It was actually kind of fun -- we haven't been snowed in this bad in quite a while, and being forced to just stay home once in a while is nice. (And I only got one blister from the shoveling. ;> )
You can also install OpenOffice.org on your computer, open your .doc file, .xls file, any Microsoft file, or most other files, and use OpenOffice.org's "Print to PDF" button.
Great to see you're linking to the Starving Student CD. I looked at the UB Educational Technology Center and didn't see references to OpenOffice.org as a technology option. Are they by any chance offering OpenOffice.org CDs or classes to students?