Hopeful Follower

Moving!

2011-08-15T11:34:00.001-04:00

We are moving! But this blog is not.

This new phase in our lives seems so distinctly new that I don't feel I can just continue this blog, so I hope you'll follow my entirely new and separate blog here.

This blog (and many of the bad memories associated with it) will soon be deleted entirely, so bookmark the new blog and change any links.

And they'll know we are Christians by our love

2011-02-01T08:58:00.000-05:00

We sang this song at church on Sunday and I can't stop thinking about it.

I think this song may just embody our greatest shortcoming. "And they'll know we are Christians by our love..."

Maybe that's why it sounds so sad in a minor key.

Re-Purpose

2011-01-23T14:48:00.000-05:00

I'm re-purposing this blog. Which is, in some ways, a reflection what I want to do with my life. I want to re-purpose it too.

As Chris and I are moving closer and closer to starting "real life," I find myself imagining what it will be like. I picture where we will live, who we will work with, what we will do with our friends. I keep trying to figure out what I want it to be - what I want to make of it.

And then I started thinking about what God wants ~~for~~ from me. I think too often we live in comfortable Christian complacency when God has indeed called us to action and commanded us to follow Him. What does God want my life to look like? Where does He want me to live? Who does Jesus want me to work with? What friends does God have in store for me? What does Jesus want me to do in my free time?

The biggest life change that I have yet faced (from perpetual student to working adult) is quickly approaching and I want to dive into scripture and wrestle in prayer in preparation. I want to find out what God wants from me. I want to know what my life is supposed to look like.

If I still have any readers or occasional stoppers-by, please pray for me.

2010-11-18T18:26:00.000-05:00

I'm thinking I might shut down this blog. I don't know that I care to keep up with it anymore. I get out my couple of good jokes on "Oh Sister Dearest" and there's not much left. I'm busy and pre-occupied. I could tell you about my day, but I don't have time. And honestly, I just don't care to share with anyone anymore. Maybe when life settles down...

2010-11-14T21:02:00.001-05:00

I can't be funny when I feel this crappy inside.

I think I'm dying.

Or I'm going crazy and just think I'm dying.

Either way, I wish I could just give up.

House-hunting: rental edition

2010-11-07T09:31:00.001-05:00

Chris and I keep trying to find a place to live, but Nashville pretty much sucks. A lot of Nashville isn't safe. And what is, costs big bucks. And what is safe and has a fence is rare and costs even bigger bucks.

I have emailed about 20 different people about different properties. I have called about 6. And I hate calling people I don't know.

One place was taken before we could get out to see it. Several have been fake ads. Several more have been unwilling to accept dogs (why advertise a fenced yard then??). We have only gone to see 1 property and it was at the very tippy-top of our budget. While it was worth what he was asking, we just couldn't do it with the electric bills probably being at least double what we're paying now ON TOP of the huge increase in rent.

The last place, the one I was SO excited about, was really hard to get information about. But I was persistent - sending at least 3 or 4 emails and calling 4 or 5 times. It seemed perfect. It was in East Nashville, it was near a park. It was a townhome and had a fenced in yard, AND it was well within our budget. I should have known something was wrong. While I'm still waiting to hear back from the property manager as to whether or not the owners will allow our dogs, Chris and I decided to drive by the place yesterday afternoon. It looked pretty good - nicely kept up area, though obviously an up-and-coming sort of area given the drastic differences from 1 block to the next. Then as we circled around we saw a man with a pimp hat sell drugs to a woman in a car right out in the open daylight. Then we drove down the back alley where most people park. Suddenly the street looked very different. Boarded up windows, furniture sitting out in the alley. I looked up crime statistics for the area when we got home. While there were no crimes in the direct vicinity of the house, it was surrounded by burglary, assault, theft, and robbery. At this point, I'm kind of hoping the lady will tell me they said no so I don't have say nevermind.

Why can't I find a small house with a nice fenced yard in a non-scary part of town for a reasonable amount of money?

Me, only funnier

2010-11-02T20:58:00.000-04:00

I started a dual-authored blog with my sister called "Oh Sister Dearest." You can read it here. My sister and I are funny, but we are hilarious together.

Almost

2010-10-31T22:44:00.002-04:00

This lonely Halloween would be much worse if I weren't packing to go home. 2 days!!

Alarm clock in my head

2010-10-30T10:13:00.002-04:00

You know how I always complain about my dang internal alarm clock that wakes me up way too early on the weekends?

Well, it woke me up at 6:14 today, a Saturday, but I was grateful because I have to work and I forgot to set an alarm.

You win, internal alarm clock. You win.

