Oh My Aching Feet

So far week 1 as a waitress has been crazy, especially since this is the opening weekend of the restaurant. By the time this weekend is finished (Th-Sun) I may be over 40 hours. All of my "guests" have been great, but I knew eventually the chips would fall and I'd get one of those tables everyone tells me about when they mention the short duration of their waitressing career.

It was a large party and wouldn't you know that I forgot the salads. Ok, so every OTHER salad is prepared automatically in the back, but if someone orders THIS ONE SALAD I have to fill out a special ticket. Being its only my first week into my waitressing career I messed up and they are late. But seriously...the ONE SALAD...can't we fix that in the computer?

Then the grill messed up the order and someone took it out lacking an entire meal. This means I have to fill out a special ticket so a manager will take it to the table and try to overcome the mistake. And then we need so many little things...not one but two different salad dressings for the itty bity salad...it goes on

They were sweet and boy did I try to put on my best face but I wanted to cry and run. We had a new trainer helping me and she said, "don't worry the table will turn over soon". You'd think she told me I had gotten a full scholarship...yes it was true...in less than 30 minutes I could bank on the fact that I would get a brand new set and could start fresh.

I think I'll go put up my feet. Tomorrow there will be a "new table" in the journey of life.

Backtracking: Mom's Visit

Its been a few weeks since mom left, but I finally have the photos in my computer. There are quite a few pics we SHOULD have taken
....both mom and I sleeping on the floor of my efficiency
...friday night dinner with everyone crowded in my place for taco salad
...the parking lots of the museums we visited which should have tipped us off that they might not be so exciting. =0))

We went to a lot of museums and "attractions". I took mom to some local bbq places and an excellent Mexican place with amazing enchiladas. She also got to see how well I can find free meals and spread them out throughout the week to stretch the groceries. =0)) On Sunday not only did we have the monthly church potluck, but then Marc & Amy hosted the "we built a porch" party.

Mom got to visit my church and I'm glad she enjoyed it. I took her over to school to meet my instructors and various faculty. They put in a good word for me. (and now dad knows that I really do go to school)

Looking at the various windmills used in West Texas. You can see downtown in the background.

A motor-less glider from WWII...imagine landing while on those benches...ouch. The park near my house. Yes, that's Texas!
Looking for prairie dogs at the local prairie dog park...yep the picture captures the swell of excitement of standing in that field squinting to see them.
So she got to meet my crazy friends and see a little bit of my life. My first visitor!!!

My One Reader

This is a post in honor of my one faithful reader...thanks for sticking with me through the slow times. =0))

Corporate Dancing

I have recently been hired by a nation-wide restaurant chain as a server. Our 10 day training sessions all begin with beat-pumping music and the requirement we stand, clap, and smile. Those of us who dare are encouraged to move with the appropriate hand motions to such favorites as "YMCA", "Grease Lightning", and other dance favorites. As these are the national trainers I have to believe this is part of the corporate emphasis on building unity and fun. (all while required to wear a starched shirt?)

I had to laugh when I think about our crazy dance parties in the birth center in Asia. After (or during) a busy shift we'd run to the living room and make the most of lip synching and really bad dance moves for stress relief. Liza & Sarah could be living large had they known to market this strategy to national corporations. We obviously missed our calling...(that and making instructional videos)

Good Article

I've just been introduced to some of Mark Driscoll's thoughts and found the Resurgence Movement site where he blogs. Apparently he claims to use some Emergent practices, but is a self-claiming Bible-thumping Fundamentalist. (sounds kind of cool to me...btw Mars Hill Church founded by Driscoll and Mars Hill Bible Church with Rob Bell are two different things).

While on that site I found this blog entry by Anthony Bradley entitled Orphans vs. American Dream. I've always thought about adoption if I were married and this article makes is so plain that we as Christians could easily get orphans out of foster care. In his opening paragraph the author states that there are approximately 115,000 orphaned kids in foster care waiting for adoption. A recent survey found there are 224 million so-called Christians in America. The Bible is clear that pure religion includes caring for orphans and widows. (James 1:27) So isn't it reasonable that even if everyone can't adopt many could and fix this problem and save kids?!?

Its easy for me as a single to point fingers, but the article still challenged me where I am now. As I look at the title again I'm reminded that the "dream" and great nursing sign on bonuses and a nice house aren't where its at. Life is so much more. Where am I investing now? Having a limited budget while going to school might be a pain at times, but it is freeing me up in the future and I won't face huge credit card bills or student loans.

I guess this is a good time to announce that I'm hoping to move into a mission house with my friends in one of the worst, crime-ridden streets here. We have a small complex with 4 apartments and hope to build relationships and be the hands and feet of Jesus in that area. Local churches have been working there and "plowing the ground" so to speak. Andrea used to live in this area and I look forward to being her roommate (hopefully). Please keep everyone in your prayers. I'm not sure how much I'll actually be there between school, clinicals, and work but I'm willing. I'm sure we'll meet plenty of fatherless kids and find something better than the ever illusive "American Dream"

Backtracking Part 1: The Wedding

Fun With FASFA

After banging my head on my computer to finish up FASFA stuff I am reminded I have a lot for which to be grateful. In the past week I've gotten a new job and received a scholarship which will help pay for this semester. Mom came and we had a nice visit. My computer cord should come in the mail tomorrow and I'll post pics!

Everything Is Bigger In Texas

I apologize to all my Northern friends, but TX really showed you up in the fireworks dept. As we sat outside the city limits you could see huge displays across the plains. Ben & his friends were coordinating lighting rows of these huge fire crackers. I have not seen something that big in someone's backyard.

Hot Holidays

Normally I am out of the country on the 4th of July so it always seems odd when I am here and see flags everywhere. I would like to mention that today is Filippino-American Friendship day and if you are missing my crazy stories please see my friend Georgia's website The highlight of my holiday was going to the filippino store down the road and getting a phone card so I could call her.

I'm trying to enjoy the extra time I have now and not get too anxious about the job situation. This is the dream right...single girl...free time...summer?!?! Jesus and I have had some good talks in my hammock and I really am grateful for the peace and tranquility. (School starts in a month) Went to see Transformers today and it was a bit cornier than expected, but brought back some dusty 80's memories.

I took pictures at the wedding this weekend but unfortunately believe I may have left my USB cable in Mexico, so I will have to wait to post them. Stay tuned.