We've all got our junk, and my junk is you!

Today is going to be relatively slow, I think, until John Patrick shows up on our doorstep. He texted Clark yesterday with the notion of visiting this weekend to ride with Clark. I have learned that, when it comes to family, you have to nodd your head unless it's completely interrupting something. After all, I planned on writing a paper tomorrow, anyway. John is welcome as long as he keeps Clark out of my hair! How awful is that?

Today I am determined to make the most of my time. While I woke up with some... digestive issues... I will not let it hold me back. Last night we went to dinner with Jessica and Zach, finally, to Mike's Inland Seafood Restaurant. As Clark said in the beginning, never eat at a seafood place that has "inland" in the title. It's not safe. I must have gotten food poisining or something from the crab crakes I ordered. I just don't feel well this morning, and woke up multiple times throughout the night. Not fun, but maybe God's showing me what it's going to be like in/after Haiti. Apparently no one goes without getting some knid of "indigestive problem," to put it politely. I still have not heard from Dr. Coker, but I'll save that for a little bit later in the post.

After dinner Clark and I went to the bank and to Walmart. Luckily we've had a couple of paydays, so we're putting as much money away as possible for right now. Anyway, no mention of money. We went to Walmart and bought Luna some new food because, apparently, she doesn't like Purina Dog food. She liked the puppy kind just fine, but she's not a fan of the dog food. She'd even go to the extent of picking the pieces she doesn't like and setting them outside her bowl. I wish I had gotten a picture while I had the chance. Anyway, we bought her new dog food and she gobbled it up in seconds. Note: if your dog doesn't like Purina Dog food, try Beneful Playful Life. It even smells better to our untrained noses ;-).

After Walmart I surprised Clark and took him to see Alice. Let's just say we both fell in love with it. My new goal is to think of six impossible things before breakfast, although I'm pretty sure I do that anyway. It wasn't half as strange as I thought it would be, which was kind of a relief. Clark kept leaning over and asking if it was too weird for me, but it wasn't in the slightest. I think my parents would think it odd for him to ask me that, because according to them I like some strange movies. Not strange, I say, just artsy!

I registered yesterday and it's all set. I must say I do think it will be a stressful semester, because I have ALL Tuesday/Thursday classes. It seemed that's just how it fell. Well, think, I'll have four day weekends every week! I don't know if that's going to be a good or bad thing. I also have an 8am, but... I have to do what I have to do, right? I tried to find a no-nothing class to give me one more hour of credit, but failed. All the music classes I was interested in were by "permission only," and all the PE classes I wanted overlapped with classes I already had, and one theatre class I thought I may take was at 2pm on MWF and I just thought it would be dangerous to sign up for that.

OK, here's my schedule:

8am: Religion in America
9:30am: The Actor
12:30pm: Creative Writing: Prose (Fiction)
2pm: Early American Literature (advanced)
3:30pm: Oral Interpretation (for Theatre and English)

I really wanted to find an 11am and couldn't. I guess it's good I'll have a little break to catch up on homework or eat lunch or whatever, but I've found breaks are another temptation to head home. I suppose I'll have to get over that. It will be my last year, after all.

Thus far today I have wiped down the counters downstairs, did some laundry, finished reading a book for Adolescent Lit, vacuumed, and made Banana Chocolate Chip muffins. Yay for me! I thoroughly intend on using today wisely since I didn't get to class. My stomach is still bothering me, so I haven't been able to try the treats I made or anything, but just baking seems to make me feel a little less stressed. I feel kind of pulled thin, right now, just waiting on some things and trying to achieve others.

So, Dr. Coker. Haiti. I'm waiting to hear from him to find out if it's been approved if I can go or not. I had to e-mail him and explain why I wanted to go, and why Clark and I agreed on me going instead of Clark, and things like that. I think everyone's worried about me not being able to handle the conditions. I know that it's going to be more than overwhelming, and that there will be challenges and dangers that I cannot even imagine... but it's the right thing. I can feel it in my bones. Here's part of the e-mail I sent Dr. Coker:

I am not doing this for recognition and I do not have a false sense of glamour about this trip; I know what is in store, and I do not think anyone can truly be prepared. Though we may be faced with danger, God is always with us. If we give our burdens to Him, we will not falter. He is with us even in the wildest of storms, and I know as long as I praise Him, lean on Him, trust in Him, love Him, and have faith- He will guide me and see me through everything. I think that even includes Haiti.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.

If I don't hear from him by around 2pm I'm going to call the church. I understand if it's not approved for me to go, because that means it's not in God's plans. With that being said, that does not mean I will not be disappointed. I feel like I've been praying for this opportunity, and it just feels right. I cannot put it any other way.

My calendar is flashing at me on my phone telling me to clean the bathroom. Ah, well. On to less interesting things.

Until next time.

We've all got our junk, and my junk is you!