Don’t Believe Everything In the Movies

I remember talking to Asians about America and how not everyone lived in houses like those pictured in the movies. At time it was frustrating when people overseas just assumed the movies portrayed all Americans. (Especially that random guy in the elevator of the 5-star hotel who leaned over to me in perfect English saying “Kiss me”) My conversations always assumed I never believed what I saw. =0)) It was not until I followed much of the route from the movie Elizabethtown, that I had opportunity to laugh at my own gullibility.

I had driven much of the route pictured on the road trip before and I had no reason to doubt. The way the town of Elizabethtown, KY was portrayed to me in the movie was that of just one of those old tiny cities tucked away. Imagine my surprise when, just after the big highway exit sign, I found multiple fast-food restaurants, mega-pharmacies, supermarkets, and random sprinklings of commercial office buildings. Sure, there were signs to a historical district, but the exit looked just like many other bustling exits on the highway. Why didn’t Orlando Bloom stay at his choice of one of the hotels that resembled motel-6 just down from the MASSIVE visitors center. Hmmm...maybe I need to watch it again to see if this was just my perception.

My Ship Has Landed

I've been moving about every 6 months or less for the last three years. Living out of a suitcase has become second nature as I have traveled to so many states. Arriving in my new city just feels like another stop on a road trip. After enjoying 2 nights with Charity I moved further west. I won't have my appartment for another 10 days, so I will be crashing with Andrea and her roommate. (with a little trip to visit Georgia in there). School starts next Tuesday, so I'll be running around getting ready and applying for jobs. Crazy to think this is "home" now...well who knows maybe in 6 months....nah

Wide Open Spaces

Well friends, I'm about to head to bed so I can get an early start tomorrow. I'm not sure how much internet access I'll have until next week, but you can be sure I will chronicle my experiences driving to the southern plains. Please keep me in your prayers! Thanks to Sarah I have a new "wind in your hair" driving mix. =0))

BTW...if anyone can tell me how Michael got his foot burned in a George Forman Grill and Dwight got a concussion I'd be quite grateful. I came in late and missed the first minutes. (thankfully the DVD for season II is coming out soon!)

NARM Day

Today is the semi-annual day for midwives around the US to take the 8-hour written portion of their certification exam. Please keep them in your prayers. We need some more rockstar global midwives. Here's a short list of people I know that will be taking it all day.

Sorani, Patrica, Heather, Christy, Leah, Katie, Liss, Sarah

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Reset the countdown clock...3 days!!!

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...where's that paper bag

Parents and the Stress of Saying Goodbye Again

Mom deals with saying goodbye by:
Going to Walmart to make sure my tool box is stocked, getting a list for Office Max so I have school supplies, making trips to 7-11 for slurpees, and making me promise I will not be cheap about my personal health care and see a doctor if necessary.

Dad deals with saying goodbye by:
Wailing loudly in the foyer of Ikea, "My baby's leaving me...she's going without me" While concerned passers-by stare at me.

"Nobody can force a single soul...to turn to Christ. All that [we]...can do, is to lift up Christ before the world, bring Him into dingy corners and dark places of the earth where He is unknown, introduce Him to strangers, talk about Him to everybody, and live so closely with and in Him that others may see that there really is such a Person as Jesus..."

Elizabeth "Betty" Stam 1906-1934
(Missionary to China, both she and her husband were killed)

Hark! A Silver Lining?

What? Could this be true? Could I be having a moment of optimism? Could it be that I got an offer of a job interview and confirmation of my lease with a wood floor not on the ground floor all within minutes of each other? (Just a few hours after Dad told me he got a job)

We won't discuss the fact that I locked my keys in my car far from home this morning.

COMMITMENT

My team of friends, especially Andrea, have recieved quite a few calls from me recently midly freaking out asking, "should I do it?...are you sure your plans are set?...does it sound like a good thing? But now the lease agreement is in the office. AHHHHHHHHH! A real bonified contract! Yesterday I was out looking for a woven bamboo mat. Just seems appropriate after living in Asia to make sure I have the necessities like a mat and a few pillows until I can save up and go to Ikea or fish some treasure out of the trash and reupholster it.

2 weeks...time has sure flown by this last week!

Baby Kate

I spent the weekend at my friends house after they came home from the hospital.

