I'm leeeeavin' on a jet plane

So here a few pictures of the places that I will going to...starting on Monday. That's right....my big trip is almost here. Dad, Aynsley and I will be flying out of Atlanta on Monday and will catch a plane small enough to fit maybe the 3 of us over to Tikal, the ancient jungle ruins of the Mayan Indians (that would be the first picture). We will be heading to the area of Chichicastenango, where we will be working at a mobile medical clinic. Aynsley will be assisting Dad, while I will be translating for everyone. Along with working there, Chichi has the largest market(the 2nd picture) where you can buy authentic woven goods (for those of you who have been to the market in La Bufadora, Mexico, this one wins hands down). I will be staying down there longer than Dad and Aynsley. For 11 days, I will be down there without really knowing anyone and will be staying in Antigua, Guatemala with a family. Antigua is shown in the other two pictures, one with the big mountain behind it. I will be attending language school there to improve my medical knowledge. The last week I will be translating again for a different medical team, this one being an eye surgery team. Anyway, I will be blogging as much as I can while I am down there, and hopefully posting some pictures, but who knows what will happen. Please keep me in your prayers that the trip will be safe and that I will survive my time down there alone. I'm a little nervous about it. Also, pray for those that we will be helping down there. Adios y Dios les bendiga!

Car troubles

Oh how I loathe getting ready in the morning, feeling like it's going to be a good day, walking out of the house into 100 degree heat, and then finding out that your car won't start. Yeah, that happened to me this morning. I was doing just fine getting ready for school, watched a little bit of World Cup this morning (along with a guilty pleasure-the ever dramatic Dawson's Creek) and was feeling good about the last day of classes. You know your day is going to go downhill when you open the door and it feels like a brick wall of heat slams into you. All you guys out there are lucky...we women have to spend time doing our hair, fixing our makeup, etc. just to have it streaming down our faces in 2.5 seconds. Highly annoying. Anyway, my car wouldn't start so I had to get help from someone. Luckily, I am one of those girls that actually does own her own set of jumper cables (thrilling christmas gift from good ole' dad--I wouldn't actually think to go get a set on my own). So I thought my day was back to normal....oh how wrong was I. Taught my last class for the summer and was ready to head back to the house to study for my final. I stepped out into the sauna, walked to my car only to realize it was dead...yet again. I always feel really terrible about stopping some random person and asking them to help me, but this girl was really nice. We were having a nice little conversation while my car was charging when two guys walked over to the car to make sure that we did it right...you know red on red, black on black and such. They actually looked impressed that we weren't complete imbecils ( I just looove when guys do that. Obvious sarcasm). So after my second bought with dead car, I realized that something was probably not quite right. Took it to Big 10 Tires, who told me that they would have everything done in 30 minutes. Ok, NEVER trust them when they say that. 45 minutes later, I have read every magazine, newspaper, flier, sign on the wall, etc. and was in the midst of counting the cars driving by when my name was finally called. Sweet relief! But noo....fooled again. Not only was my car going to be there for several more hours, but I was going to need a new alternator (hint: NOT cheap). The guy proceeds to fill me in on every detail that he is doing to my car, which to me sounds like some language I have never heard. He had to know that I didn't know what in the world he was talking about due to the stone blank look on my face. The only thing I heard from his whole spill were three little words: "Seven hundred dollars." Not exactly something I had planned on hearing as I rolled out of bed this morning thinking about the day to come. What else was I going to do? It's not as if I could say no, politely drive off, and spend everyday having my car jumped off any time I wanted to go somewhere. 700 dollars they charged, 700 dollars they got. After looking at my receipt, I realized where alot of the money goes to. Labor. Don't get me wrong. I'm sure the guys at the car place do an excellent job and all, but honestly, 200 dollars for 3 hours of work? And let's really think about it. Does it REALLY take 3 hours to change out the alternator? How does someone make 60+ an hour?? It's a little baffling. I have spent many years trying to get all of these degrees and will probably NEVER make 60something an hour. A little depressing when you think about it. Anyway, enough of my story. Wasn't really all that good. Just wanted to vent about my very hot, annoying, and expensive day.

