jamaica, mon

Day 1:Tuesday, June 2- Travel

I had to work Monday, so I drove from Memphis to Lexington (6.5 hours) on Monday night plus stop at Walmart to get some last-minute vacation essentials (i.e. sunscreen). Chris and I arrived at the house in KY around 12:45 am. We had to bring everything in from the cars and finish packing, which put us in bed at 3:30. The alarm went off at 6:30. Instant bad mood.

The first leg of the flight was fine from Lexington to Charlotte. I napped. I somehow (and miraculously) squeezed all of my belongings into a carry-on size piece of luggage, which saved us $15. We had a short layover in Charlotte, which is where the nightmare began.

Our flight was delayed for one hour. Why, you ask? To fix the bathrooms for a 50-minute flight. Seriously? As long as ONE works, we'll be fine. As a person with Crohn's, I realize the importance of a lavatory, but c'mon. Our layover in Ft. Lauderdale was only an hour and a half, so let's GO!!! We are on a time schedule here.

However, during our wait, I got to chat with a very nice couple from Minnesota who were on their way to Florida to pick up their second adopted child. I was so excited for them! Their first child was now 2- an adorable little black guy with big beautiful brown eyes. Such a cutie- Jamaican nationality. Their new daughter is from Haiti- just one week old, she is about to have a family! It was awesome to talk with them.

We finally got on the plane to head to Ft. Lauderdale. It was a short flight... but we had to SPRINT through the airport upon arrival in order to get to the ticketing desk b/c we changed airlines. This is when Sara got rude...

Out of breath, we frantically ask the AirJamaica people to check us in for the flight that now leaves the ground in 30 minutes. Without hesitation, the lady says "no, it's too late." I firmly tell her that we have 30 minutes and we are fast runners, so could she please check us in. She says no again b/c we are supposed to arrive 2.5 hours prior to departure. (WHAT?!) I tell her that our flight was late and it's not our fault and she proceeds to tell me that the airline that made us late is in charge of finding us a new flight to Jamaica. (which may I add, makes no sense since we are flying to Jamaica on AirJamaica, not USAirways.) The next flight is not until 8:00. I never did figure out if this was 8 pm or 8 am the next day. I didn't even care to ask, because I was leaving on flight 034.

I am now fuming. This lady has wasted at least 5 minutes telling us what she can't do before she has even tried to do anything. I can't remember what all we said to her. Basically, it was GIVE US OUR TICKETS NOW, WOMAN!

She finally decided to mosey over to someone and ask them if she could try to print our boarding passes. Yes, thank you, please do that. You should have done that 5 minutes ago. Some magic person gave her the go-ahead to try to print our tickets. Supposedly they had already "done the paperwork" for the flight, whatever that means, which is why she was refusing to try.

As she punched some stuff in the computer, she said "I'm really not supposed to do this." And I rudely blurted out "I don't care!" Chris told me to stop it, under his breath. The woman said "Well I have to care." I wanted to jump across the counter and punch her in the face I was so mad at her.

I walked away before I said some additional rude things. It's great to be a Christian, but boy that Holy Spirit will get you. I felt so bad for being rude, even though she was clearly an idiot and completely unhelpful. So I humbly walked back to the counter and said, "I apologize. I'm not trying to be rude. It's been a long day and I just want to get to Jamaica." I think she accepted my apology. I'm sure she sees people like me all day long. I try not to be "that person" but I was SOOOO tired and so irritated.

Behold! A miracle! Our tickets! We ran the 15 feet to security and came to a screeching halt- the line was long. Dang it. Two other girls had been on our flight from Charlotte to Ft. Lauderdale. So we groaned and complained with them. The two people checking boarding passes were moving about the speed of a slug. Let's GO people. Good grief! I just about hollered outloud that our flight was going to leave us and could they please light a fire under their tail!!! We finally made it to security and of course no one else was in a hurry except for us. I was tempted to cut line, but alas, I did not.

So Chris and I forgot that we had been drinking water at the airport in Charlotte out of our new Nalgene water bottle. We failed to empty the bottle, b/c we didn't think about it during the frenzy. So we got stopped. The guy told Chris he had to take the bottle outside, dump it out, then stand back in line to get boarding pass checked and go through security again. HEEEEEECK NO! I yelled out "Chris, just give him the dang bottle!" So mr-airport-guy kept it and we ran down to the gate. A lady was in the hallway waiting for us and the other two girls. Chris says "do we have everything?" I look around and exclaim: "my suitcase!!!" Chris had left it on the rolley rack in security. So he sprints back up the hall (fortunately our gate was the closest one to security) and runs back with my luggage. This is becoming a comedy.

Insert note of sarcasm: good thing we hurried, because we sat on the plane for over 10 minutes before they even taxied to the runway.

I hate airports.

We made it to Jamaica in one piece. Our taxi driver drove us to the wrong resort, but that was a minor infraction... the correct resort was attached.

We were hungry at 5:00 and there was no food to be had. So we ate nachos at the snack bar, then came back the room to sleep until they served dinner. Wellllll.... we didn't wake up until 8 the next morning. I guess we needed some zzzzz's.

Day 2 adventures to come later!

call him Dr. Waynick :)

I am the proud wife of Dr. Christopher Anthony Waynick. Way to go, honey!!!!!

Check out pictures from the two days of events here.

closing

After MUCH unnecessary stress and drama, we finally have set a date and time for closing on the house in Lexington:

Friday, May 22 at 6 pm

Can't wait to get this moving process over and done with. The longest I have lived in one house or apartment (post-high school) is two years. Praise the Lord, I'll be in this one for three! ...maybe longer if Chris decides to work at UK after residency. I have moved 8 times in the last 8 years (including this upcoming move) and quite frankly, I'm over it!

