So I'm gonna take a minute to make a very brief but public announcement--I am finally dating someone after 5 years. Crazy right? Anyway, it's very new, but he makes me happy and so far, everyone that has met him absolutely loves him. Please keep this in your prayers and we'll see what happens!

WAR EAGLE!!!

How about my Auburn Tigers???

Everybody tune into Bravo tonight to see the series finale for PROJECT RUNWAY!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Michael!

Job Search

So I know I'm a little early in posting this, but I guess the earlier I get my name out there, the better. Just thought I would let everyone know that after May I will be getting back into the working world and am looking for a job translating in a hospital. If anyone has any contacts, please keep my name in mind for something like that. I am currently trying to narrow down where I am going to look, but for right now my preferences are Birmingham, Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, and maybe Austin. Who knows what will happen, but if anyone hears about anything, let me know! :)

Oh politics...how I loathe thee

I'm sure this post will not interest many people, but it's mainly a way for me to express what all is going on in my head. For the majority of my life, I have had no interest whatsoever in politics. I am very apathetic to it all. I have had a lot of trouble putting enough faith in a politician to lend my support to them, considering that they all have an agenda (a lot of times, a selfish one) and many of them lie to get ahead. Being a person that is aware of world issues (albeit those mainly concerning Spanish-speaking countries) I will admit to losing a lot of respect toward President Bush. I still maintain the mandatory respect that is required towards someone that is in office and making decisions for our country, but my support for him has dwindled since the recent events concerning immigration issues. How can someone in a position such as his, with these unbelievable amounts of resources at his fingertips, completely disregard those that have so much less than we in the United States do? Anyway, getting off of that soapbox, most of you have probably heard of the controversy this week concerning Hugo Chavez, the current dictator of Venezuela. At a general assembly meeting of the UN, Chavez accused Bush of basically being the devil incarnate. While there are several decisions Bush has made that I don't agree with and am somewhat ashamed of, it is interesting to hear what other people around the world have to say about our current political situation. My main problem with what Chavez said has nothing to do with Bush. In fact, I respect the way that Bush's advisors gave a response, saying that although it is all well and good to insulte our government in a forum like that, Chavez doesn't allow his own people to make those same critiques toward him or the government he runs. Throughout this whole situation, I keep thinking about the awesome ability we all have to have our own opinions and state them in the presence of whoever. We are allowed to worship our God without someone coming to knock on our door and take us away. We are allowed to criticize whatever decision that is made without any consequences. I am so thankful to be in a country like ours, although I can see that our country is in for a rude awakening the further and further away we go from being a light in the world (i.e. helping others out, showing compassion, being like Jesus). I thank God for the blessing He gave me to born here, and I pray constantly that our leaders will learn to be more like Him each and every day.

Anger management problem

So today during my classes, I made my students divide into groups to work on some stories that they had to come up with. Each group had a certain person to write about, i.e. Paris Hilton, George Bush, the Pope, etc. and tell what they did this past weekend. I knew it was gonna be interesting, but had no idea what they were gonna come up with for MY weekend. It's always fun to include myself as someone they would write about. Anyway, apparently they must think I have some type of anger management problem, which is just baffling since I haven't gotten mad once. In fact, I tend to laugh a lot during class. Let me just convey the story that they made up about my weekend--So I was working at Niffer's Friday night (true), and some guy that was there got really drunk and I got mad at him (also probably true). He then proceeded to hurl a beer bottle at me (not so true, but would be entertaining). After leaving work I went to the gas station where I saw the guy that had thrown the glass object at my head. (Here is where the fun part comes in) I proceeded to douse the guy with gasoline straight from the pump and then set him on fire. What??!? I knew my students had active imaginations, but this just takes the cake.

This week....Battle of the Tigers

VS.

Viva Nashvegas!