Killer Llamas

Check out the story on Joy's blog...

http://jjoyful.blogspot.com/2006/08/kosher-killer-llamas.html#comments

Back To Birth

In the wee hours of Tuesday morning my friend's husband called me to say his wife's water had broken and they were at the hospital. I assured him I'd be right over to take up my duties as the doula. When I arrived he said he was surprised I sounded so awake and answered on the first ring. That's all the midwife facade! I can answer and sound coherent at any hour...but that doesn't always mean I am. (just ask my teammates and apprentices)

This would be my first birth since coming home from Asia and I was a little nervous. However, it was the most amazing experience and God used it to show me more and more of the vision he is birthing in my heart. I've cringed over the past few months as people spout off the Christianeese about God's plan being the journey not the destination. Easy for them to say I think when they aren't back feeling like they are starting from scratch.

The second nurse my friend had for most of the day was the most amazing OB nurse I've met and couldn't have been more helpful and encouraging. I got to chat with her throughout the day and was just reminded what an amazing impact these women have in helping moms who have more complicated births. In the midwife community I've found there can be a lot of discord and prejudice against others in the medical community and it makes me sick. Working for so long without strong backup has made me appreciate others in the medical community.

As I head toward nursing I'm not, as some have suggested, turning my back on what I've done before. God's just showing me a bigger vision in working as a team both in the US and abroad. I'm excited for the ways God is going to let me minister in my own country for the next few years. I still see the faces of women dying around the world, and hope returning oversees is in the future.

I was reading back through Romans 11 &12. I've memorized 12 before, but forgot the preceding verses. They establish the wisdom of God and His plan for his people and the Gentiles. That's the foundation for offering ourselves as a living sacrifice. There is so much more to life than the work. I'm slowly seeing how the hurts and bends in the road have prepared me for this time and nothing was a waste. God is good.

What Happened BEFORE the Last Post

I should have posted about the exchange which took place just before that shopping trip mentioned in my last post. After class I spent a good while teaching my A&P teacher and lab partner about the art of thrift store shopping. Here are a few of my tips.

1. Check the European catalogues for upcoming trends so you can start looking ahead of time

2. Most thrift stores have rotating 50% off sales every week based on the color of the price tag. This is normally on a rotating schedule so you can figure out what color will be put on sale and on what day of the week. This way the day BEFORE the sale or first thing you can scope out the goods.

3. Thrift stores can be overwhelming. When going through racks fast, just look for labels of dependable companies. Then, if you have more time you can go back for the random finds.

4. Get discounts on damaged goods. It may only need a quick sewing job, but most often they will discount it

5. Shop in the mens section too. Sometimes stuff gets mixed up.

6. If something is supposed to be dry cleaned or in gentle cycle you can wash it in your gentle cycle with a bottle of $1 conditioner and its about the same as Woollite and it will smell fabulous.

I TOOK THE PLUNGE...

I've seen hints of the 80's creeping in for some time, but as the back-to-school flyers started to come it seemed more inevitable. After class I took a research trip to H&M. Yes, this was strictly for...um..research purposes. H&M is based in Europe which starts the fashion trends, so you can always tell what's coming and start saving and gathering ahead of the US trends. It's clear that long shirts, leggins and the like are BACK.

I have a hard time believing I will buy into some things like leggins...maybe just because last time Iwore those I was a little kid and it just seems childish to be back in it. But I think I said the same about flares. So, taking the plunge I tried on 2 straight leg pants (which on me appear more like pencil legs...just a tip for anyone else whose on the rounder side)

Last time these fashions were around I don't think I had hips or a bum, cuz I don't remember looking like a lumpy sack of potatoes on sticks. O well...just motivation since the coming trends aren't as forgiving...

Chilling in pencil leg jeans....yes, these very ones

(hmmmm now where are those leg warmers and pumps)

Guest Post

I'm in the middle of a pile of nutrition assignments, so today I'm entertaining a guest post. This is a great little email sent to me yesterday by one of my former apprentices. Made me laugh...which means it made my day. Salamat! [to clarify the hospital inferences are in refrence to the government hospitals in Asia to which we would have to transport patients in an emergency]

Ive spent the past few days at appointments at the hospital I used to work at. I just got a job with them and had paperwork, physicals and stuff to do. While leaving today i was stuck with the feeling of somethings not righthere, something is diffrent.

no it wasnt that the hospital was clean, infactive been there three times this week and have yet to see blood on any wall,floor, or chair. Nor was it not one person asked me if i was a doctor and in fact responsible for any patients illness. it wasnt even the fact there was no one waiting at the door collecting money from patients as they came in.

No the thing that was missing was of all the people i spoke to wearing scrubs, not one of them was also wearing pearls. not one. i think thats your trademark.