Thanks again to all of you who have helped me pack and load or will be helping me UNpack and UNload...

farewell, sweet Alicia

We closed on the house today. I am officially homeless and it is sad. I loved my home. It was mine and Topher's first home together. And it is so cute. I will miss it. I actually cried as I did my final sweep-through to make sure I got everything. :'(

Anyway, the relieving part is that I spent endless hours organizing, packing, and throwing things away and now it is complete. For now. Unloading and unpacking in Lexington is going to suck... but I have a week to re-coup.

I thank God for my family and my friends (esp. Jen and Nick!!!!) who helped me "move." I could not have completed the task without them. They all have been so selfless--- a true reflection of the character of Christ. THANK YOU!!

Well, a chapter of my life is almost closed... and I anxiously waiting to start the next one! :)

leaving Memphis...

I'm sad. I never thought I would say it. The moment I moved here, I wanted to leave. But over the last three years, I have grown to really like (still can't exactly say "love") Memphis. I have listed some very important reasons why, quite frankly, it will suck to leave.

Christ United Methodist Church

Having grown up Southern Baptist, I never imagined stepping foot inside a Methodist church, let alone become a member of one. The only two Methodist churches I was familiar with were not exactly on the straight and narrow, if you know what I mean. I just had a really bad taste in my mouth for Methodists (which is my own fault, I suppose). But let me tell you about Christ Church... This place is on fire for God and is spreading the gospel to all the nations. The pastors have a love and passion for Christ that is hard to find. Pastors Steve Dodson, Jamey Lee, and Scott Lees have been excellent mentors and friends to Christopher and me. I have been playing percussion in the praise band for over a year now and have fallen in love with it. Nothing like praising God with the congas and egg shaker! Haha :) Josh Smith, our worship leader, is an extremely talented musician with a passionate heart for God. I have been SO blessed to have been a part of Christ Church. I will miss everyone so much.

This job was a blessing straight from God.

I learned many lessons here both personal and work-related. I made a lot of friends here. Can I just take them to Lexington with me? Please?!

A. Michelle Culbreth, MD - Family/OB

Ziad Younes, MD - Gastroenterology

They saved my life. God led me straight to two wonderful Christian doctors who care about their patients and take excellent care of them. They have provided care for me through the trials of Crohn's disease and I will always be grateful.

Our house

Our little 1947 home is so adorable. It is just the right size and so pretty. I love it and I will miss it and all its character!! Plus it was our first home together as a married couple- that is sentimental!

Central BBQ

Certainly the best BBQ I have ever put in my mouth. Pulled pork sandwich and the BBQ chicken nachos. YUMMERS! Oh Memphis, how I will miss your BBQ...

Side by Side

This is such a wonderful ministry for medical students' wives. The ladies in this group are able to share their frustrations, joys and pain with one another and provide each other with the support we need to make it through medical school with our spouse. Every city with a medical school needs a Side by Side. :) I have made dear friends in this group and I wish we could all stay together forever.

My friends

I don't know what I'm going to do without them. I've been through this same heartbreak a hundred times... you develop friendships, you grow close, and just when your relationship is really blooming, you up and leave them. It sucks. I wouldn't have survived Memphis without the near and dear to my heart and you know who you all are. They came from work, church, and Side by Side. I love you all so much and you will always have a special place in my heart.

Sushi with Jen Lee

I think she is the only person who would eat sushi with me twice a week if I asked her. Thank you, Laura Bodwell, for introducing me to sushi and thank you, Jen, for keeping me on the sushi path. I will return to Memphis specifically to hit up Sakura or SPR with my BFF.

Let's be honest, Memphis, like any other city, isn't ALL good...

These are things that I will NOT miss and can't wait to escape from!

1. Crime and the paranoia of being victimized by crime

2. The dreadfully hot, miserable spring and summer

3. Racism and prejudice (going both directions)

4. Corrupt government

5. Life without family close by

6. Memphis drivers. Horrible and rude.

7. Lack of mountains.. and even steep hills.

8. The obsession with Elvis. It's idolatry, I tell you.

9. FedEx jets zooming over my head every 5 minutes

Goodbye Memphis, Goodbye...

peony... i think

these came from my back yard. i think they are peonies, but i'm not sure.

they are beautiful, regardless.

and they are the only happy thing left in my house at the moment.

two-for-one graduation

Congratulations to my sister, Natalie and my sister-in-law, Candace on their graduation from UT-Chattanooga! Festivities took place Sunday, May 3. It was great to go visit the city of Chattanooga and my alma mater.

Natalie- B.A. Spanish, summa cum laude

Minor: English, Writing

Candace- B.S. Nutrition (going on to do a dietetic intership in Portland, Oregon this year!)

And since Chris was in Utah, I brought him with me to graduation in a creative, cheesy way... :)

Happy Momma's Day! :)

I want to wish a Happy Mother's Day to my precious momma!

[and to my sweet mother-in-law!]

I am SO blessed to have such a wonderful family.

In the church service this morning, my pastor recognized ALL women- those who have children and those who don't. He made a good point that even if a woman doesn't have kids, she still plays a critical role in nurturing other human beings, be it her husband, her friends, her nieces & nephews, her co-workers, or even strangers.

So happy day to all women today!!!

craigslist is awesome

I posted my computer desk for sale on Craigslist tonight at 7:08 pm. I received a phone call from an interested buyer at 7:45 pm. By 8:25 pm, the desk was out of my house and I had cash in my hand.

Amazing.

I think I should win a prize for the fastest sale transaction in craigslist history.

double standard

How is it that the people who are advocates of abortion (with the stance that a fetus really isn't a child yet) are the very same ones who claim that killing a pregnant woman is double homicide (no matter how far along she is)?

Please explain this to me.