I just got back from a fantastic weekend in Nashville, my home away from home. It's been nine months since I have stepped on Tennessee soil, and it was good to go back. I didn't realize how much I missed that place until after I left on Monday. Everytime I visit up there I always feel rushed. There is so much to see, do and people to see while I am there. I got to see a lot of my old college friends and catch up with what they are doing now. It was also good to spend some time with Aynsley and Paige. It's so strange to be back down here after I started us all off up there. I've come back home while my two younger sisters are living it up in Nashville. Never thought that would have happened. Anyway, while I was there I went to Green Hills Mall where I used to work for 4+ years. Now, it's always been the ritzy mall in the area, but I was amazed at all the hoity-toity shops they have put in there (i.e. Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, L'Occitane, BCBG, etc.) It's like a completely different place. We just don't get that stuff around here in Auburn, AL. Which makes me miss all the shopping that is available up there (not that I can afford ANY of those stores previously mentioned). While I had a good time seeing old hangouts, I came to the realization that even if I were to move back there, my life wouldn't go back to the way it was before I left. I grew up a lot in Nashville and learned a lot of things while I was there, but I have learned even more coming back to a small town like this. My horizons have been expanded more down here than in the big city. Don't get me wrong--I fully plan on moving back up there (if that's where God takes me), and I still love that city so much. I think it's more of knowing that it's time for me to really grow up, get a big-girl job, settle down and basically become an adult. Weird what one little weekend will teach you about yourself. Who knows where life will take me in the next year, but I hope God will take me back to Nashville to start a whole new life.

Let the season begin...

VS.

Yes, it's 1:30 in the morning and here I am writing a blog. NOT what I should be doing right now, but oh well. So school has started back...and I've been busy beyond belief. Not only am I taking 2 grad classes, but I am teaching 2 of my own and working another job, all while trying to have some semblance of a social life. Not an easy task let me assure you. I have about 50 students in my Spanish 1020 classes, and so far it's going pretty well. I say that but have yet to plan my lesson for tomorrow. I may be speaking too soon. Besides that, I worked pretty much all weekend at Niffer's. On that note, let me encourage those of you that have kids/will have/whatever...don't bring a full soccer/baseball/football team in and let them all sit at ONE table while the rest of you go sit and have a good conversation, leaving some poor innocent server to babysit the team (yeah that's me). Not only did I have a whole table of 11 year olds asking for my phone number, but they proceeded to shoot spitballs at each other through straws, played the fun game of ring each other's drink with random pieces of food, and then squirted ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, etc. into each others drinks, causing me to have to get a whole other round of drinks. Also, at 11 years old, I'm not sure I had quite the sophisticated palate that some of these kids have. I was expecting all of them to order off of the kids' menu, but nooo...one ordered the shrimp scampi pasta, another ordered the steak and shrimp dinner. Let's just say my whole section was a disaster area once they left. It was a nightmare all around. Anyway, that's about the extent of my weekend. I will be heading to Nashville this Labor day weekend for the first time since New Year's and I am so excited I can't hardly stand it. I'm so ready to hang out up there for 4 days. I'm ready for a little break from Auburn, even though I hate I will be missing the first home game. I'll be definitely attending the Georgia, LSU and Florida games though. If anyone is coming up to Auburn during game season, make sure to come by and see me at the restaurant. I'll probably be living there on the weekends during football season. Anyway, enough for tonight.

These past couple of weeks being back in the States have been eye-opening for me. I know I have never been one of those girls that oozes self-confidence out of her eyeballs, but I never realized how much people take notice of things like this. Over the past 2 weeks, I have had 3 different people tell me how much self-confidence I am lacking, one of them even setting their goal for this next semester to improve my self-confidence. It's very interesting, and mind-boggling, for someone else to tell you that their personal goal is to better another person. I think we all (in theory) want to help other people better themselves, but how many actually make it a personal goal? I have always worn feelings on my shoulders, but never knew I was basically an open book for all to read. Just never thought people really paid that much attention (besides you guys, Mom and Dad). On one hand, there are things I am extremely confident about, while on the other, I would rather bury myself in a hole than deal with the things I know I am not the best at. All of this is coming at a very convenient (or perhaps inconvenient) time, having just found out that I am a mentor this semester for the new grad students. This basically means that I will have a new GTA in my room everyday observing the way that I teach. I am not sure why I have been chosen into this position, and am flattered, but at the same time, I am petrified to have my every move on display for constant critique. One of the questions that I faced while in Guatemala was "What is my purpose in being on this trip?" Since getting back, I have been looking at my daily life in the same way. Maybe this next semester is meant to be a confidence-building time in my life. At least that is what I am hoping for. It will either build me up, or it could completely break me down. Let's just say, I need all the prayers I can get.

You've Got a Friend...

