My Number 9.

He's great. I miss soccer season.

The Office is Funny.

Maybe I'm just vulnerable and in serious need of a laugh.... But I thought Last night's office was really funny. Funny enough to duly note all the awesome one-liners.

"Ahhh Hilary Swank" -Creed

"I'm not voting" -Angela
"No one cares" - Jim

"You fictitious name?" -Dwight
"Michael Scart" Michael..... Sounds an awful lot like shart

"You will have pancakes and you'll like it" -Michael

"No no no, like this" -Dwight proceeds to lick his lips

The jaws theme song... ha.

"Oooh Vietnam, I hear it's lovely." -Michael

"A painting would be beautiful, but I don't want to bang a painting" -Kevin

"Kevin Malone, I just read your online profile and there is nothing I would rather do than make out with you right now" -Hilary Swank

"No, No... it's 'is she hot?' not 'would you do her'.... Respect the game" -Kevin

"She's a female Boris Becker" -Angela

"Live and Let Live" -Michael

"Come on People! She is HOT" -Stanley

"mgmdajmmmmmg" -All the noises Michael makes while running away from Dwight

"That's why I hate bittersweet chocolate" -Michael.... agreed.

Bridezilla?

I have been feeling particularly Bridezilla-like lately... Not sure why, I'm just awesome like that... And the worst part is, I feel like I'm a freshman in high school again. Somehow, I've become insecure and paranoid (at least this week anyway). So I went to youtube to see if I could find a good bridezilla clip to express how I'm feeling. Talk about torture. I am an idiot. I already know I'm going to weep... not just cute, sweet cry, but WEEP.... But I never thought about all of my forgetfulness and all the things I'm going to have to remember on my special day...


Good thing you only have to read crap like this for 5 and a half more months, huh?

Date Night.

Cold.

Scatterfield Road, Anderson, Indiana

Updated: 7:31 a.m.

-14.2 °F Clear

I hate you.

I'm a Freshman.

7:00 a.m. - alarm goes off... hit the snooze
7:09 a.m. - ditto
7:18 a.m. - Once again, I hit the snooze.
7:27 a.m. - roll out of bed
7:35 a.m. - Ready. (that's right 8 minutes flat)
7:40 a.m. - realize it's snowing buckets outside and change clothes
7:45 a.m. - think about praying about my day
7:46 a.m. - get distracted by something shimmery
7:50 a.m. - get in my car and man the 8 slippery blocks to campus
7:51 a.m. - Try really really hard not to slip and fall in the snow
7:52 a.m. - end up in the biology wing... there are snakes and lizards and HUGE snakes
7:52.5 a.m. - get funny looks for hugging the wall
7:53 a.m. - Still can't find my classroom
7:56 a.m. - realize I'm in the wrong building
7:58 a.m. - Slip and fall in the snow
8:00 a.m. - arrive at the building I've never been in
8:01 a.m. - walk back and forth a few times past the room I'm convinced is the one I'm supposed to be in.
8:02 a.m. - Not my classroom
8:04 a.m. - Welcome to Business 4910... Praise God. I arrive covered in snow and under five minutes late.

In the midst of moving furniture...

Dear Wonderful School Bed,
I'm sorry that I wanted to move you across the room. I needed a change and I thought it would be a good idea. I'm also sorry you fell in the gaping hole in my room. Please come out soon so that I can go to sleep.

With Love,
Ashley

Word Association.

So I survived my trip to Guatemala! It is good to be home, but I will be up and moving again tomorrow to head back to school. It is going to take a long time to really process what actually happened on that trip, but for now, I will give you some hints by using word association.

Guatemala - Beautiful
Antigua Guatemala - Rest
Xela Guatemala - Village and Whoa
Water - Necessity
Kids - Insane
Culture - Different
Iphone - Grateful
Dogs - Roadkill.... And I cried every time.
Team - Life. Energy. So much I could say.
Rice -Throw up.
Chicken - Lots of throw up
Bathroom - Put the freakin' toilet paper in the trash; not the toilet
Nate - Encouragement
Puppet Shows - Underrated
Hygiene Class - Chaos
This is the Day! - Este es el dia!

After we gave up on the first well (as it was only producing 10 gallons per minute), we started and finished the second well in two days. It produced 110 gallons per minute. I heard a rumor that that's a record for living water. On the last day, we went back to the first well that we had given up on, tried again, and finished. That well produces 40 gallons per minute. Clean water gushing at 150 gallons per minute. If you could see the looks in the eyes of the women, who no longer have to walk ridiculous distances carrying water that may in fact end up hurting their family, you could see it... the missionary glow.

More later.

we are in the village and the kids are beautiful!  They smell funny, but we are attempting to teach them some good hygiene.  it is really hard.  we were really close to finishing the well today, but they found that it wasn't producing enough water.  so anyways, we are pretty discouraged and may be staying an extra day in the village. But I am trying to stay positive and drink lots of water (we are all central america sick).  keep praaaying, please.

Potty Stickers

Guatemala is absolutely beautiful!! I am realizing more and more that my expectations were mostly wrong. First things first... it is NOT cold here. We were told to bring ski clothes and mostly winter-wear. I follow all the rules.... so let me tell you, it is HOT... and I am hoping to get a feedback form. Second, you don't put toilet paper in the "commode", you put it in the trash. My muscle memory has had a lot of trouble with that one. Third, we are having a ton of fun. Our group's ages range from 20- 74! In fact, there are three people here that are over 70. A couple over fifty, a few in their forties, then my sister and cousin and I. The old ones are my favorite and bring tears to my eyes on a regular basis with their amazing stories. We have been told some really funny things... like you have to pee at least three times while we're at the work site... Nicole and I decided we are going to make a chart and give stickers... Then our old friend Jerry told us that if we get a "lumpy fart" we don't get a sticker. We all agreed.

Tomorrow we head into the village. It is going to be very exciting. I am working on the hygiene team, but will probably do some drilling as well. It will be a lot of work, but we are thrilled to be here. And I found some diet coke and a dog named Tommy that I keep calling Tony... so we are set.

Guatemala Here We Come!

I'm heading to Guatemala this morning with my mom, sister, and cousin. We are going with Living Water to dig a well and teach a village about hygiene. It sound pretty dry on paper, but I can almost guarantee, I won't come back the same. These things usually wreck me. So be praying for us.... My anxiety about this trip has been everything but peaceful. Be praying that I don't kill anyone without my daily diet coke. Be praying that I can handle the intensity of such an emotional trip. And be praying for my words... these people speak Mum (a mayan dialect) so there won't be much talking, but be praying that I speak love through physical touch, smiles, and maybe a few words.... All stuff that makes me uncomfortable... Pray for the people we are serving. And pray for whatever else you think needs to be prayed for. I should not be allowed to blog before 8 a.m. (it's now 5:15).... Text messages are the same for you and cheap for me.... just in case you're wondering.

To do In the Upcoming Year...