When I first moved here, I knew no one, had precious little furniture, no television, etc.  About this time of the year during my first year teaching, I became deathly ill.  I had not built my immunity to the children yet.  As I lay around pondering when death would actually occur, I decided I needed companionship.  Soon after, I purchased a hamster for $3 and about $150 worth of Habitrails.  He was cute.