20 Questions in A Can

Last night a younger boy came up to me asking for "vI-aynuh 'tages". I didn't have a clue what he was saying so I asked him to repeat "vIII-aynuh 'tages" As someone who prides herself in working with strong accents, this one threw me. I asked him to describe it figuring I could probably figure it out.

"They're in a can"

Great, yeah that helps. Animal, mineral, vegetable? He also said their edible, but wouldn't give me any more description

After a long awkward pause his mom popped out into the asile. "He's asking for vIIII-aynah sausages"

It took me a minute then I realized....ohhh Vienna Sausages. Gotta love the West Texan use of vowels.

Quick Flashback: Formerly: For My Students & Coworkers....

Heather was unable to download her footage from Christmas '05, but I still keep hope alive that one day I'll get to put that together. That stuff is too priceless! Maybe I'll just have to go down to her house myself and pry it out of her hands. =0)) So in lieu of that I put a little slideshow together with a clip of music I picked up at the mall before I left to come back to the US. (hmmm...why does it make me think of drag queens????)

Christmas In Review

My Christmas ended very full and warm. I had two dinners and ended the night with Amber and her friend driving around the quiet streets here in West TX. (Well...actually I ended it on the phone...but I'm getting off my point. ;0))

My time in Asia really helped me understand the Christmas story and picture it in my mind. As I sing those famous carols I recall seeing women who deliver babies in dirty dark hole-in-the-wall places with little fanfare (the stable in which Jesus was born was not as sanitary as our little nativity scenes portray)I've visited tribes were women give birth completely alone. I've seen very young girls face harsh realities. I sat with the poor who had nothing and yet so much to give.

I enjoyed my Christmas this year. I haven't shopped one bit and just taken in the time with friends and simple things of life. Tomorrow I'll shop in preparation for visiting my folks....but there isn't the same pressures as before the holidays =0))

Here is part of an email I sent out last year on Christmas day.

The stocking opening at my house with Rox, Georgia, and Crystal was
quite fun. Our clinic celebration was peaceful and everyone was
together for most of it. [the students].... and their crew did an
amazing job.

I just returned from..[the slums]. There was a fresh outpouring of
open sewer across my path to get to a friend's house. Like the old
kid's song goes...can't go over it...can't go under it...can't go
around it...gotta go through it.

My friend's husband was drunk, one kid just diagnosed with TB, and the
rest of the kids have colds. As I passed everyone saying "Maarrrry
Creeezmas" I was just reminded of God's love. Jesus came to dwell
among men and lead us to the Father. That same God cares just as much
now. It's just so stinking hard at times.

Crazy Christmas Begins

Right after church I started my shift at work and just barely got out in time to make it to the evening Christmas Eve service. On my way out of the store I picked up the mini tree we had at the dollar area now 50% (plus my employee discount). I threw on a few lights and....well...its' pretty pathetic. At least its a step above Leahs tree last year in Asia (or was that a twig?)

Plan A and B failed for Chirstmas so it looks like I may go to a random person from church's house. I was blessed with a few images of the day.

- everyone at church huddled on one side of the sanctuary to celebrate the day
- a little blond haired tyke with the biggest eyes lighting up as she held a snow globe
- a single dad with a huge grin after picking out a modest bag of goodies for his boys
- a smile on the store managers face as we walked out (NEVER seen that before)

Random Advantages to Being Small

When your power locks are currently not working you are able to freely climb in your car via the trunk with little effort.

Foreign Film Night

Amber and I have adopted a random practice of watching a foreign film each week. They have been full of beautiful cinematography and meaning. Tonight we got Motorcycle Diaries - a film I had heard much about. Not until afterward did I realized it was about Che Guevara (only after living in Asia and seeing all the Che Guevara memorabilia did I learn about him)

There is a scene where they are climbing a mountain in a rural area and the one guy plops down and says "this is not humanly possible". AT that moment a little indigenous man flies up the mountain with a burden on his back. I laughed out loud and said "SOOOO true" I remember being near the tribes and seeing the old people fly past me with huge loads. =))

The language was a bit unnecessary, but I loved watching how each of them was changed in some way on their journey. I could so relate when they were parting as Fuser is going home he says he needs to think about things for a while "so much injustice..."

On my desk sits sepia pictures of people from my years overseas that impacted me. In the movie he reflects on the people he meets in sepia.

What will be my response to these questions and injustices? I think about Che and then say someone like Mother Theresa. Both dealt with social injustices and impacted society, but in very different manners. Both were revolutionaries, were they not? Lots to think about.

What Holiday is This?

I feel like I'm in a crazy time warp or something. Last week I stayed over to work half of the overnight shifts, so I got home most nights at 4am. This week that may be 8am. Each day I brace for the craziness of holiday shoppers and the high stress level expressed by the managers. This feels so weird that I almost don't know how to describe it. It doesn't really seem like Christmas to me and sometimes in my apartment I almost forget that its that time of year. But Christmas is a week away!!!!

I still haven't decided how to celebrate Christmas day or found anyone else to invite over (most other young singletons have left). I will miss Christmas Eve service thanks to the retail industry. =0)) I'm thinking about getting a turkey breast...but then I remember I don't have pans...perhaps I can borrow one from the neighbor. O well, it will be a nice day to rest whatever happens.

