merry christmas to all

I'm safe and sound in Vegas for Christmas, spending time with family. This Christmas season has been full and blessed. What's struck me this year as I consider advent - is how God just really chooses people out of the blue. And how when they choose to obey Him - they're always provided for, and even if they screw up, it's okay! God doesn't call us to perfection, but rather to geniuneness. I think he'd rather have someone be an open mess seeking after him, then a put-together person who seems to know it all.

Actually...I think that's something I've been learning about this entire year, not just during advent. I've been challenged to take risks and loose control. And those risks have morphed my life into something I could have never guessed for myself! How things have changed in a year! I was getting ready to go to Thailand at this time last year! I had no intention to move to LA. And now here I am, living in LA. What seems so amazing about the whole process is - I was never lost or nervous about making the wrong choice...I was just bumbling along my way, actively pursuing a path. A path to where, I have no idea, but a path nonetheless. And I think that speaks so much to the biggness and mercy of God.

At this point in the path - I'm blown away by all these peices that are coming together. Connections are being made that I had no hand in. Like my job, I couldn't have arranged a more perfect position. And like this whole pursuing to work with prostitutes. Sometimes I feel in a rush to be 'on the streets' but as I consider all things, I see God doing a work in bringing together things in his own timing. It's so obvious when I look around me.

And that's all. I'm thankful that I've been asked to play a part in this crazy story of God's. One that began far before Christ came down to this earth - and one that will continue far beyond my short walk here. ~Merry Christmas!

Not everyone gets to hear mariachi music out their window!

What a weekend! After a full day of work and school Saturday, Sunday was full too! You know, it's so interesting working these party events for the side job. It's just such a contrast to the rest of the areas of involvement in my life. This week I was at a beach house in Manhattan Beach. It was a really modern house, it seemed almost entirely made of glass! It was a toy drive/benefit. And people came dressed up and ate fancy food and schmoozed...it seems if they really wanted to help they would do something better with their money. There I go being harsh again! I'm not against celebrations. I'm not against the rich spending their own money. And I realize that feasts and celebrations have always been used as social markers. But when our (and mine too) "normal" keeps getting raised higher and higer...more and more luxurious...where does it leave us? Working more, to pay for things we don't need, and keeping what is rightfully ours instead of spreading the wealth more evenly! Rah! Anyhow, all that ranted...I really enjoy stepping into different worlds and Saturday night was no exception.
I got to step into a few other whole different worlds on Sunday. I went to a mass. I ate fabulous Ethiopian food for lunch and went to a little Ethiopian street fair. Then I hung out with some neighbors, which was fantastic. It's so great when there's people just sitting in front of my kitchen window and I can open it and ask if they want any Abuelita! (Abuelita is like a mexican hot chocolate.) So I got a chance to hang out with the ladies some, which was awesome! I also got to practice my spanish and was fed dinner. New food group: pork skin. And wait there's more...Christmas ornament making with the neighborhood girls. We made little angels out of popsicle sticks, fabric, bottle caps, and ribbon...they turned out great. Our house was crazy for a few hours! But it was well worth it!
When I came home a little earlier, there was a gathering across the street in front of a shrine raised for the Lady Virgin of Guadalupe, whose annual festival was yesterday I think. Anyhow, there was a full mariachi band playing. I got to hear the fantastic music while I ate a late taco dinner from the taco truck...and they were really tasty tonight too! Maybe I am acclimating to LA (SF is known for their burritos, which I miss dearly...I haven't traditionally been a huge taco lover, but tonight's would give a SF burrito a run for it's money!)
And now I'm off to bed for some sleep that I missed this weekend :)

into the oven!

I got to go to the opera this evening, and it was quite wonderful. Hansel and Gretel. Not what I expected from the opera! My favorites were these wonderful little (big) creatures that were in the woods watching over Hansel and Gretel as they slept. They had these light up eyes and were just marvelous and imaginative!
As I was listening to the overture as Hansel and Gretel first descended into the woods, it began as very exciting. And I was thinking to myself "this isn't scary," when indeed, I knew it was scary. But then gradually it became a little more chaotic and looming sounding. I immediately connected this progression of feelings to those that I've felt as I've moved here to LA. At first it's all exciting and it's not until you're already deep into the woods, lost even, that you realize where you're at. I don't say this to worry you...I don't feel terrified at all - in fact I still love, love, love, love, LOVE my neighborhood. But...I've still experienced that doom-ish feeling of "Oh my gosh, I'm actually here. I've left all my securities and stepped into the unknown."

good grief!

It's been almost 2 weeks! How time flies! It is now Christmas-time officially. And that means time for the Christmas tree to go up. One of my favorite-tist activities! Since our place is so small, Kim and I were opting for a small tree. And it was really funny how much other people at the Christmas tree lot laugh! Secretly...I've always wanted a tiny little tree. I do love love Charlie Brown. We decided to get a potted tree - the size was good and it can live on our porch afterwards. I've already enjoyed reading by the light of the Christmas tree - another of my favorite holiday-time activities.
Coming home from work today, ran into some neighbor kids. They came over and saw the tree and loved it. It was fun to see how excited they got looking at each different ornament. Two are pre-school aged twins, and they don't speak English, so I was learning some fun words. We decided to make angel ornament's on Sunday - I'm excited about that.
It's interesting how our little interaction perked me up coming home from work. As much as I love this new job, it's very evident that the "perfect job" won't make me happy. It's really a combination of all sorts of things going on in my life.

I can't leave out Thanksgiving in this post. I've been so busy I failed to talk about how wonderful it was. I went to Vegas for the day-after-Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving. Where all six of my immediate family and their significant others/kids were together...technically for the first time in this line up - but for all purposes, the six of us haven't ALL been together for a few years. So it was fantastic! I think we were all reminded how important family is and how much we have to be thankful for in ours.

workin' 9 to 5'...

I've spent the past three days at my new job! It's been so great! I'm amazed that I get paid for this - this is stuff I would do in the free time that I don't have! ------------->ready for my first day

I arrived Monday morning at my job and spent a little bit of time filling out some papers and being shown around the clinic. Then I was shown my office (that's right...MY office!) and directed towards a few things in it regarding the program and cirriculum I'll be using to teach...then I was just let loose. And so most of Monday and Tuesday was spent going through everything in my office and orienting myself slightly and also organizing and cleaning it. Today I got to begin really digging into the cirriculum and what I'm supposed to teach. I started planning out my first lesson.

It's so fun going to work at a clinic, into my own office, and basically being my own boss (sort of) and making decisions about what I want to do and how to most effectively communicate to teens about sex ed topics. I won't actually be in the classroom, probably until January. But then I'll be really busy, teaching in schools 5 periods per day, 4 days a week. Two junior high and two high schools. On Tuesday I went and met one of the high school teachers, it's actually kind of a new contact - we haven't been in that school for a few years.

in my office ;)

On another topic, Debbie, my mentor from SF,was in town for the holidays and got to stop by mi casa - which was fantastic to have her see a slice of my life here. But anyhow, we went to this place for dinner that I had rode past on my bike a few times. The food was good - but the music was amazing. There was un gringo singing in spanish, traditional Spanish songs along with his guitar. I bought his $8 CD and it's quite a work of art. I'm just reading his 32-page booklet now that came along with the CD and has some of his story...seems very interesting. I will definately go back and try to hear him again and talk to him about his story. If ya'll come visit - I will be glad to take you too!

And thankful Thanksgivings to all! I am very thankful for the wonderful and lovely people I have in my life and the beautiful things I've seen of humanity and the world. And that I'll be joining my entire family on Friday for a "day-after-Thanksgiving-Thanksgiving!"

An email from Bangkok

Sorry about the length on this, but I just need to post this. It's a letter from my friend in Bangkok, whom I was with in January.

A Prostitute's Humanity on The Bargaining Table
November 19, 2006

Dear Friends

A woman's humanity was challenged the other night because she is a prostitute. We share this journal of our latest outreach with you and ask you to please pray for Lina and all the young women trafficked as commodities to a strange land.
"She's Not Human" “She’s not a human being! She sells her body!” The fruit vendor on the street spoke with disgust and her words left me shocked. I felt anger rise up in me. She was justifying her attack of a young Uzbek woman earlier that evening.

