Try to Have a Ball

Last night ushered in a grand occasion: the luminescent New Hall Ball. Unfortunately, I don’t remember much of the evening. It’s not what you think. My head felt so stuffy and miserable from sinus pressure that I thought for sure it would explode. Apparently this infection hadn’t quite run its course! To calm any fears, I’ve taken today extremely slow – hopefully I’ll be back to the normal, outgoing and vivacious young woman I usually am in no time. Despite my general state of infirmity, I am able to offer some reflections on the event.

First things first, I finally experienced a real rugby moment. Hours before New Hall Ball, Scotland and England hammered it out on the field. Our common room was a practical warzone! Nothing says Calcutta Cup Rugby Final like beer, blood, and bagpipes. Just as Scotland and England were tied at 15-15 with only six minutes left on the clock, this guy began piping out of nowhere and we all sang a rousing chorus of the Scottish national anthem, Flower of Scotland. Then, of course, England fans offered a hilarious rebuttal to the song which was, in kind, met with an even more profane response from Scottish nationals. Seriously, I love this sport. Rather anticlimactically, the game ended in a draw.

At this point, all my attempts at healing remedies (including a serene walk on the beach) had failed to work their magic on my nasal passages. I began to feel hot and flushed in the face, thinking I wouldn’t even try to attend the ball – just like Cinderella. If only a fairy godmother would have come and waved a wand, fixing everything. A brief nap instilled a sense of crazed confidence that I could make it through the evening. I stuffed myself into a simple black dress (which I later found out to be, a bit painfully, too simple for British balls), met my friends, and hopped in a shuttle bus bound for a snazzy hotel.

Cut to me standing in the middle of the Fairmont, feeling awful, with a free vodka voucher in my hand and dazed expression on my face. In no time at all, I gave my vodka voucher away and hopped on the next bus back to New Hall – but not before getting my trophy men-in-kilts photograph, courtesy of our dear guys.

A good night’s sleep and really slow Sunday have been immensely helpful. To be honest, the sinuses are sill draining but will hopefully be back to normal sooner rather than later. Today has been really great, despite my running nose. Pastor Liam’s sermon was just amazing and sparked really deep conversations between me and a newfound friend, I’ll call her Whitman. More rest and relaxation coming right up!