Accident

Just asking everyone to keep Paige in their prayers. She and Brittney Nelson were in a pretty bad car accident yesterday and are pretty shaken up. Paige walked away with only a few scratches and bruises, but apparently she is lucky to be walking at all. Mom and Aynsley are up there right now taking care of her. Anyway, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

I love my "Diddy"

So yea, I realize it is late as I am writing this, but I know that I won't have a whole lot of time to write in the morning. Just wanted to send a "shout out" about my dad, since it is Daddy's day and all. I've been really blessed to have the best dad ever. Although quiet and a little intimidating at times, he really is the most godly man I have ever known. And actually, he's quite funny. He just tends to save up his remarks until the most opportune time, and the rest of us end up on the floor laughing. He has always been there for his "little girls" and has gone/will go to great lengths to do whatever he can for us. Throughout the years, I've realized how tough it must have been at times, and probably still is, to live with and be surrounded by 4 women. Granted, Paige is a little quieter than the rest of us, but he has had to deal with at least 2 motormouths for a long time (yeah, that being Aynsley and I). I know everyone has wonderful dads, but I really have to give props to mine. He's loving, God-fearing, compassionate, intelligent, and so many other things I could name. He is a great leader in so many ways. He has led our family for 25+ years and is still going strong. Anyway, I will stop gushing. Hope everyone enjoys their "Daddy's Day" too.

Copa Mundial....yeah, that's World Cup for those who don't know

USA vs. Italy...on right now. ABC sports. I can't stop watching this stuff. I have never been into soccer before, but it is so awesome to watch. All of the athletes are incredible. Let's hope US can pull off a win today!

Daily struggles

So I have been here in Auburn for nearly a year now, and although I like it, I really miss being in Nashville. Lately I have felt very spiritually "stagnant," somewhat "dried up." I am living life going through the motions, with no deeper meaning or focus. Granted, all of this is my fault. I still haven't been attending church regularly or surrounding myself with spiritual encouragement. Neither have I made much time to feed myself with God's word. I have grown farther and farther away from what I have always wanted to be...a woman after God's own heart. Despite all these feelings, I know that deep down, my faith still remains and my love for God is unshaken. I miss having a church family that I can talk to and hang out with. I love my church family at Vaughn Park and I know that I will always be welcome there. I think I am just missing the involvement that I used to have with not only VP but my wonderful church in Nashville, Woodmont Hills. No, this isn't an entertaining or even interesting post. I just needed to get some feelings out and ask for prayers from you guys that know me and have grown up with me. I'm at a point where I am almost reaching rock bottom. (sorry this has been a little depressing)

Crackers and babies...Not a good idea

So tonight I worked my first shift as a server at Niffer's, and surprisingly, I didn't completely screw up the entire night. On the other hand, neither was I a super server. I was just glad to make it through unscathed and with a little extra cash in my pocket. I was slightly dreading this shift tonight due to the fact that Wednesday nights happen to be "Kid's Night" aka "Bring all 8,000 children that you know so they can eat for FREE!" Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore kids, and I don't really mind when I am sitting next to them at a restaurant. I'm pretty easy going about that. Here's what gets me--the parents that came in tonight all seem to feed their children the exact same thing-CRACKERS. That's fine with me...when the kids are being fed in their own homes. Disaster tends to strike when kids and crackers are combined in a restaurant setting. No sooner than I had brought several packets of crackers, but I turned around for about 2.5 seconds and where do you think all the crackers are?? You are correct...on the floor in 10 million little pieces, with not ONE crumb in or around their mouths. Not so bad...but add onto that the fries, mac n cheese, pizza, etc. that are dropped on top of them and then stepped on, grinding everything into the carpet making it a nightmare to clean up. I felt like I should have brought my own personal dropcloth to put under the highchairs. Would have made my life a little simpler tonight.
Along with "Kid's night" comes a little thing that our restaurant does to entertain all the kids there. The pinata. So, not only are kids smashing crackers and other substances into the carpet, but there are about 90 kids in there hyped up on candy from the pinata. It's absolutely a zoo in there. Toys are being thrown throughout the restaurant, children are fighing over a tootsie roll, and the parents are all sitting back and laughing...watching the servers try to maintain the peace. Now I know it sounds like I am complaining slightly, which is true, but actually it is one of the craziest and funniest things to witness. For those of you that like to people watch, drive yourself on up to Auburn, come to Niffer's and you will be entertained. Trust me.