A Sudden Change of Events...

My Kate is getting married in less than a week and having a baby! Stuff happens fast...boy am I running behind. ;0))

The Modest Christmas Decor

Today when I was cleaning my apartment I figured I should have some holiday decorations. So this is my "tree". I'm thinking about putting lights on the cup. =0))

Working overnights as well as my regular shift has been a bit crazy, but I can foresee an end, so I just take it a day at a time. Tonight I enjoyed a day off and sat on the floor with Amber talking honestly about life and what God desires from us. Quite refreshing.

Semester End

I DID IT!!!!!!!!! I am now officially done with my semester. General Chemistry was my looming hurdle and I'm done. YEEEEHAAAA. Besides my great chemistry teacher who inspired me (and nearly inspired me to go onto medical school but wasn't THAT good) I have to give props to my mom for her encouragement (and Dad on Sunday) and David H who helped me with those looming chemistry questions that always seemed to come at midnight.

Last year at this time it seemed that things were falling apart as it was clear I needed to leave my other ministry. However, God's been so faithful on this new leg of the journey.

I'd love to celebrate, but I am working a double shift most nights this week so I have to go!

If I had a dollar for everytime...

West Texan: "So, you going home for Christmas break?"

Me: "No, my parents are out east"

West Texan: "You mean like Tyler?" [referring to Tyler, TX]

RUF Christmas Party

Here are some photos from the campus fellowship Christmas party. Who knew people in the PCA had so much fun. =0))

There were almost 40 people packed into the living room.









The good looking side of the room. =0)) The girl on my left is a year ahead of me in nursing school and on my right is Della my almost-roommate.















Getting ready for the white elephant gift exchange.














Later in the night someone brings Guitar Hero....basically DDR with a guitar. I have been wondering what all the fuss is about, but when I saw how your average joe can look like a pro on the electric guitar it made sense. I gave it whirl and bombed. (Perhaps when they come out with the symphony version I'll be on board)










Then even later...DDR comes out. By then it was almost midnight and I was tired. I don't know how long things kept going.

Missing the Messiah

Today I read an update from an acquaintance in which she casually mentioned having gone to a performance of Handel's Messiah. I miss that annual event! And by far the best place in which to experience has to be in the little church in Downtown Detroit. From the middle of the upper balcony you can see the orchestra and feel the sounds swell. I know no sweeter sound than that of Worthy is the Lamb resounding on the rafters. ahhhh.

However, the karaoke version Mindy and I belted out driving home in a near blizzard one year was pretty spectacular too. Christmas in Texas is proving to be grounds for new tradition...

Does God Care About Christmas Parties?

Today was a bad day...a royally yucky want to never remember bad day. The chem exam went so badly and afterward I found out if I'd gone with a few gut instincts I would have been right. Once again the washing machine at my building ruined more of my clothes. Then I went to work where irate customers fussed with me for being out of items.

While I was in a moment alone I was having a chat with the Lord. I was telling him how I was having trouble working opposite schedules from my friends and having been secluded for this whole week between trying to stay afloat in work and school. It was probably selfish, but I was laying it out.

There was going to be an RUF Christmas party on Wednesday and I really wanted to go. However, with so many people quitting at work and inflow of new people I couldn't figure out a way to trade shifts. I resigned myself to another missed opportunity.

Then, a coworker asked me to switch a day with her. She's probably the only one in the whole store who could do this. So I get Wednesday off.

Does God care about parties? I don't know. I probably don't deserve it, but it sure is a nice change of events. =0)) Back to my study for finals hermit hole till then....

A New Understanding

It's about 1:30am when I start to head home from work and suddenly I feel a new appreciation for the people at the store around the holidays who aren't as cheerful as I might expect. It will only get worse, I know. I feel like an outsider watching my culture in its frenzy. I don't have much reason to participate in the shopping this year, but I am surrounded by it everyday at work.

When I got home I finished a psych paper to unwind and fretted about Mondays chem exam. Part of my paper was on my experience living with a family in the slums. Suddenly it really hit me just what an amazing adventure God gave me in the Philippines. I hope there are many more to come!

Miss Halfway

Papers are scattered across my apartment - the result of recent hasty searches for keys, financial paperwork for my fraud report, and reciepts for school. My bike sits next to the door adding to the clutter because the complex is trying to figure out which bikes to cut off the rack. My hair is ratty after blowing in the freezing wind as I biked home from school.

I need to write a paper, I need to study for my chem lab exam, and I need to fill out more financial aid papers. I need to get more file folders for my accumuating paperwork. I need to get a coffee with Amber.

Today was orientation for nursing school. My neighbor and I let out sighs when we got home and mused about all the checks we wrote in a 30 minute period. I'm tempted to say "Lord how in the world will all this work out?...Was I crazy for coming here?" But I really do no better.

Now...to prioritize.....

O, and the upside today....I was reminded that scrubs here in the US are sized to AMERICAN sizes. There's always a little boost to realize once again you wear size small scrubs. =0)) Instead of Asian X-Large.