The Attack
We were winding up our outreach where young Eastern European and Central Asian woman are trafficked for prostitution. All of the sudden, a fruit vendor on the curbside angrily threw a bucket of water at a young foreign woman. As the woman stood there dripping and in shock the vendor began attacking the woman with her plastic cooler. Again and again she went after her while a crowd of men gathered around to watch. A few laughs filled the air as the woman turned and ran into the street.

Quietly, but quickly I went after her. She was crying and disoriented. I asked if she was okay and then I saw blood gushing from her hand. I started to guide her to the nearby hotel. She panicked and said, “No, no, not there,” afraid of this hotel used so regularly for sexual services. “We need to take care of your hand. Its okay, we’ll take care of you.” In the hotel bathroom, as the water rinsed the blood from the wound she cried out in pain and shock. “Why? Why did she attack me?”

Hospital Visit
The blood would not stop and I said, “We have to take you to a doctor.” She looked frightened. “No, I no money.” “We’ll help you.” I tried to console her and explain that she had to see a doctor. We jumped in a taxi and rushed to a nearby hospital. The young woman, Lina, was frightened but tried to look composed. She said, “Okay, I okay. You go. I go.” I tried to reassure her, “You are alone. You are scared. We will help you.”

At the emergency room the nurses took down information. She is 23 years old and from Uzbekistan. This is her first trip to Thailand. They asked us for more information and we told them we don’t know anything. The doctor was puzzled. “You don’t know her?”

The doctor looked at the damage on her hand. Her finger was not broken but the tendon looked crushed. They injected the wound to numb it and she cried out in pain. She clenched my hand with her other hand which was also cut. The doctor began to stitch up her hand. Blood from the wounds on her back was seeping into the bed sheets. We turned her on her side and tried to comfort her.

Lina spoke very little English. One of our volunteers could speak a little Russian. We tried to communicate what was happening with piecemeal Russian and English, translating the doctor’s Thai. He asked if she had a tetanus shot recently. “Tetanus” was not one of the vocabulary words our volunteer knew. Lina called her friend and we tried to explain. “Has she had a tetanus shot?” “Yes she has passport!” Her friend answered. Still uncertain, the doctor said it would be safer to give the vaccine. When her hand was stitched and bandaged, they dressed her other wounds.The eyeliner that darkly outlined her beautiful brown eyes was smeared from the tears she was trying to hold back. Every now and then her shoulders quivered as she held off the cries that were building up inside.

The Arab Agent
We went to the lobby to wait for the bill. An Arab man approached. “Let’s go,” he said to her. I said, “No, she is waiting for her medicine.” He said, “We’ll get the medicine outside.” “NO!” I said strongly. “She will wait for the medicine the doctor has ordered.” One of my team began to ask questions. He became uncomfortable. “I just came to help her go back to her friend.” I tried the naive approach, “Do you live in Bangkok?” “No, I’m on vacation,” his eyes were evasive. “Where are you from?” (Dubai) “Are you enjoying Thailand?” I tried to dissolve his suspicions. The man was uneasy. He went outside for a cigarette and made a phone call. Lina answered her phone. The man disappeared and Lina changed her story. She no longer had a “boss.” She had come to Bangkok on her own. I looked her in the eyes and said, “Lina, I know. I understand about the Uzbek women coming to Bangkok. We want to help you.”

When the bill was paid, Lina thanked us. We exchanged phone numbers and the cultural three- kiss-on-the-cheek farewell. She insisted she was waiting for her friend. We said good bye and with a deep sadness, watched her walk off into the dark alone.

Humanity Devalued
Regretfully, we headed back to the area of the attack. I approached the fruit vendor and politely asked what had happened to make her so angry. The woman said, “She was hanging around here.” I asked again, “What did she do to make you angry at her?” “She’s a bad person. She sells her body!” She made an obscene gesture with her own body to illustrate. “She’s a human being,” I said. The fruit vendor rudely cut me off,“She’s not a human being. She sells her body!” The anger surged in me. “You caused her harm. Her hand was badly wounded and we had to take her to the emergency room where she had stitches and injections.” “No, that’s not true,” the woman lied. “It was a different person.” “It is true and you know it,” I retorted. “Prove it!” a man said. I got the receipt and waved it in the air before the vendors and the crowd of men. The woman replied with scorn, “This has nothing to do with you!” “It does have to do with me and with you and with all of us!” I pointed at the growing crowd. “This is about community. We must show respect for each other as human beings. We have to help one another.”

I left frustrated and angry. The woman’s attitude summed up so much of society’s attitude toward women in prostitution. “They are not humans. They sell their bodies.” From this distorted belief stems the growing exploitation of women and children around the world through prostitution and trafficking. They have been so devalued that their human identity is denied and they have become commodities available and dispensable. Trafficking in human beings is now tied for second place in illegal global crime. The attitude runs more rampant than we would like to believe. Community values have broken down. The value of a human life is up for bargain.

Humanity Affirmed
Tonight, a young Uzbek woman lay on a hospital bed, crying in fear and pain as she struggled to communicate in broken English to strangers in a foreign land. The image will haunt me. Her physical wounds were treated, but when Lina left the hospital and our care, she returned alone to another form of violence that will leave invisible scars not so easily forgotten.

Lina's humanity was denied in a violent attack. But, God in His mercy was present through us to convey to her His message. “Yes, Lina, you are a human being! Men may exploit your body and label you ‘for sale,’ but I, God, created you in my image. You are precious, and of great value to the one who knows your real name.”

Pray for Lina and for all the women who are trafficked into prostitution where their very humanity is denied. Pray that they will one day know the great price Jesus paid for them, not to exploit them but to redeem them and set them free.

Graffiti project update

It's funny how doing something as simple as an art project can run so deep. The graffiti project I talked about a couple of posts ago has uncovered a scary truth. We made the piece for a health conference, which was yesterday. It was hanging up, and one of the guys, John, on the Innerchange team (who does art and knows a ton about this neighborhood) was there. I had wanted to talk to him about what I should do regarding the boys dad who wasn't that he was spray painting. Well, John gave it one look and saw our names written at the bottom corner. The boy who had painted it with me wrote his and his friends name down in what is called "crazy writing." Many people can't read the letters of crazy writing because they're distorted. Well, John goes on to tell me that, in this neighborhood, the gangs have enveloped all of the tag teams (teams that do graffiti together.) And that each gang has a very unique and recognizable form of writing. And that the writing shown on our artwork had one of those very recognizable styles.
So what that means, is that this boy who helped me (who's only in 8th grade, is as sweet as can be, hangs out with his family, is a good kid) has somehow become familiar with one particular gang. Now, I'm quite sure he's not part of one, yet. But the fact that he was reproducing their tag-style means he either knows someone who has shown him or that he wants to emulate it. Either one is a dangerous step towards eventually being part of a gang.
I can't imagine this fantastic kid going into that life. It may be easy to look at gang guys and their destructive lives and think they're no good and never were. It's a whole other story when you know the kid before all of that. I was counseled not to confront him about this, but rather to just continue giving him opportunities to learn and experience new things. John told me that in this neighborhood the greatest deterrent to a kid joining a gang is if they have a good reason that makes them want to leave their neighborhood. Because when you're part of a gang you no longer have the freedom to do that, to go into others territories.
Yesterday through this and also through things that were being talked about at the urban health conference, I was overwhelmed by a sense of needing to pray. We have a creative God who loves us. He has "endowed us with splendor." (Is 55:5) He created us so wonderfully and living the life of gangs and living in impoverished conditions with no access to health care are not evidences of the glory of God. I believe God does want to express his glory...I see tidbits every day. Pray that it would be expressed here.

googling myself....

just an odd comment...

I was just curious to see what came up on google with "kristin" and I found the funniest things. The top is a school in New Zealand called the "Kristin School" it's funny reading that,
"Kristin is unique - it offers not only an outstanding academic programme but an exciting curriculum both in and beyond the classroom that ensures the education of the whole person." :) Then there's also a Kristin on Entertainment Tonight and a MTV show. Weird.