Pain...lots of pain

After a full day of playing around at the lake with my family, I am so sore it's unbelieveable. Not only did I attempt...mind you, ATTEMPT kneeboarding, Paige and I were slung all over the lake on an innertube. Both times that we did it at the same time, she knocked her jaw out of place on my arm...not very fun for either of us. I'm sure she is as bruised and battered as I am. Although I can barely move, we had a lot of fun with my parents and my aunt & uncle. It was good to hang out with my fam...I feel like I never get to see them much even though I live 30 minutes away.
It was also good just to get out into the sun. From going to school, teaching and working at the restaurant, I never get a chance to go outside. Also on a side note, I finally was able to go see my Papaw in the hospital this weekend. Some of you know about his condition, but I'm sure there are a few that don't. Basically he had surgery on his aorta a couple of weeks ago, and as a result, he cannot keep anything down and his blood pressure is out of control. There was a very scary incident this past week where we could have lost him. Please keep him in your prayers. If you are among the blessed that have gotten to know him, you know how much he means to not only my family and I, but to the family at Vaughn Park and many people all around Montgomery. He is in Baptist South indefinitely until they can figure out what is wrong. This has been a very trying time for him...he hates being stuck indoors. Anyway, I'll stop talking about that now. Just keep him in your prayers.

phobias

So after talking to one of my friends tonight, I realized that I leave for Guatemala in a little over a month. Needless to say, I am super excited about seeing another part of the world. On the other hand, I am scared out of my mind. Some of you are aware of my extreme phobia of lizards, snakes and basically any amphibian, so you can imagine my anxiety about going to this place that is sure to be crawling with any and/or all of the above. My dad, Aynsley and I are going down there a few days early before we get started on the mission trips, and we will be visiting the jungles of Guatemala....and will be staying in a "jungle lodge." I'm not really sure what that means. Is that the name of the hotel we will be at, or is that a description, where "bed" means "cot covered with mosquito nets", etc.? I realize that this phobia is completely ridiculous, and I know that most of these little creatures are actually terrified of me, yet my mind doesn't seem to accept this fact. I will be facing a major fear of mine, and have no idea how to make it through this unscathed. Yes, I am a wimp and over the years, I have come to accept that fact. I realized the severity of this phobia the other day when, in the process of leaving for work, I walked out of my door only to come upon a snake similar to the one above. Paralyzation struck me immediately and I felt completely helpless. Any of you that have suggestions and manners of coping with this fear before I leave for Guatemala...please, help me.

Congrats to my little sis!

So yesterday was long, and I was exhausted from sitting outside screaming at softball games all day, but in the end, it was all worth it to watch Aynsley win the state softball championship, especially with it bein gher last year. They did really awesome and Ayns was named to the all-tournament team. You can catch all the info on WSFA tonight at 10. Also, if you want a real laugh, be sure to watch the news for the next couple of days....the whole Entrekin sister clan was interviewed about playing softball and winning state through these past 13 years. Let's just say that impromptu interviews are not our thing. I think I stumbled over nearly every word that I was trying to say, and probably came across looking like a total imbecil. Anyway, if you see Ayns, congratulate her...she did awesome and I'm so proud of her.