So right now I am in the process of reading another book by Donald Miller, which chronicles the cross-country trip that he took with his friend Paul. They were in the process of finding out the "whys" of life, i.e. why are we here? why do people do the things they do? etc. It's an interesting book, with an even more interesting concept. There are only a few select people that could survive a long trip like that with one friend and both come out alive. I know that it would be difficult to maintain a friendship with someone in that kind of situation. Saying that, I feel like everyday life takes a huge toll on the friendships that are around us. We don't have to take long trips and spend hours on end with someone in order for there to be trials of some sort. Each day there are events that test the kind of person that I am, or want to be. Right now, one of my friendships is going through some strain, and I just hope and pray that we both survive it. On another note, one of my dear friends will be moving in the next week or so, and that is yet another test, one of distance. Hopefully I will come out of this as a stronger person, one that is able to maintain friendships through whatever happens to come my way. I guess only God can tell what is in the future for these friendships. I hope that whichever friends of mine that read this blog know that I pray for each and every one of you and hope that God blesses your life in every way.

Home sweet home....hmmm not so much

So I have been back in the States about a week, and so far, I have worked my tail off this week. I have to say that I haven't missed the customers that I used to deal with, since this week has been a rude awakening into reality. We are starting our busiest season here in Auburn, and I am not sure I am quite ready for it. This weekend starts early move-in day for a lot of students, not to mention the beginning of Rho Chi week, otherwise known as sorority overload. Mainly meaning lots of daddy's girls with their credit cards that won't tip. Fun times. Anyway, other than that, nothing too exciting. I have had to drive a rental car around this week due to the fact that my cd player in my car is draining the battery down and it won't function if turned off for 3 days. Trying to fix that. Wish my life were more exciting, but I like of like it being boring right now...the routine is good to get back to. Starting soon, my life will be out of control again. Time to relax for a bit.

Change of heart...

So yesterday was my mental/emotional breakdown day. Unfortunately, my parents had to be on the other end of the phone to experience it. Not so good. Anyway, after laying in bed thinking alot last night, I realized that I was being stupid about this whole thing. Honestly, who gets to come down to Guatemala?? I am very lucky that I am getting to do this whole thing, and am getting to learn some more Spanish. I can tell that it has gotten better in the short amount of time that I have been going to the school. Anyway, just throwing this apology out there to whoever may have read my previous entry. Who wants to hear complaining all the time? Sorry about that and I am trying to be more positive about everything. I need to do some soul-searching and maybe all this alone time will be good for that.

Yes, I'm alive

So I'm finally sitting down to write another post. Why? you ask. Well there is absolutely positively freakin' nothing to do around here. I am in Antigua, Guatemala right now going to language school and living with a family. Doesn't sound too bad....oh but it is. A) Every single person in the family is 80 years old, B) I am only in language school for 6 hours of the day, leaving the rest of the day for me to walk around alone. There are some positives I guess. I've gotten the alone time I really wanted while I was in the States, although I would say this is taking it to the extreme. I am learning some Spanish, so I guess you could say "mission accomplished." Other than that, I have reread 2 of my books twice each, trying to pass the time, have walked approximately 10-15 miles since I got here, and have learned to live without television or phone. Saying that, I can't WAIT to get back to the states. Only 2 more weeks. It's my goal to leave here on Friday and find a decent hotel with a good bed (yeah, those don't really exist down here so much) and a tv to remain sane before I am sent out into the remote area where the clinic is. They definitely don't have tv there. I probably need to find some mosquito-repellant also...they love me here. I probably have somewhere around 20-30 bites at this point. I think there is a stray one in the room that I sleep in, and this one is particularly vicious. Anyway, enough complaining for today. Time to go shopping I guess (which basically means looking at the same things over and over and trying to ignore the vendors that are harrassing you incessantly). Fun times.

Adios mis queridos amigos!

Alright, so it's finally here. I'm leaving manana (in other words, tomorrow). My exciting, yet scary trip begins somewhat tomorrow night. I will be leaving with Dad and Aynsley to head for Atlanta as soon as I get off of work. I don't know when I will be able to blog again...maybe by Thursday or so. Til then, I will be "roughing" it in the jungles of Guatemala, which many of you know, is a big step into the unknown for me. I look forward to hearing from you all and reading about your adventures here in the good ole' US of A while I am embarking on many different terrifying excursions of my own. Any advice or words of encouragement are welcome, and needed, while I am facing some "interesting" adventures. Hope to hear from you all in the weeks to come!

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.