I heart dolphins 2

Ok - so I took these videos on a recent beach trip. I wrote a decent post on this earlier, then learned that I really don't know how to post videos, and am now to tired to write something nice all over again :). Basically, the dolphins were amazing (particularly the baby), made me stop and be in the moment, and made me thank God that He cared enough to create dolphins.

I heart dolphins

Creative Writing Assignment #1

I signed up for an undergraduate creative writing course following the suggestion of my NIH Project Director. I was accepted and enrolled, but only after The University waived the need for my high school transcripts, test scores, and undergraduate prereqs. Now, I have assignments just like an undergrad student, and that seems weird.
Here is my first assignment. I don't know that y'all really want or care to read this, as it is basically an email forward and it's just about me, but it's the only thing I've written for a while so I'm posting.

Discussion Board #1
Character Development Profile

4. Where you’d like to live in the future: Nashville, TN; Fairhope, AL; perhaps Colorado or New Hampshire.

9. Jobs you’ve held: childcare worker, clown, nanny, biology lab assistant, student center worker, graduate teaching assistant, computer skills teacher at a community college, skills teacher at a factory, special needs student summer camp counselor, radio personality, Congressional staffer

10. Job you hold now: Assistant Professor of Community and Rural Medicine

11. Your dream job: Food Network Star, and the job I have now.

12. What you’re majoring in/studying: I am a non-degree seeking student at the moment.

13. Favorite class you’ve ever taken & why: An Honors Cross Cultural Psychology Seminar in undergrad. We traveled to different places of worship and tried all different kinds of food. I went to a lot of places that I otherwise would not have visited, such as a mosque, a Jewish temple, and a Hindu temple.

14. Characteristic you most dislike in others: Humiliating others for personal gain or to degrade them.

15. Characteristic you most dislike in yourself: I am messy, and it’s very hard to get me out of bed in the morning!

16. Characteristic you most appreciate in others: Genuine people that really want to know you and how you work and think.

17. Characteristic you most appreciate in yourself: Adaptability

18. Favorite sport to play: Beach volleyball

19. Favorite sport to watch: SEC Football

20. Favorite character from a television show & why: Sydney Bristow from Alias. She was a graduate student that was also a black ops special agent that got to wear disguises, kick box, and kiss Michael Vartan. And she was played by Jennifer Garner. Need I say more?

21. Favorite character from a movie and why: Dolly Parton as Truvy Jones in Steel Magnolias. She’s a little bit of a Southern Every-Woman. She is a sassy small-business owner, seemingly underappreciated by her husband and son, a devoted friend, bluntly points out the truth when needed, and volunteers in the community. Plus, she’s just entertaining and gets to deliver great lines.

22. Favorite character from a book and why: My gut response is Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, but I feel that is a cliché answer. So, instead I will go with Miss Love Simpson from Cold Sassy Tree. She was a survivor that defied the small town’s expectations of her. She was sweet and pretty, but also smart and strong. She was a great balance of genuine soft charm and endurance.

23. Member of your family you like most & why: I’m going to go with my dog, Mathilda, on this one. She loves me, listens when I’m talking, and she’s extraordinarily cute.

24. Most annoying member of your family & why: I feel really awful to actually list out people, particularly in my immediate family. Therefore, I am going with my dad’s first cousin’s wife because she tried to coerce me into becoming a vitamin sales rep at this year’s family reunion.

25. Favorite food: Chicken and dressing with cranberry sauce smushed in without gravy.

26. Least favorite food: Mushrooms

27. One invention you couldn’t live without: Eyebrow tweezers.

28. One invention you would rid the world of: Tanning beds.

29. Favorite thing to wear: I love anything soft, particularly pajamas and socks, but I also like to dress up and feel pretty. If a pretty princess dress made from a fleece blanket existed, then that would be my favorite thing to wear. Oh, and cowboy boots.

30. If you could spend a Tuesday doing anything you want, what would you do: Tuesday is a day full of joy because it is Chicken and Dumplings day at both City Café and Mr. Bill’s. If given a Tuesday, I would: sleep until 9am, drive to Birmingham, stop in Anthropologie, go to Whole Foods for groceries and lunch, drive home, walk my dog, take a nap, pick up some Chicken and Dumplings from Mr. Bill’s, and then watch DVDs of old Gilmore Girl episodes while baking cookies with my friends.

Fresh Fruit

I have recently been in a place of reconnecting with God in a relational way. Neither one of us had gone anywhere, I just wasn't tuning in so well. As is His nature, He urged me to read Psalm 1 last night, because there just might be something waiting there for me. I looked, and there was no Bible conveniently beside my bed - because they were all by my computer from when I was doing a study in January (which says a lot). Except for my car Bible, of course. It was where it belongs - in the car.