I also typed my whole name in and that just showed a bunch of kristin alternate universes?! I found some softball players, a lawyer...some 12,000 results...none of which (i think) are me!

yesss!!!!!!!

tada!.........I got a new *good,* *meaningful,* *exciting* JOB! I found it last week (totally by random), posted on the Los Angeles Community Clinic Association website. It is for a health educator position at Wilmington Health Clinic specifically to teach sex education to mostly junior high and some high school girls! Super exciting! The technical description of the position is: "The Community Health Educator is responsible for coordinating and implementing a pregnancy prevention program in middle and high schools as well as community agencies serving teens. The Community Health Educator will also update and/or develop education materials as needed."
S0unds exciting, huh!? I'm super excited about it! It's a 30-hour a week position, so I'll have to supplement my income a bit somehow (I do have the server gig.) And it's so exciting to finally, finally, finally have a job that I'd love to do even if I wasn't getting paid! A little bit funny that I came to LA wanting to work with prostitues...and here I am teaching kids about sexuality. ??? coincidence ??? I think not.

I told my ambulance company about the new job today (I just found out today myself). I was willing to work a shift per week...but they didn't want me...so friday will be my last day of that. Yeehaw! My new job starts Monday...updates are sure to follow!

On another subject...I got to do some graffitti art with a couple of neighborhood boys. There's 2 middle-school aged boys in my complex who are pals and who are interested in urban art. I'm super-excited they're into art and we've been having little 'art chats.' This weekend I gave them some acrylics and paper and they did some really cool pictures. I had a project that I wanted to do for this urban health conference this weekend, so thought maybe it was a good time to include them in something. So we made this peice on cardboard (it says 'life' for those who aren't fluent in graffit-writing.) One of the boys dad's walked by and I don't think he was happy that his son was spray painting though...I've got to figure out what to do about that. I know the parents of the other boy, and we had already talked about it. I think I should try to talk with them a little bit more about graffitti and how it's an art and how I hope to be able to encourage the boys some in other forms of art so that they have various avenues through which to express themselves.

It was a bit late when my parents arrived on Saturday, because they were stuck in tons of traffic! Rah! It was a good thing they hadn't bought tickets yet for the symphony we were going to go to that night. We decided instead to enjoy a nice dinner, so we checked them into their hotel and walked down to the street to this restaurant called Ciudad. The ladies that do that tv show "Two Hot Tamales" own/run it, and dinner was extremely yummy. Enjoying really good food once in a while reminds you how much creativity can go into making a normal occurance such as eating into a celebration!

The next day we set out to look at some architecture and do a little touring around LA-y types of things. We went downtown to the Bradbury Building, which is known for it's victorian-style inner atrium. It was built
in 1893 by George Wyman...who actually wasn't a trained architect when he designed it, and oddly enough he didn't go on to design anything else of note. Across the street from this was the Grand Central Market which holds all sorts of food vendors and produce market stuff. There was tons of people! There were also a couple other cool buildings and this 'hill trolley.'

And since we didn't go there the night before, we went to inspect the Walt Disney Concert Hall more closely. A super cool structure. We found out there was a garden up on top of it somewhere, and ended up walking up stairs and finding that you can basically walk around the outside roof of the entire building! Then there's a super cool garden and of course Mom got excited by some unique trees and plants. She reminds me of Grandma when she does that :)


Then we stopped by the library, both because I had CDs to return and because it really is the most fabulous library I've had the pleasure to frequent. It's the original old building that has been restored and also added onto. So there's a melding of two styles and it's really great they kept the old stuff. This picture is of the atrium ceiling that has fantastic detail.

Next we drove down to Watts, near Compton, to see one of the oddest things, called the Watts Towers. They were built by this guy Simon Rodia, an Italian immigrant, over the span of 30 years. You can't see in the picture all the details, both the layers present in the tower but also all the bits of glass and tile which are embedded over everything. He built them on his own property, paying for all the materials, during his spare time! Seeing them was really a testament to the inspiration a person can be when they follow their passion. I was imagining what his neighbors thought when he began to erect these towers!

At last we got to Manhattan beach just before the sun set. It always feels good to look at the wide horizon. After dinner Mom and Dad were off to Ventura so they could see Aunt Jewel before heading home. A quick trip, but good to show them around my neighborhood a bit, see some things around LA, and of course enjoy them :) I will be going home the day after Thanksgiving, so it won't be long before we see each other again. And hopefully, I'm crossing my fingers, I can bring my Studebaker home! I'm getting excited about it again!

new steps

Well it's been another full week! Highlights of this week are: job interview, sitting on the beach, laughing, dancing, talking to new people, looking forward to my parents coming, speaking to my neighbor in Spanish, and painting!
On Thursday I had an interview at a community clinic in the area for a health educator position. I found it by chance on a community clinic association board. And the educator position is specifically for talking to junior high and high school girls about sex education/ pregnancy prevention/ etc.!! Exciting...that's right up my ally! The interview went really well - they did interview some other applicants and I'm supposed to hear on Monday if I got the job. I think the only reason I wouldn't get it is because of the possibility that I'd only be working there until next August (if I get into PA school.)
At my ambulance job, I had a couple of interesting standby's this week. One was a highschool freshman football game. There was 4 incidents! 2 were minor, 1 I just sent in with his parents, and 1 had to call 911 out and have him transported to emergency. He had a tackle and got his head snapped back and was having extreme neck pain with very little ability to move his legs. I think he'll probably be okay, but we had to immobilize him and all until they make sure he didn't brake his neck or anything like that. After he got put in the ambulance his teammates got in a huddle and some of the little guys had tears in their eyes...it was so sweet, poor fellas, worried about their teamate.
The other interesting standy was for 9 hours yesterday at a studio filming set. It was the same studio that they filmed "I Love Lucy" in, I fit right in with my red hair! It was an MTV set for this new professional wrestling show they're doing. Yesterday was their last day of rehersal, so they were mostly just working out all the camara angles and stuff. But all of the wrestlers were there and it was just so interesting! Such a random and crazy mix of people, but they were all friends, and they were also all very friendly and came over to us and said hi. I think they were surprised to have two pretty EMT's show up.
Last night I was up until the wee hours dancing the night away! It's been awhile since I've been dancing, and I've really been feeling it. A new friend of mine from work does alot of dancing, and he took me out to this latino club...I was the only white person there - it was SO interesting! I felt like it was this little secret place that I couldn't have just gone into myself. But it was so fantastic...the music, the dancing, the people!
I had to wake up early this morning for my microbiology class...but it got cancelled. So I'm really tired, but maybe I won't go back to sleep. I'm excited because my parents are arriving for a visit this afternoon. It will be good to show them around my 'new life' here in LA and also we'll be heading out for some LA sites which will be new to me too :) I will post the pictures in a couple days!

simply fabulous

On Thursday I took my GRE. The GRE is to graduate school what the SAT is to college. I was aiming for a high score to counter my not-so-high grades in the applicant pool for PA schools. So...the GRE is a 4 hour test consisting of an essay portion, a verbal section (vocabulary), and a quantitative section (math.) The verbal and quantitative sections get graded right away, because this is all done on a computer in a testing center. The essay's take a couple weeks to grade, but they don't matter to me because my schools don't consider that score important. The parts that matter each have a possible 800 points. On a national average people score 467 on the verbal and 591 on the math. For people chosen to interview at USC (a PA program I'm applying to) the average scores are 516 verbal and 635 math. And I got..............ta da da daaaaa....a 620 verbal and 710 math!
I was stunned when I got the scores! You get them at the end of the test, they just pop up on your computer screen....and you're still in the room with other people taking tests in silence. I was so happy I wanted to cry :) Okay, so I cried later. It feels so good when hard work pays off!

Another long week!

