception-choices-2.xml#1097812219197::-5381386000771205456) (also know as the shot) to build up lost calcium from the lack of estrogen in my body. I was so excited that today they said I could go back on Depo! You get one shot in the rear once every 3 months, it is only $50, AND NO CYCLE!

I was on Depo for a few years before they implemented the year on year off policy and loved it. No periods for like 3 years. My mom said “it ain’t natural” and my reply was a wad of cotton with a string attached ain’t natural! It is so difficult to describe the feeling of not having a period. As a woman it is something that is constantly humming in the background. Every time there is even a hint of moistness the first thought is “is it my time of the month?” With the little voice gone, I feel so free. I never have to worry when packing if I will need tampons, I never have to restock my backpack, my clothes and sheets aren’t at risk for stains, I am never self conscience when swimming if a string is trailing me, and I can wear white anytime I want!

If you are under the impression that such things should not be talked about, I do not apologize. Half of the population over the age of 12 has to deal with this little stressor and in a society of constant stress it is nice to get a magical shot to take some away.