So, I got out of my bed and found my Message Bible. And, as I should expect from Him now, Psalm 1 did have something new for me.

This translation says the following in verse 3:

"You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month,

Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom."

To me, that sounds like the perfect explanation of life and beauty. It felt like fresh water. It's God saying, "Don't worry about this mess - I'm going to replant you in the most perfect place possible that only I know about, and you're going to be productive and happy there, and be full of things to bless others with because you won't be empty."

Thank you.

picture from Country Living

The Things I Did in Youth Group

Last week was the orientation for the first year medical students. As part of the program, they had to go to different nursing homes and assisted living centers around town. I thought, oh – no big deal – surely, they have done this before. Then, I realized the apprehension among the students and faculty about how this was a new and daunting experience. This made me think about how and why I’ve done so many of the community things I’ve done that are now a normal part of job and why they just seem like something you do. Then it dawned on me, because I’ve done all of these things previously in youth group.

In order to qualify for our mission trips, we had to regularly cold visit people’s homes (sometimes for evangelism – and sometimes to collect canned goods on a scavenger hunt) and go on nursing home visits. In fact, as part of youth and ministry groups I’ve: caroled; taught kids all kinds of songs, crafts, games, stories, etc.; been a clown making balloon animals; been a puppeteer; played hand bells; performed in numerous mall concerts; danced all over the place; carried wheel barrows of concrete up and down a hill; built a house; smashed some toilets and tore down walls; played with livestock and orphans in the street; had life-changing conversations through interpreters; been served strange fruit by drug-dealers; prayed for an elderly woman in a hut she built in the rainforest; etc., etc., etc.

I guess last Friday made me realize how well ministry experiences shaped and prepared me for my life and career; not just spiritually. Had I not been in youth group, or been raised by my mother, I would not have volunteered in a nursing home and would probably have been just as nervous as these students.
Granted, I also did other things in youth group like shove my mouth full of marshmallows, throw lots of water balloons, win a screaming contest, etc.

More favorite stuff

Ok - so I started the favorites list a while back but haven't added any other products. Again - this favorites list is actually an attempt for me to simplify things in life - realize what I like and don't like - what I need and don't need. Beauty products just seem to be a great analogy for this :).

I love The Body Shop, eventhough they no longer have a single store in the state of Alabama. However, there is one conveniently located in the Charlotte airport and they now have full on-line shopping and home parties. Here are 3 of their products that I am totally devoted to:

1.) Hemp Hand Protector

If you've seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding, then you understand what I mean when I say that this stuff is my dad's Windex. He really does think it will heal anything skin related. I am very picky about hand lotions and use them regularly and I have never found anything I like as much as this. They have gone up on the price in the past couple of years, but I'm addicted, and a little bit goes a long way.

2.) My second favorite thing is the Mango Body Butter. Again, a little goes a long way, and this is the best stuff for those tough dry spots like your knees and elbows. Plus, it has a great natural tropical smell. You just might wanna eat it. Just sayin...

3.) If you do want to eat the Mango Body Butter, then buy the Mango Lip Butter. This is my standard before sleep and before work lip treatment. It just works. And has a yummy smell and taste. Trust me, I've tried most every lip balm out there.

I'm Sorry Vera Bradley

I need to apologize to Vera Bradley. You see, I've long had a bitter distaste for this line of purses and accesories. I think I know why, and it's not just because of the label's bandwagon popularity.

The first time I saw a piece of Vera Bradley was during my senior year of college, and it was being carried by a girl named Kristy. She was on the cross-country team, which meant she thought a sports bra was always appropriate outerwear and all the boys loved her for it, including the ones I wanted to notice me. She was adorable and grew up on a farm in Kentucky and oozed this All-American sweetness that made you mad you couldn't hate her. Her quilted-wonder purse was with her at all times. I honestly thought it was a craft project that she'd made with her mom and grandma and I felt kind of sorry for her to carry it (but, of course, that really just served to further endear her despite my will). Then one day I heard girls talking about how jealous they were that Kristy was carrying that new Vera Bradley. Then I learned that craft project cost her an awful lot of money and that it was actually a status symbol. Thus established my disgust for the Vera.

That is, until today. Until I walked into a cute little shop and found the perfect match of bright patent green and quilted cuteness at 40% off. Yep, I am now the proud owner of a Vera Bradley wallet. I even bought a second one for my mom's birthday present. I gotta say, I never saw this day coming.

And, I'll be a grown up and say that maybe Kristy is the one I should actually apologize to.