This week had all sorts of things going on. I did get an additional part-time-ish job with a party staffing company - which is fun, easy work and a good way to make ends meet. I worked my first job for them on Saturday evening, so that's a plus.
Another great plus to the week was a trip to a monastery for my birthday. I know, this is quite a strange way for a twenty-something to spend a birthday...but it's just what I needed this year. The monastery is about an hour and a half away, out towards the Palmdale desert. I arrived there Wednesday afternoon and stayed to Thursday afternoon. I was able to: be quiet, reflect, pray, enjoy nature, listen to God. It was really terriffic. I realized how much has gone on this past year! At this time last year I was in 'transition' preparing for an imminent move to Thailand...and now I'm in LA! I was also reading a really cool chapter in the Bible, Isaiah 55...which is just too good to pick a verse or two from, not wanting to post the entire chapter...it can be read at following link: Isaiah 55.
That all was a great way to spend my birthday, but what follows, was not! Driving home, through the desert, at 2pm, a deer ran into my (Kim's) car! The silly thing jolted out directly in front of me! Luckily, I'm not in the slightest way hurt. Stunned, I sat there for a minute and looked back at the deer, who was looking at me. I felt awful for hitting such an animal, but knew there was nothing I could do. Then I figured I should probably stop and check my car and as I pulled over heard a funny little noise. There was a dent at the right bumper/hood but not too awful. Opening the hood there's a little smoke and I see the green radiator fluid, and realized that all the fluid was gone. So...to make a long story short...a friend arranged things with AAA and also came and picked me up...and after 3 hours of waiting I was back on my way home. I wasn't really upset about the whole thing until the estimate came from the shop the next day!
That sent me into frustration of the job situation and everything. But I'm absolutely positive that this is where I'm supposed to be, and I wasn't expecting it to always be all rosey...so I'm trying to plug along...and seeking to "not just live, but live abundantly."
On another up-side, I'm really beginning to think I have a chance at getting in some of these PA schools. Which, to be honest, I didn't think I had a chance to begin with. I've got some more work to do on odd applications this week and I'm taking the GRE this Thursday!
Today was a marvelous day. I attended a Catholic church this morning with my friend, Kathy. The priest is this really neat guy, originally from Ireland. After mass we ate at this marvelous Greek food place - which who'd think there'd be one in a prominantly latino part of town...you just never know. And also we went to the Farmer's Market where they were also having a halloween celebration and there was lots of cute kids dressed up, and dogs too :)

a long week!

This past week has been full of all sorts of stuff! I spent last weekend with my neices, Alyssa and Madison, which was fabulous. I finally got a couch. I got my PA application in. And had a little housewarming party. Among other stuff of course. I've been looking for some alternate, temporary work too...all that said, this post is a bit long!

It was quite a long drive (2 hours) to pick up Alyssa and Madison, but worth it of course. Madison just loved the lights of the big city as we drove in Saturday evening. After we got home from dinner, Kim had set up a 'tea party' which the girls were delighted with. So on we played into the night. On Sunday the girls wanted to go shopping. They were very excited about the 'Little Tokyo Mall' we had driven past on our way into town. But I think they were a bit disappointed with it...it's really not much of a mall, just a two-story complex of asian shops, and they're not very exciting shops. We also rode ponies in the park, which was very fun! On the way home, Alyssa (prompted by a phone call with Grandma) asked me why I had decided to live in the neighborhood I do. I tried to describe to them what 'resources' mean and that the people in my neighborhood don't have much of them. I think they gained some understanding, but their attention span wore out before we could get too far into the explanation :)

On Tuesday we got our couch. Our friend Brian, who has a truck, took me to get one...from a thrift store, even though Mom is repelled by the thought of all the 'bugs' that must be inhabitants of it. We found a quite nice one, and it matches our other decor nicely. It was amazing how homey our place felt as soon as the couch was added. I also got this fabulous little 50s-looking cabinet. Just what I needed to put my art supplies in! (picture = couch + haircut)

And lastly...I finally got my PA application finished! Yippee! It was quite a lot of work. There was a ton of information to enter and explain, every college course, all previous work, community, and health-related experience, etc, etc. The biggest things to finish at the end were deciding who would do each of the 3 recommendations and writing the narrative on "What is my motivation to becoming a PA?" They only allowed about 1/2-3/4 of a page, so I had to be very to the point. But I think I finally nailed it, Kim, Mom, and Aunt Pam were my fabulous editors. In it I basically explained why and how I'm motivated by serving the poor. So now I just have to wait for my transcripts and recommendations to come in. And start studying for the GRE, I take it Nov.2nd. I decided to apply to 5 different schools. 3 are in the area. The other 2 I decided to add last minute, just to keep my opportunities open and to save time and money. They're both the same school, but one is in Las Vegas, and the other in Vallejo, CA and that one's a cool joint Masters of PA and Public Health. My first choice is to stay here in LA, but if it comes down to it, I'd like the option of deciding.

I still don't like my ambulance job, but Friday evening at work was interesting. We had to do a standby for two professional basketball games. First the Clippers played the Warriors, the the Lakers played the Hornets. I've never been to a professional basketball game, and was amazed at how huge the players are! They made the court look tiny (although it doesn't look so tiny on tv?) We had to stand at the tunnel opening where all of the players come out of, so I was standing in the midst of all these humongous and kinda famous people, and even though Coby Brynt wasn't playing, he showed up too and I was standing right next to him! LA is an interesting place!

Last night we had people over for a housewarming party. It was fun and good to see different faces together in the same room. I tried making horchata from scratch, which is a Mexican drink made from rice and cinnamon. It turned out okay, but I think I'm supposed to use plain rice and I used jasime, so it was a little funky. I also made baked plantains (in the banana family) which are traditionally served with black beans, fresh cheese, and sour cream. They were very tasty...in fact I'm off to eat a left-over for lunch and to enjoy the rest of my Sunday.

Next week I have a number of appointments and will really be working hard on trying to get another (or second) job.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - haircut@loma beauty salon

answer: i did get my hair cut! A good 4 inches or so and it looks much better...it had been over a year since my last one (i know that's kinda gross!) My neighbor Carmella and her daughter Cynthia accompanied me, as I was going to a neighborhood salon for a "corte de pelo" (haircut). And a good thing, because Ana who cut my hair didn't speak ingles. As I was sitting there with the drape around my shoulders and all of my hair wet, I felt oddly helpless and like a little kid. Carmella and Ana were speaking together in espanol while all I could do was sit there. I was reminded of older immigrants trying to function in cultures where they don't speak the language...particularly healthcare settings where a younger individual has to translate for them. They're put into such a position of suplication within a culture that's foreign to them. Not that my experience today was that extreme...but it was just a little taste of how it may feel. Interesting.


*no reply from my professors yet!
*tread group came to my neighborhood this tonight, it was really cool to have them around mi casa.
*i bought a pair of jeans today. should't have spent the $ but i think these actually fit, and besides mom gave me $ long ago to replace the old ones i've been wearing for a good 7+ years!

up up and away!

So I just emailed two of my college professors with a proposition that they write me recommendations for my PA school applications. Scary! I also sent away all my paper work to my 5, count it 5 oh my goodness, colleges for them to send in official transcripts. Tomorrow I must write the essay, it's subject: Describe your motivation towards becoming a PA. Where do I start?!
On another note, I was driving behind a brand new BMW with "Repent Now, Jesus is Coming Back!" in big letters on it's back window. Why would anyone do that? I thought of rolling down my window and letting them know that if they believe Jesus is coming back so soon, maybe they should sell their BMW and give the extra money away to others who need it for life sustaining measures rather than luxury cars. I realize I'm sounding very condemning at the moment, and who knows, maybe that person does fabulous things and gives away alot of money - they could. But come on now, don't roll down the street in a shiny new $60,000 car and concurrently offer to other people that they might want to repent...rah!

Such full days! I was just getting ready to go to sleep and wanted to talk here. Besides any feelings of homesickness or whatnot since moving to LA, it's just been so overwhelmingly obvious that this is where I'm supposed to be. And as I get ready to go to sleep, I'm happy with that thought.
I recently read this book called "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. In it this sheperd boy ends up going to different countries and having all these crazy experiences all because he was searching after this dream he had. I knew when I read it that the timing was serendipitous...because in a sense I feel a little like that sheperd boy. As scary as it was for him to step out, he did it and was glad for it. Not everything is perfect or easy - but I know this is where I'm meant to be...and there I am happy.
*****************************
On the news front:
*I possibly got an 'in' at the hospital by my house today! Pray that it may turn into a job!
*I get to see my neices this weekend! Yay! I'm very happy about being fairly close to them.
*my goal for the week: to get all my PA applications completed
*Biggest questions of the moment: 1.)Do I even have a chance at getting into a PA program this time around? 2.)How to raise money for NightLight in Bangkok? They're having to turn away women who want to get out of prostitution but need an alternative source of income. 3.)...much less serious, Will I get my haircut on Thursday? I hope so.

Milk and cookies...mmmmm....