Teaching

So Thursday of this week, I will start teaching my first class here at AU. Crazy, huh? I can't believe that I'm going to be doing this all over again...although in a slightly different scenario. I've got a lot of planning to do this week, along with working at the restaurant. Looks like it's back to the grind after about a week of somewhat relaxing. Keep me in your prayers that everything goes well and that I make it through without going completely insane, or collapsing from exhaustion. Other than that, I will be taking one class, which shouldn't be too stressful. After this summer, I will only have 3 classes left to take in the graduate program...I can't believe it's this close. One year, and I am outta here...granted I pass all of my comprehensive exams next spring. Anyway, nothing too exciting this week. I will coming down to Montgomery on Friday to watch Aynsley play softball in the state tournament and then again on Sunday to go to church with my family. Oh yeah, and while I'm thinking about it on Mother's Day (or actually just after) , just wanted to say how incredible my mom is and that I have been so blessed to have had her looking out for me and being there for me these past 25+ years. I'm sure all of you feel the same about your own. Hope everyone has a good week and I will see some of you at church Sunday!

Sickness

I absolutely HATE being sick. I woke up on Sunday morning feeling exhausted, understandably from being up for days studying for exams. Then I came home from work and took a little nap and woke up with no voice. And I do mean NO voice. So here I am, a day later still with no voice and feeling crappy. How do you lose your voice in about an hour, unless you are screaming at a concert or something? It makes no sense to me. Am looking forward to this week with no school and only having to work at Niffer's occasionally. Anyway, need to go to bed. I have to get up somewhat early tomorrow and drive to Montgomery to watch Aynsley play softball. Hope everyone is having a better week so far than I! :)

One down, two more to go...

Just wanted to express my elatedness (is this a word?) about taking my first final, and kicking butt on it! I seriously did awesome. I'm pretty sure I didn't miss one single question, which makes my day. Oh, if only the other two would go as well...but I'm pretty sure that's not gonna happen. Anyway, the exhaustion is starting to set in. I know I probably won't be going to bed at all tomorrow night, and I am not looking forward to that. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel....so close, yet so far away.

Craziest woman I've seen

So today I received a bulletin on myspace that had a video of one of the craziest women I have ever seen talking to the hosts of the Fox News show "Hannity and Colmes" (don't know if I got the spelling right). She claims to be a Christian, yet attends funeral and memorial services of soldiers that were killed over in Iraq yelling at the family members that their sons deserved this because God is unleasing his wrath on our country. It is absolutely stunning to watch this woman try to defend what she is doing in the name of God. I am posting a link to the video and hopefully it will work. Watch it...it will honestly astound you. Honestly, the best part is listening to the comments that the two hosts make. I think you have to have Windows Media Player on your computer to watch it.

http://media.spikedhumor.com/24864/insane_woman_on_fox_news.wmv

It's Finals Time

This is just gonna be a really quick post asking for prayers that everything goes smoothly this week with all of my finals. I still have one more paper to write, and 3 finals. Once Saturday night gets here, I will be so excited. Anyway, sorry this isnt longer...I don't have a whole lot of time to spare these days. Hope everyone has a better week than I will!

ADD

Why, at this moment in my life, have I suddenly been hit with a large case of ADD? There are so many things I need to focus on, yet I can't seem to concentrate on anything for more than 5 minutes. At this rate, it's going to take me forever to write this one paper. Then again, I should have realized that the Auburn library is the last place I need to be...it's not necessarily what I would call an excellent study space. There are groups sitting to the side of me, talking and going over what I would gather to be "homework" but really, it's a big social hour here. Every time someone new walks by, I feel compelled to look up...which leads me to wondering about about who that person is, what they do, and I tend to create a whole new life for them in my mind. I realize what I'm doing, refocus, and then it happens all over again. I am stuck in an endless cycle of daydreaming...

Personality conflict...

