oh the craziness

I just finished watching the ESPN special on the Auburn/Alabama rivalry. It was more depressing than interesting for me... it was a harsh reminder of what people are willing to do or say for the football team they love. I should have counted the number of times the word HATE was used. We were compared to the Israelites and Palestinians. There were stories of an Alabama coach receiving death threats from his own fans after 3 consecutive loses to Auburn, a former Auburn coach stating "NOTHING is bigger than Auburn" (nothing? really?), and then, the all too famous Harvey Updyke.

That man LOVES him some Alabama football. On this documentary, he proudly showed his collection of over 50 Alabama hats. His children have been given Crimson Tide themed names. He stated that after the iron bowl last year he felt like someone had reached inside his chest and ripped his heart out (dramatic much?). And then, he was so incredibly angry at Auburn after that game that he decided his revenge would be aimed at 130 year old trees, accompanied by absolutely no remorse. Why did he do it? "There's just too much Bama in me." What?!?

So yes, he may in fact be crazy. But he is also extremely passionate, loyal, etc and head over heels in love with one certain thing. This analogy was brought up in church today. What if I loved Christ so much that people thought I was a little nutso? I mean, I'm not going to go and take up herbiciding but the Bible does say that Christians will be persecuted for their faith. If I really took a stand for Jesus would I lose relationships that I value? Would I put my education or future job at risk? Probably wouldn't be putting my life in jeopardy too much in good ole Mobile, AL/Bible belt territory, but that happens every day to Christians around the world. You bring up traveling I've done, college football, J Crew, Disney World, etc... I'll talk your ear off about any one of those worldly subjects and many more. But I wanna be the crazy kid that talks about Jesus all the time, because I should be blown away by how much he loves me. And what would my reasoning be for the craziness?

"There's just too much Jesus in me."

Love it!

my motel drama

Staying in hotels by myself has brought to memory my first (and only until now) lone hotel night, when I was interviewing for medical school at UAB. I remember driving in at night in awe of the skyline, and my hotel was located up on top of a hill where I'd have an awesome view of the city. I walked in, approached the front desk, and said, I'm checking in!

They immediately handed over a key and said you're in room XXX and your roommate is X. Come again? My WHAT?! At first I thought it was a joke, but after realizing they weren't laughing. I said, 'a roommate??' to which they replied 'yeah, you thought you'd have a room to yourself?" In the next few moments, my female brain did not disappoint, I had about 17 different thoughts going on at one time- how can I have a roommate, they didn't say anything about that on hotels.com?? what if this roommate is a grown man?? I was so looking forward to a night by myself to relax before tomorrow? I've already paid for this room so what can I do now? They can't MAKE me have a roommate, can they? My moments of despair was interrupted by

'you're with this group, aren't you?'

I look around to see a big group of adults, that looked like a mix between wannabe bikers and ex-inmates.

'No....' I replied to which another hotel worker said, yeah... I didn't think you looked the part. So I was then checked into my private room and it was not too bad. I feasted on a Sonic dinner and watched a Lifetime movie. Probably the only lifetime movie I've ever watched, and it was depressing. So maybe bad choice there... But fairly good stay. UNTIL... I woke up in the morning and there was no hot water coming out of the faucet. Called front desk, oh it was out. For the whole entire hotel. So I don't remember what exactly I did this morning to get ready, but I did not shower. I also was rejected at UAB. Coincidence? Maybe not....

interview extravaganza: week 1

So 8 days, 1150 miles, 6 beds, 5 cities, and 3 interviews later, I'm halfway through my big interview stretch. Have to say, I've having a BLAST. I'm staying in NICE hotels for free, eating at fancy restaurants (again, for free), and road tripping and traveling all around the east coast. I think the money I've spent on gas has probably been made up for by the amount of free food I have received. And it's been awesome. Not for the waistline though, after thanksgiving might have to start being better. Don't even really mind the interviewing. Peds people are pretty nice across the board, so mostly everything is laid back and friendly.

Things I've did last week

-Visited the beach!

-Went hiking in the mountains outside of Greenville. 4.4 miles, I felt pretty awesome. And it was beautiful!

-Went to Athens for the Auburn game (Not the most enjoyable game ever, but fun regardless).

-Drove hours upon hours... Probably close t0 20 hours so far? But that includes my detours (getting lost) and driving around for an extended amount of time in Charleston looking for a parking place (must be trained on how to parallel park and also to navigate busy downtown areas). I have never driven more than from Auburn and back to Mobile by myself but I've actually enjoyed road tripping it. Very surprised. I've got a sweet karaoke mix going of songs I could only belt out if I'm by myself, listening to Bossypants by Tina Fey on audio- Hilarious!, made some phone calls to friends and family, and then the getting lost keeps you entertained too. Also, the trees lining the interstate are absolutely gorgeous. Every different shade of yellow, orange, and red you can imagine.

-Visited with several people that graduated from USA, people have been very hospitable to let me come and stay a night or two!

-So far I've interviewed in Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville SC. Tomorrow is Augusta, GA and Charlotte and Wake forest are also this week.

I'm also realizing things I'm gonna miss. Family of course, and I've made some of my best friends these past 3.5 years, I can only hope we all end up at the same place (obviously not gonna happen, maybe the same area of the country?). And what a gift to be surrounded by Auburn people everywhere in Mobile. While I was in Greenville I got hopeful every time I saw orange, but of course it was always Clemson. I appreciate the football enthusiasm regardless though. But wherever I go, maybe I will be able to find an Auburn crew.

DID YOU KNOW...

In augusta, people in tiny houses can rent it out for a week to people coming in for the masters for 3 grand?!? And If you have a super fancy house you can get 40 grand?? For one week!! Noted.