I've been wanting homemade cookies for weeks! And here I am, at this moment, sitting to enjoy them! There are oh so many things I’ve had to write!? Time has been getting away from me! For one, I started my job, so I’ve been at work 72 hours a week. I’ve been managing to get reading done there, but it’s really too bad I can’t get internet – because I have GOT to get to work on my PA school applications. I have so much to say I don’t know where to start?
How about “life in the week of”… (Although it’s still shifting) Beginning Monday morning, I arrive at work at 6 am. I already shared I don’t love my job all too much. And the people at my company are crazy for consistently working 72-94 hours a week! Luckily, there has been some redemption at my job this week – through my patients. From the man with the newly done heart transplant, to the little old lady alone in her house, to the 40 day old preemie born 15 weeks early, to the young man at the jail, to the officer at the jail that I was talking to about prostitution, to the USC emergency room, to skid row and all around town. There are such a vast number of things going on in this world we just can’t even imagine. I do like the private glances into others’ realities that my job offers me.
Tuesday morning I come home and get ready to go to InnerCHANGE prayer. They meet together once a week to pray…for folks in Innerchange, for this city, for people they know, etc. It’s a good opportunity to gather together with them and I feel a real sense of togetherness of heart for this place. They are amazing people and I’m lucky to be around them. After that Tuesday can turn into all sorts of things…basically doing what’s on the top of my list. Be it errands, PA applications, spending some time with neighbors…and on and on.
Then Wednesday back to work…repeat.
Thursday. Well THIS Thursday I had been getting behinder and behinder in sleep – and I don’t normally like to go back to sleep after I work, but this week I slept all the way until 10:45. Part of my justification for that is I’m now going out on Thursday nights with a group of people to do prayer walking. And basically that could mean all sorts of things. Whether we just observe what’s around, maybe someone starts talking to us, maybe we figure some things out…it’s basically just putting ourselves out there in the neighborhood and seeing what comes up. I’ve posted Ben’s description of our first night out in Hollywood a couple of weeks ago. It was great. And I came upon the somewhat amusing and somewhat bothersome realization of how much place effects us all, which was evidenced by Monte. He talked on and on about his story which involved all sorts of things having to do with the movie business. If Monte were in San Francisco, he would have been talking about the crazy hippy heydays and our government keeping us from peace. I’m excited about this prayer group for a few reasons. The girl who runs in I met when I was in Thailand. And there’s all sorts of crazy connections there. But also, I’ve desired for some time now to venture into a place where I have a more intimate connection with God…and I think some people in this group can help to lead me there. Now…the first thing I think of when I say these things are crazy Pentecostal Christians running around speaking in tongues or something…but, fear not, that’s not what I mean here. It’s hard to explain. It’s deep, it’s good. And another reason this group is cool, other then they’re just some cool people, but they’re people who are becoming open to the need in the city. And where that leads to down the road, who knows, it’s just exciting.
And onto Friday, work again; I’m getting tired by now.
Saturday morning I’m off at 6am and come home to get ready for my 8am class. I’m taking Microbiology this semester because PA schools want a micro lab. So that’s until 3. And then I’m pretty much beat.
Sunday I’m trying to make my Sabbath. Which is supposed to be a joyful day of rest. Sometimes it’s hard to do that. Kim and I have been trying to check out various nature spots around…which it’s nice to get out of the city every so often. And Sunday evening I go to church. I’ve decided to go to this church called Mosaic. It’s kinda really trendy and hip and techno-savvy, and I don’t know how I feel about that. But the Pastor is a pretty amazing teacher. And it’s close to my house, and it meets in a nightclub (I like church in the dark,) and I’ve already met some great people there. Sooooo….that’s my week! I’m going to sign off and finish enjoying my cookies…and the terrific feeling that Fall is finally arriving!

A Night in Hollywood

Did I mention that on a clear day you can see the Hollywood sign from the front of my apartment!? I'm seriously in LA folks! I didn't notice this until just last week :)
Anyhow...I'm including below a summary (written by Ben, one of the guys in the group) of a Thursday night out a little over a week ago. It was an interesting night!

Charity, Danielle, Kristin, Anna, Ben, Monte....

Hollywood, interesting place.
We started our evening by meeting at Danielle's
Starbucks where we were treated to some caffine to
jump start our systems. It seems by this point there
was already some crossfire action going on as
automotive trouble, realigning of groups, and Anna's
health were a testiment of. So, as we started down
Sunset Blvd. Anna laid down in Charity's car to mend
and cover us from the base.

We strolled westward on Sunset from Gower commenting
on how random the Gower Gulch is (a 'ol Western style
strip mall meets Hollywood) and then decided to make
our way down to see the location of Danielle's future
"space" of barista-ing, ministry, and creative stuff.
On the way passing a smattering of restaurants, and
bars here and there.

Some blocks are vacant, somehave some life, some things are open,
many businesses are closed down. Fairly uneventful and we all are
struck by how quiet it really is. No one wandering
the streets really. We look at buildings and see
things we may not have noticed before such as the
Scientology funded "Psychology is Evil" building that
has a banner with photo of a concentration camp and
under it a Bible with a dagger through it...so anyway,
after that we walk on and make our way to Danielle's
spot. Cool building with amazing possibilities. We
take it in and after this meander around, down a side
street to see a small theatre space, then cross to the
other side of Sunset to return on the other side of
the road. This side is a bit more busy with tourists,
food places, and a few teenieboppers wandering
around.

As we are walking we are overtaken by two
gentelmen, one clearly homeless (Fats) and a taller
gentelmen who could or may not have been. They stop
and have a short exchange before us and as we walk by
them the the taller man says something about "No, I
don't" or something and goes in a different direction
and Fats walks with us. Literally with us. We walk
for about 15 seconds like this and then a cop car
drives by and I wonder if this is why is hanging so
close to us. But it passes and he continues to be
intentionally walking in our pack. Kristen engages
him and gives him the window to express how his pure
joy over the fact that there is one guy to three
women...which brings back a memory for him which he
shared in thankfully vague terms. So we walk with
Fats for blocks while he talks about women, and every
other word is an "sh" or "f" bomb. He is eyes are
blood red and he weaves back and forth bumping into me
now and again and I find I have to weave with him to
try to both stay in conversation and avoid collision.
He says he is 50 and asks if he looks 50, we say no
because he doesn't, and then he confesses that he is
actually 47. It is not everyday that people say they
are older than they actually are...that after the age
of 21 that is. I ask him where he is from and
immediately puts on a shifting Southern drawl which I
thought was a nice touch and made it difficult to
guess but I gave it a whack. After moving through
state by state of the entire Southern US, he says he
is from Texas and New Orleans. I didn't know New
Orleans was in Texas actually, but he is from some
sort of combination of the two which is where he got
his name, "Fats", after Fats Domino.

We walk to Wilcox, I think, and he says a couple of
times that he wants to show us something and waves to
us and we are down so we follow him and he starts to
say that he is taking us to see Cynthia who is
pregnant. He doesn't say it his child out right, but
this becomes clear over the next half an hour. As it
turns out the food he is carrying that was given to
him, is for Cynthia who is about a month and a half
pregnant. He speaks of her with affection and a care
that so closely resembles how Jerry cares for his
peeps in Silver Lake. When we reach Cynthia laying on
the concrete in a nook of a building covered with a
blanket, the reality of the situation hits like a
brick. What will become of Cynthia, Fats, and this
helpless little baby. Fats wakes her up as if he
brought her a gift, the gift not being the food but
that he brought her some interesting people. She
awakes with a lovely friendly smile and greets us all.
She eats and we all continue to chat a bit. Fats
says a few times that he is going to kill the baby.
This goes unresponded to by Cynthia or any of us.
Again, the air has changed for many of us as sit in
this very real space. Fats has now mellowed. No more
"sh" or "f" bombs and is normalizing.

