Memphis is full of panhandlers, beggers, etc. In fact, one evening I was out with 2 other residents and a lady asked us what time it was - what a mistake to answer that question. We stopped to answer and she launched into a long sob story about how she was here with her boyfriend but he beat her and is now in jail and she can't get back to her kids in Arkansas. She wanted $20 to get to the downtown bus stop because the church shelters wouldn't help her. We stalled for a while and the story kept on going and finally one of my friends gave the woman $20. I felt sort of guilty. Less than a week later, my two friends were out for supper and the SAME woman came up to them asking for money. So, I have some proof that many of the Memphis panhandlers are "professionals".
However, I still feel some guilt about ignoring them. There's usually someone with a sign at the exit from the interstate. They come up to my car when I'm in the drive-thru at Arby's. I've thought about this and decided that I will give everyone who asks for money $1.00. I just wonder what would Jesus do? He obviously would know the sincerity of a person but I do not have that ability. I can't carry canned goods around with me everywhere and these people obviously have serious life problems and $1.00 won't buy alcohol (at least by itself). Anyway, I've given away 1.50 in one day (I didn't have a dollar bill and only 50 cents easily accessible).
Just thought I would share my current solution to an issue I have with Memphis.
A doctor is to give a speech at the local AMA dinner. He jots down notes for his speech. Unfortunately, when he stands in front of his colleagues later that night, he finds that he can't read his notes. So he asks, "Is there a pharmacist in the house?"
I usually try to give a little $$$ too. I know most people say that the beggers aren't for real but, I figure if they're lying about it, then that's their problem. At least I did something to help...even if they are lying. That's b/w them and God.
When we lived in Detroit I walked to work most days. I passed several down-on-their-luck people every day. Some of them were caught up in substance abuse, some were mentally ill. It was usually the same people every day. I didn't perceive that they were lazy so much as just unable to cope with regular life. I never carried a purse or any money or wore any jewellery when I walked to work every day - and eventually they all came to know that. I didn't give them money because I saw what they did with what they got. But I would sometimes bring a bag of apples or something to share and I would stop and talk with some of them. I got acquainted with them and they with me. I think maybe they appreciated not being "invisible" to a passer-by. A couple of them even rushed to my rescue one time when I found myself in an uncomfortable situation. They were mostly just very unhappy, mixed-up, lonely people.
Yes, I arrived in B'ham safely. My fellow TN residents were stuck in the airport for a while - I got out just in time. It was a rough traveling day.
I hate to leave anyone hanging about the job situation. However, blogs and facebook are public places so I can't write details. I do want to return to Birmingham but the job market for what I really want is not as strong in Birmingham. So one decision that floats around my head is live where I want with the perhaps less desirable job or go for the job and live elsewhere. I've spent the last 6 months living elsewhere with the better job and I don't like it. So, I think b'ham will win out as the place that I want to live.
Brings me to a philosophical point...do you sometimes wish that God would really just tell you what to do? I have sometimes wanted this especially when around friends who have that sort of view of God's workings - that He has a definite plan for our lives (outside the plan to make us his children) - a mate or a place to live or the "right" vocation. I know that God is sovereign in the universe (He created it) and knows all (I'm not up to discussing free will and omniscience). I guess this particular musing is more where does God's providence fit? Is it that He guided me towards pharmacy and towards Auburn's school of pharmacy in particular because that was the right thing for me or did He help and support me in the decision that I made to be a pharmacist and go to Auburn? Would any career decision (given that it is morally, legally and ethically sound) have been equally pleasing to God? I believe the answer is yes and that God's providence is that He supports, helps, comforts, strengthens me whatever the actual life circumstance. I guess that I am rejecting the notion that it was right for me to go into pharmacy (because all has worked out) and would have been wrong for me to continue as an engineer or switch to another profession. Any other thoughts out there?
Back to the actual job search...when I'm with a bunch of pharmacists at a professional meeting the job appears more important and I feel confused about what I should do in the future. When I am away from that pressure, I realize that most important is my work for the Lord and where will I accomplish that best? My personality is such that I am best when secure in a situation - I'm a bit hesitant in new places and around new people - so I am most productive where I have roots which is why returning home is a good choice for me. So I will pursue stuff in Birmingham and see what happens.
"There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand."~Proverbs 19:21. Choose whichever career path that will help you get to heaven.
I like thinking of you in Birmingham. I hope you can find the best of both worlds.
