conspiracy of lies

I went to the university health clinic for the final shot of my Hepatitis A/B series, and that's all I wanted. Just a needle in the arm.

But this nurse was not letting me off with that. She wanted details of everything to do with everything.

The cool part is that she offered to write me a note for me if/when I go to Africa and my school district requires it of me.

This is quite an integrity issue for me. I try hard not to ever lie - so what about calling in "sick" to travel to "The Dark Continent"? I'm sick unless I go? I'll be sick of flying? I'm sick of my job?

But after class tonight I presented my moral dilemma, and these teachers/former teachers made it really clear: these sick days are my days and nobody has the right to demand that I report or ask permission to take them. And I think that's a really good point.

On the other hand, I talked to my work buddy and she really encouraged me to talk to the principal about it, saying that he's much more likely to support teachers if he knows what's going on. That's a good point, and my conscience would be freer.

But I don't trust him.

And even more importantly, I resent the institutional constraints on my freedom. Because I'm healthy and don't have the flu, I'm punished and not allowed to take off the time my contract provides?

I just want to go get laid. Is that really so much to ask?