I ask what the homeless community is like in this area. Silence and
I wonder if I asked the wrong question in this neck of
the woods...but Cynthia is looking at me with a
quesiton on her face so I thought I would just throw
it out there again and see what happens. Fats thinks
about this and asks if we really want to see the
homeless, or know where they are, or what they do, and
this line of questioning keeps going as he starts to
lead us off in a new direction. Leading us in a way
to infer that he is going to shock us. And I don't
know about what others are thinking, but I am like,
"What did I get us into?! Is he going to lead us down
some sewage drain that will lead to an alternate
Escape from New York universe?" He doesn't in fact,
he instead leads us to a Church, and I am thinking
that I don't find Churches overly shocking. But it is
ironic that we are now in the behind the scenes side
of a beautiful and massive Catholic Church that we all
took note of an hour ago as we were walking to
Danielle's wondering what goes on in there. As if God
was saying, "Oh, don't you remember? You asked earlier
what goes on here in Hollywood and at this
Church...didn't you actually want to know?"
So he explains what happens here and what services
they give here. We are met with skeptisism by the
security but Fats hooks us up by dropping some names,
which he was very proud of. But the best was yet to
come, after singing the first line of "Blueberry Hill"
he continued on without missing a beat! Which
continued into a funky chicken dance and singing and
telling stories about his singing and his musical
family and him not wanted to play any instruments,
just sing. This comes to an end as we are walking
back when he reveals his mother is dead, and I didn't
hear the rest of what he was saying. All we knew
prior to this is that he has three children in their
twenties and early thirties. He says he doesn't care
that his parents are dead and what is he supposed to
do about it.

Fats is absolutely loving being our tour
guide by this point and has mentioned a few times that
he wouldn't mind a little help. He takes up to the
Gay and Lesbian Center. This big building and I think
the thought crossed our minds...what actually goes on
here and what is the need for such a big building?
When asked he said "They do everything imaginable in
there. They do everything. Anything you could
imagine is in there." I don't exactly know what he
meant but that was enough and we started walking back
which Fats wasnt' quite sure how to take so he kept
walking along. He then offered to take us down the
strip and we said ok but we were heading back. So we
do that and then, enter stage left field: Monte.

As we are walking down Hollywood there is a pecularly
wirey and wired man on a public phone acting very
flustered and erratic. Somehow as Fats is telling me
about the fact that he is a Christian and went to a
Church of Christ and even taught, we have picked up
Monte! How did that happen, well I guess i don't even
need to ask. But he is just going off back there with
the girls and now and again I hear about making movies
and what projects he is working on right now. But I
am focussing on Fats who Monte takes note of now and
again in passing and like to two different species of
animals they go up to each other cautiously, testing
the waters, almost circling each other sniffing. But
then Monte wants the focus again so he starts asking
again for a cellphone and for someone to call his
assistant and get her laptop out. So we are all about
to go our seperate ways and we are trying to feel out
how to end it with Fats. We ask if they are usually
in this area and Danielle wants to know if they will
be around if she was to look in on them at work or
what not. Before an offer could be made, Fats asks
for money, and we instead treat him and Cynthia to a
Popeye's feast. The ordering was heartbreaking. I
couldn't get Fats to come close to the register. So
as I was ordering for him I had to keep calling over
to him to ask him what he wanted. We really wanted to
know what he wanted and we would get it for him. And
he was so bashful and ashamed in there. A life of
being turned down and kicked out of establishments and
igonored was clear in a moment. But we got his food
after about 15 minutes of negotiations and returned to
the outside, aka the world of Monte. And Fats was
confronted by Monte when he exited. Lots of nervous
questions including where he was from. As Fats said
Texas and New Orleans they had a very instense
exchange that looked like a boxing match. Fats was
the solid, slow moving, steady heavy weight boxer who
stood his ground and was saying "what are you going to
do about it?" and Monte who was the nervous
featherweight bobbing in and out trying to both get a
sucker punch in and miss a crushing blow from Fats.
This ended with Fats becoming very frustrated with
Monte's ramblings and turning away mumbling "What do
you know about New Orleans?! You don't know anything
about New Orleans! What do you know?! I know about
the 9th ward, I could tell you about..." Danielle and
I walked with Fats and noticed that Monte was really
holding the other ladies back, clearly talking about
his acting career, the oscars he's won, his 1.8
million dollars despite the fact people think he's
homeless and no doubt the tremendous need for SOMEONE
to call his assistant, true urgency if you ever saw
it. This however gave Danielle and I a chance to pray
for Fats. What to pray? So that was our prayer, for
healing, hope, and for God to deliver and be known for
both he and Cynthia. By the way, Fats has been
stabbed and has seizures...other tidbits that were
given.

So after a while we say goodnight to Fats and wish him
well and are walking back to our cars because it has
dawned on us how very late it is and that poor Anna is
probably at her wits end, oh! and there's Monte still
talking! He is SOO angry that despite have millions
of dollars, people think he is homeless! And on top
of that he has had with the kattyness of this
business, and that here he is with one oscar and
nominations and people just don't care. My favorite
part was when he asked me what I do and when I said I
act, he said I clearly suck and that he was the person
I should be kissing up to. He being a director now
could hook me up. I was taking notes by this point.
So...was Monte for real? Was he homeless? Was he an
actor trying to put us on? His appearance was fairly
put together, haircut, shaved less than a week ago,
wearing converses, jeans a little dirty. But he was
WIRED! I went from one moment to the next believing
he was really the Monte we saw to believing he was an
actor. He was just too funny! The things he said
were genius, you couldn't write comedy that good. His
comebacks, his statements. He was killing me! Half
of me wanted the night to go on forever and the other
half of me wanted to strangle Monte. He would not
leave us. That is a new thing for Tread. We spend
most of our time trying to engage the world and people
and here we could do nothing to lose him! I thought
we had our out when we walked past CBS and he said he
was being interviewed soon with Sean Penn and all
those guys. But alas, he didn't go into CBS but
instead followed us to our cars. We needed release so
we got together and wanted to end with a Monte cheer,
which Monte wasn't eager to put his hand in the
center, but with some urging he actually put two hands
in and on three we yelled Monte, all but Monte that
is. He just sort of shrugged and shook his head like
"whatever, that is sooo lame." This gave the ladies
an opportunity to sprint to their cars. I continued
to create a diversion for Monte as they left. When
they had he said he looked horrible and his tooth was
coming out and he covered his mouth with his hand.
This was felt like the most genuine moment, a perhaps
vulnerable moment for Monte. I responded by saying
that he didn't, because I actually thought he looked
like he was holding up pretty well. He asked if I
really meant that and seemed to really appreciate the
affirmation.

I got into my car and Monte stayed at
the window pleading for me to get out, or roll down
the window. I backed up slowly, the worst thing would
have been to after all that run over Monte. I
couldn't take it anymore and rolled down the
window...what a sucker. And then he asked "how was
the show? Was it a good show?" I thought to myself,
what is he referrring to??? Is what he just did a
show? That didn't seem quite right. So as I drove
off slowly and said goodbye about ten times he said
goodbye and how thankful he was to have nice people to
talk to. Usually people just say get away from them
but he really liked us and we were nice to talk to.
This intermingled with the question "Was it a good
show?" I drove off leaving Monte in the middle of
Gower. As I looked in my rearview mirror I saw his
outline and behind him the car that he had stopped
that was flashing him with his highbeams and I thought
to myself "...that's our Monte!" But as I drove off
the phrase "Was it a good show?" ran so powerfully
for me. That is what actors say. They say that to
their friends. Those insecure moments after a play,
where you want the feedback of a trusted friend. Was
it good, did you really like, are you just saying
that...etc. It felt like that. Not in the sense that
he was putting us on, wink, wink, but that there was
something, some metaphorical production or play in his
life or mind and he wanted desperately for affirmation
and love.

my new job...and wedding pics

This morning at about 8 am I returned home after my first 26 hour shift with my new job. Not very fun. There's nothing particualarly bad about it (except in the whole 26 hours we only had 2 calls (which my partners did say was odd)...which some may like, but is awfully boring for me...it does me no good to be paid to just sit around a station...if I'm going to be paid a measley $9/hour, I'm going to at least be doing what it is I'm there for, and that's to be with patients), it will basically be the same as my last one...but I just don't want to do this work anymore. Can I please, just work in the hospital in my neighborhood? I applied there today for a transporter position...a menial task...but it would get me in. I've got to be back there again at 6am tomorrow, and then again on Friday morning. Being up before 6am 5 days a week also isn't my idea of fun! But, for the moment, I am at least getting a paycheck, and I guess sometimes that's got to be done.

On another news front...my heart has been really heavy for prostitues lately. Today I begun my research in this area. I found a couple of organizations that I'll look into more on my next day off. It just so happens that out of the handful of links for California that the website on human trafficking(humantrafficking.org) listed, two are right in my neighborhood - pretty cool! Then there's also police stations and city representatives to search out also. And then the only other thing to do is take to the streets and see what can be seen (I know my family, this makes you nervous)! I think I've found a few volunteers here to go along with me, which is a God-send.