I agree about overdone Xmas decorations. I like houses lit up like daylight or a used car lot. And we have many of those in our area. But some of these are hilarious, obviously done by artistically impaired individuals...with limited time on their hands...maybe color-blind too...or perhaps drunk.
There's a house up the road from us that we pass when we go for a walk. We passed them the other day while the father was putting up lights. The little girls were dancing around him and jumping up and down and cheering him on. I told M. that we should go back and look after dark and see what he did since the children were so excited. When we drove back up there later we both burst out laughing. Really, it was terrible!
Well, I've spent a whirlwind 5 days in sunny Orlando (sunny until today). I'm sitting at the airport (on the internet for the first time because I refuse to pay 9.95/day for internet in the hotel). My plane's original departure time was 11:05, as I type this it is 11:05. But, thankfully, a plane has just arrived at my scheduled departure gate - it's hard to hope when there is no plane at your gate!
Most of my time in Orlando was spent searching for a job when my residency is over. Getting a pharmacy job is very different than engineering so I'm a little unsure of myself. I have many options but what I want most when I am honest with myself is probably out of my reach. I struggle to let go the possibility of future disappointment.
However, Wednesday was spent at the Magic Kingdom. My Christmas is complete - I got to see the Fairy Godmother decorate Cinderella's castle - how does Disney continue to make it all so magical? A day there and I remember what is was like to be a child and believe in fairies and princesses. I had a wonderful time.
I thought you were coming back here after residency! We are going to Disney when we go down to see Mike's family for Christmas. I am so excited! Glad you enjoyed it!
So you leave me hangin'-what do you want most in a job? It is something about that place that just makes you want to go back and back and back and back-the Magic Kingdom that is. Hope you have a safe trip back.
Today, I got to be a normal person and have some fun. I met Daniel and DeAnne in Oxford (plus Leah and Brian) and went to the Ole Miss vs Auburn game. I've never been to the University of Mississippi before - a really beautiful, old campus. The Grove is quite an experience - for most of my friends, imagine if Auburn on game day was covered (completely, no extra space at all) with tents and tailgaters - no RV's, no cars, just tents and tailgating with chafing dishes, tablecloths, floral centerpieces and occasionally candle chandeliers. Seems Ole Miss also has a thing about port-a-pottys and Hotty Tottys. They also have a long cheer which I couldn't make out the words to. Daniel told me to stop trying because I didn't want to know - apparently it's NOT family friendly. Overall though, the NICEST away game atmosphere. Everyone was super nice after the game. In the past, I've been to Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Legion Field. I would only consider returing to Georgia or Ole Miss.
Of course, I'd have enjoyed it more if my team had won - but we're struggling mightily this year. C'est la vie.
After the game, Daniel, DeAnne and I drove through the "Square" in Oxford - looks like a really fun place to spend a Saturday window shopping - and then we went out to Rowan Oaks - where William Faulkner lived for a while. Lastly, we ate supper at the original Newk's. Might've been my favorite part because I got to have a wonderful conversation with Daniel and DeAnne - usually there are two adorable little girls clamoring for attention who interfere with good conversation :).
I'm about to go to bed and get my extra hour of sleep!
"If I were reincarnated, I'd want to come back a buzzard. Nothing hates him or envies him or wants him or needs him. He is never bothered or in danger, and he can eat anything."~William Faulkner
Glad you had fun!! Sorry we didn't get to spend more time. Also glad you found your way to Rowen Oak too. You need to come down and "tour" the campus/town when there is not as many people in the way.
Technically he's not president yet. So he can't take credit for anything. But he will. Maybe the world will end before he's inaugurated and our troubles will be over.
It occurred to me after my last post that many folks are actually searching for jobs without so many options. In fact, my boss at my last engineering job was fired just yesterday. So I'm also going to thank God for choices - I don't actually have to worry right now about finding a job just about finding the job I would really like in the place that I most want to live. That's a pretty awesome problem to have.
I'm going to stop now - I also have bronchitis and an ear infection and am a little high on good cough syrup and a steroid pill - gotta LOVE those drugs!
I wish you the best in your decisions. Sarah Chandler once said a wise thing to me. She said that if you don't make the best choice in your life, God won't abandon you and you'll get through it.
You know, if you take a job and don't like it much you can always change after a while. Scott did that for about 10 years until he got it right.
Dave and Jude were big helps with the stew, we made 30 gallons and sold out by 1 o'clock. I am sitting here eating a Homewrecker from Moes! I don't want to see stew for a month. :)