So Sad

2010-10-29T09:59:00.000-04:00

I was supposed to have off today. Then 1/2 way through Thursday my preceptor was asked to work at another clinic today. Of course he said yes. And of course I have to go too.

Oh yeah, and I'm working Saturday too. At least I remembered to ask for a 1/2 day on Tuesday so I can pack.

Zinger

2010-10-28T01:27:00.001-04:00

My preceptor told this story today:

God made man and said that it was very good. Then on the 7th day, everyone rested. Then God made woman. And after that, nobody ever rested ever again.

To which I replied:

Adam wasn't "resting" - he was being lazy! Eve got things done! Just because Adam didn't clean the bathroom before Eve came along doesn't mean that it didn't need to be cleaned.

Renting is the bane of my existance

2010-10-27T00:13:00.000-04:00

I have found the perfect place for us to move over and over again. Then one of the following happens:

1. I get a standardized scammer reply email from the supposed landlord.
2. I realize that I set the rent parameters too high and that the property is $100 per month out of reach.
3. The property is snatched up and I lose.
4. The landlord never replies to my emails and I start to think it's a scam.

Guess

2010-10-26T01:18:00.000-04:00

You know what I hate most about being in California alone?

No hugs.

Prophesy

2010-10-25T18:25:00.002-04:00

"If it looks too good to be true, it probably is." Does anyone else think that whoever first said this might have been prophesying about CraigsList?

I'm just trying to find a place for us to live that has a fenced backyard so that our dogs can run around and not become all neurotic and weird because of their pent up energy.

Who spends their time scamming on Craigslist? Seriously?! Who has that much free time?!

Wow

2010-10-24T19:20:00.001-04:00

I didn't even know I could waste this much time.

3 day weekend!

2010-10-23T15:44:00.001-04:00

It's my preceptor's birthday on Monday so he told me not to come in because he's skipping! That means I have off today, tomorrow, AND Monday!

The plan is to be as productive as possible with school work and then relax on Monday.

Easier?

2010-10-21T01:08:00.000-04:00

I always thought this would be easier...

Like as easy as wearing underwear on your head and socks on your hands...

Well I guess it's better than just 2 hours...

2010-10-19T10:33:00.000-04:00

3 hours is not enough time to get everything done that I want to do, but that's all I have each day. 7 PM to 10 PM. In that time, I have to eat, shower, and log patients. After that, it's free time. Basically, enough time to talk to Chris. Oh well, who needs research projects anyhow?

Lyla Learns to Skype

2010-10-17T18:47:00.000-04:00

Lyla goes crazy when she can hear my voice over Skype. Oh yeah, she misses me. :)

Leaving

2010-10-17T11:16:00.000-04:00

The Cali-Fam is leaving for Israel for 10 days today. Then it'll be just me and their itty-bitty dog. Normally, I'd love to chill with a dog, but lately, I've realized that I don't really like just any dogs. I like MY dogs.

Plus, Mini (short for Mini Cooper) doesn't really like me. Seriously, she's bitten me twice. Luckily she's old though and doesn't have too many teeth left so it didn't hurt either time.

I'll sleep with my bedroom door closed just to be sure...

Monday?

2010-10-16T10:37:00.000-04:00

Having off yesterday and having to work again today makes today feel like a Monday. I hate Mondays, but at least this one started off with Apple Crisp and oatmeal and ends with another day off tomorrow.

Yum

2010-10-15T19:38:00.001-04:00

I'm making Chili de Laura and some Apple Crisp for the Cali-Fam tonight. I hope they like it. If not, more for me I guess. :)

New Pet Peeve

2010-10-12T16:39:00.001-04:00

My new pet peeve is when I tell people about my scholarship with the NHSC and they say, "Wow, that's great. Three years isn't so long. Then you can get a job in a nicer area."

What is wrong with people?! I want to work with the medically underserved. I'm not going to work my 3 years and hope they go by quickly so I can get some posh job in the suburbs. I joined the National Health Service Corps because this is what I want to do. I want to work with those who need it most - the ones so many people avoid. I want to work in the area that has difficulty getting providers to practice there. That's the whole point!

A Real Doctor

2010-10-11T17:14:00.002-04:00

My preceptor said it's normal to feel like an idiot at this point. I guess that makes me feel a little better.

I also got asked for the first time (of many I'm told) whether I was going to become a "real doctor" after I became a Physician Assistant.

Thank goodness, no. I couldn't take it. Apparently, going through hell to become a PA isn't enough.

Oh well

2010-10-10T22:09:00.002-04:00

I think that unless something dramatically changes, I should probably give up on my dream of being a famous blogger. I'm just not that interesting. Or funny.