Wild Weird Wonderings

I'm sitting at the coffee shop as the sky grays in preparation to rain. Frank Sinatra is singing over the speakers radio. I normally work Fridays, but I switched a shift earlier this week to have dinner with friends. Dinner got canceled, so I did an afternoon meeting with the happy little newly engaged & newly married couples. (so much to say after that comment, but alas you singles can just read into all that entailed as one of the token singles). I find myself studying acid/bace balance and for my pharm test on Monday.

We did get the apartments, but alas the tenants are not moved out so I will be homeless briefly when I have to move out of my apartment the end of this month. My clinicals have been on the cardiac critical care unit and the weeks are flying by as I try to balance everything. Andrea continues to be my favorite bad influence in my life keeping me out late nights before clinicals. =0))
This semester has been harder not only in content, but just in contentment and walking out daily life with the faith that this is what I'm supposed to be doing. I will try to keep up with my blog more regularly and share funny stories. Look for me to upload some crazy video I shot when I watched Kathy's chihuahua while she was gone.

Merging Two Worlds

Working a large concentration of hours in a short span can mess with your brain. I find myself repeating food orders in my sleep. Last night I started merging my nursing work with my waitressing role. I woke up dreaming I was training my trainee at work to look for tracheal deviation (apparently AT the restaurant on the guests).

Random Adventures

Apparently we just got all the funding for the church to buy the quadraplex to which we are moving. B moved out of his apartment, ending the era of our "hippie Bible study" at that location. I caught a quick photo post-communion photo the other week. I still have another month on my lease. Kathy's Birthday came the week before school started and I just found my cord to upload those pics. Kathy, Amanda and I are all sitting together for the school year. Watch out right side of the room!

Amanda and her amazing form.

Plan A or B?

I arrived at school feeling a little overwhelmed by the expectations on me as I lead the student nurse association, work, and begin what the other students tell me is the "hardest semester". Right now I sit at the coffee shop still in my high heels and coordinated outfit leftover from school. We welcomed the freshman, spoke to their class, and hosted the welcoming event.

I know that I'm in an amazing place and opportunity. My teachers encourage me to make plans for more school and getting a masters eventually. Thanks to my involvement I get to know the faculty and have to get into the community. But you know what...I'm not sure I want the suit, the position, and the graduate program. When I think of my rotations in the heart center and day surgery I don't find myself jumping with excitement. I want to go back and hang out in some slums, I want to do some home births, I want to have a family.

But for now I'm on this journey and know that its where I'm supposed to be. I'm sure in the future I'll have the hindsight that makes it worth it, but boy has it been hard to go back to school and balance work. Truth is often the grass is just greener cuz its on the other side of the fence.

Last night Mindy asked me a great question. She asked me if I was seeing this as "plan B". In reality, I think I had. In my minds eye I pictured me at this age either with an amazing ministry in the 3rd world or married...not in W. Texas back in school. But that doesn't mean that it's "plan B". This time is a great gift and yeah, most people get this out of the way earlier, but that doesn't mean its any less than an amazing journey.

Trying to study pharm...and o so bored with it.

Melissa & The Trainee

In my second weekend working on the floor of the restaurant they decided to give me a trainee. She apologized saying she'd never been a waitress to which I replied "join the club this is my second weekend". Putting someone on the floor for the first time on a busy Friday night is intense. I'm not one to stand around and we were moving a mile minute and often getting triple sat.

The manager mentioned my job was to "keep her calm". Wait, why does this seem familiar? By 9pm she was in the manager's office asking to go home. =0)) Ok, she was scheduled till then, but she was asking "PLEASE let me go home"

School starts bright and early on Monday morning. I was up in the office of our activities director yesterday. We were looking at the calendar for our student nurse assoc. and my only thought was "WHAT was I thinking". This is going to be one intense semester. Please send Trader Joe soy and flax chips to.......

Disappointed....

Personally I don't think it looks like me (but I added the pearls in an attempt)

www.simpsonizeme.com

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.