1. Getting manhandled by a bus
Even after swearing off the 10am bus for good (due to a crazy bus driver in the past), I was convinced by Tim that the bus had since changed their ways. Things would be different now, it would be a healthy, reciprocal relationship this time around. The bus would come early, I would be in class on time and things would be okay. No one would be yelling or driving like they were on speed (yet not getting anywhere on time).
I had spoken too soon when I realized that it was already 10:10 with the bus nowhere in sight. Fearing the verbal assaults by my Chinese teacher for being late, I was considering several options- for one, I could wait for the bus and hope that I will get to school in five minutes. I could also call a cab, pay $15 to get there and still be late. The last option, which would be the most desperate, would be to take my shitty car, only to realize that it won't start. Taking all these options into consideration, I decided to not spend any money [that I didn't have] and wait for the bus.
The bus finally came. I had accepted that I would be publicly ousted in front of my peers for being late, perhaps I would make it up with excellent Chinese dialogue. Probably not. With my head down, I stepped onto the bus only to be manhandled by the doors. A few people managed to slip through but, practicing caution and defending my honor, I stepped out. The doors opened again and once again, the fucking doors close on me. While the smart thing to do was to dust my shoulders off and casually enter the bus through the front doors, in my hope for the goodness of humanity, I waited. The doors open again and I quickly try to rush in. The next thing you know, my foot is stuck between the doors and I can't pull it out. There is nothing to be done now- I could not properly defend my honor, I am embarrassed and I might possibly lose a foot/shoe.
What was to be done now? The bus had won. I pulled my foot out of my shoe, pulled my shoe out with my hands and ran to the front of the bus, found a seat and refused to make eye contact with anyone. The world was against me at that point- I was going to be late for Chinese AND I was publicly humiliated and assaulted by a metro bus.
I have been taking the 9:41am bus since then.
2. "I'm wearing shorts"
Earlier this year, I came home from a typical day at school. I don't usually run into my neighbors considering most of them are older and have older people jobs. On this particular day, I had just checked my mail and was making my way upstairs. As I open the door to the stairwell, an older man in a white tshirt and white underpants ("tighty whities") happened to be on his way upstairs. Our eyes met (or maybe my eyes met his underpants). The only thing he said was "I'm sorry, I'm wearing shorts". What does one say in response to that? He turned around and in a slow jog type of way, made his way upstairs. I only had to follow him up one flight of stairs (Why didn't I just take the other stairs?) but the image has burned a place in my mind. Those stairs will never be the same again.
3. "Maybe I should call Liz and Tim"
Over the summer I both worked and attended school. Granted it was only one class and I only worked for 4 hours but still, I'm sensitive. Not to mention I started work at 5:15 in the morning. For some reason, although I had to do this 4 times a week, I never got used to the schedule. Needless to say, I was always tired.
I usually bike down to work since the buses don't run early enough and, since I am a hipster who can't bike for shit, I bus back home (or to school). Since I had been told by a bus driver that I was not allowed to put my bike on in the ride free area, I biked all the way to the Convention Center (8 blocks down). Nothing special about this. I have no problem following the rules, whatever, let me just go home.
Any Frances story would not be the same without a "however" brought into the mix. So, to follow the formula...
However, as I was getting off the bus, for some weird reason, I had tripped and hurt my ankle really bad. Because I am ridiculously self conscious and insecure, I had pretended that nothing happened and got off the bus. So what if my ankle was hurting like a motherfucker? I needed to look cool with my fixed gear and get the fuck off the bus. As the bus drove away, standing there with my bike, looking hip of course, I questioned what I should do. My ankle hurt and I thought I was going to pass out from shock. Knowing that Tim and Liz were at my house I questioned calling them and telling them to help me. Then again, if I had called and told them that I hurt myself off the bus, naturally, they would laugh at me and think I was joking. And, if they actually did come, would I really make them carry me home? I don't think so. I have pride.
I ended up limping my way home with my bike in tow. I told Liz and Tim, the friends they are, what happened and I was right. They did laugh at me.
To this day, my ankle still hurts.
4. Somewhere in the Pacific
Every year I go back home to Guam. It's about a 13 hour flight each way which takes its toll on my mental, physical and emotional health. Only recently have I discovered a method to which I can comfortably nap (aside from taking painkillers, but thats also another story). I do so by putting the tray table down and resting my head on it with a pillow. Pretty much how I sleep in class except with a small, travel sized pillow. And I guess having no shame in sleeping.
This year was a particularly hard year for me to leave home. For the first time since 2003, my entire family was on island to celebrate the birth of my sister's third baby. Also, for the first time since I've been coming back every summer, I did not go out and get shit faced/funnel beers/win $200 every weekend. It was quality time with my family and I had no problem with that. Anyway, I am drifting.
On the flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles, sad and fatigued, I took to my normal routine and fell asleep on the tray table. The next thing you know, I feel like I'm getting crushed. Not by crippling sadness that would happen when I leave home but by someone sitting in front of me reclining their chair. It wasn't a swift motion either. The bitch didn't realize that someone could be resting their head on the table (which I could understand why) so she kept pushing back until she got what she wanted. Let's just say she wasn't a very small girl either. Since I am also a pushover, I let her win. It's okay to compromise my comfort for the sake of someone else. I'm just sorry the nice couple next to me had to witness this injustice. I wonder how they're dealing with this.
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And those are just to name a few. Do these kinds of things happen to you on a regular basis?
What else have I been up to? Let me list this in bullet form:
- I am in school on an average of 8-10 hours every day. This is my life right now.
- I have been living on my own since I've been back from Guam/There are no squatters in my house
- As of yesterday, I am officially jobless. Seattle's Best Coffee at 1st and Pike lost its lease due to a 20% increase in rent. Starbucks will be there in a couple of months.
- I need an official answer by my stepdad's friend on whether or not I will be working in China next summer. I really need to go back.
- I really, really screwed up when it came to Eamon.
- I made an egg salad sandwich that was too salty but still ate three eggs worth of it.
- I wish I had the time to read books.
- I keep spending money on beer and candy.
- Business classes have been so bad to the extent that Liz and I have to drink before class and have a stockpile of snacks to eat during class.
3 comments:
Tell me about working in China. What would you do, where would you do it, and why?
Why was the least important of my questions, that's why I listed it last.
Anyway, I too am plotting a return, likely to Beijing to work on my 汉语 and manufacture scrilla. Since I miss you more than the average acquaintance, it would be cool if you were in the same city.
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