So I just got the bill for the emergency room visit I had to make in January. The whole thing cost a little less than $3500, which is about what I expected. The ambulance had to be called, which obviously cannot be cheap. But  I only have to pay $200 because it turns out that the medical insurance provided by my university is really good. I’d never had a chance to sample the American healthcare system before. All I heard were horror stories about how each trip to the hospital results in ruinous bills that no insurance can cover. I’d actually started saving money to cover the bill while I was waiting for it. So it’s good to know that a college professor can afford good healthcare.

I now love my great university that gave me this wonderful insurance even more. I’m a very happy camper right now, people. And yes, I know that this expression is horribly cliched, but I like it anyway.