And onto other matters...I had a request for pictures from Krista's wedding...unfortunately Amy has most of those, but I did happen to have one of the OG Campbell Street Girls...(and it makes me so happy to hear that people actually read this!...and Jen I realize that I owe you an email!) You may notice that I'm in a tank top and pants...not my usual wedding attire...but this was no normal wedding! Krista and Matt love having fun outdoors...so after the ceremony we changed clothes and did some square dancing and games on the grass! Much fun was had by all!

2 posts in one day!? What is the world coming to?

I know this is unheard of (check below for new home pics)...but I was just sitting here pondering...and thought is was time I shared some thoughts of mine...

and f.y.i....yesterday Thailand's prime minister was ousted by a military coup...it can sometimes take me awhile to get the news since I'm never around tv's...but it's really amazing the major things going on in the world that we have no clue about. And when I did read more indepth about the Thailand coup...there's peices only I could understand because I was in Thailand and knew some background-the telling in the news just doesn't do all the angles justice.

on to my ponderings...

You know, when I moved to Oakland…I never missed vegas. In the bay area I never longed for the familiar…maybe because I never liked vegas much. Anyways, I was just sitting here longing for the familiar. People, places, family, whatever. And I was feeling pretty lonesome and helpless…because its not like I can visit anything or anyone familiar to me here yet! I was thinking how if I could be anywhere, doing anything at this moment, I’d like to be sitting here on my bed curled up with my old dog, Zoot. Then I realized a hug sounded good. Then I realized that today, one of my little neighbor girls gave me a hug, just a couple of hours ago. Like a little angel she was there. And she actually gave me 2 hugs and clung on to me and I remembered feeling just a little awkward in the moment because it was such a long hug…but now that I think of it, I really needed her touch, and that was a gift.

On to another subject. I’m looking up this guy, Joseph Lister (like Listerene.) My microbiology teacher told me to look him up just for kicks…and like a total geek, I was doing just that on a Saturday night! So anyways, Lister is the guy who first innovated aseptic surgical technique. Now, this may not sound like too huge a deal – but it was back then! This was back in (really the not too distant past, the mid-1800s) the times when people didn’t even know what caused disease. Or why, when a piece of meat was left out, did it go bad? They didn’t know about bacteria. So this guy Lister, early on in his career, saw a problem. The problem was that more then half of the people undergoing successful surgery, later died of infection. Lister, as well as other scientists of his time, were seeing things awry, asking questions, finding out the answers, and thereby changing the course of history!
Fast forward to present day. Sure there are still scientists exploring the minutia of the natural world and how the body functions…but really, that all looks a lot different from the good ol’ days of the 1800s – somehow it’s just not so clear cut anymore. However, in the moment that I was grasped by amazement for the way these scientists were questioning, and probing, and thinking in terms of completely asinine theories (or so it was thought, until they were proved to be geniuses)- I was at the same time grasped by another thought of who is taking the role of these innovative, life-seeking scientists today? The time for that sort of science has passed…but there remains to be many things figured out in this world – and there persists these human misconceptions/un-understanding of our world! Why can’t it happen in dealing with poverty? Why can’t it happen in healing truly broken people? Being a social scientist as it were. Where are the innovative social scientists!?….observing and questioning the ill structures in the world and giving their lives over to finding the answer/solution to the question. Not every scientist out there was a success…many were trying to prove bunk theories….but if there weren’t scientists, all urging each other on and working off each others findings…we’d still be dying of plaques and thinking that meat rots because it caught a bad spirit!
I want to be a social scientist.

Welcome! Beinvenidos!

I know you've all been eagerly awaiting pictures of my new place...but I've been a busy bee! Last weekend I was up in SF for a wedding, which was fabulous. It was so good to see some familar friends and places (albeit a little confusing to be in a place which was at once so familiar but also not my own.) This past week I've been settling in, getting a job (yea!), and exploring my new little 'hood. I'll be starting my new job on Monday, working on an ambulance again. I'm looking forward to having a 'work world' again...and having contact with patients - I've missed that these past couple of months. And other then that, there's not too much to say, just kinda getting settled in and meeting folks and so on and so forth. So here's some pictures...starting with the family room (which is luckily big enough that Kim and I both have our little personal corners (neither seen in this picture) and then common space more in the center), and then to the left is the nook and kitchen and on the other side of the family room is the bedroom and bathroom, seperated by the fabulously girlie "dressing room." Tada! That concludes the grand tour. It really is a great little place, we love our neighbors, it's exciting!

**Car update:** My little Stude runs on a 6V battery system instead of the 12V we were using. Not good! The ignition coil is blown out by the extra charge of battery, but luckily nothing else seems damaged, so a little electrical adjustments need to be made! But good to know...we'd been unsure about the voltage, but the coil seemed burned up after our first few trial starts in which it started particularly quick and the headlights were very bright. My dad took the coil out and saw that 6V was actually imprinted on the outside, however had been hidden against the firewall...the answer we were pondering was nearly in front of our eyes!
I'm looking forward to bringing er down to LA!

swwweeeeeeeet!

I'm all moved in! Yesterday was our official move in day, and even though we had doubts as to how it would all work out...it couldn't have gone better!! It couldn't be a better place and it feels so good to be in my actual new neighborhood now! We've already been greeted by a few of our neighbors, and even received a couple short lessons in Spanish!
I couldn't be more grateful for the fabulous support my 'new crew' down here in LA has already provided. I know they've been watching out for us and praying.
I'm sitting on the edge of my seat to see where things turn next!

the hills are alive...ah ah ah ah...

Glorious sabbath yesterday! Kim and I drove out to the San Gabriel Mountains to a trail our friend Paul pointed us towards. Unfortunately that trial was very inadequately marked...but it did provide some good rock climbing spots...which was super fun. So then we went to another trial head and found a fantastic spot for quiet reflection. It had a fantastic view (as seen in pic) and as I sat and contemplated awhile, I think I heard that I'm going into a season of learning. I feel like there's alot of people here that are so much further than me...and I feel like I have alot to learn from them. It's a bit of a unique position for me - but one I'm super excited (if not a bit afraid) to step into!
Yesterday cousin Judy and I got to hang out! She's in the area going to Azusa Pacific...super cool to be close by!
Our place is supposed to be done tomorrow afternoon!

home sweet home...almost

I wrote in my diary a couple of days ago that it felt as if all the peices to a puzzle had been thrown up into the air, and it was as if I was trying to organize them all as they came down, so that when they landed they would fit together as they should. Well...the peices have been in the air, and they're beginning to come down, and I think they might be in order. Not much thanks to my doing of course, these things are fairly out of my control and I've just been trying to stay flexible and see what God has in store.

Earlier this week we signed a lease on the apartment we wanted. It's a super great location, exactly where we wanted to be, in fact in between two places where two of our friends live. In fact, it's pretty cool, because our kitchen window looks out onto this main little corner in our 'hood. And it's also this great little complex, probably like 15-20 apartments in this complex probably built in I would guess the 30's or 40's. There's a little courtyard in the middle of everyone's place. It has palm trees and this great old fountain that isn't running...but I have big plans for its renovation already. Both the living room and bedroom of our apt. has a great old window, the taller ones, with the boxy panes and stuff. So...we were hoping to move in Sunday, but because of the cleaning and stuff that needed to be done before we moved in, we're hoping that we'll be able to move in on Tuesday.

I've also still been interviewing this week, basically trying to decide which ambulance company is the best fit for me. There's a lot of shady companies here in LA, so I've been careful about who I would conisider. I think I've found the one I want to work for. They're called Schaefer Ambulance, and they're the oldest private company in the city, they've been around since 1932, still family owned. So I'll be finishing up with all the hiring stuff the as soon as I get back from the Bay Area next weekend.

Then...super exciting...is I actually got into Microbiology class today! Yay! I went this morning, figuring there was absolutely no chance I would get in - and I went to talk to the professor at the end of class and lab, because I'm going to be out of town next Saturday for Krista and Matt's wedding in SF, and for the first time in my life a teacher had pity on me! It was so cool. He asked me if I really needed the class, and I told him about applying for PA school's this fall and how I've already taken microbio but without a lab and how I need to have a lab...and then he just let me in! So...I'm officially a student again! Now I just need to pay for school...hmm.

So life is coming along here in LA, seemingly slowly but surely. I'm looking forward to getting more settled and getting more of a feel for my new 'hood!

