allergies

how did i go through 25 years of life without every really being allergic to anything, only to climb off the train in stamford two weeks ago and get hit with a blast of pollen so potent, my throat almost closed up on the ride home?

i'm not really sure what activated this reaction, but ever since that day, i've been suffering from red, puffy eyes, phlegmy throat, runny nose and cough. i know i'm not sick, and i honestly have not been crying all that much. it must be related to the recent lovely seasonal shift and the amazing sunshine and warm weather that emerged a couple weeks ago like a shining ray of light after months of horrible, cold, gray winter.

just minutes ago, i took a walk around the block. it was supposed to reach 80 degrees today, and the sun in shining, but sometime around 4 p.m. the winds must have shifted because there were some fairly heavy gusts of winds whipping around the city blocks. i walked around a little, but the wind and shady streets gave me a chill so i went back into the office.

minutes later, i was struck with a coughing attack. the only other time i feel like i have felt a similar uncontrollable urge to cough was when i had bronchitis last year. seriously. all from a walk outside.