So tonight I am basically venting about some things that have happened since I moved to Auburn. It's strange how some things that you are completely confident in can be called into question. Many of the people I have met here in Auburn are wonderful people and have completely stepped up and brought me into their world, which I am grateful for. On the other hand, I have never been in an environment like this where people feel totally comfortable to point out personality "flaws" as I have been here. There are many things about me that I know aren't perfect, which I accept. It's the way God made me. But it's very strange to have people point out things about me which I never thought were an issue, and I have now been made aware of, whether I like it or not. Self-confidence has never been at a high level in my world, and to have someone knock me down even further is hard to swallow. Maybe I am being too sensitive about things, but when someone hurts you, it's hard to keep that in perspective. I think my main issue is the fact that I like who I am, and for someone to call that into question, whether intentionally or not, basically feels like a slap in the face. Anyway, I'll stop rambling about it. Just keep me in your prayers to build up strength and confidence to face these situations when they come around...God made me who I am and I know I need to accept it. It's just hard to do that at times.

Stress!

You know, I knew that doing the whole grad school thing would require a lot of work, but I am definitely feeling the pressure tonight. I have 3 papers to write in the next 2 weeks and yes, I realize that I have shot myself in the foot by procrastinating, but seriously, it's stressful. I have to read another novel before Tuesday so that I can write about it in one of my papers, plus I have to work this weekend. The whole time management thing is not going to be fun. I thought that as I got older, the whole procrastination thing would go away...unfortunately it has gotten worse. I can't seem to find the motivation to get things done. Anyway, enough of my rambling for tonight. I probably need to go read huh?

Persecution in the USA

So, yesterday a friend made me listen to the new Dixie Chicks song, which I have to say is pretty good. It's basically a reaction to all the backlash they received for speaking out against President Bush. To me, it doesn't matter whether or not you agree with what they had to say or not. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and the great thing about our country is that we are able to voice those opinions freely. It was interesting to hear the lyrics from their song, which tell about an incident concerning a letter they received from someone basically saying that they need to "shut up and sing or your life will be over." I hate to see that people in this country are receiving threats based on their beliefs. It makes me think back to when Christians were persecuted for their belief in God. It's not important to me whether or not you support Bush or don't...it's taking things too far that cause me to be ashamed of how people can basically crucify others because of differing opinions. If you get the chance, listen to the song. You may like it, you might not.

Restaurant etiquette...

So there are a few things that I have learned since starting my job in the ever so frustrating service industry. Mainly, I have learned that most people have no idea whatsoever how to behave when eating out at a restaurant. Now, I know you're thinking that it's only common sense to treat your server/host/whatever with politeness and manners, but in reality, it's astounding how badly people can be treated that work at restaurants. For example, I have noticed that although we live in the South and are supposed to exhibit so-called "southern charm," when it comes to eating out, most people seem to have a mental lapse and forget the words "Thank you" or "Please." Yes, I know I shouldn't have too much to say about it all, basically because I'm not technically a server yet, but let me tell you, hosting is probably harder than serving in some cases. A) I get paid minimum wage, B) I have to deal with cranky customers who believe that I should be able to seat them right as they walk in the door and ask me five million times where they are on the list (with approximately 30 seconds between each visit to the host stand), and C) I have to deal with the backlash from servers when I have seated their tables when they weren't ready. I know this is starting to sound like I'm whining, but actually, the point of this whole post is to bring knowledge to the few people who actually might read my mindless blog. For those of you who do, I'm not speaking to you necessarily. This is just a general just-so-you-know post. Anyway, here are a few pointers to remember when eating out:
1) Remember the manners that your mama taught you....you wouldn't want to disappoint her
now would you?
2) Don't forget that your server is making approximately $2.13 an hour...tips are necessary
for survival. (On a side note, I have heard from several servers that the worst day to wait
tables is on Sunday for the church crowd....they are demanding, rude, and tip
horribly...hmmmI see something wrong with that picture. Anyone agree?)
3) Finally, patience is a virtue. Don't freak out if you don't get the table with the parking lot
view, your hamburger wasn't cooked how you wanted, you have no mayonnaise at your
table, the server tripped and spilled some water on you, etc. Everyone makes mistakes,
and honestly, in the grand scheme, is it really that big a deal?
Anyway, that's about it for today. Hope everyone has enjoyed this compelling post.