YEEEEEHHHAAWWW!

Today (Tuesday) was quite an eventful day! I managed to get two job offers at my interviews and Kim and I accomplished filling out an application for the apartment we want...with hopes it may be ready by Sunday (a very high hope...but maybe possible!)
And to top it all off, I got to go see the Old Crow Medicine Show tonight. They are a fantastic group of young fellers doing old-timey, foot-stompin' good ol' bluegrassy-ish music! Good gracious did they sound hot!

The City of Angels

Kim and I arrived safely in LA, with a stop by the Mad Greek of course in Baker, CA. As soon as we got to town we touched bases with Kathy and she took us over to the apartments where there is an opening (yes, we have no apartment yet.) We had been given the apartment managers phone #, but were not very successful in getting in contact with her. So anyways, we got to meet her and talk with her about the dilemma. The thing is, there's a management company and there's not very good communication. Either the management company isn't doing their job, or perhaps the owner is trying to sell the place - which wouldn't be good for us. So...we now have the management companies phone and will continue on our trail with them on Tuesday.

In the meantime, there was really nothing to do but play this weekend. Later Friday night Kathy took us to a wonderful dinner of papusa's...which I'd been missing 'real' latino food since

leaving SF. Saturday I caught up on some R&R, Sunday we went to the beach, and Monday we went hiking in Santa Monica. I'm ready for my interviews tomorrow, and we'll just have to see what the next week brings! It feels good to be in LA (even though it's hot here!) This evening for dinner I tried the original Tommy's hamburger stand, which is right in my 'hood and a well known LA staple...it was delicious!

running with no engine

Weeeelll...September 1st is my moving date. And, as things go, the car needs a little more work. My brother, who's been directing my work, has been very busy at his own work the past few days, which means there's just more stuff to do...and, also as things go, it being a car that's sat around for the past number of years, there's always more to do than expected. However...super exciting, is that the car starts! She starts right up and sounds just beautiful. So a few more kinks and she'll be good to go. Nothing too exciting to look at in this picture, except everything is basically on there...and the valve covers are now a shiny blue (not the color of my choice, but really all that was presently available - and it looks like some of the original engine parts were blue also once upon a time.)

However, I can't sit around Vegas any longer. Kim and I are heading off (in her car only) to LA tomorrow (actually, I guess it's technically today.) If luck goes our way we'll have a place this weekend, which would be fantastic. We're both really looking forward to start back up our lives after being in a quasi- down time for the past 1-2 months. Then, I have 2 interviews Tuesday and 2 on Wednesday. No, not with an ER as I had hoped, they're all with ambulance companies...but I'm trying to open up my scope of expectations and take things as they come...and a job is a job! I might actually "switch to the dark side," to AMR, which is a huge corporate ambulance company - I took pride in my small private company in the Bay Area...but there are advantages to working for a large company, such as getting to work a unit along with a paramedic which means new and exciting calls.

unexpected adventures...

Who knew I would be doing such guy-ish sort of things such as spending a day at a desert race and working on my car?! But they're pretty fun! Of course I'm still keeping skirts on and my hair curled :)

This week I finished up the work duties at my parents house, which was a relief and felt good to get done. Then on Thursday night my Dad and I went 2 hours north-east of Vegas to Rachel, NV. My dad has a friend there who has a house in the middle of the desert, literally, he's like 4 miles out of town. Rachel, NV is very near the infamous "Area 51". At night we got to see tons of great stars and play hide and seek with all the aircraft (no UFO's seen) that fly overhead doing maneuvering drills or something, they make a lot of noise that you can't hear until they're long past you because the jets move so fast.
Then early the next morning the "Best in the Desert" race began, first motorcycles, then quads, then trucks and buggy's passed by continuously from 8am to about 5pm...quite a day of dust, sun, and excitement. They go right past a turn at the house, on the dirt road, at really fast speeds (my dad says they go 140mph on the straightaways!)
It's a great little place out there, regardless of my recent despise of desert heat....I was envisioning the first ever desert bluegrass festival being hosted there, he has a cute little barn and everything! Yee haw!

And then to my car...the carburetor proved to be too big a job. Perhaps if I had disassembled it, but seeing as it was already apart when I got it, it's just nearly impossible. I gave it a good go, then realized there was just too many tiny parts and intricacies and too little directions (none really, just some really inadequate picture diagrams.) I may continue to work on it, kinda like a good ol' puzzle, in the future.
So then I ordered a carburetor, and waited. And it came and didn't fit quite right (it needs to be lifted up a tad so moving parts don't hit the manifold under it.) So now I've ordered an adaptor kit and am waiting again. But those parts will be here on Monday, then we'll be good to go (cross your fingers.)
Today I got to do some work on the car, my first real progress alone...the fuel pump was attached and valve covers cleaned (well not completely, I had some directions from my brother Matt.) I got real oil filth ingrained on my hands for the first time! Boy was it a mess, I cleaned the valve covers which are just lined in black grime, I forgot to take a picture at the beginning but here they are back on the engine at the end (along with the shiny new carb perched there.) Monday they'll get a quick paint job while we get everything else put on.

And now it's nearly 1am...and I can't sleep, so I'll just ramble on. There are many things swimming around in my head, but nothing imparticular. There's thoughts on things in Vegas, LA, and SF. There's thoughts on things around the world, and things in the Bible. There's thoughts of people known and unknown, known well and known only faintly.
I've been a bit homesick for SF lately...partly the fact that I haven't had my own routine, etc for the past couple months, partly weather, but mostly the people and the city. I just want to walk out my front door and see somebody else, and be able to walk a few blocks and hop on the bus. I want my morning walk back, down to the panderia for my favorite mexican pastry. I began a little poem before I left, and never got past the first line...but I really like it....'i want to wrap this city in a bow and put it in my pocket.' I can see that it's been (and I think will continue to be, even more so) good that I've been reading in the book of Exodus this summer. Kim picked it 40 days from when we were moving to LA, because it was the only book of the Bible with 40 chapters, and it just so happened that I had read something from that book the same day she said she'd picked it out to read, so i jumped on the bandwagon so to say. ANYways, I think it's been good because in Exodus is when the Jews become enslaved in Egypt and pharaoh won't let them go, and all these miraculous things happen to persuade him, and finally he lets them, then he changes his mind, which leads to the parting of the Red Sea...and then to the Jews wandering around in the desert...and they begin complaining to God "why, why?" because they fail to remember where he brought them from and they fail to remember where he's taking them to. And so, as I'm homesick for SF and at times pondering what exactly it is I'll be doing in LA (for example, my one thing that I kinda had planned out, was to get an ER job...and that doesn't seem to be coming through, so now I'm broadening my job parameters...it's not altogether bad, but just a bit disheartening and unsecuring.) But I'm trying to learn a little something from the Jews in Exodus...and I'm trying to look at the much larger picture and have a little faith...and it's good.
Well...I think I've rambled on enough for tonight...till next time...(hopefully in a couple days when my car is running...'my car,' she's needs a nickname...I haven't quite decided on one yet.)

*(new) car!!!

After years of wanting a good ol' car...I've finally become the proud new owner of a 55' Studebaker, 2-door Champion...yipee! My brother and I drove over to Utah to pick er up yesterday. She's in really good condition, the body is nearly perfect with the original paint job - and get this, it was originally sold at a car dealership in Oakland...my ol' hood!
Today I went to work cleaning and reassembling the carborator...which is quite a task. I have no idea if we'll actually be able to fit all the peices back together (the previous owner had already taken it apart to rebuild it.) Keep your fingers crossed! But I'm so excited...I hope she's up and running soon!

And check this out...it almost rivals the 2 Elvis' I saw shopping together in Costco a couple weeks ago...a taxi driver playing a guitar at a stoplight (ahh...I can't upload the picture...i took a video on accident)!

pros and cons

VEGAS vs. SAN FRANCISCO

CON
today's high: 113
san fran's high: 75
current temperature: 90 (at approximately 10:32pm)
currently in sf: 57

PRO
desert storms....it started clouding up around 6:30 tonight, then by 8:30 there was slight thunder and lightning, and currently it is going crazy! It also just downpoured buckets of rain! With lightning all over the place (i just happened to get a shot from my backyard for your viewing pleasure) and booming thunder. i love thunder storms :)